A Tale Of Two Crescents - WC97 Roleplay Thread

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

BP aim for top of group at halfway
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

The Commonwealth of Baker Park National Team head into the fifth round of fixtures in World Cup 97 Qualifying just a point behind Tumbra in Group 8 following their 1-0 win over Delitai, their sixth match in a row unbeaten after the opening day defeat to United Hawkland.

The Black Eagles will have matchday 9 off having completed their first half fixture list while the Bees will have a pair of home dates against Adab and then United Hawkland will begin the second round of matches against the rest of the group; a pair of victories would push BP back to the top of the table with a two point margin.

Adab make their second visit to Belle Haven hoping to avoid a repeat of their previous visit during the playoffs for World Cup 92, a 4-3 defeat that went to extra time after the sides were drawn at four apiece on the tie as the away goals rule had been eliminated, which would've turned the tables on Baker ParkP in the same way that the World Cup 80 playoff led to the Commonwealth living rent free in the national consciousness of Qasden after all this time. They sit fourth currently just four points behind the Bees, having come off a pair of draws in the last outings.
United Hawkland have kept an uneven pace, with more points against the top three seeds (7) than against the rest of the group with a trip to Delitai on tap before their visit to the BBP Stadium.

BPNT boss Will Barnard got the opportunity during the three match run against the lowest seeds in the group to sprinkle some backups into the lineup and utilize the bench to cut back on minutes for the main squad, but says that normal service will resume for the back half of the schedule.
“We're going to return to a smaller rotation group with the away legs against Zenic and Tumbra coming up, but we've been happy with the way the less experienced players have performed.”

Random notes:
--the nations that have played eight matches thus far sit atop of every group except three: United Mandarin States are 7th in Group 5; HUElavia are 6th in Group 9; and Kelssek are just a point behind Mytanija in Group 11.

--through the first six matchdays only five nations had scored 20 goals or more: Tanirinthia, Huayramarca, Zenic, Delte and BP. After matchday 8 there are 22, with Baker Park tied for 11th with Crpostran, The Holy Empire and Gneis on 21.

Lineup vs Adab MD 9

Cotterill; Frost, O'Connor, Jones; Martini, D'Alessandro, Vetter, A. Boyle; Riley; London, Cohen-Abullah
subs--Duffy, Andrews, Schulman, Morris, S. Logan, Garfield, Morgan, Kirby, Ikiedieze, Khan, Sonjini

Lineup vs United Hawkland MD 10

Rossi; Milner, Kucera, Jones; C.Logan (C), Ryan, Kirby, Altman; McDavid; Engels, Coleman
subs--Dickerson, McKenzie, Schulman, Lohymeyer, Howard, Douglas, Park, Phan, Hardison, Grayson

[The Ko-orenite Constellation]

And then we get to Isidoren. Six historical kingdoms, usurped one by one, fought themselves free from each other over the centuries, but ultimately choosing a future together in face of larger threats. They have so much in common after all: their history, their political structure, religion, they even share a lot of their hobbies, but ask any 'Isidorenian' and they'll tell you life's different in one of the other five areas. Yes, the food is different a few towns over, and the accents change from neighbourhood to neighbourhood (apparently; we're going by what the locals told us, we haven't really spotted any differences), but what sets them apart most is the parades and festivals - each town choosing a slightly different saint to identify themselves with - all eventually unified, somewhat, in the Diocese of Isidoren. The bishop handles a lot of day to day business in the nation(s) but appoints ministers for the boring-but-necessary: economy, labour, public works, etcetera. Of course the bishop oversees foreign relations - especially with other Catholic nations - as well as culture, education, and so on. The bishop is appointed after proposals by local priests and deacons. Six vicars aid the bishop with work in their respective subdivision.

As for those subdivisions, they are, from lowest population to highest:
- Cornisa, a narrow strip of coast that keeps the others from having a coastline of their own;
- Pallars, an ancient land that has been passed between hands of greedy dukes, dishonest counts, and power-hungry kings;
- Bizkaialdea, the hills and valleys between Cornisa and much of the rest of Isidoren, known for their many local products and doing things just a little differently;
- Terra de Xullo, a large stretch of land ravaged by hot summer sun and deceptive winter winds alike;
- Santa Estela, a collection of tight-knit towns where community comes first;
- Alto Trono, the old centre of operations with its castles, mansions, steeples, and monasteries.

There are a whopping forty parishes, with Cornisa being a single parish, all the way to Alto Trono consisting of 10, and Santa Estela even having 12.

---

They embraced their sports with gusto but could never settle on a central structure. The result is that any club that wants to play, can play, at the highest (and often only) level, with nobody daring to kick out deadweight out of fear of upsetting the peaceful balance between the six lands. Imagine being from Pallars and asking for the removal of a Santa Estelan club; effectively asking to remove a storied tradition and the pride of a parish from the annals.

They also couldn't settle on the adoption of modern rules, so wins still yield 2 points.

*  Liga de Estrelas Amarelas y Dezanove Cruces  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 UD Sant Dionís                                27   19   4   4    66   36  +30    42
 2 Cidade San Gregorio CF                        27   18   5   4    61   21  +40    41
 3 CE Santa Catarina                             27   18   5   4    54   20  +34    41
 4 San Leónense                                  27   16   5   6    52   32  +20    37
 5 UE Sant Pere                                  27   16   4   7    57   36  +21    36
 6 SD Sant Fabián                                27   14   7   6    49   25  +24    35
 7 Olinpiko Santa Joana Arc-ekoa                 27   14   7   6    56   36  +20    35
 8 Olimpic Sant Jaume                            27   15   5   7    54   46   +8    35
 9 Gorri-Urdin Santa Luzia                       27   12   9   6    50   37  +13    33
10 Izar Horia Santa Margarita                    27   12   9   6    39   32   +7    33
11 Deportivo San Xerome                          27   15   3   9    45   40   +5    33
12 FC Sant Bonifacio                             27   13   6   8    52   42  +10    32
13 San Xoán FC                                   27   13   4  10    49   38  +11    30
14 AC Sant Antoni                                27   10   9   8    53   47   +6    29
15 Club Deportiu San Cirilu                      27   11   6  10    42   39   +3    28
16 SC Sant Felip                                 27   11   4  12    42   43   −1    26
17 CF Sant Eleuterio                             27   10   5  12    50   55   −5    25
18 Kirol Santa Noemi                             27   10   4  13    29   35   −6    24
19 Atlético Sant Silvestre                       27    7   8  12    33   45  −12    22
20 Associacion Sant Matiàs                       27    5  10  12    26   38  −12    20
21 AE Sant Matèu                                 27    4  11  12    29   43  −14    19
22 US Sant Pèire                                 27    7   4  16    29   51  −22    18
23 Fòtbol Club Sant Tomàs                        27    6   5  16    39   65  −26    17
24 Atlético San Basilio                          27    6   4  17    32   60  −28    16
25 Kluba Santa Elisabet                          27    5   5  17    34   64  −30    15
26 CF Sant Agustí                                27    5   3  19    21   52  −31    13
27 CD Sant Urbán                                 27    2   7  18    30   66  −36    11
28 CdF Sant Lucio                                27    4   2  21    26   55  −29    10

[Edsmontik]

STRONG AND BACK TO LIFE, EAGLES DOMINATE
LIVE ON ISN NOW

Back in Touve this early spring morning, we have the upcoming 5th matchday of the World Cup Qualifiers for the 97th cycle.
Fans out here are pretty loud, waiting for the gates to open up.
And following that MD4 rest, now the Edsmons are energized and hoping for a winner.
If they can move farther up the table, that'd be better as a whole for the Eagles.
New Fernia is ranked exactly one rank higher at 146.
But hopefully today, says der-Ghavyr, that the Edsmons can show that they deserve a rank up.
I'm your commentator, Dureough VersBarltren, and ISN is live today at the Touve Sußerarenæ.

---

NS WORLD CUP - QUALIFIERS MD5
TOUVE SUẞERARENÆ, TOUVE, AUSTRANKANK, EDSMONTIK
EDSMONTIK VS NEW FERNIA

PRE-GAME
"Stop sleeping, we're almost there." Fruedenne says.
The Edsmons had almost forgotten about the game, having to take the train from the Areka Stadium to the Touve Sußerarenæ in less than 3 hours.
"What stop is it?" Stuero asks.
"Only Sadu, we have a few stops left. SpeedTransit is somewhat fast, so we might make it on time." Bervaign answers.
The players sit and wait, as the train slows down and enters Loque Station.
"For this game, we have to do the best we can. We are facing off against New Fernia, one rank higher than us. Who knows if they have multiple tricks up their sleeves." der-Gahvyr says.
A few minutes later, the SpeedTransit train enters the Eagles' stop.
"Hard to believe we actually travel like normal people, is it?" Javarqa tells der-Stouiben.
"Yeah, but what I need is some game time." he replies.
"Me too." Lankiv adds.

KICKOFF
"Oe, Oe, Oe Vdesmon!"
Flags waved high in the Edsmon stadium, with the majority of fans being Edsmon.
The national anthems were sung, and soon, the game was ready to start up.
Javarqa jogged over to the center, where the referee's as well as New Fernia's captain were waiting.
The Eagles did not spend much time researching the New Fernian national team.
They were more worried about the match later that day against Recuecn.
Which is why they spent three days researching Recuecn's tactics, their main lineup, and they watched the games too.
It would only be their fault if they didn't win this game.
"Edsmontik will be in the 4-3-3 Wide with the same starters they have had for the entire qualifying season so far. As we move into the midfield here, we have Ghreksbvy on the right, Wejikaj on the left..."
The coin was flipped.
And Edsmontik would be unlucky again, New Fernia would start the match off.
Javarqa walked back to his position, and called out his usual "Gud Lubreskinen" to every teammate he got close to before standing in the back row.
New Fernian striker David Hunter walked up to the ball, tapped it once, and stood ready for kickoff.
*TWEEET!*

FIRST HALF
Hunter passed to Bell who made a quick sprint down the wing before being confronted by Ghreksbvy.
He attempted to dribble, but Ghreksbvy kept following him in each step.
A pass was soon made, followed by another.
They followed the passes, and Ystermakt closed in on Hunter, who ended up with the ball about halfway down the Edsmon half.
A quick tackle, and the game was now in the Edsmon hands.
Ystermakt fired the ball up and over the midfield, where it was swiftly caught by Stuero.
Stuero dribbled around Pearson and Wells, sliding the ball back and forth while sprinting down the wing.
"Stuero's closing in here on the goal, what may happen?"
Ghreksbvy trailed behind, and Stuero began passing back and forth with him.
The two Edmons slowly advanced, sliding passes around the defenders.
Eventually, Ghreksbvy slipped a cross over to Bervaign, who fires a volley right at Ellis.
Ellis dived outwards, reaching towards the ball.
The ball slipped right into the crossbar, bouncing off and flying into the goalkeeper's hands.
Ellis threw it out to Fox, who passed it up the wing to Bradley.
As the time ticked away, the New Fernians attempted to hold onto possession.
However, in the 10th minute, Stuero intercepted a pass on the wing, and began Edsmontik's second chance of the game.
Stuero passed to Bervaign, who passed to Rehcikt.
As Stuero moved in and Mitchell attempted to stop Rehcikt, he fired a cross over.
"IT'S EDSMONTIK WITH A CHANCE!"
Stuero trapped the ball, slipped it past Hunt.
With a powerful shot, Stuero fired the ball into the top corner, and tucked it away.
"GOAAAALLLLLLLL!!! NUMBER 10, MAARTIN STUERO!"
Stuero ran to the corner, pumping his fist and sliding on the grass.
With this early goal, the Edsmons would have an advantage.
But would they hold it?
The game restarted with Hunter at the ball.
"What if we win by five goals?" Bervaign said jokingly.
"Don't say that, because there's a chance we won't even win." Rehcikt replied.
Hunter kicked off, passing to Bell.
Bell then passed back to Hunter, moving forward against Bervaign.
Bervaign held back, allowing the New Fernians some room.
But after Hunter took advantage, Bervaign tackled, sending the ball up to Rehcikt, who began his run.
He dribbled past Bell and Bradley, skillfully keeping the ball at his feet.
Noah Mitchell came up, trying to block Rehcikt, but with an unexpected pass, the ball landed right at Bervaign's feet in a somewhat open area.
Ellis begins to slowly come out, attempting to close the space left.
After rolling the ball right past Fox, Bervaign fired a shot.
The ball soared right past Ellis, silencing the New Fernia fans.
But the crowd goes wild as left-back Hunt just barely stops it on the line.
Ellis quickly rushes over to pick it up and throw it back out.
Mitchell received, moving forward and passing the ball out to Thompson, who made a quick pass to Bell.
Bell began pushing against Wejikaj, attempting to slide around and rush up, but Wejikaj stayed firm, following Bell's every step.
He then passed over to Hunter, who ran up and passed back to Bell when Wejikaj was distracted.
Bell ran up the wing, losing the ball just seconds later to Kizani, who cleared the ball out to Ystermakt.
Ystermakt fired the ball to Ghreksbvy, who caught it successfully.
Ghreksbvy held possession, passing to Stuero, Bervaign, Jervanois, and the other Eagles that were in close enough range.
The passing continued for a few minutes.
If they were to win, then they'd have to wear their opponent down to nothing.
But as the 20th minute passed,
and the 25th minute passed,
No major chance had been created.
Instead, the Edsmons and New Fernians had traded possession over 20 times.
But once Wejikaj stole possession from Bradley, this time, he was not going to pass.
Wejikaj spritned with the ball, charging into the center and dribbling past Thompson and Mitchell.
He closed in on the center, using the three-defender positioning to his advantage.
Stuero slipped past Hunt, and received a pass.
He moved out to the wing, and with a powerful kick, he sent the ball back to Wejikaj.
With all the open space, Wejikaj prepared himself...
"VOLLEY BY WEJIKAJ! WHAT A GOAL! EDSMONTIK TWO, NEW FERNIA NIL!"
The ball soared right past Ellis's hands and into the net.
Wejikaj ran to the fans, pointing, shouting, and jumping around.
"Maybe you are right." Rehcikt tells Bervaign as they walk back to kickoff positions. "New Fernia doesn't seem too hard to beat 4-0 or so.
But the New Fernians retaliated, kicking off in the 30th minute and beginning their own attack.
The Eagles wouldn't let them get near, but soon, Bell managed to slip past Kizani and attempt a long shot at goal.
Bell fired, curving the ball towards the corner.
der-Zyfragken reached out, lifting himself off the ground.
The ball slipped right into his hands.
"Caught in the safe hands of the keeper! New Fernia might not get a goal for a while."
der-Zyfragken threw the ball back out, and the Eagles held possession.
Time passed quickly, with the 35th to 40th minutes staying calm.
The Edsmons attempted a few attacks, with Stuero and Ghreksbvy very nearly scoring.
"You definitely looked into the future." Rehcikt told Bervaign. "We have so many chances, it'll be any time before we end up five or four nil ahead."
"I guess I am right." Bervaign said proudly.
"You still haven't scored, ha." Ystermakt joking tells him.
"Oh, shut up. If I don't score now, I will later." He replies.
In the following minutes, Edsmontik initiated another attack.
Ystermakt passed up to Ghreksbvy, who sent the ball up to Stuero.
Stuero slipped past the midfielders and defenders, firing a fake shot and sending a pass to Bervaign.
Bervaign drags the ball back, taunting Fox before nutmegging him.
Just seconds later, he lines himself up and fires a powerful shot.
"EDSMONTIK HAS SCORED ONCE AGAIN!!! THREE TO ZERO IN THE FIRST HALF!"
The Edsmon fans scream as if the game had been won.
"OE, OE, OE! OE, OE, OE! DER VDESMON IST DER BVAEEST!"
The fans scream at the top of their lungs, waving flags, shooting confetti, and jumping up and down.
Bervaign pointed to his team logo, standing in front of the fans.
Just minutes later, the first half ended.
*TWEEET, TWEEET, TWEEEEEEEEET!*

HALFTIME
"Congrats! Our biggest lead yet. We don't want to concede this next half." der-Ghavyr says. "A 3-0 lead is strong, but if the opposition is confident enough, we can lose everything this half."
The Edsmon players nod and continue drinking their water.
der-Stoiuben sets his bottle down.
"When will my other pals and I ever get game time? I feel like it's mainly the main squad scoring and doing all the work, and a lot of substitutes don't enter the squad." he says.
"We have short time, but Lankiv will come on this game as a substitute soon. As for you, you're starting the game against Delaclava, der-Stoiuben. I will try to give many players a chance this game." der-Ghavyr replies. "It's time to get back out there. Gud Lubrekinen!"

SECOND HALF
Entering the second half, the Edsmon were energized, while the New Fernians had seemed to have given up.
The referees threw the ball to Stuero, who caught it and tossed it to Bervaign.
After the ball was placed down in the center, the Eagles lined up.
*TWEEET!*
Bervaign kicked off, landing a pass to Stuero, who passed backward to Ghreksbvy.
Ghreksbvy dribbled up, crossing to Wejikaj, who sent a quick pass up to Rehcikt.
Rehcikt charged down the wing, rushing past Bradley and Mitchell, before slipping a pass to Wejikaj.
He moved into the center, receiving the ball back.
With a bit of skill, the ball as sent into the penalty box, where Bervaign attempted a kick...
"SAVED BY ELLIS! A BIT OF LUCK THERE AS THE SHOT DEFLECTS RIGHT OFF HIS HANDS!"
Ellis claps his ahnds together for a bit, before walking back to the goal.
"Hard to believe this is only the third corner of the entire game." Ghreksbvy says, picking up the ball and dribbling it to the corner.
Ghreksbvy looked out onto the field.
The rest of the Eagles piled into the penalty box.
Deep breaths.
One shot to make it 4-0, and essentially end the game here.
Ghreksbvy put his hand down.
One, two, three.
The ball soared into the air.
Many players jumped.
Jaavrqa's header deflects off Hunt.
der-Suiozkeafter's kick deflects off Ellis.
Everything seems to slow down.
But a bounce and a header by Stuero changes all of it.
Ellis can't quite reach it...
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! MAARTIN STUERO GETS HIS BRACE, FOUR TO NOTHING NOW FOR THE EDSMONS!"
Stuero races to the fans, sliding around on the grass and celebrating with the team.
So Bervaign was right.
They'd have a four-nil lead or win by four goals.
Unless the New Fernians retaliated, the Edsmons would want to keep the score like this.
As der-Ghavyr clapped from the sidelines, the team walked back to the center.
The New Fernians made a few substitutions, bringing on fresh players to revive their dying team.
Hunter kicked off, passing to Bell.
Bell passed to Pearson, who slowly dribbled forward.
Pearson then passed to Hall, and the New Fernians pushed forward.
Eventually, time passed, and the 60th minute approached.
The New Fernians were doing all they could against the Edsmons, but couldn't seem to get anything through.
Bell ran up the wing against Kizani, passing back and forth between himself and Hunter.
Javarqa attempted to intercept a pass, but his interception was stopped by Pearson.
And with a quick pass, the ball went to Hunter.
der-Suiozkeafter moved between him and the goal.
Seconds dashed by.
Fans still cheered.
Hunter moved to one side, then dashed to the other.
der-Suiozkeafter was thrown off balance.
Hunter shot.
der-Zyfragken reached out...
"GOAL FOR NEW FERNIA!!! 4-1, ARE NEW FERNIA STILL IN THIS?"
Hunter ran around the field, shaking hands and celebrating with his team.
"4-1 is still good, we just can't lose it right now." Stuero says.
"der-Ghavyr needs to make some substitutions, and quick. We may run out of steam sooner or later." Jervanois says.
"I'm not coming off until I get that hattrick."
Right before kickoff again, der-Ghavyr pulled out Rehcikt, Kizani, Bervaign, and der-Zyfragken.
Aespana, B. Reichsteur, der-Struvos, and Lankiv came on.
"Bring your skills back too, Lankiv." Javarqa says.
"I never learned why he was chosen over me, but yes, I will." Lankiv replies.
der-Struvos kicked off, passing down to Aespana.
Aespana then sent a quick curling pass to Stuero, who began sprinting as fast as he could down the wing.
He traded passes with Ghreksbvy twice before speeding off towards the net.
From there, a quick pass to der-Struvos was followed by a menacing shot towards the goal.
The ball soared into the corner...
And was barely pushed out for a corner.
Aespana walked over to the flag, picking up the fresh ball and chatting with the referee before setting it down.
It was still early in the 60th minute, but it felt as if no time had passed since the last kickoff.
"I believe there were no yellows this game." der-Struvos tells him.
"Yeah, I don't recall any bookings." Aespana replies.
With a powerful kick, he sends the ball flying into the box.
Javarqa jumps up, heading it into the net.
But the shot is blocked and cleared by Ellis.
"Close one." Javarqa says.
"The Edsmons have had countless chances here...."
But just right after, Stuero receives the ball, dribbles around, before firing into the large number of players still in the penalty box.
The ball soars past all of the defenders and a bunch of the Edsmons themselves before...
"GOALLLLLLL!!! STUERO! THERE'S HIS HATTRIK, 5-1 NOW!"
But the referee walked off to check it.
If any of the Edsmons were obstructing Ellis's view, then the goal would be disallowed.
And the goal was allowed.
"YEAAAAAAAHHHH!" Stuero shouted as he ran.
He held up three fingers, before sliding on the grass and pumping his fists.
The game was basically a win for the Edsmons.
Who could get four goals back starting at the 65th minute?
As time passed, both the Edsmons and New Fernians pushed to get goals.
Stuero was soon brought off for Fotserr.
As the 70th minute passed with no major attempts, fans were relieved to basically have won this game.
Eventually, near the 80th minute, the Edsmons grabbed a chance.
Aespana received a pass from der-Struvos, and rushed up the wing.
He moved in, slipping past Mitchell and Fox.
"Secure this win for the Edsmons." he thought briefly.
And then, he fired the ball.
It curved in, moving quickly towards the corner,
And it slot itself...
Right into...
The back of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLL! EDSMONTIK SIX, NEW FERNIA ONE!"
Aespana ran, celebrating by flipping around, and he received multiple handshakes from his team.
The time slipped by again, with New Fernia taking the kickoff slowly.
It wasn't long though before Lankiv was unable to stop a chip-shot.
And so, the New Fernians could celebrate something.
The game ended at 6-2 after stoppage time.
*TWEEET, TWEEET, TWEEEEEEEEEET!!*

---

KEY MOMENTS
11' GOAL Stuero (EDS)
29' GOAL Wejikaj (EDS)
43' GOAL Bervaign (EDS)
51' GOAL Stuero (EDS)
58' GOAL Hunter (FER)
65' GOAL Stuero (EDS)
78' GOAL Aespana (EDS)
82' GOAL Bell (FER)

EDSMONTIK WIN WC97QMD5 VS NEW FERNIA

[Katzeburg]

Josef Brand was on his sixth cup of coffee for the day. Sitting down at his desk for the first time since he rolled in this morning, he leant back and sighed, rubbing his hands again the sides of his head to try and dull the numbing headache which can only be brought on from prolonged exposure to Patrick and Marvin.

“Just need to get through this conference, just need to get through this conference,” he mumbled to himself.

It had been a ramshackle day - the whole team has been on panic alert trying to shut down anything and everything coming out of the KFF today - and while they’ve finally got a press release sorted and sent out (thanks in no part to Patrick demanding to rewrite the entire piece twice before asking after the piece was sent if Josef could give him the cliff notes of what they sent out), they now had a media conference to attend to.

Apparently, Brendan Kerr had been on the phone to Marvin and said they needed to hold a conference where he could ‘finally come clean’ and step down with some decorum. After a very sweary phone call only Josef could hear one side of, Marvin had cleared it, but with one specific instruction to Josef - “Make sure this donkey is on every single screen in the country this evening, he’s kindly volunteered himself to jump on the spike we are going to stick up his fucking arse.”

He was only now sitting back down after calling and emailing every single journalist across North Katzeburg in his contact books - and even some from further afield who wouldn’t be able to attend but just as a ‘heads up’ to try and get them to hold the back pages.

He had not had much luck. And now Marvin was thundering down the hallway keen to see what crowd Josef had conjured up.

“BRAND, where the fuck are you?” Marvin boomed.

“Just over here Marvin,” Josef exhaled.

“How has the gathering of the twatpack gone? Are KBC and Stadt Radio coming?”

“Well, yes and no.”

“The fuck do you mean yes and no?”

“KBC said they’d be sending someone along who are due any moment, but I think Stadt Radio said something along the lines of ‘what the hell is the KFF?’”

“Oh did they?” Marvin replied, almost sarcastically. “Well they’ll be changing their fucking tune once we make the World Cup and get onto the big stage.”

“Yeah, yeah - what year?” Josef joked.

“Don’t you get smart with me boy,” Marvin snarled. “If I wanted to hear some negativity, I’d go stick my head into the Refeld dressing room after they’ve been told our government is closing some international trade deals which will leave all of them out of jobs - but even then it’d still be preferable to hearing your shite.”

Josef just clammed up - just get through the next 20 minutes.

“I-I’m going to go get the podium set up,” Josef stammered before shuffling away.

As he walked into the KFF’s media room, Josef scanned to see who had arrived early. To say the room was under capacity would be an understatement - it was basically fucking empty.

The room, which could hold upwards of 50 to 100 journalists and cameras, had a grand total of three people in the room waiting for the conference.

Josef eyeballed the three and he could tell who one of them was - Adam Masterston from the Katzeburg Football Chronicle. Basically an outlet who would do anything for access - no matter how bad the story would be, they would find a way to cover it positively for the KFF.

But the other two - a younger looking woman scrawling notes into a small yellow pad, and an older man who looked like he had wandered into the wrong room - he had no idea about.

But he had no time to introduce himself, as Marvin had swooped into the room.

“Fucking hell, this is it?”

“We still have a few minutes,” Josef protested.

“You better hope the nation of Katzeburg is covered in these literal three people.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Well, who is this over here then?” Marvin said, pointing at the woman.

“I believe she’s from KBC,” Josef plucked from thin air. “But not someone I’ve seen before.”

“Well what you’ve not seen before could fill the Esporativan seas,” Marvin stabbed back before marching over to the woman. Josef followed along, panic swirling in his eyes.

“Oh hi there, how are you?” Marvin proffered with an almost insincere sense of friendliness - Josef had never seen him act nicely before.

“Oh, hello, are you Josef?” The woman said, sticking out her hand.

“No, no, that’s my colleague here - I’m Marvin Donaldson, head of media.”

“Ahh, I’ve heard about you.”

“All nice things I assume,” Marvin said jokingly. “And you are?”

“Amanda Richards, KBC.”

“Ahh, one of our talented crew from the KBC! What programme if you don’t mind me asking?”

Amanda hesitated, so Marvin filled in the gaps.

“KBC Tonight? Goal? News Rundown? Katzeburg Minutes?”

“Work Experience?” Amanda said with a hint of embarrassment.

“Can’t say I’ve heard of that one - is that that new show with the twat who got binned from Katzeburg Minutes due to a naughty case of the touchies?”

“N-no.. I’m a work experience student?”

Marvin stood for a second, processing what he had just heard.

“Right, well please excuse me for a second, but why the fuck did KBC send you?”

“Well, I’m working at the moment on Katzeburg at One, and my producer asked me to come down here.”

“Jasmyn Albert?” Josef pushed out.

“That’s the one! She thought it would be useful to have someone over here just in case.”

“Right,” Marvin said. “Well, thanks for your time, I’m sure it’s very important to the running of the show. Brand, can I talk with you outside for a moment?”

Josef gulped and it was at that moment, he realised who the other person in the room was - he just had to hope Marvin hasn’t also clocked that the third ‘journalist’ in the room was KFF security guard Jeff who was clearly giving up on his role.

---

Katzeburg 1 - 0 Carpathia and Ruthenia
(Wruck 33’)

Possession - 32% // 68%
Shots on Target - 5 // 4
Shots - 13 // 6
Fouls - 14 // 13

1 Whinery, 2 Howland, 15 Clarkson, 4 Knepp, 5 Colbert, 6 Plank, 7 Horsfall (Moores 65’), 19 Spears (Cummings 65’), 17 Courtney, 10 Wruck, 11 Niles (Marsh 65’)

Player of the Match - Wruck (KAT)

Legalese 3 - 3 Katzeburg
(Funderbunk 11’, 29’, Toal 39’ // Niles 71’, 74’, 88’)

Possession - 66% // 34%
Shots on Target - 8 // 13
Shots - 19 // 21
Fouls - 7 // 9

1 Whinery, 2 Howland, 15 Clarkson, 4 Knepp (Herman 65’), 5 Colbert, 6 Plank, 7 Horsfall, 19 Spears, 17 Courtney (Earls 65’), 10 Wruck (Johns 65’), 11 Niles

Player of the Match - Niles (KAT)

Positive window keeps Katzeburg in mix for playoff spots

Katzeburg rebounded from a horror trip over to Gnejs with a historic upset over Carpathia and Ruthenia in Group 6 of the World Cup Qualifiers as the side sits in the playoff spots as the group approaches the halfway mark of qualification.

The side, with a number of heavy changes following its 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Gnejs in the previous window, secured a huge three points and their first major upset with a 1-0 win over the 61st ranked Carpathia and Ruthenia at Katzestadt Arena, with Drake Wruck scoring the winning and only goal midway through the first half.

The headed effort off a cross from Heilwig Courtney - starting in the side following an injury to Meriel Arkwright - was enough to sneak past keeper Federica Antonini and take the win in front of a ravenous home crowd.

But Katzeburg would cap off an already successful window with a trip over to Legalese, where the side would battle back from a 3-0 deficit to secure a point on the road. A tough first half saw the Blue Cats three goals down at the break, with Legalese’s midfield overwhelming the Katzeburgian defence.

However, Lambert Niles would come to the rescue for Katzeburg, scoring two quick fire goals in three minutes to give a faint spark of hope, before finalising his hat-trick with an equaliser two minutes from full time to salvage a result and keep Katzeburg in the mix for a playoff spot.

With eight matchdays played, Katzeburg now sit one point ahead of Carpathia and Ruthenia in third place, two points behind Gnejs and seven behind group leaders Flavovespia which has played an additional match.

With a pair of home games against Sarzonia - who are three points behind the Blue Cats but with a superior goal differential - and Osterhalten to come, manager Becka Haberkorn says the next window is a ‘make or break’ one for the side.

“We’ve been lucky with the draw to give us two home games in a row,” Haberkorn said.

“But we really need to be maximising our results at home if we want to keep in the mix with these brilliant sides around us - We did fantastically to nab a historic result against Carpathia and Ruthenia, but the Sarzonia game has long been a big focus for the squad.

“It’s not every day you face a former World Cup winner in our stadiums, and Sarzonia and their long and storied history as one of the multiverse’s top international sides is something we’d love to emulate down the line - but for now, if we can come out of the next window with a handful of points then I think we’ll be set up brilliantly for the run in.”

With Lloyd Field and Arkwright still suffering from injuries sustained in the side’s loss top Gnejs, Katzeburg will be running the same squad which nabbed a huge and unexpected four points from the most recent window, with the faith shown in side to be repaid for at least another couple of games.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Roster   Position   Player              Age   Gender   Nation   Club                   League Apps   League Goals   National Apps   National Goals  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1        GK         Ry Whinery          27    F        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         26            0              16              0               
  2        D          Katharine Howland   18    F        KAT      Barenwold FC           26            3              16              0               
  15       D          Erik Clarkson       19    M        KAT      Inverhaven City        26            2              12              0               
  4        D          Deena Knepp         29    F        KAT      Axmund City            26            4              16              0               
  5        D          Faithe Colbert      28    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      26            4              17              1               
  6        M          Serena Plank        18    F        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         26            10             17              3               
  7        M          Vera Horsfall       30    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      26            10             17              3               
  19       M          Elmer Spears        17    M        KAT      Axmund City            26            4              13              0               
  17       M          Heilwig Courtney    26    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      26            6              5               0               
  10       F          Drake Wruck         31    M        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      26            20             17              18              
  11       F          Lambert Niles       30    M        KAT      Axmund City            26            19             13              8               
  13       GK         McKinley Clinton    33    F        KAT      Inverhaven Ironworks   26            0              0               0               
  23       GK         Geffrey Queen       22    M        KAT      Inverhaven City        26            0              0               0               
  3        D          Owen Levitt         35    M        KAT      Inverhaven City        26            4              15              1               
  16       D          Elicia Morton       19    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      26            2              5               0               
  27       D          Laurence Herman     22    M        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         26            3              1               0               
  9        M          Tilman Cummings     35    M        KAT      Barenwold FC           26            4              13              0               
  32       M          Royce Earls         23    M        KAT      Axmund United          26            6              1               0               
  34       M          Petra Moores        17    F        KAT      Shorham FC             26            6              1               0               
  20       F          Jaxxon Johns        24    M        KAT      Axmund United          26            14             8               1               
  22       F          Clay Marsh          17    M        KAT      Axmund United          26            13             5               5               
  36       F          Walton Hershey      19    M        KAT      Littleport AFC         26            8              0               0               
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[The 14 Stars]

Wolves recover from draw

After the ashaming draw the Wolves now traveled to Alanis Star a nation new to the football scene and a part of the so called Valentine Z nation who were far beyond our current level of development.
While not being a major team their country was a true beauty, the players spent alot of free time exploring the cities and meeting the people who were surprisingly friendly and kind, it was refreshing from the seriousness of their own Starsian counterparts.
Only Keira Walcott was not happy, she was working hard to prepare for the next matches, the Starsian Wolves wanted to qualify for this world cup and they really needed to step up their game if they wanted a shot at doing so.
Their unexpected win against Qusmo had pushed them right ahead but the draw last matchday had put them back to square one and it was now a matter of recovering and playing a good game against the Alanis Star team.
One thing that would really help our team and at the same strike fear into the hearts of our opponents was that our best player Kira Blade woul made her return in the Starting line-up to continue to lead her team forward.

and Kira certainly made the return, in the match with Alanis Star she dominated the game creating holes in their defense and creating spaces for her teammates to run into but it was Kira who put the game home.
Not one, not two but three goals from her foot in the first half alone put the Starsian Wolves ahead on a three goal lead over unranked Alanis Star who by far werent on our level for which was visible to the Starsian team.
They managed in the second half to score one goal through luck but later that half a pass from Schulz to Raharinaivo gave the ability for a long shot and the shot went surprisingly in making the final result a 4-1 victory in Starsian favour.
With this result they went home and a good feeling aswell as three important points needed to keep themselves in the chase for qualification, they had been close before but last qualification sold it on the last matchday which really had hurt them.

Following this match was another one with the Grearish Union a reasonably unknown opponent, they started off really fierce getting themselves two goals ahead but they still lost the game in the end.
Schulz scored in the first half and in the second half Elizabeth Phillips and Lina Hansen both scored a goal putting the final score on a 3-2 victory the back to back wins now giving us a solid 6 points as we seem to have recovered from that draw.
Our team the Wolves is capable of qualifying everyone believes it, however we are depending on other teams too and we cannot afford slip ups like other major teams as we need every single point to hold on to the current placing we have.

Elections

Campaigns have begun to increase with Flare taking still a clear lead but Julio Reyes is gaining more ground then expected while Klaus Meyer is at an all time low and there is talk that he may consider withdrawing his bid.
Elections are a long time from now but its known that the teams and players both wanna see the league more solid and improve before expanding further while the sponsors want a faster expansion and more money in it.

Meanwhile in a house far away

Christiana: ''Shes beautiful isnt she?''

Father: ''Yes she is, hopefully we'll be able to give her a good life....i know how much pain you've been through all those years both with football aswell as personally you're a strong person.''

Christiana: ''Thank you, honestly whenever i watch Kira on the TV it doesn't hurt anymore, even if i would have loved to be on that team and still run across the field i have learnt to accept things as they are now.
I hope they qualify it would be good for the sport and for those men and women on the team and Kira to reward them for years of hard work and biting their tongue when things did not go as they wanted with the league collapsing twice.''

Father: ''Im glad to hear you are no longer sad over it, moving forward is good.''

Christiana: ''I hope our daughter wont get the same treatment as i did, even when i did quit people still saw me as a monster for years where back then those powers we had were normal everyone had them.
Nowadays they can neutralize them but back then we couldn't and some of us just had skill levels out of this place, i felt mistreated and i hope my daughter will not have to go through the same now im sure she doesnt have any powers unlike what i did.''

Father: ''She will be fine, meanwhile we can watch your old teammate and see how Kira will do.....she deserves to qualify for the world cup for those decades of service to the team and to her own club.''

[Patriotlandia]

Diary of the travelling fan


The flight from Port-la-Ville to Jeruselem was long and uncomfortable but we finally touched down a few hours before the game. Almost all the passengers were also going to the qualifiers match so at least it wasn't hard to find the right way. It was my first time going to see the Patriotlandian national team abroad and I was looking forward to the experience.

The team had improved significantly since the first few games having knocked off the rust at and improved cohesion. With most of the fans on transit the ambiance was festive and got louder and louder the closer we got to the stadium. At first glance it looked like any other stadium, but it did have character that a few modern grounds might lack. I grabbed some stadium food and headed up to my seat in the away section.

The view here was decent even from the second deck as every seat was fairly close to the pitch. Soon after arriving, players made their way to the field for warmups and the excitement kicked up a notch. Minutes later, the kickoff was drowned out by the sound of thirty thousand fans from both teams cheering their players on. The game itself was tightly contested with both teams getting even possession and creating chances. Bertrand Langlais would open the scoring with his first of the qualifiers and this set the momentum squarely in the away side's favor but Jeruselem fought back and even took the the lead before halftime. The Bleus came back from the break with a vengeance, taking the lead back and closing out the game with a 4-2 victory.

In the end, I really liked going to an away game, its a refreshing change from Navy Memorial Stadium. Hopefully next I can see them will be at the World Cup.

[Kanzlia]

Kanzlia firms ground against Aleirave

STORY OF THE DAY – SPORTS

SZBEDANSK, KANZLIA – Kanzlia secured a hard fought victory against Aleirave with a score that is easy to misjudge.

Vasillis opted back to the usual 4-3-3 formation after the loss to Crpostran with Nick Hesselink back in the starting line up. However it seems to have been a mistake as the Ibsia City forward was subbed out before the half hour mark.

The match started slowly with both sides conservative with their possession. However when a breakthrough was made the ball landed to Nick Hesselink who wasted his chance on goal. It would only be the start of a nightmare performance from the 23 year old. On the 20th minute his backpass to Dieter Maas was intercepted by Ho'uminalu who would deliver a pin point pass to Veshchik. The 27 year old chipped past Mido and the opposition fans thought Aleirave leads one nil before the offside flag was raised.

Another opportunity befell Aleirave as Tyonko dribbled past a very ill-positioned Hesselink who somehow found himself on the center of the pitch, and made a spectacular long-range effort denied by the woodwork. Aleirave continued their groove with several quality efforts in the first half, clearly showcasing the 50,000 homefans why they are one of the favourites for group 5. Hesselink after placing another poor pass, was subbed off for te'Maarden in the 29th minute - to a spectacular roar of whistles and boos. It was a terrible performance for him tonight and it might spell the end for his time in the Kanzlian National Team.

With the second half underway Vassilis opted to change for a 5-3-2 formation like the one against Crpostran. The game became much more level with Sylverio van Coevorden shining in the number 10 role. First blood was drawn on the 56th minute with Rayane Konadoe scoring past Rukipiato after anticipating a throughball from Sylverio. Another was quickly followed by Bouma who scored from a rebound on the 64th minute. It was an amazing sight for the Kanzlian fans who could not believe they are winning by 2 goals against Aleirave. The away teams spirit however remain firm with several dangerous chances from Lifevaneka and Tyonko in the midfield generating a lot of problems for Vassilis's side.

Veshchik would find the net on the 77th minute after nearly 10 minutes worth of constant Aleiravan pressure. Substitute Reiner van Coeovorden however would secure Kanzlia's victory with an amazing half-volley just outside the box slipping past the heels of Byalko leaving Rukipiato powerless to react. With the final whistle blown jubiliations on the stands were immense. It was a hard fought - almost lucky - victory which saw the Exiles triumph in a statistically close encounter against Aleirave.

"Amazing, absolutely amazing," remarked captain Z. Mido in the post match interview.

Events:
56' R. Konadoe
64' M. Bouma
77' F. Veshchik
84' R. van Coevorden

Bouma fined after spat with Bagheria following draw against Acastanha
DRAMA

Insider sources reveal to us that Maurice Bouma received a 3,000 Gelders fine from the VVK for inciting a spat in the locker room. This shouldn't come as a surprise as the Exiles squandered their opportunity to grasp 2nd place in Group 5 after drawing against a weak Acastanha side. Apparently, after the game Maurice Bouma was very vocal with his opinions on Bagheria's missed header on the last corner kick of the game. It is unclear if any physical altercation resulted from it.

[Sylestone]

”REMARKABLE” SENTIENTS HALFWAY TO “PERFECT” GROUP STAGE

It’s been a dream for many a cycle now, starting way back in World Cup 85 when the Sentients first crept onto the international scene and were systematically destroyed by literally everybody, winning one game out of 24 and embarrassing themselves in every way possible. Over the years, the results have gradually gotten better as the team has kept on improving as the SFA altered its rules to allow Sylestone’s vast majority human population to play under the blue and orange of the national team, but never once have they even come close to recording this feat. Ordinarily, some other loser team would come along and vanquish it within the first few hours of football and leave the western Esportiva’s out to dry for another two years.

No, it’s not going perfect; newcomers Aquitayne ensured that would not be the case as they valiantly fought against more of a Sylestone “B” team on the opening matchday, ensuring the game would remain scoreless despite the World Cup 96 semifinalists controlling close to 80% possession and preventing their opponents from registering a single shot on target. That’s just been one of two draws for the Sentients, though, with second seed Josifovo also impressively holding onto a scoreless draw in front of close to a hundred thousand people in Chamberley. Aside from that, Mojmir Anac’s side have come out on top in all of their remaining six matches - 2-0 against Patriotlandia and 1-0 against everyone else.

Seven goals scored in eight matches. If the table was sorted by goals scored, the Sentients would be sitting second to last, below all but the Martian Independent Republic, whose one of two goals have been scored in their only win of the tournament so far against the Princesses.

And yet, they’re sitting first, as the only team of 153 in the entire qualifiers without having conceded a goal.

Yes, that’s right. 720 minutes of play - not even factoring stoppage time - with zero goals conceded. Sylestonean football at its finest.

And the best thing, it’s not even the starters doing most of the heavy lifting. Sure, Charlotte Eastwood’s substitutions from the bench against teams such as the Martian Independent Republic and Patriotlandia helped seal the three points, but Anac’s been using a largely rotational squad to excellent success. While the attacking deficiencies are certainly a cause for concern - as usual, the country’s winger deficiency doesn’t seem to be helping too much, with more and more calls for Jack Moseley to start over both Alexandra Arnold and Abigail Jones on the right wing growing louder by the game - the defence has been astonishing. Whether it be Hugo Mornington or Gabriel Oldaker, Matilda Molineux or Alex Llewellyn stepping up to the role, they’ve shown themselves up and created a very tricky problem indeed - come the World Cup that the Sentients will almost certainly qualify for for the fourth time in a row, who will make the cut?

There’s still another eight games to play, though, and the last thing any of us can afford is to get ahead of ourselves. The only question remaining - park the bus for the second half and maintain the record, or actually try to win?

Obviously, Anac’s going to do the latter. Unfortunately. But knowing the star man himself, could he find himself doing both?

It’d surely mark history (source Jeremy Fajjacake), but there’s still eight games to play. And one mistake in those twelve hours? Goodbye.

But for now, it’s pretty cool. So naturally, it’d only make sense to randomly lose 3-0 at Aquitayne after the bye and pave the way for Josifovo to steal top spot from us.

Tune in then.

[Juvencus]

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

HERONA TURNS INTO WARZONE FOLLOWING NOT-SO-PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS OVER LA SQUADRA'S PERFORMANCES

Herona, being the nation's most divided city, has had a turbulent history of violence regarding all affairs of life. From language, to the way they are perceiving themselves and most importantly, sport. Sport is an outlet for the city of 400 thousand people in the heart of the nation and football especially can bring the best or the worst of the city. When la squadra wins, two two sides of the city celebrate in unison, when la squadra underperforms, the story is different and the landscape changes.

Blaming it on their linguistic differences, rampant prejudice that has existed in the city for years becomes the main topic when la squadra is in crisis. Currently, gli attaccanti have choked on their lead with a few embarrassing draws to the bottom feeders of the group, while simultaneously not recording a win in 3 games. The borderline neighborhoods between Pomenienze and Scudellois speakers become a battleground, initially blaming players of each other's linguistic heritage. This turns into heavy fighting, with shops, cars and homes being destroyed, while people always get injured and even killed.

Tonight's case was no different, as the neighborhood of Nuovocuori became a battlefield, as gangs opened fire on each other and turned the whole vicinity into a battlezone. As panic ensued, 15 innocent people were killed in the crossfire, all because of demonstrations from the inhabitants of the area to protest Gaetan's management. In addition to that, 3 cars were exploded and at least 200 people are injured currently, as the Juven military is trying to put the neighborhood under control.

Despite of such events, Herona native of Pomenienze linguistic heritage Fantasia Bergoglio-Bertolini, alongside many players of multiple backgrounds have condemned the attacks and have stood by their coach. With Bergoglio-Bertolini stating "A few bad games does not mean an invitation for violence. This city's always been a microscope of the minds of the Juven world in the most extreme version imaginable. We are still unbeaten and you should be happy, we will improve on our performances as the guidance of mister Gaetan has been nothing short of exceptional for all of us. We are a whole different team than we were in the past and we will make sure to use our voices to remind you extremists will never get a say in our country again."

Gaetan on the other, stating the reason of poor performances to be the players' poor health, specifically the spread of the Pandemic(which can only spread among Juven) among the players is the reason of the team's dip in form. As more players start to heal and return into peak condition, so will la squadra's performances improve. For the time being, matches against Avisora and Doubeia are the main cause of concern for the coach and the team and they will be looking to get back-to-back victories in the most Juven way possible.

[United States of Nova Calania]

Speechless

vs Quakmybush
GK Bleau-Bean - DEF Schmidt - T. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - McCormack - N. McCaskill - MID Fauteux-McGrath - M. Klingenberg - C. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - Van der Jagt - STR Malboeuf - Goudreau-Luneau
Subs out: McCormack, Fauteux-McGrath, M. Klingenberg
Subs in: Guerrero Lopez, Gockley, Guénette-Velazquez

Revena, Quakmybush - I do not understand. Nova Calania (and it's previous name) has always came close to a participation at the World Cup. The team climbed to ranked #51 in 3 cycles and now we still can't win. There's something wrong and I'm speechless. Do we have to sacrifice more rubber chickens to Margaret? We already did. This time the Tapirs travelled to Quakmybush and drew 2-2. Player #10 had the ball at the 16th minute and kicked it. The ball touched Emily Schmidt's hand and Quakmybush had a penalty. Played #11 kicked the ball and it's a goal. At the 32nd minute, Quakmybush had a corner kick. Player #7 kicks the ball in the penalty area. Phoebe McCormack tries to clear the ball, however Player #4 intercepts the ball and kicks it. The ball touches the referree's leg and goes into the goal. Quakmybush leads 2-0 at halftime. At the 48th minute, Rose Van der Jagt had the ball and made a short pass to Frédérique Goudreau-Luneau who kicks the ball and it's in. Nova Calania attacked again at the 90 +2 minute when Charlotte Gibouleau-Beaudoin dribbled with the ball and passed to Rodrigo Guénette-Velazquez who kicks the ball past goalkeeper #1.

I probbaly can't say that as a sports writer, but I'm pretty mad that the team can't win and when I'm mad, I need to eat something. What kind of food do they have in Quakmybush? Can I eat some duck confit burger? It would taste awesome. And why is Margaret hating on us? What have we done to her? We already sacrificed thousands of chicken, do we have to do more? I don't understand, a team of our rank with an average confidence bonus should win on the road against a low ranked team.

On matchday 8, the Tapirs will have a bye. Then, on matchday 9, they will receive Qusmo at Terrain de soccer 1 in Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer. We expect heavy rain, so the match could be delayed for a few days. Before the kickoff, fans are welcome to come sacrifice more rubber chickens because it seems it didn't work. There will be a big sacrifice in Nova Calania's major towns. After matchday 9, we will have a 2 weeks break and on matchday 10, the Tapirs are receiving The 14 Stars at Stadion Azteca in Ostrow Krolewski.

vs Qusmo
vs Quakmybush
GK Bleau-Bean - DEF A. McCaskill - Wolkowicz - T. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - F. Bourguignon - MID Fauteux-McGrath - M. Q. Xiong - C. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - Van der Jagt - STR Berlinguette - Goudreau-Luneau

vs The 14 Stars
GK Bleau-Bean - DEF A. McCaskill - Wolkowicz - T. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - N. McCaskill - MID Fauteux-McGrath - M. Q. Xiong - C. Gibouleau-Beaudoin - Gockley - STR Berlinguette - Goudreau-Luneau

Paul-André Veilleux

[Libesia]

Libesia have had a good run in the last week of World Cup qualifying, going 180 minutes without conceding a goal from open play. That was enough for a 0-0 draw against Captina Island, their second ever draw in international play and strengthening their home record to 2 draws from 3 matches played; it wasn't enough to scrape a point on their visit to West Barack and East Obama, though, as Harvey Chobamya put his muscular boot through an 82nd minute penalty kick that settled things. Still, holding a team seeded in the top 32 in the world goalless for over an hour was an accomplishment, as was managing to avoid being distracted by all the strikingly similar names: definitely some distant cousins of Libesian ancestry lurking among the Obamas and Barrakis.

Inspired by this welcome change of fortunes for the Cheetahs, we want to showcase some other good news stories from Libesia. Too often, stories about our country focus on the negative, as the economy struggles to recover from decades of colonial exploitation and interethnic strife ruffles attempts at building a new national solidarity post-independence. But there's also a lot of good things happening in Libesia. We present: Good News Libesia!™

Health minister eaten by crocodile!

Karl Mwamlima scratched the stubble around his chin and paused. He looked up at Antony Mburu, who was grinning hopefully across from the copy editor.

“And how is that good news?”

“Well, he had ebola, so the crocodile eating him stopped it being spread. If you look at the second paragraph, I do explain…” Antony reached across and moved the mouse down for Karl. “Yes, see here: amid the devastating ebola outbreak in Rehandja West that has already claimed the lives of … ”

Karl had been an editor at the Ouwarongo Chronicle for years, and had seen countless young reporters like Antony, enthusiastic young Libesian protonationalists. Up and down out of his chair, jabbing his finger, volunteering for every story, determined that if he could just put the story of subaltern postcolonial progressive down in ink, it would become true. He’d had a dozen reporters like him before: they rarely lasted long. He gave Antony a few weeks.

“Now, what about this one. This one looks more promising,” said Karl, trying his best to keep the cigarette-stained cynicism from his tone.

School wins grant!

The Benedikt Njoroge Comprehensive School has been recognised by a prestigious international charity, who awarded the school a grant for the hiring of new teachers after all of its previous staff were abducted by Islamist militias opposed to the teaching of girls…

Antony noticed Karl had stopped reading. “OK, I think I see where you have a problem with this one, but I just want to point out, hardly any of the new staff have been abducted!”

[Doubeia]

Women NT players spotted at bar night before match

---

Pictures of the players at the bar; from a Yapchat story

SOLUCA, SARGOSSA — The Women's National Team has been the subject of criticism after several of its players were found at a bar the night before their match in Sargossa.

Maddison Barkova, Savanna Miloradova, Winter Serebrova and Karina Mamykina were spotted at an unnamed bar in Soluca, Sargossa at 12.53 am, the day of their match versus Sargossa. Several reports have claimed that some or all of the players stayed until as late as 3 am, while others say the players left soon after. Their outing has been subject to much controversy, especially following the Indigo Army's 2-1 loss to Sargossa the same afternoon. Many have claimed that the four players had been playing at a subpar level, and their performance eventually led to Doubeia's loss.

Barkova, Miloradova and Mamykina have posted online apologies to their social medias; Serebrova has not posted anything since the day before the game.

"It was a very stupid thing for me to do. I didn't stay at the bar for verry [sic] long, but I shouldn't have done what I did in the first place. I'm sorry to the fans and the team for disappointing yalll [sic] with my behaviour. Promise I'll come back stronger :pray::muscle:" said Barkova on her Winstagram story a few hours after the team's loss in Sargossa.

When manager Yuni Markova was questioned on the matter, her response was brief.

"They knew what they did. I'm not going to dwell on it much because everyone here knows what happened, but ultimately the onus is on them to be serious for these types of things. They know what happens if they don't treat this seriously."

Many Doubeinese fans have been expressing their disapproval on social media, with some insinuating that the players in question should be suspended.

THINGS ID DO TO ZHIKIN

23m

bro who tf is out there drinking before a game??? pure disrespect. they shld be suspended like why tf play if they don't gaf about playing and shit!!!

Top Gun

34m

Is this who's representing Doubeia? Is this the kind of players we're sending out? This is a disgrace. You'll never see players from other countries do this. They need to be taught a lesson or we're doomed to be the face of mockery!

---

rozhkova pls sit on me

31m

be fr bruh. the problem is not them going to drink. the problem is THEY ARENT EVEN PREPARED IN THE FIRST PLACE!! let women do what they wanna do it's not their fault they arent as pampered as the mens team

The Indigo Army army faces Srednjaci and Juvencus next; both will be played in Doubeia. Doubeia goes into the match against Srednjaci 7th in the group with 8 points to their name.

---

Promise
Chapter 4
2 days after the Sargossa match

---

"You see this shit?"

"Of course I did. You were literally talking about it."

Scarlett shoved a newspaper in Kylo's face. The headline read Women NT players spotted at bar night before match. Kylo had heard of it the day before.

"I'm so done with everything right now. I've to face my dumbass teammates in Winterfalls, and now my NT isn't even taking things seriously. Kylo, do you understand you frustrated I am?"

"I do. You don't need to be so close to my face, by the way."

"Sorry, didn't notice." Scarlett backed away and reclined in her beanbag. The two decided to meet up at Kylo's house just to catch up with each other. Kylo was curious about Ambrose Demidov's antics: did he really throw a chair at his trainer? What about the time he slapped his manager? Scarlett, meanwhile, wanted to know more about Kylo's personal life. She barely knew anything about him: his parents, his non-football hobbies, his love life.

"I'm surprised you don't have a girlfriend yet. You look like you could pull— wait, are you even straight?" Scarlett seemed to be very intrigued with Kylo's love life, her voice betraying a hint of interest.

"Yes, I'm straight, I'm just... too boring to interest anyone," Kylo replied with a tone of defeat in his voice. In truth, he had many admirers in school and when he first started. He didn't like the attention though, and he'd always run away from his fans. He'd reject any advances, and a few years down the road, everyone got the memo. No one approached him anymore. No fans chasing him, other than the occasional superfan, and no love letters either. No one ever asked him out anymore even though nowadays he'd like for people to.

"I mean, I'm sure there's a fish in the sea for you."

"That's cheesy, Scarlett." Scarlett stuck out her tongue in response.

As the two continued to chat about mundane things, Kylo started to feel more comfortable. It had been a long time since he had a long, interesting conversation with a woman who wasn't his mom. Well, it wasn't as if the conversations with his mom were anything he wanted to remember. Scarlett and Kylo enjoyed each other's company: Kylo always liked getting to know a new friend better; Scarlett was just glad Kylo was genuinely a pleasant person to talk to and not some creep. Yet.

"...and like, Maddox has been going out with Mavis recently. Like, he has a wife, ain't tha—" Scarlett's tea spilling session was rudely cut short by a phone call. Kylo's phone call. He looked at his phone and read the caller ID. Yan Shatunov. His father? Why was his father calling him now?

"Wait, someone's calling me." Kylo shifted quickly, phone in hand, and retreated to his room.

"You know I saw your father's name, right?"

Making sure his door was closed shut, Kylo picked up the call.

"Kylo." Kylo knew something was wrong when his father said that. His father — Yan — sounded more on edge this time when he'd usually give a more relaxed greeting.

"Yeah? What's the matter?"

"Look, I don't know why your voice is so soft, but I need you to listen up. I've received word that the police... the police are catching wind of the operation. Look, we've already paid the referees and we made sure it was discreet. I don't know if we have a whistleblower, but I just wanna tell you to be careful." Yan spoke really quickly in an urgent manner, as if he was being chased.

"Alright."

"Why're you so soft?"

"I have a guest. Don't think you'd want her to hear us."

"You said you never had guests."

"Well now I do."

"Okay, back to the point. You need to be more convincing when you play. Sometimes it can be a bit obvious when you're trying to prevent your team from scoring goals. I do appreciate you for trying your best, but you can afford to be more lowkey. Some of the referees are there to help you, remember that."

"You sound like a cartoon villain, the way you talk."

Yan let out a chuckle.

"Maybe I am, son. It's not as if what we're doing is legal anyway. Alright, just remember to be inconspicuous. We can't afford to have this operation be bust. If I get caught, you get caught. I'm not going to save you, got it?"

"Yeah." The call came to an abrupt end. Even when Yan's tone started to sound like his usual, relaxed self towards the end, Kylo couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. Yan's words sounded so ominous; the way he spoke made it seem an apocalypse was about to happen the next day. The more Kylo mulled this over, the more he started to feel worried.

Match fixing... that was what the authorities called it. Kylo felt weird to take part in something like that, but it was the reality. The shirt sponsor on the Ethelfled City jersey he wore? It was the logo of his father's company. Kylo understood where Yan was coming from when he made that offer to Kylo. Since Yan's company was Ethelfled City's main sponsor, of course he'd want Ethelfled to win. Connect the dots, realise your son plays for your club, and that was how Yan struck a deal with Kylo. When Kylo first agreed to the deal, his eyes only saw money. His father was luring him with money. Millions upon millions of Doubeinese gin, all at his disposal if Kylo did his part. It was much more money than he could ever imagine. He could buy the best houses in Doubeia, treat himself to a lavish dinner everyday, buy the boots he wants... a new life — a life of splendor and luxury — would be unlocked.

However, Kylo also felt a bit uneasy. It was only recently that he found out that match fixing was illegal in Doubeia. Kylo didn't really heed mind to it, knowing how Doubeinese police were. However, that phone call he'd just received... he would be lying if he said he wasn't starting to feel more cautious.

Kylo walked out of his room. He saw Scarlett staring at his wall. Adorning it were numerous trophies and medals, all hallmarks of Kylo's successful football journey. She was looking intently at the only picture he'd hung on the wall: it was him holding up a trophy with someone, presumably a woman, standing behind him with her hands grabbing his shoulders. The picture was cut off, however, and the woman's identity was a mystery. At least it was from her point of view.

"Whatcha lookin' at?" Kylo settled himself down at the chair he'd been sitting on before the call.

"Nothing... Just admiring your wall." Scarlett sounded as if she had something to say, to ask, but she held it back.

"So, what about Maddox and Mavis?"

---

Match information for MD7 vs Poafmersia (home, Stade de Pruxxé)

Doubeia           2   -   2   Poafmersia  
Zhikin (45+3')                Unknown (16')  
Borisenko (56')               Unknown (74')

Match information for MD8 vs Sargossa (away)

Sargossa          2   -   1   Doubeia  
Rodríguez (56')               Rozhkova (17')  
Blaya (82')

Starting XI for MD9 vs Srednjaci (home, Harriott Loft)

Zhvikov (GK), Shikolenko, Tsyzyrev, Entin, Ortega, Artemyev, Borisenko (C), Travkin, Umanov, Zhikin, Demidov
Available subs - Fontzivin, Maximoff, Nazarov, Khlebnikov, Voskresensky, Borichevskiy, Lyapunov

Starting XI for MD10 vs Juvencus (home, Stade de Pruxxé)

Leonova, Antipova, Menshikova, Tarantino, Barkova, Miloradova, Mamykina, Oborina (C), Runova, Rozhkova, Kuzenkova-Domínguez
Available subs - Korneyeva, Serebrova, Dunayevskaya, Tupytsyna, Shubina, Marin, Aguilar

[Kimi-Suomi]

After another 1-1 split in this campaign, the Huuhkajat of Kimi-Suomi knew what their goal was now - to catch up a 5-point gap to the Top 3 in this group in 11 games. That was the target to aim for, a rallying cry for anyone with any hopes of something more than just participation, and everyone knew it. That goal was etched into the minds of everyone who wanted to support this team, including Esko Laaksonen himself, and this dream was seen by many as a motivating factor for the rest of the campaign. Is this dream realistic or is it all smoke and mirrors? Maybe we would find out soon enough.

The Squirrels of Sleep, Restresas, would be our gracious hosts on MD7 and when playing a team also known as the Nappers, maybe it was unsurprising that the resulting contest ended up as a snoozefest. Seriously, nothing of note happened here apart from the fact that Marcus George is a pretty good goalkeeper who should be recognised as such. He gave us a hard ass time in this game and so while we leave a point, we also leave frustrated.

Then it was time for Savojarna to visit the Galaktien Colosseum in Lumikukkulat. This game we knew had to win after that draw on the road but the football gods can be so cruel when they want to be and that is exactly what happened here. We scored twice in this first half, through Karl Leif Svonsson and a rare header from Amanda Angeldahl and thinks were looking so good for everyone here. But Savojarna had other ideals and killed us off softly as Knud Vingegaard, Ruslan Novikov and My Mäkelä all conspired to take us down in the end.

The gap is up to 8 points now. We play 3rd place Sajnur before our final bye. A big game for everyone involved. NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

---

SCHEDULE (Group 3)
MD1: BYE
MD2: vs Pyazhnaya (86) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki L 0-1 (7th)
------------------------------
MD3: @Eshianmaa [Eshialand] (35) - The Eshialand City SuperDome, Eshialand City L 1-3
MD4: vs Libonesinen [Libonesia] (UR) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat W 5-1 (6th)
---------------Ramble---------------
MD5: @Tanirinthinen [Tanirinthia] (14) L 2-4
MD6: vs Alesialainen Liitto [Alezian Union] (UR) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki W 2-0 (4th)
---------------Ramble---------------
MD7: @Restresas (154) D 0-0
MD8: vs Savojarna (136) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat L 2-3 (6th)
---------------Ramble---------------
MD9: @Sajnur (47)
MD10: BYE
---------------Ramble---------------
MD11: @Pyazhnaya (86)
MD12: vs Eshianmaa [Eshialand] (35) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat
---------------Ramble---------------
MD13: @Libonesinen [Libonesia] (UR)
MD14: vs Tanirinthinen [Tanirinthia] (14) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat
---------------Ramble---------------
MD15: @Alesialainen Liitto [Alezian Union] (UR)
MD16: vs Restresas (154) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki
---------------Ramble---------------
MD17: @Savojarna (136) - Nationalstadion Carl Gustaf Bjurman, Sjoedrhavn
MD18: vs Sajnur (47) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki

[Hapilopper]

(NOTE: Thom Perkins does not have COVID. I had a brief bout with COVID this week, which sucked ass and was why I missed the last match day RPs but Thom does not have COVID. That said, this is based off how I’ve felt the last week, as well as another time I fell ill years ago. Glad to say I’m better.)
Thom Perkins’ House, West Lake Estates, Hapilopper City
The day before traveling to Ile de Richelieu

It had not been a good few days for Thom Perkins, the acting head coach for Ellis Football. First off, the Haps had just dropped one to Mytanija in a fantastic match that went down to the final minutes before Blaz Kovacec put a dagger into the hopes of all the Hapiloppians at Capital Stadium and watching all across the country. But on the bright side, that was the kind of loss that a Hapiloppian team could be proud of - fight to the end, lose the right way, and take those lessons to the next match.

But as the last few days unfolded, Thom had felt worse and worse. During the last practice session the day before, he started feeling strange. Where he could run up and down the practice field with ease, he was finding it unusually difficult. And on top of that, he was feeling unusually warm and looking awfully sweaty, which was strange considering it was a brisk, cool day out. Finally, Thom sat down at a bench while the team was still practicing. Assistant coach Ernie Stevenson looked over and walked towards Thom to make sure he was OK.

“Fine,” Thom said. “Just... go on with it!”

“You don’t look fine,” Ernie responded.

Ernie pointed towards a support staff member and beckoned them over.

“Drive him to a doctor, make sure he’s not coming down with anything,” Ernie responded. “Make sure he’ll be OK.”

And usually, Thom would have responded by cussing Ernie out. He hated the idea of going to a doctor and away from what mattered the most to him. But this time, Thom said nothing, which Ernie was a little concerned with. Ernie knew that if Thom was fine, Thom would have told him to go fuck himself.

As Thom was being driven to an urgent care clinic, he tried to think about anyone he had been around in the last couple of days, when he realized he had run into someone at Center Street Pub, the popular watering hole for the soccer crowd in Hapilopper City, that admitted he was recovering from the flu. And it was right then and there that Thom realized that he probably had come down with it too.

And sure enough, the doctor confirmed it - Thom had fallen ill with the flu.

“If you think you’re going to fly out tomorrow, forget it,” the doctor said. “I want you on bedrest and away from everyone else. What did you say you did for a living, sir?”

“I’m the acting head coach of our national soccer team,” Thom grumbled. “We’re trying to qualify for the World Cup.”

“Well, you can sit this one out, call in and say what you’ve got,” said the doctor, who was not a sports fan. “I’m sure they’ll understand. But you need to stay home, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.”

Thom felt even worse hearing this news. He really didn’t want to miss a match - especially considering how delicate of a situation the team was in, having just dropped a key match to one of the top teams in the group. But the doctor was right - he had to stay home, because he wasn’t going to get any better if he didn’t take care of it.

So, sure enough, he gave Dom Probst a call and let him know that he had come down with the flu. By pure happenstance, Dom was in a meeting with Ernie Stevenson when it happened, talking about contingency plans if Thom was too sick to participate

“Sure, we’ll have Ernie take over as the head coach for this match,” Dom replied. “Hope you get better.”

So instead of flying to Ile de Richelieu, Thom stayed home and laid in bed for the course of the next couple of days. And as Ernie struggled mightily with the tactics in the Ile de Richelieu match, Thom laid there, drinking juice and enjoying chicken soup, wishing he was there to lead his team into battle and compete for victory. He could see the strained look on Ernie’s face as he watched the team essentially get their ass kicked by an Ile de Richelieu team that was firing on all cylinders.

And it made Thom even more miserable. Seeing this, his wife walked over and shook her head.

“This isn’t helping any, is it?” she said. “Let’s watch an old movie instead.”

[West Vdara]

Channel 2 Kanaria

”Rejoice, comrades, rejoice! Yet more wonderful news has emerged from our sportsmen, as they have triumphed once more in the face of adversity! In this case, a team of female bears stood - yes, stood - between the glorious Vdaran Western Territories and victory, and it was our grit, determination, and collective effort that really carried them towards all three points. Such a fantastic bounceback from the match against Qasden, who were probably committing unspeakable acts of bribery and other capitalistic things when our eyes were averted. You just never know these days, you can never trust them! Alas, not much we can do except move forward, and here to move this broadcast forward is sporting correspondent comrade Stavros.”

“Yes, hello comrades! No, your eyes are not deceiving you right now, there are bears behind me. Lots of them. Very friendly, I have to say, if I had to choose between living in the treacherous capitalist wasteland that is East Vdara or here, I would almost certainly choose to be one with the bears. I’m not sure they’d take me, though, not after how hard I was celebrating. Anyways, our very own heroes put up a fantastic fight against the players of Bears Armed, prevailing in emphatic fashion with their second large upset of the campaign. Truly a testament to their bravery in the face of such tough challenges! Our international football campaign may be in its infancy, but experienced nations are learning to fear the talent we possess across all areas of the pitch. These are clear rewards being reaped from our sporting programmes!”

“Yes, comrade Stavros, we get it. I can feel your patriotism and spirit from here, it’s practically oozing through the screen.”

“Sorry, I’m just so excited about the progress of our glorious socialist utopia. And you should be too! All should take pride in the rapid advancements we are seeing.”

“Comrade Stavros, I am sorry to interrupt your party political broadcast, but aren’t you a sports correspondent?”

“I, um…”

“Talk about sports, comrade.”

“Yes, of course. If we are to focus on individual contribution-“

“Stavros, we don’t DO individualism.”

“Ah, yes… as a team, we portrayed glorious levels of excellence, working together as one, intertwined as a unit of pure strength and goal-scoring ability.”

“That’s more like it. Thank you, Stavros. Now, moving swiftly onward, as we have plenty other things to talk about - for starters, yet another capitalist plot to overthrow our proud nation has been resoundingly foiled! General Mikhail Arnaoutakis was caught by intelligence agencies who noticed that he was not singing the national anthem as loudly as his other comrades. Upon investigation, the police were shocked to find East Vdaran paraphernalia in his house, including football trading cards, a telephone, and an X-rated expletive-filled video of Chanian Agent Markos Moustakakos. Moustakakos, who of course masquerades as the manager of the East Vdaran football team, is a known traitor of this nation, having sewn discontent ever since he emerged onto the scene. In the video seemingly filmed by a secret camera, he is filmed berating his players in a capitalistic manner, pointing out their individual flaws instead of working together as one team. How distasteful! For his crimes against the nation, General Arnaoutakis will be trialled very shortly, where he will find out his fate - likely, a permanent disappearance. In further positive news, the scourge on our nation which was the coffee shortage has been resolved! Exports from an unnamed impoverished nation have been secured with the promise of a weapons exchange, in order to help in their destructive civil war. The deal also includes the training of child soldiers to fire said weapons to ensure that future generations of children are well-educated. Such a selfless, glorious, and kind thing for our nation to do! That’s all the news we have for tonight, comrades! Just a reminder, if you suspect that someone you know is committing treason, do not hesitate to report them to your local Supreme Council member! Unless, of course, they are the ones committing the treason. In that case, go to another one. Kalispera, comrades.”

West Vdara will next face Drawkland and Vaishnavaria at the Great Amphitheatre of the Proletariat, in a real test of their strength and mettle. Should they prevail, there shall be parties in the street. Managed by the party, of course, as we can’t have too much rowdiness in our streets.

[Hispinas]

Hispinas 3–4 Mertagne
World Cup 97 Qualifying - Estadio Nacional en el Castillo, Mandrid, Hispinas
HSP Scorers: Gainko Erroz (27'), Mira Makarova (64'), Arcelia Solorzano (77')
HSP Lineup: Azkar Baraibar, Joanes Mendinueta, Hunfrido Antunez, Gabino Arguello, Gainko Erroz, Goiz Bidaola ▼ (▲ Reinaldo Rosales 90 + 1'), Nazario Mojica ▼ (▲ Olga Abdulova 63'), Luzea Heguy, Mira Makarova, Arcelia Solorzano, Xanti Osa ▼ (▲ Lucilla Rebollar 45')
MRT Scorers: Burro Curwood (pen 14'), Stewart Bickley (27'), Nazer Armenadriz (60'), Conwal Ibarborde (72')

---

ES | EN | EU | FIL

Hispinas' PREMIER sports magazine!

Gorane Iturraspe resigns from post as Hispinas consultant
Constant clashes with FRHF forces hand as call to abolish consultancy system in Hispinian sports intensify

MANDRID - Hispinas fans were the last to be surprised when the Royal Hispinas Football Federation (FRHF) announced that consultant Gorane Iturraspe has parted ways with the team via mutual consent and will leave her post as the football consultant appointed by the King of Hispinas.

The Golden Sealions' struggles on the pitch are rumored to be caused by the continued clashes of ideologies by Iturraspe and the people from the FRHF, even putting a cloud of doubt to current manager Casimiro Coro's future, as the Terranean nation is near the bottom of Qualifying Group 13, with only Caerbannog, which will they travel into to wrap up the first half of their qualifying campaign, below them.

The FRHF ensured the public that the former FC Cebuenas and Eivora Athletic centerback would continue his reign despite a rough qualifying campaign which saw them lose five of their first seven matches, including a 6-2 hammering at home against StrayaRoos. In spite of the poor form, fans are satisfied in their last result as the Sealions gave the Green Goblins of Mertagne a run of their money despite eventually losing to the top seed of the group, 4-3.

No official comment has been released by the Monarchy's offices, as calls to abolish the consultancy system have been intensifying for the past couple of days, eventually making it to the most trending topic in cica.da's Hispinas local feed. The consultant position will currently not be filled at the moment as they will see whether FRHF can manage the national team on their own without the monarchy's meddling and micromanagement. It was only a few months ago when the King of Hispinas himself ordered national sporting associations to comply with the consulting model after an incident in the IBC 40 which costed Cergio Arebalo his job as national basketball head coach.

In addition to Hispinas' travel to Caerbannog, they will also continue to travel to Lisander for their ninth match and the tenth matchday in this edition's qualifying campaign.

[Valentine Z]

Part 3 – Tanks a lot for everything, and also for letting me make this pun.

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: With 3 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses, it may be difficult for me to rationalize and to think that we might make it past the qualifications. The teams that we have played against so far have proven to be much tougher than I have initially anticipated, and do believe me, I’ve looked and evaluated up to 5 billion scenarios. Though of course, these are what I can predict with my own mind, and it’s not something that is more grounded into reality like Gwen’s time travel and her looking into the timelines. I am still restricted to just AI predictions. Still, all is good! None of the players have been injured as of now, and there are no indications that we have gotten red cards for fouling the other teams so hard, like very hard! So, good with that! Now to move onto the factbook part once again! It seems like we are having quite a limitation on what we want to add in, but I think military is where diversity in equipment might be a little problematic. To make it absolutely clear, we do NOT discriminate who can get into the military – as long as you are an adult, you are fine! The problem is, like I said, having a variety of equipment. Having different things is good, but not too many of them so that it will not be a havoc on the logistics and the supplies that we will need to do and to get. A single brand and designation of MBT already comes with thousands of parts and components. With that said, this will not be the end-all and as the years go on, I along with the rest of the Valentians will definitely think about what kind of units and things that we can add. Technology, after all, marches on! Without further ado, I would like to present: Armored Division!

Factbook to refer to: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=853996. Again, edits will NOT be made until the season is over.

The Armored Division; Original Version

If our sheer infantry and numbers are not going to work, there is perhaps the bigger side of things that we can definitely work with. I think it was more or less said and established that when the wars happened in the pre-Valentian Era, the military as a whole was already motorized. We put a step further into this with the likes of cyborgs, robots, fully automated tanks and military vehicles, all rolling into the battlefield. While they have the much powerful armaments, as well as the higher defensive capabilities (they can take a lot more hits compared to our human counterparts), they are also countered by the lack of mobility alongside the sheer cost to deploy them. These guys do not come cheap, and require a bit of maintenance on a constant basis.

---

The Armored Division; New Commit

If our sheer infantry and numbers are not going to work, there is perhaps the bigger side of things that we can definitely work with. I think it was more or less said and established that when the wars happened in the pre-Valentian Era, the military as a whole was already motorized. We put a step further into this with the likes of cyborgs, robots, fully automated tanks and military vehicles, all rolling into the battlefield. While they do have the much powerful armaments, as well as the higher defensive capabilities, they are also countered by the lack of mobility alongside the sheer cost to deploy them. These do not come cheap, and require a bit of maintenance on a constant basis.

Light Tank
Equipped with a 100 mm rifled gun and a faster machine gun, they serve as countermeasures against the MBTs, along with supporting our own. Does not hit the hardest, but more than makes up for it with sheer speed.
Hit Points: 12000. Movement Speed: 30.0 m/s. 50% small arms damage reduction. 40% explosion damage reduction. 60% fire, cold, lightning damage reduction. 90% poison damage reduction.

Primary: Launches an explosive shell at ranges up to 4000 meters. Deals 5000 explosive damage with 10 meters splash damage. Deals 20% reduced damage against energy shields. Has a firing rate of 0.5 / second (2500 DPS).
Secondary: Heavy Machine Gun that deals 600 damage per shot at a rate of 10 shots per second (6000 DPS). Has an accuracy of up to 70%, with maximum effective range of up to 1000 meters. 200 shots before 8 second reload.
Energy Shield (Passive): 2000 points worth of shielding that absorbs 10 points of small arms damage or 5 points of explosive damage per 1 point. Takes 200% extra damage against plasma weaponry and lightning weaponry.
Overdrive: Allows the Light Tank to move at speeds up to 40.0 m/s, while also increasing the Primary’s rate of fire to 1 shot / second, and Secondary’s rate of fire to 15 shots / second. Lasts 15 seconds, with 60 seconds recharge.

---

Main Battle Tank
Equipped with a 250 mm rifled gun and a chain gun, these MBTs of Valentine Z are the key components of a land-based battlefield, and with 6 professional crew manning it, these will roll through any challenge it can find. Heavily armored and needing the heaviest weapons to be destroyed, its only drawback is the slow speed and rate of fire of the cannon. Also equipped with a rudimentary form of energy shielding.
Hit Points: 15000. Movement Speed: 14.0 m/s. 90% small arms damage reduction. 75% explosion damage reduction. 80% fire, cold, lightning damage reduction. 90% poison damage reduction.

Primary: Launches an explosive shell at ranges up to 6000 meters. Deals 8000 explosive damage with 15 meters splash damage. Deals 20% reduced damage against energy shields. Has a firing rate of 0.33 / second (2640 DPS).
Secondary: Heavy Machine Gun that deals 800 damage per shot at a rate of 6 shots per second (4800 DPS). Has an accuracy of up to 80%, with maximum effective range of up to 1200 meters. 200 shots before 8 second reload.
Energy Shield (Passive): 4000 points worth of shielding that absorbs 10 points of small arms damage or 5 points of explosive damage per 1 point. Takes 200% extra damage against plasma weaponry and lightning weaponry.
Armor-Piercing Shell Configuration: Replaces the High Explosive (HE) shells with AP shells, dealing 50% more damage to armored units, but with no splash damage.

---

Railgun Tank
Similar to that of a MBT, but with a more high-tech armament attached to it – a smaller railgun that can shoot its own specialized slugs, and can even used some improvised projectiles that is unaffected by lack of supplies.
Hit Points: 13500. Movement Speed: 20.0 m/s. 80% small arms damage reduction. 70% explosion damage reduction. 80% fire, cold, lightning damage reduction. 90% poison damage reduction.

Primary: Launches a conductive slug up to a range of 50,000 meters. Deals 15,000 piercing damage with no splash damage. Deals 10% reduced damage against energy shields. Firing rate of 0.16 / second (2400 DPS).
Secondary: Launches an improvised slug up to a range of 10,000 meters. Deals 8000 piercing damage with no splash damage. Deals 50% reduced damage against energy shields. Firing rate of 0.25 / second (2000 DPS).
Energy Shield (Passive): 3000 points worth of shielding that absorbs 10 points of small arms damage or 5 points of explosive damage per 1 point. Takes 200% extra damage against plasma weaponry and lightning weaponry.

---

Prism Tank
While it does seem that we might have borrowed it from another world, the Valentians ourselves have managed to mass-produce our own once we know of how it works. After all, Adriana also has that technology on her, albeit on a smaller scale. Good for very clustered crowds of infantry and energy shields, but it does not seem to fare too well against hard armor.
Hit Points: 13000. Movement Speed: 20.0 m/s. 70% small arms damage reduction. 60% explosion damage reduction. 80% fire, cold, lightning damage reduction. 90% poison damage reduction.

Primary: Fires a beam of solidified light that hits its first target with 5000 fire damage, along with 10% damage falloff to subsequent targets. Can hit up to 20 targets with varying damage. Firing rate of 0.20 / second (1000 DPS).
Energy Shield (Passive): 3000 points worth of shielding that absorbs 10 points of small arms damage or 5 points of explosive damage per 1 point. Takes 200% extra damage against plasma weaponry and lightning weaponry.

---

Titan-Class Valkyrie
Unique Units of the Valentians. Standing 10 meters tall are the top of the line and crown jewel troops of Valentine Z. These are the result of Valentians who have volunteered to transfer their minds into the body of a heavy and weaponized mechanical humanoid armour for the sole purpose of combat and defense. Extremely tough and fast, as well as being extremely expensive.
Hit Points: 30000. Movement Speed: 13.3 m/s. 90% damage reduction against small arms and bullets. 70% damage reduction against explosions. 80% damage reduction for everything else. Immune to poison.

Primary: Large 1 MW output plasma rifle. Deals 2000 damage/shot at 4 shots/sec (8000 DPS) with 2 m radius splash damage. Range of 1000 m has 20 shots before reloading for 8 sec. 60% extra damage against energy shields.
Rocket Flurry: A salvo of 18 rockets fired from the shoulders. Each rocket has 600 explosion damage with 1.0 m splash. Has a range of up to 1500 meters before reloading for 20 seconds. Separate reload from the primary.
Mobile Shield: Energy shield with 10000 separate HP. Absorbs 10 small arms damage (or) 5 explosive damage (or) 0.5 plasma damage (or) 2 elemental damage per point of energy shield. Charging rate is at 500 HP per sec.
Stomp: Slams the ground in a 10 meter radius, causing 2000-10 damage. Slows down enemy units by up to 80% movement speed and 50% action speed.

[West Barack and East Obama]

Escape from Fort Obama

"You're sure this is going to work?" asked Marty, as he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, of course. I've got it all covered. You've practiced your Kamijiroan accent, right?" replied Zac, as he nervously dribbled the communal prison basketball up and down on a single spot.

"Yep, yep. I think I got it. This book has EVERYTHING you need to know to succeed in these situations, it's a lifesaver." grinned Marty, as he held up his copy of How To Take Down Your Totalitarian Government: For Idiots for the umpteenth time.

"Do you have to glaze that book every opportunity you get? Need I remind you that you haven't actually successfully taken down any governments with it? You haven't even escaped from here yet." groaned Bobby.

"Don't be such a Negative Nancy, okay. Let me be excited for something in here for the first time since we arrived." Marty replied.

"Concentrate, guys. We can't mess this up. If they catch you guys escaping, fine, you might get a few months without sunlight but you'll live. But this not so long after the sewage pipe incident? You're never seeing my ass again. Let's be laser-focused on the plan." interjected Zac, who was now spinning the basketball on his finger at a high speed. He tossed it to the side, then took out some napkins and ketchup packets from his shoes.

"Gross, dude. You didn't find time to eat in the other 23 hours you had in your cell?" Bobby croaked as he wrinkled his nose.

"This is my pen and paper. I'm going to draw the blueprint for our plans." replied Zac, as he began squeezing the ketchup onto the napkins into a bunch of squiggly lines and chicken scratches. "See this? That's where the Obaman officials will bring in the Kamijiroans to examine the place, since they're all scared of the whole prison thing. My sources have them at shit-scared, actually, and we'll show them why. By crawling through the sewag-"

"What the hell is up with you and the sewage pipes? I don't care if I have to stay in Guanobamano Bay for the rest of my life, I'm not going in there." objected Bobby.

"If you insist. But if you change your mind, the two of you are going to crawl through the sewage pipes until you reach the public bathrooms, where we'll camp in until the Kamijiroans walk in and we ambush them, steal their clothes, and walk out scot free!"

"There is no way that is the plan. I can't believe you wasted my time like this you fucking moron." sighed Marty.

"It's going to work. Trust me."

"Why the hell would I trust you? Exactly what sewage pipe are we crawling through? Is it the one behind the Bullshit Block, because I definitely can't tell from that crappy map! And speaking of crap, your stunt made them reinforce all the pipes until they're all impossible to enter. And even if all that goes well, are you telling me one of the most secure prisons in the country won't notice three completely different looking dudes walk out of the toilet? Honestly, did you hit your head recently? I think you need to seek help for this, because whatever part of the brain that deciphers bad ideas is clearly NOT working!"

"I don't have time to explain the specifics, but if you don't feel like going through with this, that's totally cool. I guess we'll all rot here without any sense of adventure or bold spirit. Y'alls choices." Zac stormed off.

---

"Never, ever, criticise the HTTDYTG: For Idiots again."

"Yes, Marty, I won't."

"And why is that, Bobby?"

"Because it included a-"

"Because it included a section on how to dismantle your cell toilets and fit down that narrow pipe to gain access to the sewage system. Yep!"

"I can't believe they still allow you to read that thing."

"Well, based on the cover, the guards probably think I'm an idiot. I'm in no hurry to break that illusion."

"Can the two of you shut up and be alert? I'm trying to listen to when the Kamijiroans come in. Should be any second now, based on the fact that they tried some of the canteen's cassrole exactly one hour ago. They'll be fighting for their lives in here soon. In more ways than one, of course." interjected Zac.

"Is that the door creaking?" asked Marty.

"Everyone, assume your positions. You got this." reassured Zac.

However, the Kamijiroans they were expecting didn't walk in. Rather, it was Officer Baracko Corrupke and Officer Damon Bamonabama walking in for a twinkle.

"Can you believe they bailed like that? I was so ready for a show-off with a real contender at home turf." sighed Bamonabama at the urinal.

"I know, right? I had a bunch of the scum in here scrubbing this place up and down too for the inspectors. Looks like our opponents are even bigger babies than we thought. Ha!" replied Corrupke.

"I mean, at least we get all the three points from them forfeiting. Gotta love home advantage."

[Aphrilia]

Snippets From The Meeting
"Welcome to the online meeting ladies..."

"Thanks for the opportunity, Mr. Vermont..."

"I share the same sentiments with Jessica..."

"Mhm. I think we should get to business immediately, I don't have much time...

...

...

...

"...Rhine-Faust would be replacing Campton but not in the same position, he said he isn't as passionate..."

"...And I'm replacing McPraxley? Am I going to sit out on the bench for Roberts..."

"...Gordon has only played a few games, though. Why am I replacing her..."

"...I understand. But regarding the fact that two of us won't even be playing at the next DBC..."

...

...

...

"...I was only expecting to play two DBC's then done, but..."

"...Gillingham and Kachel have accepted the offer, arrangements can be made..."

"...It's okay to reject it. But if you do accept, I'm here for you Jessica..."

"...No pressure, though..."

...

...

...

"...Alright, I accept the offer..."

"...I had a feeling you would, don't worry, Burns is probably going to be ecstatic when he hears it..."

"...Heh, just hope the senior players getting the short end take it with grace..."

"...They're my players, they hopefully will understand. Now, I assume business is over..."

---

Aphrilia was currently 4th in Group 13.

Matchday 8 had passed and The Anchors were standing at a 3 - 3 - 1 standing, with seven goals scored and four goals conceded. Statistically, we are currently the worst team in Group 13 for offense and the best team in the group for defense. Whilst twelve points seems nice for seven matches played (Due to the fact that the odd amount of group members mean that there are byes), this team reached the play-offs last cycle. And to reach those playoffs, you have to finish third at the minimum... Either that or you might even automatically qualify if your statistics are good enough. Currently, The Anchors are four points behind of Elmyia as the past two matchdays, Aphrilia grabbed six points.

But Elmyia did so too. And thus there's been some discourse amongst the fans. The team definitely can repeat what they did last cycle, but there's been some things that are slowing them down. Momentum has only recently been ignited with two wins back to back, the team has definitely felt much more readable by their opposition, among other things. Even with their wins, it seems like The Anchors have something in the back of their mind that's somewhat distracting them from 100% focusing on playing. Well, whatever is going on, this team better drill themselves into one piece, because the second half of the qualifying will be much tougher. Everyone will be going to their limits.

And we'll have to believe that the team won't hit theirs too early.

[Kelssek]

Lambert speaks out on own goal agony

Players dream of playing in the World Cup final, captaining your country in the sport’s biggest match, but no one is prepared for the horror of scoring an own-goal in one. That’s the awful fate that befell Ingrid Lambert in Neorudo, and while it might have been easily forgotten if Kelssek had won the trophy, at full time they lost 2-1.

“I’ve watched it back several times. I know it’s probably not what the psychologist would want, but I’m absolutely certain there was no other way I could have avoided that.”

Lambert had been marking Brookstation’s Moussa Wague as a cross came in that deflected off Lambert’s boot as the two players contested for it. The touch put it past goalkeeper Jenas Maraipu to put Kelssek a goal down after 11 minutes.

“If I hadn’t got the touch it would have been a certain goal either way. People would’ve talked about my mistake, but there would have been arguments and debates and all that. When it’s written down as an own goal it’s very different, and people who never watched the match and never played the game get a particular idea in their head about it.”

It has instead threatened to define Lambert’s career, a truly stark situation for a player who captained Burnaby SC to three Kelssek Championship titles, three Patriotes Cups, and was named to the Testiculos awards list. It has meant away fans taunting her all season long, and a couple of fines when Lambert responded with obscene gestures and kicking a smoke bomb back at the fans who’d thrown it.

“I have absolutely no apologies to make for those incidents. On the field that’s the way I am and I have no obligation to put up with that kind of thing. It’s not up to us to take it from such fans, and it’s the home club’s problem, not mine.”

“This is a new cycle and it will probably be my last chance to put in a good show at the World Cup”, says the 34-year old. “I have to be realistic about where the squad is at, but I’m determined not to let the final define me.”

[Kamijiro]

Bolts of Lightning, Part Four: 静 and 雷撃

The rural areas of Kamijiro is one that normally knows nothing but peace and serenity. Throughout the countryside, even the places where Japanese isn't the main language, the term sei (静) is a common-spoken word. Meaning stillness or calm, it speaks to the overarching Kamijiroan mindset of relaxation being above all.

静 is what is written on the whiteboard by Raiji Kagawa before every game. This isn't to represent being lazy on the pitch, or that the players should be calm constantly. No, it's to represent the pace at which the players should look for openings. Of course, Raiji himself is the opposite of the goals of sei. The ex-yakuza tough gets fired up at any chance he gets and uses his fire to be the figurehead for the players.

However, when he takes an 0-1 deficit to Langenia into halftime, courtesy of Daniel Gallegos' 23rd minute goal, the first thing he does is erase 静 from the whiteboard. Silently, he begins writing something else. The motto of his old yakuza family - 雷撃. Raigeki (lightning attack). More specifically, he wants them to play on the front foot. Their usual calm demeanor in the midfield wasn't working and three points are needed to keep pace in a tough group. The second half was much better from the Kamijiroans. Soji Kokubun took the spirit of Raigeki to heart and scored twice in the final 45 minutes, one in the 59th minute off of another Katsu Fujiwara assist and the next in the 77th minutes off a Saiichi Demizu assist.

And so when the next game against Al-Tamazgha rolled around, 雷撃 was on the board instead of 静. "Attack. I want you to attack." That's all Raiji Kagawa had to say. Four goals later and the Kamijiroans are only two points back of first with a game in hand thanks to a 1-1 draw between West Barack and East Obama and Huayramarca. It's Haruki Kagawa who scores the first goal - Soji Kokubun is resting following a slight tweak to his hamstring in warm-ups. Kaneto Kanazono scores the second just before the halftime whistle. In the second half, Raiji makes several substitutions. On comes Darren Williams, who currently plays for Saterun's Real Anasb, who proceeds to score a brace in the second half to put the game on ice.

When asked post-match about why the Kamijiroans suddenly looked like an attacking side, all Kagawa said was 'raigeki.' And that was all he had to say.

Meanwhile, in a cell block in rural Raijin-shi, the Oyabun smiled.
"Raigeki, huh? Guess old habits die hard, Raiji? Good on ya, kid."
The guards switch the television off and call for lights out.
"I was right not to have him keep living for the family..."

[Bears Armed]

The time: Lunchtime, four days into the week between the Belles’ ‘Match-day 8’ & ‘Match-day 9’ games.
The place: The staff cafeteria at Wimbley stadium, a room that at this point has only a few people – mostly from the ‘Grounds’ staff – present.

At a table currently reserved for the team’s senior staff, and set apart by having a folding screen on which the word ‘Private’ is embroidered in large, friendly letters, the BAAS ChairBear Morra Dumble and the Belles’ manager Karra’harrna Thunder are having a quiet conversation during their meal.
(Morra is eating trilobite⁽¹⁾ on the half-shell with a creamy chives-&-parsley sauce, served with grilled chestnut mushrooms, snow peas and buttered new potatoes. Karra’harrna has a FourHorn⁽²⁾-meat stake with a a blue cheese dressing, served with chip and a fried mixture of mushrooms, red onion slices, and chopped mixed peppers. Both are drinking still cider.)

( Karra’harrna) "So, just one more match left in the first series of qualifiers. I hope that you and the board agree with me that our girls have been playing very well this year⁽³⁾."

(Marra) "Ayyuh, of course we do. Top three in the group at this stage is hrrather impressive… even though their latest two games’ hrresults were only a draw followed by a loss. I hrreally hope that those weren’t setting a trend…"

( Karra’harrna) "I’m fairly sure that they weren’t, for true, fairly sure indeed. After all, getting those sorts of hrresults against lower-hrranked teams like those two Match-day’s opponents hwhile winning or at least drawing against higher-hrranked ones is a pattern for hwhich there’s certainly precedent in the Belles’ playing history⁽⁴⁾. In fact, if the rrules against team staff gambling on their hrresults didn’t forbid it I’d put a LOT of money on the Belles being still — or, at the least, again — in the group’s top three at the very end of this cycle’s qualifiers too!"

(Marra) "Hr’rmm.
“Hokay…”

( Karra’harrna) “And that would mean a place in the playoffs for the Cup itself, if not automatic qualification outright, depending on exactly how well all of the other groups’ third-placed teams have done by that point. I’m not making any promises about those points, not yet anyhows, though."


(Marra) "Hr’rmm.
“If I hrremember hrrightly then qualification as a third-placed team hasn’t been an option in any cycle since the Belles managed it in their verry first attempt?"

(Karra’harrna) “I’m not sure about those intervening cycles neither, off-forepaw^[(5), but our girls certainly managed it that time for true! And with an accursed team of zombies among their opponents, back then, into the bargain!⁽⁶⁾"

Marra chuckles briefly.

(Marra) “Hokay, I do hrrecognise that zombies are no laughing matter, but I hrrecently hrre-read a biography of the Marra SunDaughter who was our girls’ captain back then and apparently those abominations’ masters were so over-sure of qualifying that their manager’s hrresponse to not doing so was hrreally spectacular..."

(Karra’harrna) “Ayyuh, I’ve rread that as well.
“Anyhows, it’s helped that the Belles didn’t have to face any teams of nameless players this time around, because we seem hrrarely to fare as well as could properly be expected against those: Faceless players, hwhether or not with identifying numbers on their shirts, are just a bit too creepy for too many of urrs⁽⁷⁾. You noticed that even the three nations who left listing their teams’ hrrosters almost to the last moment still managed to get them out just before Match-day 1, hrright?”

(Karra’harrna) “I did, ayyuh. In fact, I think that ourr group is still the only one for which every team has published its hrroster....
“By the way, hwhat did you and everybearry else involved think of the Drawklanders, who claim not to be Humans even though they seem close enough to urrs? Taller than typical humans, like urrs; capable of playing well to greater ages than typical Humans, like urrs; an all-female team, because the males play an even more ‘physical’ game instead, like urrs?”



___________________________________________________


OOC Notes

1. Yes, our region ‘International Democratic Union’ has – following a poll of its member-nations’ players — a number of surviving species of Trilobite in its fauna. This recipe, however, I originally introduced as an order placed [successfully] by my head-of-mission at the WA while he was in the Strangers’ Bar at WA HQ.

2. The ‘FourHorn’ is a species of large herbivore that was introduced to our home continent, as domestic livestock, by the human civilisation that ruled the lands Bears Armed now occupies before that society self-destructed (and removed humans from the local fauna for several centuries, until after the Bears had “awakened” into sapience…) in a civil war early in the 1st century AD). It is a Sivathere, so its closest living relatives in RL are the Giraffes & Okapi. Nowadays there are both feral and re-domesticated populations living within Bears Armed, the former being thought to provide the tastier meat but the latter being more numerous and therefore providing cheaper meat: the steak in Karra’harrna’s meal was from a member of that re-domesticated stock.

3. According to my RP the WC qualifiers are spread over two years, in the summers –by the local calendar -- of those, with the World Cup itself (and associated Cup of Harmony) in the summer after that with another year (in which the Baptism of Fire, and probably any other potentially-relevant inter-regional football competitions) take place then before qualifiers for the following cycle begin.

4. It really (or “hrreally”) is.

5. “off-forepaw” = “off-hand”, of course.

6. World Cup #44. The since-CTEd nation of Prux was responsible for those zombies, also deployed in the previous cycle, which were the voodoo-reanimated remains of various famed RL footballers collected [while still reasonably fresh] by time-travel. IIRC Prux was the group’s 3rd or 4th seed, and Bears Armed was the 7th, out of 9 nations. We took 3rd place from them, by just 1 point, on the final match-day.

7. I’ve RPed in the past, without complaints from anybody else, that teams who don’t post rosters have players whom the Belles IC can’t distinguish from each other and find rather unsettling…

[Vdara]

Movin' On Up (Primal Scream)
Movin' On Up (M People)

Tegeh Kori National Stadium
Pemecutan
United Mandaran States

For the few-thousand Vdaran fans who had made the journey to the United Mandaran States, the performance they had been greeted with was nothing short of spectacular. Having looked down and out after a loss to Aleirave and a draw with Panay Islands and Guimaras, doubt had started to set in amongst fans about whether or not Vdara would be able to put a campaign together. After the squad shake-up and the strong victory, however, the doubt had subsided for now. The new-look Vdaran midfield, defence, and goalkeeper seemed far more energised than the draw that they had sleepwalked into, as new starters Emilios Nicolides, Andreas Mitsotakis, and Kyriakos Moraitas immediately looked at home in the squad despite their relative youth and inexperience. An early UMS goal did slightly unsettle things, but the football that followed was nothing short of extraordinary, Goals from Sophia Kyprianou and new kid Moraitas dragged Vdara into the lead, and that was how it would finish as they notched up their best victory of the campaign. Despite the circumstances surrounding the game - UMS being out of form, and Vdara somewhat struggling - the result and the manner in which Vdara had gone about earning it really sparked confidence in the fanbase. In addition, it had really pleased manager Markos Moustakakos, who made his thoughts known to his players (in a positive manner, for once).

"That's what I've been looking for! That's the game we've needed! It took yous a wee bit of time to get going, but boy, am I glad yous did. This was the side that fans had been expecting to see before this campaign, before the shaky CAFA, before some of the losses and the draws. That was what a Vdaran team plays like! Fluid, dynamic, silky smooth like a nice glass of whisky. I mean, milk. Sorry about that, I wouldn't want to pollute the thoughts and minds of our new youngsters with such talk. Anyways, I'm absolutely delighted for all of you, I think you all earned a lot of praise for your efforts today. Sure, them hitting us on the break on the first half was a bit of a shock to the system, but the regrouping and commitment to the plan really played a massive part in the comeback. God, I'm just so pleased. Especially when you take into account the run of fixtures we have coming up - I needed that, you needed that, WE needed that. Provided that we put the same amount of energy into the match against Burikinia, I think we can stand ourselves in good stead for Kanzlia and the Crpostran rematch. Neither team is far from us, and we can't let ourselves get left behind in the chaos and havoc of the group. There are still ten games to go, we're sitting pretty in fourth, so let's use this performance to pick ourselves up off the ground and make a real charge for the top, alright?"

And pick themselves up off the ground they did, scoring a solitary goal against Burikinia at home to notch another victory on the board and climb into third place in the group - and thus, putting themselves back into the provisional qualification spots. With two away games against high-flyers Kanzlia and the Boring Paradise away to follow, as well as a rematch against group-toppers Crpostran at the VdarArena, this positive run of games had come at a good time for Vdara. If they could just keep this run going, they might just have a chance at climbing further up the table and earning themselves guaranteed automatic qualification to the World Cup - or, indeed, they could revert to their earlier shakiness and cast further doubt on their campaign, as they had done against Panay Islands and Guimaras. But it's better not to focus on things like that - positive vibes only, as Markos would say! The goal was clear; despite earlier setbacks, Vdara's aim was still the top.

[Tanirinthia]

---

OF FATES AND FORTUNES
Chapter Fifteen - The heat is on

---

It was getting late in the evening the late summer sun dipping down near the horizon close to the end of this day's arc. It may have been cool by St Cirith standards, and thoroughly welcomed by the baking residents, as she approached her building Clara found herself baking. The months in the ice-y north, or what she presumed was the north of the world she had been on only hours ago, that time had clearly adapted her away from the already oppressive heat of the city.

She plugged in the code to her building as was met with a reassuring beep followed by the jarringly loud thunk as the deadbolt magnetically retracted letting her into the building, she breathed a sigh of relief that it hadn't changed, followed by a deeper sigh of relief as she entered the air-conditioned foyer of the building.

She must of stayed standing still there for a good ten or fifteen minutes, not wanting to head up to what she knew would be the baking inferno of her flat, but as she starting having to fight to keep her eyes open, she realised just how tired she was deep in her bones and that people might frown on her if she just curled up to sleep in the foyer.

Reluctantly she dragged herself from the cool of the foyer and into the lift hitting the button she had so often hit before, it felt both old and new to her, a strange feeling of the familiar but imperceptibly changed by your absence somehow. The ding of the lift reaching her floor shook her out of her tired thoughts, and she walked down her corridor to the door of the flat. As she went to put her key in the door she suddenly remembered she hadn't taken out the bins when she last left, taking a deep breath and preparing herself she turned the key and opened the door.

However no malicious odours greeted her, for a second she chuckled to herself thinking she must simply have indeed taken the rubbish out, until her sleepy brain caught up with what her eyes were seeing, her flat was definitely tidier and cleaner that it would ever be unless her parents were imminently arriving, that and the box in the middle of the room, with an envelope on top of it addressed to her.

Gingerly she picked up the letter and opened it.

Apologies for taking this liberty, but some of the neighbours had complained of a smell in your flat and not wishing for the building managers to investigate further I came in to take care of the rubbish, and then I thought that when you did eventually get back you would want to come home to a tidy and clean flat, but I freely admit that may just have been my need to keep things nice and ordered.

PS. I took another liberty, inside the box is an air conditioning unit how you have survived in this flat without one is a greater mystery than the one we are about to embark on

Jasper

Normally this invasion of her privacy would have fired an anger in her belly, and whether it was the fact it was certainly far too hot to have fires in her belly, or the fact she trusted those kind eyes of Jasper she instead felt a small smile form on her mouth. She quickly got our this portable air-conditioning unit from the box, set up the hose going out of the window and placed her face against the vent where the cool air rushed out. As she felt her eyelids turning once again to lead, she threw off her sweaty clothes and collapsed into the bed, the cool breeze from her present lapping against her skin and rapidly sunk into a deep and dream-filled sleep.

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine | Chapter Ten | Chapter Eleven | Chapter Twelve | Chapter Thirteen | Chapeter Fourteen

[Darmen]

Aleshire Suffers Broken Ankle In Victory Over Macbon

WEST SCOTT CITY - While Darmen emerged victorious in a ten goal goalfest facing Macbon, 6-4, the joy of victory was tempered by the major injury suffered by Kayden Aleshire.

Aleshire, 33 and a right midfielder who plays domestically for Olympique Chuckio, had to be stretchered off the pitch following a 53rd minute tackle from a Macbon defender. The defender, who was red carded for his incredibly late and reckless challenge, swept Aleshire off his feet, but not before twisting and pinning Aleshire's right ankle to the ground.

With various forces pushing in all sorts of directions, the laws of physics required a sacrifice to be made, with Aleshire's right ankle unwittingly making that sacrifice. It was a clearly painful experience for Aleshire, who rolled along the floor of the Green Ensign Arena yelling loudly in agony.

Aleshire is expected to take 10-12 weeks to recover, making him unavailable for important upcoming matches against the likes of Eura, Krytenia and Banija. There are also questions as to whether Olympique Chuckio will allow him to return to the national team camp, the club is understandably upset that one of their best players will be unavailable for an important stretch of the domestic season.

25 year old Kara Falkner is expected to step up and become the starting right midfielder for the All Greens during Aleshire's absence, with Darmen's next weekend of qualification matches includes trips to Natanians and Nosts and Eura.