World Cup 96 - Roleplay Thread

by **Eshialand** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 10:19 am

Play it Out
Sargossa 3-5 Eshialand
Eshialand 0-2 United Mandaran States

A huge 5-3 away win against Sargossa put the Owls into an interesting spot in their group entering the final matchday, which looked like this:

.  Group 17                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eshialand                                11    7   3   1    27   15  +12    24
2 United Mandaran States                   11    7   2   2    34   17  +17    23
3 Captina Island                           11    7   1   3    18   14   +4    22

These three teams were the only ones left that mattered, and their final matchups would be Captina Island playing host to fifth-place Sargossa, and Eshialand inviting the United Mandaran States over to Eshialand City for a six-pointer to determine the group winner. Avid Owls followers drew comparisons between this cycle and their previous one, which would also be decided by a six-pointer on matchday 14:

  Group 2                                    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eshialand                                   13    9   1   3    42   27  +15    28
2 Cardenao                                    13    8   2   3    28   22   +6    26
3 Commonwealth of Baker Park                  13    5   6   2    36   27   +9    21

In this group, the final matchday had been another six-pointer at the SuperDome, between Eshialand and Cardenao, however Cycle 96 had something 95 had not: a third-place team in striking distance ready to ruin everything, should they beat Sargossa and the Owls lose their matchup. (Some people also drew comparisons between Baker Park and Captina Island in third, but they were likely staring at the sun for too long and seeing into a parallel multiverse that did not in fact have any rooting in reality.)

The Eshialand of Cycle 95 had managed to best Cardenao and qualify directly to their first World Cup finals, but the United Mandaran States would be a tougher opponent than Cardenao had been; even with some of the changes Kenny Morgan and Mel Carey had made, they would prove to be a large obstacle to the team's progression...

And alas, despite their best efforts, it just wasn't enough. Eshialand needed a draw, but instead they were met with a defeat, 0-2. Try as she might, Liz Michaels couldn't keep things solid enough in goal... but hope was still there. The team watched with baited breath as, to their relief, Sargossa slipped one past Captina Island and held a clean sheet win, 1-0.

For the first time, the Owls would be seeing the World Cup playoffs.

These playoffs would be decided in a single game, to be played in Mertagne: Baggieland vs. Eshialand, winner take all. This would be another tough test, but one that the team would be preparing for as soon as possible, and hopefully the neutral site would relieve some of the stress of having to please all of your home-crowd fans who just can't take defeat that well.

Kenny Morgan only had this to say about the upcoming playoff: "You'd better bet we'll be ready for this one. We wanna get back to the World Cup, and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure we find our way back, no matter what."

"Well Tony..."
"What is it William?"

The king and the entrepreneur were having their first conversation since the Investigator published their high-profile retraction of their hit-piece about Will's comments about Union Stadium.

"How do you think Union Stadium did in its first year?" Will asked Tony.
"Honestly? I'm not really that impressed..."
"How so?"

"This was supposed to be one of the greatest builds the nation had ever seen, a completely novel concept that would knock everyone's socks off! Instead, we got a lot of Eshians complaining about nausea and a bunch of Aleiravans complaining about their way of life being up-ended by it..."

"So in essence, just a bunch of things weren't really that well thought-through?"
"I suppose..."

"Well Tony, it happens to me all the time. You don't wanna know how many times I've made some kind of decision about the country and had everything completely backfire in my face. Just look at rifting! Not 6 months after our first rift we walked right into the Crisis of 2028!"

"But this one just feels so different... you'd think that with all this investment that things would go more smoothly..."
"Money doesn't solve anything Tony. At the end of the day, we all have those things that we just can't predict or control. The good news is, these things can be sorted out."
"How do you think we can--"

"Let's look at the Aleirave problem. This is actually a surprisingly simple one to solve! Hotels outside town can get the throngs of tourists out of people's homes, and getting more businesses over there can help deal with the overcrowding in the existing ones! Heck, it's even more business which is always a plus."

"And how do we deal with seasickness?"
"More work on Project Upsilon will help keep the ship floating more steadily, plus more barf bags can never hurt."
"Huh..."
"I feel like, a lot of the time, you rush into things like these not thinking about the consequences, and then never think about how to fix things once it turns out they're broken. You just move on to the next project and try to act like nothing was ever wrong in the first place. A little bit of thinking about things once they happen can turn a good thing with a few flaws into an absolutely great thing! That's what you need to focus on."

"Actually..." William continued, "that's what all of us could focus on a little more..."

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 11:55 am

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

Welcome back to this Random Ramble.

MD13: BYE (Gnejs 1–1 Delte)
MD14: United Hawkland 4-4 TJUN-ia (Sudilia 2–2 Gnejs)

The bye left us with a chance. All we would need was a win and Sudilia to do us a big favour. But the main focus was on what we could control...and that just summed up our whole campaign: frustrating. A 4-4 was entertaining as all hell for the Neutrals, of course, with both teams seemingly giving it all for different reasons, but nothing could be done to stop our apparent destiny: being mid. 6 wins in a 12-game group wasn't enough in this group. I guess that is fair.

We were desperate to go back to the World Cup, even if it meant the Playoffs. Now we can't even make the Playoffs at all. What a fall for a nation like ours. We've lost our touch...we're simply THERE and not HERE.

Is this the end of this era? No one knows for certain. That will be down to the FA to decide.
For now, we bow out once more.

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 (3rd)
MD14: @United Hawkland (142) - Østad Colliseum, Østad D 4-4 (3rd/6-4-2/20pts/+2GD)

by **Drawkland** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 12:28 pm

In the post-Kick Corps era, the Elite Eleven were left to their own devices. Without a primary source of income, they resorted to what they were doing prior and even during their time as Drawkland's national soccer team. Making online content like trickshot and challenge videos, playing exhibition games against professional and amateur teams in whatever sport they could manage, and other odd jobs as needed. Thankfully their last few years of play for DISC had enabled them to pay off their debts, allowing the more scattershot nature of their income to cover them going forward. It also massively increased their fanbase, even once they were no longer playing as the Corps. They were now a household name.

Once they formally announced their immortality, it made things a little odd, but there was still a large contingent of fans who were interested in The Content. Eventually the Elite caved. They started a podcast, talking mostly about sports, but covering a wide range of topics whenever they came up. You know, like your standard boring sports podcast formula. All of the Eleven appeared in at least a few episodes, but everyone was present for each edition.

In this arbitrary episode of the ELITECAST (officially stylized in all caps, like a bunch of pretentious douches), the present members of the Elite discuss the chances of the new Kick Corps in their upcoming battle with Kelssek in the World Cup qualifying playoff.

Five members of the Elite are present in the studio at the Elite Eleven Complex: Elias, Ross, Nicholas, Mike, and Richard. At approximately the 15 minute mark of this episode, Elias switches gears.

"Alright, I figure we better talk about this at some point before it gets too late." Elias taps a couple time on his laptop keyboard, pulling up a couple spreadsheets and tables. "Kick Corps faces Kelssek for the right of World Cup qualification next weekend. Do you think they can pull it off?"

"What's their rank again?" Mike asked immediately as the others pondered the question.

"Kelssek are ranked 7th-"

"Shiiiit brother!"

"-and they had the exact same finish as Drawkland, 7-3-2 and +13 goal differential." Elias ignored the interruption.

"No offense to the girls, but they're just not inspiring this cycle." Ross chuckled. "Defense incredibly leaky, and couldn't even strike a killing blow against Stevencousin. Twice, right?"

"Yeah, a loss and a draw. 0-1 on the road and 3-3 at home." Elias confirmed.

"Listen, the Corps girls have some good things going for them, but they also dropped points to the worst team in the group." Richard dropped a fist on the table. "I can tell you for a fact Kelssek didn't do that."

"Actually, they did." Elias squinted at his screen. "Nil-all draw on the final matchday to Vilwandia. That actually dropped them to second in the group behind Indusse."

"Aw come on!" Richard groaned. "Still, that draw to Flipverse was like, their only points."

"True. Vilwandia went winless but they did get four points from draws. Flipverse only had that single point they took from the Corps."

"Here's the deal." Nicholas shifted in his chair, straightening his posture. "The Kick Corps has a lot of talent. Ellzidan's done a great job of putting together a team with some chemistry. And this team can score almost at will. Besides those two road games against Stevencousin and Tikariot, the two most difficult games of the cycle by the way, they scored 2 or more goals. Am I right on that?"

"Yes." Elias answered.

"Exactly." Nicholas continued. "That's classic Kick Corps football. Score and pray to God you don't leave the back end exposed. That's the brand, before we played, while we played, and now afterwards. When you turn on a Drawkland soccer national team match, that's what you expect to see. The issue is that the defense doesn't have the clutch factor they've shown in the past. You expect the Corps to allow a few, but letting Tikariot score four? Letting Stevencousin score 3 on home soil?? That's inexcusable. This game against Kelssek feels like a 2-3 loss waiting to happen."

"I dunno." Mike butted in. "This is the kind of game Drawkland could easily win 3-1. I think a 3-1 result is well within the realm of possibility. I have already seen a future where that exact scoreline unfolds. The scorers get the job done, and that world-class defense shuts the door on Kelssek in the second half."

"Alright pal," Richard raised a hand dismissively. "We're not gonna let Mr. Husband over here glaze the defense right?"

"He's got a point, Mike." Nicholas chuckled. "Of course you're gonna vouch for the back line. You'd be whipped next time you go home if you didn't."

"Nonsense. Zero bias here." Mike tried his best to keep a straight face.

"Alright, but there's the other side of the coin here." Ross piped up in support. "Are we so quick to forget last cycle? Everybody shit on the Corps for stumbling against Svalbardycity, Yuezhou, and Sendhang. But when they really needed it, they got the wins. They beat Saterun to make it to the playoffs. They beat Pasarga in the playoffs, when they were massively outranked. They were totally written off going into the group stage, and they proceeded to go 2-1-0 and top the table. There's something about this team, man."

"That result was a fluke." Nicholas huffed. "The Corps went on a heater and proceeded to get squashed in the round of sixteen when they faced a serious team."

"You're telling me 4th ranked Zwangzug isn't serious? 8th ranked Pemecutan?" Ross shook his head.

"Peme-WHO-tan?" Mike called out.

"You can only be lucky so many times." Nicholas shot back. "That was two years ago. The Corps is still a pot two team. 24th ranked is never a guarantee for qualification or competing against top ten squads."

"You're not changing my mind." Ross jabbed his pointer finger into his desk a couple times. "Stevencousin is this cycle's Sendhang. Tikariot is like Yuezhou, but the Corps actually beat them in the home leg. The dropped points against Ardsk and Flipverse are just like those awful games against Svalbardycity last cycle. Drawkland needed six points to come away with the playoff spot, and they got six points. I don't care if it was against lower-pot teams. They needed the results when it mattered, and they got them. Eight goals scored across two games. Now they face a pot one qualifying team that they, according to the 'experts,' have no business beating. Mark my words, history will repeat itself."

"Oh BROTHER!" Nicholas sighed. "Not this garbage argument again. History is just that, history. Elias can back me up here. Events happen independently. Just because they look familiar or similar doesn't mean shit."

"He's right. Statistically-" Elias started, but was cut off.

"'Erm, well, ah, statistically!'" Ross replied in a mocking tone. "You guys said the exact same thing when people brought up the similarities between last cycle's group stage and the group stage in World Cup 91. The similarities were freakishly striking. 'But surely it won't happen exactly the same! It's just not statistically likely! This team will come crashing back down any game now!' And yet, they unfolded in exactly the same way. Who's to say it can't happen against regarding this World Cup playoff?"

"EVERYTHING!" Nicholas burst immediately. "Statistical flukes are just that, flukes! You know what isn't a fluke? The level of sustained success and talent that is required for a team to reach 7th in the KPB rankings. You hear that? Seventh! Kelssek is the better team, and they're much better than Pasarga was two years ago. I love the Kick Corps as much as you do, but I'm not so blinded by fandom that I'm gonna deny factual information."

"I still think there's nothing wrong with a good 3-1 win." Mike muttered offhand. "Just like that, 3-1. As if it was officially ordained by the hosts themselves."

"Sports isn't just about statistics!" Ross countered. "Historical precedent matters. It's like that one gridiron team that went to four straight championship games and lost them all. They lost the first in heartbreaking fashion, and that kind of failure just stuck with them. If they'd won that first title, they probably would've won 2 or 3 total in that stretch. Instead it became a head case and they lost all four."

"You're literally delusional." Nicholas paused for a second, then pulled something up his laptop. "Okay, okay, how about this for historical precedent? Drawkland has played Kelssek four times. All four were in qualifying groups. World Cup 88, when Kelssek was ranked 10th, and World Cup 83, when they were ranked somewhere lower. Drawkland is 1-2-1 in these games. The most important part here for you? Drawkland did not qualify for either of those World Cups. They fell two points behind Kelssek despite a much better point differential and didn't make the playoffs in 83, and lost in that horrific two-draw playoff against Tikariot. You should remember, we were all there. Every time Drawkland has played Kelssek, they've suffered suboptimal results and failed to qualify."

"You don't believe. You have zero faith in this squad." Ross shook his head. "It's embarrassing, quite frankly. When the girls win against Kelssek, I'm not gonna allow you to celebrate. I'm going to tuck you in and make you go to bed early. That's what you will deserve."

"And when they get embarrassed by Kelssek by multiple goals, I'm chucking your dumb ass off the roof." Nicholas chuckled.

"You wouldn't be able to drag me up there anyway. I'd love to see you try though, that'd be funny."

"Fine. I'll get Richard to do it."

"Yeah, I'm down." Richard chimed in. He was the bulkiest of the Eleven, and definitely the most capable of carrying any of his teammates.

"Is this a bet? Are we shaking on it?" Ross raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Fine." Nicholas stood up, and Ross did the same, crossing to the center of the room to shake hands.

"Alright, we've got that on video." Elias scoffed. "It appears we're not gonna come to a consensus. Let's see if there's any other international sports banter we can reference ... hmm, which Drawkian school do we think is getting eliminated from the Ultra 64 first?"

"Cemmendy Tech."

"Cemmendy Tech."

"Cemmendy Tech."

"Cemmendy Tech."

"That's something we can all agree on." Elias laughed. "Alright, let's move on here."

by **Farfadillis** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 2:59 pm

"So, if they fail to qualify, will it at least be painless for them?" Asked one of the FFFF's many employees, with Tuskoles Yagaras at the other end of the line.

A brief pause followed.

"To shreds, you say?" the man reiterated, contemplative. "Well, how are the prospects for a Cup of Harmony invitation holding up?"

Another brief pause.

"To shreds you say..."

by **Kimi-Suomi** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 3:07 pm

Two final wins to seal the deal.
We finished 6th...and yet, it didn't feel like that.

We beat Cassadaigua 1-0. I know that sounds crazy, but we did. I know they were also over and out, but we still beat them. Jason Jenner-Pokka got the only goal.
And then we ended it all in Lumikukkulat with a 6-3 win. Mika Noronen hattrick, Karl Leif Svonsson brace, Anne Marie Leppälä getting the 6th. Job done.

In the end, we finished 3 points behind the playoffs despite everything. Hopefully, the ranking changes can be passed so that our efforts can be accurately represented in the system.

So long. 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 W 1-0 (6th)
MD14: vs Erishinmaat [The Erishlands] (291) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat W 6-3 (6th/4-4-4/16pts/0GD)

by **Kelssek** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 3:57 pm

One foot in the finals! Marvellous Maradrogba leads Kelssek to big win

Danielle Maradrogba brought the goods off the bench as the veteran striker’s nose for goal ensured Kelssek earned an important victory, killing off a match that Indusse were threatening to come back in. A 3-0 win against the second seed has relieved the pressure as Kelssek moves top of the group and can look forward to claiming a place in the finals as long as they match or better Indusse’s final result.

But many fans are satisfied that Kelssek are in all probability, already qualified. “If we just get the job done, that’s all we need to do. I can’t see how we don’t finish first barring some spectacular pratfall,” said fan James Harold. Indusse face a difficult final match against Sajnur to end the qualifying phase.

“This is a big case for Maradrogba to be in the team for the World Cup finals. We’re going to be taking a lot of players who haven’t been in that kind of pressure situation before. You need players who come up big and whose experience the younger players can rely on,” former Kelssek and Latrobe Athletic goalkeeper Cassie Myrthe said during NSN’s post-match show.

Kelssek were hanging on to their first-half lead when Maradrogba was introduced. They had visibly dropped their level of play after Julius Heer’s meteor of a free kick opened the scoring and Indusse thrice threatened to notch the equalizer. Jenas Maraipu, who seems to have retained the trust of Calen Reamsey despite high-profile errors playing in the Kelssek Championship for Kirkenes, seems much more comfortable in the national team shirt and produced top-notch shot stopping to keep Indusse out, most importantly Mahadev Bhattacharya who slipped in one-on-one in the 64th minute.

The Coret Hawks striker’s introduction supplied the penetration and precision Kelssek’s attack had been missing, or perhaps had been lulled into for much of the game. Her first two touches to intercept a poor clearing attempt and then rifle it past Jahangir Shehzad were decisive and took the air out of an Indusse team that had been building momentum. Her second goal was a classic poacher’s finish capitalizing on chaos in the box off a corner kick.

Manager Calen Reamsey was positive as expected after the match. “The mission today was to retake the initiative and take our fate in our own hands. It’s a great opportunity for us to finish strong, and if we impose ourselves on the game I’m confident it’ll be job done against Vilwandia.”

KELSSEK 3 – Heer (16’), Maradrogba (79’, 87’)
Maraipu, Sauvé, Thomsen, Camserhe, Usher, dí Völará (Pogbacar 75’), Breault, de Landa (Younes 82’), Heer (Obident 90’), Joseph (Mann 82’), an Deòir (Maradrogba 75’)
INDUSSE 0
Stade Intersat, Saint-Rémy (attendance 33,672)

Post match thread – Vilwandia 0-0 Kelssek

Top comment
u/atomic_gas_leack
::vomit::

by **Vdara** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 4:24 pm

Army of One

INTERVIEW WITH GNEJS

Rai Sports has secured a very exclusive interview with a representative of Vdara's playoff opponents. They're very large, they're very heavy, and they keep most things to themselves. Here's what they had to say:

Hello there! We're very glad to finally get the chance to chat with you - it's been so hard, what with time zones and logistical constraints getting in the way. Alas, let's get cracking! It must be very exciting to see your team get to this stage.

So, let's get things straight: how are you feeling about the upcoming fixture with us?

Ahhh, fantastic to hear! You must be very hopeful to get revenge on us after our previous two fixtures, yes?

Of course! It's only natural. Anyway, about your brilliant manager - it must be great to have someone like Enda in charge, right? What a guy, and what a character!

They're a massive fan of some particular players - but we're much greater fans of players like Thrasymachos, Nicomachus, and Aristocles. How do you think these players will do, given the circumstances?

Staying humble, I see. What about Vdara? Is there anyone who you think could cause your side some real problems? The likes of Kyprianou and Le Brun have really been on fire this cycle!

Be careful what you wish for, I wouldn't be so hasty.

That, I'm sure of. All rocks are, of course, well-versed in the art of football.

Oh! I never really thought about it that way. Perhaps I need to check my privilege.

I'm glad you see it that way. Well, it's been fantastic to have you here on Rai Sports, and may the best team - which is, of course, Vdara - win!

by **Valentine Z** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 4:42 pm

Part 6 – We are in? We are in. We are all in.

Exuberant Superintendent T-2000/2904-3 Surveillant Clarissa Alanis Star Breya « La Amoureux Chéri » Millie Taissa Butterfly Mélody Coraline Jolijn Trini Clementine Hollie Samantha Zeta Harumi was glee with delight. They are able to make it, she thought. Her performance and placements in NSSCRA already made her day, and then here is more good news – the fact that the Valentian Kittens made it to the playoffs. “Good news, guys! We made it!” she announced and said to the team, much to the cheers and jubilations from everyone. “Though of course- well, out of everyone, I am not the one to be pessimistic, but we have to be pragmatic! So we made it in, but we are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot! This is simply the playoffs, and the very first one at that. Not to jinx it, but hey, we wouldn’t want to get eliminated on the very first round, don’t we? Of course, no pressure, but it would be nice if we can go further. After all, we have gone this far, and especially against the likes of Marauders. You do NOT want to encounter them again for the time being, haha!” The Valentian Kittens agreed, also hoping that they will be able to do as expected, but as Clarissa reassured them once again – they are not pressured and to make a promise to get through the next part of the playoffs. For time being, they’ll need to focus on their opponent – Zenic Survivors.

Their roster – a piece of public information – is of note that Clarissa wants the team to focus on. In particular, how they also like to play offensively, though not as much like the Valentian Kittens. First and foremost, that would mean that they will also be doing their best to score those goal kicks, but they will be relatively more defense-oriented than the Kittens who are going to go balls-out on securing the goals. They have that 3-5-2 formation, so that line of midfielders are going to be a little bit problematic for the Kittens. “Okay, so please do read about them and let me know what you all think, or if there are any questions regarding them,” Clarissa instructed the team as they touched down and arrived at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Lima, Huayramarca. “And of course – we can go out and hang around in Lima later! I heard there are a lot of great things to see here! But again, World Cup first, R&R later.” The Starting 11 are of interest to the Valentians – in particular, that they have two foreigners. Thuan Byford from who they assume is from Tikariot, and Nakazawa Shuji from Quebec and Shingoryeo. “That might be a bit of a problem,” Clarissa started off, “But again, I don’t think they are of anyone that you cannot handle. You all have pretty good potential and you have come this far. So all the best! Practice if you want, but please take care as well!”

New addition for the military factbook of Valentine Z. We will need to write this below the Overview on the strengths and the numbers. While the data is already present in the other parts, this is all new information that we are re-calculating and diverting our forces to where we are needed the most. As a result of this, we have made some changes to the factbook, and in particular, the numbers will go here instead of in each section of the defense forces.

Strength and Size; Original Version

[No data] Technically, some data is inside the factbooks, but the numbers are out of date and have not been conceived before until now.

Strength and Size; New Commit

Another much needed new section for our military factbook. Our doctrine in general, for Valentine Z, are as follow:
- We are a Futuristic (nearing Far Future) Technological nation with some elements of Fantasy and Magic.
- Practically we are relatively peaceful internally, so we have not a lot of need for a large police force. We respect it as a division, but once again, it is simply something we don’t need excessively.
- We value A LOT on fire and paramedics. Even in times of peace, accidents in Valentine Z are still a thing and as a result, the fire department and paramedics are very much needed.
- We don't really do a lot of naval fights because again, the two planets and Val Z don't have civil wars. The Naval Forces are, once again, mainly for “In case things went really wrong.”
- We need a big space-faring force. If we have external threats, most of the fighting will be in space. IF we really messed up or if it is too formidable, then the air. If we REALLY messed up, then the ground troops will start fighting.

As our valued and esteemed advisors told us: “An enemy can't take ground, if they can't hold the air/space.” Without further ado, let us look at the current strength of each groups.

Valentian Armed Forces – 200 million active personnel, with 600 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Naval Forces – 100 million active personnel, with 300 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Air Forces – 420 million active personnel, with 1 billion reserve personnel.
Valentian Secret Service – 2 million active personnel, with 4 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Police Force – 15 million active personnel, with 10 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Fire Department – 33 million active personnel, with 60 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Medical Services – 30 million active personnel, with 100 million reserve personnel.
Valentian Space Peacemakers – 750 million active personnel, with 2.926 billion reserve personnel, effectively the biggest of all.

Once again, that is not to say that the others are not as important. It is, however, a fact that due to the nature of our civilization, the space – our entire universe – is the one that needs security from errant wormholes and portals.

by **Mertagne** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:01 pm

Playoffs Cutoff

Here, half of you will slip through the net to the finals! Best of luck!

by **Legalese** » Tue Apr 09, 2024 9:02 pm

The reports from the Federation had been dismal, despite the unexpected success of the Legalese National Team. Not only were matches not being covered by the press, local ticket requests for home qualifying matches at National Stadium were averaging about 20,000 per match -- a number boosted significantly by a strong (but still below capacity) crowd for the finale with Mytanija.

That strong showing was a potential sign of life, though. And by all accounts, the word was starting to spread locally. About a thousand Legalites applied for travel documentation for the trip to Huayramarca; for nearly all, it was their first trip to Chuquiago. For nearly the same number, it was their first trip outside of the country, and would pose some unique travel options. With flights being limited to the team itself, two routes were largely settled upon by travelers -- one was a ferry from Basswoods to Neorudo, followed by a connection via Mertagne’s rail system to the Trans-Calanian Railway. Those living closer to Central Junction (or otherwise more likely to be seasick) were more likely to opt for simply joining the Trans-Calanian either in CJ, or elsewhere along the route heading towards Starblaydia.

For Dominic (whose efforts to get The Docket to send someone, anyone to the match were praised by his boss, despite getting only about 150 words on page three 48 hours later), he noticed the trend when texting the group of people he threw sharpened household objects with.

Can’t make it tonight, can we bump my matches to Week 5?

He was not expecting the response from the league runner.

Dom, we’ll have the match on here if that’s why you’re skipping out.

Really? You don’t have to just for me.

It’s not. The other groups coming in requested it as well, so we’re putting it on all of the screens, sound on. Just don’t forget to sharpen your shovel.

For the first time in a long time, the country was watching. And what they saw was a clinic, put on by the travelers dressed in black.

Alas, as the lower seed, the Legalites were dressed in red for the occasion. For the first thirty minutes, their avoidance of a kit clash was seemingly the only thing they could do right. Just three minutes in, a run on the wing by Faron Hill-Adams with the ball set up a cross to the middle that cleared the head of Richie Funderbunk by inches. Tumbran keeper Victoria Jones collected the ball out of the air, and quickly put it back in play down the very same wing, seeing that the Hill-Adams run left a gap to her right. A quick pass sent Lynne Crossley clear, with just Jack Farmer back. Crossley, seeing Farmer moving in her direction, found Charlotte Henshaw from about 12 yards out, where she buried the shot into the net for an early Tumbran lead.

The pain continued in a similar fashion just moments later. Gagan Epsom attempted a similar move on the opposite side of the pitch, only for the mirrored version of the same goal to happen, again with Henshaw nabbing the tally. The first ten minutes had yet to come off the clock, and Tumbra’s message was clear: they were going back to the finals, and Legalese could do nothing but watch.

In the end, the final score was 5-2, with a garbage goal by Hasana Hirst (in garbage time, to boot), and an exceedingly lucky shot by Lindo that caught Jones off guard in what appeared to be her only real mistake of the match. The run was over, and in an all too familiar position, the men and women of the Legalese national team were headed home to lick their wounds.

The jet flew over the waters of Lake Bekk, the glow from the moonlight acting as a guide on the flight path set for home. The reassuring hum of the engines, combined with a general agreement to leave off the cabin and seat lamps, helped lull the plane’s passengers into a gentle sleep, punctuated by some light snoring.

Chogan Williams took the time to reflect. Obviously there would be a tactical debrief; Aisling and Mikaela would break down the game footage. But what about the mentality? Did everyone come in prepared, motivated, and able to do their job correctly?

He could see that the answer was, to put it plainly, no. The midfield looked out of place, so focused on scoring that it forgot to prepare for the counter attack. When Tumbra scored one, then twice, you’d think that a course correction would come, but instead, the team doubled-down on the press, insistent that they would get a break before they were fully broken.

It was the type of “fight hard, never say die” attitude that he loved, but at the same time, when you pick a hill to die on, sometimes that’s where you end up staying, and this was one of those times.

He took a sip from his Grind and Bear It cafe mug, savoring the note of stonefruit covering his tongue, only slightly muted by the splash of cream. “Tastes just like deja vu”, he said to himself.

He then thought about it for a second. This was the same cup of coffee he picked up four days ago, the day before the team set out to Huayramarca; he was just on his way to meet with his team to go over the preparation for the match.

He looked at the aluminum mug. Either it had kept exceptionally well, or he was losing his grip on something -- time, reality, this version of himself.

“Wait, this version of myself?”

“Yes”, a voice both very familiar yet completely unrecognizable, like that person you just know is the trivia answer, but you can’t name them. He then saw multiple faces: a young boy wearing a cap from Sunny B. Martin Elementary; a middle-aged lean face of a man with a shaved head, and a defiant, determined stare; and many others that he didn’t recognize.

Chogan dropped off to sleep, the plane hurtling through darkness to a destination to be determined. Perhaps it was time for another change, after all.

by **Indusse** » Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:55 am

A New Beginning

Today is a day of celebration, a day that has to be written down in the books in golden letters. A wait of sixteen cycles, come to an end. Beginning the journey at the 79th World Cup in Ceni and Drawkland to today, qualifying for the 96th Edition of the World Cup in Mertagne and Huayramarca had been a tough but wonderful journey. The Closest the team from Indusse got to the World Cup Proper was when they reached the qualifying playoffs of 81st World Cup in Banija and Free Republic, only to lose to Eshan for an aggregate of six goals against four. That was it, the flocking blues never got more closer to the World Cup Proper after that.

This Journey hasn't been easy for many, this is the result of the effort of many who have been supporting the existence of football in Indusse from its very first beginning. Remembering Aditya Varma Kulashekara III who was the Emperor of Indusse and the Father of Modern Football in Indusse and served as the Manager of the Indussean National Football Team while it participated in the Sixty-Sixth edition of the Baptism of Fire in Mattijana, Mahadev Chitrakar Das who served as the first captain of the national team in the same tournament. The Journey till the present would have not been possible without the support that was received from these individuals and their colleagues in the team.

Commending Baskar H Kumar who is the greatest player the country has seen in its whole footballing history, without whose the presence the national team would not have achieved much of it has. His presence as one of the key players in the team from his debut in the 79th World Cup Cycle until his retirement in the 90th World Cup Cycle saw the team reaching positions that they have never. Even after retirement, his continuous support to the betterment of football in Indusse as the President of the Indussean Football Association cannot be ignored.

Remembering Joseph Moteudi, the biggest and the most successful manager that the country has produced in its history who played a major role in the development of the National Team while they served as the Manager for the team from the 84th World Cup Cycle until they were removed as the manager in the 89th World Cup Cycle. Moteudi wouldn't have much to write in his diary about his success as the manager of the Indussean National Team, but the fans and the players know how important Moteudi was to strengthen the chemistry and understanding between the players and how important was his presence to develop the infrastructure the national team has now. Moteudi left to Bollonich to serve as their Manager but has not yet find a proper space in there.

Thanking the Commonwealth of Baker Park for producing one of the finest managers in their history, Shane Newman. Shane Newman’s arrival to the national camp as a replacement for Joseph Moteudi was the beginning of a new era in the journey of Indussean Football Team. His arrival was not really welcomed at the beginning since the fans doubted how well a non-indussean would be able to handle the Indussean players. Shane Newman surprised everyone when he was able to lead the team into victory in the thirteenth edition of the Independent Association Championship, making it the first silverware that was brought into the shelf of the Indussean National Team. From then, the Independents Association Championships has been the favourite of Newman and his team. The National Team reached the semi finals of the 14th and the 15th Edition of Independents Association Championship. They eventually reached the finals of the 18th Edition of the Independents Association Championship, but lost to the team from Juvencus. Shane has once again proved himself by leading the national team to their very first World Cup Proper and is pretty much hoping to achieve more for the team in his way forward.

The Current Team without who there wouldn't be even any sort of participation in the World Cup, is the one everyone should be thankful of. From Grundjee to Mersiás, a bunch of experienced players who've now played a lot of World Cup qualifiers. From Paulson to Milwood, a bunch of newcomers have made their position in the playing eleven permanent. The Team is now filled with wonderful talent which is meant to make history in the future not in the national level but in the international level.

The Flocking Blues, which is the official fan base of Indusse, has stayed loyal throughout the history of the national team. From the debut in the seventy-ninth edition to the present qualification, the Flocking Blues has been the biggest support and strength of the national team. Players have always made the remark that it is the fanbase that makes them win even at the worst of their times. Baskar Kumar, while playing his last match for the team acknowledged that “You never want to stop playing for this team, it's the support and love that keeps you back in the house.”

by **Audioslavia** » Wed Apr 10, 2024 11:05 am

Which of the 49 possible World Cups will your team have?
The Aesthetic yet again abuses statistics in order to suck yet more fun out of an aspect of football

Audioslavia find themselves in somewhat unfamiliar territory this summer. After four appearances in the last five Cups of Harmony, the side find themselves slung headfirst into World Cup 96, thanks to a hugely impressive qualifying run, their third strongest in terms of Points Per Game since World Cup 70, which saw the side win ten of their twelve games and take Group 19 by a whopping eight points from their closest rivals Aphrilia. Top seeds Cabo Azure, comfortable winners over the Bulls in both encounters, were a further point back in a bitterly disappointing third.

The pleasant surprise of a ticket to the big show means the focus of our Stats Journalism team shifts from Qualifiers, past and present, to the First Round Proper of the World Cup. We start with as big an outlier as you'll find in any of these statistics.

All First Round groups from World Cups 1 to 95. Audioslavia are one of the four teams making up that little blue dot on the top left.
Click for an interactive version

Here, we have sorted every First Round group in the history of the World Cup into five columns, based on two stats: How many of the teams in the group had participated in the knockouts of the previous cup, and the total SRS points of all four of its nations at that point in history. At the bottom right we have a group from World Cup 37 in which four teams had reached the knockouts of the previous edition. Ariddia, the world champions, topped a group containing Schiavonia and Cafundeu, who had reached the quarters of World Cup 36. Schiavonia finished in second, but it was Cafundeu that reached the second round thanks to an existential event for the Schiavonians. Bostopia, who had made the second round of World Cup 36, finished bottom. It's, to date, the only group of this sort.

Plenty of groups have featured zero teams that had played in the previous knockouts, but in terms of collective SRS points up to that cycle, one stands out: World Cup 82 Group A.

Five time champions Valanora had been knocked out of World Cup 81 in ridiculous circumstances, going 1-1-1 and losing out to Cassadaigua on Goals For, a tiebreaker that was supposed to have died back when Style Modifiers came in, sixty cycles previously. Ironically enough, listing Goals For as a tiebreaker may well have throttled votes for Valanora's own bid for this very World Cup. One flipped vote and we might have been on our way to Squornshelous and Valanora instead of elsewhere in Anaia. Speaking of which, Valanora's fellow five-timers Starblaydia had gone 1-0-2 in World Cup 81, beaten by fellow Anaians Ko-oren, a side still in their phase of insisting on playing four matches, maximum, in the finals. Elsewhere in Group A, Nova Anglican had been denied a place in the second round of World Cup 81 by Turori, who sneaked in on Goal Difference.

The early eighties had been a strange time for Audioslavia. Uninvolved in World Cup 79, the side returned for cycle 80 only to lose out in the playoffs to a combination of hubris and Abanhfleft. Beaten into fourth place in the World Cup 81 group stage, a decidedly un-vintage Audioslavia (if not by today's low standards) expected nothing from their World Cup 82 group. Hosts Valanora were still 14th in the world, Starblaydia 17th, while Nova Anglicana and the Bulls were on the periphery of the top 30. The Bulls hadn't been out of the group stage since cycle 78. Their backs against the wall, the Bulls lashed out. But just this once, it actually worked.

Starblaydia were dispatched on opening day, hosts Valanora were dispatched 3-1 on matchday two, and only 3-3 draw with Nova Anglicana sullied an otherwise perfect week. In the second round, a 4-4 tie with Cassadaigua would be decided in the pink side's favour on penalties, with the final result that Audioslavia - Audioslavia - had scored 12 goals in 4 games.

It was very much Pre-Post-Football.

Although World Cup 96 marks Audioslavia's 53rd appearance at the big dance, very little of the population have an real experience with what happens when the national side do something like, say, win World Cup matches or do well or make people feel happy. As such, we've decided to put Audioslavian minds at ease by putting together a definitive list of all 49 possible things that could happen to Audioslavia in World Cup 96.

How many times each possible World Cup finish has happened

Here, we've put 'points in the group stage' against 'final finish in the World Cup' and are showing exactly how many international football teams have done each thing.

About half of World Cup berths end after just three games. Okay, exactly half of World Cup berths do this. The tournament starts with 32 teams and the first round is all about removing half of them. About half of the 1,520 teams that have been knocked out in the first round at least manage a win before doing so, with 778 teams having been knocked out on three or more points compared to 742 on two or fewer.

Getting just one win, however (or the rare feat of achieving three draws), definitely increases your chances of going out in the first round. 754 of the teams ending the group stage on 3, 4 or 5 points have gotten the plane straight home, while just 509 have gone on to the next stage of the competition.

Two wins in the group stage should put you through to the next round. 1,033 teams have gotten two wins in the first round of the World Cup and, for all but 24, that was enough to make the next stage. Those of you who remember Audioslavia's last appearance in the finals might recall Turori and Saint Eleanor doing just this, winning a game each against the group's bottom team and a team who'd also finish on six points, but losing out via either head to head goal difference or common or garden goal difference. This 6-6-6-0 finish is responsible for 23 of the 24 teams to have bowed out on two wins. For the others, see the infamous 6 Pupper Runny Funnies in World Cup 2, who topped their group on six points, beating a pair of future two-time champs in the process - Europa Britannia and Brazillico - but were booted out of the tournament before the second round for existential irregularities. Europa Britannia took their place, and went onto reach the quarters.

For those teams going unbeaten in the group stage, whether on 9 or 7 points, 180 reached the semi-finals (compared to 200 for teams finishing on 2 to 6 points), but even so, 381 of them would bow out beforehand. And strangely enough, winning all three games in the group stage seems to make your chances of losing the final noticeably higher than your chances of winning it. The Bulls are here twice, having taken 9 points from the group stages of World Cups 29 and 69 before losing in the final.

It's a peculiar fact of the World Cup that multiple draws in a group are less likely than multiple decisive matches.

Frequency of teams attaining these points in the group stage.
There are notable dips for 5 and 2, both attainable only by drawing twice.

Of all the possible finishes to a World Cup group, 9-6-3-0 is the most common, while 3-3-3-3 - possible only by each team drawing all games - is the only possible permutation which has yet to happen in 95 prior cycles.

A win and two draws is the rarest first round performance. It naturally follows that, hey, this kind of thing should see your team through, but on one occasion this, hilariously, was not the case. Let's take you on a trip back to World Cup 57.

The last time each possible World Cup finish happened

Qazox went into their final World Cup 57 group game on two points, having scored commendable draws against Sorthern Northland (champions of the previous two World Cups) and Cassadaigua (also winners of two consecutive World Cups that decade). Both had scored two-goal victories over fourth placed Pays de Horror, and it was this team that Qazox met on the final day, needing to win by two to guarantee their place in the next stage. Two-nothing up in the final moments, their opponents turned to the dark arts to salvage some last-minute pride.

Qazox, World Cup 37 RP Thread wrote:[Pays de Horreur's Julian] Oliseh had just gotten up from a collision with Mark Allenby for a pass and was visibly shaken. As he slowly made his way towards the bench, seemingly to be taken off, Oliseh quickly turned and sprinted upfield, as Luc Djorkaeff forced a turnover from Rene Martin. The ploy fooled the Eagles' defense, and seconds later, Oliseh and Pays de Horreur celebrated a meaningless goal, at least for them.

Had one of Cassadaigua or Sorthern Northland beaten the other in the other match, Qazox would still have gone through. It finished 2-2. For a taste of how the international football community reacted to the news, have a read here. The good old days weren't like now. We used to discuss the important things, like 'I can't believe I was so unlucky' and 'why wasn't I invited to the CoH' and 'screw Krytenia'.

There are four other '1's in the above tables. Progressing from the first round on just two points? That's happened on a couple of occasions, most recently by Liventia in World Cup 14, which we've previously discussed. What we haven't mentioned before, however, is the time this happened in World Cup 1.

Thanks to some Carpathian and Ruthenian scorecheology, we now have the final tables from all World Cup 1 groups. And they include this hum-hinger.

World Cup 1, Group F

So what happened here? Did Dyelli Beybi cease to exist? Did they decide knockout football scared them? We have no idea. The side took part in future World Cups, finishing last in the group stages of World Cups 2 and 3 and missing out on qualification for World Cups 4 and 5 before taking their leave of the international game before it had even properly put its boots on. Slutania, the strangely named side advancing on two draws and a defeat, were beaten again in the second round and never played again.

Think of all the hard-working teams who, through the years, have spent years trying to get to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Slutania did so at the first attempt despite never ever winning a game of football. They left the sporting world on a record of 0-2-2 and a win percentage of nothing. They've played in the last 16. Right now, they have more SRS points than Xanneria, Cardenao, Amenria, Cobrio and Tequilo combined.

bow ya shits

Very few teams have progressed on just three group stage points. Of those that have, three have gone on to win the World Cup, starting with Commerce Heights in World Cup 15 and Rejistania in WC17, both win a win and two defeats, and finally in World Cup 41 with Starblaydia, progressing from the first round on three draws from a group with only one decisive result - Adihan's final day victory over Casari. Krytenia, or to be more accurate, West Starblaydia. This isn't random Krytenia slander, for once, this was the side's official title in World Cup 41.

West Starblaydia: Your answer to the question 'what could be more ridiculous than being knocked out of the World Cup on Goals For during the Style Modifier era'

If Vanorians were annoyed at losing out on Goals For in World Cup 81, imagine how the Krytenians must have felt, doing so to your most hated rivals while wearing their colours. To be fair to the Krytenians, it was during this final match that they threw off these ugly purple shirts and found some basic cyan to wear. In true Krytenian fashion, they treated a tie as a victory and went home early.

Three teams have lost World Cup finals having taken three points from the group stage. A further four have won a 3PPO after that kind of first round, but only one team has ever managed to come fourth like this. Step forward Cycle 63's United Gordonopia, who went 1-0-2 in the group stage, won two knockout games, and then lost in the semis and third place playoff to end their greatest ever World Cup Finals performance on a 3-0-4 record.

How many times Audioslavia's national team have experienced each of the 49 possible World Cups

Of the 49 possible World Cups, Audioslavia have experienced 22 of them. It appears we're particularly fond of the futile 1-1-1, coincidentally the circumstances of our most recent first round World Cup exit. Fans of the Bulls will point to three zeros they'd definitely like to turn into ones (and also three more that they wouldn't mind at all), but the truth is that any kind of visit to the left side of this chart will mark the Bulls' best World Cup cycle in a generation. Even a six-point elimination would set the team up for the future, pushing the side towards a pot one position that will help a struggling side qualify again in four years time.

Or, as it may turn out, two years time. Audioslavia's referendum on whether to keep Four Years Per Cycle or flip the calendar to Two Years Per Cycle is due to happen during the first round. Appeals from football fans to postpone the vote in order to give the side time to recover between games has been dismissed as 'rhythmoaning'.

by **Sarzonia** » Wed Apr 10, 2024 6:28 pm

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Sarzonian national football team was effectively playing with house money heading to Mertagne for a one-match playoff against Juvencus.

Sarzonia entered World Cup 96 qualifying as the 112th ranked team in the football multiverse, a Pot 5 side who realistically were expected to fight to stay out of the bottom of the Group 18 table. The team's second match was an away draw against Rea San Vegas, a team that entered the competition ranked at No. 259. Manager Caleb Rush figured after that result that the Stars would come to rue the two lost points from what he thought should've been a victory.

He was right, of course, but not in the way he or anyone else expected. Sarzonia finished the group stage as runners up, just two points behind Ko-oren, the eighth ranked team in the multiverse and Group 18's top seeds. If Sarzonia either scored a third goal or stopped one more shot and literally everything else played out the same way, it would be Sarzonia advancing directly to the World Cup finals. They came up with an Earth-shattering 1-0 upset over the Dragonflies thrilling a sold out Dave Wilson Stadium crowd. The team built on that signature victory, ending World Cup 96 qualifying with eight wins and two draws, losing two away matches against higher ranked foes.

The team would finish as the sixth seeds out of 20 playoff teams with a performance that was better than some group winners. However, Sarzonian luck ran out as Juvencus won the day by outgoing Sarzonia 4-2 in penalties after each team netted two goals in the first 90 minutes of play. Thirty minutes of extra time didn't provide any more scoring, so penalty kicks ultimately sealed Sarzonia's fate.

After Kitt Morgan and Holly Chambers scored both Sarzonia penalties and Juvencus netted three goals in three shots, Spencer Wilson stood at the spot studying la squadra goalkeeper Juan Carlos Ungaro, hoping to find a "tell." He thought he found one and decided to fire to his right, but he ended up watching in horror as Ungaro parried his shot away with a dive to his left.

Juvencus would score again and Ungaro would watch the next Sarzonian shot sail above the crossbar. Juvencus would celebrate. Sarzonia would mourn. Wilson sat hunched over with his head in his hands until he felt hands on both shoulders. The one on his left belonged to the teenaged goalkeeper John Wells, who also felt he'd let his team down. The one on his right shoulder belonged to Rush.

"Guys, you're both the big reason we even got here in the first place," Rush said. "I couldn't be more proud of how hard you lads worked and how hard you fought.

"I don't know what the future brings," Rush said, "but I think our future will be bright."

Yes, the World Cup 96 qualifying campaign for Sarzonia ended painfully, but when the team gathered for World Cup qualifying post-mortems the next morning, they would learn rather quickly that they had more football left to play. They would get an invite to the Cup of Harmony. They also learned they would jump 52 spots in the world rankings, climbing all the way to No. 60.

They would have to play in the consolation tournament, but they still were building something special. The present stung, but the future brought promise.

by **Recuecn** » Fri Apr 12, 2024 12:37 am

Fireworks lit up the sky over Reçueçn city: violet, crimson, and gold. On the pitch in the Stade National below, les licornes embraced and congratulated each other. The players hugged and cried, cheered and celebrated. Helibert Wolf lay on his back in the center circle as if making a snow angel. Maynard Hebron lifted Laurent Lapix onto his shoulders, and Laurent stretched out his arms and looked up toward the crowd--every fan in the stadium was on their feet and cheering as confetti rained down and pyrotechnics fired off in sequence.

Reçueçn had just lost their last game of qualifying, one-nil, at home.

The Cassadagans, victorious, showed none of the energy after the final whistle that the celebrating Reçuecians did. A few caught their breath, hunched over with their hands on their knees. Tiffany Brown, the Fillies' captain, walked over to shake hands with her Reçuecian counterpart, Gerauld Firaut, who was back in goal for the ÉNRF for only the second time since recovering from his injury at the beginning of the season. Most of Brown's teammates walked off the pitch without much ceremony or display of emotion. They had won the game, but now the team they'd defeated was celebrating as if the victory had actually been theirs.

The image that was broadcast on every Reçuecian TV--the image that would be blazoned across not the sports section, but the front page of every Reçuecian newspaper, and the image that would be forever sealed in the memory of every child who watched that night as the new era of Reçuecian football was born--was a close-up shot of Franky Adams holding Emanuele Cutrona's face to his own, nose to nose, screaming into Emanuele's face. Both of their visages were strangely contorted in that split-second that the camera caught, but the elation written across them was visible to all. Franky had sprinted down the pitch the moment the final whistle blew, racing toward the Reçuecian defensive line. Emanuele had seen him coming and held out his arms for an embrace--or maybe a flying tackle, for the speed with which Franky approached him threatened to throw them both to the ground. But Franky stopped short in front of Emanuele, and grabbing his head with both hands, yelled over the fireworks and the roar of the crowd: "We're going to the World Cup!"

Even the photographers and television cameras who had already moved onto the field, now just a few meters away from the rejoicing Reçuecian players, could not hear what Franky and Emanuele were saying over the clamor and noise, and the players could not have cared less in that moment about the paparazzi intrusion; they were lost in the moment, carried away in a wave of adrenaline and joy. After ten cycles and twenty years, Reçueçn was back in the World Cup.

It was a strange moment, for a team that moments ago was in the throes of defeat, to be so suddenly alive in celebration. The Cassadagans--who had, as most expected, outplayed the Reçuecians and controlled the entire match--had been steady throughout. After their defeat to Kimi-Suomi the previous matchday, no victory, no matter how decisive, could save their hopes of World Cup qualification--even a play-off game was out of reach. But the Cassadagans refused to give up and played their hearts out in the final game, even though they knew that for them, nothing was left at stake beyond perhaps some sense of honor.

The ÉNRF, on the other hand, had been on tenterhooks the entire match. After their victory over Brannfjord, they were assured of qualification as long as they could win, but it was immediately apparent that this would be impossible against the superior Cassadagan team. A draw or a loss would be enough to at least hang onto a play-off spot, since Brannfjord was not playing the final matchday and only Legalese would be able to pass les licornes. But the odds of winning a playoff seemed slim--far more slim than the odds of somehow managing to win this crazy Group 20. Teams like Farfadillis, Tumbra, and Zwangzug potentially loomed to block the way for any team unhappy enough to wind up in the play-offs.

Through some sort of WCC magic, that august organization had managed to arrange things for the final games of each group to be played simultaneously, across not just different time zones, but even games being played on different planets and in different realities. So it happened that the game between Reçueçn and Cassadaigua ended just a few seconds before the match between Legalese and Mytanija, the game that would decide the fate of the group.

Mytanija, like Cassadaigua, had had much higher hopes for the World Cup, but at least still had a chance of advancing if they could score a resounding win over Legalese. However, only fifteen minutes into the game, Legalese had taken a one-nothing lead. With only stoppage time left to play, the score was still the same, sealing the fate of the Mytanars, who needed not only a victory but a serious change in goal differential.

Meanwhile, back in Reçueçn at the Stade National, the supporters inside the stadium were getting antsy. The stadium announcer had promised them at the beginning of the game that there would be frequent updates from the Legalese-Mytanija game, but after the first goal had been announced fifteen minutes in, there was only radio silence. At half-time the score was announced again, still the same, but the entire second half of the game, there was no news.

No news was bad news. The Reçuecian fans knew that a Legalite victory would mean play-offs for les licornes, and play-offs would almost surely mean no World Cup. For ninety minutes, a sold-out Stade National watched the Fillies coolly play out a confident, solid, one-nothing victory against a helpless Reçueçn side that could only stand by and watch their World Cup dreams fritter away.

Only fourteen games ago, the World Cup had seemed an impossible dream. Reçueçn, ranked 108^th, hadn't dreamed of standing a chance against nations like Cassadaigua, Mytanija, and Brannfjord. But as those nations' dreams had crumbled over the course of their fumbled qualifying campaigns, the broken pieces that tumbled down built a new vision--a path to Reçuecian qualification. It had taken months--months of losses and draws that never seemed to add up to anything. Months with Gerauld Firaut, the team's best player, out with a broken leg. Finally, against all odds, Reçueçn made it to the top of the group... but just for one matchday before being passed again. Now, at the end of it all, they were first going into the final game, but as the whistle blew, they knew they had lost. Cassadaigua had beaten them, and with a Legalite victory, Reçueçn was doomed to the play-offs, and to elimination.

~~~

There was some kind of technical error at the Stade National. The stadium announcer had been meant to broadcast any update on the Legalese-Mytanija game before anything else happened--the pyrotechnics chief had his orders to wait for a loudspeaker announcement before any ignitions. But in the hubbub of the end of the game--the game that was actually taking place in the Stade National--there was some kind of miscommunication. The pyrotechnics chief was impatient. The announcer had disappeared--maybe he had stepped out to use the bathroom, or maybe he was getting some kind of final word from the referees. But the word came into the booth--in the final seconds of stoppage time, a Mytanar goal, and then the whistle. Final result: a draw--meaning qualification for Reçueçn!

"Ignition?" asked the pyrotechnics chief.

"No ignition," someone said. Later, the pyro chief swore he'd heard "go ignition," and in the commotion of the end of the match, others corroborated that, saying that they'd heard "ignition", or that the "no" had been somewhat quiet. Either way, the result was explosive.

The despondent Reçuecian players, still on the field, looked up to see the explosions in the night sky above them, violet, crimson and gold. Confetti rained down. The announcer, who'd come sprinting back to the microphone, yelled out from the loudspeaker, the smile audible in his voice: "A goal for Mytanija in the closing seconds of their match; final result: Mytanija, one, Legalese, one! Reçueçn advance to the World Cup!"

A historic moment for Reçueçn. Franky Adams ran down the field to clasp Emanuele's face in his hands.

by **Delte** » Sat Apr 13, 2024 7:59 am

The Representatives: World Cup Squad Updates
Sports Correspondent Kim Samrodd in Oswark-upon-Delte for the Skimpy Matchday Report & Negligible Detail Express (Sports Section)

I won't dwell overly long on the finer details of selection for the World Cup squad but certainly mention should be made of the restoration of 'undesirables' (in the words, paraphrased, of the Rake Teinton Women's Institute) Steed Tombes, Hennequin Perdu and Pokey Fayle to the World Cup squad. Steed and Hennequin of course are originally from the River Republic, Rushmore, and are part of the Rushmori boat people refugee contingent living in the Delte Valley, while Pokey comes from over the hills in the next valley along, the Screve Valley, on Gangrene Mountain. But Steed and Henni were in the team that won the World Cup in '95, while Pokey helped lead the team to the IAC final, and in the end, even though the WI weren't keen, ancient badminton champion and head coach Ida Spankhurst quietly acknowledged their considerable skills would be needed to defend the World Cup crown. Young Taxhavnite stars VW Kampermann & Töbi Aerle, who missed out last time, will make the trip too.

Making way are the Rothdaring brothers, Raggar, Olddar and Cheddar, who have been fixtures in the squad since '93 but fall victim to a 'spruce up' in the squad. They will be replaced by offshore oil workers Bob Worgha and Chipper Osgood, who impressed in the Away Team Mission of qualification when the Deltic FA went for a whole team from the Smite Bay Drilling Company Sports & Social Club. World Cup '95 winner Jocki Moroff, and IAC runner-up youngsters David Tonsoe and Aughran Lerold also make way, Henry Lightman is still not fit after breaking his leg in the IAC quarter-final, and one has to feel for Kal Rayler. He has played a stirling role on the wing from the very first entry into the Baptism of Fire two years ago, finally being dropped for the first time for the last World Cup finals, restored again for qualification this time, and dropped again. He must be well fed up by now.

The Rise & Rise of Ida Spankhurst
A Recap

Sports Correspondent Kim Samrodd Keeping You In The Loop

There's no point me saying things like 'in the words of the Rake Teinton Women's Institute' and 'ancient badminton champion and head coach Ida Spankhurst' if you haven't read my serials for the World Cup qualification cycle and haven't the faintest idead what I'm going on about, so perhaps I should do a little recap to help out.

You see, the Rake Teinton Women's Institute, a local village collective of troublesome old ladies who are fed up with The State of Everything, especially the pot holes in the roads, have decided to take matters into their own hands, take control of the Valley, and Fix All The Problems. I mean, their idea of problems are scary, but you can read all about that in their annual reports, here. Or, if you don't have time, let me just say they were the drivers behind the idea to send migrants, noisy neighbours and troublesome children, among others, to Kawanaland, because 'they don't belong in our green and pleasant land'. Jebus. The cunning plan of the WI is to get their main battleaxes into key roles in the valley, and so far they have succeeded in getting Widow Arrinburton as head of the FA, and standing badminton weekend winner Ida Spankhurst as head coach of The Representatives. I mean, they are really cunning, as it turns out. Who would've thought?

You can read the whole drama of how Widow Arrinburton became head of the Deltic FA here. If you want.

But how is an ancient standing badminton player ever going to successfully coach a team of World Champion - albeit rank amateur - footballers to defend their crown and take second consecutive title, especially without Wightling superhero Climo Coss tinkering with destiny like he did in '95? Actually, although Widow Arrinburton is at the extremity of 'Strongwoman', coach Ida Spankhurst, age 93, is really quite sweet, and it turns out - perhaps to the dismay of The Widow and others of the WI - she's something of the pragmatist. She knows assistant coach Mo Unden really knows the stoicpress inside out (that's the key world cup winning tactic of the Representatives) and she pretty much leaves everything to him. Occasionally she gets up off the bench to wave her stick about a bit during a match, but there's generally an understanding this is for the sake of appearances and the players are expected to ignore these demonstrative outbursts and carry on with the job in hand. An unbeaten qualification cycle - their first ever - suggests the arrangement is mutually beneficial.

Announcement: Polka Lunn
Death Of A Newspaperwoman

We interrupt this sporting broadcast to confirm the rumours are true that the Oswark Parish Advertiser will commission a bronze statue of our dearly departed newspaperwoman Polka Lunn, the former sports reporter who died too soon after a misadventure with an Oldyear 600RR race-tuned superbike at Moralden Corner one rainy night in March. Due to legal concerns we cannot confirm the other rumour about the Rake Teinton Women's Institute and an assassin-at-large. The statue will be sculpted and cast by the winner of a selection process that is presently underway, and the Advertiser already has a short-list of five sculptors who are in the process of producing macquettes, with the final selection to be cast for erection in the lobby of the Advertiser Group HQ.

The Bronzed Giants
Immortalising The Football Greats

An RPO^[1] Series for World Cup 96

Who are the greatest Deltic players of all time? Who was the first professional footballer in the valley? Who is the player that we never mention any more in polite conversation? And who are the people who go to so much effort to immortalise them all? Creating statues of celebrated personalities real and imagined is an obsession for the Delts - whether it be Prince Tyrbert the Deltic hero of the Uncivil Wars, or Lerena Ence the octagenarian dustcartwoman of Marshlock Spa: every town and village has a statue or two. There is even a Statue Makers School in Oswark to provide the valley with a continuous supply of in-demand sculptors. In the upcoming series we'll take a look at some of the best - and most controversial - football statues - and their makers - along the Delte valley.

[1] Roleplay Production Office

by **Crpostran** » Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:52 am

[*]OOC: The photos of the two eagles meeting has been created with the help of AI-Image generators, same with the football team applauding with the crowd. The Brain Teasers were taken from http://www.brainfans.com, full credits to them. The 2 advertisements were created by me.

by **HUElavia** » Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:05 am

From Yellow and Blue to Green and Yellow

HUElavia is drawn into Group E with aspirations to do well in their 3rd consecutive World Cup!

2 years of Hard Work has led to this moment: The United States of HUElavia playing at their 6th World Cup, their 3rd consecutive edition. Coming into the World Cup 96 Final Draw, HUElavia was placed into Pot 3, being described by the media of other nations as "The most difficult team out of the Pot to play against." There was much excitement with what draw the team would get, as well as for how the other groups would shape up.

HUElavia (17) was drawn into Group E with the likes of Co-host Mertagne (21), Zwangzug (10) and Zenic (71). A very good draw according to the HUElavian Media and Supporters, where it is viewed as a "Group of Life," with a solid chance for the teams to make noise and advance. Looking at the opponents, this is the third time HUElavia faces off against Zwangzug at the World Cup, which included HUElavia's first ever World Cup match at WC 84, where a young Marc Navarro scored HUElavia's first ever and lone goal in that match, resulting in the team's first ever World Cup victory. The 2nd ever match was at World Cup 85, where HUElavia lost 1-0 to them from a late goal by Blum. And now, they plat against each other once more. Mertagne and Zenic are first-time opponents for HUElavia, but exciting ones nonetheless. The match against Mertagne will be the 2nd time HUElavia plays against a host nation at the World Cup, the previous being in the Opening Match for World Cup 85, when they finished with a 0-0 draw against co-hosts and then defending champion Farfadillis (who HUElavia also beat at World Cup 84, one of the most historic victories in HUElavian Football History).

So, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos have the following schedule for World Cup 96: Matchday 1- Zwangzug vs HUElavia at Spectrum Stadium, Dannin (37,000); Matchday 2- Zenic vs HUElavia at The Ring Tank Stadium (54,000), Ostosaide; and Matchday 3- HUElavia vs Mertagne at The Ring Tank Stadium (54,000), Ostosaide. While thousands of HUElavians will be present at the stadium for the matches, the Matchday 3 game will be expected to be with less HUElavians than usual, given the team is taking on the co-hosts, who will be coming out in full force.

Coach Honda named what many expected to be the selected roster, with most of the main starters and backups from the Qualifiers, although with some of the players from the U18 World Cup team that finished 2nd place in Tumbra against the hosts themselves. The roster is viewed positively, with plenty of veterans and youth to play in rotation (if needed), but there is good hope that the team can do well. The team will be resting and doing their training at the outskirts of Ostosaide while staying in the country.

Fans will be coming by the thousands, with HUElavian Airlines taking up the travel demands, sending daily flights to and from both Huayramarca and Mertagne, flying to all cities of both countries, but with specifically more flights to both Dannin and Ostosaide, and wherever HUElavia would play at, should they make the knockouts. One thing is for sure, Mertagne can count on seeing the Yellow and Blue of HUElavia draping the stadiums and streets of these cities as HUElavians make their very notable travel to the country.

Another World Cup is upon the multiverse once again, and HUElavia has much optimism to pick up where they left off. Either way, nobody can think ahead and one must take it a game at a time. Zwangzug awaits us, and these Jaguars are hungry for another upset. What better way to open up Matchday 1, serving as one of the first matches of the World Cup. Here's to hoping this can be yet another memorable World Cup.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Tumbra** » Tue Apr 16, 2024 12:28 pm

Tumbra 5-2 Legalese

TMB (4-3-3): 1 - V Jones; 2 - A Renton, 4 - S Kerr (20 - Y Lawson, 70'), 14 - C Whitfield, 19 - J Green (3 - T Mercurio, 70'); 6 - T Harrison (32 - M Finnemore, 81'), 8 - I Robertson, 16 - V Leighton (10 - S Monaghan, 65'); 7 - V Wells, 9 - L Crossley (21 - A Pearson, 65'); 11 - C Henshaw

TMB scorers: Charlotte Henshaw (5', 7', 81'), Victor Leighton (29'), Christine Whitfield (60')
LGL scorers: Hasana Hirst (87'), Lindo (90')

Player of the Match: Charlotte Henshaw [TMB]

TUMBRAN WORLD CUP 96 ROSTER — SIMPLIFIED VERSION
aGoalkeepers:a 1 - Victoria Jones (Lakewood City), 12 - Richard Russell (Lakewood United), 13 - Mike Hahn (Ridgewell Rovers)
aLeft-backs:a 2 - Annie Renton (Serrapince), 18 - Hazel Kennedy (Couno Rangers)
aCentre-backs:a 4 - Stephen Kerr (Chromatik, CMT, vc), 5 - Wendy Pritchett (Lakewood United), 14 - Christine Whitfield (Myana, CMT), 20 - Yvonne Lawson (St. John's Arsenal, QUE), 24 - Belinda Proudfoot (Lakewood United)
aRight-backs:a 3 - Tracey Mercurio (Kingston FC, QUE), 19 - James Green (Bavingtor FC, FVA)
aDefensive midfielders:a 6 - Trudy Harrison (Chromatik, CMT, c), 15 - Lucas McCormick (Lakewood City), 23 - Heather Hindmarsh (Newark Argyle)
aPlaymaking midfielders:a 8 - Ian Robertson (Ridgewell Rovers), 16 - Victor Leighton (Lakewood City), 25 - Stella Harrington (Hesham)
aAttacking midfielders:a 10 - Susan Monaghan (Lakewood City)
aLeft wingers:a 7 - Valerie Wells (Lakewood United), 17 - Erin Robertson (Couno Rangers)
aRight wingers:a 9 - Lynne Crossley (Chromatik, CMT), 21 - Audrey Pearson (Rülândéá Kôstä, RUL)
aStrikers:a 11 - Charlotte Henshaw (Lakewood City), 22 - Edward Maddison (Avondale City, SYL), 26 - Julie Hardaker (Myana, CMT)
aManager:a Michael Campbell

World Cup 96 -  Final Squad
Goalkeepers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                      Caps      CS
1   GK      Victoria Jones       F      30      Lakewood City               62      36
12  GK      Richard Russell      M      30      Lakewood United             24      13
13  GK      Mike Hahn            M      29      Ridgewell Rovers            11       3

Defenders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                      Caps     Gls
2   LB      Annie Renton         F      29      Serrapince                  80       0
18  LB      Hazel Kennedy        F      26      Couno Rangers               27       0

4   CB      Stephen Kerr         M      30      Chromatik [CMT]            190       7
5   CB      Wendy Pritchett      F      28      Lakewood United             61       2
14  CB      Christine Whitfield  F      27      Myana [CMT]                 39       1
20  CB      Yvonne Lawson        F      26      St. John's Arsenal [QUE]    39       1
24  CB      Belinda Proudfoot    F      28      Lakewood United             32       1

3   RB      Tracey Mercurio      F      29      Kingston [QUE]              95       1
19  RB      James Green          M      29      Bavingtor [FVA]             73       2

Midfielders
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                      Caps     Gls
6   CDM     Trudy Harrison       F      30      Chromatik [CMT]            199       4
15  CDM     Lucas McCormick      M      29      Lakewood City               65       0
23  CDM     Heather Hindmarsh    F      24      Newark Argyle                6       0

8   CM      Ian Robertson        M      30      Ridgewell Rovers            69       4
16  CM      Victor Leighton      M      26      Lakewood City               17       3
25  CM      Stella Harrington    F      24      Hesham                      12       3

10  CAM     Susan Monaghan       F      30      Lakewood City               81      14

Wingers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                      Caps     Gls
7   LW      Valerie Wells        F      30      Lakewood United            161      28
17  LW      Erin Robertson       F      26      Couno Rangers               37       3

9   RW      Lynne Crossley       F      30      Chromatik [CMT]            126      26
21  RW      Audrey Pearson       F      26      Rülândéá Kôstä [RÜL]        42      12

Strikers
No  Pos     Name                Sex     Age     Club                      Caps     Gls
11  ST      Charlotte Henshaw    F      28      Lakewood City               85      42
22  ST      Edward Maddison      M      24      Avondale City [SYL]         16      10
26  ST      Julie Hardaker       F      28      Myana [CMT]                 57      14

Left Corner Taker                           Erin Robertson/Valerie Wells/Victor Leighton
Right Corner Taker                          Charlotte Henshaw/Audrey Pearson/Victor Leighton
Penalties                                   Charlotte Henshaw/Trudy Harrison/Valerie Wells/Lynne Crossley/Ian Robertson
Direct FK Taker                             Susan Monaghan/Ian Robertson/Erin Robertson
Indirect FK Taker                           Susan Monaghan/Ian Robertson/Belinda Proudfoot/Tracey Mercurio
Most likely to foul/be booked               Stephen Kerr/Trudy Harrison/Edward Maddison
Most likely to shoot                        Edward Maddison/Lynne Crossley/Charlotte Henshaw
Most likely to score from close-range       Charlotte Henshaw/Audrey Pearson/Edward Maddison
Most likely to score from long-range        Valerie Wells/Ian Robertson/Lynne Crossley
Most likely to be fouled                    Valerie Wells/Edward Maddison/Susan Monaghan
Most likely to attempt the spectacular      Edward Maddison/Charlotte Henshaw

Changes from WC95:
Out: Ian Ashburn (ret.), Vincent Hicks (ret.), Sabine Kemp, Mark Finnemore, Natalie Coleman, Nick Riordan
In: Belinda Proudfoot, Victor Leighton, Hazel Kennedy, Heather Hindmarsh, Stella Harrington, Julie Hardaker

Huayramarca Metropolitan District

And breathe.

The game had already practically been settled with Charlotte Henshaw's hat-trick anyway; her brace in the opening ten minutes of the Legalese-Tumbra World Cup 96 playoff had gotten things off to an excellent start. The lead would be increased again, to three, via Victor Leighton just before the half-hour mark; before the game slowed down and the mantra became "guide it to the finish," in a bid to not embarrass the Legalites.

Well, until Christine Whitfield headed the ball into the goal on the hour mark, off a corner. And then Charlotte made it five on the eightieth minute. She caught wind of Michael staring at her, though, and restrained her celebrations accordingly; nothing was to be too exuberant, nothing was to be overly celebrated. That had been the theme of these qualifiers, and especially this playoff game; they'd come into it, fresh off a World Cup final (the details of which were not to be overly dwelled upon), and had become complacent. Third in the Campionato. One point against Saint Eleanor in the qualifiers, dropping two points to an unranked Auprussia.

They were getting cocky, and Michael Campbell knew this was a death sentence. So he'd become harsher before the playoffs. To think of yourselves as favourites was to tilt the balance of luck away. To celebrate too much was to invite recrimination. So stay quiet; move efficiently, silently; internalise everything, release it all in private. And it'd worked, somewhat; while it hadn't exactly made for good interviews, the team had bonded through a quiet sense of purpose. They were always the underdogs; they were always on the verge of slipping up, and so everything had to be played by the book.

After Marco Hemmings, Yuan Zilai, and Peter Gabriel, Tumbra had returned to its roots; shutting down games, hitting hard on the counter, and never letting anything go for granted.

Michael Campbell smiled as he shook the Legalite manager, Chogan Williams' hand; they'd scored two when the game was effectively over, but in another world where Henshaw hadn't netted her hat-trick, nor Whitfield her header, it would probably have breathed new life into the Legalites' game. Williams walked across the pitch to console his players, while Campbell took out his phone. Across the two countries which would host the World Cup, Mertagne and Huayramarca, regular time was ending in all of them; and while Tumbra had eased past Legalese, most of the other teams weren't so lucky. He flipped open the Matchday app...and across the top banner were the playoff scores that hadn't finished within 90 minutes.

WORLD CUP 96 PLAYOFFS ZWZ 0-0 PAS FT | VDR 1-1 PUG FT | FFD 2-2 STR FT | SRZ 2-2 JUE FT | DRK 1-1 KSK FT

A full half the games. Now he let himself breathe again; they were one of only two sides to score five, and the only side to win by three. He smiled to himself — just for a second, couldn't let him enjoy it too much — and then put his phone away. Tonight was a night to breathe out; perhaps he could allow for just some relaxation.

One year ago
Straton

"You know, Michael, it's not very healthy to dwell on it like this."

"It still haunts me, Dr. Reynolds," Tumbran national team manager Michael Campbell groaned slightly, staring up at the ceiling while lying on the couch. The lights in the therapist's room were comfortable; if not for the fact that he was still reliving the World Cup final loss from two years ago. "What matters, even?"

"You know, two years ago I was seeing a lot of patients who thought the same thing," his therapist, Adrian, mused. "They were all going through a crisis of confidence. Didn't want to face the world anymore. All wanted to downsize. A few even wanted to leave. Coincided with that time we lost 0-0 and were dumped out of the World Cup. Ninety-four, I think it was?"

"Maybe the national mood mirrors the national football team's fortunes."

"It does seem that way, though I make sure never to equate correlation to causation," Adrian chuckled. "Business did seem to ease up when you reached the World Cup Final. Maybe they have you to thank for that."

"But does it matter? In the grand scheme of things, does anything we do matter?"

"No, of course not, Michael," said Adrian, bemused.

"Hang on — you're not meant to —" Michael sat up in the couch, surprised that Adrian would let him take his negative train of thought this far. "I thought you'd always shut down my negative trains of thought when they appeared."

"I hadn't finished, Michael," Adrian laughed. "Of course nothing we do matters. But on the other hand, that means everything we do matters. Remember, Michael, our cognitive behavioural therapy sessions, where we learned to..."

"Re-orient."

"Exactly."

"You think that the world is cruel and unfeeling because you lost the World Cup to a side of amateurs. Well, and one professional player."

"Mhm."

"Well, it is."

"Eh?" Adrian Reynolds was not exactly speaking like how Michael Campbell was expecting his therapist to speak like right now.

"But you made it to the World Cup final, in a time where it seemed everyone was going to give up. That was only possible because of the clash of millions of possible outcomes, every little thing that happened. There are no pre-destined narratives, no wheels of fate, nothing pre-ordained. Just what you do. And so yes, we are all little specks of dust in an infinite universe, and in some of those universes we have been invaded by the Free Republics, or blasted to dust by space lasers, or anything. But that is exactly what makes everything we do matter. So you lost. So what! Winning isn't the only thing."

"Still..."

"Nihilism, to me, is one of the most difficult philosophies in life to balance. Too little, and you sink into a fugue that renders you immobile. Too much, and you live your life on the edge, recklessly. Both are consequences, after all, of believing that nothing in life matters. Because if nothing in life matters, why do anything? If nothing in life matters, why have inhibitions at all? But just the right amount is enough to remind you that you should take everything you do into account. That you make sure you're not harming anyone, or yourself. That you take into account that everything you do, no matter how insignificant, is bound to have consequences." Adrian was now smiling as he looked at Michael.

"So it didn't matter that we lost the World Cup final...?"

"It did. Well, it will probably always matter. But it doesn't matter. Winning is not the only thing. I have seen many a Serrapince businessman come through here; focused entirely on winning, securing the next big deal, entirely focused on the stock market and whether the price of Sterling's stock went up that day or not. But by the time they came through those doors, they were all empty husks. They had focused so much on winning that they had forgotten how to live. To connect."

"I feel like we've deviated a bit —"

"The same could happen to you. Focus too much on winning, turn into an empty husk. Chase a goal too much, lose sight of everything else. The important thing is not to win, Michael, you know this. You lost, but there are so many memories associated with it, no? I remember you telling me how happy you were that the squad were playing well again. That they were enjoying Sylestone in its entirety, even if the heat was horrid. So don't focus on winning. If anything, actively eschew it. Results second, connections first."

"Bit rich to say when my job literally depends on results, Dr. Reynolds," Michael shot back, side-eyeing the therapist.

"Oh, I know," Adrian replied. "But there are ways to balance it out." The therapist smirked. "There are ways to be ambitious, yet not court hubris. Ways to demonstrate desire, yet not bring about disaster."

Present day
Huayramarca Metropolitan District

"Congratulations, Michael, on making it back to the World Cup. Bit of a nervy end to the game there, was it?" The press came thick and fast, as always; they were like hyenas, always identifying their next scoop and leaping. He swallowed some spit, nodded, and started.

"Well, yeah, it happens when you concede two in five minutes, but I think we all knew the game was over by then. So yes, it's always nervy, but I think by then all of us just were willing for the game to end."

"So you've returned to the World Cup. And according to a poll of ours, 32% of respondents have you down as the favourites for the tournament. Are you the favourites?" came another question. This time, it was a female voice.

"No."

"Really?"

"What more d'you want me to say?" Michael grinned. "The answer's no, and it will always be no when I'm here. Because we are never the favourites, ah..."

"Layla."

"We are never the favourites, Layla. Never."

"But your team is ranked fourth in the world."

"Rank isn't everything. Even now, the third-ranked team in the world, Farfadillis, is playing in the playoffs. I think they're still in extra time?"

"They've just been brought to penalties, actually," said the reporter, checking her own phone.

"Yes, exactly. And seventh-ranked Banija didn't even make it, when two years ago we were all talking about how the Sylestone half of the World Cup was simply a race to lose to them. Rank does not matter. When it comes down to it, rank is only a small part in all of the moving parts that make up the sport. Sure, rank is useful as a term of comparison. Oh, so-and-so are stronger than so-and-so, so so-and-so will be more likely to win. But the key operative phrase is more likely. If rank was all that mattered we need not even show up at the World Cup, because Valanora would win every World Cup until the end of time. No, rank doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, and that is exactly why we are never the favourites. Not ever in tournaments, not even in individual matches. The term "favourites" is one that invites complacency. To say that you are the favourites is to court death."

The reporter gulped.

"Other nations may feel more free to express their ambition. But not us. But that doesn't mean we're not ambitious, that we don't aspire to do things. We just don't show it. We don't like to show it."

"So if rank doesn't matter, what does?"

"Everything else. At the end of the day, when we play football, what is it for? To win? Sure, winning is good. But to focus solely on winning is to lose sight of what matters. If I wanted to win all the time I would simply play this team against teams who are much less experienced than us, and we would all go home happy. But would we be satisfied? You tell me. Would you be satisfied if all you cared about was winning?"

The reporter shook her head.

"Exactly. We have reached a World Cup final. We have been blessed enough in that regard. It is an opportunity not many ever get to experience. That we lost, is, in the grand scheme of things, no matter. Nothing matters in the grand scheme of things, but that is exactly why everything matters."

MATCHDAY Magazine World Cup Previews — Tanirinthia
Tanirinthia
Previous Appearances: 1 First/Latest Appearance: 95/95 Best Result: Group stages (95)
Manager: None listed Key Player: Violet Bacchus
vs Tumbra: MD1 @ Webster
TUMBRA BEGINS ITS WORLD CUP 96 CAMPAIGN with a particularly interesting enigma — how exactly does one play against a team with no manager? That enigma was one that faced the rest of qualification group 16, too, as Tanirinthia blazed through the opposition to collect the group winner's title and send the fourth-placed team from last time out, Farfadillis, to a playoff — which, to the relief of current affairs analysts everywhere, they won. But the question of "how do you beat a team without a manager" remains; this was a team who only lost to Baptism of Fire 83 champions Hakushiya, and recent returnees Qusmo, and it seems only those two sides have the answer. Or maybe themselves.

Tanirinthia themselves remain a mystery. Their first runs out during the 93rd and 94th editions of the World Cup resulted in decent returns, finishing eighth out of twelve and sixth of eleven respectively. But the Arrosian side came to prominence the edition after; taking advantage of a short qualifying cycle, they leapfrogged the likes of the Ochre Islands, Cap Nord, and Abanhfleft into second place in Group 9. They then beat Qasden in the play-off in an outcome that was deemed mildly surprising, with the attentions of the world that cycle focused more on the fact that West Barack and East Obama had beaten Kandorith, or that Elmyia beat Cassadaigua, or even that an unfancied Vdara side beat Savojarna. They ended up finishing fourth in their group in the actual World Cup, managing to hold Tikariot to a draw on the final matchday with just pride to play for.

And then this cycle. Few expected them to win their group, especially with names such as Qusmo, Hakushiya, the Polar Islandstates, and Farfadillis in it; but they did so anyway. Six points from Farfadillis and the Polar Islandstates, three each from Qusmo and Hakushiya, six from one-time Cup of Harmony podium finishers Archalit, and four from unfancied Esperonia — there's always one that slips away, as Tumbra learned against Auprussia this cycle — and they stamped their ticket to their second consecutive World Cup. Not much is known about the way they play, even less about their manager — which leaves them as a complete enigma. But we know they play at least some degree of attacking football, having outscored the famously attack-happy Farfadillis with an average of 3.08 goals a match. Their attacking unit, with some degree of focus given to striker Violet Bacchus, is probably the strongest part of their squad. But they remain an enigma — which makes them simultaneously a puzzle to tease apart and maddeningly frustrating to deal with until they are played against. And they have proven to be rather fluid, too; some have already called the match Tanirinthia's Box, because nobody knows how they will play until the first whistle blows.

So, after all that, the question remains — How exactly do you beat a team with no manager? When they line up against the Oaks in Webster, under a damaged arch still bearing the scars of a recently-finished war, Tumbra will be hoping they have the answer. And they'd better; neither the Holy Empire, who were knocked out in the second round of the previous World Cup, nor debutants Indusse, will be looking to give up any inch to each other; meaning a result here is crucial if Tumbra are to escape their group.
TUMBRA v TANIRINTHIA, WORLD CUP 96 MATCHDAY 1 — STARTING XI (Full Roster)
Starters: 12 - Richard Russell; 2 - Annie Renton, 4 - Stephen Kerr, 14 - Christine Whitfield, 19 - James Green; 6 - Trudy Harrison, 8 - Ian Robertson, 10 - Susan Monaghan; 7 - Valerie Wells, 9 - Lynne Crossley; 26 - Julie Hardaker
Bench: 1 - Victoria Jones, 13 - Mike Hahn; 18 - Hazel Kennedy, 5 - Wendy Pritchett, 20 - Yvonne Lawson, 24 - Belinda Proudfoot, 3 - Tracey Mercurio; 15 - Lucas McCormick, 23 - Heather Hindmarsh, 16 - Victor Leighton, 25 - Stella Harrington; 17 - Erin Robertson, 21 - Audrey Pearson; 11 - Charlotte Henshaw, 22 - Edward Maddison

by **Ko-oren** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 2:59 am

NS World Cup Fantasy Qualification

Here we go again. Fantasy points in blue, picks in red, KPB in yellow, table sorted by points and goal difference. Enjoy!

by **Zenic** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 2:09 pm

“I’m positive you’re going to do amazing things. Go out there and show the world you deserve to be there for a long time.”

Killian hung up the phone after exchanging goodbyes with Zys. The Zenic National Futbol Team had just landed in Mertagne a day after their 2-1 victory over Valentine Z in Huayramarca during the World Cup Play-in Playoff. The entire office, nay the entire EMPIRE, was humming with a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. A decent number of the federation employees had not been old enough (and in some cases, weren’t even born) to remember World Cup 73, the last and only time the Survivors had made it to the grandest stage of them all. And those who were old enough were unsure of how to feel after everything that had happened between these two visits.

Speaking about World Cup 73, Killian reminisced about his time as manager during said edition. The excitement, the anticipation, the preparation, the hard-fought battles both on and off the pitch and the joy of playing futbol on that kind of stage came flooding back into his mind and body. He figured Zys and the squad must be going through something similar. Actually, it was eerily similar how the two qualifying campaigns had gone. Both times, Zenic finished second in their group behind the nation that was predicted to win the group. Then, winning a hotly contested duel against a similarly matched opponent. Finally, being placed in a World Cup group with one of the hosts and two other teams after qualifying as one of the three lowest seeds in that edition. Luke, however, was a little lucky that the only World Cup winner in that group was Audioslavia. Meanwhile, Zys…………also only had one World Cup winner in their current group, Zwangzug.

“Wow, that’s a lot of coincidences. Almost supernatural.”

Brushing the thought off, Luke realized that this current group would be much tougher to crack. Unlike back then, extreme styles now are the exception, not the standard. Mertagne, HUElavia and Zwangzug all run proven formations with reasonable styles molded to fit the players and managers. The quality and experience of the players as well as the tactical moves in-game by the manager will matter significantly more these next few matches.

Which is why Killian recommended Zys to Minister Dimi and Emperor Cuauhtémoc a few years back when national team sports were coming back. The Empire would need a better manager than Sanders or Killian were if they wanted to reach the heights of World Cup champions. Geraldo Zys had already proven that Killian's faith was correctly placed with the Copa title and the quality results during the ICC: the World Cup visit was just a bonus at this point.

But knowing Zys, he was going to go for blood anyways, metaphorically of course. He wasn’t going to allow his players the excuse of being intimidated by grander opposition as a means to skip out on going full throttle and aiming to win. Mertagne, HUElavia and Zwangzug should expect a slugfest on their hands. And Killian, alongside the citizens of the Empire, were eager to stand by and watch from the stands.

“Now, let the gladiator fights commence.”

by **United Mandaran States** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 9:10 pm

Road to Unification

Part VII : The Executive Candidates

Mandaran Executive Council is the executive office of United Mandaran States consists of 8 members, one from each constituent state. This body acted as the executive branch of the country and responsible in daily government duties. One each will be elected as the official President of the Union and will be accompanied by Vice President of the Union. The position is rotated amongst the members until the next election.

The candidates are proposed by each political group in each state. There are no minimum supports needed for the political group to nominate their candidate. So, all political groups are eligible to propose their candidate as long as they have a party member or affiliate party within the constituent state where they propose their candidate. Most of the constituent states use two-round system in order to elect the Executive Council's member.

Cakranegara

There are 2 candidates that are being nominated in Cakranegara. They are Ahmad Sobari from UMNA and Ratna Sari Dewi from ManDeSA. There was a conflict inside Cakranegara's UMNA where two people express their interest, Ahmad Sobari and Hambali. Sobari was Cakranegaran former President from Partai Nasional Saka while Hambali is the country's current President. A compromise was made so Ahmad Sobari is selected to compete in Mandaran Executive election. On the other hand, Hambali will seek re-election in the upcoming Cakranegara presidential election who will be held in late 2026.

Ratna Sari Dewi is a member of Partai Kesejahteraan Rakyat who is currently held the Governor position of South Saka Province. She is known for her bold personality and sometimes harsh words. But she is very close to her people in the province. Actually, she is the frontrunner for the party in the upcoming Cakranegara Presidential Election. However, with the change in the country's politics, she shifts her attention to the Mandaran Executive Council position.

Opinion polls show a close race between the two candidates where some of the polls shows Sobari in lead while Sari Dewi leads in other polls. Political experts' comments that the establishment of United Mandaran States greatly affected the support to UMNA's members and their candidate. This in connection with the people believes that UMS is Pemecutan's new tools to control the region and Cakranegara involvement in it is seen as a weakness of the government. This situation is taken into advantage by ManDeSA to gain support. Thus, resulting in the close race between the two.

Gili Anakan

There are also two candidates compete for the position of Executive Council of Gili Anakan. UMNA's candidate is Lalu Ahmed Sofyan. He come from a renown noble family in the constituent state. At the age of 42 years old, he enters politics in a very young age. He was once the leader of Partai Amanat Rakyat youth wing before becoming the party's provincial chief in Gili Sulat. He has been a member of Majelis Konsultatif Nasional for almost a decade.

The opponent is from ManDeSA name Hakim Darmaji. Darmaji is a member of Majelis Konsultatif Nasional from Gili Petagan. A senior member of Aliansi Demokrasi Kerakyatan, he has experienced in some institutions and high-ranking position such as Minister of Law, Ambassador to Toluiwa and Rarungan, etc.

Early opinion polls indicate a strong support for Hakim Darmaji. His experience and regional connections have become his strong value.

Manguwirajya

Four candidates are nominated in Manguwirajya to become the state's first Executive Council. Indra Bayujaya (UMNA), Surya Wiradarma (ManDeSA), Kadek Riska Safitri (Mandaran Green) and Agus Suryapraja (RCM). Indra Bayujaya is a member of Pesamuan Surya Mandala. He is currently seating as the member of Uma Rakryan. He rise to candidacy from UMNA for his experience in politics and international relations. He is a strong supporter of greater autonomy for Manguwirajya and independency of the state from Pemecutan. The candidate from ManDeSA is Surya Wiradarma, former Patih Madya of Manguwirajya from Pesamuan Krama Rahayu. He held the position for 3 terms and is replaced by Pande Ngurah Adi Wirahadi of Pesamuan Surya Mandala in the latest election. Wiradarma is known for his headstrong and explicit disagreement with Ngurah Agung Kusumajaya, Pemecutanian former Patih Madya.

Kadek Riska Safitri turn to politics after becoming an environment activist. She has a big concern of industrialization which cause the deterioration of the nature. Her other concern is waste management issue, pollution and land conversion practice which currently become a big issue in the state. Agus Suryapraja is the leader of Partai Jaya Dharma. He is trusted to be the candidate of Religious and Conservative Mandaran political group in Manguwirajya. His success to increase the party's visibility in the latest election is seen as a good factor for him to run for the position.

In the polls, a tight contestation is happening between Indra Bayujaya and Surya Wiradarma with Wiradarma is leading in 3 out of 7 polls. Bayujaya lead in 2 polls while the other 2 shows both candidates received the same support. The third placement in polls are varied between Safitri and Suryapraja. However, Suryapraja made a surprise by placing third in 4 out of 7 polls.

Pemecutan

The constituent state has the most candidates of all with 5 candidates from all 5 political groups. Dewa Ayu Made Maryati (UMNA), Ngurah Agung Kusumajaya (ManDeSA), Putu Susila (Mandaran Green), Widya Kristianti (MMG) and Farhan Trisandi (RCM). Dewa Ayu Made Maryati is currently a member of Pemecutan's Krama Sabha. She holds her seat for the third time. A senior member of Pesamuan Pandu Nagari, Maryati is known as gender equality supporter. Despite the party's conservative nature, she is seen as a great example of women leader. She's a strong opposition of Manguwirajya and Petang Islands secession and see the event as the government failure. Ngurah Agung Kusumajaya is Pemecutan's former Patih Madya who lost his position in the latest election following his party loss. He retains his Krama Sabha's seat but eyeing the position in the Executive Council. His candidacy is highly supported as he is a well-known politician. His ups and downs in Pemecutan politics and during his Patih Madya's office terms are his strong advantage.

Putu Susila is the leader of Masyarakat Jaga Subak, part of Mandaran Green political group. He and his party concern are about climate change that might affect the state's foods productions. Susila also hopes to decrease foods imports which will affect the carbon footprint of the products. Widya Kristianti of Mandaran Minority Group is a senior member of Aliansi Mitra and Soma. She was the leader of the political party for 12 years. She is currently active as legal consultant in the party. She is selected as candidate because of her experience and her vocal voice of equality to all citizens. The last candidate is Farhan Trisnandi from Partai Islam Pemecutan. Trisnandi is the leader of the party and have led the party for around 7 years. Recently, the party gained more support that they are able to secure 2 seats in Pemecutan's Krama Sabha and back to the state's lower house. This success that led to his nomination for Mandaran Executive Council position.

In the opinion polls, 3 candidates are seen to be on the top, surprising everyone. The experts were predicted that Ngurah Agung Kusumajaya will lead in the polls but after the polls are released, surprise happened. Kusumajaya only won in 2 out of 7 early polls. Maryati won in the other 3 and Susila surprisingly won in the other 2. Kusumajaya also gets a weak support in 2 polls where he only finished 4 below Widya Kristianti. Expert stated that recent incidents might still affected people's opinion towards Kusumajaya which leads to his underperformance in the early polls.

Petang Islands

3 candidates are nominated in Petang Islands for the Executive Council position. Eka Subagia (UMNA), Yuda Birawa (ManDeSA) and Krisna Harimurthi (Mandaran Green and RCM). This is the only state where there is a candidate from a coalition of political group. Eka Subagia is the current mayor of Petang City. He was wanted to become Petang Islands Prime Minister and seek position as the leader of Pesamuan Petang Jaya party. However, he loses the position. Subagia shift his attention to Executive Council position. And with the permission and approval from his party, he is ready to be nominated. Yuda Birawa is currently member of Pesamuan Warga, Petang Islands' lower house. He was former Minister of Agriculture and Marine of Petang Islands and known for his success to increase the state's seafood catches. He initiates the modernization of Petang Islands fishing vessels as fishing is one of the state's main occupations. His candidacy is supported by ManDeSA in the hope to increase the country's marine products capacity especially in Cendana Islands who have huge marine potential. Krisna Harimurthi is the leader of Partai Bahari Jaya who has a big concern in overfishing and plastic waste that roamed the state's beaches. As Petang Islands is highly dependent on tourism, this situation gives negative impact to them. He is actually nominated by Mandaran Green but then gain support from RCM.

With the recent election happens, it is also affected the people's views towards the upcoming Executive election. Eka Subagia receive more supports base on the early polls held by 4 independent survey institutions. But the gap is not too wide between Subagia and Birawa which leads to speculation that Birawa might steal the spot if he campaigns greatly.

Rarungan

Rarungan also have 3 candidates in their upcoming executive council's election. Gusti Ngurah Agung Kelakan (UMNA), Putu Ayu Suarsinta (ManDeSA) and Jaya Handika (MMG). Despite having 3 candidates, Kelakan is predicted to be the clear winner of the election. This is based on the dominant party nature of the state where Kelakan's party, Partai Gerakan Nasional have always win Rarungan's election from the state's first general election held in 1980's.

Soracana Islands

Soracana Islands also have 3 candidates running in their executive council's election. Current Soracana Islands Prime Minister, Basubala Anggarjahia running on behalf of ManDeSA. UMNA candidate is Sorabala Kayabasu and Jandiyuha Sandyabala is a candidate from RCM. Sorabala Kayabasu is the leader of Parte Mahiajili and current member of Soracana Islands' Sarbuka Kayam, the lower house. Jandiyuha Sandyabala is the leader of Parte Bitramara.

Based on opinion polls, Anggarjahia and Kayabasu are the main contender. Anggarjahia is already known for his works as Prime Minister of Soracana Islands for 2 terms. He is praise for his works in the position and how he handled huge event especially the 2019 coup and also for his strong attitude during Soracana's dependency status under Pemecutan.

Toluiwa

Only 2 candidates are nominated for the upcoming executive council's election. Reza Suharja (UMNA) and Yahya Hamid (ManDeSA). Current Toluiwa President, Abdul Qadari was previously named as the candidate from UMNA. However, he turns down the rumor although he hasn't revealed his next move yet. Qadari is not eligible to run for presidential office because he had held it for 2 terms. Suharja is senior member of Partai Toluiwa Bersatu and current Minister of Trade and Industry. His vision is an industrialize Toluiwa. Despite the huge area and population, Toluiwa is fall behind of Manguwirajya and Soracana Islands in term of economy. While Yahya Hamid is a member of Partai Liberal Toluiwa and member of Dewan Rakyat Toluiwa. He is known for his strong support of equality and economy liberation. Although against monopoly, he supports foreign and private investment in order to increase the state's economy. He also wants less intervention from the government.

Both are strong candidates, and it is reflected in the poll. Despite Suharja win in 3 out of 5 polls, the gap is quite narrow.

by **Juvencus** » Fri Apr 19, 2024 6:14 am

All stories have a beginning and an ending. Some are positive, some are negative. Where Madeiros left us, Gaetan picked us up. In a surprising twist of fate completely opposite outcomes have led us to where we are at today.

Where Madeiros completely dominated everyone but 1 team last cycle and lost at the last hurdle against the struggling world champions, Banija, -we all remember that 2-3 defeat- Gaetan has managed to give us bliss after a campaign akin to theirs. Rank-wise, Sarzonia looked to be an easier opponent but the truth was far from that as they had overdone themselves in a difficult group.

Truthfully, la squadra had gone the other way. Home games were a mess, maybe there was something in the air but only getting 2 victories at home despite playing beautiful attacking football was confusing. Away games were different, remaining undefeated far from home the entire way.

Gaetan’s comments had sparked a lot of interest in him as a personality, while Madeiros always remained humble, Gaetan gave a touch of arrogance not unusual for domestic managers. The team performed up to his standards? He would silence the media with a pompous attitude. It performed below standards? He would defend the players and his own skin to the very last breath, not a subpar strategy to follow when media is on your neck always.

What his antics managed was not only the interest however. He split a nation in half, with staunch supporters on one hand valiantly portraying him as the new savior, a greater manager in the works than both Madeiros or Toset. On the other hand, his critics would be foaming from their mouths and present him as worse than the mafia itself. The reality of the situation was that Gaetan would always manage to maintain his word even as the scapegoat.

He warned everyone that the players are talented at the start of the cycle. Over time the players proved that, especially with victories against Qasden and Brookstation in convincing fashion. He reminded everyone to keep faith in the mid-qualifiers struggles and especially after the ties against Wight and The 14 Stars that saw our team fall back to 3rd place for a while. But most of all, he told everyone to respect our nation after clinching a playoffs spot and then la squadra rose above all in a dramatic way against Sarzonia.

The game itself was dramatic, a back and forth between an old giant and a team that has been considered an up-and-comer or even a lost cause for far too long. Whenever the Sarzonians would find net, the Juven would always find an answer. 1-1 at half-time, with a Gilberto Soares equaliser. An equal seesaw of a matchup would follow in the second half, with the Sarzonians getting in the lead early on. However, the Juven defence would manage to maintain its composure and stop all attacks from then on. This would lead to Carlos Coste playing injured for the majority of the second half following a series of harsh challenges to and from Sarzonians.

Carlos Coste has been pivotal in Tumbran side Couno Rangers, being one of its starting defenders. His attributes have been getting used in both Couno and la squadra right. His faith in himself and the team were what would carry him to the end. Alongside that, a feeling that he would contribute at some point in the game kept him on despite Gaetan’s orders for a substitution.

“Just keep me in for a little while longer, I’ve got you coach.” said the proud defender, whose risky strategy would ultimately pay off with a majestic header that required every last bit of his remaining willpower left in the 90th minute. This equaliser would erupt the Juven crowd at Mertagne and give Gaetan a sigh of relief.

Coste would celebrate towards Gaetan’s direction where he’d hug the coach.

“You can sub me off now, I did my part and I am in a lot of pain.”

In his place would enter Giorgio Stafylidi who would be the team’s most important player during extra time. His energy would be exactly what gli attaccanti needed against a ferocious opponent and with a goal-line block in the 117th minute, he saved the day for Juvencus.

The penalties would follow and anxiety would run down the spine of the team, with Madeiros the team would always lag far behind from the penalty spot since the extra time goal was the team’s usual guarantee in any knockout stage.

The Stars would go first, their kicker was Kitt Morgan, a simple, yet powerful shot would be hard for Ungaro to stop.

La squadra followed, with Callejon going first. Callejon would nail it in the top left side of the goal, nothing the Sarzonian keeper would be able to do.

Holly Chambers looked anxious but would still net it in to make it 2-1, despite Ungaro dropping and even touching the ball with the tips of his fingers.

Gilberto Soares was trusted by Gaetan to take the second penalty. A player with strong mental capacities and a knack for confusing the opposing keepers would strike the ball to the middle of the goal with the Sarzonian keeper dropping on the left side.

A mind game followed between Spencer Wilson and Juan Carlos Ungaro. The Juven keeper had finally picked his stride and guessing would not be difficult from now onward. Shit-talking was part of the game now, Ungaro would move his legs and proclaim.

“Wherever you shoot, I will catch it. Mira me hermano, you will shoot where I’ll drop no matter what.”

He was correct and the ball would drop on the right side, Juan Carlos Ungaro would not only stop it but block it altogether, making the Juven side erupt in celebrations.

Sara Ponce was next and she has ice in her veins. A panenka was all she needed with her technical ability, nothing the Sarzonian goalkeeper would be able to do. She wound up hyping the Juven crowd in the stands.

The next Sarzonian penalty would hit the crossbar and all that was left was for Ceferino Audiol to finish the business. This much pressure being poured on the nation’s greatest talent is a significant task, Ceferino Audiol would not budge however and with a magnificent strike would score la squadra’s 4th and winning penalty to see Juvencus through to the world cup for the first time in 3 cycles.

The players, fans and staff alike would all celebrate as the Cop Limy Stadium would turn red and gold from the smoke of the fans. Audiol himself would drop to his knees as the entire team and it was Juan Carlos Ungaro that would head to him to pick him up. They had finally done it and they could cherish the moment for a little while longer now, as the world cup was just ahead for them. Small stories like these make or break a nation and Juvencus finally sees itself get another chance at the great dance, this time with the ambition of leaving the competition a much better team than it entered.

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

"THIS GROUP IS STRONG, WE CAN PROVE WE ARE STRONGER" GAETAN STATES FOLLOWING DRAW

La squadra has overdone itself. A dramatic playoffs game saw Juvencus prevail over Sarzonia and manage to clinch a coveted spot at the World Cup proper for the first time in 3 whole cycles. Gaetan's side did not have to wait or trust in the process for many cycles to get a much-needed qualification to the World Cup and now Juvencus is standing among the world's elite for the 4th time in history. While la squadra has not managed to get a victory in the World Cup proper in its previous 3 appearances, the team is looking hopeful to get its first big victory for the whole world to see.

In a group containing some familiar faces, like the Independent Athletes from Quebec and Chromatika to some not-so-familiar faces in Huayramarca, the hosts, la squadra finds itself in perhaps the best group possible to make a big upset and leave its mark at last. All of those teams, bar Huayramarca have had interesting campaigns so far and it would be interesting to analyse them in short fashion.

Chromatika (11) : The Anomalies have been a team ahead of the rest for quite some time now. In the past, they have been difficult for la squadra to defeat in every sport or situation possible. Even in these qualifiers, in a group with fellow Sonnelians West Barrack and East Obama, they topped the group comfortably with just one defeat on the final matchday. They could be carrying a momentum of trying to wipe off this defeat against la squadra, but if there is anything the latter should know is that when la squadra is down, it can always get back up.

Independent Athletes from Quebec (25) : Quebec & Shingoryeo, a nation synonymous with important aspects of recent Juven history. Footballing-wise yet another giant that is trying to find their tracks and move forward. The Grim Reapers have had an even more comfortable campaign during the qualifiers, topping their group with a huge difference from second-place Pasarga UNDEFEATED. A scary side with players who may have SOME history with Juven players or managers at some point in their lives and with a fanbase that is equally aggressive to the Juven one, the game between la squadra and the Grim Reapers will be serious business.

Huayramarca (23) : There is not much information available for the host besides the fact that home advantadge will be significant for them. Estadio Nacional de Huayramarca will be witness to one of the more dramatic openers in recent memory. Despite this, their most recent campaign also saw them dramatically miss out a spot in the World Cup itself due to a playoff defeat against Mytanija in a similar fashion to ours as well as a round of 16 Cup of Harmony exist. There are a lot of parallels between the two teams and as such, a careful attitude is needed by Gaetan's team in order to get past this obstacle.

Gael Gaetan seemed to be the most confident of the people in la squadra, giving props to his players for their performances so far and showing full faith in them by stating:

"There is not doubt that every single world cup group is a difficult group. All the teams here have qualified for a reason, be it dominance on the field or God smiling at them and providing them with luck. I like to think la squadra has a mix of both, whether the lot of you admit it or not and besides that, pre-history with any of those teams means nothing now. This group is strong, what is left for us is to prove we are stronger and finish this campaign with our heads up deep in the competition."

by **Flavovespia** » Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:23 am

With the draw for World Cup 96, Flavovespia land in Group C and will play their games in Huayramarca. Many Flavovespians will make the journey in Anaia to cheer the fans on. A variety of stadia and climates will pose a challenge for Flavovespia, but they'll aim to make past experience of these conditions count. Looking at the teams in their group, they've got some exciting matchups, 2 debutants, the holders, and some familiar names. Going into the World Cup a record high #9 in the World, Flavovespia will certainly hope that the knockout stages can be reached, with the dream to go further than the Round of 16 for the first time. For Augusto Rinaldi, he'll hope that his final games as Flavovespia manager, on the biggest stage of them all, are a success, and he further cements what has been a brilliant era for the nation. Without further ado, the 3 Group C opponents, in order of their games.

Crpostran

Crpostran lived the dream that few nations can, of qualifying at their first attempt at a World Cup. A Round of 16 exit on penalties to Flavovespia’s qualifying group opponents Delitai didn’t deter Crpostan, and despite a pre qualifying rank of #240, stunned Yuezhou, Milchama, and the rest of the group to win with 28 points. Now #73 in the rankings, they will debut in the World Cup against Flavovespia. The Sapphire Strikers will be buoyed by the momentum of the Qualifiers, with the nation of well over 600 million getting behind their rising stars. Nevertheless, Flavovespia will know they need to play the villain of that story, and will seek to play a pragmatic game, capitalising on any mistakes that come of the occasion.

Crpostran play an attacking 4-2-4 formation, not afraid to take the game to their opponents. Benjamin Lefevre leads from the back, one of several in the players who play domestic football outside of their home nations. Manager Leonardo Bianchi brings a squad with a good balance across ages to the tournament, right back Marco Santoro is just 17, striker Dominic Dubois is only 18, and at the other end of the scale, fellow striker Alexander Brown is 33. In their bright sapphire blue kits, with red and yellow trim, they’ll look to dazzle and shine on the pitch. The fans of Crpostran, known as The Talon Troops, will look to give their players a boost from the stands, in their debut World Cup.

Delte

Delte are no strangers to the World Cup by any means. They were the World Cup 95 winners, and go into this tournament looking to be consecutive champions. #2 in the rankings as well, it’d be a bold choice for anyone to suggest they won’t go far this time around. However Flavovespia will point to Banija last time out, defending champions, ranked #1, and eliminated in the group stage with three draws. And in World Cup 94, #4 ranked Turori also exited Flavovespia’s group at the group stage, one of the rare sides to be out on 6 points. Could Flavovespia for a third time, help eliminate the Pot 1 side of their group?

Delte play an attacking 4-3-3, in a style known as “stoicpress”. They play fairly and sportingly, but will press hard from the front, the Flavovespian defence and midfield must be prepared for little time on the ball before making a decision. Ida Spankhurst is head coach, with the winning head coach last time out Mo Unden, in as deputy. The midfield is lead by star player and captain, Enor Perro, one of the handful of the once amateur side who are now professional footballers. In a world of high stakes, high money football, some of the players are still officially amatuers, Steed Tombes, Untto Squaker, Ardrake Steng, Onun Tasher and Irki Mynster all World Cup winners who earn their living via other means. An unbeaten qualifying campaign with 10 wins means Flavovespia and Delte could well be playing each other with long unbeaten streaks on the line.

Xanneria

Xanneria make their debut in the World Cup, but are a nation that are no strangers to football. The FLOX Omega Division, Xanneria’s highest domestic league, has been known for some high scoring sides, and has seen Flavovespians travel to play in it. The Xanneria to Flavovespia transfer pipeline is also strong, with several Xannerian players having been a part of the Flavovespia Super League. Xanneria qualified as group winners, ahead of Poafmersia, Myrtle Beach and fallen giants Banija, and are now ranked #31 in the world.

Playing in a 3-2-2-2, Xanneria are, like all of Flavovespia’s group stage opponents, a fairly attacking side, characteristic of Xannerian football. The roster contains three names that will stand out to Flavovespians, Hibernardo Selltick, Colton Boyd-Church and Jamal Akron. All three are defenders in the Flavovespia Super League, and they’ll certainly recognise some of the faces they’ll be up against in the World Cup. Boyd-Church has also been recognised before for his other professional career as a singer. Flavovespia have played Xanneria before, in the qualifiers of World Cup 89. On that occasion, it was Flavovespia 3-4 Xanneria, and Xanneria 1-2 Flavovespia. The game in Flavovespia has become infamous for a comedy of errors. Aircrew at Lunselbury Airport damaged the Xanneria team plane, Lucky Diamond in goal got injured, then fined for dissent for kicking a crate of water bottles, and a defensive mix up saw Xanneria score a late winner, with Flavovespia’s players nearly brawling amongst themselves. That game saw the end of Marcus McCormick’s stint as Flavovespia manager. Flavovespia will certainly hope those days are past them, and that this game against Xanneria has far less errors, both on and off the pitch.

by **Josifovo** » Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:15 pm

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ZLATNI LAVOVI LOCK PLACE IN THE ECHELONS OF HISTORY - FIRST WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION SEALED

The times that the people of Josifovo live in are times nobody would be able to fathom in this cycle or any cycle soon thereafter. A team that was considered by all metrics weak and lucky managed to qualify for the World Cup itself only in its third try. A team led by managers and players of all ethnic backgrounds, some of which are still in conflict with each other to this day managed to create a cohesive and UNIFIED unit to land a spot at the great dance alongside immortalised nations.

The matches against the United States of Devonta and Zwangzug were both important, the previous more than the latter since an automatic qualification spot was on the line while on the latter, the team had wishful thoughts of only maintain the pride of being undefeated against them. But really, a valiant effort was put into both games and they both were harder than the rest of the qualifiers had been, since everything was at stake.

Visiting Devonta's crammed stadium gave a feeling of uneasiness to the players of the Josifski team. In fact, the home side saw itself leading 2-1 at half-time, thanks to two lightning-quick efforts by their frontline. Thankfully, Filipović could manage to find net right before half-time so the team could find its footing and reassess its playstyle by the second-half. A wonderfully striked direct free-kick by Uroš Tadić saw the Zlatni Lavovi equalise and right then and there was when hope and the realisation that qualification was within an arm's reach. An unusually aggressive Josifski team saw itself going forward and a lot of chances would be missed or saved by the Devontan goalkeeper. On the other hand, the home side would just be unable to counter-attack and would be stopped right off its track in the midfield line. A Trajkovski pass would see substitued Dukagjin Bajrami score the most important goal in the history of Josifovo to make it 2-3 in the dying minutes of the game and as such, qualification was sealed.

Zwangzug is always a difficult opponent to face, no matter if it is home or away. Last time the teams met saw Josifovo narrowly escape from the Eglantine Park with 3 very valuable points that carried it all the way to the end. For Josifovo, it was a match of bragging rights, for Zwangzug it was life or death and getting to that playoff spot was necessary. Indeed, the Zebras were for once not only the more dominant side on the pitch but also the one to escape with 3 points. Stephen Marcus, Jubilee McGraw as well as Juniper McGovern all sealed the victory for the Zwangzugian team by the first half, opting to sit back and let the game unfold for the remainder of the time on the field. The Josifski team did pressure a few times and Soumini Bano-Patil was exceptional most of the time. A penalty earned in the 83rd minute, which was converted by Nusret Mehić would be serve as consolation, with Mehić performing a salah celebration in front of the Zwangzugian keeper.

With Josifovo at the World Cup, the emotions of the players and the managers is at an all-time high, however the FJJ has barred any interviews from the media to the players in order for them to focus on their preparations. Whether or not this will bear fruit will only be revealed after the games of the World Cup in Huayramarca soon, where the team will be facing off against Kelssek, recent rivals Sylestone as well as Audioslavia.

by **Xanneria** » Fri Apr 19, 2024 4:08 pm

World Cup 96 - Roleplay Thread

Rambles WC VII

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WCF-96 G0

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