World Cup 96 - Roleplay Thread

by **Juvencus** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 11:34 am

Il Scudelliano is under new management, one that presents the news about la squadra as it should instead of being a third party newspaper that supports the team only when it wants, and will remain that way until further notice

"IT'S NOW OR NEVER" GAETAN SHOOTS DOWN JOURNALISTS SHOWING FULL FAITH IN GLI ATTACCANTI AHEAD OF MATCHES AGAINST SEA DOME AND THE 14 STARS

A series of miscalculations saw la squadra drop the victory in the last minutes against Qasden in a 6-goal thriller between the two rivals. Gael Gaetan's team showed signs of great aggression throught and had a clinical attack, with 3 shots on target all being translated into goals scored. Simon Oliveira was the undisputed protagonist of gli attaccanti, as he was vital in the team's movement through the weaker left side of the Qasdonian defence. Not only that, but with his technicality and excellent dribbling, he was able to create space in all 3 of Juvencus' goals, scoring one of them himself. However, such a performance would not be enough to seal the deal, as the home side was able to find net with intensity and pressured shown unlike any before throught the qualifiers or through matches between the two teams, even.

This has dropped la squadra down to 3rd place, just out of contention from the playoffs but with 2 matches at hand, everything is possible should gli attaccanti get 2 wins out of 2 and Srednjaci screws up even once. Srednjaci has been a surprise side, that despite their lowly rank, have truly outperformed themselves and at times, even gli attaccanti.

Judging by the unnecessary race to 2nd place, a lot of journalists have jumped ship to completely and disingenuously criticise Gael Gaetan's efforts. The former U.S Scudelli manager of course shut down any and all critics.

"Seeing our performances so far in the qualifiers, a person with a keen eye can see we have played better than our results would like to show us. Trust in the process and the playoffs are in sight. It's now or never."

For the game against Sea Dome in Scudelli, Gaetan is returning to the stadium he elevated himself to national-team level status. As for la squadra, it looking for its second home victory in these qualifiers. The last game is away at The 14 Stars, Gaetan is deadset on experimenting with rotations and for both of those games, he has announced the same starting XI, a risky move but an interesting one nonetheless. With Sara Ponce and Chimo Quaranta injured, the midfield is bound to have interesting changes.

Starting XI against Sea Dome & The 14 Stars:
GK:Bardhyl Imeri
CB:Carlo Callejon
CB:Pau Puig
CB:Carlos Salucci
CDM:Giuseppe Conte
CDM:Raul Viejo
RM:Simon Oliveira
LM:Aboubakar Sidibe
RF:Claudio Ballesteros
LF:Ganymede Garcia
CF:Ceferino Audiol

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 11:43 am

“Silas Babalioutas! What the heck are you doing here, man?” Şəmistan Asifovich Baburov asked the Fhulghamousian midfielder as the latter returned to his old stomping grounds in the National Football Complex of the Samahang Futbol ng Abanhfleft in Riuwiee. Baburov, more commonly known and called as Sam because it was simply easier to say than his actual name, had played alongside Silas in a number of youth games for Abanhfleft before Silas’s career was derailed by injuries and he ended up representing the Fhulghamous Peninsula colony in Esportiva, and the two had befriended each other during that time. They hadn’t been able to catch up a lot, mostly due to their conflicting schedules, but Sam wasn’t about to miss up on this particular opportunity, even if it did seemingly come right out of the blue.

“I don’t know, man, what are you doing here?” Babalioutas asked back as the two of them shook hands and then embraced each other. “No, but seriously, Silas, why are you here?” Baburov queried.

“Apparently, the SFA decided that the manager of your women’s team is now also going to manage the men’s team,” Sials replied, “and now that guy asked to play a friendly against the Fhulghamous, kinda like what he did when he first took charge of the girls.”

“Ah,” Sam nodded. “That explains why I got called over here like literally at the last minute. Like, I was chilling at my place catching up on my arena football—you know how much I love arena football—when I suddenly get this call from the SFA. And I’m wondering why they’re calling me because there isn’t supposed to be any international stuff going on, no qualifiers, no friendlies, nothing. Anyway, so does this mean that we get to play a friendly against the defending Campionato Esportiva champions?”

“Man, it feels so weird whenever I hear anyone say that,” Silas muttered as he and Sam resumed walking towards the training grounds. “I still can’t believe that actually happened. Fact, I’m still half-expecting to wake up back in South Newlandia after losing to Sylestone. I’m telling you, Sam, I really can’t believe we actually won a freaking title. Like, that just doesn’t happen. Not to the Fhulghamous, and definitely not to Abanhfleft.”

“But seriously though, how does it feel to finally lift a trophy over your head?” Sam asked. “This right here, standing and walking and talking next to you, it might be the closest that I’ll ever come to one. At least it’ll be the closest I’ll come to an international trophy. CSKA likes to randomly just walk the league when they’re in the mood.”

“Those things are heavy, man, and I do mean fucking heavy,” Silas replied. “I don’t know where it was that I saw it or read it, but it said that these trophies used to be made of actual gold or silver or whatever. But I never really believed it somehow, which is the opposite of what you would think a kid like me would have thought, but then again, I was a weird kid too. Anyway, the point is that I didn’t believe those trophies could have been gold or whatever because everyone would just steal it instead of having to go through all the trouble of playing all those games just to get their hands on it. And then I got my hands on it, somehow, and I’m telling you, Sam, there’s definitely some part of it that’s actually real gold and silver. Not a lot of it, but there’s definitely some in there.”

“You didn’t try to bite it like what those Olympic medalists do though, did you?” Sam asked with a raised eyebrow.

Silas shook his head. “Nah, man,” he replied. “I know that I’m a skeptic most of the time, but even I wouldn’t be so stupid as to bite a freaking trophy right in front of thousands of people!”

“That’s good to know,” Sam muttered. “It must feel good to actually have held a trophy in your hands.”

“Trust me, it’s not something you actually want,” Silas said. “Once you touch it for the first time, you’re gonna want to touch it again, but that’s the problem. You wanna touch it again, but you’re not going to touch it again, not unless literally every other team is disqualified for whatever reason. Did I tell you that I still can’t believe that the Fhulghamous actually won the freaking Campionato Esportiva?!”

“Nah, I think that’s actually the first time I’m hearing of it,” Sam said with a resigned smile and a shake of his head.

The two of them arrived in the training grounds, where most of the rest of the Fleftic and Fhukghamousian players were already assembled and training alongside their respective teams. The managers of both teams were also talking to each other while their teams were warming up, possibly discussing the tactics that they would utilize for the coming friendly match. Donovan Chase, the Fleftic manager of the Fhulghamous Peninsula, was conversing with Gennady Chernenko, his opposite number on the Fleftic women’s team and now also rumored to be taking charge of the men’s team. Strangely though, there was another person alongside the managers and their respective assistants, someone that both Sam and Silas recognized.

“Hey, Sam, isn’t that Apollo?” Silas asked, pointing at the aforementioned man.

“Yep,” Sam nodded. “That’s Apolloscleiyali, all right.”

“What’s he doing with the coaches?”

“He’s been working on his coaching badges,” Sam answered. “He’s pretty much a player-manager already. Maybe player-assistant manager is more accurate, but you know what I mean. He was doing this for Rosen City, and now I think Chernenko pirated him from the Citizens.”

“Good for him,” Silas muttered. “No, really. I think we in the Fhulghamous could actually use someone like that, although I wouldn’t know who would do it. Maybe Bruno or Miltiadis or even Krystallis could, but if they wanna get into coaching, they better start sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t think we’re really stacked in that particular department either,” Sam muttered. “Like, Apollo’s the only one who actually appears interested in being a future manager. I mean, he’s not even Fleftic by birth. That’s probably why he’s the only one who’s actually interested in going into management.” Indeed, Apolloscleiyali was not from Abanhfleft, although he had been living in the country for so long that he had practically integrated himself into the culture. Apolloscleiyali, often known as Apollo for short, was originally from the Unified Sunrise Islands and had arrived in the Democratic Republic by way of Rosenpfelblatz City, where he would end up spending most of the rest of his professional career. Apollo acquired his Fleftic citizenship courtesy of the Alternative Football Program, an innovative program in which the Samahang Futbol ng Abanhfleft sought out foreign football players playing in the country who hadn’t yet been capped by their own nation and then offer them both Fleftic citizenship and a call-up to the Fleftic national team. Apollo was a bit of an exception to that since he had already represented the Unified Sunrise Islands previously, albeit only at the youth level, but after the USI mysteriously disappeared from the rest of the multiverse, Apollo decided to accept the offer anyway.

“Yeah, that used to be a bit of a thing, right?” Silas asked Sam. “What did they call it again? The Alternative Football Program? How did that work out for Abanhfleft? Did it really work out for the country? How many stars did we get through that program?”

“I don’t know about stars, but that program definitely gave us some personalities,” Sam replied. “Remember those two chicks, the lesbians? At least I think they were lesbians. Anyway, one of them had a drug problem—I’m not sure if it was just steroids or weed or something stronger—and the other one was only getting called up because the two of them were like a package deal or whatever. I think they were from the AFP. Like, those are the only two I can really remember aside from Apollo. Man, that shit really didn’t work out, huh?”

“I mean, what else would you expect from Heinrich fucking Wurzmann, right?” Silas snorted.

“You know, sometimes I think that Wurzmann gets a little too much shit than he actually deserves,” Sam added, “but no, this time, he absolutely deserves to get shat on for that Alternative Football BS.”

Sam and Silas then looked around the training ground at their respective teammates getting warmed up, and Silas said, “Guess it’s time for us to be opponents for ninety minutes, huh?”

“I won’t go easy if you won’t,” Sam promised his friend.

by **Sarzonia** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 11:51 am

The major questions in the minds of the players, managerial and support staff of the Sarzonian national football team centred on how the team would respond to adversity, and whether the supporters would step up their game, figuratively.

Following a deflating, if expected away loss against Ko-oren, Sarzonia hosted Carpathia and Ruthenia at Dave Wilson Stadium in Woodstock with the team facing a must-win scenario if they still wanted to remain in contention for a position in the two-legged playoffs for a World Cup berth. Sarzonia were one point behind Carpathia and Ruthenia along with Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove for the runner-up position in Group 18 with Ko-oren four points clear of Carpathia and Ruthenia at the top of the table.

The second question, about the supporters, was emphatically answered with a crowd of 105,844 packing the stadium. The loud roar that greeted the Stars players as they emerged from the tunnel onto the pitch left manager Caleb Rush feeling chills down his spine.

"It was really encouraging to hear that," Rush said. "It certainly gave me energy. I was damn near ready to write myself on the lineup card and I haven't laced up my boots in over a decade."

The players answered the first question nearly as emphatically with striker Spencer Wilson notching a hat trick within the first 19 minutes en route to a sweeping 4-1 victory over Carpathia and Ruthenia that allowed Sarzonia to claw back within striking distance of Ko-oren for the group's automatic bid to the proper. The Stars dominated the match from the opening kickoff and jogged into the tunnel with a 4-0 lead at the halftime break.

Carpathia and Ruthenia got their lone goal through a sharp brace by striker Clara Bassi in the 83rd minute, but Sarzonia opted to play keepaway for the final few minutes of the contest. As soon as the Cassadagan referee blew three blasts with her whistle, the players mobbed Wilson, the managerial staff hugged each other, and fans cheered loudly. This was a statement win. This was a result worth celebrating. Sarzonia answered the bell and how.

The table soon showed Sarzonia's next opponents Ochre Islands, the second highest ranked team in Group 18, mathematically eliminated from World Cup contention. Besides the Dragonflies and their suddenly tenuous two-point lead on the group title, Saint-Jean-Jacques et Burnham-on-Stove and Sarzonia were still firmly in contention for either the group title or a playoff appearance. Carpathia and Ruthenia were still alive for a spot in the playoffs, but were eliminated from the group title race.

"That was a terrific result," Rush said at the beginning of his press conference. "I thought the team played tremendous football tonight. We needed to get a result and we got exactly what we needed. I thought Spencer was phenomenal out there. He's definitely earned his spot in the starting 11."

Sarzonia (6-2-2, 20 points) will play Ochre Islands away in their next match before their finale at home against the Tapirs. Rush said he would evaluate the team and its performance after the World Cup 96 cycle ended, but he acknowledged that he wasn't expecting his team to be in a position where their 2-2 away draw against Rea San Vegas would potentially come back to haunt their chase for a World Cup berth.

"I figured we'd regret missing out on two [standings] points against a team ranked lower than us when there are only two such teams in this group," Rush said. "But to have it potentially cost us a trip to Mertagne or Huayramarca wasn't what I was thought would happen." When a reporter showed him the article in Ko-orenite media that laid that point bare.

"Yeah, that draw hurt," Rush said. "We'll find out soon just how much it did."

"Coach, did you see the media report that listed overachievers?"

"No, what about it?"

"They didn't mention Sarzonia at all."

"That's not all that surprising," Rush said.

"Not surprising? Your team were ranked 112 in the world and you could still qualify for the World Cup."

"We call 'em Baker Park loser" for a reason," Rush deadpanned.

by **Elmyia** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 11:59 am

Paul Reynard punched the air and let out a gutteral roar. Go on! He then paused when he realised this might make his first column quite hard to write. Mind you, he was sure he could find an angle. Yes Elmyia had come back and won thank Christ, but it'd taken some late inspiration from Froggatt, who was really his player. So there was definitely something there.

He went to the fridge to grab a celebratory beer. Always better than one of commiseration, even if they were the same beer. He brushed off his laptop and cracked on...

The Mosfleet Star
You Call it 'PorrasBall' I call it suicidal
Paul Reynard

Watching Elmyia finally get past Vdara last night made me something I haven't been for most of the qualifying campaign. Impressed.

At times, especially that performance against Francazar, we really have looked like garbage with this new fancy Dan style of playing. It's really left us easy to play against. I know these players, they're top players, some of the best. The fact it took Porras until 60 minutes to make some obvious changes shows that, really, he's holding these players back.

Take Froggatt. Now she's come in for flak this campaign. Misplaced passes, coughing the ball up in central spaces. I'll admit, it's a coach's nightmare. But I've seen her play for years. Gave her a first start. In many ways I'm responsible for just how great she in fact is. Anyway. Thing is, some players can do some things, some players can do others. No player can do everything. Playing Froggatt in the centre, and getting the ball that deep, is like asking a top class chef to fix my car. Utterly pointless and a waste of her talents.

She's a top, top, top attacker. But currently she's having to do things she's bad at. That'll affect her confidence, and she was never your big, bluster and thunder type. Bad idea. And yet it's taken until we're nearly out of qualifying for Porras to realise you need to play her on the wing. Madness. It's a manager's job to put their team out to give them the best chance of winning. This crazy Juven just isn't cutting the mustard.

Going back to the start of qualifying I was hoping, praying even, that he'd get that defence sorted. That's the thing with how Porras plays, it's borderline suicidal. The third centre back was a nice idea, top marks for that. I didn't dislike Loughlin coming into midfield either, he's clearly got something about him. But, no proper full backs? And only one proper old fashioned centre back? It's like he wants the opposition to score.

Elmyia are almost certainly going to the Cup of Harmony still, a damn bloody damn shame. If I was Porras I'd now be asking how can I unleash Froggatt and tighten up at the back. I'd also be asking, who are the leaders in this dressing room? In my day, you give the ball up and struggle like that and a proper captain would collar you and tell you to sort it out. Can you see Kit Simmons doing that? He's undoubtedly talented, but there's a reason I sold him off, kid's too bloody nice. You need some arsehole's to really make a dressing room.

Porras will surely still, somehow, be in a job if we fail to qualify. Maybe of it comes to that the spods at the FF will realise it's time to ditch this nutjob foreigner and get an Elmyian manager in to play the Elmyian way. In the meantime we can only hope they show a little more fight in the last two fixtures.

by **Flavovespia** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:04 pm

Ekhistan 0 - 1 Flavovespia

It wasn’t a dominant display by Flavovespia, but the 0-1 win in Ekhistan put them on the brink of qualifying for World Cup 96. Only 2 losses and 2 wins for StrayaRoos could deny them now, as Flavovespia make it 10 games so far without defeat in the group.

There wasn’t much room for squad rotation, as Augusto Rinaldi sent out a strong starting eleven to face Ekhistan. Ekhistan may be very unlikely to qualify, but any small nation loves a chance to upset one of the high ranked sides. In the opening stages, the hosts decided the best form of defence was attack. It was them who had more possession, and a quick shot stung the palms of Nathan Crewe in the 13th minute. Flavovespia looked a littled rattled, but were able to create chances of their own. Twice Bagshaw was on target, and Michael Cole was unlucky his header was just wide in the 32nd minute. There was a feeling this game had goals in it.

It was nearly half time, but Flavovespia got the goal they needed to break the Ekhistan defence. Michael Cole drew out the defence by sitting deep instead of running into the box, The right back took the bait, and Cole played a looping ball over the top to Amrik Singh. He chested down and on the half volley rifled in a shot, beating the goalkeeper for power. A goal arguably deserved for Flavovespia, but tough for the hosts to take.

The second half began like the first, Ekhistan were looking for the equaliser, and not afraid to take the game to Flavovespia. There were opportunities for the hosts, but this meant on the counter Flavovespia had chances too. A rare off day for both Michael Cole and Jonathan Bagshaw meant the score was stubbornly stuck at 0-1. Flavovespia felt nervous as the minutes ticked on, one misstep and that win could be gone.

However, Ekhistan were running out of puff. In the final phases of the game, they just couldn’t string together an attack, and the Flavovespia box looked unthreatened. Flavovespia maybe could’ve gone for the kill, but they seemed relatively content to take less risks and see out the win. 0-1 it finished, a game that had flashes of entertainment, but fizzled out in the end. For Flavovespia though, they know a mere draw vs Adab in what could be Augusto Rinaldi’s final home game as Flavovespia manager would be enough to qualify for World Cup 96.

Flavovespia 3 - 2 Adab

It was entertaining, it was emotional, but in the end, the 3-2 scoreline meant Flavovespia were going to World Cup 96. From Pot 1, it was the expectation on the side, but they stepped up and delivered, remaining unbeaten in 11 games. Rinaldi finished his final official home game for Flavovespia with his side going to their 6th World Cup in a row, a testament to his quality as manager.

The game started in a lively manner, Adab clearly seeing this as an opportunity to strike and try and get themselves closer to the playoffs. The first goal would be key, and Adab got it in the 14th minute. Kastiliasu Akaptaha made a skilful run into the box, and was at a narrow angle. A smart decision to pull the ball back to Enlilbani Yargab saw the ball slotted in at the far post, out of reach of Nathan Crewe. 0-1 to the visitors, not the sight the home fans in Waldster wanted to see.

Only 3 minutes passed though before Flavovespia got back on level terms. A free kick 24 metres out was in a nice spot for Kieron Player. The kick was curling but still seemed fairly central, however Satchit Chandrasekar misread the flight of the ball. Unable to adjust, he could only get a slight touch on the ball, not enough to keep it out, and Player was on the scoresheet.

There were chances at both ends for the rest of the first half, and no shortage of action. It was a firm, but fair game, the type that Qualifiers can deliver. Certainly Flavovespia weren’t just settling for a draw at this stage, although they would go into the break with the score 1-1. It wouldn’t stay that way for long in the 2nd half, in the 49th minute, Jonathan Bagshaw picked out Amrik Singh with a low driven through ball. Singh timed his shot well, getting it beyond Chandrasekar and into the back of the net.

Adab needed points, and they helped their cause in the 55th minute. Alulim Sinmuballit decided to take a long range shot on, with too many Flavovespians in the box. It was struck cleanly, and Nathan Crewe was slightly unsighted as it flew past his right, and into the net, just under the crossbar. 2-2 with more than 30 minutes still, this was a game the fans were getting their money’s worth.

As the game flowed towards the end, it naturally shifted to Flavovespia sitting back with Adab attacking more. The counter attacking prowess of Flavovespia would shine in the 81st minute. When an Adab attack broke down, Roger Burden quickly fired a long ball into the path of Jonathan Bagshaw. He beat his marker, before squaring it to Peter Langdon. With only Chandrasekar to beat, Langdon rounded the keeper before slotting it in. 3-2, and surely Flavovespia were into World Cup 96 now.

Adab never gave up, but there was to be no more goals. The final whistle blew, and Flavovespia were into World Cup 96 as Group 7 winners. Their final match against Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom would be almost a formality, but there is an undefeated record to preserve. However in the capital, it was fireworks to celebrate another World Cup qualification. The 6th in a row, and Augusto Rinaldi was the mastermind. There may have been a few tears in his eyes as he greeted the crowds one last time in the on-pitch celebration and presentation, but for now he said, the focus is on the World Cup campaign ahead. Flavovespia may be on a qualification streak, but they’ll still come out and celebrate each qualification with much joy and gusto.

by **Oberour Ar Moro** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:26 pm

Losing One’s Bearings

Previous Chapters of Losing One's Bearings:
Chapter One, Chapter Two (including map of Port Kejm), Chapter Three,
Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six,
Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine,
Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve, Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The exchange of men

«I really appreciate your willingness to move our game to the residence,» David said as he unlocked the door to the Oberour Ambassador's residence in the Stockviken borough.

«Are you joking?» asked David's guest, his good friend Adventus Bergamot. «It's a great privilege, visiting an ambassador's house.»

«That's only because you don't know enough ambassadors,» joked David, gesturing for Adventus to enter.

David turned on the light in the vestibule and gestured for Adventus to follow him to right in the house's parlor. There on a coffee table was a chess board, already set up. It was lower situated than the dedicated game tables at the Bluefin pub, but it would work. The chairs were going to be much more comfortable, at least.

«Still, it's very kind to open your home like this to me David. It's probably a good thing, much less prying eyes,» Adventus noted, walking past David.

As Adventus took a seat, David went to the kitchen to get two lagers for the two of them. To get started. Though he honestly thought about grabbing more and just carrying them back while holding them against his body under his arms. He felt like it was going to be that kind of night. He decided to have some etiquette and it is easy enough to walk back and forth.

Adventus had a coin ready to go when David returned. «Heads or tails?» he asked, gratefully taking the proffered bottle in his free hand and placing it on a coaster next to the chess board. David called heads and Adventus flipped it, catching the large silver coin on it's fall. Adventus revealed tails, and carefully rotated the chess board to take the white pieces. «I put the pieces out while you were away assuming I would be playing white. I may have been a bit presumptuous,» Adventus joked.

The match opened. Adventus was aggressive immediately, while David responded carefully and slowly. The game was interrupted multiple times as David collected more and more ales. The empty bottles became an audience around their board. Adventus won as black, and the sides switched for game two.

Several moves back and forth passed in silence. Uncharacteristically, which Adventus would obviously notice. «Is something wrong David?»

David had a pawn in his grip as Adventus asked. «Well. There's...hm.» He paused and placed the pawn back down. "Can I speak in Azertienne? It'll be easier to put my thoughts together."

His ability in Azertienne made David jealous, since his comparative Gnejsian was so much more labored.

"Thank you so much," David took a second to gather himself. "I assume you've heard about Rodolphe Pouliquen's death."

"Yes, I have. I imagine dealing with that has taken up much of your time as Ambassador," Adventus observed.

"It has. In more ways that it should."

"Oh?" Adventus leaned forward in his chair.

David picked up the pawn again, moving it forward a space. "And you may recall that a week ago I told you about an Oberour woman who asked me to help her with her philandering husband."

"That's right," Adventus agreed, advancing a bishop. "You spoke with Nicole about Rodolphe."

"I-" David's voice hitched. Had he told Adventus who he specifically spoke with? David looked down on the board and saw that Adventus had been far too aggressive with his bishop, and David easily took the piece with his knight. Either way, David had mentioned the name, or Adventus just caught Nicole's name from the news or from his government work. Adventus was remarkably sharp anyways.

"I did. So after she asked I reached out to schedule a meeting with Rodolphe."

Adventus listened intently, ratcheting down his on-board assertiveness by advancing a pawn a single step.

"The day Rodolphe and I were supposed to meet was the day he died."

The two sat silently. Adventus waited patiently for David to continue his story, and to continue the game. David carefully activated his queenside rook and continued his story.

"I never met with Rodolphe. I never saw him that day. The next night two detectives came to the residence to let me know Rodolphe was dead, but I'm worried they think I'm involved somehow."

Adventus put one of David's knights in danger with his bishop. "Do you. "You can give a, what's the word?” Adventus gave up on the specific word and described it instead. “You can state where you were that day though."

David wondered how much he wanted to explain his response. Even though he trusted Adventus he still didn't want to go in to too much detail. "I can't, but I have nothing to do with whatever happened!" David responded with more anger than he expected.

"Oh, of course!" Adventus waved his hand in emphasis. He clearly wasn't accusing him of anything.

"I'm still worried that I'm getting framed or extorted. I just don’t know what to do.” David leaned back into the sofa, trying to sink away.

Adventus, as always, looked completely composed. “And you haven’t spoken with your assistant, or with anyone from your Ministry, I assume,” Adventus guessed accurately. David nodded as Adventus continued. “Understandably so. I can’t imagine they would work on your behalf.”

Adventus then leaned in over the board, smiling gently. “David. My good friend. You can count on me to help you however I can. And I can advocate for you with whatever Gnejsian authorities you might have to deal with.”

David looked wide eyed at his friend. “Really?”

“Absolutely!” Adventus scratched the side of his head next to his eye. “But we need more information, if you’re being threatened by such unknowns. I can try and learn more from Gnejsians. You may want to speak with Nicole and see if you can learn more from her.”

David nodded, slowly, then more forcefully. “I can do that.” He sighed, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. “I would be glad to have your help to get this straightened out.”

“Of course!” Adventus looked down at the board. “You’re in mate, by the way.”

David looked down. And indeed, he was.

Adventus smiled brightly. “Another game?” he asked. David started clearing the board. Under the table, where David couldn’t see, Adventus continued fiddling with a white matchbook with a red fighting cock on the cover.

by **The Kytler Peninsulae** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:45 pm

While Clituleng Giisost held off the isolationists to remain as Prime Minister at the recent election, one recent moment may have threatened that if it had come any earlier, and instead has become a weird first "scandal" of his second term - despite him having nothing to do with it directly at all.

Due to the efforts of what is believed to be a Varnian saboteur at Zube International Airport, the Kytlerian soccer team did not receive their supplies of RPDs for their trip to Krytenia in World Cup qualification. However - and this is where the manufactured scandal kicked in - the Kytlerians actually won that match 1-0, representing the first time in this group phase they have beaten a team outside the bottom two in the group.

Cue the anti-RPD narratives. We saw this particular variation on them during the last Cup of Harmony when RPD supply issues in Delaclava's mysterious "13th Floor" failed to prevent the Kytlerians from advancing through the group stage. Kevin Arlott's RTX Radio rant - "THE DRUGS DON'T WORK! THEY JUST MAKE YOU WORSE!" - has become a meme in the subsequent 18 months, but the sentiment was real and keenly felt in the continuing pro-isolation circles. And it certainly resurged in Kytlerian social media comments after this Krytenia match; #KevinArlottWasRight was the top trending hashtag in the nation on one service, and although a chunk of that was mockery ("#KevinArlottWasRight and now he's far-right" from stand-up comic Juchona Hottotelen being shared more than any other use of the hashtag) plenty was genuine.

The pro-isolation religious-conservative FFP made hay of this, inevitably. "This is the first Kytlerian soccer victory we've ever cheered," said Lorna Donnelly, who leads the party's local wing in Bay City. Cue the centre-right NUP condemning Donnelly as "anti-patriotic" and asking the FFP leaders if they stand with her sentiment - and a weird dynamic. On one hand, isolationism had just received a popular filip from this result; on the other hand, the goal came from Aboriginal player Raven Lomu coming off the bench to score, and the NUP were now officially disowning what was their own flagship policy for many years and was still the one they took into the last-but-one election.

And it was that last part that allowed Giisost to control the narrative again with what became his most-shared social media post since the one in which he announced his hugely popular landslide first election victory:

"It is a pleasure to welcome the NUP back into a world where they don't believe in conspiracy theories. What kept you?"

After the pain of being held 1-1 by New Fernia in a half-empty ZOS, this was sweet relief. Back to business as usual for Kytlerian international sporting teams - including and especially the weird debates about whether they should even exist.

by **Valanora** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:14 pm

Trips to Rushmore seldom go the way that you expect them to go, be it on some sort of vacation, as a member of a diplomatic envoy, and especially if you are traveling there as a contestant in a sporting competition and have to take on the host nation of the occasion. Rushmore just has a funny way about it, not in any sort of bad way mind you, but things that you expect to happen have a way of not and you are left with the unexpected to reconcile with. In the case of sporting events, such is the occasion that we are dealing with this time, it is then up to the players and the staff to make the needed adjustments on the fly in order to keep the team in a position to still come out with the result that they desired before the opening whistle to start the game was blown. The good teams manage to find a way to perhaps salvage a draw out of an uncomfortable position, while average and bad teams likely find a way to capitulate in that sort of adversity, while the truly great teams rise above everything that is put before them and trying to present as an obstacle and still come away with a victory even if things do not go according to plan.

The trip then to Ceni presented something of a major potential stumbling block for the Millet and the Marauders, as they had expected Ceni to be playing a very open and attacking sort of game, such is their way as evidenced by the eighteen goals for and the thirty that they had conceded before taking on the Marauders. That was not the case though as the team that took the field against the Marauders, who had put in a fully rotated squad for the match, and they sat ten men behind the ball and dared the side to try to find a way to break them down. Unfortunately for Younes Hellström, who was the starting keeper for the side, this meant that he was not going to get the best chance to showcase his work for Millet as Ceni was clearing trying to set up for a smash and grab sort of game. In the forty-third minute though, they did manage to break on the counter and the Ibini FC keeper stayed their ground as they were advancing on net, before clutching the shot to the near post to his chest and denying the hosts the chance to break the deadlock that had occupied the first half and was frustrating the attack of the Marauders.

Tuva Brekke was subbed off at the half and was replaced by Klara Holmberg, while Kensel Méndez was also replaced by Julia Strömberg. The pair of changes brought also a bit more youthful vigor and imagination into the midfield and attack, Millet looking to try and change things up as the first half approach had not been working. On the hour mark another change was made, with Lucas Winkel coming in on the left and that substitution started to pay dividends as the Turkish winger was finding the small gaps that the younger Linus Sollien had been unable to find. In the seventy-sixth, he would feed Strömberg through the middle who played a clever one-two with Holmberg to get behind the pressing defenders and managed to get the keeper to dive early, letting the Hondo FC midfielder easily chip it in for the lead. Holmberg hit the bar three minutes later and was the first to the rebound but the keeper dove hard to the ground to keeper her from snatching a goal, nearly stealing the ball off her foot. The second goal however was not needed for the rotated side as Strömberg's strike would be enough to secure the victory for the Marauders.

Tobias Propst is going to start in net against Boring Paradise in the Hatire Memorial, as it will be the first game of the last two in the campaign, with Caspar Engström having been earmarked to start in net when the side returns to Rushmore and finishes off their campaign against Eura. Eura's playoff run never materialized and they are already out of contention heading into this last international break, meaning that when the Marauders meet with their Rushmori opposition, only pride will be on the line. Millet is expected to continue to tinker with the team, though that it nearly cost them against Ceni will definitely be something for the Ko-oren manager to have a good think about as she prepares each lineup. Wholesale changes have seen some poor performances from the team as a whole and it might be better to keep a handful of the usual starters in and bleed the depth options in with them than to put out a wholly depth option starting eleven. Whether she does that or sticks with what she did with the Ceni match is going to be the question that keeps a lot of the fans up at night until the two matches are played. Regardless the team looks to close out the qualifying campaign in style and keep the wonderful momentum of it going into the Finals, even if it is going to take part in Anaia.

by **Independent Athletes from Quebec** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:15 pm

Independent Athletes from Quebec (IAQ) - World Cup 96 Team
WINDOW 7 - v. Doubeia, @ Vyktoria

26-PLAYER ENTRY

GOALKEEPERS (3):
Goh Yeong-Rok (Montreal City), Marianne Oh-Ntare (Litala '93, MYT), Innes Sheppard (Urrheddiao, CMT)

DEFENDERS (9):
Ghislaine Barbieri (Anormalies, CMT), Alain Delisle (Mipojoseon), Kira Dormann (FC Inter Nantwich, TMB), Joo Hyeong-Seok (Olympia Arkintoofle, SRS), Kim Gyeong-Seok (Urrheddiao, CMT), Drake Lokombo-Ssektioleko (Lakewood United, TMB), Alexis Samurtok (Parakleion Firebirds FC, TKT), Serguei Sapozhkov (Daedonggang 3.26), Frederic Yabusele (Atletik, MYT)

MIDFIELDERS (7):
Cesar Icardi-Rabiot (Jinja City FC, BNJ), Maude Le Tissier (Whitepool, SYL), Jordyn Mah (Océanic C.F. Langlois, KSK), Samuel McTavish (Lakewood City, TMB), Camille Oh-Chainey (CSKA Quebec), Pyo Seung-Hye (Avondale City, SYL), Juan Aurelio Redondo (Montreal Koreana)

FORWARDS (7):
Billie Blue Hamisi (Urrheddiao, CMT), Clyde Han (Wansan Noksaekjeonsa), Anna Korniloff-Kouyate (Real Santa Mordana, KYP), Josephine Moreille-Park (Ceramadhion Lynx FC, TKT), Corneille-Theophile Poulin (Avondale City, SYL), Amina Salihamidzic Beckie (Frenei Tor, CMT), Otis Tekarhonhonte (Eivora Athletic FC, TKT)

Three Weddings and a Funeral

PART 7 - The Funeral - 4:44

The rainy weather remained on the subsequent hours after the Funeral Mass and the subsequent family-only burial, which lasted no less than an hour but no more than three, with the visitors to famous principality of Montevicio left no less grim by the weather that had greeted them in a Poseidon's ruptuous greeting. It was not one that people would expect for a funeral of a local Montevician, especially a sporting icon whose bloodlines brought out sun like Theo-Alexandre Pinson, whose father was Azurean and mother Cardenaoan, but one could not ignore the possibilities that perhaps the skies, for all the cruelties it has been known for, too cried over the tragic nature of his passing.

Claire Lundrigan stayed in Montevicio, with her flight back to Twin Cities with her parents not to be set in another two days. Her parents, singer-songwriter Eileen de Ramaut (Plongeon) and author Sir. Asher, had their separate matters to attend the following day, with her mother meeting her manager, Janet Mullen-Baker who was now in her seventies, and her father having a light visit with Ian Lautner and Heo Myeong-Shin. It was rather unfortunate circumstances in which the friends have been brought back in one again, in a bloody funeral no less, but it was nonetheless a pleasure to see all of them together for the first time in five years, perhaps a reminder to when they were all younger and had relatively little to no reason worrying about the deathly shadows nearing them.

Oddly enough, it was when Claire Lundrigan had bid her parents a good-bye the following morning at the Midnight Towr, that she noticed how different her parents would have looked. To her, Sir. Asher was always that plain-looking, simply-dressed and reclusive figure who avoided public on his own accord (who in their right mind would refuse Regimbault Prize ceremony?), and Eileen (Plongeon) a long, brunette girl from the pastoral southern Acadie whose plain dresses and bright-coloured sweaters better belonged on a regency or the eighties art-pop scene. The difference between the two of them back at home - keep in mind that it was practically impossible for both to be seen on same city when away, let alone same function - were evident enough for those not familiar with their marriage to be a clear mismatch.

And yet, as she told them to meet at the Hotel for the reception held in memory of the families later, at no earlier than four, Claire noticed the glimpses of her parents' younger selves as they left. Her mother, for most part, had looked very much the same she had remembered with her red sweater and Jeans, perhaps a testament to the consistency that remained on her hands years after.

But her father, who was dressed in a neatly pressed and steamed suit jacket, with a pale dress shirt but without a tie (if there was one thing he held in common with the deceased, this was their dislike of ties), looked like a different figure altogether. Claire could tell from his suit jacket, which looked somewhat unfitting of his age with the style typically preferred by a younger gentilhomme, combined with imagined pounds of flesh and feather on him, Sir. Asher's younger self that had roamed the lights of Joongyeong and hunted the latest stories internationally, without fear and shadows.

Of course, without fear and shadows weren't exactly the right words to say. In order for him to live without fear and shadows, he had to forget. Well, more like trying to forget, and the ways he had tried to do so in the five-year gap had never really worked out in first place, and had only worsened things for them for time before their unexpected marriage. Now, Claire had been aware that her parents had dated for some time when they were her age right now, and ironically owed towards to Myeong-Yoon's minor fandom (that she nowadays would blame herself over) and Myeong-Shin's brave effort, but had never really tried to fill out the details over the years between their first and second time.

It wasn't that she didn't want to know - Claire was very much right in guessing that it was not short of stories - but the topic itself was such a taboo for her family and their friends, who almost always pitied her mother first before moving onto the father, that she genuinely did not have the dare to ask. This, combined with her awareness in the security presence that had been placed on both Sir. Asher and specifically her, had meant that it was going to be a difficult climb of mountain to be figured out. Even at that moment, right as her parents went their separate ways with a separate cab, the scene was all too noticeable with two security vehicles, one red convertible presumably a local Montevicio police and a black sedan presumably of the Royal Quebecois Police, starting their engines.

by **Crpostran** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:23 pm

[*]OOC: All photos had been generated by AI-Image generators. Image of the spot the differences was found on the web. Credits to the creators.

by **Josifovo** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:27 pm

Спортски Журнал
All the sports, by the people, for the people

ZLATNI LAVOVI ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE DREAM - WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION IN SIGHT AFTER JOSIFOVO PREVAILS OVER BEARS ARMED

The team has managed to maintain its top spot mostly safe after defeating the Bears Armed with a 3-2 scoreline. The discipline of Zlatni Lavovi on the pitch this cycle has been unmatched and has been the reason why it has stood out like a sore thumb in this group, despite the teams that it is consisted of. Despite a first half back and forth seeing the teams level at 2-2 on half-time, several changes by the managers and a push to pressure the opponent saw an uplifted Josifski side finally besting the Bears Armed team with a Pece Trajkovski header on the 89th minute. Trajkovski proceeded to celebrate wildly with the Josifski fans in the stands while flares were lit up and chants were sung loud and proud.

With 9 wins in 10 games, Josifovo's run is one of the best in the multiverse and it is currently first with 27 points, 5 points ahead Zwangzug and the Squornshellan Remnant States. It needs one victory to clinch the top spot of the group and play without fear against Zwangzug on the last matchday. This is made possible considering the penultimate matchday is against a disappointing United States of Devonta away.

Lastly, the impact the defensive core has been pivotal for the Zlatni Lavovi's success. Will Milorad Kuzmanović's leadership prevail in the defensive structure of Josifovo in the last few games? We are going to have to wait to find out. But one thing is for certain, strict adherence to the structure provided by the coaches has brought the team all the way to being one step away from direct world cup qualification for the first time ever. The enviroment of the team seems positive accordng to interviews of the players and the chemistry between them has become apparent on the pitch. This is a big task at hand and our nation's place in the world is dependent on it.

by **TJUN-ia** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:33 pm

The Random Rambles of a Jaguar - World Cup 96 Edition
with Killian Looker

Welcome back to this Random Ramble. You all know what we need to talk about. So let's just get on with it.

MD11: Gnejs 5-3 TJUN-ia
MD12: TJUN-ia 4-1 Conania

My Take
The big one was in Port Kejm, a game we needed a result from to keep some control of our destiny. It wasn't to be, I guess. We did score three in this mini-classic via Jackson Smith-Scott (twice) and Frederico Jiminez but that wouldn't be enough here. The Dandelions had a lot of weapons at their disposal and in this regard, Cornelis Ceder (twice), Nikolaj Fjällstrand (twice) and Sigurd Åboo did enough to secure the 5-3 and the advantage in the battle for 2nd.

Things aren't over just yet, but that relies on us doing our bit and hoping for a miracle. Our final home game of this WCQ Group would be in Tiankong against Conania and this one would also be simple...in that we did what we needed to do. Oreste Calabrese got an early goal but we did what we needed as Kristina Bay ended up with a hattrick, Paek Un-hui got the 4th and that was the 4-1 done. With one game to go, we still have some life in this group.
Reactions
Mixedm as you would expect. One group want the co-managers sacked, another think we still have life, a third never gives up and supports the team no matter what while the forth is done with football and is watching NSSCRA instead. It's what you expect from a national program with no consistency at all.
Next Fixtures

MD13: BYE
MD14: @United Hawkland (5th, 11pts)

Will we still be alive by this one is played? No one knows...but we still have to fight no matter what.

SCHEDULE (Group 14)
Revert to this post for stadium information.
MD1: @Delte (3) - Ildemorton Road, Oswark-upon-Delte L 0-1 (5th)
MD2: vs Sudilia (77) - Stade de la Victoire, Roi Ville D 2-2 (5th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD3: @Ishadonia (269) W 2-1 (4th)
MD4: vs Gnejs (42) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky L 0-1 (5th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD5: @Conania (236) W 3-2 (3rd)
MD6: BYE (4th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD7: vs United Hawkland (142) - Estadio Universidad Carlandas, Carlandas W 5-4 (3rd)
MD8: vs Delte (3) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City L 1-6 (3rd)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD9: @Sudilia (77) W 2-1 (3rd)
MD10: vs Ishadonia (269) - Ke Kahua Pāʻani o Pua Aloalo, Kepu Manu W 4-0 (2nd)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD11: @Gnejs (42) - Kejm Park, Port Kejm L 3-5 (3rd)
MD12: vs Conania (236) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong W 4-1 (3rd)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD13: BYE
MD14: @United Hawkland (142) - Østad Colliseum, Østad (TBC)

by **Kirungabi** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:42 pm

← PREV — President Innocent Uburiganya and First Lady Musabyimana Inaugurate Olympic Park Reforms Alongside Copa Rushmori Squad

Kirungabi Follows Tumbran Foreign Ministry in "Critical" Græntfjall Situation

IMISOZI — President Innocent Uburiganya has authorized Foreign Affairs minister Felicia Hicukirunga to post a travel advisory for the Pavolan powerhouse of Græntfjall, following the leak of a classified Tumbran diplomatic cable which reported "rolling blackouts", and earlier rumors of power grid vulnerability, in the alpine Rushmori nation. The announcement of a travel advisory from the Kirungan Foreign Affairs ministry is the first of its kind; with no consulate in the northern Rushmori nation, Kirungan citizens would find themselves particularly at risk of isolation if the situation continued to deteriorate.

Minister Hicukirunga announced the travel advisory in a televised press conference from the Palace of the Thousand Hills in central Imisozi, calling on Kirungans currently in Græntfjall to seek emigration or departure to neighboring Tikariot, Kytler Peninsula, or Nyowani Kitara. "The Kirungan Foreign Ministry will work closely with Græntfjall's neighboring governments to ensure willing Kirungans can safely make their way out to safety and back to Kirungabi."

When asked for further details on the situation, the Minister admitted that information was sparse, and in the hands of governments more closely related with the Græntfjaller state. "We have been in contact with the Tumbran Foreign Ministry since the cables leaked, but we have no further information on the situation than what is publicly known at this time. The travel advisory has been posted because the obscurity of the situation has created critical, unsafe conditions for the numerous of Kirungan ex-refugees and expats living in or visiting Græntfjall. Our actions and decision will adjust to however the situation continues to develop."

Thousands of Kirungans are registered as living in, or having lived in, Græntfjall in the past half-century, with numbers climbing during the Kirungan Civil War and the Fupi genocide of the Barebare. The icy nation granted asylum to hundreds of exiled Kirungan families for the duration of the conflict, including to Kirungan National Football Team assistant coach August Abihayimana; decades later, Græntfjall received hundreds of thousands of Kitaran refugees from the Kitaran Civil War, continuing their legacy of beneficence to plighted and war-torn nations. In response to whether Kirungabi would offer aid and support to Græntfjall for the duration of the current situation, Minister Hicukirunga was hesitant to declare aid an immediate necessity, but pledged to offer Kirungan resources if the crisis continued to deteriorate. "In Kirungabi we have access to clean power generators through Enténer; at the moment we have only issued a travel advisory, but for sure we would consider sending any assistance to Græntfjall if the situation would warrant such a decision. It would only be the right thing to give back to a country which has supported our Barebare brothers in the past."

Administrative Paperwork, Roster Information Among Documents Lost in KIG HQ Arson Attack — NEXT →

by **Pasarga** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:54 pm

When Ingþór Auðbjörnsson was announced as the new manager of the Wanderers, there was a lot of celebration, as the once legendary striker for the Wanderers was returning back to his homeland to revitalize the national team and the entire program that surrounded it. The keys of the entire program had been allegedly handed over to him, and the man that most people know as "Thor", was given complete control over the youth setup, the national pool, as well as a personal liaison with the head of the PFA as well as the SuperLiga and other representative of the domestic pyramid. It shocked everyone then when in his press conference following his hiring that he talked about a long, difficult road ahead for the Wanderers and the program as a whole, with lots of mistakes to correct as well as issues that needed to be ironed out, issues that had arose due to complacency and a bit of arrogance. An admission that his hiring was not going to be a quick fix to everything that was ailing the program and getting the team back to being fully competitive with the rest of the best in the region and then the footballing world as well.

It was a bold admission and strategy to take, one that might have backfired for anyone who was not a bit of a national hero for the exploits that the striker had with the national team during his playing career, as well as then the success he had with GT Molding and then the Snow Wolves of Graintfjall. Replicating that sort of success was supposed to be something automatic in the minds of the fans of the team, as any manager worth their salt would be able to take the talent at the disposal of the Dual Islands and craft a team that could be competitive in the Copa Rushmori as well as routinely make the Finals as well as perhaps even the knockout rounds of the tournament. While it was nearing on half a century ago, there had been a time where that was exactly what went on and the national team made three straight appearances in the championship match of the Finals, winning one of them and establishing one of the best three cycle periods in history, as pointed out by The Idiot Project some years ago. However those in the know that was only a surface level analysis of the team and pool and that Thor had the right of it when he suggested the problems were more than just tactics and approach.

The struggles that the team had in the Copa Rushmori, where they started decently strong but faded and came back to the rest of the group as the group play went on highlighted exactly the points that Thor had been making. While on pure talent, the team could compete decently, they lacked something to truly make them a competitive force consistently and that their best talent was starting to get old with few prospects with similar or better talent coming behind them. If the team could not compete in the regional tournament, then it was going to struggle to compete on an even large stage, despite them being listed as a first seed for the pots before the draw for the Qualifying groups. That the side then got one of the more difficult draws that they could have received in the draw, even though Cardenao has been a near complete absence in terms of their expected strengths, made the idea of a short walk through a somewhat shortened qualifying campaign a bit laughable. The slightly shorter campaign also made every upset hit that much harder and make the pathway to a top two finish feel more and more out of reach, which put great fear into the side when they were victims of upsets in four of their first eight games and well behind the cruising side from Quebec.

Faith in themselves, perhaps faith in the Eternal Flame itself, would not go awry though, as their dogged persistence to still try and claw their way back despite every hurdle that had been put in front of them made that trip all the more difficult. It was only the second window in this campaign that saw the team bring home the full six points and give themselves a mighty opportunity to still make the playoff, with even the most remote of chances of making their way into the top spot despite however unlikely it seemed. Despite the advancing age, Elek Salai proved why many still consider him the talisman of the team and got a first half brace in the Stade de Torgos to continue Cardenao's quite disappointing campaign, which turned into massive cheers when it came across the scoreboard that Vyktoria had upset Amenria in Amenria and the Wanderers were now level on points with their second place competitor. Nawar Taqwaa Bazzi and Kat Földessi got second half goals for the side in Doubei and it was a second consecutive two nil victory, which loomed huge as goal difference is the first tiebreaker.

That tiebreaker might come into play as the Wanderers will travel to Amenria on the final day of the campaign and with a spot for the playoff, or perhaps even the group title, on the line depending on what the results are in the first match of the window. The Wanderers host that same Vyktoria side who just upset the then second placed team in the group and the team had their troubles in Vyktoria, needing an eighty-seventh minute strike from Salai to get out with three points against a side that had lined up with the intent to not let the Wanderers score. The side needs goals and in bunches as they only have a single goal advantage in the goal difference over Amenria, who themselves travel to Siovanija and Teusland. The Arrosian side has not had the greatest of times but has performed a bit better here in the second half and if they could limit Amenria to only a single goal victory, it would be huge. If they keep the Amenria from winning, then a win over Vyktoria clenches a spot in the playoff, while a draw for the Wanderers would be enough if Amenria were to lose. If both sides win, then the Wanderers simply can not lose and they clench the playoff. It gets more complicated from there, also a bit interesting if Quebec were to lose both their matches, although it is unlikely for that to happen or for the Wanderers to swing the nine goal difference, but stranger things have happened. The clearest path forward though is a repeat of this last window and grabbing all six points, from there a playoff berth is awarded and the Wanderers generally have good luck in the playoffs.

by **Vdara** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:05 pm

Don't Panic

Panic was beginning to set in amidst the fans. A strong victory over Pyazhnaya featuring a Grazzja Le Brun (just how good has she been, by the way?!) hattrick had all but sealed a spot in the top three for Vdara, but a gut-wrenching loss against Elmyia had created a situation wherein anything less than a win could be pounced on - and you can bet your bottom dollar that Elmyia, who had qualified for the last two World Cups, would be more than ready to pounce like a tiger who had been fed nothing but baked beans for the last three months. In order to shore up his squad and keep things stable, Markos had tabled a new strategy, which you can see for yourself below:

The CLONG

Concede less. Teams that concede a lot of goals often find themselves on the back foot. Let's not.
Long shots. We have the power, we have the ability, let's get more shots on target and put goalkeepers under immense pressure.
Open up the space. Too often, I've noticed that the team has been relatively static, instead of constantly moving to create opportunities.
Never lose focus. 110% attention on the game, nothing else. Too many times we've been caught lacking, it's not exactly ideal now, is it?
Get stuck in. We've all been rather well-behaved, apart from the odd booking and poor Athanas' unlucky red card against Elmyia. If we're going to win, we're going to need to go in hard. Let them know you're there, don't be afraid to use your boot.

This strategy is slightly more unorthodox than our usual 'keep it simple and funky fresh' tactics, but I'd like to ensure victory at all costs. If we're going down, we're
not doing it without a fight!

It's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see how it pays off for 'em.

by **Tero al Disco** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:22 pm

TERO AL DISCO 0-1 SATERUN
Lineup (4-4-2): A. Castillo | D. Cuevas, M. Kuchler (C), J. Salas, L. Clotieri | M. Napoliello, H. Beaufort, E. Hirsch, F. Martini | A. Biaggi, J.J. Leonardi
Goals: none
Subs: H. Beaufort -> P. Tedesco HT', E. Hirsch and M. Napoliello -> A. Cornelli and G. Durand 67', A. Biaggi -> H. Lucero 76'
Cards: Domingo Cuevas 20', Miguel Napoliello 61', José Salas 66'
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Moncloa, Moncloa
Summary: Alfredo Félix tried out a 4-4-2 formation and a more attacking style, But Saterun ends up thoroughly dominating the match, as Tero al Disco are hardly allowed one chance at goal; the Claws really did show their prestige on the field. It was Andrei Coiro who scored from a powerful free kick from 30 metres out maybe?, in the 27th minute. Saterun could have scored one or two more goals, and some fans whistled at the Terense team by full-time. Being a top-65 team...yeah, that was a bit exaggerated. But that does not take away the fact that the team played badly.

SANNYAMATHLAND 0-2 TERO AL DISCO
Lineup (4-3-1-2): A. Castillo | I. Kunz, M. Kuchler (C), C. Riese, M. Manet | J. Freitas, E. Hirsch, S. Moritz, H. Lucero | A. Biaggi, J.J. Leonardi
Goals: H. Lucero 23', J.J. Leonardi 60'
Subs: M. Manet and J. Freitas -> L. Clotieri and J. Miranda 63', I. Kunz, A. Biaggi and H. Lucero -> D. Cuevas, S. Cervantes and A. Cornelli 73'
Cards: Máximo Manet 53', Sergio Cervantes 83', Domingo Cuevas 87'
Venue: Somewhere, Sannyamathland
Summary: The Tricolor finally cut the 4-match winless streak with a solid win over Sannyamathland. Tero al Disco came as heavy favourites in this fixture in particular, and they delivered. A convincing two-goal win made the Teros kinda be back in play-off contention. Now the only thing they needed to do was to beat Aphrilia in round 11. Many people were skeptical about Sancho Moritz, given his not-so-good performance in relegation-strugglers Sportivo Caamaño, but he did very well against the "Soviets", setting up an assist for Hernando Lucero to head it in by the 23rd minute. In the second half, by the time the match was 60 minutes old, Leonardi ran from the halfway line, beat around three defenders and finished it for a great solo goal.

← → ↻ | https://lacruelverdad.te/deportes/tero-al-disco-derrota-aphrilia-cerca-clasifiacion-mundial											漢A Terense → English ☆

TERO AL DISC DEFEATS APHRILIA AND COME A LITTLE CLOSER TO WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

MORE ARTICLES → WORLD CUP 96

Cabo Azure does Tero al Disco a favor: they tied 2-2 with Sannyamathland

Audioslavia defeats Aphrilia 2-0 and has one foot in the World Cup

Look what this kid from Terense said about Alvaro Biaggi!

Kuchler says they "already went to church" for the next two games

Correction: It's supposed to say "it doesn't mean we don't have one just because"

Coming from beating Sannyamathland 1-0 at home and having day 9 free, Aphrilia was going to play at the Caamaño World Cup Stadium. The Anchors were going to be face to face with a Tricolor team that had only won one of its last 5 games. Aphrilia was in third place, two points behind Tero al Disco, and with one game less. If Tero al Disco lost or tied, they still mathematically had a chance of qualifying for the repechage, but they had to wait until Cabo Azure didn't win (something that didn't happen, since they defeated Saterun 5-4), and...tell them I have to dream so that they win against Audiolavia and As Macaricas and that the other results that are necessary occur.

But well, the game started and you could already see that it was going to be a fight. Aphrilia was still the one who played the best, as expected. If ball possession really measured which team plays better (because it doesn't always), I'd say it was 60-40 in favor of the visitors. I don't know. As the "village journalist who touched a ball in his life" I am obliged to say that I did not look at the numbers and I was just watching the game.

Something that was also expected was that it would be a defensive battle. Now going to the statistics, before the game Tricolor and Aphrilia had scored less than 10 goals in 8 games. So it was. The first chance for Aphrilia was at 11 minutes. A horrible mistake by Clotieri when passing the ball forward caused it to bounce off the right leg of forward Inés Forrestal, who in a few seconds was about to score the first goal for her team. But Andrés Castillo blocked the ball and the Terenses spectators were saved from starting the game by bitching as much as they could.

And chances like the one Inés had were rare among all the opportunities that there were in the game. The referee showed the first card to full-back Sarah O'Winchester after 20 minutes. Sarah had tripped Cornelli, and led to a free kick that ended in nothing for the Terense team. As always, Miguel Napoliello made up for the lack of cautions for his team when he stepped on midfielder Theo Cooper, about three minutes after the incident with O'Winchester, and another free kick that ended in a goal kick for Andrés Castillo's team.

Now, when the game was around 30 minutes, Aphrilia was playing the game better and better and there was already the risk of saying that she was dominating it. However, after goalkeeper Phillip Karnwell burst the ball, it hit Kuchler and Kuchler began playing from behind. He gave it to Napoliello, Napoliello to Hirsch, to Hirsch. Hirsch then gave it to Kunz, who was running on the left side. With a masterful cross, he gave it to Alexander Cornelli to finish with a powerful kick, and for the World Cup player from Caamaño to burst with happiness for his team's goal.

And at that moment, the team decided to get nervous and began to play much more defensively, and stall for time. From the 35th minute, which was when they started playing like this, there were only two more shots on goal (seeing that they ended up playing quite well). Now going back to the first half, there was a shot on goal by Inés Forrestal again that was deflected by Andrés Castillo in injury time, and a minute later the referee whistled for halftime. As we entered the second half, the forwards were left scratching their heads, you could say, because the team had no intention of finishing it off with a second goal. Well, maybe so? But the second half focused more on Tero al Disco's half of the field.

There was a chance for Erick Marshall from outside the area, who was going for the post but was saved by Castillo, 5 minutes into the second half. A few minutes later, Erick himself was cautioned for a foul on Hirsch. That free kick ended in the same thing as the free kick for the Teros at 20 minutes: definition of the second layup in the Caamañense stadium. And then? Not much happened. Let's agree that the team is focused on making time, so they didn't look to have as many chances.

It should be noted that Aphrilia was also imprecise when defining the goal. Of the many chances they had, only 2 were dangerous. At 63 minutes, first, Aphrilia's captain, star, whatever, striker Nathaniel Rosberg (who had also scored a goal when his team lost at home to Tero al Disco 2-1) had one that impacted the crossbar and bounced, only to be caught by Castillo. And about 15 minutes later, another one-on-one, this time from the one who would replace Inés Forrestal, Kevin Lacey, who was saved by Castillo and who could not get to the rebound to possibly tie it.

In the 10 minutes, nothing was played. Tero al Disco managed to stop the speed of the match, and Aphrilia could not attack anymore. And yes, Lucero, Kuchler and Moritz were reprimanded, all three for wasting time on purpose, and an attempt was made to compensate for the lost minutes with 8 more minutes added. Although there was still nothing being able to do because of how many times the game was interrupted and because the Terense players continued not to cooperate, and at some point with almost 55 minutes of the second half, the referee decided that it was no longer going, and an entire country celebrated. because that meant I was getting closer to qualifying. In his first qualifying campaign.

And no, I am not Nicolás Moritz. Shut up, I'm someone else.

TERO AL DISCO 1-0 APHRILIA
Lineup (4-3-1-2): A. Castillo | I. Kunz, M. Kuchler (C), C. Riese, L. Clotieri | M. Napoliello, E. Hirsch, S. Moritz, A. Cornelli | A. Biaggi, J.J. Leonardi
Goals: Alexander Cornelli 31'
Subs: I. Kunz and J.J. Leonardi -> G. Durand and S. Cervantes 63', A. Cornelli and L. Clotieri -> H. Lucero and M. Manet 73'
Cards: Miguel Napoliello 23', Hernando Lucero 84', Andrés Castillo 90+2', Martín Kuchler 90+4', Sancho Moritz 90+7'
Venue: Estadio Mundialista, Caamaño

obligatory we're so back

April 5th, 2024

MARTÍN KUCHLER: "WE'VE GOT TO HAVE LOTS OF LUCK ON OUR SIDE FOR THE NEXT WINDOW, OBVIOUSLY"

Tero al Disco captain and centre-back Martín Kuchler, in an interview with Terense media a day the 1-0 victory over Aphrilia, said that the team need to work very hard and be very lucky for the final two matches of their World Cup qualifiers campaign, which will be played against top-35 Audioslavia away from home, and then against top-20 Cabo Azure in the Estadio de la República.

The Terense national team is looking forward to the round 13 and 14 fixtures with Audioslavia and Cabo Azure, respectively, for which the team have an obligation of winning both, and for which Cabo Azure need to draw or lose against Sannyamathland in round 13, to qualify for a playoff spot. As this is happening, NT captain Martín Kuchler has spoken out to national media outside of the ATF's main training ground in the suburban town of Noya.

Kuchler declared that "we've got to work really hard, I mean, we've got to pour more sweat and blood than when we played against Aphrilia. These matches in special have got the condiment that they're the two most crucial matches in the history of our football, we're carrying the hopes of an entire country out here, against world-class opposition."

Then he remarked: "but I don't think we can drain ourselves enough, there's...the- we can't just win the fixtures on effort alone, we've got to have lots of luck on our side for this next window, obviously. This is at a level where we're going to the church and praying to the Virgin that we win and the other results be given to us. It's that level of luck. The other teams will give their all just to beat us, since they're also looking to qualify. That is also an added difficulty."

Reporting by Federico Márquez. Editing by Josefina Capurro.

JUAN TORRICO PREDICTS TERO'S TWO LAST WCQ MATCHES

Redacted by Juan Torrico.

April 6th, 2024

After defeating Aphrilia 1-0 in round 11 and having a bye in round 12, Tero al Disco finds itself in third place in group 19 of the World Cup qualifiers. Their next opponents? The top two seeds in their group: first of all, #34 Audioslavia, and then #20 Cabo Azure.

Let's start off with Audioslavia. After losing 1-0 to them in Capital, by round 6, now the Tricolor are going to visit the Audioslavian capital of Cathair. Specifically, the Beltzarga stadium, which will hold the sixth out of six home games in Audioslavia. Now, that stadium is a bit renowned for featuring a short and narrow pitch. Audioslavia themselves have a "spiritual" (football, not relegion) tactic of focusing very heavily on counter-attacking. We've already seen how deadly they are when you allow them to go on the counter, as they've had countless chances because of that. The short pitch that the stadium has facilitates that style of play (also named kontrapuntzeka). So if you thought you saw everything they had to offer in the standard-sized pitch of the Estadio de la República, then you've got to hope that Audioslavia don't destroy the Teros there.

And it shows. At home, the team has had a record of four wins, and one loss in five matches at home. However, that doesn't say they're flawless at home and flawed away (like Cabo Azure); the Bulls have a record of 5-0-1 on the road, with a 6 point lead over the 2nd place Macaricas, although with one more game than them. They don't have a weak defense either (like Cabo Azure) since another part of that "spiritual tactic" which was incorporated a bit later, was that of post-football: a very defensive style of play which involves time-wasting whenever you can, crowding the referee, and just un-footbally things. Just like our team, but multiplicated by...2, to put a number. Winfridh's Audioslavia has scored 20 goals as well, compared to Tero al Disco's 9. So yes, it will be a very challenging opponent. Maybe Kuchler was right when he said that the team went to pray.

Audioslavia's two losses, however, have been caused by the same opponent: Cabo Azure. As I said before, the Macaricas really like to focus on attacking football; they've scored 26 goals in the 10 matches played so far. That's in addition to having a goal difference of +10, in comparison to Tero's +3. So well, if we still play in our defensive style, then Cabo Azure have got to lose their last two matches, and not draw, then lose to us. Also as said before, Cabo Azure hasn't had it that well away from home: they had a perfect performance of 5 wins in 5 games, and whilst travelling they've only had a record of 1-3-1, including draws against much, much inferior opponents such as Saltidia (Remember that country that we criticised Felix for drawing against? Well, they've won a point against a top-20 team.) and Sannyamathland. So maybe this can be the perfect time to strike at them, whilst being away from home. The only other thing that we need is to figure out how to beat Audioslavia.

May the best win...or so that's how the saying goes.

Or, better said, VAMO' TERO LA PUTA QUE LO PARIÓ!!!

Projected squad (the players numbered 1-11 would be the preferred starting 11)

NOTES:
Isidro Savich plays as a central/right midfielder, not a defender.

by **Chromatika** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:37 pm

World Cup 96 Qualifying Fortnight 6 Result

Matchday 11: Chromatika 1-0 Aleirave
Goals: Howard-Dawes 59'
Starting XI: Sourtois; Paterson - Jackson-Jones - Nodis; Kruetzberg - Ju - Hauser - Iara; Kuznetsov (C); Howard-Dawes - Fucheux.
Substitutes: Fillar, G. -> Kruetzberg (51'), Fillar, E. -> Iara (51'), Xuen-Zhukov -> Fucheux (78'), Régine -> Jackson-Jones (78'), Coulibaly -> Paterson (83')
Summary: Elaine Howard-Dawes scored off of a Haley Hauser cross in the fifty-ninth to break the stalemate, Hailee Sourtois completed a masterclass performance with five shots blocked, and the Anomalies obtained a key victory to remain atop the group. It was a cat and mouse affair that Chromatika was finally able to break wide open thanks to a wonderful cross from Hauser, who showed that experience does really lead to brilliance. As for Howard-Dawes, it's the latest in a series of goals scored that should put her into the starting lineup come the World Cup Proper...
World Cup 96 Qualifying Fortnight 7 Pool (@ West Barack and East Obama, vs. Abanhfleft)

Starters: GK Juxon Fillar (Montreal Koreana, Quebec and Shingoryeo); DCR Ami Coulibaly (Chromatik, Chromatika) - DC Klavida Régine (Serrapince, Tumbra) - DCL Ipati Aimée (Lakewood United, Tumbra); WBR Grayson Fillar (1896 Ebor, Mytanija) - BWM Kaia Larriet-Cortes (La Nueva Avenida, Farfadillis) - AP Baillaire Fillar (Sivolvia Capitalizt, Squornshelan Remnant States) - WBL Edith Fillar (Myana, Chromatika); AM Vasiliy Marten Kuznetsov (Herzegovina City FC, Banija); AF Lavrentiy Xuen-Zhukov (Myana, Chromatika) - CF Candice Delaya (Holdenberg, Eura)
Reserves: GK Hailee Sourtois (Directus, Eura), GK Do Seung-Min (1923 Esca, Mytanija), DCR Paisley Paterson (Shamrock Cathair, Audioslavia), DC Eileen Jackson-Jones (Avanoroch White Wings FC, Tikariot), DCL Cylie Nodis (Chromatik, Chromatika), DC Rowan Harry (Chamberley City, Sylestone), WBR Emilie Kruetzberg (Lakewood United, Tumbra), WBL Manda Iara (Alnio, Chromatika), WBL Nemes Mátyás (Auprussia NF, Auprussia), CDM Amélie Ju (RGS Athletic, Eastfield Lodge), AP Haley Hauser (Spartangrad, Eura), DLP Alija Mesic-Mizayaki (St. John's Arsenal, Quebec and Shingoryeo), AF Elaine Howard-Dawes (Couno Rangers, Rumbra), AF Marietta "Marie" Fucheux (Perce Town, Quebec and Shingoryeo), P Sandara Park (Montreal Koreana, Quebec and Shingoryeo)
Preview: West Barack and East Obama have played one more game than Chromatika. What does this mean? Even if they lose to the second seeds, they can win the group if they beat Abanhfleft. It's been a fantastic cycle for the Anomalies; it's time to put a bow on it and wrap it up.

Part 1 - Overview
Part 2 - Agriculture/Apiculture
Part 3 - Housing Infrastructure
Part 4 - Ecology
Part 5 - Fishing/Aquaculture

THE REBUILD
VI: Manufacturing - Not Just Shipbuilding

When talking about manufacturing on Myana Island, it's natural to focus on the shipbuilding capital of Chromatika, Myana. That is where the shipyards are that are focusing on building the Chromatik naval fleet as well as luxury/fishing vessels, alongside any other maritime items that the Chromatik government/populace need. A lot goes into coordinating the materials needed for this endeavor, and a lot of that happened through the eastern half of Myana Island. So, how was the shipbuilding industry affected by the occupation, and what other kinds of manufacturing goes on in Myana Island?

Inon, an often forgotten town in the southeast of Myana Island, is where a lot of the steel is worked to the pieces needed to build ships in Myana. Without the presence of the town, the shipbuilders have experienced a 60% delay in getting their materials from elsewhere in the country as the country has had to adapt by getting infrastructure built in other areas or relying on imports. Now, there are plans of returning the industry back to Inon once it gets built; when that is done, it will help Myana once again. Until then, the country will lean on learning from past mistakes - making sure that things are a bit more decentralized so that if such a catastrophe hits a main hub again, the impact won't be as dramatic.

As for the shipbuilding itself, Myana has actually seen an uptick in employment since the crisis, especially since a lot of the refugees ended up coming to the city, and some of the tasks associated with shipbuilding is actually quite easy to teach, even to someone without much expertise. The biggest hurdle became the lack of specialty materials - like the metal from Inon, the bio-friendly components of Eyrods, and semiconductors from Limonte, a small-ish town home to Khatarack Components, Chromatika's biggest semiconductor company (besides being one of the only domestic ones out there). The loss of so much specialty infrastructure will be hard to overcome for the industry going forward, though money won't be an issue, as grants from nonprofits, billionaires, and even the Chromatik government have been rolling in faster than anyone expected. It turns out that Chromatika is a richer country than expected, even if the people just don't know where to spend their money or in what fashion - or, it may simply be that they don't trust whatever they will spend their money into.

"We're still going to be the shipbuilding capital of the country, the biggest hurdle is finding replacements for what we've lost in terms of domestic production while also recognizing that we need to build that up going forward," stated one anonymous source that has been involved in shipbuilding for two decades, "As long as we walk that tightrope, we should get to a healthy point where we can both make sure that Chromatika has a say in the field going forward while helping us meet the quota that we were meeting consistently in the past."

One of the biggest surprises of the casual observer, though, is that manufacturing in Myana island isn't just shipbuilding. Textiles, electrical components, pipes, glass... if you name it, there probably was somewhere that was dealing in it in the eastern half of Myana Island. Any land that wasn't used to accommodate people or grow crops in the greenhouses were being utilized in the manufacturing sector in one way or another, and the sum of the parts was that with the loss of this section of the country, there wasn't a single industry in Chromatika that wasn't hit.

A unique field that was hit rather hard was buttons. It turned out that over half of the domestic buttons produced came from a company named Rick's that was located between Inon and Eyrods in a town called Barburry. Rick's, a mega factory that produced hundreds of thousands of plastic buttons a day, had to close its operations due to the invasion; it took a full month for the clothing industry to compensate and find sufficient alternatives for the work that Rick's was providing. The loss of Rick's also affected international commerce, as a lot of Anaian clothing manufacturers had also used their services.

Though not to the same extent as Rick's was to the field of buttons, there were other such instances of industries lacking the supplies/products being manufactured from the eastern half of Myana Island. Thankfully, now that the ground is being consecrated and returned and the populace is returning, there will come a time when they can again start building the factories needed to return these different items back on the map.

It may not have been an area affected as much as others, but manufacturing is still a key part of the landscape that is Chromatik life - as is needed.

-Professor José Marinas-

Disclaimer: All words of Professor Marinas are his opinions, backed by certain facts. They are not to be viewed as anything otherwise.

by **Yue Zhou** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:44 pm

THE JIANGDONG MORNING POST
FAN ANNOUNCES NEW AGENCY, CALLS FOR PAVOLAN COORDINATION FOLLOWING GRÆNTFJALL BLACKOUTS
SHANG Xiaoming, PAVOLA

NANGANG -- Foreign Minister Fan Pengfei has announced the creation of a new sub-agency of the Foreign Ministry in response to the recent "critical situation" in the White Winter Queendom of Græntfjall. The close Yue ally had reported rolling blackouts and concerns over a vulnerable power grid before communications abruptly ceased. The United Republics are coordinating with the foreign ministries of Tumbra and Kirungabi, who have recently made similar announcements and offered support in response to the rapidly worsening situation.

"The nation of Græntfjall has provided invaluable support to the United Republics in the past," Fan announced, "and in their time of need, we hope that we may repay their kindness and support them in this time of crisis. We are also cognizant of the large Yue diaspora in Græntfjall, and are doing our best to ensure that all Yue nationals in the White Winter Queendom are brought home safe and sound." Fan announced that Sun Yong, a former Deputy Foreign Minister in the National Union party, who has most recently served as Governor of Haiguaidian, would be appointed as the temporary head of the sub-agency, which will be tasked with assisting Yue nationals abroad safely return to Yuezhou, as well as coordinating humanitarian and governmental assistance to Græntfjall.

Sun called for the nations of Pavola to unite in providing assistance to Græntfjall, offering interested nations in the subregion the opportunity to directly coordinate with his office. "Time and time again, the nations of Pavola have come together when there are crises in the subregion, whether in Yuezhou, Nyowani Kitara, or Guanacasteca. Now that the government and the people of Græntfjall need assistance, it is time for Pavolans to again do what we do best, and unite to help one of our own." He suggested that returning the several thousand Yue nationals abroad, which includes famous Yueren such as former national team captain Zhang Zhenya, would be a key priority for his office. "To the Yueren with family and friends abroad, I promise you that our office will do everything in our power to bring your loved ones home."

Fan also criticized the growing conspiracy theory within Yuezhou that the blackouts were related to the recent proliferation of Jolt Motor charging stations within Græntfjall. "In this crisis that has affected so many inside and outside of Græntfjall, it is disgusting that certain outlets would baselessly accuse a Yue company of causing such harm. It's time that Yuezhou comes together to help our ally, rather than using the opportunity to peddle misinformation and lies." Jolt Motors CEO Ma Ailun did not comment on the accusations, but did announce a substantial donation to a Græntfjaller emergency fund.

This story came from our live coverage of the crisis in Græntfjall. See more real-time updates on this breaking news as they come out.

by **Kimi-Suomi** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:46 pm

Four points from the Top 2. Four.
How in the ever-loving fuck did we pull that one off?

We escaped Le Stade National with a 0-0 draw thanks to the brilliant GK plays of one Anna-Leena Outinen. Like damn, she was clutch!
As for the finale in Lumikukkulat, the sole goal came from Captain Mika Noronen...which seems fitting.

We're out, but we're still fighting. Let's end this on a high.
NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

SCHEDULE (Group 20)
MD1: vs Mytanija (23) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki D 0-0 (T-2nd)
MD2: @Lakikieli [Legalese] (258) - National Stadium, Central Junction D 2-2 (T-4th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD3: BYE (T-5th)
MD4: vs Recuecn (108) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki W 1-0 (T-2nd)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD5: @Brannfjord (79) - Blekebakken Stadion, Grimnes L 0-2 (4th)
MD6: vs Cassadaigua (43) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat L 1-3 (4th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD7: @Erishinmaat [The Erishlands] (291) L 0-1 (7th)
MD8: @Mytanija (23) D 0-0 (7th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD9: vs Lakikieli [Legalese] (258) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki L 1-2 (7th)
MD10: BYE (7th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD11: @Recuecn (108) - Le Stade National, Reçueçn (city) D 0-0 (6th)
MD12: vs Brannfjord (79) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat W 1-0 (6th)
---------------------------------------------------------------
MD13: @Cassadaigua (43) - Peak 'n' Break Stadium, Grande Mountain
MD14: vs Erishinmaat [The Erishlands] (291) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat

by **Aleirave** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:50 pm

End of the Line
Chromatika 1-0 Aleirave
Aleirave 0-1 West Barack and East Obama

And with one last blow of the whistle, the Seagulls' sixth shot at qualifying was officially dead in the water. 4-1-5 after 10 games, they had been put out of the running in one of the most disheartening ways possible: two consecutive 0-1 losses to their two toughest opponents. So agonizingly close but yet they had so far yet to go. Now, all they had to do was play out their last two games, away in Abanhfleft and at home against Equestria, and prepare for Cup of Harmony 88, provided such an invite would be extended.

While other teams in their position would be licking their wounds after another painful cycle, one that once again started with hope and ended like a bad B-movie, Haulafo Paka'ula saw that there was still potential. After all, those were 0-1 losses to some of the best teams in the world. They weren't losing 0-5 or anything, and that right there was a sign that maybe, just maybe, lucky number 7 would bring them qualification.

Preparations were already being made for the CAFA Cup, and there would be no looking back on the past. Every year, after all, brings a new future, and this future would begin right now. With World Cup 96 out of the question, Abanhfleft and Equestria would be treated like friendlies at the start of the World Cup 97 cycle. Were they really? No, but who cared? They were finishing fourth anyway no matter what happened in any of the remaining games. For all intents and purposes, they could put the last 10 games behind them and start the next campaign today. The training would start right now, and their sights firmly set on World Cup 97.

If there's one thing you need to know about this team, it's that nothing will ever set them back for long. They may've been the only team to ever make two CAFA Cup semifinals without winning a single medal game, but they still got there and had all the determination to get back. They may've had some promising starts to WCQ campaigns that ended nowhere, but they had those starts, and it was only a matter of time before they'd be able to finish one off strong.

You can never, ever hold a Seagull back.

by **Squornshelan Remnant States** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 3:26 pm

Undertow
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Jarek

Governor Todor Soltys swept out of the elevator and through the lobby of the Lublova Narcotics Division’s office like a gust channeled down a city street, all the stronger for the confined space. He cut somehow through the crowd of press that had arrived ahead of him, trailing bodyguards and a harried-looking aide in his wake. The governor had hold of Colonel Radski’s hand in a vigorous shake almost before Jarek realized, and he tugged self consciously at the cuffs of his suit jacket. He’d meant to have them let out just a little, but hadn’t made the time, and by the time the Governor’s visit was announced - yesterday - it was much too late to worry about it. Not that it had stopped Jarek from worrying.

He worked his mouth and grasped for something to say as Soltys worked his way down the assembled line of ND detectives. He gave the impression of knowing all of them. A joke and a smile here, genial hand rested on a shoulder there. He asked about Fermin’s mother by name, and then it was Jarek’s turn to have his hand firmly shaken, disappearing within both of the Governor’s.

“A new face! You must be the division’s new best and brightest, come to put a stop to all this madness, eh?” Soltys broad, ruddy face opened in a broad smile, and both his eyes and spotless white teeth sparkled. Though his hair was uniform gray, it was still thick enough to make many a younger man envious, and not one strand was out of place. His suit was perfectly tailored black, with dark red tie and pocket square. Jarek realized he hadn’t responded.

“Er, yes. I mean, I’ve just arrived a few months ago. Jarogniew Brixen, Mr. Governor.”

“No need to be so modest, son. We’re glad to have you here. In times like these we need all the police we can get, isn’t that right Colonel Radski?”

“You won’t get any argument from me there, sir.”

“Hear that boys,” Soltys waved to his bodyguards, “Don’t let her get me alone or I won’t have anything left to pay you two!”

The literal gladhanding concluded, the photographs began amidst a sort of impromptu press conference, with a clamor of questions fielded ably by Soltys without seeming to ever really answer them. Colonel Radski had a few tossed her way as well, which she always seemed to tie back to the issue of the division’s budget. It seemed a little macabre to Jarek, using a massacre to try to drum up more money for their office, but he had to admit that they needed it, and the press were as likely to listen now as they ever would be. But they were always limited in what they could do. Money spent developing an informant couldn’t be paid out to set up a sting operation or plant an undercover agent. Still it was an uncomfortable way to go about it, but every time Jarek thought he could back away from the crowd some photographer maneuvered him back into the mix.

It seemed like an hour or more, but when Jarek checked the time after the governor finally departed, promising everything the ND could ask for, constellation of courtiers trailing behind him as he left, barely twenty minutes had passed.

“Is it always like that?” Jarek turned to Fermin. Visits from politicians had been rare in his time in Viltvodle. Jarek had never even met the mayor.

“Mostly,” Fermin shrugged, “more press this time because of what’s happened, and Soltys was in pretty rare form today, but that’s more down to him wanting to be president than any real concern on his part.”

“President?”

“Oh, he hasn’t announced it, but people are already talking. Wide open field with Dosun at her term limit, so Soltys is going to throw his hat in the ring, get his fifteen minutes of nationwide fame, even though he’ll have no real chance.”

“You don’t think so?”

“The Molvanian National Party just isn’t cut out to win the presidency. Too regional, too focused, and even the name puts the rest of the country on edge. Sounds like they want a referendum on independence. A few of them even might.”

“Ah, well, at least things seemed to go pretty well today? Soltys and Radski seemed to get on well.”

“They always do, that’s the thing. See, people like Todor Soltys don’t really mean about 90% of what they say. They just say whatever gets people to do what they want. He came here to be seen ‘doing something’ about the shootout, that’s all. Radski knows that, and she keeps on about funding because it’s the only thing she can do. Maybe somewhere along the way someone remembers us and puts a line in the budget. Just the way it’s always been.” Fermin pulled his coat on and draped his scarf lazily over his shoulders. “Don’t let it get you down though, we keep on and we find a way to get the job done, always have.”

Qualifying Schedule and Results:

MD01: JFV 4-1 SRS @ Stadion Ljubco Savevski (cap.  24,000), Samuilovo, JFV
MD02: SRS 7-2 USD @ Flanoil Arena (cap. 50,350), Traal, West Flania, SRS
MD03: ZWZ 5-2 SRS @ Wayr Stadium, Rackham Range, ZWZ
MD04: BYE
MD05: SRS 4-2 CEM @ Black Raven Field (cap. 35,400), Yassaca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD06: SEM 2-2 SRS @ Natunolstadion (cap. 86,000), Jansberg, SEM
MD07: SRS 1-0 BRS @ The Lutenstaad (cap. 75,000), Lutenblag, Molvania, SRS
MD08: SRS 3-2 JFV @ Admiral Cherenkov Stadium (cap. 71,200), Santraginus, Isle of Squornshelous, SRS
MD09: USD 1-4 SRS @ TBA
MD10: SRS 3-2 ZWZ @ Megabrantid Financial Field (cap. 69,245), Brantisvogan, Megabrantis, SRS
MD11: BYE
MD12: CEM 0-1 SRS @ TBA
MD13: SRS  v  SEM @ Bridger Lane (cap. 72,406), Damogran, Algolia, SRS
MD14: BRS  v  SRS @ Wimbley Stadium (cap. Various), Council Groves, BRS

by **Tanirinthia** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:01 pm

OF FATES AND FORTUNES
Chapter Seven - There's more than one of everything

It had been several months since she had accidentally smuggled herself into this world, one thing she had learned fast is where she had landed was not ruled by a friendly power, authoritarian she thought the word was and the police or military (she couldn't tell the difference) where suspicious of anything outside the norm and not from Valhalla, the name she gathered was of this nation. Nation that was a both a new concept and an old one to her, the idea of there being more than a single nation in a world was from dusty textbooks, yet here on this world of Rushmore there were nations upon nations, if you would believe the pamphlets and government media here all vying to take Valhalla from the citizens of these cold desolate islands.

There was however a haunting beauty she had come to see in these islands during her time here, and also the people of the islands. Not all were drinking from the poisoned well the government was offering to them, she had been lucky more than a few times to have been taken in by those who still knew kindness and decency. Those who took her in was were she had learn most of what she knew of this place, her most fruitful conversation had been with a man Aslak who was somewhat of a polygot speaking many of the languages of this world and fascinatingly although a completely different world, and as she later learnt completely difference universe, there were startlingly similarities, enough for each of them to understand each other, and not just have to be various frustrated gestures and the few words she had picked up on this world.

Aslak was the one of whom she learnt the answer to the mystery of the charity teams, there was a football tournament played across the multiverse rather confusingly called the World Cup where nations competed, and my home world had been competing these last twelve years completely in secret to the general public. Somehow the multiverse was connecting somehow through sport but there our languages diverged, most likely because it became technical in ways our language hadn't had the need to create such words she thought.

Aslak was also the one who had gotten her what she needed to travel to Franz Josef City, the documentation and money she would need to get her way there, how he had gotten the forged documentation and what a risk that was for him she could only imagine. When she tried to press him on it, he would always change the subject, but she saw a sadness and resolve in his eyes, and she thought that perhaps he was unable to or perhaps simply did not help someone before and lived in bitter regret. She allowed the subject to change and never brought it up again.

When the time came to part it was bittersweet, she was eager to return home and yet was endlessly fascinated being in an entirely different world and and endlessly enrapturing conversations with Aslak about this and many other worlds. But she had to return, heavens knows what her parents were going through. But she better not count her chickens before they had hatched, she would still need to get to the stadium without an busybody officers looking too closely and asking anything her broken Valhallan wouldn't cover, and once inside she would somehow need to get into the Tanirinthian transportation, and even then if all of that went ok, when back on her home world get out of whatever facility she ended up in without detection.

She was going to need all seven hells of luck to do that.

by **Bears Armed** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:07 pm

In a pub, somewhere in Bears Armed_

"Ulloh, Jamms. How's it going around you?"

"Ulloh, Jharge.
"Shouldn't complain, I suppose."

"Meaning that you want to complain about something, hrright?"

"Well... It's the Belles. Not that I expected them actually to qualify for the World Cup, not yet, not this time, but I thought that at least they'd end up no lower in their group than they were seeded at to start with and now even that smells hrrather unlikely."

"Still two matches to go, and if they can manage a couple of wins then that would do it."

"Ayyuh, two matches... against the group's top two seeds, hwho are now vying against each other for a place just in the play-offs and so prrobably both will be putting in even more effort than usual to win games.
"And..."

"And?"

"Back at the start of qualifiers I lodged a bet with the boardies⁽¹⁾ -- not for too much at all, mind you, just a dozen thalers at even odds -- that ourr girls would end up at least in fourth place. And it isn't only the money involved, neither, I just don't like -- hrreally don't like -- being proven wrong bout this."

"Hokay, hokay.
So, hwhat sort of hrresults are you expecting for these two matches, then?"

"Zwanzug, as the first seeds and bearing in mind that in the first leg the Belles could only hold them to a draw even though that was at home at Wimbley whilst next Owlsday's match is away at their place? Another draw would be nice, but hrrealistically I expect defeat for the Belles, by somehwhere between one and three goals.
"Squornshelan Remnant States, the second seeds, though? If they could only manage a one-goal margin of victory when they were at home for the first leg then, bearing in mind both teams' overall behaviour so far since then as well, I honestly think -- for true! -- that hwhen they come to Wimbley to close out qualifiers then the Belles should at least be able to hold them to a draw and maybeso even scrape a narrow victory over them.

"Hr'rmm.
"Care to put any money on that forecast?"

______________________________________________________________

OOC Footnotes

1. "boardies" = equivalent to the RL term "bookies", in this case as a shortening of "board-carvers" because of how they traditionally recorded wagers.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:23 pm

SOUR CHERRIES
Chapter Removed
This chapter moved as part of a general tidy up and consolidation of some poorly paced RPs. Please instead find links to the rest of the series below:
i.Alexsandr - ii.Jasmine - iii.Stina - iiii.Federico - v.Jos - vi.Silas - vii.Marta - viii.Filip – ix.Sebastian - x.Ingeborg - xi.Aino - xii.The Twelfth
** ** ** ** **

by **Drawkland** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:54 pm

NEW FRANCHISE ALERT!!!

With the contraction and re-expansion of DLK, five slots were open for cities to make their cases for obtaining a soccer franchise. See this previous post for more information.

The first city to get their golden ticket was Ducentu, located just off the northern border of Ellzidanet. As discussed previously, Ellzidan's territory is objectively considered the soccer hotbed in mainland Drawkland. Even compared to northern territories, with their larger markets and big sports culture, the relatively rural and smaller-market cities in the southeast were undeniably the biggest group of soccer fans in the nation. There were already six DLK franchises in that territory, and though Ducentu technically didn't count, it's certainly more part of the Ellzidanian culture than that of Malicollet, the territory it actually occupies.

Therefore, it came as no surprise that another city in Ellzidanet would get an opportunity to gain a DLK franchise. Most fans across the nation expected it, and the DLK administration figured it would better to rip the bandage off sooner and just get that franchise figured out sooner rather than later.

There were three cities in the southeastern peninsula that submitted bids for a new DLK franchise. One of them was Baribone, a mountain town near the western reaches of the territory. Another was Starkomac, a town at a mouth of a river on the southern coast. Then there was North Point, a city (predictably) on the northernmost point of the territory, that guarded the mouth of the Noremal Sea. Finally, the city of Ponver in the southwest corner of the land also submitted a bid.

Baribone was the first removed from the list. It was too close culturally and geographically to Bolabore, which already had a franchise in the Smiths (previously the Anvils). There also didn't seem to be a good spot around town for a new stadium, and the local gridiron franchise refused to share even temporarily.

Ponver was an interesting case. It was one of the top fifty largest cities in Drawkland, providing a rather convenient port in the crux of a southern bay, and at the mouth of a river that led inland to Yokare Lake. However, Ponver has no major sports teams, and doesn't have much of a vibrant city culture. They put together a bid, as a couple enthusiastic entrepreneurs believed they could bring a franchise to the coastal town. Initial surveys in the area seemed to imply that there still wasn't much fan interest in a team. Eventually the bid was rejected.

Starkomac is geographically similar to Ponver, being in a bay on the other side of a wide, hammerhead-shaped peninsula forming part of Ellzidanet's southern coast. While this city also isn't a major metropolis in Drawkland, they do have a professional franchise: the Shrooms of the PBL. The city has been trying to expand their sports culture for years, but unfortunately no groups were willing to throw in an investment for startup capital. Without a major benefactor to help bankroll the operation, the city of Starkomac was dead in the water.

This left North Point, which didn't have an amazing bid for a new franchise, but they had a willing ownership group, existing sports franchises with good roots, and a nice coastal location in need of redevelopment. It would be the seventh franchise in the borders of Ellzidanet, and the fourth (including the new Ducentu Drakes) on the coast of the Noremal Sea. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.

introducing ...

The North Point Keepers!

City: North Point, Ellzidanet
Stadium: Haven Care Stadium (91,100)

Note: Original badge was generated via AI. Several touch-ups were done manually to complete the design.

North Point is known for its rocky, jagged coastline, highlighted by a small peninsula that juts into the sea and narrows the strait that serves as the transition between the Noremal Sea and the Oreme Ocean. As such, more than a dozen lighthouses dot the coastline in the greater North Point area, becoming some of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The idea for the franchise name was almost too good: the Keepers. A pun, a reference to the brave and lonely lighthouse keepers that maintain and operate the towers necessary to defending the mariners and coastlines alike, while also referencing the brave and often-lonely players tasked with defending the team's net over the course of a game.

As mentioned earlier, the stadium site was already in mind when the franchise bid was being put together. A large parcel of land was left available by a former shipping company that was absorbed and moved out of town. It was formerly a dock and shipyard, leaving a big footprint right next to downtown of land that desperately needed redevelopment. The new Keepers ownership felt they were up to the task, and the stadium was set to be built as soon as the franchise was greenlighted.

The Keepers played for a season in the home stadium of the Oaks, the gridiron franchise located out in the suburbs. Their new home was constructed rather quickly though, dubbed with the name "Haven Care Stadium." Haven Care is the name of an insurance company that was founded in a city on the Noremal Sea. A majority of their clients are from cities on or near the sea, North Point being one of them. It also doubled as a reference of North Point being a haven along the otherwise dangerous southeastern coast of Drawkland.

The stadium itself is well-sized for a DLK franchise, especially one in a "smaller" market like North Point. The focal point is the replica lighthouse on the end of the stadium facing the sea, which is fully operational and lights up specifically on gameday (the docks on the coast provide plenty of light, the lighthouse itself is just for aesthetic purposes). A relatively standard bowl-and-upper-deck structure makes "The Haven" a little bland outside the lighthouse feature, but the new fanbase seems to be making it a homely confine already.

Not much can be said about the Keepers franchise so far, though they've been true to their name in ensuring their defense is one of the toughest in DLK following their establishment. Whether that defense will actually lead them to a championship anytime soon is another matter. Even so, North Point is proud to have their third major sports franchise. Congratulations!

World Cup 96 - Roleplay Thread

Rambles WC VI

How?!

WC96 MD9-12

DLK: North Point Keepers

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