Copa Rushmori 42 - Everything Thread (Rushmore only)

[Southwest Eastnorth]

SWEN PIONEERS/FRONTIERSMEN ROSTER

FORMATION 3-4-3
Style Modifier +4
COACH: Chris Houton (Age 45)
ASSITANTS: Dennetter DiMore (Age 53), B.J Rotheborune (age 51),

FORWARDS

#7 Keon Crust (22)- Hartlespool Hurricanes
#11 Chris Houton (45) - Oasis Blur FC
#4 Hoyer Harbors (27) - Bearden (XANNERIA)
#17 Ulysses Barnett III (27) - Auberlein Originals
#35 Phillip Di Grassi (34) - Hartlespool Hurricanes
#40 Ian Gordon (27) - Montreaux Jazz
#99 Austin Navarro (20) - Auberlein Originals

MIDFIELDERS

#2 Mark Sternes (31) - Oasis Blur FC
#7 Jimmy Jefferson (35) - Oasis Blur FC
#13 Ken Luckworth (21) - Chester University
#19 Tyler Aguilar (33) - Chester Cheetahs
#20 Roberto Fillipe (29)- Hartlespool Hurricanes
#49 Jimmy Thompson (19) - Auberlein College of Technology
#75 Sean Bravaro (35) - Auberlein Originals

DEFENDERS

#4 Mike Donaldson (25) - Virginia United
#13 Mary Gill (26) - Chester Militia FC
#24 Davin Warnbush (33)- Auberlein Originals
#38 Jacque Labrador (29) - Galaxy SC (XANNERIA)
#50 Jace Arnold (29) - Rutland FC (CASSADAIGUA)
#92 Dino Andretti (32) - Eastria FC (ATHERIA)

GK

#1 Orenthal Onassis (25) - Virginia United
#0 Jessica LaRioux (28) Galaxy SC (XANNERIA)
#01 TreyVon Hoag (23) - Auberlein Originals

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes But keep it infrequent
RP injuries to my players: Yes Typical injuries, that will not result in heavy losses
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes Keep it infrequent
Godmod other events: Yes

[Rio Oscuro]

FEDERACIÓN OSCUREÑA DE FÚTBOL
Official Río Oscuro Roster for the 42nd Copa Rushmori

Style Modifier: +1
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Team Colours: White and Blue
Nicknames: Montañeros ("Mountaineers"; originally used by Valladars to refer to Río Oscuro natives in a derogatory sense, now used with pride by Oscureños to refer to themselves), La Franja Azul ("The Blue Stripe"), La Estrella Solitaria ("The Lone Star")
Head Coach: William Rawson (Valladares)

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS
1. Darío Posada, GK, 28, Cisneros FC
12. David Flórez, GK, 25, Águilas Rojas
23. Jonathan Arango, GK, 22, Sol de Rushmore

DEFENDERS
2. Álvaro López, RB, 29, Sol de Rushmore
3. Humberto Soto, CB, 26, Alianza Floriana
4. Octavio Rodríguez, CB, 25, Siloé FC
5. Rodolfo Hernández, LB, 25, Deportivo Cumbal
13. Zenón Valencia, RB, 23, Siloé FC
14. Nicolás Rosero, CB, 24, Valledomar FC
15. Omar Cifuentes, CB, 25, Ferrocarril FC
16. Antonio Saavedra, LB, 25, Cisneros FC

MIDFIELDERS
6. Héctor Benítez, DM, 27, Atlético Floriana
7. Rodrigo Torres, CM, 26, Sol de Rushmore (Captain)
8. Claudio Varela, CM, 25, Ferrocarril FC
10. Mauricio Quintero, AM, 26, Alianza Floriana
17. Leonardo Berrío, DM, 25, Universitario de Cumbal
18. Alejandro Vera, CM, 24, Arsenal Armero
19. César Rueda, CM, 25, Alianza Floriana
20. William Cruz, AM, 23, Ferrocarril FC

FORWARDS
9. Sebastián Paredes, FW, 24, Universitario de Cumbal
11. Josué Barrientos, FW, 25, Universitario de Cumbal
21. Ezequiel Bernal, FW, 22, Atlético Floriana
22. Roger Cañaveral, FW, 23, Alianza Floriana

Starting Lineup:

Kits:

RP Permissions:

In the event my opponent RPs first, they may...
Choose my goalscorers YES
Godmod scoring events YES
RP injuries to my players NO unless granted permission. I'll reserve the right to determine severity if granted permission.
Godmod injuries to my players NO unless granted permission.
Hand out yellow cards to my players YES
Hand out red cards to my players NO - I'll reserve the right to decide whether my players are sent off or not.
Godmod other events YES only if they involve weather conditions. If you wish to organize something else, do not hesitate to contact me though.

Special requests:
1) Please no killings, and definitely no pandemic-related RPing.
2) Try to be as realistic as possible, and last but no least...
3) Have fun.

[Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland]

Team name: Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland
Trigram: SWR
Demonym/adjective: Schutzenphalian*, Schutzi (colloq.)
* Technically, players such as Dragotin Klanènik are Ruhntuhnkuhnlander, but in practice, ‘Schutzenphalian’ is used as an omnibus descriptor for everyone from the United Iron Principality.
Team nickname: Mountaineers

Staff

Head coach: Max Renner
Assistant coach: Oliver Uhe

Renner is a coach who likes adaptable players capable of covering multiple positions. As such his formations can be fluid, at best putting the best players on the field regardless of position, at worst forcing square pegs into round holes. Uhe is a young advocate of analytics who never made it to professional football after spending some time in the semi-pro ligen.

All players play in the Schutzenlige unless otherwise stated.

Goalkeepers

1. Niklas Kaplan (Obernbrück)
12. Emil Haneke (SC Weinsbüren)
23. Basti Glöckner (Saalstein Freihöring)

Defenders

2. Max Muster (Lengenbrück Gudenfeld)
3. Dragotin Klanènik (Sankt Margrethe’s)
4. Stefan Kandel (Obernbrück)
5. Benjamin Schlager (Sankt Margrethe’s)
6. Aaron Pfeifer ( Hofvinger)
16. Nathanaël Ndòsi ( Corinthians No Longer)
18. Daniel Fischer (Obernbrück)
21. Xaver Bruckner ( Scunthorpe de Puyevier)
24. Christoph Vogl ( Hagejoki)

Midfielders

7. Lukas Wolf ( Starling)
8. Tom Klor (Lengenkamp SC)
14. Luca Geyer (Lengenbrück Gudenfeld)
15. Jan Egger (Obernbrück)
20. Ralf Lorenz (Saalstein Freihöring)
22. Nico Auer (Mistelstein 1882)
25. Srðan Verdnik ( Caralanian Caralania)

Forwards

9. Kai Röthke (Wolfzeller FV)
10. Daniel Reiter ( Maigburg)
11. Noah Frankenberger (Saalstein Freihöring)
13. Branimir Bulganin ( Korsbach)
17. Lucas von Wolfberg (SV Klagenzell Vólkerheim)
19. Tommy Bernauer (Lengenbrück Gudenfeld)
26. Kareef Hamidou (Saalstein Freihöring)

Captain: A. Pfeifer
Penalties: Wolf, von Wolfberg
Free-kicks: Klor, Klanènik, von Wolfberg
Corners: Klor, Klanènik

RP permission box

I grant you unlimited permissions with respect to fußball. You may choose scorers, assign yellow and red cards, and hand out injuries, though I will decide the long term consequences thereof. You may godmode wacky events. The only thing I ask is that you do not use photographs and say they are my RL players.

Style modifier: 0

[Eura]

EURAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Eura’s Copa Rushmori 42 Squad

STAFF

Manager: Sterling Rose (50, Eura)

Skorji is gone, so is his life partner/assistant manager, and with them goes Skorjiball. What was achieved? Seemingly not much – Eura are not much better off now than they were when he took over. The EFA have responded by plucking for a relatively young, ambitious appointment from the club game, who at the same time is likely to revert to more traditional tactics for the Euran national team.

Sterling Rose was once best known as a player for Eura, racking up 190 caps and scoring 12 goals for his country. He played and won silverware domestically and abroad before becoming manager at Marketville, where he was widely regarded as being a serial overachiever, before being offered his dream club job at Bastion.

Rose was just 43 at the time and, in the most part of a decade since, he has restored Bastion to greatness with consecutive Gold League titles, a feat they had not previously managed in the entire modern era. But Spartangrad and Ulsa have asserted control of the Euraleague agenda in recent season. Rose’s Bastion are now bereft of most of the team that won him those titles, making this the perfect time for the EFA to approach him.

Assistant Manager: Roland Hopkins (46, Eura)

Unsurprisingly, Rose has plucked for his assistant at Bastion for the same role in the national team set up. Hopkins is unusual in Eura as a coach with no professional playing experience, but is nevertheless highly rated by those in the know, and likely to be an influential figure behind the scenes.

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.


SQUAD
Shirt number – name (F if female) – position – age – international caps – international goals – club
Caps and goals require updating – up to date to end of CR41

Goalkeepers

1 – Tom Hammond - GK - 26 - 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 – 28 – 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 – David Warrington – GK – 27 – 0 caps – Callodown

Defenders

2 – Ana Mason (F) - RWB - 27 - 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 - 31 – 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 – 29 – 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 – Kevin Sherwood - CB - 27 - 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.

15 - Quentin Phillips - CB - 26 - 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.

19 – Jamie Byrd - CB - 29 - 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 – 26 – 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 – 31 – 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 – Morgan Hart – CB – 27 – 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.

27 – Martin Pearce - CB - 24 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Starling (Nephara)

Midfielders

6 - Jermaine Gates - CDM/CM - 26 - 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 – 29 – 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 – Oscar Vincent - CM – 27 - 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.

11 – Bobby Malone – RW – 30 - 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 – 25 - 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 – Laura Holland (F) – CM – 27 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Ulsa

18 – Flora Brown (F) - CM - 27 - 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 – Summer Johnstone (F) – 27 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Brigham

22 – Dean Barnes – RAM/RW – 22 – 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 – 30 – 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 – 31 – 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 – Ethan Douglas – RW/LW – 25 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Bastion

Forwards

9 – Stewart Robson – ST – 31 – 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 - 25 - 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 – 24 - 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 – 27 – 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 – Kate Archer (F) – ST – 26 – 0 caps – 0 goals - Crossroads (Chromatika)

Preferred starting lineup
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
LCB – 5. K Sherwood
LWB – 3. L Almwood
RCM - 6. J Gates
LCM - 8. O Vincent
RW - 11. B Malone
CAM – 10. S Singh
LW – 7. A Woodman
ST – 9. S Robson

Player Roles

Squad Captain: Jack Menard
Vice-Captain: Lucy Almwood
Direct free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Sophie Singh (Right footed)
Indirect free kicks: Lucy Almwood (Left footed), Sophie Singh (Right footed)
Right corner: Sophie Singh (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Left corner: Sophie Singh (Right footed), Lucy Almwood (Left footed)
Penalties: 1. Stewart Robson 2. Lucy Almwood 3. Sophie Singh 4. Bobby Malone 5. Oscar Vincent

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

[Ceni]

---

ROSTER FOR COPA RUSHMORI 42

---

---

INFORMATION

After a rogue Cenian FA member threw the Cenian national team forward in time 20 years in a vain attempt to remove archenemy Andrew Arrowsword from international contention, the Cenian football scene plummeted into disarray. The world-leading Terranean League disbanded, as did the Cenian national team itself. Many players continued plying their trade abroad, but a significant number also hung up their boots. Now that the forsaken team has returned, the Cenian FA reluctantly approved a return to World Cup competition. After a relatively successful WC campaign, and some political changes as well, the FA grew more receptive to broader international competition. At a home Cup of Harmony, the stated goal is 13 points in total: enough to boost Ceni into a third-pot spot in the next World Cup qualification tournament after its failure to qualify this cycle.

Manager: Luke Longstar

Luke Longstar has a long history as the Cenian NT's manager. After a disastrous World Cup 78 cycle, the Cenian NT replaced manager Elidyr Lyndanium with Longstar, fresh off a UICA Champions' Cup title with 1860 Azoth. Longstar immediately made his mark on the team with a winning record in a friendly tour and a semifinal appearance in the nation's first ever Copa Rushmori. In World Cup 79, which Ceni hosted, the team reached the quarterfinals, but unfortunately then returned to its perpetually unlucky ways in World Cup 80 with a shock loss to then-debutant Baker Park denying it a Round of 16 spot in the World Cup. And then the Portal Incident took place, sending Longstar and his team 20 years into the future, and a totally new era in football. Longstar is again at it, trying to pick up the pieces.

Ceni has always been an attacking side, although Longstar plays with perhaps a more restrained version of that model. Notably, the national team in the modern eras has never played with more than three defenders, although Longstar's specialty involves formations with one defensive midfielder to bolster the defense. As a corollary to that, Ceni's usual strategic mentality is to attack, attack, attack, usually with at least four attacking options along with two playmaking midfielders. Ceni does not usually play rough, but more cerebrally rather than anything else. The most likely way a Cenian will pick up a caution is arguing with a referee, probably over a very technical or minute section of the Code.

For scorination purposes, Ceni will play with a +3 style modifier this tournament.

ROSTER

Pos. 	Name			Age	Club
			
GK	Leo Glasvyrn		33	 Brigham
GK	Joshua Kosokhan		28	 Celtic Noviodunum
GK	Aneirin Woodbridge	19	 Herzegovina City
GK	Eilana Avith-Rose	18	 Vaduz Portcullis
CB	Liam Lorechian		33	Myrmidon
CB	Miri Windtide		31	 Royal Queenstown
CB	Ariana Guri-Montague	28	 Mynda Electra
CB	Jaina Beren		19	 Vaduz Portcullis
(L)CB	Felix Farthen		24	 Danvirk FC
(R)CB	Zarel Sontebren		24	 Royal Queenstown
CM	Jasper Valaran		33	Myrmidon
CM	Avi Renning		24	 Lexington Victory
CM	Zane Kirchner		22	 BT Ming
CM	Sofia Falcón		28	 Celtic Noviodunum
CM	Jasper Berenguer	19	 Celtic Noviodunum
DM	Nova Kymeri		28	 Walston Brook Albion
DM	Lyra Avant		19	 Celtic Noviodunum
(R)AM	Adrián del Toro		32	1860 Azoth
(L)AM	Marc-André Onasi	30	 Perce Town
(R)AM	Asher Koromin		26	 Lexington Victory
(L)AM	Marco Santa Oria	21	 Lexington Victory
AM	Aidan Koromin		17	Polaris
ST	Sascha Falkenrath	26	 Callodown
ST	Iain Cyn-Penzag		26	Cenial Halcyon
ST	Ben Lorennion		21	Myrmidon
ST	Sebastian Ellex-Mar	17	 Olympique de Rimouski

Default Starting Lineup

Roster Explication
Ceni's roster contains a mix of veterans and newcomers. The veterans have had to reevaluate their place in international football after a relatively underwhelming transfer window: While players like Valaran, Onasi, and del Toro were previously used to playing at the pinnacle of international football on the domestic side, they're now playing for either domestic teams in the untouchable (in a bad sense) Afanc Strait Superleague or for minnows in foreign leagues. Out of this group, Marc-Andre Onasi has perhaps landed on his feet the most, playing a role in the Quebecois side Perce Town's run to the Challengers' Cup quarterfinals.

Perhaps the biggest shock has perhaps come for the younger players who were beginning to enter the peaks of their careers before the Portal Incident. Now, with sides the world over having selective memory for their performances 20 years ago, players like Sascha Falkenrath and Zane Kirchner have (reluctantly) decided to ply their trades at recently promoted sides in bigger leagues, even though they (most likely) won't see international club competition for the foreseeable future. But it seems like the boys may be back in town in Lexington, New Gelderland, where Avi Renning, Asher Koromin, and Marco Santa Oria — up-and-coming footballers before, and still up-and-coming footballers now, thankfully — form the backbone of the team. (And it's entirely possible that Koromin and Santa Oria will take del Toro and Onasi's places in the midfield more often than not.)

And then there are the younger players who are coming of age firmly in the post-Portal Incident era. This generation won the U-18 World Cup in Gortolekua in Ceni's first time of asking in that tournament, so the high expectations are on their shoulders. Jaina Beren and Vyn Voren look promising as a new backbone for the defense after two of Ceni's defensive stalwarts (Liam Lorechian and Miri Windtide) look poised to retire within the next cycle, perhaps portending a four-person Cenian defense at some point. Aidan Koromin is doing his family proud with a Golden Boot spell at Polaris, and Sebastian Ellex-Mar lit things up at Olympique de Rimouski in Quebec. Don't expect Longstar to call either up too much, in respect of their young ages, but do expect them to be called up.

RP PERMISSIONS

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

Choose my goalscorers: YES
Godmod scoring events: YES
RP injuries to my players: YES, but most certainly no career-ending injuries.
Godmod injuries to my players: NO
Hand out yellow cards to my players: YES, although read the information section before you decide to hand out a yellow card.
Hand out red cards to my players: YES, although read the information section before you decide to hand out a red card.
Godmod other events: Please PM me on Discord @credo#6104 to discuss. I'm much better at responding to Discord PMs than TGs so you're more likely to get a quicker response from me.

I will ignore cannon any references to a pandemic taking place.

Style Modifier (redux): +3

[New Gelderland]

---

New Gelderland — National Football Team
Roster for Copa Rushmori 42

---

INFORMATION

Manager: Nicoletta Arnaudo

After a sabbatical in the Savigliano countryside, Arnaudo parlayed a title winning season at Stade-Ferre in Savigliane to a four-year stint at the Chromatik club Felswyr. But the club suffered poor results in its last season, Arnaudo took the job managing the New Gelderlish women's team, initially envisioned for just the Olympics. But after Arnaudo led the team to a surprising and unprecedented gold medal, beating heavy favourites Eura in the final, the New Gelderlish Football Federation will now play in the World Cup qualifiers and perhaps beyond (but not too far beyond). Arnaudo had the unenviable task of not having the team totally collapse against the high caliber of opposition like it did in the Eagles' Cup, and she actually rose to meet the challenge: as an unranked side, the team held a playoff position for a good chunk of its qualifying group, finishing fourth. It now heads into the Cup of Harmony with high hopes.

For purposes of scorination, New Gelderland will use a -2 style modifier.

ROSTER

Pos. 	Name			Age	Club			
GK	Charlotte Birdwhistle	25	Celtic Noviodunum
GK	Ava Sorrento		24	Vaduz Portcullis
GK	Mona Aller		20	Club Terranea
LB	Zorina Engstrom		26	Lexington Victory
LB	Aviva Ben-Avi		20	Olympic Nassau Bay
CB	Electra Villin-Sallow	18	Celtic Noviodunum
CB	Georgia Calder		24	Lexington Victory
CB	Isla Fensby		20	Vaduz Portcullis
CB	Tessa Tuross		23	Afanc Strait Mariners
RB	Abigail Apollo		18	Celtic Noviodunum
RB	Chelsea Ryan		19	Vaduz Portcullis
LM	Tara Springsure		18	Olympic Nassau Bay
LM	Aisha Nesheim		20	 Polaris
CM	Allyson McKenna		26	Lexington Victory
CM	Minerva Hume-Nelson	19	Vaduz Portcullis
CM	Lina Auren		21	Royal Queenstown
CM	Aurelia Proulx		25	Vaduz Portcullis
RM	Camden Engstrom		19	 Polaris
RM	Sarah Prescott		18	Olympic Nassau Bay
ST	Jaclyn Swan-Weiss	23	Celtic Noviodunum
ST	Carya Longreach		20	Lexington Victory
ST	Lia Aphelion		20	 Westgreen Park Rangers
ST	Tessa Bellamy		21	Royal Queenstown

Equipped with a youngish team, playing almost entirely domestically within the Afanc Strait Superleague, manager Arnaudo has her work cut out for her against the multiverse's top teams. They've only had one tournament together, and while explicit conflicts have yet to surface, Arnaudo feels that the team's chemistry isn't all that it's cracked up to be. And with no players in the neighboring top leagues of Nephara or Eura, they have little experience playing against the quality opposition that characterizes the Eagle's Cup and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Georgia Calder will anchor the team's defense alongside left back Zorina Engstrom, playing a mentoring role to the inexperienced Electra Villin-Sallow and Abigail Apollo. In the midfield, captain Allyson McKenna is an experienced box-to-box midfielder, supporting protege Minerva Hume Nelson, who has aspirations of being a similar player. In the wings, Tara Springsure and Camden Engstrom are young and energetic, although with a tendency to find themselves trapped too far up the field to be used for defensive purposes. Although star striker Jaclyn Swan-Weiss is entering the prime of her career, club woes at Celtic Noviodunum have hampered her performance recently. However, striking partner Carya Longreach displayed flashes of brilliance at the Olympic Games, leading to hopefulness among Gelderlish fans.

Default First Team

Player Roles
Captain: McKenna
Penalties: Swan-Weiss > Longreach > Hume-Nelson
Corners: Springsure or Engstrom
Free Kicks: McKenna or Hume-Nelson

RP PERMISSIONS

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

Choose my goalscorers: YES
Godmod scoring events: YES
RP injuries to my players: YES, but no career-ending injuries.
Godmod injuries to my players: NO
Hand out yellow cards to my players: YES
Hand out red cards to my players: YES
Godmod other events: Please PM me on Discord @credo#6104 to discuss. I'm much better at responding to Discord PMs than TGs so you're more likely to get a quicker response from me.

I will ignore cannon any references to a pandemic taking place.

Style modifier: -2

[Tikariot]

Despite the highly fertile farmlands of the Saburnian plains yielding record harvests, empty shelves in grocery stores were no rarity with many fruit and vegetables in high demand due to the vast majority of the crops being diverted to other parts of the Communist Union in an attempt by the Union’s government in the Bashnya to balance harvests across the vast expanse, leading to prolonged food shortages, which also went hand in hand with rising food prices.

As the economic situation continued to deteriorate, the oppressive measures of the Union increased, especially against the aboriginal Bashperians that decided to take to the streets of Samakar despite the threat of repercussions. In the face of armed forces being deployed to Tikariot to deal with the protests, demonstrations began to start up in other provinces by the Bashperian diaspora both in support of the Bashperians and in opposition to the repressive politics of the Union, starting in Soharr, then quickly spreading into Paladon and Viljamark.

Despite riot police trying to suppress the demonstrations, the Tikariotians did not let this deter them, quite to the contrary, as the numbers of protesters grew all across Tikariot and not just Bashperians anymore, leading to a quickly growing number of dissenters, which led to the police and army start to lose control in certain areas. The Cardannon Archipelago was the first province to fall with police forces joining the ranks of the demonstrators, also aided by the islands’ remoteness and the Union’s inability to send reinforcements in time.

On the mainland, though, the Burgundy Army attempted to quell the rising revolt by sending thousands of soldiers into the hotspots of Tikariot City, Port Rhovanyon, Fort Viljan, and Carathyr, but Tikariotian revolutionists managed to organize their numbers into a focused defensive force, led by the Viljan intellectual Kristlaugur Fylkirsson and Roderick Armitage from Tikariot City. During this time the old citadel of Tikariot City became a symbol for the Tikariotian resistance when they began to occupy and fortify it, flying the old black and purple flag of Tikariot visible to everyone over the city.

This gave the national pride of Tikariotians another boost, especially when the Burgundy Army began to lay siege on the citadel, hoping that if they could force the minds behind the revolt to surrender the whole protest movement would collapse, but they had not factored in the resilience of Tikariotians and the fact that endless tunnels underneath the citadel could be used for supplies.

After weeks support of the resistance did not falter, but came to a new high when in the middle of the night drums began to sound over Tikariot City and Fylkirsson appeared on the battlements of the citadel holding a torch. Despite being unarmed and without armour or other protection, the army forces did not shoot. The night after again the drums began to sound and when Fylkirsson appeared again with the torch, he was not alone as all along the citadel black clad figures held torches high into the night sky.

As the nights progressed, more and more Tikariotians followed Fylkirsson’s lead and went on the dark streets of Tikariot City with burning torches to show their support. One night a drum beat, followed by the clap of hands, then another beat and another clap, this time accompanied with a “HUH” yell, the beat of the drum slowly accelerating. More and more citizens joined in until tens of thousands of hands clapped in unison, with the war cry showing their determination. This practice spread across the nation, showing Tikariotians united more than ever in their protest against the Unionist oppressors.

The rhetoric of the Bashnya began to lose its edge when they saw that the support was not diminishing and it became obvious that they either did not want to or could not stage a large-scale military invasion to squash the uprising. Independent observers saw this as the beginning of the end of the Unionist rule over Tikariot as both police forces and military across the nation began to lay down their weapons and join the Tikariotians in their fight against oppression.

On August 18 Tikariot finally declared independence and almost immediately political changes were initiated with parties forming to prepare for the first democratic elections that were scheduled for November 10. The Tikariot Freedom Party (TFP) was the clear favourite in the lead-up, also because of Roderick Armitage declaring his intention to run for Prime minister. Predictably the TFP won the elections with a landslide 86.2%, which led to the vote threshold for parties qualifying for the parliament being lowered from 5 to 3%, allowing three other parties to move into parliament, the Tikariot Nationalist Party (TNP), the Communist Party of Tikariot (CPT) as well as the Emerald Party (EP).

[Trans-Dniesters]

THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED SOCIALIST STATES OF PRIDNESTROVIA
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM

The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia is familiar with both failure and humiliation. First it was A 5-3 loss to Sargossa that brought an entire nation to its knees, and then that was followed up by an even more humiliating 4-0 defeat to the women of Cassadaigua. Then Eura denied the team a chance at a third straight appearance in a Copa Rushmori final by beating the Red Army 1-0 in the Round of 16 of CR XLI. Time to avenge the loss and humiliation once again, but yet again the Pridnestrovian national football team must make it through the group stage and the first round of the knockouts first before they can even think about winning the Copa Rushmori. It now seems like even more of a gargantuan task than it originally was.

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia
Demonym: Pridnestrovian
Team colors: Green and red
Style modifier: +3.00 (still focused on attacking football but hopefully not to the extent of sacrificing defensive solidity this time around)
Formation: 3-5-2
Head coach: Basil Santa Cruz (43 y/o, Abanhfleft)

STARTERS
GK: Valeriy Igorovich FALIN 31 y/o, Atletico Bed Deg (Copper Cuprum)

RCB: Tikhon Vladimirovich KOZAKOV 30 y/o, Botafogo de Maranao (Sultanate of Oontaz)

CB: Osip Petrovich KOVALENKO 28 y/o, FK Spartak Rybolovlev (Estorvipa and Estorpiva)

LCB: Merlin Christoph ADELHARDT 29 y/o, Xemlice Rovers (Abanhfleft)

RWB: Aleksandr Georgiyevich FEDOROV 33 y/o, Atletico San Sebastian (Abanhfleft)

RCM: Vasiliy Akhmetovich OGORODNIKOV 26 y/o, Admiral Novorossiysk

CM: Temirlan Timurovich ZHOLDASOV 25 y/o, Sarvusadalamoive (Abanhfleft)

LCM: Levon Mehmet PEKKOR 27 y/o, Gryphons Nubalochi (Sultanate of Oontaz)

LWB: Vladislav Timofeyevich KUZNETSOV 26 y/o, Rotor Dnistrosh

CF: Vladislav Vladislavovich FOKIN 29 y/o, Masyafspor

CF: Maksim Nikitovich GURKIN 29 y/o, Chernomorets Bratsk

RESERVES
GK: Yevgeniy Semyonovich KRASNOV 30 y/o, Mah Deg Diamonds (Copper Cuprum)

GK: Kuzma Filippovich BOGACHYOV 29 y/o, Thereisnogodistan (Abanhfleft)

DEF: Jonas Heinrich BÖDEKER 25 y/o, Bierburger SV

DEF: Timofey Vissarionovich ASSONOV 24 y/o, FK Traktor St. Paulsburg (Estorvipa and Estorpiva)

DEF: Rostislav Saveliyevich LESHEV 28 y/o, FK Chornyy Volodymyrivka (Estorvipa and Estorpiva)

DEF: Anatoly Yakovlevich SAMARIN 30 y/o, Dnistro Dnistrolvovsk

MID: Christopher Maria Josephus UNGERER 25 y/o, Dinamo Macaresti

MID: Timofey Timurovich SALAGIN 27 y/o, Fortuna Novonikolaysk

MID: Oleg Maksimovich SIYASINOV 24 y/o, Vay Deg Eels A.F.C. (Copper Cuprum)

MID: Aleksey Dmitriyevich MEKHANTYEV 22 y/o, CSKA Tiraspol

FW: David Andreyevich NEDELYAYEV 23 y/o, Metallurgist Beledor

FW: Viktor Fyodorovich ASTANKOV 25 y/o, Pasargad Manitogoro (Sultanate of Oontaz)

STARTING LINEUP (Massively Outdated)


KITS (by Adidulas)


IMPORTANT STATISTICS
Win-loss record: 57-20-57 (penalty shootouts are counted as draws regardless of final result)
First international match: VS Aynard (W 6-0)
First win: VS Aynard (6-0)
First loss: VS Fratton (0-1)
Biggest win: VS Nurkama (9-0)
Biggest loss: VS Pasarga (2-6)

BOF 58: 6-1-2 (lost to The Hakifao Isles in the final)
WC 71: 6-2-6 (fifth in Group 12 of qualifying)
COH 63: 1-1-2 (knocked out by Zenic in round of 16)
CR 22: 1-0-2 (third in Group A)
CR 23: 3-0-3 (knocked out by Saintland in round of 16)
CR 24: 1-0-3 (knocked out by Valladares in round of 16)
WC 75: 6-4-7 (fourth in Group A of finals group stage)
CR 25: 1-0-3 (knocked out by Pasarga in round of 16)
CR 26: 2-0-3 (knocked out by Eastern Sunrise Islands in quarterfinals)
GCoS 2: 4-2-1 (lost to The Redvale in the final)
CR 27: 3-2-3 (lost to Nephara in third place playoff on penalties)
GCoS 3: 6-2-0 (champions, defeated Rhineland Sued in the final)
CR 28: 1-2-1 (lost to Sameba in the Round of 16)
WC 79: 5-0-13 (8th out of 10 teams in Group 1 of qualifiers)
CoH 71: 1-1-2 (4th out of 5 teams in Group F)
CR 29: 5-0-2 (runners-up, lost to Valladares in final)
CMC 1: 2-2-0 (lost to Terre des Gaules in Round of 16 on penalties)
CR 30: 3-0-2 (lost to Valladares in quarterfinals)
WC 82: 1-8-9 (10th out of 10 teams in Group 9 of qualifiers)
CR 31: 1-0-2 (3rd out of 4 teams in Group C)
CR 32: 0-1-2 (4th out of 4 teams in Group A)

SCHEDULE
WIP

HOME STADIUM (NEW ARMY STADIUM, TIRASPOL)

New Army Stadium in Tiraspol is the home stadium of CSKA Tiraspol and can comfortably seat over 80,000 spectators following a three-year capacity expansion project.

RP PERMISSIONS
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (but I decide the severity and length)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (maximum of 3 per game)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (only 1 per 2 games)
Godmod other events: Yes (TG me first before posting anything)

Style modifier: +3.00 (Positive three point zero zero)

[Norrhem]

Starting Eleven

Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat
GK      Gunnar Fagerud          27      AFC Newcastle United    (MUR)
LB      Jennifer Westermarck    30      Skalton Harpers         (COR)
CB      Ulf Hammarberg          25      Luton Town United       (MUR)
CB      Teodor Finnman          25      SC Lagos                (BOL)
RB      Vidar Sköld             25      CF Frantzisko-A         (TEQ)
LM      Kjell Carlius           30      Mondragons              (MRT)
CM      Joni Lindegaard         26      Coquitlam United        (KSK)
CM      Rasmus Sparre           33      Carathyr Emeralds       (TKT)
RM      Thore Grönholm          27      Sturrey Athletic        (TMB)
FW      Salina Ekengren         34      Kurtz Herritik          (MRT)
FW      Matteo Asper            18      Bul Khungur Miners FC   (TKT)

The Reserves

Pos     Name                   Age      Team                    Nat
GK      Lars-Göran Hedlund      31      Martin Luther           (SFD)
GK      Filip Björk             18      Tikariot City FC        (TKT)
LB      Peter Andreassen        28      Rozelle Alliance        (BRE)
CB      Frederika Norrland      17      Kyethas Rivermen FC     (TKT)
CB      Elis Backvall           29      Octosaide               (MRT)
RB      Erling Bolander         33      Clayquot City           (KSK)
LM      Charlotta Andersson     26      Ridge Raiders Ladies FC (CBP) 
CM      Annika Haglund          34      Spearcove Mariners      (BRE)
CM      Alexander Ekblad        25      Llewellyn Turnpike FC   (CBP)
RM      Inga-Lisa Jansson       24      Clayquot City           (KSK)
FW      Gunbritt Sjöberg        27      Beadle-Normal           (SFD)
FW      Bertil Sehlin           27      Bul Khungur Miners FC   (TKT)

RP PERMISSIONS
If my opponent role-plays first they may:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y
Godmod other events: N

[Sargossa]

Copa Rushmori 42


Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'


Head Coach

Slavko Jelic (Mytanija)

Something of a left field choice as national coach, but he certainly ticks a lot of boxes. A manager with vast experience who spent more than a decade at CDSA in his homeland, creating teams that consistently punched above their weight. Most recently he led the Decraa based side to Challenger’s Cup qualification. Recommended for the role by Mytanar legend Lev Repin. So far his appointment hasn’t yielded instant success but the FFS have promised him time.

Backroom Staff

Assistant Head Coach: Momchil Klemetic (Mytanija)
Assistant Head Coach: Eduardo Larrea
Defensive Coach: Luis Sánchez
Attacking Coach: Joaquín Gutiérrez
Set Pieces Coach: Manuel Semprún
Goalkeeping Coach: Dario Almirón
Fitness Coach: Luis Miguel Sacristán
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura

Talent

GK: 1. Alejandro Martínez (32) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 13. Imanol Sánchez (27) – Alianza Jucaro
GK: 25. Jacobo Robles (27) – El Nacional

Following a title winning season domestically Jacobo Robles is expected to be handed the gloves for the Copa Rushmori tournament. While Imanol Sánchez, also fresh from an excellent year in the Cima Liga, earns a first call-up to the national side. Former undisputed number one Martínez remains in the frame just in case his oodles of experience are necessary as the competition progresses.

DR: 2. Tobías Figueroa (27) – El Nacional
DC: 5. Francisco Jesús (30) – El Nacional
DC: 6. Nicolás Riesgo (21) – 1923 Esca (Mytanija)
DL: 3. Igor Aznar (28) – El Nacional
DRC: 12. Santiago Álvarez (23) – Alianza Jucaro
DC: 14. Brian Jiménez (25) – Sportivo Cordova
DL: 19. Milagros Fernán (23) – Lok. Cassia (Mytanija)
DC: 21: Joaquín Sanz (23) – El Nacional

After a fairly disastrous World Cup campaign and a faintly torrid Cup of Harmony outing the coach has engaged in something of a cull to his player pool. Figueroa and Sanz survive, thanks to their key contributions to El Nacional’s title win. And the Mytanar based duo of Riesgo and Fernán clearly have his trust. Four other defensive players earn their first call-ups. Igor Aznar and the experienced Francisco Jesús joins their club teammates, with Alianza’s Santiago Álvarez and Sportivo Cordova’s Brian Jiménez adding to the central defensive options.

DMC: 4. Marcos Águila (29) – El Nacional
AMRLC: 7. Jorge Fernández (22) – Estrella Torreón
MC: 8. Enrique González (30) – Ciudad Soluca
AMLC: 11. Dani Azuaga (26) – Dínamo Maturín
AMRC: 15. Gonzalo Navarro (26) – Ciudad Soluca
MC: 16. Juan Esteban Collazo (22) – CDSA (Mytanija)
DMC: 18. Fernando Ávila (32) – Sportivo Soluca
MC: 22. Orlando Segovia (33) – El Nacional
AMLC: 24. Martín de la Cavallería (23) – Dínamo Maturín

The midfield contingent also see sweeping changes enacted by the man in charge. Águila, González, de la Cavallería and Collazo are the only survivors from the Cup of Harmony squad. Azuaga and Navarro provide options in wider areas, while Jorge Fernández is a tricky customer who can drift all over the pitch. But it’s the call-ups of Segovia and Ávila, both comfortably in their thirties, that have raised the most eyebrows. Jelic will no doubt be hoping that they can add a little bit of extra experience and steel to a side that have proved to be far too much of a soft touch in recent years. Enrique González should provide the creative spark.

FC: 9. Mateo Manzanares (27) – Dínamo Maturín
FRLC: 10. Pablo Alarcón (27) – El Nacional
FC: 17. Lucas Recoba (24) – El Nacional
FLC: 20. Carlos Alberto (25) – El Nacional
FC: 23. Gustavo Alcocer (20) – Atletik Thessia (Mytanija)

There was some debate as to whether the cull would stretch to leading scorer Mateo Manzanares. The Dínamo hitman underwhelmed in the World Cup qualifiers, although he was by no means alone in that, and didn’t have a stellar time in the Cima Liga but he keeps his place in the squad. What he may not keep is his place in the starting eleven. Lucas Recoba was frankly terrifying in the Cima Liga and must surely lead the line. With talk that Jelic hopes to use a front two this time around. Manzanares or the youthful Alcocer is the most natural fit to partner Recoba, but the form of both Alarcón and Alberto makes them very difficult to leave out. The coach may well seek to crowbar all three of the El Nacional men into the starting eleven.


Style

In Sargossa the three at the back is king so, for a coach who is no stranger to three centrebacks, Jelic should have little impediment in implementing his favoured tactical plans. He’s been trying a 3-4-2-1 system, with limited success. Traditionally Jelic’s sides have always been strong defensively so he’s expected to utilise a 5-3-2 to create a greater foundation on which to soak up the pressure before launching that all important counter attack. Or perhaps even a 5-2-3 in order to fit in El Nacional’s domestically devastating front three. Set pieces will likely play a key role too. Specialised set piece coaches are much in vogue domestically and Manuel Semprún has been poached from domestic giants Ciudad Soluca to fill the role for the national side.

The Cima Liga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while not encouraged, is not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.

Style Modifier = (-1.5)



Kit
Courtesy of ediraf




Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes. Just no killing anyone.

[Mytanija]

It was the first time Radenka Kovacevic and Premier Ana Mecava-Catic had met in several months. Kovacevic, the leader of Ekologija, Mytanija’s main environmental issues political party and the junior governing coalition partner, had once considered Mecava-Catic a real friend within politics. The pair had been described as ‘kindred spirits’ by some of the friendlier sections of the media and as the ‘ugly sisters’ by those sections which were a little bit less friendly, the right-leaning daily Pero had ran a number of hit-pieces on the pair of them. They had tried to reveal potentially compromising details of their private lives to the public, but the problem was that in the aftermath of the Mytanar Conflict the public didn’t really want to hear them. There was also the small detail that a former educator (Kovacevic); and a former nurse (Mecava-Catic) didn’t really have too many sordid moments to shock people with.

The pair had launched an ambitious and effective leftist policy agenda over two electoral periods: nationalising healthcare and universalising provision, the ever-improving quality of the Mytanar education system, the leaps forward made with the economy and the resulting improvements to social welfare programmes. They had managed the latter whilst retaining protections for workers and the support of Mytanija’s powerful labour unions. But the pair had grown more distant as they approached the end of their second four years in power, Kovacevic had to fight off the frustrations of some of her backbenchers who felt that the Premier and her party had reneged on the commitments they had made as part of the coalition agreement. Ekologija evidently wanted a transition to a greener economy built on green energy, Jedinstvo – Mecava-Catic’s party – had said similar things, but when they looked at the post-Conflict Mytanar economy they didn’t feel that they could move as quickly on things like the closure of coal-fired power stations, or procuring gas from overseas for industry.

The once ‘kindred spirits’ had grown apart, Kovacevic wasn’t seen alongside Mecava-Catic as often as she tried to protect her position as Ekologija leader. Mecava-Catic had to deal with barbs from Ekologija backbenchers, unusual from a party involved in the coalition government. All this was music to Krsto Gojkovic’s ears and the leader of the national conservative MNK made a point of mentioning it whenever he could. The governing coalition was ‘creaking’, he said, giving them another four years would be ‘chaotic’ and he asked how could they govern effectively when Ekologija backbenchers were publicly attacking the Premier?

Mecava-Catic’s party thought he had a point and Jedinstvo had started looking at challenging Ekologija for seats. They hadn’t in the previous election, refusing to split the left-of-centre vote, but now with Ekologija representatives causing damage it was something that they needed to look at. Every seat would matter, Gojkovic had made the MNK seem more electable, he had accepted the left’s argument on the economy and ditched the doctrine of neoliberalism which had characterised his party for so long. He had also focused relentlessly on social issues, criticising the government’s relaxed attitude to (particularly black) immigration and emigration; failure to stand-up for the family unit and Mytanar culture; and unease among older generations about liberal approaches towards LGBT rights.

The threat of a resurgent MNK is why Mecava-Catic had personally called Kovacevic asking her to meet at the Premijerska Palata. They needed to talk. Kovacevic had agreed, both to meeting and the premise of the meeting and here they were, sat with Mytanar coffee, just like old times. The only difference was that it felt like there was no air in the room, it felt tense, cold and distant. The world of politics was a difficult place.

“I’ve missed you Radenka, a lot.” Ana broke the silence, betraying a degree of nervousness by rubbing her hands together intensely. “We all have. The last few months haven’t been a representation of our friendship, or everything we’ve achieved whilst working together. It would be great if we could fix it. I mean that as a friend, not as a politician.”

“It’s hard to believe that these days, Ana, to tell you the truth.” Radenka replied coldly. “The way you operate now is a lot different. It all seems a lot more calculated, I’m not sure what you stand for anymore, honestly. The public might be fooled but a lot of people within this world are not, they don’t see the warmth or the authenticity anymore. I can understand why my people are speaking against you in the House of Representatives. You’ve ignored one of the main pillars of our coalition for the past couple of years and the longer it goes on the less justifiable it is. We’ve managed to keep just enough people in line to prevent legislation from passing but it’s probably lost me the leadership – I feel like I’ve lost my authenticity too! This isn’t what we went into coalition for eight years ago…”

“I know, Radenka, but we’ve needed to keep the economy growing. All polls show that it’s the thing that voters are most impressed with us for and we’ve even focussed the idiots in the MNK to accept that as a result. It might be the best thing we’ve ever done—”

“This is what I mean, Ana! You wouldn’t have said that eight years ago. You wouldn’t have been worried about what the MNK was doing. You were more principled, it was about doing things to improve lives rather than maintaining power and our economic ideology.”

“We think that ensuring that our economic programme exists – even if we aren’t in power – is something that will improve lives. I’m sure you agree, it’s your economic programme too. We just want to make sure it hasn’t been wasted.”

“We’re proud of that Ana, but you know that Ekologija exist for protecting the environment, protecting against climate change and moving away from polluting energy. You’ve helped us do the first, but the second and third steps were things we had as part of our coalition’s policy agenda! We can’t just keep putting it off, my party don’t want to see it put off and people who voted for us don’t either. It’s making life very difficult, Ana, you know that.”

Ana remained silent for a second. Could she really propose the idea her and Liljana had devised to Radenka after this? Radenka was frustrated with all the realpolitik and the idea was one which represented that more than anything. Radenka probably wouldn’t be Ekologija leader in a few months, her party were determined to hold a leadership election three months prior to the actual election so that a new leader could propose a new manifesto and they could show a clean break from the coalition. Ana and Liljana Zakelj – her closest confidante and the Minister for Sport – had decided that they would ask Radenka to defect from Ekologija to Jedinstvo and to bring loyal representatives – of which there were still around 20, a third of Ekologija’s House representation – with her at the next election. It didn’t seem to be the space Radenka was in mentally.

“Look, Radenka, at the next election we’re going to propose full nationalisation of energy with a preference for green energy sources written into law. We want to move on this and I think you can agree that generally we’ve delivered on election promises, look at healthcare and education, this is the next thing we want to tick off and we’ve got the economy in a good place to do it.”

“You’ve said this before, Ana…”

“We have, but we’ve achieved the other things on our list now, this has moved up the list of priorities.”

“It’s going to be very difficult to convince my party of that.” Radenka said firmly.

“I know, they’re going to vote you out though, so you won’t need to.” Ana replied, the words coming from her mouth a little more harshly than she had intended. “We want to work with you still, we’ve achieved so much working as Jedinstvo and Ekologija with you and me as party leaders. There are many in my party who feel as if we’re all one… Liljana and I were discussing it, it’s silly really, wishful thinking.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, me and Liljana were saying how good it were be if we were all in the same party. We miss working together, we were so effective and successful, these past couple of years have been strange. If you aren’t Ekologija leader then it’s unlikely we’ll be able to work with whoever comes in as well as we worked with you – so why don’t you join us? We basically hold all the same views on economics, social issues.. and you could oversee our environmental and energy policy. Anyone who thinks the same can come with you.”

“Ana, you know I can’t be discussing this! I’m leader of Ekologija, I shouldn’t even be having this discussion! Even putting that aside I’m not sure you’ve listened to what I’ve been saying if you’re putting that to me.”

“You might not be leader for much longer, Radenka, it’s just something to think about. An option. It’s something which works both politically but also for helping us to return to those principles you were talking about! It’s not that long ago that the media were wondering why we were different parties, there’s a cigarette papers difference in policy agendas and this is one which we’ve just not quite got to. We want you to front it, we want you to take it forward, you’re the most credible person to do so and can help us to take it forward.”

“Ana, look, I can’t have this conversation right now. If I wasn’t leader then it might be different, then maybe, but right now I can’t.” Radenka said, sighing ever so slightly. She glanced down at her watch. “I have to go.”

“That’s fine. Radenka, it’s been good to see you.” Ana replied, standing up as Radenka did and accompanying her towards the door. “Please, just have a think about it, you don’t have to commit to anything yet, but have a good think about it.”

[Ceni]

After disastrous Cup of Harmony performance, Ceni will search for new manager

Unofficially, Luke Longstar will soon be out of a job.

Rumours flying out of the Cenian FA faster than the speed of light have indicated that the Cenian NT manager will be sacked as soon as the Cenian FA finds an alternative candidate to replace him.

Indeed, twii.tur chatter is ablaze with potential candidates that the FA might be considering, with the Quebecois manager Charles Byeon listed as a possible candidate among twii.tur users. (The 46-year-old currently manages Mipojoseon in Quebec, where the leftback and rising star Corran Casa-Alta currently played).

By far, though, the top choice among twii.tur users was Andrew Arrowsword, the Cenian international who won the UICA Champions' Cup with Real Azuris. As a manager, he has already won third place in the Brevity Challenge Cup (sponsored by the Banijan publisher Brevity) and first place in the last U-18 World Cup. With those achievements, twii.tur chatter has suggested that Arrowsword should take over management of the national team, despite only having retired from international football a few years ago.

A FA source who wished to remain anonymous given the sensitive nature of the discussion, however, did not cite Byeon or Arrowsword as leading candidates. Instead, they pointed to two different candidates: another Quebecker, Sam Oronhyatekha, who currently manages Olympique de Rimouski (coincidentally where rising star Sebastian Ellex-Mar plays) and the former Tikariotian national team manager Stuart Ekstrom, who led the team to three World Cup qualifications.

The anonymous source stated that no decision on the candidates was close, nor had any candidate been formally interviewed. But the FA expected to make a decision before the start of World Cup qualification.

"We will certainly have a tough choice, of course because we have close sporting ties with Quebec and Tikariot is a Rushmori neighbour," the anonymous source said. "But ultimately, the top consideration will be the quality of the candidate and how well they fit with the current team and the player pool."

However, the official line continues to insist that Longstar will remain manager for the time being.

"I look forward to managing the team at the 42nd Copa Rushmori," Longstar was quoted as saying in the official Cenian FA statement. "We will of course aim to go as far as possible in the tournament, and no rumours of my impending demise will stop that goal."

[Graintfjall]

Reynarsson, Vilbertsdóttir, Guttisdóttir inducted into World Cup Hall of Fame

Græntfjall’s first three inductees to the World Cup Hall of Fame – World Cup 91 winning captain Hjörleifur Reynarsson, all-time most capped player Emeli Vilbertsdóttir who captained the side during their Cup of Harmony win, and Amanda Guttisdóttir, who is also a football player – were formally honored at the Grander International Arena in Steinaux ahead of a pre-CR friendly against Darmen in a ceremony variously described as “deeply naff”, “indulging the worst excesses of godawful sentimentality”, “a bit shit”, and, by Guttisdóttir herself, “cringe… pure cringe”.*

Reynarsson accepted on behalf of the three players with a brief speech of eight words, thus demonstrating he has used his retirement to expand his vocabulary, while Darmeni players looking either bored or embarrassed stood around waiting to play. When the match did begin, affairs on the pitch at least proved a little more entertaining than those off, with the Snow Wolves, in their first outing since their 5–4 extra time defeat to Valanora at the World Cup quarterfinals in Electrum last year, managed a 3–1 victory.

Though a “friendly”, the match had special importance for embattled left back Jasmijn Spiderlair as she plays for her place, and came away with a goal of outstanding quality as she smashed in a finish from a sequence of 13 one touch passes, while Röskvi Tyrfingsson and Mímir Waltheofsson scored a goal apiece as their contest for the #9 shirt vacated by Jason Þórhallursson (a notable absentee, having been passed over for Hall of Fame induction himself despite winning the informal ‘fan vote’) continued as a stalemate. Sadiq Lucas scored Darmen’s consolation goal.

The Snow Wolves followed up with a visit to Huayramarca, where they drew 2–2 as 10-man Condors came back despite losing Kevin Quispe to a red card to equalize through an Ian Mamani penalty kick after Grímúlfur Gunnþórsson headed in an unfortunate own goal, heading past reserve keeper Hanif Anwar, to cancel out goals from Sara Kristoffersdóttir and Joel Wolfgangsson.

Also in the paper:

• NEWS: Protests at immigration detention center turn violent
• BUSINESS: Government offers pensioners advice on avoiding “growing” cryptocurrency scam investment problem
• POLITICS: Left-slate, struggling for unity, finds common cause in opposing policing act
• FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Græntfjaller special forces deploy to Mlima Kijani as part of Græntfjaller War on Terrorism
• SPORT: Benjamin Iirosson breaks single game rebound record

* Yes, that was one whole sentence; no, I will not be entering the Sub-Editor Hall of Fame.

[Eura]

The Spartan (Mid-market tabloid, non-partisan, Spartangrad)
HORROR AS NEWSPAPER PUN WRITERS DRAW BLANK

The streets of Spartangrad have descended into anarchy after it was revealed that The Spartan’s staff were unable to think of a pun about the appointment of new Euran manager Sterling Rose.

Despite the apparent ease with which one should be able to think of something that rhymes with Sterling Rose, the United Federation’s leading proprietor of punnery was inexplicably unable to come up with anything before its final edition the day after Rose’s appointment. By this point a number of publications had run with their own rhyming phrases, leaving this industry leader in a state of stunned silence.

‘Just look at this!’ wailed Johnny Bossman, our Chief Gimmick Correspondent, as he sifted through the day’s front pages. ‘I can’t believe it. “Everything’s Rosy” – the Capital Herald. “Sterling (gets the) job” – the Directus Post. Even bloody Buster was able to stretch to “Sterling’s Rosy Cheeks Will Ride Us To Victory”, and people only read Buster for the nudity!’

Depressed looking workers at The Spartan’s printing press were tearful as they watched our shame be stamped down in black and white. ‘What has become of our beautiful city and its finest cultural touchstone if it can’t do the one thing that makes it unique?’ sobbed Dave Haddock, once he was able to wash the tear-run ink off his glasses. ‘What next? The Brigham Herald might report something light, or the Red Star could declare a love for the free market. Hell, maybe the Daily Falcon will go a day without trying to start a race war! Is nothing sacred?’

Questions are starting to be asked as civil unrest mounts. Local independent MP Chestnut Gravesend was briefly available to comment as he paid a “community visit” to the best restaurant in the city. ‘Well, I uh, of course I am outraged by what has become of the Spartan. I think there should be an inquiry. And a committee. And…oh hold on, here comes my lobster. Garcon!’ Shortly afterwards a large vehicle crashed through the front window of the venue as locals turned violent.

Copies of our prestigious organ were burned in a heap outside, and a statue of the paper’s founder, Patchwork Pifflepoffer, was repeatedly abused with rocks and graffiti in the city centre. Knitting expert Angie Lovely, who had taken a break from her usual inoffensive Mum-ness to throw a petrol bomb and scream “liquidate the opinion columnists” at us, was still fuming when we spoke to her an hour later. ‘I’ll tolerate a lot of things – but the moment the Spartan stops giving me family friendly whimsical rhymes to wake up to, its out with the family breakfast and in with the purges.’

Our intrepid reporter Lucy Lawful did at least calm tensions with an accidental pun. ‘They’ve really burned some bridges, haven’t they?’ she told a group of rioters gathering outside of our office, prompting sudden uproarious laughter among this broken, slightly deranged people. But within moments they had realised they were being played, and she was soon torn to shreds in a bloody mist. On the bright side, her sacrifice means we remain safe, barricaded in our office, waiting for the authorities to come to our rescue.

Mr Rose himself has not commented on the crisis. Indeed, he looked slightly confused when asked about it in his first press conference earlier today. Spartangrad defender Ana Mason, who was sat alongside him throughout, was evasive as she was peppered with questions about events in her home city. ‘Can’t we all get along?’ she finally declared out of exasperation with the repeated line of questioning. Unfortunately, for the moment, the answer of the baying mob seems to be no oh my god I can hear them coming, someone send help, I will work anywhere else, even the mines no wai-

Myt grimaces as he reaches the end of the RP printout, noticing it is covered in blood, and wonders why Eura has suddenly started writing from his perspective.

[Mytanija]

Who is going to bring the cup home?

Group A
Oberour Ar Moro 3–3 The Askari Union
Mytanija 2–1 Astograth (Scorinated by Mertagne)

  Group A                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Mytanija                                      1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
2 Oberour Ar Moro                               1   0  1  0    3   3   0    1
  The Askari Union                              1   0  1  0    3   3   0    1
4 Astograth                                     1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group B
Bollonich 1–1 Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland
Sargossa 1–0 Olastor

  Group B                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Sargossa                                      1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Bollonich                                     1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland      1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 Olastor                                       1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group C
Norrhem 1–1 Gatchingerrak Union
Cabo Azure 3–1 Darmen

  Group C                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Cabo Azure                                    1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
2 Gatchingerrak Union                           1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Norrhem                                       1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 Darmen                                        1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0

Group D
Rea San Vegas 1–4 Cassadaigua
Nyowani Kitara 3–4 Ceni

  Group D                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Cassadaigua                                   1   1  0  0    4   1  +3    3
2 Ceni                                          1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
3 Nyowani Kitara                                1   0  0  1    3   4  −1    0
4 Rea San Vegas                                 1   0  0  1    1   4  −3    0

Group E
Poais 4–3 Eura
Eastfield Lodge 1–0 República Guanacasteca

  Group E                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Eastfield Lodge                               1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Poais                                         1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
3 República Guanacasteca                        1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Eura                                          1   0  0  1    3   4  −1    0

Group F
San Isidro Labrador 1–1 Pridnestrovia
Xinhua 1–3 Nephara

  Group F                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Nephara                                       1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
2 Pridnestrovia                                 1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  San Isidro Labrador                           1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 Xinhua                                        1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0

Group G
Firinsymnia 4–0 Captina Island
Southwest Eastnorth 4–3 Pasarga

  Group G                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Firinsymnia                                   1   1  0  0    4   0  +4    3
2 Southwest Eastnorth                           1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
3 Pasarga                                       1   0  0  1    3   4  −1    0
4 Captina Island                                1   0  0  1    0   4  −4    0

Group H
Gnejs 1–0 Yuezhou
Three Golden Kingdoms 4–4 Austroslovakia

  Group H                                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Gnejs                                         1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
2 Austroslovakia                                1   0  1  0    4   4   0    1
  Three Golden Kingdoms                         1   0  1  0    4   4   0    1
4 Yuezhou                                       1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

[Cabo Azure]

Cabo Azure 3-1 Darmen
Scorers:Couto (11'), de Lima (43'), Cardoso (88')

Unlikely contributors put Maçaricas comfortably ahead of their greatest group C competition. In his first start for the Maçaricas, centreback Emilio Couto got on the end of a Rathbone corner and headed it home to put Cabo Azure in the eleventh. The early goal allowed the Maçaricas to dictate the pace of the first half, with de Lima and Branco running Darmen's wide players ragged while Rathbone threaded pass after pass through the middle to team captain Cleto Silveira.

Despite the result, some in the media have said the performance by Cabo Azure's forwards was concerning, with Silveira seemingly uncomfortable in his more withdrawn role after leading the Tikariot Premier League in goals from a more advanced position. Target man Nicodemo Corte-Real, another talismanic striker for his club, was called offsides three times in the first half chasing balls lobbed in from Silveira and Rathbone.

The height of the forwards' dysfunction came late in the first half as a long cross in from Maciel caught Corte-Real and Gouveia both out of position, becoming an easy scoop for Toro, who saw an opportunity and launched the ball downfield to an unmarked St. John. St. John dribbled past de Lima in a give-and-go and managed to find the back of the net from outside the eighteen to equalize.

The Maçaricas found a way to answer late in the first with an overlapping run from de Lima for one of the Maçaricas' few shots on target in the first half. Both teams settled in the second half, the Darmenis seeking to exploit the Azureans' growing pains and carve out a result, and the Maçaricas looking to cement the win. Coming off the bench for Silveira at the seventy-five minute mark, Vasco Cardoso managed to take control of the final third, culminating in him scoring a go-ahead goal after Toro committed to his striking partner Gouveia.

The Maçaricas will next play Gatchingerrak Union, who drew 1-1 to Norrhem.

“A Divisão”, pt 2
In 1904, King Adolfo II of Cabo Azure set sail in his prized yacht, the Bejia-Flor, intending to make a year-long voyage visiting the capitals of many of Cabo Azure’s greatest allies. While he was gone, he appointed his son Carlos as regent, a move that was intended to give Carlos experience in ruling and allow a smooth transition of power when Adolfo’s long reign came to an end. Unfortunately, the Bejia-Flor was shipwrecked in the Blood Sea off Quebec, and Adolfo never returned to land.

Carlos, now known as King Carlos IV, was a taciturn, introverted man, said to lack his father’s easy charm and charisma. As crown prince, he made few public appearances and took little interest in how the islands were governed. As regent, he was said to govern according to his father’s wishes, often asking his advisors how Adolfo would have responded to a given problem. When news came of his father’s accident, Carlos was reluctant to take up the mantle of king, preferring to use his power as regent to direct ever more desperate searches of the Blood Sea.

It was two long years before Carlos would allow the kingdom to hold his father’s funeral and crown him as king. At twenty-four years of age, Carlos was seen to weep as an empty urn was released into the ocean, and was nigh inconsolable for weeks after. Unfortunately for the young king, there were forces at work which had been held back by his father’s iron grip, and he was unable to prevent the Advisory Council from passing laws which loosened the Silvas' monopoly, angering a family that had been an ally of the crown for almost fifty years.

In response to the young king's perceived weakness, Dom Arturo Silva, father of Dom Carlos, installed his own representatives on the Advisory Council in order to protect his family's interests. To support the election of these representatives, the Silvas founded the Alianza Nacional, Cabo Azure's first political party. An efficient political machine, the AN controlled the council seats from Aho and Portelo from the 1920s until the council was dissolved by King Reinaldo I in 1957.

Despite or perhaps because of its close alignment with the Silva family, the AN has remained a staunchly royalist organization from its inception, opposing democratic reform or the decentralization of power in Cabo Azure. In more recent times, this has manifested itself as support for a unilateral foreign policy with a limited number of import-export licenses for consumer goods, believing that increased access to the Azurean market will cause competition and in-fighting among Azurean merchants and result in higher prices for consumers.

[Southwest Eastnorth]

Pioneers beat Pasarga in "Sea of Fire" Matchup

MYTANIJA - The first game for Southwest Eastnorth Pioneers since Campianato Esportiva 41 ended with a 4-3 victory over the neighbors to the far north in Pasarga. Though the media of each nation feeling completely different about the other nation in terms of footballing, the series between the two neighbors whose countries are divided by the Sea of Fire, still put on a great show for fans. Neutral fans were treated to an entertaining show, while each nations loyal followers who flocked from the northern reaches of Branta and the islands of Oygruppen, got to feel a conveyor belt of emotions.

With most most matches in football, the first five or ten minutes are spent trying to feel out things, and for the Pioneers that was the case. Given their last big showing was the previous Copa Rushmori three years ago it was clear rust was a concern. But in this case rust had clearly eroded away the system for the Pioneers as a mere 7 minutes in and the Wanderers of Pasarga had a shot. A mild case of miscommunication saw Eustacio Magana get a nice one on one moment with Jacque Labrador the only one to really stay with Magana, the rest of the team having pushed up toward midfield. Magana decided to take a shot from the near corner and had it not been Labradors pressure he may have scored. But alas, Labrador pressured him just enough that he couldn't take a clean shot and the ball went out of bounds just to the left of the goal. Labrador stated in the post game that "The ball sounded a bunch of bees rushing to their job, late for work!" as it whizzed by his head on that shot.

A few mild blows were traded with non of them really doing much nor were they any true scoring threat, but 31 minutes in the vertical game Started to take off. The pilot in charge was Csongor Sebeôk. The Hellenic Rouge product took a precision guided pass and launched it at striker Elek Salai. Salai was able to get one by Jessica LaRioux, who had been the starter for this game. Salai's shot was a fast missile from the top corner of the penalty box.

Another opportunity knocked for the Wanderers just six minutes later. Salai again took a look at goal, and took a shot on goal and struck a sliding Mike Donaldson. Donaldson though made a key mistake. He allowed the ball to hit his hand as he used his arm to shield his face during the slide. Immediately, Salai got a second chance on the Penelty Kick and thundered the ball right by LaRioux. The score was now 2-0 in favor of the team in Green. Donaldson called the move "a knee jerk reaction to save my face".

That would be the last goal for a bit as the pace slowed down and the momentum picked up for the Pioneers. A close miss off the top post of the goal was the first strike for the Pioneers that really had any effect on the momentum. Soon after a second attack was set up by the Pioneers, Hoyer Harbors, the regular FLOX Omega Division Golden Boot contender drew first draw when he took a shot on goal at the 42 minute mark from the near side of the box only for it to ricochet off the top bar again but this time right into the leg of a waiting Sean Bavarro, the Midfielder from Auberlein, who launched a volley shot, on the opposite end of the box.The ball went right by a diving Tomáš Přibyl. For all intents and purposes, Přibyl did his best but to play catch-up with the ball, but the veteran midfielder simply had too good of a shot for him to defend.

At the start of the second half of the game a corner kick from college star Ken Luckworth (Yes he wears #13) took a cornerkick and launched in the air towards the box, waiting for him was Hoyer Harbors, the young star from the Virginia suburb of Fronte Haven. Harbors has been a stud in Xanneria, but the team he played for has decided to overhaul the team after missing the IFCF for the first time in years, and despite having a huge amount of starpower in that league, Harbors might be out of Xanneria. The league has an absolute lack of need for strikers in Xanneria, and thus the CR has become more or less, a showcase game for him. He sure showed off for the Mytanijan crowd though.

The attack continued as the Pioneers did everything they could to keep momentum on their side, but it started to get really dicey. As soon as you knew it, the game reached minute 70 and was all drawn up at 2 goals a piece. But a hero emerged, as Hoyer Harbors busted through the Pasargan defense like a ultra-fast, cartoon, bird. He got ahead of the Pasargan defense just as Eustacio Magana did on the initial chance of the game, but unlike Magana, Harbors finished off the play and scored the 3rd goal for the Pioneers. Given the team in yellow a 3-2 lead.

That lead would balloon to 4-2 in the 88th minute. It was Ulysses Barnett III's turn to score a goal. Sean Bavarro launched an arching pass at midfield in the direction of Barnett, and while it wasn't the most accurate pass you've ever seen, Barnett was able to slide into it and launch the ball over the head of Přibyl. A very fun goal, but not fun if you're a Pasarga fan. The Pioneers took a 4-2 lead into stoppage time as the game was given five minutes of it. In those five minutes though the Wanderers did get a shot off that landed. Vojmil Topić took a thundering shot from the far side of the stadium and got one by LaRioux. LaRioux and her Pioneer teamates may have let off the gas maybe just a bit to much there with that goal. In the end, the Pioneers came up on top 4-3 given them their second victory over Pasarga all time.

At the end Hoyer Harbors was named Man of the match, and he was very thankful for that. In his interview the young SWENic player said "It's what not only I needed but this nation needed. we've been thirsty for this since the FA decided to skip over the last qualifiers, this is a World Cup and it's a great start, we got to keep this up, not just for the 11 of us here, but for all of Southwest Eastnorth."

PASARGA - 3
Salai (31' 37'p

---

SOUTHWEST EASTNORTH - 4
(Harbors 50' 70' Navarro 42' )

[Poais]

The Port MacGregor Bulletin

Poais’s national football team has won its first-ever international match against Eura in a 4-3 win. The Government has praised this as an excellent move that will help promote Poais as an investment opportunity with its world-class banking system and financial environment.

Foreign media have predictably complained that Poais players are 'bribed' to play and have no real ties to this island. But that kind of closed minded nationalism is typical of imperialist mindsets, says a Government spokesman.

'Everyone watching will have seen how our players are dedicated to building our country. It’s this kind of spirit that shows why everyone looking for an unbeatable return on their invested capital is attracted to our country, with its business-friendly investment climate, beautiful environment, 16 per cent annual returns, and sensible taxation policy with no income or capital gains tax.'

The Government is also very pleased that the team’s win will help promote investment in Poais and economic development, given Poais has one of the best developing economies in the Rushmore region.

'We congratulate all our players on this great win, and hope for more to come. We are glad that this will help raise awareness of how Poais Sovereign Bonds can help people around the world achieve their dream of passive income while also helping a less fortunate country develop its economy. This tournament will really show that Poais is a real country,' said a statement from the Ministry of Treasury.

'Anyone whose spirits have been lifted by this wonderful match should go online to http://www.treasury.gov.poais and review our prospectus today. We have numerous options for the smart investor including a limited time offer with an unbeatable higher coupon rate. Poais Sovereign Bonds are available through your favourite exchanges, or can be brokered directly from the Treasury Office.'

[Nephara]

Xinhua 1 - 3 Nephara
(4-4-2) 1 - Strand; 17 - Levering, 18 - Copperhead, 6 - Scales, 25 - Xu; 4 - Southsea (19 - Rosziter 75'), 15 - Sauber; 7 - Anharbour (24 - Conder 61'), 13 - Brewer (23 - Swainsona 61'), 11 - Loeher; 21 - Vetiver (10 - Harper 75')
Goals: Brewer 34', Sauber 51', Vetiver 71'

Sometimes in life, you had to take a third option. And sometimes that third option was to take three different options.
For Nephara's current Progressive Democratic government, that meant accepting minority status, taking the bold and unique stance of refusing any permanent coalition. Instead, they had the simple privilege to pick and choose their allies; they only needed a handful of votes to form majority, and they didn't have to be the same votes every time.
Margrave Alisander Pike had followed the usual pattern in Nephara, storming to power initially before a slight decline in the second term. Initially projected to need to rely on a resurgent Moving Forward, he was able to push through a significant trade deal with Esca. CRC? Disposable. Extradition? What's that? Human trafficking? Barely even knew 'er! It was a huge win for the Mytanar Premier, able to fuel her steel industry with iron and able as well to performatively not take up Nepharan coal, shoring up her own green alliances, while the Margrave was able to further expand Nephara's economic reach, political clout, and arguably most significantly, to bolster Corvistone's burgeoning reputation for diplomacy. Look! the deal seemed to say. Look what Nepharim can do without killing thousands of New Kitari!
It was popular with the electorate. It was not universally popular with his own party, an ever-more-nominally protectionist party, but the Progressive Democrats were a broad enough tent that rebellions sprung up every week or so. He made an example out of a couple of leakers, and then the strong election performance took care of the rest.
Assuming the Nationals opposed them, the parties able to produce the necessary eleven were: Moving Forward, the Liberal Alliance and, most intriguingly, Solidarity! The exclamation mark included.

Moving Forward were pretty upset about the thinning margin. They'd enjoyed a good election, but projections had been pretty bullish that they and they alone were going to prop the Pro Dems up. They were easily the most environmentally-conscious Nepharan party - basically the only environmentally-conscious Nepharan party, at least the only one which openly opposed coal - but were a soft left option in general. Bleeding hearts. Tree huggers. Ethical vegans. And backstabbing little shits, if given half an opening. But their votes counted as much as anyone's.
The Liberal Alliance were a party whose moment had passed, so were pretty elated to be hemi-relevant again. Molli Lundgren had basically held onto their remaining seats, and it appeared the Alliance more or less had a heartland... which was to say, a few consistent dots in the more affluent parts of cities. But the fate of all centrist parties is to be attacked from all sides, and now that their 'fresh new thing' smell had worn away and their independent cred had been shredded by being part of multiple governments - and, critically, the accountant vote was being gnawed at by the openly pro-business Wakes - they were happy enough to have the phones ringing. Moving Forward were pro-CRC, but Alliance were pro-free trade in general. They would've had their back on the Mytanija deal no matter what.
And then there was Solidarity!, the most intriguing of the three. Plenty of far-left parties had crab-syndromed each other into irrelevance over the years. It remained commonplace for a handful of interchangeable neo-communist parties to fight over scraps in any given seat; the Communist Alternative, the True Communist Alternative, the Greater Red Initiative, the Alternative Rebellion, the New Communist Alternative Union, et cetera. But Solidarity! had actually managed to pull itself together into something coherent, at least so long as Jasmine Farrier, a divisive figure worthy of her cult of personality, was there to crack heads together. Well, Pike could relate to that. They didn't want much to do with the CRC, certainly wanted to keep industry in Nephara, and were very eager to prune back some of the less desirable aspects of Nephara's modernisation. They were deeply unpopular with pretty much everyone who didn't put them #1 or #2 on their ticket. But they were still votes in Pike's corner, if he needed them.

It wasn't pretty, and it was hard bloody work. But three more years had been secured.
Now, Pike only needed something to do with them.

[Kirungabi]

Palace of the Thousand Hills
Imisozi, Kirungabi

A week before the start of CR42

The rhythmic clunking of a loose and oscillating ceiling fan complements the rickety rattle of a window-mounted AC unit. Below and to the left, respectively, sitting at his glossy hardwood leather-top desk ― the areola of a coffee stain still moist on the varnish which describes the patina ― sits Innocent Uburiganya, president of Kirungabi and ethnic Barebare, recently re-elected for a fourth consecutive five-year term with 94% of the popular vote. The corner of one of his ballots, the white slip of paper decorated with rainbows popular with the Barebare, and select Fupi, ethnic groups, lies beneath a stack of worn folders and dusty documents. His eyes scan the dossier left before him by the manager of the Kirungabi national football team, Cyril Kamembe, a Fupi; the team's full presentation was "running behind", he said when Innocent requested to see the starting XI. The president, eyes fixated on the sheet of paper, reaches out blindly for a pen, clicks it while inside its cup, and uses the tip as a pointer as he skims downwards; his ballpoint stops at the final name on the list, his pulse twitching, the tip of the pen scratching the sepia slip of paper. A timid knock and the flutter of the curtains behind him announce the arrival of a visitor.

| STARTING XI DRAFT |
| -2 STYLE MOD BUT NOT A ROSTER |
| 4-4-2 formation |

GK #1: Théoneste Bugasera
DF #2: Hadrien Ubuzima
DF #3: Thomas Gatera
DF #4: Rugira Rurangwa
DF #5: Patrick Mutoni
MF #23: Jean-Pierre Nduwayezu
MF #7: Chitundu Sindikubwabo
MF #18: Marcus Irakunda
MF #9: Umunzimukuru Nzafashwanimana
FW #10: Pascal Mutabazi
FW #11: Munyentwali Niyonzima

Substitutes:

GK #21 Adrien Bakungu
DF #16 Yves Mugiraneza
DF #24 Aimable Mbabazi
MF #6 Patient Habimana
MF #8 Felix Mugabe
FW #27 Taylor Gufungura

"Your Excellency," greets Cyril warily. His sneakers squeak on the polished floors of the presidential office as he approaches the desk, tan folder in hand. "I would appreciate knowing your thoughts."

Innocent remains silent, his small, thin-framed reading glasses poised solidly on the bridge of his nose. He scratches the rim of a nostril, then rubs the same side of his face with a hand outstretched, moving his glasses along with it while clearing his throat. "Yes," he replies quietly, the toil of decades of guerrilla warfare (and all that it entails) evident in his baleful, croaky voice. "It's a good lineup," he admits, pausing. "It will do for now, but I cannot accept the tardiness of the roster." The AC unit, suddenly rattling harder but less frequently than before, spills a teaspoon of water onto the office floor, and punctuates the silence.

"Understood," Cyril replies. "I'll make sure t―"

"There's another thing," Innocent interrupts, pulling his glasses off of his face and folding a single temple in. The lenses are cloudy, dusty, and framed by fingerprints, and the soft-cast glow of the evening sun shines through to reveal the shape of the lens on the surface of the desk. His pen, now clicked back retracted, taps the page. Three times. "Who is this Francophone man?"

Cyril swallows. "Pascal; he's our best striker. He's our best h―"

"He is a Fupi," interjects the president, rising from his chair as its ebony legs screech across the marble. His pointed shoes patter against the floor as he slowly approaches the manager. "You know why you're in your position," he begins. "You are the best we have, as manager. You're one of the good ones." He smiles, albeit maliciously, with little intent to occlude his disdain. "And as you know, we don't down the healthy trees."

The manager nods, wavering between seeking eye contact or diverting his attention anywhere else: even the wet coffee stain on the leather desk.

"Look me in the eye!" snaps Innocent, to which Cyril obliges. "But this Pascal; new guy. What do you think: can I accept it? Can I accept a Fupi star in our national team?"

Silence, permeated by the AC unit and the clink-clink-clink-clink of the pull chain of the ceiling fan. "No," replies Cyril, looking up at the now immediate president.

"Wrong!" the leader exclaims. "Of course I can ― but naturally... Well, you know how it is."

Cyril dares not nod, as Innocent sighs silently. The air from his nostrils falls to flutter the Fupi man's short eyelashes, as he turns back towards his desk to pick up the list. It swipes the coffee stain as it rises from the desk; the president clicks his tongue at his own misstep.

"He better be the best Fupi striker the world has ever seen." His hand is outstretched, with the dampened list resting on Cyril's chest. The manager takes the slip of paper and slides it, still damp, into his tan folder. "Understood," he replies, his forehead damper than when he entered the room. "Thank you, your Excellency."

As he turns to exit the office, Innocent gives him one more message. "I will not be traveling to Mytanija," he announces. "You will travel with my wife Musabyimana, and Prime Minister Théophile Sendashonga."

"Please, do not disappoint me."

Not a roster, but did not want to go into MD1 with nothing at all in the way of a lineup or a style mod.

[Yue Zhou]

ZHANG ZHENLAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Nangang City, the United Republics of Yuezhou

Wu Zhongsheng awoke to the concerned face of Doctor-turned-National Stroke Expert Luo Lijie, who was peering over him. Around him, he began to take in the familiar surroundings - it was the exact same recovery room, ironically monikered the "Presidential Suite", in which he'd rehabilitated himself from his first stroke.

ugh, not again.

"President Wu," the doctor said warmly, although Wu could hear the subtle tremble in his voice. "It's Doctor Luo Lijie. I am the specialist who will be taking care of you. Can you understand me?"

He tried to nod and found that he couldn't y- "Blink twice if you can understand me, President." He did so. "Good," Luo replied. "It's good to see you well again, President Wu. We've seen you conscious a few other times, but this time it looks to be sustained."

How long has it been this time? If those assholes lost me the election, I'll-

"Now, I know you recovered very strongly and quickly last time. But you've been out for several weeks this time. You and I, we'll do our best to recover, but there may be a more...significant loss of mobility than after your previous stroke. But if things go smoothly, we can minimize the damage. Can you blink twice if you understand that?" Two heavy, angry blinks followed. "You'll have help as well, of course. Your wife Yang Ping has been notified and is on her way. She's been by your side almost constantly, and I think she really helped you wake up - it's unfortunate that she's missed this, but she'll be coming up shortly from the lobby, and I'm sure she'll be very happy to speak with you." Despite the situation, Wu Zhongsheng couldn't help but smile at that.

"Your, ah, friends in the government have been notified as well. Acting President Zhen Qiang should be over tonight..."

We've won the election then. Good. And Zhen's shrewd enough to know not to rock the boat as an interim.

"As well as Vice President Hong Nanwei."

A coalition, hm? Unfortunate, but at least those far-right lunatics have been turned away again. But they must be doing something very important to not turn up.

"I believe they're both in Bastion right now, discussing some sensitive diplomatic matters. But they'll fly back as soon as they can." Luo stopped, feeling somewhat foolish. President Wu's eyes threatened to bulge out of their sockets, and his face had gone slightly red.

"But we can discuss politics later, of course!" he added, with a nervous laugh. Seeing that the President would not move on, he sighed and dropped the bomb.

"They're applying to join the CRC."

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

CR42 MD1: Gnejs 1 - 0 Yuezhou
Starting Lineup: Zhao; Zhu (Jiawei 65), Li (Hu 53), Yuan; Lu, Wan, Yang (Wen 78), Dong (Reeve 65); Jiang, Liu, Luo N. (Luo D. 53)
Goals: Svensson 51 / None

---

To the media and fans alike, the Dragons' MD1 opener against Gnejs was the start of a new era. Would it be as good as the previous era that the likes of Huang Shedong (retired), Li Jing (retired), and Liu Huiying (holding on, for now) had brought forth? If the team's limpid one-nil defeat to Gnejs is any indication, it will not.

Chen Huikang surprised many by setting his team up in a 3-4-3 formation. Although he promised that the change of shape would have no effect on the team's play, the team appeared timider in the first half than most Yueren expected. Zhu Mingxia, Li Jianguo, and Yuan Mingrong is a center-back trifecta that works on paper, but they had very little experience playing together, and it showed. The uncharacteristic fragility nearly gifted Gnejs a free goal after just eight minutes, but Zhao Deliang recovered in time to beat Cratylus Hansen's shot wide. Still, the early weakness forced the wingbacks and midfield to stay home, and the resolute Dandelions were never under serious trouble in the first half.

Despite cries for Kara Mingsdottír to come on in Stadion Prizren, a venue she's rumored to be seeing much more of in the future, Chen sent the same team on in the second, apparently expecting different results when the Dragons recovered their excellent Cup of Harmony form. He was almost immediately punished for his complacency. Five minutes into the half, Dong Xiaowang was caught out of position on the right flank. Lennart Horndal burst forwards, attracting an overcommitted Yue defense before switching play to Hansen. The young winger cut inside before sliding an inch-perfect cross between Li and Zhu, with Phaedo Svensson curling the ball around a stunned Zhao with his first touch. It was a beautifully coordinated counterattack, the likes of which Yuezhou had done so often in the previous cycle - and which they would do precisely zero times today.

Spurred into action, Chen brought on some old attacking friends. Notably, Mingsdottír as left on the bench while the floundering Yang Xie was replaced by Wen Xiaohui. But although the changes did improve the Dragons' play - Liu and Luo both scuffing shots in front of goal - their early toothlessness ultimately cost them too much, and an inspired and defensively solid Gnejs came away with all three points.

[Tikariot]

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


Brian McAllister - 48
After having been assistant to now former coach Stuart Ekstrom, Brian McAllister made the move to Sargossa and enjoyed a lot more success than his former mentor, having two Copa Rushmori victories under his belt, so with the expiration of his contract in Sargossa and Ekstrom's dismissal after the disappointing string of results aligning, the timing was perfect for McAllister to return to his native country in the driver's seat. While generally a proponent of the same flexible 4-3-3 setup that Ekstrom had almost perfected to a point and that has not changed during his Sargossan employment, the Copa Rushmori saw a successful one-off experiment with a 4-4-2 line-up, for the WCQ92 and the Copa Rushmori 42 the Snowy Owls return to the 4-3-3, but chances are that they might morph into a 4-4-2 every now and then to add even more unpredictability.

Home Jersey:


Away Jersey:

+4

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes-ish (TG me and I can give you the names for scorers, assists and more, but we'll figure this out one way or another)
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (just please be reasonable)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (again please be reasonable)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (same deal)
Godmod other events: No

[Tikariot]

*Powered by

Today we will have a look at some statistics of the Tikariot Premier League, powered by Tikariotian statistics provider StatisTik.

First up we will have a look at the players with the most TPL games under their belt:

Anil Al Hak		TKT	283
Vincent Litman		TKT	275
Morris Nighthorse	TKT	262
Adrian Grimaud		TKT	260
Jardel Connolly		TKT	260
Jenson McTierney	TKT	258
Graydon Sheffield	TKT	257
Celyn Monaghan		TKT	255
Nicholas van Haar	TKT	255
Brian Docherty		TKT	253
Iain Aspinall		TKT	252
Lloyd Cumbernauld	TKT	252
Sean Carr		TKT	251
Gary Conway		TKT	250
George Hancock		TKT	250

As we can see here, all of these players are Tikariotian, which is due to the isolationist policies of the TPL up to and including season 100. Only in season 101 the league was opened to international players, so let's have a look at the international players with the most TPL games:

Adam Wladić-Hermann	ZRH	236
David Blythe		FVA	230
Preston Chapman		TJU	226
Nick James		TJU	224
Maximilian Edvardsen	VAL	220
Guo Yanhong		YZH	218
Mason Watts		TJU	217
Stella Boisbouvier	SVG	212
Michelangelo Santini	JUV	206
Choam Osfomilúo		TIO	204
Ioghan Jacobsen		EFL	204
Ajufue Lorokelo		TIO	201
Júlien Cantù		JUV	201
Davide Sandino		TEQ	198
Nicholas Radison	KND	196

Now we can see that, for example, TJUN-ia has three players in the top 15 here, so let's have a look next at which nations have the combined most TPL games (excluding Tikariot, of course):

Savigliane		1422
Gouvanarch		1210
Squornshelan Remnant S.	1140
Zeta Reka & Hugeltaldom	1062
Eastfield Lodge		1050
Oberour Ar Moro		1031
Tioguldos		 966
Chromatika		 937
Nephara			 929
Tequilo			 909
Mytanija		 859
Quebec & Shingoryeo	 808
TJUN-ia			 800
Ko-oren			 774
South Newlandia		 763

So this paints a slightly different picture, which next leads to the question which nations actually have had the most players in the TPL to date (once again excluding Tikariot):

Savigliane		22
Gouvanarch		21
Nephara			20
Squornshelan Remnant S.	20
Pyazhnaya		18
Oberour Ar Moro		16
Astograth		15
Græntfjall		15
Eastfield Lodge		14
Kelssek			13
Zeta Reka & Hugeltaldom	12
Chromatika		12
Mytanija		12
Quebec & Shingoryeo	12
South Newlandia		12
Brenecia		12

Now that we have established which nations have produced the most TPL players so far, let's dive in a little deeper and have a look at the top nations and their most capped players:

Stella Boisbouvier		SVG	212
Alfonso Mazarin			SVG	184
Calliope Montevecchi		SVG	178
Raphaël Cadieux			SVG	136
Alessandro Giudicati		SVG	 88

Guillaume de la Verdure		GVN	175
Barthelemy de la Cormeilles	GVN	166
Jodoc Gane			GVN	161
Adhémar Desreaulx		GVN	129
Alanig Quiviger			GVN	121

Jess Oaktree			NPH	189
Michael Herndon			NPH	156
Tosca Cordyn			NPH	100
Ninian Wernbloom		NPH	 76
Basil Lylac			NPH	 73

Snorre Fridtjofs		SRS	155
Halvar Skovgaard		SRS	137
Paiva Hedberg			SRS	122
Tuulikki Aldana			SRS	122
Viordar Rebljeten		SRS	116

Larisa Nekrestyanova		PYA	129
Inna Parshikova			PYA	 99
Danya Zabolotnaya		PYA	 80
Yekaterina Pshenichnikova	PYA	 80
Mikhail Kholstinin		PYA	 65

In our next edition, we will be having a look at the record goal scorers of the TPL!

[Gnejs]

Today’s News

---

Sports

Breaking: Several Dandelions sign for newly promoted Viljamark club in Tikariot Premier League
By: August Berg

Multiple sources close to the matter have confirmed that a string of Dandelion players will be leaving The Union and their domestic clubs to take up employment overseas and down south next season. According to our sources, the transfers will take effect at the conclusion of the ongoing Copa Rushmori down in Mytanija.

From what we’ve gathered, it’s four players taking this historic leap, namely defender August Bjørneboe (22y) and Cornelis Ceder (26y) from IFK Nordstiernan, defender Carl Benedictsen (19y) from Storängens IF and right midfielder Cratylus Hansen (23y) from rival Port Kejm club Kejm BK. And all of them will be going together, because this quartet have all signed for newly promoted Viljamark side Fort Viljan Northern FC and will be wearing the distinctive turquoise blue and black fox come next edition of the Tikariot Premier League.

So now it’s happening, what has been discussed with equal sense of giddiness or dread - depending on your outlook - ever since the decision was made to open up Union football to the world and enter the national team into proper international competition a few years back.

Those deliriously excited with the prospect of increased international integration (at least in terms of sports) have been impatient for years, and they’ve advocated for a more cohesive approach of «selling» Union players and spending money on hardcore lobbying to anyone who’ll listen, with an underlying philosophy of «anywhere is better than nowhere». And Union players going out increases the opportunity for foreign players coming in, and that’ll strengthen Allgnejsan, increase its competitiveness and make it a real contender in entering fine halls like the IFCF. Or so the argument goes.

Those in favor - but with a slightly more pragmatic perspective - have instead cautioned against overzealousness and emphasized the need for Union players to adapt to the myriad of different playing styles you’ll encounter in international football, before actually taking the step and playing in overseas leagues. A need for a decentralized approach where the clubs themselves solely make these judgement calls - without PUFF arm twisting and other types of political pressure being applied from above - is also key here. Reaping rewards, both for individual players and for Union football as such, can only be achieved by approaching things organically, they’d say.

And then there’s the contingents who have been less than enthusiastic. Let’s not go into the all-out-zealots, because bigotry and extreme Union chauvinism is tiresome. But there have been other voices of skepticism. Some have warned about the consequences of all-out integration within the world of international football. The current success of Union football, with a respectable World Cup qualification campaign and a deep CoH run down in Ceni, is all «homegrown», they’ll say. And this proves that Union football is more than capable of competing on a high international level based on nurturing and developing talent within its own domestic system. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. What will be gained from sending our youth out to compete other places, for other clubs? Experience? Maybe, but perhaps they’ll also lose something along the way? Something quintessentially gnejsian? To be fair, it’s usually around this time the zealousness starts rearing its head, but I do think there’s a certain something there, even though it might only be a deep-seated fear of a shift that seems inevitable.

No matter your outlook, it’s obvious that pragmatic enthusiasm has won. We’ve all heard rumors about bids earlier, but it really seems like a hallmark of that particular stance that when something finally materializes, it all seems very «close to home» and «safe». There’s likely no other place outside of The Union that would feel as «Union-like» than Viljamark in the east of Tikariot. So that’s one. And then, when the leap is finally being taken, a coordinated approach where four players from three separate clubs all transfer to the same team and place? That’s about as cautious as you can get (and also tells us that despite talk about subsidiarity, this smells like a PUFF orchestrated cross-club coordination effort).

The conclusion? It’s a brave new world. Like it or not. We’ll close by saying only this:

Ni stolta Maskrosor, lycka till på färden

[Nyowani Kitara]

OOC Note: This newsletter has a slight anti-socialist bent, but they are fairly strict about the whole 'sticking to sports' thing

Nyowani Kitara Football Weekly
The voice for the working people of Nyowani Kitara

Nyowani Kitara open the Copa Rushmori with a tough 4-3 loss to Ceni


Kitarans react as the final whistle blows in their loss to Ceni

MLIN, THESSIA, MYTANIA- "This match- they happen, but ultimately, it is a severe disappointment." Liang Wei, the national team's manager, did not mince words at the post-match press conference. Fresh off of a stunning semifinal World Cup appearance, there was big game and big talk about how the national team wanted to build on that performance- allow that success to flow through them. Create more consistency in these major tournaments, show themselves to be a fleding Rushmori power(especially as they were the last Rushmori team to be eliminated from World Cup 92). But dropping all three points in your opening game was a poor way to do that, and the team's offense, while having firepower, did not have the defensive wherewithal to defend like they did at the Finals. They conceded 4, only scored three, and Ceni will take that math every single time.

Why was this game such a disappointment? Mostly because the team started slowly, and we dug ourselves into an early hole that we simply could not get out of. It was the hometown product, Iain Cyn-Penzag, who would open the scoring for Ceni. The goal itself, was very simple- in the 23rd minute, they whipped in a wicked ball from a corner kick. Cyn-Penzag lost his marker, and was able to turn his head directly into the football. He headed the football towards goal, fortunately, and the ball went into the back of the net. It was 1-0 early. Now, at this point, we didn't just take this lying down. It would take just four minutes, but one well-taken Wang Jiahui free kick later, and we were level with our opponents at 1 goal a piece. A game between Pot 2 and Pot 3, in a group where only two teams got out of the group? It was always going to be fascinating, and this was clear evidence of that.

But it was probably the next 30 minutes of the match that really allowed Ceni to put us to the sword. "Images of our opening World Cup Qualifier were dancing through our heads." Said Liang Wei, who was clearly mad and disappointed. Of course, in that match, the Kitarans were down 4-0 at home, at halftime. It ended up emphatically not mattering, of course, but that's the context. After the Kitarans had leveled this game at 1 goal a piece, team Ceni went on a tear. Cyn-Penzag would score his second of the game to re-earn the lead for Ceni, as he was able to turn a cutback pass into the roof of the net, to make it 2-1. And then, in just the 2nd minute of stoppage time in the first half, it was Zane Kirchner, who plys his trade in Chromatika, who made the score 3-1 on a brilliant counter-attacking move.

Ceni really put the game out of reach in the 60th minute, when a succinct passing play(17 passes strung together!) again left the Nyowani Kitara defense flailing around, and ended up with a great pass from Zane Kirchner, that had Aidan Koromin finishing the play with a simple tap-in into the empty net. Suddenly, the score was 4-1, and Nyowani Kitara was being absolutely blasted- no, taken to the cleaners. Of course, for goal differential purposes, we still needed to fight, and in fairness to the squad, they showed some heart. They tried to claw back- with a triple substitution by Liang Wei, we got back into the game. Mbũgua Kanj came into the game for Chimwemwe, and scored in his international debut. Rudolph von Katzenstig scored in the 87th minute to make it a one goal game, and we had a few half-chances for an equalizer- but we couldn't take them. Owino Odede, in particular, had a chance- a bicycle kick 3 minutes into stoppage time went over the bar.

"Look, this is not the start we want at this tournament- getting out of the group in a major tournament, after losing your first contest, is indeed an extremely tough task." The gaffer told reporters. "But this tournament is far from over. That's why we play the games. We place great priority on the Copa Rushmori, and while we are going to be major underdogs against Cassadaigua... Well, crazier things have happened." Crazier things have happened, indeed. But the task in front of Nyowani Kitara is now an extremely tall one. Because of this loss to Ceni, they've almost certainly have to get at least one point against Cassadaigua to have any chance at all at advancing in this group. Otherwise, their Copa Rushmori will be over after just two games- a huge disappointment for a team that was looking for just their second ever knockout stage appearance at the regional championships.

And yes... This is the Cassadaigua that has been to the last two Copa Rushmori Finals- winning the whole thing at CR40, while falling to the freaking world champions, Græntfjall, at CR41. "We've got to have a siege mentality from this point forward, right?" Said Odede Angonga, the team's star striker. "This will be an incredibly tough game- but we fear nobody. Bring 'em on."