85th Cup of Harmony [rosters/RPs/results]

by **Valentine Z** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:12 am

Part 1 – We are all back in Harmony, at the end of the day.

Audioslavia’s Bulls got their fix, and they got it twice against the Valentian Kittens, according to the recent events in World Cup. “I can’t believe we are back here again,” was one of the musings from the Valentian football team, a goal that was so close and yet so very far. They did not perform as great as their basketball counterparts (Gwen’s Angels), but there was one thing in common for them at the end of the day – after relatively smooth qualifications, comes the series of defeats in the hands of the other teams that have made it as far as them. Case in point, the Bulls have proved to the Kittens that their defences got an edge over the best offenses that the latter could muster. It was soon after that point that the Kittens started losing more matches as the season went on – the loss against Aeragny’s team (The Drills), Squornshelan Remnant States (both plays being a defeat) and of course, the Bulls too. The team that put the final nail in the metaphorical boat for the Valentian Kittens to set sail towards the waters of Cup of Harmony once again, however, were Cabo Azure’s Las Maçaricas with a 4–3, a heartbreaking defeat overall.

For the Valentian Kittens, however, as heartbreaking as it was to not being able to make it to the World Cup playoffs, they were more than happy that they have once again promptly received an invitation for the corresponding Cup of Harmony season. After all, that means more chances to hone their skills, more opponents to play against (including the very first time they are playing against Saint Eleanor) and of course – an opportunity to take home the win as a champion team, and the trophy Cup of Harmony. The chances of it happening are non-zero, if a little rare. The Kittens (and Clarissa, by extension) are not fixated on purely winning, and so for this season, they shall see to it.

by **Gnejs** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 3:39 pm

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

Part 8: The Golden Years

The festivities after Finntorp IK won their first Allgnejsa in a long, long time has locally gone down in history for its wide appeal and uncharacteristically livid displays of emotions. The entire city erupted into a frenzy when the whistle blew on the team’s final matchday, where they had defeated a lackluster Norrholmia IK one to nothing. The entire town, even the fans of the other two big Finntorp clubs – Njaard IF and Gressbakken BK – took part in the blowout, and there were even rumors of celebrations in other northern cities as well. Their 1987 win marked the end of a prolonged period of Port Kejm and Briskeby dominance, and a sense of «northern» pride was prevalent all throughout Berg.

He predictably did not enjoy this collective mania, but had no choice but to participate, seeing as he was being hailed as a hero and savior figure. The hours after their win have been described as «electric» by those who were present back then, and people often speak fondly of the sense of fellowship permeating the entire city. Equally predictable, with so many people gathered in the streets and parks, and the alcohol flowing so very liberally, significant parts of it degenerated into violence and riots in the small hours, and the city of Finntorp woke up the next day to widespread destruction, looted stores and several broken noses. It got labeled the «Great Northern Debauchery» in the capital papers, and large parts of the Union joined in on the mocking, and it is still referenced at times to this day.

When the day after is spoken of in Finntorp though, it’s not the scenes of devastation they bring up, but how the city came together in cleaning it all up. He and Ane were both out on the streets the day after, and he forced the entire Finntorp IK squad to join in, all of them viciously hungover and still wearing their red and yellow jerseys and little golden top hats. His old friend Harald and the reassembled band Fecal Fracas entertained with a free concert in one of the big parks, but even though he and Ane attended, he didn’t make any contact as he was still very much opposed to Harald’s political methods.

His parents came up and stayed with them for a period after the 87-season had wrapped up. They had been on visits with increased frequency ever since the marriage back in 83’, and they loved Ane. This time was different though, because they announced that they were getting divorced. The love was gone, his mother explained casually, while his father nodded in agreement and stirred his coffee. The announcement shocked him, and he became determined to make them see the error of their ways. He approached it methodically, as was his custom, and put together flowcharts and strings of pro et contra arguments explaining in detail that divorce was a mistake. His parents only laughed and said that love wasn’t quantifiable. He said that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard, but he dropped the endeavor at Ane’s insistence. His relationship with his parents was strained for a prolonged period of time, but it rekindled after he and Ane got kids of their own in the mid-1990’s.

In terms of football, the next few years were truly golden. Finntorp IK had grown into a perfect embodiment of his coaching philosophy, and they were an unstoppable force. The other teams - most of them still playing according to principles of attacking «southron football» - did not manage to break through the Finntorp Wall and he guided his team to Allgnejsan victories in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. These were happy years. He and Ane bought and moved into a quaint yellow house south of the city, and they travelled all over the Union and even down to continental Rushmore during their holidays. He had achieved the status of a living legend in Finntorp, and even though he vehemently disapproved of the fan banners and chants building a sort of cult of personality and messiah narrative, he did learn to enjoy being approached by people on the streets who wanted to talk or just shake his hand.

Union football eventually adapted, and more and more teams tried to emulate some of the Finntorp success formula. Southron teams, like Lokomotiv Esaias and Norrholmia IK, were exceptions, but soon almost everyone was playing a 5-4-1 formation and focused on not conceding goals. He didn’t mind, on the contrary he enjoyed the added challenge and new landscape. But something shifted with the fans, and he had a very clear idea about what. With so many consecutive triumphs, people had started to expect their team to win. When they ended up in second place - just two points behind Storängens IF - at the conclusion of the 1992-season, the fans were shell-shocked and seemed utterly lost. The team rebounded quickly and won consecutive titles in 93 and 94, but after a string of retirements and transfers their momentum eventually died down and they ended up third or fourth in the next couple of years. The fans loving embrace soured, and at several times they displayed their disappointment with their team in the traditional «northern» way of not showing up to the games en masse.

He eventually resigned as head coach after the season of 1997 and left professional football all together. He went back to finish his master’s degree part-time and cared for their kids, Fanny and Alexander. They left Finntorp and moved east to Segeltorp in the first year of the new millennium, where he got a job with the City and Ane taught at a local gymnasium. His new hobby became writing new fan-fiction installments of the A Song of Slab and Gravel saga, and it would be over a decade until he preoccupied himself with football once more.

by **Darmen** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:14 pm

National Football Team of Darmen
presented by the
Darmeni Football Association

Record (Modern-era only, since Copa Rushmori 24): 512 matches, 239 wins, 99 draws, 174 losses, 1039 GF, 883 GA, .531 Win %

Caps
 1 Hyman Campo          284
 2 Silver Abbey         267
 3 Craig Blackwood      255
 4 Víedharr Svendsen    215
 5 Riley Mac Pharlain   212
 6 Alberich Goldschmidt 204
 7 Feliciano Espinosa   169
   Aurelio Di Stefano   169
 9 Juanito Stafford     165
10 Bill St. John        151
   Cyrus Spalding       151

Goals
 1 Craig Blackwood      168
 2 Felix Lucanus         80
 3 Skylar Hurst          49
 4 Víedharr Svendsen     48
 5 Darnell Halle         39
 6 Daniel Norton         38
 7 Kennard Hale          35
 8 Riley Mac Pharlain    33
 9 Brian Firmin          30
10 Juanito Stafford      27

Coaching Staff

Posistion         Name              Age
Manager           Léon Deasmhumhain 49
Assistant Manager Denis Foss        46
Goalkeeping Coach Piers Fulton      39
Psychologist      Aron Simonson     30

26 Player Roster

#  Pos Name               Age Club                   Caps Goals
 1 GK  Simon Toro         32  MTK Kingsville         39   0
 2 LB  Philip O'Hara      26  Olympique Chuckio      50   3
 3 LCB Stefan Ryer        26  Rogerton Whitecaps      7   0
 4 RCB Ferdinand Kruse    28  MTK Kingsville         66   1
 5 RB  Vinnie Ó Madaidhín 31  Aminey CS (KOR)        44   1
 6 LM  Kerr Park          30  Johnho United          45   5
 7 CM  Parthalán Wolfe    32  Scott City FC          92  19
 8 RM  Kayden Aleshire    27  Olympique Chuckio      27   1
 9 LF  Lennox Travers     32  Sterling City United   38  11
10 CF  Marianne Lee*      24  Scott City FC          13   5
11 RF  Kennard Hale       31  Scott City FC          77  35

12 GK  Ori Poirier        31  Sterling City United   28   0
13 LB  Cándido Adler      24  Sterling City United    4   1
14 LCB Archie Ó Gormáin   27  Brham United            1   0
15 RCB Abraham Duke       26  Darmen City United      3   0
16 RB  Markus Thomasson   21  Tempala United Saints   2   0
17 LM  Fabricio Tobias    27  Scott City FC          30   4
18 CM  Emerson Weaver     25  Menomonie United       12   2
19 RM  Keefe Ó Maoil Eoin 24  Sterling City United    4   0
20 LF  James January      25  Scott City FC          43  24
21 CF  Bryce Ó Caiside    28  Rogerton Whitecaps      9   2
22 RF  Baltassar Boon     29  IFK Liverpool United   15   4

23 GK  Beau Carver        32  Tempala United Saints   3   0
24 RCB Cináed Böhm        31  Scott City FC          55   0
25 RM  Bill St. John      34  MTK Kingsville        151  22
26 LF  Dorian Kinnaird    28  MTK Kingsville         46  20

Tactics
Formation: 4-3-3
Style Mod: +2.5
In attack, Darmen will employ one of two tactics: the first involves the team playing down the flanks while the second is a possession oriented short-range passing style that closely resembles tiki-taka. The later tactic is normally only employed against weaker opponents or when Darmen has a multi-goal lead and involves connecting many passes together to slowly advance the ball towards the opponents 18-yard box. It is not uncommon for 30+ passes to be completed in the sequence, especially against weaker opponents.

Darmen's primary tactic however is a heavy emphasis on flank play, with the wide midfielders (also referred to as flankers in Darmen) being the linchpin of Darmen's attack. Upon gaining possession, Darmen will look to distribute the ball to one of the two wide midfielders as quickly as possible. After receiving the ball, the wide midfielders will look to advance the ball as far down the flanks as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the forwards and the central midfielders will crash the box, hoping to be on the receiving end of the wide midfielder's cross. The wide midfielder (or sometimes even the fullback) on the opposite flank will linger behind waiting to collect the cross should it overshoot the box. While scoring via headers is the primary goal, a player may also look to score by volleying or half-volleying the ball if they're in open space. Should the first attempt at goal not be collected by the goalkeeper, Darmenis are more than willing to take advantage of the ensuing chaos in the box and poach a goal as well. If the wide midfielder's path forward down the flank is blocked, they are not averse to cutting inside and taking a shot on goal themselves.

Defensively, the defenders have one job... to defend. They rarely venture out of their own half, but if they do it will only be one of the fullbacks (see above). Darmen will employ zonal marking when facing the counter-attack and man marking in all other situations.

Team Roles
Captain: Parthalán Wolfe
Vice-Captain: Kennard Hale
Left Corner: Parthalán Wolfe
Right Corner: Kayden Aleshire
Penalties: Kennard Hale
Free-kicks: Parthalán Wolfe

Team Personality
The Darmeni team will never argue with the referee. Indeed, if anything needs to be brought to the attention of the referee it will be done by either the Captain or Vice-Captain in a respectful manner (or to the fourth-official by the Manager). With regards to foul/dirty play, the Darmeni team will not provoke, or retaliate against any opposition player. Darmeni's expect each team to keep to itself and deal with its own trouble makers; any opposition player who attempts to prevent a conflict by pushing or pulling a Darmeni away from the scene will be promptly told off, as that is the duty of the Darmeni Captain.

Nonetheless, Darmen will play in a relatively aggressive manner. Tackles will be conducted in a way which ensures the opponent ends up on the ground, but causing injury will be avoided as much as possible. On set pieces, Darmenis will stand their ground and will not be easily pushed around. However, they will not engage in hugging. In fact, if any opposing player tries to push past them, it is not uncommon for the Darmeni player to feign resistance before simply stepping aside and watching as the opposing player stumbles past on their way to ground. This occasionally backfires however, as the referee may mistake the incidence as having been a foul in the box.

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: YES PLEASE! If you name your goal scorers, please also name mine.
Choose my scoring events: YES
Godmod scoring events: YES. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
RP injuries to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod Injuries to my players: NO
Give Yellow Cards to my players: YES, no more than two per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Give Red Cards to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod other events: MAYBE. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Style Modifier: +2.5

If you need to contact me, TG's are preferred over Discord DM's.

by **Fort McKinley** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 3:14 am

This is the continuation of the story from here

In the time since the chaos that closed the Fort McKinley National Team's experience in Cup of Harmony 83 in Mertagne, there had been a complete overhaul of even the most minute details involved in travelling abroad; there were now twice the number of agents from the Party Information Council (PIC) that accompanied the squad, coaching and support staff; a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Relations was now the official Chief of the Delegation, with the ability to reach Shiloh Springs for instructions or advice at any time; and every person in the travelling party was subject to much closer scrutiny on a round the clock basis.

There was far less unstructured time permitted through the duration of the visit, with an end to the loopholes and laziness that allowed David Allen to pull off his defection without anyone recognizing the situation. The final matchday in Quebec would include a much larger group of extra officials and guests than had been permitted since the finale in Neorudo.

Allen and his brother-in-law Jason Davis had checked into their hotel, followed by a walk around on the streets of Equinox Hill; dinner was at a restaurant in a different hotel than the one they were staying in and that's where the scene turned towards the surreal.
They had just about finished when a group came into the dining room, about 14 women under the supervision of several men in ill-fitting suits, who were seated together and engaged in conversations with one another.
"Well, of course it would happen. I guess we're going to test the theory that no one is going to recognize us." David nodded slightly in the direction of the arrivals, who were the wives of the Fort McKinley players, among whom were several he knew quite well.
"We're going to casually walk to the door, you in front, and hope that nobody takes notice."

It was Nancy Young, wife of Allen's former strike partner Dennis Gene Young, who made brief eye contact with Dave as the men exited, and he gave her an arched eyebrow just as they were clear of the party.

She was so surprised to see his face that she couldn't process the idea that David Guy Allen had just walked past; it was fully 60 seconds before the recognition hit her, which prompted her to lean close to Debbie Allen (no relation) and whisper "Dave Allen just walked by. I'm sure it was him, he gave me a sly look."
The other woman looked back in surprised silence, not sure how to respond.

There was another person who also was questioning whether their eyes had actually seen what they thought they'd just witnessed. Donald Tim Jones was a PIC agent who had been on the detail in Mertagne, cleared of wrongdoing and permitted to return to duty with the National Team. He hesitated long enough to lose track of Allen, but gathered his wits soon enough to tell the supervising agent what just happened.

by **Cap Nord** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 8:54 am

Story

Cap Nord has not yet finalized their second World Cup cycle but kicks off this Cup of Harmony with their third manager already. The Whalers might still be new faces on the international scene but have gone through their first teething pains already. They emerged under Forseth with whom they, despite taking their first steps, won a BoF bronze medal and got an impressive 61.6% point percentage. The few losses came more often than not against sides featuring in the World Cup. As such, results could not be used as the excuse to give the charismatic and outspoken Forseth the boot but ‘differences concerning the way forward’ were used to part ways. A few days later, in silence, Robert McEather was installed as the new manager of the national team.

A surprise as his history only features a few stints in the lower leagues. But, possibly more importantly, he has an NUP member card. Needless to say that the takeover of the latter party and the installation of a puppet kingdom had its impact on the foundations of society. The newcomer was shunned by the fans for his lack of knowledge and struggled to handle the stars in his selection, not in the least youngsters Simon Carstensen and Jorgen Bjerkness. After a full cycle, an exhausted McEather threw the towel. The load of the position had been too much to carry, the narrative reads, but he signed off with a 68.1% scorecard, a stunning Campionato silver and coming within goal difference of a WC play-off, so history might be kinder on Robert McEather.

The length of the decision making by the FA for a successor led to speculation: all major names of the league made an appearance in the press but most pointed to Van Nooten, a composed and sympathetic fellow without a lot of first-team experience but with a good connection with the squad, having been the assistant under Forseth and McEather. But Van Nooten will remain in that role as the FA landed on 54-year old Lozhoan Pazron Finchley. A surprise to the Capnordic fans, but the former center-back earned his stripes with Langhan Town, Lozho U21 and Protchen United. Despite winning prizes as player and coach with the latter, Finchley was disposed unceremoniously: his move abroad was inspired by a hunger to prove them wrong.

As the results are already on the right track, it suits that Finchley starts from a similar game plan as his predecessors: 4-3-3. But contrary to those before him, there will be a high pressing, giving whole new tasks to the offensive players and even more importance to the energetic wingbacks. And whatever the game plan, it goes without saying that targetman and goalgetter Myrrheim plays a crucial role. A known issue for Cap Nord is the depth of the squad, but Finchley’s U21 experience should stimulate him to give chances to a new wave of players and get more rotation in the squad (even if the expectation is that this will mainly be after this Cup of Harmony).

Selection

.1 Johannes Marzinn      Cleorough [SYL]          24 (18 caps)
12 Siel Leuwert          Draiewikum Boys          32 (50 caps)
13 Thom McEnroy          Fallwich United          23 ( 0 caps)

The days of Siel Leuwert as starting goalie are counted after two howlers in the qualifiers, lifting Johannes Marzinn in the number one shirt. Only 24 but well talented, the lanky, modern goalkeeper proved his worth in the title-winning season of Sielhafen and confirmed this potential by keeping Cleorough afloat in the Toilet League. Not the most eloquent and he needs to grow in leadership, but he continues to grow. This puts Leuwert on the bench, a modest and fine shotstopper with excellent reflexes but mediocre feet. His proverbial goalkeeper craziness limits itself to an unusual interest in pottery and ceramics. In Draiewikum, he’s a legend but he seems a bit past his peak. This opens up opportunities for Thom McEnroy. The youngster lived up to the expectations at Fallwich and possesses a good balance between his skills on the line and footballing intuition.

.2 Troels Poulsen        Lydholm Forened          26 (36 cap / 3 goals)
 3 Patrick van Hilvaren  Sporting Noordende       34 (68 caps/ 2 goals)
 4 Luuk Vennema          Columbia City [TMB]      25 (43 caps/ 1 goal )
 5 Erik Brymsaeter       Sporting Noordende       30 (67 caps/ 6 goals)
14 Jonathan Peary        Sielhafen 1.FC           28 (44 caps)
15 Pat O’Sullivan        Crester Wanderers        24 ( 3 cap )

Changes were made ahead of the Campionato and damn, those paid off. After a mild hesitation in the start, the talented duo in the back were the quiet engine into a medal performance. No wonder that Finchley has little need or desire to shake up things. Captain van Hilvaren looks classy and is at face value an elegant central defender from the Sporting academy. That means: impeccably dressed, precise passing, lots of cunning and a bit of complaining with the referee. But if needed, he can be a cunt and as his speed wanes, his trickery grows. To his side, there is rising star Luuk Vennema who made (a few years later than expected) his big breakthrough. It clinched him a transfer to the Tumbran Premier Division, where he continues to improve. He is a commanding player who can run his defensive line, a true understudy to his big example van Hilvaren. It is hard to look past these two but for Jonathan Peary, a return to the line-up remains possible as he is valued by all his teammates. A blatant skinhead and a bit of a journeyman, but what you see is what you get: ‘Johno’ can and will murder his direct opponent.

The wings, so crucial in this system, remain a cause of worry as the lack of depth is a major issue, but the starters are valued. Left wing, ‘Pencil’ Brymsaeter (after his feet, build, mustache and prose) remains a great source for attacking intentions. The Sporting player looks more like a violinist than a football player. Nonetheless, he is without remorse and can pick up a goal here or there. His artistic vibe causes some question marks among the staunchly right-wing government but the lack of alternatives keeps him on board. Opposite man Troels Poulsen, on the other hand, actively contributed to the ‘popular uprising/military coup’ (pending on whose word you take for it). But Poulsen is not just a political pawn and possesses style and energy. As he can take a card, finding back-up for him was necessary but difficult. Out of options domestically for wingbacks, it was even inquired whether Brenecian Athame Caulker already qualified for a passport. In the end, the choice fell on O’Sullivan. Crester’s Pat is fast and has a good cross, but remains fluky in positioning. On the left, expect midfielder Bissett there if something would happen to Brymsaeter. Let’s pray it doesn’t.

.6 Carl Worbe            Sielhafen 1.FC           29 (65 caps/ 2 goals)
 8 Theodore Bissett      Sielhafen 1.FC           26 (36 caps/ 2 goals)
10 Simon Carstensen      Sandfjell Fotball        21 (34 caps/ 9 goals)
16 Kenneth Breuker       Fallwich United          30 (21 caps)
17 Trevor Barrington     Sporting Noordeinde      26 (15 caps/ 1 goal )
18 Jody Barnes           Crester Wanderers        21 ( 2 caps)
20 Hella Veensma         Sielhafen 1.FC           24 (22 caps/ 3 goals)

If the Campionato and the qualifying campaign made one thing clear, it is that the abundance of talent between Simon Carstensen and Jorgen Bjerkness has the potential to pop, but only if they can be aligned on and off the pitch. Amid the various options, Finchley seems to opt for a setup which moves both the duo a bit further from one another, giving each their chance to shine: Carstensen remains firmly in midfield, Bjerkness becomes part of the attacking department. And as such, Carstensen remains the lynchpin for the Whalers. The Sandfjell midfielder already became the playmaker of this top-three side at seventeen and continues to show amazing maturity. He is quite industrious for his role, with excellent vision and passing. The only thing missing from his game might be a few more goals. He can also appear a bit lower down the field, contrary to his back-up Hella Veensma who combines energy with insight and short turns. Two years with Sielhafen has given her already some experience to reap the yield on her efforts and her (only proverbial) growth is undoubted.

Behind Carstensen, the balancing is picked up by the duo Bissett and Worbe. Theodor Bissett often is the first to make way in the line-up but returns under Finchley as box-to-box: he is a man with energy, stamina and more than decent feet. If he can employ those at the right time, he is a potential world beater. Next to him, Carl Worbe remains the holding midfielder, getting more and more recognition as his impact gets noted. Still with a few good years in him, he made a personal brand out of being boring, allowing 1. FC fans to call a characteristic, simple, 1-0 win a 'Worbe Dream'. In difficult games, Finchley might prefer the unconventional Breuker over the gentle Worbe: the United man shows no mercy and is notorious for bullying an opposing playmaker out of the game. Bissett, on the other hand, might be relieved of his work by either Barrington or Barnes. The former is a Bissett-light, with less stamina but slightly better feet. Jody brings a bit more grit, a ton of energy and an amazing 360 vision which makes you forget about the occasional bad touch.

.7 Jorgen Bjerkness      Fort Viljan North. [TIK] 20 (21 caps/ 5 goals)
 9 Till Myrrheim         Sandfjell Fotball        26 (70 caps/46 goals)
11 Rohan Williams        Corinth. No Longer [NPH] 27 (64 caps/21 goals)
19 Daniel Clark          Sporting Noordende       23 (31 caps/ 9 goals)
21 Dieter Scharf         Sielhafen 1.FC           29 (43 caps/ 6 goals)
22 Moussa Sangaré        Fallwich United          25 (12 caps/ 1 goal )
23 Elliott Jackson       Norreborg 59             26 ( 2 caps/ 1 goal )

It is a peculiar attacking trio as Finchley clearly has a different target here: one big man, two smaller players who attack the defensive line with the sting of a bee, without being wingers. Up front, one finds Till Myrrheim, a likable two meters of unfiltered firepower, with a babyface on top. A gentle giant outside the game, Myrrheim shuns no duel and weighs on an opposing defense. The numbers speak for itself, if you let the Sandfjell ace come anywhere near the box, you are putting yourself in grave danger. Despite ‘Till Torrheim’ being the topscorer, the player that everyone on the playing ground wants to be is Rohan Williams. After all, he is in all aspects a beautiful footballer. Makes the covers of the sports section with his dribbles, of the newspapers with his podcast and of the tabloids with his flirts and cars. This striker drifts between the wing and the box and somehow only scores marvelous goals. His new challenge in Nephara gives the domestic fans fewer chances to witness the most inspiring (and cheeky) player of the selection, so expect them to be lining up.

Under Finchley, Jorgen Bjerkness rounds up the attacking trio. The talent of Fort Viljan had to show his skills coming off the bench in the World Cup qualifiers but still played a pivotal role in the results with a few decisive goals and assists. Originally an attacking midfielder, he will be making use of the spaces between defenders and midfielders with his movement and great first touch. His presence puts others on the bench, such as Dieter Scharf, a short ersatz playmaker who finds space when it doesn't exist. He is known as an einzelganger and a fremdkorper and rarely scores: and apparently that started to cost him. Still, he remains a good ace when the circumstances need someone patrolling the halfspaces. You can also expect minutes for ‘Danny’ Clark, who lost his starting spot despite some good performances. A lanky forward who scores with ease, Clark possesses the football IQ to pop up where he is needed. The brand-new Noordende signing operates close to Myrrheim, living off the balls that get pumped into that direction. The two remaining options are best characterized as role players. If Cap Nord finds themselves pinned to their own half, they can throw in lightning bolt Sangaré, but you have to make sure he uses the ball before running out of bounds. ‘The Jacker’ Jackson surpassed Fraser as the back-up for Myrrheim: his lack in style gets made up for in goals and work rate. Ideal for when ‘dirty’ is the only road left.

Shirt

Schedule

MDX    Against             Game at
MD1    Lozho               TBD
MD2    Saint Eleanor       TBD
MD3    Eshialand           TBD
MD4    Valentine Z         TBD
MD5    Aleirave            TBD

Stuff

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

Y to everything, but for heavy injuries or events with impact beyond the match on my players, contact me.
I will probably say yes, but want to share my input.

Style Modifier: 1.5

Tournament                  W   D   L   GF   GA    G+   Manager     Result

Campionato Esportiva 33     3   1   1    7    5    +2   Forseth     Quarterfinals
Baptism of Fire 79          6   1   1   17   10    +7   Forseth     Bronze medal        
World Cup 92 Qualifiers     9   5   6   38   32    +6   Forseth     6th out of 11
Cup of Harmony 84           1   1   2    6    8    -2   McEather    Eliminated in opening round

Campionato Esportiva 34     7   1   1   31   11   +20   McEather    Silver medal
Esportivan Derby Series 1   2   1   0    5    2    +3   McEather    
World Cup 93 Qualifiers    14   3   5   33   19   +14   McEather    4th out of 12

TOTAL                      42  13  16  137   87   +50

by **Naixi** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:44 am

This is a continuation of the storyline from World Cup 93 qualifying. Here is where that was left off.

Xi Wang stumbled forward, blood gushing from his stomach. Merchants everywhere along the wet street snatched up their wares and scurried away. A few startled bystanders screamed in horror.

Ohimi watched him as trails of smoke rose from the barrel of her service pistol. He'd made a sudden movement, jumping out from behind the dumpster, and she didn't think twice about gunning him down. The rain drizzled down as he sank to his hands and knees, clawing at himself. She lowered her weapon, and it was a slight shame that her first thought was "great, another trip to Internal Affairs." Kosirothi better have been right that he was carrying a gun, she thought.

"Freeze, or I'll shoot you again," she said as she strode across the street. "Do not move. You are under arrest."

Zhong Xian came screaming in on his motorbike. Obviously, he was concerned for Ohimi's safety - he'd read all the harrowing reports from the botched visit to the outfitter's shop in the Seaport District. He brought the vehicle screeching to a halt behind his senior colleague in the middle of the street, also drawing his gun.

"Do as she says. Do as she says, stop moving! Hands on the pavement!"

Xi Wang did as he was ordered as the two cops approached him. He looked up at them through the rain, hate in his eyes.

"Are you carrying a gun?" Detective Ohimi asked him matter-of-factly.

"Fuck... you..." he wheezed back at her.

"Want me to check him, boss?"

Nice to have uniform backing you up sometimes, thought Ohimi. If it meant he was doing the dirty work...

"Please do."

Xi Wang continued to groan as he shook on the damp pavement in child's pose. Zhong Xian began to pat him down. "I'm... not telling you... shit."

"Well, we're off to a great start, Xi Wang. See, I've got it on authority you're the supplier for an illegal football shirt replica selling operation. Who knows if it's true, could be true, could be false, could go either way as far as I'm concerned... but I certainly am going to need to ask you a few questions. And you're sitting here, probably bleeding to death - sure looks like I got you with a gut shot, tough luck, that - bleeding to death on the street and you get us started with 'I'm not telling you shit.' Doesn't make a detective feel optimistic."

"Fuck... you..." he barked out again in separate, belabored breaths.

"Gun," Zhong Xian muttered monotonously as he pulled a pistol from the perp's belt. "Big shock." Zhong Xian slid it away from Xi Wang along the concrete ground. Ohimi knelt to the ground, staring at Xi Wang.

"Well, I assume you've got all the appropriate paperwork for that, Xi Wang? Paperwork for a concealed weapon? Safe to assume you're the type of guy who does everything above board? Right? All of this can be explained, I'm sure?"

"Fuck..." But she cut him off.

"Yes, yes. Fuck me. Always fuck me." She turned to Zhong Xian. "Call the 3rd Precinct. Book him."

"You got it, Detective."

Ohimi holstered her gun as Zhong Xian began to read Xi Wang his rights. If Kosirothi was telling the truth, this guy didn't know anything about the CDs she'd found. But who knows. If he was as ominous and overbearing as Ohimi had been led to believe, maybe he knew a thing or two about the customers who regularly came through here trying to get a good deal on illegal merchandise. It was worth taking him in, treating his wound, and giving him a nice hefty interrogation.

The really valuable information was in poor Kosirothi's old, decaying brain, of course. Even if Ohimi could reassure her that she was being spoken to as a family friend, and not as a suspect, there were serious doubts already in the detective's mind about whether Kosirothi would be able to recall anything at all. Ohimi sadly turned back to the row of peddlers. Most of them were gone; at the sound of police firing sidearms they'd beat feet. But wait...

Kosirothi's stall was among the ones that had disappeared! A block and a half ahead, Ohimi spotted a trail of exhaust coming from a beat up old motorbike as it sped away. The old peddler had panicked, Ohimi realized with horror.

"Bike, bike!" Detective Ohimi shouted at Zhong Xian. "Give me your bike!" Zhong Xian looked up from the bleeding suspect, baffled. He numbly pulled his keys from his jacket pocket and tossed them through the precipitation to Ohimi. No sooner had the keys landed in her palm than her fingers were at the ignition. She felt the motorbike roar to life, and wheeled it around to pursue Kosirothi.

She gripped the handles hard and felt the Gs as she accelerated fast, the wheels skidding and squealing beneath her. Up ahead, Kosirothi had maneuvered herself up onto the sidewalk, and was dodging umbrella-wielding pedestrians at alarming speed. A large backpack kept Ohimi from being able to see her face, but Ohimi knew what the sidewalk maneuver meant. Kosirothi was going to try and take the pedestrian ramp and pass through the Basement Market.

The Basement Market was a tenuously open air flea market that ran daily on the basement level of a skyscraper. Access was pedestrian only, but you could walk from street level down a short ramp on any side of the block. Once there, it would be a mass of people hiding out from the rain. Kosirothi might get herself jammed behind a huge crowd... or she might manage to sneak through it and Ohimi would be the one getting stuck.

Sure enough, Ohimi watched as the old woman deftly maneuvered the motorbike down the ramp, her back wheel skidding and screaming as she went. A crowd of startled teenagers jumped, giggling at the deranged looking old woman in flight. Ohimi followed just seconds later, also successfully screeching onto the pedestrian ramp.

Up ahead, a huge crowd had obviously just parted as Kosirothi aggressively drove down a lane between market stalls. Ohimi pursued. Further along the walkway, however, the path narrowed as a smattering of irregularly-spaced out bars and grills occupied the middle of the market. A beer-carrying man involuntarily offered his beverage as a libation to the god of rain as he dodged Kosirothi's bike. The liquid was still in the air as Ohimi raced past, just behind. Now Kosirothi made a hard turn... and her back wheel slipped. She crashed into a seafood grill's row of tables, which luckily were all empty.

Ohimi prepared to hit the brakes and jump off to go and talk with Kosirothi. But it was no use - the old woman was already flinging a metal chair into Ohimi's path and starting off again towards the pedestrian exit. Ohimi dodged the obstruction, nearly crashing as she did. The owner of the seafood grill emerged from the kitchen in time to hoarsely scream an obscenity at her.

Ahead, the ramp upward offered Kosirothi an exit, but this stretch was perhaps the most crowded yet. It took several pumps of the brakes for the old street peddler to successfully weave through the throng of rain-soaked market-goers. But Ohimi, of course, had no choice but to dodge all the same idiots. Some of the people in the crowd shouted angrily at them - others just glared.

Kosirothi finally got her motorbike free and raced up the ramp, knocking another old woman to the ground in the process. Ohimi - who under normal circumstances would have stopped for the poor lady, raced past. She looked left and right and she emerged out into the rainy daylight again. Which way had Kosirothi gone? Right, she determined from the trail of mist and exhaust. It looked like her prey was headed for the bridge across the river to Hai's Ferry.

Furiously accelerating as she flung the bike into a tight right-hand turn, she followed. The road ahead wasn't very cluttered, which meant both women could push their bikes to the maximum speed. That benefitted the detective, whose bike was newly issued and well-cared-for, unlike the poor peddler. Slowly, Ohimi began to gain on her.

"Kosirothi!" Ohimi shouted over the sound of their engines. "Stop! Stop, I don't want to arrest you! I just want to talk!"

The old woman ignored her. She feinted that she was going to pass a slow-moving red sedan on the left, then zipped around to the car's right, jammed between the sedan and the sidewalk. Ohimi simply jumped the curb and followed on the sidewalk proper.

"Kosi! Wait!"

Again, she was ignored. Up ahead, both Kosirothi and Ohimi saw a long line of cars building up in the rainy street. It was the line to pay the bridge toll. Kosirothi normally would have just zoomed through the gaps between cars, but a green truck was trying to change lanes not too far into the log jam. There was no way through. Ohimi felt a thrill of optimism. If Kosirothi gave up on the bridge, she had nowhere further to run.

But the peddler executed a stunning maneuver to lift the front wheel of her motorbike up and jump over a low chain railing. Once clear, she raced the bike along a concrete barrier parallel to the movement of cars in the traffic jam. The barrier slowly rose in height as she raced her bike along the tightrope - the barrier couldn't have been more than a foot wide.

Ohimi didn't have the guts to try it. She brought her motorbike to a halt at the low chain railing. "Kosirothi, stop! It's too dangerous! Please stop!"

Kosirothi raced on ahead. The barrier continued to grow higher, and higher, and higher. On the side of the barrier opposite the traffic jam, a five-foot drop onto some bushes offered an escape hatch. On the side facing the street and the traffic, though, it was now a two story drop, and increasing with every passing meter. Ohimi watched, heart in her mouth. The concrete barrier would be interrupted by a gap for water drainage up ahead, a gap maybe ten feet wide. It was much too long for anybody to attempt a jump, let alone an old woman. Dread came over Ohimi.

"Please stop," she whispered into the rain. "Please don't try it."

Kosirothi raced ahead, seemingly pushing the engine even faster.

"Please stop," Ohimi said quietly, an inevitable sadness falling upon her. "Please."

Faster than her eyes could follow, Detective Ohimi watched as Kosirothi's bike slipped. Terror swept over her. She thought of what her mother and father would say if they knew the last scion of Clan Yithibo had died like this. She watched the rider tumble off of it. Which side of the damp concrete barrier had Kosirothi fallen onto?

by **Acastanha** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:37 pm

And Cup of Harmony We're Come

Beginning of the new year for Acastanha is started with gloom moment. The country's men national football team has failed to replicate their last edition success to advance into World Cup playoff. In the end of the exhausted qualifying process, Acastanha only manage to placed 4th in their respective group below Brenecia with only 3 points gap. The failure have give a great impact to the country's football fans. All of them are sad and disappointed. But yet, they are still have hope for their team to shine as Acastanha is invited to Cup of Harmony. The 85th Cup of Harmony which will be held in Graintfjall. This will be their 4th participations in the competition. Although the fans still remember how the team was crushed in the group stage of last edition Cup of Harmony. This becomes their worst Cup of Harmony campaign ever.

Acastanha enter the qualifying stage with a high spirit after their first international trophy at Mandalanusa Cup. The team made a clean sweep of 6 winning matches from group stage until the final. No extra time match and no penalty shootout. This winning streak was extended after their win against Novaros in the first match of World Cup qualifying stage. This result break their previous winning streak record during World Cup 92 qualifying stage with 6 consecutive wins. Their winning streak ends with a draw against Brenecia in the second match day of World Cup 93 qualifying stage. However, it was not until their 8th match against Vilita that the suffer their first lost. These resulted in a new record of 14 undefeated matches for the team. Their previous record was 11 undefeated matches which they achieved between World Cup 88 qualifying and 8th Melayu Archipelago Cup. The great running in the first half made the team seated at 3rd place with 22 points below Vilita and Pratapgadh. Their most notable match in the first half would be the draw against Brenecia. It was a surprise result for the team as they were facing the top 20 team. Although there were also some disappointment when they had a draw results against team that are far lower in rank than them. Super Top and Ile de Richelieu.

Starting the second half to the stage, the fans were overjoyed after the fact that Acastanha still managed to defend their position in third place. Although they were still worried because the gap with the lower position were quite narrow. The team once again success to hold Brenecia in a 4-4 draw match and managed to defeat Super Top. But a draw against Pratapgadh and losing to Delte in match 17th made them fall to 4th place although having the same point as Delte and below Vilita and Pratapgadh. The team back up in the 18th match day with a win against Ile de Richelieu. The result catapult the team into the runner up position. Their climbed position was also helped by other teams results as Delte and Pratapgadh match ended in a draw. But then the worst scenario happened. Acastanha was still a no match against Vilita. But the surprise defeat against Sajnur was what made the fans devastated. The double defeats pushed Acastanha down to 5th place. And with 2 matches left, it was a hard task for them. Visited Bears Armed in 21st match day, Acastanha failed to impressed. The team was forced to shared points after a 3-3 draw match. Despite they manage to win their last match against Pluvia and the Saxean Isles but it was not enough to secured playoff position.

And here we are in another edition of Cup of Harmony. The team is drawn into Group 6 together with Aeragny, Independent Athletes of Quebec, Cardenao, Saperetia and Xanneria. The most important part is Acastanha have never meet any of this teams. This will be the first match for Acastanha against all of the other team in their group. Based on the KPB ranking, Quebec, Cardenao and Xanneria are the two teams that Acastanha needs to be watch closely. Independent Athletes of Quebec is the top pot of the group while Cardenao and Xanneria are the closest in term of rank to Acastanha. Matches against these teams will be very tight and intense. In their first match, Acastanha already have to face one of them. Independent Athletes of Quebec is their first opponent. Like proverbs the first match is the decider, this match will be the stepping point for Acastanha to the rest of the competition.

by **Aleirave** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 8:14 pm

A New Start

OOC: This RP continues from my WCQ93 writings on Aleiravan history. You don't have to read them to understand this RP, but they'll provide some context as to what was taught in this class. I promise this will make sense on its own.

"And so, that is how history has shaped the island of Aleirave into what it is today... any questions from the class?"

A young man of eighteen years raises his hand in the back. "Yes, Ketereho?" the professor asked him.

"First up, Professor Te'ahori... I want to thank you so much for this course. Learning so much about our history... it's been such an eye-opener for me. There's so much I didn't know about!"

Professor Vake'ora Te'ahori still wasn't quite used to being complimented on her teaching... with everything that led up to this, she never thought she'd get this feeling.

When she was growing up, the realities of life meant that she'd never get to pursue a degree, as the Tereyev regime had blocked native Aleiravans from being able to get educated past high school. Despite that, she always wanted to get her hands on any information she could... and when Eshialand City University (go Sabercats!) offered her the chance to start up a program for Aleiravan history and culture, teaching a new generation of young Eshians about the people and tales of her island... there was no way in the world she could say no. After taking a couple of years to ensure she was fully qualified for the job, she started this program for the fall 2026 semester, and Ketereho Evatene, younger brother of the footballer Piheve, was her favorite student. Not that she was picking favorites, that would be unprofessional!

"My pleasure, Ketereho... I've always wanted to teach people about our past... so, what's your question?"
"I was just wondering how I could learn even more... go into a deep dive on this. I really wanna feel connected to our past, you know?"
"Well, I was right about to get to that! This program has a ton of directions you can go into, and this course really is just an overview..."

Professor Te'ahori fired up her projector, showing a variety of different courses in the program... there was her course, History 1230A "Introduction to Aleiravan History", a couple of other first-year courses to take in semester 2, like 1231B "Introduction to Aleiravan Culture" and 1531B "Government and Island: How Politics Shaped Today's Aleirave"... second year had some deep dives into specific time periods, like 2306 "Early Aleiravan Society", and 2419 "Razdeleniye's Impacts on Tereyev Aleirave"... third year had quite a lot of niche topics, covering courses such as 3112A "The Leviaha Clique and Later Royal Decline" and 3157 "Differences between Aleiravan and Maryansk Klysevian Cultures"... and as for fourth year? That was the juiciest of all, with hands-on research being done. 4261 "The Origins of the Early Chiefdoms", 4350 "The Fate of the Kia'u People" and 4421 "Comparisons Between Aleirave and Other Island Cultures - The Origins of the Aleiravan People".

All of this knowledge... it was all so enthralling to young Ketereho. He'd be going back to Aleirave for the winter holidays with a renewed sense of purpose. A course that started as testing the waters of what he wanted to learn at university had become a new passion: he was going to learn everything there was to learn about his island's past.

Haulafo Paka'ula was standing next to Kenneth Morgan at the Eshian Soccer Federation head office, watching the Cup of Harmony draw in disbelief.

"This... you've got to be kidding me."
"The TV doesn't lie, Haulafo..."
"The group... it just can't be this. Like... no way."
"Well, I'm not going to lie, Haulafo, I had brought you here to invite you to play in a friendly cup in Atheara with us. Just a couple of rival nations, duking it out for fun and seeing old friends... but I suppose we'll be playing each other after all, won't we?"

There was an awkward silence as Haulafo still couldn't believe the draw. "Kenny?" he said a minute or so later.
"Yeah?"
"You're going down. Lahaira Style..."
"Hey hey, let's save the trash-talking for after lunch."

"Kenny, that looks so tacky... you can't really suggest that be the official group tracker for all the fans at home, right?"
"Watch me, Haulafo."

by **Brookstation** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:11 am

ALEXANDER WARD AND THE RESURRECTION OF HER MAJESTY, QUEEN CHARLEMAGNE

Many might question the significance of a name, something which seems extremely irrelevant under normal circumstances. But, let us consider, Queen Charlemagne, the rock-cum-metal band that was crafted with the musical brilliance of Alexander Ward way back in 1999. In its initial stages, Queen Charlemagne was more of an experimental group of session musicians. In fact the only member who remained consistent and played in every session of the band was Mr. Ward himself. Ward’s musical genius cannot be simply described in words. It was the prolificacy and edginess of his imagination that marked the changes in Queen Charlemagne’s albums over the year.

Like every sad story, the fairy tale of Queen Charlemagne had its sad end as well. In 2014, Ward disbanded the band, citing the immense pressure and the irregularity in its sessions as the reason behind the mishap, promising however, that in the future he would work on single projects. In the course of the last few years, Alexander Ward performed, sitting in a chair, carefully playing his electric guitar, producing great riffs for usually outnumbered audiences.

This month, Queen Charlemagne makes his return for its performance in Tikariot’s Paladon Open Air Festival. The resurrected line-up of the band includes many changes, including Mr.Ward himself and the original drummer Chris Klim who had been a part of the band till 2014. The other members are Malcolm Dewick, the bassist who had gained quite some fame with Nyman’s Flying Mattress, and guitarist Scott Dunn, one of Dreamland’s most acclaimed session guitarist cum singer. Tickets for the Paladon Festival were already selling at an exorbitant rate and with the inception of Queen Charlemagne in the festival, tickets have been sold throughout Brookstation and moreover, Queen Charlemagne has announced the release of their new album, “Behaviour.”

All this hype about Queen Charlemagne’s resurrection, the release of an album, the performance at the Paladon Festival should be mildly engrossing, if not disappointing for anyone who has followed Alexander Ward’s musical career after the band’s dissolution. Ward had initially disbanded Queen Charlemagne due to the significant increase in stadium performances and tours, which had taken a toll on the band’s album productions and had apparently created a bar of separation between the band and the audience. From then onwards, Ward began to perform as a solo guitarist in planned atmospheres to rebuild the bridge between the performer and the audience, playing in a delayed system to build up blocks of musical notes to achieve the final masterpiece. He termed his own system of playing intimate guitar riffs as Alexanderock, a funny name indeed, having found no other alternative to satisfy his ego. However, he also credited the invention of Alexanderock to his college friend, Dave Prowse, who has been closely following the band ever since its creation.

Unfortunately, Alexanderock ended up as a kind of a failure, as Mr. Ward could not energize the album enough, making the album a weird combination of boring and slow paced riffs. Alexanderock was only the first step of his plan. The next involved the formation of a band in 2017. The band would include Ward’s sinuous, melodic guitar riffs covered by the creative work of Kiril Puccini on the keyboard.

Hardly had the plan reached its initial stages when the members of the band went in different ways. This had left Mr. Ward no other option but to create another band. That band would be an arrangement of talented musicians that had pleased him so much recently that he just could not think of an alternative than to perform together. And there couldn’t be a better name for the band than Queen Charlemagne. Ward says that this entire process, the reunion was just a date with destiny. He saw it as an opportunity to again appeal to a much larger audience than he had been performing for in the course of the last few years. It was his plan to return into the stream of rock and experimental metal.

For Ward, “Behaviour” would be his third album to release this year, all three of his albums representing one stage of his plan after retirement. “Lime”, which released early in January is nothing but an improvement of Alexanderock, perhaps Mr. Ward’s least successful album till now. “Coffee Break” released by Ward’s temporary band is set to release in a month, although few doubt its international clout. But “Behaviour” is going to be distributed by Brookstation’s largest record company and the performance in the Paladon Festival will hopefully act as a catalyst to the sales of the new album.

Ward did receive quite some criticism for reviving the name Queen Charlemagne, but as far as rock and metal is considered, people are always on the look for new music. It’s the quality of the music that matters, not the commercial marketing behind it. Mr. Ward’s last few albums are intricately linked to each other with each one providing a hint to the next. “Lime”, the second of Ward’s albums based on Alexanderock is the music that, according to Dave Prowse can fold time and space through sound to reach imaginary universes. The music is suitable to any atmosphere, you can dream to it, drive to it or even study to it. The complex and subdued simplicity of melodic notes build up the very structure of this music and the efficient and prolific style of play makes it more appealing and optimistic, bearing a close resemblance to the works of the famous Brook composer Robert Poly.

On “Coffee Break”, Ward and his small team applied a similar recipe to cook new music on a more rhythmic and confusing line. The ingredients worked perfectly and the result was a remarkably attractive and tangential rock, although the idea of inserting muffled dialogues between Ward and his team during recording sessions was not a good idea and it did scar parts of the album. Ignoring the little dialogues however, the album is an example of “good music”, something which has receded into the background in today’s world of fast paced music.

Queen Charlemagne always had a vocalist in their line-up, originally Stefano Mazzini who left the group and established himself with the group Antarctic Home, and the original lyrics of the band were elaborate and not always creative productions of Liam Palmer. The new incarnation of Queen Charlemagne does not include a special vocalist as such but the job of singing the Ward composed songs were put on guitarist Scott Dunn.

The skills of the musicians in the re incarnation of Queen Charlemagne is very high. Chris Klim is one of his kind, a stunning drummer and he has the ability to blend perfectly with the bass riffs provided by Malcolm Dewick, although Dewick has been absent from the music scene for many years now. Lastly, there is the impressive guitar duo of Ward and Dunn, a pair of enthralling electric guitarists who possess the ability to play so many radical techniques and subsequently make use of several devices to modify the sound into a bark of a hungry dog, the chirping of birds, a cry of anguish and what not. The plan for the next album is basically an extension of Mr. Ward’s explored works in “Lime” and “Coffee Break”.

The new songs of Queen Charlemagne don’t work in today’s modern theme but when the four maestros recreate pure nostalgia, it evokes memories of warm summer afternoons, hanging out in the backyard and just having fun. It puts the listener into a rhythmic chasm, slowly charging ahead with its electric riffs, which in simple terms is irresistible. The release of the new album is going to be a massive hit for lovers of pure music and it can very well serve as the introduction to the following works of Queen Charlemagne. For the Paladon Festival, the band will take a slightly different approach, playing its earlier more metallic songs to blend with the theme of the festival. If Alexander Ward can successfully sell his newly crafted album properly in the market, just by the resurrection of a name, let glory fall upon him.

by **Ile de Richelieu** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 3:05 am

Cup of Harmony preview

Port-Saint-Jean, Île de Richelieu - It's not a surprise that Île de Richelieu failed to qualify for the World Cup. As a consolation prize, we've been invited to the 85th Cup of Harmony. The Cardinals finished the qualifiers in 9th place in group 11. Our record - 5 wins, 7 draws and 10 losses - wasn't bad for a first time nation. We had draws against Acastanha (matchday 7), Vilita (matchday 10) and Delte (matchday 19). We also beat Pluvia (matchday 13) and some weak nations.

The cardinals are in group 5 with Ziwana, Baggieland, Audioslavia, Qasden and Sendhang. Audioslavia is probably the best nation in the group but the other nations aren't bad either. Île de Richelieu, as a first time participant, will have a hard time against these nations.

Here is our schedule:

Matchday 1: at Ziwana
Matchday 2: vs Qasden
Matchday 3: at Baggieland
Matchday 4: vs Sendhang
Matchday 5: at Audioslavia

Note: All games are played in Græntfjall.

Ziwana was ranked 82nd before the qualifications and will be a though opponent. We can't see Île de Richelieu beating them. On matchday 2, we face Qasden, ranked 105th pre-qualifications. We'd be happy if we can get a draw but let's be realistic, it's gonna be another loss. Baggieland was ranked 71st before qualifications, which means another loss on matchday 3. Sendhang on matchday 4 means another loss, they were ranked 46th before the start of the qualifications. Our Cup of Harmony will end with a loss against the 33rd ranked Audioslavia on matchday 5.

Group 5 predictions:

1. Audioslavia
2. Sendhang
3. Ziwana
4. Baggieland
5. Qasden
6. Île de Richelieu

For the Cup of Harmony, Île de Richelieu will use the same roster as we used in the World Cup qualifications. No injuries and no suspensions for matchday 1 against Ziwana.

Jean-Guy Laframboise

by **Baggieland** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 3:44 am

by **Atheara** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:07 am

A New Manager for the Final Dance

Everything was going smoothly for The Blue Guard. They were just training and preparing themselves for the upcoming Cup of Harmony, which they all know will be Mugel's and Zimmerman's last ever international tournament. And that is exactly the reason why everyone want's to make it count. These two have given their all for the national team, Mugel especially. Zack who recently won the league in Ziwana along with Zakaria was practicing shooting up against Mikel, a good part of the centerbacks were training with possession and defensive manuevering, Mryzlav and Krisseo along with Zeeke and Terez were training on their crossing and receiving them. The mood at the training grounds was relatively positive amongst the players, which was a good thing.

Their first match in their group for the Cup of Harmony was against the nation of Gnejs. Their group consists of a few new nations they will be facing in the form of the aformentioned Gnejs and Srubnaya Culture. New Gelderland will also be an interesting opponent, but Atheara has set it's eyes on the two large fish in the group. Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, along with Drawkland. A rematch against these two nations was certainly going to be an interesting event. But that wasn't the only interesting thing for Atheara this time around, as the FFA had organized a small friendly cup with forever rivals Eshialand and fellow Anaians in Aleirave. Good thing was that this friendly cup would be happening in Atheara, which will be a nice touch.

One player who was minding his own business by training more on his ball control was Jeremy Duncace, not minding anyone right now. As he continued controlling the ball to his best capabilities, he saw the manager of the team in Kristian Johansson along with someone he doesn't recognize. They don't seem to be Athearan, so what were they doing here? As Johansson and the mysterious man went onto the side of the pitch, Kristian clapped to gain everyone's attention. The entire team stopped what they were all doing and headed to their manager and the man. Once everyone was there, Kristian cleaaned up a few things by saying, "Everyone, meet Pîyár Wíndýândélângó. He's Rulandese and he's from Farfadillis. He'll be the second assistant manager now."

Everyone was in curiousity. A second assistant manager, from Farfadillis no less? That was certainly interesting and they all had a guess on who was able to pull the strings for this. Frankly there was only one person that could have likely done so. As a good part of the players were asking questions and whatnot, four were in a bit of thought. Mikel, Zack, Krisseo, and surprisingly Alfadi. Looking around... Mugel was actually nowhere to be found. They know Zimmerman had finished training earlier as is his usual habit. "I don't see Mugel anywhere, he's the only one to pull something like this." Alfadi stated, glancing around. "Mikel, you're his brother aren't you? Do you know where he is?" Krisseo asked in a bit of thought. Mikel shrugged as he said, "He is out somewhere for something. I don't know what though, my brother's a bit like that at times." Zack nodded at what Mikel said. "We'll just have to wait then."

In Atheara's history and more importantly Nordcalia - Gestova's history, there have been eight royal houses that have served a longtime purpose to the two (Or three depending on how you view Nordcalia - Gestova) nations. There are also four royal houses that may not be as recognized as the eight, but served an equally important role to the entire history of the Republic and the United Kingdom. For Nordcalia, the four houses that hailed from their land were The House of Kallen (Hence the name of the city of Kallen), The House of Askador, The House of Rosarya, and The House of Nisteryn. They helped Nordcalia's rise from the ashes and eventually were the front runners in supporting the unification of The Kingdom of Nordcalia and The Kingdom of Gestova.

Meanwhile as for Gestova, their four houses were The House of Ryunjaegr, The House of Fierrevanturo, and the two more prominent ones in this era in The House of Scharlund and The House of Krygorf (Yes, a surprise. The Krygorf name is historic, hence their fame). These houses had helped Gestova's long running tradition of staying dominant before the unification and always had a sense of purpose for the nation excluding the Krygorfs who rarely ever wanted to be involved in a nation's politics, their own included. Eventually when the Kingdoms of Nordcalia and Gestova united to become The United Kingdom of Nordcalia - Gestova, four more houses joined along their way. These four houses being The House of Shiranoko, The House of Chanetrovadetsk, The House of Harzensyah and The House of Kalcazette.

One thing that these houses had agreed upon in the past and still do from time to time is a meeting among the heirs and parents to remember what they all have done for the betterment and for the cause of their nation... Which today would be Atheara. Considering Nordcalia - Gestova was a galactic empire, each house had at one point, a part of their family join in the journey for expansion which has lead to Atheara also housing many of the descendants of the original houses. And thus to follow the tradition, one of the houses stated that they want to host a meeting. The location? The city of Hellen Savetsk. One thing to know is that while The House of Kallen run the city of Kallen, one of the other houses own the city of Hellen Savetsk. There was no objection.

And that is how Mugel Krygorf, Captain of the Athearan National Football Team ended up here in the city of Hellen Savetsk, home of Athearan Street Racing. Bearing the Krygorf name was certainly a bit of a burden at times and he had the right to deny coming because of the Krygorf's tradition of not following whatever everyone else wanted, but he decided to chime in. And that was when he realized that he was the oldest out of every other first heir. Not that he didn't mind of course, but it was a bit odd being the oldest one... But perhaps that may be a good thing because some of the other heirs want several things to be set straight in this meeting. While Mugel was the heir for The House of Krygorf, some of the other heirs were rather interesting.

For the houses of Nordian Origin, there was:
Sarelcia Kallen for The House of Kallen, accompanied by her three younger siblings Feryse, Donvalt and Izar because she was on babysitting duty.
Matthias Dorsen Askador for The House of Askador, who came here alone.
Reuna Van De Rosarya for The House of Rosarya, who came here alone.
Belcari Van Nisteryn for The House of Nisteryn, accompanied by her younger twin Venna because the two are inseparable.

For the houses of Gestovan Origin, there was:
Arthur Ryunjaegr for The House of Ryunjaegr, who came here alone.
Christian Fierrevanturo for The House of Fierrevanturo, accompanied by his younger brother Daniel because he wanted to join in.
Cecilia Scharlund for The House of Scharlund, accompanied by her girlfriend Hanna Ocherbeth because of... Not sure why.
Mugel Krygorf for The House of Krygorf, who came here alone.

For the houses that came from neither predecessor, there was:
Atakara Shiranoko - Hatsuari for The House of Shiranoko, who came here alone.
Enzo Chanetrovadetsk for The House of Chanetrovadetsk, who came here alone.
Kariyan Van Harzensyah for The House of Harzensyah, accompanied by his wife Ottevia Van De Tsurdewigt because he can't leave her alone.
Pascallyn Kalcazette for The House of Kalcazette, accompanied by her personal butler because she's paralyzed.

All of the houses were known for many different things. Such as the Scharlunds and the Fierrevanturos being known to be involved in military affairs and the Krygorfs known for being a household name not just in a historical sense, but also in sports... Mainly football though. All of the other houses were known for a lot of other different things such as the Kalcazettes known for their musicaly capabilities and composing songs, the Ryunjaegrs known for their record keeping and dozens of involvements relating secretary duties, the Kallens known for being rather religious and also being heavily involved in domestic motorsports. All of them were so different yet so similar, in that they all now serve under one flag. One nation that is Atheara.

The meeting itself was actually rather simple. All the heirs of the houses agreed that they would continue to give service to their nation however they can, and that their loyalty shall not be questioned. Cecilia's current status along with Hanna being vessels for the nation and being, well, gay (Not that it was a bad thing) should stay in their own mind of thought, the Krygorf name will continue to stay involved only in sports as per their history and tradition, among with a lot of other things. The meeting ended up with all of the heirs and whoever came with them as accomplices socializing with eachother. The ones that didn't do much social interaction was Mugel, Cecilia, and Reuna which was a surprise considering the Rosaryas were known for being social butterflies.

Funny enough these three, along with Hanna ended up talking a lot with eachother. Although it does seem rather suspicious when you look at it without context, it's rest assured nothing was weird. The four got along... Decently well you could say. It's not often Mugel interacts with people who are equal to his importance, but this is one of those scenarios. Ranging from games to romance to the type of drink they'd have if their night ever got bad, it was nice for once to not worry about his career. Speaking of his career, Reuna asked him this. "So, well Krygorf. You're the oldest out of all of us and your career as a footballer is coming to an end. What's next for Atheara's Footballing Saviour?" She had asked of him, rather curiously.

He answered rather specifically. "Coaching, probably. I still want to contribute to the team, and that will be how. I'll take a cycle or two off to focus on coaching, learning and getting experience before I will myself into it. It won't be easy, as is many things... But I'm certain I can do it." While there was a few more interesting tidbits during his time, everyone sooner or later parted ways. The Rosarya had actually asked for everyone's numbers so all the heirs can keep in touch, and Mugel gave his. He was actually one of the last people to leave the area, as he headed towards the training grounds which will take a while as he was taking the train instead of plane. It seems all the houses were still going fine, and he wanted it to stay that way.

by **Saint Eleanor** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:02 pm

World Cup 93 - playoff, second leg
Saint Eleanor 1 (Christina Fulton goal 84')
Brenecia 0

Notes

Shirts: visualised to your right.

Race and ethnicity: Pazorzal [ethnically Sochean], taFrexala and weMexala [ethnically Gladom Newion] are black. Hollenberg is white [but half-Tinhamptonian through her mum, half-Atoccian through her dad; never mind that they are almost identical shades of white anyway]. All others are white [and ethnically Tinhamptonian].

No drama: Eleanorians play football the way they're entirely convinced it's meant to be played. No gloves (goalies excepted), no long-sleeved thermal underthings, no obnoxiously-coloured boots, absolutely no cutting off the bottoms of their socks and sticky-taping a new one on, and no unjustified whinging, moaning or faking: just getting on with the job, having "fun," and trying to win somehow. Some call it non-league standard. Others call it dour, evangelical Christianity (never mind only 70% of the population believes it). We call it one of the thirty best forms of football in the world. Trust us; the WCC says so. It even won us the last Cup of Harmony...

Additional information: The names of all players and staff in the Biography section are hyperlinks to their interviews with Jamie Rodgers, where available; they should not be treated as part of this roster.

How to read my roster's short list: Every position in the short list has a colour code: goalkeepers are orange; defenders red; midfielders green; strikers blue; managers purple; assistant managers pink. Major palmares (WC, CoH, BoF ----- CAFA, AOCAF, CR, CE, IAC ----- CL/CC, ChC/GC, AT, CWC, LBCT/SBCC, RSC/YC) are in golden yellow, and - for staff - distinguished by whether won as a [P]layer, [M]anager or [A]ssistant manager; witness Priscilla Evans.
Names of players who ~~remember~~ survived WC91 are in bold as an emergency measure until we qualify for another one. Why? History! Heritage! Fame! Positive Vibes! Wanting to qualify for another one so I don't have to do this every fucking time! I shouldn't say that, Electrum will hate me. And Priscilla Evans. That girl loves the Cup of Harmony so much...

Timestamp: This roster was ICly issued on 3rd July 2004, the day after the end of the World Cup groups and twenty days before the start of the CoH in the Eleanorian timeline. All data is accurate as of that date, although clubs remain accurate as of January 2003. (ICly due to a rare SEFA recordkeeping L. OOCly because I have literally just finished all of my NT-adjacent business in TW39, the transfer window that will happen between 2002 and 2003 in Eleanorian canon.)

Roleplay Permissions: Yes, but...

No wholesale changes of the Eleanorian squad ("wholesale" being whatever I define as wholesale - but please don't be afraid to start or bring on a few listed subs)
No more than two red cards or other forms of ruling players out per match, unless I send you a telegram (via Saint Eleanor) or Discord message (via Tinhampton#7402) to the contrary
No injuries outside the groups and last sixteen (inclusive), and even then no longer than one game, again unless I say otherwise
Please no other violations of bodily autonomy. Yes, that means no deaths too, here or elsewhere in Saint Eleanor. Or of Eleanorians elsewhere :P
No trying to remove the manager, her assistant, or Eleanorian government officials from office (this includes no giving my staff members, named or unnamed, red or yellow cards - an area of the IRL Laws of the Game which I strongly disagree with on principle)
Absolutely no destruction of Saint Eleanor or significant areas thereof
The Eleanorian media - especially SESB and The Reporter - reserves the right to fact-check obviously false claims about Evans, Mitcham junior, and their players
Eleanorians do not take part in anthem protests, taking the knee or other similar political gestures in or around matches - but can, and sometimes do, speak their minds off the pitch

Style Modifier: -1.093

THE SAINT ELEANOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

ROSTER FOR THE 85^TH CUP OF HARMONY
To be held in Græntfjall

Home kit: All black
Away kit: White shirts with a blue sash from the bottom-left to the top-right, white shorts, white socks
Goalkeeper kit: All green

UP THE WHITE STARS!
Short list of players

Typical starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
.GK. .CoH84. John BAILEY (he/him; Independence 1975; born 31st July 1968)
.LB. .CoH84. Cathy WINCHESTER (she/her; Independence 1975; born 29th August 1978)
.RB. .CoH84. Exandra DAVIES (she/her; Jolbonopolis United [Quebec and Shingoryeo]; born 18th June 1974)
.CB. .CoH84. Sam NEWBRIDGE (he/him; Grand Beach; born 20th October 1974)
.CB. .CPT. .CoH84. Liam WEST (he/him; Independence 1975; born 1st March 1967)
.CDM. .CoH84. Bridget COOMBE (she/her; Latrobe Athletic [Kelssek]; born 2nd November 1975)
.LM. .CoH84. David NEWCASTLE (he/him; Independence 1975; born 22nd April 1974)
.CDM. .CoH84. Sylvia HOLLENBERG (she/her; Energija-Nuklearna [Mytanija]; born 29th May 1981)
.ST. .CoH84. Dekamela weMEXALA (she/her; Occidental Olympic; born 5th May 1975)
.CAM. .CoH84. Steve PILCHARD (he/him; Occidental Olympic; born 8th September 1977)
.RM. .VCPT. .CoH84. Jessica MARTIN (she/her; Sword and Shield; born 14th March 1971; takes setpieces)

Substitutes (depth chart):
.RM. .CoH84. Tim BRANDON (he/him; Grand Beach; born 9th February 1976)
.GK. .CoH84. Georgia WOOD (she/her; Golden Unicorn; born 15th April 1972)
.LM. .CoH84. Hugh ROANOKE (he/him; Sword and Shield; born 23rd June 1975)
.CM. .CoH84. Lydia NICHOLLS (she/her; Hiyashi Celestia; born 11th October 1980)
.CB. .CoH84. Esther LAUNCESTON (she/her; Athletic Saint Eleanor; born 30th June 1981)
.ST. .CoH84. Adam DENBY (he/him; Olympic Thessia [Mytanija]; born 13th April 1974)
.CB. .CoH84. Aaron FRANCIS (he/him; Golden Unicorn; born 3rd September 1976)
.CM. .CoH84. Harriet WILLIAMS (she/her; Athletic Saint Eleanor; born 3rd August 1969)
.RB. .CoH84. Naresmet taFREXALA (he/him; Athletic Saint Eleanor; born 11th December 1976)
.LB. Christina FULTON (she/her; Grand Beach; born 13th February 1978)
.ST. Rick GOLDSMITH (he/him; Hiyashi Celestia; born 11th August 1980)
.GK. .CoH84. Arielle RICHARDSON (she/her; Sword and Shield; born 10th March 1981)
.CB. .CoH84. LCpl. Denise LIVINGSTON (she/her; Army and Navy; born 7th August 1981)
.CM. .CoH84. Natalie MONACO (she/her; Golden Unicorn; born 21st September 1976)
.ST. .CoH84. Melcheta PAZORZAL (he/him; Golden Unicorn; born 18th August 1972)

Members of staff:
.MG. .CoH73[P], CoH84[M]. Priscilla EVANS (she/her; Tinhamptonian national; age 47)
.AMG. .CoH84[A]. Ltn. Stephen MITCHAM (he/him; age 38)
Biographies (written by Jamie Rodgers, chief football correspondent of Saint Eleanor State Broadcasting)

1: John Bailey --- position: goalkeeper --- age: 35 (born 31/07/1968) --- club: Independence 1975 [EXT] --- height: 6ft1in (185cm)
coffee preference: "coffee" --- appearance: neat, short black hair; blue eyes; facial hair all over, but only a little bit --- parental occupations: died fighting for Eleanorian independence (father); primary school teacher (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: an astonishingly tenured Army man
Possibly the greatest goalkeeper in Indy's history - a constant in the team whether they've been challenging for the title, winning three in a row or struggling for the IFCF spots - the secret to Bailey's success is that he's actually a goalkeeper. He seldom ventures off his line when it isn't necessary, partially in keeping with the Eleanorian tradition that the people most readily capable of dealing with problems should do so and partially out of fear of being unnecessarily lobbed or rounded from Margaret knows how many yards out. When it is, he does, with great success. Nothing else needs to be said.

2: Cathy Winchester --- position: leftback --- age: 25 (born 29/08/1978) --- club: Independence 1975 [EXT] --- height: 5ft3in (160cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: short blonde hair, but not really that short; blue eyes --- parental occupations: real estate agent (father); housewife (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: working a variety of temp jobs and internships while waiting to inherit the family business
Winchester is, by this point, a cult hero among supporters of club and country alike: a nailed-on starter for the Liberators despite their recent troubles, she has also proven her worth for the national team (although some might argue that her winner against Juvencus in the playoffs last cycle tips the scale well in her favour). Despite only having taken up football as a hobby aged nine, she has proven herself to be strong in making passes, cutting them out, and, of course, stopping them from ever happening. These might look like the fundamentals, but to misquote Derek Pittam, she is "a midfielder in completely the wrong place" - which is a compliment, not an insult. Ignore the fact he tried to change her mind about positions to no avail.

3: Exandra Davies --- position: rightback --- age: 30 (born 18/06/1974) --- club: Jolbonopolis United [née Winnipeg United; QUE] --- height: 5ft8in (173cm)
coffee preference: milk and two sugars --- appearance: long, super-curly, obviously-dyed-peroxide-blonde hair; brown eyes --- parental occupations: rubbish disposal worker (father); supermarket cashier (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: the guitarist-slash-frontwoman of a punk rock band that's completely unknown beyond south-east Saint Eleanor city. And maybe Jolbonopolis, too.
Some footballers are sensible enough to be all-rounders. Davies is crazy enough to be an all-rounder. Despite keeping to rightback, she is unquestionably competent at just about everything that could be expected, and unexpected, of her: man-marking, woman-marking, person-marking, tackling, dribbling, passing, shooting... okay, so her idea of some of those concepts might be different to yours. She has her superstitions - most infamously among them the pre-match half-satsuma - but claims "it doesn't matter if I forget about them for whatever reason." Although she does appear to have forgotten about long-time girlfriend and one-time Good Hope Club teammate Charlotte Bryant while in Quebec and is now onto Rachaelle Hernandez, a local 24-year-old who just so happens to be an up-and-coming MMA fighter. Just don't get into too many arguments, okay?

4: Sam Newbridge --- position: centreback --- age: 29 (born 20/10/1974) --- club: Grand Beach [EXT] --- height: 5ft10in (178cm)
coffee preference: standard-issue black --- appearance: very short black hair; brown eyes; more than a bit of stubble --- parental occupations: kitchen staff at Grand Beach's Willis fried chicken shack (father); bank teller (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: voted one of the top fifteen most unemployable bouncers in Anaia
Calm, refined, more distributive than anything... not a chance. Newbridge still has his reputation as Grand Beach's enforcer for almost a decade - despite his best attempts to chill his style in recent seasons - with his simple-minded physicality, somewhat more complex-minded ball-winning skills, and very occasional outbursts proving to be a furiously relaxing break from the typically mellow pace of Eleanorian defending. It's not quite Enigma Armageddon or Alex Keane levels of "what the fuck?", but it gets the job done, it's worse than Paul Ferry would have ever considered, and - at this stage in the national team's development - is a nailed-on starter on the few occasions he does happen to be available.

5: Liam West [captain] --- position: centreback --- age: 37 (born 01/03/1967) --- club: Independence 1975 [EXT] --- height: 6ft0in (183cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: mildly scruffy blonde hair; blue eyes; reasonably-sized beard --- parental occupations: garden equipment store worker (father); hotel receptionist (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: the full-time manager of that little shop back home in Carpentersville
West, arguably the most well-respected footballer in Eleanorian history, has already announced that he will retire from national team duties after this Cup of Harmony... even if they win again. This is not because he has been completely shorn of his sparkle or even that he has been exposed as a poor leader: far from it. His peak performances are starting to get behind him, although you cannot deny that he is still an excellent, conservative-minded defender who prefers to tease and distract opposing strikers - often with great success - rather than just snatch the ball off them. If you're wondering what's coming next for the national team, Esther Launceston is almost universally tipped to take over his starting spot next cycle - and his colleagues have already elected to replace him as captain with the inimitable and much-beloved...

6: Bridget Coombe --- position: defensive midfielder; actually wouldn't be that bad as a centreback --- age: 28 (born 02/11/1975) --- club: Latrobe Athletic [KSK] --- height: 5ft11in (180cm)
coffee preference: green tea with a drop of honey --- appearance: brown ponytail; brown eyes; unshakable glow of positivity --- parental occupations: retired Army sergeant (father); secondary school philosophy teacher (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: a science teacher at the Parkside Community School
Upon her first callup for the national team, Jim Paterson of The News Letter, eastern Saint Eleanor city's local newspaper, likened Coombe to "a liberal arts student stranded in an advanced calculus class." This was always unfair - she has a 2:1 in physics from the University - but is now almost laughably inaccurate. The Parksider was held in extraordinarily high regard while she was still at Olympic, with her physical strength, defensive solidity, creative proficiency - and very occasional goals (although they were, admittedly, very big ones most of the time) - and, despite an early rocky spell in the KFL Championship, has avoided subsequent embarrassment on the domestic stage. Not only that, but she has seemingly had the unwavering trust of Priscilla Evans the whole time, will become the team's second-ever captain next cycle, and was at her quietly scintillating best at the last Cup of Harmony. Possibly her best so far, at current rates.

7: David Newcastle --- position: left midfielder --- age: 30 (born 22/04/1974) --- club: Independence 1975 [EXT] --- height: 5ft9in (175cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: normal, short black hair; brown eyes; clean-shaven --- parental occupations: garage mechanic (father); cleaner (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: carrying out unauthorised third-party repairs on really big and fancy electronics
Newcastle has asserted at multiple press conferences that "my parents taught me attention to detail," but it's definitely there no matter who put it in him. His ability to swing the ball into the box, swipe it across the other end, slide it across the floor a few yards, run with the ball for a few seconds, or even just try his luck from a distance is strong; so strong, in fact, that most people barely even notice them, despite the fact he's been a regular starter at all levels for a little over five years by now. Those who pay attention might - and do - call him "boring," but his big moments are either too inadvertently entertaining or far too nerve-wracking for that label to be merited in any way.

8: Sylvia Hollenberg [H.R.H. Princess Sylvia of Atoccia] --- position: defensive midfielder; also nifty at CM --- age: 23 (born 29/05/1981) --- club: Energija-Nuklearna [MYT] --- height: 5ft9in (175cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: short blonde hair ("a break from decades of royal tradition"); blue eyes --- parental occupations: the King and Queen of Atoccia
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: representing the Atoccian royal family on business much less important than the World Cup
Some royals are born into celebrity status. Hollenberg got there through hard work, routine Challengers' Cup heartbreak, lots of coffee and bloody-minded persistence. If you think that sounds quite unlike her, you'd be right: she's more conservative as a player - and perhaps a person - in general, being adept at breaking up play (sometimes perceptively, very occasionally by force) and starting it back up again, staying away from audacious passes and one-in-a-bazillion shots... and being relatively good in the air, if needs must. Energija-Nuklearna, a fallen giant of the Mytanar game with one of the country's most openly racist and fascist fanbases, is an unlikely post-University destination - and, for those reasons, a challenging one. But then the princess is always up for a challenge.

9: Dekamela weMexala --- position: striker --- age: 29 (born 05/05/1975) --- club: Occidental Olympic [EXT] --- height: 6ft0in (183cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: long, braided black hair; brown eyes --- parental occupations: barista at Parkside's Premium Coffee shop (father); forklift driver (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: the single most productive logistics worker in Eleanorian history
Much like Corporal Aidan Harris, her predecessor in this role, weMexala is fairly slow, astonishingly strong but fair, the kind of person who'd rather get on with the job than talk about it - and one of very few starters who can even dream about winning in a one-on-one header situation. Unlike Harris, she has a potentially bright few years ahead of her, isn't inexplicably injury-prone, likes setting up her fellow attackers when necessary (increasingly rare though this may be), and actually takes her shots. In short, a good old-fashioned goal poacher, and one effectively at the peak of her powers (which might be a relief to long-suffering fans who've trudged through more poor qualifiers than you can count). The attacking midfielder, more likely than not clubmate Steve Pilchard, should remain the main beneficiary from this arrangement... possibly to the disdain of the more dynamic or less tested figures that Evans also has at her disposal.

10: Steve Pilchard --- position: attacking midfielder (again... at last) --- age: 26 (born 08/09/1977) --- club: Occidental Olympic [EXT] --- height: 5ft6in (168cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: short but slightly unkempt blonde hair; brown eyes; almost clean-shaven --- parental occupations: groundskeeper at the Liberators' Park (father); housewife (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: part of the front-of-house staff at a trendy independent café
Now one of only two household names with the Olympic squad (with weMexala), Pilchard is by now as close as you can get to being a nailed-on starter for the national team. This was only consolidated after a few sub-par performances as a standard central midfielder during the early stages of the last qualifiers, forcing Evans to push him forward to a more attacking position and broadly readjust to the 4-2-3-1 that most fans expect from the White Stars. Secretly, he probably does want to go further forward and become a striker in his own right, and it will most likely play out like that: despite being infamously okay at dribbling, not the quality you should expect at this level, he more than makes up for it with a good eye for goal (from reasonable distances that might somehow be worthy of an eyeroll) and a well-developed sense of good and bad passing (especially from reasonable distances that actually are reasonable by international standards).

11: Jessica Martin --- position: right midfielder --- age: 33 (born 14/03/1971) --- club: Sword and Shield [EXT] --- height: 5ft7in (170cm)
coffee preference: milk and two sugars --- appearance: short but inch-perfect chestnut brown hair; brown eyes --- parental occupations: retired Army corporal (father); accountant (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: the executive director of a social-justice-focused charity... just like Vice-President Charlotte Morgan was
Eleanorian football's greatest campaigner, Martin has an opinion on everything from zero rates of VAT to computing education to wheelchair-accessible public transport. Despite some concerning noises from most of the people Sword and Shield have insisted over the past decade or so are "the manager" (notably excepting Emma Steele, the latest victim of the hotseat), she hasn't exactly let that put her off football. Her ball control continues to improve with age, and with it her ability to confuse and anger leftbacks in equal measure. With that said, as the first person to score a goal in national team history and now setpiece taker for club and country, she isn't too bad at going forward and remains more than competent at swinging crosses into the area: all in all, a bit more chaotic than Newcastle but no less valued.

12: Tim Brandon --- position: right midfielder --- age: 28 (born 09/02/1976) --- club: Grand Beach [EXT] --- height: 5ft9in (175cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: extremely average blonde hair; brown eyes; a bit of a moustache but no beard --- parental occupations: operations manager (father); care home worker (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: Grand Beach District Council's in-house intern onboarder
The first thing you need to know about Tim Brandon is that he is fast - and speed is not a card in the deck of most Eleanorian footballers. The second thing you need to know about Tim Brandon is that, of Grand Beach's widely-feted front three (the much-touted Rachel McNamara moved to Bencoolen City long ago), supposedly the future of Julia Atherton's young and developing side, he alone has lived up to expectations so far. He doesn't have his head in the sand: he knows how to get the ball into dangerous positions and sometimes even fancies a go himself, but his balls fail to receive adequate support far too often. One would hope that, if he ever gets substituted onto the pitch for the White Stars, the higher calibre of striker will help him and the entire nation deliver.

13: Georgia Wood --- position: goalkeeper --- age: 32 (born 15/04/1972) --- club: Golden Unicorn [EXT] --- height: 5ft11in (180cm)
coffee preference: a lot of milk and no sugar --- appearance: short brown hair; blue eyes --- parental occupations: senior manager at Broadlands' Hiyashi factory (father); local newspaper editor-in-chief (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: an accountant, because of course
Having your dad work for the people who own your club's biggest rivals is definitely one way to tone down the volume on the derby. It's not as if Wood hasn't been doing that for her entire playing career, anyway, as one of the quietest members of perhaps the quietest team in the Saint Eleanor League. Although very slightly error-prone and a smidgen under six foot, she is still somehow heads and shoulders above most of the nation's other goalkeepers by virtue of not getting herself into too much trouble - her reputation as a teetotaller who always happens to go to sleep by 11:30pm (extraordinarily late match finishes notwithstanding) is the stuff of legend in certain Brightway circles. I mean trouble on the pitch. Most Eleanorian footballers' idea of a "party" is to order themselves a pint at the bar, get it done within a few minutes and then go away.

14: Hugh Roanoke --- position: left midfielder --- age: 29 (born 23/06/1975) --- club: Sword and Shield [EXT] --- height: 5ft5in (165cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: short, curly black hair; brown eyes; what feels like a small perma-beard --- parental occupations: serving Army colonel (father); mathematics professor at the University (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: a somewhat less tenured Army man
If ever there was one, Roanoke would be an unlikely Eleanorian hero. Born three hours after the National Liberation Front announced the country's independence from Tinhampton and sired by one of the men who helped out in the war effort, he spent his childhood around the Collegiate district (he had to), was good enough for Sword and Shield's full roster first thing after graduating community school, but decided to improve himself after consistently being cold-shouldered from the first team - before being given his chance after John Parkinson tried to overthrow Evans all those years ago and subsequently suffered an inexplicable degradation in play. And as we all know, most Eleanorians are deferential, consistent, hard-working sorts. Put Roanoke in that bin - and definitely don't underestimate his inch-perfect dribbling and just-better-than-decent sense of attack like some less astute rightbacks have done. (And "less astute" describes many of the Saint Eleanor League's rightbacks.)

15: Lydia Nicholls --- position: central midfielder; now fairly adept at CDM --- age: 23 (born 11/10/1980) --- club: Hiyashi Celestia [EXT] --- height: 6ft0in (183cm)
coffee preference: standard-issue black --- appearance: short ginger hair with the freckles to match; brown eyes --- parental occupations: line manager at the Hiyashi factory (father); actually-trustworthy car saleswoman (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: working for the First Bank of Saint Eleanor's investment banking division
In the absolutely politest sense possible, Lydia Nicholls has no morals whatsoever. Some of those who have met her insist that she is a rather nice - even wonderful - person who'll most likely leave you alone but has no tolerance for inane bullshit or otherwise veiled threats. This might be true off the pitch (please ignore the fact she's a mum of two toddlers), but there is very little chance of her leaving you alone on it, especially not if you look like you might be threatening a goal. This is not to say she is indiscriminate or that stopping the opposition at all costs is her only strategy - of course she also knows how the old Eleanorian arts of distribution work, despite not being particularly fond of going forward for the most part - but it is, at least at this moment, what she is best known for. That and her lob from the halfway line against Juventud. But it was Juventud.

16: Esther Launceston --- position: centreback; deployed as a CDM rarely, but good there too --- age: 23 (born 30/06/1981) --- club: Athletic Saint Eleanor [EXT] --- height: 6ft2in (188cm)
coffee preference: only drinks water --- appearance: stereotypically blonde ponytail; brown eyes --- parental occupations: regular human resources employee (father); the meteorologist on Channel 4's news bulletin (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: a rising small-screen actress with a couple of horribly autotuned hit singles to her name
Despite a fairly strong defensive tradition, it should have surely said enough about the parlous state of Saint Eleanor's centrebacks outside Independence 1975, this time two years ago, that Evans had to call up a mostly-untested 19-year-old almost entirely on the grounds that she has "good fundamentals." Fast forward four years and Launceston is about as tenured as you could expect a national team reservist to be - something approaching a cult hero for Athletic and a not-insignificant part in the country's Cup of Harmony triumph. While definitely imposing both aerially and on the ground, and (unlike certain other defenders) willing to tackle to win the ball if needs must, it almost feels like she just seems to know where the supporting players are when she does have possession - that and who it's best to give it to. Hardly spectacular stuff - although you would expect someone of her background to be - but it's working. You almost feel like she'll have secured a long-term place in the starting lineup the next time Sam Newbridge decides to be a very naughty boy.

17: Adam Denby --- position: striker --- age: 30 (born 13/04/1974) --- club: Olympic Thessia [MYT] --- height: 5ft9in (175cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: neatly-trimmed dark-blonde hair; blue eyes; a bit of a moustache --- parental occupations: died fighting for Eleanorian independence (father); painter and decorator (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: an electrician for hire roaming the streets of Mytanija
Denby is no doubt looking forward to yet another good season at a blue-tinted Olympic side that's... finally made the IFCF in no small part thanks to his efforts, as of last reckoning. That and they're in Rushmore. Not that he'll feel too disoriented with his nearly-new successes, never mind concerned: more of a smooth operator than an out-and-out brute-forcer, he is quite happy to ping off short passes if it means playing the more traditional striker in (should the manager field one), but is nonetheless good for the a-goal-is-a-goal goals as much as for the stunners when he wants to make his own mark. Although recent changes to the national team's attacking strategy mean he will more likely be brought on for the wily Pilchard than the bulky weMexala, he almost certainly wouldn't mind either way and might even make a mark of his own.

18: Aaron Francis --- position: centreback --- age: 27 (born 03/09/1976) --- club: Golden Unicorn [EXT] --- height: 6ft1in (185cm)
coffee preference: standard-issue black --- appearance: very short black hair; blue eyes; mostly clean-shaven --- parental occupations: rubbish disposal worker (father); waitress at Geometrio's pizza (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: an unnecessarily dedicated PE teacher at the Brightway Community School
Once a diamond in the rough, always a rough diamond... surely not? Although a hard-hitting, harsh-tackling defender with Juventud, more often a burial site than a training ground for decent young footballers - a point he has hammered on for years - Francis has come into his own at the Unicorn, where he has discovered that his previous reputation was built on sorry mistakes and a lack of focus. And while he's almost entirely patched up that particular tendency, it's clear that his ball-winning are cleaner, his interceptions better, his passes less reminiscent of "hoofs" you've seen better versions of in Audioslavian grassroots football leagues, and his coordination far superior to where it was when he walked out of the Polytechnic - and all this despite barely getting any minutes in recent World Cup cycles. We should all be better for it.

19: Harriet Williams --- position: central midfielder --- age: 34 (born 03/08/1969) --- club: Athletic Saint Eleanor [EXT] --- height: 5ft7in (170cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: big, dirty blonde topknot; blue eyes --- parental occupations: bus driver (father); supermarket shelf stacker (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: running a small business in the heart of the infamous Marketplace district; she likes her beer too much to drive anything
Williams has always been more a creator than a destroyer, with a particular fondness for passing forwards (although in any direction), not sideways, pitching free kicks similarly, having a go from twelve yards out and sometimes further afield in open play (with some degree of success). Although at one point Athletic's last great Eleanorian, the likes of taFrexala, Lawson, Driver and Launceston have all emerged in recent years and she's been tailing off a bit for the Reds despite continuing to be one of their more integral players. With Evans having long transitioned the squad to a five-midfielder model, she can take a few more risks with who she plays in the middle - and, with no less than three promising defensive midfielders (one of them more adoptive than a natural, it must be said) at her disposal this Cup of Harmony, can afford to start Steve Pilchard and bench the Whitehammer girl.

20: Naresmet taFrexala --- position: rightback --- age: 27 (born 11/12/1976) --- club: Athletic Saint Eleanor [EXT] --- height: 5ft9in (175cm)
coffee preference: "coffee" --- appearance: fairly short black hair; brown eyes; somewhat notable beard --- parental occupations: senior masseur (father); kitchen staff at Whitehammer's Torch burger bar (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: a fairly nondescript paramedic (now fully qualified!)
Yet another solid and reliable player who hardly anyone seems to care about - they didn't even pay attention when he set up Nightingale for a dramatic late equaliser at Raynor City United a few Champions' Leagues ago - taFrexala was acclaimed the national team's second-choice rightback for various reasons. One of them is his bona fide desire to overlap, cross, get back and hope for the best (which is at least less scattergun than anything Exandra Davies could ever come up with). Another might be the consistency with which he seems to be able to win tackles, stop dribbles, and whatever the hell lies inbetween those two things without too much mess. And he is, of course, better than Evan Kilkenny, who is somehow still better than almost every other Eleanorian rightback.

21: Christina Fulton --- position: leftback --- age: 26 (born 13/02/1978) --- club: Grand Beach [EXT] --- height: 5ft8in (173cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: short-ish, poorly-maintained blonde ponytail; green eyes --- parental occupations: firefighter (father); OPAL distribution centre worker (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: stranded in a desk job somewhere in the Army. Yes, there are people in the Army who sit at desks all day and do bureaucratic things
The second Juventud success story in the squad, Fulton was up there with Tim Hart as one of the "best" players of her Polytechnic generation, giving the long-imperilled purple a true attacking jolt from the flanks just as she's doing for a Grand Beach squad that has failed to live up to expectations beyond a 1-1 home draw against Patriotlandia's Union Port-la-Ville in the Challengers' Cup. It's an open secret that she's mostly playing for the Seasiders because they're her home district's side and she couldn't get a move elsewhere, but McNamara's recent move out might have convinced her. If she can prove herself to be a worthy deputy for Cathy Winchester when needs must - avoiding the silly defensive mistakes she occasionally exhibited in the league, knowing when to move the ball on and when to mark others, and looking out for the rest of the backline as she's started to do at club level - she might just convince Julia Atherton, too. Not the easiest budge in the multiverse.

22: Rick Goldsmith --- position: striker --- age: 23 (born 11/08/1980) --- club: Hiyashi Celestia [EXT] --- height: 6ft0in (183cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: relatively "neatly"-cut brown hair; only the slightest of moustaches, blue eyes --- parental occupations: corner shop shelf stacker (father); three part-time jobs (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: organising a local crime gang made out of Eleanorians dedicated to taking down the local crime gangs made out of Farves
With updates from the Shango-Fogoa Premier League about as scant as demandingly-good national team performances (despite starting the Cup of Harmony final), Katie O'Donnell is out. Goldsmith - outshadowed by possibly the most fashionable player in one of the most fashionable teams - is on his way in. But a celebrity he is not: he's managed ten goals a season, predominantly in the league (never mind his near-inability to find the net in the IFCF); he's a good shot, but hardly the best you'd ever claim to see, and more renowned for his blistering pace (by Eleanorian standards) than his power. It's entirely plausible to argue that he's something in the order of Celestia's fifth-most notable player... but then you could have made that point about Bridget Coombe at Olympic six years ago.

23: Arielle Richardson --- position: goalkeeper --- age: 23 (born 10/03/1981) --- club: Sword and Shield [EXT] --- height: 6ft0in (183cm)
coffee preference: milk and one sugar --- appearance: brown ponytail; not-quite-as-brown eyes --- parental occupations: barista at an independent café in Collegiate district (father); florist (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: permanently booked to live in the University's Library
You almost certainly read the above mini-file and suspected that Richardson was a bit of a romantic. It would be accurate to call her a bookworm, but she has vouched for falling asleep at the opera, not wanting to follow her (University College) teammates to nightclubs, and - more than almost anything else - wanting to study. Whatever you do, do not hold your conversations with her during the match: she is far more likely to shake you into paying attention, actually pay attention to the proceedings herself, try to grab hold of the ball if the opposition ever thrusts it in her general direction, and move the ball where it makes most sense (rather than just kicking it out... somewhere). Sword and Shield have never been defensively strong, although with Richardson and a few bright young things at the back, that might well change as the decade goes on.

24: Denise Livingston [Army rank: Lance-Corporal] --- position: centreback --- age: 22 (born 07/08/1981) --- club: Army and Navy [EXT] --- height: 5ft10in (178cm)
coffee preference: no milk, one sugar --- appearance: short, if slightly frizzy, brown hair; hazel eyes --- parental occupations: scaffolder (father); serving Army sergeant (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: that one construction worker who thinks that still being on site working at 2am is a good idea
2000 was not a particularly good year for Army and Navy - and it was almost certainly much worse for an off-colour Ken Wilkie, which might have given Livingston an aura of competence to begin with. Don't get me started on the years after that. But perhaps it was always here: she won the Golden Backpack in '98 after captaining the Army School to just one goal conceded in five games, getting to the ball before it could get her side in trouble, jostling opposing strikers off the ball if they posted an immediate threat, and dutifully attending to all of her tasks in general - all traits which have certainly been evident during her five-year career, mediocre as they have been for her club. Although rather unlikely to get many minutes for the national team for various reasons, none of them have anything to do with her quality; you would not bet against her making a good, if not particularly shouty, impression should she get the time.

25: Natalie Monaco --- position: central midfielder --- age: 27 (born 24/09/1976) --- club: Golden Unicorn [EXT] --- height: 5ft7in (170cm)
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: reasonably-sized blonde ponytail; brown eyes --- parental occupations: call centre worker (father); secondary school supply teacher (mother)
if she wasn't a footballer, she'd probably be: working the rest-of-the-city beat for The Northern Mail
The more attacking of the two midfielders in Ian Jones' club setup, Monaco's behaviour was at times very similar to that of Macbonian second striker Gionata Mariani before he got shunted to the wings. I don't need to say that spraying the ball everywhere is an important part of her toolkit, but her passes lead to goals - or at least something approaching that - fairly often, and she enjoys having a go from distance if she feels like it could be beneficial. Some believe she is far too big for the Unicorn, but nobody ever says that about Pazorzal and very few would imagine her having the same impact elsewhere. Many more have called for her to be introduced to the national team, and with very good reason. Expect little (if anything, given the stakes)... but prepare for more than a fair bit.

26: Melcheta Pazorzal --- position: striker --- age: 31 (born 18/08/1972) --- club: Golden Unicorn [EXT] --- height: 6ft3in (191cm)
coffee preference: no milk, one sugar --- appearance: clean-shaven head, clean-shaven face; brown eyes --- parental occupations: road management worker (father); manager of the oldest newsagents on Dignity Cross (mother)
if he wasn't a footballer, he'd probably be: following his dad into the highway maintenance business
Although tipped for removal just before the 92nd World Cup cycle began, he stayed on the team due to a combination of the WCC authorising 26-player rosters, and his consistent performances for the Unicorn (ever since it started tailing off from its 1992 peak, in fact) - and might well still be on the team just because he scored Saint Eleanor's third in Cenial. Although hardly a creator, he should perhaps be thankful to be regularly receiving chances from his second striker and the midfield, although he is willing to operate alone should it come to that. He always tries his best to take those shots, too. It's no wonder he's their local pace-and-power, goal-every-other-game man; nobody would be surprised to see him receive similar opportunities when he comes on for the White Stars, and a few might well expect him to.

==========

Manager: Priscilla Evans --- former position: striker --- age: 46 --- clubs of note: Crystal Fair HC [CRY] --- height: 5ft7in (170cm) --- nationality: Tinhamptonian
coffee preference: milk and no sugar; likes her tea the same way --- appearance: no-nonsense brown ponytail; blue eyes --- parental occupations: semi-comfortably retired
Despite having ADHD and suffering from a dodgy back for a good part of her playing career, nobody really knows how Priscilla wound up becoming Tinhampton's greatest ever footballer, leading her home country to the 73rd Cup of Harmony, then going from being a jobbing bartender to enjoying ten presumably-good seasons and a few deep IFCF runs at Crystal Fair of the United League while aging at a surprisingly Equestrian pace - other than whoever at Tinhampton City FC organised that prize draw. Even fewer people have managed to work out how her typically Eleanorian management style - hands-off and quiet, but outspoken and demanding - has led the national team to a Baptism of Fire quarterfinal, a surprise World Cup qualification and precious little else. (Oh, other than her second Cup of Harmony winners' medal. That apparently counts these days.) Hopes are high that the White Stars will become only the third team ever to win consecutive Cups of Harmony under her command; perhaps higher still that, unlike the previous two teams to do so, they'll break out of their group at the 94th World Cup. First things first, though...

Assistant Manager: Stephen Mitcham [Army rank: Lieutenant] --- former position: none --- age: 37 --- clubs of note: none --- height: 6ft1in (185cm) --- nationality: Eleanorian
coffee preference: milk and no sugar --- appearance: black hair, short back and sides; brown eyes; inappropriately ginormous beard --- parental occupations: President (father); First Lady (mother)
It might not have looked like it in recent times, but being Priscilla Evans' assistant is not a fun job, not even if you're the son of the most important man in Eleanorian history. (No, Cathy Winchester is a lady.) You have to consult with her on matters of great importance, collaborate on tactical issues (and, very rarely, team selection), be ready to step in should anything earth-shattering happen, pretend to be the official team psychologist, and generally keep everything in its place. Has Mitcham done that? More than competently. And where Evans has largely lacked a managerial philosophy, he appears to have played to their strengths by requesting a relatively defensive approach: one that has, for the most part, paid off rather well in the grand scheme of things. Which is neither grand nor a scheme.

by **Darmen** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:34 pm

Sunday, May 12, 2058

MTK Sacks Deasmhumhain

KINGSVILLE - Following their 2-4 loss to Tempala United Saints at home to close out the Series A season, MTK Kingsville have fired their long time manager, Léon Deasmhumhain. A victory over the second placed Saints would have seen MTK finish third in the league, while a draw would have placed them fifth, in either case qualifying the club for the IFCF Challengers Cup. Instead the most successful club in Series A history, who haven't won a league title since the 2052-53 season, will have to settle for the Vilitan Cove Invitational.

While it is rumored that even a win on the final day of the season would not have saved Deasmhumhain's job, as the board is desperate to win another title and break the evergrowing stranglehold Scott City FC has established over the league...

Tuesday, June 18, 2058

DFA Sacks Duchamp

OLDTOWN - The All Greens started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a seven match unbeaten streak. They ended it with just three points from the final four matches, not only missing out on a spot in the playoffs but dropping all the way to fifth place in Group 9. While the Darmeni Football Association never officially stated as such, it became increasingly clear as the campaign went on that the expectation for the All Greens was to reach the playoffs and that failure to do so would result in a DFA seacher for a new national team manager.

The matchday 19 loss to Mertagne in Dannin sealed the All Green's fate, but the DFA waited until today to pull the trigger and sack Salvador Duchamp. Duchamp finishes his managerial stint with a record of 30-17-21...

Thursday, June 20, 2058

Deasmhumhain Hired To Be Next All Greens Manager

SCOTT CITY - Despite the usual cries for the Darmeni Football Association to hire Tor Tong Lee as the next manager of the All Greens, the DFA has once again gone a different route, this time hiring former MTK Kingsville boss Léon Deasmhumhain. Deasmhumhain has spent the last eight seasons in charge of MTK, winning the league title just once (2052-53) and the National Cup three times in a row (2050-51, 2051-52, 2052-53), in the latter instance completing the domestic double. Since then however, MTK has gone silent in terms of hardware and has steadily descended down the league table, finishing second in 2053-54 & 2054-55, third in 2055-56 & 2056-57 and just sixth this past season.

Despite that, Deasmhumhain has a 162-51-24 record in Series A, one of the best in the league among current managers and has built a reputation of focusing on the development of young players, with MTK having one of the youngest rosters in the top flight in each of the past few years. It is this later fact that would appear to have drawn the favor of the DFA, as they look to continue former manager Salvador Duchamp's focus on youth in the national team. It will be interesting to see what sort of team Deasmhumhain puts together for the upcoming friendly against Elmyia and the subsequent Cup of Harmony...

Tuesday, July 2, 2058

#SackDeasmhumhain Trends Following 4-0 Embarrassment Against Elmyia

SCOTT CITY - In front of 75,000 fans in the National Stadium, Léon Deasmhumhain's debut as All Greens manager went horribly wrong when the visitors, Elmyia, emerged 4-0 victors. While fans of the national team are calling for Deasmhumhain to be sacked immediately and for none other than Tor Tong Lee to be brought back as manager, the DFA has stood by Deasmhumhain, saying that making a change this close to the Cup of Harmony would do more harm to the team than good.

On the part of Deasmhumhain, he had this to say, "Look, any time you take over a team for the first time, you're going to run into some issues. We've got a bunch of younger players, who don't have the experience that a Víedharr Svendsen or Feliciano Espinosa have. They're playing in a new formation, making the change from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. Yes, allowing four goals is quite the disappointment and we've got to shore up the back line. But I'd much rather suffer an embarrassing loss in a friendly than I would in an important tournament, like the Cup of Harmony."

The All Greens will face fellow Rushmori nation Mytanija in nine days to kickoff the Cup of Harmony...

by **Cassadaigua** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:25 pm

We need the 48-team World Cup. Here's why,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

World Cup 93 is getting set to begin in both Tumbra and Chromatika, and there is plenty of excitement and anticipation to see how this one shakes out. That is where everyone wants to be, and where Cassadaigua will not be seen. Our nation is instead relegated to the Cup of Harmony, where we will have to compete with forty seven other nations that did not get to the dance that matters the most. It's not that we don't respect this tournament, and the opponents that we will be taking on, but there is an unusual sense of indifference about this one. The last time we failed to qualify for a World Cup, it was not all that long ago, but at least with that one there was a better feeling about playing in this tournament. We know the story, that one that goes, "there is no shame in the Cup of Harmony as there are far more than 32 good soccer programs throughout the world". And that is true, and a big part of the reason why the World Cup Constitution was amended to allow for field sizes of up to 48 now. One day, we will get a pair of co-hosts that will be brave enough to make a bid for a 48-team World Cup knowing that there will be a bunch of traditionalists wanting to shoot them down as soon as they possibly can. The time, however, has come for that, and I don't want you to look at the World Cup field and think "yeah, there are some good nations in that, including some new up and coming programs or simply nations who have made enough progress now to have a shot". Instead, I want you to look at the Cup of Harmony field and you don't even have to look at "Cassadaigua". Look at everyone else.

Saint Eleanor. Valentine Z. Trolleborg. Poafmersia. Mytanija. Heck, I haven't even gotten to Group 4 of 8 yet, but let's keep going. Mertagne. Ceni. Audio freakin' slavia, Quebec, Eura, and Drawkland. Add us, and that's twelve. Add that to the 32 in the World Cup, and you got 44. Would the addition of the twelve nations that I just mentioned "dumb down" the World Cup at all? Would their addition not provide a lot of additional great games, with likely excellent press coverage to go along with it? How many of the 32 teams in the World Cup don't belong there? I'm looking at the list of names there and don't see a single one that has not earned their place there with anything other than hard work, great play, and the outstanding press coverage that comes along with it. So, when a pair of bidders becomes brave enough to propose a 48 team World Cup, knowing that some will not like it, I want you to think about this. This 32 plus 12 gives us 44 teams that would put on a great show. Naturally, there are four more spots there for nations that I did not mention, but could have.

The time has come for the 48-team World Cup. Let's have the spots there for the twelve nations that have been mentioned to also play for the biggest prize. When you do that, you will allow the Cup of Harmony to not be about the powers that did not qualify, but for the up and comers that want to qualify soon, nations like Aleirave, Eshialand, Naixi, Baggieland, Cardenao, Kimi-Suomi, and several others. Let the Cup of Harmony be about them. Not about the big names that did not make the big dance. Yeah, I know not all of the big names will step up here in the Cup of Harmony and maybe one of them that struggles will be Cassadaigua. But there are others there in a similar situation. And it is very probable that one of those twelve will win this tournament.

Over the course of World Cup qualifying, I looked back at past editions of that tournament, and that is something that will eventually continue a little bit, but one thing I do know.... when looking back at it, we never had Cups of Harmony like this. Yeah, you might have one or two big names that failed to qualify for the World Cup, but after them, it was all about the upstarts. The upstarts now have their Cup of Harmony road clogged up now. Since World Cup 85, the Cup of Harmony has been won by Kandorith, Krytenia, Mriin, Graintfjall, Trolleborg, Chromatika, Audioslavia, and Saint Eleanor. You could argue that Graintfjall was an up and comer THEN, though. Saint Eleanor probably fits the mold and perhaps back then Kandorith did, but the others are powers. Krytenia may not have the World Cup success record, but they are a firmly established program.

World Cup 85 was not an arbitrary starting point for that argument. It is a Cup that is seen as being where the landscape of the soccer world changed. The signup numbers might not have changed a ton, but that quality of who is signing up has been drastic. You have many more nations out there with committed national soccer programs with lofty aspirations than we have ever seen before. Therefore, we can gladly accommodate 48 teams in the World Cup without "dumbing it down".

So, when will we finally have that expanded field? It's been a few cycles now since the amendment to the Constitution was made, and we still have not seen anyone attempt to bid with a larger number. I asked the President of CASE, Stephanie Sweeney, when she thinks it might happen, "I think it might be coming sooner than later, and I would not fully be surprised if we saw a bid for it for the next one, World Cup 94. We made these change to the Constitution, but sometimes we can be reluctant to change. There were other administrative practices hosts have taken in the past handful of Cups that were different than what had been seen before, and not everything may have had immediate great feedback though now those very topics are seen as the norm. Someone has to be the first, and they have to be willing to stand up and realize that while there will be vocal opponents to their proposal, those who support it will be less likely to speak out about it, because they don't want to get in the same arguments with the opponents. But those who support it will be sitting back and nodding their heads thinking that, yes, the time for this has come. And when the votes open, the votes of the opponents who will invariably speak louder will count the same as the votes of the supporters who sit back and like the proposal." I asked Stephanie if I should read between the lines there as to whether or not CASE might be thinking about something for World Cup 94. She smiled and said, "we're not. It would not be the right time for us, but we'll be hoping of those who do bid, that we do see a 48-team proposal."

In the meantime, Cassadaigua will soon play its role as one of those 12 aforementioned powers trying to spoil the Cup of Harmony for the up and coming crowd.

by **Eshialand** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:09 pm

Let the Games Begin

One last chance to meet up with their oldest friends.

Baptism of Fire 75, just five years in their past, but ten in Atheara's, was the beginning of two journeys that, although they may not have been perfect, were filled with friendship and love. That, and a bunch of fans screaming into their TVs drunk out of their skulls annoyed about another Alice Carroll shot going high over the goal AGAIN.

This friendly tournament being held in Atheara before the Cup of Harmony would be one final sendoff, as Mugel Krygorf and Zimmerman Brusteric, the final two Athearan NTers from that original Baptism of Fire, were retiring before CAFA VI, with a fair few Eshian players mulling over their possibilities. After the Eshialand-Atheara game, the first matchday of the Atheara-Eshialand Cup, Alex Kolek announced that the World Cup 94 cycle would be his final on the national team. After his bombshell transfer to Kharakia's Brusnia United, rumors were swirling about his NT career possibly ending soon, and lo and behold, they were right. Sarah Silver might well join him in retirement, and with Melissa Carey starting to transition to management... the signs of change were there. The signs of this first era of Eshian soccer coming to an end were showing.

The final game of this cup would be the second Eshian Derby, which was now known to be a preview of Cup of Harmony Matchday 4, and there was an immense feeling of finality in this. With the Athearan team cheering the Owls on from the sidelines, both Eshialand and Atheara's sporting worlds were at major turning points, and these days could never be returned to. But you know what? That was alright. Everything must come to an end, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. As long as we've enjoyed the times we've had together, the joy will stay with us in our hearts forever.

Here's to five... or rather ten, if you so prefer... more years of Recenticos and Eshian Derbies.

After the Owls' trip to Atheara, after they had their fun, reuniting with Blue Guard players old and new, it was off to Græntfjall... how fitting of a location for this team. The parallels with their first cycle were there, weren't they? The thrilling conclusion to World Cup Qualifying against the Squornshelan Remnant States, even if they couldn't swipe a draw this time, then the rivalry for the ages being rekindled, and now it was off to another Cup of Harmony, in the same nation where they had spent their first.

The weather may have been cold, but as always, the team's spirits kept them warm heading into their first match, which happened to be a Qualifying rematch against Valentine Z. Their performances against the Valentian Kittens may not have garnered them any points in Qualifying, but they would be going into this giving it their all, now more than ever... something about the cup in Atheara had reminded the team that they may not have much time left to play alongside each other, as the brothers and sisters they had known each other as for so many years now.

It was time to cherish every game.

by **Oberour Ar Moro** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:16 pm

"Winner Take All" by Blaise Masque

[Verse 1]
I've been waiting for this moment
All my life, I've dreamed of it
The stage is set, the lights are on
And I can feel the fire within

[Chorus]
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
I'll fight until the end
Winner take all, I'll rise or fall
I'll never give in
I'll chase my dreams, no matter how far
I'll reach for the stars
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
And I'll make it mine tonight

[Verse 2]
I've faced the doubters, I've heard the haters
But I won't let them bring me down
I'll turn the pressure into power
And I'll wear the victory crown

[Chorus]
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
I'll fight until the end
Winner take all, I'll rise or fall
I'll never give in
I'll chase my dreams, no matter how far
I'll reach for the stars
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
And I'll make it mine tonight

[Bridge]
I'll never lose sight of what I want
I'll never let the fear take control
I'll keep my eyes on the prize
And I'll never let it go

[Chorus]
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
I'll fight until the end
Winner take all, I'll rise or fall
I'll never give in
I'll chase my dreams, no matter how far
I'll reach for the stars
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
And I'll make it mine tonight

[Outro]
Winner take all, I'll give it my all
And I'll make it mine tonight
I'll make it mine tonight
Winner take all!
Yeah!

I Played "Winner Take All" on a Bar Jukebox Until I Was Informed I Was No Longer Welcome At That Establishment Again

By Christpofle Clémentin

As I stood in the dark waiting for a train to get back to my apartment, I discovered what my mission in life was: I needed to go to a bar to play Blaise Masque’s “Winner Take All” until I could no more.

The masculine urge to play the same song on repeat on a jukebox is not unique to me. Comedy bits (of which I have listened to them all) have been made on the concept. Social media users have written posts (of which I have read them all) about doing this themselves.

But have any of them done this to the impossibly cheesy hair metal track “Winner Take All”, performed by the incomparable Blaise Masque? The answer is no, because as I wrote in the previous paragraph, I had read and listened to all other alternatives.

As the train pulled in and I found a seat I contemplated my options. I needed to find the proper location and proper time for this surely transcendent event. I resolved that I would go to a bar two blocks from my apartment the next day. It was very close so I wouldn’t have to walk far, and I hate the bar, and I just wanted to get it over with.

I walked through the door at exactly 1:27 PM and strolled confidently to the jukebox, fed my argenteus into the slot, and started selecting “Winner Take All” over and over and over.

It may be possible, in the way that some people are not aware that the sky is blue, that you are not aware of “Winner Take All”, or of its singer Blaise Masque.

Blaise Masque (Birth name: Budnouenus Debussy) came to public attention as the lead guitarist and singer for the band Masque. After three albums of ever more histrionic metal and feeling creatively constrained, he left to start a solo career as Blaise Masque. He made a statement of intent with “Winner Take All”, the lead single from his 27-song triple album "I Whispered to the Devil: 'I Am The Storm' (Part I)".

Many music historians of this period mark when “Winner Take All” first appeared on the radio as the exact moment that the hair metal moment shriveled and died. Radio immediately found music and artists who demonstrated more taste. Or just taste in general. "Winner Take All" has proceeded to age like fine milk.

But luckily for me I love expired milk. Apparently. I love this song, unreservedly. And I had a desire to share my love with the world. Or at least that one bar housing a handful of disinterested day drinkers. I ordered my own beer and a dozen chicken wings and proceeded to wait. The stage IS set, Blaise. The lights ARE on, though it's pretty dark, this is a bar.

On a screen, being watched with various degrees of interest, was the draw for the Cup of Harmony, one of the most important non-events in football. But it was fitting. Can't the Dragoons chase their dreams? Can't Blaise Masque? Can't I?

As the chicken wings were delivered worryingly quickly to my table, the wait was over for Blaise and for me. The first play began. Guitar noodling turned into a moronically simple riff, backed with some of the worst sounding drums you could ever imagine. “Hell yes,” I whispered to myself, as my head started to bob in time. There was no reaction around me. But there would be, I have no doubt.

On the television the Pot 6 teams had been assigned to their groups, and the next batch of nations were about to be named. Meanwhile, I was reminded that Monsieur Masque sang and played a V-shaped guitar in an era where they wanted to give you value for your buck. Which means that an impossibly simplistic song can still rock on for over four minutes. Which really becomes an experience when the song starts for a second time.

One of the patrons at the bar clearly recognized something had gone amiss. He lifted his head, tilting it in the direction of the jukebox like a confused puppy. “Oh hell yes,” I said louder, pumping my fist slightly. The poorly cooked wings are not the only reason I feel the fire within.

It’s possible to let the majesty of “Winner Take All” wash over you like a pyroclastic flow on the first listen. But on repeat listens you are reminded that this is a song without any subtlety, written by a man who had trouble with even single entendres. On the track list for "I Whispered to the Devil”, this song was followed by the romantic ballad “Have You Tried Blowing”.

As the fifth pot of the Cup of Harmony had just been assigned, “Winner Take All” began for the third time. Now there was a clear change in the atmosphere of the bar. I could feel the pressure, but I was going to turn it into power.

“This is what I’m talking about!” I articulated as Masque described waiting for this moment. A different attendee got out of his seat and ambled to the jukebox, considering his options. He turned with a confused look, but stopped when he saw my look of hair metal ecstasy. His eyes narrowed, but like Blaise I'm facing the doubters and I won't let them bring me down.

“Winner Take All” began for the fourth time. Oberour Ar Moro was placed in Group 4 with Stevencousin and Naixi. I felt tears fill my eyes from the majesty of the moment. I could barely whisper “Yes” under my breath. A fifth repeat. A sixth repeat. Very drunk blue-collar workers were muttering invective under their breath, but I'm not going to let the fear take control.

Patrons tried putting money into the machine, trying to escape this sea of hair. But they couldn’t escape, because I had given it my all, and by my all I mean all the argenteus I fed into the jukebox.

That jukebox played “Winner Takes All” 19 times before they forcibly turned the machine off.

I made it mine this afternoon. Winner take all.

Yeah.

I returned to that bar a week later. I strolled to the machine and made my choice(s), then took a seat. As I was placing my order, Blaise Masque’s signature song started to play. By some kind of implemented doctrine, the server who had watched me put money in the jukebox immediately informed me that I was to leave the premises and not come back.

I walked out wearing the victory crown as the first of up to 30 plays of “Winner Take All” blared through the premises, accompanied by groans.

Note: The lyrics to "Winner Take All" were produced by Chat GPT. The rest of the RP is mine.

by **Lozho** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 11:54 pm

Cup of Harmony Preview: Spicy Showdown between Esportivan Neighbours to Break Viewing Records

Sponsored by WatchLojo

Ghezhan, Lozho - Excitement is brimming in the Queendom this week, as the Lozhoan National Football Team are set to make their Cup of Harmony debut in Græntfjall this weekend. The Pelicans will begin their Cup of Harmony campaign with a highly-anticipated clash against fellow Esportivan competitors Cap Nord.

The Lozhoan National Football Team ended their World Cup Qualification campaign 5th in a group of 12 teams, a fantastic feat for a team considered to be one of the lowest-ranked in the entire competition. However, the upcoming Cup of Harmony is expected to be a whole new challenge altogether for the Pelicans. As the national team failed to beat any of the teams that finished above them in the WCQ Group Stage (Brookstation, Drawkland, Juvencus and Nyowani Kitara), they are not expected to cause any more upsets against top-ranked playoff losers such as Valentine Z or Saint Eleanor. Even if the Pelicans may cause a surprise or two against teams such as Eshialand and Aleirave, few are expecting them to finish anywhere beyond the group stage.

Brett Zimberg's squad will remain unchanged from their matches against Drawkland and Nyowani Kitara in the final stages of World Cup Qualifying, with high-flying performers such as Paxton Obamovich, Pazron Droozle, Mattiaz Crickport and Henry Blyth expected to resume their key roles in the team. With the Lozhoan First Division team still indefinitely suspended by the LFA, almost every football fan in the nation will have their eyes peeled for the entirety of the tournament.

The Capnordic National Football Team are one of the most powerful teams in Esportiva at the moment. After storming to the final of the most recent Campionato Esportiva (in which the Pelicans were dumped out of in the group stage) and finishing just outside of the World Cup Qualification playoffs on goal difference, they are expected to continue their dominance in the Cup of Harmony. The strength and drive of the Capnordic players may be too much for the much less experienced Lozhoans to handle.

That said, there is one weak link in the Capnordic team: their manager. The recent appointment of former Lozho U21s manager Pazron Finchley raised a few eyebrows in both Cap Nord and Lozho, as his unflattering performances in his final days as Protchen United manager are still burned into the minds of many supporters. Finchley is well-known for his 4-3-3 formation and constant pressing, which led to both glory and disgrace in his tenure at Protchen United. With the Lozhoan players very familiar with his tactics, and easily countered it at the start of the LFD season, they will hopefully use this prior knowledge to force a shock result.

With an awkward reunion on the horizon between Finchley and players such as Fazj Srezjajk and Zed Zoan, who reportedly led a player revolt to get him sacked earlier in the season, many Lozhoans are expecting some passionate football and hoping for some delicious off-pitch drama. This is evident by a recent uptick in the purchase of television sets and subscriptions to Cup of Harmony broadcasts. Especially the $29.90 WatchLojo FULL Cup of Harmony package, objectively the best football streaming package on the Lozhoan market at the moment. Subscribe now for a free tea towel!

by **Ziwana** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 3:01 am

Birnin Investment Group Bank unveils lucrative 650m silivas sponsorship deal with Mansanduni Union.
By Mavuto Forte
One of the leading banks in the country, Birnin Investment Group Bank (BIG) on Monday unveiled a 3-year 650 million silivas (130million NS Pounds) lucrative sponsorship deal for Ziwani Big 8 side, Mansanduni Union.

The unveiling of the deal was done at an extremely glamorous event hosted at Fastani Village Inn where BIG and Mansanduni Union announced the new home and away kit which will the team will be using in the 8-9 ZNE football season.

BIG Head of Marketing, Wisdom Chirwa said they decided to partner Union in the deal following the team’s brilliant performances in all the local competitions last season and that they want to associate with the brand in order to help the team be stronger and do well in the IFCF Champions League and the IFCF Cup Winners Cup.

“Our BIG brand is always associated with sports as you know that we also sponsor Under 18- League in all the provinces of the country as well as the premier futsal competition- because we believe that sports is a big tool in not only contributing to the economy of the country but also spreading Ziwani culture to other countries. We believe that this sponsorship will make the team go to greater heights, not only in Ziwana but also in the region and then the multiverse,” Chirwa said.

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 10:08 am

Poafmersia's squad for CoH85

Other name: The Red Panjias (Panjia is the Poafmerian equivalant of a horse)
Kit Colours: Red, Orange

Poafmersia will present the following 26 players for the 85th Cup of Harmony

Num  Player Name         Age Pos(s)   Sex  Current Club                 Caps        Goals   Assists
1    Nicole Potts        33  GK       F    St. John's Arsenal (QUE)     125 (3)        0       0
12   Jessica Ardens      27  GK       F    Mancodas Athletic FC         2 (1)          0       0
23   Aleksandar Malloye  21  GK       M    Dalaris City                 1 (0)          0       0

2    Kilikina Lee        27  LB/LWB   M    Dury FC                      47 (1)         7       0
3    Xenophon Robson     28  RB/RWB   M    Fiskadaha FC                 38 (5)         1       5
4    Diamond Byan        30  CB       M    Bikarish                     63 (5)         0       2
5    Nacro Astro         31  CB       M    Bakartirla Buccaneers (ASG)  39 (5)         0       0
13   Lovise Zimmerman    29  LB       M    Bikarish                     5 (2)          1       0
14   Cindy Oriol         25  CB       F    Tihon (CMT)                  28 (6)         1       0
15   Kelefe Hans         29  CB       M    Mancodas Athletic FC         8 (8)          0       0
16   Jacqi Equine        29  RB       M    Mancodas City                14 (8)         0       0
24   Nikkita Alfaro      23  CB       M    Sarim Potato FC              11 (4)         0       0

6    Michael Jackson     31  CM, ACM  M    Mancodas City                100 (6)        10      45
8    Min Berg            32  DM, CM   F    Mancodas Athletic FC         56 (11)        1       3
10   Aapeli Shea         28  CM, AM   M    Dalaris City                 55 (9)         0       0
17   Magreta Rym         30  CM       M    Mancodas City                23 (17)        1       5
19   Sylvia Fusco        27  CM, DM   M    Fiskadaha FC                 13 (13)        0       0
21   Erle Sartini        26  CM       M    Adab United (ADB)            24 (20)        3       10
25   Lesia Astrauskas    31  CM       M    Trimidau Rukiya              9 (8)          0       1

7    Tessa Bjarnesen     25  LW       F    Lokomotive Jarnstad (SVJ)    23 (17)        11      3
9    Jordan Huerta       33  CF, AM   M    Sarim Potato FC              80 (12)        78      9
11   Leontiy Seet        29  RW       M    Mancodas Athletic FC         50 (4)         14      17
18   Taliah Alcock       23  LW       M    Kistina Galaxy               2 (8)          1       0
20   Dagur Lawrence      24  CF/AM    M    Serrapince FC (TMB)          22 (9)         16      11
22   Jackson Handris     29  CF, RW   F    KT Itzalovalle (AUD)         3 (4)          3       1
26   Agapito Murphy      32  CF       M    Emerald Coast (SRS)          10 (16)        9       2

Note:
*While WCQ93 stats are up, there are some missing stats from WCQ91, tail-end of WCQ89/90, as well as CoH81/CoH84
*Player ages are as though the matches are held before the 14th IFCF cycle, as it is in our calendar.

Captain: Aapeli Shea
Vice-Captain: Nicole Potts
Penalty Taker: Jordan Huerta
Free Kick Taker: Tessa Bjarnesen, Leontiy Seet
Corner Takers: The prevailing LB/RB (in the case of a 4 at the back formation) or LM/RM (in the case of a 3-4-3)

Head Coach: Lu Jialan (YZH)
Assistant Head Coach: Jabik Henderson
General Playing Style: With a new nation, comes new strategies. While Lu intends to keep the Poafmersian attitute of relying on mistakes by the opposition to counterattack, and being aggressive in getting back the ball, he has indicated an emphasis on defence being key to the team's successes in the Cup of Harmony and beyond. Preferring a strict 4-3-3 formation with the fullbacks playing wider up the field, Lu will stick to a 4-3-3 formation for the tournament. Utilising the team's strengths in counter-attack, the team will make a focus on defending the ball and keeping the possession before catching opponents napping during their break

Formations: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: -3

Recent International Records
Overall Record: 385 games played. 215W, 80D, 90L. 919GF/628GA.
Cup of Harmony 82: Quarterfinals. 4W, 1D, 1L. 17GF/11GA.
IAC15: Ro16, skip Ro24. 4W, 1D, 1L. 24GF/17GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 91: 4th in Group 1. 12W, 6D, 2L. 48GF/27GA.
Cup of Harmony 83: Ro32. 2W, 2D, 2L. 12GF/10GA.
IAC16: QF, skip Ro24. 3W, 1D, 2L. 9GF/8GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 92: 2nd in Group 5, PO Loser. 11W, 6D, 5L. 54GF/38GA.
Cup of Harmony 84: Ro32. 3W, 0D, 2L. 9GF/8GA.
IAC14: Ro24. 1W, 3D, 1L. 11GF/9GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 93: 3rd in Group 12, PO Losers. 13W, 7D, 4L. 55GF/29GA.

First Match: Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
First Win: Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
Biggest Win:
(Only WCC-sanctioned) Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
(All) Poafmersia 8-0 North Alezia, IAC 12 @ Almuzahara
Heaviest Defeat:
(Only WCC-sanctioned)
Farfadillis 5-0 Poafmersia, WCQ 87 @ Farfadillis
Pasarga 5-0 Poafmersia, WCQ 90 @ Pasarga
(All)
Poafmersia 2-8 Commonwealth of Baker Park, International Friendly @ Poafmersia
Baker Park 6-0 Poafmersia, International Friendly @ Baker Park
Highest Scoring: Lionsroar 4-8 Poafmersia, World Cup Qualifiers 93 @ Lionsroar

Fans
Poafmersian fans are crazy about football, and their loud cheers ring about in the stadiums they visit. They are very willing to disturb the peace in the area to celebrate their win after matches, so matches are best held in the afternoon or early evenings. You can spot Poafmers booking large meeting rooms in hotels, going to bars in groups. Apart from that, they do pick up after themselves, and prevent causing much trouble apart from celebrating. You can be assured, however, that they would be travelling around to support their team, so do reserve half the spots in stadiums for them because they would pack it to the brim.

RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers - Yes
Godmod scoring events - Yes (Realistic events only, such as long range shots)
Roleplay injuries to my players - Yes (You determine what happened, I decide the severity.)
Godmod injuries to my players - Yes (As above)
Hand out yellow cards to my players - Yes
Hand out red cards to my players - Yes (1 more than what you give yourself)
RP any pandemic-related events - No pandemic exists in Poafmersia, or on Poafmers.
Godmod any other events - Yes (TG/Inform me before hand)
Note: If your RP permissions are more restrictive than mine, then I will take your RP permissions. (With the exception about the pandemic events)
I am very open to cooperative RPs, such as joint press conferences, match-side drama, out-of field events, etc. Do drop me a Telegram in-game (to this account or Poafmersia) or a DM on Discord (You can find me on the NS Sports Discord - Freg#0420).

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 10:09 am

Kandorith 2–0 Poafmersia
Lineup (4-3-3): Nicole Potts; Kilikina Lee, Diamond Byan, Cindy Oriol, Xenophon Robson; Michael Jackson, Sylvia Fusco, Aapeli Shea (c); Taliah Alcock, Jordan Huerta, Leontiy Seet
Substitutes: Nacro Astro (Oriol 55'); Min Berg (Fusco 60'), Jackson Handris (Seet 74'), Leonora Hall (Alcock 74')

Sporting Daily
Manager Musical Chairs begins as Red Panjias starts second chapter in team history
Fiskadaha - Poafmersian Football Association announced today that Lu Jialan from Yuezhou has been appointed manager of the national team, with current Under-18/21 team head coach Jabik Henderson acting as assistant manager for the team.

The Yue manager brings with him lots of experience in World Cup Qualification, having previously brought Yuezhou and Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom to their first World Cup proper qualifications in WC88 and WC91 respectively. The manager is widely known for being harsh towards the media and the Football Associations, but with PFFA confirming that they would not intervene in player selection at all, it seems that Lu might have been very happy with the arrangements, as can be seen by his replies during the press conference held for his announcement. During the press conference, he also confirmed that Poafmersian football legend and current Under-18/21 head coach Jabik Henderson will be his assistant, adding that the legend brings with him his understanding of football in the country, and also knowledge about the youth players in the country. When asked about his player selection for the upcoming Cup of Harmony, Lu replied that he chose to pick the "best 26" from the 35-man squad, adding that this is not the time to make heavy changes to the squad.

While there remains many questions about how the new manager would change things within the Red Panjia, a known trait with the manager is that he likes to play up the team's strengths, and prefers to play with the strongest of the crop. He did mention, however, that he does place an emphasis on playing from the width and transition into the inside, and that likely means would favour a more attack-friendly wingback like Kilikina Lee and Xenophon Robson. It was also rumoured that the manager would attempt to turn the team to be more fluid between attack and defence, and the emphasis on keeping clean sheets rather than scoring more goals would tilt the team towards a more defensive strategy for the upcoming qualifiers. However, the formation is likely to be kept similiar to previous formations, with 4-3-3 continuing as a primary formation for the team.

In other news, a grand total of 4 domestic clubs have announced that they are parting ways with their managers for the upcoming season, sparkling a huge race for the new managerial spots in the country. At the top of the list was Mancodas City, who chose to part ways with Brenecian manager Larissa Graves, following a dissapointing season that saw the club finish in 10th, 1 point behind Sochra Mudra FC. Long time manager of the Hornets David Stainton, 62, also parted ways with Sarim Potato FC, with the club indicating that they are looking for a manager with the ability to bring the club to a top 6-finish every cycle. The former Sarim Potato FC player added he chose to leave "on his own accord", adding that he wants to see his boyhood club get a better manager that can lead them back to their former glory. Johnathan Istira, formerly of FC United of Mancodas, has also announced that he will be leaving the club "by mutual agreement", adding that he wants to take a hiatus to focus on settling family and personal issues.

Dalaris City announced yesterday evening that they were parting ways with Mansi Kandero, following the club's lack of consistency in the league resulting in them finishing 7th, 14 points behind 4th placed Fiskadaha FC. In the club statement, the club thanked Kandero for all his achievements, and his role in the formation of the club academy that allows for the club to develop new talents for the country. This was shortly followed by a post announcing former Mancodas City and Oberour Ar Moro National Team manager, Ethan Stevenson, as the new head coach of the club. Stevenson, who was seen by analysts as the front-runner for the national team position, had his mix of successes and failures as Mancodas City manager, but has largely redeemed himself following a solid performance during his short-term contract with Oberour Ar Moro.

For the other 3 managerial options, while foreign names are likely to be in shortlist, there is a high possibility for former Holhot United manager Justin De Cruz to be named as FC United manager, after being released from his contract with Hofvinger in Graintfjall due to financial issues. Another name floating around is former national team head coach Adnan Suliaha, with Suliaha having mentioned during his resignation press conference that he intends to "get back into coaching" very soon. However, there are indications that there could be other clubs in the chase for his signature, though nothing for certain has been announced.

by **West Barack and East Obama** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 10:09 am

BARACK OBAMA'S NEXT TOP MIDFIELDER

Our Eleventh Episode!

Welcome to the ELEVENTH episode of Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder! The talent show for these ten lucky people to display their talents in the middle of the park! We're onto our final candidate and final episode for the finals, but fret not! Soon there will be the Final Finals, where the REAL excitement happens! Put your hands together for... Ersatz Obamot!

Wolfgang: Sorry, I'm late. Where is everyone else?

Sergei: What? Oh yeah, the audience can't sit in their seats for the time being. Something about repeated explosions destabilising the structure of the place, making sitting on those seats over there a hazard. Something like that.

Wolfgang: Okay, what about our contestant? I'm 15 minutes late and he's not here yet? Is he just hiding somewhere, waiting for my arrival? I mean, that's really swe-

Sergei: Nope. Heard nothing from him. He's late as well.

Wolfgang: I hope this episode isn't live on telly right now. Millions watching you just sitting in a dark theatre...

Sergei: Hey, watch your mouth. Even me just sitting here twiddling my thumbs is better than some of the dreck on television these days.

Wolfgang: Alright, alright. Chill man. So, Ersatz Obamot. Did I get that right? What do we know about him.

Sergei: Nothing.

Wolfgang: Nothing?

Sergei: Zilch. Nada.

Wolfgang: How can we not know anything about a potential participant on a internationally broadcast show that we're hosting? What did the regional audition judges say? Surely if they had advanced him to the next round, they must had seen him or know something about him.

Sergei: Nuh-uh. Everyone I've tried speaking to says that they can't spoil the surprise for me. I got to wait for him to show up then be wowed. So they say.

Wolfgang: Well, that's intriguing. Not particularly useful, but certainly intriguing.

Sergei: Intrigue only gets people watching the first half. If he's not here in the next 15 minutes, I'm going to do something more interesting. Like file my toenails or my taxes.

Wolfgang: Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I've actually been looking for time to work on my new solo album, whic-

Sergei: I'm aware of that. I'm the one producing it.

Wolfgang: Executive. You're an executive producer.

Sergei: Hey, that's still producing. Give me some credit.

Wolfgang: You're only listed because you own the label. I've never even seen you in the studio.

Sergei: How can I see you in the studio? You're always 'unavailable' and out doing stupid football matches and training and other rubbish. Are you a DJ or a footballer? Because if this behaviour continues I'm going to have to ask you to pick one.

Wolfgang: Maybe I'd have more time to work on my music if I didn't have to be dragged to this show every Sunday! Gosh.

Sergei: You don't like it here? Well, you don't have to come. As recent events have proven, I'm totally capable of managing without a bunch of deadweight panel judges ruining the show. Show some gratitude. I salvaged your career from the bottom of the barrel after your little 'holiday' in Guanobamano.

Wolfgang: Alright, alright, sorry.

Sergei: It's fine. You're fine.

[awkward pause]

Wolfgang: Say, we've got 5 Final Finalists right? Colonel Huth, Obamaheimer, the Catherine woman, Deezus Peezus and... the gangster fellow? If we've got 5 confirmed, then we don't need to wait for Obamot right? We can just leave?

Sergei: Four. Four Final Finalists.

Wolfgang: Four?

Sergei: Our dear 'gangster fellow' Obamanuel Claudius-Ainsworth died in a shootout just an hour after escaping from this theatre. So he's not showing up anytime soon. Anyways, it's only 8 minutes left until I'm leaving. I didn't chastise you for being late, so there's no need to rush our friend Ersatz Obamot over here.

Wolfgang: I see. So the whole Ainsworth argument with Zoey was for... nothing?

Sergei: Not for nothing. The payback for buzzing in that godawful swimmer was worth it. Her leaving was a cherry on top.

Wolfgang: Right.

Sergei: I may exude this cool demeanour, but deep down, I'm terrified, man. Our final finalists selection is complete garbage. It's just a clown show, except one will actually HAVE to be selected for the national team. If this becomes a total failure I can't step foot in public ever again without some three-letter agency pulling a paper bag over my head and sending me to Guanobamano Bay.

Wolfgang: It's not that bad. On Tuesday we get Tacos.

Sergei: I don't know if I can. But we have to bring back one of the eliminated contestants. That kid from Lozho. The nutter running for LFA presidency. Heck, even fat old Chuck. Anyone who actually knows how to play football.

Wolfgang: What, like, another special episode?

Sergei: Bingo. Special episode for the fifth contestant. Fight to the death? Maybe I could make it a Lozho Ninja Warrior style fast-paced thing. That'd get the viewing numbers in, AND we won't look like a laughingstock during the Final Finals.

Wolfgang: Sounds like a plan.

[a mysterious figure wearing a dark hoodie walks in]

Master of Ceremonies: I apologise, sir. Mr Obamot will not be able to make it to the round of Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder tonight, sir. Thank you sirs.

[the mysterious figure walks out]

Wolfgang: Well, that's a definitive answer then.

Sergei: Good thing no one was recording anything yet. Would had been pretty boring for the people back home.

Wolfgang: We weren't being recorded? Great, so I wasted my time then.

Sergei: But we didn't waste any film!

Wolfgang: Okay...

Sergei: Look, I'll make it up to you. Pizza party at the studio?

Wolfgang: At the studio? I thought you'd never ask.

Sergei: Alright. Let's go.

by **Independent Athletes from Quebec** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 12:23 pm

Alright, let's set the boundaries first. Cmon Quebbles...

Style Mod: Duh (+5)

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Default
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes but I decide severity
Godmod injuries to my players: TG me first.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes/No
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes*/No (please discuss if you have exact ideas in mind)
Godmod other events: TG me first

ok now let's move onto the actual roster...

INDEPENDENT ATHLETES FROM QUEBEC SENIOR TEAM - 85th CUP OF DISHARMONY

Nation Name (Trigramme): Kingdom of Quebec and Shingoryeo (QUE)
Demonyms: Quebecois/Shingoryeoite
Colours: Red, Black and Blue
Team Nickname: GRIM REAPERS
National Anthem: 'Ode to Thee, My Homeland'
Royal Anthem: 'Hymn to the Shingoryeo'

Home and Away Kits by Uni-Q [Qusmo] & Alternate kits by Meski Sport [RedBlackiland]

Managerial Staff

General Manager/Senior Team Director:[img]Vacant
Manager: Ramaz Dolnight, 46

Note: First of back-to-back contracts with the RQFA contract takes effect this cycle. This contract runs for the course of Cup of Harmony 85, which will be followed by the second, two-cycle contract.
Assistant Manager:

Vacant

Some Background about this Team

Shingoryeoite-Takil: Quebecois football is a weird breed of its own with emphasis on total football. Of course, this means a general mix of offensive hellfire, bleeding brand of resilience and sheer joy of physical brutality. While those Quebecois players may come from all shapes and form, but if there's one thing that they all have in common, is their love of staying violent. The footballing culture here has taught and still teaches that red cards that prevent a goal are necessary for the good in the minds of both the players and the fans, and if a player cannot handle simple contact or flops, then he's dead in the minds of most people, even their family members. Of course, whether they are skilled players of their own or not is another story, and the legendary forward corps of the seventies of the World Cup era had both skills and brawn, but it's a squad that loves to get fast, high and violent, and will not be afraid to demonstrate their flames.

Q-League and the league composition of the players: Over the years, the Q-League have seen the improved performance on the IFCF stage, as well as the solid presence of import and domestic players making an impact with their respective national teams. Still, while the league's financially strong, the traditional tendencies of major national team players going abroad to improve their career (and more importantly, stay in the national team conversation) has remained strong and persists to this day and age where the Q-League has managed to establish firm, clear stronghold among the upper echelon of domestic leagues across the Multiverse. Thus it is expected that a vast majority of any senior side (this includes EC and CAFA) to consist mostly of those who play abroad. For now, those who are staying home aren't necessarily pushovers, but they are just waiting for their time to head abroad and shine in a major club like their teammates, seniors or legends have done for ages.

Historical Performance: Two renditions of Quebec and Shingoryeo - this being the second edition - has participated in the World Cup qualifying editions of cycles 62 to 77, and from 85 to now. In almost twenty-five editions of the World Cup competitions, the Grim Reapers have qualified for 14 World Cups, including a stretch of nine straight qualifications between the World Cup 69 and 77. More recently the Grim Reapers have made the second round of the last two World Cups after requiring a dramatic, second-half turnaround to qualify for the World Cup, restoring a shade of reputation that many had worried were tarnished after horrible performances during the World Cups 89 and 90 cycles.

It is still true, however, that the team's biggest international successes go back a generation, with their strongest slate of results found in the mid-seventies of World Cup competition when they placed fourth at the World Cup 77 and made it to back-to-back quarterfinals since. While mostly forgotten in the general narrative, they have also placed third in the Cup of Harmony 81 just three cycles ago. Their relatively high-achieving performance, however, have not translated on the other levels of competition with the Grim Reapers mostly finishing on group stages or second round of the DBC, U18WC or their now-discontinued participation in the AOCAF and CAFA tournaments.

The Bubonic Plague: God, not them. The infamous ultras of the Quebecois national teams in various sports have made their names known for their love of indulgences, festivities and most importantly causing chaos and fury wherever they go. Armed with pyrotechnics, torches and of course the hand-held flares, they are famous for their fluorescent banners that are either used to intimidate visiting sides or to humiliate the Grim Reapers for poor performance. Armed with drums, vuvuzelas and musical instruments on top, the sound of the buzzing fans are often a challenge for anybody - both home and away - to play, and while the Bubonic Plague has remained mostly apolitical outside of its usual nationalistic dose, their penchant to end up on various events better that are belonged to current affairs (see: Quebec-Farfadillis second round match that has led into nationwide protests and a massive forest fire across Szoirsia).

Rivals: Who are the rivals for this Grim Reapers' team? It's a tough question, partly due to a significant gap between the two renditions of the IAQUE sides, as well as the ever-changing nature of the national teams. In the late-60s and early-70s, the biggest of their rivals have come from historically-friendly San Jose Guayabal and Cosumar, while Schottia, a small-sized nation located in the far-flung region of Tyran, would gradually take over as the primary rival to the Grim Reapers.

Of course the Schottic claim to being the Grim Reapers' biggest rivals could be challenged on the grounds that the relationship shared between the two nations have stayed mostly cordial thanks to strong relationship shared by players and coaching staff of two nations, most famously shown by the longtime mentorship of Corinne Martel-Burns by Hazel van Robben, the marriage of internationally-renowned physio Claire Hanson to Leonardo Conavacio, and not to mention Sir. Lionel Mah's decadelong tenure with the World Cup 79 champions.

Unfortunately the promise of what was bound to be a close rivalry between the two did not materialise as the sponsorship scandal sunk the Quebecois Government and led into their twelve-year absence from international football. And by the time the Quebecois have made their comeback to international football under the IAQ banner, the ongoing instabilities of the Schottic football pyramid have unfortunately put a long pause to the decades of friendship that have lingered up to that point. So with their shutdown, combined with the absence of the aforementioned two nations, the Grim Reapers are back to square one without a clearcut rival to set their flames with.

What has emerged since their return, however, was a growing sense of intra-regional solidarity as the Grim Reapers, rejuvenated by the chance many have felt would never come again, have reached out and actively looked for growing partners. And while there does not appear to be clearcut rivals for the Grim Reapers yet, there is no doubt that many possibilities lie ahead in the future following key encounters with the Commonwealth of Baker Park, only one of the sides the Grim Reapers have played at least once a cycle, Chromatika, their neighbours across the Grinshem sea, Ko-oren, the other neighbour across the Salamantic Sea, and high-octane neighbours of Huayramarca. On the other side of the Blood Sea that separate the regions there also exists a couple of options with Mytanija, one of very few in the world whose fieriness can equal or even outdo the Grim Reapers; Valladares, longtime allies and friends where many legends have plied their trade at the LFV, and Cassadaigua, a major economic and political ally. It is here we wonder whose paths will cross with the Grim Reapers more often and set the fire - who's gonna be the next?

Finally, there is one thing to consider when it comes to the I.A.Q, and is that the IAQ national team and the RQFA have always been a results-driven bunch. While that has never really gone away over the course of its history, it has become even more of a problem now, especially with the results from the heydays of the seventies, when they had qualified for 9 straight WCs, back to back quarterfinals in 73 and 74, and finished 4th at 77, looming into their mind.

Please take note that, as a condition of of accepting the Cup of Harmony 85 invitation, the I.A.Q. national team will be adhered to following RQFA rules:

2. Members of the I.A.Q. team will not be provided any transportation arrangements to get to the hosting nation of CoH 85. They will be asked to book their tickets on their own time without RQFA's assistance.
3. The RQFA will graciously refuse all the generous accommodations normally provided to participating teams. The I.A.Q. team will be housed inside old RVs found in caravan parks. If there is no RV or caravan park available, they will be accommodated on tents.
4. There will be no financial support given to members of the I.A.Q. team over the course of this CoH.
5. There will be no transportation provided between their accommodation and the stadium. It is expected that the players hitchhike, walk or cycle their way from/to the stadium.
6. There will be no food provided to the I.A.Q. team members outside of tasteless gruel. They will asked to cook gruel on their own time.
7. The RQFA will not be selling Quebecois television rights to the CoH-85. There will be no official broadcasts of Cup of Harmony in Quebec & Shingoryeo.

Players

Goalkeepers (3)

Mederick Brown - 25 -

West Couno United (DEBUT)
Leopold Shim - 28 -

Megabrantid
Clemence Moussenguet - 26 -

Pyathora Mariners FC

Defenders (10)

LB Benoit Nianzou Jr - 24 -

Deportivo Junin
CB Pierre-Karl Cizeron- 27 -

CDSA
CB Hannah Kim - 28 -

Damogran - CAPTAIN
RB Frederic Yabusele - 21 -

Atletik Tezia

LB Brian Wilson-Didh - 25 -

CSKA Quebec
LB Alain Delisle - 19 -

Montreal City (DEBUT)
CB Noel-Hercule McKinley - 26 -

West Couno United
CB Sinisa Salihamidzic - 21 -

Perce Town (DEBUT)
CB Christabel Woo - 20 -

Haligonian (DEBUT)
RB/CB Coralie Higgins-Mah - 27 -

Alnio

Midfielders (7)

DM Joelinton Dyxkeson - 26 -

Brantisvogan
CM Mathinna Bouck - 28 -

Rulandea Kosta
CM Camille Oh-Chainey - 23 -

CSKA Quebec
CM Jean-Philippe Vaillancourt - 29 -

Couno Rangers
AM/SS Cesar Icardi-Rabiot -

Jinja City FC (DEBUT)
AM Pengsoo Brown - 24 -

Lanar
UTILITY Aurelien Moussenguet - 19 -

Olympique de Rimouski (DEBUT)

Forwards (6)

LW Ruby Vanderley - 24 -

Lanar
LW/AM Otis Tekaronhonte - 25 -

Eivora Athletic FC
ST/LW Oberon M'bah-Pinho - 19 -

Kingston FC
RW/ST Eloise Morgan - 31 -

Farrenton Athletic (RE-CALL)
ST/RW Corneille-Theophile Poulin -

Leaside Lions (DEBUT)
UTILITY Hong Yeong-Sahm - 27 -

Lhor (RE-CALL)

by **Estorvipa and Estorpiva** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 12:52 pm

“Did you see what Fedorchuk and Traianescu just said last night? Can you believe it? They’re really going to do it, aren’t they? They’re going to unite their governments and form one country to face everyone else here in Estoria!”

“Oh yes, I have, Gavrina Vasilyevna,” Major Klaudia Fridrikhovna Glaser nodded in reply. “And before you ask any further, I don’t really have anything to say about it. But here’s what I can tell you about Fedorchuk and Traianescu’s proclamation: they’re going to make my bosses go crazy trying to find out when those two came to such a decision.”

Kumilyova and Glaser were inside an office building across the street from the Feuerstadt city hall, a place which had been “requisitioned” by the Federal Defense Forces as part of their garrison in the capital city of the now practically defunct State of Estorpiva. Soldiers from across different branches and regiments of the FDF were using the building as a temporary barracks, and that included the Pridnestrovian Airborne Forces troopers who were currently “seconded” to the FDF to serve as the latter’s own airborne forces while their indigenous troopers completed their training. Both Kumilyova and Glaser were wearing green digital pattern camouflage uniforms over white-and-blue striped undershirts, and Glaser looked like she was both happy and relieved to finally be back in a proper uniform. Kumilyova also noticed it, and she told Glaser just that.

“Of course I’m happy to finally be wearing a proper uniform again,” Glaser said. “Don’t get me wrong, Gavrina Vasilyevna, I will wear anything that I have to if that’s what is required of me, but I just feel better wearing an actual uniform as opposed to looking like a guerrilla. I guess I just prefer fighting as a soldier because I am a soldier.”

“If you wanted to fight like a soldier, Klaudia Fridrikhovna, why did you choose to go into the KGB instead of sticking wherever you were before?” Kumilyova asked.

“Let’s just say that the Committee has had its eye on me for some time,” Glaser replied. “And when the time came, they approached me with an offer to join for all of the usual benefits over the rank and file, and the rest is history, as they say. They’re not about to let someone with a 130-plus IQ slip through their fingers just like that.”

Kumilyova leaned back in her chair and looked at Glaser. “How long have you and your people been here in Feuerstadt again? A month, something like that?”

“It should be around a month, yes,” Glaser nodded. “Although honestly, it really feels like it’s been forever since we arrived here. I think we fended off at least three attacks from the Blue Skulls while waiting for the FDF to get off of their asses and finally begin their invasion—excuse me, ‘reclamation.’ They’re very specific with their words on how they describe this special military operation of theirs, these Estorians. They’re not invading their own people, okay? They’re just ‘reclaiming’ all of the territory that they lost to the Inselberg Pact idiots in order to restore their own brand of peace and order over everyone else.”

“No wonder Fedorchuk and Traianescu decided that it was time for them to unite their states and present a united front to the Inselbergers,” Kumilyova muttered. “Anyway, you guys are probably going to get rotated out of here in a few days. Everyone in the KGB and the GRU who went to Feuerstadt to get the surrender deal with the Pivans signed is probably going to get a first class ticket back to Pridnestrovia sometime soon. And you guys probably deserve it with how long you all held out against the damn Blue Skulls. Meanwhile, my men and I are probably going to have to stay here for another month or two because the actual Estorian airborne troopers still haven’t completed their training just yet. Sometimes life really isn’t fair, is it?” she asked Glaser.

“I don’t think I can comment on that, Vasilyevna,” Glaser said. “For all you know, your whole regiment could end up just being used as the garrison for Feuerstadt for the rest of your deployment. It’s not like there are places on the frontlines where the FDF could use a regiment of veteran airborne troopers with experience fighting on almost all sorts of battlefields. Places like a city under siege or a town sitting right at the end of a vital mountain pass connecting three allies to each other.”

Kumilyova’s eyebrows went up in a mixture of curiosity and surprise. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about planned airborne operations in those areas, would you, Fridrikhovna?” she asked.

“Maybe I do, or maybe I don’t,” Glaser shrugged noncommittally. “And even if I did, I couldn’t tell you, or else I would have to kill you. And, since you’re a good friend, Vasilyevna, I really don’t want to have to kill you,” she added with a teasing grin.

“As if you could actually kill me, Fridrikhovna,” Kumilyova said with a grin of her own.

“Don’t test me, Gavrina,” Glaser chuckled. “I’m still convinced that at least half of the instructors in the Bank are actual psychopaths and murderers whom they haven’t kicked out of the Army yet just because they can come up with all of those crazy ways that they can end other people using the craziest stuff like a notebook or a makeup kit.”

“I don’t doubt it, Klaudia,” Kumilyova nodded. “Anyway, if you did have to kill me because you divulged classified information to me, accidentally or otherwise, how do you think our mutual friend is going to feel about it?”

“Which mutual friend are we talking about again?” Glaser asked in a sincere tone. “The one here or the one out there?”

“The one out there,” Kumilyova clarified. “You know, the one in the fleet.”

“Oh, that one,” Glaser nodded. “Oh yes, she would probably be very upset if she found out. I know how close the two of you were back in the day, especially before the Second Ixanian War. That’s why I said I would really rather not have to take care of you, because I know it’s going to bother her.”

“How about our mutual friend right here? What does she have to say about all of this?” Kumilyova asked. “I know that she can hear the two of us right now. Ask her what she thinks, then tell me what her answer is.”

Glaser went quiet for a few moments, seemingly thinking about a response to Kumilyova’s latest comments, but when she spoke again it was actually to answer the latter. “She said that she would be fine with it,” Glaser said. “She would find it completely regrettable and preventable, but if she had to do it then she wouldn’t even hesitate at all.”

“I’m glad to know that we’re both fighting for the same side then,” Kumilyova muttered again. “How do you deal with all of that, though? How does it not drive you crazy? I know that Tatyana Nikitichna was already crazy to begin with even before she met one of our mutual friend’s friends, but how do you cope with it, Klaudia Fridrikhovna?”

“I’m surprised that you’re asking me this question, Gavrina Vasilyevna,” Glaser replied. “Then again, if it wasn’t for our friend in the Navy, we probably would never have met, or at least we wouldn’t have become as friendly to each other as we are right now. However, this is what our mutual friend has to say about it: if it was you whom she had bonded with, she would most definitely have considered it a friendship of convenience. But I daresay that she and I actually have a better synergy and understanding of each other, even if she would rather be anywhere else but here.”

“What? Right here, talking to me? Is she really that determined to keep herself as far away from me as possible?” Kumilyova asked.

“No, of course not, Gavrina Vasilyevna,” Glaser shook her head. “Stop being so obtuse. You know that she doesn’t understand sarcasm at all. It took her many years to understand when I was being sarcastic, and she’s probably going to have to spend her entire lifetime figuring you out if you were in my shoes right now!”

“Tatyana Nikitichna and her friend seemed to have figured it all out though,” Kumilyova countered. “I wouldn’t say that Tanya is a more sarcastic person than me, but she could be quite sarcastic depending on her mood. The two of them must have figured out a system or something to deal with that. But what do I know? I’ve only seen our mutual friends once or twice in my life, and I don’t plan on getting to know them better than that!”

“The feeling is mutual,” Glaser said.

Someone knocked on the door of the conference room, and both Kumilyova and Glaser looked up as Kumilyova’s second-in-command, Captain Vyacheslav Ilyich Klimov, went inside. “Gasha, you might want to make yourself a little bit more presentable,” he said. “General Kovacs is here for an inspection.”

“General Kovacs?” Glaser asked. “Which one are we talking about here, Captain?”

“General Bonifacy Kovacs of the Federal Defense Forces, Major,” Klimov replied. “Who else could I be talking about?”

“You’ll have to forgive Vyacheslav Ilyich,” Kumilyova said to Glaser in a stage whisper. “He’s a good guy and a great soldier and all that, but sometimes he can be dumb as a sack of rocks.”

“You could have warned me beforehand about the Major, Gasha,” Klimov said. “Also, you’re keeping the general waiting. I know he’s not one of ours, but he’s still a general officer so, you know, get a move on or something like that.”

“Just calm down, Slava, I’ll be with the general soon,” Kumilyova said, and once Klimov had left the room, she rolled her eyes at Glaser, who covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laugh. “What can I say, Klaudia? Duty calls,” Kumilyova said, and she stood up and left the conference room, leaving Glaser alone with only her own thoughts for company. “Yes, we are indeed a crazy bunch,” Glaser said to nobody in particular.

by **Kirungabi** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 1:07 pm

← PREV — First Lady Musabyimana Uburiganya: Kirungabi "Strong" in CORNCOB Negotiations

World Cup Woes Earn Kirungabi Cup of Harmony Slot, Interest in Kirungans Abroad

IMISOZI — The Kirungan National Football Team, led by iconic Garçons du Port coach Cyril Kamembe and winners of the latest edition of the Baptism of Fire, have accepted their invitational Cup of Harmony slot for the 85th edition of the tournament, scheduled to be held in the Pavolan nation of Græntfjall. The reception and acceptance of the invitation was confirmed by Kirungabi Itangira Guhera's Sporting Commission Undersecretary Blessing Bwanakweli, and received the green light from KIG head and First Lady Musabyimana Uburiganya, shortly after Kirungabi's inaugural qualifier campaign culminated in an unremarkable 2-0 loss away to eventually fourth-placed Adab.

Off the back of an emphatic Baptism of Fire title against empowered finalists Archalit, the Kirungan National Team was widely regarded as a dark horse come the start of the World Cup Qualifiers, proving a popular budget fantasy football pick alongside fellow Baptism of Fire contenders Aéragny and favourites Naixi. Despite this, while confident in the budding team's ability, Kamembe urged fans to "stay realistic" about Kirungabi's qualification chances, citing the strength of the team's highest-profile groupmates in Ceni, Yuezhou, Græntfjall and Adab as the biggest threat to their chances. "It's absolutely encouraging to see all the love and support for Kirungabi around the world, but we know that it's going to be a tough challenge to make the Finals," the Imyuzure man admitted. "We know how to win, and we know how to play together, but for sure the level of the opposition will be higher than before. We have the strength and the skill — but maybe we need a little bit of luck as well."

As feared, Kirungabi's early showings were marred in frustration, with the team's debut match against 261st ranked Dod Rava ultimately proving a missed opportunity to score early points. The mental setback wasn't terminal, as the team followed up with a gritty 3-3 draw against Yuezhou in Ville Amahoro's scintillating KIG Olympic Park Arena, but fate wouldn't keep Kamembe's hopes up for much longer. By the sixth matchday, Kirungabi found themselves languishing in eleventh place in Group 5 — already, even in spite of the long road ahead, a cause for public alarm from Kamembe and assistant coach August Abihayimana. "Our guys are playing their hearts out," he assured, "but we're cracking at pivotal moments, and they're just outsmarting us."

With over half of the campaign still left to play, Kirungabi's fortunes suddenly seemed to shift into the green after a self-described "unnecessary" away loss to Natanians and Nosts on the seventh matchday, after which a frustrated Umuku Nzafashwanimana declared that "the team's lost belief in itself" — having uncharacteristically attempted 14 unsuccessful shots on goal to their opponent's 100% conversion rate. Alarmed at the team's imminent collapse, Kamembe and Abihayimana swept the table clean and regrouped the ailing squad. Though light on details aside from colorful descriptions of the prolific coaching duo's pep talks and tactical strokes, the campaign reboot proved a success: solid, goalful victories against Talamia, Gyatso-kai, and Canadian Dominion relit Kirungabi's waning flame, and following a draw to Adab and a steady rematch win over Dod Rava, the nearly all-domestic squad had fought back up to 5th place at the halfway point.

Alas, while the rebuilt momentum after plummeting down the order in the early stages of the qualifiers had seemed to signal the start of a comeback run, it was over as soon as it began: consecutive losses to Yue Zhou and Ceni promptly shafted Kirungabi back down the table to eighth, by which point the team's qualification chances had been sentenced to their demise, and both Kamembe and Abihayimana were at ease with the inevitability of elimination — a fate which, mathematically, arrived as late as the 20th match after a 2-0 away loss to Gyatso-kai, but which had realistically befallen the national team long before.

Nevertheless, Kirungabi's inaugural World Cup showing proved fruitful for Cyril Kamembe and his strong 26-player squad — not only to calibrate and nurture the team's playing style, but also to launch Kirungan players into international club football. The team's surprise attacking performances and ever-solid defensive prowess earned further interest of teams across Rushmore and abroad, continuing where the early Championnat de Kirungabi de Fut transfers of Patrick Mutoni (to Quebec and Shingoryeo) and Chitundu Sindikubwabo (to La Unione in Farfadillis) left off: Tumbra-bound Thomas Gatera and Patient Habyimana, Sylestone's AFC Droves' new forward pick Rungayindo Gatabazi, and the high-profile transfers of Cyera Umucukuzi and Munyentwali Niyonzima to Tikariot and Mytanija's top-league CDSA, respectively, are expected to close off a successful transfer window for Kirungan clubs. "It's great news that our players' efforts have been recognized abroad by teams such as Haligonian, CDSA, and Macarthur City,'' celebrated assistant coach August Abihayimana. "It’s positive for them, to discover the different football philosophies that exist across the region, and for our domestic clubs as well, so that they can reinvest in our local players and our next generations of Kirungan stars, by improving our infrastructure and our football structure as a whole.”

Head coach Kamembe, while similarly excitable, raised a valid concern over the Kirungan players’ transfers abroad, but still concluded that the overwhelming interest had been a positive development overall. “For sure, it leaves some domestic teams in a trickier position,” he admitted. “Sending Habimana and Gatabazi away is going to be a big loss for my own team,” he exclaimed, alluding to his continuing position as Garçons du Port head coach. “Our players training abroad is also going to put our strategy so far to the test: we’ve always relied on our knowledge of the Championnat’s teams and playing styles to build a cohesive team, and now we will have to learn to take advantage of what our players will be learning abroad to incorporate new things into our own style. But all in all, it’s part of the endless learning process we will always be going through.”

Another name making the rounds in international club football is triple-nationality Kirungan diaspora player Didier Garnacho Siboyintore. Born in Quebec to a Huayramarcan mother and a Kirungan refugee father, the 16-year-old has been touted as Kirungabi’s biggest future star in light of his $6m transfer to Montreal Koreana. “We have been keeping tabs, yes,” admitted Kamembe. “Maybe he’s still green for a national team debut, but I can say that it may be closer to a future certainty than not. We have to start considering that the future of the Kirungan national team could be going in this direction: a wonderful mix of foreign-trained players and domestic stars.”

Stalled CORNCOB Summit "a Threat" to Kirungan Nuclear Aspirations — NEXT →

85th Cup of Harmony [rosters/RPs/results]

Eleanorian national team roster for the 85th Cup of Harmony

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