World Cup 93 - Roster Thread

[Bongo Johnson]

Incorporated States of Bongo Johnson
Official World Cup 93 Roster

Head Coach - Jean-Claude Benoit
Asst. Coach - Jean-Baptiste Benoit

Style Modifier: +1.75
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting Eleven

GK: Adam Jones
LB: Frederick Frick
CB: Bolzak Teebaghar
RB: Jordy Nelson
DM: Hands McGurkin
LM: Michael van Bichael
CM: Kiplet Hurston
RM: Chaplain Crabtree
LW: Speedy Wheels
CF: Bongald
RW: Schnitzer Longmont

Bench

GK: Spobe Rogers
LB: Rudy van Zant
CB: Paul Creenis
CM: Walter Puterbaugh
RM: Bob Graff
LW: Danny Provolone
RW: Balthazar

Code: Select all

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: Yes
Choose my scoring events: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: No
Godmod Injuries to my players: No
Give Yellow Cards to my players: Yes (two per match)
Give Red Cards to my players: No
Godmod other events: Yes

[Bears Armed]

Bears Armed

‘The Bear-Belles’

National football organisation: ‘Bears Armed Association for Soccer’ (= ‘BAAS’).
BAAS Chairbear: Surranna SunDaughter (clan= Sun; female Ursine; formerly manager of ‘Sun Valley Smashers’, one of the country’s leading teams, after being their chief coach and also playing for them in various roles for several years; age = 54, fur = golden-brown, left-pawed, now wears glasses.)
National anthem: ‘The Banner Green And Gold’.
Official supporters' organisation: 'Arri's Furry Army'.

This is basically the same squad that competed in the WC92 qualifiers.

Yes, it’s an all-female team again. As I’ve explained before, this is because the main ball-game that's traditionally been played in Bears Armed is actually closer to being a form of Rugby, but [for several reasons] that sport’s “proper” teams are all-male and so some females who wanted to make it as players decided that switching to Soccer — and trying to establish a professional league for that sport for themselves instead — might be a viable alternative: They were right, because that professional league was founded shortly after WC44 and so has now been in operation for over two eightSquareds of years.

All of the players and support staff are actual Ursines (i.e. anthropomorpic, bipedal, "talking" Bears), except for any whom I actually specify as being members of other ‘peoples’. The Harr'aynau people are physically human (more-or-less, anyway, although inclined towards heavy builds & hairiness), but are spiritually & culturally Ursine instead. 'Ursomorphic' Humans vary a bit in how much they look like Bears, but are spiritually Human and culturally part of the nation's small Ashkenazic Jewish minority.


The ages & lengths of experience currently given below are basically correct for the start of the qualifying process, although of course in some cases birthdays will take place during this ‘season’ rather than just (however much easier that would make keeping the records accurately…) only between ‘seasons’…


_______________________________________________________

[b]Staff

Manager & Chief Coach: Urrsara Northgate _ Clan = Urrset; female Ursine; a former Deputy Manager & Chief Coach at ‘Sun Valley Smashers’ (one of the nation’s top teams);had spent 6 years in such roles, after 5 years as a player (as Forward, Midfielder, and Lynchpin) there and 7 years before that (mostly as a Midfielder) at River City, before she was appointed to this job 14 years ago. (Age = 48; fur = reddish light-brown, left-pawed; speaks Ursine and English.)

Chief Coach: Karra’harrna Thunder _ Clan = Gunnar; female Ursine; formerly the Attacking Coach at ‘Newton Arsenal’ (another of the nation’s top teams),and had spent 5 years in that role after 8 years as a player (as Forward, Winger, and Midfielder) there before she was appointed to this job 14 years ago. (Age = 41, fur = dark brown, left-pawed; speaks English, Ursine, and Ruottsan).

Attacking Coach: Marra Urrth’hrra Norr-Vurra _ Clan = Redwood; female Ursine; formerly the Attacking Coach at ‘Merlchester Rovers’ (another of the nation’s top teams), and had spent 5 years in such roles after 9 years as a player (as Forward and Winger) there before she was appointed to this job 14 years ago.. (Age = 43, fur = medium-brown, left-pawed; speaks English, Ursine, Arttorranick, and German).

Defending Coach: Greenfinch o Barrdenn _ Clan = GreenWoods; female Ursine; formerly the Deputy Coach at ‘Lakeport Lionesses’ (another of the nation’s top teams), and had spent 9 years in such roles after 7 years as a player (as Lynchpin, Back, and [less frequently] Midfelder) there before she was appointed to this job 14 years ago. (Age = 41, fur = dark brown & relatively long; speaks English and Ursine).

Goalkeeping Coach: Freeda Urrlafh’s-dottir _ Clan = Thuleann; female Ursine [of ‘Polar Bear’ stock]; formerly the Defending Coach at ‘Ammfahr Adventuresses’ (who play in the Northlands’ league), and had spent4 years in such roles after 11years as a player (purely as Goalkeeper) there before she was appointed to this job 14 years ago. (Age = 44, fur = white & trimmed relatively short, right-pawed; speaks Norren, Ursine, English, and some Ruottsan).

Physical Conditioning Coach: Karramarsar Arrnha _ Clan = Ostbora; female Ursine; was appointed to this job shortly after DBC45, and was previously involved in training her clan’s militia (with the rank of ‘Senior Sergeant’) for which she is still a reservist. (Age = [she’s not saying, but probably early forties], fur = light-brown, either-pawed; speaks Ruottsan, Ursine, Herr’-Harr’aynau, English [with an accent, although she might sometimes be exaggerating that a bit], and some French. She is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

”Drink more tea: Tea is beink good for you.”

Deputy Manager (Admin): Judith Gold _ Free Sept = The Exodus; “ursomorphic” Human, female, follows a moderate form of Judaism; seconded from BAAS head office 14 years ago. (Age = difficult for anybody unfamiliar with ‘ursomorphs’ to tell, but obviously an adult, fur = black, right-handed; very good with languages, and already fluent in several Human ones — including English, Yiddish, German, French, and Greek — as well as in both Ursine and Ouesttree; also, since taking this job, has started learning Ruttsan).

Routemaster: Helene Bosanquet _ Clan = Calvin; Human, female; on loan [again, for tournaments from DBC45 onwards] from the Bears Armed Tourism Agency. Her duties involve handling all of the team’s travelling & accommodation arrangements. (Age = mid-thirties to late thirties, hair = dark brown, right-handed; speaks French, English, and Ursine).

Doctor: Lierr’hee Redwood-of-Thramms _ Clan = Redwood; female; hired from private practice by BAAS for tournaments from DBC45 onwards. (Age undisclosed, but has been a doctor for over 37 years, fur = ‘grizzled’ black, right-pawed; speaks English, Ursine, and probably one or two other languages as well).

Chief Physiotherapist: Krrystal Bruin _ Clan = WestWoods; female Ursine; previously worked at hospitals in Wiston City, and helped with local amateur football league, but was appointed to this job shortly before DBC45 and has remained with the team since then; her job title was upgraded from just ‘Physiotherapist’ after DBC46. (Age = looks mid=thirties, although actually late thirties, fur = dark brown, left-pawed; speaks English, Ursine, and Ouesttree; mother of one child, a daughter, Steffannee Bruin, who is one of this team’s players.

Chaplain, ‘One Plus Seven’: Marra Moon _ Clan = Silver-of-Night; female Ursine; assigned to this duty by her superiors in the Great Medicine Society shortly before DBC45 and has been posted at Wimbley Stadium in between tournaments. (Age = mid-to-late thirties [apparently], fur = light brown, left-pawed; is not only a Shabear but also a qualified psychiatrist; speaks Ursine, English, some German and Yiddish, and probably one or more other languages as well.)

Chaplain, Ursion: Jharge “No Relation” Potter _ Clan = Artorran; male Ursine; assigned to this duty by his superiors approximately two years after the end of DBC45 . (Age = mid-thirties, fur = light brown, right-pawed; like many other members of his clan, is slightly more “anthropomorphic” than is typical for Bears from this nation; speaks Ursine, English, French, some German, and some Greek; keen chess-player.)

Security Chief: Major Merrfinh Blonk _ Clan = WestWoods; male; on loan [again, as for the other tournaments from DBC45 onwards] from [REDACTED] in the Confederal Army. (Age = late thirties, fur = medium-brown & relatively long, right-pawed [apparently]; speaks Ouesttree, French, Ursine, and English… at the least.)

Caterers: Jordon Blue

Mascot: Perrabohor ‘Bright-Eyes’ (one of the “blessed” [but non-sapient?] Puh-Barra, or ‘Little Bears’)

Fandom Liaison Officer: Lurra Lovegood _ Clan = WhiteBear; female Ursine; no playing experience beyond amateur level, her background is in journalism and education instead (replaces Etta Halliday, who played in the DBC45 team and was given this job shortly after that but is now on maternity leave with her return uncertain); age = 40 years (but looks younger), right-pawed, fur = cream, short and a bit lightly built for her age; graduated from Hogwings Academy, where she now teaches 'Management of Magickal Creatures' (wand = 13", white ash with a Snorkack-mane core, familiar = a leucistic [i.e. white, but not albino] Magpie); speaks English, Ursine, and probably at least one other Ursine or Human language, and apparently can understand the language[s] of birds as well; generally serene in mood, but sometimes seems to be talking about irrelevant or enigmatic topics.
(OOC: Fans of Harry Potter might be able to identify the character in that series whom I've adapted here...)

Harrdiharr Arranger: Karra-Marra SunDaughter _ Clan = Sun; female Ursine; age = 40 years; left-pawed, fur = ‘golden’; specialises in adapting the ‘harrdiharr’ for optimum effects depending on the performers, opposition, location, and possibly other factors; background not made public, but was hired by BAAS on a part-time basis for the WC84 & WC92 qualifiers & now again for [i]these ones; speaks Ursine, English, and quite a few other languages as well (She seems to have a natural — or maybeso even supernatural? — talent for learning languages, and might also help the team with translation duties as well…); interests include chess, swing music [& dance], and stage musicals.

Kit Supervisor: Missus Burrows _ Clan = Brock [which is actually a ‘Double Clan’…] & 'Demi-Clan = WesterBrock; female Brock (i.e. anthropomorphic Badger); apparently middle-aged; has been with the team since before DBC46; responsible for ensuring that all players have suitable kit available, clean and intact, for every game, and also [following the coaches’ orders] for making sure that their boots have the appropriate studs fitted for dealing with local conditions; also, makes sure that balls and [if necessary] temporary nets are available for practice when the team is away from home.

'Special Advisor': Sermharn the Wanderer: appearing as a male Ursine (of 'brown bear' type), whose age cannot be pinned down any further than "adult" (He has been around Bears Armed, on & off, for over a thousand years!); he is a mystic of considerable power who doesn't quite fit into any of the "usual" categories known to the Bears... He helps the team & staff to travel safely, even when this involves crossing between Realities, and may help the chaplains to protect them against supernatual problems at other times as well.


________________________________________________


Roster

(#1) Karramarrsar Ulgha _ Clan = Ostobora; female Ursine; home team = Krasny Kremmer Konquerors, category & usual position = Goalkeeper; age = 29 years, right-pawed, fur = light brown, above-average eyesight & reflex speed; off the pitch, she is an enthusiastic & skilled dancer. [She was in the DBC45 & DBC46 squads before transfer to this senior team.]

(#15) Serranna Orchards _ Clan = Ozt’sulh [free sept]; female Ursine; home team = LakePort Lionesses, category & usual position = Goalkeeper; age = 25½years, left-pawed, fur = dark-medium brown; the tallest member of this team, at 7’2”, and built in proportion _ Reaching out to block high shots should be relatively easy for her, but she might find getting down into the right place to stop ones aimed into the net’s bottom corners instead a bit harder… [She was in the DBC46 squad before transfer to this senior team.]

(#16) Marra o TrustyHand _ Clan = Sun; female Ursine; home team = Sun Valley Smashers, category & usual position = Goalkeeper; age = 24 years, either-pawed; fur = ‘dark blonde’; good at fixing things, which befits her nameline’s origin as their clan’s smiths. [She was in the DBC46 squad before transfer to this senior team.]

(#30) Sarrathee Thunder _ Clan = Gunnar; female Ursine; home team = Barrdenn Barbariennes; category & usual position = Goalkeeper (will probably be employed as starting goalie against one -- or, if shes does well the first time, both -- of the two lowest-ranked opponents during the second half of qualifiers), experience = 18 years; age =35, left-pawed, fur = dark brown, height = 6’7”; jumps well, for a Bear; speaks English and Ursine, religion = One Plus Seven; interested in technology, especially that of railways. (The WC84 qualifiers were her international debut.)


(#2) Urrsa Irrumerrhabarra _ Clan = Beorningas; female Ursine; home team = Kingly City, category = Defender, usual position = Left Back; age = 27 years, left-pawed, fur = medium brown; has lived up to her earlier description, at the time of DBC45, as “a very promising youngster”. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#3) Urrth’hrra Mead _ Clan = Greybear; female Ursine; home team = River City, category = Defender, usual position = Right Back; age = 29 years, right-pawed, fur = light brown; noted for keeping calm & carrying on despite any problems. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#17) Urrsarra Shipbear _ Clan = SeaBear; female Ursine; home team = Northport Navigators, category = Defender, usual position = Left Back (but can also play reasonably well at Right Back, too); age = 25 years, left-pawed, fur = medium-brown; speaks Ursine, English, and some Norren. Considered not brilliant, but reliable, and is unlikely to spend much [if any] time “too far” forwards. [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#31) Marra Oldcastle _ Clan = Redwood; female Ursine; home team = Harr Burran Heroines, category = Defender, usual position = Back (on either side, or in centre), experience = 16 years; age = 33 years, left-pawed, fur = dark-medium brown, height = 6’10”, not as slow (whether physically or mentally) as her size might lead some people to expect; speaks Ursine and English, religion = ‘One Plus Seven’ and Ursionity; she is another member of the team’s own Chess Club. [She was in the WC84 qualifiers & WC92 qualifiers squads.]


(#4) Errinth’hrra Russett _ Clan = Urrset; female Ursine; home team = Northgate Nomads, category = Defender/Midfielder, usual position = Lynchpin or Midfield Left or Midfield Right; age = 28 years, left-pawed, fur = reddish-brown; serious-minded, a good leader and a masterly tactician; her regular Chess matches against the chaplain Jharge Potter draw keen audiences from among the team’s other players & staff. She is the team’s Captain. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#20) Nennu Rangh’harr _ Clan = Rangh’harr Free Sept; female Harr’aynau [humanoid]; home team = Heroes’ Park Heroines, category = ‘utility outfielder’ proven capable of filling any position except [maybe] goalkeeper well; usual position = Lynchpin, Midfielder, or Winger; age = 29 years, either-footed, dark red hair; speaks Herr’-Harr’aynau, Harr’aynau-Ursine, Ursine, and English; there is speculation that she might eventually become the [adult] Belles first non-[physically]-Ursine Captain. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#32) Marra Lightning _ Clan = Gunnar; female Ursine; home team = Newton Arsenal, category = Defender/Midfielder, usual position = Lynchpin (but versatile…); age = 32 years, either-pawed, fur = light brown & trimmed relatively short; fast on her feet, and relatively nimble for a Bear; “a natural leader”, and particularly good at keeping track of team-mates’ current positions; speaks English, Ursine, French, [some] Ouesttree, and [some] Ruottsan; religion = Ursionity, interests include swing music [& dance], & martial arts. [She was in the DBC45, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#33) Urra-Marra Bright _ Clan = Sun; female Ursine; home team = Sun Valley Smashers, category = Midfielder or Forward, usual position = Lynchpin or Midfield Left or Left Forward; age = 30 years, left-pawed, fur = golden; very good eyesight even by human standards, particularly accurate on long shots (and quite good at penalty shots, too), and tactically gifted, speaks Ursine and English, and understands at least some bits of various other languages that she doesn’t try to speak. [She was in the DBC45, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#5) Harroya o Sarrndale _ Clan = Herrchaum; female Ursine; home team = Merlchester Rovers, category = Midfielder or Winger — or, less frequently, Forward — on either side of the pitch, usual position = Midfield Left; age = 28 years, left-pawed, fur = medium-brown with grey hints; now in the job that she’d hoped for since early childhood, and doing very well for her home team as the latest “Harroya of the Rovers”; probably the least likely of this team’s players to get given a yellow cards, and has never earned a red one (DO NOT assign cards of either colour to her without obtaining my consent…). [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]


(#6) Steffannee Bruin _ Clan = WestWoods; female Ursine; home team = Wiston City, category = Midfielder or Winger, usual position = Midfield Right; age = 28 years, right-pawed, fur = very light brown with hints of ‘gold’; slightly small for her age, but very resilient as well as nimble; has good eyesight by Ursine standards (and not bad by Human ones, neither); daughter, & only child, of the Belles’ current chief physiotherapist; favours ‘lilac’-coloured clothing when not in team kit. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]


(#21) Gyrrthhra Urrswald’s-Stone _ Clan = Errhabarra; female Ursine; home team = New Boston Athletic (in Old Ceorana rather than “at home”), category = Midfielder or Defender, usual position = Midfield Left, may also be used as Left Back or [perhaps less successfully] on the ‘Right’ instead; age = 28 years, left-pawed, fur = light-medium brown. [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#34) Emerladina Sunbird _ Clan = Sun; female Ursine; home team = Northgate Nomads; category = Midfielder or Winger, usual position = Midfield Left; age = 30 years, left-pawed, fur = golden with reddish tints, extremely good eyesight, has quick reflexes and is very fast on her feet, lightly-built for a Bear of her height (6’5”) but this is usual in her family & doesn’t weaken her; speaks English, Ursine, & French (And might be able to understand the speech of birds….), religion = One Plus Seven; interests include Ornithology, and Martial Arts. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#35) Karra Bronze _ Clan = GreenWoods; female Ursine; home team = Barrdenn Barbariennes, category =Midfielder, usual position = Midfield Right; age = 31 years, left-pawed, fur = medium-brown with reddish tints, height = 6’4”; speaks Ursine and English, religion = One Plus Seven; interests include fashion, and rock music. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#36) Karrh’hreena o Goodsword _ Clan = Sun; female Ursine; home team = Kingly City, category = Defender or Midfielder or even Winger, usual position = Midfield Left or possibly — if the chief coach is feeling “experimental” — ‘Wing Back [Left]’, experience = 17 years; age = 33 years, left-pawed, fur = ‘golden’, height = 6’6”; good eyesight even by human standards, and quite fast on her feet (not the fastest, but definitely above average), and has good positional awareness; long passes, across the field as well as up it, are likely from her; speaks Ursine and English; religion = One Plus Seven; another member of the squad’s own Chess Club. [She was in the WC84 qualifiers & WC92 qualifiers squads.]


(#7) Nerretta Barris _ Clan = BlackBear [Between-the-Rivers]; female Ursine; home team = LakePort Lions, category = Forward, usual position = Left Forward/‘Inside Left’; age = 29 years, left-pawed, fur = very dark brown; of only average height for her age [or slightly less] but physically tough as well as quite fast; particularly good at keeping control of the ball on the ground, and at getting it goals past keepers & other defenders into the net at short ranges, but willing to pass it to team-mates when they look better-placed to score. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#11) Urrma Kuthbearrh _ Clan = Errhabarra; female Ursine; home team = NorthPort Navigators, category = Forward, usual position = Centre Forward (but has also played well as Left Forward); age = 29 years, left-pawed, fur = light-medium brown, relatively stocky but not particularly slow because of this; very determined even by Ursine standards. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#12) Karra Brent _ Clan = Redwood; female Ursine; home team =LakePort Lionesses, category = Forward or Winger, usual position = Right Forward; age = 27 years, either-pawed, fur = golden-brown; quite large & very powerful for her age, fast & nimble, with very good eyesight even by human standards; apparently fearless, and has better control over her temper than might have been the case back around the time of DBC45; she is a cousin of the internationally famous journalist/broadcaster Bark Brent; attended Holy Ternian’s School; also has some coaching experience. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46. WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#22) Mirra Thunderbolt _ Clan = Gunnar; female Ursine; home team = Newton Arsenal; category = Forward or [“Attacking”] Midfielder, usual position = Right Forward or Midfield Right, experience = 13 years; age = 31 years, right-pawed, fur = medium brown, 6’4” tall, powerfully built, fast on her feet but more as a sprinter than as a long-distance runner, can jump quite well, good at long shots and can put enough strength behind these to get them past even some goalkeepers who do see them coming; speaks English, Ursine, and some French; religion = Ursionity. [She was in the WC84 qualifiers & WC92 qualifiers squads.]

[#23) Leona Wright _ Clan = Greybear; female Ursine; home team = River City, category = Forward or Winger, usual position = Forward Right or Right Winger; age = 28 years, right-pawed, fur = light brown (but, unlike that of many of her clan-mates, without any greyish tints); speaks English and Ursine; her father is a merchant who took her along on some trips into Human nations during school holidays from when she was 9 years old until when she was 18, and she probably understands humans better than any of her team-mates does. [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#24) Marra o Redbank _ Clan = BlackBear [‘Between-the-Rivers’]; female Ursine (‘black bear’ ancestry predominates); home team = Tsikago Aces, category = Winger or Forward, usual position = any Winger or Forward — except ‘Centre Forward’ — but preferably on the left; age = 27 years, left-pawed, fur = black; speaks English and Ursine; nicknamed “Little Storm” because, although relatively short for an Ursine (at only 5’9”), she is determined, fast, and very hard for opponents to predict; very good at manoeuvring through tight defences, more likely to pass the ball to a more experienced Striker than to take a shot at goal herself but has scored some goals — including several from “surprisingly” wide angles — in the squad’s “warm-up” games before DBC46 and then two (one of them in the Cup Final) in that tournament itself. [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#25) Beorranna Norr-Vurra _ Clan = Redwood; female Ursine; home team = Merlchester Rovers, category = Forward, usual position = Centre Forward or Right Forward (also has some experience as Left Forward, and as Right Winger); age = 26 years, left-pawed (so normally plays “cross-pawed”), fur = dark-medium brown with [natural] chestnut highlights; speaks English, Ursine, some Arttorranick; not closely related to this team’s ‘Attacking Coach’; rather a devout follower of ‘One Plus Seven’, but not fanatical about it and tolerates the differing beliefs of others perfectly well; friendly rivalry with Harroya o Sarrndale. [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#37) Amarr’hrrree o Redwood _ Clan = Redwood; female Ursine; home team = Kingly City, category = Forward, usual position = Centre Forward; age = 32 years, left-pawed, fur = medium brown with chestnut hints, 6’7” tall, powerful even by Ursine standards; speaks Ursine, English, [some] Artorranick, and [some] German; religion = Ursionity; interests include weightlifting, wrestling. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]


(#13) Hannorra Scarlett _ Clan = VerraVokksur [Free Sept]); female ‘Vokksurr’ [anthropomorphic Fox]; home team = LakePort Lionesses, category = “utility outfielder”, usual position = Forward or Winger (either side of pitch); age = 25 years right-pawed, fur = gingery-red (slightly paler on chest & belly, but of course you won’t see that during matches unless her shirt gets badly torn); 5’8” tall, with a slender build by usual human standards — let alone by Ursine ones — but with visible muscles and definitely stronger than some people might expect, and has a bushy tail about 3’ long which she normally holds up behind her back (Pulling her tail may draw a retaliatory snap with her long jaws & sharp teeth, although she tries not to bite people in most situations; the likeliest result, if the referees is observant and honest, would be yellow cards for both players involved…); her leg-joints work more like those of a non-anthropomorphic fox than like those of a human, meaning that she looks rather as though she has backward-pointing knees but those are really her ankles instead, which might make her movements a bit harder for other people to predict (but also means that the bones below that joint are more numerous, and therefore thinner, and therefore slightly more fragile, than those between a human’s knee & ankle…); interested in fashion, and may affect a ‘warrior princess’ style for foreign media (to her team-mates’ quite amusement). [She was in the DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#14) Rebecca Gold _ Clan = The Exodus [which is actuallya 'Free Sept']; female 'Ursommorphic' (i.e. somewhat Bear-like) Human; home team = Newton Arsenal, category = Winger or Midfielder (either side of pitch), experience = 8 years; age = 26 years, left=pawed, hair/fur = black, eyes = green, decent eyesight by Human standards, faster on her feet (but not quite as strong) as most female Ursines of her age & build (height = 6'1", about halfway between "almost Human" and "almost Ursine" which means slightly "skinny" by Ursine standards but well-built by Human ones); speaks English, Ursine, and Yiddish; religion = Liberal Judaism. (The WC92 qualifiers were her international debut, but she's credited with being one of the reasons why Newton Arsenal topped the National League in the season before that and also in the last two seasons...).

(#26) Sarranna White _ Clan = WestWoods; female Ursine; home team = Wiston City, category = Winger or Forward, usual position = Right Winger or Forward (‘Outside’) Right; age = 24 years, right-pawed, fur = ‘cream’; said to be better than most of her team-mates at understanding humans. [She was in the DBC45, DBC46, WC84 qualifiers, & WC92 qualifiers, squads.]

(#27) Jirroth’hra daughter-of-Harrieth’hrra _ Clan = Longwater [‘free sept’]; female Harr’aynau [humanoid]; home team = Heroes’ Park Heroines, category = Winger or Midfielder, usual position = Right Wing or Midfield Right, experience = 15 years; age = 32 years, right-footed, hair = chestnut, 6’2” tall, more lightly-built than is typical forHarr’aynau (more like a “standard” Human) build, and very fast on her feet; speaks Harraynau-Ursine, English, and Ursine; religion = Harr’aynau tradition of GreatBear-ism. [She was in the WC84 qualifiers & WC92 qualifiers squads.]



________________________________


Usual starters = #1, #2 & #3, either #4 or #20, #5 & #6, #7 & #11 & #12, #13 & #14.
Usual substitutes #15 or #16 as Goalkeeper; bench will include a suitable selection to cover all of the other positions as well, varying from game to game so that [probably] everybody gets at least one chance to play, with both international experience and success so far during these qualifiers considered when deciding which players to use against the higher-ranked opponents rather than the lowest-ranked ones.

Style: Offensive, modifier = +3.5 ("A good offence is the best defence"...). This has actually been reduced slightly since DBC#45, when they used +4.0 instead, because team training since then has included a bit more emphasis on tightening up their defence.
They have also modified their planned formation slightly from the “traditional” Ursine one, which included a front row of at least 5 (normally arranged as 3 strikers & 2 wingers), with 2 midfielders, 2 backs, and a ‘Lynchpin’ (whose starting position was approximately be at the midpoint of an imaginary cross drawn between those other four non-forwards’ positions). Two of the strikers now drop back to a bit behind the line formed by the Centre Forward and the two wingers (who might move “in” by a little bit, as well), while the Lynchpin is now stationed noticeable closer to the backs than to the midfielders. “Joining the dots” would, looking at the pitch from above and placing the Bears’ goal-line at the bottom of the picture, give you [approximately] a stretched-sideways ‘W’ in front of a stretched-sideways ‘M’.

Penalties and direct free kicks are most commonly the responsibility of Karra Brent (#12), unless they are “last minute” ones (or within a few minutes of the game’s end, anyhows…) and the Bears really need another goal to turn a draw into a win or or even a loss into a draw: In the latter case this role is more likely to be assigned to Harroya o Sarrndale (#5) instead, because she is more likely to remain completely calm in such situations. Harroya is also the most likely player to take corners.
Alternatively, taking a penalty might sometimes be assigned to a different player if it was a foul on that player which led to us being awarded the right to that shot.


___________________________________________________________________________


Opponents who RP first may _
Choose my goal-scorers: Y, except that this will NOT be the goalkeeper.
RP injuries to my players /Hand out Yellow cards to my players / Hand out Red cards to my players: Y to all, at least to start with, but remember what I've written here and keep it in limits accordingly... Any really serious offences by my players would probably result in injuries to your players, and causing any serious injuries to my players would probably require such obviously-deliberate attacks that your players would get yellow or even red cards as a result too. Don’t kill anybody, or inflict injuries that would be serious enough to end careers, without checking with me & getting my approval (which is unlikely to be granted…) first. (#5) Harroya o Sarrndale should NOT be reported as being given any cards unless you can get my consent first. (#11) Karra Brent will NOT be injured by anything that ‘mundane’ players do during play, not even by the most open & violent physical attacks.
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Godmod Other Events: Y, I suppose, at least as long as you do so in an AMUSING way... but please remember that Ursines are fully sapient beings, as much as Humans are, not instinct-driven animals. Oh, and of course female Ursines are not sexually interested in Humans (of either sex), and it's very unlikely that female Harr'ayanau would be either. Please don't have them run amok or outright revert to animality, without checking by TG first, don't make assumptions about their views on politics or religion, and don't do anything that would make more than one of them incapable of playing in their next game...



________________________________


Kit: This incarnation of the team will normally wear the usual set of designs (from ‘ediraf’) that the Belles have favoured in the past.

Bears Armed has traditionally used base-8 arithmetic, for several reasons, and the set of ‘shirt numbers’assigned to this team’s players has been determined on that basis. The nunber '10' (i.e. eight) has been "retired", however, to honour the memory of two earlier wearers who particularly distinguished themselves.

______________________________________________________


Home grounds

1/. Wimbley Stadium:[/b] Located a few miles to the north-north-west of Council Groves (our capital city), to which it is connected by rail as well as by road, this stadium was built from scratch — on part of a former Confederal Army base’s site — shortly before the qualifiers for WC52 began as a replacement for the Bear-Belles original “home” at ‘Plumtrees Park’ which has now been demolished. Its current capacity is approximately 60'000 for Ursines: Fitting about 40’000 humans into the visiting fans' half should be possible, and so that's as many as we'll let into the country. Accommodation for visiting teams & their staffs will be provided in a new hotel, less than a mile away, which has staff who are accustomed to dealing with Humans as well as with Ursines. The various other hotels in that complex and those at Council Groves can now provide about 12’000 rooms at a time, at varying prices, although of course some of those may already have been booked by people who have nothing to do with the Cup. Accommodation (at a fairly basic level) for up to 15’000 supporters will be available, at reasonable prices, in students' residences for the National University’s campus in that city: if any more than all of those facilities put together can house want to attend a match then they’ll have to borrow space in the area’s remaining Army camp instead...
There are still no direct inter-regional flights into Council Groves, so that visitors will have to travel by way of one of our neighbours and then continue onwards by one of the limited number of "local" air-flights or by rail. (People planning to arrive by rail will still have to travel via the nation of Mikitivity ... which still exists IC as far as the Bears are concerned, even though OOC it unfortunately CTEd years ago, because not only are there some bits of jointly-agreed RP that I want to keep but also that nation — and its routes onwards into the outside world — are/were located on the Bears’ most “accessible” border.)
This site will be used for most, but not all, of the Belles' matches. (list to be added)
Chief groundkeeper: Birra’hrreua Lirrenbrock _ a female ‘Brock’ [i.e. anthropomorphic Badger][/i] form the Lirrenbrock sept [This is a ‘free sept’, i.e. a smaller political entity than a clan or a ‘separate demi-clan, and has its territory not far from Wimbley]; she is in the third generation of her family to work here, but is the first of them to be in charge (although that role usually has been held by a Brock rather than by an Ursine).

2./ ‘NorthLands National Stadium’: Located at NorthPort, the most cosmopolitan city in The Ursine Northlands, this facility was originally built for use by the 'Northbears' WC49’s qualifiers. Unfortunately the place has since seen rather less use than was originally hoped, but it is still in good condition and will hold about 43’000 Ursines or over 60’000 humans (or, of course, proportionate numbers of a mixture of those two species) because it was deliberately built to be rather larger than 'Plumtrees Park' which was then the Mainland's 'national' stadium…
This site will be used for some of the Belles’ home games (list to be added), and also for some of any friendlies or matches in other Cups during this period as specified separately.
Foreigners coming to this stadium may either travel to the ‘Mainland’ and then continue hence via a set of ancient [& probably magical] ‘Gates’ that link the country’s two sections — completing their journey by either rail or riverboat after that — or take ship directly to NorthPort.
Chief groundkeeper: Gyrth’hrra ShipBear _ Clan = Seabear; female Ursine; age = 47, fur = light-medium brown; in her second year as boss here, after five years as an assistant; formerly a first-team goalkeeper with ‘NorthPort Voyagers’, who are one of this city’s two professional clubs, she had already started to study grounds-keeping before her retirement from play.


(In some previous cups a third stadium, at WestPort, was also used or a few matches: Circumstances [whose nature IC I have yet to determine, but OOC are that I still need to find its details…) mean that its availability this time around cannot yet be confirmed.


Venues for any ‘friendly’ matches arranged will be chosen closer to the dates of those games.



______________________________________________________


NOTES

Ursines and Harr'aynau generally retain their "youthful" vigour at least into their mid-thirties, which means that footballers can have longer playing careers than is the usual case for Humans: Those who are in their late twenties or early thirties -- as some members of this squad are -- are likely to be still [at least] as fit as they were in their early twenties.
Ursines may tend to be a bit less agile & slower to accelerate on average than humans of comparable ages, but this team's members were carefully selected so the gap between them & their opponents in this respect should be narrower than some people might expect. They do tend to have [slightly] poorer eyesight than humans, on the whole (although the members of both Clan Gunnar and the Sun Clan are generally an exception to this rule, and the eyesight of the latter group is actually often at [slightly] better-than-human levels instead), so long-distance passes & shots at goal will tend to be rarer behaviour for them than they are for human teams... but their typical size & strength mean that when they're running with the ball it will probably take a very brave human — as well as a very skilled one — to tackle them successfully (or, at least, one who has reasonable experience of playing against Ursines…), which should balance that factor pretty well. They don’t jump very well, but then they’re generally rather taller than most Human players to start with so they shouldn’t need to jump as often in order to intercept [relatively] high shots...
Ursines are physically robust, of course, which means that they're much less likely than humans are to suffer injuries in falls or collisions. The females of this species are more even-tempered than the males, and the team's members will try to stay on their best behaviour not only in order to do well in this contest but also to impress upon the watching humans that Ursines aren't just "dumb beasts". They will not 'dive', or feign injury in other ways, because suggesting that they could be harmed so easily goes strongly against the grain. ‘Northlanders’ are maybe not quite as "civilised" as the 'Mainlanders'… or, at any rate, that’s the traditional stereotype..
They generally do not perform the sort of extravagant ‘goal celebrations’ that are seen in some RL football today. A brief hug from a team-mate, or just a pat on the shoulder, is usually all that happens…
Unless our hosts at the match in question object, this team's members (including the designated substitutes for the match in question) will perform a [fairly short] ritual that's called the 'harrdiharr' on the pitch just before play begins... This is a traditional war-dance, meant to over-awe opponents, that has come to be a customary prelude for team games as well (similar to the [RL] New Zealanders' 'haka'...).
As has now been seen during various tournaments, some of our fans like to take drums — and possibly also 'Urrs-horns' [which are similar to Alpenhorns, cow-horns, or other "musical instruments", too — along to the matches…

The team is accompanied by a number of sapient Ravens, who are there both to gather information about the rival sides and -- when visiting certain other nations -- to provide air cover in case of hostile waterfowl.

[Rouyoute]

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
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: Yes

Rouyoute World Cup 93 Roster

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yuppers
Godmod scoring events: Yep!
RP injuries to my players: Consult me for anything serious, thanks!
Godmod injuries to my players: see above
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yez'm
Hand out red cards to my players: Absolutely!
Godmod other events: Do you!
Special Note: Nothing about COVID will be acknowledged. There is no COVID in Rouyoute, just like there is no war in Ba Sing Se
Style Modifier: -5

Head Coach: Sebastian Danvers
Formation: 3-3-4
Uniforms: Purple and white/white and purple for home/away, respectively

Rouyoute, located in Sonnel, doesn't have a huge market for true sporting events as a "royal" (haha, puns) flair still guides the nation's culture. Corruption is rampant in the government, but the athletes who do play at home are generally looking up at the more prestigious leagues up north in Drawkland as their aspiration. Don't expect most of them to match it anytime soon.

Players to watch out for: Adam St. Claire is physically talented and can make enough wild plays to keep the media on his good side, but he's brash and impulsive, tends to make a lot of mistakes that go unnoticed to more casual fans. Alden Greeves and Kent Landon are plus defenders and two of the best players in the country, with Daniel Lockwood not far behind, and Ashfield Conywn is a playmaker at goalie who can save the team some points.


Roster: Starters in bold backups normal text, reserves in italics

Adam St. Claire - 6-1, 170 - athletic and impulsive
Miles Calliwell - 6', 165 - fast but uninspiring, don’t expect a ton
Silas Newfield - 6-1, 160 - poised and technical
Remington Lyndon - 5-10, 165
Quentin Ryder - 6', 180
James Maguire - 5-10, 155

Zachary Ponsonby - 5-9, 155 - lightning in open space, timid in traffic
Hugo Kendall - 5-10, 170 - big leg, strong passer
Walter Harvey-Lottway - 5-11, 180 - a bit stiff in the hips, can lead to some virally embarrassing moments
Archie Newfield - 6', 190
Marcus Meyers - 6-1, 185
Tobias Campbell - 5-10, 170
Lucius Lamonia - 5-8, 150

Daniel Lockwood - 6-3, 200 - excellent player who recently received a big suspension for a nasty tackle
Alden Greaves - 6-2, 195 - disciplined and athletic, doesn't make many mistakes
Kent Landon - 5-11, 180 - veteran with plenty of savvy, low on stamina
Algerone Reed - 5-10, 165 - another veteran who won't play maximal minutes, but makes the most of his time on the field
Augustus Montcroix - 5-11, 175 - solid fill in who changes his cleats every time he comes off the field
Abbington Pennington - 5-10, 170
Dexter Jenson - 5-11, 175
Walter Fitzcharles - 6', 170
Marcus Morgan - 6-1, 180

Ashfield Conwyn - 6-3, 170 - young buck with long arms and longer jumps, but he can only defend so many shots
Lawson Fitzcharles - best beard on the team
Maximilian Kensington - best mustache on the team

[Tumbra]

RP Permissions

Style Mod: -3


My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No.
RP injuries to my players: Yes. Maximum of 2 per match. I will decide length.
Godmod injuries to my players: No.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes. Maximum of 3. Any more must be matched.
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes*. Maximum of 1. Any more must be matched.
Godmod other events: No.

Do not use pictures of RL players and claim they are my players.

COVID-19 does not exist in Tumbra.

*As a general rule, just let me know before doing something egregious. Don't know what egregious means, or unsure that what you want to do breaks 
this line? Telegram me or message me on Discord. I'm on the NSS server.

THE TUMBRAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
The Black Eagles

The Tumbran National Football Team is Tumbra's main representative in all association football competitions for national associations. Making its debut at the 87th World Cup Qualifiers, the team currently ranks 8th in the world. The team is controlled by the Tumbran Football Federation, which is also the governing body of football in Tumbra. Also known as the Black Eagles, or affectionately the Eagles, the team competes in the World Cup and its related competitions. The team also participates in the Campionato Esportiva, also sends teams to the Di Bradini Cup for Under-21s, and the Under-18 World Cup. The team have won the 51st edition of the former tournament and the 13th edition of the latter tournament; which has led to a keen emphasis on bleeding youth into the national team set-up early. With a loyal travelling contingent of supporters known as the Black Army, the Tumbran national team's support will be on display throughout this tournament, with lots of tifos and loud cheers expected throughout matches.

A third Campionato Esportiva — albeit one won in a more low-key fashion — was a bright spark in the middle of a frankly middling 'alternate qualifiers' that aimed to prepare Tumbra for the World Cup. What was meant to be a trip of confidence ended up instead putting Tumbran football in doubt, with three wins in the first twelve raising questions over the level of Tumbran football. Two years ago, after all, they had been unceremoniously dumped out in the group stages. The return of Robin Vaughn somewhat fixed that — five wins in the last seven, all with him starting, provided some relief — though naysayers continued to question the true ability of the team if the national team needed to drag a man in his mid-30s out of retirement for one last ride.

Coaching Staff
Pos            Staff Member          Age  Prev.Club
Manager        YUAN Zilai (袁子赖)    63	  Yuezhou NT
Asst. Manager  Peter Gabriel         46   Straton
Coach (Atk)    David Vowles          55   Hesham
Coach (Def)    Isla Kincorick (SCT)  37   Hesham
Coach (GK)     Callum Randolph-Watts 51   Fraser Valley FC
Head Physio    Lucy Reynolds         47   --
Physio         Richard Harris        48   --
Scout          Josh Prentice         48   Serrapince

The Manager

Yuan, 63, managed the Yuezhou Dragons in their debut cycle in the World Cup, finishing a miraculous third as a ninth seed, before bringing Yuezhou to the quarterfinals of the Copa Rushmori 36. A difficult start to the World Cup 87 cycle saw him lose his job, however. Slated to take on the job at AC Valanari, visa issues meant he was never able to take on the job — and was a free agent until the approach from the national team to replace the recently-departed Marco Hemmings. Prior to his foray in international football, he also served as a coach for WNS Nangang. Since joining the Tumbran national football team, he has brought it to great success; qualifying for the World Cup in all five cycles he's been with the country now, reaching the semi-finals on the third time of asking; and three regional titles, to boot.

Touted as a defensive manager, Yuan chose to set the Dragons up with five defenders during his time with them; but has already indicated his preference for playing with four at the back in Tumbra. Utilising an aggressive midfield press, the Black Eagles fall into a 5-4-1 in defence, with the defensive midfielder dropping back to provide an extra man in defence. With the ball, it's fast, one-touch counterattacking; constant running is the name of the game here.

The Roster

Goalkeepers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps      CS
1   GK      Nick Barker          M       33     FC Inter Nantwich              85      41
12  GK      Victoria Jones       F       26     Lakewood City                  22      12
13  GK      Richard Russell      M       27     Lakewood United                10       5

Defenders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
2   LB      Chris Finney         M       26     Serrapince                     26       0
18  LB      Annie Renton         F       26     Victoriaville City [CDG]       19       0

4   CB      Stephen Kerr         M       27     Chromatik [CMT]               128       7
5   CB      Ian Ashburn          M       31     Lakewood City                 130       4
14  CB      Joel Tyler           M       33     Couno Rangers                  24       0
20  CB      Wendy Pritchett      F       25     Grande Mountain [CDG]          26       1
24  CB      Raymond Perry        M       31     Serrapince                     50       3

3   RB      Tracey Mercurio      F       26     Kingston FC [QUE]              39       1
19  RB      James Green          M       25     Bavingtor FC [FVA]             33       1

Midfielders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
6   CDM     Trudy Harrison       F       27     Chromatik [CMT]               136       3
15  CDM     Mark Finnemore       M       27     Couno Rangers                  43       3

8   CM      Vincent Hicks        M       31     Lhor [CMT]                    167      19
16  CM      Andrew Fisher        M       32     FC Inter Nantwich              81      10
25  CM      Cathal Maguire       M       24     Wirr Tsi [CMT]                 19       0

10  CAM     Phil Cole            M       32     Osarese Marcadia [AUD]        159      26
23  CAM     Susan Monaghan       F       27     Sabrefell Athletic [NPH]       53       8

Wingers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
7   LW      Valerie Wells        F       27     AFC Treason [NPH]              98      15
17  LW      Rebecca Haines       F       23     FC Inter Nantwich              24       4

9   RW      Lynne Crossley       F       26     Strathcona Intl's [KSK]        66      14
21  RW      Robin Vaughn         M       35     Lakewood City                 193      68
26  RW      Julie Hardaker       F       25     Perce Town [QUE]               26       8

Strikers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
11  ST      Nick Riordan         M       28     Sabrefell Moths [NPH]         137      65
22  ST      Charlotte Henshaw    F       24     Lakewood City                  31      16

Players from 1-11 can safely be assumed to be starters, but pre-match XIs will be posted before every cutoff. Please check my RPs for pre-match lineups. If none are posted, feel free to pick and choose from this side.

Tumbra will name eleven starters and fifteen names on the bench, with up to five substitutes. In the unlikely event that they make it to extra time, a sixth substitute will be taken. Tumbra will not play for penalties and will try as often as possible to finish a match in ninety or a hundred and twenty minutes.

Goalkeepers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps      CS
1   GK      Nick Barker          M       33     FC Inter Nantwich              85      41
12  GK      Victoria Jones       F       26     Lakewood City                  22      12
13  GK      Richard Russell      M       27     Lakewood United                10       5

Why mess with an established lineup? Yuan called up three goalkeepers throughout the friendly season; it was blindingly obvious that these three would wear the black and yellow when the World Cup circus came to Tumbra. Number 1, undisputed still, remains Nick Barker; despite the slight drop-off of the performances of Nantwich, he's still regarded as the archetypical safe pair of hands and Tumbra's best shot-stopper. Athletic and acrobatic in equal measure, he's served as penalty hero for Tumbra many times before, and has that dash of madness that every elite goalkeeper seems to retain in their top locker.

Behind him? Dueling goalkeepers on dueling teams; Victoria Jones endured a trying start to her career in Brenecia, but that helped her mature immensely; City's number one is widely seen as the leading woman once Nick Barker hangs up his gloves. She'll be the third generation of goalkeepers to ascend to the position if so; showing just how much time has passed since Tumbra joined the WCC. She's equally adept with her feet as she is with her hands; one of the finest, if somewhat underrated, sweeper-keepers the country has. Richard Russell, the number one for their crosstown rivals United, has a commanding presence in the box; the blonde, six-foot-six keeper is not beyond attempting to intimidate opposing attackers during stops in play. His main attribute? His massive reach.

Defenders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
2   LB      Chris Finney         M       26     Serrapince                     26       0
18  LB      Annie Renton         F       26     Victoriaville City [CDG]       19       0

4   CB      Stephen Kerr         M       27     Chromatik [CMT]               128       7
5   CB      Ian Ashburn          M       31     Lakewood City                 130       4
14  CB      Joel Tyler           M       33     Couno Rangers                  24       0
20  CB      Wendy Pritchett      F       25     Grande Mountain [CDG]          26       1
24  CB      Raymond Perry        M       31     Serrapince                     50       3

3   RB      Tracey Mercurio      F       26     Kingston FC [QUE]              39       1
19  RB      James Green          M       25     Bavingtor FC [FVA]             33       1

Left-back was proving to be a bit of a trouble spot for Tumbra before the rise to prominence of Chris Finney; he's now number one, but that isn't very secure by any stretch. A more defensive left-back, Finney broke through on consistent national performances with the national team; and while he's loathe to advance up the pitch, can swing in a mean cross on occasion. Annie Renton's fans were constantly dismayed when she was left out of squad after squad, despite tearing it up in Cassadaigua — there were some who opined that she would have made it onto the Testiculos had she been on the squad that advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup that one time — but she's got her chance now. Small in stature but explosive in pace, Renton has everything needed to succeed as a modern wing-back, allowing whomever's playing further upfield to shift inwards, providing another offensive threat.

Centre-back, traditionally one of Tumbra's power spots, had a bit of a succession crisis going on. Yes, Stephen Kerr and Ian Ashburn remain, and probably are non-negotiable first-choice starters — Kerr playing the role of the dirty-shorts, tackling defender who stays back, while Ian plays the role of the clean-shorts, passing defender who strays further upfield and sprays balls to start counterattacks — but behind that? Nobody was too sure. Wendy Pritchett at Grande Mountain was probably a shoo-in, given her relative stability as a defender who hung back but was also fast enough to partake on the counter; but beyond that, the pool was rather thin. In the end, Yuan opted for experience; which meant that Joel Tyler, who many feel is past his prime but still a capable, hard-tackling defender, and Raymond Perry, a silky smooth operator with an uncanny vision for the game (and interceptions) made it into the final 26. It ended up being two of the more controversial decisions of the cycle, passing over players like Carole Bond or Belinda Proudfoot; but Yuan stuck steadfastly by his picks.

Right back, in contrast to left-back, wasn't a problem spot; the only trouble was deciding which James, Larkin or Green, would don the black at home. There were no arguments about Tracey Mercurio; the diminutive, sprightly right back with her hair in a pixie cut, often seen marauding in the midfield as a second defensive pivot when she wasn't needed on the flanks. In the end, Yuan went for James Green; multiple-time Flavovespian champion and an offensively suited option.

Midfielders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
6   CDM     Trudy Harrison       F       27     Chromatik [CMT]               136       3
15  CDM     Mark Finnemore       M       27     Couno Rangers                  43       3

8   CM      Vincent Hicks        M       31     Lhor [CMT]                    167      19
16  CM      Andrew Fisher        M       32     FC Inter Nantwich              81      10
25  CM      Cathal Maguire       M       24     Wirr Tsi [CMT]                 19       0

10  CAM     Phil Cole            M       32     Osarese Marcadia [AUD]        159      26
23  CAM     Susan Monaghan       F       27     Sabrefell Athletic [NPH]       53       8

Tumbra typically prides itself on its midfield; and defensive midfielder is probably the strongest of them all. Trudy Harrison, next in line for the captain's armband (and already vice captain), is the beating heart of the team; she runs everywhere, passes everywhere, breaks up attacks, starts them, and serves as an on-pitch conductor of Yuan's counterattacking football. Mark Finnemore serves as a reserved counterpart to Harrison's boisterousness; noticeably slower, Finnemore's true strength comes in the fact that he is able to watch plays and stop them before they really begin. He can often feel invisible, but the team is lifted up by his presence.

Centre midfield is where Tumbra urgently needs to identify its future stars. 31 isn't over the hill by any means, but both Tumbra's main starting midfielders —Vincent Hicks, Tumbra's highest-paid footballer in the frigid northern city of Lhor, and Andrew Fisher, the equivalent to a Casari army knife for the squad — are over 30 now. Fisher's grown increasingly interested in prolonging his club career, while Hicks has said he intends to go on — but how long for? Regardless, the two are fine footballers still; Hicks in particular is wonderful at steering the pace of play, and functions as a deep-lying playmaker for the Eagles, while Fisher slots in nearly anywhere. Cathal Maguire, long a heralded talent, makes this squad; he's better offensively than defensively, which is something that Yuan has been attempting to coax out of him.

The big shock in attacking midfield was the dropping of Natalie Coleman; once again, Yuan put his faith in the established, choosing Phil Cole — one of Tumbra's longest-tenured, most creative midfielders, who's so renowned that the 'hole' behind the striker, where he works his magic, is named after him — and Susan Monaghan, who earned her big move to Nephara after a few years in the windswept fields of Brenecia. She learned how to hold her own there; sprightly, slippery, and difficult to pin down; and her looks rival that of Kaeja Finvarsdottir, too.

Wingers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
7   LW      Valerie Wells        F       27     AFC Treason [NPH]              98      15
17  LW      Rebecca Haines       F       23     FC Inter Nantwich              24       4

9   RW      Lynne Crossley       F       26     Strathcona Intl's [KSK]        66      14
21  RW      Robin Vaughn         M       35     Lakewood City                 193      68
26  RW      Julie Hardaker       F       25     Perce Town [QUE]               26       8

On the left, Valerie Wells is an established name by now; the inside forward relying on her trademark move on cutting in and rounding defenders. It's one dimensional, but it works. The choice of her understudy, however, shocked many. Rebecca Haines was chosen over names like George Hilton or even Harvey Osbourne; the unassuming raven-haired winger prefers to act as more of pure winger, but drifts back sometimes — making her the perfect successor to George Hilton, who reportedly turned down a call-up to the national team. Yuan is known to prize versatility; that might have given Haines the nod over someone like Osbourne, who has sometimes been criticised for one-dimensional play.

The right sees a tactical switch as Yuan brings three players that normally plays there, though one doubles up as a striker, effectively. Lynne Crossley, star for Strathcona and versatile right-winger with veins of ice, is so close to breaking out of Robin Vaughn's shadow. Her acquisition of the number 9 jersey is the firmest sign that she'll be chosen ahead of him, at least in theory. Julie Hardaker finally joins the squad after much clamouring for her inclusion; able to play both on the right, where she enjoys playing just off the striker, or up front by her own, her inclusion is both as well-deserved as it is an insurance policy for...

Robin Vaughn. There's not much else to say; Tumbra's greatest-ever player of the modern era laces up his boots for one last shot at the World Cup. His return was unexpected, though a few always thought that he wouldn't be content with a group stage exit being his swansong to international football; but it was a major reason why the team ended off their friendly campaign with four straight wins. He's 35 now, and his age is definitely showing — no longer as deft, or agile, or fast as he used to be — but on a good (or even mediocre!) day, there's a good chance he'll still be the best player on the pitch. Tumbra is close to earning its first ever World Cup Hall of Fame spot, and there's no contender that comes remotely close to Vaughn for that spot.

Strikers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                         Caps     Gls
11  ST      Nick Riordan         M       28     Sabrefell Moths [NPH]         137      65
22  ST      Charlotte Henshaw    F       24     Lakewood City                  31      16

Nick Riordan, Tumbra's near-guaranteed all-time top scorer if the team gets deep enough, leads the line; tall, deceptively fast, with a right foot capable of a mean curve and a thundering shot that could genuinely kill, he's one of the best strikers in the world and Tumbra's top offensive talent. Meanwhile, Charlotte Henshaw has risen out of seemingly nowhere; and seemingly takes after Riordan, but with a proclivity of playing a bit further back. That alone makes her one-in-two strike rate all the more surprising; and she could be an option late on in games to turn the tide of battle.

Kits, courtesy of Kirola of Audioslavia

Tactical Set-Up

Tumbra typically sets up in a 4-2-3-1, though may change to a 3-5-2 depending on the circumstance.

Most likely to...
Left Corner Taker                           Valerie Wells/Vincent Hicks/Rebecca Haines/Robin Vaughn
Right Corner Taker                          Lynne Crossley/Robin Vaughn/Vincent Hicks/Phil Cole
Penalties                                   Nick Riordan/Robin Vaughn/Charlotte Henshaw/Vincent Hicks
Direct FK Taker                             Robin Vaughn/Susan Monaghan/Phil Cole
Indirect FK Taker                           Robin Vaughn/Susan Monaghan/Phil Cole
Most likely to foul/be booked               Stephen Kerr/Trudy Harrison/Mark Finnemore/Ian Ashburn
Most likely to shoot                        Nick Riordan/Robin Vaughn/Charlotte Henshaw/Valerie Wells
Most likely to score from close-range       Nick Riordan/Charlotte Henshaw/Bruce Nolan/Natalie Coleman
Most likely to score from long-range        Robin Vaughn/Phil Cole/Vincent Hicks/Nick Riordan
Most likely to be fouled                    Lynne Crossley/Valerie Wells/Robin Vaughn/Nick Riordan
Most likely to attempt the spectacular      Robin Vaughn/Nick Riordan

IC information

A VISITOR'S GUIDE TO TUMBRA

LOCATED in central Esportiva, the Federal Republic of Tumbra is a sprawling, modern democratic republic of a hundred and fourteen million people. Comprising twenty-five states, ten stadiums have been allocated to the various opposition teams that will face Tumbra throughout qualifiers season. A full map of the country can be found here.

Airports, Getting To and Travelling Within Tumbra

Tumbra is a country of many climates; cold in the north, temperate in the middle and warm in the south. The sparkling, white-sanded beaches of the south and eastern coast, the mountains of the west and the boundless plains of central Tumbra also offer dazzling tourist spots if you wish to just relax. There's also the more metropolitan cities, chock-full of culture and nightlife for the less nature-inclined amongst visitors.

Getting to Tumbra would usually entail taking a plane from an airport; Tumbra has twelve international airports, the locations of which can be found in the above factbook. To get to destinations not provided by airport, high-speed rail that travels up to about 320km/h along the southern coast offers transport to all thirteen cities hosting a match, ensuring comfort, speed and reliability to get your players to their matches on time. Within cities, most cities have at least some form of mass rapid transit or light rail that forms the basis of their transport system.

Should you still wish to travel by car, Tumbra uses left-hand drive, and verifiable international licenses are a prerequisite to hire a car. Expressways to each of the major cities do exist, though...trains also exist...and are faster...

IF your nation comes from Esportiva, Tumbra can be reached within four to six hours' flight; if it comes from the regions of Anaia, Atlantian Oceania, Rushmore or Melayu Archipelago, then Tumbra can be reached from anywhere from six to twelve hours' flight; and for countries from outside the five sporting regions, then flights to Tumbra will take twelve hours or more.

All visitors with a valid ticket will be given a visa; for those attending multiple matches, the visa will be extended accordingly. Tickets will be apportioned fairly; 40% to each team, and 10% will be sold to Tumbrans, with the remaining 10% to others. Ticket scalping is, of course, illegal; should one come across such an act of ticket scalping, then call 999 (the number for the Police in Tumbra).

Culture and Laws

The policing in each state is run by the state governments, though they are all run to a unified federal code, which standardises most equipment and techniques. Federal laws will apply here; some of the more important ones are...

• The age to buy alcohol and tobacco is set at 18 years.
• The age of consent is 18 years. Prostitution is legal.
• The status of marijuana, confusingly for Tumbra, is vague and depends on the state. The usage of medical marijuana, however, is legalised throughout all states.
• The importation of alcohol and tobacco is illegal without declaration; and there are strict limits on the amount. Importation of marijuana is illegal; the same goes for other hard drugs.
• There is a blanket ban on assault weapons in Tumbra, and no importation is allowed.

The currency of Tumbra is the Tumbran Dollar, with the exchange rate being set at 1 NSD to 1.33 TMD. There is a ten per cent consumption tax on all items; usually it is factored into the price of the item.

Should there be any other questions, please contact VisitTumbra.com.

[Chromatika]

Choose my Lineup: No. I will be listing the starting lineup for each match at the end of each RP. You can choose my subs, though.
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, I choose the severity.
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes, 3 max.
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, 2 max. Please TG me.
Godmod other events: No

---

ROSTER FOR WORLD CUP 93 PROPER


Kits Credit: Kirola, Logo Credit: Vulpine Sportif

TEAM INFORMATION
World Ranking: 18
WC Record: 243-68-83 (wins/draws/losses), 893 scored, 530 conceded
Overall Record: 321-99-127 (wins/draws/losses), 1198 scored, 775 conceded
Formation: 3-5-2/3-4-1-2
Style Modifier: +2.5
Denonym: Chromatik
Nickname: The Anomalies
Venue: Capitalizt Dome, Chromia, Capital District, Chromatika (144,000) and as listed

---

Records
Italics indicate still active

Most Caps:
Keira Andisori - 182
Henri de Aea - 175
Luuk Aart - 164
Rachel Hellion - 162
Erika Morningstar - 155
Kaytlyn Victoriane - 155
Meagan Kelly - 143
Enigma Armageddon - 136
Alyss Montague - 130
Zlastica Ellen - 127
Gabriella Antonio - 125
Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov – 125
Trenn Rien - 123
Sandra Sybill - 122
Lucjusz Stef - 121
Jazmin Dragana - 115
Hermaeus Mora - 114
Aysu Damjana - 111
Carrol Liam – 110
Kateryna Zuniga - 108
Haley Hauser - 104
Olimpia Vidal - 103
Valence Ilya - 100

Player with under 100 caps not listed

Most Appearances by a Manager:
Silian Parker - 168
Richard Valens - 120
Managers with under 80 appearances not listed

Most Goals:
Keira Andisori - 137
Kaytlyn Victoriane - 92
Olimpia Vidal - 58
Vasily Marten Kuznetsov - 55
Gabriella Antonio - 43
Haley Hauser - 41
Ki Niro - 33
Rowena Sierra - 33
Trenn Rien - 30
Alicia Gainsbourg - 30
Baillaire Fillar - 30
Beaunia Andisori - 29
Edith Fillar - 29
Lavrentiy Xuen-Zhukov - 27
Rachel Hellion - 24
Alyss Montague - 23
Jazmin Dragana - 23
Miranda Gail - 22
Victorina Bird – 22
Edith Fillar – 22
Hermaeus Mora - 21
Meagan Kelly - 20
Players with under 20 goals not listed

First Victory: Kyrjasmark 0-1 Chromatika, World Cup 73 Qualifying Matchday 3
First Loss: Chromatika 0-2 Minecraft Miners, Baptisom of Fire 60 Matchday 1
Biggest Margin of Victory: The New Telengana Rajj 2-8 Chromatika, World Cup 76 Qualifying Matchday 6 & Chromatika 7-1 Huffingshire, World Cup 81 Qualifying Matchday 10
Biggest Margin of Defeat: Vilita 4-0 Chromatika, World Cup 73 Qualifying Matchday 9 & Chromatika 1-5 Farfadillis, World Cup 83 Proper Matchday 2

---

HISTORY

Chromatika first entered the World Cup in Cycle 73, going a modest 3-2-7. They made the Cup of Harmony in Cycle 74, and qualified for the first time in Cycle 75, losing in the Round of Sixteen. Chromatika would have their most successful campaign in World Cup 76, making it to the 3rd place Playoff before finishing in fourth place, despite the domestic upheaval in the country. Their first Manager, Franscesca Larriet-Cortes, was martyred at the end of World Cup 75; the political stresses of the job made it so that Lisa Amos, the team's Manager after Franscesca, resigned after World Cup 76.

The team would enjoy continued success from World Cup 77 through World Cup 81, as Silian Parker helped the squad qualify for the World Cup every time, and the team even made it to the Round of Sixteen or beyond three of those times. Even when Chromatika didn't enter World Cup 82, their return to the World Cup in 83 was a success, though both World Cup 83 and 84 saw the Anomalies stymied at the Proper Group Stage - 84 being under new management in Nepharan Konrad Evans.

World Cup 85 was a disaster - the team didn't qualify and didn't even make a deep run in the Cup of Harmony, leading to the sacking of Evans and the appointment of Richard Valens of Krytenia and Tim Landers of Delaclava. The team would qualify in World Cup 86, and 87, host the World Cup in 88, and return to the Proper in 89. However, Chromatika was not making the deep runs that the nation wanted/needed, so they said goodbye to Valens and Landers and looked inward.

Sandra Sybill and Rachel Hellion, key figures during Chromatika's runs in the early days, stepped in. A loss to Nyowani Kitara meant that they were eliminated, but the team turned around and won the 82nd Cup of Harmony. The following cycle, they made it to the Playoffs, where a loss in penalties to Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom sealed the fate of Sybil and Hellion. Lisa Amos stepped in to lead the team to a respectable Quarterfinal finish in the resulting Cup of Harmony, and Chromatika was left wondering just how far they were away from the glory days.

Lev Repin came in, promising glory - and the Anomalies grabbed it off the cuff, winning their Group to qualify ahead of Ko-oren. Put into a group with Turori, Eura, and Cassadaigua, the Anomalies lost to Turori 3-0 before recovering to win narrowly over Eura and Cassadaigua. They'd fall 1-2 to perennial powerhouses Græntfjall, but they had finally broken back through.

Now? The World Cup has returned to Chromatika! In front of their home crowd, can the Anomalies return to the Quarterfinals?

MANAGEMENT STAFF

MG Lev Repin | Age: 61 | Height: 5 ft 9 in | Debut Cycle: 92 | WC Record: (16-4-4, 58 GF, 31 GA)
A footballing legend who had 177 caps for Mytanija at full back during his playing days, Lev Repin is in the middle of a three-cycle contract by the Chromatik Football Federation, with the option of extending for two more cycles before renegotiating. A schemer tactically and a passionate figure, Repin has already delivered on his promise of leading the Chromatiks back to the World Cup Proper, and excited to do more. He brings the vaunted 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 system to Chromatika, which has led to significant turnover among the players’ roles and positions. Blunt, utterly unapologetic, and singularly minded toward success, he has been exactly what Chromatika needed to break out of its slump and return to take its place among the footballing elite of the world. The formation is starting to be used across all levels, and Repin's fingerprints are all over the current state of Chromatik football.

PHY Zoe "Z" Benne | Age 44 | Debut Cycle: 80
Once a heartthrob, Zoe Benne is married to former Chromatik superstar Erika Morningstar. Zoe has been a constant for eleven cycles now, and has had to treat everything from sprained ankles to serious injuries. She remains a great asset.

SMC Shelby Arling | Age: 30 | Debut Cycle: 87
With new management in place, the presence of Arling as the Social Media Coordinator is very important. All questions go through her, and she takes away any and all distractions.

PLAYERS
Bold indicate starters
Players under dotted line indicate emergency reserves

ABBREVIATED ROSTER INFORMATION

Num Name                      Pri   Sec   Age  Team                           Nation                      Height       Caps   GA    Debut Cycle DNat 
01. Juxon Fillar             GK-S  GK-D    30  Cazadores Cathair              Audioslavia                 6 ft  1 in     98  127       AOCAF 62 CAPTAIN 
12. Kathie Begley            GK-D  GK-S    31  Wirr Tsi                       Chromatika                  6 ft  2 in     28   23       AOCAF 63
23. Lorée Bautista           GK-S  GK-D    26  Sabrefell Moths                Nephara                     6 ft  3 in      2    0             90

Num Name                      Pri   Sec   Age  Team                           Nation                      Height       Caps   GF    Debut Cycle DNat
05. Moira Ansov               DCR   DCL    30  Wirr Tsi                       Chromatika                  6 ft  8 in     34    1        CAFA 02
04. Henri de Aea               DC   DCL    33  Spartangrad                    Eura                        6 ft  7 in    175    4             80
03. Keira Anbient             DCL   DCR    29  Myana                          Chromatika                  6 ft  2 in     83    0       AOCAF 63
16. Ami Coulibaly             DCR    DC    21  Chromatik                      Chromatika                  6 ft           33    0        CAFA 04  BNJ
15. Klavida Régine             DC   DCL    27  St. Thomas                     The Licentian Isles         5 ft 11 in     31    0        CAFA 01
14. Ipati Aimée               DCL   DCR    27  St. Thomas                     The Licentian Isles         6 ft  4 in     33    1        CAFA 01
24. Cylie Nodis               DCL   DCR    24  Montreal Koreana               Quebec and Shingoryeo       6 ft  4 in     26    1        CAFA 01
06. Grayson Fillar            WBR   DCR    25  1830 Cathair                   Audioslavia                 6 ft  3 in     75    2       AOCAF 63 
02. Edith Fillar              WBL    AM    21  Shamrock Cathair               Audioslavia                 5 ft  7 in     56   29             89
17. Emilie Kruetzberg         WBR    AM    24  Glemnount Town                 The Licentian Isles         6 ft  3 in     54   11             89
13. Ha'nei Ighv               WBL   DCL    29  Avenida Leal                   Farfadillis                 6 ft  1 in     67    5       AOCAF 62
07. Kaia Larriet-Cortes       BWM   DLP    26  La Nueva Avenida               Farfadillis                 6 ft  5 in     61    2       AOCAF 62
18. Kateryna Zuniga           BWM   DLP    31  North Sabrefell                Nephara                     6 ft  2 in    108    2             85
25. Mare Si                   BWM   MEZ    29  Yassaca                        Squornshelan Remnant States 6 ft  1 in     30    0       AOCAF 63
08. Haley Hauser               AP    CF    31  Spartangrad                    Eura                        6 ft  7 in    104   41       AOCAF 62
10. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov   AM   WBL    30  Herzegovina City FC            Banija                      6 ft  1 in    125   55             85
19. Baillaire Fillar           AP   MEZ    24  1830 Cathair                   Audioslavia                 6 ft  3 in     87   30       AOCAF 62
21. Alissar Phoen              AM   DLP    28  Dynamo Sjoedrhavn              Savojarna                   6 ft  2 in     43    9        CAFA 01
11. Lavrentiy Xuen-Zhukov      AF    CF    19  Liria Prizren                  Mytanija                    6 ft  6 in     26   27             92  MYT
09. Candice Delaya             CF    AF    22  Holdenberg                     Eura                        6 ft  6 in     22    8             92
22. Kara Oveni                 SS    TF    24  Colonial Sile                  Vilita                      6 ft  5 in     39    8       AOCAF 63
20. Sandara Park                P    TF    21  Montreal Koreana               Quebec and Shingoryeo       6 ft  5 in      8    0             92
16. Hank Killian               AF    CF    26  Farrenton Athletic             Eura                        6 ft  1 in     39   12             90

GOALKEEPERS

Should there be a Goalkeeping controversy for Chromatika? Juxon Fillar remains the team's #1 keeper. Very good at set pieces and one-on-one scenarios, he's become better in transition and also become a leader in the locker room, being named the Captain as of a cycle and a half ago. He knows that he only has a few years left in his prime, and desperately wants to lead the team to the Quarterfinals and beyond before it's too late. Behind him is the ever reliable Kathie Begley, the best keeper of the Chromatik Red League in recent history, and a master at reading the flow of the game. She's been told that she should look at going abroad, but her love of Chromatik football in the Red League has kept her around the country and made her a fan favorite. Thankfully, she is devoid of any ego, so there is no problem in the locker room between the two.

Behind them, Lorée Bautista has developed into a tremendous prospect with a level head, great leaping skills, and a calm demeanor. In three title runs in the CCFA, Bautista only conceded one goal - and won two Player of the Year awards. His ceiling is extremely high, and he has the motivation and ambition to boot that could make him be one of the best to put on the gloves for Chromatika, now plying his trade in the Zenith with Sabrefell Moths. He has fended off Jacob Descombes, Van Enax, Siane Sundrifter, and Do Seung-Min. The next cycle will be crazy for keepers.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

Repin's system requires three in the back - and that has really stretched out Chromatika's defensive core. Moira Ansov slots into the Right Centre spot, a classic man-to-man defender with some physicality and poise, and a calling card is that of consistency and constant aggression, which has cemented her to be on the first team. Henri de Aea is one of the best to every put on the black and white uniform, and shows no signs of slowing down at thirty-three. Remaining at large as an aerial defender and a sure tackler, de Aea's career is one that shows just what can happen if someone takes risks. In his thirteenth World Cup as a member of the Anomalies, his legend as one of the best players to ever wear the checkered black and white continues to grow every time he steps onto the pitch. A master communicator and a decent tactician, de Aea is a irreplaceable piece of the squad. To his left will be one Keira Anbient, or, "The Other Keira". A pure willpower player first and foremost. She is neither the biggest player on the pitch, the fastest, nor the quickest to the ball; instead, she is just always around where the action is. Between the three of them, there is considerable height in the starting back three.

The second line sees Ami Coulibaly at Right Centre, the Banijan/Chromatik dual-national starting to show as one of the bright prospects for this team. Known for her friendship with the Tumbran Golden Duo of Trudy Harrison and Stephen Kerr at Chromatik, Coulibaly uses dogged determination and endless motor to frustrate her foes; she is also quite good on her feet and in passing the ball up the pitch. Klavida Régine has the unfortunate distinction of being behind Henri de Aea in the depth chart, but her ability to overcome her lack of height with the busiest feet makes her a mainstay on this squad. Almost like a hound dog at times with how doggedly she pursues anyone that dare cross her, she has been noted to be annoying by her opponents time and time again. Her feet absolutely never stop moving during the game, and that endless pace results in many a tired opponent. Rounding out the second trio is Ipati Aimée, who was the second choice Left Back two cycles ago. A traditional type defender who's quite good at clearing away headers, playing man-to-man, and possessing a robust skillset, Aimée is great at holding down the back line and helping anchor the squad to hold onto late leads. She isn't the most offensive of the options, but can provide solid minutes defensively.

Rounding out this group is one Cylie Nodis, the most offensive minded center back in Chromatik history. With a nose for the ball on every set piece, some deep crosses and the ability to thread the needle using either foot, it's been stated that she should change to a Defensive Midfielder at times. She's set in her ways, though, and insists she should play at fullback. (Un)fortunately, she's proficient enough that nobody can really force her to do anything otherwise. It's her flexibility in being willing to go forward that has landed her in this reduced squad.

WIDE DEFENDERS/WING BACKS

In Repin's system, these players will be asked to do so much - pin their ears back and defend, or sometimes run up the field and add to the attack. Some of them are better at some aspect of that than others. Grayson Fillar is a bullheaded, stubborn, physical right back will will outright impose his will on his opponents. Overshadowed by his younger sister, the electric Baillaire, Grayson was the one who actually chose to finish high school in Chromatika before making the move to 1830 Cathair. Though he says that he's proud of his sister (and he probably is), there is a deeply competitive streak in him that demands that he also make a name for himself atop Chromatika's slew of Fillars. On the pitch, he knows how to use his size to its utmost advantage, almost appearing larger than he is at times. He also understands the importance of momentum and tone, leading to his not being shy to commit a foul if one is needed. He has presence, physicality, and endurance, and has added an offensive edge to his game by providing some pace and some through-balls to the front. Having finally eclipsed Ha'nei Ighv is Edith Fillar. Edith is the next coming of Megan Kelly, or the Chromatik winger who's short but can run circles around would-be defenders and take over the game due to where she is on the pitch. She may not be the quickest off the ball, but she has the relentlessness that has been present on many great Chromatik wingers. With the mindset of a drill sergeant who is definitely the strictest on herself, she has fifty-six caps and twenty-nine goals at only twenty-one years of age - her age of dominance is only just starting. With Chromatika embracing Repinball, she's added playing man-to-man defense to her arsenal of formidable skills.

For the players behind these two, any of them can be used at any time - what they provide are all distinct and unique enough to be sought after. Emilie Kreutzberg is recognizable due to a magnificent mane of red hair, and a dynamic playmaker who is a swarmer, endlessly trying to be around the ball on the attacking end to tire out the defender and take the shot. She can be a tad overaggressive at times, often leading to being offside, but she scores or contributes to scoring chances enough times to make up for it. Expect her to assist whomever is the Striker in the formation with constant pressure in front of the goal. She is a very offensively minded piece, as is the electrifying Ha'nei Ighv, a midfielder moonlighting at left back with her shooting skills, but insisting at playing so far back just to make things challenging. A bit of an insufferable know-it all with a good heart, she likes to create a high-pressing defensive line with the help of the central midfield. She is the perfect player for Repin's system that needs Wingbacks to contribute to the attack.

DEEP-LYING MIDFIELDERS

Any formation needs at least one Defensive Midfielder, and Chromatika has the pick of the lot at the position, even after the retirement of Enigma Armageddon and Leysa Burns from the National Team. Kaia Larriet-Cortes, the niece of the late Franscesca Larriet-Cortes, is an even-keeled Defensive Midfielder best described as a younger, female Enigma Armageddon. Both of them are imposing, both of them lead on the pitch, and both of them know how to contribute offensively when needed. Where Enigma commands attention by physical presence, Kaia is more subtle, being in all the right places at right times. She is often the visionary on the pitch, and sixty-one caps by age twenty-six shows her potential. Kateryna Zuniga takes to the bench, now - the annoying man-to-man defender that one can never shake, having one hundred and eight caps to her name and having survived the careers of both Armageddon and Burns to earn the spot as the #1 Defensive Midfielder for the Anomalies before handing it off to the new generation.

Mare Si, the Yassaca star, is third on the list, being a holding midfielder who then developed her shooting game to incorporate set pieces as well. The complete package, she'll play the Defensive Midfielder who has the capability to shoot if the opposition is caught napping. On the squad, she is known as the team's patient assassin, as her playmaking ability increases the longer the game goes.

ADVANCED MIDFIELDERS

Depending on the formation, these roles can be taken by two other Midfielders that contribute to the attack, or a Central Midfielder and an Attacking Midfielder to differentiate the roles. Haley Hauser is the shoot first, ask questions later Attacking Midfielder, scoring almost one goal every two and a half appearances. She remains one of the biggest scoring threats on this roster alongside VMK. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov had to decide between LWB and AM being his major role, and the veteran chose AM to allow LWBs to be filled out by others. Having learned how to position in the left-center side of a 3-5-2 as needed, VMK will be best utilized in the 3-4-1-2 version. A star who can do it all - drop back and defend, counter, cross, and shoot from range - Kuznetsov remains humble and focused on the one goal he hasn't reached yet - take the Chromatik National Team to new heights.

Baillaire Fillar is the flashiest of the Fillars, subscribing to the Hermaeus Mora/Haley Hauser school of Attacking Midfielders, marrying both styles by shooting first and asking questions later while making deep runs into opposing territory. With a creative and dramatic flair that doesn't really exist in other Chromatiks from the past, Baillaire is a playmaker through and through. With eighty-seven caps by age twenty-four, she hasn't scored as often as she'd have liked for the Anomalies, but there is still plenty of time enough for that. Alissar Phoen is an ambidextrous shooter who actually prefers range to up close. With creativity and dramatic scoring ability, he has only scored in less than a Quarter of appearances, leading to some questioning if his skills are applicable on the international stage.

CENTRAL FORWARDS

Welcome back to prominence, Strikers. After a system which needed more of assist-minded players to play the position, Strikers are back and in full force. Lavrentiy Xuen-Zhukov was the best suited for Repin's style of play - averaging a goal per match and becoming a crowd favorite for Chromatika. Zhukov is a Complete Forward that uses a combination of pace, stamina, and acceleration to fly past the opposition and score. He was the fastest ever to reach more than twenty goals, having scored twenty-seven in twenty-six - all before age twenty. Candice Delaya, on the other hand, is decent with both her feet and her head, humble, and can show up in big games. Her ideal pace of play is lurking right in front of the defensive line, waiting for the one ball to create the chance for her to pounce on.

Kara Oveni is a beast in stature and in playstyle who possesses more of a big-play flair and the tendency to create chances for either herself or her partner. She can take over games by her persistent presence in front of the goal and her ability to work with other playmakers. Sandara Park is a poacher than a pure shooter, but the way that she is where she needs to be goes beyond anything that's usually taught. Rounding out the squad is Hank Killian, who's lost the starting job, but remains on the squad due to being a pure playmaker who's willing to do it all, or in some cases, too much at times.

TACTICAL INFORMATION
(Many thanks to Mytanija for the blueprint.)

Chromatika's 3-4-1-2 is based off of Mytanija's formation.

3-4-1-2 – IN POSSESSION: Chromatika's base formation for World Cup 93 proper is a 3-4-1-2. This means there will be 3 central defenders, a wing-back on either side, 2 central midfielders, an attacking midfielder and 2 strikers on the pitch at any one time. This does not mean that the team will play in these positions for the whole game, as Chromatiks have adopted the Mytanar philosophy of flexibility in and out of possession, utilizing the fact that until very recently, they ran a 4-3-2-1/4-4-1-1. When Chromatika has the ball the 3-4-1-2 will change into more of a 3-2-5 shape, this is designed to try to create overloads in attacking areas so that the Chromatiks can create two versus one situations where the opposition have to make decisions on who they will engage with.

This 3-2-5 will be achieved firstly by one of the wing-backs (from the starting line-up, this would be right-sided wing-back Grayson Fillar) moving into a central midfield position to play alongside the deeper-lying of the two central midfielders (Kaia Larriet-Cortes, if among the Starting XI). This creates a pairing in central midfield which will be used to help the team build-up, providing passing options both in front of the central defensive three and the 5 players which end-up ahead of them.

That 5 is made-up of the opposite-sided wing-back (in this example it would be left wing-back Edith Fillar), the more advanced central midfielder (Haley Hauser), the attacking midfielder (Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov); and the strikers (usually Xuen-Zhukov and Delaya). The wing-back has to push on to achieve the 3-2-5 shape, getting into the final third and maintaining the width on their side of the pitch. They will be given some license to get into the penalty area if the ball is on the other side, giving another option for their teammates. The more advanced central midfielder will be tasked with playing inside of the wing-back, in the so-called ‘half-space’, they will look to work with the wing-back to create an overload on their side of the pitch.

The attacking midfielder and the two strikers will interchange fairly freely, though one will always be tasked with pulling wide to ensure that width is maintained on both sides of the attacking ‘5’ with the aim of stretching the opposition’s defense across the width of the pitch. One striker (usually Delaya in the Starting XI) will drop deep to create space for rotations with the attacking midfielder and the other striker, those two looking to run into and exploit the space vacated by the other striker. These rotations are aimed to shift the opposition defenders around the pitch and create a bit of confusion.

In terms of progressing the play the team will look to move the ball with controlled pace. The team will aim to do this with utmost precision, as is the Chromatik way.

3-4-1-2 – OUT OF POSSESSION: Chromatika's reaction to losing the ball depends on where they actually lose possession on the pitch. Should they lose the ball high-up the pitch, in the opposition’s half, then there will be an instantaneous reaction to press the opponent with the ball to try to win it back quickly high-up the pitch. This is hoped to create chances nearer to the opposition’s goal, effectively using the press as a playmaker. If the opponent breaks through the initial press then Chromatika will look to recover into a 5-3-2 shape as below. Should Chromatika lose the ball nearer to their own goal then they will instantly look to recover into defensive positions to try to make themselves difficult to break down. This shape will be closer to a 5-3-2 than the 3-4-1-2 starting formation.

Both wing-backs will drop deeper, alongside the three central defenders to form the 5. The two central midfielders (Larriet-Cortes and Hauser), will drop deep in front of the three central defenders to shield them a little and the attacking midfielder (Vasiily Marten Kuznetsov), will drop to play in front of them, operating as a bit of a guard dog – either sitting on an opposition deep-lying playmaker to try to stop the ball into them, or by leading a half-pitch press. The two strikers will look to stop the ball going back to the opposition’s central defenders and press them when they are in possession.

Chromatika will also play a variety of other formations should they want to play a little differently, the most likely ones they would change to from the 3-4-1-2 are a 3-5-2 (taking out the attacking midfielder and using three central midfielders); a 4-3-1-2 (pushing the wing-backs back to play as full-backs, removing a central defender and replacing them with a defensive or central midfielder); a 4-2-3-1 (pushing the wing-backs back to play as full-backs, removing a central defender and a striker and then playing a winger on either side); or a narrow 4-4-2 diamond (pushing the wing-backs back to play as full-backs, removing a central defender to play either as a defensive or central midfielder). Chromatika is very versed in the 4-2-3-1 and the 4-4-2, as they've played those before under previous management.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHROMATIK AND MYTANAR FOOTBALL: One might ask, how does Repin's Management of Mytanija differ from his Management of Chromatika? Chromatiks are, by nature, more precision-oriented and detail-focused; everything will be drilled to a t, players will be provided information regarding how to handle a myriad of situations, and though creativity will be encouraged, it will be stymied by expectations placed upon the roles.

Chromatika has a reputation of being a second-half team, built around finesse, stamina, and overwhelming pace in the final half hour of matches. This will continue to be the case, as the physique of players is not contingent upon a system of play. The Anomalies will continue to try to push games out of reach or make up deficits in the final half, and the final fifteen minutes will continue to be absolute hell for opposing clubs.

TEAM ROLES
Captaincy: 1. Juxon Fillar; 2. Vasiily Marten Kuznetsov; 3. Henri de Aea; 4. Haley Hauser; 5. Kaia Larriet-Cortes
Penalties: 1. Haley Hauser; 2. Lavrentiy Xuen-Zhukov; 3. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov; 4. Candice Delaya; 5. Edith Fillar
Corners: 1. Haley Hauser; 2. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov; 3. Edith Fillar; 4. Grayson Fillar; 5. Kaia Larriet-Cortes
Short free kicks: 1. Haley Hauser; 2. Edith Fillar; 3. Grayson Fillar; 4. Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov; 5. Kaia Larriet-Cortes
Long free kicks: Usually one of the wing-backs to put it into the penalty area and take advantage of Chromatika's very tall team

Schedule

TO BE DETERMINED