World Cup 94 [roleplays]

by **Mytanija** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:51 pm

Continued from:
PART ONE: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS
PART TWO: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS
PART THREE: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS
PART FOUR: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS
PART FIVE: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS

PART SIX: JANA ANUSIC - ONE OF THE BOYS

We’ve run this football blog / online magazine for a few years now and we’ve had contributors from all sorts of backgrounds. Former managers and coaches; scouts; a former player or two. Your man or woman from down the pub, your server at the local restaurant, the kids’ schoolteacher. All sorts of people. We haven’t yet asked any current players to pen an article for us, mostly because they either get advised not to write them or because we don’t want to put them in a difficult position writing about something which could affect their current or future career. We’re good like that. Now, finally, we’re changing that and asking current Mytanija international Jana Anusic to write a series of articles for us because we think it’s important. There are not enough women making it to the Mytanar national team and it’s not because they don’t have the talent for sport. When Jana approached us we thought it was a great opportunity to look into why she, so far, has been the only woman to make it into a Hoops shirt and become one of the boys.

The move to Frenei Tor helped me get the call-up for World Cup 94 qualification. Misel Ravnjak phoned me after the move and congratulated me. He said he liked the ambition I had shown throughout my career, always trying to better myself and never settling. That was great, but then he said I’d be back in the pool of players he’d be calling upon over the qualifying campaign. I was over the moon, I’d battled my way back in, even with a change of coach. Mytanar coaches enjoy detail, generally speaking there aren’t too many laidback coaches back home. They like to have a tactical plan, they like to get it across to the players in simple terms and they want to ensure that it has been taken on board. It wasn’t a surprise to me for Ravnjak to explain what he wanted from me and how he envisioned me in his Mytanija team.

I was slightly taken aback by the detail on my past that he was able to go into, however. He mentioned that I started my career as a striker and had slowly moved back, playing as a number ten at university and in the first few years of my professional career and then further back as a bona fide central midfielder as I had gotten older. Ravnjak said he saw me as the most advanced midfielder in his central midfield three. Good. That was probably my favoured position. Playing higher up often meant playing directly in the most congested area of the pitch. If you started in central midfield, even as the most advanced player, you could actually ‘arrive’ in that congested area. That meant you could pick your spot, you could see what the opposition players were doing and put yourself in the best position possible based on that. It was slightly easier than having to create the space yourself when you started in between opposition players.

It was a good conversation and a long way away from the early years of my career when scouts and coaches for boys’ teams said that they were impressed with my technical skills but that I wouldn’t be able to hack it against boys and that I should go and try handball. My gender didn’t even come into the conversation, nor did my physicality. For Misel Ravnjak, literally the national team coach, it wasn’t an issue, so why is it still presented as an issue for so many young girls who hope to have a football career in Mytanija?

I didn’t ask him why he didn’t mention my physicality. Maybe I should have. It would have been interesting to hear what he thought about it, about why so many girls are funnelled away from this sport and about why the only clear path to a professional football career is currently by going overseas to play. I’ve demonstrated that I can handle myself against men in Chromatika. It’s not an issue because I can do it, just like the men, and just like so many other Mytanar women could if only there was a clearer path to being footballers in Mytanija.

We got off to a good start with a 2-0 win over Boring Paradise. The coach went for his usual first eleven, with Ovsi playing in the most advanced midfield position and wearing that famous number ten shirt. It’s one which is becoming iconic in Mytanija. Playing in the same position as someone as talented as Ovsi is difficult. It can make it feel impossible to get a start, sometimes, but the qualifying campaign is long and there’s always things like form and injuries which can create opportunities. The key thing is winning, of course, as any fan of Mytanija would tell you. But as a footballer you always want to get on the pitch, too, so you have to be prepared when the chance to play does present itself.
A hard-fought 1-0 win at home to the Ochre Islands was a big result, Ovsi getting himself on the scoresheet, naturally. He’s a big game player and there’s a lot that we all try to take from his game. Sometimes he makes other professionals wonder ‘just how have you done that?’ Which is the sort of skill level that you dream of. When the gap between your average person and an average Treca Liga player is so large, can you imagine how it feels when you’re a professional and somebody is able to do things with the football that you can only dream of? It’s strange. We thank ourselves that he is Mytanar every single day, because playing against him – as confirmed by pretty much all of our non-Atletik domestic-based players – seems hellish.

I then got my first opportunity in the away game at the Spartan Dominion. Ravnjak’s approach to these away matches is to keep things tight, to be compact and to try to minimise the risks. That’s not always the most enthusing thing to hear as a footballer, but he felt I could offer something to help us execute the gameplan and that meant I would get a chance to prove myself. A solid performance and an assist for Fran Prpic-Bosanac later and I was receiving a first ever international player of the match award. It was nice to be recognised for a committed midfield showing. It wasn’t the most exciting game I’d ever played in but we fought hard and executed a specific plan and there’s a real sense of achievement in that sometimes.

Another 1-0 win, our third in a row, over hated rivals Sargossa meant that we were absolutely flying. I came on as a late sub for Ovsi in that match and the big games kept coming with a trip to Banija straight afterwards. Those matches are always difficult, but especially so when you’re a substitute and can’t directly affect the game until you come on. Banija played a little different to what we had expected, with their striker dropping into midfield to provide an extra body against our three-man midfield. The media spoke of Ravnjak being outfoxed by a Repinesque tactic, but the truth was that we were trying to ensure we didn’t suffer the fate so many other teams did against Banija and end up a couple of goals down early doors and then have to chase the game. That meant congesting the areas they liked to play in and unfortunately in that moment we didn’t keep things tight enough.

Against Sylestone the gaffer chose other players, but I came back in against The 14 Stars and we got a rather emphatic 3-1 win away from home. Hopefully I inspired some girls back home with my goal in that match, probably one of my favourites from throughout my career, a lovely, curled effort from the edge of the penalty area. Only my second international goal, but I remember watching men score goals as a child and wondering why there wasn’t a lady to cheer on. Hopefully my presence helps to rectify that somewhat. A disappointing 1-0 defeat to Starblaydia allowed Banija – who have been perfect – to really seize control of the group and grow their lead to 8 points. They really are one of the best teams right now and catching them is likely to be difficult, but we can continue to fight for a play-off spot and collecting as many points as possible will be important in trying to get a favourable tie at that stage.

Ravnjak is someone who has never given up at any point in his career, something which I really like, and he made a point of emphasising that trait whenever he could – looking back at his time as Ararat manager it’s clear to see that his teams always fought on even if people thought they were out of it. He wanted us to play in that vein going forwards and to respond immediately to the disappointment of being beaten by the Starblaydi. Another 3-1 win on the road over Al-Tamazgha was the perfect tonic to that disappointment, an excellent way to bounce back and another chance for me to get on the pitch and contribute to the task.

We’re nearly halfway through the qualification campaign and it’s about time for this six-part blog to come to an end. I’m thankful to the team at TO1B for allowing me the platform to both talk about my career and the unusual path I have followed to end up playing for Mytanija. I’m especially thankful for them highlighting the issue of women’s access to football back home. There are so many women who could have had long and successful careers as footballers, in much the same way as they do right across the multiverse, but they just haven’t had the chance to show that they can play – just as well as the men. I’ve ended up being ‘one of the boys’ in such a convoluted way. There’s no good reason for the antiquated view of football only being for men and boys to continue in the modern day, not when Mytanija views itself as progressive across society, but for some reason perpetuates the myth that football is a masculine sport and women should be limited to slightly less combative arenas such as volleyball or handball.

We can be physical too, some of the most aggressive players in world football at the moment are women and they’re damn good at it too. Look at the likes of Trudy Harrison, Amanda Guttisdottir and Moira Ansov. They’re all pretty recognisable names and have played in positions which require physicality (sometimes different types of physicality) and have been successful. I’ve done the same for both club and country over the past few years. I want there to be a pathway for young girls in Mytanija to be able to do the same after me, and that’s why I decided to work with TO1B on this piece. Let’s hope we see some changes. And if we don’t then let’s start forcing that change ourselves. They can’t hold us back forever, it didn’t work when women agitated for emancipation or the vote and we have to keep moving forward. If football is to be the next battleground for gender equality then let’s be the ones who fight the battle so future generations do not have to.

by **Independent Athletes from Quebec** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:58 pm

Independent Athletes from Quebec (IAQ) - World Cup 94 Team
WINDOW 6 - @ Airannia, v Elvatoes
26-PLAYER ENTRY

GOALKEEPERS (3):
Goh Yeong-Rok (Kingston FC), Clemence Moussenguet (Pyathora Mariners FC, TKT), Sandra Middleton (Brinemouth, NPH)

DEFENDERS (9):
Pierre-Karl Cizeron (Liria, MYT), Kira Dormann (Kingsbury United, TMB), Joo Pil-Seung (Frenei Tor, CMT), Hannah Kim (Damogran, SRS), Noel-Hercule McKinley (West Couno United), Sinisa Salihamidzic (Montreal Koreana), Yves Soonias (Montreal Koreana), Brian Wilson-Didh (Santranginus, SRS), Frederic Yabusele (Atletik, MYT)

MIDFIELDERS (7):
Jean-Christophe Babin (Sabrefell Moths), Mathinna Bouck (Rulandea Kosta, FFD), Joelinton Dyxkeson (Brantisvogan, SRS), Samuel McTavish (Lakewood City, TMB), Pyo Seung-Hye (Avondale City, SYL), Otis Tekaronhonte (Eivora Athletic FC, TKT), Rebecca-Anne Wawanolett (Chromatik, CMT)

FORWARDS (7):
Hong Yeong-Sahm (Lhor, CMT), Kate Huitema-Omeasoo (Istria City FC, BNJ), Anna Korniloff-Kouyate (Atletik, MYT), Eloise Kweon (Sabrefell Moths, NPH), Enyinnaya Udegbunam (Latrobe Athletic, KSK), Ruby Vanderley (Lanar, CMT), Zinaida Woodcarver (Crisisbless, NPH)

Starting XI vs. Airannia (3-3-1-3):
C. Moussenguet
Dormann - Salihamidzic - H. Kim
Yabusele - Pyo - Joo P.S.
Wawanolett
Huitema-Omeasoo - Woodcarver - Kweon

Starting XI vs. Elvatoes (4-2-3-1):
S. Middleton
Soonias - Cizeron - McKinley - Wilson-Didh
Dyxkeson - McTavish
Udegbunam - Babin - Korniloff-Kouyate
Hong Y.S.

SOCIAL SEASONS OF SHIN-GORYEO: SYNOPSIS

For those wondering about the Social Seasons, an introductory article about it is available here.

Year Season Month City Function
1 Small Oct. Dongnae-Halifax Festival de Dongnae
Brief synopsis: Raoul-Christophe 'R.C.' Jang-Nolan meets his friend Louise and tells her that there will be a new film project of his that could be his 'finest work', but will likely require assistance from a specific studio.
With a set plan for the presentation of the project, R.C. heads to the premiere at the Festival de Dongnae, where he lightly drops the notes of Rico Sierra, the Quebeco-Krytenian chair of the Monte-Sierra studio, of 'Barbenheimer'.
Sierra finds it amusing, but informs R.C. to give about a month before deciding on the project.
Cutoffs to occur: July 1 (Louise) - July 3 (Raoul-Christophe) - July 5 (Festival Review)
---
1 Small Nov. Joongyeong Bal des Ballons
Brief Synopsis: To Be Updated
Cutoff to occur: July 7 - July 9
---
1 None Oct. Hattmark Testiculos Ceremony
Brief synopsis: At the very night of Testiculos, where relatively-indifferent R.C. arrives to the ceremony alongside the Heo-Sierra family, R.C. gives more detailed plan and the synopsis of the plot.
The Heo-Sierras, who are present as Perce Town owners and thus with an invitation to the ceremony under the recommendations of Rebecca-Anne Wawanolett and her agent, Mauril Yoon (see my IBC-37 RPs for a semi-related storyline on him), finds it amusing, but discusses the difficulties of putting together such a project.
They agree to it, but ask to have another meeting when they all return to Joongyeong.
Cutoffs to occur: July 11
---
1 Large June Montevicio Montevicio Emerald Ball
1 Large July Joongyeong Grand Prix de Joongyeong
2 Small Oct. Joongyeong Final Night of QBC Proms
1 Large April Joongyeong Jongmyo Jerye
2 Large May Songak Athlone Gala
2 Large July Adelphi Castle Adelphite Festival

And now, what is up next in the Social Seasons of Shin-goryeo? See right below:

The Social Seasons of Shin-goryeo

PART 3 - Bal des Ballons - Soo-Deok

The Hotel Plaza Pomene's ballroom was in full swing. The candles were lit and gilt mirrors were seen on all sides as some of the youths of the Multiverse's high societies had assembled here. They were those who varied in origins and character, but were indeed alike in the rough socioeconomic and cultural milieu to which they had belonged. Mary Kabuye, the granddaughter of legendary college coach and darling of every Busukuma corner Lance, had made her first visit to Joongyeong in silver-and-emerald earings. The jubilant Annabelle Yi, the voyageuse daughter of the current Duke of Bathurst, then came after, accompanied by a cavalier by the name of Lester Alsup, the 20-year-old son of a legendary Hapiloppian director Gwen Alsup best known for the critically-acclaimed Ghostbasterds series and her love of classical convertibles. Alsup, currently a film student at the Yoseo University-Montevicio, had been invited to the previous year's reception but he, due to a case of mono, had to refuse, and was only glad to have found this year's November function on time.

With a rare exception or two, who were here for other services and matters of reportage that had been an usual staple there, those presented at the Bal des Ballons were consisted of three groups. One group, that of the foreign aristocracy and the emerging countries' ruling classes - there often exists little point of distinction between them in mannerism, after all - spoke in controlled gestures and astute, subtle statements. Another, that of the brilliant and the children of tycoons and showbiz types both Quebecois foreign, communicated in bolder terms, outward body movements and sharper socio-economic stances.

Then there was the third group, who consisted of the proud parents and the pomp accompagnes that had come with their medals that had melted into the room, would look away from some distance. There would be some who looked at their children with particular sense of pride, like how once Omugabe Ttembo had done over a decade ago in that year's Bal where she would be floated by her future husband HRH Philippe, elder of two younger brothers of the Christine II. But the adults, for most part would leave their children or protege(e) spend time on their own, and enjoy conversations of their kind instead. They too had tried their best to look for the Queen Mother, who was somewhere in the Halls, but to no success - she enjoyed looking at the scenery from afar.

Someone who was an accompagne, once a cavalier over twenty years ago, but not exactly the type of person inclined to fit into the occasion in this day and age, was Hong Soo-Deok. Admittedly the film director, whose aftertaste of the Pomme d'Or win two weeks prior had quickly worn off once back home in Joongyeong, did fit into the occasion. His dark hair, ever so curly and would have fit well into a rocker's head had he possessed musical talent, have already started showing rapid signs of greying, but the age's effect on him had made it things even more pleasant and charming. His light smile, one that rarely affected the movement of his philtrum, too carried well into his forties, one that would elevate the light touch of his genuineness over time.

Everyone delighted at the sight of the legendary director, who would impress everyone with his mind and technique with such grace and understanding of those around him. Elderly parents and grandparents, who would originate from the days long bygone, would come tell him about the tales of old, and having told him their stories with gentle, sanguine words that had would stabilise even the rockiest of waters (regardless of his personal stance with certain issues), would find him a delight. Others, whose nations and themselves were undergoing an enlightenment phase of own, would find his words to be valuable encouragements and endorsements, and found the occasion to be worthwhile on that alone.

But Soo-Deok, while knowing exactly how to behave in this circuit, chose to avoid excessive delving into the company. He, after all, was here to cover initial premises of his next project, one that would involve the thirty-year, tragic disintegration of friendships and relationships developed at a similar Debutante Ball, 'Once Upon A Time In Palacios'. Staying true to his natural course, his rough premise was to construe a social commentary of contemporary Quebec and Shingoryeo combined with dark comedy attached to the high society, but he has yet to really devise the script that would come up with right words and punchlines. That part, as always, took the most difficult procedure, one that would involve him heading back into kinds of functions he didn't exactly embrace.

In any case, however, he would stay from certain distance, and while playing his part in the crowd, chose to stay more courteous than passionate about the business. To each the debutante and their cavalier he would give a light nod to his head as a gesture of satisfaction, said generous words and congratulations, and generously redirected him to his nearest company, and left them be. Each guest, who had most likely heard of his name or watched his film at some point, paid their due respects, and would follow too as they would return to their respective matter of socialising with one another. He then sat down on a guest's table just next to the circular staircase, sitting next to a cavalier's father who had requested to be seated on the same table as him, but not his own son.

'I see that your son looks dashing out there with a count's daughter, Kanemoto,' said Soo-Deok to Jin Zhi Xian, a Quebecois businessman of Yue extraction. The 53-year old, who was rarely a presence in any media, had regardless chosen to make it out for the occasion for Hong Ye (洪業), his 20-year old son who was a business school at Farrer University where both Jin and his wife Sofia had went. 'He's certainly grown fine into his age, hasn't he?'

It was apparent that Soo-Deok, while a beloved man, was not the best in reading names, especially those transliterated into multiples, and even less so when he had to interact little to none with the man behind the scene. 'Thank you once again for being here, dear Soo-Deok, though I admit that you have once again incorrectly read my surname,' replied Jin, whose Yue-Hanja name, 金知憲, was read into three different-sounding ones - Kim Bak-Seong in the court language of Korean, Jin Zhi Xian in Yueyu and Kanemoto Tomoaki in Japanese. 'But yes, my boy is onto a finer venture here. Of course, it can be awkward for those two to be still attending after a breakup the previous month, but you make what you will make of it.'

'Yes, but we aren't here for that,' said Soo-Deok in a slightly different tone of voice in English to indicate the seriousness of the operations. 'You know, I have received an enquiry, a request from Raoul-Christophe Jang-Nolan that he wanted to work with the Montesierra company for a film that you, as a primary financier, might take a greater interest towards.'

Zhi Xian's eyes lit up. 'Yes, I have heard from Rico about it, the rough premises and whatnot. I like it. But that alone is not going to be enough considering how early into the planning phase Raoul-Christophe (Jang-Nolan) may be into, not to mention the cost and logistical restrictions,' said Zhi Xian, expressing his initial interest before raising his concerns. 'And there is only so much I could do on that without Rico on it, at least not rightaway, and I have to make sure we won't lose everything over the project. With you I can do that, Raoul-Christophe less so - the risk factor there may be too high. That we will have to address with him on it another day.'

Zhi Xian then continued, as he got out of the table. 'Now, let's do a people-watching here. You see about twenty-six of the finest lads and lasses, who are split exactly in half. They are dressed in their finest pieces of jewelry, made by the Pleyel-Joyeux House just down the street, and the clothes made by the haute couture houses you have most likely heard of as a popular-culture term in Songak. But they, though with multiple common denominators, are coming from all over the place. Quite a few, as you would notice here, have intriguing connections, and a good lot of them are interesting minds on own...'

by **Cap Nord** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:59 pm

Across the nation, all sorts of initiatives are set up under the banner of Putting The Lit Back In Literature, a national campaign to get more people to read. The government claims it will improve the intelligence and creativity of the population, but leaked insider notes align the move to an attempt to push the inhabitants to energy-cheap hobbies as the supply of gas and coal remains a difficult political and economical matter. Either way, our newspaper quizzed the NT starters on their favorite book.

Marzinn - "Eagle-eyed, bounty-bound". A typical example of the shepherd genre, an adventure books type that romanticizes the nomadic lifestyle of the mid-nineteenth century. Called chicklit for boys, but gripping stuff.

Poulsen - "Manifesto for a new tomorrow". Our editor-in-chief put a gun against my head so I must confirm that this is an excellently-written political synthesis co-written by our brilliant chancellor Dalving.

Vennema - "Red Rover". People might mock the sympathetic defender for picking a comic book series, but the series forms a cultural landmark. Depicting a medieval hero, they did more to teach history to adolescents than most schools.

van Hilvaren - "Lights out". The story of an impossible art heist of an iconic painting 'Morning at Lake Bernon' seems too far fetched to be truthful but nonetheless manages to be gripping. A blockbuster movie to be.

Brymsaeter - "A story in four colors''. The biography of the infamous Capnordic painter Antoine Delaplace, a man who revolutionized his art not once, but twiced, whilst struggling with the demons in his head.

Worbe - "Just put it near the post". It is easy to call a man a one-subject type if he picks a football book. The story of Mark Wheelan, the legendary attacker whose life tragically was cut short at 26, definitely is a page turner.

Bissett - "Carriage of time". People tend to forget that 'the Bullett' is a major in languages but picking the dramatic yet intricate novel by Leander van Meershaege shows a deep knowledge of the Capnordic classics. Six-hundred pages of classics.

Carstensen - "Pip goes to the beach". The captain claimed he had not read a book since the time it had been compulsory in middle school, writing his book reviews of the accompanying movies. Still, solid choice with this Arina Melsson youth classic.

Williams - "Damage to be done". Another non-fiction work in the list and one that seems like a bit of a plug. After all, the author of this biography, former street fighter Andrew McLowden, has been on the podcast of the right winger recently.

Myrrheim - "Essays of a better time". The gentle giant up front is often viewed one-dimensional but he picks an exciting new book of Jonathan Mickels, a novelist whose collage style creates intriguing puzzles within the book.

Bjerkness - "No love lost". A must on the booklist of every Capnordic middle school. The story by Danielle Pétriaux about high-school sweethearts going off the track might not be the most exquisite of Capnordic literature but provides a gripping coming-of-age story from two angles.

by **Cardenao** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:03 pm

Headlines Around Cardenao

World Cupdate

Two more matches for the Carsenao national football team and two more victories for Ramon Lamberti’s side. The fiery manager was punching the air after a narrow 1-0 win over South Covello and a commanding 0-3 win over Darkmania, two wins and two brilliant clean sheets that shows the team is picking up his gameplan for real now. This pair of wubs sends us to second place in Group Ten where we sit with 17 points after nine games. A top three finish will be enough to secure either qualification or a playoff opportunity, both being further than we’ve gone in the World Cup. Let’s review the games!

South Covello. They are a nation. More importantly, they are a nation with a football team in our World Cup qualifying group! We hosted them on a rainy day, which led to many slips and a miraculous instance in the 7th minute when a South Covelloan shot landed in a bit of mud on the goalline which kept the ball from rolling in. Two minutes later, Moustir-Yves Almeny crossed a ball into the center where Juanma smashed it home to score the only goal of an otherwise quite boring affair to be honest. A win is a win though and a cleansheet is even better! Three games defeated put a little wind behind the team as they took on Darkmania.

The last place team in the group, Darkmania, wasn't expected to put up much of a challenge against the blue and gold of Cardenao and……they didn’t. No, it was a comfortable win for our lads in a match that Ramon Lamberti sent out more of the second squad to give them some game time and that worked out great. Alberto Godwine, the 10 million dollar man, scored twice before Jenario Cervahir added the third in the 83rd minute while the team raked up an additional 32 shots on target in a dominating offensive performance. So what’s next for the team?

A bye game. Yes everybody’s favorite part of the fixture list where we sit back and watch everyone else have fun and there’s not a damn thing we can do, so lame. After that we clash against Evinea, the 198th ranked national side has done well to climb to 5th in the group with 13 points on 10 goals scored but you would hope for a Cardenaoan victory. Much of these matchdays will be spent watching other games and keeping watch on the overall group table, with only the top team getting an automatic qualification all eyes will be on Brookstation as we wait for the group leaders to slip up.

Hopefully we can capitalize on that and take first for ourselves!

Wargame Preparations In Bay of Discovery

The scheduled military exercise by the ‘Triple Threat’ ‘alliance’ of Cardenao, Banija, and Quebec is looking set to begin soon as the three nations have amassed significant forces over air, sea, and land. Of particular interest have been the reports of seventh-generation stealth fighters in the Quebec and Shingoryeo air force attached and the presence of an older, nuclear powered aircraft carrier in their fleet. There are two lines of thought on this carrier, the first is that it will be used as a live-fire target in the wargame activities, while the second is that our allies in Quebec will perhaps be donating the vessel to the Cardenaoan navy, much like Banija did with a destroyer 12 years ago.

President Mihaly Vocalizes Support For The Ochre Islands

In a concise statement released earlier this week, President Mihaly Otamendi gave his support to our neighboring Ochre Islands as they are locked in some sort of quasi-confrontation with The Halcyon Archipelago of Ko-oren. While it doesn’t seem likely to end in actual conflict, it seems the temperature over there is Somewhat Spicy and a declaration of support like this will hopefully put a lid on things before they simmer over. There are reports of a Ko-oren naval force sailing vaguely in the Ochren direction, though these are yet to be confirmed or commented on by Cardenaoan military intelligence so……we’ll know when we’re allowed to.

by **Graintfjall** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:05 pm

Laborious Hawk, Simeone di Bradini?

Pele, Maradona?

No, everyone who played FIFA 94 knows who the real GOAT is:

RP cutoff.

Reminder, which I will emphasize despite the fact that it almost certainly won't apply to anyone who actually reads this message:

From the next cutoff the 100% roster penalty kicks in.

by **Krytenia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:52 pm

Cabinet Room, Portland House, Emberton

The Cabinet Room would usually be a hubbub of activity, with various ministers tabling their ideas and progress reports on whatever was going through their various departments. This activity had accelerated in recent months, with the spectre of election time looming ever larger.

Today, though, just three people were sat at one end of the long mahogany table. On one side, Stephen Armfield, Member of the Witting for Ousevale Denbigh and Minister for Defence. On the other, Sarah Finch, former Leader of the Opposition. Once she dreamed of sitting at the centre of proceedings; when it wasn't to be, she showed her loyalty to the party and was rewarded with the post at Regional and Foreign Affairs. In the centre, meanwhile, was the Prime Minister, Penelope Baker.

Mr Armfield was the first to speak.

"Ms Baker, our latest intel on the Western Ayes situation is that the Ko-orenite fleet is heading south-east, ostensibly towards Cardenao."
"Ostensibly, Stephen?"
"There is...a non-zero chance at least some of the ships may head towards the Ochres. We believe that the Ko-oren navy's intentions are benign, but we cannot rule out the possibility."
"Cannot be too cautious, I suppose. No threatening to move to the east, I assume?"
"Considering the size of our naval presence compared to theirs, an infringement into our waters would be akin to parachuting someone into the centre of Jhanna with a sign saying 'KORRA SUCKS' in ten-foot neon green letters. Also, they have extended an offer of joint manoeuvres with our naval forces at some point in the near future, so I doubt they'd jeapordise that by making a beeline for oh, let's say Aigburth."
"What's the Ochres' reaction to this?"
"They appear to be assembling their marine defence vessels to the edge of their territorial waters. I think...skittish is probably the best term."
"That's...concerning. What's our presence in the area?"
"Pretty standard. At the moment, we've got a couple of recon frigates keeping their ears to the water. We've also got the carrier Avidia and a decent chunk of the Western Fleet docked in Porthscadoch which we can mobilise if needs be."
"Thank you, Stephen. Good to know we have some clout we can use. Now, Sarah, I'm thinking the best course is to make sure there's no...misunderstandings between the concerned parties. We're on good terms with Ko-oren and the Ochres, and this could be a good opportunity to get Cardenao onside as well. Get the feelers out to all three nations, see if we can get some discourse going. Maybe suggest somewhere in Koroa City - it's got geographic and political neutrality."
"Agreed. I'll get on that right away; hopefully we can resolve this before someone does something stupid."
"That's a fair point, actually. Make sure that everyone knows if anyone does do something stupid, we will take no hesitation in...keeping the peace."
"Sounds a bit...Starblaydi, that, Prime Minister..."
"Maybe, Sarah, but the tactics work. Besides, it'll give Jhanna the message that yes, we are still a power in the region; always nice to keep that side of the Beck on its toes."

Sarah nodded, and left to initiate contact with the three nations.

"Now, Stephen, this should all end nice and peaceful. I'm not going to take any chances, though. Make sure the Avidia and a few friends join those frigates. No intercept, though, and no sailing west of Koroa. Strictly watching the seas ready to intercede if necessary."

Stephen also nodded. "As you command, Prime Minister."

by **Torisakia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:53 pm

Meet Virgil Holland: The Man Making Torisakia Sports Great Again

TOKAI - As the esteemed manager of the Torisakia national association football team and Hove Beach AFC in the Torisakia Soccer League, Virgil Holland has carved a distinguished career in both playing and coaching roles. With an impressive background and vast experience, he has become a respected figure within the Torisakia football community. No more so than now with Torisakia in the middle of their return to the World Cup, where they sit at 3-2-3 in Group 2 behind an overhauled roster, improved staff, and a winning attitude that has seen association football surge in popularity in Torisakia and an unseen rate.

Virgil Holland speaks at his press conference
following a match at World Cup 94

Virgil Julian Holland was born on October 17, 1970 in the small town of Poupinel in the Auerila city district. Holland's journey in football began on the field, where he showcased his skills and dedication early as one of the top high school midfielders in his class. He began his professional playing career at Jerryville AC, where he quickly established himself as a standout talent. Holland helped pull Jerryville from the near bottom of the league in 1990 to helping lead Jerryville to their first TSL title in 1996, a four game Mega Bowl series in which Holland scored four goals. His impressive performance with Jerryville caught the attention of Lancet AC, whom he would sign with following the 1997 season. Holland would play seven seasons with Lancet. He reached the playoffs in 6 of those seasons and took Lancet to Mega Bowl LVIII where they would lose 3 games to none to Dorrsville. Holland's versatility and tactical awareness on the field would continue to keep Lancet in the title hunt until 2004 when he would leave Lancet.

After leaving Lancet AC, Holland joined Dorrsville, one of the original six TSL clubs, known for its rich history and passionate fan base. His time at Dorrsville further solidified his reputation as a skilled and influential player. His technical ability, vision, and leadership qualities made him a key figure in the team's midfield.
Despite his exceptional play and leadership, he would never reach the Mega Bowl with Dorrsville and only made it past the playoff quarterfinals once in his five years with the club. After the 2009 season, Holland announced he was retiring from playing professionally.

After announcing his retirement from playing, Holland embarked on a new path as a coach. Later that year he joined his old club Jerryville AC as an assistant coach, where he brought his wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff. Working closely with the players and the head coach, he played a pivotal role in refining the team's strategies and instilling a winning mentality. Holland would spend two season on the Jerryville staff. Seeking new challenges, Holland took on the role of assistant coach at Tokai United in 2011, where he further expanded his coaching horizons. Collaborating with manager Jon Moye and working with diverse players such as David Romain and Eugene Tijerina, he helped Tokai United win the TSL championship in 2012 over arch-rival Tokai. Holland has stated that his time at Tokai United "broadened [his] perspective on the game" and "enhanced his tactical judgement".

In 2014, Holland's managerial career reached new heights when he was appointed as the manager of Castle Gardens City of the Torisakia Minor Soccer League. Taking charge of the team, he instilled a disciplined and organized approach, revolutionizing the club's playing style. Under his leadership, Castle Gardens City experienced a renaissance, achieving notable success and elevating their position in the TMSL standings at a rate note seen by the club in several decades. Holland's meticulous preparation, strategic prowess, and ability to bring out the best in his players became hallmarks of his managerial tenure.

However, it was Holland's appointment as the manager of Hove Beach AFC in 2018 that truly cemented his legacy as a footballing authority.His keen eye for talent and meticulous planning propelled the club to new heights: winning the TMSL in 2020 and being promoted to the TSL. Under his guidance, Hove Beach has consistently been one of the top clubs in the TSL. The Crusaders have made the playoffs each season since being promoted, including back-to-back #1 overall seeds and recently appearing in Mega Bowl LXXX against Tokai United.

In addition to his club duties, Holland concurrently took charge of the Torisakia national association football team. Holland's appointment as manager has been heralded as revolutionary as the national team had experience several decades of woes. Holland is also the first manager of the national team since it was reinstated following the Kiragate scandal in 2021. Off the pitch, Virgil Holland is known for his humility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the sport and its players. His ability to inspire and motivate individuals under his tutelage across multiple clubs has earned him admiration from players and coaching staff alike. His attention to detail, meticulous preparation, and adaptability in different situations that have solidified his reputation as a master tactician has regularly earned him the moniker of "Best Manager" in the TSL, with some even calling him the "greatest manager of all time".

As he celebrates his 53rd birthday, Virgil Holland's contributions to the sport continue to be cherished and celebrated. His legacy as a player, coach, and manager remains an inspiration to aspiring football professionals, leaving an indelible impact on the Torisakia Soccer League, the Torisakia national association football team, and the global footballing world.

by **Delaclava** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:10 pm

Lyndainium axed after "embarrassing" home loss

The Lyndainium era—brief, chaotic, and moderately successful—has come to a close.

The Delaclava Football Association announced in a statement this morning that national team manager Elidyr Lyndainium has been removed from his position.

"Mr. Lyndainium has served our program admirably and has helped our national team to unprecedented successes," the statement read. "After evaluating those successes as well as his current performance, our Association has decided that it is time to move in another direction, effective immediately."

The statement comes one day after the conclusion of the first half of World Cup 94 qualifying, which saw the Phoenixes drop a home match 5-3 to last-placed Milk Island. In the immediate aftermath of the loss, the normally reserved captain Lukas Meyer could be heard deriding the performance as "so embarrassing... a fucking shitshow"—a sentiment that the smattering of fans at Jayji Stadium appeared to share.

Lyndainium, of Ceni, departs under similar circumstances to which he entered, as a once-successful coach is excused in favor of fresh blood. Lyndainium took the helm of the Phoenixes in the middle of World Cup 92 qualifying, replacing Boris Ishutin, the man who had led the Phoenixes to a historic World Cup berth. Lyndainium could not replicate the feat, but he did lead the Phoenixes back into the playoffs where they would lose to defending champion Græntfjall. The Phoenixes would follow that run of form into a home Cup of Harmony, reaching the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time.

Lyndainium would earn his greatest plaudits for leading an untested Phoenixes squad to third place in the Independents Cup, rattling off seven consecutive wins before falling short against Indusse and Juvencus. Nevertheless, the Cinderella run earned admiration for the team and an International Manager of the Year nomination for Lyndainium.

But uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, and Lyndainium promptly found himself in trouble after the Phoenixes won just one of its first six games of qualifying and dropped three consecutive home games to Ceni, Turori, and Lionsguard, scoring zero goals in those games. Wins over Kewls and C&RC momentarily put Delaclava and Lyndainium at ease, but a scoreless draw against Macbon and the loss to Milk Island appeared to seal Lyndainium's fate at a natural stopping point.

The Phoenixes sit in eighth place in Group 5, with a 3-2-5 record and 11 points, 19 points behind group leaders Turori and seven points behind Drawkland, who currently holds the crucial third-place spot. They hold an abysmal record of 1-0-4 at home. They have scored just 14 goals in 10 games—seven of those goals in just two games that the Phoenixes lost.

Lyndainium was not available for comment, nor was the captain Meyer. Veteran midfielder Martin Bartoš made himself available for questions, and praised the work Lyndainium has done for the team. "We've accomplished a good amount over the past few years, and I think for a long time we responded well to his voice. I don't know why we go through this, the need to change things up. Maybe it's just bad luck on all of our parts.

"Frankly, I think we're all at a loss to figure out why things aren't going well. But the DFA has made the decision to shake things up. We have to go from there and try to salvage something."

The DFA is reported to be casting a "wide net" in order to expediently find a replacement. Edward Ekdal will once again serve as caretaker in the meantime.

WANTED - FOOTBALL MANAGER

ISO experienced football coach to manage top-100 national team with flashes of inconceivable brilliance. Balanced to moderately offensive approach preferred with emphasis on speed, conditioning, and aggressive wing play. Preferred but not required attributes: 10+ years of managing experience (some experience winning strongly preferred); previous experience dealing with temperamental man-children; fluency in C++, Python, French, Rulandese, and eighteenth-century counterpoint. Be warned: managing this team requires "a special kind of sexual energy and eccentricity." This is an equal employment opportunity posting, but monos need not apply.

by **Audioslavia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:32 pm

So our flag has balls on it. Not many nations have a flag with reproductive organs on it, at least outwith the crudely drawn crayon weiners affixed to each of Krytenia's stars in primary school geography textbooks. Ours though has the unmistakeable silhouette of a pair of Bull Udders hanging underneath the proud Audioslavian bison, silhouetted against a full moon. It's the moon's fault, you see. If it had been waxing then you wouldn't see where our bull keeps his own wax.

Each facet of the Audioslavian flag has some meaning. The colours represent the Hiber (the river that runs though Audia, to the west) and the Iber (running through Selavia and the east), with the black representing the night sky behind a full moon (spirituality), which picks out the shape of a mountain (representing our mountains) the bull (representing our bulls) and its balls (representing our burgeoning automanufacturing industry). Actually no I think the balls represent the future. Or masculinity. It all rather depends who's asking, who you ask, how you ask them, where you ask them and how drunk they are when you ask them. In a nutshell: we know what's in the nutshell just don't ask what it means.

One thing everyone seems to agree on is that all facets of the flag are somehow sacred. You can't remove the green just like you can't either drain or reroute the Hiber, despite each happening twice. You can't fuck with the moon (except those weird robots we've put there) or the bull (except the sheer amount of beef we eat) and you especially can't fuck with the Bull's balls. They *must* stay on the flag and, apparently, they *must* also *stay on the bull*.

In other countries, castration of young bulls is done for many reasons - controlling temperament, controlling population, a fucked up dare for young lumberjacks - and in many of these countries the balls that you end up holding (behind your back while backing away and nodding towards the sheep onto whose head you'd already attached a pair of pliers, if you're smart) get re-used in some way: Juggling, hood ornaments, speedbags for fighting ferrets, heavy bags for fighting voles, surprise snowballs and, in some cases, food. Protein Potatoes are a delicacy almost anywhere where bulls live.

Except Audioslavia. Plain Oysters have been banned here for decades. Centuries even.

Except here. Right here in Glassbridge.

Long before the city of Cathair become part of Audioslavia, long long before it became the capital, Cowbells were a common delicacy. When the laws came in to ban them, an exception was made for this then-downtrodden area of western Cathair to allow for this legacy trade to continue. Now, with the area having been successfuly regentrified for the umpteenth time, the dish has become more popular until, a couple of seasons ago, local club Shamrock Cathair started selling Sham Rocks as part of its matchday scran experience. They have, unfortunately for bullkind, been a success story, with almost as many football fans taking the bull by the horn as rival international football teams.

And yet there's a time limit. With Shamrock Cathair moving away from Glassbridge Stadium and into its new home, that of new national stadium The Beltzarga, the scene of confused foreigners comparing their jacket potato to that of their chuckling mates will soon be a thing of the past. Not quite in the protected district, the humble Lunch Bag will soon no longer be a niche matchday staple in Audioslavia.

And so, with the national team coming to the old Glassbridge Stadium on its tour of the country, I had to try one.

You'll be pleased to know that no, that's sunflower oil. I do see why some call them 'oysters', as theres a squiddy, octopussy texture, but the taste is simply a slightly gamier version of beef.

Did the sight of a few thousand Audioslavians tucking into a set of Knackerbockers make our Equestrian opponents ill at ease, causing our 3-0 win? I couldn't say. What I can say is that I am absolutely okay going back to pie and chips next week.

by **Jeruselem** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:16 pm

In Ile de Richelieu, for qualification round 10 with Jeruselem visiting the home of the Cardinals from Ile de Richelieu ...
Princess Stella Annabelle Dallas and her maid Annabelle (Dallas)

Stella: Hey, they were not lying when they said it was 0 degrees fahrenheit here!
Annabelle: Well, yes it is just fucking cold here
Stella: Thats like minus 18 in centigrade
Annabelle: I have no idea how people live here if your water is frozen by default
Stella: I have no idea how people play football here
Annabelle: Well, they seem to do it!

Stella: We had to find the only shop in Jeruselem selling skiing gear and clean it out just to be here
Annabelle: We have shops selling skiing gear?
Stella: Yes, there's a ski resort Neve Ativ on Mount Mount Hermon
Annabelle: Well, I'm not going I have cold weather
Stella: Put it this way, we cleaned out the store in one order
Annabelle: I guess they weren't complaining too much

Stella: Now we got all this cold weather clothing we might not use again
Annabelle: I'm sure there's somewhere colder than this place Ile de Richelieu
Stella: Well, we haven't needed to use skiing gear for quite a while ...
Annabelle: Can we just get this game over and go home, I'm miserable here ...
Stella: Hey, we aren't even playing football out there
Annabelle: You realise this place can get colder?

Stella: Say what?
Annabelle: Well, the warmest ever temperature here is only 18.1 °C and it's been down to -28.4 °C.
Stella: I am not coming here for a holiday by the looks of it ...
Annabelle: Even ski resorts are too cold for me
Stella: And the other thing, it's a bit dark here all the time
Annabelle: Oh it must be winter at the moment here, since we're in the arctic circle.

Stella: So what's summer like?
Annabelle: Err, it's sunny all day compared to being dark all day like today.
Stella: Oh, I guess I'll stick to a normal day near Equator.
Annabelle: I guess being nice to God so you don't freeze to death here helps
Stella: Yeah I guess it does ... I guess that's why there's heaters everywhere
Annabelle: I don't want see their power bills around here

Stella: Well, hopefully the team come through this without turning into icicles ...
Annabelle: I already fell like a pillar of salt as it is ...

<later Jeruselem beat the home team 5-3>

Stella: I didn't expect that one hey
Annabelle: Yeah, how did we score 5 goals ...
Stella: I noticed everyone never stood still ...
Annabelle: I guess you have move around a lot just to keep your body temperature up
Stella: Still, I have no idea how people out there can play football like that ...
Annabelle: Everyone looks worn out after the game

Stella: Wearing all that extra clothing doesn't help
Annabelle: I guess our team are pretty fit then!
Stella: Yes, well it seems so. I couldn't cope.
Annabelle: Say, how come you're not playing football.
Stella: Oh me, I don't have stamina for it. I'm better off doing something I'm better at.
Annabelle: Well, we can go home and not look like snowmen.

Stella: Yes, I cannot cope when there's bugger all sunshine for half a year, let alone it being freezing as well.
Annabelle: I guess we did alright, for a team who hates cold weather.
Stella: So glad, they have to come to our place next time
Annabelle: I bet they would love a bit of warm sunny weather
Stella: They'll get that alright, Jeruselem is always warm compared to this place. It's even sunny in our version of winter.
Annabelle: We do actually snow you know

Stella: But that's super rare and given this climate change, it's getting rarer.
Annabelle: We're not playing football on Mount Hermon anyway
Stella: No way, and playing football on mount with low oxygen levels it not good for anyone anyway
Annabelle: Oh yes, I forgot about that.
Stella: Anyway, time to go home
Annabelle: Can't wait

by **HUElavia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:39 pm

Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom 0–2 HUElavia
(Aveiro 10', 78' (P))

HUElavia 4–1 Dystopian Reich
(Vidarte 8', Lombardi 34', 90', Sharapov 66' | REDACTED 81')
Chetka Arena, Chetka, HUElavia

Gold

The Story of HUElavia's run in IAC 15.

Part 6

Matchday 3

Match Announcer: "Welcome to Matchday 3 everyone and today, we have one of the most tantalizing matches of the Group Stage, as HUElavia hosts Abanhfleft here in Estadio Nacional!"

Ringo Honda: "When the draw was done and the schedule was released, the match against Abanhfleft was the main match that all of HUElavia was looking forward to in this Group Stage."

Lucas Lettmann: "All of us knew that we had to have the victories coming into this game, because this match against Abanhfleft would likely serve as to who would advance as the Group Winner."

Leonardo Conavacio: "Knowing this was the most crucial match and Abanhefleft being behind us by 3 points, it was a no-brainer for me to bring out the very best players for this match."

Match Announcer: "The match is underway! What lies ahead of these two rivals, can this be another memorable match in the history of this rivalry?"

David Navarro-Hamada: "Out of all the games we played in the group stage, this one was the most difficult one for us. Abanhfleft was playing defensively and it was frustrating us, to where we play a more fast-paced and attacking game."

Julieta Higashi Fernandes: "If we managed to get past the defense, it was always Churchill who'd make saves and just frustrate us and the HUElavian crowd."

Match Announcer: "Honda on the ball, she's looking for an opening, sends a cross in... Nascimento!!! Saved by Churchill!"

RH: "I found myself cursing Churchill at her saves and blocks during that match. If it wasn't for what happened eventually, I know she would have won Player of the Match."

Match Announcer: "It's still 0-0 and Churchill and Lettmann are putting on a goalkeeping show, but one has to wonder: When will the breakthrough come?"

LC: "I had to make substitutions for this match eventually, and I opted for Lopes, Mayordomo, and Regnard, whom I felt all three would work well to get something going in the match. Fortunately, I choose my players right and I'm happy for what came next."

Match Announcer: "We're into additional time at this point, 4 minutes, 4 minutes for either team to get something going."

JHF: "I sent a pass to Regnard, where she sent it over to Mayordomo and we all felt something good was about to happen."

Match Announcer: "Mayordomo on the ball, he's being covered by Baum, he's looking for an opening... Sends a cross in... Chanca has it! GOAL! GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!! GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! WHAT A ONE-TIME SHOT!!! THAT WILL DO IT!!! CHANCA SNATCHES THE VICTORY FOR HUELAVIA!!! ABANHFLEFT CANNOT BELIEVE IT, LETTING THE GOAL IN THE FINAL MINUTES!!! IT'S 1-0!!!"

DNH: "I remember feeling such jubilation at the goal, I and the rest of the team and bench just ran up to Chanca, we mobbed and hugged her for the goal, along with Mayordomo for the assist."

LL: "I was with such a relief when we scored, I hugged Lavezzi while I pumped up the crowd waving my arms up and down in celebration. It really was a fantastic feeling."

Match Announcer: "It's Over!!! HUElavia Wins 1-0 over Abanhfleft and puts them in a must-win situation for them, but The Yellows have a foot into the knockouts and they can almost grasp that stage and the Group Victory."

LC: "We got past the most difficult match and I felt very happy with the result and the team's performance. I felt we were starting to get our own identity with the matches and I had a feeling more good moments were to come."

RH: "After that match, we celebrated that evening with some good dinner and drinks and we had this confidence that we really could make something good out of this. We still had two matches to go, but this felt like the moment we could really start a good run."

To be continued...

by **Yue Zhou** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 10:26 pm

Jiangdong Morning Post
MORNINGS with the MORNING POST
Ju Wenquan

早上好 ! Today's morning digest is a Ma Ailun double feature, as we're covering Liang Ziyou's Lithico™ Pledge, a new discovery in Haiguaidian, and Yueren in the Banijan elections.

POLITICS
Liberation Army party leader Liang Ziyou announced yesterday afternoon that under any government he led, "an attack on Lithico™ will be considered an attack on Yuezhou itself." The announcement is viewed as the first shockwave of the corporate state Lithico™'s declaration of independence, which many expect to completely upend the Yue election cycle.

Liang claimed in his speech that the breakaway Farfish nation was a "respected and valued member of the Greater Yue Cultural Sphere, like Xinhua or Mavinet", and that his protection of the fledgling guanostate represented his "desire to fight for the future of our people". Some political analysts, though, have a more cynical take, suggesting that Liang is attempting to outflank National Union to secure the support of Lithico CEO Ma Ailun, whose recent exploits have earned him more and more bargaining power within Nangang.

By declaring their wholehearted military support, Liberation Army has become the first major party to take an official stance on Lithico™, as well as the Farf Civil War(?) as a whole. Ma Ailun's decision to declare an official state, headed by his longtime right-hand man Tuskoles Yagares, has reportedly led to significant consternation within the ruling National Union party, who must now choose between signaling weakness relative to their right-wing challengers or openly committing to invading Farfadillis. Meanwhile, Forward Path and especially the Progressive Democrats are unlikely to offer much support to Ma, although the situation is still rapidly evolving, and the electoral impact remains incredibly unclear. Read More About Ma Ailun's Shock Announcement.

Other News:

Embattled Zhen Qiang vows to return to majority government
Sangau Governor resigns following counterterrorism blunder

ECONOMY
Significant deposits of the rare earth element neodymium have been found just 60 km from Haiguaidian, the recently-established Yue territory on the coast of the Komodo Channel, by a survey team believed to be working for Jolt Motors. The new deposits represent a potentially huge windfall for both Jolt CEO Ma Ailun and the United Republics, whose economy is strongly reliant on electronics manufacturing, as a whole. A recent press release from the Jolt Motors Corporation PR Desk noted that "independent surveyors have located major neodymium deposits nearby the Yue province of Haiguaidian. Jolt has notified the local authorities as well as the United Republics government, and are hopeful that long-term rights to the deposits can be secured."

Neodymium is most commonly used in magnets, and has a wide range of applications in consumer electronics, medical equipment, and electric vehicle motors, the last of which is likely why Jolt went searching around Haiguaidian in the first place. With Rushmori rare earth supplies somewhat limited, the discovery could pave the way for the expansion of Yue electronic manufacturing and electric vehicle production. Ma, in particular, will be hoping to use the new discovery to drive down manufacturing costs and establish dominance over regional EV markets. However, with the discoveries located in so far unclaimed terra nullius that closely borders Græntfjall, it's likely that negotiation with the White Winter Queendom will be needed to secure mining rights.
Read More About Haiguaidian.

Other News:

Yue stocks surge following Lithico™ declaration
Why Beian's biggest restaurant chain is facing bankruptcy

WORLD
Yueren in the Banijan city of Aissa, the sixth-largest city in Banija, are hoping to gain more influence in this year's Lukiiko elections by electing the nation's first-ever Mkiiko of Yue descent. Diaspora community members in Aissa West, in particular, are rallying around People's Protection Movement candidate Kantora Kang, whose parents fled the Yue Civil War before settling in the Atlantian Oceanian nation.

Aissa boasts a steadily-increasing Yue population, and the neighborhoods that comprise Aissa West, in particular, are now majority Yue after a recent influx. Aissa West has also become increasingly political, with new immigrants largely falling behind the PPM due to their anti-communist background. As a result, Kang's election as Mkiiko is looking increasingly safe in recent polling. Still, while the results of the elections as a whole remain unclear, Kang has preached optimism. "It's been gratifying seeing the Yue community of Aissa show so much support for my candidacy. I'm confident we can win, but no matter the result, I'm even more confident that the Yueren of Aissa West are here to stay, and we will have our voices heard." Read More about Banija's Elections.

Other News:

Yuezhou pledges economic assistance to rebuilding Guanacasteca
Foreign Minister Chu to make state visit to Xinhua

SPORTS
The Yue national team stunned group favorites Pemecutan, silencing Tegeh Kori National Stadium en route to a 3-1 win that gave the Dragons control over Qualifying Group 13 at the halfway mark. The win comes just weeks after a similarly surprising 6-2 defeat of The Holy Empire, giving fans hope that Yuezhou might qualify for consecutive World Cups for the first time in Dragons history. After a slow start, it also validates the patient approach that Elaine Ashdown has emphasized since replacing Chen Huikang as national team manager, as Yuezhou has compiled a strong 7-2-1 record at the break.

The Dragons, despite playing in unfamiliar territory, were in control early, and Luo Nanwei continued his strong qualifying campaign with a twelfth-minute goal. But the former World Cup finalists, currently #17 in the rankings, recovered well. By halftime, the score was level again, with Gede Putra Arimbawa scoring a sublime individual goal to equalize.

But Yuezhou came out strong in the second half despite the challenge, with Kara Mingsdottír Zhang making the score 2-1 after a frenetic period of back-and-forth play where both sides had significant chances. With Yuezhou clinging on in the final minutes, it would be the substitute Sienna Li, in just her third appearance for the national team, to score a third and cement yet another upset victory. Read More About Who's Representing Yuezhou This WC Cycle.

Other News:

Yue Super! League president announces plans for expansion
Sporting Minister confirms new national basketball stadium in the works

by **Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:24 am

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer wins it's 2nd game!

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer - After being winless in it's first seven games, Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer won against Neibeskiya in matchday 8 and against Tanirinthia in matchday 11. They also lost against Valentine Z on matchday 9. On matchday 8 against Neibeskiya, coach Gilles Bourguignon made some changes in the starting XI. Pierre-Antoine Bigeault-Généreux, Ludwig Baumgartner and Carlo Guignard all rested and Javier Ordonez Rodriguez, Charles-Alexandre Ng and Rebeca Perez Mendoza
were all inserted in the starting XI. At the 26th minute, Louis-Philippe Berlinguette scored on a cross by Charles-Alexandre Ng and the score was 1-0 Jean-Jacquois. This is the final score.

On the next week, the Tapirs visited the Valentian Kittens and it didn't went well. The players who rested on matchday 8 were back in the starting XI. However Félix Bourguignon was suspended one game for too many yellow cards. Paul-Émile Gillis replaced him in the starting XI. At the 9th minute, Katarzyna Violetta Zofia Aleks Polańska made a header pass to Elisabetta Enzo Hannah Lodovica D'Elia who heads the ball right into the net. 4 minutes later, Daina Allison Leela Phon Seng Sreynuon made a short pass to Kortnev Grigoriy (Grisha) Konstantinovich who kicks it into the net. The score was 2-0. Valentine Z added another goal when Katarzyna Violetta Zofia Aleks Polańska headed the ball into the goal on a corner kick.It was 3-0 Valentine Z at halftime. Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer attacked at the 56th minute when Marcelin Nkoulou made a cross to Frédérique Goudreau-Luneau who kicks it into the net. The Valentian Kittens inceased their lead 5 minutes later when Holly Annemiek Gerrieke Van De Hoogte scored after receiving the ball from Kortnev Grigoriy (Grisha) Konstantinovich. The score was 4-1 Valentine Z. At the 78th minute, Louis-Philippe Berlinguette kicks the ball, Eveline Valeria Annalise Tiêu Xuân Ngọc stops the ball but don't control the rebound and Marcelin Nkoulou kicks it into the net. The final score was 4-2 Valentine Z.

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer had a bye on matchday 10 and received Tanirinthia at home on matchday 11. The weather was cloudy and just perfect for a soccer game, however due to the demonstration outside the stadium, the soccer game was played without any spectators. Félix Bourguignon was back in the starting XI. However, Nathan Bourguignon missed the game with a foot injury and Paul-Émile Gillis remained in the starting XI. Marcelin Nkoulou was a heathy scratch and Catherine Prud'homme was inserted in the starting XI. Nathan Fauteux-McGrath scored the only goal of the game at the 64th minute on a free kick and the Jean-Jacquois won 1-0. On matchday 12, the Tapirs will receive Flavovespia at home and they will travel to Trolleborg on matchday 13. Nathan Bourguignon will miss these two games and probably matchday 14 too. Paul-Émile Gillis will still replace him in the starting XI.

Paul-André Veilleux

Referendum results: We said yes!

On the same night as Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer received Tanirinthia at home, referendum votes were counted. First, here was the referendum question, a long one:

The governments of both Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer and Burnham-on-Stove met in february to ratify a sporting agreement which states that the principality of Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer and the People's Republic of Burnham-on-Stove will unite to form a single national team rather than competing as two different national teams. Professional leagues of both nations will also merge to form a single and larger professional league. The new sporting entity, comprising two nations, will be named Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove. Do you agree that Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer and Burnham-on-Stove forms a sporting alliance under the name Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove?

Only two answers were possible: Yes or No. The yes won with 51,645% of the votes! Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer voted yes with 56.7% of the votes while Burham-on-Stove voted No with the Yes votes only having 42,1%.

Nation                  YES	NO	TOTAL
Saint-Jean-Jacques	69 417	53 011	122 428
Burnham-on-Stove	27 299	37 544	 64 843
TOTAL	                96 716	90 555	187 271

From now on, the two nations are known sportively as a single nation named Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove and they will compete under this name. The first tournament the new sporting alliance will compete to is the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Demonstrations and Riots

There was demonstrations and riots in both nations. The right wing nationalists in Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer, led by the Front patriotique Jean-Jacquois and the Truckers Association of Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer demonstrated somehow peacefully, though the main entrances of the stadium were blocked by truckers which refrain fans from attending the matchday 11 game against Tanirinthia. However, riots in Burnham-on-Stove were more violent, probably because they defunded the police 3 years ago. Rioters, led by the Burnhamese Antifas, assaulted the Parliament of Burnham-on-Stove. They completely saccaged and burned it. Deputies of the Burnhamese Communist Party, the only authorised party, were able to leave the parliament before the assault.

In both nations, only the centrists approved the sporting alliance.

Yves Beausoleil

by **Elmyia** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 5:05 am

The Beaucester Gazette
Opinion: There's No Doubting Beresford's Fearlessness
Will her coming out tip the scales at home?

Elmyians aren't used to their footballers being much in the way of public figures. Commenting on issues of the day is something that's only recently become a feature of life in Elmyia, pre the awakening over the last couple of years questions of a political nature were the sole preserve of the byzantine machinations of those directly involved in government. Now, opinions are being had left, right and centre.

Footballers were never really sought for theirs however. Elmyians appreciate the tactical machinations of managers, but players are reduced to chess pieces moving around the board. Well, Beresford has shattered the illusion. In a social media post on Friday Beresford announced her coming out as a lesbian, not only being the first footballer to do so in Elmyia, but also one of the first public figures in the nation in the midst of a bitter argument over employment and discrimination law.

Those who follow Elmyian news will be familiar with the story by now. John Pottinger, a kiln worker in a ceramics works in Aventi, Mosfleet was dismissed with no notice by his boss. This came shortly after he had been seen by a different co-worker coming out of a gay bar in the centre of Mosfleet. This devolved into a legal dispute as to the nature of his dismissal, with him alleging that he was dismissed on the basis of his homosexuality, rather than any issues within the work place. In an astounding development, the court both endorsed his version of events, but was unable to award compensation as there was no stipulation in law around this.

Lazzari's Communist government has kept its cards close to its chest over this. There's a balance to be held in the party, whilst all stand in favour of greater employment protection, the assumption remains that Elmyia is a highly conservative, Catholic country. Yet, they may have now found themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.

Rumblings had been heard from the national team that one of their number was out within the camp, and was considering going public. This rapidly came to a head when Beresford made her announcement. A fearless player on the pitch, it's a quality that many acknowledge she carries with her everywhere. Well, clearly. On Friday she came out publicly, and in doing so shook the debate. The support displayed on the terraces for Pottinger had indicated where public sympathies might lie, Beresford's intervention has taken this further still. Reactions have largely been positive, Lazzari might soon feel the heat.

Beresford has impressed in a dire campaign so far for Elmyia, with these developments it would seem we might now hear more from her off the field as well.

by **Graintfjall** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 5:20 am

RP bonus stats at the halfway mark.

86 nations* have posted at least 1 RP**.

The mean daily RP bonus has been between ~70% and ~80% of the max bonus. Overall the mean bonus has been ~75%.
The median daily RP bonus has been between ~75% and ~90% of the max bonus. Overall the median bonus been ~80%.

~85% of RPs posted earned at least 50% of the max available RP bonus.
~33% of RPs posted earned the max available RP bonus.

More than 50% of nations who have RPed have earned the max bonus for at least 1 RP.
Less than 5% of nations who have RPed have earned the max bonus for every RP.

I don't think these stats reveal much that is particularly surprising or out of step with previous hosts, but I will post some updated stats at the end.

* This doesn't distinguish puppets, thus, RPs by e.g. Valanora and Pasarga count as 2 different nations rather than 1 user.
** For each cutoff, the highest graded RP is the only one that counts.

by **Acastanha** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:12 am

Halfway There

Time really is flies fast. It feels like yesterday that Acastanhada Men's National Football Team started the World Cup Qualifying round. And now, we already reached the half of the matches. Eleven match days have been concluded and we can say that our team have a very good results so far especially between teams from Mandalanusa. Acastanha entered this edition of World Cup from pot 4. The country ranked 61st based on KPB rank system use by NSWC. In the drawing, they are joint Group 1 together with some great names such as Tumbra, Pasarga and Mertagne. They are also in the same group with Mandalanusan sub-region team, Stevencousin.

Acastanha start the qualifying round with a promising win against Carpathia and Ruthenia. Estádio Nacional de Arra was selected as the match venue. And Acastanha success to grab a full 3 points with 2 goals from Kasvali and new name, Timoteo Regendi. With the result, they were placed second together with Mertagne. Next, the team headed to Pasarga. Facing a higher-ranking team, Acastanhada national manager only promised a draw as their best bet. However, the result blows the fans hope. Acastanha lost 1-3 and drop to 6th place in the table. The only goal at the match was scored by Plinio Adondare in the 79th minute. In the third match, Acastanha once again have to face a higher ranked team. This time, it was Mertagne. Luckily, they were playing at home in Estádio da Unidade Nacional. The match went so tight that no team had managed to score a goal after the first half. The luck came to Acastanhada team as Kasvali break the deadend with the one and only goal in minute 81. Acastanha win the match by 1-0 and rise to third place below Eastfield Lodge and Pasarga.

Then they flew to Brusseldorf to another away match. The fans were hoping for a win. But the reality said otherwise. Despite in lead at first, Brusseldorf squad were able to fight back and pushed for a draw. Despite only gained 1 point, Acastanha still holding up in the third place. A match against another lower ranked teams had made the team more cautious this time. After a surprise draw against Brusseldorf, they wouldn't want a repeition to happened when they were welcoming United Hawkland at Porto Espinhosa. As the hope runs dry, a second goal by Herberto Alindoni in minute 83rd saved Acastanha from another draw match. Continue to their sixth match against Kharakia. Acastanhada fans expected a possible draw. But the team give them something unexpected. The team won big with 5 goals scored into Kharakia's goal. That many goals placed them as the most productive team in Group 1 with 16 goals. And the team bring joy to the fans win a second consecutive win. This time against Ancherion who came to Acastanha as a guest team. The crowd went wild in Arrachai after Kalchankar scored his second goal in the match. The win also surprisingly placed Acastanha on top of the table with only 1 point difference against Tumbra and Pasarga in second and third place.

Being a guest team in Eastfield Lodge made the fans didn't expect much. Despite their opponent currently have a lower KPB rank than them but Eastfield Lodge is quite known in the football world. And it was shown in their match as both teams playing in the same level. Yushankar score the goal in early second half to place Acastanha in the lead. And until the whistle blown for the last time, that was the only goal scored in the match. Acastanha took home a full 3 points. The team extended their undefeated streak after another win against Zecrarth nation, Stevencousin. Their match was full of goals with 7 goals scored in the match. The largest in that match days. It equals Kharakia vs Acastanha and Mertagne vs Brusseldorf match who were also ended with 7 goals. But it's still lower than Tumbra vs Kharakia match which produce 8 goals. The result made Acastanha continue to lead the table. At the end of match 9, Acastanha have collected 22 points while Pasarga in the second place have only 19 points. In the 10th and last Acastanhada qualifying match in the first half, they were met the last high ranked team, Tumbra. The fans had expected a lose just like how their meeting with Pasarga in the second match day. However, the team were showing their best game. They were able to block Tumbra's attacks and closed the match with a 1-1 draw. The result sends a relieve to the fans. With an addition of 1 point, Acastanha drop to second place with 23 points. On the other hand, a 2-1 win against Stevencousin, bring Pasarga to the top of the table.

With 8 undefeated matches streak, Acastanha is on the right track to a possible another play-off qualification. But the team has to be more careful in the second half. There is some hunch that the team is always played worse during the second half of WC qualifying round. And the bad trend would continue until Cup of Harmony. Manuel Kalchankar dismissed the hunch and stated that the team might affected by the fatigue from a continuous qualifying match. Despite the matches are played during the season break, but it's intencity could affected the players performance. Other things that become Kalchankar attention is the team defense. Even though they are only conceded 16 goals, the fourth lowest in the group, it is still huge numbers compare to their scored goals. The team defense has always been an issue even in the past World Cup. "Hopefully it won't be an issue anymore," said Kalchankar.

The coming match will be they are going to Carpathia and Ruthenia before welcoming Pasarga back home. The fans however criticize Kalchankar's selection to both matches especially the starters. Most of the names in the squad's starters are new players. Only Jorge Vidshav and Igor Erdagh that have been playing in the World Cup qualifying previously. It makes the fans wonder what is in the mind of Kalchankar.

by **Sannyamathland** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:47 am

Soviet Times

Sannyamathland emerges victorious in a thrilling match

By Yuri Popalov

Captain Mount celebrates after scoring Sannyamathland's winning goal

Sannyamathland: 2 - Darmen: 1

The Red Tigers edged past Darmen by a single goal in a nail-bitting match to snatch their first victory of the tournament. Current captain Mount and former captain Javcherencko were the two scorers for Sannyamathland. Kennard Hale was Darmen's only goalscorer.

Kramnik retained the line up from the previous match and made no changes to the starting 11. But there was a noticeable change in Sannyamathland's playing style. The team played much more attacking football than the previous match. Instead of playing short passes, the entire team relied on long passing and frequent attacks inside the opponent's defense. The overall mood of the team was very aggressive as well. Gennady Chalov received a yellow card for a poor challenge on Wolfe, the Darmen captain. Veteran Javcherencko almost received a card as well, after pushing a Darmeni player in the 62nd minute. But these risky challenges ultimately paid off.

The game however had a slow start. Despite numerous chances, none of the teams managed to score a goal. A powerful shot from Ivan Sandeiv was saved by the Darmeni goalkeeper. Then in the 34th minute, there was a Darmeni assault down the flanks and Bill St John of Darmen took advantage of a confusing among the Sannyamathland defenders and almost scored a goal. The ball, however, bounced off the bar. After a goallesss first half, Javcherencko opened Sannyamathland's scoring in the 52nd minute when he converted a corner into a goal with a fine header. This officially made him the oldest person to score a goal for the Sannyamathland national team, at 37 years of age.

This goal rejuvenated the team's spirit and the Tigers continued their attacks with a renewed vigour. The Darmeni team, with one goal down, began adopting a more defensive approach. Sannyamathland took full advantage of this, and their attacks became even more frequent when Kramnik substituted Savchenko and introduced Cheryshyev. But ultimately, this overemphasis on attack proved to be costly for the Tigers, as the Darmen team mounted a successful counter-attack and Hale scored a beautiful goal from a long pass down the right. With the scores now levelled, both the team began playing with a careful mixture of attack and defense, with neither side willing to give other an inch.

Despite this cautious approach, the captain of the national team, Mount ultimately tilted the game in the Tigers' favour. A fine run from Sandiev down the center culminated in Mount being left alone by the Darmen defenders. Sandiev passed the ball through a gap and Mount immediately placed the ball on the lower right corner of the goal with a simple effort. The entire team burst into celebrations as the goal came in the 83rd minutes. The elated team manager, Kramnik, rushed into the field and hugged Mount, disregarding all protocols. After that, Sannyamathland played a total defensive football until the very end.

In the post match interview, Kramnik was in a very jolly mood. He said "We are very happy with the results. It has been a really tough game, the opponents played very well. So we are very happy with the victory."

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:48 pm

After winning 4 games on the trot to bring life to our WCQ hopes, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia was fairly relaxed entering the bye they were forced to follow. It certainly did feel good to say that we were back in this race and not a total dumpster fire of an "elite" team that we claim to be but even with these improved results, our mission is far from over. Both David Seems and Li Xiu Ying was certainly happy with the way this turnaround was going down, but they also knew that they had to keep fighting and keep pushing for a return to the WC itself. But would we end the 1st half on a high?

Our only game would end up being at Zebra Stadium in Toropo/Almadinat against the only team we were yet to face - Arjunnagar. the team with only 1 point to their name entering this contest. To say that we were the favourites in this contest would be akin to saying that the water was wet and everyone knew it...but we also knew that we couldn't just expect the win. We had to earn every point that we scored and fair play to our visitors, they actually played like a competent team and actually threw a few chances Sputnik Brykilawa's way, so it wasn't as if we rolled through them like they were made out of paper maché. But we also knew that we should be beating this team and as such, we had to go for the win as well. We ended up taking the lead in the 32nd thanks to Malhrani al-Kalhrani and then we doubled that in the 55th thanks to Yomakaji Shimigatsu...and that is all she wrote. That was all that needed to be written about this game.

After the poor start we made to this WCQ process, to enter halfway 5th and only 3 points back of the group lead sounds too good to be true...but it actually is true. Now, we know what we have to do...be consistent enough to overhaul everyone else in this postcode. Our rematch with la República Guanacasteca shall go down at our own Latin American Passion Bowl, the Estadio Universidad Carlandas, before we make the very important trip to Ildemorton Road in Oswark-upon-Delte to play current group leaders Delte. TJUN-ia is back in the hunt...now, we've gotta prove we still have what it takes. GO JAGS!

MD1: @República Guanacasteca (73) - Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Estelí D 1-1 (T-3rd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD2: vs Delte (39) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky L 0-1 (T-6th)
MD3: @Aleirave (66) L 1-3 (8th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD4: vs Zwangzug (3) - National Stadium. TJUN-ia City W 1-0 (T-6th)
MD5: @Sharktail (85) - Stadium Biru, Sharktail L 1-4 (7th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD6: vs Kingdom of Castille (232) - Tallawah Stadium, Port Town/Portuaria W 5-1 (6th)
MD7: @Torisakia (298) - New Logan Stadium, New Logan W 3-0 (5th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD8: vs Hopal (109) - Ke Kahua Pāʻani o Pua Aloalo, Kepu Manu W 4-2 (5th)
MD9: @Ethane (167) W 4-0 (4th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD10: BYE (5th)
MD11: vs Arjunnagar (205) - Zebra Stadium, Toropo/Almadinat W 2-0 (5th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD12: vs República Guanacasteca (73) - Estadio Universidad Carlandas, Carlandas
MD13: @Delte (39) - Ildemorton Road, Oswark-upon-Delte
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD14: vs Aleirave (66) - Stade de la Victoire, Roi Ville
MD15: @Zwangzug (3) - ZS^3, Zwischen
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD16: vs Sharktail (85) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
MD17: @vs Kingdom of Castille (232) - Jaén FC Stadium, Atocha
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD18: vs Torisakia (298) - Salam Liljamie Stadium, Al Kalifa
MD19: @Hopal (109)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD20: vs Ethane (167) - Estádio do Pacífico, Rio Pacífico
MD21: BYE
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD22: @Arjunnagar (205)

by **Cassadaigua** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 2:37 pm

Mid-qualifying analysis,
by Caitlyn Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

It's that time again, where we sit down and truly think about what has happened after the first half of qualifying, and what might happen going forward. The midway point is the most honest time to look at group tables, because everyone has played everyone once, and no one has played fewer games than anyone else. For Team Cassadaigua, the expectation can no longer be to qualify for the World Cup, given their ranking, but they need to be absolutely certain that they are part of that playoff when we get to that point. No more finishing fourth in the group, and not even getting to that point. Fourth place finishes are what has put us in this predicament to begin with. Here, then, is how I see things at halfway.

I) The Group Table

Right now, Cassadaigua has a record of 6-2-2, which after ten games is not an awful mark but at the same time it is not often going to be good enough. Despite an early win over Nephara, Cassadaigua was still only 3-1-2 after seven games. The team would finish off well, and has seen Stacey Schalberg (who we will get to more later in this article) pick up clean sheets in three of her last four games. The other game was a 2-2 draw against Milchama, a team that the Fillies are going to need to beat going forward. Right now, the twenty points that the pink and black have attained has them third in the group, and are two points behind the Cormorants of Nephara and three behind Milchama. Unfortunately, when they meet each of them over the second half, they will each be an away contest. Koronavia sits two points us, and will be the very next game once we move into the second half. Adab, who we thought would be a stronger contender, has yet to flex their muscle even though they have handed us one of our two losses to this point. They are four behind us, then you have Yakk, who needs to learn how to play everyone in the group as well as they play us and Nephara.

II) Coaching

Chen Huikang was brought in here to turn things around, but he is also not going to be a miracle worker. That said, after the overwhelming level of success that he had prior to qualifying with the national team, we did raise our expectations, even if that was just built on hopes rather then being reasonable and fair. Over ten games, the Fillies have 25 goals and have conceded 12, which are the exact numbers that Milchama is leading the group with. No one in this group has scored more goals than the pink and black, and if you look around most of the groups you will see that most of them have one or two teams that have scored more than us, and most have scored less. Chen was brought in here to demonstrate offensive minded tactics, and we have seen more aggressive pushes by our team right from the opening whistle. Has he really done anything different than Brittany Byers? Look at our World Cup 93 record after ten games. We were also 6-2-2, just like we are now, but then 20 points was only good enough for a fourth place tie. The team scored 22 goals, and conceded 12, so defensively the numbers are identical. Offensive numbers are up, but would we want them to be up by more? I think the answer to that is yes, but I also believe that we'll settle for that level of improvement.

What should not be overlooked as that the goals conceded are exactly the same. This means that despite the more offensive tactics, we have been able to take care of business in our defensive end. Three shutouts in our last four games will help with that, and that will bring me to the next section of discussion.

III) Goalkeeping

Stacie Thornton was going to be the answer for the Fillies as the number one, undisputed goalkeeper. She had been the starter in the last two World Cups, and there was nothing about her play or recent form that suggested that she should lose that role. In fact, she had only strengthened her case since the last World Cup, backstopping the team to a Copa Rushmori title, and then a runner up in the Eagles Cup. Stacie was not the reason the Fillies failed to qualify for the last World Cup, but if there was any belief that Chen should go with someone else, that was silenced by Thornton. Then, Ascvalion silenced her, with a contact in the box leading to her going down awkwardly on her leg, only to find out that she has a torn ACL. She will obviously not be back during the qualifiers, and would also not be able to return for whatever the next Cup is for the Fillies. This injury will also impact her club's season with New Lakeland SC. What has incensed our fans, and rightfully so, was the accusation that she was faking the injury. That said, after that game, the Fillies are 3-1-0.

Stacey Schalberg, the 25-year old star from Grande Mountain, who led the team to a CSL title when she was only 18, inherited the top spot. When she came into the Ascvalion game, she admitted that she was rusty and not as well prepared as she should have been. Since then, she turned in back to back shutouts before giving the team a chance to win against a tough Milchama squad. After that 2-2 draw, Schalberg again picked up a shutout, this time in a 3-0 win over Brascocia. Erica Knapp has not seen any action, but is now the #2 and it's possible that she will at some point. Meghan Donnelly, of Rutland FC joined the team in MD8 and will now serve as the #3 goalkeeper.

IV) Defense

You don't get clean sheets in three out of your last four games if the defense isn't playing well in front of you, and so far, I am very pleased with the work of this underrated unit. The captain, Madison Rutland, exhibited a high degree of leadership with the way she spoke up for her fallen goalkeeper after the Ascvalion debacle, even if it did earn her a red card. I sense that she has rallied the troops in the locker room after that game, too. The two center backs, Tiffany Brown and Alyssa Marlin, have also played very well, although we have not seen Tiffany get involved in the offense too much yet. That's not where she is the most useful, but she is known to step up quite often into the attack. For now, it seems as though Chen wants her focused on the back end, and that probably is the best thing for her right now. Marlin was always going to be that player that does the little things right, but is also the one that you don't often notice because she's not going to lay the bruising tackle on someone. She has played to her strength. Rachel Becker could impose her physical edge a little more, but she started to get better with that over the last few games.

V) Midfield

This was the massive weakness of the Fillies last qualifying, and what many people blamed the failure to qualify on. Critics said, and probably rightfully so, that Brittany Byers was too slow to realize that Morgan Rosenblatt was losing an edge, and still gave her too many responsibilities. Kelsey Werth was inconsistent, and Krystal Sherwin did not get involved as much. Despite Kaitlin Millikan always doing well when used as a substitute, she was not able to convince Byers to make her a regular starter. This is where Chen has made the most changes. Rosenblatt was never going to be back, but keeping Werth off the roster altogether was a statement by the new coach. Those changes began in the Copa Rushmori, centered around giving Kaitlin Millikan more responsibility as well as the piece of mind in knowing that she was a starter now. Kaitlin has looked real good. 19-year old Lauren Engle has shown why she is a future star but at times has also shown that she is still nineteen. Lauren looks overmatched against the best midfielders, such as when the Fillies played Nephara and Milchama, but then dominates the lower rung of players that look to defend her. In time, she will only get better, and hopefully the second meeting against all of these opponents brings out the best in her. As for Krystal Sherwin, she retained her spot because of great play in the Copa Rushmori, and given her style, she could be a good fit to play with Millikan and Engle. Krystal has two goals, so is going something right, but I also would not be surprised to see Chrissy Engle or Rachel Wyman get a couple chances to start over her in the second leg. Chrissy already has played in place of Sherwin once, but that was due to Krystal's red card.

I think this unit has shown improvement, but I still think they are capable of doing a little more, and that will start with Lauren Engle continuing to develop and gain more confidence. Chen Huikang's system will give her an opportunity to do exactly that.

VI) Forwards

Lexi McGregor was finally going to get her chance to be the go-to player, and when you think about it, there has been no shortage of superstar strikers that have worn the pink and black. Superstars of the past like Courtney Ferguson and Stacie Kerrigan-Fraser and Jessica Schanke would lead into modern area stars such as Hannah Ranucci and Rachel Schanke. However, since Rachel, I don't think that there has been any forward who truly had so much hype about them. That doesn't mean they weren't productive, but Bayley Stanton and Jenna Frontiera never really got to that level. Maybe Frontiera would have been if she didn't retire prematurely. Then, Chloe Anderson and Rachel Boldin were the next wave, and they have done great things, but Lexi McGregor was seen as next level. She's backed it up with an impressive amount of accolades already for a 22-year old, and anyone in Rushmori soccer surely has heard her name a few times if they have been paying attention. In her first starting gig, she's done a great job, scoring at an acceptable pace for all of the hype surrounding her. No, I don't think you have that truly monster effort yet, like the four-goal game that I had a dream about her having in a match against Adab, but that will happen at some point. Shannon Cunningham and Chloe Anderson have done well, but this is where you start to ask yourself the question of should the team be scoring more, and should it be Shannon and Chloe doing that little bit extra, other than wanting more and more out of Lexi.

Overall, I am content with this group and am excited about what the future holds for them.

VII) Conclusion

Do I think the Fillies will win the group? No. Personally, I think the Cormorants of Nephara have not played to their potential and I expect them to have a great second half to not only pull ahead of Milchama, but to pull away from them. Milchama will hold their end to finish second, though I do believe we'll be able to slot in right behind them. In all honestly, if you don't win the group, it really doesn't matter if you are second or third. On paper, second gets you an easier opponent, but in the playoff, there are no easy opponents. I'm cautiously optimistic that they can stay ahead of Koronavia and Adab, because I think they can learn from their mistakes and improve on them.

by **Kimi-Suomi** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:12 pm

The Huuhkajat of Kimi-Suomi had experienced a period of freefall over the past few games, only managing 2 points out of a possible 12 and falling into the pack in Group 9. This was a situation that Esko Laaksonen absolutely HATED, and for obvious reasons at that, but some were wondering if this whole thing was just hopeless and that maybe we should just accept defeat and move on. But this mindset goes against everything that Kimi-Suomi stands for and Esko knew he had to keep going as well. Huuhkajat ei koskaan anna periksi...but was this a step too far?

Up first would be the arrival of Uusi Dascos [New Dascos] to Pesä, a place which was just as desperate for us to regain that spark we had before our bye and were still loyal to our cause. We knew we had to turn things around fast for our fans and we certainly used their strength to our advantage in this game, taking on Uusi Dascos like we were back to our old selves. Kimi Airo would score a brace in this game, with goals in the 34th and 67th minutes of this game, and when that final whistle blew, you could feel the entire nation breathing a huge sigh of relief. We had finally won again...and it certainly felt good.

But a tougher test was to come at the Frozen Stadium in Felswyr. It was time to end the 1st half with our first date with Pot 1 Chromatika, a team that was also struggling to keep up with the lightning pace Tikariot are setting as of present. We knew that we were going to be the underdogs against Lev Repin's side and when Ha'nei Ighv found a way past Peter Nurmi after only 6 minutes, things certainly weren't looking good. But what this team lacked in ability, it more than made up for in experience and that experienced allowed us to recover and take the game to the hosts. It would all come to a head in the 66th minute when a corner from Annina Tuominen was headed past Kathie Begley by substitute Topias Maxhuni - which sent the away section into absolute delirium. The rest of the game was a straight-up battle for that all-important winner but in the end, a 1-1 draw was what we ended up with. Both teams took a point, though you could certainly feel that the Huuhkajat were more happier with the result than the Anomalies were.

Tikariot seems long gone halfway through this group but we find ourselves 4 points off the Top 3, a bit behind but not totally out of the running by any stretch. We'll hope to restart on the right track when we travel to Polkopinen [Polkopia] before we come back home to face Katterimunk back home. We know we've got work to do...but this time, we feel like we can actually do it. NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

by **Dantopia** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:28 pm

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a subsidiary of Dantopia
Telecommunications (DT)
URLcica.da
RegistrationRequired
LaunchedJuly 2023, in Lion City,
Dantopia
Current statusActive

Cicada (app)

Cicada is an online social media and social networking service specialising in microblogging, based in Dantopia. Users can post ‘chirps’, limited to 500 characters, that can include text, images and videos; reply to, repost (‘rechirp’), and like posts by others. Cicada offers users a stable, alternate social media platform amidst a myriad of controversial changes being rolled out at competing social media services.

History

Following controversial changes to other well-known microblogging networks, including changes to their content moderation policies, users began seeking alternative services. Employees of Dantopia Telecommunications (DT) brainstormed ways to create a new platform to offer these users a safe and reliable alternative. Development of Cicada began in early 2023, under the code name ‘townsquare’. Details of the project began to emerge in various news outlets over the coming months, including the new project name of ‘Cicada’, named after the insect, characterised by its loud chirping sound. By the spring of 2023, a subsidiary was created to run the network, under the name Cicada Incorporated or Cicada Inc., with its announcement being accompanied by plans for the company to go public by September. The stated intention for listing the subsidiary on the stock exchange was for DT to recoup and profit from their initial investment into the network. In July 2023, Cicada was officially launched worldwide, with the service quickly amassing millions of followers, particularly in its native Dantopia. The same day it was launched, lawyers representing other microblogging services threatened litigation against Cicada Inc., claiming the company used trade secrets to develop the social media service.

Appearance and features

Designed as a platform for real-life conversations and sharing, Cicada aims to provide users with a similar experience to other well-known social media services, with an emphasis on public, text-based posts and conversations (also known as microblogging).

Accounts and posting

Cicada accounts can be created by anyone. They require at least one period (.) somewhere within their name (these can be placed anywhere from the second character up to and including the final character). For example, the official account for the developers of the service is @cica.da, taking advantage of the internet TLD code for Dantopia which is .da.

Posts or ‘chirps’ are publicly visible by default, but senders can restrict message delivery to only their followers. Users can mute users they do not wish to interact with, block accounts from viewing their posts, and remove accounts from their followers list. Users can post from the cica.da website, or through compatible external applications (such as for smartphones). Users may subscribe to other users’ chirps – this is known as ‘following’ and subscribers are known as ‘followers’. Individual chirps can be forwarded by other users to their own feed, a process known as a ‘rechirp’.

Users can group posts together by topic or type using ‘tags’ – words or phrases prefixed with a ‘#’ symbol. Similarly, the ‘@’ symbol followed by a username is used for mentioning or replying to other users.

Examples of different chirps

Chirp

cica.da
5m

This is a chirp. You can like a chirp, reply to it, rechirp it to your followers, send a direct message to the chirper, or share the chirp externally. @cica.da is an example of how to interact with other accounts within your chirp. #cicada is an example of how create a tagged word within a chirp. The limit for a chirp is 500 characters. Images (including animated GIFs) can be embedded into a chirp and will they appear below the text.

Reply

gen.grievous
10m

General Kenobi
obi.wan
Hello there

99 replies

Thread

t.rocket.jessie
30m

To protect the world from devastation!
t.rocket.james
To unite all peoples within our nation!
t.rocket.jessie
To denounce the evils of truth and love!
t.rocket.james
To extend our reach to the stars above!

Rechirp

cica.da rechirped

max.barry
1h

Check out this totally awesome website...
nationstates.net

Chirp with image

da.ntopia
3h

Here is an image of Dantopia's flag...

Verification

The verified green checkmark

Cicada offers users the opportunity to 'verify' their accounts. Verification offers accounts of notable individuals or organisations additional legitimacy on the platform, as their account and posts are supported by a green checkmark badge. Verification can be achieved either by application or through subscription to the Cicada Verified scheme. The former comes at no additional cost to users and is manually controlled by the Cicada verification team who receive applications for verification through the website or the official app. Cicada Verified is a paid monthly subscription service which unlocks the verified badge on a subscribing user's account.

Verified chirp

cica.da
Jul 8

This is an example of a chirp from a verified account. Note the green checkmark next to the account username.

Verification criteria

For accounts not subscribed to Cicada Verified, Cicada look at a number of factors when evaluating accounts to determine if they meet the verification criteria.
The account needs to be:

Statistics

Most-followed accounts

As of July 2023, the most followed accounts are:

Rank	Username	Owner	Followers (millions)	Activity	Country
1	@cica.da	Cicada Inc.	5.8	Social media platform	Dantopia
2	@d.tv	Dantopia Television	3.5	Public broadcaster	Dantopia
3	@carmen.castillo	Carmen Castillo	3.4	Musician, actress and businesswoman	Dantopia
4	@po.da	The President of Dantopia	3.4	Politician	Dantopia
5	@horse.of.the.night	Morris Nighthorse	3.2	Sports athlete	Tikariot
6	@para.gon	Paragon Entertainment	2.9	Media franchise of comics and films	Dantopia
7	@kai.ka.uhane	Kai Ka’uhane	2.9	Actor and film producer	Dantopia
8	@michael.danchevy	Michael Danchevy	2.8	Sports athlete and philanthropist	Dantopia
9	@mevlida.k	Mevlida Kusturica	2.7	Actress, model and film producer	Mytanija
10	@pa.pa.ya	Papaya Inc.	2.6	Technology company	Dantopia

See also

twii.tur

dantopia.national.team
Jul 7

A deflating final score between the #Lions and Euran Oceania Territories in the #WorldCupQualifiers

dantopia.national.team
Jul 7

@j.sanchez11 and @ezra.cunningham complete the comeback for the #Lions against Patriotlandia in the #WorldCupQualifiers

Match Details
Final Score:   Patriotlandia 3 - 3 Dantopia
Date:          Friday 7 July 2023
Venue:         Champs-De-Mars, Conflans, Patriotlandia
Weather:       Clear
Temperature:   23ºC (73ºF)
Wind:          8kmph (5mph)
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity:      73%

Team Details
Manager:     J. Carignan                                             Manager:     H. Northgate
Formation:   4-4-2                                                   Formation:   4-3-3
Starting Line-ups:
                      P. Lataupe                                                        A. Bullvale
L. Laflèche   S. Dalton   J. Bromont   B. Vaillancourt               L. Runner   T. Bing    G. McGoldrick   G. Warmwell
  D. Rodin   E. Manahan    A. Desrives   B. Langlais                 B. Bartholomew-B.   G. Hendrickson   E. Cunningham
              H. Graham        L. Graham                             R. Dollar         M. Moses         W. Fodderingham

Substitutes: L. O'Neill (GK), O. Tomlin, A. Deringer,                Substitutes: R. Bishop (GK), R. John, B. Yesterdi,
             A. Francoeur (89’), C. Fulton, G. Sazarin (74’),        L. Shank (34’), K. Peters, C. Clamber (74’)
             E. Lachapelle (74’), E. Francoeur (59’),                A. Adeyemi (74’), M. Danchevy (66’), J. Sanchez (66’)
             F. Fortinello (59’)

Match Events
Goals:        H. Graham 20’                                           Goals:        M. Moses 8’
              A. Desrives 42’                                                       J. Sanchez 78’
              F. Fortinello 73’                                                     E. Cunningham 82’
Assists:      A. Desrives 20’                                         Assists:      W. Fodderingham 8’
              L. Graham 42’                                                         B. Bartholomew-B. 78’, 82’
              E. Francoeur 73’
Yellow Cards: S. Dalton 45+2’                                         Yellow Cards: L. Runner 12’
              E. Manahan 56’                                                        G. McGoldrick 68’
              E. Francoeur 86’

dantopia.national.team
Jul 9

The remaining fixtures in #Group15 for the #Lions have been revealed! #WorldCupQualifiers

dantopia.national.team
Jul 9

Back to a full strength #Lions team for the tie against Ziwana in the #WorldCupQualifiers

2 mins ago

After two successive draws, the Dantopian national team will be looking for better performances headed into the second half of the group fixtures for the world cup qualifiers. The Lions face Ziwana, this time on Ziwanan soil. The hosts will be eager to make amends after their loss in the opening group fixture to Dantopia. The three national team coaches – Agus Putra Yudana, Thokozani Tembo, Feston Muhiwa – have helped turn results around since then and the Ziwanan's now sit in third place in Group 15, three points ahead of the Lions.

A full-strength side against Ziwana might give the Dantopians the best opportunity to win.

Dantopian national team manager Harold Northgate will be looking for a strong performance from his side if they are perform the double on Ziwana, which would grant the Lions only a fourth win in eleven attempts. Whilst the Dantopians have lost relatively few games, the five draws the team has now accrued mean the side side in the middle of the table, with any hopes of qualifying for the world cup finals slipping away by the minute.

dantopia.national.team
Jul 9

A full rotation of the team as your #Lions prepare to face Neibeskiya again in the #WorldCupQualifiers

5 mins ago

Following the apocalyptic scenario the Dantopian national team had to endure at the hands of Neibeskiya when they visited the now defunct nation, the Lions will be feeling a lot safer and more at peace hosting the return leg within the comforts of Bank of Dantopia Stadium in Dartford. If a squad of Neibeskiyans does indeed show up for the match, they will likely be welcomed into Dantopia as refugees, if they haven't already sought asylum in another nation. Northgate has chosen to rotate the line-up heavily as he prepares for tougher fixtures ahead, fixtures that will undoubtedly determine the fate of Dantopia's maiden world cup qualifying campaign.

It's a completely rotated squad facing Neibeskiya, as Northgate looks to rest his side before a gruelling set of final fixtures.

Picking up a win against Neibeskiya, however, would certainly go a long way in ensuring the Lions' hope to finish in a top three position in Group 15. Finishing within those coveted three places would allow the Dantopian national team to either qualify directly for the world cup finals in Graintfjall and Kelssek, or pit them against another hopeful side in an elimination game for a world cup place. The players sitting out of this game in Dartford will be recouping their energy for a final push in the remaining fixtures. Upcoming games against the likes of Valentine Z, Flavovespia, Trolleborg and Vilita will prove pivotal to the Lion's success or failure to qualify.

by **Archalit** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:23 pm

The Jolliest Roger
Archalit's Biggest Sports Network
The Last Half Ends!
Archalit 3–2 Geektopia
Legalese 2–1 Archalit
Wow. I am at a loss for words. I don't even want to talk about Geektopia because of how goddamn disastrous matchday eleven was. That was ridiculous... so shall we discuss? The Legalese football team manager, Chogan Williams, announced after matchday nine (and shortly after our most recent publication) that they would be "taking things seriously" and that "we've done some work to reshape the team and fight harder in qualifications." This was laughed at, especially after Legalese lost 3-5 to Safiloa on matchday 10, giving Safiloa their first win this cycle, making everyone think they were truly washed up and that they had no hope in this World Cup season. Hell, Archalit didn't even take them seriously, sending in a few subs in place of their typical starting XI. Oh god, we really fucked that up, didn't we?

Whatever, Geektopia is first. Their roster is weird and dynamic, so we didn't exactly know what to expect in their tactics, capabilities, formation, etc. Seriously, have you seen that roster they published? That thing takes a uni course to understand. That's not to say it's weak, they're an undeniably strong team, but they are not the most sensible when it comes to the roster. What I will say is that the eleven that came out were strong. The Pirates were struggling with finishing on the Goalkeeper Dameţrice 'iidayfib Ṟath Eadjani, meanwhile they were quickly making counterattacks through our defense. Maiela (that's their full name) gave us a lot of trouble over the opening half, breaking through in the seventeenth minute to score an early goal for Geektopia. It took a huge effort to score back, supported primarily by August Armburst's speed that was giving the Geektopian players a run for their money. Our primary strategy for this game was pushing up the wins to capitalize on that speed, and it finally paid off on minute 41 when August drove the ball up to Cynthia Harmonia who sent a cross over to Lyndon Nightmare for a clean header finish. The first half ended 1-1 and both teams were already showing some signs of fatigue.

The second half came fast for the players and Archalit managed to successfully carry their momentum through. Don't fix what's not broken, right? In the same fashion as their previous goal, August ran up the right-side to deliver the ball, this time finding Duke Sondas who dribbled through their central defender Seibel and scored a nice curl into the top-left corner of the net. A nice finish not long celebrated as Geektopia retaliated within five minutes, as a well-placed cross by Genelda Rrsvieere in a corner kick set up an aerial battle won by Capehart Brindisristieirnigh Ea Naeu who headed the ball over the defense toward the net, which Roland Baker shockingly misread and failed to save. Seriously, that thing was NOT going fast, there was simply no excuse to fail that one. The last minutes of the game were intense. From minute 60 onward, any missed chances or failed plays would cause a huge reaction in the stadium as the game was simply too close to call at this point. 2-2 and coming to the last 10 minutes, everyone thought it was all over, and the game was set to be a draw. That was until Eloria Mizuki got the ball and dribbled up the left, playing a quick one-two pass with Micha Sooza to continue driving up. With high-pressure, she set a low-driven cross back to Micha Sooza who delivered a flawless finisher, slamming the ball into the net and much faster than the goalkeeper could react.

Oh, the memories. Back then, we were truly delighted. We sat ourselves comfortably in third, knowing there was no way we'd lose it. After all, we had Legalese next, and they just lost to Safiloa, the only other team with just two points at the time. Oh my god, I hate this game with a burning passion. We opened with some slow, mounting pressure onto their defense. Not overcommitting and maintaining possession before making any plays. I swear, their defense looked better than it ever had been this game, as they were not giving us any easy opportunities to pounce on them. In fact, the second they gained possession, they instantly began aggressively pushing forward, with Lindo leading an overpowering charge towards the net. Our defenders, which at this time did not feature Nyx Phantasma or Myst Magica for some fuckin' reason, were caught completely dumbfounded as they suddenly found Anoki Molloy-McMahon in position to score. Before they could adequately react, Anoki Molloy-McMahon had sent the ball towards the goal, and Damien Looke (who was on the net during this game) couldn't quite make it, the ball soaring past his outstretched fingers. Seriously, we got scored on by Legalese, how could it get any worse? Maybe by being scored on twice. We're not even out of the first-half, and there are still goals to be scored. Notably when Sophie Ishida fouled Jorge Whelan in the penalty box, giving the Legalese football team a penalty team they never should've gotten. This was all they needed. Richie Funderbunk came in front of Roland Baker (who got subbed on soon after the first goal). Roland actually made it to the ball, but it deflected off his fingers into the net. There are no commiseration points for touching the ball, unfortunately. Suddenly, Legalese was up by two in the first half and Archalit was struggling against what should be the weakest team in the group. Nevertheless, Archalit adjusted to the Legalese playstyle and a couple substitutions placed a half-decent formation on the field. This was enough to hold off their offense, but the coaches were left scratching their heads at how to beat their defense. The first half ended and we were simply losing.

We did score in the second half, to be fair. Someone had to figure out the cracks in their defense, and it was Terry Yang who, superbly confident he could send a through pass right to the net, found Cynthia Harmonia running up towards the goal. That ball went past about four Legalese players to reach Cynthia Harmonia who barely even tapped the ball, throwing the goalkeeper of balance and letting the ball simply roll right into the net. That's when the audience thought "yeah, this is easy for them, they'll come back and win." They didn't. Through a full remaining 35 minutes, Archalit failed to find an equalizer, and the game simply finished with a 1-2 defeat. Really? That's how we're going to end it? That was so anti-climactic, I know, but that's really how the game went. The Pirates weren't stealing this one, despite this seemingly being an easy win. "Rest assured," says the international community, "they have a rich history" and "it happens." I'm gonna go cry now, but in the meantime, you can go read what I said about matchday 12 and 13.
It's time for rematches...
MD12 : Eraman vs Archalit @ Daulapura Stadium
MD13 : Archalit vs Independent Athletes from Quebec @ Archalit Olympic Stadium
Let's make this quick.

Last time we saw Eraman, we drew. In fact, not only did we draw (at home by the way), but it was a 0-0 draw. Eraman was certainly more skilled than us at that time, and it showed, with them simply having more possession and coming closer to scoring than us. However, we had excellent defensive coverage in the form of Nyx Phantasma and Hemera Note, while Terry Yang conducted the defense and basically showed off that our back line had changed since we stepped foot on the international stage. Now, it was our opinions, at the time, that Eraman was not playing at full capacity and that they seemed like they had more strength in reserve than they let on. Well, their results until now have brought that, and many things into question. Not only are they yet to lose in these qualifiers, but they have 4 wins to 6 draws. I don't think I have to explain why that's not normal. This team is so weirdly adept at not losing but actually winning puts everything into question. Well, seeing as we really desperately need to perform better over this second half to actually place third, I don't think the Pirates have any other choice but to rob Eraman of their streak. Frankly, I think we've seen the Archalitian team improving dramatically since the start of the World Cup, even though we're ending up with stupid losses like 0-3 against Ranoria and the latest 1-2 versus Legalese, so it's beyond a doubt that we have a chance to make away with three points here.

It'd be especially nice because of our matchday 13 opponent. We have home advantage but does it even matter? Last time we saw this team, we unironically got scored on so much that I couldn't even be bothered writing descriptive documentation of the goal like I normally do (or, at least, some form of documentation). Quebec gave us an absolute run for our money by literally defeating us 7-0. I definitely think that, strictly speaking, we've gotten "better" since the beginning of this season, but I don't think we've really gotten "good" compared to Quebec. I'm not expecting a draw or a win, so I would frankly be over the moon if Archalit could hold off for a point. We'll certainly see though, my dream could've been a premonition! Or we'll just suck more and lose 8-0 this time, and in the Olympic Stadium no less. That being said, maybe they'll be incentivized to not go all-in with the perfect starting XI this time like our last game? We can't be sure, since Quebec hasn't published their upcoming rosters yet, but I suppose we'll be on the lookout. I'm just rambling at this point, I know it, so for the sake of brevity, I'll leave you with this: I'm predicting we need to play some mad catch-up work over this second half if we want to contend to qualify to qualify. Regardless, it would be much nicer to have an advantage out the gate, so I'll still come back to the same phrase,
SAIL PIRATES, SAIL!

by **South Americanastan** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:07 pm

Natanians and Nosts 0–0 South Americanastan
Stadion Nacional, Natanians and Nosts

South Americanastan 2-2 Lozho
WALLS '72, DE VEERS '87 | NAKAJIMA '43, OBAMOVICH '57 (P)
Pretorusburg National Grounds, Pretorusburg, Fralaksai, South Americanastan

THE BALLAD OF THE BLACK BERETS
PROLOGUE: "RULE, WESTOVIA!""
EPISODE ONE - DECEMBER 1936: BEARS AND LIONS

Dearest Mother,

Thank you for the generous care package. The entire unit enjoyed the box of cigars you sent.

The fighting here is rough and the conditions are rougher. We have not left our trenches in 27 days, and neither have the Colonials. It has rained and poured for nearly all of those 27 days, and the mud on my face has just about become part of my body. If nothing else, we have ample drinking water. There is talk of a ceasefire, but I am not optimistic.

We have shelled the Colonial positions for the past several days, but there has been little shooting other than that of the snipers. Do not worry, I have been keeping my head down. These newfangled Gretzkan helmets have already saved my life once and I do not wish for them to have to do so again. The generals promise that we will be on the offensive in the next month, but there has been very little movement on the front since we established these trenches.

The frontline has become extremely boring, and I am immensely homesick. Please write back with any news about my brothers, especially Louis.

Love,
Michael

RENBEKKER TRENCH LINE, OUTSKIRTS OF BWELO, CROWN COLONY OF SOUTH AMERICANASTAN, WESTOVIA

"ROUNDS OUT!"

The orchestra of artillery and sniper fire had been playing nonstop for the past 4 days, and their beautiful symphony was almost therapeutic for Harry. The 20-year old soldier stood behind the gun battery, gazing upon the scarred terrain in his officer's coat. The officer's coat, in reality, was nothing more than an old trenchcoat, but no matter, he wore it with pride. The metal coat of arms pinned to his uniform shimmered in the light rain drizzling onto the battlefield. He heard the crash of another artillery shell impacting the Colonial lines.

Harry raised his binoculars to his eyes, and scanned the battlefield. His gaze fell onto the husk of a bunker attached to the Colonial trench lines. Smoke rose into the air, and Harry couldn't help but crack a smile as screams broke the silence of the frontline. After 2 years of constant fighting, the sounds and smell of a successful artillery barrage was one of his favorite things in the world.

As Harry reached downwards for his canteen, an ear-splitting whistling sound filled the air. He scrambled for his Maschenhauer 3-line Rifle, one of many Gretzkan gifts to the Republican army, and practically flew from the artillery pit into one of the frontline trenches. He stepped onto a platform near the edge of the trench, and settled his rifle on the wooden edge of the trench wall. He looked around the battlefield, a voice spoke on his left.

"There's no one out there..."

Harry glanced up, only to see a group of artillery shells soaring through the air, right towards the trench line. He collapsed onto the floor, his rifle falling to the side of the platform as he wrapped his hands over his neck and lay belly-down. The multitude of explosions rattled the walls of the trench, almost deafening him as shrapnel and dirt rose into the air like clouds. A piece of metal sliced through the top of his helmet, knocking it off his head, but narrowly missing him. As Harry climbed to his feet, the sandbag emplacement collapsed onto him.

50 MINUTES LATER

Harry didn't know how long he'd been out for, but he awoke to the sounds of screaming emanating all throughout the trench. He lifted the sanbags off of him, and crawled to his feet, wary of his surroundings. He looked to his left, and saw a Colonial charging at him, bayonet raised. He quickly ducked under the extended rifle, plunging his shoulder into the enemy's gut and throwing him into the side of the trench. A wheeze came from
the soldier as the air exited his lungs, and Harry threw him to the ground. He quickly grabbed his steel helmet, and hit the man in the face with it, before unsheathing his dagger and plunging it into the man's heart.

He put his helmet back onto his head, though a the force of the blow had knocked off a piece in the back partially cut loose by the shrapnel, and grabbed his rifle. He quickly looked to his right, and saw two men, one Colonial and one Rebel, grappling with each other over a loose pistol. Harry quickly pulled back the bolt of his rifle, and pointed it at the Colonial. He pulled the trigger and fired it, hitting the man in the leg. As he pulled the bolt back for another shot, the sound of motors became noticeable over the noise of battle. A voice cried out from behind Harry.

"Aye, the cavalry's here!"

A group of Gretzkan-trained shock troopers, armed with submachine guns, emptied out of the back of an armored car and stormed into the trench. The Colonials retreated back towards their trench line as Rebel snipers took potshots at the retreating soldiers, and the shock troopers finished off any stragglers. Harry walked back, away from the frontline, in a haze. He leaned against a tree to rest, though suddenly, a voice called from behind.

"Care for a picture?"

by **Huayramarca** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:44 pm

National Assembly of Huayramarca - 01/04/1989 - 11:00 p.m.

Several years in the making, a bloody revolution in between, the sudden opportunity to take some power in a nation that needed it so much, a valiant woman accompanied with a strong partner as Augusto Buendía is. The Ñucanchi Ñan movement has had a lot of victories through this decade, one where they managed to defeat the hostile Costeño regime through a revolution of dignity, where common sense and broadly accepted values such as integrity, responsibility and virtue were the core… All of this, all of that to end in a quite ironic way, without dignity.

Marta Mamani felt underwhelmed and tormented, as she didn’t know nor imagined that the sudden ambition of power, motivated by a random chat with Augusto Buendía, somewhere in early 1981 would cause a lot of troubles later. She didn’t expect it, for sure, yet the fears she had in that moment when she said “That’s a good plan” became real, but she downplayed them. Now, in a rainy night at Chuquiago, her fate was being decided, not only hers, but the fate of the ideals that she boasted during the revolution and her tenure on power.

“We present Marta Mamani and Augusto Buendía the results of the voting.” Said the president of the National Assembly, who asked for a secret voting procedure due to the importance of the situation, as a way to liberate the MPs from some pressure they could be subjected by their peers or the society. Previously, two weeks of discussions lasting up to 12 hours in each day, all being considered, from the original intentions to the testimonies of both leaders of Huayramarca as of now.

Points such as Marta Mamani saying that “somebody at the National Printing Office” was in charge of changing the words of the Civic Charter” to Augusto Buendía mentioning that “there was a framing plan to falsify evidence, in a way to get rid of him and Marta Mamani” were some of the mentioned by both incriminated parts. Mamani was visibly consternated, as she sobbed through most of the sessions, while Buendía remained calm, confident, that everything was about to happen and both of them wouldn’t be subjected to punishment of any kind. Mamani was diagnosed with a nerve crisis, yet she refused attention from specialists, that’s why she was present in every single session, talking even while being about to faint or pull of an unfortunate rabid tantrum.

“After an in-depth analysis held during the last two weeks, considering the opinions of experts in the matter of signature and handwriting validity, forensics analysing fingerprints and CCTV footage that was still stored, the assembly has determined that…” The president was interrupted as fireworks were hears from outside, then some screaming from fans, he decided to check his phone and said “It seems that Huayramarca defeated Pyazhnaya 2-0 at Krasnograd” to what the MPs cheered, then he said “Order, order… That was a PSA only, remember that we continue in the process of showing the results of the voting.” He resumed “It has been determined that, by a vote of 162 vs 38, Augusto Buendía and Marta Mamani are, from now on, impeached and banned to participate in any Huayaramarcan election until the year 2000.” Mamani fainted, Augusto Buendía started to insult the MPs present, including some of the Ñucanchi Ñan ones who voted for it, “You traitors, you stabbed us in our back, you deserve something harsher and more horrible than death…” Buendía sat in frustration and screamed unintelligibly. The MPs applauded, the ones who voted against remained, as it was needed a last step before doing anything, as Huayramarca was about to enter in a power void in a week, as the president has been impeached and the elections pushed back several weeks in order to allow the process to start again under new conditions.

“We will proceed to determine the newly governor in charge of Huayramarca, this as a cautionary measure to prevent any consequence due to a power void, as a method to protect our democracy.” Said the president, as Marta Mamani was calling her son and daughter, as she needed some support after recovering from the fainting she just had. “We have a couple of options in order to prevent this, the first option is to allow, as an exception, the soon-to-be-impeached Augusto Buendía and Marta Mamani to take power under supervision, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Supreme Elections Committee” Three options, only one could stand and let Huayramarca avoid a troublesome situation and dynamics associated to a power void.

The president of the National Assembly warned the MPs about the power void, saying “A situation like this, something not considered by the Civic Charter of Huayramarca, is a dangerous one as we can’t expect nothing good to happen here. We could see how some people, who has a thirst of power, lift up in arms in order to take power of our institutions, take everything and command Huayramarca… Let aside the fact that we could see not only one, but two or three or even more of this kind of people, entering into a delicate power struggle that could send us straight to a civil war.” People there was worried, as they were wondering what to do in order to prevent an undesired situation, something that they wanted to avoid as much as possible, as it would be like sending Huayramarca to the past.

Melissa Ocampo, president of the Communist Party of Huayramarca said “It is the time to put Huayramarca in the safest hands possible, and those ones are, right now, the ones from the Supreme Court of Justice, as we have made sure we have independent and trustworthy judges, people that is willing to take care of this nation in a moment of need and desperation. We need to ensure that Huayramarca will be in the hands of people that can interpret the laws, that recognise any potential gap that could be exploited, to safeguard our democracy, to close those gaps and prevent any kind of vulnerability that could put the system of social guarantees at risk.” Applauded by many, rejected by some, the proposal was being considered as something that could be useful for that moment.

Mamani was still having flashbacks of episodes past, specially when Juanito was held with guns by military officers at Sopocachi, she said “I swear to make Huayramarca a better place for him” She, in fact, did it; but betrayed key principles in the process, even a promise made to her daughter on “Not going to be as corrupt as others” Something that pierced her heart even more, was what she saw when her daughter arrived, she said “You’ve betrayed our promise.” Marta fell on the floor, started to cry as a baby while the entirety of MPs watched the scene, her daughter, enraged, left the hemicycle, shyly, yet enjoying lowkey what was happening. Security tried to take out Mamani, but she rejected it, despite the many efforts done to continue the session, it had to be stopped until Mamani walked outside.

The situation was tough for her and pretty much everybody in the place, as a decision was about to be taken and the consequences of it could, at some point, alter the events Huayramarca will face and its challenges… A member of the Christian Values Party also agreed on considering the Supreme Court as the option to rule on Huayramarca, because “Marta Mamani is now affected because of this, not only that we were affected by her unfortunate decision, she’s now affected by the outcome, as she’s not able to process what has happened.” The opinion was echoed by many in the hemicycle, leading to the ultimate decision of taking the Supreme Court of Huayramarca as ruler of the nation for a provisional period until elections are called.

The president of the Supreme Court, René Dañín, spoke to the Assembly and said “We are here as caretakers, we are here to protect Huayramarca from an unexpected threat. We didn’t imagine that this would come, hence, we need to be able to face this kind of challenges when able to do so. My first act, as president and after consulting with my colleagues, is to call to general elections in two-months time, as we need time to prepare with the primaries, let some other candidates participate in the process and guarantee that we, as Huayramarcans, will enjoy plenty of options that could represent us in the best way possible, we need to make sure that all of them will respect our laws and future.”

The last words he said in the discourse were a preamble of what he was about to do, a movement totally unexpected yet radical due to the implications of it. “We have also decided, in a collegiate decision, to proceed against William Mamani-Hastings, in an investigation to verify if he is responsible of the assassination attempt against Marta Mamani, henceforth, we won’t be able to take part of the primaries nor the elections, at any level, since his trustworthiness and clean background is subjected to doubt and verification through judicial processes.” The Conservative Party applauded, surprisingly, as they were left aside by Mamani with the foundation of the Huayramarcan Republican Party. Nobody else applauded nor dared to do something.

As the intervention ended, William Mamani-Hastings turned off the TV, decided to threw a glass of wine against it as a rage quit of what has happened, his plans of contending to presidency once again were dropped out even before starting, but this in part due to his lack of proper execution in the plan of attempting to murder Marta Mamani, he thought aloud “Now, I’m done: I’ve failed at everything, what should I do?” He drank some wine, then decided to think and draw different things in a notebook around.

As he continued to write, he laughed, it seemed that his machinations were making him happy, and somewhat proud, as he wanted to provide power to the Jungle region in a way that could attack, or even put into risk, the unity and collaboration among Huayramarcan provinces, something risky that could put the nation at existential risk. “The ultimate plan has to start, if those Serranos and Costeños doesn’t want to allow us to go in our way, we must go in that way through force, WE MUST BE INDEPENDENT! It is the time to start the new movement for regional independence, we need to hit Huayramarca hard, as the Jungle is its economic core, that’s how they will respect us, that’s how we will get what we want.” He knew that Huayramarca couldn’t pay the price of letting the Jungle go independent, nor the Jungle could handle the load that being an independent nation means, that’s why both parts have, at some point, to cease with their considerations and be together, perhaps the last goal from Mamani was to force a negotiation to obtain a higher degree of autonomy.

A vile plan, not that vile, but one that could harm Huayramarca in a pretty bad way as the regionalist feelings could be revived; feelings so deeply entrenched in the collective mind as something negative, a display of scars from times past where Huayramarca had to suffer a lot to achieve independence and unity. Regionalism has caused many deaths, damaged families entirely and caused decades of stagnation in Huayramarca. People does want not to come back to those dreaded times, as the scars are there and the traumas too… 1980 was still present, and this conflict of Marta Mamani revived that time, so Mamani-Hasting’s timing could be pretty dangerous for Huayramarca, as moods can flare up and cause skirmishes, conflicts or something else at a higher scale, something that could put the nation at risk, and also the wellbeing of society.

Mamani-Hastings thought about that, but as he has always been an egocentric posh-y guy, he didn’t ponder the national unity, the desire of the society; he has always been the kind of guy that put his will in the forefront, instead of fighting for collective wellbeing, he said “Fuck it, let’s do this for once.” As he was decided to go ahead with the plan to seek for the independence of the Province of Sechura, hoping that more provinces of the Jungle Region would unite in his separatist plan.

by **Patriotlandia** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:45 pm

Halfway there: Exclusive interview with the National Team manager

Box Score
Vilita 3–2 Patriotlandia

First Half
Glenn Wils (24') -
- Kunaro Tlikara (35')
- Fyin Miateal (42')

Second Half
- Nii'arala Milaaso (58')
Alexia Brant (79') -

With the World Cup Qualifiers halfway done, we sat down with the national team manager Jean Alexandre Carignan to discuss the happenings so far and his outlook not only for the rest of the qualifying round but also the future of the team.

L'É: With eleven games out of the twenty two played so far, how would you rate the performance of the team?
JAC: There is obviously a lot of football left to play, but I feel like the team is starting to find it's legs and every one is getting some great experience.

L'É: At this point last cycle, the team found itself in the top half of the group standings. Do you think anything changed this time around?
JAC: It is not in my DNA to dwell on the past, the group this cycle is very well balanced with tough opponents to face every matchday.

L'É: The match against Vilita was a heartbreaking defeat, what was your key takeaway from the match?
JAC: I give the team full credit for hanging in close to the top ranked team in the group. I really liked our energy in the early goings. We managed to hold on to possession and generate chances of our own. Glenn's goal was a real boon for us especially on the road. It helps calm the nerves.

L'É: Wouldn't you say it calmed them too much? The Vilitan scored three unanswered?
JAC: I wouldn't say that. Vilita is an experienced and attack minded team. They like to put numbers forward and we can't park the bus for most of the game. We have to play to our strengths as well. The proof of that is Alexia's goal after coming on as a substitute. With a few better place shots or headers we could have had a tie game.

Box Score
Patriotlandia 3 - 3 Dantopia

First Half
Manny Moses (7') -
- Hannah Graham (20')
- Alexandre Desrives (42')

Second Half
- Francis Fortinello (73')
Jason Sanchez (78') -
Ezra Cunningham (82') -

L'É: We've seen you have a preferred eleven for the starting lineup but who would be your hidden gem of the WCQ so far?
JAC: I've really liked Emmanuel Francoeur coming off the bench on quite a few occasions. He is able to fit right in from the moment he hits the pitch and make an immediate impact.

L'É: The match against Dantopia unfortunately ended in a draw. What did you think of the team's performance?
JAC: Dantopia has proved to be a great team this cycle. We always want to deliver especially in front of our home fans. The momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the game but I feel like despite a couple of mistakes we played quite well. We kept pressing after falling behind early and Hannah Graham scored a beauty to get us back even. Obviously blowing the lead at the end was not the ending we had in mind but some days the football gods are undecided.

L'É: What do you expect for the second half of the Qualifiers? Any changes?
JAC: Like I said earlier, I feel like we are finding our stride. I have confidence in the group we have to adapt and overcome as we start the second round of games. I don't think we need to make any drastic changes. We have depth throughout the lineup so unless we get bit by the injury bug we shouldn't need emergency call ups.

L'É: Looking to the future of the sport in Patriotlandia, would you say soccer will overtake hockey in popularity?
JAC: I'm not one to speculate, but the World Cup is obviously the biggest tournement in the world in any sport popularity wise so it's normal to see increased enthusiasm. Unless we find a way to play on snow in winter hockey is always going to have a leg up, but the way the domestic system is maturing I'm hopeful to see more and more young players make an impact for us on the world stage.

World Cup 94 [roleplays]

Boot It!: A Final Halftime Flourish

Airbags Deployed

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