EURAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Eura’s World Cup 92 Qualifying Squad
STAFF
Manager: Skorji Oslograd (63, Eura)
As unlikely as it might have seemed not so long ago, Skorji Oslograd was appointed as the eighth permanent manager of the Euran national team in the modern era. The former Bastion, Hornchurch (season loan), FC Axel Heiburg and Revolutionaries centre forward is an icon of Euran football, starring in Eura’s World Cup 66 winning side at the height of an international career that saw him make 168 appearances for Eura, scoring 103 goals. Oslograd then went into coaching and management, where he had a low-key career until taking over as manager of The Askari Union. He improved them significantly and got them playing perhaps their best ever football at the Copa Rushmori, before moving to take over the national team job for the newly formed Euran Oceania Territories, who had only recently started competing in WCC competition.
Although Oslograd was unsuccessful in achieving the dream of getting the Expats into the World Cup, even with a surprisingly talented generation of players (but little squad depth), he can claim to have transformed the Euran dominion’s fortunes for the better and claimed some memorable shock victories with the side. It nearly all came apart during World Cup 85 qualifying when the Expats went on a horrific run of form and Oslograd, plagued also by off the pitch controversies, came close to getting the sack. He was saved by a remarkable return to form during World Cup 86 qualifying and recently has had the Expats securing the best results of their history, raising his profile on the international radar once more.
The blow dealt to Euran footballing pride by failing to qualify for World Cup 87 was severe and created something of an inquisition in the national game as to the causes. As part of this the EFA needed a replacement for Lee Sharp following his resignation. Although the FA approached several top tier candidates, it was felt that a truly radical departure from the normal practices of the EFA and its teams was required, leading to this shock wildcard appointment. Oslograd’s appointment proved hugely controversial, although his tenure has seen him usually behave better than in the past.
A decent start in some friendlies and at the Cup of Harmony was somewhat soured by defeat in the final to Mriin, a recurring nightmare of a defeat to Darmen long ago that followed Eura steamrolling all prior opposition in the tournament. Nevertheless, Eura's mostly faultless performance - and a tournament unusually free of antics for an initially sober minded Oslograd - relieved pressure on the new coach. Unfortunately, a promising start to a home Copa Rushmori that followed was brought to a saddening end by penalty heartbreak in the quarterfinal; Eura recovered to gain good form in World Cup 88 qualifying, but stuttered toward the end, then crashed out in the group stages (though at least this time they qualified) and flattered to deceive at the subsequent Copa.
Oslograd continued to revamp the squad and attempt the much more difficult task of overcoming the hang ups of the past. In recent tournaments the team has adopted a combative, cynical and defensive (but with ruthless counterattacking) 5-3-2, sometimes switching to a more ambitious 3-5-2. But results were mixed to say the least; Eura marginally improved at World Cup 89 but suffered another gloomy group stage exit, another dampener on the era of optimism Oslograd promises will eventually dawn, before a more spirited run in the Copa Rushmori ended in the semi-finals, followed by another group stage exit (albeit in a tough group) at World Cup 90 and a further Copa Rushmori semi-final run.
There is a consensus growing that Oslograd has arguably been working with the weakest Euran squad in a generation, making these results seem quite creditable, but the knife-edge failure to qualify for World Cup 91 – a second such disaster in recent years – has put Oslograd’s job on the line. A run to the Cup of Harmony final and an agonising third runner up medal from three attempts, courtesy of a flukey Audioslavia goal, has kept the wolves at bay for now, even if Eura only met the minimum expectations in making the final. But the failure won’t be forgotten despite the incremental progress of the past few years.
This is now last chance saloon for Oslograd – Eura must qualify for World Cup 92 regardless of their draw, or he will be out. After several years of experimentation with defensive formations, it seems Oslograd’s response has been to give the people what they want – his side look set to play a more attacking, aggressive style in qualifying in order to brute force their way to the World Cup. The current selection will play at the Eagles Cup before competing in World Cup qualifying.
Assistant Manager: Rhea Fianchetto (48, The Askari Union)
Oslograd’s wife and long-term assistant manager from his days in charge of The Askari Union, Fianchetto is little known the public eye but has become a respected coach in her own right among those in the know. Many speculate that she may provide sense to the chaos of what has been dubbed “Skorjiball”; when Oslograd has been in a pit, Fianchetto has been there to bail him out, time and time again.
STYLE AND PERMISSIONS
Style Modifier: +3
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers – YES
Godmod scoring events – YES
RP injuries to my players – YES
Godmod injuries to my players – YES (But only how the injury happens, not the extent of the injury)
Hand out yellow cards to my players – YES
Hand out red cards to my players – YES
Godmod other events – YES, provided you keep events within the realms of realism, so no deaths etc.
SUMMARY OF SQUAD CHANGES
Retired:
Damion Bowman – LW/CAM – 33 – 150 caps – 53 goals – Oakstone
Moira Woakes – AM – 34 – 231 caps – 82 goals – Carsby
Dropped:
Patrick Read – RB – 25 – 8 caps – 0 goals - Bombarralense (Audioslavia)
Ronan Stenhouse – CDM – 31 – 6 caps – 0 goals - KT Moreazerua (Audioslavia)
Elliot Palmer – GK – 30 – 47 caps – Mountainside
Christine Atkinson (F) - ST - 26 - 54 caps - 18 goals – Lajuno
Called up:
Robert Marshall - AM - 25 - 19 caps - 3 goals – Oakstone
Vance Simm – GK – 31 – 35 caps – Lajuno
Matt McKenzie – RB – 24 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Directus
Rita Brookfield – ST – 25 – 6 caps – 1 goal - Oakstone
Dean Barnes – RAM/RW – 20 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Directus
Taron Matthews – CDM – 29 – 11 caps – 1 goal - Crossroads (Chromatika)
The retirement of Damion Bowman and Moira Woakes from international football leaves a big hole - particularly the latter, as at least the former is equalled by Adam Woodman. Ronan Stenhouse and Patrick Read have been shuffled out, though both have a decent chance of a return with Eura’s current depth issues. Christine Atkinson’s time is up after failing to score at the 41st Copa Rushmori and continued middling domestic form. Elliot Palmer drops out of the squad due to his domestic struggles and a mediocre international record that makes him expendable.
Robert Marshall is back for Eura as part of a final attacking role of the dice from Skorji Oslograd, after a more cautious approach came unstuck at the recent Copa. There is also a comeback for Vance Simm, Rita Brookfield and Taron Matthews, all of whom have been out of the squad since the post-qualifying friendlies for World Cup 90. Brookfield has dropped down the order of strikers due to the rise of Sophie Singh and Alex Sharp, and Simm is third choice in goal after a dismal end to his last stint in a Euran shirt, but Matthews may have a strong claim to push Jermaine Gates as the backup defensive midfield thanks to his performances for Crossroads in Chromatika. Finally, two uncapped players are called up, both from Directus – Matt McKenzie at right back and the latest Directus wonderkid, Dean Barnes.
SQUAD
Shirt number – name (F if female) – position – age – international caps – international goals – club
Goalkeepers
1 – Tom Hammond - GK - 24 - 10 caps - Directus
The obvious challenger to Palmer is another in a long line of Directus goalkeepers. Hammond was Kevin Belgrave’s protégé and recently took up the number 1 for his club. Much like Belgrave, he is a physically imposing keeper at 6ft 6in, but by no means sluggish or reliant on height alone. A much more verbally assertive personality than the taciturn Belgrave, he will not hold back in ordering his defence around.
13 – John Hewitt – GK – 26 – 2 caps - Farrenton Athletic
Hewitt started out his career highly rated, was then crushed by a terrible domestic breakthrough season, and has now recovered and earned his second call up for Eura. A strong all round keeper with plenty of room to improve.
30 - Vance Simm – GK – 31 – 35 caps – Lajuno
Simm had a tough time during his last stint in a Euran shirt, and that may be why he returns as third choice despite being the most experienced goalkeeper in the squad.
Defenders
2 – Ana Mason (F) - RWB - 25 - 30 caps - 2 goals - Spartangrad
Mason has proven to be a phenomenal signing for Spartangrad since arriving from Unioneers and she has impressed so far for Eura, despite often being limited by Oslograd’s use of wingers rather than wingbacks. In the mould of Spartans legend Weylon Churchilli, she is best described as a rapid attacking wingback, superb on the ball and possessing a deadly cross off the right foot. Sometimes, like Churchilli, her defensive frailities are exposed, and she hasn’t got his scoring boots yet – but there is a star in the making here.
3 – Lucy Almwood (F) (VICE-CAPTAIN) - LB - 29 – 103 caps – 11 goals - Brinemouth (Nephara)
The best of Eura’s fullbacks for some time, Almwood will wonder how she has been so unlucky to be born into one of the least successful generations of Euran footballers. She would have walked into most Euran teams of the past. Defensively robust but also a threat going forward, two-footed, a formidable set piece taker, endless stamina; she has all the ingredients of a once-in-a-generation left back. She is now at her peak and will be desperate to have an international legacy to show for her efforts in the next few years. She was recently appointed vice-captain after Moira Woakes retired from international football.
4 – Jack Menard (CAPTAIN) - CB – 27 – 145 caps – 8 goals - 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
When he broke through for Marketville as a teenager Menard was quickly recognised as the most gifted centre back Eura have produced in some years, even among a better crop than usual. He has 145 caps and 8 international goals at just 27, making it almost certain he will reach the 200 club, and was a natural choice for squad captain after Monica Rowland’s international retirement. He dominates in the air but is also excellent with his feet and a master of both standing and sliding tackles. It is hoped that in becoming captain, he can develop into the full spectrum leader Eura need at the back.
5 – Tanya Green (F) – CB – 30 – 93 caps – 0 goals – Revolutionaries
In the early years of her career Green was not expected to achieve her current level of success, at one point being added to a list of Revolutionaries players set for release into the bear pit of lower league football. She turned a corner at just the right time and slipped neatly into a Revolutionaries backline under transition and has remained there ever since. She has had the most staying power of the three centrebacks under Oslograd aside from the ever-present Menard, proving more consistent than Kevin Sherwood and others. She is the least physically imposing of Eura’s centrebacks but adds a calm, ball-playing presence at the back that is perfectly suited for getting Eura through long qualifying campaigns that frequently test concentration and fitness levels. She is now the oldest of Eura’s defenders and a senior member of the squad.
15 – Kevin Sherwood - CB - 25 - 75 caps - 2 goals – 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
Sherwood, like Menard, was destined for the national team from the start, and has fit seamlessly into the red and gold shirt. After some time in Siovanija & Teusland he has earned a big move to 1830 Cathair in Audioslavia and now partners Menard at club level, which has helped him regain his spot in the first team for Eura. He can suffer from inconsistency in a way that Menard and Green perhaps do not, but on his day is a fine player. Cutting out the mistakes will be vital to ensuring he cements the third centre-back spot permanently – and the quicker he gets over the horror show ending of the Cup of Harmony final against Audioslavia, the better.
19 – Jamie Byrd - CB - 27 - 47 caps - 1 goal - Bastion
After a period of decline Byrd has recovered his form somewhat and is now pushing to be in the side again. His fluent ball playing style makes him a good replacement for Alex Coles. In contrast to the likes of Sherwood and Menard, Byrd shares more with Green - an unexpected talent come good. However, playing at Bastion brings high expectations, so his underdog status has quickly been forgotten.
21 – Matt McKenzie – RB – 24 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Directus
McKenzie was not an obvious future international when first spotted at the Directus academy and was almost sold to one of several interested Silver League teams as a teenager. But he has come good since graduating to the senior squad and has convinced Skorji Oslograd he’s worth a go over several more experienced alternatives. A classic fullback, more defensive than Mason, but with the galloping legs needed to make the occasional dart down the right flank.
23 – Eve Reeve (F) – LB – 29 – 21 caps – 0 goals – Ulsa
Unfortunate is the best word to describe Reeve, who is a solid left back in her own right and who has recently secured a deserved step up at Ulsa. She is unfortunate because of Almwood sitting in her way. This is a reality that will likely limit how far Reeve’s Eura career can go – that and the tactical setup of Oslograd’s side, which is unforgiving for a more orthodox left back like Reeve. Nevertheless, she has earned a place in the squad, and is clearly trusted by the manager enough to make frequent appearances.
25 – Quentin Phillips - CB - 24 - 20 caps - 0 goals - Holdenberg
Holdenberg’s new star defender is something of a surprise package, having shown little promise as a youngster at Whitepill before securing a move to Holdenberg at 19, supposedly as a backup option. He has stepped into the post-Henri de Aea void and proved to be one of the bargain buys of the last decade. Phillips combines many valued traits in a top centreback including peerless concentration levels and decision making, an imposing physique at 6ft 4in, and the acceleration to keep up with the best forwards. He has certainly thrown a spanner in the works for any certainties around the future of the Euran centreback positions and is a media favourite.
27 – Morgan Hart – CB – 25 – 2 caps – 0 goals - Farrenton Athletic
Morgan Hart has earned his return to the national team via fine domestic form and a publicly declared obsession with representing his country again. The last time he tried it, things did not go well; his first appearance came in a 2-3 defeat by Graintfjall (though with their recent World Cup win that may not be such a bad result). With his height and physical bulk, Hart offers something different for Eura, something they may need in spades in certain games.
Midfielders
6 - Jermaine Gates - CDM/CM - 24 - 29 caps - 1 goal – Directus
Gates is the latest in a long line of superb Directus youth products and has surprisingly advanced into the first team before Oscar Vincent, having usurped the inconsistent Sharon Erskine. He is certainly a very promising player, perhaps in the class of Sterling Rose or Gareth Blackthorn, but time will tell if that is false hype or prophetic vision. In the meantime, he is by far and away Eura’s best holding midfielder and an easy pick for the team sheet.
7 – Adam Woodman – LW – 27 – 75 caps – 27 goals – Directus
The polar opposite of his right flank equivalent. Woodman is a golden boy, a Directus wonderkid who plays the right way – possession based, boundless energy, neat finishing and clean tackling. No tattoos and swearing here. He’s even teetotal, as if to push home the message that this is Eura’s poster boy. Yet Woodman’s international career has never felt like it reached a true lift-off; he was supposed to be Eura’s next wonderkid and does have good stats, but he hasn’t won anything, and was forced to compete with Damion Bowman until as recently as the 41st Copa Rushmori. Finally he now has unchallenged dominance of the left wing spot, but at 27-years-old, he only has so much time to make it count.
8 – Vincent Robshaw - CM - 34 - 158 caps – 34 goals - AFC Treason (Nephara)
If the recently retired Woakes was the heart of this midfield unit, Robshaw is undoubtedly the brain, immensely successful at club level in part due to his own decisive input as the master of the middle, and a big-game player like no other who famously scored a winner for Northern Union in the Champions League final. Despite his physicality and power his football is beautiful to watch rather than brutal, his movement often appearing to be an effortless glide across the pitch, occasionally interrupted by an unstoppable long range shot or an inch perfect long ball. Oslograd once described him as “Steve Thompson with a bald head” and he’s right – John Spartan and Liam Armstrong aside, no other Euran midfielder has quite encapsulated the spirit of Eura’s most capped player and legendary manager like Robshaw has. However, at 34 he is now arguably past his peak and likely to be replaced during World Cup qualifying by Oscar Vincent, his starting position prolonged only by a strong showing at the most recent Copa.
11 – Bobby Malone – RW – 28 - 89 caps – 35 goals – AFC Treason (Nephara)
Eura’s chaos option is Malone, an explosive winger who tends to blow a game wide open by doing something mad and brilliant in equal measure. Perfectly suited to his adopted footballing home in Nephara, he can be a dirty bastard in his own half one minute and charge down the line to slash home a screaming winner the next. This unpredictability can be his downfall; Malone’s temperament is occasionally tested by his fiery nature, much like Brenecia’s Lauren Cheney, though he’s not yet seen red in a red shirt. Oslograd has surprisingly sought to tame that rather than exploit it most of the time but there is an option there for Eura when the football gets stale, and the opposition try to frustrate his team.
12 – Owen James - RW/LW - 23 - 14 caps - 2 goals - Chromatik (Chromatika)
James is a young spoiler to the four wingers who have featured in the squad in recent years, and now is the main alternative option on both sides of the pitch. His comfort using both feet and approaching the attacking phase from either side of the pitch, though less so the middle, makes him a unique asset in Eura’s current arsenal. He possesses unbridled pace that has not been spoiled by age and injury like some of his older counterparts and displays a wonderfully innocent attitude on the pitch - uncommonly, he is a Euran international who always looks like he is enjoying himself. He has struggled a little for goals so far, scoring just twice across 14 caps (many earned off the bench), but Oslograd clearly has faith he will come good. Likely to play a bigger role than previously in this campaign.
16 – Oscar Vincent - CM - 25 - 58 caps - 9 goals - Holdenberg
One of the “Two Vincents”, most likely the successor to his older namesake. A somewhat successful spell in Chromatika came to an end after Vincent decided Holdenberg offered him a better opportunity at playing the role he wanted to play for club and country, and it appears likely he will be a frequent feature in a Euran side that he has impressed for so far. A classic Euran central midfielder in many respects with excellent short passing abilities and high fitness levels, and a possible future captain.
18 – Flora Brown (F) - CM - 25 - 8 caps - 0 goals - Raven River (Nephara)
Brown made her debut in challenging circumstances, a key Copa Rushmori group stage tie against the old enemy Valladares and was impressive in what proved to be a hard-earned 2-0 victory. She is reminiscent of a Glenn Anderson or Michael Brandon with an extensive passing range, measured demeanour and lanky posture.
20 – Ben West – AM – 24 – 10 caps – 1 goal - Falourr
A true flair player like West is always welcome in the Euran set up but he struggled on his first attempt at international football. He returned to the side off the back of an impressive Season 50 for his club and for now at least has secured a continued run in the squad. An excellent dribbler and creative player with decent shooting boots too.
22 – Dean Barnes – RAM/RW – 20 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Directus
The latest in a long line to come off the conveyor belt of talent at Castle Road, Barnes is the next big thing for Directus and maybe for Eura too. He’s quick with his thinking and his feet, excellent at finishing and impressive physically. This makes him a rough diamond of sorts – he has all the core attributes needed to be a true great but will need tuning around the edges and more experience to get there. He looks set to surpass Mikhail Jashkin at Directus so clearly the hype is real.
24 - George Stewart – CM – 28 – 12 caps – 1 goal – Raynor City United (Valanora)
The sporting press hailed the long overdue selection of George Stewart as a victory for common sense. But where does he fit into Skorjiball? Stewart is an orthodox Euran central midfielder who may end up proving pivotal for Dan Eastwood at Raynor City United, or just become a bit-part player, something of an unknown quality after establishing himself at a much smaller club, Blackfields. The same questions apply at the international level. There is clearly talent here and the ability to become a key part of the Euran set up even mid-way through his career – or it could turn out to be another failed experiment to forget quickly. The early signs in recent times have been mostly promising.
28 – Taron Matthews – CDM – 29 – 11 caps – 1 goal - Crossroads (Chromatika)
Matthews makes his return for Eura off the back of a very successful period in the rising domestic league of Chromatika. His opportunities may be limited by Jermaine Gates, but Matthews can probably be counted on to deliver quality impact when needed.
29 – Robert Marshall - AM - 25 - 19 caps - 3 goals – Oakstone
Oakstone man Marshall struggled in his first spell for Eura but has recovered well from previous disappointments, while becoming a key figure for his club. Reminiscent of Rhys Griffiths, he will hope to stick around in the national team for just as long as the former Revolutionaries midfielder.
Forwards
9 – Stewart Robson – ST – 29 – 86 caps – 43 goals – Directus
Since Brian Bond retired with his unparalleled goals-to-games ratio, Directus striker Robson has been Eura’s best goalscoring option up front, which is a compliment to this traditional pacey poacher but conversely a worrying indictment of Eura’s limited options up front. Robson is the only striker since Bond’s retirement who has consistently found the back of the net for Eura at the rate that is expected to be minimum for Euran strikers – one goal every two games, and 3 in 4 at the 41st Copa Rushmori. In an era when Eura score less than they used to, Robson’s contribution is vital.
10 – Sophie Singh (F) - AM/ST - 23 - 24 caps - 9 goals - Chromatik (Chromatika)
Undoubtedly the most hyped of Eura’s young options is Sophie Singh, a thrilling prospect whose performances for Mountainside in Gold League excite their fans and neutrals in equal measure. She’s only 23 as well. Diminutive and fast, she is no target man (or woman). Instead, Singh offers the dynamic ability of a Craig Sinclair or Moira Woakes – she can shoot from anywhere, has utter confidence in her own abilities, and could dribble round defenders all day. She has on paper usurped Christine Atkinson up front, but it’s looking likely she will play in a deeper role in attacking midfield when Eura operate with wingers rather than wingbacks, with Alex Sharp coming into the starting line-up.
14 – Alex Sharp - ST - 22 - 19 caps - 6 goals - 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
If it were not for Singh, then Sharp would be the forward everyone is talking about. Sure, the clue is in the name. He is the latest of a dynasty. However, Alex Sharp is a fine player in his own right, and different in character to grandfather Lee and father Dean. Alex is tall and slim rather than compact and tough and relies on a more consistent type of pace than raw bursts of acceleration. He is also a bit more cynical, no doubt influenced by his upbringing in Audioslavia, whom he watched shithouse his team out of the World Cup group stages at the last tournament, before denying Eura a first Cup of Harmony title in the subsequent WCC cycle. He is clearly highly rated by Oslograd and may end up in the first team sooner than expected.
17 – Rita Brookfield – ST – 25 – 6 caps – 1 goal - Oakstone
Brookfield has been fighting and on and off battle with Christine Atkinson for a place in this team for several years. For now, she has won out. The bolshy centre forward is usefully bulky among a set of leaner forwards, and certainly more of a bulldog than the more artful Atkinson. The current set up probably won’t do her goals-per-game ratio any favours, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make a positive impact.
26 – Travis Vivier – LW/ST – 25 – 13 caps – 1 goal – Holdenberg
It’s never easy being Eura’s fifth striker. Vivier will have to succeed where those who came before him failed in establishing himself as a viable alternative, which strikers such as Darius Purcell often do in the short term but fail to do so beyond a few token caps. One advantage he does have is that he can be reliably deployed on the left wing, where has usually played for Holdenberg, and his dominant stature is reminiscent of Brian Bond, which sets him apart from the more lightweight alternatives available. So far, it’s been tough going, scoring just once in 13 appearances, but his hot form domestically has kept him in the side for now.
Preferred starting lineup - Offensive
Note: this does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change.
GK - 1. T Hammond
RCB - 4. J Menard
CB – 15. K Sherwood
LCB - 5. T Green
RCM - 6. J Gates
LCM - 8. V Robshaw
RW - 11. B Malone
CAM – 10. S Singh
LW – 7. A Woodman
RS – 14. A Sharp
LS – 9. S Robson
Preferred starting lineup - Defensive
Note: this does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change.
GK - 1. T Hammond
RWB - 2. A Mason
RCB - 4. J Menard
CB – 15. K Sherwood
LCB - 5. T Green
LWB - 3. L Almwood
RCM - 6. J Gates
LCM - 8. V Robshaw
AM – 12. O James
RS – 10. S Singh
LS – 9. S Robson
Player Roles
Squad Captain: Jack Menard
Vice-Captain: Lucy Almwood
Direct free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Vincent Robshaw (Right footed)
Indirect free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Vincent Robshaw (Right footed)
Right corner: Vincent Robshaw (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Left corner: Vincent Robshaw (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Penalties: 1. Stewart Robson 2. Lucy Almwood 3. Vincent Robshaw 4. S Singh 5. A Sharp
Stadium
Eura play their international home games at the Bastion Arena, the 110,000 capacity all-seater stadium at the heart of Eura's capital.
Kits