Campionato Esportiva 33; RPs, Results

[The Licentian Isles]

Licentian National Football Team

The Cyan-and-Gold found themselves disappointed in the last World Cup qualifiers, following up a quarter final loss to Brenecia in the Campionato with 8th place in their qualifying group. That’s left the FALI in a tough position: ride things out with Galeano, the current manager, or look for something new. For now, they’ve gone with the former. There will need to be some significant improvements this cycle though, or things might not stay that way.

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Head Coach – Galeano
The Tamarindian-born man simply known as Galeano is one of the most highly rated managers in Astograth, where he has long been a naturalised citizen. After a long and successful playing career as a midfielder for the Army Club, Royal Rumiatzi, and the Astograthian national team, Galeano established himself as a master strategist, with a managerial style based on aggressive pressing, wide play, and big centre forwards. His last three years have been spent with Royal Rumiatzi, who he led to two straight league titles in his first two years in charge, before leaving the club after they failed to qualify for the IFCF. Now, the FALI have picked the acclaimed Astograthian to take over as the manager of the Licentian Isles: he will have a lot of work to do.

Captain – Flora Watson
Vice-Captain – Seren Thomson

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Formation – 5-2-2-1 (Skill Modifier: -2):
The last few cycles saw a major change in style as Galeano brought with him the style of play that brought him high amounts of success in Astograthian football. Expect to see an aggressive defensive style, with the attacking style heavily focussed on the wing-backs and wingers playing balls into a single centre forward. There’s also a move away from the traditional holding midfielder seen in Licentian football, replaced by a pair of central midfielders who will likely split on the park into holding and attacking roles, but aren’t designated as such.

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Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Name             Age   Club         Nation
Aimil MacGowan   24    St Thomas    
Samuel Orr       23    René Skaé    
Milou van Dam    24    Waterfleet   

A real changing of the guard in goal, as Caitlin Fraser, a legend of the game in the Isles, finally retires from international football at the age of 38. The most likely to take on her gloves is Aimil MacGowan, newly returned to the Isles with St Thomas after a few years in Eura. Behind MacGowan are quite a few options, including some who won’t travel to the Campionato: it’s Samuel Orr and Milou van Dam who get the nod this time.

Right Backs:

Name              Age   Club                  Nation
George Turnbull   26    Stonehouse Athletic   
Sarah Maartens    30    St Thomas             

The long expected change comes at right back. George Turnbull is now truly in his prime, with his attacking nous only increased with his more forward role under new Stonehouse manager Anton Lemaitre. Sarah Maartens remains in the squad: whether Galeano thinks she has a role to play on the pitch or just in the locker room is yet to be seen.

Centre Backs:

Name                  Age   Club                  Nation
Flora Watson          35    St Thomas             
Arwen van As          25    Couno Rangers         
Tim Bijvank           26    Glenmount Town        
Sven van der Meulen   24    SC Montfort           
Cayden Pirie          25    Stonehouse Athletic   

With the retirement of Lucia Allen, that leaves Flora Watson as by far the most experienced player in the Licentian squad. The St Thomas centre half takes on the captain’s armband from Caitlin Fraser, and is joined in the back three by Arwen van As, and a new starter in Tim Bijvank, whose stock has risen since Glenmount’s title win. Sven van der Meulen travels again, bringing his lanky frame as an option of the bench, while Stonehouse’s Cayden Pirie gets his first call up.

Left Backs:

Name            Age   Club                 Nation
Seren Thomson   27    Couno Rangers     
Ayden Evers     26    Abingdon Celtic   

Seren Thomson, who continues to impress in Tumbra with Couno Rangers, now takes on the vice-captaincy as well as continuing in her role at starting left back for the Isles. In the reserve position, the swapping of Ayden Evers and Oliver Buchan continues: Evers and Celtic had a better season than Buchan and Dutch, so the former joins the squad this time.

Centre Midfielders:

Name               Age   Club             Nation
Arthur Mazereeuw   26    St Thomas        
Fiadh Buchan       25    Coret Hawks      
Nina MacDonald     24    Stahlburg City   
Saul van Duuren    28    Waterfleet       

Perhaps the biggest area of change comes in the centre of midfield for the Isles. Arthur Mazereeuw, now a stalwart for club and country, is joined by high-flying Fiadh Buchan on the back of her impressive performances in the Zenith. She skips into prime position to start ahead of Saul van Duuren, and the other midfielder travelling is another plying her trade in Nephara: Arlo McGregor has been dropped in favour of Nina MacDonald, who has earned many fans in recent years in Sylestone, the Isles, and now Nephara.

Right Wingers:

Name             Age   Club               Nation
Mitch Louws      25    La Nueva Avenida   
Casey McMillan   27    St Thomas          

No surprises here, even as they remain in the rest of the squad. It’s Mitch Louws and Casey McMillan once again, with Louws likely to be the one that starts on the right for the Cyan-and-Gold, and his replacement at St Thomas likely to find herself mostly contributing from the bench.

Left Wingers:

Name            Age   Club             Nation
Jake Spekman    23    Inter Nantwich   
Belle Barclay   24    Rosbank Town     

New faces on the left, but one that has been long awaited. Jake Spekman’s performances in college in Chromatika earned him a positive reputation, one that he’s only improved on since moving to Tumbra: it’s no real surprise he gets his call. Belle Barclay’s call-up is perhaps more unexpected, but she’s been a consistent performer for Rosbank in Brenecia, and the Cyan-and-Gold need a consistent left winger or two in the frame.

Centre Forwards:

Name                   Age   Club              Nation
Anne-Linde van Oers    27    1896 Ebor         
Will Wood              25    Abingdon Celtic   
Nicholas Main          23    Abingdon Celtic   

Up front there’s some change, but Anne-Linde van Oers remains first choice. She’s made quite the career for herself in Mytanija, and some even questioned if she should get the vice captaincy ahead of Seren Thomson. Silke van der Linden finds herself dropped in favour of Nicholas Main, who might be worried despite his first national team call-up: his colleague in Cyan-and-Gold, Will Wood, is one of two new strikers signed by Celtic in the off season.

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Kits – Created by Kirola Sports of Audioslavia:

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Visitors to the Licentian Isles for international matches should note that there are a growing number of football hooligans, known on the Isles as “casuals”, who are always liable to cause disruption and possibly attack fans travelling to the Licentian Isles. Travelling supporters are advised to wear team colours wherever possible (as casuals will not attack fans wearing colours without provocation), and avoid areas of the Isles populated by violent casual groups, along with trying to avoid these groups at matches. Most casual groups will be easily identifiable by banners they carry or songs they sing. Groups to avoid (with associated club and parish) include:

Jolly Roger (Garton Bay Pirates, Montfort Parish)
Capital City Squad (Montfort North End, Montfort Parish)
Real Celts (Gaelic Club, Abingdon Parish)
Colliery Casual Crew (Colesham Rovers, Colesham Parish)
Island Riot Squad (St Bart’s United, St Bart’s Parish)
Licentian Border Squad (St Thomas, St Bart’s Parish)

Nations should also note that some casual or ultra groups may travel in force with the Licentian national team for international matches outside the Isles. Not all are violent, but most will carry flares and large banners, and make use of them to build up the atmosphere during a match. If your nation bans this kind of behaviour, please make the FALI aware so that we can warn fans travelling to your nation in advance.

For any more information on Licentian casuals, please contact the FALI (OOC – discuss by TG or Discord).

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My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Preferred starting lineup: check my most recent RP: if nothing is listed for your match, then you are welcome to select a lineup, with the caveat that those listed highest at each position are most likely to play, and the central midfield will pair a defensive player (Buchan or van Duuren) with an attacking player (Mazereeuw or MacDonald)
Preferred Goalscorers: no preference
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but I decide severity and how long they will be out for
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Discuss by TG/Discord
Godmod other events: Discuss by TG/Discord

Fair play and respect are important to Licentian players, and they should not be depicted as going outside the bounds of normal behaviour during a match without prior permission. I will also not tolerate the introduction of any world changing events to the Isles without prior permission. If you have another idea that you would like to RP I am happy to collaborate: hopefully it’s clear where to go by now.

Player ages are correct as of the first matchday.

[Hannasea]

Nation name: The Hannasean Federation
Trigram: HAN
Adjective/demonym: Hannasean
Nickname: Black Butterflies

Soccer (known as hateball in Hannasea because of how much we hate it) is an all-female sport. It is not played at a high level and players are a step below full international level; the national team has won two games in their history and somehow fumbled their way to the knockouts in CE32 in what was widely assumed to be a work of performance art. The team is not very physically strong but have been working to improve fitness and reduce sloppy errors. They are trying out a new 4-3-3 formation to make use of their speedy wingers.

Coach: Kate Grant
Kate has been the successful manager of Pearl City Rovers in the Federation Hateball League and hopes to bring bold technical innovations trialled there such as a 4-3-3 formation, emphasis on quick passing, and not losing every single game, to the national team job.

Squad

GK Natasha Green Dynamo
New goalkeeper Natasha isn't the tallest (Hannasean women are notoriously short) but she has good reflexes and is quite skilled with the ball at her feet. Will her ability in possession make up for her aerial deficits? Reserves: Jessie Cameron, Georgia Walker.

LB Gianna Espinoza Olympic Mayswick
Both Gianna and Karissa are new call-ups, replacing veterans Rachel Barrett and Lexi Holmes. Gianna is the better technician of the two, an elegant wing-back; Karissa is a bit scrappier and more willing to throw in the needed tackle. Reserve: Karissa James.

CB Karina Wilkinson Star of Confederation
Captain. The tough tackling Karina has a high work rate and will give everything for the team at both ends. She’s not especially big for a center back and makes up for it with a bit of tactical roughness. She has taken over the captaincy following Maya Davidson. Reserves: Maddison Dry, Victoria Pearce.

CB Poppy Stone Pearl City United
Poppy is a slim, tall defender who has the height for heading clearances but not really the physicality to wrestle herself free in the scrum. She is a good medium-range passer and fairly comfortable in possession.

RB Meaghan Earls Esna
Brittany Horton was the first Hannasean player to ever sign overseas, but her age has robbed her of some of her pace and so Meaghan will get a chance to start. She's fast and can cross the ball powerfully, but not exceptionally tough on defence. Reserve: Brittany Horton.

HM Chelsea Crawford Barossia United
Chelsea is a busy playmaker who anchors the midfield in the new system. She's a little undersized to be providing much defensive cover but she's very good on the ball, and quite tough. Reserve: Hannah Houghton.

LCM Katie Thomas Olympic Mayswick
Katie is, by Hannasean standards, a good all-round midfielder who plays in a central role for Olympic but will fill in the most versatile, box-to-box role of the three central midfielders in this formation, breaking up plays with tackling and distributing the ball forward. As one of the tallest players on a very short team, a perennial target at set pieces.

RCM Annabella Rose Hillsmouth
An intelligent playmaker who has to take on the role Maya Davidson once held of stringing the attacks together, Annabella is fast and has a good quality shot, but none of her forebear's abilities from set pieces. Reserve: Lily-Mae Murray.

LW Natalia Thomas Pearl City Rovers
Natalia is a new call-up after Araceli Goff failed to impress. She brings raw pace in spades, and all the other skills that come with actually connecting her foot with the ball are coming along promisingly, too. Reserve: Mikayla Ross.

RW Raven Schultz Pearl City United
Classy winger with lots of energy. Gets a bit dribble-happy. Her incisive crosses sometimes sail over her teammates' heads. Reserve: Emma Terrell.

ST Maia Green Laitwinkl
Previously a reserve, getting her chance at a starter for the first time. An agile, clinical finisher who will get her boot on any half-chance, but can get muscled off the ball or outjumped owing to her lack of physical presence. Reserves: Anya Edwards, Brooke Read.

Style modifier: 0

Permissions

No photos, no violence, go nuts.

[Har Yarok]

Nation name: Ha’Yarok
Trigram: HYK
Demonym/adjective: Ha’Yaroki
Nickname: Green & Blues

All players play for domestic teams unless otherwise stated, and are available for transfer as free agents.

Staff

Coach: Yehudi Ganani (58)
Assistant coach: Ioan Yoffey (43)

Goalkeepers

1. Joey Goldschmidt (23) Sabit Netuel
14. Javan Ran (23) Shemiha LeZion
23. Joen Mattuck (28) Hapoel She’ed Afeba

Defenders

2. Dominik Dusl (25) Maccabi Bnei Lodibe
3. Jeremias Grossman (24) Shemiha LeZion
5. Tomek Reinharz (26) Paschvík [GRÆ]
6. Orin Lachman (27) Maccabi Bnei Lodibe
12. Samson Rabinowicz (29) Maccabi Yamera
13. Jannes Dukes (29) Shemiha LeZion
17. Jacob Kupner (33) Maccabi Yamera
20. Nehemiah Ong’ina (32) Maccabi Yamera

Midfielders

4. Jordi Pekarsky (30) Hapoel Tibeth
7. Jorah Alter (27) Sabit Netuel
8. Ezra Weber (28) Maccabi Yamera
10. Daniel Bayme (30) Maccabi Bnei Lodibe
11. Machau Matusevitch (27) Pakhtakor Tsaghkuk FK [KKA]
15. Caleb Sutro (21) Maccabi Yamera
16. Serafim Samuels (27) Hapoel She’ed Afeba
22. Aldo Breytenbach (26) Bialer

Forwards

9. Smuel Kahn (29) Shkotan FC [BRO] - CAPTAIN
18. Harmon Levinstein (31) Shemiha LeZion
19. Avidor Speyer (23) Hapoel Or Haifiel
21. Chaviv Sarlin (29) Hapoel She’ed Afeba

Style modifier: 0

Permissions:
Y…

Except for:
No RL photographs, no violence

[Natanians and Nosts]

Márcus Ion Mutu is out of the National Team

After 6 years ahead of the Natanians and Nosts' football national team,Márcus Ion Mutu retires from the rôle of manager.
His last competition leading the team will be the 33rd Campionato Esportiva.The reasons given by him for the exit are wishing to spend more time in his home,too much stress and a preceived inability in directing and properly reforming the national team.
His tenure as national manager was oscillatory,although results,in general,were quite consistent.
His substitute is yet unkown.

[South Newlandia]

South Newlandian Roster

(kit made by Tikariot)

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes, but please ask first.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but please ask first.
Godmod other events: Yes, but please ask first
Style mod: -0.5

Head Coach: Dale Hartford-Phelps, Zwangzug (54)
The former manager of the Twineur Bugs was immediately liked thanks to his fast-paced style of play, his willingness to do a rebuild with the aging Elephants, and his dry humour. Following some initial controversy around former captain Mikhail Trischuk and a failed qualifying campaign, Hartford-Phelps has turned his fortunes around by leading the Elephants to a Campionato Esportiva title.

Assistant Coach: David Watts (59)
As assistant coach, Hartford-Phelps hired the former manager of the Walstreim Lions, which were led by him to four league titles, a CEdC title, and a Round of 16 berth in the Champions' League. Watts was also a candidate many believed capable of the head coaching job, but even in this position, he should be a good fit.

Goalkeepers Coach: Mikhail Trischuk (39)
Trischuk was imformed by Hartford-Phelps that the former Longlist Galactico would not be considered any longer. Trischuk, who is still employed at the club level for Libertas Bergheim, was instead offered the job as Goalkeepers Coach.

Athletic Coach: Josef Salazar (38)
Was brought back from the old coaching staff.


Expected starting eleven:

GK: Kenneth Harris (32) Pyathora Mariners FC (Tikariot)

Harris has been playing extremely well for the Mariners in Tikariot, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in a highly competitive league, and has taken over goalkeeping duties for the Elephants.

LB: Archer Nguyen (31) Ancarea FC (Tikariot)
Nguyen has been playing quite well for Ancarea in Tikariot, although he struggles to adapt his skills to the Elephants. Nevertheless, he’s a dependable defender, even though he won’t usually be providing much of a spark for the offense.

CB: Andre Hall (31) FK Stassengrade (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
Hall has finally broken through, and is one of the five players on this roster playing the rapidly rising Esportivan country. What he lacks in pure talent, he makes up with hard work, fighting for every ball.

CB: Jeffrey Scott (33) Ancarea FC (Tikariot)
Scott and Nguyen know each other well, having joined in Ancarea a few seasons ago; this has likely been a factor in the elevation of Scott to the starting eleven.

RB: Francesco Sims (38) Castelo e Calvente CS (Ko-oren)
Sims may be a borderline unknown player who’s just a step or two from retirement, but he’s actually (finally) providing consistent play in Ko-oren. Right Back has a long history with being a terrible position for the Elephants; can Sims finally break this trend as he’s elevated for the first time in his career?

LM: Corban Green (32) Parrhesia United (Nephara)
Green is one of the players that have been around since the beginning, and he can’t even be stopped by a coaching change. His biggest weakness is being very prone to injury, to the point where his knee is broken more often than not. When he’s healthy, he’s elite, but that’s far too rarely the case. For now, he seems mostly fine, but things can go wrong with little to no warning. A recent move out of Brenecia might be good for his poor knees.

CM: Betty Collins (26) Baghdad United (Adab)
Collins is another first-time callup; with the hardworking, quick Elephant Valley native excelling in Adab. Can she bring her skills to South Newlandia and be the anchor for this team?

RM: Kaylem Knight (34) KFH Kehle (Efnakia)
Knight’s career has been reignited by a recent move to Efnakia, which has given him a chance in the starting lineup. Definitely a player that shouldn’t be underestimated and can easily defy expectations.

ST: Zachary Castillo (23) Phoenix United (The 14 Stars)
Collins is the youngest player in the starting squad, as the hard-working Zach has absolutely excelled beyond all expectations in The 14 Stars, where he was just able to score tons of goals. He’ll now have a chance to do the same for the Elephants.

(C) ST: Brandon Irving (34) Urbizania Wanderers (Astograth)
Irving has always been there for the Elephants, and accounts for a solid portion of the Elephants’ goals in their World Cup history. Despite some inconsistencies for his club teams, mediocrity with Barnley before moving on to Astograth for a (tied) South Newlandian record 6 million, his highs are as high as few other players. ‘Elefantea’, as he has been nicknamed by the Wanderers’ fans, has been a force for them, really reigniting a career that seemed to be slowly getting stale.

ST: Reid Gomez (27) St. John's Arsenal (Quebec and Shingoryeo)
Gomez has gone on an absolute tear through Quebec and Shingoryeo, which has gotten him lots of praise both in Quebec and South Newlandia. The young striker has scored 29 goals in the Q-League, more than any other player in his first season; and despite a slight decline in season two, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. His skillset translated to the World Cup, where he scored a bunch of goals in qualifying, far outdoing any of his teammates; to no avail.

Bench:

GK: Jodie Norris (23) Stonehouse Athletic (The Licentian Isles)
Norris is a strong penalty killer, and despite her being a bit on the small side, she’s going to get a shot to travel with the team. She was also represent the first women being added to the Elephants’ squad in football, alongside Nita Hanson. Playing amazingly for the Elephants in their CE win has earned her a big promotion in The Licentian Isles as well.

GK: Michael Ward (22) Twin Saints (Brenecia)
Ward’s a new face on the block, but the young, strong goalkeeper has earned a starting spot in Brenecia, and will get a chance to travel with the team as the third-stringer.

LB: Willie Ferrari (20) River Valley (Sanford)
One of the most exciting prospects of the Elephants has done quite well in his opportunity in Sanford, as the outstanding tackler has been able to apply himself well, earning him a spot on the team as the youngest player on the roster.

CB: Mike Sloah (35) Ituraitz FC (Astograth)
Sloah has been a backup on this position for a while, amassing a couple of appearances, but he was never quite able to break into the starting 11. He has a great eye for the game, able to spot things practically before they happen.

CB: Wesley Medrano (29) Chalesm (Squornshelan Remnant States)
Medrano is back; he’d been in the squad a few times as a young lad, but a recent improvement of his play in the Remnant States (and, to be honest, quite a few others doing worse) has earned him another chance to travel with the team.

RB: Harvey Wright (24) Porto Nowi OR (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
One of the youngest players on the squad, Wright is playing for a decent club in Zeta Reka; he’ll be the other player to take a chance at RB if Sims’ 38-year-old legs aren’t up to the task.

LM: Isaac Locatelli (24) Hüelhunde FK (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
Locatelli is a creative, durable player that, like many South Newlandians, found a nice home for himself in Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom.

AM: Abdurahman Bishop (32) Porto Nowi OR (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
Bishop used to be an important weapon, but a recent very dry spell has hindered him from seeing much action; now, he’s found a bit of his game again for Porto Nowi, and he’s ready to go again.

RM: Patrick McMora (35) Branvon CD (Ko-oren)
McMora is a similar story; he used to be one of the best players for this team, but after a transfer to Ko-oren, he was never quite able to find a place for himself. Now, back in a starting spot with Branvon, he’s back on the team.

ST: Bjorn Cohen (32) Marque (Brenecia)
Cohen, injury prone as he may be, is a pretty solid weapon. Even when he’s not starting for the Brenecian top team, he’s a very solid player, bouncing between the starting lineup and the bench.

ST: Otto Marsden (31) Hüelhunde FK (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
Marsden’s been doing alright for himself.

ST: Tom Sloan (30) Wynleth Flyers (Kelssek)
So has Sloan; he even earned a transfer to Kelssek! A pair of reliable options with experience in Zeta Reka (which, as you may recall, is the place we’re headed!).

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

Hi! We're cutting off, I couldn't get my stuff in, very bad, I might lost, go easy on me :(

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R1 Results
Group A
Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom 3–0 Le Choix
Neomaris 0–0 A Random Place

#                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom    1    1   0   0     3    0   +3     3
2 A Random Place               1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Neomaris                     1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
4 Le Choix                     1    0   0   1     0    3   −3     0

Group B
Lozho 0–0 Robostania
Ceyne Isles 0–0 Gouvanarch

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Ceyne Isles             1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Gouvanarch              1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Lozho                   1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Robostania              1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1

Group C
South Newlandia 1–0 Ancherion
Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison 0–1 Cap Nord

#                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Cap Nord                          1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
  South Newlandia                   1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
3 Ancherion                         1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
  Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison    1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0

Group D
Damukuni 0–0 Racing
Capital Cove 1–3 Brenecia

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Brenecia                1    1   0   0     3    1   +2     3
2 Damukuni                1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Racing                  1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
4 Capital Cove            1    0   0   1     1    3   −2     0

Group E
The Licentian Isles 2–1 Quebecois Acadiana
Ha'Yarok 2–1 Fhulghamous Peninsula

#                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Ha'Yarok                 1    1   0   0     2    1   +1     3
  The Licentian Isles      1    1   0   0     2    1   +1     3
3 Fhulghamous Peninsula    1    0   0   1     1    2   −1     0
  Quebecois Acadiana       1    0   0   1     1    2   −1     0

Group F
The Five United Clans 5–4 Polkopia
Entrop 0–1 Xanneria

#                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 The Five United Clans    1    1   0   0     5    4   +1     3
2 Xanneria                 1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
3 Polkopia                 1    0   0   1     4    5   −1     0
4 Entrop                   1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0

Group G
Appalachian Nation 3–2 Drehda
Esportivan Darmen 0–0 Tumbra

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Appalachian Nation      1    1   0   0     3    2   +1     3
2 Esportivan Darmen       1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Tumbra                  1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
4 Drehda                  1    0   0   1     2    3   −1     0

Group H
Macbon 1–4 Nova Anglican Admin Zone
Natanians and Nosts 2–0 Hannasea

#                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglican Admin Zone    1    1   0   0     4    1   +3     3
2 Natanians and Nosts         1    1   0   0     2    0   +2     3
3 Hannasea                    1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0
4 Macbon                      1    0   0   1     1    4   −3     0

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RP Prompt

Well, you're here, what's going on? How are you adjusting to your temporary home? Happy with the results? The food? The smell?

[Capital Cove]

Capital.Cove
Campionato Esportiva 33

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Personnel

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Players

## Pos     Name                    Typical Role      Age Club
01 GK      Walter Othmarsen        Keeper            32  FKP Matov-Uri (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
03 LB      Elias Blazenscwartz     Fullback          27  Cove Petrol FC
02 CB      Wlad Lukawić            Defender          26  Prinsen af Rosen AC
04 CB/DM   Miloš Budimir           Defender          25  Handler Svile FK (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
05 R/CB    Petar Sönnichsen        Fullback          30  Rekan Beach FC
06 DM      Kasper Jansen (c)       Deep Playmaker    28  Northern (Sanford Falls)
07 LM      Julia Barthel           Wing              24  ŽFK Platinastigrade
08 AM      Meingod Tielosen        Attacking Mid     27  Prinsen af Rosen AC
10 AM      Lilli Bauer             Attacking Mid     23  ŽFK Porto Nowi (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
11 RM      Anton Weis              Wing              29  Prinsen af Rosen AC
09 FW      Jason Gallas            Target Man        25  Kven FK (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
12 GK      Raimund Küfner          Keeper            27  Tugendhaft und Patriotisch FC
22 GK      Jacob Lysholm           Keeper            36  Rekan Beach FC
13 LB      Wenzel Bösterli         Fullback          20  AFC Farmworth (The Licentian Isles)
14 CB      Axel Ueberroth          Defender          31  Prinsen af Rosen AC
15 CB      Matthias Sebastiansen   Defender          24  Cove Petrol FC
16 RB      Walt Jansen             Fullback          27  Escuela Nacíonal DCPF (Cardenao)
17 LM      Ana Wolloch             Wing              21  Havmanniburg FC
18 DM      Sredoje Milutinowić     Ball Winner       25  Porto Nowi Athletik (Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom)
19 AM      Isai Schultz            Attacking Mid     32  Prinsen af Rosen AC
20 FW      Wladmir Falk            Target Man        22  Cove Petrol FC
21 RM      Andrija Zorawić         Wing              26  Rekan Beach FC
23 AM      Val Lorck               Attacking Mid     35  Unattached

Staff

Role                Name
Head Coach          Rybki Prodanowić   44   Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom
Assistant Coach     Pal Dideriksen     36   Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom/Capital Cove
Goalkeeping Coach   Jan Overby         37   Capital Cove
Target Man Coach    Stajkwon Hokwok    39   Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom
Doctor              Ananias Ruben      47   Capital Cove
Team Director       Marko Dusan        72   Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom

Tactics

On Ball
• Shoot in box
• Pass to open space
• Play to center backs and deep playmaker
• Take time to play (low tempo)
Off Ball
• Stay solid
• Play compactly
• Tackle hard
Set Piece Takers
• Corners: Barthel (L), Weis (R), Bauer (L), Sönnichsen (R)
• Free Kick: Bauer, Tielosen, Jansen
• Penalties: Bauer, Weis, Tielosen, Gallas, Jansen
Depth Chart
GK: Othmarsen (Küfner, Lysholm)
LB: Blazenscwartz (Bösterli)
CB: Lukawić, Budimir (Ueberroth, Sebastiansen, Sönnichsen)
RB: Sönnichsen (W. Jansen)
DM: K. Jansen (Milutinowić, Budimir)
LM: Barthel (Wolloch)
RM: Weis (Zorawić)
AM: Tielosen, Bauer (Schultz, Lorck)
FW: Gallas (Falk)

OOC

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Puppet of Zeta Reka. The puppeteer will not complain if you win, but I’ll be mad at my RNG machine.

Style: -1.5 (note: style not used for match one)
Opponents, if they RP first may…
Choose Scorers: Y
Godmod Scoring Events: Y
Award Cards: Y
RP Injuries to my Players: Y
Godmod Injuries to my Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: Y

[Tumbra]

Tumbra 0-0 Esportivan Darmen

TMB (4-2-3-1): 1 - Barker; 2 - Keene (18 - Kemp, 74'), 4 - Kerr, 5 - Ashburn, 3 - Mercurio (19 - Green, 81'); 6 - Harrison, 16 - Fisher, 23 - Monaghan; 7 - Wells (17 - Osbourne, 74'), 9 - Vaughn (21 - Silverwood, 85'); 11 - Riordan (26 - Erskine, 81')

TMB scorers: Nil

Player of the Match: Andrew Fisher (TMB)

2029 TUMBRAN FEDERAL ELECTION: ELECTION NIGHT

THE RESULT

THE HEADLINES
(Credit to Nova Anglicana's IBC 35 RP for giving me the inspiration to RP the election result through headlines)

Broadsheets

The Couno Herald: Hung Parliament Projected As Liberals Surge; Uncertain Weeks Ahead For Parliament As Williams Unable To Muster Majority
Greens flip second Couno seat ◆ Home Affairs Minister Whittaker highest-profile casualty ◆ Prime Minister Kirkland refuses to concede, citing "path to majority"

The Serrapince Post: Liberals Make Gains But Unable To Form Majority
Markets dip on opening, citing uncertainty ◉ Williams "expects to form government reasonably soon" ◉ Alliance gain 9 seats, make breakthrough in Bencoolen

The Straton Times: Liberals claim victory in close-fought election as Labour hangs on by a thread
Paths to 326 for both major parties unclear ✦ Granger refuses to comment on coalition rumours ✦ Liberals flip Loxley, make little headway in capital

The Kingsbury Tribune: Labour in 80-seat loss as Liberals within inch of taking government
Liberals win big in Georgia, Kingsbury suburbs ✯ Prime Minister digs in heels even with unfavourable numbers ✯ 3.9% swing to Liberals in first preferences

The Millsburgh Chronicle: The West Deserts Labour
Liberals take 131 of 216 western seats ⬤ Whittaker, Clarke swept away in blue wave ⬤ Comment: Williams must "act decisively" on Western fury

The Bencoolen Globe: Rainbow City Takes A Stand As Alliance Surges
Alliance win five of six Bencoolen seats ▣ Highest ever vote for third party effort ▣ Granger calls for "immediate peace in the Northlands"

Tabloids

The National Enquirer: TUMBRA ON KNIFE'S EDGE AS HUNG PARLIAMENT PROJECTED
Tumbra Cannot Afford Four Years Of Williams ◆ Liberals To Sell Health Service, Northlands To Highest Bidder ◆ Alliance MUST Back Labour

The Hawk: UNFIT TO GOVERN, UNWANTED BY THE PUBLIC, KIRKLAND MUST GO NOW
TUMBRA SAVED ∎ UNELECTED SCION KIRKLAND REJECTED BY TUMBRAN PUBLIC ∎ END OF DECADE-LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE

The Daily Star: THANK GOD IT'S ALL OVER
Sizzling Susie Meadows Seen In Marray ★ Heartbreaker Mandel: "I'm Recovering" After Heart Attack Scare ★ Hertel Seen Partying In Couno ★ Labour Finish Second But Kirkland Hangs On

THE BIG STORY

From the Tumbran Broadcasting Corporation

STRATON — Tumbra wakes up this morning to find that as polls throughout the election have predicted, the Liberal/National Coalition of Stephen Williams will become the biggest party in the House of Representatives; but they are still well short of a majority as counting resumed at 7am. The final result is likely to be in line with the exit poll released at 10pm — which slightly overestimated the number of seats Labour won, and underestimated the number of seats the Coalition would win, though within ten seats of both — and is likely to mark weeks of harried negotiating as both major parties struggle to deal with tricky electoral maths which may plunge the country into a second general election within months.

The Coalition is expected to finish as the largest party in the House, with 310 seats projected for it; but the biggest hurdle for the Leader of the Opposition lies ahead. His natural coalition partners, the Moderates, lost ten seats on a that night party leader William Boyd described as "humbling"; while the Conservatives, their other natural partners, lost fifteen seats and were reduced to a rump of just two seats in the wake of the money-laundering scandal that has enveloped the party in the past month. Taken together, the total number of seats won by right-leaning parties comes to 323; three short of the 326 needed to confirm a Prime Minister.

But all is not well on the other side of the aisle, either; the Labour, led by Prime Minister Michael Kirkland, lost 81 seats as the party lost its majority in the House and will likely enter the next Parliament with 284 seats. While Social Democratic Party leader Justin Spearing confirmed that all three of his party's MPs would vote to support Kirkland in the eventual Prime Ministerial confirmation vote, the Alliance — the kingmakers of the election, with forty seats — have refused to comment on whether they would lend their support to Labour to get Kirkland across the line.

Negotiations are expected to be complicated by the fact that the Alliance's and Labours' platforms and priorities are vastly different; Alliance leader Cressida Granger, during the final debate, stated that her preferred coalition partner would 'focus on ending the war in the Northlands, deliver electoral reform and ensure that our social programs are well-funded.' The Northlands is expected to be the main sticking point in any negotiations between the Alliance and Labour; and this may send Tumbra to a second general election if Parliament is unable to nominate a Prime Minister when it next convenes, as neither Kirkland nor Williams would be able to garner enough votes from Parliament to form a government.

Tumbra's selection mechanism for its Prime Minister does not automatically hinge on winning an election; the prospective Prime Minister must also win a vote in Parliament to show that they have the confidence of the House. For the first three times that Parliament votes to select a Prime Minister, they must win a simple majority of the votes — 326. After the third ballot, however, that requirement is waived; and all they need to do is win more "Aye" votes than "Nay" votes to become Prime Minister.

In his speech to the Labour faithful on Election Night, the Prime Minister struck a sombre mood; acknowledging that the west of the country — which swung heavily towards the Liberals — had "lost faith" in Labour. "We must do better," the Prime Minister said. "But this is not the end for us; there still remains a path to a majority, and we are willing to make concessions to our natural ideological partners to allow for this," referencing the Alliance. He mentioned that he would look to stay on as party leader, also citing the possibility of another federal election in the near future.

Stephen Williams' speech was more positive, focusing instead on the Liberal-National Coalition's gains throughout the night. "We will speak for everyone; and we are so close to forming government. It's been a wonderful night, and knowing that Tumbrans have placed their faith in us is very, very heart-warming. We achieved a four per cent swing away from Labour; we won 52% of the two-party preferred vote; it's obvious that Labour have lost the right to govern."

Cressida Granger, the leader of the Alliance, ignored the bigger story of the election altogether, using her speech to the Alliance to reiterate their manifesto's main calls — peace in the Northlands, raising taxes on the rich and electoral reform in the House. Granger refused to take questions on whether she would lend her support to Labour; not even mentioning the topic of working together with either major party in her speech.

THE MAPS

Full result; click on image for higher resolution version


Seats that changed hands; click on image for higher resolution version

Tumbra vs Appalachian Nation - Campionato Esportiva 33, Matchday Two

Starters: 1 - Barker; 18 - Kemp, 4 - Kerr, 20 - Tyler, 19 - Green; 6 - Harrison, 8 - Hicks, 10 - Cole; 7 - Wells, 19 - Silverwood, 22 - Nolan

Bench: 12 - Danvers, 13 - Jones; 2 - Keene, 5 - Ashburn, 14 - Perry, 24 - Pritchett, 3 - Mercurio; 15 - Finnemore, 16 - Fisher, 23 - Monaghan, 25 - Morris; 17 - Osbourne, 9 - Vaughn; 11 - Riordan, 26 - Erskine

[The Licentian Isles]

The Licentian Isles 2-1 Quebecois Acadiana
Licentian Goalscorers - A. van Oers (21'), J. Spekman (34')
Quebecois Acadiana Goalscorers - Unknown (86')

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The Montfort Times

Licentian Government Silence on Foreign Affairs Set to End?

With the strong reaction from individual parties to the results of parliamentary elections in Tumbra, Licentian politicians are currently wondering whether Federal Councillors will offer formal statements on the most controversial policy of the Tumbran government: the colonisation of the so-called "Northlands".

Views in the Licentian Isles on Tumbra's actions in the Northlands have long been negative, with many viewing the treatment of the United Clans as unbridled colonialism from Prime Minister Michael Kirkland, along with his predecessor Kenneth Everett. However, despite polling suggesting widespread disapproval from the voting public, major Licentian political parties have been wary of offering any public opinions on the situation. That seems to be changing, with party leaders offering their opinions on Twii.tur after the election results began to come in from Tumbra.

Licentian Socialist Party leader Juul Huisman was the first to speak out, condemning the "blatant disregard for the United Clans and their people" from Kirkland's government, and stating that "it's clear that the Tumbran people have spoken against their government" on this issue. That was quickly followed by a video posted by the leader of the Pàrtaidh Gàidhlig, Dòmhnall Burnie, who broke his party's usual silence on foreign affairs by stating that the PGA "stood with their brethren in the United Clans", to some disapproval from more right wing members of the big tent, localist party.

The condemnation was not universal though, and it was the controversial firebrand William Blair, leader of the CPP and MAE for Colesham Parish, who spoke out in favour of Tumbra's Liberal-National coalition, who appear likely to be the largest party following the exit polls. Hinting at the post from Huisman, Blair stated that "Tumbra has indeed voted for change, but there is a large majority for parties who intend to continue their work in settling the barbaric Northlands", causing a storm as many reacted to what they saw as a dog-whistle from an elected parliamentarian. The centre right was quieter at first, with a National Party spokesperson saying merely that "democracy is a vital part of modern politics", and emphasising that elected LNP politicians would continue to advocate for democracy in the region of Esportiva.

The most notable silence came from the Green and Liberal parties, who have as yet failed to speak with one voice on the issue of Tumbran colonialism. Individual Green parliamentarians have spoken out, with Abingdon Parish assembly member Ceit Marr particularly vocal on Twii.tur about the prospect of a condemnation of Tumbra in the Esportivan or World Assembly, but many have suggested that the LGP has stayed largely silent for the time being in order to allow Councillors Emma McCallum and Brianag Duncan, former members of the party, to craft a consensus for a formal Federal Council statement on the matter of the relationship between Tumbra and the United Clans.

Such a statement would be unprecedented. While the Federal Council does hold the responsibility for the nation's foreign affairs, the body has largely avoided formal condemnations since the return of the Isles to regional politics. If the Council, or even individual councillors, were to condemn Tumbra's actions, even in coded language, it would be expected to have wide-ranging effects, both within and without Tumbra: it would be seen as the Isles once again assuming their role as a mediator in regional affairs, which thus far they have been keen to avoid. As such, you can expect that discussions in the Federal Council will be continuing long into the night as more and more results flood in from Tumbra's election.

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Licentian Squad to face Fhulghamous Peninsula
Starting XI - A. MacGowan/G. Turnbull, A. van As, F. Watson (C), S. van der Meulen, S. Thomson/A. Mazereeuw, F. Buchan/M. Louws, J. Spekman/A. van Oers
Bench - S. Orr, S. Maartens, T. Bijvank, A. Evers, S. van Duuren, C. McMillan, W. Wood

[Drehda]

Devastating Drehdan Debut

The fairy tale inauguration to international football didn't come to pass last night as Drehda slumped to a painful 2-3 defeat to the Appalachian Nation in their Campionato Esportiva 33 first round match.

Things got off to a promising starting when central midfielder Matty Rivers was able to peel off a long range curling effort in the 8th minute but Erei F.C showstopper Laker Johnson was able to palm the ball around the post.

The newcomers were swiftly brought crashing back to earth with a harsh lesson in the need for clear and consistent defensive communication. Skipper Fraser Alnwick and fellow centre back Yossi Leventhal were both labouring under the impression the other had taken responsibility for tracking the run of Andrew Parker Jr, which resulted in neither defender being in the correct position and the Union Laguardia frontman was able to slot the ball around the hopelessly exposed Dai Hawkins to for the first goal conceded in Drehda's international history at the 20 minute mark.

The state of play went from bad to worse when veteran anchorman Bill Fulton, earmarked as the chief coordinator in the middle of the park, went into a full blooded tackle on Austin Gobert. The tackle was wonderfully timed and took both ball and man but left Fulton in a heap on the turf clutching at his knee. After a brief break in play to receive treatment it became clear he wouldn't be able to play any further part in the contest and was carried off to be replaced by Ricky Lees of Russford Blues. A goal down and missing a key player after just 27 minutes left Drehda with a real mountain to climb. The Appalachian Nation

The change in personnel became evident as time ticked on. Lees offered most mobility and technical skill but lacked Fulton's ability to read the play and communicate with those around him.

The downsides of the switch were almost immediately on display when Drehda sunk to a two goal deficit, the Appalachians putting together a sweeping passing move around the half hour which cut through the centre of the park and resulted in Austin Gobert bending a low shot past Hawkins' left glove.

Much has been made before the tournament of Drehda's commitment to a cause and a resolute refusal to capitulate in the heavy of adversity and it has to be said these traits were tested. Talisman striker Sándor Mészöly, normally a reserved individual who allows his performance to speak for him, could be seen trying rally some of the squad's younger players and they answered his call manfully. 22 year old wing-back Alvin O'Gallagher found some space out on the flank and turned on the afterburners to get round Alexandria Jane of the Chattanooga Coyotes. O'Gallagher flashed a low pass across the face of goal which found the outstretched boot of Mészöly, but his stabbed shot cannoned off the shins of Laker Johnson, but it was Victoria Shankwell attacking midfielder Jamal Orozco who was able to sweep up the leftovers and seal a historic moment for his country to turn the rebound home. 41st minute, the first ever goal scored for Drehda.

And so both teams went into the break. 2-1 to Appalachian Nation and they looked good for their lead, but the Drehdans had their tails up and a point to prove.

The two sides begun the second period at arm's length, both trying to size up the measure of their opponents. Drehda were positive without being overcommitted but the Appalachians looked assured in their defensive positioning and didn't offer any real paths to goal.

As is often the case in games of this sort, it took a spark of individual magic to make something happen. Sándor Mészöly was able to rise above his marker to flick a booming 51st minute Hawkins goalkick but his header found nobody willing to run beyond the defensive line. Play appeared to be falling to a lullas Laker Johnson complacency ambled off his line to collect the loose ball but he wasn't alert to the dedicated Mészöly, who had taken it upon himself to chase down his own knock on and was able to poke the ball past the now onrushing goalkeeper. It trickled agonisingly but inevitably towards the empty net and roll home for a 23 yard equalising goal.

2-2 and now Drehda were really playing with some belief, both wing backs able to create and whip a flurry of crosses into dangerous positions however the only target of Mészöly was ably marshalled by Justin Broyce.

Another 20 minutes ticked by and it started to become clear that Drehda were running on fumes. The legs in midfield were clearly getting heavy and holes began to appear for Appalachian runners. Another well constructed passing move, another lapse in defensive coordination and Parker Jr was again through on goal with just the goalie to beat. The same opportunity and the same result in the 83rd minute to sink hopes of Drehda taking anything from their opening day on the world stage.

All in all a spirited displayed that raises cautious hopes for their long term prospects from this Drehdan side. However there will be a significant sense of disappointment after failing to even take a point from this game, as they now have to face the highly rated Darmeni side and the overall tournament favourites from Tumbra. There will be real fears of a complete nill-point wash out, but expect these boys to hold their heads high and acquit themselves admirably against even the most prestigious opponents.

[Robostania]

MechaNews
“Robostania's #1 News Provider!”
••Campionato Esportiva••

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Last time, we got to know about Robostanian Team's main sponsor RoboCorp™. Why are they sponsoring this team? The answer is simple, it's for the nation and the players. One of the major things you will note is that all the players are employees of RoboCorp™. Let's get yo know about the players of the Robostanian Football Team
First on the list is the number one Goal Keeper of the nation's squad,

GK 1 Honnor Gomez
Born in the town of Mikzhaq, Honnor Gomez is the best goal keeper of the national team. Gomez started his soccer career in the age of seventeen playing for Mikzhaq Azad College Team and later for the Futbol Mikzhaq FC. His performance in Futbol Mikzhaq FC played a major role in the club reaching the top order league of Robostania. Honnor Gomez joined the RoboCorp Sports and Fitness Group after the government passed a legislature making it mandatory for all adults above the age of eighteen to join RoboCorp ™. Starting as a Store Manager in his department, they currently serve as the Mikzhaq section head of the group. They are one of those players in the team who's perfomance directly affects the scores.

GK 31 Taranjit Mallah
Azharuddin Taranjit Mallah was born to Mohammed Abdullahi Mallah, one of Robostania's richest businessmen before the corporate revolution. Born to rich parents, Taranjit got to learn in then Robostania's best schools and then colleges and also get his Bachelor of Education degree from Mukhtar Abbas Mallah College of Arts which was owned by his own family. Mukthar Abbas College was the best art college in the country but went to shambles after the revolution started. At the time of his undergraduation, he started playing for the Mallah College team and got selected to the national team directly due to the influence. After the corporates were elected, they relegated him back to his college club. Learning a new lesson, he started working hard and got into United Kahfa FC and got to be their captain and number one goal keeper. His performance brought him back to the national team as a reserve goalie but he was given chance to play as the main goalie in training matches.

[Nova Anglican Admin Zone of Esportiva]

In midst of government formation, Clark speaks out on Esportiva

Marian Bailey, Rutupiae Free Beacon

One might think that Prime Minister Josephine Clark has enough on her plate after her Progressive Justice Party won 40 seats in the November general election, such as government formation. She and her Stewardship Party allies won enough seats to form a majority government on their own, but with Emily Waterford's Liberal Secularists, she would have 61 seats, enough to overcome a Senate blockade on major issues. But Waterford's LSP is waffling, and some of the air is being sucked out of the media environment by the antics of Michael Ramsey, leader of the People's Party. There are enough domestic distractions without needing to turn to foreign affairs, but that's exactly what Clark is focusing on. The Prime Minister made time for a press conference on recently passed legislation in the Assembly of Esportiva, as well as the recent Tumbran general election.

The Assembly of Esportiva, located in Tumbra, has been criticised by many for being a do-nothing body, whether it is a failure to pass legislation, deal effectively with criticism of Tumbra's occupation of the Northlands, or even elect its own officers. So it came as a shot in the arm for pro-Esportivan forces when a raft of bills sponsored by Nova Anglican MAEs were passed by the Assembly recently. The Interregional Connections Act would empower the EU Council to appoint EU ambassadors to nations and groups, the Educational Exchange Act would allow Esportivan students to do exchange programs at other Esportivan universities, the Protecting Ethanian Women and Brenecian Solidarity Acts would send investigative delegations to those two nations with an eye towards fixing problems they are experiencing, and the Protecting Esportivan Industry and Environment Act established a common, border-adjusted carbon price within the Esportivan Union.

All of these acts were passed by at least 65% of MAEs voting, and were relatively uncontroversial. Clark, in her press conference, called all of these bills "important steps forward for Esportivan unity." On the ICA, she praised it for "allowing the EU to really flex its muscles on the international stage," suggesting that the competition for ambassador jobs would take advantage of the EU's diversity and that the ambassadors would show the multiverse that the EU means business. Clark also predicted that the EEEA would not only "promote a spirit of harmony among EU nations," but would lead to Nova Anglican economic growth, as Esportivan students who studied at Nova Anglican universities would opt to remain and then contribute to economic and technological advancement. She vowed to pass legislation that would aim to make it easier for EEE students to attend graduate-level programs in Nova Anglicana and then stay in the country as well.

When it came to the acts sending Assembly delegations to Ethane and Brenecia, Clark said that she "was proud to see the Assembly acting on the issues of women's rights and human rights" that she raised before them in a major speech a few months before the election. At the time, the speech was not met with much praise by the international community, but it appears to have gone over well. She reiterated her stance that Ethanian women should have privileged asylum claims, and said that "whatever government we form, we will be funding women's rights, civil society, and democracy groups in Ethane." On Brenecia, Clark said that such legislation strengthens the case for her commitment to multilateralism: "What do we have intergovernmental organisations for, if not to aid our brothers and sisters? Brenecia is in danger of toppling into authoritarianism and economic collapse, and it is our responsibility as fellow EU members to do what we can to prevent that." On criticism that both acts might ultimately be futile, as they are only fact-finding missions that can do no more than recommend action to Assembly Committees, Clark was blunt: "Yes, going there is only the first step. Much more needs to be done once we understand the scope of the problem. But it's a hell of a lot better than doing nothing, and pretending that doing nothing gives us the moral high ground is nothing more than hypocrisy."

She also had a stinger for her political opponents when commenting on the PEIEA, which sets a common price for carbon around the EU, and requires imported goods to pay that price. Nova Anglicana already has a carbon price, which was repealed by the short-lived Ramsey government and then re-instituted by the first Clark government, and which already applies to imported goods as well. The PP sponsor of the bill, Adam Mills, said his goal was to "level the playing field for Nova Anglican industry. If we are applying a tax to our producers and importers, then it's only fair that all of Esportiva do it as well." Clark took a bit of a different view: "I'm pleased to see that exposure to rational politics has moved Mr. Mills to supporting a carbon tax. Maybe that will 'trickle down' to his fellow party members here, or perhaps like that 'explosive growth and increased revenue' we were supposed to get from the Ramsey tax giveaway, it won't materialise either. But in all seriousness, folks, expanding a carbon tax to all of the EU and border-adjusting it will help further our much-needed climate objectives, even if it doesn't fix the insanity that passes for PP politics nowadays."

However, one act did fail: the Northlands Mediation Act, proposed by Stewardship MAE Emma Pearson. It would have imposed a ceasefire and EU mediation on both the United Clans and Tumbra, with the aim of achieving a framework for both groups to co-exist in the Northlands. Although Pearson framed it as "a moderate solution compared to sanctioning, suspending, or expelling Tumbra," most of the Tumbran delegation didn't see it that way, with 90% voting against. Additionally, with cover from Esposceptics and about 20% of MAEs present choosing to abstain, the act only managed 50.7% in favor, which, under EU rules, is not enough to pass a bill (it must achieve 55% support). While Tumbrans celebrated, Pearson and the other six Nova Anglican MAEs who voted for the bill fumed.

Clark had not taken a public position on the bill, and in her previous comments on the Northlands, she had been careful to be supportive of both sides. However, sources close to the PM say that while her initial thinking on the situation was more supportive of Tumbra, she has become increasingly critical in private. This comes as her government has taken no concrete action either for or against Tumbra or the United Clans. The national team drew some attention for protesting Tumbran actions in the Northlands in the last Campionato Esportiva, but the Clark government had largely been silent. The same sources suggest that Clark was worried about losing the investment of Tumbran electronics magnate John Ashburn in electrification of the government fleet of vehicles.

That caution was, if not thrown to the wind, more seriously disregarded in the press conference as Clark commented on both the failure of the NMA and the recent Tumbran election. On the prospect of Stephen Williams becoming the next Tumbran Prime Minister and ending years of Labour control, Clark was polite, then firm: "I congratulate Mr. Williams on winning the most seats; it's clear that the Tumbran people are no longer united behind Labour. But I think that when one's major policy position on the Northlands is 'Let private industry in', one is not handling the issue with the weight it deserves. I don't think Tumbra needs a PM who isn't willing to consider the full scope of problems confronting his nation."

She expressed hope and support about the possibility of Michael Kirkland remaining PM, but also remarked, "It's clear that Mr. Kirkland has lost the full confidence of the Tumbran people, and I think that's due in no small part to his recalcitrance on the Northlands issue." Mr. Kirkland faces the prospect of having to reverse course on the Northlands in order to attract the support of Cressida Granger's Alliance and become PM. Both of Tumbra's main political parties, Labour and the Liberal-National Coalition, support Tumbra's expansion into the Northlands, while the left-wing Alliance wants a total withdrawal. Both sides, Labour and the Alliance, face the difficult prospect of climbing down from strongly-held positions if they want to compromise and avoid another election. Clark, meanwhile, praised the NMA as a workable solution: "I don't think that allowing an organisation you're a part of to oversee talks between you and your foe is such a radical idea. After all, that's what the EU's there for, to help member nations in difficult times." She would not commit the government to any particular action after the failure of the NMA, but restated her commitment to peaceful co-existence between the two sides.

Jo Clark's got a lot on her plate, but she seems determined to clear it. Perhaps this is a preview of her second term? First-term Jo Clark was doggedly focused on undoing the actions of the Ramsey government, cleaning up the fallout from the mosque bombing, and expanding both the welfare state and the NAAZE. Second-term Jo Clark might look more like Minister of Foreign Affairs Jo Clark, heavily involved in issues outside of national borders. We'll see if this course is to her benefit or detriment.

NAAZE 4-1 Macbon

Goalscorers: Nichols 17', Harper 39', Grenier 52', Lawrence 89'

[Xanneria]

Solid but uninspired result starts CE run.
excerpt from http://www.xtrasports.xan

ZETA REKA AND HUGELTODOM - Xanneria's quest for a second Campianato Esportiva title got off to a start yesterday in Zeta Reka And Hugeltodom. A start, just a start. A 1-0 victory over Entrop shows that there may still be some cracks, but also it could easily be passed off as the Maroons trying a more conservative approach against a clearly outmatched Entrop. Mookie Danube kept the Entrop national team in check, and the 37 year old seems to be playing like a player 10 years his younger. This is a good sign for the Maroons as there was been talk in the sports editorial community about an upcoming crisis with goalkeeping. While Evan Jefferson Jr is only 26, but his performances during the last WC have been average at best and deemed risky by most fans in the least. Emma Redmond has been added to the roster, she was one of the top prospects in Xanneria as a high schooler but the 19 year old signed with Racing Club Lexington. Many people see this as a warning sign due to the Appalachian's league reputation being very minuscule compared to other Esportiva and even international ones. One of the other concerns is with the Maroons Keeper depth abroad as many agree that Keeper depth in FLOX is at a peak, but some are saying that it could hurt the team in the long run as the Keeper Depth could be an issue once Danube retires, and there's no real big Keeper abroad or in the domestic top flight. This is remaining to be seen though as Danube continues to ply his trade abroad to much success and does the same internationally for the Maroons, that issue will come across itself when it does.

As for now the game versus Entrop was 3 points for Xanneria, and no one can take that away. Allison Burnes looked good and used her lack of height to her advantage as the loan goal from Xanneria came from a penalty kick induced by Burnes when she got tripped up in a scramble for the ball during the latter half of the first hour of play. The Penelty Kick taker was fellow star Alex Bronson. The veteran player from Kelssek came in to take PKs and was successful. Other than that though, a stop by Danube in the 88th minute was the best highlight to come from the game as both teams played a very slow paced and conservative game. Granted with high humidity in Zeta Reka and Hugeltedom, that may have been a good idea to help keep players fresh. Up next for the Maroons are Polkopia, the 18th best team in the region and a truely potentially great team if given time to develop. This could be the team to give the Maroons big fits.

Bronson 54' (PK) XANNERIA 1-0 Entrop None'

[Cap Nord]

The audience back home heard something along the lines of 'We are now going live to Alexander Perk at the Zaštisa Stadium as the Capnordic fans make their way into the city'. It should have reverberated in his earpiece but the only reason that Alexander knew his cue was through his director lifting his thumb, before being engulfed by the crowd.

"They were relatively few in Ofau, a few man short of a thousand but…"

The remainder of his intro drowned in the ecstatic chants.

We came to Zeta Reka, we're drinking all your beer.
We're singing every morning, Forseth's Army's here.
We fought the Coalison and struck their hearts with fear.
The Whalers marching on!

It wasn't sung particularly unison, but the jeers confirmed the collective approval. Alexander scanned the crowd for a sober one to drag in front of the camera but as soon as his victim opened his mouth, he knew he made a mistake.

"How it went? Whraaaagh! We outran the cheetahs! And we… ehm… detemperatured the reptiles. Go Cap Nord!"

Other and better.

"Looking from the stands, how did it go?"

A skinny, pale guy with a makeshift red and yellow cap - official merch had not yet arrived - looked the camera into the eye.

"A fairly balanced confrontation between two teams more focused on defending rather than scoring goals. Lemmeling was really good, keeping Tibiriçá on a leash. And then it comes down to the small chances. Leuwert held the key one from Rhinić whilst Myrrheim got it against the net, that's the difference."

A surprisingly fair summary, on which Alexander only could utter.

"That is your very complete round-up?"
"Of course not."

And out of nowhere, the guy picked a can of beer smashed it open against his head and drank it in one go.

"Whazzaaaa! Let's f'ing goooo Whalers!"

Perk wanted to wrap it up here, but the director pulled another one from the crowd. He didn't even wait for a question.

"They are invincible! Invincible! Watch out Ancherion, we're coming for you now! Watch out Kaur! Peary eats you alive! And for Hassen, sweet dreams about Till Myrrheim. He'll score in your nightmares, he'll score in Aleiusia!"

[Natanians and Nosts]

-Natanians and Nosts defeats Hannasea by 2x0 with two goals by Jorge Luís Humboldt.
-Now,onto politics.
-The Superior Electoral Trubunal published the official calendary for the next elections.
-We're live with Ion Ioan Ionescu,who will bring us more details.
-The Superior Electoral Tribunal held a ceremony where the calendary for the following elections was announced.The ceremony had the presence of the consul/president,besides the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and of the Senate.
-Thanks Ionescu.

[Cheetahs and reptiles Coalison]

New whale ship set to sail

Tomorrow,a new research vessel of the government will begin its maiden voyage.
The large,Balaenoptera-class,RS Minke,will be home to a crew of 50 scientists who will stay two years afloat observing Mysticeti whales,in an effort to maximize their preservation.
RS Minke is 50m long and equipped with state-of-the-art instruments.Research Ship Minke was built in Cheetahs and reptiles Coalison,with material and technique that have little impact to the environment,compared to the average construction process.

[Lozho]

Opening Day Snoozefest For Group B

Sponsored By Lozho Sleepytimes Bedding and Pillows Corporation

Porto Nowi, Rekadom - You'd be forgiven if you fell asleep during yesterday's group opener as Lozho drew against Robostania, with both teams failing to hit the net at all. Of course, if you did fall asleep, I hope it was on one of our signature Lozho Sleepytimes Bedding and Pillows Corporations Sleepytimes Bedding and/or Pillows!

The expected Lozhoan starting lineup took to the field in Porto Nowi. Donning their red and blue kits, they looked rather nervous. Maybe they should had gotten a good nights sleep. Hey, I know just the guy for that. Uh, anyways, it was kickoff and immediately there was a fumble by the Lozhoans, sending manager Gezald Ponzo into a fit of rage. The Droozler tripped over and lost possession, leading to a superb chance by the Robostanians, which was caught by the safe hands of Bonzo De Jong. However, that first minute highlight was the only interesting highlight of the game.

Very nervous of their international debuts, the Lozhoans played it safe and constantly frustrated the higher ranked Robostanians whom were probably hoping to secure a victory. Centre backs Penny Butterfield and Drew Zaratrianias channeled the philosophy of Lozhoan icon Tim Zallardyche by constantly hoofing the ball up the pitch. Unfortunately, Obamovich's big head could never miss the rather inaccurately placed hoofs.

In the 38th minute, Butterfield dived straight into a Robostanian forward and sent them flying, earning them a yellow card. Aside from this blunder, Butterfield put in a solid defensive display with confident tackling and simply being much bigger than her opponents. However, the grass was not so green on the other end of the pitch. The wingers lazed around waiting for something to happen, as if they were taking a nap on... you guessed it... Sleepytimes Bedding! And Pillows! The end product was nonexistent for either side for most of the first half.

And the second half. Actually, the second half was even more boring. Just typing it here makes me want to doze off. Let me just... grab... my... sleep-sleepy... sleepytimes bedding and pillow! Oh, but before I go, we face the Ceyne Isles, the highest ranked team in our group, in our next match, who also drew 0-0 with their opponents. Anyways, good night!

[Fhulghamous Peninsula]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independents sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Football Fallacies
with The Man from Markovsky

DISAPPOINTMENT, THY NAME IS THE FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

Hello and welcome to The Football Fallacies. Right, so who could have seen this coming? Who could have seen this coming, huh?! First game of the tournament, up against a side that’s a fair distance below them in the ranking chart, and what does the Fhulghamous do? They’ve only gone and bloody lost the game, that’s what they’ve done! And against bloody Ha’Yarok as well! I really don’t get this Fhulghamousian side sometimes. When they’ve only got part-timers and semi-pros in that team, they look like they’re capable of punching above their weight. But as soon as you add a few full professionals into the mix, the entire bloody team just suddenly collapses! I seriously cannot offer any explanation for it at all, other than the possibility that it’s in their DNA. It’s Fleftic, you see, because all Fhulghamousian citizens are also, legally speaking, Fleftic citizens. And you all know how bad Abanhfleft is in these team sports most of the time.

Christ above, it’s almost like Antonis Papadimitriou actually wants to leave this job of managing the Fhulghamous Peninsula national football team. And I wouldn’t blame him, actually! Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are that I am actually defending this bastard manager! But, in truth, I’m not actually defending him. I’m just trying to figure out why he would allow himself to be put in a position where he knows his job is in danger, and he knows what he has to do to escape said danger, only for him to fall right into the aforementioned danger anyway! Do any of you get what I’m trying to say? Because I sure don’t! Anyway, back to all seriousness, how in the world could two defenders playing in the bloody top two tiers of football in Abanhfleft itself just leave acres of space open for those Ha’Yaroki? Yes, I am indeed talking about the right-sided defensive pairing of Bruno Bravo and Spyros Mylonas, to be known in this publication from now on as Tweedledee and Tweedledum (consistency may vary). Those two bastards should have had substantial Fleftic Premier League experience under their belts by now. They should know that leaving acres of space open on their side of the pitch (or anyplace else on the pitch for that matter) is a surefire recipe for disaster, and what a bastard disaster it was. In fact, it was a downright miracle that the Colonists didn’t get beaten by more goals than the two that they actually ended up shipping! But we’ll get to those, one by one. It’s an arduous and painful journey, just like watching the match itself. For those lucky enough to not have seen the whole thing live but were then unlucky enough to make their way to this blog, then strap in and buckle up, because there is no way on God’s green earth that this is going to be pretty at all.

Like I said before, Tweedledee and Tweedledum were somehow opening up the entire right flank of the field for Ha’Yarok, inviting a metric shit-ton of unnecessary pressure upon them. Seriously though, how could two FPL-level defenders (granted, they’re playing for clubs that are between lower mid-table and yo-yo fodder, but my point still stands here) leave themselves and their team so vulnerable on the attack like that? It’s almost like they’re actually actively sabotaging their team’s effort to actually get a point or three in this whole bloody tournament! Now I’m not accusing either of Mylonas or Bravo of fixing the game or anything, but then what else could explain their bloody idiotic decision making process? Exactly. But you know what? Ha'Yarok also didn't take full advantage of the opportunities that the Fhulghamousians presented to them too! I mean, sure, they absolutely saw the space that Tweedledee and Tweedledum were literally gifting to them, but they couldn't make it count a lot of the time! And then when the Ha'Yaroki were actually able to get a shot in, Filippos Economatos was usually there to save the Colonists' bacon, and that was the case until the 35th minute when Matusevitch finally got one over the Fhulghamousian co-captain, literally. As in Matusevitch chipped the ball over Economatos to open the scoring in this game. That's what I meant when I said that the Ha'Yaroki midfielder got one over the Colonist goalie.

Now you would think that Antonis Papadimitriou would finally realize that letting his players leave tons of space down the right flank might not be a bad idea now that Ha'Yarok have scored a goal, but would you believe it? The bastard hasn't said anything at all to Tweedledee and Tweedledum! He didn't say anything to those two idiots before the end of the first half, and he apparently didn't say anything at all to them during half time as well! Because at the start of the second half, Bravo and Mylonas continued giving up the space on the right to Ha'Yarok, and once again it cost the Fhulghamous dearly. Ha'Yarok's striker drifted his way into the aforementioned space, and with all the time in the world to think about his next move, he decided to go for top bins. And boy, was that the correct choice from the Ha'Yaroki perspective. He's only gone and done it, that guy has. Not only has he torpedoed any chances of the Fhulghamous getting out of the group, but he's done it with style, with an absolute banger. It might have been good from a Colonist point of view too because that banger of a goal finally woke up Papadimitriou to the reality that his team was playing shit, and so he withdrew Tweedledum (Spyros Mylonas for those who might have forgotten) and shift to a three-at-the-back system, which finally put an end to Ha'Yarok's marauding runs down the right flank. The formation shift also signaled the beginning of a period of Fhulghamousian dominance on the field, but the opponents were more than willing and able to absorb the pressure now that they were two goals up. Anselmo Iñiguez did manage to squeak in a sweaty tap-in goal around 70 minutes to delude the fans in neon green and gray that there was a possibility of a comeback looming, but in the end the chances of the Fhulghamous actually coming back into this game and salvaging a point were lower than my chances of going on a month-long date with Antonia Abcede, and she's already engaged to that Pridnestrovian tycoon!

Anyway, that's all that there is from me now. If you've got any comments or thoughts of your own about the game against Ha'Yarok or predictions against either Acadiana or the Licentians (the match scheduling for this Campionato has honestly been a bit whack) then feel free to leave them down below. Until then, I've been the Man from Markovsky, disappointed that I've let myself be disappointed by the national football team of a bloody bastard colony of ours.

          HA'YAROK 2 - 1 FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA          
 MATUSEVITCH (35')       IÑIGUEZ (70')
        KAHN (48')

[The Five United Clans]

Somewhere in the Northlands

Five years in, and they were losing. It wasn't a "we're steamrolling over you" kind of loss; no, they'd made sure to evacuate most of the people into the west, where the terrain was much less friendly to invading armies. It did mean that they'd need to dedicate even more time to ensuring that their food supplies were well-stocked; but the Burgeoisie fertiliser had at least increased food production ten-fold. No more using manure

It was the kind of loss that did feel inevitable, however. They, the United Clans, had to leap forward almost five hundred years in technology when fighting against an enemy that was, effectively, five hundred years ahead of them. Silently, when she was alone, Kendra MacLaren cursed her forefathers; they knew that the wretched Southerners would attack one day, but never put their egos and feuds aside to settle their differences and come together. That had cursed them. In private, she moped, thought about what it would take to win this war they were fighting; always wary that her enemies, either outside or within, were lurking around the corner. She'd hardly taken time off — "the job of Ceannard requires me to be on it 24/7," as she'd told her sister, Caitlin — and it was showing. She woke up exhausted. She had to drag herself around headquarters sometimes. Even that fantastic new drink they'd discovered thanks to some place called the Sunbelt Islands — coffee, it was called — wasn't enough on some days.

In public, though, she put on her brave face; shaking hands with operatives, injured troops, thanking them for their service. Two steps behind, her Coitcheann, Fergus MacDonald; the man who had made her Leader in the first place, lurked. He, the imposing one-eyed giant that was always in lockstep in her; always ready to provide wise counsel, gently calm her down when she got angry, cheering her up when she got sad. Never displaying more emotions than needed. Always backing her up at War Council meetings — the Comhairle-chatha, as it was called — refusing the other members' demands for a direct confrontation. Always taking care of almost everything. If anyone wanted to talk to her, they had to go through him, first. He controlled what information made it through to her; he, essentially, ran the gover—

Ew. Government. What a Southern concept. But they were coming to terms with it, now; to fight the enemy, things had to change. They couldn't live as they did in the past; they had to leap forward, prove they could take care of themselves and make their case for independence; free from the yoke of Tumbran control, able to make their own decisions.

That was worth fighting for, at least; for freedom, rather than to be crushed under the Tumbran yoke for eternity. That was worth powering through her tiredness for, every day. Her people — and no matter what some people would say, they were her people, and she treated them like such — would be free.

One day.

[Drehda]

Drehda Starting XI for MD#2 vs Esportivan Darmen


#1 GK Dai Hawkins (Hennerton F.C, 33yo)
#2 LWB Oscar Lopez (Cadderick Rovers, 23yo)
#16 CB Ellis Schultz (Wilhelmsbrook Warriors, 24yo)
#4 CB Fraser Alnwick (C) (Fort Hope United, 32yo)
#5 CB Tymall Briggs (Fort Hope S.C, 18yo)
#6 RWB Alvin O'Gallagher (Wilhelmsbrook Warriors, 22yo)
#18 DM Ricky Lees (Russford Blues, 31yo)
#8 CM Henrik Hellman (Currilow F.C, 26yo)
#9 CM Matty Rivers (Cadderick Rovers, 27yo)
#10 CAM Jamal Orozco (Victoria Shankwell, 22yo)
#11 ST Sándor Mészöly (Cadderick Rovers, 29yo)

#12 GK Declan Shaw (Fortuna Hollenwaard, 27yo)
#13 GK Craig Gayle (Fort Hope sporting Club, 26yo)
#14 LWB Zack Meyers (Fortuna Hollenwaard, 29yo)
#15 CB Angelo Marquez (Cadderick Rovers, 25yo)
# 3 CB Yossi Leventhal (Currilow F.C, 30yo)
#17 CB Arsenio Gonzalez (Hennerton FC, 27yo)
#7 Bill Fulton (Fort Hope United, 36yo) INJURED
#19 CM Julian Rosales (Victoria Shankwell, 24yo)
#20 CM Tyrelle Burns (Fort Hope Sporting Club, 23yo)
#21 CAM Donovan Reede (Cadderick Rovers, 23yo)
#22 ST Joe Summers (Hennerton FC, 30yo)
#23 ST Ross Douglas (Fort Hope United, 20yo)

Schultz comes in for Leventhal. Lees in for the injured Fulton.

[Damukuni]

We're back! Did you miss us?
The Damukuni Football Association
(New) Co. Ltd.
presents
The Damukuni National Football Team

---

Nation Name: Damukuni
Trigramme: DKI
Head Coach: Rich Willis
Style Mod: -2

---

めいぼ | ROSTER | ROŜĈA

NO    POS      NAME                                         G     AGE      HOMETOWN                   .

=== GOALKEEPERS ===
12    GK       Orest Ruina                                  M     26       Stamford Heights, EF       .
23    GK       Nêstor Pacquiao                              M     25       Port Flowers, CD           .
1     GK       Ômnom Nômagon                                M     22       Roxburgh, WB               .

=== FULLBACKS ===
2     LF       Yoshirō Himura                               M     25       Iruko, IR                  .
3     CF       Bobbi Jean Offsides                          F     26       Shepherd's Landing, DP     .
13    CF       Charlotte Lukeson                            F     26       Huska, EF                  .
16    RF       Jacqueline Fay                               F     25       Eternalfell, ET            .
4     LF       Bartholomew Lamim                            M     22       Moaria, ILO                .
5     CF       Inyari Jo Stinson                            F     21       West Reishu, RC
14    CF       Nobutoshi Akers                              M     25       Ōza, TJ                    .
15    RF       Jerônimo Ledford                             M     26       A Missão, ILO              .

=== MIDFIELDERS ===
6     LM       Takahashi Kagore                             M     23       Gyōto, NE                  .
18    CM       Ryōta Kishimoto                              M     25       Keitendō, KT               .
19    CM       Joaninha Barreiros                           F     26       Uo Cêtro, ILO              .
9     RM       Susanna Karkari                              F     22       Mikatakuzu, RC             .
7     LM       Charlie Intinti                              M     21       Lannister Dirt Track, NH   .
8     CM       Unicare Moetes                               F     22       A Missão, ILO
17    CM       Petra Kuriskanini                            F     23       Forest Glade, EF           .
20    RM       Nardo Nardo                                  M     20       Endoshi, SD

=== FORWARDS ===
21    ST       Shunsuke Takeda                              M     26       Shinagawa, SC              .
11    ST       Jocelynne Jones                              F     26       Mos Roltan, NH             .
10    ST       Preston Bookhout                             M     25       Youngstown, WB             .
22    ST       Marduca Lithgow                              F     25       Green Grove, WB            .

---

RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may:

---

Choose my scorers: Yes
God-mod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes, no career-ending injuries
God-mod injuries to my players: Yes
Yellow Card my players: Yes
Red Card my players: Yes, no more than 2 per game without TGing or DMing me first
God-mod Other Events: Yes, within reason; if it wouldn't happen in real life, it probably won't happen in a match. Unless you don't post a roster or RP. Ask Hampton Island.

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

Hi! Me again!

Cutting off for round 2, some of you might already be out, others may be going through to knockouts now. Apparently people put music in cutoffs? Have some tunes then.

Group A
Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom 3–4 Neomaris
Le Choix 3–2 A Random Place

#                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Neomaris                     2    1   1   0     4    3   +1     4
2 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom    2    1   0   1     6    4   +2     3
3 Le Choix                     2    1   0   1     3    5   −2     3
4 A Random Place               2    0   1   1     2    3   −1     1

Group B
Lozho 1–2 Ceyne Isles
Robostania 2–2 Gouvanarch

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Ceyne Isles             2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
2 Gouvanarch              2    0   2   0     2    2    0     2
  Robostania              2    0   2   0     2    2    0     2
4 Lozho                   2    0   1   1     1    2   −1     1

Group C
South Newlandia 3–0 Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison
Ancherion 2–2 Cap Nord

#                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 South Newlandia                   2    2   0   0     4    0   +4     6 (Knockouts)
2 Cap Nord                          2    1   1   0     3    2   +1     4
3 Ancherion                         2    0   1   1     2    3   −1     1
4 Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison    2    0   0   2     0    4   −4     0 (Eliminated)

Group D
Damukuni 1–0 Capital Cove
Racing 2–1 Brenecia

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Racing                  2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
2 Damukuni                2    1   1   0     1    0   +1     4
3 Brenecia                2    1   0   1     4    3   +1     3
4 Capital Cove            2    0   0   2     1    4   −3     0 (Eliminated)

Group E
The Licentian Isles 3–0 Ha'Yarok
Quebecois Acadiana 3–4 Fhulghamous Peninsula

#                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 The Licentian Isles      2    2   0   0     5    1   +4     6
2 Ha'Yarok                 2    1   0   1     2    4   −2     3
3 Fhulghamous Peninsula    2    1   0   1     5    5    0     3
4 Quebecois Acadiana       2    0   0   2     4    6   −2     0

Group F
The Five United Clans 1–2 Entrop
Polkopia 2–0 Xanneria

#                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Polkopia                 2    1   0   1     6    5   +1     3
2 Entrop                   2    1   0   1     2    2    0     3
3 The Five United Clans    2    1   0   1     6    6    0     3
4 Xanneria                 2    1   0   1     1    2   −1     3

Group G
Appalachian Nation 0–3 Tumbra
Drehda 1–1 Esportivan Darmen

#                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Tumbra                  2    1   1   0     3    0   +3     4
2 Appalachian Nation      2    1   0   1     3    5   −2     3
3 Esportivan Darmen       2    0   2   0     1    1    0     2
4 Drehda                  2    0   1   1     3    4   −1     1

Group H
Macbon 0–1 Hannasea
Nova Anglican Admin Zone 1–4 Natanians and Nosts

#                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Natanians and Nosts         2    2   0   0     6    1   +5     6 (Group Winner)
2 Nova Anglican Admin Zone    2    1   0   1     5    5    0     3
3 Hannasea                    2    1   0   1     1    2   −1     3
4 Macbon                      2    0   0   2     1    5   −4     0 (Eliminated)

Natanians and Nosts beat Nova Anglican Admin Zone and Hannasea
Macbon lost to Nova Anglican Admin Zone and Hannasea

---

RP Prompt

There's one game left in the group. A few of you have died on the vine, and some of you will have your last match with security from a knockout spot. What could your team's fate be?

[Lozho]

Second Half Sluggishness Bottles Upset Victory For Lozhoans

Sponsored By Sozha Soda Tasty Drinks Corp

Porto Nowi, Rekadom - The Lozhoans will be kicking themselves today after they threw away a golden chance at qualifying for the knockout rounds. Up within in the first ten minutes with a fantastic header from Penny Butterfield, things went quickly downhill in the second half against the rejuvenated Pirates. They bottled it as hard as we bottle our signature Sozha Soda bottle, which are sealed very tight to reduce spills, but also not too tight that you can't unscrew one on a hot summer day.

There was one change to the starting lineup today, with Obaman national wicketkeeper Percival Obamahama slipping into the gloves as the goalkeeper following an injury to Bonzo De Jong. Rumour has it, he jumped so high he almost left orbit, but he only suffered a mild concussion and will likely be back for the next game. Despite the boring nil all draw against Robostania in the previous match, the Lozhoans looked rejuvenated and ready to give it their all against the highest ranked team in the group.

Things got off to a great start. The Pirates looked cocky and ready to make mincemeat of their newbie opponents, but the Lozhoans took them by surprise with a devastating counterattack. Winger Oszalzd Drezhen made a superb run towards goal, but the ball was booted away before he could make a shot on target. Luckily for him, the Lozhoans were granted a corner. Drezhen crossed it to a waiting Butterfield, who rose to the challenge and headed it right past Leoni Joyce's hands in the ninth minute.

Soon after that, the Lozhoans turned down the heat. Counterattacks became less incisive and runs became less swift in an attempt to preserve their flimsy lead against the clear favourites. The Ceyne Isles tried their best to break down the Lozhoan defence, but it was to no avail. Obamahama actually put in a great shift for someone who had never played football, and had been inserted into the squad due to a donation to the LFA by his employer Obama Jacobs. He saved balls left and right, and De Jong's safe hands were easily replaced.

With more and more people beginning to accept the reality that Lozho were about to pull off one big upset victory, the first half concluded. Despite statistics revealing that the Pirates dominated the match, they were still 1-0 down at the end of the game. That was of course until the players came back out for the second half, with their passion and resilience from the first half sucked out and replaced with exhaustion. Almost as if someone spiked their drinks... but with Sozha Soda's tight seals and enzymes that break down 98% of common poisons, that wouldn't happen! Unless they didn't drink Sozha Soda, in which they deserved everything they got.

Regardless, it was only a matter of time before the Pirates would draw one back and level the match. And they did. Substitute midfielder Keates was only on the pitch for 3 minutes when he suddenly struck the ball as hard he could manage. There was nothing Obamahama could do as the rocket-like projectile came flying in from outside the box and almost tore the net. It was the 52nd minute, and the score was one all. Would the Ceyne Islands snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, or would the Lozhoans hold on to deny them the win they desired? Find out after the commercial break!

Sozha Soda is not only safe from tampering, but it's also healthy and refreshing! If you're at any stadium where Lozho are playing, check out Sozha Soda Floats from approved vendors!

Anyways... things were not looking up. The Lozhoan defenders started getting desperate to prevent another goal being conceded. Butterfield picked up a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Ceyne Isles striker Kemp, and Cartzon Zohzo was close to being sent off after sliding straight into Beckett Carney, but got away with just a yellow card. Keates nearly got his second of the game by heading in an indirect free kick, but it was ruled offside, much to his chagrin as he had just taken off his shirt to celebrate.

As the twilight of the game approached, it looked like Lozho might just hold onto the draw in spite of increased pressure from the Pirates. After conceding what appeared to be an easily defendable corner, the Lozhoans were shocked to see that Kemp managed to boot the ball with a sneaky tap-in at the 79th minute, with Lozho now losing 2-1. Last ditch attempts by Lozho to level the score was to no avail, and the final whistle was soon blown. Defeat.

After a refreshing drink of Sozha Soda, the Lozhoan team needs to reflect. They need to put in their all against the mysterious Gouvanarch, and hope that Robostania don't defeat Ceyne Isles if they want a chance at qualifying

[Tumbra]

Appalachian Nation 0-3 Tumbra

Starters: 1 - Barker; 18 - Kemp, 4 - Kerr, 20 - Tyler (24 - Pritchett, 45'), 19 - Green (3 - Mercurio, 62'); 6 - Harrison, 8 - Hicks (16 - Fisher, 62'), 10 - Cole; 7 - Wells (17 - Osbourne, 79'), 19 - Silverwood, 22 - Nolan (26 - Erskine, 79')

TMB scorers: Bruce Nolan (18', 32'), Vincent Hicks (55')

Player of the Match: Bruce Nolan (TMB)

2029 TUMBRAN FEDERAL ELECTION: THE FALLOUT

NEGOTIATIONS ARE OFF: LABOUR — ALLIANCE TALKS BREAK DOWN AS SECOND FEDERAL ELECTION LOOMS

STRATON — Two different political parties, two different stories; but the main message is clear. Labour and the Alliance were unable to strike up an agreement to form government, setting Tumbra on course for a second federal election after the previous federal election produced a deadlocked Parliament.

Speaking after the failure of negotiations, Alliance leader Cressida Granger's press conference at the headquarters of the Green Party was tempered, yet it was obvious to all present that she was attempting to hold in quiet fury over the failure of talks. She expressed "disappointment" in the lack of "initiative" from Labour. Citing irreconcilable policy differences over electoral reform in the House of Representatives, a difference over the Northlands policy and a "general lack of willingness to concede any ground and work together as partners", Granger concluded that "the talks were heading absolutely nowhere; so we, unfortunately, have decided to end these talks and look forward as an electoral alliance. We have tried to negotiate; we have failed, despite trying our utmost hardest to try and find common ground with our ideological neighbours; and I'll just say that it's not because of us that the talks were heading nowhere."

Labour, meanwhile, had a different story. Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator Bertram Andrews spoke in the lobby of Labour's headquarters in Flemming, near the south of the country's capital; stating that the Alliance's "unrealistic demands for power" displayed an "intent that was clearly beyond any coalition government, or even a confidence and supply agreement," and that Labour's unwillingness to negotiate was "not an unwillingness to concede ground, but holding firm on the promises we made to the twenty-eight million Tumbrans who preferenced Labour over any other party — and the many, many more who preferenced Labour over the Liberals or even the Alliance."

Neither Andrews nor Granger went into further detail on what exactly the Alliance demanded from Labour in return for support, though it is thought that immediate withdrawal from the Northlands was, as expected, a key faultline where the two parties of the centre-left diverged. Others speculated that the Alliance had demanded the removal of Michael Kirkland from the office of Prime Minister for their support; but nothing much has been revealed about where exactly these talks failed.

The failure of these talks essentially ends Michael Kirkland's chances of remaining as Prime Minister; the Labour leader required the Alliance to vote for him in any investiture vote to stand any chance of exceeding the centre-right's total of 323 votes that they will have in Tumbra's 49th Parliament when it first sits in three days. This situation falls right into the lap of the centre-right, as Stephen Williams, the current Leader of the Opposition, would become Prime Minister after the third vote should the Alliance abstain instead of voting against him becoming Prime Minister. This is because the Constitution mandates that after the third ballot to nominate a Prime Minister, only a simple majority of those voting is required to confirm a Prime Minister; and the Alliance abstaining would give Williams the needed votes to secure that simple majority he needs. The spanner in the works for that plan, however, would be convincing the Alliance to abstain when they traded some of the strongest barbs with each other during the election campaign; the Liberal/National coalition called the Alliance's economic plans "straight out of the socialist textbook," while the Alliance said that the Liberals' proposed cuts to certain social services were "downright immoral and evil."

BOYD HOLDS OFF RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT, IN LIEU OF SECOND ELECTION

STRATON: After having led the Moderate Party to their worst election result since 1969 — when they picked up just ten seats — most observers anticipated the resignation of their leader, the Tamworth MP William Boyd. He has, however, stayed his hand on the matter; despite sources having informed various media outlets that Boyd was originally intending to resign on Election Night had either the Coalition or Labour had a viable path to 326 seats. With the political uncertainty generated by this election, however, Boyd had stayed his hand on resigning; a move that has generated some concern amongst Moderate voters.

"I know that there might be an election in another few months and we won't be able to elect a new party leader by then," said a resident of the constituency of Roselands, which was held by the Moderates on a very small swing towards incumbent MP Johanna Browne. "But I think it's better for the health of the party if Boyd resigned now and allowed a new leader to come in and take charge, even on an interim basis."

Boyd, who was elected in 2025 after the resignation of previous leader Hannah Slater, is seen by most as being on the economically liberal wing of the Moderate Party. The former economics professor attracted controversy during the election campaign that Tumbra was on the edge of a "recession that needed to happen," and that the Moderates were the only party willing to tell the people the truth; and by proposing "realistic legislation that will help Tumbra get through said recession."

It is unlikely that Boyd will resign, however, especially with a second general election in the autumn looking more and more likely as Tumbra's major parties struggle to assemble the required numbers to form a government. Boyd, on his part, categorically ruled out the Moderate Party voting for Labour to get them across the 326 line; citing the fact that Labour had "lost the moral authority to govern" due to their loss of 81 seats during the election, and "ideological differences" between the two parties on the economy.

CONSERVATIVES REMOVE SPALKO AS LEADER; APPOINT HAVANT MP DERRICK ATKINSON AS INTERIM LEADER

KINGSBURY: Still reeling from losing fifteen of their seventeen MPs at the federal election, the Conservative Party have suspended Alan Spalko, their embattled scandal-hit leader, and placed the MP for Havant, Derrick Atkinson, as the interim leader of the party. Mr. Spalko's position, long considered to have been under threat since the first allegations of money laundering emerged during the election, was removed as Party Leader and suspended as a member of the party itself after a vote of the party's executive committee. According to multiple sources, the vote was "close" yet "decisive", as the Party attempts to distance itself from the scandal-beset leader.

"Our party has undergone an age of crisis, and continues to do so; until a permanent leader is chosen, I will be leading the Conservative Party as a sane and principled party of the right, to defend Tumbran values and advocate for its best interests whenever possible," said Mr. Atkinson after his appointment. Mr. Atkinson, who became the MP for Havant in 2013, has been a relatively low-profile MP across his four terms in the House of Representatives; yet built up a sufficient personal vote in his Clearmont constituency to withstand the tide of anti-Conservative vote that came his way at the election.

"My first task will be to rebuild the trust that voters used to have in the Conservative Party," he said after his appointment, "and I approach that task knowing it is no easy thing to do."

Alan Spalko, the deposed leader of the Conservative Party, was not available for comment.

Drehda vs Tumbra - Campionato Esportiva 33, Matchday 3

Starters: 1 - Barker; 2 - Keene, 4 - Kerr, 14 - Perry, 3 - Mercurio; 6 - Harrison, 8 - Hicks, 10 - Cole; 7 - Wells, 9 - Vaughn; 11 - Riordan

Bench: 12 - Danvers, 13 - Jones; 18 - Kemp, 5 - Ashburn, 20 - Tyler, 24 - Pritchett, 19 - Green; 15 - Finnemore, 16 - Fisher, 23 - Monaghan, 25 - Morris; 17 - Osbourne, 21 - Silverwood; 22 - Nolan, 26 - Erskine

[Nova Anglican Admin Zone of Esportiva]

Rutupiae Free Beacon

Rutupiae mayor Morgan comes out strong for a car-free city

Reiterating one of her key campaign promises, recently re-elected mayor of Rutupiae, Liberal Secularist Erin Morgan, has said the first bill she will table in the new city council will be one to ban cars from the city by the 2030s. From the left wing of the LSP, Morgan won 61.2% of the vote in the first round, largely on a promise to make Rutupiae a walkable city. Her new bill envisions a series of concentric circles where using a car will be illegal, beginning with banning combustion-only cars from the city centre by 2023 and altogether by 2030, while hybrid and electric vehicles will have until 2025 to get out of the city centre, and by 2035, only electric cars will be permitted within the city, and then only in the outer ring. It also proposes increasing congestion charges for personal vehicles, doubling funding for public transit by 2027, and making electric vehicles exempt from personal property tax.]

Mayor Morgan says these changes "are necessary to make Rutupiae a livable, walkable, city and one that leads on green issues." She also says her government will be working closely with civil engineering firms on a Master Plan 2030, which will set out a grand vision for Rutupiae over the next decade. Eventually, Rutupiae will be a place with abundant housing, strong social services, quick and convenient public transit, and zero pedestrian deaths, at least according to Morgan. When thinking about non-personal transport, Morgan says buses and light rail will be all-electric by 2025, and businesses that operate in the city centre will have until 2025 to change over their fleets to non-combustion-only vehicles. She will rely on nine of seventeen councillors being LSP, PJP, or Stewardship, while also attempting to draw support from the two Equality councillors and the Livable Rutupiae Now! representative as well. Businesses, however, especially taxi services, have blasted her plan to make large areas of the city car-free as "unrealistic" and "deeply harmful to consumers."

Continued on page A3

Liberal Secularist Garrett boosts Tumbran Moderates, says they ought to be a model for LSP

Liberal Secularist Lucas Garrett, Deputy for NAAZE South and head of the economically liberal wing of the party, said in a recent pool spray that he views the Moderate Party of Tumbra as a model for the LSP and that he hopes they find success in an increasingly likely second Tumbran federal election this year. Garrett, the LSP lead candidate in the elections to the Assembly of Esportiva in 2020, praised Moderate leader William Boyd for being "the only grown-up in the room" and "the kind of guy who would make an excellent Minister for Finance in a crisis situation." The praise comes at a bit of an odd time, considering that the Moderates were reduced to only 10 seats at the most recent election, but it's perfectly in line with Garrett's beliefs. Both he and Boyd are economic liberals and pro-Esportivan politicians. And despite the fact that this is ostensibly a comment on another nation's politics, it can also be seen as a shot across the bow of LSP leader Emily Waterford.

Despite a deadlocked Parliament where the support of both the left-wing Alliance and the Moderates could confirm Michael Kirkland for another term as Tumbran Prime Minister, Boyd has ruled out supporting Kirkland. Similarly, Garrett has been one of the loudest voices in the LSP against a renewed collaboration with the PJP and SP. Garrett sees the departure of prominent liberal LSPer Katie Logan to Build! as an indication that the LSP has drifted too far to the left under Waterford and that their working with the PJP has "incorrectly identified [them] as a pro-regulation and taxation party." While Boyd has indicated that the Moderates would vote for Liberal-National candidate Stephen Williams for PM, Garrett has not showed similar support for the People's Party. However, he did say in the pool spray that "should sensible politicians regain the upper hand in the PP, there might be fruitful areas of collaboration" between the two parties that could "rebalance our economic environment back towards a reasonable centre." He ended by saying that the "only way to break the deadlock in Tumbra is to empower moderates and liberals like Boyd to steer the ship of state between reactionaries like the Conservatives and revolutionaries like the Alliance."

Continued on page A4

New Gaudia mayor says he'll work with, push, Shuler on Gaudia development

The first-ever mayor of Gaudia, Gene Reynolds of the PJP, said in his introductory press conference that "taking Gaudia from a work in progress to the NAAZE's next powerhouse city" would be his first priority, and that he and Premier Ilana Shuler would be "joined at the hip if necessary" to achieve his goal. Reynolds, the owner of a small civil engineering firm, used his experience in his chosen field to convince voters to choose him for mayor. It wasn't easy, however. Despite being backed by both the Stewardship and Liberal Secularist parties, Reynolds faced competition from the PP, Libertarians, Build Esportiva Together, and an independent left-wing candidate that was backed by Equality. It took him three rounds of instant-runoff voting to get over the 50% threshold, but he will have a supportive city council, as the PJP and SP together took three seats, a majority on the five-seat council.

After his election, Reynolds vowed to work closely with NAAZE Premier Ilana Shuler, also of the PJP, to increase Gaudia's growth and support it properly. Reynolds says that he has identified building a major hospital, starting a program of business grants, and strengthening transport links as the three major things he wants to achieve in his first term in office. None of those will be possible without strong support from the NAAZE provincial government and the national government, so Reynolds joked that he "might have to rent an apartment in North Beach" (same neighborhood as the provincial parliament) to get what the city needs. He noted that transport links especially would have to be a pan-provincial project, as "businesses can't relocate here if they can't get here easily" and "building supplies and staple goods need a quick and easy way to flow into the city." Reynolds' pro-development stance might clash, however, with Shuler's goal of relocating Janseebuckian refugees, as well as balancing the desires of the nearby Litorana and Pianura peoples with regards to their land.

Continued on page A6

NAAZE 1-4 Natanians and Nosts

Goalscorers: Banks 29'

Injuries: Billy Brock (hamstring, 2 games), to be replaced by Jenny Flanagan