World Cup 95 Roleplay Thread

[Brannfjord]

GRIMNES DAGBLADET
Brannfjord Wins WCQ Debut at Blekebakken

After many months of wait, the Brannfjording National Team had the chance to use for the first time the Blekebakken Stadion. It was, perhaps, the best opportunity to inaugurate it as the National Team faced Eastfield Lodge for its debut in the World Cup Qualifiers. After an impressive homecoming from the fans, which included some pyro, decorations, etc, came the time for what the fans had prepared, silently, for a long time. The lights went off, not because of a Brannfjording Hydro failure, instead, it was all planned as bagpipes and a band was listened at the background, it was Ravn, a heavy metal band playing a song about king Sverker, one of the old enemies of Brannfjord begging for help before being defeated by our forces back in the saga times.

As the song started, fire launchers were seen from behind the goals, two each at the side of each goal, as a ball made of cardboard with the flag of Eastfield Lodge appeared, said ball was burned and people started to clap at the rhythm of the song. Ravn performed the song, and said that they reached an agreement with fans to play for this tifo in every single home match that Brannfjord will play from now on. The Eastfielders were mildly annoyed, but the police was always aware of the situation and guaranteed that the match would be played in a safe environment.

Despite the pressure from the visiting team on suspending the match, Ravn continued to perform until the end of the song, in which they threw black smoke and left. Brannfjord fielded their usual eleven used for Baptism of Fire matches, a 4-3-3 aiming for speed and control of the match and its actions as much as possible, something that was noticeable through the duration of it.

Kjartan Martinssen asked the players to press the Eastfielders as much as possible, something that was effectful since the beginning of the match, because at the 5th minute Øystein Sæther had a great ball recovery and sent it to Emil Helsing, the striker was able to control and dribble two defenders to slot the ball home for the first ever Brannfjording goal in a World Cup Qualifier, quite an ecstatic moment that made Helsing cry from happiness. The Eastielders tried to recover the ball at all costs, but Brannfjord was always there to stop them cleanly, to keep the ball and control possession with some ideas for the local side, Sæther was acting magnificent when it came to recover balls, then Erik Nordby was in charge to send the balls to either Haugen, Helsing or Nordstrom, who were always aware to bury the ball into the net of the rival.

Eastfielders weren’t having one of their best days, as they failed a lot of passes, but they were able to find a benefit after attempting a couple of times. A gap was found, and a free kick goal equalised things at the 43th minute of the match, to see how the teams ended 1-1 at halftime. Martinssen asked the team to continue attacking as hard as possible, as he wanted them to achieve victory through all means possible (legal, of course). The team entered the pitch into a completely different definition on what to do, as they pressed harder and kept the ball for more time as a way to protect it, because the Eastfielders would have liked to impose their strategy and resort to experience. Despite the disadvantages between both teams, Brannfjord didn’t intimidated to the experience of the Eastielders, instead they continued doing the same series of creative movements to create confusions in the rival. The decisive goal for the Brannfjording National Team came at the 87th minute, through Sigurd Haugen doing a header after a cross from his brother, Eivind Haugen after a corner kick With this victory, Brannfjord has got their first ever win in the World Cup Qualifiers, for sure, this is a moment to never forget for the Brannfjording fans of football, as their national team achieved the best result for a debut that they could have ever expected before, or in the same day, definitely a great day for De Selene.

[Chromatika]

World Cup 95 Matchday 2/3

Things are starting to heat up! How will you fare? Cutoff.

[Deltt]

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Bears Armed 2-4 Delte
Reçeucian AI text generator 'DeepReçn' ^{OOC: it wasn't} in the far faraway for Up The Reps Football Fanzine

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I've been briefed not to dwell overly long on the finer details of our match but suffice it to say the Away Team Mission played a generic game and mostly earned some interesting adjectives for their performance, particularly within the homogenous ninety minutes of very normal time.

At the same time, or maybe a few minutes before...

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Delte 4-2 Kharakia
Sports Correspondent Kim Samrodd at Ildemorton Road for the Oswark Parish Advertiser

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I won't dwell overly long on the finer details of this match, and it goes without saying that Enor Perro was our best player yet again, and definitely goes without saying that I'm on holiday and using a Reçeucian AI text generator for my match report ^{OOC: I'm not} but certainly mention should be made of the team's application of the stoic press. It was stoic.

I hear the away team played a blinder, although this may be a fabrication.

---

RPO Teaser
The Quick & The Delts: Faraway Sauce

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A recap, of sorts - things you may need to know if you plan on reading Deltic entries this World Cup:

The NationStates World Cup is back (already) and as ever Roleplay Production Office has got you covered. As well as high quality football coverage with all the best angles and analysis, and searing politics from the heart of Rake Teinton Women’s Institute HQ, when you need a distraction from incessant football RPO is always on hand to provide a bit of the something else with infamous off-kilter mild-mannered meta-capers fresh from RPO Studios lot at Folly Wood in Taxhavn. With an average rating by critics on Rotten Huckleberries of

{{\lim_{x \to 3} {{x^2 - 1} \over {x + 1}}} \left({{\lim_{x \to 0}{ {e^{11x} - 1} \over {x} }}}\right) + {\lim_{x \to 1} { {\ln(x)} \over {x - 1} }}}

there is always something on RPO to irritate your irreality lobe - let’s get the inside line on what’s coming next from ‘tinsel-hamlet'. But first...

PREVIOUSLY, ON THE QUICK & THE DELTS:
Oswark station, platform three, just after Cup of Harmony 83, where Professor Polestar greets one of her pupils: “My my, young Tasher”, she said to Onun Tasher, her talented sixth-former who was with the travelling party as first choice attacking midfielder, “haven’t you grown up!”

Cut to the town planning office: “The point is,” said Tessa Sack, Chief of Everything, with a very un-Stoic-like impatience in her telephone voice, “we are fairly sure the World Cup happens every two to four months, not every two to four years as we had first expected.”

Cut to an emergency player meeting called by Dr. Orem Ustingham: “I have been able confirm, beyond a reasonable doubt, that outside the valley, time is moving a lot faster. If we go out there, we age quicker. Out there they are living on quicktime.”
“I did wonder about their squeaky voices,” observed Aleard Sullenden, the brewer and midfielder.
Cut to the Doc and his powerpoint at the Hypergerontological Research Unit at St. Skolda’s Hospital: “We’re working on what we like to call Far Faraway Syndrome,”

“I like that, it’s very romantic,” said Taite Deluntte. She was the most VIP-est of the VIPs, being the only trillionaire in the valley and the chief sponsor of the Research Unit. “Although,” she said, smiling at the Doc with flashing white teeth that were highly attractive but also a bit… predatory, perhaps?… “I might propose to the Research Committee that we call it Ustingham’s Disease. That seems only fair, don’t you think?”

Cut to the players meeting, sometime later, “I think we have a solution,” announced Doctor Orem Ustingham with a flourish, “we call it Faraway Sauce.”

Cut to the Garga Marshes, source of the River Delte. “We have instant celebrity endorsement,” said Darra Cankal “from @FarvyGirl, of course. That should be worth a few million in annual turnover.”

“Î mèàn, jüst lôôk ät mė,” said Señora Lülèèn, @FarvyGirl, demonstratively, “thîs ïs áll màìntàìněd bý Dêltíc wåtërs.”

Taite Deluntte did look at her. Up and down. For a long time. “I like your accent,” she said, with that predatory smile.

COMING SOON TO YOUR FAVOURITE STREAMING SERVICE:
The Quick & The Delts: Faraway Sauce

Black screen. V/O:

Ringer Smith: a gerontonaut. A man barely alive… readers, we can rebuild him. We have the biotechnology. We have the capability to make the world's first biotic man. Ringer Smith will be that man. Better than he was before. Better... stronger... faster.^[1]

Fade up on The Fountain of Youth Spa Resort in the Garga Marshes:

“You know I feel about 24 years old?” wondered Ringer Smith, stretching a lithe and muscled arm out in front of him. “Before I came here I suppose I must’ve been about 150 if I was a day. Maybe 157 and a half.”

Cut to montage sequence of Ringer Smith, bench pressing a startled chequer-skin zebra foal with consumate ease, intermittently listing the Kings & Queens of Andossa Se Mitrin Vega from Dorian I to Sonya XVIII in order of reign with dates, arriving in just under ten seconds from a hundred metres away, identifying puppet accounts with incredible accuracy and referring to when he’d been a shanty-writing pirate, drunk too much tequila, founded a region, offended some færies, retired to fishing and discovered quantum bog theory by falling in it.

Cut to Doc Ustingham, talking straight to camera: “I should probably point out that my syrup isn’t guaranteed to make you a World Cup winning footballer. For that you should add a tab or three of RPinin and a gallon of Archie’s Nutgone Nonsense Prose No.65 to your matchday routine.”

Fade to black.

Closing V/O:

Better than he was before. Better... stronger... faster. And younger. Mostly younger. A lot younger.

---

[1] Fair attribution: Ten points to the geriatrics who recognise this iconic narration; for the rest of you youngsters, this is a reworking of the opening title audio voice-over for the classic Six Million Dollar Man, ABC Television, 1973-1978.

[Stevencousin]

STEVENCOUSIN TOURISM AUTHORITY

2 Days 1 Night Exciting Tour in Briketh: The Magical Old City Briketh, an old city steeped in history and natural beauty, offers a unique and captivating tourist experience. With the support of Brigketh Tourism Board, let's explore this exciting 2 day 1 night tour in this destination. Day One: Understanding Computer Heritage and the Beauty of Amberforest The journey begins with a visit to the Computer Museum, where you can travel through the ages of computer technology and understand the fascinating journey of development. The history plastered on the walls of the museum will amaze your knowledge. Next, step into Amberforest, the oldest part of Brigketh. The cobblestone streets here display a unique beauty with historic buildings and attractive waterfront views. Feel the living history by walking around this area. For lunch, feast on fresh seafood at one of the restaurants along the harbor or enjoy local delicacies at Brigketh Central Market. This gastronomic experience will satisfy your taste buds. Don't miss out on enjoying the natural honey cake at Freyfront Beekeepers. In the afternoon, explore Swiftmore Park, a stunning public park with stunning ocean views and the iconic Cape Whalepoint Lighthouse. For the more adventurous, a boat trip to Eagledrift Sound provides an opportunity to see marine wildlife and luxury yachts. For dinner, choose from fine dining at the award-winning restaurant or enjoy a friendly atmosphere at one of the pubs with live music, the Smallstorm Night Club one example. Stay overnight in one of the many hotels or inns, or choose unique accommodations such as glamping pods or historic forts such as the Caveburgh Loft or The Villeurmomble. Day Two: Exuberant Aquatic Life and Culture The second morning begins with a visit to the National Marine Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Stevencousin. Witness the diversity of aquatic life that is fascinating and colorful. Afterward, a short drive to Grimemouth Flora & Fauna Park introduces a fascinating landscape of moors, forests, rivers, and wildlife. Activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, or horseback riding provide experiences that meet the natural balance. For lunch, stop in the charming village or town of Grimemouth and enjoy a traditional lowland tea or a delicious pie, Mooncairn Cafe and Argenlême Corner are among the best. In the afternoon, return to Brigketh and visit Darkmount Yard, a former shipping shipyard transformed into a lively cultural hub. Explore art galleries, shops, and cafes, or join a yoga class or pottery workshop. For a final dinner, choose from several ethnic restaurants in Brigketh or enjoy a local craft beer at a microbrewery, like Montlogne Brew or Longspoon's. End your trip with a night out at one of the bars or clubs in Brigketh or catch a show at the Orivedra Theater or the National Youth Pavilion. A 2-day 1-night tour in Briketh will leave deep and satisfying memories. Happy Holidays!

Stevencousin 3–0 Aeragny Redfort Camp, Brigketh [26,011]

DEFENSIVE SIDE Ramiro Fernandes [GK] Mads Dahl [DEF.] Chathura Vimalaharan [DEF.] Renato Miguel Boa-Morte [DEF.] Steven van Oudenhove [DEF.]

OFFENSIVE SIDE Josef Snajdr [MID.] Simon Armas [MID.] Jochen Boi [MID.] Gregory Gigliotti [MID.] Benjamin Spevar [FWD.] Steven Cheyrou [FWD.]

SUB'S. Andre Saifi [MID.] Thanuka Jayamanna [MID.] Gerard Kallstrom [FWD.] Sumith Wanigassoriya [FWD.] Armando Correia [DEF.]

ASSIST Josef Snajdr [MID.] Benjamin Spevar [FWD.]

GOAL Jochen Boi [MID.] - 14th minute Simon Armas [MID.] - 35th & 81st minute

Ko-oren 4–2 Stevencousin AWAY [TBC]

DEFENSIVE SIDE Ramiro Fernandes [GK] Mads Dahl [DEF.] Raymond Aas [DEF.] Armando Correia [DEF.] Chathura Vimalaharan [DEF.]

OFFENSIVE SIDE Josef Snajdr [MID.] Simon Armas [MID.] Jochen Boi [MID.] Gregory Gigliotti [MID.] Benjamin Spevar [FWD.] Steven Cheyrou [FWD.]

SUB'S. Válter Folha [MID.] Thanuka Jayamanna [MID.] Sumith Wanigassoriya [FWD.] Renato Miguel Boa-Morte [DEF.] Steven van Oudenhove [DEF.]

ASSIST Josef Snajdr [MID.] Simon Armas [MID.]

GOAL Jochen Boi [MID.] - 50th minute Válter Folha [MID.] - 71st minute

[Gnejs]

Whatever happened to Sverker Danielsson?

Part three: Killer Bob travels to Wight

Apparently there are four known ways to get into Wight, and then what’s just called «another way». I knew this, of course, because I’ve read about it on the online forums I frequent. The Ministry of The Interior also knew this, although how they did I’m unsure of (me telling them was merely a confirmation of previously obtained information, and I knew they didn’t get it from my source because they didn’t use the internet out of principle). I’m in the dark about what these different ways are, I just know there’s four, and then another one. The Ministry was tight-lipped, but it quickly became clear they seemed to be familiar with at least one way (or another). I’m not sure which way was picked for my journey, or why, but it involved smearing myself with cod liver oil and donning a sealskin vest while navigating a small cutter deep into uncharted waters. «Just sail til you reach a dense fog, and then continue» was the only instruction I was left with after they dropped me off in the port of Finntorp up north. I’m not much of a sailor, but I did help bring HMS Onslaught from The Union to Baggieland and back again, so I’m not a complete novice. It was hard and arduous work, but the cutter was nicely supplied and the weather not too wild. I befriended an otter after a week or two that kept following me around and that helped me from going crazy in my isolation.

One does not merely walk into Wight. Because each of the ways passes through what’s called «The Voids». I remember when I first read about these voids, because I did so at a hectic time and I made a mental note to myself to come back and re-read, as it was pretty intriguing. I never did, and I regret that now, because while I should theoretically be very well-informed about what may lie ahead, I really only had vague notions. There was something about meeting yourself coming the other way, a realm of lost things and a cemetery of eternal sleep. I really wished I had paid more attention, because if it turns out I in some way can influence where I end up, I’d rather go somewhere I can find my old pickaxe as opposed to ending up in a shallow grave forever. The Ministry was ill-informed as to these voids. I told them all I could remember, which, granted, was not very much or very informative, but they mostly brushed it aside. Their sources said little of the voids, and based on what they had heard they deemed them to be a ruse; likely just a scary story acting as a deterrent for potential unwanted travelers. Not that they didn’t want to believe, far from it, they were intrigued by the idea. So I was given clear instructions to look out for any voids, or however you perceive one of those. In general, they wanted me to report back on pretty much everything. It’s a badly kept secret that segments within The Ministry of The Interior are obsessed with strange and bewildering occurrences. The nostalgic hunger for a forlorn age of magic runs deep, so I’m not at all surprised they’re giddy with the idea of a place like Wight.

I was out at sea for ages and after a while I completely lost track of space and time, just drifting around aimlessly. I hit several foggy spots, and they seemed thick enough to me, but the density obviously wasn’t of the desired kind. The food eventually ran out and I ended up eating my otter companion. It was sad, but at the same time biting into that flesh with some healthy sprinkles of thyme infused salt (of which there for some reason was a supply enough for two lifetimes) was immensely satisfying. Then the fresh water started running low and I quickly became weak and disoriented, spending most hours of day and night lying on the cutter’s floor regretting agreeing to go on this trip.

And then all of a sudden I found myself within a large room. The boat was gone and I was wearing a grey suit. Before me there was a dense coil of cubicles that extended as far as the eye could see. There’s some flickering lights, of course, casting a very unwelcoming and way too bright shine over what seems like an infinite number of workers. They’re all hunched over desks cluttered with stacks of folders and loose sheets of papers, laboring away to the rhythm of photocopy machines and ringing telephones. It all smells of incomprehensible jargon, ironclad hierarchies, cryptic memos and complex procedures dictating a crisscrossing workflow.

My eyes are drawn to a notice board, and there, battling for space with middle management announcements, archival guidelines, rotation schemes for cleaning the coffee machine and small comics about the absurdity of bureaucracy, was a small pink note that said «Welcome to Quasiquango, the place where administration happens.»

[Vilwandia]

Vilwandia 4-3 Ethane
White Stars down Kites in seven-goal thriller in Dreport

Vilwandia: Rautenbach 34, 75; Heisen 61; Kats 83
Ethane: 21, 28, 53

The hills surrounding the Siphamandla I Stadium were alive with the sounds of Vilwandian joy, following a tense affair in which they saw off Ethane 4-3. The small gathering of Ethanians in the sole grandstand were reduced to silence as their team, leading 3-1 at the hour, were whittled down by an inspired late performance, backed by the rejuvenated home crowd.

Dreport seemed to stand still for the evening's match. As Vilwandia's first competitive match on home soil, this was effectively to be the litmus test for Vilwandian football at home, whether a united side of Vilwandia's best could win on home soil against a struggling Ethane. Crowds gathered inside the Siphamandla I stadium itself, filling it to an almost dangerous capacity, and on the hills and rooftops surrounding the stadium. Those who could not see the pitch relied on the cheers and jeers of those who could.

However, rewind to just two hours prior, and things were looking bleak for the Vilwandian team. They were coming off the back of a 2-1 away defeat to Santa-Barbara which saw Vilwandia outclassed by a superior opponent on the day, despite scoring early on. The defeat saw Jerome Sibanda injured with a sprained ankle. A n even bigger loss than the three points, considering the goal-scoring prowess he has brought to the team since his debut in the Baptism of Fire, however one that Vorster was willing to take as a new means for experimentation. In his place, young Frederich Kats of Ntshonalanga. His place in the starting eleven disappointing many home fans once the programmes were handed out pre-match.

In more pre-match preamble, the Ethanian captain and head coach were welcomed into Vilwandia as guests by the current Prime Chief of Vilwandia, Drea's Bhekithemba, who recited greetings and offered gifts of traditional robes and Umhluzi Wasekhaya, a brothy soup traditionally offered to guests, to the visiting team. Vilwandia's starting lineup also made up part of this ceremony, performing traditional songs and dances.

This disappointment would prove to be justified in the eyes of many in the crowd once Ethane took advantage of Vilwandia's high pressing in much the same way Indusse and Santa-Barbara had in their first two games, scoring twice within seven minutes to little resistance. Mia Van Vuuren seeming defenceless against an admittedly tame attacj

Six minutes later, Marieke Rautenbach would have her first goal in a Vilwandian shirt, as the Swans drove up the pitch in swift fashion, Violette Plaatjies setting Rautenbach up to half-volley the ball in from close range.

Once Ethane scored their third, all seemed lost on the pitch, but the Vilwandian fans continued to sing loudly and passionately, enjoying the spectacle rather than the unfolding result. Heisen would pull one back for the Vilwandiese, his closely-fumbled in shot making it 3-2 in favour of the visitors. Then another Rautenbatch goal, this time a sublimely-struck first time effort from outside of the box into the top-left corner, a shot that seemed to echo throughout all of Drea with the cheer that erupted following its conversion, the sound repeated by those standing outside of the stadium and who could not make it in.

And Vilwandiese fans would have yet more to cheer about, as the overlooked Frederich Kats broke free with eight minutes to go, a solo dribble dummying around the defence and chipping the goalkeeper in almost a more impressive effort than the one that had come before. Some fans even reported withnessing the Ethanian support clapping the Vilwandian comeback. Once the tense final few minutes were over, and the referee's whistle blew, the pitch was swarmed.

Kats and Rautenbach emerged the clear players of the match, Coach Vorster's praises for them almost drowned out by the crowd. Addtionally, the two of them may become consistent starting XI members.

Viwlandia's next game sees them take on Damukuni in Atarashii-Damushuto, a game between two similarly-ranked teams.

[Jeruselem]

In Jeruselem, qualification game two at Princess Stellas Annabelle Dallas (naked) with Jeruselem player Olga Ogryn the goal keeper who is 6.5foot/2m tall compared the Stella (5.5foot/1.67m tall)

Stella:
Hello, this is Princess Stella Annabelle Dallas for Naked News Jeruselem covering the World Cup 95. We're back home at Dazza Dallas Stadium! I mean it's easy to work out when we're playing at home because well you should know why. It's the 2nd qualfication game, and Britonisea are visiting Jeruselem after their first game against StrayaRoos. I'm with our main keeper Olga Ogryn who's a little taller than me, as you have noticed - like by the proverbial foot. Actually she's taller by one foot.

Olga: Oh, hello everyone
Stella: First things first, for a female in Jeruselem. You're quite tall, and also quite bulky, I said bulky not fat.
Olga: Ah yes, my Dad is a big guy. I don't have them Dallas short ass genes.
Stella: Yes well, I can't escape those genes. But being short has some advantages ...
Olga: I also work hard keep fit, since I am rather large and have to eat more than the average person.
Stella: You considered being an MMA fighter at one stage

Olga: Yeah but that stuff is a little too ... aggressive for me. I don't like beating people up for the sake of it.
Stella: So why a football goalkeeper?
Olga: Wasn't keep on basketball due to the money and there's always money in football.
Stella: Well, you're going a great job. Keep it up
Olga: Thanks
Stella: Getting dates a little hard given you're taller than your date?
Olga: Yes, men are scared of me. I'm just tall, not an aggressive bitch. I'm less aggressive than some short people I know. Not talking about you.

Stella:
OK, 2nd qualification round is over.
What happened today?
Jeruselem hosted Britonisea, Archalit hosted StrayaRoos, Valanora hosted Bigpipstan and Natanians and Nosts hosted Glazgo. Would anything interesing happen today?
Weird thing today - all the hosts won. And not by a small margin either.
Britonisea didn't trouble us much, we won 4-0 in our first home game. Not much as a challenge this one.

Olga: I didn't have much to do today. Well, that's how it should be.
Stella: So it's hard to rate your game today
Olga: Well, I didn't do much so someone else did more work than me.

Stella:
In the other games, Archalit aka the Pirates dealt with StrayaRoos aka the Emus without issues winning 3-0. StrayaRoos winning streak stopped at one.
Valanora after struggling in game one, beat visitors Bigpipstan 3-0. So as expected they got better after a slow start.
Natanians and Nosts had much better home game beating Glazgo 5-1, after losing to Jeruselem 1-0 last game in the same place.
All hosts won and won easily.

Olga: We won, so that's what matters to me. What others do is not in our control.
Stella: Next up is an away game at Glazgo who haven't got any points so far.
Olga: It is an away game, things are different there.
Stella: This is a new team, different manager and only half the team from one before.
Olga: But the new manager hasn't gone and changed everything, she could have but it seems not that much was changed.
Stella: But not everything is the same?

Olga: Oh yes, some things aren't the same but it seems our primary strategy for games doesn't seem to have changed
Stella: You think we need to change something?
Olga: No, we just have to execute your plans properly. Obviously, we're less successful in some cups than in others.
Stella: Is World Cup 95 the one where we win?
Olga: Well, let us just qualify first. Nothing is certain as this stage, 2 from 2 means not much when there's 12 more games to go.
Stella: Good luck against Glazgo.
Olga: Thanks

Stella:
Now that the World Cup is on again, we have 6 more games in the World Cup here since this first home game is done.
We have a seperate video for visitors about being tourist here in Jeruselem!
Yes that includes some comments about our nudity laws, as people will know about our notorious females like myself.
Well, that's it from me today.
I'm off to Glazgo soon, getting more frequent flyer points. Not that I need those anyway ...

[Audioslavia]

Kilometre Zero
Kilometre Five

The Parliament building in Cathair was designed and built during a brief period where everyone was like 'oh granite is really nice'. And it is really nice, but only if you go all in on it for most of the city in order to cultivate a bleak, victorian vision of the past that you can then juxtapose with nice colourful things like murals and ice cream parlours and cobre restaurants. The grey slate of Audioslavia's gaudily gothic House of Parliament - and by gothic we mean 'probably designed by teutonic forest savages' - is instead juxtaposed with a street full of red-brick tourist tat shops, bars called things like 'The Statecraft' completely straight-facedly, and, embarrassingly for the government, about five houses that have been boarded up for years. Some legitimately so - rent is extortionate in this part of the city - some less legitimately so: sometimes the best front for illicit goods and services is no front at all, especially if your best customers are those responsible for the application of the law in the first place. In the centre of these redbrick houses was a larger, slightly newer one, as if someone had tried to recreate the House of Parliament in 1:3 scale with clay. Here, in a place where two houses had once been thoroughly burnt out, was Mayoral House, home of the incumbent Mayor of Cathair, a man named Gregarius Hawes.

For a picture of Gregarius Hawes, please imagine a caricature of a factory owner created by a 19th century marxist in the medium of a collage made of pork offcuts. Except, rather ironically, without the bristly chops. Hawes was a stout, loud, red-faced man who looked like he had wanted the job of Town Crier but attended the wrong job interview. Like all mayors, he had an excellent personality if viewed from the other end of a room through a throng of cocktail-sausage-wielding farts, but if you ever spent a minute alone with him you'd be wondering why he was speaking so loudly, why he was repeating himself so often and whether or not he was even capable of not talking.

Mayor Hawes was standing by the side of the road, stood atop a wooden box draped with whatever the hand-towel equivalent of a red carpet is, yelling ruddy-faced encouragement at the runners from outside Mayoral House. Jeremy bounded slowly past him, partially hidden by other runners, and wondered whether or not it was true that, through a side-door of The Statecraft pub, one could access the same bordello Greg Hawes apparently frequented, if the rumours were true. It occurred to Jeremy that, even if the rumours weren't true, he could probably make them 'feel' true to whoever was inclined to listen.

Parliament Square gave way to Rook Avenue, another long, wide, tree-lined road, this time a little up-hill, that took the runners to the only road entrance there was to Grand Forum, a commercial hub only usually accessible via public transport, specially permitted taxis and, on one Sunday morning a year, the runners and riders (well, runners) of the Cathair Marathon. The course wound round Kirola's headquarters, displayed on which were a number of posters with slogans that only served to strengthen the marathoners' belief that, yes, they were better than other humans, and took them first to the grand white marble exterior of the Project Museum, the region's most renowned sports museum, and then to the Arena Kirola, former home of the Audioslavian national team and now partially a building site and partially the solitary home of 1830 Cathair. A few minutes later, or quite a few for most of them, the runners bounded back out of the Grand Forum district and through Northgate, former site of Cathair's city walls, long since dismantled and used for building materials for parts of the city no race organiser would ever consider running a marathon through.

It was at the site of the old gate where Rubio Sanches stood, leaning against his bicycle, holding a small bag of incredibly sugary cola-flavoured gel. Jeremy slowed to a walk, and eventually stopped to squeeze its contents into his mouth.
"These things are disgusting" said Jeremy.
"You'll be glad of it in about two hours" said Rubio. "Congratulations on ten kilometres".
"I feel like this is going to be easier than I was expecting" said Jeremy. "Everything feels fine"
"Uh huh" said Rubio. "I'll see if you feel the same way in another ten k. Did you see Greg Hawes?"
"Difficult not to, he's an incredibly seeable person" said Jeremy. "You reckon it's true what they say about him and that boarded up bordello?" he added.
"Open secret from what I hear" said Rubio. "The rumour is the, er, 'type' he likes"
"Oh?" Said Jeremy
"Best not to think about" said Rubio
"Goats?" Asked Jeremy
"What, no"
"Too old?" Asked Jeremy
"No"
"Oh god, too..."
"No" said Rubio.
"Krytenian?" Asked Jeremy
"Worse" said Rubio
"Good lord" said Jeremy.
"Like I said" said Rubio. "Best to concentrate on the matter at hand" he continued.
Jeremy nodded, thoughtfully.
"Well" said Rubio, giving the rest of the road a sideways nod. "Fuck off then" he said, amiably. "Next photographer is at the start of the bridge. Probably one at the end too. Arms out, big smile"
Jeremy recalled the last photographer, whom he figured must only have taken a photo of him, if at all, when Jeremy's back was already turned. He resolved to make himself look as big as possible for the next one.

-- Some Months Earlier ---

Bulls Bounce Back
Alaba's men rise to the top of Group 15

After a tame, lukewarm performance against Shieldstan, the Bulls put two wins on the board with victory over Ancherion and Zenic to top the group a fifth of the way through the campaign.

Ancherion proved tough opponents, taking the lead just before the half time break and prompting a change of tack from Bulls boss Ager Alaba, who brought his team back out for the second half with renewed interest on getting the ball up the wings, with Uriah Malcom brought on to overlap Brandon Bruhn on the right. The equaliser came early, with Bruhn finding Roy with a loose ball, which the striker duly flicked into the corner of the goal for the equaliser. Seven minutes later, the wind very much in their sails, the Bulls scored from a third corner in succession, Everton Bolding rising the highest and looping a header into the top right-hand corner, with the keeper nowhere. More chances would be created, each finding an Ancherian body in the way or, in one case, the linesman's flag preventing the goal. Ancherion rallied and pulled two great stops out of Curipurinho on seventy-six and seventy-eight minutes, but the Bulls would prevail.

The game against Zenic might have been similarly close had it taken place twenty cycles previously, but this Zenic unit are still finding their feet in modern football. Allegri Gentile and Devor both went close to netting the opening goal in a hotly contested first half, but Zendagorta's forty-second minute drive put the Bulls in the driving seat, and a determined Audioslavia were largely able to see off the threat from the visitors, with Buvalelli providing the exclamation mark on 81 minutes via a curling finish into the far corner.

The Bulls now embark on two of the tougher fixtures that this campaign will bring, with Oberour Ar Moro visiting two weeks on Thursday before a Sunday night showdown with bogey-cats Qasden, a team who have defeated the Bulls by exactly one goal to nil in each of the last five fixtures, including two in the last qualifying campaign and a loss in the previous Cup of Harmony.

When asked about the supposed curse, Alaba simply shrugged. "We'll play our way, Qasden will play theirs, and we'll see what the gods think of the whole thing".

[Flavovespia]

Savojarna 0 - 1 Flavovespia

Flavovespia didn’t find Savojarna an easy opponent, but were able to break through with a first half goal, that proved decisive in the end. In the early flyaway matches, Flavovespia would bepleased to have 6 points and no goals conceded.

Only the one change for Flavovespia, with Amrik Singh starting as left attacker in place of Anthony Lane, as Augusto Rinaldi looked to give Singh the opportunity to play outside his natural position. It was cool in Savojarna, but the fans were in full voice to see this contest. Savojarna expected more from their defence after a 3-3 opening game, and they seemed to have had that in the opening 15 minutes. Flavovespia couldn’t fashion out any sort of chance, and had to keep their defence up as Savojarna were making some probing passes near the box.

However for Flavovespia, it was two of their key players who made the breakthrough in the 18th minute. Jonathan Bagshaw got ahead of veteran Milla Viipuri and whipped in a great curling cross. Michael Cole rose up with an equally great header, to beat Aleksandra Virulainen, who was none too pleased to see the cross make its way into the box and then into the net. For Flavovespia, a moment of quality that showed that they can be a goalscoring threat from any situation. It was still a long way to go however in this game.

The rest of the first half saw Savojarna create a few chances, with Rasmus Medberg Hansen twice testing Nathan Crewe from just inside the box, but the Flavovespian goalkeeper looked comfortable in dealing with those challenges. At the other end of the pitch, Amrik Singh also played in a good cross to Michael Cole, but he got too far under his header and put it over the bar. Also going over the bar was a speculative long range effort from Charles Adams, but it certainly wasn’t too far off target in the end. 0-1 it was at the break, Flavovespia’s strongest attack producing the only goal so far.

Not unfamiliar territory followed in the second half, with Flavovespia defending a one goal lead, a high pressure situation fans and players had to deal with in the past cycles. It was nearly 1-1 less than 10 minutes into the second half when Nathan Crewe only got a slight touch on a shot by Rasmus Medberg Hansen. The ball continued rolling goalwards, but Stuart Cookson got there before it crossed the line to hoof it away to safety. The pressure averted for now, by the 2 Marthorpe City teammates.

Some would say offence is the best form of defence, and Flavovespia certainly had some offence in the second half. Jonathan Bagshaw and Amrik Singh continued to be tricky customers down the flanks, able to cause a lot of hassle to the full backs. Michael Cole, despite the goal, seemed to be struggling a touch in the second half, he’d come off for Richard Birmingham. Birmingham would have a good chance in the 72nd minute, from a lofted through ball by Kieron Player leaving him one on one. He went for power, and simply blasted the ball straight into Aleksandra Virulainen. Virulainen barely had to move to make the save, not that there was much time to do so with the speed at which the ball left Birmingham’s boot. But a save it was, and the lead remained just 1.

The final minutes saw some classic back and forth frantic attacks followed by clearances and recycling of the ball. Savojarna pressed hard for a winner, but the fatigue was setting in, and despite the cheers of the home crowd, the breakthrough just wasn’t to be. In the end, it finished 0-1 to Flavovespia. The game was well fought, but it was a moment of great attacking play that proved the key for Flavovespia, as they continue a perfect start to qualifying.

Flavovespia 3 - 0 United Hawkland

Flavovespia’s match against United Hawkland was settled by a flurry of first half goals that point the result beyond much doubt by the break. The first half performance was Flavovespia at their near best, and it was too much for United Hawkland to recover from in the second half.

There was some squad rotation for Flavovespia, with David Lyons returning to start and wearing the captain’s armband. Nazir Hussain, David Wassell and Christopher Hill all took to starting this game, with Augusto Rinaldi keen to see what other members of his squad could do in these Qualifiers. The answer quickly seemed to be a lot. Just 5 minutes in, and some quick forward passing cut through the United Hawkland defence. The goalkeeper overcommitted to trying to block a Jonathan Bagshaw shot, and Bagshaw instead rolled the ball across the face of goal, to Amrik Singh to slot in. 1-0, a goal of good team quality to settle any starting nerves.

Flavovespia were able to maintain the pressure and it became 2-0 after 15 minutes. A mistake attempting to clear from a corner allowed Michael Cole to collect the ball close to the box. He darted in, and shot low and hard out of reach of the goalkeeper. A good start had become a great start, with a 2 goal lead within the opening quarter, leaving Flavovespia firmly in control.

United Hawkland were struggling to find a foothold in the game, with their attacks being mopped up the Flavovespian defence, who this cycle so far were playing very well. Flavovespia’s attack remained probing, and it paid off in the 36th minute. Jonathan Bagshaw collected the ball on the right, and with some swift footwork, cut inside to open up a shooting chance. The goalkeeper closed him down, but not quickly enough and the shot was well hit, about a metre off the ground as it flashed by the goalkeeper and into the net on the left hand side. 3-0 to Flavovespia, their control on the game was very firm.

The second half started with United Hawkland having their strongest spell, desperate to get at least one back to try and make the fixture competitive. Nathan Crewe had a few shots come his way, but nothing that was him or the Flavovespian defence major alarm. A low show at the near post was probably the biggest threat, but a good foot down blocked it sneaking in. Beyond the hour mark, there was a sense that this game was close to a containment exercise for United Hawkland, keen to at least not lose the second half.

Flavovespia probed and prodded in the second half, but ultimately weren’t able to collect any more goals. The front three all had a few half chances here and there, but found the crowd of defenders in front of them resistant enough, although Flavovespia weren’t over committing forward given the circumstances. A highlight of the second half was a first cap for Paul Amos, coming off the bench to lots of applause. He looked assured given the circumstances, and seemed to be happy with the chance.

In the end, it was 3-0 to Flavovespia, the first half setting up and ultimately deciding the game. On a different day, it could’ve been more, but equally United Hawkland on another day get back into the game or avoid conceding early. Augusto Rinaldi remarked in the post match interview he was happy with the performance of all the squad, and the start they had made was just what was needed. Next up, a trip to Tzvi, before on paper a key home game against Milchama. At the top, it’s Valentine Z tied with Flavovespia, they also have a goal difference of +6, early days yet but it could be a close battle at the top.

[Santa-Barbara]

Ephrem Bellarmine Matchday 2 & 3 Post-Match Press Conference



Matchday 2: Santa-Barbara 2–1 Vilwandia

Matchday 3: Banija 5–2 Santa-Barbara

Bellarmine was brought into the media spotlight once again to share his thoughts after his Santa-Barbara side played their 2nd and 3rd game of the group stage in the tournament. Here is a recap as to what he said...

"What can I say. Matchday 2 was a surprise to you all but not to me. I have been talking about how this side is underestimated because of how new we are to this tournament, but here we are with a big result. This is not to take any credit from Vilwandia. They were the favorite to win despite us being at home, and rightfully so. But we went out there and showed our class and will. Heraclius Portman with a stunning volley towards half-time. Then a powerful header into the bottom left corner by our captain Roman Avila to seal the win. Unfortunately, Roman once again picked up yet another injury which is why we subbed him off towards the end of the game and that is why you didn't see him in the next match against Banija which we paid the price for. Avila's right hamstring has been bothering him since the start of the tournament and our defence has subsequently opened up a lot more. To concede 5 goals is a major concern even though our best defender was out and we were facing the best ranked side in the world The positives that came out that is Portman yet again with a brace to put us on the scoresheet. Right now we sit at 6th place out of 8 which isn't where we want to be. We want to qualify to advance further and I know we have the power to do just that. We have the best staff by our side whether it is coaches, medical or fitness professionals. When we work together we are unstoppable - we just need to show that more on the pitch. Our next goal is to beat Ethane who we have been studying and taking very seriously. Once we get that done, we move onto the Holy Empire. That one we are looking forward to a lot, as I think we have more to settle in addition to our battle on the pitch. All I can say is the next few days will be very interesting but vital for our progression into the tournament. Expect fireworks ladies and gentlemen."

[Eshialand]

May the Going Get Tough

"Hello hello hello and welcome back to Tournament Report, I'm your host Josh Seametzle..."
"And I'm..." Karsten squints at the cue card with slight disbelief in what he has to say here, "his... lovable sidekick? Karsten Rhodes!"
"...and I'm happy to report that we've done it!"
"Done what?"
"Beaten the islanders of course!"
"Oh, I thought you might've been referring to that papier maché effigy of Tony Beaujoleil we burned at the music festival last week--"
"I thought we agreed to never speak of that again..."
"Sorry."

"But yes, the last international window went swimmingly for our Owls, with a second 5-2 win in Rea San Vegas and a massive 1-0 victory at home in the critical Eshian Derby!"
"Hooray!" Karsten says as he pops a party popper.
"However, nobody is out of the woods quite yet."
"Oh..." through the magic of editing, the party popper manages to unpop itself.
"Brusseldorf managed to duplicate the Owls' three-goal victories against Myrtle Beach and Rea San Vegas, giving them a slight edge against Eshialand in the table; they beat Cardenao by two, while the Owls only slipped one past the Seagulls."

Group 2                                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Brusseldorf                                  3    3   0   0    12    4   +8     9
2 Eshialand                                    3    3   0   0    11    4   +7     9
3 Aleirave                                     3    2   0   1     7    5   +2     6
4 Commonwealth of Baker Park                   3    1   2   0     9    7   +2     5
5 Cardenao                                     3    1   0   2     7    9   −2     3

"That's an interesting-looking part of the table, Josh... but how will it resolve itself? And why only show the top 5?"
"I think you'll find these two answers to be related..."

Team	Matchday 4	Matchday 5
BRUSSELDORF	@ Eshialand Eshialand City	vs. Aleirave Casablanca, Brusseldorf
ESHIALAND	vs. Brusseldorf Eshialand City	@ Commonwealth of Baker Park Belle Haven, Baker Park
ALEIRAVE	vs. Cardenao Lahaira	@ Brusseldorf Casablanca, Brusseldorf

"Oh... that's certainly something."
"For sure Karsten, these next two matchdays are going to be absolutely critical, and whoever has the best record out of these three teams is gonna be in a really good spot going into the end of the first half, and that's not to mention Baker Park and Cardenao showing up to try to get back into things!"
"Well, all we can really do is wish the Owls good luck here..."
"They've got this... well, hopefully anyway."

---

With the schedule ahead looking like this, Kenny Morgan knew that, although a win against Aleirave was a big step towards setting the tone of this qualification campaign, the next two matches would be even more critical in the quest to hold onto a decent spot, if not top two then at least barely outside it. Hapilopper and Aleirave playing spoiler against Cardenao would go a long way, but a win against Baker Park away, if that was even possible, would be the biggest cause for celebration this team had seen in years.

Of course, as nice as it would be, the Baker Park game wasn't really at the front of Kenny's mind. First and foremost was the next matchup, at home against Brusseldorf. Both of these teams had perfect 3-0-0 records going into it, but only one of them could leave Eshialand City with 4-0-0. The next step was always the most important.

"That win against Aleirave... I don't really have good words for it. Everyone thought our best days were behind us, that we were nothing without our old stars, and that Aleirave was the team of tomorrow, but together we've proved them wrong. We've got lots of fight in us, and we can climb up to the top just as well as they can, if not even better."

"I think Jake deserves the credit here, if it weren't for that crazy goal in the 57th minute, this would've ended 0-0..."
"Please Christian, you saw that goal, I only scored because Yekaterina's pass was way off-target... your goalkeeping made you the real MVP, not letting any goals in against a team like that is a feat for the ages, I'll tell ya."

"Hey hey hey..." the coach told his team, "that was a win for all of you. Yes, Jake's goal was amazing, and Christian's keeping was top-notch, but every single one of you played a huge role in this one. We've finally hit our stride as a team, and we should absolutely be keeping this up."

"So a huge training session tomorrow?"
"No no Alice... tomorrow, we're all going to the Pancake Hut. We've earned it."
"What about the machine-"
"The best team is the one that plays and lives like family. That's what we are and always have been, a family."

[Baggieland]

King Alsqueak

King Alsqueak was born in 1782 and acceded to the throne in 1804 as the eleventh monarch of the House of Al to rule Baggieland.

He is renowned in Baggielandian history as the monarch who nullified the law that compelled all Baggies to go to work on a lasagna, after a few complaints that despite its deliciousness, it was a tad heavy for a breakfast. Ever since then, if a Baggie desires the nation's favourite food for their morning meal, that is a matter of their own volition (but it's still highly recommended to this day).

However, King Alsqueak was not alone in his decision making: Dundee Talke was the king's most trusted advisor. He was a bit of a fishy character and historians to this day still cannot decide if he was a schemer or just sycophantic, yet the King would never make a decision without seeking Dundee's input first.

Despite all this, King Alsqueak's story would be forever intertwined with that of Madame Xianggu. When she began her life of piracy in 1814, the king vowed "to crush this strumpet of the seven seas." Nevertheless, she managed to evade capture time and time again, becoming more intrepid with every success she had. After 18 years of unabated piracy, King Alsqueak decided that the best way to stop her was to negotiate a surrender in her favour.

There was to be just four years of peace on the high seas. Then, events in Gnejs would change the fabric of Baggielandian society forever.

*Pic of the king copied from the film Master and Commander.

[Bostopia]

External publishing permitted

Cowardly Mertagnians Leave Port Settlements To Wrath of Bostopians

Leadership In Dannin Sacrifices Coastal Populace to Protect Selves

Following another successful bombing raid, the Bostopian Air Force said they have once again found themselves attacking yet another virtually undefended Mertagnian coastal town. Our brave airmen were free to select military targets at will, leading to their destruction and causing a major blow to the warthirsty Mertagnian nation.

While military sources of course won't tell us what the exact targets were, we're told that the raid was a success and would undoubtedly lead to Mertagne having less ability to wage war against our own nation. 'The Mertagnians clearly aren't making much of an effort defending their populace on the Bekk' a source within the BAF told the People. 'It's clear that they're trying to protect their heartland, in the hope that those on the Bekk would be taken as sacrificial lambs for the slaughter rather than letting Bostopia take a measure of revenge against those who perpetrated this war in Dannin and try and bring the war to a close.'

The People, meanwhile, has been able to ascertain that Tarnlight Bay is now almost at full operating capacity following the initial Mertagnian strike to open the conflict.

Page 60

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Bostopia's initial victory over Naixi has been followed by two defeats to both Mytanija and Tikariot, leaving the Bostopians in 5th place in Group 3. However, the early victory against Naixi has given the Bostopians a boost that they would surely look to carry over to other World Cup tournaments. The Bostopian manager summised that it is likely that Bostopia's lack of involvement on the international level outside of Anaia's CAFA Cup has meant Bostopia is now facing players and teams with more ability and tactical knowledge than they are used to and are having to try and accustom themselves to this, but unfortunately falling short and losing games.

[Sarzonia]

Meanwhile, in other news...

It may seem strange to longtime observes of the Sarzonian national football team for the Stars to own a 0-0-3 record after the third match of World Cup qualifying.

After all, this is a team that earned a high profile upset in just the second match of World Cup 44 qualifying, taking down 11th ranked The Han Empire in a match dubbed the Marshall Miracle. There was also a later-stage shocker as Sarzonia avenged a home defeat to No. 19 Brenecia by winning by the exact same scoreline away.

However, that's exactly where Brady Reynolds and Sarzonia find themselves after a 2-0 loss to Xanneria and a 5-4 defeat to Kandorith, with the latter match representing Sarzonia's first match on home ground at Dave Wilson Stadium in Woodstock. The Stars have conceded a ghastly 11 goals in the three matches, but Reynolds warned that more rough outings are ahead for a team that entered with all but impossible odds to qualify for the World Cup proper.

"This is a rebuilding process," he said. "Right now, we've got a bunch of veterans who are trying to find their way, and we're working on developing players who will eventually take their place. But for right now, we're playing old and slow, and frankly, it's a frustrating experience." Reynolds conceded the point when a reporter asked him why he didn't take the "trust the process' tact many managers in his position might have. However, he said Sarzonia have shown an ability to battle even when the odds were against them.

"We don't want to treat losing as an eventuality," he said. "This team has a long history of success, even though we only have one World Cup title in our country's history."

When a reporter asked Reynolds about that World Cup final, in which Sarzonia defeated Oaker 4-0, Reynolds glowered.

"We're not here to discuss that subject again," he said. "The [Incorporated Football Federation] have made their stance on Vilita and all its various client states eminently clear. Whether the rest of the football world follows suit with penalties is a question that's way outside my pay scale."

A child raised his hand and stood up tentatively,. Reynolds could tell the boy was literally standing on his seat.

"Be safe!" Reynolds called out to the boy, then he saw the small hand in the air. "Do you have a question?"

"Yes," the kid said. "I, uh, noticed your team isn't using bad words lately. Any reason for that?"

Reynolds smiled slightly. "Uh, no reason," he said, forgetting for a moment his mother's admonition to him on the last day of training when she saw a profanity-laced tirade by Reynolds directed at reporters. He'd remembered his mother getting on a video call with him not 10 minutes after he stormed out of the press room, shouting to anyone who'd listen that he'd never apologise for his words.

Candace Chavis-Reynolds delivered a 40-minute lecture/scolding of her son, reminding him that she brought him up to be respectful and that his presser wasn't respectful in the slightest. She honed in on one word in particular that he'd hurled as an insult to one reporter.

"I don't care what your opinion is of a person, you don't say that word. Ever." she said. "Your father and I brought you up better than that>" Speaking of his father, Travis Reynolds was in the background.

"Son, you know better," he said. "Son, I'm disappointed in you."

The next day, Reynolds stepped back up to the dais.

"I want to start by saying I'm truly sorry for the language I used in the press conference a few minutes ago. Turning his attention to the reporter on the wrong end of his insult, he said, "I want to start with you. There's no excuse for the language I used there, None." When a reporter asked Brady Reynolds for the reason for his sudden change of heart, he admitted his father said he was disappointed.

"My mother and I talked for about 45 minutes last night," he said, "but my father told me, 'Son, I'm disappointed in you.' When I heard that, it hurt me. I never wanted to make Dad disappointed in me."

As for the Stars, Reynolds said he'd be disappointed if his team weren't competing out there, but against the second, third and fourth highest ranked teams in the group, with two of the matches being away, he was encouraged by how much fight the team still showed.

"We need to get a win in the worst way," he said. "That'll help us by providing a tangible reward for all the hard work we've done and how much fight we've been showing."

[Naixi]

      

Part A.1        Part B.1        Part C.1        Part D.1
Part A.2        Part B.2        Part C.2        Part D.2
Part A.3        Part B.3        Part C.3        Part D.3

Part E.1                        Part F.1

Part 1

ESCAPE FROM FUTENGMA

Winding up for a fierce machete attack, Cindy Chu leaps half a story from the main deck of the barge to a subdeck, bypassing the stairs. Tan Sifu sees the glint of the dull blade in the radiant afternoon sun and rolls to his feet along the corrugated metal deck to avoid being sliced in half. His eyes closed, focusing his energies and attuning himself to the chi flow within the communist assailants body, he reaches out with his left arm in a quick but smooth motion. After receiving a gentle pinch on her shoulder, Cindy winces.

CINDY CHU: Ahhhh!

We move to the next shot. Maggie Yee, the union forewoman with a gash on her back, looks to take revenge on the Guiding Hand member who wounded her. She twirls her machete in the air and licks her lips cruelly. Zhong Lau realizes he's in danger too late! Maggie's jagged machete goes right through his T-shirt and the tip of her machete wedges into his chest. The blade's too dull to kill him outright, but he's wounded badly, and staggers back as blood streams down his stomach.

XIAO BO: You all right, kid?

He can't respond; the pain is too blinding.

XIAO BO: Shake it off. 'Tis but a scratch.

Deflecting a mook's machete swing with her cutlass on her right and simply kicking over another mook with her left boot, Xiao Bo catches Maggie off guard. For a moment, the commie lieutenant is able to deflect Xiao Bo's cutlass wide, but she's caught off balance. The redeemed 19th century pirate is unrelenting, and lets fly with an arcing mid-air kick. She catches Maggie right in the face, but her boot skids slightly on the deck as she lands. That's enough for her bruised opponent to grab ahold Xiao Bo's cutlass arm and whack the sword out of it.

Zhong Lau has regained his composure and sidesteps the action between Xiao Bo and Maggie Yee to launch a surprise harpoon jab at Yi Wan. The union boss sees him coming, though, and tumbles backwards to avoid the stab. She regains her footing and scampers down the steps in the direction of Tan Sifu, who is searching for an improvised weapon.

The camera switches to Guo Feng, who has cornered a thuggish lackey against one of the barge's railings. With a creative swing of his scarf, he snatches one of the mook's arms. Somehow looping the other end of the scarf through a gap in the railing, he tugs hard. With a terrible crunching sound, the laborers arm is twisted through and around the railing.

MOOK: Aaaaaaaiiigh!!

The guy doesn't have to suffer for long. Guo Feng gives the scarf some slack and abruptly kicks the crook over the railing.

In the next shot, Yi Wan is getting ready to try and cut Tan Sifu's head off. She unleashes her machete in slow motion. It seems as though the kung fu master is going to perish, but he ducks his head just in time. Flailing in slow motion, his long black braid trails behind the machete in his wake. We return to real time.

Unfortunately for Tan Sifu, Yi Wan has followed up with a swing of her fist, and she drills him right in the face! Tan Sifu stumbles backward, once again reeling from a blow. She throws another blow at him, but he dodges it.

Another wide-angle shot. The remaining mooks rotate counter-clockwise around the heroes for a moment. Two hop down the steps to swing machetes at Tan Sifu. They miss. Another two try to catch David with their blades, which instead clang off a railing when he sidesteps them. The remaining four carelessly swing their machetes around at the other heroes. No dice.

Now the camera gives David a close-up. Having dodged out of the way of an attack a few seconds ago, he takes aim at the two mooks who swung at him with his Palther. BANG, BANG! They're paste - red paste.

DAVID IRVING: Playing with knives. Tsk tsk.

The camera theatrically spins, and we look down the set of steps. Cindy Chu is seen rotating her shoulder, trying to shake off the pressure that won't seem to go away. Taking aim at the man who injured her, she goes after Tan Sifu with a slashing backhand attack. She misses badly, and the sifu breathes a sigh of relief.

ZHONG LAU: Let's go!

Zhong Lau rotates the harpoon in front of him and eyes up a clueless mook. His confidence is not merited, and his attempt to knock the thug on the head is easily thwarted when the guy blocks the attack with his machete. Guo Feng moves in to assist. He unleashes a series of fast-paced punches. The mook ducks and dodges. His head seems to be wherever Guo Feng's fist isn't! Once again, the crook avoids taking any damage.

We go to Tan Sifu. He has been struggling thus far during the fight, taking several blows and failing spectacularly in his attempts thus far to hit any of the union thugs. But he finds an opportunity at last. Despite having lost his trusty umbrella, he leaps along the corrugated metal deck, tiptoeing around several swinging blades to sweep his hand along the floor and grasp the hilt of a machete. In one elegant motion, he swings it down and strikes Yi Wan in the arm. Blood flows out of the gash he's created.

YI WAN: Gahhh!

Xiao Bo occupies the screen now, and she gazes fiercely at the army of communists with her single eye. Despite having been disarmed by Maggie Yee, she strikes like a snake, and whips her right hand to her belt. In an instant, she's opened fire on the nearest mook, and her aim is true. She nails the guy right in the head, and the black musket ball causes massive cranial damage as the lackey is killed instantly. Blood splashes all over Xiao Bo and her pistol.

Now their enemies have a chance to strike back. Maggie Yee goes after Xiao Bo. Her sophisticated technique as she swings her machete comes to nothing, as Xiao Bo blocks the attack with her bloody pistol. Now to Yi Wan. She sees a chance to hit Zhong Lau. She too fails to slash hard or fast enough - the young Zhong Lau deflects the machete with his harpoon, sending sparks flying across the deck. The dwindling gang of lackeys are up next, and each one of the remaining five pick a hero to go after. They prove why they're followers rather than leaders as all cartoonishly miss.

DAVID IRVING: You there! The with the torn shirt in the back. What's your name?

MAGGIE YEE: Maggie.

DAVID IRVING: What are you doing after this, Maggie?

MAGGIE YEE: Golden Person pig! HYEEEYAH!

Maggie rushes at David, but his bait has worked. She's left herself vulnerable and he pulls the trigger on his Palther PPK. The gunshot rings out and he hits her in the stomach. She's in bad shape. Our camera now switches to Cindy. She and the other union bosswomen seem to have figured out the Zhong Lau is the weakest link. Her machete flashes in the sun, but her shoulder, aching from Tan Sifu's chi manipulation, fails her. Her machete clangs off a railing. The camera pans to Xiao Bo and David, who are meeting for the first time, and are comparing firearms.

XIAO BO: You want to switch guns?

DAVID IRVING: Yours certainly has character. I'd love to get my hands on it.

XIAO BO: Ugh. I retract my offer.

Xiao Bo coolly shoots Maggie Yee with the black powder pistol. A massive burst of smoke, and Maggie wails in agony as the ball strikes her dead in the leg. Meanwhile, Tan Sifu, bloodied yet growing in focus, swiftly moves across the battlefield. He's determined to immobilize the ringleader, Yi Wan. Moving quietly and quickly, he finds her before she can dodge out of the way. With a series of finger strikes to a few points on her spine, he sends her body into a rigor mortis sort of status. She falls to the deck, helpless and motionless.

We move to a shot with a few things going on. In the background, Zhong Lau's abortive stab at Cindy's head fails as she shifts her weight and avoids the attack. In the foreground, Guo Feng joins in the attempt to take down the badly wounded Maggie Yee. He hits her with a whirling roundhouse kick, then sweeps her legs out from under her and the communist union rep hits the deck hard. She gets up slowly, but then we realizes she's faking it! She recovers her machete, squirms away from Guo Feng and swings her blade at Zhong Lau's leg. She succeeds! The youngster howls in pain.

GUO FENG: There's no way he was trained by the Hand. He's a mess.

DAVID IRVING: He seems to admire you, though. Perhaps it's the waistcoat.

GUO FENG: You don't envy my fit? Not even a little?

DAVID IRVING: I prefer for my fashion choices to follow function a bit more.

GUO FENG: Is that why you're wearing sunglasses during a fistfight?

David slowly reaches up and pulls off his shades.

DAVID IRVING: Forgot I had these on.

GUO FENG: Where did you find those, anyway? Haven't you been locked up for months?

DAVID IRVING: Lifted them from the trash can in the empty warden's office after you and the pirate freed us.

GUO FENG: Trash. You're wearing trash.

DAVID IRVING: One man's trash is another-

GUO FENG: Honey, we have so much work to do.

Stat Rolls

[Delaclava]

Delaclava 0–1 Kewlz

The fuck you want me to say about this one...

Delaclava 4–0 Astograth
Khautov 5' 19' (pen.) 62', Lindblad 41'

The Phoenixes came into this match with a significantly different energy from the previous match (more in the main story below) - however we got there, the result was significantly different. This Delaclava team was hungry, aggressive, and put the game out of reach quickly with a star-making performance from Alibek Khautov. Clearly, the team found its way much better as they still piece together how to generate offense without the dearly departed Lukas Meyer (well, he's not dead, but anyway).

Huayramarca 7–1 Delaclava
Mendoza 11' 42', Allauca 32' (pen.), Champagne (o.g. 52'), Tello 57' 59', Castillo 82'; Khautov 35'

A rather predictable result in which Huayramarca punched at their weight and Delaclava no longer punched above theirs. It was closer for a little while until a Marc Champagne own goal led to the Phoenixes completely falling apart and the better team took advantage.

Waringpost
Voss authorizes corporal punishment for soccer Phoenixes (and it worked?)

President Anna Voss is no stranger to stirring up debate with her policies—and where one might have thought she stepped in it this time, others are once again lauding her brilliance.

Voss made waves last week when she announced that the Delaclava soccer team was being officially charged with the offenses of "unpatriotic behavior" and "bringing ignominy to the state" and would each be sentenced to forty lashes of a whip—an action that appeared to be endorsed by Delaclava's coach, Ernie Davis, and former player and personal representative to Voss, Lukas Meyer.

Naturally, politicians and scholars were quick to deride this sentence as illogically cruel, and the process at which this punishment was assessed to be unfair. "The people, the Parliament, the judiciary have never even remotely authorized such a gross abuse of executive power," said Devin Grace, dean of the University of Catherina Law School. "The law aside, this is hardly a way to treat some of the most public and dignified representatives of our nation."

Voss, however, wisely reserved her comments for after the next game, at which Delaclava thrashed Astograth to the tune of 4-0 at the Pride of Manchester. In a statement, she wrote, "The results of this lawful executive action speak for themselves. There may be reasonable disagreement about the various theories behind punishment. However, corporal punishment serves both deterrent, rehabilitative, and retributive considerations, both in the physical pain and the emotional humiliation inflicted. The team performed woefully in its first game, were sent a clear message that its lack of effort was unacceptable, and directly responded with an improved effort."

Asked about his thoughts on subjecting his former teammates to this punishment, Meyer replied in an phone call, "Ultimately, it is within the providence of the President to assess these penalties to representatives of our state. I will say, we certainly could have used more spankings in my day. Early in my national team career, we used to give each other those spankings, and then we were told we weren't allowed to do that anymore. I must say, it was a massive achievement to qualify for a World Cup and advance to a Cup of Harmony quarterfinal without having our buttocks firmly yet sensually stricken." Meyer was unable to answer further questions when his call inexplicably dropped mid-sentence.

[Kimi-Suomi]

The latest WCQ journey for the Huuhkajat of Kimi-Suomi began in Pesä against top seeds Kelssek, a 0-0 draw lacking goals but one in which both sides could take positives from. For Esko Laaksonen, his team did very well in holding off the #8 team in the multiverse despite a lack of chances on their end, but there was still a long way to go in this crazy journey called WCQ. He was hoping for more points but would they come in the 2nd window?

Up first would be a big deal as after it made its international debut in the Ice War Football Series, the Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies) in Lumikukkulat would host its first-ever WCQ game - with Pimeämaninen [Darkmania] the opponents for this historic occasion. We knew that we would have to take down opponents like these if we were going to have any chance of Top 2 in this group...but I don't think even the most loyal of fans expected just how the final score would end up here. Kimi Airo got the goalscoring going in the 10th minute of the game and from there, we wouldn't look back at all as the 30,000 in attendance witnessed Mika Noronen and substitute Jyrki Bottas added to the scene in the 48th and 78th minutes respectively, culminating in a 3-0 result that we would certainly take - as would the roaring crowd.

Then, for the 1st time this WCQ, we headed out on the road to the Commonwealth of Liberty to take on the Lord's Overseers of Senterus. Taking on a Baptism of Fire team is always something you have to be wary about as you never quite know what to expect from a newbie...until the game actually started. We were simply too good and while Lord Pyke's Stadia was certainly intimidating, we had the skill needed to overpower the crowd and we gave no mercy. Klaus Maniquen didn't stand a chance as Maria Tuominen, Valtteri Nordström, Annina Tuominen and Topias Maxhuni sealed a 4-0 win that was as convincing as you can get.

This group has descended into chaos already, with none of the Top 2 seeds even in the Top 3, and no one knows for certain what may happen next. Euran Oseanian Alueet [Euran Oceania Territories], currently just behind their motherland, will be coming to Pesä before we head out to Eura for what will be a massive encounter in this group. An Euran double-header. This one will be tough, both in Anaia and in Rushmore. NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

[Cassadaigua]

Closed door meeting yields success 'four one' and for all,
by Caitlyn Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

After losing 1-0 to Yakk to open up World Cup 95 qualifying, Team Cassadaigua was behind the eight ball right away. While the result is a testament to the strength of the up and coming nation of Yakk in international soccer, the way the Fillies were shut down by the opponent caught the attention of everyone and captain Madison Rutland decided to hold a players-only meeting before the team began to prepare for West Kharakia. “The opening result is obviously not what we wanted,” Rutland said when asked about what brought on this decision, “but you have to be careful not to let something like that lead to even more mistakes. We lost that game because Yakk played their hearts out, and were truly better than us over those ninety minutes. At the same time, we did make some mistakes in the game, too. The meeting was to make sure we did not start pressing. It’s just one game. If you lost in Yakk during matchday nine, for example, no one is really going to make a big deal out of it. When it’s in the first game, and the record reads 0-0-1, it seems like it means a lot more when it really doesn’t. We talked about the mistakes, but also not getting too worked about it. We still have a great team here.” Players seemed to take in to the meeting well, saying that it was good to bond without the coaching staff present and before they started to worry about tactics. Chen Huikang, the manager of the team, applauded Rutland for her effort to keep the team properly focused and to not get carried away with the opening loss. “Madison is right when it comes to game one losses in a tournament like this. Losing in matchday 1 is more noticeable than losing on matchday 3.”

While Yakk is a team with a double digit rank, making it a little more tolerable to lose to, West Kharakia is not. They are ranked only #253 in the world, and have not yet let the world know who is suiting up for them. What stadium they were playing in was not common knowledge until the very last minute, when CASE was finally able to figure out the details. Sure enough, the location for the match was identified and the players and media were able to find their way there. This meant that Cassadagans didn’t really make a road trip to West Kharakia, but Lexi McGregor (who else) posted on Spacebook to the fans, that, “You don’t want to be here anyway. I can’t wait to get the (expletive) out of this place.” A day before that match, Lauren Engle posted that the field condition was terrible. “Think about a poorly maintained high school field in Cassadaigua. That field would even be better than this.” Engle was obviously exaggerating, but the field itself did not look terribly impressive with its overall maintenance. Perhaps that is good, and perhaps we should be glad that a game took place, regardless, since West Kharakia has “ceased to exist” in the eyes of many.

Overall, it was a strong game for the pink and black, and while they did not score any goals in their first game, they would need only three minutes to get one here in their second. Quite honestly, the goal was very soft and I am not even sure Kaitlin Millikan was looking to score on the play but the keeper got a bad read on the ball apparently, and inexplicably saw the otherwise harmless looking shot bounce off their fingertips and end up in the net to make it 1-0 in our favor. It would not all be that easy for us, and the West Kharakia keeper seemed to be motivated from the softy that they had just let in and made some great stops over the next fifteen minutes or so. Each of the three Cassadaigua forwards could have had a goal by this point, but for now, it was not to be. Ultimately, this sustained offensive pressure would lead to another strike, and it would be Shannon Cunningham setting up Lexi McGregor brilliantly for a header in the 29th minute to make it 2-0. Alas! We had our first McGregor backflip of qualifying. Hopefully, there is many more to come.

The game would be 2-0 at the intermission, and in the 57th minute, Shannon Cunningham got her first, with the roles being reversed with McGregor as this time it was Lexi with the set up. The clean sheet was spoiled in the 70th, but Lauren Engle finished off the scoring just four minutes after. That was just the result that this team was looking for and may have needed after the opening day loss.

Now, this brought us to our next match and the Cassadagan home opener. Opposing Cassadaigua at Dagan Airways Stadium was a legend of the World Cup, the great nation of Starblaydia. Ranking officials have placed an “88" next to their nation name, but I don’t know who out there thinks there are 87 better teams in the world right now than Starblaydia. Right now, the former great is in a downturn, but when you know their history, it likely is only that. For whatever the reason is, the current generation of Starblaydis are not getting it done but that would not mean that Cassadagans in attendance for this home opener were going to forget about all of the great head to head matchups that we have had with them. You have to go back a little bit now, but when two countries go back as far as each of us do, you better believe that there have been some storied matchups between them. This game could have been one of them, as there would have been no better way for the Starblaydis to remind us who they are then to steal a win in this game, and send us to a 1-0-2 record. Lexi McGregor was not going to let that happen, “When you are a little kid, you dream of the big games, obviously. When it comes to representing your country in those backyard games, you can be sure that Starblaydia is one of them. Plus, they wear purple. It’s not pink, but it’s a nice color especially when you a little girl growing up.” Of this game, McGregor said there was no taking them lightly, “Maybe they are not the same right now, but I wanted to beat Starblaydia when I was a kid, so I don’t care what they are ranked in order to achieve that.”

Many former national team players were in attendance. Heck, they would have been anyway since this was the first home game, but the head to head matchup adds to the allure of the game. On the field, there would be no let up, as the Fillies were the better team from start to finish. Lexi McGregor was able to get the team on the board first, coming in the 22nd minute, and Carly Patterson’s first of qualifying would come in the 43rd, to make it 2-0. Starblaydia made it interesting briefly in the 50th, but each of the Engle’s had second half goals: Lauren in the 66th and Chrissy in the 72nd to put the game away. Shannon Cunningham looked to have made it 5-1 in the 79th, but a VAR review showed that the ball had not fully crossed the line. It didn’t really matter anyway, as the team recorded their second straight 4-1 victory.

Now, the group table looks a lot better. At 2-0-1, the team is in a second place tie with Yakk and behind only 3-0-0 Baggieland. Saint Eleanor sits at 1-1-1, and could only draw West Kharakia at home. Up next for us will be a road game against Carpathia and Ruthenia before a massive game at Cocoabo Stadium in Starksville against Baggieland.

[HUElavia]

HUElavia 3-0 Aquatian
(Taylor-Calañas 13', Rossi-Rigoni 39', Canchon Cachi 77')
Estadio da Selva, Natel

Sannyamathland 0-4 HUElavia
(Lombardi 5', Zanetti da Cruz 30', Yassine 59', Chiappone 90')

Xkorinating the FIFA World Cup

Episode 2:
1998 FIFA World Cup

The Year is 1998. The 16th edition of the FIFA World Cup is being hosted by France. Jacques Chirac is President of France. Armageddon is released in June 1998 and becomes the highest grossing film of the year, with Saving Private Ryan in 2nd. Too Close by Next is the No.1 song on Billboard in 1998. The Cup of LIfe is the official song for the World Cup. Much like the actual tournament, Brazil enter the World Cup as the defending champions.

10 Stadiums across 9 cities were selected throughout France to host the matches. These stadiums were as follows:

Stade de France (80,000), Saint-Denis (Paris)
Parc des Princes (48,725), Paris
Stade Velodrome (60,000), Marseille
Stade Gerland (44,000), Lyon
Stade Felix Bollaert (42,000), Lens
Stade de la Beaujoire (40,000), Nantes
Stade Municipal (37,000), Toulouse
Stade Lescure (36,500), Bordeaux
Stade Geoffroy Guichard (36,000), St. Etienne
Stade de la Mosson (35,000), Montpellier

32 teams qualified in this first ever expansion of the FIFA World Cup. The groups were drawn as follows:

Group A:
Brazil, Scotland, Morocco, Norway

Group B:
Italy, Chile, Cameroon, Austria

Group C:
France, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Denmark

Group D:
Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay, Bulgaria

Group E:
Netherlands, Belgium, South Korea, Mexico

Group F:
Germany, United States, Yugoslavia, Iran

Group G:
Romania, Colombia, England, Tunisia

Group H:
Argentina, Japan, Jamaica, Croatia

Thus, we begin our second scorination of these World Cups:

Group Stage

MD 1:

Group A
Brazil (BRA) 1–0 Scotland (SCO)
Morocco (MAR) 2–3 Norway (NOR)

  Group A              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Norway                 1   1  0  0    3   2  +1    3
2 Brazil                 1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Morocco                1   0  0  1    2   3  −1    0
4 Scotland               1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group B
Italy (ITA) 1–0 Chile (CHI)
Cameroon (CMR) 1–3 Austria (AUT)

  Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Austria                1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
2 Italy                  1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Chile                  1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Cameroon               1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0

Group C
France (FRA) 2–0 South Africa (RSA)
Saudi Arabia (KSA) 1–3 Denmark (DEN)

  Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Denmark                1   1  0  0    3   1  +2    3
2 France                 1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Saudi Arabia           1   0  0  1    1   3  −2    0
4 South Africa           1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group D
Spain (ESP) 2–1 Nigeria (NGA)
Paraguay (PAR) 0–1 Bulgaria (BUL)

  Group D              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Spain                  1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
2 Bulgaria               1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Nigeria                1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Paraguay               1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group E
Netherlands (NED) 1–2 Belgium (BEL)
South Korea (KOR) 1–2 Mexico (MEX)

  Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Belgium                1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
  Mexico                 1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Netherlands            1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
  South Korea            1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group F
Germany (GER) 2–1 United States (USA)
Yugoslavia (JUG) 1–1 Iran (IRN)

  Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Germany                1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
2 Iran                   1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Yugoslavia             1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 United States          1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group G
Romania (ROU) 2–2 Colombia (COL)
England (ENG) 6–0 Tunisia (TUN)

  Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 England                1   1  0  0    6   0  +6    3
2 Colombia               1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
  Romania                1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
4 Tunisia                1   0  0  1    0   6  −6    0

Group H
Argentina (ARG) 1–1 Japan (JPN)
Jamaica (JAM) 3–5 Croatia (CRO)

  Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Croatia                1   1  0  0    5   3  +2    3
2 Argentina              1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Japan                  1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 Jamaica                1   0  0  1    3   5  −2    0

MD 2:

Group A
Scotland (SCO) 1–1 Norway (NOR)
Brazil (BRA) 1–1 Morocco (MAR)

  Group A              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Norway                 2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
2 Brazil                 2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Morocco                2   0  1  1    3   4  −1    1
4 Scotland               2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1

Group B
Chile (CHI) 1–2 Austria (AUT)
Italy (ITA) 3–2 Cameroon (CMR)

  Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Austria                2   2  0  0    5   2  +3    6
2 Italy                  2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
3 Chile                  2   0  0  2    1   3  −2    0
4 Cameroon               2   0  0  2    3   6  −3    0

Group C
South Africa (RSA) 2–4 Denmark (DEN)
France (FRA) 1–2 Saudi Arabia (KSA)

  Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Denmark                2   2  0  0    7   3  +4    6
2 France                 2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Saudi Arabia           2   1  0  1    3   4  −1    3
4 South Africa           2   0  0  2    2   6  −4    0

Group D
Nigeria (NGA) 2–2 Bulgaria (BUL)
Spain (ESP) 4–0 Paraguay (PAR)

  Group D              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Spain                  2   2  0  0    6   1  +5    6
2 Bulgaria               2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
3 Nigeria                2   0  1  1    3   4  −1    1
4 Paraguay               2   0  0  2    0   5  −5    0

Group E
Belgium (BEL) 2–3 Mexico (MEX)
Netherlands (NED) 3–1 South Korea (KOR)

  Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mexico                 2   2  0  0    5   3  +2    6
2 Netherlands            2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
3 Belgium                2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
4 South Korea            2   0  0  2    2   5  −3    0

Group F
United States (USA) 1–1 Iran (IRN)
Germany (GER) 2–0 Yugoslavia (JUG)

  Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Germany                2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Iran                   2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
3 United States          2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Yugoslavia             2   0  1  1    1   3  −2    1

Group G
Colombia (COL) 2–1 Tunisia (TUN)
Romania (ROU) 5–5 England (ENG)

  Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 England                2   1  1  0   11   5  +6    4
2 Colombia               2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
3 Romania                2   0  2  0    7   7   0    2
4 Tunisia                2   0  0  2    1   8  −7    0

Group H
Japan (JPN) 3–0 Croatia (CRO)
Argentina (ARG) 0–3 Jamaica (JAM)

  Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Japan                  2   1  1  0    4   1  +3    4
2 Jamaica                2   1  0  1    6   5  +1    3
3 Croatia                2   1  0  1    5   6  −1    3
4 Argentina              2   0  1  1    1   4  −3    1

MD 3:

Group A
Morocco (MAR) 2–2 Scotland (SCO)
Norway (NOR) 3–1 Brazil (BRA)

  Group A              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Norway                 3   2  1  0    7   4  +3    7
2 Brazil                 3   1  1  1    3   4  −1    4
3 Morocco                3   0  2  1    5   6  −1    2
4 Scotland               3   0  2  1    3   4  −1    2

Group B
Cameroon (CMR) 2–2 Chile (CHI)
Austria (AUT) 2–2 Italy (ITA)

  Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Austria                3   2  1  0    7   4  +3    7
2 Italy                  3   2  1  0    6   4  +2    7
3 Chile                  3   0  1  2    3   5  −2    1
4 Cameroon               3   0  1  2    5   8  −3    1

Group C
Saudi Arabia (KSA) 0–1 South Africa (RSA)
Denmark (DEN) 1–3 France (FRA)

  Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 France                 3   2  0  1    6   3  +3    6
2 Denmark                3   2  0  1    8   6  +2    6
3 Saudi Arabia           3   1  0  2    3   5  −2    3
4 South Africa           3   1  0  2    3   6  −3    3

Group D
Paraguay (PAR) 2–1 Nigeria (NGA)
Bulgaria (BUL) 3–3 Spain (ESP)

  Group D              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Spain                  3   2  1  0    9   4  +5    7
2 Bulgaria               3   1  2  0    6   5  +1    5
3 Paraguay               3   1  0  2    2   6  −4    3
4 Nigeria                3   0  1  2    4   6  −2    1

Group E
South Korea (KOR) 3–3 Belgium (BEL)
Mexico (MEX) 1–0 Netherlands (NED)

  Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mexico                 3   3  0  0    6   3  +3    9
2 Belgium                3   1  1  1    7   7   0    4
3 Netherlands            3   1  0  2    4   4   0    3
4 South Korea            3   0  1  2    5   8  −3    1

Group F
Yugoslavia (JUG) 0–1 United States (USA)
Iran (IRN) 1–0 Germany (GER)

  Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Germany                3   2  0  1    4   2  +2    6
2 Iran                   3   1  2  0    3   2  +1    5
3 United States          3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
4 Yugoslavia             3   0  1  2    1   4  −3    1

Group G
England (ENG) 0–2 Colombia (COL)
Tunisia (TUN) 0–2 Romania (ROU)

  Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Colombia               3   2  1  0    6   3  +3    7
2 Romania                3   1  2  0    9   7  +2    5
3 England                3   1  1  1   11   7  +4    4
4 Tunisia                3   0  0  3    1  10  −9    0

Group H
Jamaica (JAM) 1–1 Japan (JPN)
Croatia (CRO) 2–2 Argentina (ARG)

  Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Japan                  3   1  2  0    5   2  +3    5
2 Jamaica                3   1  1  1    7   6  +1    4
3 Croatia                3   1  1  1    7   8  −1    4
4 Argentina              3   0  2  1    3   6  −3    2

Round-of-16

Norway (NOR) 0–2 Italy (ITA) Parc des Princes, Paris

Spain (ESP) 1–1 Denmark (DEN) (2–1 AET) Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Mexico (MEX) 1–0 Iran (IRN) Stade Municipal, Toulouse

Japan (JPN) 1–0 Romania (ROU) Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St. Etienne

Austria (AUT) 0–1 Brazil (BRA) Stade Velodrome, Marseille 

France (FRA) 1–0 Bulgaria (BUL) Stade Felix Bollaert, Lens

Germany (GER) 2–0 Belgium (BEL) Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier

Colombia (COL) 1–1 Jamaica (JAM) (1–1 AET) (5–4 pen.) Stade Lescure, Bordeaux

Quarter-Finals

Italy (ITA) 2–1 Spain (ESP) Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Mexico (MEX) 1–1 Japan (JPN) (1–2 AET) Stade Velodrome, Marseille

Brazil (BRA) 2–2 France (FRA) (2–2 AET) (5–6 pen.) Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Germany (GER) 1–2 Colombia (COL) Stade Gerland, Lyon

Semi-Finals

Italy (ITA) 1–0 Japan (JPN) Stade Velodrome, Marseille

France (FRA) 4–1 Colombia (COL) Stade de France, Saint-Denis

3rd Place Match

Japan (JPN) 1–1 Colombia (COL) (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.) Parc des Princes, Paris

The Final

Italy (ITA) 2–1 France (FRA) Stade de France, Saint-Denis

We've reached our first major deviation of our Scorinations: Italy has won the 1998 FIFA World Cup. This would've been their 4th World Cup, tying Brazil for World Cup titles at the end of the 20th century. France, despite massive home advantage and their best ever performance, falls short in the biggest match of their history. Looking at the overall tournament, the major surprise is the deep runs of Japan and Colombia. In this edition, Japan go from 31st Place in Real Life to 3rd Place, being the 2nd Asian team to make the QFs and the First to Semi-Finals and 3rd Place, surpassing South Korea's run 4 years ahead of time, as well as earning their first points at a World Cup 4 years ahead of time as well. Colombia also get their best performance ever with this 4th place finish. Brazil underwhelm and fall short to France in what ended up being a nailbiter, not like the blowout in the Final that actually happened. The major eliminations of this tournament was the early exits of Argentina, Croatia, England and Netherlands. In particular, all four made the World Cup, and the three of Argentina, Netherlands and England were placed in the same path in real-life, but here, they crash out in the Group Stage. Croatia also does not replicate their Bronze Medal run in their official debut, with it being coincidentally taken by Japan. England were the overperforming underachievers, having two high-scoring games, only to lose the final group game and going out. Out of the 32 teams, Tunisia was the worst team with 0 Points and a -9 goal difference, being the only team to finish without points.

[Nephara]

Nephara 2 - 1 Fort McKinley
(4-4-2) 20 - Longstreet; 17 - Swain, 5 - Roback, 6 - Scales (22 - Brehmer), 3 - Xu (25 - Arconada); 13 - Brewer, 4 - Gale, 24 - Sebold (26 - Fang), 11 - Loeher (16 - Serval); 9 - Kulesza, 10 - Tjaden (21 - Tsang)
Goals: Brewer, Tsang

Nephara 0 - 1 Trolleborg
(4-4-2) 20 - Longstreet; 2 - Holden (17 - Swain), 5 - Roback, 6 - Scales, 3 - Xu; 13 - Brewer (7 - Drake), 4 - Gale, 24 - Sebold (26 - Fang), 11 - Loeher (16 - Serval); 9 - Kulesza (10 - Tjaden), 21 - Vetiver

Havynwilde 1 - 2 Nephara
(4-4-2) 20 - Longstreet; 2 - Holden, 5 - Roback, 6 - Scales, 25 - Arconada; 13 - Brewer (7 - Drake), 4 - Gale (15 - Caelin), 26 - Fang, 11 - Loeher; 9 - Kulesza, 21 - Vetiver (10 - Harper)
Goals: Sebold, Loeher

THE HERALD
FIVE ACTIVITIES FOR NEPHARIM TO PASS THE TIME UNTIL NEXT WINDOW
Shani Kolar Football Correspondent

Nephara have lost a game, and a home game at that, and with only two fairly unconvincing wins either side. So it's pretty clear that, three points off the top, Nephara are IN CRISIS. Isn't that exciting? But if you'd like a guide to your catastrophising as we all speedrun the six stages of grief in order to try and feel alive again, the Herald provides.

1. Make excuses
Well, look, you can say, probably buttonholing someone who doesn't care and isn't listening. The new blood haven't had the Eagles Cup to acclimatise, and the whole cycle of the team's been thrown off. The win over Havynwilde would've been more convincing if Longstreet hadn't been uncharacteristically poorly beaten at her near post. And Vetiver hasn't scored yet, but the team's still looking for her. When she's firing it's all going to come together, and that'll happen once she's allowed to put her feet under the desk in Eura. Right? It's fine.

2. Take solace in new blood
And speaking of that new blood... hey, those are some decent new prospects, no? Brehmer, Arconada, Serval and Tsang all debuted against Fort McKinley, and Tsang even got a goal, stabbing home a tap-in at the near post found by Slain after a slick overlapping run. Brehmer's just been snapped up to the SFPL, and the others all play regularly for top Zenith clubs. When they find their form and supplement the established core, then we'll be in business. Right?

But enough about excuses. It's time to get into the real seethescape.

3. Joke about #CantorOut but also not joke
I mean, she was meant to win a World Cup and she kind of has not done that, right? I mean, not that it's a reasonable expectation. Nephara have won two World Cups. Daniella Strauss didn't get one, and she's probably the best manager in the nation's history. But, like... what if we just need that little extra push?

Ha ha ha. Of course that's ridiculous. She can't be sacked, let alone for one (1) home defeat early in qualifying, with the team still gelling. And shouldn't be.

...

Unless?

4. Retreat into the past
After recent lost information came to light, Nephara can breathe a sigh of relief. No longer are we, in any sense, in the shadow of the Nation of 6PupperFunnerRunnies. Though, granted, mathematically it was very unlikely (perhaps downright impossible?) for this to be the case anyway. Yeah, look, man, we may be in a fallow period but we've got legacy. Two World Cups, many different types of trophy, and even when we're sputtering and misfiring we are still nearly a lock for the World Cup year after year, which often seems like it's the case for the other big established nations but often, um, isn't. So look, even though this loss confirms that we're out of the World Cup... look, it doesn't knock us off our perch, okay?

5. Try reason
Okay, but really, it is just a three-point deficit, one we'll likely make up by the end of the cycle, and our most likely challengers in Brenecia have started appallingly badly, and...

Yeah, no, that won't work at all.

5. Cope and seethe
That's more like it.

[Pemecutan]

Part 1 | Part 2

---

---

A gloomy day in Canggu today. The drizzles have wet the town from dawn. But the situation in Canggu Convention Center is still pretty warm as the multilateral meeting continue. Today's topic is about the politic and government of the future unification.

"Welcome back everyone. Too bad we have some drizzles today," greet Kusumajaya to the guests.
"Gladly it's not some heavy rain or everything will be delay," comment Kelakan.
"I guess the rainy season has coming to town," joke Darma Puja follow by a laughters from the others.

"Alright everyone. Today is special because Mr. Qadari will follow our meeting via teleconference. It is a great time that he can join us even though only through this technology," inform Kusumajaya while pointing to the huge screen place that descend from the ceiling. It is blocking the door of the meeting room but a good position so everyone can see the screen.
"Good thing Mr. Qadari get the time," comment Kelakan.
"Morning, everyone," greet Qadari from the other side as his face is appears on the screen.
"Glad to have you here, Mr. Qadari. Even with this limitation," say Kusumajaya.
"No worries. I have some things to do here that can't be represented by anyone else. So this is a good way to somehow attend the meeting," comment Qadari.
"Alright, Mr. Qadari. Hope you'll be here soon," hope Kusumajaya with the nods from the others. "So, we start for today's discussion," open Kusumajaya.
"You start this gloomy day with a very tough issue, Mr. Kusumajaya," comment Aggarjahia.
"Well, we can start with a light discussion like the name of our future institution," trigger Kusumajaya.
"I thought we will use The Mandaran Council as the name," say Subrata clumsily.
"A nation name The Mandaran Council? Right...." argue Wiradarma continued by everyone's laughter including Subrata himself.
"We can go on with Mandaran Union," suggest Qadari.
"That's good name," praise Kelakan.
"Or a more grandiose name perhaps?" wonders Anggarjahia.
"Like what? I think Mandaran Union is quite grandiose," Wiradarma takes side.
"United Mandaran States!" shouts Darma Puja suddenly which makes everyone in the room turn to him.
"That's not bad," praise Kusumajaya.
Everyone murmuring about the name suggestion from Darma Puja.
"So, we have two candidate name for our future institution," comment Kusumajaya while writing down the names on his note.

Everyone is so invested with the name suggestion that they almost forget about today's topic.
"I guess everyone have been warming up enough that we can proceed to our main topic," remind Qadari.
"Ah yes, sure. Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Qadari," say Kusumajaya.
"Hhmm. At the beginning you're saying about our commitment to this process but do we need to talk about this now?" argue Wiradarma.
"I think it is necessary," cut Kelakan. "Form of state and government is something crucial for the new institution. We all notice how diverse our government are. Not just between republic and monarchy but also the other. Having the same voice on this will ensure the smooth process of our unification," explain Kelakan.
"I'm agree with Mr. Kelakan. We have a different government background. To unite all of us, we need this compromise to find that one form that suit for everyone," comment Subrata.
A moment of silent come to the room as everyone is busy with their own mind.
"I think we can use The Council form and applying it to the new institution," suggest Darma Puja.
A murmuring erupt in the room with the suggestion from Darma Puja. Everyone seems to agree with the suggestion.
"Having the same amount of MP for each future state is a good idea. It gives a sense of fairness to everyone in regards of how big or small we are," comment Subrata. Gili Anakan is the smallest state in term of population.
"But I would propose the same MP numbers for full and associate members for this future institution. No differences applied like the current Council's composition," suggest Wiradarma.
"That's true. I believe all the members would be equal state in the future institution," agreed Kusumajaya to the surprise of Wiradarma.
"But don't you think 10 per state is quite small? Especially for Pemecutan. Not counting Kanginan and Petang Islands, it would be 1 representatives per how many population?" Qadari rise an issue.
"It would be 1 per around 1.5 million," answer Kusumajaya.
"Hhmm. We need to find an appropriate number," murmur Kelakan.
"Will 20 per state too much?" cut Darma Puja.
"I don't think so," say Anggarjahia in a slow motion while glancing at Subrata.
"Yes. It is manageable even with a small state like Gili Anakan," comment Subrata.
"Or we can use a bicameral system. One with the same amount of MP per state. The other one with a proportional number of MP per state based on the state population," suggest Wiradarma.
"That would benefited large state too much," argue Qadari.
"I think equal voice would be better," comment Anggarjahia.
"Do we need to vote on this?" ask Kusumajaya.
Everyone look at each other.
"I think we already find the consensus. A single parliament with an equal member of parliaments from each state," answer Qadari in the end.
"At 20 per state?" ask Kusumajaya again with a glance to Subrata.
"Yes, Mr. Kusumajaya. 20 per state," agrees Subrata followed by a giggles from the other.
"Alright. The parliament is settled," announce Kusumajaya.
"Wait! How about the election process?' cut Wiradarma.
"I think we follow the current system where every state is free to use their own system," suggest Kelakan.
"I agree with Mr. Kelakan," say Darma Puja follow by the others.
Kusumajaya smile as another step have been settle. Now they can take a little break as the day has reach noon.

---

At the luncheon, the delegations are treated with Kanginani signature dishes. From fish-based satay to crispy grilled duck. All of the delegations seems enjoying their lunch. Subrata also glad that the dishes are all Halal. Kusumajaya inform him that everything are made so it can be consume by everyone present. After the lunch, while everyone is still relaxing before starting the second session of the meeting, Wiradarma is approaching Kusumajaya for a small talk.

"Honestly, I'm quite shock with your words earlier, Mr. Kusumajaya," say Wiradarma as their small talks become more serious.
"Which one?" ask Kusumajaya as if he wants to recalling all the words he had said earlier. Although he already now which words that Wiradarma mention.
"When you said all members are equal state?" Wiradarma try to ring the bell.
"Ah yes! That one," Kusumajaya smile widely pretending to be shock. He was intended to use those words to appeal to Wiradarma. He notice how Kanginan have a strong will to secede from Pemecutan. Even the latest referendum was lack of votes but the result still say it all.
"You must be understand now how hard we try to make your parliament understand with our demand," reveal Wiradarma.
Bingo! think Kusumajaya. Now he know that Kanginan is really want to secede from Pemecutan from the start. These acts, the uprisings, referendums, parliament bills are all their tools to address their demand of secession.
"I think we can talk about this later in private, Mr. Wiradarma," suggest Kusumajaya. Wiradarma nod in agreement.
The delegations start to enter the meeting room as the second session will be starting soon.

---

"Why can't we have one Head of State and one Head of Government?" ask Darma Puja.
"To ensure equality of all," answer Qadari in short.

The argument started about the Head of State and Government after Kelakan suggested a Council of Ministers like body for the new institution executive branch.
"A body like Council of Ministers will consist of a single person from each state. Like a representatives from each of us that will govern the new institution. A single Head of State and Head of Government will be benefited some one or state that powerful enough to influence everyone. They can focusing on their state alone and neglecting the other. Something that we don't want to happen," explain Kelakan.
"So all of them are our Presidents and Prime Ministers?" ask Surabrata who is still confuse.
"Technically. But in reality, two will be selected from the ministers to become the President and Prime Minister in a given time. And their time in the title will be rotate amongst the ministers in a single office period," answer Qadari.
"Can't we have a single minister as both Head of State and Government? And have a Vice President instead which will be the next President if the time is end?" ask Wiradarma.
"That's possible," answer Qadari with a big nod.
"Don't you think it will be hard to split the term of office with 7 ministers in the Council?" Anggarjahia rise his concern.
"Not at all if you using Pawukon calendar as the standard," suggest Kusumajaya which makes everyone notice him.
"You might not notice that our Pawukon calendar consist of 210 days in one year. If the Council term of office is 4 years or 840 days in Pawukon, then a President will be in office for an exact 120 days for each rotation until their term of office ends," explain Kusumajaya.
"That's actually incredible, Mr. Kusumajaya," praise Kelakan while Kusumajaya smile widely. He success to make Pawukon as the official calendar of the new institution.
"I think we settle our second topic earlier today. We even have agreed on our official calendar," comment Anggarjahia.
"I guess if we really invested on this and make our own compromise, we can really make this process smoother," say Kelakan.

As the sun is almost set, Kusumajaya officially close today's meeting. The meeting will be continue tomorrow with a different topic as they already agreed on the result of today's topic on parliament and executive body.

Kusumajaya notes

Institution name:
Suggestion 1: Mandaran Union
Suggestion 2: United Mandaran States

Executive:
Council of Ministers, 7 person, 1 from each state, 4 years term of office.
Use Pawukon for Presidential office rotation. 120 days per rotation.

Legislative:
Unicameral. Name maybe The Mandaran Council.
20 MPs per state (140 members)

---

---

MD 2
Patriotlandia 0 - 4 Pemecutan
@ Navy Memorial Stadium, Port-la-Ville, Patriotlandia

Goal:
Gede Putra Arimbawa (23')
Agus Kusumajaya (51')
Dewa Putu Mahardika (77')
Satya Permadi (84')

MD 3
Pemecutan 2 - 0 Elmyia
@ Tegeh Kori National Stadium, Pemecutan

Goal:
Wisnu Permana (62')
Gede Putra Arimbawa (89')

MD 4
Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove v Pemecutan
@ Soccer Field 1 at The National Sport Complex, Sacré-Coeur District, Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer

MD 5
Pemecutan v Adab
@ Tegeh Kori National Stadium, Pemecutan

Squad
Starters
GK : Oka Yudhi Winanda
LB : Dwi Putra Kusuma (C)
CB : Ngurah Agung Rai Putra
CB : Yudha Dewanantha
RB : Alvino Bastian
LM : Gede Purnama
CM : Dian Wahyu Ananda
RM : Rian Kusuma
ST : Leo Olivando
ST : Gede Putra Arimbawa
AT : Surya Dwipayana
Reserved
GK : Yohan Ekaputra
GK : Dewa Putu Adi Adnyana
LB : Ngakan Kompyang Widyantara
CB : Sang Putu Chandra Artha
CB : Wayan Adi Darmantara
RB : Jaya Lukmana
LM : Putu Pande Suthawijaya
CM : Triono Atmaji
RM : Ketut Adi Jaya
ST : Ketut Agus Astapa
ST : Asta Yudi Permana
AT : Arya Tungga Wijaya

Roles
Captain : Dwi Putra Kusuma
Vice Captain : Dian Wahyu Ananda
Corner, left : Dwi Putra Kusuma
Corner, right : Alvino Bastian
Freekick : Gede Putra Arimbawa, Leo Olivando
Penalty : Surya Dwipayana

Injured
Satya Putra Laksamana (Off for 3 matches)

[Indusse]

Hind Tribune
Tragedy Strikes: Terrorist Attack Shakes New Hind City

By Subrato Shahla

In a shocking and devastating turn of events, Downtown Central, a bustling shopping mall near Marina Beach in New Hind City, fell victim to a terrorist attack, leaving a tragic impact on the community. Within a mere 24 hours, the death toll has surged to 312, and there are fears that this number may rise as rescue efforts continue with the surveillance of the higher officials of the force.

The incident happened around 6:20 PM afternoon when the mall was bustling with shoppers and visitors. Unofficial reports suggest that approximately 6000 people were in the mall at the time of the attack, turning a place of commerce and leisure into a scene of chaos and despair. Due to the presence of emergency systems throughout the building, the emergency services were informed as the incident occured.

A swift response from emergency services was witnessed, with rescue teams working tirelessly to pull survivors from the spot of the attack and provide urgent medical attention to those affected. The city's hospitals have been flooded with the injured, creating an unprecedented demand for medical resources. Medical equipments and emergency resources have been arranged from the nearby provinces and more are dispatched to the hospitals.

The New Hind City Police, along with national security agencies, have launched a comprehensive investigation into the perpetrators behind this heinous act. The aim is not only to bring those responsible to the lime light but also to understand the motives and prevent such atrocities in the future. "We are devastated by this incident, no terrorist group has openly accepted to the act. Investigation is going on full swing" said Bhanurang Mainta, Inspector General of Police (New Hind City).

Reports state that the parents of Harry Mascernhas, who plays for the Indussean National Football Team are on the list of the deceased. Harry has left the World Cup Camp to his home for the rest of the ceremonies. The National Team had shared their Condolences with Harry. Vigils and memorial services are being organized across the city to honor the lives lost and support those affected by this senseless act of violence. The Hind Diocese has arranged community prayer sessions in the Saint Mary's Cathedral Church and Saint Andrew's Church for the deceased.

Countries worldwide have offered condolences and stood in solidarity with New Hind City, strongly denouncing terrorism. Leaders from diverse nations have committed to supporting the fight against extremism, highlighting the crucial importance of global cooperation to address threats to peace and security.

---

World Cup 95 Stats

Indusse 0 - 0 Ethane
--------
Indusse 2 - 0 Damukuni
Mersiàs 32'
Butea 87'

Group 13 First Half - Indusse Fixtures
MD1 : Indusse 2 - 1 Vilwandia
MD2 : Ethane 0 - 0 Indusse
MD3 : Indusse 2 - 0 Damukuni
MD4 : Sharktail v Indusse
MD5 : Indusse v Banija
MD6 : The Holy Empire v Indusse
MD7 : Indusse v Santa-Barbara

[A m e n r i a]

Who? What?

"Hi, hello everyone! I'm Jang Sori and I'll be your host for today. On the last episode we talked about red, white and green Qì, so that leaves us with blue, black, and rainbow. I hope you're excited as I am!"

What are the other colours?

"Blue is the colour of reflection and improvement. We blues like to tweak and change things, see what we can do to make them better. That's why most of us are good with tech and have powers relating to it. That, or water. You'd normally see blue Awakened being the tacticians or strategists of their teams, or the person responsible for their gear, both in heroes and in villains. As for an example, you're looking at one! That's right, yours truly is a blue herself!"

"Black is the colour of pragmatism. They're practical and flexible, they try go get the job done, even if it means bending the rules a bit. You often see them (or not, I guess) taking the role of covert operatives or the one who does the dirty jobs in their team, even in heroes. Can't make an omelet without cracking a few eggs, after all. I'm sure Lord Camilla has said something to that effect."

"Last but not least is the rainbow Qì. Honestly, we don't really know much about this colour, only that it's the most powerful colour with limitless potential. We don't even know what personality traits are associated with them, as all the rainbow Awakened we know have vastly different personalities. Take Lord Hanbyeol for example. She's probably the nicest, sweetest member of the Starchild Sorority, and yet she shares the same colour as her nemesis, Meltdown who is the complete opposite! Hopefully, as technology advances and our knowledge of souls improve, we get to figure out what causes someone to have rainbow coloured Qì."

"That's it for today's episode. If you could choose which colour Qì your soul has, except for rainbow because that's just cheating, what colour would you choose and why? Let me know in the comments and see you in the next episode! Byee!"

[Mertagne]

Image generated using AI.

Somewhere in Durchenwald, Bardiche Province
The rumble of the engines coming from the Bostopian Bomber Plane was the only thing to be heard across the sparse forest of Durchenwald at this time of night. The sun had set hours ago, and looking up into the cloudless night sky, the only way you’d know the plane was there at all if it couldn’t be heard would be the occasional drops in brightness in the night sky as the plane intercepted the path of a star.

That night, however, things would change in an instant. Miles away to the south, Mertagnian light fighters tussled with bombers as the Bostopians sought to light up the nation’s southern cities, but this particular craft seemed to have slipped the net and was heading, it assumed, to Dannin. It would never make it there, however, as suddenly the engines of the plane coughed, hacked, and spluttered, and a thick black smoke caused the craft to take a rapid dive towards the forest floor. The tapestry of Mertagne’s topography splayed out from underneath the aircraft, and on this cloudless night, the dim lights of civilisation could just about be made out to the north-west, past the mountains.

The pilot wrestled with the controls, in accordance with their extensive military training, but it was to no avail as the plane lurched out of the sky and dived towards the forest. Pulling up on the flight stick as hard as he could, the Bostopian pilot realised shortly that this was to no avail, especially considering the cargo that was rattling around in the drop hold of the plane, and therefore made the wise decision alongside his three other crew members to eject from the plane and take their chances with the parachutes. Jumping from the emergency exit into the now deafening night as the plane, now aflame from the engine failure and belching black smoke, continued to descend, the crew saluted to each other as they pulled their parachute cords and fell into the dense forest below.

The parachute was a brief respite from the fall as the Bostopian pilot clattered into the dense coniferous trees below, with the forest ensnaring him in a thick web of branches and needles. The parachute, cords torn by the impact, wrapped around him as if he was cocooned - nicely delivered prey for whomever sought the deep forest as a home. He grasped for his gun, a pistol, which remained embedded in its pouch in his flight jacket, and waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark in the wake of the flaming crash.

On the way down the pilot had collected his thoughts just enough to spot a guiding star, and make a very rough calculation of where the wreckage was. It was likely, with the payload that it was carrying, that none of the aircraft would survive, and the pilot wondered to himself in that moment if it had landed in a populated enough area to -

BOOM!

The canopy the pilot found himself in braced and swayed a little as the flash, which could be seen in the dark from beneath the parachute, lit up the sky a fair distance away. The pilot closed one eye as he looked at it - no use ruining the adjustment to the dark. He was glad that he didn’t have to undertake the mission of destroying the craft - that seemed to have been taken care of.

Rolling over slightly to take a closer look at the forest floor, the pilot judged the distance between himself and the ground to be about nine metres. There was no chance he was going to get off scott-free from falling that distance, so he looked to the trunks of the conifers he was contained in for a route down. Minding the branches, the trunks looked thick enough to shimmy down.

Cutting himself free with a knife, the pilot carefully brought himself down from the tree canopy and into the darkness of the forest below. He winced a few times on the way down, clearly suffering from a bruised rib or two, and drew short breaths as his combat boots touched the ground. He wondered if he was in fact the first outward facing = Bostopian soldier to set himself down this deep into Mertagnian territory.
The pilot didn’t seem to think there was too much to this country - after all, it had only really been here for the last near-century, and Bostopia, mighty Bostopia, had always been in Anaia and was therefore better - and his biases were being confirmed as he looked out into the darkness and saw nothing but a bed of trees and bushes. He looked around for any possibly hostile fauna, as he’d heard rumours of giant elk in these forests. Nothing stirred. Presumably everything was spooked for miles around by the explosion. That would give him a bit of time to scout the area.

The Bostopian pilot trudged around the area, his breath still short, and he assessed that his injuries were not life-threatening, but he needed to rest. Spying a foxhole near a tree that was likely actually dug by a fox, the large cavern looked like a good place to embed until daybreak. Drawing an emergency blanket from the pockets of his parachute pack, strings severed and left in the trees, he wrapped the sheet around himself and withdrew into the secluded dirt, making well to try and prevent the sheened surface of the blanket from drawing any undue attention. Luckily, this particular foxhole seemed to be abandoned for now, likely due to the explosion, and the pilot checked his watch before pressing the buttons a few times and setting an alarm for a few hours before daybreak.

The pilot awoke with a start as he saw, upside down from his perspective, a muscled man wearing a deep brown coat and a yellow beanie hat. That was the third thing he noticed, however, the first being the large axe that shimmered in the torchlight that was aggressively being shined in his face.

"Wallmer, eh? Ain't that a pleasant surprise, you dropping in from the sky on us this fine morning. Like a gift for the forest, maybe. You'd do right to come along nicely now, friend." The axe-wielder's face betrayed his final word.

The pilot - Wallmer - flipped up and reached for his gun, firing a shot that whipped into the coat flaps of the axe-wielder, before the blunt end of the weapon clocked into the side of his face.

[Recuecn]

A few of the players from Reçueçn's équipe nationale were in the club partying, after they had held the second and third seeds of their world cup qualification group both to scoreless draws in their last couple games.

Emanuele Cutrona tried to yell over the bumping music for his teammate Franky to hear him. "Why are we partying? It didn't feel like either of our last games were particularly fantastic!"

Franky leaned closer to hear better but he kept a little shimmy going--he wasn't about to just stop the groove in the middle of the dance floor. "What!?" he yelled back.

"Why is everyone so happy!?" Emanuele yelled. He gestured to a few of their teammates who had come out with them, and were dancing in a little circle. "We didn't win!"

"You have to consider our place in the pecking order," Franky tried to explain. "Given our opponents, a draw is nothing to complain about."

There was no way Emanuele was going to make that out over the din of the club, so he just shook his head and waved Franky away. The pair returned to their dance moves. I guess you take the chance to party if you can find it, figured Emanuele, hitting the nail on the head.

The game against Naixi had been the first home game of les licornes' qualifying campaign, and the sold-out stade national had hummed with excitement as the game began. The crowd had been waiting in the stands, itching for kick-off, chanting and singing songs. When the whistle blew to start the game, the fans had cheered and yelled the names of the Reçuecian players. But the energy in the stadium hadn't lasted the whole game. It had been a desperately hard-fought match, with les licornes always on the back foot, defending, struggling for possession, and just trying to keep their opponents from securing a lead from which they knew they wouldn't be able to recover. With Reçueçn fighting so hard for any amount of control of the ball, the fan chants had gradually died down.

Les licornes, and their fans for that matter, had kept a fighting spirit, never giving up or losing energy at any point during the game. But it had been obvious that they were being outplayed and simply weren't going to get a chance to score. It had made the Reçuecian defense's job significantly easier that the Blues had been so cautious to attack themselves. Even with broad control of the ball, they had hesitated to overextend or mount a full-on attack, knowing that that was the one way to throw away the game. Careful, meticulously orchestrated efforts had come close, and a few shots on goal from Chen Ling had kept Gerauld Firaut on his toes, but it hadn't been enough for a win.

Reçuecian fans, of course, especially in Reçueçn City, are well used to defensive soccer, and had not been too disappointed by the game, particularly give that it came out to a draw against a much more highly ranked side.

Then, later, there had been the game against Mytanija. The scoreline had been the same, but the game had been totally different. The Mytanars were scrappy, used their elbows too much when the ref was looking the other way, and made rough tackles. Atsev and Kapetanovic had both received yellow cards when the game had gotten particuarly bellicose about sixty minutes in, and Ravnjak had judiciously subbed them both out. The Reçuecians were not used to this kind of a game but Bourguignon at least had tried to fight back (and had gotten a caution of his own for his troubles). Mostly, it was the Reçuecian endurance, trained in long games at high elevation, that had kept them going, despite the battering from the Mytanars.

And of course, the attitude from the Mytanar fans had matched the players. The Stadion Radoslaw Famoc was not huge, but it was packed with supporters waving a concerning mix of beers and pyrotechnics. Even just getting to the stadium had been difficult, as the streets had been packed with fans on their way to the game.

After the game, the Mytanars had kept the party going, undissuaded by a draw against a much lower seed. Franky Adams, Emanuele Cutrona, and a couple more of the younger Reçuecian players had decided to join in the fun, and had made their way through the crowd to a club that they'd found (although they had changed out of their uniforms to avoid unwanted attention).

They were mostly having a fun time there, despite the near impossibility of conversation, until Emanuele turned around and saw that Quentin Gouin, one of the substitute midfielders, had climbed up on a cocktail table and was dancing on it precariously above the crowded club. Quentin was moving his hips and feet in ways that, although impressive, threatened to tip the table over.

Emanuele had only just turned in time to see this spectacle over his shoulder for a split second before a hand reached up from the crowd and yanked Quentin down by the collar. Emanuele watched Quentin's torso jerk downward first, followed by his flailing arms and legs, almost like a cartoon character. "Cazzo," he swore, and tapped Franky on the shoulder before pointing to where a burly bouncer was dragging Quentin out of the club.

Franky immediately began to push his way toward the scene. Emanuele followed behind him, sidling down the path that Franky cleared through disgruntled dancers. Good lord, I hope Franky isn't going to try to take on this bouncer, Emanuele was thinking, but he was ready to back him up if he had to be.

The bouncer, still mandhandling Quentin, had disappeared out of the front exit of the club with him in tow. Franky and Emanuele made their way outside to find the bouncer standing in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest, glaring down a clearly drunk Quentin. Quentin was sitting sprawled on the ground, trying to string together a sentence to convince the bouncer to let him back in. Franky went over to him and bent down.

"Hey Quentin, are you okay, buddy?"

"Ye--yeah, but this ASSHOLE--"

"He's fine," said Emanuele, rolling his eyes. Fortunately Quentin had been speaking French, so although he certainly wasn't going to convince the bouncer of anything, hopefully he wasn't going to piss him off any further, either.

Franky turned to the bouncer and tried English, since he certainly wasn't going to be able to communicate with the Mytanar in his own language. "Sorry... my friend... he is okay. I will take care of him. I promise. Can I take him in again? Please?"

A firm shake of the head answered that question across language barriers.

"Ok, well let me just tell my friends that we're leaving to take him back to his hotel room then," said Franky. He turned to Emanuele and switched back to French. "Can you keep an eye on him? I'll be right back." He ducked back into the club.

Emanuele was left standing outside of the club with a drunken Quentin who was sitting on the ground and now--yep, there it was--retching onto the cobblestones. Emanuele put a hand on Quentin's shoulder. How did Franky handle all this shit? "You okay, Quentin?"

Quentin threw up again.

"We'll get you back to the hotel room and we'll get you cleaned up, alright? It'll just be a quick walk."

Quentin stayed hunched over but gave a thumbs up. Emanuele straightened up and looked at the sky, anywhere to avoid looking at the pile of vomit between Quentin's legs. The night was clear and the stars were shining, although dimly compared to the city lights. Emanuele lowered his eyes and took in the scene around him. The street was still full of plenty of supporters, making their way further from the stadium, walking to the next bar or wherever they were headed. The lights and signs of the pubs and late-night take-out places shone colorfully over the scene.

Emanuele felt himself committing it to memory--not that he was actively choosing to. But something about the scene would stay with him he felt. Something about the weird fugue state after a draw in an important match, the lack of closure when he had expected an important result. And now he was in some Mytanar city he'd never heard of, babysitting a drunk teammate under the disapproving stare of an incredibly well-muscled man who maybe or maybe didn't share a common language with him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Franky, Robert Chéreau, and Raoul Lavigne come out of the club.

Emanuele gestured to Quentin. "He threw up. Where's Ansquetil?"

"I saw him leave with some Mytanar girl," Raoul said. "I'm sure he's got things handled."

"Alright well let's get out of here," said Emanuele. "Which way's the hotel?"

"This way," said Franky. He and Robert helped Quentin to his feet and together they led him down the street.

Emanuele followed them, and his weird, self-aware recognition of the absurdity of the whole situation began to return. Was this what world cup qualifying was all about? Was this the "Spirit of 83" Bonheur was always talking about? It all just felt like one big non sequitur adventure.