Season Preview
Season '92
Title Contenders: FC Städeli, Standard Lily, Tijhuis Archimedes
IFCF Challengers: Orchideeën, FZK, Raven Thöni, St. Bernadine Athletic
Best Of The Rest: St. Bernadine Accountants, St. Bernadine Amateur
Middle Mediocres: OSA, St. Bernadine Academicals, VF Romainring
Look Out, Fellas: Stadler Works, BSN, Shakerssen
Its One Of Three: 1860 Delénacht, MAG, HKB Merzberg
The ninety-second season of football on the Isle promises to be an exciting one with a new favourite emerging in FC Städeli, who revive old fortunes to become a serious contender and title defender, while up to six other teams might consider themselves in with a shout. No less than six World Cup winning players will grace the rain-swept parks of Taxhavn, including two Taxhavnites - Valentin Fey at Raven and Shakerssen's Jocki Moroff both getting calls for the finals and impressing in their adopted colours of green, green, and green. Does that make the SteuerLig one of the multiverse's power leagues? Err, no. Not yet. But money has been spent, and money will be spent. Bags and bags of it.
The Contenders
Quebecois manager Bradley Kemerer-Lascelles - BKL - got The Frigates firing on all cylinders last season to take the league and cup double in the first season that it was possible, and that with an old squad who weren't refreshed with signings. No such issue this season, BKL's hand forced by the retirements of starters Jibril Benzema & Gertjan van de Schuur; World Cup winning Delt Burus Tasher and rising star Töbe Aerle have been recruited to make a title defence look very promising indeed. A first tilt at the Champions League is exciting but lessons will have to be learned from Raven Thöni, who found the additional 22 games too much of a burden and wound up 5th from winning three titles in a row. New regulations mean FC Städeli can't defend the Cup, but expect them to lead the charge in the SteuerLig.
From annual favourites to eternal bridesmaids, Standard Lily have had to play second fiddle to Raven Thöni and now, it seems, their Southern Classic rivals FC Städeli. Once again the bookies make them favourites for the runner-up spot, but highly-rated young coach Nelis Fijnwever has made astute signings in Thies Strijdveen from Tijhuis Archimedes and Mytanijar Vusur Rajovic on a free from Chenoworth Harriers in Nephara. The Pollen Counters will challenge again and should improve on last season's third place, but the title looks a stretch with their neighbours The Frigates looking so strong.
Tijhuis Archimedes surprised many with their oh-so-close title chase, losing out on the final day of the after leading for most of the second half of the season. They have surprised again in the off-season, off-loading two of their best players in Eduardo Mendoza and Thies Strijdveen, both of whom declined to renew contracts. That will be a worry for Owls fans, although they did at least pull in Jvars Greber from struggling BSN on a free, and he is a good striker in search of a decent team. He's at least found that at Archimedes. Perhaps they're weakened on last season, but then again, they are more experienced now and could still be in with a shout.
Favourite for the title: FC Städeli
The Challengers
Orchideeën under veteran manager Maurits-jan Veerenjans have been impressing since their return to the top flight with consecutive interregional qualifications, and they have improved season on season without making the kind of headlines you see with the southern teams. The Nurserymen have enjoyed going under the radar, but how long can that last? Soon they must be taken as serious contenders, surely. A transfer-window high for Taxhavn of ₸x5m for Lennaert Vrielink from Kierhuizen Boys and then the coup of the window with Polarian Aslak Hrafninnsson means Orchideeën have seriously put themselves in the shop window for a title tilt. Maybe this is a season too soon, but their star is on the rise.
We are going for a dark horse here for our next challenger - FZK. Maybe the works team under Koordinator Satripy have not looked like they would light up any party so far, but she has brought them consecutive top eight finishes and has surrounded herself with countrymen she knows and trusts from her days back in the Massive Sea Dome, including striker Amblix this season from St. Bernadine Amateur. There is good reason to think the Barrel Rollers will have a good competitive season this time out, and while a title is out of the question, they will probably be poking around the IFCF places.
Raven Thöni are very much in a transitional period after winning three consecutive titles and then falling by the wayside somewhat last time out. They are banking on bringing through some of their top prospects who impressed in the Rising Stars Cup last season, winning their group ahead of the likes of Raynor City United. Jodie Niederhauser, Raphael Kaiser and Nils Schneider all step up from that team to join young stars Maas Kwappert, Luis Glücki, and Mytanijar striker Blaz Kovacec who has won the 'Golden Pram' best young player for two seasons in a row. Add World Cup winner Valentin Fey, and you have a young team full of promise. It will take time to gel, and this season will be hard by their usual standards, but this could be a dynasty in the making.
You surely can't rule out St. Bernadine Athletic. They have been so disappointing since signing Deltic strike pair Tai Cerotha and Danny Mastorqa, while those two themselves have gone on to win the World Cup with The Representatives. Consecutive coaches have failed to find a way to make them thrive in the SteuerLig. They lost Töbe Aerle in the transfer window and have failed to impress with their latest managerial recruit, Wightling Horatio Limit, who is already favourite in the sack race and is rumoured to be looking at the Wight national team sign-up for World Cup '96 and hoping for a place on the coaching team. And yet... this is Athletic. Surely they will rise again?
The Rest
All three promoted teams are expected to have comfortable seasons, not troubled with the drop. Unlike last season where Tijhuis Archimedes came up looking strong enough to challenge in the top half - and did considerably more than that - we don't see a super strong challenger here, although St. Bernadine Academicals do have the benefit of World Cup winning midfielder Onun Tasher. The Accies, along with OSA and VF Romainring, will find the going easier than several others, and seasons to enjoy in mediocrity.
At the bottom end, HKB Merzberg are likely to find that rebranding isn't going to change their fortunes and they will be right down there amongst it come the closing rounds of the season. In the last two years both OSA and De Tike FC have been 'too good to go down' but still have done just that - look out BSN, who have not had a strong off-season, turned back to an old, failed manager for help, and might just be the too gooders who do. So to speak. But really, this is HKB's relegation hot potato to avoid. If there is one bright light on the horizon, its that due to the general expansion they will only need to find one team worse than them to survive, and they have form in that sense, narrowly escaping several times over in recent years. MAG will be the most concerned. Although they pulled off a bit of a coup with new manager Nelo Holzer, the team looks low on quality and there is a line of thought that Holzer himself is out of ideas.
Favourite for relegation: HKB Merzberg
The Squad Summaries
Star player highlighted
Manager: Bradley Kemerer-Lascelles (BKL) [QUE]
Last three seasons: 7th | 3rd | 1st
First XI: Ivan Klank, 28 [XAN]; Gabriel Neumeister, 30, Simone Imbach, 27, Sanno Walder, 34, Töbe Aerle, 20; Burus Tasher, 20, [DLT], Tanica Darr Qib 'iithli (C), 39, [GEE], Lothaire Cromwell, 37, [NPH], Milovan Antic, 27, [SRS]; Aaron Brechbühler, 34, Martim Picasso, 36, [PFA]
Major Signings: Burus Tasher (free), Töbe Aerle (₸x5m), Simone Imbach (₸x2m), Milovan Antic (₸x500k)
Major Departures: Josif Rothacher (free), Jibril Benzema & Gertjan van de Schuur (retired)
Betting: 104.4 / 1st
Manager: Armand Voyer [MUS]
Last three seasons: 2nd (Lig-2) | 1st (Lig-2, promoted) | 2nd
First XI: Morten Gallis, 22 [AUP]; Mikaela Äijälä, 27 [VIL], Partos Arigani, 31 [SRS], Mart-jan Teunissen, 31, Marlijn van Wesup (C), 33; Thijs Dankelman, 29, Sami Samiii, 32 [VIL], Wim Menneken, 29, Riku Kasslin, 32 [VIL]; Herman Avelson, 30 [SLT], Jvars Greber, 25
Major Signings: Jvars Greber (free)
Major Departures: Eduardo Mendoza (₸x3.5m), Thies Strijdveen (₸x3m)
Betting: 95.1 / 3rd
Manager: Nelis Fijnwever
Last three seasons: 2nd | 2nd | 3rd
First XI: Fiete Dällenbach, 31; Zhang Zhenxin, 32 [YZH], Friedolin Spiess, 26, Nando Balsiger, 34, Thies Strijdveen, 22; Laurent Lapix (C), 23 [RCN], Jules Reimann, 31, Raul Kopp, 31, Vusur Rajovic, 29 [MYT]; Natanaël Tanga, 28 [ZEN], Mere Eljas Faliri, 26 [FFD]
Major Signings: Thies Strijdveen (₸x3m), Thijs Nijen Twilhaar (₸x3m), Vusur Rajovic (free)
Major Departures: Chance Benton (free), Rafael Dorer (₸x3.5m),
Betting: 96.2 / 2nd
Manager: Maurits-jan Veerenjans
Last three seasons: 1st (Lig-2, promoted) | 5th | 4th
First XI: Diederick Booij, 27; Victoriano van Alst, 23 [MSD], V.W. Kamperman, 21, Aslak Hrafninnsson, 26 [PIS], Laurens Seuper (C), 25; Lennaert Vrielink, 31, Christian Lange-Parker, 25 [SNL], Reggy van Buiten, 24, Harrie Arendsen, 34; Gillis Würsten, 29, Jeroen Blenkers, 24
Major Signings: Lennaert Vrielink (₸x5m), Aslak Hrafninnsson (₸x2m)
Major Departures: None
Betting: 88.9 / 4th
Head Coach: Jovin Strähl
Last three seasons: 1st | 1st | 5th
First XI: Reino Kononen, 30 [VIL]; Ebi Hummel (C), 33, Jodie Niederhauser, 19, Bors Warwick, 35 [NPH], Raphael Kaiser, 18; Nils Schneider, 20, Maas Kwappert, 20, Luis Glücki, 23, Valentin Fey, 23; Bruce Hoogewarf, 32 [BRO], Blaz Kovacec, 20 [MYT]
Major Signings: Dančo Saev (free)
Major Departures: Ramon Buck (retired), Isak Eberhard (und.)
Betting: 75.9 / 6th=
Manager: Pirmin Wägeli
Last three seasons: 8th | 14th | 6th
First XI: Simon Ochsner, 32; Jurrijn op Sonnebeld, 19, Nolan Kägi, 26, Julian Spühler, 22, Serdinho, 34 [IPN]; Erroneous Null, 25 [QAD], Sebastian Bettler (C), 36, Edwin Markozy, 32 [ZRH], Jurrien Holtsingel, 19; Orell Speich, 32, Eduardo Mendoza, 30 [TAM]
Major Signings: Eduardo Mendoza (₸x3.5m), Jurrijn op Sonnebeld (free)
Major Departures: Arpinho (free), Serdar Admiri (free), Pirmin Kellersberger (retired)
Betting: 73.7 / 8th
Manager: Reto Ehrensperger
Last three seasons: 6th | 4th | 7th
First XI: Alimayu Shiben, 34 [SRS]; Flurin Lamprecht, 21, Idrissa Konat, 32 [MAK], Carsten Könneker, 26 [GOH], Federico Kaufmann, 34; Rafael Dorer, 30, Enno Eggen, 30, Bobby Wong, 33 [DAN], Stefaan Beldman, 29; Paulie Morf (C), 32, Georg Bardo, 28 [PUG]
Major Signings: Reto Ehrensperger (manager), Rafael Dorer (₸x3.5m), Georg Bardo (free)
Major Departures: Nelo Holzer (manager), Weinert Marggi (retired), Jvars Greber (free), Jovin Eichenberger (₸x2.2m)
Betting: 59.0 / 14th
Manager: Koordinator Satripy [MSD]
Last three seasons: 11th | 8th | 8th
First XI: Ukamai Talingri, 36 [VIL]; Lionel Benz (C), 38, Christian Perreten, 31, Uto Uhlmann, 29, Tsujii, 22 [MSD]; Maksim Skufi, 30 [KAN], Nino Fehlmann, 22, Gabin-Livio Pereira, 21 [SNL], Simon Bessan, 24; Amblix, 23 [MSD], Hicarna, 22 [MSD]
Major Signings: Maksim Skufi (free), Amblix (free)
Major Departures: Jacinto Gempeler (₸x275k), Oliver Heiniger (₸x200k)
Betting: 79.7 / 5th
Manager: Heldir Zaman [SRS]
Last three seasons: 5th | 12th | 9th
First XI: Mark Rüegger, 31; Linard Geissbühler, 24, Machiel Foekers, 33, Tifon Palawan, 32 [SRS], Rätus Bur, 22; Lorin Müngers, 25, Jocki Moroff, 22, Sid Plundell, 31 [KOR], Robert-Jan Vagevuur, 21; Zubi Zuberbühler (C), 25, Porfirio Benitez , 35 [FFD]
Major Signings: Heldir Zaman (manager), Sid Plundell (free), Tifon Palawan (free), Robert-Jan Vagevuur (₸x1.5m), Porofirio Benitez (free)
Major Departures: Hänggi Rüfenacht (manager), Nino Brawand & Emiel Uunks (retired), Andrae Kocher (₸x200k)
Betting: 54.5 / 15th
Manager: Horatio Limit [WGT]
Last three seasons: 3rd | 9th | 10th
First XI: Tim Speich, 31; Arpinho, 29 [IPN], Tero Alatalo, 32 [VIL], Vincent Aury, 31 [MUS], Purlie Stöckli, 20; Max Swift (C), 32 [KRY], Lucius Fangborne, 23 [TFS], Ramun Kunz, 27, Mirko Hranilovic, 28 [MYT]; Danny Mastorqa, 26 [DLT], Tai Cerotha, 27 [DLT]
Major Signings: Horatio Limit (manager), Arpinho (free), Mirko Hranilovic (free)
Major Departures: Earl Kynance (retired), Töbe Aerle (₸x5m),
Betting: 75.9 / 6th=
Manager: Anaïs Aescher
Last three seasons: 14th | 10th | 11th
First XI: Chiel Schreiers, 30; Reinout ten Cate, 20, Theo Greber, 22, Jos Uilken, 33, Riccardo Bürkli, 33; Ramun Friedrich, 38, Jockel Schmidt, 19, Enno Siebold (C), 41, Alessio Rotach, 23; Timo Ellenberger, 37, Jenson Masuka, 31 [ZEN]
Major Signings: Jos Uilken (₸x150k)
Major Departures: Abi Lobsiger (retired)
Betting: 59.8 / 13th
Manager: Adam Ackeret
Last three seasons: 15th | 13th | 12th
First XI: Alessio Hirschi (C), 31; Maxime Hug, 37, Rayan Schiefer, 30, Ton Masseus, 27, Ethan Felber, 35;
Jurian van Enk, 28, Souaïbou Mukongo, 22 [ZEN], Jason Bolliger, 20, Niklas Rolli, 21; Tell Wäch, 26, Uto Lippuner, 24
Major Signings: Ton Masseus (₸x500k)
Major Departures: Flurin Lamprecht (free), Amblix (free)
Betting: 71.5 / 9th
Manager: Nelo Holzer
Last three seasons: 10th | 7th | 13th
First XI: Steef van 't Roth, 22; Henk Schutte, 20, Alfredo Neves, 40 [IPN], Dries Tijsselink (C), 35, Laurens Boevink, 22; Klaas-Jan Wullink, 31, Mart-jan Woker, 22, Joris van Berkum, 22, Ard Elbersen, 31; Rik Dam, 26, Martijn Hagedooren, 21
Major Signings: Nelo Holzer (manager), Martijn Hagedooren (₸x350k)
Major Departures: Nanko Kijk in 't Veld (manager)
Betting: 47.3 / 17th
Manager: Hänggi Rüfenacht
Last three seasons: 13th | 15th | 14th
First XI: Henk-Jan Stender, 32; Florens Klein Stroek, 24, Remko Geerlings, 39, Paschalis Kopp, 27, Thies Nijzink (C), 42; Jeroen Egberts, 23, Riccardo Oswald, 24, Benson Rubi, 24, Stijn Wolthuis, 19 (loan); Christiaan Schopman, 29, Guus Mensink, 32
Major Signings: Hänggi Rüfenacht (manager), Stijn Wolthuis (loan)
Major Departures: Reto Ehrensperger (manager)
Betting: 34.3 / 18th
Manager: Gaetan Lehnherr
Last three seasons: 4th (Lig-2) | 3rd (Lig-2, promoted) | 15th
First XI: Nicolas Stauffacher, 25; Göpf Lieber, 27, Finnian Rösli, 27, Reto Guggisberg, 28, Bendicht Wehrli, 23; Jacinto Gempeler, 26, Saturnin Barrios, 36 [TAM], Gene Häsler (C), 34, Filip–Alekso Stojkov, 18 [MYT]; Valentijn van der Scheer, 24, Norin Von Gunten, 29
Major Signings: Jacinto Gempeler (₸x275k), Filip–Alekso Stojkov (free)
Major Departures: Beath Von Mühlenen (free)
Betting: 53.3 / 16th
Manager: Magnus Rüfenacht
Last three seasons: 9th | 16th (relegated) | 1st (Lig-2, promoted)
First XI: Sâúl Râí (C), 34 [FFD]; Vaulto, 21 [MSD], Josif Rothacher, 23, Uto Kuhn, 27, Ruven Von Mühlenen, 28; Ko Horsman, 21, Gert-Jan Steffens, 22, Sibren Kwappert, 31, Christiaan van der Riet, 25; Joris Giskes, 24, Jovin Eichenberger, 22
Major Signings: Josif Rothacher (free), Jovin Eichenberger (₸x2.2m), Ruven Von Mühlenen (nominal)
Major Departures: None
Betting: 65.3 / 10th=
Manager: Nouhoum Ouedraogo [MAK]
Last three seasons: 3rd (Lig-2) | 2nd (Lig-2) | 2nd (Lig-2, promoted)
First XI: Abass Zerbo, 32 [MAK]; Fredo Schopfer, 29, Lyan Streiff, 31, Chonz Zimmermann, 25, Samuele Löpfe, 26; Carter Turner, 28 [PSE], Levian Sallenbach (C), 31, Nias Bläuer, 27, Balz Koblet, 33; Jules Salzner, 30 Gilchrist Boyde, 31 [SLT]
Major Signings: Andrae Kocher (₸x200k)
Major Departures: None
Betting: 64.0 / 12th
Manager: Diego Willimann
Last three seasons: 3rd (Southern League) | 1st (Southern League) | 4th (Lig-2, promoted)
First XI: Bergjón Reynaldsson, 23 [HVM]; Ryan Schalker, 28, Beath Von Mühlenen, 22, Martin Hugi, 29, Xylon Schranz (C), 31; Benno Weissbrodt, 27, Damiano Chronatos, 30 [NAV], Onun Tasher, 19 [DLT], Benjamin Young, 32 [PSE]; Isak Eberhard, 26, Evan Schürmann, 24
Major Signings: Beath Von Mühlenen (free), Isak Eberhard (und.)
Major Departures: Simone Imbach (₸x2m)
Betting: 65.3 / 10th=
