THE TRUE VALHALLAN FEDERATION OF POLAR ISLANDSTATES ROSTER FOR WORLD CUP 94 QUALIFIERS
Nation Name: The True Valhallan Federation of Polar Islandstates
Demonym: Valhallans (or Polarians)
Team Nickname: The Terns
Official Supporters Group:
KIT COLOURS:
AWAY - HOME (w/ Reverse) - KEEPER
HOME STADIUM:
Nasjonale Stadion - 67,481 (Franz Josef City)
STAFF:
Manager: Iosef Miroshnichenko, 55
Record in Charge: P 4, W 1, D 1, L 2, GF 2, GA 3, GD -1, WP 25%
A True Valhallan, Iosef played for the Terns way back in Copa Rushmori XXVII, albeit mostly from the bench. Never quite hit the heights that people expected from him whilst he was an international player, but has turned out to be quite the astute tactician during the long decades of closed borders. Has been handed the reins of the national team by the newly re-formed VFA for this first tournament out of international isolation, and you can rest assured that Party members and the OO will be watching him closely. It's no big deal; it's only our international reputation at stake. Now, sit up straight, get your hand on your heart, and sing the national anthem. Louder! And hold still, I'm trying to stitch a bit more gold braid onto your epaulettes...
Assistant Manager: Federico Aalto, 50
A True Valhallan, Aalto's Külmsaari background means he is born from the same cradle that supported the Party in their rally against Sargossan influence and used it to gain power in the Federation. The Party will be relying on his presence to subconsciously remind the players of what is at stake this campaign - i.e. the mission to prove to the Multiverse that Valhalla Stronk. VFA members will also be hoping that his attacking tendencies temper Miroshnichenko's conservative leanings. Clean sheets are important, sure, but scoring is fun. Now, sing up! Aut pax, aut bellum!
PLAYERS:
#1 - GK - Hans Aigner - Age 28 - East Franz Athletic - 4 Caps
A True Valhallan and a truly safe pair of hands. The Terns might not have covered themselves in gory at the Copa during their return to international football, but without Aigner in the goalmouth, things could have been a whole lot worse. Still young for a goalkeeper, Miroshnichenko will be hoping that Aigner can be the bedrock of the Terns' defence for years to come. It would take a very good player indeed to unseat him, that's for sure.
#2 - WBR - Johannes Braun - Age 27 - SK Nasjonale Hauker - 4 Caps
A True Valhallan, Braun's emergence as a right-back in the same mould of the legendary Moses Luc Bjerregaard can be traced back to the money they invested in their youth academy following their hot streak of league titles. Excitingly for both Hauker and the Terns, he isn't the only player in this squad that you can say that about. Lightning quick, he sacrificed a promising track career to concentrate on football, and his pace makes up for his lack of pure tactical awareness. Expect to see him bombing down the wing in support of Heimark as often as the manager lets him.
#3 - WBL- Jens Carlquist - Age 29 - Northbrook Diamonds FK - 4 Caps
A True Valhallan, Northbrook captain Carlquist is a strong, no-nonsense kind of wing-back, who is usually happy to let others do the running. He's as fast as the modern game requires a player in his position to be, but his strength lies not in dribbling. Instead, he acts as a wide anchor in attack; pinging cross-field diagonals and possession retaining short passes as and when required. Has lifted two of the last three Divisjon One titles with the Diamonds, and hates losing.
#4 - DC - Magnus Dahm - Age 32 - Northbrook Diamonds FK - 4 Caps
A True Valhallan, Magnus Dahm has spent his whole career at Northbrook, and like Carlquist has been instrumental all of their recent success. A man mountain, he was never the most nimble or agile players even when he was fresh out of the academy, so he needs to be surrounded by other players who can help to get him out of trouble when he's slow off the mark. But for sheer leader, you'll be hard pressed to find a better rock to base your defence around.
#5 - DC - Odbjorn Ohm - Age 21 - FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla - 2 Caps
A True Valhallan, Ohm was one of the stars of the recent DBC campaign in Valanora and Banija. He had already shown enough in the squad at the last Copa to usurp Olsen in the starting eleven by the time the crucial game against Sargossa rolled around, and that DBC campaign did him no harm whatsoever. Much is hoped for in Bjarnarey from this kid, and he's going the potential to be one of the Bargemen's all timers if he keeps up this trajectory - he's already done enough to be the only change to the expected first choice eleven from the Copa squad...
#6 - DC - Onni Boes - Age 29 - East Franz Athletic - 4 Caps - Vice-Captain
A True Valhallan. Onni Boes is one of the biggest characters in the dressing room, famously being discovered halfway out to sea on a Kuril fishing vessel three days after the last time East Franz won the league title, alongside two circus acrobats, a stuffed fox, no memory of how he got there, and a crushing headache. Elaborate and flamboyant, he's more like an attacking midfielder trapped in a centre-back's body sometimes, but he makes the game fun to watch. And with Miroshnichenko's emphasis on defence, that might be crucial to watching audiences this campaign. The fans love him, and so will your television editors. You know the phrase "if a defender has to make a tackle then they've already made a mistake"? Yeah. Not that.
#7 - AMC - Sebastian Nylund - Age 23 - Northbrook Diamonds FK - 4 Caps, 1 Goal
A True Valhallan, Nylund is one of only two players to have scored for the senior team, adding the second goal against Kirungabi with a delightful indirect free-kick to confirm Miroshnichenko's only win in international football so far. Can operate as a number ten but does tend to drift wide, a fact that the tactics are set up to exploit. Expect to see him pop up when and where you least expect him too, and good luck trying to mark him.
#8 - DMC - Ragnar Holst - Age 26 - SK Aasiaat Harbour - 4 Caps
A True Valhallan, Ragnar Holst was only a teenager when he helped propel Aasiaat to their only Divisjon One titles so far. Aasiaat may not have maintained that form, but Ragnar himself has. He's got fierce competition now form another teenager attempting to emulate him, but it looks for now like he's got the number eight position locked down. Smart, clever, and lets his feet do the talking, particularly on the edge of either box.
#9 - ST - Dmitry Eisenhauer - Age 29 - SK Franz Josef City - 4 Caps, 1 Goal
A True Valhallan, Eisenhauer is probably the closest the Terns have come in recent years to emulating Timo Skye. At least, in terms of ego. Unlikely to be remembered in the same breath as the great man, or even in the same breath as the next six or seven great men to have scored goals for the Terns, he is nonetheless as very capable and skilful striker who is extremely good at hitting the ball cleanly, and incredibly hard. When Eisenhauer kicks it, it stays kicked. Was snapped up by SK from Sibir at a young age, his ego is now befitting the team that thinks they have a Thor-given-right to win everything every season, which is at least something else he has in common with Skye.
#10 - MC - Oscar Pallasmaa - Age 26 - FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla - 4 Caps, 1 Assist - CAPTAIN
A True Valhallan, Pallasmaa is possibly the most talented all round midfielder the Federation has produced in a generation. Adept at holding, knowing when to press forwards, and when to let loose with one of his famous long range passes, it is impossible to imagine the modern Bjarnarey without him, such is the club and even the city's reliance on him as a talisman. Grew up within sight of The Barge, he is a local hero to the Bjarnese, and fast becoming a national one, too. Leads by example, and is the first name on the teamsheet every time. A potential all-timer.
#11 - AMC - Einar Heimark - Age 21 - East Franz Athletic - 4 Caps, 1 Assist
A True Valhallan, Heimark is the only member of the DBC squad to have already been a starter for the senior team at the time, so it was slightly surprising that he wasn't necessarily the stand-out star of that tournament for the Chicks. Nonetheless, he is an energetic and direct attacking midfielder who will need other players to do some of the legwork for him. Operating almost as a second striker for his club side, his ability to draw defenders out of position should in theory create plenty of space for Eisenhauer to exploit.
#12 - GK - Niko Wederberg - Age 33 - FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls - Uncapped
A True Valhallan, Wederberg has played for almost half the teams in Divisjon One at this point, and seems to have been around forever. His attempts to help SK end their title drought came up short, so he got bored and has moved to Surtsey since the end of the Copa, with Alexandersson moving the other way. Nevermind. He'll probably end up at Resolute Storm or North Star next season (two more clubs on his stampcard and he gets a free one), and might even have a couple of international caps to his name by then.
#13 - GK - Jori Sipp - Age 22 - Jan Mayen Islanders - Uncapped
A True Valhallan, Sipp's performances at the DBC impressed Miroshnichenko enough to earn himself a call-up into the senior squad, replacing the only slightly older Alexandersson. Is unlikely to be here to provide much more than depth and competition for Aigner, but could well be destined for big things. A nimble and cat-like penalty specialist... which would be useful if there were shoot-outs in the qualifiers.
#14 - AMC - Elvis Haugen - Age 21 - FC Axel Heiburg - Uncapped
A True Valhallan, Haugen is in the same boat as Sipp in this his string of performances at the DBC convinced Miroshnichenko, or the selection panel at least, to take a punt on the latest all-round export from the Haapa-Mechelin Youth Academy to start setting their sights on international domination. Not quite as a direct as Heimark, his touch and strength in possession, alongside his short and stocky frame, means getting the ball off him can be almost impossible. A great asset for keeping the ball out of dangerous areas whilst protecting a lead - attack being the best form of defence and all that...
#15 - WBL - Vilhjalmur Wedlund - Age 25 - FC Axel Heiburg - 1 Cap
A True Valhallan, Wedlund is one of the first names on Axel Heiburg's teamsheet at the moment, but still has some tricks to learn if he's going to displace Carlquist form the Terns' starting line-up. His approach to the game is almost the exact opposite to Carlquist's, which means he remains a good option form the bench when the management want to shake things up, but don't expect to see him stating many games whilst the Northbrook man is in form.
#16 - WBR - Rafael Kowaleski - Age 30 - SK Aasiaat Harbour - 1 Cap
A True Valhallan, there isn't much that Kowaleski can't do with a football. It seems at times like he was born with an innate knowledge of whereabouts the football and both goals were at all times. He does sometimes lose concentration and forget where he's supposed to be, or who he's supposed to be marking, but for mostly risk-free backups you don't need to worry about, he's hard to beat in the Federation right now.
#17 - DMC - Nic Dementieva - Age 19 - North Star Grímsey - Uncapped
A True Valhallan and a real firecracker of a midfielder, Nic Dementieva is curating a growing reputation for wild hair, impassioned tackling, and a ferocious appetite for winning the ball. Still has some maturing to do no doubt, but if you wanted to point him in the direction of the opposition playmaker and say, "Nic; destroy," then you're going to see fireworks. Gives off a sort of 'psychiatric patient' aura that can be deeply unsettling for the opposition. If you genuinely thought your marker didn't care one bit about staying on the pitch or not, you do tend to temper your actions somewhat. And yet, has never been sent off. Yet.
#18 - ST - Emmanuele Niemi - Age 20 - SK Nasjonale Hauker - 2 Caps
A True Valhallan, Emmanuele Niemi was the talk of the Federation when he lit up the DBC with his goalscoring, almost single-handedly propelling the Chicks all the way to the semi-finals before a freak gym accident left him on the operating table. Now playing with only one thumb, he cuts an unusual figure on the field, simultaneously looking like he's both craving attention and trying to go under the radar at the same time, and he has a very distinctive run. You can't argue with goals however, and Nasjonale look like they've secured a gem here. His father is also a former Polarian u21s international, and he was born in the Fallenmakr capital of Marylebone, which is sometimes a controversial topic for some of the authorities. Turns out that even they can't argue with goals however, and Niemi is pushing Eisenhauer hard for that number nine shirt.
#19 - MC - Noah Leonhardt - Age 27 - SK Franz Josef City - 1 Cap
A True Valhallan, Noah Leonhardt has a bit of an unfair reputation for being the most boring man in Polarian football. A classic watercarrier, or shuttler, he doesn't stand out or appear to do anything particularly noteworthy at either end of the pitch. He scored once for SK last season - his first in three season - and some commentators genuinely didn't have the stats for his last goal totals in even their back-up notes. Fans have been known to groan when he is announced in the starting line-up, or when coming on as a sub, and yet he keeps plugging away. Managers love him, and you'd miss him if he wasn't there.
#20 - ST - Youssef Nijgaard - Age 19 - FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla - Uncapped
A True Valhallan, exploded into the national consciousness with some electrifying performances at the Copa with his strike partner Emmanuele Niemi. So impressive was it, in fact, that the entire nation seemed to be clamouring for his inclusion in the World Cup squad. Another Bjarnese native, the little floating city seems to be producing a little golden generation at the moment, and this particular member of that generation is going to have a point to prove during this World Cup. More of a deep lying player than an out-and-out finisher, he is a dream of a strike partner to have for others - the only problem being that if Miroshnichenko wants to get the best out of him he's going to have to go two up front.
#21 - MC - Gustav Kommersen - Age 27 - SK Aasiaat Harbour - 2 Caps
A True Valhallan, Gustav has been Aasiaat's chief playmaker for three seasons now, and the Victorrinn club is being built around the midfield combination of him and Holst. The pair have been split up in the naitonal team thanks to the strength of Pallasmaa in Kommersen's position, but Kommersen is taking it in his stride, happy instead to provide cover and competition for the Terns captain. A free kick specialist, so don't be surprised to see him thrown on in the last few minutes if Miroshnichenko decides to play for set pieces in search of a late winner or equaliser.
#22 - DC - Heino Olsen - Age 26 - SK Franz Josef City - 3 Caps
A True Valhallan, Olsen was in the starting line-up at the start of the Copa, and will be disappointed to see his place lost to Ohm. Is on a mission to claim his spot back as a result, and appears to have doubled his levels of professionalism. Tall and gangly, he looks like he'd be easy to outmuscle in the box, but possesses a wiry sort of strength that has surprised many an attacker not just with his ability to hold them off, but also with the length of his legs - that seem to have just the extra inches required to beat them to the ball when it really matters.
#23 - DC - Aapo Miroshnichenko - Age 22 - East Franz Athletic - 1 Cap
A True Valhallan, and yes, the manager's son. He is actually good, though. Really good. Assuming he eclipses his father and manages to live up to the expectations that many hold for him, then a very bright future awaits indeed. The final member of the u-21s squad that finished runners-up at DBC55 to be included in this roster, but with Aapo also gaining his first cap in the Copa Rushmori this was never really in doubt either.
The Polarian game was famous for being methodical in its approach, calmly assessing where the weaknesses of the opposition lay before ruthlessly attacking and exploiting them mercilessly, all whilst being technically superb and abrasive in defence. Miroshnichenko has started his reign however by making sure that this internationally naive bunch of players are hard to beat first and foremost. They will attempt to frustrate the opposition in order to avoid humiliation on this return to the international stage, rather than play any sweeping attacking football that leaves us open at the back.
The back three of Dahm, Ohm, and Boes will not be taking unnecessary risks, and will sit back at almost all times, only really going beyond the halfway line should a corner be taken. Braun and Carlquist will often be the first line in attack when a counter-attack is sprung, rushing forwards quickly to support Nylund and Heimark in their task of supplying throughballs and chips forward for Eisenhauer - a skilled technical finisher and extremely capable physical player. The midfield of Pallasmaa and Holst will largely be tasked with protecting the defence and breaking up the attacks of the opposition, although Pallasmaa's eye for a pass means in games we dominate he will often be the metronome in the heart of the field.
Likely frustrated by this conservative approach will be assistant manager Federico Aalto, whose basis in the Külmsaari game means his base instinct is to always attack. With one coach hellbent on defending, and the other on attacking, the newly rebadged Valhallan Football Association have hired the perfect combination of talent to advertise Secretary General's 'True Valhallan' way of life to the outside multiverse for the first time in nearly three decades.
Penalty Taker: Oscar Pallasmaa/Dmitry Eisenhauer/Einar Heimark
Free Kick Taker: Einar Heimark/Sebastian Nylund/Oscar Pallasmaa
Corner Taker: Einar Heimark/Sebastian Nylund/Johannes Braun
Modification: -4
Record going into World Cup 94:
THE OPPONENT CAN
Choose my goalscorers? Yes.
Godmod scoring events? Yes.
RP injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP.
Godmod injuries to my players? Yes, as above.
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes.
Hand out red cards to my players? Yes, but only 2 per match maximum, and never to my captain or vice-captain.
Godmod other events? I'll have a lot of my own story going on this cycle, so TG me first, please, but I'm always open to ideas.
A quick IC note for your RPs:
The Federation is no longer the bastion of civil rights and political freedoms that you might remember. The long absence from international sport is thanks to an isolationist and paranoid military police state taking over, using whipped up fear against the Sargossans' claim to Külmsaar and Terra Scotia as both carrot and stick. Citizens are now preoccupied with achieving the title of True Valhallan, which is acquired through either military service, civil service, outstanding conduct, or as of recently, representing your national in international sport.
Quite why they've done all this is yet to be ascertained exactly, but the exercise is being described as a good way to advertise the new Valhalla to the outside world. No doubt Secretary General Orion Lund has an ulterior motive, however.
As an aside, the nation has also taken a rather more bullying tone towards the rest of the Valhallan Union, with Minor Valhalla now very much pressured into living up to the definition of its geographical title, and not best pleased about it.
So, the nation is no longer closed, but Valhallan fans will not yet be permitted to travel in large numbers, and organised supporters groups are currently illegal. Visiting fans to the Nasjonale will be capped at 500, but entry requirements will be strenuous, and expect your citizens to be highly scrutenised, policed, and quite possibly spied on by Observation Officers during their stay. It's nothing personal, sorry. We just need to make sure you're who you say you are. And not a violent Fallenmark secessionist. Expect plenty of shady support staff to follow the Terns abroad, too.
In short; it's Valhalla, Jim, but not as we know it...
Aut pax, aut bellum!