World Bowl L - Everything Thread

by **Sarzonia** » Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:05 pm

It's just another match.

Sarzonian national gridball team manager Tyler Paige told himself that as he steeled himself to walk into his team's dressing room at Joe Gibbs Stadium in Woodstock. Even though he knew instinctively that he was lying to himself to try to keep his nerves at bay. He knew it was more than just another match because he could see the parking lots at Joe Gibbs Stadium packed with cars and he saw hundreds of fans streaming from the subway stop near the stadium toward the venue in droves.

It wasn't that Joe Gibbs Stadium wasn't sold out for its biggest matches. It was certainly sold out for the World Bowl L opener against archrival, former regional neighbours and still friends Delaclava. it was certainly full for matches against the likes of Drawkland, Banija or Ranoria.

But somehow, this was different. Usually, he was able to take some quiet time to reflect as the stadium parking lots were usually dotted with small numbers of cars when his pulled into his designated parking space six hours before the opening kickoff of the match. Gates for the supporters to enter the venue typically opened no sooner than 90 minutes before the opening kickoff, but this time, the ticket staff realised they'd have to open those gates earlier than they expected. The buzz of supporters firing up their grills and downing alcoholic and other beverages as kids tossed gridballs, kicked footballs, or generally ran around whilst adults discussed adult topics was louder than usual.

Part of it was the opponent. No. 6-ranked TJUN-ia, entering Matchday 9 with an identical record to Sarzonia's one loss from eight matches played but with the head-to-head advantage of a 13-0 shutout of the Stars in New Washington lay in wait. The Jaguars were eager for an opportunity to pounce and deliver a potential knockout blow to Sarzonia's group title hopes and prevent the Stars from winning the group that bore their former manager's and first great quarterback's name. The Jaguars boasted a stifling defence, one that even notoriously defence-oriented Ko-oren would be proud of, having limited opponents to 77 points through their eight matches, even better than the Dragonflies' 86 points conceded in their eight matches.

Paige sat at the computer in his office, trying to concentrate on the defensive tactics drawn up by defensive coordinator Walter Knapp. As the previous defensive coordinator, that side of the ball was Paige's specialty. He didn't even show up to the offensive meetings coordinator Trent Beaucamp ran, since he trusted Beaucamp to figure out the right chess pieces to move. That was despite Beaucamp being unable to solve the Jaguars defence in the first meeting, but again, not many people could figure out how to move the ball well against them. However, the buzz of the crowd began to overwhelm Paige's hearing, to the point where he couldn't hear himself think enough to give any instructions to Knapp other than simply, "stop 'em."

The crowd booed lustily when the Jaguars jogged out to the pitch first, only to turn to wild applause when Sarzonia were introduced. Paige felt the energy from the crowd and almost caught himself trying to find an extra helmet and shoulder pads. But then he figured if he was charged up enough to want to play, so, too would his team be.

He was right. Sarzonia played like the sold out crowd at Joe Gibbs Stadium lit a fire under their arses en route to a 38-20 victory over TJUN-ia. The 38 points represented a noticeable uptick on Sarzonia's average offensive output, but the 38 points the Jaguars nearly doubled the previous high of 20 points conceded to Rouyoute.

This time, Sarzonia were able to get the ground game going as running back Ty'Relle Clinton rushed 29 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Cameron Stallworth rushed eight times for 71 yards and one score and threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Steve Swain. A Matt Andersen 38-yard field goal provided the other scoring for the Stars, who improved to 8-1 with the victory.

"We definitely fed off the energy of the crowd," Stallworth said. "They were awesome."

Stallworth only attempted eight passes, completing seven for 96 yards and the touchdown to Swain. Cam Barkley finished the day under centre, kneeling down once in victory formation.

"I was very pleased with our effort," Paige said. "There are some things to clean up, but we definitely played like a team worthy of our rank tonight."

As the crowd finally began to exit the stadium after staying behind to celebrate the dominant win over the rival Jaguars, Paige could finally smile. It wasn't just another match. His team had done more than just win a match and clinch a winning record in the group stage. They'd done more than just beat the Pot 2 team in the Gavin Davis Group. His team won emphatically, confidently slicing into the Jaguars defence like no one else in the competition had. Sure, Valanora defeated the Jaguars, but it was a low-scoring affair. Rouyoute's 20-point outing had been the lone defensive blemish relatively speaking, but now the Stars made it look easy.

Paige smiled when he saw Treat Beaucamp emerge from the elevator after he left the coaches' box.

"Great gameplan, Trent!" Paige said before clasping Beaucamp's right hand with his own and then enthusiastically smacking his offensive coordinator's back with his left.

It was. Sarzonia outgained TJUN-ia 499 to 234, more than a two-to-one margin. The Stars were over 500 yards in total offence until Barkley took a knee to end the match. Stallworth remained upright except when he decided to slide down. No Jaguars pass rushers got near the Stars quarterback, and the offensive line opened gaping holes for Clinton.

Sure, Sarzonia dropped a sixty-burger against East Lithuania on Matchday 4, but in its own way, scoring less than two-thirds of that total against TJUN-ia was even more impressive.

"We've got nowhere to go but up," Beaucamp told Paige.

by **Kamijiro** » Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:35 pm

March On.

After an uncharacteristically cold day, the Jirō Islanders came to find that there was a foot of snow on the ground. This is quite the rarity, since only the mountains get snow in any typical storm. The islands tend to just get rain. But this? Snow? A foot of it? Unheard of. The weather was so bad, actually, that it caused mass power outages, grounded every flight onto and off of Jirō Island, and even the Empress herself had to come see it with her own eyes.

Anyway, the game of gridiron is a rain-or-shine event. Foot of snow be damned, there's got to be a field somewhere, especially with Cardenao coming into town... So, what do the islanders do? Nothing, actually. They just find an open area and mark endzones using sticks and create uprights using leftover lumber. As is usual. Cardenao was able to get in just fine after much deliberation on how to clear a runway of snow. The old 'push it into a pile elsewhere' route worked wonders.

Cardenao walked all over the islanders, who were still cold as hell playing in the snow, most of them too busy making 'yellow snow hee hee' jokes the entire game.

Then, they went to Tumbra. And whooped Tumbra 36-0. Great success!

The rematches began the next week. Pafi were coming to Jirō Island. Pafi had beaten these bozos last time they played, so the team wasn't super hopeful. But lo and behold, they figured out how to stop a passing play and also forced multiple turnovers to grab another huge win, with a +47 score difference being (probably) the largest in Kamijiroan gridiron history. At the very least, it's the largest for this bunch.

Nova Calania nearly snagged a win off of the islanders, too. But running down the clock worked wonders in that match, with the Jirōans holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes of game time. It wasn't a drubbing, but it kinda felt like one due to the lack of offensive play time for Nova Calania. 20-13, final. That scoreline pushed the Kamijiroan points margin to +116 through 9 games played, with a 6-3 record. Challenging Cardenao for the group title seems like it won't be doable, but the idiots are too stupid to do the math on it, so they simply just say "hmm, yes... two places up and we are number one..." Covering this team has been a net negative for my brain.

by **Drawkland** » Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:31 pm

In honor of the 50th edition, I'm doing a "brief" history of the World Bowl. We'll be going era-by-era, and once this series concludes I'll be adding this information to the (currently bare bones) NSS Wiki article for the World Bowl. Enjoy, and if you have any input or feedback, let me know.

It's remarkable that the last World Bowl to crown a new multi-time winner came in WB XXII. Cassadaigua's second title would be the last time a nation would win their second World Bowl title for 12 entire cycles, unless you count the fact that Allamunnic States won their 4th, 5th, and 6th titles in that span. With so many of the powerhouses of old no longer participating, if the Allamunnic States no longer dominated, there was no telling who would be waiting in the wings.
6 titles - Allamunnic States
3 titles - Dancougar
2 titles - Sarzonia, Delaclava, Qazox, Cassadaigua
1 title - Rennidan, Arroza, Fujisawan Territories, Tocrowkia, Bluth Corporation, F1 Insanity, Civil Citizenry, German Zerabithea, Saintland, Ko-oren

Post-Allamunnic Parity
After World Bowl XXVII, the Regulars never really returned to the form that made them terrifying for over 10 cycles. They would someday return to the semifinals, multiple times in fact, but to date they have yet to return to the World Bowl title game. At this point in World Bowl history, their seven championship game appearances was a record that seemed unlikely to be broken anytime soon. More interestingly, of the 16 nations to have won at least one title, only 3 of them were still participating by World Bowl XXVIII (and one of them was Rennidan, who was unranked after a long absence). One way or another, there were going to be new nations writing their names in the upper echelons of World Bowl history.

Royal Kingdom of Quebec became the sixth nation to host multiple World Bowls when they took on the 56-nation World Bowl XXVIII tournament. WB XXVIII had 8 groups of 7, but Quebec opted to run a single round robin for a mere six-game group stage. At the time, this was the shortest normal group stage on record for the World Bowl. XXI and XXV both had six-game group stages, but those were followed up by second group stages. WB VIII also had 4 matchdays maximum, but that was using a Casaran classification format rather than a traditional group stage. Unsurprisingly, a record 7 nations passed through the group stage undefeated, all but one of the group winners. These nations were the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, Allamunnic States, Schottia, Thereisnogodistan, Gregoryisgodistan, San Llera, and Armeia. Equestrian States were the only 5-1 group winner, and were joined by a glut of 5-1 second placers, including Ko-oren, Abanhfleft, Cosumar, and others. Abanhfleft and Cosumar were the only lower seeds to manage upsets in the first round, knocking out Equestrian States and Armeia while the rest of the top seeds survived the Round of 16. Besides Quebec's 20-17 win over Cosumar, the rest of the quarterfinals games ended by multi-score margins, leading to a semifinal field of Allamunnic States, Schottia, Quebec, and Thereisnogodistan. Shockingly, the host nation and the defending champions both lost one-score affairs in the semis, leading to a matchup of all-new finalists in Schottia and Thereisnogodistan. Schottia, perhaps better known for their association football exploits, managed to outplay the Atheists thanks to a heroic effort by Mark Tomkins-Brown ensuring the final score of 26-25 in Schottia's favor. This undefeated title run was the fourth in World Bowl history, but it was also the shortest. Schottia went a mere 10-0 to achieve the task, two fewer than Sarzonia's 12-0 championship in WB XI.

World Bowl XXIX was the third to be hosted by a co-hosting pair, this time by two first-time major hosts in Drawkland and Frenline Delpha. The format was slightly unique, a simple 8 groups of 6 where 48 nations were whittled down to 16, but both hosts operated the groups and playoffs in halves, with playoff matches being arranged by group finish rather than record seeding. Three nations managed undefeated group stages after the double round robin, those being Chromatika, Equestrian States, and Anglatia all finishing 10-0. This was Chromatika's first playoff appearance, while Anglatia technically competed as Armeia the previous two cycles. Schottia, Allamunnic States, and San Llera also managed to return to the playoffs. Notably, Ko-oren and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec both missed the mark, while nations like Drawkland, Banija, the United States of Saints, and Ethane all captured their first playoff berths. The latter two were the only nations to win their Round of 16 games in upset fashion, while Drawkland was blanked 31-0 by Chromatika. Banija was the only playoff newcomer to win their group, and they carried that momentum to defeat Kaboomlandia and Chromatika while their defense allowed a mere 3 points between both games. As if the mostly-fresh playoff field wasn't enough to show this cycle being the harbinger of a new era, the defeats of Schottia and Allamunnic States in the quarterfinals really drove the point home. The semifinal field of San Llera, Banija, Anglatia, and the United States of Saints may be one of the most unique in World Bowl history. The two more tenured nations, San Llera and Anglatia, survived defensive slugfests to go on to the final. A total of 32 points were scored between both semifinal matches combined. It's no surprise that the championship game itself featured a new record for lowest point total, a 10-0 victory for Anglatia. This was the first time the World Bowl had back-to-back undefeated champions, with Anglatia's 14-0 run making them the fifth member of the club.

The feeling of turnover and newer nations merely continued as Ethane hosted World Bowl XXX. The field of 40 nations was the lowest since WB XII's 38 participants, making it the smallest World Bowl tournament in nearly twenty cycles. The 8 groups of 5 led to an 8-game group stage going into the Round of 16. A new nucleus of contenders was emerging, as shown by Abanhfleft, Anglatia, and Banija all coming away with undefeated group stages. Allamunnic States and Cosumar were the oldest nations to win their groups, going 7-1 along with Drawkland. Meanwhile, some contenders from previous cycles like Chromatika, San Llera, and Quebec struggled, making the playoffs with less impressive records. The Round of 16 featured a shocking 5 upsets, with all three expected contenders (Anglatia, Allamunnic States, and Cosumar) falling by one score margins in the first round. Abanhfleft and Banija kept their undefeated records alive into the semifinals thanks to their solid defenses, while Schottia cruised comfortably along through the first two rounds. Drawkland got revenge for WB XXIX's playoff loss when they beat Chromatika 27-20 in the quarterfinals on a last-minute punt return TD. Though Schottia and Banija had some semifinal experience, it didn't do them enough good. Drawkland survived a defensive slugfest against Banija 6-3, while Abanhfleft's offense ran rampant on Schottia to win 38-20. This set up yet another championship between first-time finalists. Few expected the final result, where Drawkland pounded Abanhfleft 37-7 and won their first title. Believe it or not, the nation in their third cycle had just pulled off the biggest blowout in World Bowl final history, the 30-point margin easily outclassing Saintland's 18-point win over Ko-oren in WB XXIV.

World Bowl XXXI saw a return to both 48 nations and Free Republics as host. However, the format was not your average 8 groups of 6. Instead Free Republics created a conference/division format, featuring 12 divisions of 4 teams arranged into 4 conferences with 3 divisions each. Nations played a double round robin in their own division, plus single matchups against every other team in their conference, for a total of 14 games. Due to the nature of the format, there couldn't be more than 4 undefeated teams. Three nations managed to handle the entire schedule without taking a loss, those being 14-0 Schottia, Drawkland, and Kaboomlandia. Abanhfleft were the other conference champions at 13-1. Having such a long "group" stage naturally led to the leading nations being clear contenders. Frenline Delpha, Allamunnic States, Banija, and Chromatika were all tough nations, and the first round went completely chalk. Believe it or not, this was the first time in World Bowl history that the Round of 16 had zero upsets. This wouldn't hold into the quarterfinals, though. Drawkland and Kaboomlandia's undefeated runs both came to an end at the hands of Banija and Allamunnic States, respectively. Schottia and Abanhfleft took care of business in the quarterfinals, and thanks to reseeding each round, they won in the semifinals as well. Banija lost to Allamunnic States in the third place game, marking their third consecutive fourth place finish. Abanhfleft, meanwhile, made up for the thrashing in last cycle's final, comfortably beating Schottia 34-17 in the championship game.

The field shrunk again to 40 nations in World Bowl XXXII, and featured Bongo Johnson with their first major tournament hosting job. With a typical 8 groups of 5 in an 8-game schedule, there was bound to be a few undefeated teams. Kaboomlandia and Gregoryisgodistan both managed 8-0 records, with Drawkland, Cosumar, and Frenline Delpha winning their groups at 7-1. Barunia also finished with a 6-1-1 record, the first time in many cycles that a team won their group with a tie in their record. Ties hadn't been used for many cycles at this point. The Round of 16 featured a fair number of upsets, but the biggest one came as the Union of Socialist Alpine Republics (more commonly known as the Alpine Union) smashed #2 seed Kaboomlandia 31-7. The bracket ended up pitting the more experienced nations against each other in the quarterfinals, but neither games were close. Drawkland beat Gregoryisgodistan 29-0, and Abanhfleft beat Quebec 34-7, in order for the WB XXX finalists advance to the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Alpine Union put up yet another blowout, also beating Anthor 29-0. Greater Vakolicci Haven, having their best-ever cycle, beat Taeshan to round out the semi field. However, the semifinals are where this edition really turned upside down. While most expected Drawkland and Abanhfleft to breeze through their lower-ranked competition to set up a WB XXX rematch, both fell in spectacular fashion. Drawkland lost 12-14 on a last-minute play to Greater Vakolicci Haven, while Alpine Union's powerful offense continued their tirade, winning 34-13 against Abanhfleft. This set up yet another double first-time finalist championship game, with Greater Vakolicci Haven being the first World Bowl finalist with an unknown roster. While Drawkland blew out Abanhfleft yet again in the third place game 40-22, Alpine Union completed their improbable run with yet another blowout, crushing Greater Vakolicci Haven 31-10.

Bongo Johnson actually returned as host for World Bowl XXXIII, marking the first time a nation hosted back-to-back World Bowls since Newmanistan in the first two editions. With 42 entrants, Bongo Johnson opted for 6 groups of 7 instead, creating a 12-game schedule which was perhaps a little too long for the tournament's media interest. There was a lot of parity in the group stages of this one, as no teams went undefeated for the first time since WB XXIII ten cycles prior. In fact, Cosumar at 11-1 and Pridnestrovia at 10-2 were the only teams to win double digit games. Meanwhile, 8 nations finished at 9-3, including several second-place teams. The playoff finishers were really a grab bag of nations, and the three most successful nations remaining in the competition (Cosumar, Drawkland, and Allamunnic States) were the three teams upset in the first round. Even the more notable lower seeds lost in the Round of 16 as well. It was shaping up to be another rather unique semifinal field, with Kaboomlandia, Taeshan, and Greater Vakolicci Haven all surviving their quarterfinal matches. Most interesting was the Gregoryisgodistan win over Pridnestrovia, featuring a 41-40 scoreline that was nearly unthinkable given the typically defensive Grid Slaves tactics. Perhaps Gregoryisgodistan wasn't comfortable playing in their established identity, and it showed when Kaboomlandia ran them off the field 27-7 in the semis. Taeshan also managed a semifinal blowout, wrecking Greater Vakolicci Haven 30-6 to reach their second World Bowl final. Their first, if you remember, was WB VII's loss to Fujisawan Territories. The Fightin' Falcons dream of a championship would have to wait another edition, as the Phoenixes of Kaboomlandia completed their signature cycle with a 17-14 victory in the championship game.

by **Ko-oren** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 3:56 am

Season 55 Previews

Greencaster Godspeed (WEST)
Stadium: Surbourneshire Square (65000) in Garihnkatar (Greencaster), Shahrigarihn (Surbourneshire)
Titles: 3
Record in final: 3-0
Playoff appearances: 5
Historical Championships: 4
Rivals:

QB Khutlires Khrushikhathiden (21, M), BQ Guanyu Long (25, M)
FB Jack Shorelett (25, M), HB Harold Steelling (24, M), RB Uhezhu Nihruden (20, M), WR Booker Chisel (31, M), XR Rethnikhe Dhoshikhathuthen (19, F), YR Roman Belsea (25, M), ZR Conor yTaeganmac (29, M), TR Joshiaki Vino (33, M), TB Charlton Chilley (33, M)
RT Levi Lightcroft (27, M), RG George Lee (31, M), CE Aaron Penn (34, M), LG Rohbes Zhihguhdhen (21, M), LT Trevor Gredhpelogun (22, M), OL Leonard Renfall (29, M)
LE Llawglhwn yDaddmhwr (34, M), LD Abe Bootsma (30, M), NT Srithnakak Klombaruden (21, M), RD Stantin Delaunay (29, M), RE Frederick Clockbrough (29, M)
OB Morgan Vusuhdhen (21, M), WB Pyassalla Hassegana (25, M), IB Theophilus Anthard (25, M), MB Inigo Ilway (27, M), SB Tom Nantfield (25, M), BZ Zadhemas Ardehninen (25, M)
LC Archer Penleigh (24, M), FS Byron Kadwell (32, M), SS Shin Munemori (24, M), RC Giles Growihariten (19, M), NB Cuthbert Callader (24, M), DB Allen Roshikhathothen (21, M)
PK Nat Etherquand (25, M), PU Trevor Ragane (26, M), LS Aomapu Aubtella (24, M), PR Bruno Barcia (25, M), KR Cyrus Wybrier (26, M), JM Aobue Aipara (24, M), GU Elvira Ohlhathohthen (20, F)

The most decorated team looks to add a fourth title to their trophy case. A very mixed offence under Khrushikhathiden, who is a very good candidate to get gobbled up by the national team next season, can do it all. They could have problems in the secondary, but this team is too good to get hung up on just those issues. That said, the Emperors and Centaurs are both looking good so they might well finish third or even fourth in their own division, no matter the talent here.

Willowbourne Saints (WEST)
Stadium: Willowbowl (55000) in Ilohbonu (Willowbourne), Ubakhim Maengiu (Corridor)
Titles: 2
Record in final: 2-3
Playoff appearances: 5
Historical Championships: 4
Rivals:

QB Matthew Amplewin (26, M), BQ Southwell Callakins (30, M)
FB Hartley Noluhten (21, M), HB Planchet Chaumont (30, M), RB Walton Hooligan (32, M), WR Basile Erbland (28, M), XR Egge Gasbeek (31, M), YR Whitfield Easlemouth (27, M), ZR Thierry Bernot (30, M), TR Kechish Narlash (28, M), TB Emelas Sodorlugindhen (21, M)
RT Nathan Schildwacht (34, M), RG Martial Dautrich (22, M), CE Richard Paley (24, M), LG Sozes Mazuhshen (20, M), LT Wisan Ehlhotogun (21, M), OL Payo Sotolongo (24, M)
LE Doran Gajaradhen (21, M), LD Elethathe Toronra (21, F), NT Ciran yMohanmac (26, M), RD Vihnas Shihwothen (21, M), RE Arthur Burton (35, M)
OB Calisto Bahamonde (25, M), WB Edward Darknoll (34, M), IB Jérôme Guertin (29, M), MB Karlas Aunendhen (24, M), SB Utar Sadhonnau (22, M), BZ Alio Aelasea (25, M)
LC Ber Hafkamp (31, M), FS Urinan Gathoregadhen (20, M), SS Agamek Pesenthengun (28, M), RC Bernlef Vedervriend (23, M), NB Brawley Wifehthen (23, M), DB Shutes Bodhira (23, M)
PK Wolfe Sollett (25, M), PU Tehwas Pihledhen (23, M), LS Githinu Aodorlugindhen (25, M), PR Go Bronsvoord (32, M), KR Pahsuth Ehlhotogun (20, M), JM Lucian Cedarridge (28, M), GU Lom Brightforth (33, M)

One year removed from their second championship win, they're looking to make it back to the big game. They're banking on defence in a division with great QBs, between the Godspeed, Centaurs, and Emperors, but might be too light in the trenches to pressure them, at which point it's all up to the secondary. Alio Aelasea could be the key to success if he can get sacks.

Schemerdrecht 65ers (EAST)
Stadium: 65ers Arena (48000) in Shemurdar (Schemerdrecht), Mahrkioren (Intermare)
Titles: 0
Record in final: 0-2
Playoff appearances: 6
Historical Championships: 2
Rivals:

QB Hayao Tsujimura (24, M), BQ Tsuneharu Tsuchie (29, M)
FB Kakichi Shilaki (26, M), HB Jonuk Barganulden (27, M), RB Yūshi Yokoi (24, M), WR Frank Redcay (34, M), XR Engelbert Nazerwizufan (22, M), YR Arend Schemer (23, M), ZR Ryōma Ishiwara (28, M), TR Yoshimoto Shima (26, M), TB Maxence Mangin (25, M)
RT Kesao Miyashita (26, M), RG Mardhun Relathingun (32, M), CE Vakinjories Seradhen (20, M), LG Harunobu Tseidjizen (22, M), LT Aenieme Arenna (33, M), OL Caldwell Corland (23, M)
LE Gabe Payne (32, M), LD Oldrik Zilvervijg (23, M), NT Kenshin Kuwamoto (26, M), RD Senoro Rjarjetein (23, M), RE Osamu Hedjezen (20, M)
OB Tjuzhubu Tseidjizen (24, M), WB Jirau Dabouden (21, M), IB Eward Vanurwizunen (24, M), MB Reuben Ramsbottom (35, M), SB Dieboud Smit (24, M), BZ Lambijn Lepelaar (29, M)
LC Roedolf Navowoden (20, M), FS Berend Sekogafan (21, M), SS Ron Hulsbergen (34, M), RC Ingeborg Sudwodhen (19, F), NB Reimert Monter (28, M), DB Bernhard Oostwilg (32, M)
PK Alphonse Mire (24, M), PU Aleid van Nieuwgraaf (28, F), LS Hiroaki Toneidein (21, M), PR Bé Budde (31, M), KR Napoléon Chez (32, M), JM Shapana Arahathenandhen (29, F), GU Jūshirō Yanagihara (25, M)

Tied for fourth in playoff appearances - and even making the Bowl twice - and yet they're still empty-handed. This team has an outside chance to make it, but they'll need some luck. As said, the West is a little stronger than the East this year. There's chances for the 65ers in that sense. Unfortunately they couldn't bolster their defensive line - a theme for plenty of our title contenders - but it might not be an issue in the East.

Mawryshire Centaurs (WEST)
Stadium: Hertfield (33000) in Marapsathi (Mawrystwyth), Mauroren (Mawryshire)
Titles: 0
Record in final: 0-1
Playoff appearances: 3
Historical Championships: 0
Rivals:

QB Eogan yBybradan (26, M), BQ Ronan yLlwydythol (29, M)
FB Iogan yTregw (26, M), HB Aoffe Khrimahagun (19, F), RB Gaé Leloup (29, M), WR Xavier Marineau (28, M), XR Paul Nihruden (20, M), YR Tim Porden (35, M), ZR Gideon Crossket (29, M), TR Yoshimitsu Kamitanida (25, M), TB Larkin McDermot (32, M)
RT Fynli Sriwohoden (21, M), RG Lehdhek Avijuden (20, M), CE Niniaw yAftonmac (27, M), LG Auhonen Haustedhaungen (32, M), LT Llwgypen yNargwrwdd (34, M), OL Sese Hector (32, M)
LE Reuben Fitzgerald (30, M), LD Cinpewg yMonras (35, M), NT Leon Ahern (32, M), RD Duzes Ahsolihgun (21, M), RE Tozathishak Plothirithithen (22, M)
OB Aeramo Aosonara (25, M), WB Thuzes Fihkuhden (22, M), IB Colm yBarrafon (28, M), MB Pellchis yFferohan (31, M), SB Jado Kiffer (32, M), BZ Guthgusas Hizathishoshen (19, M)
, FS Tirnan yBycolm (22, M), SS Ruggirra Yegish (25, M), RC Aeneatai Aothemirila (30, M), NB Leendert Schachter (27, M), DB Eldon Anglebridge (23, M)
PK Kretliran Slegalihushen (23, M), PU Cwin yByconor (24, M), LS Jacob Eric (26, M), PR Bernardiño Barcia (28, M), KR Cornelis Argielregen (25, M), JM Dwftach yDalaid (29, M), GU Cerys Needleworth (26, F)

Losing finalists of the previous season, the Centaurs still look equipped to finally get that title - they deserve it. As a team that was rarely rewarded for their efforts, there's a lot of pressure on this team. A fearsome offence in a division of heavy offences, if the defence can get home a few times there's little stopping this Centaurs team. There could be a question mark for very young right tackle Sriwohoden, maybe.

Mayara Destroyers (WEST)
Stadium: Exhibition Centre (41000) in Majara (Mayara), Matali (KCT)
Titles: 2
Record in final: 2-1
Playoff appearances: 7
Historical Championships: 2
Rivals:

Mayara Wolves,

QB Sozuthel Gulthithen (26, M), BQ Edtek Aibsorelanden (31, M)
FB Doninak Soserindhen (33, M), HB Xermán Thuizhanun (21, M), RB Ernest Justin (26, M), WR Alexandre Cathathin (19, M), XR Twan Nekker (31, M), YR Hudson Denett (23, M), ZR Rubozak Arathennen (29, M), TR Gurethen Tharadhen (35, M), TB Semeluth Maulaganthindhen (25, M)
RT Ngjeale Peosan (21, M), RG Danas Gajaradhen (20, M), CE Teluo Uozumi (25, M), LG Terpu Shazenregaudhen (25, M), LT Brais Njairokun (21, M), OL Aidici Aeulen (28, F)
LE Hampton Purcell (33, M), LD Thainjas Huishonun (21, M), NT Amaro Viveiros (29, M), RD Virxilio Andrade (22, M), RE Hermek Aidedhonigunden (23, M)
OB Caces Dhitukun (23, M), WB Wilbert Burns (35, M), IB Juliette Traver (24, F), MB Evert Noorddal (32, M), SB Esuth Dauzithen (28, M), BZ Megu Shisonnen (29, M)
LC Baukan Tenradhenen (21, M), FS Manoel Cales (23, M), SS Ninau Jaruninthen (32, M), RC Bizhina Modharennen (24, F), NB Zaifuk Thuizhanun (23, M), DB Bizhan Aidirunen (29, M)
PK Thekluk Tudhanudin (25, M), , LS Sergaskun Mithulinden (36, M), PR Dinuth Maulaganthindin (28, M), KR Pezhopu Gaulthisorudhen (29, M), JM Elio Aeribalin (21, M), GU Arximiro Monteverde (28, M)

It looks like a re-tooling year in Majara, but that would be an immense waste of a very good offence. If they can paint over the flaws in their defence, who knows? Another western team, another great offence, another mediocre defence, another team with worries for the D-line. With Soserindhen in one of his final years, as well as Tharadhen, Nekker, they could punish teams early and often. They're going to need touchdowns, though. Can they trust that defence? And what about Tudhanudin kicking?

Mayara Wolves (WEST)
Stadium: Wolves' Lair Stadium (37000) in Senoren (Senoren), Matali (KCT)
Titles: 1
Record in final: 1-0
Playoff appearances: 6
Historical Championships: 4
Rivals:

QB Zoruthau Kosmauthaunden (31, M), BQ Oldrik Touwer (26, M)
FB Jonas Wilson (33, M), HB Ekos Paugkaudidhen (22, M), RB Emsan Majargun (25, M), WR Uriah Batward (29, M), XR Dwrwst yFirthion (23, M), YR Sonates Torkhegandhen (24, M), ZR Zenru Aholangaunten (29, M), , TB Lisuk Dahrenden (23, M)
RT Khares Ekaregnau (21, M), RG Paranak Lambotherindhen (30, M), CE Filipe Toisodin (22, M), LG Robas Behdigehldhen (22, M), LT Medu Gaunlondhen (25, M), OL Madalena Toca (28, F)
LE Shapas Sadhrengun (23, M), LD Melton Hoddle (32, M), NT Xenaro Carreiro (25, M), RD Virxilio Ghuishumun (22, M), RE Julthorul Kaunorerinthen (34, M)
OB Keshenes Mauthrenadhen (29, M), WB Estevo Zauthathin (23, M), IB Shutek Gaulthisorudhen (28, M), MB Boaventura Levoitin (23, M), SB Benedito Njairokun (20, M), BZ Damonak Pauguthen (29, M)
LC Amrek Anethanthen (24, M), FS Parak Tukurudin (26, M), SS Pinauken Puraunthaunthen (34, M), RC Lisikas Toredaindin (26, M), NB Hubert Pluimvrucht (22, M), DB Akihito Ōkawa (29, M)
PK Masafumi Hase (28, M), PU Kazhame Mojerannen (23, F), LS Eratel Barganulden (26, M), PR Clé Moreau (32, M), KR Akran Panonnen (28, M), JM Luís Vazquez (29, M), GU Hekas Eidikuramauthen (31, M)

The Wolves are always good, never great, and they seem to carry that status for another season here. There are always players to get excited about: Wilson, Majargun, Moreau, and Panonnen are a great group of running backs on this unique run-first offence. The defence is honestly good - but this division is deep.

Aminey Caspians (EAST)
Stadium: Stade sur la Baie (70000) in Amahne (Aminey), Amahne (Aminey)
Titles: 0
Record in final: 0-0
Playoff appearances: 4
Historical Championships: 8
Rivals:

QB Khwaugei Mjeozan (21, M), BQ Jean-Étienne Chaumont (31, M)
FB Hngimou Gheoghin (22, M), HB Fwulu Ngothen (22, M), RB Shunmyo Suzukaze (31, M), WR Nwulou Dauden (22, M), XR Chillarie Yowarie (29, M), YR Théagène Eric (26, M), ZR Thibaut Gallet (23, M), TR Gaëta Lafaille (32, M), TB Romuald Duchesne (29, M)
RT Warren Easleings (26, M), RG Robin Verninac (34, M), CE Stéphane Joly (23, M), LG Robin Toupin (25, M), LT Florent Bandemer (25, M), OL Nato Asselineau (29, M)
LE Hnwuigou Fouden (23, M), LD Japeau Bassot (35, M), NT Émile Lacroix (24, M), RD Reginald Yellowcott (29, M), RE Ghyslain Adrien (23, M)
OB Francis Kwaosan (20, M), WB Roel de Waard (27, M), IB Marcellin Rottier (28, M), MB Henry Barbier (26, M), SB Patak Shareragnau (25, M), BZ Christopher Mjeozan (21, M)
LC Néo Basile (24, M), FS Hmjuinou Thweisan (20, M), SS Hilaire Swigun (22, M), RC Roelf Hoefman (28, M), NB Manoel Mella (28, M), DB Mirabeau Foret (34, M)
PK Euric Bourque (25, M), PU Arnaud Daquin (23, M), LS Filip Bergman (33, M), PR Ulf Lindeman (32, M), KR Adolphus Sprucebourne (27, M), JM Sōsuke Kusakabe (26, M), GU Lucius Rochham (29, M)

Whoa - arguably the biggest team in gridiron, still without silverware? They could do something about it this season if it weren't for questions in the trenches. There are few units that really stand out, but there are plenty of individual players that stand out. Will the feast-or-famine roster be successful, or will opponents keep creating bad matchups?

Sterrenwolde Dragonflies (EAST)
Stadium: Het Planetarium (46000) in Seterbohdu (Sterrenwolde), Mahrkioren (Intermare)
Titles: 2
Record in final: 2-2
Playoff appearances: 6
Historical Championships: 2
Rivals:

Aminey Caspians,

QB Hubrecht van April (28, M), BQ Sōtalō Jokotani (24, M)
FB Afton yLleamwig (28, M), HB Eita Molinaka (24, M), RB Ray Robineau (32, M), WR Ghislain Arquette (28, M), XR Ano Airib (21, M), YR Atsuo Tomii (23, M), ZR Oldrik van der Linde (28, M), TR Chamchawdd yMaellceoff (31, M), TB Eward Schemering (29, M)
RT Lambijn Grootceder (24, M), RG Frans Gerrenplataan (24, M), CE Xaneiro Ferreira (27, M), LG Antonius Grootbes (24, M), LT Benoît Longtin (25, M), OL Romuald Bedard (23, M)
LE Hurjoro Wapasen (22, M), LD Arend Smit (24, M), NT Gezhaak Gimjujuvan (20, M), RD Tausurlun Hanalaunden (32, M), RE Lúa Castelan (25, F)
OB Gommert Westerkastanje (30, M), WB Etbak Pauguthen (30, M), IB Vajao Ōtsubo (28, M), MB Bernard Voordewind (25, M), SB Toshiyoshi Hirate (28, M), BZ Frank Medwivan (23, M)
LC Jalu Vigouroux (35, M), FS Sumwekjaui Sekhekjaufan (19, F), SS Wewom Ljowoten (20, F), RC Evert Monaghan (32, M), NB Eugene Fabble (34, M), DB Cornelis Corenman (29, M)
PK Bennet Lightcroft (26, M), , LS Paulus Genpeer (28, M), PR Tadajoshi Mewezen (19, M), KR Lyonall Kusal (29, M), JM Meshach Fallfield (25, M), GU Karel Verwer (29, M)

The best defence with the worst offence and special teams, it's going to be an interesting year once more in Seterbohdu. The approach to roster building on the Dragonflies has been criticised and deservedly so. As one of the most successful teams, they haven't done much in recent years, and as long as they're not spending resources on the offence outside of a few up and coming talents, success will be rare for a while.

Schemerdrecht Admirals (EAST)
Stadium: Orange Bowl (54000) in Shemurdar (Schemerdrecht), Mahrkioren (Intermare)
Titles: 0
Record in final: 0-0
Playoff appearances: 1
Historical Championships: 0
Rivals:

QB Reinaard Eendspopulier (28, M), BQ Didier Lutz (23, M)
FB Eddy Desjardins (28, M), HB Sijirla Hyotirra (30, M), RB Aaron Cheltcherry (22, M), WR Fulke Leyberg (31, M), XR Reinare Spechtkornuit (24, M), YR Tsanje Tugesen (22, M), , TR Otbak Shanigunten (24, M), TB Sachio Ichihara (32, M)
RT Olinosuke Vuluja (35, M), RG Lent Hoenderman (30, M), CE Syalyo Deresh (21, M), LG Cyugash Rilagana (20, M), LT Corentin Njokun (19, M), OL Mwoafe Shwuzan (24, M)
LE Lyollarra Cillembee (19, M), LD Dillal Gamagana (21, M), NT Myocya Lucharla (28, M), RD Daniël Roosspar (24, M), RE Jage Leemkuil (29, M)
OB Cederic Bethings (28, M), WB Athanase Vallery (26, M), IB Armel Bandemer (28, M), MB Hervé Adrien (24, M), SB Philip Hunniford (34, M), BZ Takevito Mukōda (29, M)
LC Fifi Philippon (33, M), FS Gyonnya Wirruni (22, M), SS Ennis yCynalar (24, M), RC Jedediah Aunett (28, M), NB Sorrou Hachal (20, M), DB Regarla Koggerla (26, F)
PK Dielof van Hooival (23, M), PU Petrus Breedvrucht (24, M), LS Bernhard Methara (23, M), PR Symeon Keizerkers (28, M), KR Bento Varon (30, M), JM Ahimi Audas (33, M), GU Dany Rison (25, M)

The team with the least playoff success of any team in the KPG - only a singular playoff appearance - might have to bide their time another year. The East is a place where you can hope for some lucky breaks, and with an O-line that good there will be opportunities, but it's unsure if they have anyone that can make decent use of those opportunities. With proper scheming, this team is way better than it looks on paper.

Eaglebury Emperors (WEST)
Stadium: The Palace (34000) in Gillberra (Eaglebury), Tarrashalli (West Strand Riding)
Titles: 1
Record in final: 1-0
Playoff appearances: 5
Historical Championships: 2
Rivals:

QB Bartley Stratham (24, M), BQ Andy Belross (25, M)
FB Maynard Wodethal (28, M), HB Abraham Readhallow (28, M), RB Jurre Hinken (32, M), WR Fanny Hertwild (22, F), , YR Zhefel Tujadhen (21, M), ZR Conrat Pluimplataan (25, M), , TB Gilbert Kropibazuten (21, M)
RT Hamish Zudhnahithen (21, M), RG Higgagul Wyolleo (25, M), CE Harrison Groshiruthen (21, M), LG Pledhgalek Slanijarugun (21, M), LT Taizō Minatoi (26, M), OL Hussagun Herrald (28, M)
LE Arundel Ehlhotogun (22, M), LD Jeremy Billbury (25, M), NT Ofehdhes Golhahshen (22, M), RD Lojas Lhashudhen (19, M), RE Maynard Critchsworth (26, M)
OB Amand Lecerf (34, M), WB Darthmouth Sollett (26, M), IB Hudson Barkwald (29, M), MB Dan Dusketon (23, M), SB Nanko Bruinink (30, M), BZ Courtney Ruhzuhdhen (20, M)
LC Nobumasa Valada (26, M), FS Kong Zhihao (29, M), SS Takatsugu Nagasu (24, M), RC Ennis yByciran (25, M), NB Dizoskun Horaudhen (32, M), DB Kaiji Tsuchie (28, M)
PK Abner Bennett (40, M), PU Noël Ducommun (24, M), LS Nicolau Solar (34, M), PR Calvin Hylhemp (24, M), KR Ofahtan Opojagun (23, M), JM Jean-Henri Adrien (24, M), GU Eustacius Deemstering (24, M)

The Emperors were 6-9-1 last season but have made incredible strides and can be the main challenger in a stacked Western division. An awesome defence in the west, assuming they can match or even overpower their direct opponents the Emperors will easily get out to the division final. If the offence can match even a bit, this team is a massive contender.

Aerellen Explosions (EAST)
Stadium: Northern Arena (32000) in Ehbanna (Aevanna), Aerellen (Aerellen)
Titles: 2
Record in final: 2-3
Playoff appearances: 7
Historical Championships: 4
Rivals:

QB Aolilu Aesenial (21, F), BQ Adala Aosbure (24, M)
FB Steven Seradhen (21, M), HB Aogega Alod (28, M), RB Aoddi Aobsibel (21, M), WR Katsunari Kizu (29, M), XR Aorma Ebud (19, M), YR Liriaf Varafin (35, M), ZR Asna Aimigenna (29, M), TR Aireme Aimocinia (25, M), TB Adupe Aimmalin (32, M)
RT Japa Girault (29, M), RG Aohevi Aogabella (26, M), CE Enieris Akailis (30, M), LG Ishejui Sezejevunau (22, F), LT Ravel Brahe (31, M), OL Aerefi Aubben (23, M)
LE Nutowiuk Higogaugun (22, M), LD Ala Ahocalin (24, M), NT Aesoba Alelella (29, M), RD Jacob Nirwogauden (19, M), RE Aivupi Ainve (26, M)
OB Adiro Aerumara (34, M), WB Aebopu Aomidinia (26, M), IB Aerete Aogifenna (28, M), MB Eustacius Smit (31, M), SB Aogbo Aibial (27, M), BZ Mitsuomi Hirate (28, M)
LC Aei Aebipure (26, M), FS Aome Amun (21, F), SS Ausoru Aemuros (27, M), RC Aerio Aemino (34, M), NB Aosidu Aemedise (28, M), DB Akhel Mauthrenara (23, M)
PK Mufajuuth Rinjojaden (22, M), PU Aeogo Aofelin (22, M), LS Aedaba Alomial (28, M), PR Ainirinda Aiaphaguna (33, M), KR Aihipo Egitenna (29, M), JM Alban Cayer (28, M), GU Seigo Higashida (29, M)

The second most decorated team of the league - seven playoffs, five finals, two wins - has a championship-caliber offence but the defence's not there. The northeast - that's the Explosions and Astronauts - tends to have one or two great teams, but not so much this time around. That said, the offence is immensely fun to watch and as long as they're on the field, this team has a shot. If they're forced to rely on their defence, much like plenty of Eastern teams this season, they're vulnerable and likely losing.

Noordrug Astronauts (EAST)
Stadium: The Glacier (28000) in Launathi (Launott), Sahmanaubahl (Nordoren)
Titles: 1
Record in final: 1-2
Playoff appearances: 7
Historical Championships: 4
Rivals:

QB Matwaan Lorovan (19, M), BQ Sebastiaan Gaaidal (29, M)
FB Inasa Azegami (27, M), HB Ryōga Shirai (23, M), RB Sidney Paterson (34, M), WR Flora Voordewind (32, F), XR Bryan Welsh (32, M), YR Tormod Karstensen (32, M), ZR Gerald Winterburgh (24, M), TR Achi Abadie (35, M), TB Alle Gagnon (35, M)
RT Ngotsom Rokesen (24, M), RG Stephen Ilikins (26, M), CE Lawrence Waterville (27, M), LG Jonas Reishuis (29, M), LT Hothigwelauth Rinonau (22, M), OL Adelbert van der Heuvel (28, M)
LE Mahito Okakura (24, M), LD Odwerwauk Navowoden (20, M), NT Shōtarō Tjemazen (21, M), RD Wanorra Neenyah (34, M), RE Rutou Voudjousein (21, M)
OB Masakuni Morinoue (28, M), WB Takaki Mjatjozen (21, M), IB Godfried Amandinspar (29, M), MB Hakaru Jineiten (21, M), SB Woutre Pelzer (26, M), BZ Shuko Tsetsusen (20, M)
LC Aegana Aegerin (33, M), FS Sudhowiu Momokwolafan (21, M), SS Eduard van Straudum (26, M), RC Lomeoch ySarrwdd (34, M), NB Rodjudwizeak Girjefen (20, M), DB Harm Deemstering (26, M)
PK Mitsushige Fukumoto (26, M), PU Gewffnhwd yFochcal (34, M), LS Oldrik Gaaiberk (26, M), PR Aoelea Arile (30, M), KR Drew Hawstar (24, M), JM Aegidius Riemaker (33, M), GU Ninian Wybrier (23, M)

Having made the Bowl in the last two years, the Astronauts don't seem to make it back. Honestly, success is a double-edged sword. If you're too good, your best players will be selected to the National Team and the compensatory picks and extra cap space isn't making up for that yet. Honestly we're not sure how this squad should even approach this season.

by **United States of Nova Calania** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 6:33 am

Nova Calania can't beat Kamijiro

Ostrow Krolewski, Odlegla Ziemia - On week 8, Nova Calania received Vaishnavaria at Stadion Yellow Black Army, named after Odlegla Ziemia's national colors - yellow and back. Funnily, the domestic team who plays in this stadium, the Ostrow Krolewski Mammoths have maroon and white as their team color. Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps (shoulder) got the ok from the team doctors and was able to play and without any doubt, the Tapirs beat the Tigers 46-24. Vaishnavaria started off with the ball and... Ok let's skip that match and go straight to week 9 against Kamijiro.

Jiro Island, Kamijiro - On week 9, Nova Calania travelled to Kamijiro to play against one of the top team in the universe. Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps started at quarterback and looked 100% healthy. Nova Calania took the lead late in the 1st quarter with a 44 yards field goal. Kamijiro answered early in the 2nd quarter with a 14 yards rushing touchdown by Tsutomu Aoki. Nova Calania took the lead again within the two minutes warning with a screen pass from Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps to Guillaume Bibeau-Babeux for a 28 yards touchdown. The score at halftime was 10-7 Nova Calania.

Kamijiro started off with the ball in the 3rd quarter and had their 7 minutes long drive ending with a 2 yards rushing touchdown by Paul Salieri but the extra point was missed and the score was 13-10 Kamijiro. Nova Calania tied the game with a 31 yards field goal early in the 4th quarter. Kamijiro studied Nova Calania's offensive plays during halftime and, midway in the 4th quarter, Rafael Endymion decided to do a screen pass to Kai Shiotani. Shiotani caught the ball and ran all the way to the endzone for a 25 yards touchdown. The extra point was good. Nova Calania was close to tie the game when they had the ball at the 26 yards line in Kamijiro territory within the two minutes warning. Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps throws the ball but it hits the referree's head, goes erraticly in the air and ends up in Tsutomu Aoki's hands who was tackled immediately by Rachel Lavigueur. Kamijiro ate the clock and the final score was 20-13.

Nova Calania is currently 4th, tied with Pafi, with a 4-4 record. What could cost the Tapirs a spot in the round of 16 is our 0-2 record against Kamijiro who are in 3rd place. Cardenao and Quebec & Shingoryeo are 1st and 2nd repectively. On week 10, Nova Calania receives it's regional neighbors, Cardenao in Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer and the Tapirs travels to Sherpus on week 11.

NOVA CALANIA    3   7   0   3  -  13
KAMIJIRO        0   7   6   7  -  20

GAME SUMMARY

1st quarter
6:27 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 44 yards kick is good.
2nd quarter
11:15 TOUCHDOWN KAMIJIRO - Tsutomu Aoki runs for 14 yards - Extra point good.
1:43 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to Guillaume Bibeau-Babeux for 28 yards - Extra point good.
3rd quarter
7:54 TOUCHDOWN KAMIJIRO - Paul Salieri runs for 2 yards - Extra point missed.
4th quarter
14:39 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 31 yards kick is good.
5:24 TOUCHDOWN KAMIJIRO - Rafael Endymion passes to Kai Shiotani for 25 yards - Extra point good.

Injury Report			
		                        vs Cardenao	vs Sherpus
DT Maximilien Kowalczyk	  Shoulder	Questionnable	Probable
HB Javon McCollum 	  Ankle sprain	Out	        Out

Jean-Alexandre Guindon

by **Grand Exultia** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:07 am

Grand Exultia Fans' Perspective: We want to hear your voices

A rollercoaster of emotion
Round and round we go, up and down, left and right, there’s less twists and turns in a theme park. I mean can you be serious, we finally look like we worked out what we should be doing, another team attempting to beat us psychologically by not naming their lineup but we’ve seen these tricks and we’ve learnt from our mistakes and we punished them for their, what would you call it, arrogance? A 44-6 drumming is what we got to cheer about, finally watching the offence stretch their legs, put their gloves on the right way round and actually play some ball was a literal breath of fresh air, those of us silly enough to travel to Juvencus were well and truly spoiled with a litany of moments that will live long in any highlight reel.

A truly dominant performance and something we thought, I know a bit daft but I’m ever the optimist, could provide the catalyst for a bit of a run to see us mount a challenge to the established teams, I know, I know, don’t mock me too much but if you shoot for the moon and miss you still land among the stars.

Then we went and turned out at home, Sylvanum of all places and let Newmanistan dictate the pace of the game, we gave them the ball and all the time they could possibly want, we were gracious hosts at the most inopportune of moments and we were punished for it. A rather humiliating 17-15 loss in front of all those eager faces who bothered to turn out for our rather underwhelming team.

What is it that we’re lacking, what is it that we could do? Do us fans need to be louder? Is it just that Margaret has forsaken us and now we must wallow in our misery as our beloved Titans scratch together the occasional win, maybe even a surprise here or there and fall agonisingly short of that coveted qualification spot.

Always looking forward we have another couple of home fixtures, home advantage, let’s get behind the squad!! We do face South Americanastan then Drawkland, two ranked teams that we’ve had vastly different fortunes against so far. Hopefully we can replicate our form against South Americanastan but give ourselves a bit more breathing room, as for Drawkland I’m not sure we can get much worst, I’m yet to see a game where we looked like we had less control.

by **Pafi** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 1:45 pm

It all came crashing down. Just two matches ago, the Pafi National Team had fancied themselves contenders for, if nothing else, the wildcard seed into top cut. They had just been thoroughly humbled at home tonight. Sherpus just beat them in a grindfest. They were at 2-6 going into this game. As if that weren't bad enough, their trip into Kamijiro went horrifically. A potential loss was expected, they'd manage to claw their way to a winning record themselves from their sheer stubbornness... but a blowout of that proportion? These back to back games killed the Pafian team's mood real fast.

And so we come to the locker room following the Sherpus loss. Coach Tu was never a bird of many words... but his mood at this moment was unmistakable. He stood at the head of the room, stoic as ever. The very epitome of "not mad, just disappointed". The rest of the coaching staff were more animated, Offensive Coordinator Ette appeared ready to blow his fuse the moment someone else opened their mouth. His defensive counterpart Galvan held his face in his hand... and Assistant Coach Bu was the first to finally break the silence.

"So nobody has anything to say then..." the dryad looked around the room. The athletes were also silent, the mix of emotions among them... shame, bitterness, anger...

"We let ourselves get complacent. Again." the first player to speak was Sibeal... the team's starting tight end. "And now all I see is a group of sad sacks feeling sorry for themselves."

"And what else do we do at this point?" Quincey, who hadn't even seen the field since the third game of the tournament, seemed the most defeated of the bunch. "We just don't have it yet, alright? Is that what you want to hear?! We're new to this stage, OBVIOUSLY we don't have it yet. This shit takes experience to have a chance, and we don't have that!"

"And we're supposed to win with that kind of attitude?"

"I didn't say not to try because of that! Obviously we should try our hardest out there anyway.. you never know."

"And your best is throwing the ball to the other team every other play" one of the defensive line spoke up... Marilou Don, a backup who had only seen a few reps thus far anyways.

"Three games. That's your sample size. Besides King's been tryin'. He's not the problem here"

"Then who is?!"

"...we've given up as a team" Sigfrido King finally spoke. "There is no one person. The mood's been off ever since we started struggling again. I vote we just... forget these two games."

"FORGET?!" yup... there goes Ette finally unable to contain his thoughts. "You can't just forget these lousy performances! You really don't care do you? 'Ooooh we're neeeew, oooooh we have no experience, ooooh we're rattled when we make a mistaaaake, fuck off. None of you acted like this in the Noxurian League I hope? What's different here?"

...Tu raised a wing, Ette backs down. "...there's no use in this conversation. Isabel?"

The assistant coach perks up "Ah, right... we should wait until next practice ones everyone's had time to cool down to address any issues. Everyone's dismissed."

How dysfunctional is this group? They may have just blown their shot at advancing past group stage with those performances, and their response is... childish bickering and feeling sorry for themselves? How did this team get to 4-3 after the first half again?

by **Banija** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 4:01 pm

World Bowl L Week 9 short-form news: Banijans fall on the road to rivals Chromatika, sit at 6-3 and in second place in the Jawara group with 5 games left to play

HOIMA, ANKOLE- The Banijans were flying high to Chromatika- getting a NT record 68 points, and 9 TDs, in a blowout 68-17 home win over Devonta. But they didn't follow up that form against Chromatika- nor were they anywhere close. They set another record, but in a bad way- allowing 50 points as they were on the wrong side of an Iron Legion-induced beatdown, as they lost 50-29 in Anaia. Thomas Hall said it best- "when you allow somebody to put up a 50 spot on you, you are simply not going to win the game. Not how it works. There's a lot that we've got to fix if we want to make a run through the knockout stages, if we want to be playing in Busukuma for the final game of the tournament- then there's a whole lot of shit that needs to get fixed. And I promise you- this coaching staff is going to go full bore, in order to ensure that we can get that done."

They will have their first opportunity to show things are fixed, when they welcome Darmen into town. They will be huge favorites against the unranked Darmen side, who sit all by themselves at the bottom of the Isaka Jawara group, with a 2-6 record. But the Serpent Eagles know what it's like to overlook Darmen- one could that we did exactly that in Week 3, coming off of a massive, emotional rivalry win against Chromatika, in the re-opening of the Stadium of the Restoration. And of course, it went terribly for us- A 26-20 OT loss, on the road, probably the biggest upset of the tournament so far- and as games continue to be played, one that is probably the most confounding, even with hindsight. Banijan players will be eager to rectify this 'wrong' in Hoima- expect them to come out quick and powerfully, and to really go for a blowout revenge win.

But as the Serpent Eagles return to Hoima, there is an interesting human interest story here. A great opportunity to talk about the unique friendship between Thomas Hall, and the late, great Hoima man Ezekiel Daniachew- and how those two coaches, one former, and one present, of the Serpent Eagles, had a bond that formed together that would last a lifetime- and result in multiple World Bowl championships for Thomas Hall and the Serpent Eagles.

The Hoima Gazette

Human Interest Story: How Hoima kid Kuena Sello paired with Ice Chineze to power Banija to a couple of World Bowl championships

HOIMA, ANKOLE- The Serpent Eagles are back in Hoima for Week 10, trying to get win #7 of the campaign, and more importantly, avenge a Week 3 embarrassing road loss against Darmen. As the national gridiron team returns to this city, as they are overall searching for entry into the 3-time winners club, there are plenty of things to talk about in regards to a preview of this game. And, of course, for a preview of Week 11- where the Banijans have a trip to Katzeburg that's suddenly pretty damn complicated, and where Thomas Hall's charges are on serious upset alert away from home.

But as we are local journalists, we've got full previews of the next two games in the Sports Seciton. But we also have a human interest story too. As World Bowl L has a legends theme, we've taken this tournament to dig into the greatest gridiron legend this city has ever produced- Kuenda Sello, former Richardson and Serpent Eagles tailback. We all know, of course, about his skills- how and why he was so damn good at this sport. How critical he was to the Banijans going to three straight title games in World Bowls 44 and 45.

But let's go beyond that. Who's most associated with those titles? The QB, of course, Ice Chineze. But everyone around will tell you- Sello and Chineze had a bond of brothers. Formed in 3 years together as a couple of Banijans at Richardson University, they are the definitions of brothers from another mother- and it's a bond that is at the center of Banija's rise to the top.

The Sello Family

To really understand the greatest gridiron star to hail from Hoima, you've first got to dig into his family history. The Sellos, of course, were former nobility within Banija before the Constitutional assembly of 1906 abolished noble titles within Banija. A lot of male line descendants here, as the Sellos have been active within Banija for hundreds of years. However, the first Sello that we really want to talk about is Zakaria Sello. He held the title of Kagere- the Banijan equivalent of Lord. He served in what was known as the Colonial Lukiiko, as the body had been reconstituted during the second Quebecois colonization of Banija(1841-1906). The Lukiiko was the equivalent to the Quebecois House of Lords- only the nobility served, and elections were held strictly among the nobility.

He served a term there, before his Father died in 1870, and he became the Kagere Sello. But what was he known for? Well, Banija, in the Quebecois empire, had a mostly autonomous role in it- the Quebecois were very light-handed in their Governance. Moreso, as they kept growing, they needed help. The Banijans(through the Pretender at the time, Alanyo) ended up taking direct governance roles over Mwasi-Afrique, and then Deadvlei- a role we held past independence, all the way into the late 1940s, when they both became independent. While Alanyo himself was the Governor-General, he obviously would stay in Banija. So, the Kagere Sello was appointed as the first Banijan colonial adminstrator for Mwasi-Afrique- lasting in the role for 6 years, before his return to Banija.

He, of course, eventually died. And the Sellos continued having their title, until 1906, when the Constitution eliminated it. But they were still a high-class, very wealthy family- well-connected among the Banijan and Commonwealth elite, close to the Royal Family, and serving as politicians. In the 1940s, a descendant of Zakaria's, Azibo Sello, was a retired military officer, serving his first-term as a conservative Parliamentarian, elected off of the party list. He was a fierce advocate of Banijan participation in the Southern Rushmori War, alongside Quebec and the rest of the Quebecois Commonwealth. While the war was rather unpopular in Banija, and participation by the Lukiiko was rejected, the then-Kabaka, Mugisha II, was able to wrangle a volunteer force of 4,000 soldiers. Azibo Sello resigned his seat in the Lukiiko to go to Valladares and serve on the front.

Nowadays, the titular head of the family is Omari Sello. Kuenda Sello was the third son of his father, so he's not his heir. But that gives you a great background on the Sello family- wealthy, connected members of the elite, men coming from family money and then either going into business, or politics. And many of them, of course, with military backgrounds. Which will give you information on his childhood..

Sello's Childhood

That brings us to Sello's childhood. His father would have been the Kagere Sello- but of course, those noble titles haven't existed for well over a century at this point- unless you're a first degree relation to His Majesty, the Kabaka. Instead, his father was simply known as Kirabo Sello. Sello has had an interesting life- his most famous roles in life were serving one point as the Chair of the Commonwealth Forestry and Jungle Council, and then serving as the Chair of the Banijan Triceratops Preservation Foundation. But he served in a lot of those roles in Kuenda's early childhood, spending lots of time traveling and not really seeing his kids. He wanted his sons to go into similar pursuits- and Kuenda's older brothers did exactly that.

But it turned out Kuenda Sello was a hell of an athlete from an early age. From ages 5 to 11, Kirabo Sello probably went to 3 total sporting events that his youngest son participated in- despite Kuenda playing gridiron, tennis, and soccer all that time. Kuenda had done plenty of traveling with his father, of course, making him miss all sorts of games. Off to places like Quebec, or Ranoria, or Siovanija & Teusland, even across Arrosia, etc.. But at age 11, the senior Sello was supposed to flying to Joongyoeng- but bad weather meant a cancelled flight. So he was around, so he went to one of his kid's gridiron games.

Per Kuenda, that bad weather was the start of his career. "Who knows where I would have been if Pops hadn't been to that game?" Kuenda Sello told us in preparation for this article. And the Dad said something similar.

"A lightning storm from God." Kirabo said. First, the head coach had pulled him aside, and told him that there was 'no way' Kuenda could keep missing games for globetrotting- he needed some sort of commitment. And then, Kuenda put on a performance. The stats for that day are lost- U11 gridiron happening 35 years ago. But ask anyone who was there, and they'll tell you- he dominated. Kuenda says he scored 6 TDs, Kirabo said his son scored 9- they both agreed that the ref called a mercy rule after three quarters.

"Coach knew my potential- wanted to show my Dad. I think every single offensive play I touched the ball- either via handoff or pass." It was clearly one hell of a performance- because Kirabo, not a huge sports guy, suddenly had a vision. He saw the flashes of potential- and felt, with proper training, he could get his kid into the GFLB. But Kirabo knew that he needed to ensure Kuenda put in the work- and that he needed to oversee it, personally.

He immediately resigned as the Chair of the Banijan Triceratops Preservation Foundation- he needed to focus less on philanthropy, and more on his kids. He would coach him, personally. What did he know about gridiron? Very little, but he did decently enough. And when Kuenda got a real legit coach, when he got to Crystal Cove Academy for Boys- well, he dominated. Who can remember the state title game his senior year against Cass Tech? 37 carries, 244 yards, and 5 TDs- and he was already committed to Richardson U at the time.

Take a look at his recruiting profile from the All-Banija Sports Magazine at the time.

Recruiting Profile Link

3. HB Kuenda Sello- Crystal Cove Academy for Boys, Hoima, Ankole

Sello is a halfback, from Crystal Cove Academy for Boys, in Hoima. The Crystal Cove Academy for Boys is, as one might expect, an all boys private school, mainly for the sons of the elite in the Ankole region, though a few kids attending there from outside Ankole, as it is a boarding school. It is a school for the elite, and therefore has high, rigorous academic standards- Sello is easily the most academically adept player on this list. That is why he wants to attend a NSCF school with plenty of academic prestige, especially in the field of nuclear engineering, something of which there is very little opportunity at home.

Sello played in the triple option at this school, something that is not seen very often. Therefore, he got plenty of carries, and is known as a bruising running back. While he can get caught from behind, he often takes two or three tacklers to bring down, and almost seeminlgy never goes down on first contact. The only reason he isn't higher on this list is because of his lack of breakaway speed- just a 4.49 40 yard dash, which for a running back is not that fast. However, at 6'1, 245 pounds, he is a beast of a player to bring on board, and will contribute to the running game of any school.

Time together at Richardson

He arrived at Richardson University excited. Smart as hell, a little bit preppy, but ready to grind. "I gotta thank my Dad for my work ethic- he taught me that nothing in this world is given. It's all earned." And he went to work immediately in the Governors camp. One year younger than Ice Chineze, the two became good friends almost immediately.

"I taught him everything he knows." Ice Chineze joked. "But seriously, we had a hell of a bond. There wasn't a ton of Banijans back in that day at Richardson- so I helped him acclimate to the culture at Richardson. I also had to buy this fool real winter clothes- the very first day I saw his wardrobe, I took his car and drove it down the street to buy a real winter jacket. Of course, you can't buy one in Banija, there's no winter- But I had to save him from creating himself his own hell."

And in college together, the duo were electric. They put up offensive scoring outbursts together that would make peak Isaka Jawara at Loyola even pause. The fact that they were there together- it was a miracle that they somehow didn't win a title together. Of course, that miracle was real- in the form of a Diamond, say Diamond Rhine- but that's neither here nor there. YOu had that HB-QB combo, you were going to be unstoppable. Pick your poison- stop one of the best QBs in the game, or one of the best HBs? Sellout for one, you're screwed against the other. There was no winning.

Ice Chineze also introduced Sello to his wife- Roberta de Burgh. The daughter of Quebecois nobility, the two met at Model Commonwealth Parliament- at Sello's only meeting he ever attended, no less. And the rest, of course, is history. Roberta de Burgh, by the way, is now the Chairwoman of the Banijan chapter of the Richardson University Alumni Association.

Chineze QB Battle at World Bowl XLIII

Ice Chineze did so much to support his man in college. But, now, let's fast forward to the World Bowl. World Bowl XLIII- the first time in forever where Isaka Jawara wasn't going to be the starter at the World Bowl. What took place, was maybe one of the greatest QB competitions of all time- Ice Chineze against Amazu Chibuzo. Kuenda Sello also had a positional battle, technically- but he was the obvious choice to be the team's starting HB. And while, of course, he could never take sides- Ice Chineze has always credited Sello with helping him win that competition.

"I wouldn't have won the QB competition without Sello." He told reporters. "He helped drill into me the NT expectations, and would always practice with me. In fact, for the month before training camp started, Sello took us to his old high school, Crystal Cove, and ran routes for me every single day. Making sure I got timing down, I got my footwork on lock- because Chibuzo, he's one hell of a fucking quarterback too. Sometimes, you need somebody there to set a standard for you, and he elevated my game heading into that training camp. It was really ridiculously close after training camp, and if I didn't have that extra training with Kuenda, then I never would have been the NT starter."

Thomas Hall, the final decision maker, has not commented on that- he generally does not comment on that historic QB battle. But hey- can't say he didn't make the right decision, yes?

Winning Time

And then, yes- winning time. Do we really even have to explain to you how good these two were for the Serpent Eagles? World Bowls 42 and 43 were just the warmup. Third time was the charm- and with this duo at the front of their offense, they blitzed teams. Of course, Chineze got all the plaudits- deservedly, as he was averaging well over 300 yards a game for the first 11 games of the tournament. But through the group stage, Round of 16, and Quarterfinals, the Banijans averaged a ridiculous 42+ points per game- including putting up 40+ in each playoff game against Kohnhead and South Newlandia.

"While of course we threw the ball a ton, it was Sello that gave us balance- and it was that balance that allowed us to win the World Bowl." Chineze told us for this. "They could never sell out to stop the pass. Remember Sello running for a buck.75 against South Newlandia in the playoffs? We established the run, and then threw the ball- and we knew that we could get you to death in either time." Of course, the semifinals and final, nobody was lighting up the scoreboard. But once again, this duo brought them success. With the gaps tight in the semifinals and final, Sello still stepped up- running for over 80 yards in each contest, despite total scoring for Banija being less than 20 points in each one.

World Bowl XLV- another title. Sello, 32 years old at this point, ancient in HB years(don't tell 33 year old Zamandi Ayana!), was second string HB for this tournament because of his age. But still- came up huge in each palyoff game. Round of 16, against TJUN-ia, he took a screen pass 47 yards to the house. In the quarterfinal, they brought him in to convert a critical fourth down on the final series of the game- via a fake punt, no less. And then, In the final, he had total 9 touches for a total of 90 yards- including a 27 yard touchdown reception, off of a swing pass where he broke a couple of tackles, and a separate 28 yard carry.

Sello, no matter his role- critical to Chineze's success, critical to Banija's success. And the two have a lifetime bond.

by **TJUN-ia** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 4:45 pm

After making it through the first half at 6-1, the Jagaurs of TJUN-ia were entering the 2nd half feeling very good about their abilities on the gridiron - but you can always want more. The rematches are always the hardest because both teams know what to expect and want to settle scores - something Gus McKerrin knew all too well. Despite us getting the schedule wrong (so sorry, everyone), everyone was ready for what was to come...so what would come next?

So like the very start, Natkr would be up first - this time as Part 1 of a Road Double-Header. Considering the effort that the Green on the Blue had put in over in New Washington, we knew this game was going to be interesting on so many levels, but here in the Skyhold Dome, we played more of a reserved game. Both teams certainly felt stronger on defence and that could be seen in what the home team did by scoring only 10 points - a Jax Riley TD to Darius Wilson with an Ethan Walker PAT and FG. We did better, but not by much - with Leon Gallas finding 3 TDs (through Lucky Sithole-Sita, Fremont Whitehorse and Gilbert Nyamutsamba) while Xander Tiovannen hit 1/3 PATs and a FG to complete this 22-10 scoreline. Not the prettiest, but a win is still a win.

Then it was the big one: Sarzonia at Joe Gibbs Stadium in Woodstock, one of the toughest places to play in the sport. These Stars wanted revenge for the 13-0 shutout we posted on them in The Gardens and when that ball was kicked off, you got the sense that the gods were going to ensure things didn't go our way today. Ty'Relle Clinton would become the bane of our existence, rushing home three of the five touchdown scores, with Cameron Stallworth provided the other two - one via the run, one via Steve Swain. Oh, and Matt Andersen hit 5/5 PATs and a 38-yard FG. Not ideal defensively. It wasn't as if we could do nothing here - Gallas did manage to rush home one and provide two to Whitehorse, while Tiovannen went 2/3 on PATs - but it just wasn't our night and so it was down to 7-2.

Another bump...but one we hoped would be the last with five games left to play. With East Lithuania heading to New Washington before a trip to Quirhoshe, a rebond is the expectation at this point. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group Gavin Davis)
MD1: vs Natkr (41) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 38-13 (2nd/1-0)
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MD2: vs Sarzonia (4) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 13-0 (1st/2-0)
MD3: @East Lithuania (UR) W 60-0 (1st/3-0)
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MD4: vs Quirhoshe (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 38-6 (1st/4-0)
MD5: @Valanora (11) - Lathalein Celestial Stadium, Mar Sara L 7-13 (2nd/4-1)
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MD6: vs Rouyoute (45) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 35-20 (1st/5-1)
MD7: @Delaclava (20) W 27-15 (1st/6-1)
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MD8: @Natkr (41) - Skyhold Dome, ?? W 22-10 (1st/7-1)
MD9: @Sarzonia (4) - Joe Gibbs Stadium, Woodstock L 20-38 (3rd/7-2)
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MD10: vs East Lithuania (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington
MD11: @Quirhoshe (UR)
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MD12: vs Valanora (11) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington
MD13: @Rouyoute (45) - The Crooked Crown Cap, Rouyoute
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MD14: vs Delaclava (20) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington

by **South Newlandia** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 4:54 pm

Newport Shipping Containers announce release of QB Zachary Stevens

The Shipping Containers have officially cut former Elephants QB Zach Stevens from their roster. The 2-4-1 Newport team of the XEFL had signed the quarterback to a two-year deal, but after the former RUoN Egret failed to win the starting job, they have elected to cut him from their payroll. Stevens spent two and a half World Bowls are the starter at the QB position for South Newlandia, including a few shocking playoff wins, before the wheels entirely came off, eventually getting him benched for a mediocre college sophomore.
Before entirely forgetting how to quarterback, Stevens had been the QB for the Mariana Tigers of the RFL, which he inexplicably led to one Ranorian Conference Championship appearance.
Reportedly, it is yet unclear where Stevens will apply his talents next. The 35-year-old has declined to comment, but the local grocery store has stated they’re in talks to give Stevens what could be a long-term position as a cashier.

by **Valanora** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:24 pm

Odin Sørbø sat on the edge of his seat inside his small student apartment in Raynor City, watching the end of the Sabres latest game on the television. There was no chance for him to attend the game against Natkr, he was busy packing up the apartment to be able to move out in two weeks when the semester was up and he would be on his way to Banija. It still felt a bit surreal that he would be heading out of the country to try to take his game to the next step and it had not been an easy choice to make to decide to sign with the neighbors across the water, but it was the choice that he made. Banija represented the pinnacle of gridirion on the domestic level, their league was the best of the best, ever so delicately edging out the league in Ranoria as the best domestic in the league and offered the sort of opportunity that he would not have gotten if he chose to stay and sign in the VGL. While he wanted the home nation league to rise and become as equals with the leagues of Ranoria and Banija, it simply was not there yet and he could not afford to waste some of the best time of his career to improve by improving the marketability of the VGL, not if he wanted to be playing for the Sabres in two years instead of watching from his home.

It had been the Jinja City Springboks who had signed him to his first professional deal and it would be to Jinja City that he would be heading two in a few weeks. His agent was already in the process of finding him a temporary hotel or apartment to live at before he found a more permanent residence near the city. It was little things like that which were going to be different moving from the Empire and out into a completely different world, having to actually figure out a few things for yourself that were readily taken care of for you here in the Empire. On his coaches' advice he had also hired a financial advisor that would manage his finances and ensured that all his bills were going to be paid and the right taxes were paid so that he would not run afoul of any local authority while he was trying to make himself better on the field. Really made him appreciate the efficiency for which the Empire seemed to run and how good all the citizens had it here, that they were free to pursue their own goals and desires without stressing over things like finding housing, paying the bills, or having enough food to eat. That reminded him, he was going to need to either make sure the team had a nutritionist or hire his own.

He wondered if he was still going to receive the universal basic income with him going to Banija to ply his trade or if it would be paused until his return to the Empire. Playing at Raynor and seeing the number of foreign students and athletes that came through the universities doors, he knew the government provided for the foreign students the same as that which they did for those born within the Empire, but he had never thought of if the benefits would continue on if he moved abroad. Well he was sure that his financial advisor would handle that if there was something to be done, especially since he was planning on spending his offseasons back in the Empire and really only staying in Banija once training camps began and until the end of the season. As he started to pack up some of his posters and assorted knick knack he saw that the Sabres had just scored with three minutes and some change left to go to expand the lead to seventeen points and kill off the game, giving him a small grin. It seemed that the team finally had found its groove and hopefully he was going to find it to in Banija, would hit the ground running like he had done at Raynor starting all four years and making the NSCF championship game in his freshman season. If his career in the NSCF was anything to go by, Odin was sure there would be a few bumps along the way but he could be soaring high in even his first season seeing the field.

by **Chromatika** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:44 pm

Lightning in a Bottle
How Lisa Bonsoon won the game for Chromatika

Sarai Gwenderyn went 17-of-22 for 213 yards and four touchdowns, Lana Rhodes added 112 yards and two more scores, and the Iron Legion kept their hopes for the playoffs truly alive by paying back Banija for their earlier defeat, 50-29, in front of a sold out crowd at the Henza Center. Chromatika sacked Kadesh Odika four times, caused three turnovers (as well as two turnovers on downs), and though the final scores was 50-29, the game was truly out of reach by the ten minute mark of the Fourth Quarter.

However, there was no denying the true star of this match: Lisa Bonsoon. The Chromatik Cornerback had three plays in the game that truly turned their fortunes. After Chromatika scored on the first drive of the game, Misha Florentine shocked the visitors by going for two, and getting it on a neatly called Quarterback draw. Banija had answered, and in a game where they went back and forth, Odika and the Serpent Eagles were up 22-15. With less than five minutes left, the Serpent Eagles started to press up the field, Odika being deadly accurate.

On third-and-three from the Iron Legion twenty-two yard line, with just under three minutes left, Odika took the snap from shotgun. Bonsoon would say afterwards about the ensuing play that she knew exactly where Kadesh was going to go with the ball, mostly because of how much they had faced each other in practice; Odika's throw was on time toward Essa Kayode; with seven inches on the Wide Receiver, Bonsoon flashed in front of the previous Felswyr State receiver and snatched the ball, taking off the opposite direction. Kayode was fast enough to take her down, but not before she had returned the ball fifty-four yards. Gwenderyn and the Iron Legion offense would turn this into seven points - a ten, if not fourteen, point turnaround. Instead of being down 25-15 or 29-15, they were tied 22-22.

The Iron Legion would force a punt from the Serpent Eagles in the beginning of the Third Quarter, and Gwenderyn would utilize the physical prowess of the offensive line and the pair of Rhodes and Merik to have Chromatika take a 29-22 lead. With Banija facing a third-and-six from their own twenty-eight, Defensive Coordinator Kasen Harrowitz decided to throw a wrinkle that they hadn't used the entire game. Matching the timing of the snap, Bonsoon crept closer to the line, and shocked the offense by coming in on a corner blitz.

Although Mugisa Mbuzimulanga tried desperately to reach her, Lisa was simply too fast. Remembering that Odika was right-handed, she went for his left side - and went unnoticed. Bonsoon barreled into him, forcing a fumble. She then dove after the ball, getting to it before anyone else could. Three plays later, Gwenderyn froze the entire Serpent Eagle defense for a full second on play action before finding Niles Gwivern all alone in the end zone for a 36-22 lead.

One drive later, Banija was knocking at the door again, having crossed midfield. Facing a fourth-and-four from the Iron Legion thirty-three, the Serpent Eagles decided to go for it down fourteen. Odika sent Bamara Taje in motion, Bonsoon matching him step for step. Candace Ferrett beat her man and put pressure on Odika, making him rush the throw to Taje. With an entire foot on her mark, Lisa closed the distance between them in an instant, using her length to knock the ball away. That would be the closest that Banija would come to making a dent in the Chromatik lead, as the visitors would only muster seven more points the rest of the game.

"Kasen asked me to be more flexible this game instead of being the CB1," explained Bonsoon after the game, "It helps when you have so many corners who can play every role on the team. For this game, Nikolai played my role and I played hers - and it worked out for us. It also helps when you know the tendencies of the players you are facing - I loved playing with Kadesh, but now it's a pleasure to play against him."

With the win, Chromatika recovers from being swept by South Newlandia - but remains in fourth place. A key away game at The Busoga Islands await. Win, and have swept the other team fighting you for third place. Lose, and be two games back - and start running out of time.

It was the perfect time to give Banija one back for all the times that they had defeated Chromatika in the past.

Alessandra Mio and Sarai Gwenderyn - Sisters for Life

What do you call a duo that has played with each other on three levels of the sport? Alessandra Mio and Sarai Gwenderyn have been truly instrumental in putting Chromatik gridiron on the map - both for Felswyr State and for the national team. In the Ranorian Football League, they've played for the Ranoria City Falcons as well, winning titles in one of the best gridiron league in the world. They can finish each other's sentences, adjust routes and throws on a whim to beat the secondary and the defensive line, and know how to help each other get back into the game when they've been mentally shaken.

Off the field, the Mio sisters and Gwenderyn are close. Alessandra has been a regular at many a fundraiser for the Sarai Gwenderyn Foundation, while Gwenderyn has appeared in many an event that Alessandra has been at. Their friendship has been to the level that the media has tried to find any notion of them being more than friends, only to fail at every turn due to the fact that they've made it very clear that it isn't so.

Alessandra has stated time and time again that Sarai would be one of her bridesmaids if she were ever to get married - second only to Victoria herself. Sarai has counted Alessandra as one of her best friends from their collegiate days - and that doesn't seem to change anytime soon. Based on the fact that you can rarely see one without the other in public, they are each other's best friend, safety blanket, and confidant.

There's a phrase that is used from time to time that truly describes the pair: Sisters for life, regardless of blood.

May that relationship continue for a long, long time.

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:57 pm

Almost noon
Room B301, Fort Almasy Detention Centre, Terre-Aux-Oiseaux

November was always a confusing time for the citizens of Quebec and Shingoryeo, even more so because of how awkwardly it had been seasonally positioned for the Arrosian nation. It's the one where the autumn converges into winter, but in a convoluted sense reflecting that of the nation's nonexistent springs, short summers, middling autumns and of course, long winters that, when begun, would not end until April. It's every bit depressing, but also with plenty to mix and mush over time.

This, coincidentally enough, also suited the minds of Deputy Director, Leslie Melancon, as he found himself behind the glass of Interrogation Room B301 of NIS's Fort Almasy Detention Centre about halfway between Anju and Hanbat, two midland cities about 1.5 to 2 million in population each. Being an underground building built downwards, suiting the purpose of a black site, almost no sunlight made it to the B3 floor, and the windows, though looking pleasant upon initial watch, were painted to heighten a sense of despair for all parties involved, including and not limited to NIS officials themselves.

I don't want to be here, but nobody does really anyway, thought Leslie as he watched a couple of junior officers, who were likely brought from the military intelligence on a lateral move, beat up the Underground Liberation Army officers. That's the bloody point!

Of course, unlike the idea of interrogations you'd see on the televisions, the NIS officers didn't need the equipment of latest technology made available towards them here and on other sites. Even as the NIS and other intelligence branches had gathered evidence at the speed of light through active involvement online, but also in other satellite-based technologies, everybody knew the most important, final steps of the process still had to be done manually, with the hands and the fists of less-seasoned officers who would have to move up on their ladders.

Leslie, as one of several deputy heads of the organisation, was assigned to watch over the ordeal that's to take some time. Nobody knew how long, some cases took long enough for some his rank or directly below to suffer a burnout, but the 61-yr-old was mostly used to the process, himself having undergone the process as a junior officer 32 years ago during a widescale purge of 3000 in a series of attempted assassinations and infrastructure bombings by a major online terrorist cell. The situation then, of course, was the last time anything of such scale had happened, to the point where even the military intelligence and the Shingoryeoite Police Service's own bureau, which both famously had issues with them, were obligated to cooperate. This one, mere interrogation of a few dozen domestics and foreign nationals, was nothing in comparison.

BEEP, rang his phone, as a simple notification indicated for him to get outside of the room. Interesting, he thought, as he watched an officer starting to make threats as a foreign national. Maybe it was a sign they had needed a break from it all. Guess I'll have to follow that.

'Stop,' Leslie said to junior officers on his mic. 'Let's take a break. Grab some food please, but don't save any for me. I'll grab my own later.' It was about noon.

Leslie sighed, as he opened the door to walk into the hallway. There was nobody to the left on a mostly dark hallway. He turned to the right, at which point he had noticed a senior officer, some lad in his 40s, with a paper folder. He, a blue-haired fiend who was about six foot tall and had a slight beer belly, gave him a light nod.

'Officer Parkinson,' said Leslie, as he looked back. 'I see that you have required my immediate attention. What would be the case?'

Parkinson, who was unsure on how to explain the situation, took a deep breath. 'Dear sir,' he said. 'We have received a major information that might be of your interest, about the Project-'

'Is this attached to Busukuma, or Lakiska, or the bombing?' he asked. 'Or does this concern a different operation that's tangently tied towards the interrogation?'

'Different mission, sir,' Parkinson answered. 'One of the Busogans, whom we had placed on the other interrogation chambers, had answered. They didn't say anything about ULA's ties towards so-called Agent Orange, a Busogan terrorist leader living on Busogan soil and presumably orchestrated it. Said they didn't know about the Agent Orange-'

'Bullshit,' Leslie shouted back at Parkinson. 'Pour some on them and then maybe they'll talk a bit more, Parkinson, but please do not waste my time with this-'

'Sir, the information received had nothing to do with Agent Orange, but rather a domestic plot,' Parkinson refuted. 'As you know, the Jopok had been long involved on multi-ethnic and intra-ethnic group conflicts in the country, which this counts as one. But what the prisoners on Room B302 told me was involvement into a different one, unrelated to it.'

'Go on,' he said, his eyes shot up.

In about five minutes' time, when he would return to the Room B301, he had ordered the day's interrogation to be stopped. Most of the information with the ULA, were collected by now, and with his and his divisions' priorities set to change in the coming days, if not weeks, it was easier to just defer the additional interrogation duties to the police or the ever-corrupt and unreliable Royal Prosecutors' Service before death sentence or life sentence on a Nunavut underground gaol.

The issue now was the unrelated, separate plot that had common agents in Jopok and possibly 'foreign influence'. Unfortunately, much of the intelligence collected there were urgent, and likely had to skip several steps and straight to Home Office and 11 Gwangmoo, especially with the Privy Council and the cabinet meetings set to come. This, unfortunately for the husband and the father of three, had meant no promotion or additional benefits for him, though he would live to tell those stories in decades' time.

by **The Kytler Peninsulae** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:58 pm

Well, you can't say it wasn't coming. The Green Machine have finally been shut down, and Cardenao are now the only team at World Bowl L without an L.

"They're just one unpredictable team," noted QB Dirk Dijkstra after the game. "They beat Drawkland just like we did, they'd only won one other game, they're truly a mystery box. And they obviously bought things that surprised us."

If anyone needed reminding of just how small the margins are in this sport sometimes, this was every bit as good a reminder of it as that Drawkland game. Three times the Green Machine got in goal-to-go range in the first half; three times they had to settle for three points, one of those coming after a touchdown was nullified by a disputable flag for OPI. When they did get into the painted area for real, with 29 seconds left in the third quarter, their Juven visitors had silenced most of the crowd at LunarBet Field in Borlfield with back-to-back touchdowns either side of the half-time interval to take a 13-9 lead. That one touchdown - a John Rockford keeper on a wildcat snap - restored the lead, but the scoreline flipped again on the following drive as a slip from safety Arthur Ball left a wide-open catch-and-run over the middle for a 35-yard score, and that would turn out to be the last.

Most of the crowd. Not all. And some of the exceptions weren't visiting fans, but locals.

Note that distinction between "locals" and "Kytlerians." Because the entire thing with this group is that they don't think they're Kytlerians, or at least shouldn't be Kytlerians. They are Varnians, and they want Varn to not be Kytlerian, and they really don't like it when "their sport" - gridiron - is treated as a "national sport" when it's still overwhelmingly played in this conservative pocket of the southern peninsula. Many of them don't think there should be Kytlerian national teams to begin with, in anything, because of their ongoing faith in the RPD moral panic that ensured that there weren't Kytlerian national teams to begin with for a generation and more. The hatred is real, and it manifested as some of them showing up to a game in Borlfield and rooting for the road team.

"I swear I saw and heard people who watched me with the Knights (the Borlfield Heights High School team) shouting "D-FENSE!" on some of the third downs I was on the sideline for," noted Rockford, who was part of a trickle of Kytlerian talent to the NSCF ranks that hasn't been followed since Varnian extremists started to issue death threats at players thinking of taking that leap. "Never thought I'd see that. Like, I know the Varnian traditions, I was part of them, I won a Varn state (high school) championship which everyone referred to as a national championship, but this just made me sick. Just don't go to the game if you feel like that."

Green Machine games look set to take place at Zube Olympic Stadium for the foreseeable future after this; this was the last of the scheduled games this campaign in Borlfield, and with reactions like this and the result they were shouting for, one doubts there'll ever be another one.

by **Cardenao** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:03 pm

“You sure?”

“….yeah. Yeah I’m sure. Send it.”

“Locked in?”

“Lock it in.”

“Alright gentlemen,” the man on the third phone line said as he sipped his whiskey, “the trade has been confirmed. Good luck.”

And the conversation between the Ironmen and the Eglise Mountaineers was finished.

“Tell us Missy, what should fans of the Ranorian Football League make of this trade?”

Missy LeCrown smiled into the camera as she prepared to respond. Truth is, this trade was massive and she didn’t have a clue what to think about it.

“Well there’s a lot to unpack here but first off…this has come out of nowhere and I’m still trying to figure it out. For those of you just joining us, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, now operating under Cardenaoan control, have made a blockbuster trade in the upcoming RFL draft.

That’s right, the Ironmen have sent the 26th pick in this years draft along with the 9th overall pick they got via trade last season, their first and second in next years draft, along with quarterback Leonardo Torrent to the Egilse Mountaineers. What are they getting in return?

Nothing less than the first overall pick.”

Bobby’s phone lit up.

“See the news?”

“Yes sir…what’s next?”

“Keep winning, 2 in a row.”

“Yes sir, ain’t nothing to it but to do it.”

A few minutes later. “Be ready for what’s next.”

Bobby sighed and locked his phone. He’d long since learned three messages was the most he’d get from Mihaly, no point in responding further. Business done, message delivered, on to the next thing.

by **Busoga Islands** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:40 pm

Busogan QB Kohan Ersoy, preparing to enter the field ahead of the Week 10 Chromatika v. Busoga Islands matchup

Kohan Ersoy could feel the electricity. He had played in many big games- but the home atmosphere, here at his own college stadium, well- he don't know if he had ever felt an atmosphere quite as nuts as this one. The Busogan capitol had shut down for this one- they were packing the stadium to its absolute peak capacity, and then beyond that, everybody in the city was orienting themselves around the game. It was a bad time if you weren't a sports fan- dates being cancelled, anniversary dinners being postponed, girlfriends or boyfriends who didn't like sports being left at home. Everybody was watching, and Kohan Ersoy knew that.

It was the Busoga Islands v. Chromatika. It was a huge game in terms of knockout stage advancement. Everybody had seen Chromatika put up 50 on Banija just last week. And as certified Serpent Eagles haters, Busogan fans and Chromatik fans were both getting along- the big screen even played a clip of Lisa Bonsoon intercepting Odika, to the cheers of everybody at the stadium. In fact, F Banija chants were flying around the stadium- mostly, of course, from the Busogan fans. The traveling fan section was small- not because Chromatika couldn't travel, but because Busogan fans were going all out.

They actually had a legitimate shot at the knockout stages. They sat at 5-4, in third place in the Jawara group- one game ahead of Chromatika, who held the tiebreaker over them. If Chromatika won this game, that would probably be a wrap on their efforts to advance to the knockout stages- they'd both be at 5-5, but Busoga wiould have games left against both SNL and Banija, while the Iron Legion held the tiebreaker. And with Chromatika going up 35-0 in the first half against them last time, well, the visitors were deserved 4.5 point favorites.

But this Busogan team- it had shown a ton of growth since their last meeting.

The Busoga Islands had to learn quickly, and they had bumps in the road. That Chromatika game being one of them. But they had improved over the course of the tournament. A stunning, 13-7 upset win over the previously unbeaten, and still group leading, South Newlandia Elephants, had shown the world that they were all th ere. Now, the Busogans were always going to be locked in for the Banija game- but nobody expected them to really get as close as they did. They were 3 yards away from, essentially, winning the game- one play. But it was their response that really impressed people.

Now, Crpostran and Devonta are maybe not the most impressive opponents. But two road games in a row, at the World Bowl, is tough no matter who you are. And the Busogans won them, back to back. A 27-13 win over Crpostran, in a game where Ersoy didn't have to do a ton- with Ibrahim Ulas and Nadir Ulek each having a TD carry. And then, a blowout, 38-12 win over Devonta, where Ersoy had 3 TD passes to lead his charges. Thety didn't respond to a highly emotional game against Banija by retreating into their shells- nope, they locked in, focused up, and won a couple of games.

Big wins beget bigger games. And that was true here. If they had lost both of those, nobody would care about this game- Chromatika would likely bowl through here. But because they had gotten big wins, this game was, indeed, a big one. And Ersoy looked up at the videoboard.

"Laaaaaaaaadies and Gentlemen!" The public address announcer said. "Time for your quarterback to take the field! An alumnus of the Islamic University himself!" (Extra cheers from the crowd). "Standing at six foot four, two hundred and twenty pounds. Two-time Savannah Division winner. Two time Celestia Conference champion. And a first round pick in the GFLB draft- all this man knows how to do is win!" (MVP chants start in the crowd). "Let us welcome to the field, the man and legend himself- KOHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNN EERRRRRRRRRRSSSSSOOOOYYYYYYY!"

The crowd exploded as the QB ran onto the field. Bucak was rockin. Was another upset brewing in the magic of Bucak Field?

by **Banija** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:02 pm

RP Prompt: The bid promised some worldbuilding prompts- so here we go!

Talk about the list of holidays in your nation. Every nation has various holidays- a mix of national days, international holidays(Like May Day/Labor Day/Christmas), and maybe mix in some local holidays.

What are the holidays? What are some of your nation's traditions around those holidays? Are there any sports connections with any certain holidays? Do non-emergency workers generally work on holidays?

(Reminder that RP Prompt can be amended or ignored by users at their choosing. There is no punishment for ignoring the prompt, nor any bonus for following it).

Matchday 10 Scores

Group Gavin Davis
Natkr 19–19 Sarzonia (25–19 OT)
TJUN-ia 38–3 East Lithuania
Delaclava 37–17 Quirhoshe
Rouyoute 7–34 Valanora

  Group Gavin Davis      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Sarzonia                10    8   2   308  173 +135
2 Valanora                10    8   2   332  216 +116
3 TJUN-ia                 10    8   2   298  118 +180
4 Rouyoute                10    5   5   223  205  +18
5 Delaclava               10    4   6   254  287  −33
6 East Lithuania          10    3   7   169  356 −187
7 Natkr                   10    3   7   174  246  −72
8 Quirhoshe               10    1   9   124  281 −157

Group John Garrett
Terefuxe 6–16 Ranoria
Ko-oren 40–10 HUElavia
Barnettsville 6–35 New Rotterdam City
Equestria 47–7 Of the Golden Harp

  Group John Garrett     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Ranoria                 10    9   1   218   75 +143
2 Ko-oren                 10    7   3   222   99 +123
3 HUElavia                10    6   4   232  190  +42
4 New Rotterdam City      10    6   4   192  158  +34
5 Of the Golden Harp      10    5   5   160  247  −87
6 Equestria               10    4   6   229  194  +35
7 Terefuxe                10    2   8   146  248 −102
8 Barnettsville           10    1   9   109  297 −188

Matchday 11 Scores

Group Gavin Davis
Rouyoute 33–7 Natkr
Valanora 45–7 Delaclava
Quirhoshe 10–33 TJUN-ia
East Lithuania 0–23 Sarzonia

  Group Gavin Davis      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Sarzonia                11    9   2   331  173 +158
2 Valanora                11    9   2   377  223 +154
3 TJUN-ia                 11    9   2   331  128 +203
4 Rouyoute                11    6   5   256  212  +44
5 Delaclava               11    4   7   261  332  −71
6 East Lithuania          11    3   8   169  379 −210
7 Natkr                   11    3   8   181  279  −98
8 Quirhoshe               11    1  10   134  314 −180 - Cannot finish top 4 in group, eliminated from knockout stage contention

Group John Garrett
Equestria 16–17 Terefuxe
Of the Golden Harp 31–23 Barnettsville
New Rotterdam City 0–33 Ko-oren
HUElavia 0–31 Ranoria

  Group John Garrett     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Ranoria                 11   10   1   249   75 +174 - Clinched Top 3 spot in the group, and with it a berth in the knockout stages
2 Ko-oren                 11    8   3   255   99 +156
3 HUElavia                11    6   5   232  221  +11
4 New Rotterdam City      11    6   5   192  191   +1
5 Of the Golden Harp      11    6   5   191  270  −79
6 Equestria               11    4   7   245  211  +34
7 Terefuxe                11    3   8   163  264 −101
8 Barnettsville           11    1  10   132  328 −196 - Cannot finish top 4 in group, eliminated from knockout stage contention

by **Ranoria** » Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:22 pm

And you've survived long enough for yet another cutoff of World Bowl L!

If you're wondering why I took so long to cutoff, I'm proud to inform you that it took me just four hours to beat the first level of Halo 2 on legendary - I am not very good. So anyway, have fun with Sergeant Johnson while I score for ya!

Matchday Ten

Bobby Dials Group
United States of Nova Calania 49–34 Cardenao
Vaishnavaria 57–20 Tumbra
Quebec & Shingoryeo 30–14 Pafi
Sherpus 12–26 Kamijiro

  Bobby Dials Group                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 Cardenao                           10    9   1   342  193 +149    
2 Quebec & Shingoryeo                10    7   3   313  164 +149    
3 Kamijiro                           10    7   3   277  147 +130    
4 United States of Nova Calania      10    5   5   249  260  −11    
5 Pafi                               10    4   6   200  258  −58    
6 Sherpus                            10    3   7   211  271  −60     
7 Tumbra                             10    3   7   132  323 −191     
8 Vaishnavaria                       10    2   8   204  312 −108

Isaka Jawara Group
Crpostran 25–7 United States of Devonta
Busoga Islands 10–24 Chromatika
Banija 30–7 Darmen
South Newlandia 18–3 Katzeburg

  Isaka Jawara Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 South Newlandia                    10    9   1   272  146 +126    
2 Banija                             10    7   3   336  198 +138    
3 Chromatika                         10    5   5   271  208  +63    
4 Busoga Islands                     10    5   5   224  208  +16    
5 Crpostran                          10    5   5   169  194  −25    
6 Katzeburg                          10    4   6   185  227  −42    
7 United States of Devonta           10    3   7   115  256 −141     
8 Darmen                             10    2   8   140  275 −135

Group Dustin Beck
Norway-Sweden-Finland 26–64 Drawkland
South Americanastan 22–31 Grand Exultia
Newmanistan 3–37 The Kytler Peninsulae
Juvencus 20–19 New Umoja

  Group Dustin Beck                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 The Kytler Peninsulae              10    9   1   316   94 +222    
2 Drawkland                          10    7   3   348  237 +111    
3 South Americanastan                10    5   5   248  218  +30    
4 Grand Exultia                      10    4   6   183  222  −39    
5 Norway-Sweden-Finland              10    4   6   263  312  −49    
6 Juvencus                           10    4   6   175  267  −92    
7 Newmanistan                        10    4   6   196  294  −98    
8 New Umoja                          10    3   7   186  271  −85

Matchday Eleven

Bobby Dials Group
Sherpus 6–26 United States of Nova Calania
Kamijiro 13–17 Quebec & Shingoryeo
Pafi 44–9 Vaishnavaria
Tumbra 23–41 Cardenao

  Bobby Dials Group                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 Cardenao                           11   10   1   383  216 +167    
2 Quebec & Shingoryeo                11    8   3   330  177 +153    
3 Kamijiro                           11    7   4   290  164 +126    
4 United States of Nova Calania      11    6   5   275  266   +9    
5 Pafi                               11    5   6   244  267  −23    
6 Sherpus                            11    3   8   217  297  −80     
7 Tumbra                             11    3   8   155  364 −209 
8 Vaishnavaria                       11    2   9   213  356 −143

Isaka Jawara Group
South Newlandia 23–6 Crpostran
Katzeburg 7–7 Banija (13–7 OT)
Darmen 16–17 Busoga Islands
Chromatika 22–0 United States of Devonta

  Isaka Jawara Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 South Newlandia                    11   10   1   295  152 +143    
2 Banija                             11    7   4   343  211 +132    
3 Chromatika                         11    6   5   293  208  +85    
4 Busoga Islands                     11    6   5   241  224  +17    
5 Katzeburg                          11    5   6   198  234  −36    
6 Crpostran                          11    5   6   175  217  −42    
7 United States of Devonta           11    3   8   115  278 −163     
8 Darmen                             11    2   9   156  292 −136

Group Dustin Beck
Juvencus 26–0 Norway-Sweden-Finland
New Umoja 34–33 Newmanistan
The Kytler Peninsulae 23–9 South Americanastan
Grand Exultia 10–13 Drawkland

  Group Dustin Beck                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 The Kytler Peninsulae              11   10   1   339  103 +236    
2 Drawkland                          11    8   3   361  247 +114    
3 South Americanastan                11    5   6   257  241  +16    
4 Juvencus                           11    5   6   201  267  −66    
5 Grand Exultia                      11    4   7   193  235  −42    
6 Norway-Sweden-Finland              11    4   7   263  338  −75    
7 New Umoja                          11    4   7   220  304  −84    
8 Newmanistan                        11    4   7   229  328  −99

by **Ko-oren** » Thu Feb 27, 2025 7:21 am

Since 10-0 loss to Of the Golden Harp...
Team is 6-0 (includes Ranoria, HUElavia). Before that: 2-3
Recorded two shutouts. Before that: 0
Masman 79% completion percentage. Before that: 58%
O-line allowed 7 sacks, 16 hurries. Before that: 9, 25
Team is +16 in turnovers. Before that: +1
Defence forced 23 turnovers (Aurisea: 6 INTs, Hagendoorn: 4 FF 2 FR, Gotwuwifan: 3 FF, 3 FR). Before that: 8
Defence recorded 11 sacks (Fajardo: 6), 26 hurries (yTaddwadd: 9). Before that: 7
Oordveld 14/16 XP, 14/18 FG. Before that: 11/13 XP, 7/14 FG (4 missed FG vs OtGH).

Individual Sports on the Rise

Following an unexpectedly good Olympics - 8 gold (T-13), 6 silver, 5 bronze for 19 total medals (T-23) in Hamilton and Schimpol - membership figures for individual and Olympic sports keep rising. The Ko-orenite Organisation for Orienteering (KorOO), which also oversees walking, hiking, and even (some) cycling and skiing, has always been the biggest sports association but their growth hasn't reached saturation levels yet. Kaii Vashilatani, head of the overall organisation overseeing amateur sports in Ko-oren in general, also reports that Ko-oren Cycling and even the famously tiny Tennis Board of Ko-oren have reported a sudden jolt in membership figures.

Ko-oren Cycling has even landed TV deals allowing them to air their 54 stages across 21 events on live, free to air TV. That deal will kick in with the first event on the calendar in spring, the Leleja Spring Classic. The three major events on the calendar - the Amahjarau Horseshoe, Garadaur, and the Tarrashalli Arc - should fill a lull in sports broadcasting over summer where normally only baseball and cricket take place, with baseball in the middle of the season and no playoff races heating up, while cricket nearly monopolises programming with its entire T20 tournament taking place around that time. Ko-oren Cycling has further joined forces with the KorOO to let their events go hand-in-hand with domestic tourism and rail transport, as both organisations typically host their events in more remote, unspoilt areas. The plan is to leave those places as unspoilt as possible, but also implore Ko-orenites to explore those areas and spend their money in these smaller, less connected communities.

At the same time, the Tennis Board of Ko-oren has announced an ambitious 12-event calendar for next year as well. Ordered by playing surface, the season starts with four grass tournaments, then four events on hardcourt, and lastly four events on clay. Each part of the calendar has two low-ranking open tournaments, followed by two high-profile tournaments. For instance, grass opens with the Galadaur Open and the Libahigo Open, then has the Ilohiwelutulo Masters and closes with the Argahr Tennis Championships. The naming convention is retained across surfaces: Opens are lower profile, Masters should attract the better players, and the Championships are for the absolute top. Final logistic issues are being tackled right now.

On top of that, individual Olympic sports are also growing in popularity, with schools offering indoor winter PE classes for everything ranging from gymnastics to badminton - a monumental amount of funding from the Ministry of Culture and Sports is meant to give children more chances to try out more sports, as opposed to just ball-on-grass team sports.

This will further strain membership numbers of more conventional sports: as remarked previously, the rugby codes are hit particularly hard with this, and to a smaller extent, gridiron also sees fewer players come in. Whether athletes up to age 20, or so, will be asked to play multiple sports to keep their options open or rather push for specialisation, is to be seen. But the great Ko-orenite tradition of generalisation will likely not disappear.

Constellation athletes are allowed to participate in the individual sports without issues, and we expect to see their numbers increase in other sports as a result of programmes to see Constellation nationalities not as Ko-orenite but also not as completely foreign either, potentially subverting home-grown clauses on club rosters. In which case - hello, Mercatorenians, and welcome to the KPG!

by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Feb 27, 2025 5:50 pm

After slipping up for the 2nd time in Woodstock, the Jagaurs of TJUN-ia were 7-2 and still on track to make Top 3 in this group - but they needed another bounceback doubleheader to truly feel better about themselves. Losing in Woodstock certainly wasn't nice at all, but panic stations weren't in effect at all for Gus McKerrin and his staff. He simply placed the result as a 'learning experience' and urged everyone to move on to the five remaining games we must play. There was an insistence on not losing focus on the task at hand, of securing qualification to the Playoffs in either Ranoria or Banija - so how did we do towards that mission?

Up first would be East Lithuania back at the Field of Dreams in The Gardens of New Washington, a team we bested 60-0 on the road last time we met. Unfortunately for those who wanted to see a repeat of that, East Lithuania actually managed to score points in the rematch - a solitary field goal that the crowd certainly enjoyed - but don't worry, it was still business as usual for us. Leon Gallas found Lucky Sithole-Sita twice and Gilbert Nyamutsamba once during his time on the field, with Xander Tiovannen going 3/3 on PATs and even hitting a FG. The backups did the rest, with Moses Igbinoghene finding both Peter and Ivan Borosić for scores and Glory Oparanozie making two PATs to complete this 38-3 win.

Then it was off to Quirhoshe and to be completely honest, this was more of the same. At least the hosts managed a TD and a PAT to go alongside their FG. We still managed 5 TDs in this game, all from Gallas this time - two on the run and on each for Sithole-Sita, Nyamutsamba and Fremont Whitehorse. Tiovannen went 3/5 on PATs but that seemingly didn't matter. 33-10, job done and suddenly, we're back to 9-2 and in a three-way fight for the group lead.

Now we have the final double - the biggest one of them all. Valanora in The Gardens. Rouyoute at The Crooked Crown Cap. One game against a giant at home, the other on a field unlike any other in this sport (unless you live in Sonnel). These two games may ultimately determine our fate in this whole Golden World Bowl but no matter what, we will be ready. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group Gavin Davis)
MD1: vs Natkr (41) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 38-13 (2nd/1-0)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD2: vs Sarzonia (4) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 13-0 (1st/2-0)
MD3: @East Lithuania (UR) W 60-0 (1st/3-0)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD4: vs Quirhoshe (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 38-6 (1st/4-0)
MD5: @Valanora (11) - Lathalein Celestial Stadium, Mar Sara L 7-13 (2nd/4-1)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD6: vs Rouyoute (45) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 35-20 (1st/5-1)
MD7: @Delaclava (20) W 27-15 (1st/6-1)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD8: @Natkr (41) - Skyhold Dome, ?? W 22-10 (1st/7-1)
MD9: @Sarzonia (4) - Joe Gibbs Stadium, Woodstock L 20-38 (3rd/7-2)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD10: vs East Lithuania (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 38-3 (3rd/8-2)
MD11: @Quirhoshe (UR) W 33-10 (3rd/9-2)
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD12: vs Valanora (11) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington
MD13: @Rouyoute (45) - The Crooked Crown Cap, Rouyoute
-----------------------------------------------------------
MD14: vs Delaclava (20) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington

by **Sarzonia** » Thu Feb 27, 2025 7:13 pm

Sarzonian national team managers have long had to prepare so-called "trap-match" speeches for those matches that happen before a huge contest. It's such a time-honoured tradition that it's essentially become a trope.

After the Sarzonian national gridball team's 25-19 away overtime loss to Natkr on Matchday 10 of the World Bowl L group stage, Sarzonia manager Tyler Paige may want to add a speech to steel his team for a post-match letdown.

Sarzonia saw their seven-match winning streak that began after losing to TJUN-ia snap one match after the Stars crushed the Jaguars at Joe Gibbs Stadium. Quarterback Cameron Stallworth lost a back-breaking fumble after he shook linebacker Joshua Harris on a blitz and took off for a 36-yard gain. Natkr safety Nicholas Clark recovered the fumble at the Natkr 45-yard line and took it to the house for the match-winning touchdown.

Paige was visibly upset when Stallworth coughed up the ball and was visibly yelling at Stallworth. He snarled a "no comment. Next question" when a reporter asked him what he yelled to Stallworth. A couple of hours later, he finally texted the reporter in question.

"I told him he needed to take better care of the ball," Paige said. "He was trying to get us a couple yards closer and I told him we'd already picked up the first down and he had to know to either slide or run out of bounds."

Stallworth's big gain came on a 3rd and 19 where the burly quarterback was trying to find Stars wide receiver Matt Largent running up the left sideline, but he realised with the Harris blitz he didn't have time to stand in the pocket and wait for Largent to get open. Stallworth also said fellow wideout Steve Swain was blanketed.

"Their linebacker came in fast. I had to think fast and I thought I could deke him," Stallworth said. "I did, then I saw daylight and took off."

Sarzonia (8-2) were now level with TJUN-ia and Valanora for the top position in Group Gavin Davis after the loss. Sarzonia are ahead of both teams on tiebreakers.

Running back Ty'Relle Clinton was held to 78 yards on 23 carries in regulation. He ran once for four yards before he was taken to the medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion. He passed the concussion protocol and returned to the field, but he missed the block on Harris which led to the Stallworth scramble and the fumble.

"I wasn't quick enough out of my stance," a dejected Clinton said. "If I pick him up, who knows what happens on that play."

by **United States of Nova Calania** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 6:04 am

Nova Calania upsets Cardenao and wins over Sherpus

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer - On week 10, our closest neighbors, Cardenao, came to town in Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer and, surprisingly, we won 49-34. This is a big upset: Cardenao is the defending champs and they haven't lost a single game since week 4 of World Bowl 49 when the lost 10-3 against South Newlandia. Cardenao's 17 games winning streak came to an end here in Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer! In Nova Calania's calendar, this game was played on Anaia Day (may 16th) and there was a lot of festivities in town. Nova Calania started off with the ball and scored early on a 12 yards pass from Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps to Ming Ze Mao. Cardenao answered only with a 28 yards field goal on their next drive. Nova Calania increased their lead before the end of the 1st quarter when Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps surprised everyone with a 31 yards pass to François-Xavier Malboeuf on a 3rd and 1 for the touchdown. The score was 14-3 Nova Calania after 15 minutes. Cardenao closed the gap early in the 2nd quarter with a 16 yards pass from Bobby Dials to Marquis Ingram. Nova Calania followed immediately with a 102 yards kickoff return touchtown. On Cardenao's next drive, Badrick Cedella kicked a 34 yards field goal. Nova Calania had the ball at the 42 yards line in Cardenao territory within the two minutes warning and was lining a wildcat formation with 3rd halfback François-Pierre Guirguis taking the snap and quarterback Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps in motion in the backfield. Guirguis made a backward pass to Bellerose-Deslongchamps who threw deep to Anne-Élisabeth Guirguis for the touchdown. The score was 28-13 Nova Calania at halftime.

Cardenao started off with the ball in the 3rd quarter and closed the gap once again with a 21 yards passing touchdown from Bobby Dials to Nejc Graciano who catched the ball at the 13 yards line and ran to the endzone. Nova Calania answered with another tricky play on their next drive. It was a single back formation with 4 wide receivers. Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps took the snap and faked to give the ball to the halfback Guillaume Bibeau-Babeux but at the same time, wide receiver Ryleigh O'Shaughnessy was in motion behind Bibeau-Babeux. Bellerose-Deslongchamps pitched the ball to O'Shaughnessy who scored a 27 yards rushing touchdown. Nova Calania increased their lead just before the end of the 3rd quarter with a 5 yards rushing touchdown by Guillaume Bibeau-Babeux. The score after 3 quarters was 42-20 Nova Calania. Cardenao reduced Nova Calania's lead early in the 4th quarter with a 30 yards passing touchdown from Bobby Dials to Telesforo Mohamed. Nova Calania scored again, midway in the 4th quarter, when Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps made a screen pass to Rachel Lavigueur for a 14 yards passing touchdown. The blue and golds, in urgency mode, scored a 26 yards passing touchdown from Bobby Dials to Saivion Ware. Cardenao almost scored within the 2 minutes warning but an incomplete pass on a 4th down at the 14 yards line in Nova Calania territory resulted in a turnover on downs. Nova Calania upsets Cardenao 49-34.


CARDENAO        3   10    7   14  -  34
NOVA CALANIA   14   14   14    7  -  49

GAME SUMMARY

1st quarter
11:39 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to Ming Ze Mao for 12 yards - Extra point good.
8:13 FIELD GOAL CARDENAO - Badrick Cedella's 28 yards kick is good.
0:21 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to François-Xavier Malboeuf for 31 yards - Extra point good.
2nd quarter
11:03 TOUCHDOWN CARDENAO - Bobby Dials passes to Marquis Ingram for 16 yards - Extra point good.
10:51 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - 102 yards kickoff return by Anne-Élisabeth Guirguis - Extra point good.
7:34 FIELD GOAL CARDENAO - Badrick Cedella's 34 yards kick is good.
1:16 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to Anne-Élisabeth Guirguis for 42 yards - Extra point good.
3rd quarter
12:17 TOUCHDOWN CARDENAO - Bobby Dials passes to Nejc Graciano for 21 yards - Extra point good.
8:56 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Ryleigh O'Shaughnessy runs for 27 yards - Extra point good.
2:26 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Guillaume Bibeau-Babeux runs for 5 yards - Extra point good.
4th quarter
14:35 TOUCHDOWN CARDENAO - Bobby Dials passes to Telesforo Mohamed for 30 yards - Extra point good.
5:29 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to Rachel Lavigueur for 14 yards - Extra point good.
3:43 TOUCHDOWN CARDENAO - Bobby Dials passes to Saivion Ware for 26 yards - Extra point good.

Jean-Alexandre Guindon

Zinemar City, Sherpus - On week 11, Nova Calania travelled to Sherpus. Following a big win, you'd think your players are relieved, they will relax on the next game, but Nova Calania players didn't relax and they beat Sherpus 26-6. Nova Calania made a 34 yards field goal midway in the first quarter and were leading 3-0 after 15 minutes. Nova Calania increased their lead early in the 2nd quarter with a 23 yards passing touchdown from Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps to François-Xavier Malboeuf. The Tapirs made two more field goals in the 2nd quarter and the score at halftime was 16-0. Sherpus put themselves on the scoreboard in the 3rd quarter with a 17 yards passing touchdown from Starting Quarterback to Wide Receiver 1 but they tried a two points conversion and missed it. Nova Calania was leading 16-6 after 3 quarters. The Tapirs kicked a 45 yards field goal early in the 4th quarter. Towards the end of the game, using a shotgun formation, Starting Quarterback receives the snap but can't catch the ball, it slips out of his hands and Guillaume-Alexandre Constantineau-Beauchemin recovers the ball at the 36 yards line in Sherpus territory. Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps throws deep to Catherine Bibeau-Babeux for the touchdown. The final score was 26-6 Nova Calania.

With 11 games played, Nova Calania is 4th in Bobby Dials group with a 6-5 record. The group isled by cardenao (10-1), Quebec & Shingoryeo (8-3) and Kamijiro (7-4). The 3rd place seems mission impossible and there's only one available spot for 4th placed teams. Kamijiro plays against Vaishnavaria, Cardenao and Tumbra while Nova Calania plays against Tumbra, Quebec & Shingoryeo and Pafi meaning Kamijiro is unreachable to us. For the best fourth place, we fight against Chromatika, Busoga Islands, Crpostran, Rouyoute, HUElavia and New Rotterdam City. The Tapirs will receive Tumbra in Burnham-on-Stove at the Tiger-Dolphin Stadium, home of the Burnham Dolphins (gridiron) and Burnham Tigers (baseball). We're in baseball season and you will see the baseball infield in one half of the football field. On week 12, Nova Calania will travel to Iqaluit, Nagligusuŋniq to play against Quebec & Shingoryeo. Not sure what the weather will be but we better off bringing our winter clothes!

NOVA CALANIA   3   13    0   10  -  26
SHERPUS        0    0    6    0  -   6

GAME SUMMARY

1st quarter
6:32 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 34 yards kick is good.
2nd quarter
14:45 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to François-Xavier Malboeuf for 23 yards - Extra point good.
3:53 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 29 yards kick is good.
1:07 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 52 yards kick is good.
3rd quarter
9:25 TOUCHDOWN SHERPUS - Starting Quarterback passes to Wide Receiver 1 for 17 yards - 2 points conversion missed.
4th quarter
13:17 FIELD GOAL NOVA CALANIA - Ji-yoo Han's 45 yards kick is good.
2:28 TOUCHDOWN NOVA CALANIA - Arielle Bellerose-Deslongchamps passes to Catherine Bibeau-Babeux for 36 yards - Extra point good.

Injury Report			
		                                vs Tumbra	vs Québec
HB Javon McCollum 	          Ankle sprain	Out	        Out
CB Louis-Alexandre Bourguignon 	  Groin	        Out	        Out

Jean-Alexandre Guindon

by **Katzeburg** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 7:58 am

FANS RIOT AFTER SHOCK UPSET OF BANIJA PUTS WILDCATS INTO KNOCKOUT CONTENTION

By Richard Rider

Horrifying scenes overshadowed a good old-fashioned riot at Aberstadt Stadium as the Katzeburg national gridiron team completed a shock upset of world number three Banija, putting the side squarely into contention for a knockout spot.

Fans were enraged as the side marched on to their fifth win of their World Bowl L campaign, securing a historic 13-7 OT win over Banija and putting the side within one win of the knockout qualification spots. Anger spilled out onto the field itself, as the capacity crowd rioted at the full-time whistle over the result - with the west side of the stadium seeing seats pulled from the stands and thrown towards the celebrating Katzeburgian squad.

With just three games left in the group stage, the Wildcats have not only well and truly rocketed out of contention for a perfect losing record, but may now be on course for .500 ball or even worse, a spot in the knockouts - a prospect many supporters would have considered a potential disaster showing for the side.

The campus police of ASU descended onto the riot despite first having a good laugh at the scenario, only springing into action when it was reminded that they would likely see any damages of the stadium taken directly out of their paychecks because ASU like to skirt labour laws (Editor’s Note: Our legal team - a third year law student - has advised we state this claim is alleged, just so we don’t get sued by the litigious assholes up the road.)

Ultimately, up to 58 UoA students were arrested - at a disproportionate rate to ASU students also taking advantage of the riots to cause a tiny bit of campus destruction as a treat - with 13 currently being investigated by the actual local police in regards to their involvement in the riot.

“It was horrible scenes to see, especially given the huge platform our win put the team on,” coach Cameron Sydney lamented after the game. “Picking up wins over Banija and Chromatika this campaign shows that with a bit of support, this team could go a long, long way in this sport. Seeing our fans argue and fight like that - just because we are giving our all out on the pitch - is not the support we expect, and we hope that people pay more attention to what we are doing on the field, than what our supporters are doing off it.”

“I’ve never been so proud of us,” said second year chemistry student at UoA Walt Methidica. “You’d almost forget there was a game of football which just took place the rioting was that good. Some of the throws were brilliantly placed into the crowd; I think I even saw a couple of chairs knockout a player or two - it’s a brilliant showing all round.”

“Who the hell is going to pay for all the damage those damn UoA students did to our campus?” complained ASU buzzkill and sad sport Josh Malaise. “It’s moments like this which just ruins our reputation on an international level, especially as the team is actually playing some really good football as of late - the fact we’ve pulled back into knockout contention just shows how good coach Sydney has got our side playing lately.”

The riot may all seem to be for nothing however, as the Wildcats next head into a pair of do-or-die clashes for their future World Bowl aspirations - travelling to Busoga Islands in a clash which will have a huge impact on the race for the knockouts, before hosting the United States of Devonta on the penultimate matchday.

Bookmakers are already offering short odds for the Wildcats to lose by a significant margin in both, with odds of Katzeburg qualifying for the knockouts remaining high at more than 2500-1.

by **Grand Exultia** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 8:42 am

Grand Exultia Fans' Perspective: We want to hear your voices

We’re getting close
I know there’s been differing opinions of our performances on this platform, some believe the light shines out the ass of our players and others are rather cynical and believe we should drop the team, funnily enough there’s very little middle ground views and opinions. I’m of the opinion that whilst we can dream we have to be realistic and pragmatic about our chances and the output considering this is our first foray into the multiverse of national American football.

Our results show that, we can compete with the unranked teams, we can even produce the occasional upset but above all we’ve consistently performed below expectations and slowly gaining momentum.

We managed to scrap together a 31-22 win against South Americanastan showing our offense is gelling together and we are starting to consistently set up drives, apply pressure and score points, in our last four games including the 13-10 loss to Drawkland we’ve averaged 25 points, it took us to our fifth game before we even scored over 25 points let alone averaged a respectable score. Defensively we’re still a little suspect but we’ve only conceded an average of 14 points a game in the last four and that’s how we’ve gone 2-2 amidst some decent oppositions.

We have underperformed against some teams, Newmanistan have managed to do the double over us, another unranked team that we couldn’t get home advantage to assist us whereas a strong opponent in the Grid Corps only beats us by a field goal as we go toe to toe and throw it around with the big dogs.

As it is I cannot see how anybody would have penned us to qualify through the qualifying stage from the beginning, that didn’t make sense considering how many established teams we were facing off against but we’ve competed and now we’re in a position where one might dream and consider the possibilities. We sit fifth, one win away from third with a positive record against both the teams above us so you can start to believe that maybe, just maybe we can put together a fairytale response and find that strength from within, that character that defines the underdogs, the ability to succeed.

It won’t be easy as we face off against Norway-Sweden-Finland, a rookie team like ourselves that we need to turn up against and then The Kytler Peninsulae, I don’t want to seem pessimistic but hopefully we can limit the damage about to come, we held the world number 1 to just three points so maybe, who knows?

by **Valanora** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 12:12 pm

Valanora Times
The Gridiron Gauntlet

Eleven games have been played in the group stage and the Gavin Davis Group is coming to a head in a three way showdown between the group's top three seeds. The Sabres have managed to take care of business against the lower ranked teams in the group, now having posted six straight games where the team has put up over thirty points as the offense has come alive during the stretch run of the group. The lone blemish against the lower ranked sides was the away trip to Natkr where the team looked all out of sorts, which the second worst team in the group two weeks ago took the group leaders Sarzonia to overtime and win in the extra frame against the top seeds. Natkr might only have three wins to their name but two of those three wins are big wins at home against two of the three top seeds in the group, showing that no game in the group is as straightforward as they might appear. Regardless, it is the Sabres who are in the thick of a three team race to decide who is going to finish in what order in the group, as it looks currently like all three sides will easily be qualifying for the group provided there is no major surprises in the last three weeks of group play.

The Sabres sit second in the group despite all three teams sitting with a nine win and two loss record, currently holding the tiebreaker over TJUN-ia but Sarzonia owning the tiebreaker over the Empire. With an efficient and dominant performance from the side this last week, scoring touchdowns on all nine offensive possessions against Delaclava in Mar Sara, the team now heads into a two week gauntlet where their fates are likely going to be decided. Håkon Schau has found his touch that he showed back in his university days and though there is not as much zip on the ball as he might have had a few years ago, the accuracy of the former Raynor University quarterback is second to none on this roster. Completely nearly eighty percent of his passes over the last six games, starting in the away game at Sarzonia, the gunslinger has been the sort of player that the Sabres have needed to be among the elite of the group. That elite sort of efficiency will be needed heavily in the next two games as the Sabres have a huge opportunity to make a statement to the entire World Bowl if they manage to come away with two wins and be leading the group heading into the last week of group play.

It starts first with the trip to TJUN-ia as the Sabres emerged victorious in a defensive slugfest in Mar Sara in week five when the two sides got together for the first time. The defense has been the unsung hero of the team, coming up big for the team in a lot of games besides in that trip to Sarzonia, where they gave up nearly a fifth of their points in a single game. It has been a bend but do not break score of defense and it will need to come up big, especially in the away trip to TJUN-ia. The Jags have been an absolute wall on the defensive end, barely allowing more than ten points a game on average and it is reasonable to assume that they are going to be able to make a gameplan to at least slow down if not stop Schau and the rest of the Sabres' offense. Björn Ek and the rest of the defensive will need to have a game like they did when TJUN-ia came to Mar Sara, where they completely shut down the Jags offense inside the Empire. It was one of the few games where the Jags were not able to put up a ton of points and it presents an opportunity for the Sabres to double their win total against higher ranked opposition.

Then comes the big one, Sarzonia making its way to Mar Sara in another all Arrosia showdown and another chapter in what is a fairly one sided rivalry. While there is no animosity between Raynor City and Woodstock, the latter has entertained the idea of a rivalry between the two nations in the sporting arena. This probably comes as a result of the seemingly more common frequency that the two nations have seen their teams in various sporting competitions be drawn together, whether at the international or domestic level. A lot of the rivalry that Vanorians have with Farves and Banijans comes as a result of familiarity and this looks to be something that is likely occurring on the other side of this would be rivalry. In the context of the group Sarzonia handed the Sabres quite a hefty loss despite the offensive output and absolutely put the team's defense to the torch. If the Sabres are going to have any real chance of winning the game and then having a chance of winning the group. Both getting victories over the higher ranked teams and having a shot at winning the group were thought of pipe dreams coming into this competition but with already having beaten TJUN-ia, the Sabres have proved that dreams can come true with a little bit of hard work and just a dash of luck!

World Bowl L - Everything Thread

History of the World Bowl (part 5)

NSFB: Reserve The Reversal

NSFB: Back On Track (Again)

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