Baptism of Fire 87 - Everything Thread

[Soviet Kem]

---

Group 2 Matchday 3 - Soviet Kem vs. Andso Mangis

3-2-2-1-2 Formation
Starting XI

GK 6 Zoinski
CB 58 Kenidky
LCB 19 Gente
RCB 17 Jent
LDM 15 Fendski
RDM 11 Hedzinski
LCM 10 Putanik (Captain)
RCM 56 Genish II
SS 29 Gligimesh
LST 23 Nort
RST 20 Fengski

---

"We must now continue our fight to get to the final of the BoF 87. We may have came out on top verses Annestah, but it was a close game, coming down to the final ten minutes. We have a challenge in Andso Mangis, as they won 1-0 against Golfo Central. So we must respect them, but we also must play our football, and control the game. The boys are eager for us to move onto the sixteen and are willing to do what it takes this next game to move on to the round of sixteen." Ken Stavisk said during a pre-match conference ahead of Soviet Kem's fixture against Andso Mangis.

[Colmaijo]

Colmaijo Barely Fly By!
Live Commentary:
1'
Well kick off has begun we have the usual starting 11 for Colmaijo and US. We hope to see an easy breeze for Colmaijo, let's see.

4'
Interesting shot by US player has sent it right above the crossbar. This is an interesing start for our Colmaij team.

7'
Interesting Colmaij counter attack following a 3 minute standstill.

8'
A foul on Jønataan has been comitted! VAR has gone for a check but it's look like a penalty for Colmaijo.

9'
Colmaijo has gotten the first goal in the 9th minute! What a top corner finish by Tolm!

15'
Another almost goal by Tolm! He's almost been able to curve it round after cutting into the box area.

22'
A handball from US player has resulted in a freekick for Colmaijo before the halfway line. That will be a yellow as it was interperated as unintentional.

43'
It's Miskri dribbling in, past one, two oh my word what a brace by Miskri solidifying Colmaijo's lead over the US players. What a work of art that was he will be very proud of himself and us of him.

Summary for next half (data lost due to malfunctioning broadcasting)

The CFF has deemed the US goals in the 76th and 90+3rd minute, with 46 seconds to go as very lucky and ensured the Colmaij audience that this was due to VAR mistakes and a miserable performance from Lommanud causing the Colmaij lead to almost be flipped. Therefore, the Colmaij Online Ministry has decided to restrict all distribution of latter half footages in the Colmaij-US game invoking the Healthy Content Act. All disobedient authors will be tracked down.

Penalty Kick Out:

[list=][*]All Colmaij players managed to score their penalties leading to a rightful Colmaij win in the end[*]Such media will be permitted[*]Lommanud has mysteriously disappeared after the Colmaij-US game, any info may be given to the government through telephone or email and even in person[/list]

Long live Colmaijo!

[Riandera]

(RP prompt)
There are many things that have shaped Rianderan football culture. The fans names, Riffs, was decided in a poll shortly after the nickname for the team was made. After the final match of RianCup 2024, a video of a BanSur fan singing a victory song to the tune of 'Mexican Phonk Eki' went viral. The video became so popular that it came to the attention of the ASBR. It had decided it would be the winning song for the Rafflesias. It was first used when the national team arrived at the IAC and won its first match.

---

They had did it once again. The Rafflesias took down Esistan 1-0. The game was very tense, with nothing going good for both teams, until Sutantoputri was able to go past a tightly packed Ese defence and scored at 62'. Rahman almost made the scores 2-0 at 79', but the defence were on high alert and thwarted her effort.

Krishna appeared from a distance. "Well done. Next up is Cardonia."

The players nod, but Dharmawanto nods harder than the others.

"We are sure to carry heck to their doorstep."

Zhamanta reads Dharmawanto's face. "Go go Raff-Rafflesias!"

Krishna smiles. "That's the spirit!"

[Hanalia]

Generosity
A series on the Elements of Harmony of Equestria
Honesty | Laughter | Kindness | Generosity

---

Along side the team and their manager, the Hanalian delegation to this tournament consisted of; the logistics manager, physiotherapist, sports psychologist, nutritionist & chef, kit man and the FA president. That sounds like quite the team of support staff however, except for the President, all those roles were filled by the one individual - Emmet Harloss. To many within the game he was Hanalian football. He spent every waking hour dedicated to helping the team. In fact he spent more than every waking hour on football, as matches regularly featured in his dreams.

If you needed something done Emmet was the go-to guy. If he couldn't do it himself then he'd surely know who could. Shoes don't fit quite right? Emmet'll sort you out. Persistent problem with a hamstring cramp? Emmet's magic massage is the cure. Feeling a little down? Emmet's cup of tea, listening ears and words of wisdom will set you right again. Is your exhaust making a funny sound? Emmet's not so good with cars, but he'll send you to Dave and if you mention his name you'll get a discount on the repair. Need to know who the South Lei Under 12 league champions were from 16 years ago? Emmet knows it was Carlsdale U12s 'cause he refereed that match. He'll also tell you that one Erica Petty scored twice that day and now she's here playing for the national side. He was an all-round, all-star of the game who gave everything he had to it.

Getting the team from Equestria to the Albert III Memorial Stadium for Hanalia's first knock out match was his biggest challenge. Anytime previous travel of such a demanding nature was required he had plenty of time to get it organised but this time there was a kick-off scheduled and his team would have to be in prime form and on the field at that time. Yet the same guy managed it successfully, with not even one boot lace left behind.

While the team were at the stadium for their warm-up and practice, Erica had overheard some of the assorted executives chatting about the VIP Club and how impressive the facilities were there. Come to think of it she hadn't seen the FAH President since they had arrived in Dodoma. The stadium and its facilities were extraordinary from her point of view as a player so she dared not think of the extravagant nature that the VIP Club would be. She began to hatch a plan. A quiet word here and a hushed conversation there with all her teammates. They would add Player's Vice-President to Emmet's long list of job titles in recognition of his endless generosity that would grant him access to the renowned VIP Club.

The man was obviously moved when the team announced their plan in the dressing room and was lost for words in response, but managed to squeak out a "Thanks". He was intent on staying pitch side but the players carried Emmet right to the door of the VIP Club and barred his way back just to ensure that he would go in. While all the executives about him chatted or got drinks at the bar or tried schmoozing this person or that, Emmet sat by the window, glued to the action on the pitch from his privileged vantage point.

Without their talisman in the dugout and still recovering from the extensive travel, the team fell to an early goal by Arlemus, assisted by captain Joan von de Polux. They would remain 1-0 down for most of the match. Only just into the last 10 minutes did replacement Mooney intercept a pass intended for Joseph and proceeded to score the equaliser. Five minutes later Nelson added to the tally from a penalty, 2-1. Von de Polux threatened the goal again into injury time, the final whistle blew without Joan taking the shot and thus Hanalia were through without the need for added time.

Emmet descended back to the dressing room after the final whistle to join in the celebrations of the first knockout success for his team. Momentarily he stopped outside the Hamborn team's room upon hearing a kerfuffle from within. He quickly moved on, drawn to the shouts and cheers from his own side. The decibels peaked as he the team swarmed around him, all jumping up and down in jubilation. After five minutes he extracted himself from the throng to begin work again, for there was now another kick-off scheduled and his team would have to be there in tip top shape, not a lace left behind.

Schedule
MD1 v Nergtul @ Grand Regal Stadium, Canterlot W 2-5
MD2 v Orioni @ Stadium of the NIght, Hollow Shades W 4-3
MD3 v Dixie Florida @ Sky-high Coliseum, Cloudsdale W 2-0
R64 v Hamborn @ Albert III Memorial Stadium, Dodoma, Banija W 2-1
R32 v Coercia @ Stadium of the Restoration in Busukuma, Banija
R16 v R32-4@ Keystone Stadium, Sisonke, Banija QF v R16-1 @ Star Field, Herzegovina City, Banija SF v QF-2 @ Farfadillis F v SF-2 @ Stadium of the Two Sisters, Canterlot, Equestria / 3PP v SF-2 @ Istria Olympic Stadium, Istria, Banija Look I'm optimistic okay?

[Bhumi Matawis Empire]

Matawis Kingdom
Matawis Sultanate

---

---

Bhumi Matawis Empire - The Establishment (1810-1928)

The establishment of the empire can’t be separated from the Sagotra Union. The road to union started with several wars. In 1812, the VMC attacked Yudakarta, the capital of Pakunagaran Sultanate after the king, Sultan Suryojoyo refused to bow down to them. The war ended with Pakunagaran defeated. Sultan Suryojoyo was deposed and replaced by his son, Sultan Suryokencono who was friendlier towards VMC. Suryojoyo was sent to Bergota before being put into exile in Tongass. Then came the Great Jama War (1825-1830) which was led by Prince Antawirya of Pakunagara and secretly supported by Susuhunan Bangunwiseso, King of Mangkualam. The war was based on resentment towards the VMC as they took over lands and imposed hefty taxes on the people to support their failing finances. The war ended after Antawirya was captured during a purposely negotiation meeting. He was banished to Manaro until 1833 and moved to Mangkasara until his death in 1855. Bangunwiseso was also captured under alleged conspiracy by helping Antawirya even though the VMC didn’t have any clear evidence about it. He was sent to exile in Baguala and died when the ship that carried him was drowned because of the storm. But his body tells otherwise as a bullet hole was found on his head indicating that he was shot to death. The throne of Mangkualam fell to Bangunwiseso’s uncle, Susuhunan Maliki.

Portrait of young Prince Antawirya

After the Great War, both kings took a ‘passive war’ approach in dealing with VMC. Maliki let the literature flourish in the kingdom. Some of them implicitly criticize VMC’s rule in the archipelago. He also let some small uprisings happen in some parts of the kingdom. But he will eventually disperse them if they grow bigger just to show that Mangkualaman still submitted to VMC. A similar approach was made by Sultan Suryokencono of Pakunagara. He established a mutual relationship with VMC that would benefit both parties. The move succeeded in bringing prosperity to the kingdom. However, his move was opposed by some of the court members and his own brother, Raden Mas Mustojo. During their reign, they exchanged letters about the situation in both kingdoms and the relationship with VMC. In one of the letters, Maliki mentioned the need for a military alliance to face VMC. In 1847, both of them finally met secretly in a small village near the old capital, Kartasura. There they formulated the creation of a military alliance which will be named Sagotra Union, Union of Brotherhood. They gather many followers throughout Jama. But the attack plan was halted after Suryokencono's sudden death. He was stabbed during his sleep by his fifth wife. No one knows what the motives are but many historians argue that it was because of jealousy. He was then replaced by his brother, Sultan Haryokusumo who received more support within the court than Suryokencono's son, Raden Mas Surya Kelana. And in 1858, three years after the death of Suryokencono, Susuhunan Maliki died. He was replaced by his brother, Susuhunan Joyokerto as Maliki didn’t have a male heir. The Sagotra Union was forgotten for a while. Haryokusumo continued his brother’s policy to keep a close relationship with VMC even though he was opposing the policy before. While Susuhunan Joyokerto only reigned for 3 years before he died of old age. He was replaced by the son of Bangunwiseso, Susuhunan Karyowinangun.

It was Karyowinangun that revived the Union. He had a big hatred towards VMC after what they’ve done to his father. He was still in his mother's womb when Bangunwiseso was captured and sent to Baguala, and killed by a shot through his head. To revive the Union, he contacted Sultan Haryokusumo and planned out the attack. They spread the words to ally regents throughout Jama. In 1864, a small uprising was built up in Junggalu in the east and Wengker in the west which was ignored by VMC at first. But the uprising grew bigger in an instance. VMC sent their troops there to disperse them. At that moment, the Regent of Kadri, Tumapel and Medanthen rallied his troops and cut off the logistics road to the east, while the Regent of Kabalan and Matahun did the same to the western front. With most of their troops being away from their main fort in Bergota, the joint army of Haryokusumo and Karyowinangun attacked the port city. They were also helped by Regent of Delemak and Pagutan. Bergota was besieged for almost 3 months before it fell to the Sagotran army. While VMC’ troops in eastern and western Jama lost badly with lack of support. The war ended in 1871 after the joint Sagotra army succeeded in driving out all VMC’ troops from the island.

Political situation of Western Sagaranusa in 1850s

The rise of Sagotra gave inspiration to several princely states who were under VMC’s control to revolt. Wahanten revolted in 1898 as Sagotra recaptured the Caruban and Pariangan area in 1894. Mahameru raise arms in 1906. Both of them then joined the Sagotra Union in 1908. Their attention then moved to Andalas and Kalamantha with Westveld still heavily fortified. The joint army of Mangkualam and Wahanten waged wars in Andalas (1910-1918). They were getting help from Shri Inderapura Sultanate, VMC’ princely state in the island. Pakunagara and Mahameru focus on acquiring Kalamantha (1914-1919). They were also helped by Belanak and Koti, the princely states in Kalamantha. Then their focus turned to Westveld. After nine months besieged in 1922, Westveld finally fell. VMC’ Governor General, Dirk Uittenhooven, retreated to Mangkasara where he rebuilt the remnants of the Company there. Historians argue why VMC didn’t fight back on a larger scale. The reason was a financial burden. VMC was on the brink of bankruptcy at the time. And it seems that the kings of Mangkualam and Pakunagara were aware of the situation. This situation prevents them from financing huge and long lasting wars. While the wars by the Sagotra Union had been in a constant presence from 1864 until 1922 with only a few years gap between wars. These gap years were not enough for VMC to regain their financial stability.

Seeing their victory, the leaders of 7 kingdoms believe they need to establish a stronger union in case the VMC might challenge them again. In December 1924, the leaders met for the first time in Westveld to discuss the plan. In this meeting, they signed a union pledge with a promise to create a nation where all of them are equal. They also discussed dividing the area under VMC that they captured during the intense war. The first charter draft of the empire was presented during the second meeting in March 1927 which was held in Tangga Arum, the capital of Koti. The draft went into some revision before it was signed by the 7 leaders in their third meeting in Kartasura. With the signing of the Mandala Charta on 22 July 1928, Bhumi Matawis Empire was officially established. The signatures of the Charter are;

• Susuhunan Mangkusudibyo of Mangkualam
• Sultan Haryotejo of Pakunagara
• Sultan Nashar Muhammad ash-Shafiuddin of Wahanten
• Ratu Hawir Bhuja Ida I Dewa Agung Shri Smarabhawa of Mahameru
• Sultan Syarif Abdul Jalil of Shri Inderapura
• Sultan Syarif Muhammad Al-Kadri of Belanak
• Aji Muhammad Pasha of Koti

Founders of Bhumi Matawis Empire

[Atymnius]

If by no virtue delighted lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
- William Shakespeare

---

Dēmos has an unfortunate past of racism in its ranks, within not only its society, but football as well. Golden-age heroics such as Alexander the Great and Phillip the II of Macedon were idolized as gracious in their purity and the subsequent apparel that they would adorn, charioting through their conquests. However, in turn this serves the purpose to alienate those who darker as they may seem, have their purity equally stripped away from them.

Centre-Back Henrick Whyatou is no different.

---

THE BLACK RAM OF GREECE: PART I
My Idol: Shakespeare

---

---

A shrill was heard in the evening room as murmurs of indignation swept through in pandemonium. The mother, leaning at a modest 5'7, was nothing short of what one would expect to be dwarfish. She crept up into the room, holding a shrimp of herself in her arms: the baby just cooing lightly under the audience’s gaze. Inevitably a shriek was heard:

WHO MADE THAT THING?!

I see, the baby took on her mother’s shade, a shame—was the translation for in essence the room was in fact quiet. They could not believe it.

Everyone,

She raised a glass of wine, toasting to the accompanying crowd,

This is my son, Whyatou! Let Dionysus give him abundant blessings—

Soon after, the crowd were in a parriah of joy once more. The guests were attending to their drinks before, ignoring the clear elephant in the room. A horrid, drunk man came over, lumping. He shouted to the rooftops:

If virtue no delighted lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black!

Just after, the mother was silenced as plates bashed the grounds.

Can you give me an OI-YAH!

Everyone: OI-YAH!



The memory that would serve to haunt her. She is now in her 50s. Gray-haired, malnourished and slender, the tan of sunlight was foreign to her pale crevices: her nails, in other words, were dastardly.

Whyatou: Hi mom, I’m here—

Immediately she dashed to kiss his son.

M: I’m so happy to see you son!

She hugged him tight. Her eldritch nails leaked blood from her son’s skin. She looked at hit and murmured to herself.

M: Oh I’m sorry son! Forgive me!



She steadily took her hands away, crinkling.

W: It’s okay mom. I know you mean nothing by it.

He presented her a trophy.

W: It’s from the U17 tournament.

On the plaque it wrote: MVP - DĒMOSIAN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

He gave him a card, on it, it wrote:

---

Good morning Mr and Mrs Whyatou,

We are proud by the immense achievements of your boy Henrick. He served the All-Stars well and we congratulate him on this immeasurable achievement. We hope that sort of energy can be put to use for the country. We are in dire need of people conditioned like him!

AVALINÑEA!

— The Co-Ordinator of the Yellow-Blue Lock

---

*1-2 years later*

Theodosis: Hey get out of the way, black-boy!

Theodosis pushed him to the side, knocking his Othello to the ground.

T: What—I thought it wasn’t true but you actually read that shit—haha guys look at this—

They lampooned the book out of his hand and showed it to the sunlight:

Everyone: Haha, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe!

W: No, it’s actually—your heart…your soul…even now…an old black ram—

Theodosis: Shut it man, we didn’t come to hear your philosophies.

In that moment, Henrick would remember a solemn saying:

My Lord, my Ancient—a man he is of honesty and trust.

Am I trustworthy?



He wondered as he grabbed his book. He was furious. His flesh scissored Theodosis’ flesh, cutting his palms wide open, debloons of pure blood flowered under the Sun—

Theodosis: AAAH! You little—!



He ran: away…far way from here, there and everywhere as one might think. As he was running, and his goons chased after him, he would wonder once more:

In this world, am I the devilled-black ram of Ancient Greece?

[Choppyhausen]

Broadcasting Service Choppyhausen
Baptism of Fire 87 - Article

---

Round of 64

They're winning again!
Choppyhausen advance after 3-0 victory over Yangchenia

Worry lines were visible on the forehead of Choppyhausen coach Harmon Merrit as his team walked onto the pitch at the Wild Grounds in Everfree. After their 1–0 defeat to Bruinswik, the mood in the Choppyhausenian camp — so dominant in their first two matches — had been a little subdued. Confidence had given way to the first hints of self-doubt. But against Yangchenia, the team looked entirely back to their old selves.

After heavy rotation against Bruinswik, Merrit returned to his original starting XI — the same side that had delivered the 5–1 win over Very Totally Free. They did, however, show a few nerves early on. Just three minutes in, goalkeeper Weiner-Kracht had to stretch to keep out a fierce long-range strike from Wu Hsaing, who had been left with far too much space. And six minutes later, the ball was in the Choppyhausen net: Wufang intercepted a sloppy pass from Lampe and slipped it through to Thaye, who stayed calm one-on-one with the keeper. But the Yangchenia striker had been just offside when the ball was played and the goal didn’t stand.

By the quarter-hour mark, though, Choppyhausen had settled in and taken control of the game. The Team in Teal spread the play wide, making full use of their pacey wingers. After Keil’s cross in the 16th minute failed to find a target, Bender-McKay delivered a more accurate ball just two minutes later — and Iduna met it first-time, rifling a volley into the top-right corner. No chance for keeper Gyatso.

Choppyhausen stayed in charge as the half wore on and had several chances to extend their lead. In the 23rd minute, a Lampe cross fell right to Corte in the six-yard box, but the striker seemed caught off guard and scuffed his finish. Then Lukeson (29’) and Iduna (33’) were both denied by the woodwork. Yangchenia had only one real chance before the break: in the 38th minute, Saizi robbed Finch and threaded a beautiful through ball to Hsaing, who rounded the advancing Weiner-Kracht and shot — but the slightly deflected effort lacked pace and was cleared off the line by Holdenbeck.

Instead of a perhaps undeserved 1–1, Choppyhausen went into halftime 2–0 up. A Tyr corner was cleared by Orlov to the edge of the Yangchenia box, where Keil cleverly lobbed it toward the near post. Corte was waiting and nodded the ball in gratefully.

Yangchenia made a triple substitution at the break, but it did little to change the rhythm of the game. Just three minutes into the second half, the ball was in the net again. Lampe, after a slick one-two with Iduna down the right, drilled in a low cross to Lukeson who produced something special. Without even looking at the ball, the 20-year-old flicked it first-time with his heel into the path of Corte, who finished clinically from the edge of the box. No surprise his celebration was directed straight at his provider.

The match then lost some of its intensity, with Choppyhausen doing less running but staying compact and solid defensively, giving Yangchenia little room to operate. The game picked up again in the final 15 minutes after a series of substitutions on both sides. De Lang hit the post from a well-positioned free kick in the 76th minute, and two minutes later Weiner-Kracht had to make a diving save to keep out Bao’s long-range effort. In the 82nd minute, Tongpao went down in the Choppyhausen box after a dribble, but the referee judged Frederiksen’s light contact insufficient for a penalty. Near the end, Gardiner unleashed a curling strike from 20 meters out, but Gyatso got a fingertip on it and pushed it onto the post.

After three minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew. Choppyhausen’s celebrations were loud and heartfelt. After a flat performance against Bruinswik, the Team in Teal had once again shown what they are capable of in Everfree: winning.

Next up for Corte, Tyr and Co. is a trip to Cloudsdale, where they’ll face Khaelu.

---

Guess the champion
Choppyhausen wins Baptism of Fire – according to public prediction

Harmon Merrit’s team will lift the trophy in Canterlot – at least if you’re believing the 79 thousand Choppyhausenian voters who participated in an online prediction hosted by BoF-Co-Host Equestria. With an overwhelming majority of 68.23%, the totally unbiased participants chose Choppyhausen as the winner of the current Baptism of Fire, while 11.23% thought Snestar will become champions. Bull Sheet and Stewartika could each convince about 5% of the Choppyhausenian audience.

Following the most popular prediction, Choppyhausen will beat Yangchenia, Khaellu, Merulla, Bull Sheet and Soviet Kem before beating Snestar at the Stadium of the Two Sisters. This prediction is still possible after the end of the Round of 64 as all of the above teams have qualified for the Round of 32. Overall, 22 of the 32 teams the Choppyhausenian public voted into the next round actually made it. Most notably: Stewartika – who participants thought to end in the semifinals – is out of the tournament already after a 3-2 loss against Konstantino.

While predictions like are obviously rather unscientific and Choppyhausen’s chances of winnign are most definitely not as strong as this poll makes it seem, it is clear to see that Choppyhausenian fans think their team has a realistic chance of taking the trophy home and that they will support their boys on their journey to Canterlot.

Baptism of Fire 87 - Round of 64

Choppyhausen

Yangchenia

3

0

Iduna 18’
Corte 42’, 48’

---

Sorgenfalten waren auf der Stirn von Choppyhausen’s Trainer Harmon Merrit zu sehen, als seine Mannschaft den Rasen des Wild Grounds in Everfree betrat. Nach der 1:0-Niederlage gegen Bruinswik war die Stimmung des „Team in Teal“, das seine ersten beiden Spiele klar gewonnen hatte, etwas getrübt gewesen, die Selbstverständlichkeit war ersten Selbstzweifeln gewichen. Doch gegen Yangchenia zeigte sich die Mannschaft wieder vollkommen selbstsicher.

Nachdem Merrit gegen Bruinswik heftig rotiert hatte, trat in Everfree wieder die alte Startelf, die bereits den 5:1-Sieg gegen Very Totally Free eingefahren hatte, an. Die zeigte in den Anfangsminuten aber noch einige Unsicherheiten. Schon nach drei Minuten musste Torwart Weiner-Kracht sich langmachen, um einen kräftigen Weitschuss von Wu Hsaing, der völlig ohne Gegenwehr abschließen konnte, abzuwehren. Und nach sechs Minuten lag der Ball dann tatsächlich im Choppyhausener Tor: Wufang hatte einen schwachen Pass von Lampe abgefangen und in den Lauf von Thaye gespielt, der allein vor Weiner-Kracht cool blieb. Doch Yangchenia’s Stürmer war beim Zuspiel leicht im Abseits gewesen, der Treffer zählte nicht.

Nach einer Viertelstunde hatte sich Choppyhausen dann aber gefangen und wurde spielbestimmend. Das „Team in Teal“ zog das Spiel vor allem gerne in die Breite und wurde über die schnellen Außenspieler gefährlich. Nachdem Keils Flanke in der 16. Minute noch ins Leere ging, fand die von Bender-McKay zwei Minuten später den Fuß von Mitspieler Iduna, der den Ball volley ins rechte obere Eck zimmerte. Keine Chance für den gegnerischen Keeper Gyatso.

Im weiteren Verlauf blieb Choppyhausen dominant und hatte noch mehrere gute Chancen zum Ausbau der Führung. In der 23. Minute landete eine Flanke von Lampe im Fünfmeterraum bei Corte, der Stürmer schien aber zu überrascht von der Gelegenheit und konnte nur ungenau abschließen. Danach scheiterte erst Lukeson (29.) und dann Iduna (33.) am Aluminium. Yangchenia konnte in der ersten Hälfte nur noch einmal gefährlich werden. Saizi gewann in der 38. Minute den Ball gegen Finch und schickte mit einem wunderschönen Steilpass Hsaing, der am Strafraumrand den heraus eilenden Weiner-Kracht umrundete und schoss. Der vom Torwart noch leicht abgefälschte Schuss hatte aber nicht genug Geschwindigkeit und konnte so knapp vor der Linie von Holdenbeck geklärt werden.

Statt des vom Spielverlauf auch eher überraschenden 1:1 ging es aber mit 2:0 in die Pause. Eine von Tyr getretene Ecke klärte Orlov an den Yangchenier Strafraumrand. Der Ball landete bei Keil, der diesen schön an den kurzen Pfosten lüpfte, wo Corte bereit stand und dankbar einnickte.
Zur Pause wechselte Yangchenia dreifach. Der Wechsel brachte aber nur wenig frischen Wind, denn schon nach drei Minuten lag der Ball erneut im Tor der Blazing Dragons. Lampe hatte sich auf der rechten Seite per Doppelpass mit Iduna freigespielt und spielte flach auf Lukeson, der ein Kunststück der besonderen Art parat hatte. Ohne den Ball auch nur anzusehen, spielte der 20-jährige den Ball One-Touch und mit der Hacke zu Corte, der vor dem Elfmeterpunkt lauerte und zielgenau abschloss. Keine Überraschung, dass sein Torjubel dem Vorbereiter Lukeson galt.

Danach plätscherte das Spiel ein wenig vor sich hin, die Choppyhausener liefen jetzt weniger, standen aber weiterhin eng genug, um die Yangchenier Offensive nicht gefährlich werden zu lassen. Erst nach mehreren Wechseln auf beiden Seiten nahm das Spiel in den letzten 15 Minuten nochmal etwas an Fahrt auf. De Lang traf bei einem Freistoß aus guter Position den Pfosten (76.), auf der anderen Seite musste sich Weiner-Kracht lang machen, um einen Weitschuss von Bao zu halten (78.). In der 82. Minute fiel Tongpao nach einem Dribbling im Choppyhausener Strafraum zu Boden, doch für den Schiedsrichter war die leichte Berührung von Frederiksen am Fuß des Yangchenier Stürmer nicht genug für einen Elfmeter. Zuletzt versuchte Gardiner sein Glück aus 20 Metern, sein angedrehter Schuss konnte aber noch von Gyatso an den Pfosten gelenkt werden.

Nach 90+3 Minuten war das Spiel vorbei. Auf der Choppyhausener Seite war der Jubel groß. Nach einer schwachen Leistung gegen Bruinswik hat das Team in Teal hier in Everfree erneut gezeigt, wozu es fähig ist: zu siegen. Nun geht der Blick von Corte, Tyr und Co. nach Cloudsdale, wo die Mannschaft auf Khaelu trifft.

[Hamborn]

SOME PLAYER IS NOW AT HAMBORN

They just renter in their country and they become famous for is good game and the first time to finish out of the group stage.

[Andso Mangis]

Andso on the road again.
Cant wait to be on the road again
Will beat those gosh darned soviets.
On the road again.
Well keep on winning on the road again
We may never lose again

[Soviet Kem]

Kem is at war
We will be victorious
We’ll beat those damn capitalists
We’ll continue being victorious
Victorious we’ll be
May us always be victorious

[Andso Mangis]

As Obi-Wan once said
We have the high ground
we play that way
in sports
and in politics
truly
you must BELEIVE in miracles
Because how is Soviet kem
still not dissolved

[Saint-Lazarus]

GOALS GALORE AS THE CARABAOS HUMILIATE POROTIA
Busukuma, NCR, Banija

After a win against Very Totally Free, the players decided to party before going back to training and possibly, return to Busukuma for their Round of 64 match against Porotia. Setting up a jacuzzi party for the boys in light blue and having some meals to eat before going back to training. Captain Fidel Pascual led the team to sing the sporting team song of the nation, which is kind of the exact song as the River Plate's official anthem. After that, the team decided to train as requested by Marasigan to Usman. "Even though we party alot, we need to focus on one thing, win the Baptism of Fire.", says Marasigan. Then the team made its first training at a local field in Hoima before returning to the Banijan capital. After a day of training, the team went on to pack their bags and return to Busukuma, and train again after some rest in their own hotel. "Porotia has some fight in it to be honest.", says Usman. "But I don't think we can beat them." After some days of training, the day finally came. The barra brava went on to march to the Stadium of the Restoration, and cheer on to the team. After some passionate rendition of both anthems, the boys in light blue went on to lock in when the whistle goes. The defense of Zaldarriaga made the Porotians look stupid and went on to pass on the midfield as Rahman gave the ball to Uemura and made Viray score and does some serious cartwheels to the barra brava. But that humiliation didn't end as Viray went on for a hattrick, another hattrick also from the substitute Rafiq Mangubat, 2 goals scored by Uemura and a free kick goal from the goalkeeper, Ortega. But the Porotians scored their own 2 goals to end the match, and the final whistle goes and the boys in light blue went on to celebrate their qualification to the Round of 32, and sing the victory song that they had from their party. And went on to celebrate it with the barra brava. "We're still here fuckers!", says Pascual. "I'm happy that we did some humiliation just to go to the Round of 32." "We are happy to be in round of 32.", says Usman. "But I hope that we could do it again." The team will face Snestar in Istria. Is there a fate incoming for the Carabaos to qualify.... or not?

[Soviet Kem]

Can you imagine
Can you imagine
A world without liberation
Workers of Andso Mangis
We will liberate you
Liberation is here

[Montagne Noire]

Montagne Noire defeats Aritraroy in extra time

Who said doggies can't play football with humans? A great victory against Aritraroy in extra time and Montagne Noire advances to the round of 32. The Montagnards took the lead at the 28th minute when Max the Chinese Crested Dog scored on a corner kick. Aritraroy put some pressure on Montagne Noire's defence in the 2nd half and it paid off at the 74th minute when a player kicked the ball past Wookie to tie the game. Regular time ended with a 1-1 draw and extra time was needed. Coyote attacked with the ball at the 111th minute and he made a short pass to Fripouille who heads it into the goal. Wookie, who played in goal earlier, received the ball from Lucy at the 115th minute, he dribbled past a defenseman and kicked the ball into the goal! In a blink of an eye, Montagne Noire leads 1-1 (3–1 AET) and this is the final score! After a one game trip to Farfadillis, doggies travels back to Banija to play against Pichvi in Dodoma.

Following the game, Citrouille ( who'se name means " pumpkin " in French) fled back home because he was homesick. He couldn't stay away from home for too long. Most doggies enjoys their time in Banija, they actually like the place and they can find raw meat in the grocery store so there is no need to bring meat from Montagne Noire. The thing that is missing is bones to chew on.

Written by Coco

[Atymnius]

If virtue no beauty delighted lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black
- William Shakespeare

---

---

THE BLACK RAM OF GREECE: PART II
An Atymnius X Colmaijo Special

---

---

Back in our days we didn’t have any means of transportation in Colmaijo as Dēmos does now. Life was simpler back then...

*A cut-scene follows*

Hey Ambessa! Look here,

A gay, joyful African girl followed her tracks as she leapt out to the other side of her chains. Realizing this, she too got out of her bicycle to great her friend…

*The scene fades suddenly. Ambessa looked to her boy, now in the present:*

A: Henrí, back then we had bicycles to communicate our path.

W: Wait how come you didn’t use cars?

A: Cars were banned back then. The Moskau Oblast were, out of their neighbours, particular enforcers of this rule. I and Fey knew we couldn’t survive back then. We resided in the isolated villages of the Blast, situated on the southern plains of the Colmaijoan peninsula. Medical standards back then were a-plenty. They gave us a roof over our heads and the economy was great it just so happened that the inequality affected our outcomes…

W: Oh, which is why—

A: Yes, which is why I left your second mother to see my prospects here in Dēmos. If only I knew the reception I would receive back then…

*She intertwined her forceps tightly before putting her hand on his shoulder, and calmly she said:*

I think it’s time for you to revisit your motherland one day.

---

That day arrived.

As clamoring fans and visitors surrounded Star Field in Herzegovina City, Banija, Whyatou looked up in his new-found age, diligent and tall as ever, as he would face his past: Colmaijo. The surrounding Christian architecture and ancient-ry of the Banijan city did not overlook the true testament of what would come to be a reconciliation with past stories.

Whyatou, anxious as he was, looked at the opposing fans: they were people of European and African descent, smeared in black, just like him, to what were snarled, sneering faces gazing at him.

They smelled a Colmaijoan in this boy.

Perhaps they would accept me for my skin?

[Bonusia]

This last few days have been crazy, to say the least. And, to be honest, I think that the craziest part of it all is that we're still competing in this darn tournament. I don't really know what to do about it, but as I was talking to my wife back home she suggested to write about it, like a novel. So I guess here we are. I'm no man of words, but I hope to make myself clear. But first let me give you, for any possible future reader, some context. Perhaps you're a curious sport historian researching about the first Bonusian multiversal games, and how the team fared in our times. You are eager to learn more about our Black Star's past and, suddenly, you come across this old notebook. Let me tell you, my friend, that you hit the jackpot. The story I'm going to write about is one of hardships and relearnt lessons, and it covers how Bonusia almost ended up going out very early of it's first tournament, against the country of the Ferrets.

Let's start from the beginning. My name is Javi Medina, and I've known the first coach to bring our football team to the multiversal stage, Xavier Boquete, since I was still a youngster in my college years. I remember him in that year I really came to know him: Always sad, damning his fate while he rolled around the campus, with no hope, like his dreams shattered like a broken mirror. Of course, I didn't know why he seemed to be broken until I actually got to know him.

There was a time when he wasn't constrained by his disability. And as I knew about his past I came to see how brightly he shined. As he made his debut at just 16 years old for his hometown club Platanar, he astonished everyone with his miraculous passes and his spectacular game vision, that shattered defensive systems like they were made out of hay. Had that fatidic match never took place, he'd be today the greatest Bonusian player of all time, no doubt about it. Of course, at that time there was no league system per se, but just a year after his debut he had his team getting into the quarterfinals of the Two Heads Cup for the first time ever, in a match against another unusual contender, KabaBarraka.

The Barçanini squad dominated the match thanks to Boquete's game, and as the final whistle approached, the Bananas had the match sealed with a 5-1 score. Then, the fatidic moment came. Boquete obviously didn't want to talk about it, but I found the game footage on the Internet. And with it I saw the most horrific tackle I've ever seen. Never again in my athletic and training career I have ever witnessed such violence in any sport.

For a couple of years, for what he told me, he wandered life like a lost puppy. He enrolled uni to try to have a chance at life, but what life had he really left? His passion was stolen from him by a crazy Barrakan wannabe fighter that left his legs paralyzed. I understood his pain and his sorrow, the doubt, the fear of a dark future. But if one thing I learned, is that no matter what's the issue, a shout and a few words could reset anyone, at least some times. After seeing the kid that once dazzled all Bonusia shining as much as a black hole, and without any signs of getting better, I knew that he needed such reset.

- Are you really going to give up on football so easily?!

- What the fuck do you want me to do?! Look at me! I can't even get up of this fucking chair! I-

- STOP WHINING! If you really care about football, then find a way to be a part of it! Make that your purpose!

- But how?! How can I kick the ball if I can't move my leg?!

- Well, I'm no expert, but is there any player that doesn't need to use his legs?

- What?! Is that your big solution, really?! I'm in no mood for jokes! Of course that no player can play without his legs!

- And what about the manager, does he use his legs, Xavier?

- ...not really, no.

With that shout and that last sentence, I successfully resetted my friend. Since that day, it seemed like he was a completely revamped version of himself, not as shiny as he was before, but yet more mature, centered and focused. From then on, we became even closer friends, and we both started advancing in our lives. I graduated Health Studies and started helping all sorts of athletes to achieve their full potential. Boquete, on the other hand, studied tactics, formations and team cohesion, and went on to train several teams all across Bonusian. And years went on and on like this.

Then, the opening of the Multiversal Wormhole came about, and Bonusia suddenly entered a whole new dimension, where nations across whole different universes and parallel realities coexisted with one another. This single event shaped so hardly so many aspects of our society that talking about it could write me a whole book. But one thing that we came to see happening, is that selected their best of the best in different sports, and that then they faced each other in all kinds of tournaments. Our country obviously came to want to take part too, specially when it came to football, the most popular sport in Bonusia (and apparently in the whole multiverse aswell). So, the FBF came to work to make a permanent national team, yada yada. And around that time, I got a phone call.

- Oh wow, it's you, Xavier! So long without hearing about you.

- Same thing, Javi. Listen, I got something important I need to talk to you about, it's great news! Tomorrow I'll be in Kekla, want to grab something to eat and talk?

- Oh wow, well if it's important I guess my wife will understand. Sure thing.

- Alright, let's concrete things via text, okay?

- Sounds good to me, see you tomorrow!

Tomorrow became today, and as I approached the restaurant's entrance, I saw him with one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen him.

- Hey, glad to see you again, my friend!

- Same thing, bud. We're too busy for our own good, aren't we?

- Indeed, hahahah!

- Okay, let's enter... You seem very happy.

- Indeed I am happy, Javi. As I told you yesterday, I have some great news, that involve you aswell.

Then we proceeded to sit down and ask for our respective courses. After that, he dropped the bomb.

- The Federació Bonusiana de Futbol (FBF) wants to start playing football on the international stage, and they need an established National Team for Bonusia. They want to be ready to partake in a competition called "The Baptism of Fire". Did you know that?

- Well I heard something about it.

- Really? Wow you really don't follow football, don't you? Everyone who's minimally in the sport is following these developments very closely.

- Heh, what can I say?

- Do you know who's been asked to assemble the team, Javi?

-?... No way. No way!

- Yep

- Congratulations, man! Let's celebrate! *to the waiter* Sir, could you please give us a couple glasses of your best wine?... My friend, I'm really happy for you. You are not like that shell of a man back in our uni days. You've truly changed for the good.

- I appreciate it, really. And that's not even the best part, you know?

- Wow, there's more?!

- Yeah you bet there is. The Federation is letting me pick my stuff aswell.

- Huh?

- That's in a big way why I wanted to talk to you today, Javi. I want you to be my second, my assistant coach for the National Team.

As the waited served us their most expensive 30 year-old Ausonan wine, I remained speechless for a second. Has he lost his mind, for real this time? I am good and knowledgable about many things about athleticism and sports, but precisely football is not my area of expertise. Hell, I haven't even watched a game in years! We were Allinet supporters at home, and their lack of... actually playing, made me personally quite apathic towards football. So, I didn't really understand how Xavi saw me as a candidate to help him in his footballing endeavours.

- I know what you are thinking, Javi. You don't see yourself capable of taking this role. But I know you are, you will help us in a big way.

- How am I capable to help direct a team from a sport I don't even understand?

- Well, I am good at tactics, and you are a great trainer. So, I take care of the tactics and you take care of putting the players into shape.

- Cut the crap, Boquete. There's thousands of professional trainers who also understand tactics and the game of football. You yourself are one of them. Why did you really come to me?
...
- Well, for one, you know as well as me that without you I wouldn't be here today. I'd be working in some random company to cover their disability quota. You pushed me to follow what I really had passion for.

- I am glad that I did, but that doesn't mean you need to hire me to be your right hand. I have a perfectly successful career already.

- It's not about that! It's just... What you did with me, I know that you can do the same for the kids in the team.

- Really?

- I have a feeling. There's a lot of prepared people out there who could assume the role, but you have something different. I don't know how, but I know that, when the time comes, you will stand to the occasion and help Bonusia come on top. That's why I want you.

- I don't know, this is very sudden.

- It's alright. Think about it, speak with your family, and when you decided, call me.

- Okay, I'll tell you as soon as I know.

We kept enjoying the meal, remembering old college stories like the two old dogs we are, and as we finished, we departed ways.

- About the job, I'll let you know if I come as soon as I can. Thanks for considering me Xavi, really.

- No, thanks to you, Javi... For everything. I don't know if I ever said it, but I really appreciate everything you've done for me. Thanks.

- Heh, it's alright, man.

I went home and had a long talk with my wife. It was a long trip, and it would be hard for her to come with the kids. But my Joana, supportive as always, left me with no excuses to refuse Xavier's offer.

- ...The kids will miss you Javi. I know that I will miss you the most. But think how proud they'll be to see their dad in the TV, with their favourite players there.

- Hmm, I guess you're right. I can't win an argument against you, can I?

- That's what you get for marrying the smartest woman in Bonusia.

- Heh, I guess I'm guilty... I'll call Xavier then.

- Make sure to ask Formiga for a signed jersey, you know he's Quimet's favourite player.

- Sure I'll do, babe. I love you.

So I called Xavier. We had a big challenge in front of us. The national pride of Bonusia was at stake, and doing badly could be terrible. But I knew that, if we both worked together, we could make it through no matter what.

- Hey, Xavi. I'm in.

---

Now we'll do a small time jump. We're already in Banija, in the middle of the tournament. After a rocky start in the friendlies, Bonusia took off at the right time, and got out of the group stage of the BoF with a perfect record of 3 out of 3 wins. Then, the Round of 64 laid ahead. Our rival? The Ferret Lands, a nation full inhabited by apparently sentient ferrets, and a living proof that the Multiverse was a really strange place. To be fair, most other countries don't have people that ressemble us Llimanians in them, so I guess in a way we're part of the strangeness. I sat calmly in the hotel in Lwanga, reading a bit about football history to understand better how my friend's tactics came to be. You know, to keep me updated and to be able to help the squad more. Tomorrow morning, we would depart to Herzegovina City, where the next game would take place. Suddenly, a phone call perturbed my peace. It was from an unknown Banijan number.

- Hello?

- Hey, it's me, Xavi.

- Hey, why are you calling me, did something happen?

- Listen well, because they only gave me one call. We messed up, me and the player Jofre Ramon have been detained by Banijan officers and we're now in custody until they ask us questions, apparently.

- WHAT???!!! What happened?!

- Jofre took rubdisks, and gave me one. While on my trip, Banijan officers saw me in my drugged state and Jofre, well, you know him, he pretty much made things worse.

- Oh my god! We're leaving tomorrow morning! Have you told them that.

- I spoke with them and they still won't let us leave. Apparently rubdisks are specifically a Bonusian stuff, so they hadn't ever seen them. The officers are being really understanding, though. They said that most likely they will let us leave soon, as no legislation regarding rubdisks is in place here. However, they still need to ask us things and examine us to make sure that, other than our alleged drug possession offense, we're clean; and that seems to be a pretty long process. Most likely we both won't make it to the match against The Ferret Land.

- Oh my god... So what's your plan?

- Easy. You take charge of the team until I come back.

- How do you want me to take charge?! I barely understood simple tactics by now!

- The players will help you. Sorry things went like this, but now I need you at your best.

- Man I don't know if I can do it.

- Remember what I told you, when we need it the most I know that you will step up. Take care, they are calling me to the interrogation room again.

And like this, the call ended, with me pretty taken back by the new situation that was presented to me. With our coach and one of our best players out, things weren't looking good at all.

If you really are a sports historian, I'm pretty sure that you already know how this story ends. But please bear with me as I walk you around my experience, how we really lived this critical moment, how we all felt through those difficult days, both me as a person and the whole squad as a team, as we made out way to Herzegovina City. There, in the heart of the historical Banijan city, awaited the first real test of our team's resilience.

To be continued...

FRIENDLIES

INDUSSE 4-1 BONUSIA
^{G. Grundjee 23' 39', D. Hazle 62', T. Bashir 81' // I. Pedra 50'}

BONUSIA 2-4 CALGASIA
^{J. Ramon 11', A. Cea 80' // J. Novák 4', G. Renner 41', M. Bohren 55', Z. Urbánková 89'}

CALGASIA 2-0 BONUSIA
^{Z. Mosser 47', C. Cieszyn 71'}

MEIA-ARMADOREN 1-0 BONUSIA
^{A. Júnior 69'}

COERCIA 4-2 BONUSIA
^{D. Trumpus 23' 31', J. Jensen 47' 69' // A. Cea 8', B. Formiga 83'}

---

BoF 87 SCHEDULE
Group 8

Matchday 1 - SEEBERG 0-1 BONUSIA
^{I. Pedra 79'}
@ Albert III Memorial Stadium, Dodoma, Bunyoro, Banija

Matchday 2 - NOVA DACKIANS 0-7 BONUSIA
^{A. Cea 15' 29' 70', A. Poveda 37', P. Miró 53', D. Banach 86', I. Pedra 90+3'}
@ BCEL Stadium, Jinja City, Hangaza, Banija

Matchday 3 - BONUSIA 5-3 TORNADICO
^{I. Boleda 4', Y. Morad 38' 50' 77', I. Pedra 90' // [INCORRECT FORMAT] 20' 31' 69'}
@ Lwanga City Arena, Lwanga, Buganda, Banija

---

KNOCKOUTS

Round of 64 - BONUSIA 4-2 THE FERRET LANDS
^{C. Bruch 52', I. Pedra 67', A. Dou 81', A. Cea 90+1'//W. Wolverine 12', R. Raccoon 42'}
@ Star Field, Herzegovina City, Moravica, Banija

Round of 32 - BONUSIA vs EUROPEASIA
@ Hangaza Unified Stadium, Aissa, Hangaza, Banija

[Snestar]

Round of 32 - Snestar vs Saint Lazarus

4-3-3 Formation
GK 1 Federico Calvaresi (Captain)
LB 5 Riccardo Cavaliere
CB 4 Vittorio Gallerani
CB 16 Valentino Garnati
RB 18 Valerio Peruffo
CDM 6 Davide Scognamiglio
CM 8 Nicola Acanfora
CM 14 Nicola Ragusa
LW 10 Martin de Roux
ST 17 Tero Sjölund
RW 27 Cesare Scanavino

Following the 1-0 win against Windows 7 Bliss in the Round of 64, Snestar is set to face Saint Lazarus in the Round of 32. There are some concerns that the Snestaryan national team might start to become overconfident on their abilities, but Camilla Arentas seems to think otherwise.

"Our next game against Saint Lazarus will be the final test for our team. Some people say we’re too cocky, and our fans overestimate us a lot, but let’s be real: we’re not THAT good. Our roster isn't exactly world-class, and we still need to improve on consistency. Sure, they all play in Division Alpha, and that’s already a great achievement, but as a national team we have room to improve. I was surprised to watch Snestar get four clean sheets in a row: Calvaresi’s a great keeper, but right now our defense still makes mistakes that could be easily avoided. Still, I don’t want to slander the boys; I hope they understand that I’m trying to let them know when they slip up so that I can bring them to the best of their capacities."

Meanwhile, in the Banija training facilities…

Riccardo Cavaliere was lying in his bed, waiting for the call while absently scrolling on the phone. It’s been a couple days since he last texted his girlfriend, as he was way too focused on the Baptism of Fire. Ever since he was called to the national team, he almost got obsessed with the ball: even the coach was starting to get worried about him. After all, his frustration had an impact on his performances.

…

When was Linda going to call? He’d already wasted enough time; soon he’d have to get back to training… Maybe she didn’t want to hear him. Maybe she’s currently cheating on- … No, she would never do that. She’s too honest to do something so vile. Her schedule is also usually very precise, and it’s not normal for her to be late for a few minutes, much less half an hour. Usually it’s the other way around: being on time isn’t Riccardo’s specialty.

…

Bzzt bzzt… Videocall incoming. Riccardo immediately jumped out of bed and almost dropped his phone out of sheer panic. He didn’t know what to expect, and deep down he sensed a potential heartbreak…

“Hey.” He muttered, his eyes wide open.

There she was. The most beautiful girl in the world. Long, black curly hair that went down to her shoulders, piercing blue eyes, pale smooth skin, and round cheeks perfect for squeezing. “Did you see a ghost?” she said, with the exact smile that made Riccardo fall for her.

“Oh, yeah… No, I did not, ghosts aren’t real. Why are you asking me this?”

She laughed, shaking her head with a soft but lively gaze. “Ric. I know you’ve been giving 100% for Snestar, but I need you to turn off your brain for a second.”

Oh no, this is it. This is the moment where she would tell him she wants to take a break from him. He waited a few seconds, nervously biting his lip before muttering a response. “Brain turned off.”

“Okay, so… I really needed to tell you I’m sorry.” Linda intentionally looked down, forcing herself to take the courage to explain. “For not texting you. I’ve been flooded with work, and I simply had no time for you. A-and for myself too.”

Riccardo sighed in relief. He could live another day knowing that someone other than his family still cared about her back home. “…That’s it?”

“What do you mean that’s it? You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be? I was too focused on work to even think about yo-” He immediately stopped, knowing he had to choose his next words carefully. “What I meant to say is, I’m just as busy as you, Linda. So I guess I owe you an excuse too.”

“Oh, thank God. I honestly was fearing that you were going to get mad at me for that, and also since I couldn’t come to Banija to watch you play, and…” she frantically looked around, trying to find the words to explain herself. “and I’m really sorry for everything.”

Riccardo shook her head and reached out to squeeze Linda’s cheek through the phone. “Don’t worry about that, girl. We’ll have plenty of time to chat, and cuddle, and do whatever you want when I get home… Oh, I gotta go now. Take care of yourself, alright?”

“You too.”

[Biyambi]

(Opening scene shows us men selling dry fish, dressed in Ngwazi Strikers colours.)

Ngwazi Strikers Fan:
“Black Leopards are a big club, we cannot take that away that from them but when it comes to matches between us and them we always come out on top.”

Voice Over:
“In the past seven seasons the Leopards have won two league championships, one Balabet Cup and are the defending CMFA Champions League champions. Furthermore, the Leopards have consistently challenged for the league title whereas Ngwazi Strikers has struggled to even challenge for the title except last season. However, when the two sides have met Ngwazi Strikers has been the more successful, with 9 wins, 4 draws and loss.”

William Gadi (Black Leopards Manager):
(lauging)
“I must concede that we have really been terrible in the league against them but in all those matches we had one missing player Steve Reyes.”

Tebulo Banda (Mafumu Chiefs Manager):
“Who is Steve Reyes? (chuckling) , well he is a demon to defenders.”

Kit Ortega (Mansanduni Union Defender):
“Reyes is a player with an incredible sense of space and amazing speed. The guy will move two steps into open space as everyone watches the ball and if you try and watch him instead of ball, he will still beat you with his pace. You will think he is teleporting on the pitch.”



Christopher Kumwenda (Mafumu Chiefs Captain):
“Steve is a complete forward that leaves defenders without any advantage, you give him space he will punish you, don’t give him space, he will create space and still punish you. With his ability to finish with both feet, use his strength and position himself no wonder he has been able to score 87 goals in his 124 appearances in the Super League. The other top strikers in the league like Limbikani Chiwaya has 91 goals in 115 appearances, Zack Dawnbridge has 75 goals in 107 appearances and Orama Bukani has 101 goals in 115 appearances.”

William Gadi (Black Leopards Manager):
“Last season in Final we didn’t have Steve Reyes as he was injured but this time we have him. I must tell you he will punish the Royals, mark my words”


The Reyesbowl

(Camera shows aerial shots of the 49,000 capacity Stadiya Bayaram. The Camera sweeps over the stands showing the away end in a sea of sky blue and the home end in a sea of yellow and black. The camera shows various fans, painted faces, men dressed in dresses in team colours, banners waving and drums pounding. Other fans have hard hats, elaborately designed in club monikers and colours. 49,000 people roaring in deafening unison celebrating their clubs.)

Foster Chitimbe, TV Commentator:
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the magnificent cathedral of football, Stadiya Bayaram for what promises to be an electric celebration of football heritage! It’s the BT Top 8 Semi-final match up between the home side, Black Leopards Football Club in Yellow & Black, and the away side Ngwazi Strikers in skyblue.

This matchup is a rematch of last season’s Top 8 final, which I must add went all the way to extra time, with Ngwazi Strikers emerging as the victors with a 1 nil score line. This match up has quite a history with these two sides having met three times over the past three seasons in this competition. In the 2010-11 season, the Leopards came out on top in the semis, 3-1 on aggregate. Then the following season, in the 2011-12 season, the Royals hit back with a 4-3 aggregate win in the semis.

Tonight, we witness a historic fourth clash as Ngwazi Strikers seeks to defend their crown whilst Black Leopards seeks to take revenge for last seasons’ BT Top 8 final loss to the visitors. Who will take the upper hand in this first leg and move closer to the BT Top 8 final? The stage is set here at the Stadiya Bayaram. The fans are ready and of course I am ready. Let the show begin.”


(The camera pans to the referee who blows his whistle for the game to begin)

(Like the previous game, the Royals take time to get into the game. Meanwhile, the Leopards dominate. Leopards’ right winger Mphatso Hara proves to be a constant thorn for the Royals’ defence, in an attempt at goal, his shot is saved by Harry Garnett with Reyes then failing to keep the rebound down ballooning it over the bar.)

(A few minutes later Reyes rectifies his failure when he shakes off Mphatso Lyson to steer in Gede Purnama’s sesxy cross into the back post, 1-0)

(The Leopards offence continues to bear down on the Royals backline but they hold on for dear life, barely)

(In 43rd minute things seem to change when James Thom pounces on a poor William Chimaimba pass, breaking free of the Leopards defence and crossing the ball giving the Royals their first real chance of the game which their 45 million silivas striker Hynym-Forzu taps in to equalise, 1-1)

(Leopards waste time dwelling on their mistake they quickly reply with intense resolve immediately after a Reyes bicycle kick connects with the back of the Ngwazi Strikers net to put an end to his first half striker masterclass. 2-1)

(After the break, Reyes immediately begins his masterclass again after smashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 20 yards to make the game 3-1 in favour of the Leopards.)

(Hynym-Forzu tries his best to get the Royals back in the game but he is no match for Exildah Munsaka who is quick off the line and thwarts the young striker time after time.)

(Reyes ends his masterclass after heading his fourth goal of the game in the 85th minute from a Mphatso Hara cross.)

(Whistle is heard and the Leopards fans rush into the ground celebrating with the players. The scene switches to the post-game interview with Royals Manager, Francis Chiwaya.)

Francis Chiwaya (Ngwazi Strikers Manager):
“It’s over, that’s all I can say, it’s not over!”

(He walks away, roll end credits)

[Shin-Zetsubo]

SHIN-ZETSUBO 6-1 MINOPTRA
FROM: Bojno Polje, Fröndt

GOALS
Tori Palmer '24 (SHZ)
Twyla Mathews '36, '60 (SHZ)
Bunny Colt '45, '54 (SHZ)
Unknown '58 (Mino.)
Morganne Harden '81 (SHZ)

"...That's all they wrote about this game," muttered a Wickersome individual by the name of David Durr, looking at "The Comprehensive Wickersome Review for the Eighty-Seventh Baptism of Fire Round of Sixty-Four". There were no utterings about the yeehawing Harden making sure those in the Bojno Polje got what they asked for, no cutie-patootie Bunny Colt, no whatever the hell was going on with that girl Allsopp. Just who scored, where it was being played at, and the team that would advance to the last 32 to play Tristan de Cunha.

There was an easy way to guess why this was the case - "The Comprehensive Wickersome Review for the Eighty-Seventh Baptism of Fire Round of Sixty-Four", available at all newstands across Wickersome, was made in a rush; after all the round had 32 matches and by the time the last one wrapped up there was only one day between that and the start of the Round of 32. Putting in detail for every single match would take a lot of resources better spent making "The Comprehensive Wickersome Review for the Eighty-Seventh Baptism of Fire Round of Thirty-Two, Now with Details for Every Match". Curious about how Shin-Zetsubo did during this match, he consulted his television, turning the channel just in time to catch highlights from the tournament.

Sure enough, there were Shin-Zetsubo putting on a clinic for the 40,000 people who went to a stadium only standing because the forces of nature and the flying jellyfish have somehow ignored it. The feeling of a run-down venue made Shin-Zetsubo feel right at home, especially since some patches of their land have been broken into nothingness due to all the despairing going along. The nation just liked to inflict despair on its citizens, and in the form of sport they found their way into inflicting despair onto others - In this case the despair of a tough loss for their opponents in the freezing cold.

While the man in Wickersome was smiling, a citizen in Towa City, the capital of the country, was just seen... Blabbering. Charlotte Iona yapping about her dresses and the work she had (creating "despair bath bombs" that turned any bath into a purple stew complete with new fashion items) and whatnot... When she saw something that caught her eye. It was a photo of one of her own wearing a weird shirt. Underneath it read simply: "Shin-Zetsubo Despairing Soccer! Vs. Tristan de Cunha from Rülândéá Çölíséá on DespairTimeTV!"

Soccer? What the hell was soccer? Apparently some television channel with enough Monocoins and Boutique Crowns to burn decided to acquire the rights to the Baptism of Fire, at least Shin-Zetsubo's matches. The fact that they called it "Despairing Soccer" was enough to draw in most who didn't tune into DespairTimeTV, and that included this citizen.

The broadcast, when she got it working from a TV lying around in the city, was just as despairing as expected. Two people standing in a room that was barely greenscreened talking about the rules of this sport and Shin-Zetsubo's story so far. They ignored the fact that Saint Lazarus gave them a run for their money with their 9-2 demolition job because again this was the first time anybody in this nation has even heard about the sport. Then came the talk about Tristan de Cunha.

"Potato-Fielders? Ahhh, got you with the scary nicknames! Puhuhu~ No seriously Islanders is a better name even if it isn't despairing."

"What, Dianna? They're actually a halfway decent squad! Sean Thomas O'Connor looks like he knows more about despair than the two tourists who come here each year!"

"Fine, Yves... They're winning 3-1 aren't they?"

After a 3 minute long "commercial despair break"... There the team was, walking out onto the pitch. The girl who saw the poster couldn't help but to smile. That's her countryfolk, representing their country on the international stage, even if it's in a sport nobody other than them heard of until now. And as those last seconds of the Shin-Zetsubite national anthem "Despair Onto All" echoed out...

"From the dying days of Zetsubo... Despair onto all..."

The crowd packing the Rülândéá Çölíséá gave the team their applause. This was a test as big as Yangchenia, but it felt much more important. Lose and the team were going home. Win? The despair kept rolling.

Temporary tactics engaged. It's time to play despairing soccer.

[Tristan de Cunha]

POTATO FIELDERS STAND FIRM IN LA-FANTAS!
BY: ERICA CORRIS

Ferdullaele gave a fiery, anarchic greeting to our players when they arrived two days ago, with an impromptu gang of hooligans throwing insults and bottles at our players as they traveled from the airport to their hotel near the city centre. The noise and chaos of Ferdullaele was of such a shock to our players, and the reception so poor, that last night Team Manager Adam Lambert-Grant was forced to hire two private security (selected with the help of the UK Consulate in Ferdullaele) during their training in Ferdullaele. Yesterday evening, the Tristanian National Police announced that they would be sending an officer of our own to Farfadillis to ensure the security of our footballers. He is expected to arrive sometime late next week, during the final stages of the tournament.

Yesterday, in the damp heat of Ferdullaele, our boys visited La Fantas Stadium, getting the lay of the land ahead of their match, and spent the afternoon training at an indoor field near their hotel. Compared to the date of their arrival, the city was quiet, but the heat and humidity were still oppressive. When asked how he planned to prepare for conditions in Ferdullaele, Coach O'Toole had this to say: "A week in Sziorsia has taught us to adapt to the heat. We just need to worry about humidity, now, and that means conserving energy and knowing when to attack and when to hold back. We've been learning a lot about that in the first few weeks, and I know our boys can win if we all pull together."

And pull together we did, though they had a lot more to contend with than just the local humidity. Farf football fans and hooligans were in mass attendance as the Potato Fielders stepped onto the field at La Fantas to a riotous fireworks display from the locals. The deafening display set several small fires and causing a trample of people from the southeastern corner of the field, which killed seven Farfs and one Bythian fan and injured a dozen more. Amid the ensuing chaos, play was instructed to resume, and both the Potato Fielders and Bythia began playing one of the strangest matches I have ever seen played. Both teams appeared halfway focused on the chaos in the stands, with fireworks, blaring horns, and a rowdy group of Farfs in different colors apparently scrapping with each-other and anyone else unlucky enough to be seated nearby. Play was a gradual back-and-forth, with neither side seeming comfortable enough to truly focus. Several times throughout the match, play was halted due to the chaos in the stands: First when emergency services arrived in minute '27 to attend to the fire in the southern quarter of the stadium, and twice more in minute '51 and '70 when rowdy fans spilled onto the field.

Ultimately, victory came down to a brief window at the end of the match, when midfielders #6 Green and #7 Millet mounted a strong passing attack on the left side of the field. Millet's shot was just a hair off, bouncing off of the upright, but #19 Zhang was there to charge the rebounding ball and knock it in ahead of the Bythian goalkeeper's gloves, setting the score 1-0 in minute '88.

[Bull Sheet]

Bull Sheet 4 - 3 Draftcubic
Miller 23', 31', Rabin 71', 79' | ??? 5', 56', 84'

A song from the Bull Sheet supporters' (?) section:

"We are horrible
Our opponents somehow
so far have been more so
We'll play Seeberg next
We'll play a good team next
May we not lose next
Psych we'll lose we're horrible"

---

Fans of the Bull Sheet National Team

There aren't many fans of Bull Sheet in international football, considering its existence is questionable at best, and it is not a member of the International Convention on the Laws of Physics, making it a pariah state. With that said, here are some of them.

the concept of pizzazz
Having tried out for the team and narrowly lost out on the non-corporeal spot to the ghost of Ayn Rand, pizzazz took it far better than Rand ever would have. Claiming to have started most of the chants coming from the sections reserved for supporters of the zero-time world champion Bulls, it has also had a marked effect on the spontaneous musical numbers done by the local ponies, with an element of EDM having been added to many recently. They are in talks with Bards of the Mountains to be incorporated as a gameplay aspect in the next edition of Trials and Trolls, but they've told us exclusively that those talks are still at a very early stage.

a vampiric seven-dimensional knot named frederick
Call him "Fred" and you will have all the blood sucked out of you within eight seconds. One of the more hooliganesque and the most intellectual fan mentioned at the same time, able to elegantly explain why this world is the only one habitable to him now that he's been exiled from his home universe for chronic vampirism. If you want to waste a few hours, you can ask him about his foray into a world he calls 'Planeland' which was almost immediately life-threatening to him, but from what he saw of it it was highly hierarchical and segregated - not his vibe at all. At football matches you can find him cheating at cards, squeezing the life out of refs that make bad decisions, and various other shenanigans ranging from funny to pure evil.

a shadowy figure who bears a striking resemblance to a famous paradystopian penguin
Only a few know what he means by his repeated utterances of "Khwaark", but those who do say he's a great conversationalist. Apparently he's rather good at football himself, and also chess, but nobody's seen him play either. Disappearing for weeks at a time, there have been plenty of theories as to what his real identity is, but currently the leading prediction is that he's the elusive captain of the MIR-Aleirave ferry. At one point in Cloudsdale, he somehow managed to melt into a cloud, turning the weather rather stormy, and allowing him to slip across the city undetected. Truly, we will never know much about this mysterious man, but he must surely be very handsome.

the god of disposable plastic straws
Not many teams can claim to have a god as one of their supporters. Granted, most gods have some sort of relevant or useful power, BUT STILL. Able to generate a disposable plastic straw every five minutes, his abilities have been described as 'moderately amusing at best' and 'more useless than ko-oren's attack'. When he does show up to Bulls matches, he often takes the form of a bald writer who speaks in a strange accent and develops browser games to promote his books. The environment has filed a restraining order against him, but considering he's the Judge of the Heavenly Court, it probably won't be very effective.

[Equestrian States]

Round of 32, Equestrian Section Cutoff

The tournament field continues to shrink and you're still here. Scores incoming.

Optional Ro32 RP Prompt: As the stakes continue to grow with each round, there are more than a few national heroes who will likely emerge. Who has your team turned to? Is it a player, a coach, a particularly devoted fan, or someone else entirely? How have they inspired or achieved greatness? What has their personal journey been like to get to the Baptism of Fire?

---

BAPTISM OF FIRE 87
Farfadillis | Banija | Equestria

Round of 32 Results, Equestrian Section

Match R32-12
Soviet Kem 1–0 Andso Mangis
at Diamond Park in Stalliongrad, Equestria

Match R32-13
Bull Sheet 0–2 Seeberg
at the Stadium of the Night in Hollow Shades, Equestria

Match R32-14
Solarampa 0–0 Biyambi
(0–0 AET) (2–3 pen.)
at The Thunderdome in Storm City, Equestria

Match R32-15
Merulla 1–0 Narovi
at Elements Stadium in Ponyville, Equestria

Match R32-16
Khaelu 1–1 Choppyhausen
(1–3 AET)
at Sky-High Coliseum in Cloudsdale, Equestria

---

Round of 16 Fixtures

Match R16-6
R32-11 Winner vs. Soviet Kem
at The Crownlands in Manehattan, Equestria

Match R16-7
Seeberg vs. Biyambi
at Wild Grounds in Everfree, Equestria

Match R16-8
Merulla vs. Choppyhausen
at Grand Regal Stadium in Canterlot, Equestria

[Banija]

Time for the fifth cutoff of Baptism of Fire 87

RP Prompt for the Ro16: Your players are getting increased attention as the tournamet progresses on. Have any specific players used this tournament to vault themselves into stardom- and if not, are there star breakout candidates? Who is the most popular member of your team?

We are one!

Round of 32 Matchups- Banija

Match R32-1
Snestar vs. Saint Lazarus
at Istria Olympic Stadium in Istria, Banija

Match R32-2
Atymnius vs. Colmaijo
at Star Field in Herzegovina City, Banija

Match R32-3
Hanalia vs. Coercia
at the Stadium of the Restoration in Busukuma, Banija

Match R32-4
Bonusia vs. Europeasia
at Hangaza Unified Stadium in Aissa, Banija

Match R32-5
Sector 18 vs. Bhumi Matawis Empire
at Mavuto Field in Hoima, Banija

Match R32-6
Pichvi vs. Montagne Noire
at Albert III Memorial Stadium in Dodoma, Banija

---

Round of 32
Snestar 3–0 Saint Lazarus
Atymnius 7–3 Colmaijo
Hanalia 4–2 Coercia
Bonusia 7–2 Europeasia
Sector 18 0–2 Bhumi Matawis Empire
Pichvi 1–3 Montagne Noire

---

Round of 16 Schedule

Match R16-1
Snestar vs. Atymnius
at BCEL Stadium in Jinja City, Banija

Match R16-2
Hanalia vs. Bonusia
at Keystone Stadium in Sisonke, Banija

Match R16-3. OOC Note: This match will take place in Farfadillis, and therefore, be scorinated by Farfadillis.
Bhumi Matawis Empire vs. Montagne Noire
at Stadium TBD in City TBD, Farfadillis

[Soviet Kem]

---

Soviet Kem 1-0 Andso Mangis

A well fought match between the two sides, but Soviet Kem came out on top. The fans were all in full song, even well before the match, the game began with Andso Mangis having kickoff. Flaimc Drop quickly blitzed the Soviet Kemrainan defense, but having knowledge from the previous match were this same thing happened, Gendv Jent prevented the opener to Drop. After forty-eight minutes Soviet Kem got a crucial corner kick after a defeated attack. Conoon Gente scored with a magnificent header off the corner.

[Farfadillis]

Optional RP Prompt: How respectful of referees are the people in your nation? Are they viewed as a vital part of the game, without which we could just not play it with any stakes or are they maybe viewed as worse than subhuman, undeserving of even a modicum of empathy? Somewhere in between? Farves definitely tend towards the latter end of the spectrum, in case you'd like to RP your citizen's concern/shock/enthusiastic agreement with their attitude towards referees.

Host Announcement: I am stupid and cannot count to three. I went to sleep somewhat early by my standards, in the process forgetting entirely that yesterday was cut-off day. Sorry.

---

BAPTISM OF FIRE 87
Farfadillis | Banija | Equestria

Round of 32 Results, Farf Section

Match R32-7
Konstantino 5–0 AJTON

Match R32-8
Shin-Zetsubo 4–0 Tristan de Cunha

Match R32-9
Super Earth 2–0 Dixie Florida

Match R32-10
New-Addlebrand 3–2 Manuelian Empire

Match R32-11
Riandera 1–0 Cardonia

---

Round of 16 Fixtures
Match R16-4
Bhumi Matawis Empire vs. Montagne Noire
somewhere, probably, Farfadillis

Match R16-5
Konstantino vs. Shin-Zetsubo
somewhere, probably, Farfadillis

Match R16-6
Super Earth vs. New-Addlebrand
somewhere, probably, Farfadillis

Match R16-7 (OOC: to be scorinated by Equestria)
Riandera vs. Soviet Kem
at The Crownlands in Manehattan, Equestria