World Cup 100 | RP thread

by **Squornshelan Remnant States** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 3:36 pm

New Atlantis
Chapter 2

Directed energy systems were held by many to be a vital step forward for the Squornshelan military, particularly with regard to defensive weaponry for the Navy's ships. Point defense chain guns were, after all, a modernized version of a centuries-old piece of technology, and anti-air missiles, while they had grown more and more advanced and effective, were vulnerable to guidance jamming, and each unit expended represented a huge financial investment. Directed energy was well, just energy. Provided a large enough power source and a reliably built projection system, there was really no limit to the number of targets a single system could engage, so long as they were within line of sight. The option for multiple focal lenses and the added bonus that the "projectile" travels at the speed of light since it is, literally, light make such a system that much more flexible in theory.

In theory, of course, because no one's figured out how to actually build one that will actually be useful at the scale and ranges the military would actually find useful. This reality had slowly become plain to President Kraft across the opening 20 minutes of his defense briefing, and to say that the mood had become contentious would be a distinct understatement.

"Ok, let me be sure I understand this, what kind of laser did you call it again?"

"A free electron laser, Mr. President."

"Ok, so you're using a particle accelerator to move particles at almost the speed of light and then force them through a series of magnetic fields to create high-energy light which can be focused into a coherent beam."

"Correct in essence, sir."

Kraft turned to General Bjorn Kryuchkov, Chief of the General Staff and the highest-ranking member of the Squornshelan military. "You hear that, General, I'm correct in essence. Inform the press." "Trouble is, as I understand, is that the diameter of a particle accelerator is measured in kilometers, and last I checked the military was a bit short on vehicles around that size. I'm sorry, but this is just a non starter until you find a way to build a particle accelerator that fits into a battlecruiser turret."

"Now, you have something a bit more compact for me, a solid state drive laser was it?"

"Solid-slab target medium, actually Mr. President."

"Of course, how could I forget. So you shoot this solid slab with a regular old laser and it explodes?"

"No, but there is a phase shift to a plasma, which is then excited by a second laser pulse."

"I always get excited when someone pulses a laser at me."

"This all happens within fractions of a second of course . . ."

"Of course."

"The excited plasma then emits high-energy X-rays which are focused into a coherent beam against a chosen target using electromagnets, the only problems are . . ."

"Ah yes, here we go, the problems."

"First, X-Rays are incredibly difficult to focus. You can't use a traditional lens because they just pass through it unaffected, an while you can work around that, the upshot is that you essentially have to aim the entire system at the target. We can't make radar-style phased arrays precise enough for use with X-rays. The other issue is waste heat. This process creates a ton of heat, and there are limits to how quickly the system can be cooled. So if you fire too quickly, the system ends up melting itself."

"I see, so this system which is supposed to be more flexible and faster than our more traditional options is in fact slower, more expensive and more complicated."

"Mr. President," Minister of Defense Akhila Bendere broke in, her voice carefully even, "I'd like to remind you these are all projects at very early stages, and only those that show genuine potential will end up winning contracts. Until the time for that decision comes, however, the military feels it's important to cast a wide net."

Kryuchkov nodded. "None of these systems are close to application-ready at this stage, and ordinarily, sir, I wouldn't waste your time with briefings on systems that may never see the light of day. But even those that aren't selected for military development can have valuable scientific and civilian uses, and the development process contributes to the greater sum of our knowledge."

"Very valid and well-rehearsed points I'm sure."

Kryuchkov continued, avoiding any reaction to the president's increasingly petulant tone. "Our main development focus now is extending the effective range of longer wavelength units. It's a much shorter leap since the basis for these systems is essentially just our most powerful radar emitter. We can't blow holes in things with these, but we can fry a missile's guidance system."

"Very useful I'm sure, but if I'm going to sell the public on giving you a stack of money for these projects, I'm going to need something a lot sexier than an amped up microwave."

"Hence today's briefing on the X-ray projects. As you've seen, none of them is particularly close to an application."

"This may be a stupid question, but there's not something else we can work on given the difficulties with the X-ray systems? Gamma rays maybe?"

"Even worse, I'm afraid. Trying to produce gamma rays reliably faces all the same problems as X-rays; we would be essentially using the same mechanisms. On top of that, you have all new problems, given the increased difficulty in containing and directing gamma radiation, and the increased risk of exposure to the user. High-dose exposure to X-rays might give you cancer later in life. High dose exposure to gamma rays will just kill you. The higher energy radiation we try to work with, the more effective the weapon becomes in theory, but by the same token that higher energy makes it more difficult and dangerous to develop and operate such a system."

"All right, all right. You're killing my science fiction dreams but I guess I have no choice but to accept that we're not going to trot out a shiny new laser-armed cruise during my administration. What can you give me?"

"Well, we have a new prototype coilgun that could be ready for a public test soon. It's designed to exceed the range and muzzle energy of our current units by 50%. They haven't tried a full power test yet, but the system is designed for a muzzle velocity of around 3500 meters per second. Even if we don't hit that, I can promise it will be very, very loud. It should impress. The only downside is that nothing we have in the fleet currently can handle the shockwave caused by firing a 10 kg hunk of metal at mach 10. Over time the ship would literally shake itself apart, but we can keep quiet about that for the time being."

"Best we do, let's go ahead and get some media invitations lined up, and let the techies know I'd appreciate if they didn't fuck up with the whole country watching."

Schedule and Results:

FRND SRS 6–2 SGD @ Olympiastad, (cap. 47,550), Arkintoofle, Megabrantis, SRS
FRND MIR 3–3 SRS @ Xuesen Stadium, (cap. 2,640) Aeolis Base, MIR
FRND SRS 2–1 OAM @ Overburg Arena, (cap. 46,222), Damogran, Algolia, SRS
FRND EDS 2–3 SRS @ Touve Suberarenae, (100,870), Touve, Austrankank, EDS

MD01 BJL 2–1 SRS @ TBA
MD02    BYE
MD03 SRS 4–1 ANK @ Pheldagriff Stadium, (cap. 45,620), Yassaca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD04 BAT 0–4 SRS @ TBA
MD05 SRS 6–1 ALS @ Vogsphere Arena, (cap. 90,000), Vogsphere, Isle of Squornshelous, SRS
MD06 FRN 0–5 SRS @ TBA
MD07 SRS  v  UAD @ Slavnareczpospolitastadion, (cap. 61,230), Lublova, Molvania, SRS
MD08 DHE  v  SRS @ Brigantine Park, (cap. 54,387), Columbus, DHE
MD09 SRS  v  MII @ Sunergy Field, (cap. 37,550), Hunian, Algolia, SRS
MD10 SRS  v  BJL @ Emerald Coast Coliseum, (cap. 38,500), Vassilian, Algolia, SRS
MD11    BYE
MD12 ANK  v  SRS @ TBA
MD13 SRS  v  BAT @ Estflanarena, (cap. 31,200), Zarss, East Flania, SRS
MD14 ALS  v  SRS @ TBA
MD15 SRS  v  FRN @ Killough Grove, (cap. 31,400), Han Wavel, Han Dold, SRS
MD16 UAD  v  SRS @ TBA
MD17 SRS  v  DHE @ Raftel Park, (cap. 59,870), Chalesm, Megabrantis, SRS
MD18 MII  v  SRS @ TBA

by **Soviet Kem** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 3:48 pm

By: Stev Burlam

Group 14
Match Day 7:
Soviet Kem (200) v Reçueçn (37)
Match Day 8:
The North Polish Union (136) v Soviet Kem (200)

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

GK 6 Zoinski
CB 58 Kenidky
LCB 19 Gente
RCB 17 Jent
LDM 50 Mosjow
RDM 52 Wnetia
LCM 10 Putanik (Captain)
RCM 56 Genish II
SS 29 Gligimesh
LST 23 Nort
RST 20 Fengski

Ahead of matchdays 7 & 8 Ken Stavisk mentioned in a pre-game conference, "These will be some grave challenges that we have ahead, I know that we have to pull off the upsets in order to even have a chance at qualifying for this World Cup. I am also aware of the anger of one of the most prominent Soviet Kemrainan sports journalists, Bahav Xakin, and I know that if I fail to qualify, I am most likely going to be sacked. So we will pull off these two upsets, but we have to work for it."

With this statement by Ken Stravisk I am expecting us to either be completely killed out come out with small victories in these two matches, but anything can happen. We currently sit 5th in our group, still, just about where we are ranked, so if we don’t start pulling off upsets against teams like Banija, Reçueçn, and The North Polish Union, among the other highly ranked teams in our group. We have to advance to the knockouts. We must qualify in order to show the Soviet Kem is a new powerhouse in the multiverse.

by **TJUN-ia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 3:56 pm

Hello, and welcome back to our coverage of World Cup 100! Last you checked in, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia had recovered themselves from a shock MD2 defeat by shutting out the next two opponents on the schedule by a combined 6-0 scoreline...which, for those just joining us this cycle, is pretty good. Heading into our first bye of the camapign, David Seems and Li Xiu Ying could enjoy a moment of reflection ahead of the long road that is to come. 9 points from a possible 12 is still a good start, but they knew that teams around them in Group 20 would be hungry to trip them up again and that this TJUN-ian side had to be vigilant in their overall play if we wanted to finish Top 2 in this group. By the time of the next bye, we will have only 4 games to go. Where will we stand when that marker comes around?

And so, our Game 5 was on MD6 - and in terms of spooky season, this was certainly a fright. Ke Kahua Pāʻani o Pua Aloalo in Kepu Manu was next to play host to the national team as BoF side Behh came to town with two wins on the board and looking for an unlikely third. No one was really expecting a close game in the UO, just another opportunity to keep up the pace and prepare for the biggest games thus far, but Behh had other ideas and certainly woke us the fuck up. They managed to get on the board in the 8th minute, and while Dakota Monroe got one back in the 16th, Behh regained their lead in the 43rd and would take that lead into the changing rooms to the stunned silence of the crowd. Things were not going well; that is something we have to admit, but seasons are not defined in halves, only full games, and the second half was more of the TJUN-ia we expected to see. Things were clicking more, we were getting more of the ball, and we were putting in enough pressure that the comeback seemed inevitable. Diana Sharafutdinov scored the equaliser, Tupu Hau Tapine headed home the winner in the 78th, and that was that. 3-2. Not the easiest game in the world, but a win all the same.

Group 20 has become a 3-way fight and in the next window, we face both of those Top 3 teams in the next window - Choppyhausen on the road, Valentine Z in the big one in TJUN-ia City. A very important window lies ahead, with any result against both teams a must if we want to reclaim top spot of this group.
GAME ON!
GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group 20)
(Stadium Guide can be found here)
MD1: vs New Arbuckle (381) - Estádio do Pacífico, Rio Pacífico W 3-0
MD2: @Surne (283) L 1-3
-------------------------------------------------------
MD3: vs Colmaijo (249) - Estadio Universidad Carlandas, Carlandas W 4-0
MD4: @Sangti and the Filindo Isles (87) - Nuevo Estadio Nacional, Nuevo San Marco W 2-0
-------------------------------------------------------
MD5: BYE
MD6: vs Behh (336) - Ke Kahua Pāʻani o Pua Aloalo, Kepu Manu W 3-2
-------------------------------------------------------
MD7: @Choppyhausen (142)
MD8: vs Valentine Z (49) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City
-------------------------------------------------------
MD9: @Lignuntia (UR)
MD10: @New Arbuckle (381)
-------------------------------------------------------
MD11: vs Surne (283) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
MD12: @Colmaijo (249)
-------------------------------------------------------
MD13: vs Sangti and the Filindo Isles (87) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
MD14: BYE
-------------------------------------------------------
MD15: @Behh (336)
MD16: vs Choppyhausen (142) - Stade de la Victoire, Roi Ville
-------------------------------------------------------
MD17: @Valentine Z (49) - Kyarpan Stadium, Mandalay
MD18: vs Lignuntia (UR) - Zebra Stadium, Toropo/Almadinat

by **Carpathia and Ruthenia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 3:58 pm

Carpathia and Ruthenia shows Ko-oren how it's done

Carpathia and Ruthenia – 1 (1)
Antonini, Verona, Naldi, Alinari, Kövér, Lecce, Brunetti, Vinci, Bassi (22'), Crocetti, Pék

Qusmo – 0 (0)

I'm sure some sect of some religion out there is sounding the alarm bells of Armageddon with a prophecy of Ko-oren becoming a team that wins 5-0 instead of the Ko-oren ideal of a 1-0 victory. So in the interests of stopping Armageddon (and not just because we are sore from the 5-0 drubbing they gave for us) we decided to lead by example for Ko-oren and hit the ideal 1-0. As for it being an ideal scoreline, that's certainly only for Ko-orenites and certainly not for the blood pressure of Carpo-Ruthenians. Although in this high pressure match we managed to strike relatively early with a beautifully curved shot from Bassi, this didn't seem to relieve the pressure value one bit. A hard fought end-to-end match with equally nervy performances from both Qusmo and Carpathia and Ruthenia, stellar performances from both Antonini and Kepex-Cheng were the difference between the pendulum swinging either way. In the dying moments of the match Qusmo did have hearts in their throats winning a corner in what would be the final play of the match, with even goalie Kepex-Cheng heading up. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium as the ball sailed into the box, and a relieved roar came up when it was harmlessly headed over the goal. With that we placed ourselves squarely in the driving seat for the playoff spot, except as things stand Qusmo aren't the ones on our tail but little known Canamn.

By Margita Ongaro
CBC Ruthenia

by **Anewkansas** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:06 pm

“... and that’s when the dog threw up all over the carpet.”

Trevor Augustus made an attempt to nod smilingly, but grew increasingly infuriated with the story Dom Merrick was sharing. A couple of minutes earlier, he and Harvey McIntyre had knocked on the door of his hotel room like two schoolboys trying to get out of the naughty bench. After exchanging some casual openings, Augustus had asked them how they were, the obligatory smalltalk before coming down to business. The national manager had hoped for a “good, how are you” from Merrick, not for a convoluted three-part saga (including sideplots and characters with complete backgrounds) about his relational difficulties. Picking Merrick for the ribbon had seemed like a relative no-brainer: the veteran central defender was a rock on the pitch and kept a good relationship with referees and teammates alike. What he was not, however, was to the point. Luckily, that was made up for by his vice-captain. McIntyre was a stickler for the rules and his insistence to explain them to the man with the whistle had given him more than one yellow card in his career. But he still had a bit more common sense for the situation.

“Anyway, Dom, that wasn’t why we wanted to talk with you, coach.”
“I expected so,” Trevor could not contain himself.
“We need to talk about Jouko.”

As if Trevor did not know about the sword of Damocles swinging over the selection. The news had hit the town three days before the confrontation with the Batavia. The headlines themselves missed any nuance. Brother of national goalkeeper to be exiled after attempted murder sounded better than any attempt at detail and perspective. There were a few who shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Antti P.’s attack on a Seamus Wilson, but they didn’t have the distribution as those who unearthed that P. had been involved in an earlier incident. In theory, scratching someone’s yellow permit was something most Anewkansan residents were not too bothered about: it probably happened but they did not care to read about it over morning tea.

But by the time the kick-off came against the Batavia, it had not only hit the front pages but also pivoted to the political talking point of the day. The more compassionate voices were drowned out by those using it as a symbol for the rampant rise of permitted-related violence against the ‘hardworking Anewkansan’. The whole experiment of bringing in migrant working groups got under fire but from a general viewpoint, that was in the background. Jouko Pesonen, national goalkeeper, wisely steered clear of talking with the press before the game. Or after, in a match in which he, a consistent and competent goalie, twice mistimed stepping out leading to conceding two goals. The Red Turtles won, but Pesonen was (correctly) given low marks.

“What about Jouko?” Trevor placed the ball back in his camp.
“It’s just that. Well, the thing is, for Jouko, it’s hard at the time. And, you know.”
“What Dom tries to question is whether Jouko should play at Alanis Star.”

At least McIntyre dared to point to the elephant in the room. Against the Batavia, an efficient game from the striking partnership had ensured a 4-2 triumph. Whether that would suffice against the more experienced Alanis Star was an open question. The gentle giants of the sport were not known for their technical skill but any formation with six strikers and air superiority could put the pressure on the goal.

“Why?”

Trevor knew their answer and wanted to hear it from their mouth.

“It’s not because he’s a permitted.”

Dom wanted to underline that, but the national manager knew they looked past his (lack of) passport. He had noticed from the first day onward that while press and pundits made a point of his background, the team saw Pesonen as one of the lads.

“Of course, but you came to me with a reason.”
“It’s not against Jouko, but for him,” Harvey tried to explain, “the guy is clearly suffering from all the attention. I mean, it’s hard enough on him with his brother getting his permit ripped and now everyone is on his back. As if he has some responsibility in all this.”
“You think Jouko feels he has?”

The duo thought for a second before Dom Merrick replied.

“It’s his kid brother, coach. Of course he does. Having your own future on the line is one thing, knowing you failed him…”
“Did Jouko fail him?”
“He couldn’t save him, so he will feel so. It doesn’t matter if that’s the truth. The truth never matters in those sorts of things. His truth does.”

The statement has been surprisingly philosophical for the staunch midfielder of Officers Club.

“Okay, I get that. So you think benching him is best for Jouko.”

They looked at each other.

“The press had been scathing. We know how crucial he was to win the Cup of Harmony but it seems as if everyone else has forgotten. Before the Batavia, some people wanted to excuse his brother for Jouko’s contribution to the team. One more game like this and they want Jouko on the same plane. If he makes a mistake, it will not only get Jouko in trouble but maybe his brother as well. We don’t want-”
“You think he will make mistakes?”
“He rarely makes them but…”
“But?”
“He’s not himself, coach. He’s not fit to play.”

Trevor rose, trying to buy time to get all his thoughts in the right order. He could see how the two were making their case from the right place of their hearts but it still wrung with his personal beliefs.

“How did the crowd react?”
“What crowd?”
“The audience at St Julie’s Den against the Batavia.”
“They boo’d and hissed. It wasn’t good for the home support.”

Bit by bit, things were falling into place inside Trevor's head.

“Before or after the goal?”
“Both, I think.”
“A few months ago,” Trevor explained his question, “he was a national hero. Now, a part of our audience treats him like thrash. Not for something he has done but for who he is. Imagine that.”

Merrick and McIntyre kept their silence, trying to figure out where Augustus was going with this one.

“What I’m saying is that things are unraveling for him. We knew it would happen right? If a permitted does a heroic thing, he’s Anewkansan. But if he fails… He’s a permitted. And for quite a bit of our audience, that means he’s nothing. I know this selection stood up for his right to be Anewkansan as he helped the team to win the trophy. And now…”

For this, Trevor looked Harvey and Dom in the eye, ending the discussion.

“I need you guys to stand up for his right to be Anewkansan when things go wrong. He’s our starting goalkeeper and will be. And with the support of the team, he will perform.”

**

“It’s everyone’s nightmare, a penalty against in minute 87. Why do they always have to let these things happen so late in the game? Iannaccone walks up, ball in hands. Across from him, Pesonen. Should he still be our number one, our Anewkansan number one after… I don’t know people, but I do know that Alanis Star prepare for a great chance to win a point after all. The run-up… Keeps it low, ow! PESONEN! HE DOES IT! HE WINS A POINT FOR ANEWKANSAS! And look at the rest of the team, burying him under congratulations as Pesonen tries to organize them for the corner kick.”

by **Aleirave** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:07 pm

The Story from Home
Sarzonia 1-3 Aleirave

All of this chatter about what's going on in the Kia'u Islands does make one have to wonder: how is society functioning back home? After all, the Governor of the island has mysteriously disappeared to Ta'anehupa-knows-where, so what happened on the island while she — and Haulafo, still a vital member of the Island Council — were gone?

Well, thankfully, Malako Eterena was still around and vaguely knew that Governor Olayeva was "on vacation". There were provisions for what should happen in the event of a dead or disappearing Governor, and one of those provisions was that the Island Council should select a replacement. With Malako being the Vice-Governor, it was all but a rubber stamp... right?

Well, not so simple. A majority of the members of the Island Council still needed to approve making him Acting Governor, and with Haulafo gone, his non-vote was effectively the same as an abstention. Such was the nature of Aleiravan quorum laws — they didn't really exist in the usual sense. Since Haulafo, someone who would've gone ahead with making Malako the Acting Governor, was nowhere to be seen, an extra vote needed to be scrounged up to make it happen... and one was not coming.

Malako still suffered the problem of lack of trust. While Katya may have trusted him with all her heart and he never did anything wrong in his position, getting someone like Nikita Sarliev to slap a vote down in favor of Malako would be a tough ask, and not one that seemed likely at the moment. Instead, the Council remained fully deadlocked, two votes in favor of Malako, two votes blocking him. The government of Aleirave was effectively shut down.

The good news is that, again, there was some form of protocol for this! The Governorship effectively replaced the traditional title of the Petakiko, which meant that the island could return to the traditions regarding that post. If the title of Petakiko, either pre- or post-democratic, ever found itself vacant, the Petake would take over the roles and duties until such a time as the Petakiko could be replaced. All that they needed to do was call the Petake and he could restore order to the island for the next little while... say, where the heck was he now?

riing! riing!
"Hello?" King William responded from the stands of the Eshialand-Montagne Noire qualifiers match.
"Hey, it's Malako Eterena, the Vice-Governor of Aleirave... I have a few things I need to discuss..."
"Can it wait a little bit, I'm watching the most absurd football match of my life! Are you seeing this, the Owls are playing mindless football and it's actually working!"
"I would prefer it if it didn't wait, it's sort of an emergency? Gullsnest down."

Gullsnest down was an important phrase in the machinery of Aleiravan government. The gullsnest — or crowsnest, to mainlanders — was where the scout looked for new land or ships coming over the horizon. As much as the Governor was the captain on the S.S. Aleirave, they were also like the scout, there to point out new opportunities and dangers, and guide the island through them all. Gullsnest down, thus, was the code for "something very wrong has happened to the Governor and we need the Petake over here right away".

"Oh Margaret, what's the matter..."
"Katya Olayeva went on a... 'vacation', as she put it, with Haulafo Paka'ula..."
"...with Haulafo? Something definitely smells fishy about that but go on."
"What's left of the Island Council is dragging their feet when it comes to appointing me as the Acting Governor and I have no choice now but to call you in and have you deal with the job until those two come back from whatever they're up to."
"Why can't I just have Kenny Morgan call Haulafo or something?"
"Katya told me they were turning all their phones off, I wish it was that simple. Please, just head over here..."
"Fine, but you really need to get this Island Council issue sorted out... we can't just be having political crises in Aleirave every 3 years or whatever. There's no such thing as a good time for a government shutdown!"

by **The Osnari Federation** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:22 pm

Part 1 - The Man From Latbach

Part 2 - The Ranger
September 10th, 2027, was a normal day in the life of Teiningen Ranger Nils Griessen. He woke up early, made himself some coffee, and sat out on the porch of his small cabin watching the sun rise over the forest. Nils lived two hours from somewhere in the northeastern Teiningen, the most rural state in the Osnari Federation. The 40-something lived alone and often went days without seeing other people, which he considered one of the benefits of the job.

The job of a ranger in Teiningen was a fairly simple one. In the many areas of Teiningen lacking any sort of police presence, the job of law enforcement fell to rangers. It was a sleepy job, often derided as a retirement home and an easy life for former soldiers or police officers with a passion for nature and the willingness to stay so far away from civilization. The truth wasn’t far off. Nils spent most of his time on patrol bored nearly to death, his calls to action concerned much more often with rampant bears than criminals. Besides, any serious criminals were to be handled by state law enforcement. Nils didn’t have the resources to deal with much himself.

The seclusion of a ranger’s life, interestingly enough, had given rise to a number of thrillers and horror movies over the years in Osnari theaters, some better than others. Teiningen Wilds, a long-running crime drama series, had been a downright sensation in the Federation for over a decade. Nils watched it in his free time. He found it entertaining, but not particularly realistic to his job.

On September 10th, Nils was due to patrol through the southwestern corner of his range, somewhere he hadn’t been in a few weeks. The drive out was uneventful. Leaving soon after finishing his dawn ritual of coffee on the porch, Nils stopped by a small roadside diner, whose owner he had befriended during his five years on the job, for another cup of coffee before continuing the ninety-minute drive to his destination. His patrol for the day was fairly routine. He’d received a few reports of unusually high activity in the area overnight, something that was fairly common. Most of the time receiving these reports, Nils would arrive to a put-out fire in a clearing. Rarely, he’d arrive early enough to hand the culprits a ticket.

Fire, thankfully, was rarely an issue in the redwood-dominated forests of Teiningen. A while ago, the state government reached the understanding that massive wildfires did much more damage to the state than the tax dollars that might be put towards preventing them. So, somewhat surprisingly in a country so dedicated to small government, the state embarked on a policy of fire prevention that had been astonishingly effective. The last great wildfire in Teiningen had happened when Nils was but a child. The government remained serious about preventing wildfires, so rangers were supposed to stay on their toes about wildfire safety. In practice, there was little a ranger could do, most of the time, to prevent these bonfires, given the size of their patrol range.

Nils expected more of the same, but every time he was called to investigate this sort of report, he had some piece of anxiety. There were only so many reasons to be out in the woods at night, and few of them were legitimate. Nils wasn’t suicidal; he knew that in case of something serious, he was to call in the state and get the fuck out of dodge. He’d only had to do that twice in the past, both more than three years afo, spotting groups of armed men and managing to make it away unseen to make his report. Both times, it had turned out to be a smart business decision. The state had showed up, the first time finding drug remnants at the site and the second apprehending the group, who turned out to be drug runners.

However, on reaching the area of the reports, Nils saw very no sign of anything. Breathing a little more easily, with his anxiety slowly subsiding, Nils kept driving. It wasn’t long, though, before he came upon a metal gate barring access to a dirt side road, seemingly manned by two young men in standard-issue Osnari camouflage, rifles slung over their backs. The dirt bore clear marks of use by heavy machinery. Nils was even further relieved. A false alarm, clearly. He parked his small, clearly Ranger-painted car on the side of the road and stepped out, heading over to talk to the soldiers.

“Hey there guys,” said Nils. “I got a few reports of unusual activity in this area. You guys are Army?”

“Yeah,” answered the leftmost soldier, the taller of the two, in an accent Nils couldn’t quite place. “A secret training exercise, you understand.”

Such an exercise was uncommon this far north, but not unheard of. “Yes I do,” was the response from Nils. “Have a great rest of your day, guys.”

As Nils hopped backed in his car, headed back to the cabin, he dialed up the state office, just to be sure.

“Just checking in, I had a few reports last night about high activity in the southwest of my area. Upon investigation I reached a dirt road manned by Osnari soldiers. Can we just check to be sure that we have military in the area?”

“Sure thing. Let me put you on hold for a bit while I check with the right people.”

“Thank you.”

30 minutes later the answer came back.

“Nils, looks like we don’t have military in that area. We’re gonna need more information so we can put a report in.”

Silence.

“Nils?”

The Osnari Federation 5 - Jost Blum 8', Liam Homberger 21' 82', Werner Werren 48' 73'
Germanic Cat 3
Bruinswik 1
The Osnari Federation 2 - Raik Nagel 78', Gioele Schmid 90 + 2'

by **Langenia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:27 pm

Noticias: Deportes

Big Night for Oscar Overshadowed by Crushing Langenian Defeat

Los Azules would visit Kelssek for Match Day 5 of the World Cup qualifiers, a difficult fixture with their opponents being the 10th highest ranked team in competition. Langenia was already without central midfielders Alexis Jimenez and Rafael Semprun due to injuries suffered with their clubs, forcing manager Adrian Costa to start Julio Cesar and Wilmer Campos in their places. Langenian forward Oscar Galindo would put in a great performance by scoring a brace, however, his exploits would be overshadowed by a 6-2 blowout defeat inflicted by the home team. Oscar would score the opening goal in the 32nd minute off a breakaway caused by a fast-paced Langenian counterattack, outrunning the Kelssek defense to deftly toe the ball past goalkeeper Maxime Carrieri. Only three minutes later, however, Kelssek would equalize through a Langenian own goal. Rolando Cutter would put in a cross that Langenian defensive midfielder Cesar would toe into his own net through a poor clearance that evaded goalkeeper Jose Angel.

Kelssek would come out swinging at the start of the second half, aggressively pressing the Langenians out of possession and forcing Angel to make a string of quick saves as they probed the Langenian defense. Finally, the dam broke as Juan Muñoz conceded a 47th minute penalty that Lionel an Deòir would convert to allow the hosts to fully overturn the deficit. Kelssek would increase their lead to 3-1 in the 51st minute with a header from center-back Sandrine Lalande in which the Kelssek player won an aerial duel over Langenian defender Carlos Eduardo during a corner kick. Nonetheless, the Langenians would fight to keep themselves in the game, an underdog team seeking to pull off an upset against an elite opponent. Oscar, assisted by a clever pass from winger Samuel Esteban after a build-up play involving winger Raul Guzman and striker Ricardo Antonio, would score in the 62nd minute from close range to make the scoreline 3-2. Antonio, Guzman, and Esteban each would record shots on target, barely stopped from equalizing by Carrieri.

From here, things went completely wrong for Los Azules.

Center-back Miguel Alejandro, the main man in this Langenian defense, would be forced off with a 71st minute injury, and soon after an extremely rash tackle from Langenian defensive midfielder Cesar on Rémy Niemi would earn him a red card. With the Langenians reduced to 10 men, they were unable to regain attacking momentum to equalize the match, instead bottled up defending near their penalty area. Costa would sub off most of his attackers for more defenders to avoid conceding more goals, something analysts say amounted to a panic reaction that effectively ended any Langenian choice of equalizing the game. The shift in momentum was very clear as Kelssek became themselves again, breaking apart the Langenians with an 85th minute goal from Rolando Cutter on the receiving end of a Titan Pogbacar through ball. As the game reached the final stages, the Los Azules defensive collapse worsened, allowing Rémy Niemi to score a brace in stoppage time from a long-range screamer and a tap-in from close range. The final scoreline, 6-2, was a bitter defeat for a Langenian team that really had hope of pulling off an upset at times during the match.

Adrian Costa was quick to take responsibility. "I am so, so sorry to all Langenians who had to bear witness to this. We had our chances, we could have pulled off the upset despite missing important members of our starting lineup. And we blew it. Credit to Kelssek, they are one of the teams in this competition for a reason. They absolutely play and respond like a top team. Me personally, I regret nerfing our attacking momentum after Cesar's red card."

Criticism of Costa's tactics has deepened among Langenian media. His highly defensive style of play, already controversial in a country where attacking football is the norm, had already been question for being unentertaining and bland to domestic audiences. From a purely tactical standpoint, pundits criticized him for limiting Langenia's attack, its strength which had been so effective last cycle. Costa has hit back, saying that "my predecessor faced the same criticism, and for what? No matter what we do, we hear grumbling. It doesn't matter. We'll drown out the noise and focus on turning things around. Rebuilding Los Azules to one day contend will take time." Another talking point of the loss is that this confirms just how important Jimenez and Rafael are to the Langenian team. Without their starting midfield double pivot, Los Azules were unable to control the pace and tempo of the game, ceding possession to Kelssek all too often and being unable to counter-press.

However, the Langenian manager, in response to a question about his defensive tactics, promised a change. "For our next few games, I will experiment with something different. Our defense was great until now, and our style of play was designed clearly around stopping highly-ranked teams of Kelssek, which it didn't. Maybe it's time we unleashed the high-quality attack we had available to us more. Our work in the bye will focus on such changes." After a bye on Match Day 6, Los Azules play group leader Stewartika at home in the Diego Talaman Stadium in Aragon on Match Day 7, followed by the Afanc Straight away. Observers in Langenian sports media expect Stewartika to be a difficult fixture, given their dynamic, attacking football has exceeded expectations and lead them to the top of the group. Langenian fans attending the home game likely pray that the team can turn things around.

Upcoming Matches
Langenia vs Stewartika (home)
The Afanc Strait vs Langenia (away)

by **Farfadillis** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:38 pm

"Tuskoles, señor, tenemos noticias."

"Dígame, Lihuang. Espero no sean muy malas."

"Son... mixtas, senor. Intentamos establecer contacto con la nación de Karinthia, en el medio del desierto de Szoirsia, como nos pidió." Lihuang tragó un poco de saliva. "Costó ciento cincuenta."

"¿Vidas? ¿Al final es una tribu violenta?" Tuskoles preguntó, sorprendido.

"No, no, costó ciento cincuenta horas de preparación. El desierto no es changa. Pero bueno, logramos recorrerlo de arriba a abajo, escanearlo, esquivar los lugares de mayor radiación y..."

"Y..."

"Bueno, señor, perdimos treinta."

"... días buscándolos?"

"No, no, nos pusimos a indagar sobre la existencia de la tribu. Visitamos muchas bibliotecas, hablamos con gente de pueblo aledaños. Ya sabe lo peligroso que es visitar bibliotecas, con lo inflamables que son. Fallecieron treinta de los nuestros. Haciendo lo que amaban, pero no duele menos por eso. Su trabajo, sin embargo, fue vital."

"Cómo... bueno, está bien. Confío en que ya les enviaron flores a las familias."

"Sí, señor."

"Y que no enviaron matacuriosos."

"Probablemente, señor."

Tuskoles suspiró. "Bueno, pero entonces, cuáles son las noticias 'mixtas'?"

"No existen."

"¿Karinthia no existe?" Tuskoles preguntó, casi que al aire, no buscando una respuesta.

"Exactamente, señor." Afirmó Lihuang.

Tuskoles pausó por unos segundos. "Claro, no teníamos realmente avistamientos que no fueron por szoirsianos y tanazzanos. Y, pensándolo bien, tienen una mitología compartida que podría fácilmente dar lugar a una tribu mítica, distinta al resto de Farfadillis. Seguramente los mitos empezaron a surgir cuando empezamos a tener más contacto con pueblos de fuera de la isla. Usualmente se describe a los karinthianos como gente de piel negra, ¿no? Eso debe ser porque nuestro contacto inicialmente era principalmente con Banija."

"... sí, señor."

"Bueno, gracias, Lihuang. Esto es todo un descrubrimiento. No puedo creer que nos tomó más de cuarenta años. Y treinta vidas."

"Sabe, señor. me parece que si simplemente lo hubiésemos puesto a pensar al respecto nos podríamos haber ahorrado años y vidas."

"¿Qué querés decir, Lihuang?"

"Nada, señor, pero con todo respeto. Muchos de nosotros peleamos con escorpiones gigantes, esquivamos ranas cuyo veneno te manda literalmente al infierno, peleamos con tribus szoirsianas para evitar secuestro, dimos nuestras vidas en las bibliotecas... y usted después de pensarlo unos segundos llegó a exactamente las misma conclusiones, textualmente literalmente las misma, en cuestión de unos segundos."

Tuskoles sonrió. "Tranquilo, Lihuang, sin ustedes no hubiese podido deducir nada. No es lo mismo tener la respuesta frente a tus ojos que no tenerla. Su sacrificio es apreciado, y recibirán el bono apropiado de parte de Lithico™. En tu caso, seguramente amerites un ascenso."

"¿Ascenso? Más bien necesito un descanso."

"Bueno, pero no te lo puedo conceder ahora mismo. Te necesito en una investigación. Sobre el asesinato de Severino Gaesatae."

"Señor, con todo respeto, ¿yo qué tengo que ver?"

"Es una corazonada, Lihuang. Una muy peligrosa para vos, probablemente. Pero es la corazonada correcta."

"¿Cómo?"

"Si morís, me aseguraré de no enviar matacuriosos a tu familia."

by **Carpathia and Ruthenia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:40 pm

A sharp reminder not to count chickens

Shizuna Rem Misurugi – 2 (2)
Gensai (17'), Tsuneo (37')

Carpathia and Ruthenia – 2 (0)
Antonini, Verona, Naldi, Alinari, Kövér, Lecce (78'), Brunetti (90+6'), Vinci, Bassi, Crocetti, Pék

If last matchday should have carried a medical warning on blood pressure before entry, this match will probably be enough to get football added to the list of products that have to carry mandatory warning labels, with pictures of hearts damaged from rollercoaster matches. However perhaps if could get a sneak recording of these half time team talks Brelk-Xeral Erv is giving perhaps medical science could use it to inspire and improve outcomes, yet another match played with a completely disastrous first half with us completely outplayed by Shizuna Rem Misurugi who weren't sitting back, two goals down and not sign of the attacks stopping and a Carpo-Ruthenian defence seemingly having no response.

Second half though a completely different team came out to play, the same players on the field but a different team. The defence locked down tightly, the midfield starting to fluidly pass, but Shizuna Rem Misurugi weren't backing down, their defence managed to completely shut down our strikers. However this focus on our strikers did mean we were spending periods deep in their half, and they gave space to our midfield with Lecce striking from outside the box in the seventy-eighth minute. At least point Shizuna Rem Misurugi completely parked the bus, desperate to defend a possible three points and to their great credit they were able with the help of the post keep their one goal lead until in a cruel twist of fate Carpathia and Ruthenia were awarded a corner in the dying moments of the match, and unlike Qusmo, we were able to convert to snatch a draw with Brunetti rising tall in the post and thundering the ball down past the goalkeeper with her head.

Before the match we wouldn’t have been happy with a draw, however after that first half any fan would have bitten your hand off at the chance to bring any points home. Looking to the rest of the group Qusmo worked out some aggression with an 8-2 pummeling Indo-Athena and Canamn are still breathing down our necks eking out a 3-2 victory Oscioru to remain just 1 point behind us in the table.We find ourselves with a bye and a match against the remains of the Indo-Athena team. I won’t make any predictions given the warning I’ve given in the headline about tallying fowl.

By Margita Ongaro
CBC Ruthenia

by **Vdara** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:41 pm

Vdara’s strong campaign continued as they remained unbeaten and joint-top of the group, with matches against strong-starting underdogs Liberecky Krajland and Grod Island saw them take four points from a possible six. Despite this, manager Markos Moustakakos was still relatively scathing of the team’s performance, particularly the draw with Krajland…

big plane
somewhere in sky

Making use of Vdaran Airlines’ latest and greatest innovation - that being midflight wifi - Markos took his opportunity to step into the bathroom and converse with a mysterious caller over the messaging app ThatsCrap.

”I’m not happy, to be honest with you. Every point matters, every…”

The other caller cannot be made out.

”No, you don’t get to tell me whether I should be happy or not, that’s my decision! If I wanted someone to control my emotions, I’d have a chip implanted in my brain and hook it up to a permanent stream of pornographic material.”

The other caller’s words are, to our inferior ears, mere gibberish tones.

”Oh, now I’m being too graphic? Well, fuck you. You’re not the one who has to put on a brave face and say everything is hunky-dory, when you yourself are still demanding more and more. I mean, you’ve got to demand more - we’re one of the big teams, after all!”

More gibberish, but gibberish which causes Markos’ brow to furrow, and his face to redden.

”How can you say we’re not a big team just because we haven’t reached a quarter-final? Since when did that become the ultimate factor? Any team that I’m in charge of is a big team, and that is a mere fact of life. I picked this team up twenty-odd years ago, back when I had arms and legs that didn’t ache, and skin smoother than a West Vdaran’s brain. We’ve reached countless group stages and the odd knockout - do I regret it’s not more? Yes! Of course I do, we’ve had some fucking agonising moments over the years. But we bounced back.”

Gibberish. Gobbledegook. Try and work it out yourself.

”I know it’s been five cycles since we came back from our wee hiatus, and we’re progressing fine, okay? Trouble is, I keep wanting it to be better, and I keep harping on to these boys and girls that we need to be piling the pressure onto any team we play, hammering them with shots, all that stuff. And sometimes it feels like it’s not working. I’m not sure if I’m losing the dressing room - or perhaps my mind - but it’s really irking me. I’ve told them all that these next three games will be crucial if we want to stamp some authority down, but the more I look at them all the more I wonder if complacency is setting in.”

Muffled, nondescript noises of some kind.

”No, I’m not doing to do something like that. I couldn’t. This is the best set of players we’ve had for a while, and I’m not going to enact some Stalinist purge just to try and eke out a bit more energy and urgency from them. To be quite frank with you, I’ve gotten to the age where a lot of these feel like my own children.”

Noises.

”…no, I can’t call up my own children. Not even because I have a distaste for nepotism, I just don’t have any. My life’s sole commitments have been football and the wife, and she was never interested in kids in case it scuppered her modelling career. Even now, she goes onto all these daytime talk shows and speaks about how ‘oh, not having kids has changed my life, I feel thirty years younger!’ as if they don’t know how much she spends on serums and creams and procedures and the like. But hey, whatever keeps her happy. Now, where were we?”

The caller redirected his attention.

”Ah, yes, the squad. I mean, I could call up a couple more of the youngsters, but I don’t want to send the wrong message to the others. They need to know that I trust them to get the job done.”

Noises.

”No, it is NOT hypocritical to suggest that I both think some squad members are complacent, and that I think they are good enough to show more class in each game.”

The mysterious caller questions why.

”Because I know they can! I’ve looked each and every one of these players directly in the eye, I’ve screamed at them, cheered with them, I’ve done all-sorts. Yes, sometimes they let me down, and yes, sometimes I lose my temper at them. But at the end of the day, these are my players. Heck, these are the nation’s players. There’s kids at home with Alessia La Rosa shirts who want to see her put in a shift.”

The caller is silent for a few moments, before making a suggestion.

”Now we’re on the same page, my friend. I think if I implement what you’ve just said, and combine it with a harsher-“

The unmistakable noise of a fist pounding against the toilet door interrupted Markos’ conversation.

”Sir, are you going to take much longer? There are people waiting out here, you know.”

Markos’ boasting tone became a quiet whisper as he promptly ended the call.

”We’ll talk again soon. I must go.”

Putting his phone away, he swiftly washed his hands and exited the rather-cramped airplane toilet, the eyes of onlookers burning into the back of his head, their arms folded with discontent. Markos meekly apologised and made his way back to his seat, ready to try and bring something new to the table in order to spark something from his players.

by **Dhemixia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:54 pm

Prairie

Prairie is arguably the most important borough in the entire city, if not, only barely eclipsed by Dhemix.

The borough as a whole has a tumultuous history, to say the least. It begins just five years after Dhemix becomes what we recognize to be the beginnings of the city of Columbus. Almost simultaneously with the major growth of Riverside to the southeast, Prairie would be settled as a society looking to collectively flee the government's control. The man behind it, Alfred C. Kelly, would embark upon a turbulent journey across the river, at this point being a notorious fraudster who had conned hundreds out of their family fortunes. As soon as he knew the government was after him, he skipped town with probably the last 50 people in Dhemix who didn't know who he was and wanted to get away from the city.

Kelly, expecting 20 or so people to follow him, only had two rowboats secured to cross the river. The party ended up having to cram 25 people into each boat, greatly throwing off the intended weight balance of both vessels and making them extremely vulnerable to capsizing or worse. With the police closing in on the shore behind him, Kelly was forced to embark during a thunderstorm that ended up flooding parts of Riverside. The first boat somehow made it across to the south shore without disturbance, but Alfred, feeling the need to take over control of the second boat despite having absolutely zero experience captaining, crashed into a floating tree and capsized the boat.

His hubris would result in him being the only one actually thrown out of the boat, with the other 25 swiftly re-entering and continuing as normal. With both boats across the river and somehow Kelly still alive, hanging onto a door that was washed away from Riverside as it flooded, the fifty that successfully made it just decided to start building a town. It would take Kelly three days to get back, and somehow only an hour to get the townspeople to vote him as mayor. You can probably imagine how that generally went for them.

Regardless, Kelly is largely regarded as the borough's founder, criminal or not, and Prairie quickly became a refuge of sorts for fugitives, outdoorsmen, and people who just wanted to get away from the constant overreaching of the early Dhemixian government. That assumed role greatly aided it in growth, as the city would end up becoming more populous than Columbus itself just five years after being founded.

Over time, as more and more settlements started popping up outside of Dhemix, each by an increasingly scrappy, young upstart looking to make a name for himself, Prairie gradually lost its connotation as a harbor for criminals. The borough actually began experiencing a rapid reputation shift to being one of the better areas of Columbus, as when the time came for Dhemix placing location-based taxation upon the whole country, residents were at first hesitant to leave. In what could honestly be considered Kelly's only good idea that he ever had, he came up with a plan of just not moving back and instead incorporating the town into Columbus (it was technically a different city before this point).

As punishment for practically being the antithesis of the government for the longest time, the borough, disregarding its swift industrialization or population growth figures, was just never granted a university when the time came for the independent Universities of Columbus to be founded. It wasn't until much later that they were given one, and that lack of secondary education had the borough bleeding population when the younger generations continually came and went. After decades of begging the government, Prairie was finally awarded one, albeit begrudgingly. The school's name? The University of Columbus-Prairie.

For those in the audience who follow NSCF, you may know where this is going. UC-Prairie is practically the only thing the borough of Prairie has to root for, and that resulted in a committed fanbase ever since they were founded, that is, domestically. The Blue Jays of Columbus-Prairie are the best in the nation at college football, and they perennially compete at the international level. Entering their NSCF era, a man who would go on to be notorious for leading the Jays to absolutely zero success whatsoever and perpetually getting called frauds would be tapped to head coach. Emphasis on leading them to be frauds every single year.

His name?

Craig Kelly.

I'll let you put the pieces together.

by **Kimi-Suomi** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:59 pm

Kolme voittoa kolmesta. To say that the Huuhkajat of Kimi-Suomi had started well in the Satavuotisjuhlatanssi would be an understatement - three wins from three, 10-4 combined score, THE Lineal Unofficial World Champions and looking like a force to be reckoned with despite having never made the Jalkapallon Maailmanmestaruuskilpailut before. Esko Laaksonen and his Huuhkajat were clicking all the right notes and doing all the right things, but there was still a long way to go, and they had only played 3 games. Everyone knew that the toughest tests for this Huuhkajat side were still on the horizon, but right now, the fans were going to enjoy these good times while they still could...while hoping they kept rolling all the way to Länsi-Pavola.

An away trip to Suur-Portugaliza would kick off this window for us, and in this contest, all you need to know is that we looked comfortable all game and didn't really give a damn that the hosts scored twice. It was that kind of game that by the time the hosts scored their first, we were already four goals to the good - with Karl Leif Svonsson and Jason Jenner-Pokka acting as support for a charging Ebba Persson, who would end up with a hat-trick once all was said and done. The 6th goal? Scored by Jóhanna Norðberg, the youngest ever goalscorer in Huuhkajat history by a country mile. It was just that kind of game, one where the 6-2 scoreline seemed both excessive and justified at the same time. Neljä neljästä.

Then came what would end up being a historic day for football in Kimi-Suomi...not that one would assume that prior to kickoff. The Galaktien Colosseum in Lumikukkulat was hosting its first game of the cycle with Pot 4 Sel Appa in town for the occasion on a night for the lights to shine. What happened in this game would end up becoming a record-breaker in more ways than one...which could be explained if you look at the final score.
11-2. Eleven-Two. Yksitoista-Kaksi. Elva-Två. Ovcci-Guokte. Kimi-Suomi, a team that has never made the World Cup, put 11 past a team in an international. How this happened, how that scoreline ended up being produced, will inevitably go down in Suomen legend, and it was cerrtainly a wild ride. The halftime scoreline of "Kimi-Suomi 5-1 Sel Appa" was legendary enough, with Jason Jenner-Pokka grabbing a first-half hat-trick with Enni Pajari and Remu Jantunen also scoring, but that second half was just magical as well - with Pajari and Jantunen getting their 2nd goals each, Kaj Fazer getting a hat-trick off the bench and Kyllikki Möttölä heading home a corner late on to complete the night.

KIMI-SUOMI 11-2 SEL APPA
KIM - J. Jenner-Pokka (9', 19', 45+1'), E. Pajari (23', 54'), R. Jantunen (31', 48'), K. Fazer (62', 66', 78'), K. Möttölä (89')
SEL - #1 (33'), #2 (72')

Simply incredible. The most goals scored in Huuhkajat history, the biggest margin of victory in Huuhkajat history and, most impressively, a Scorigami. An 11-2 game had never happened in all of WCC history until this game. In fact, if the history books are correct, this might've been the very first time that a team holding ANY VERSION of the UWC belt committed the act of Scorigami. And it was Kimi-Suomi who did all of this.

To say the vibes are high for this team is an understatement. Five from five and a GD of +19 in those 5 games is simply incredible...but we still have a long way to go. Etelä-Kerala provides the next road test before the big one, the biggest game of our campaign thus far...Sarzoninen in Lumikukkulat. If we can get a result against the Stars then maybe, just maybe, we can all start to dream.

Ensimmäinen iso peli on jo horisontissa.
NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

SCHEDULE/AJOITTAA (Group 17)
MD1: vs Veleste (300) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki W 3-1
MD2: @Anonyymimuna [Anonymegg] (UR) W 2-1
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MD3: BYE
MD4: vs Bhumi Matawisin Imperiumi [Bhumi Matawis Empire] (208) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki W 5-2
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MD5: @Suur-Portugaliza [Greater Portugaliza] (381) W 6-2
MD6: vs Sel Appa (147) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat W 11-2
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD7: @Etelä-Kerala [South Kerala] (307)
MD8: vs Sarzoninen [Sarzonia] (36) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD9: @Aleirave (28) - Reko'uho Fekelu Stadium, New Alikonor
MD10: @Veleste (300)
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD11: vs Anonyymimuna [Anonymegg] (UR) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat
MD12: BYE
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD13: @Bhumi Matawisin Imperiumi [Bhumi Matawis Empire] (208) - Tanjung Kalapa Stadium, Labuanjaya
MD14: vs Suur-Portugaliza [Greater Portugaliza] (381) - Galaktien Colosseum (Colosseum of the Galaxies), Lumikukkulat
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD15: @Sel Appa (147)
MD16: vs Etelä-Kerala [South Kerala] (307) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD17: @Sarzoninen [Sarzonia] (36)
MD18: vs Aleirave (28) - The Nest [Pesä], Kimi Kaupunki

by **Saint Eleanor** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:03 pm

OOC: Episodes Ib and II drop on MD11/12!

Group of Six meeting (LXXXIV) --- SAINT ELEANOR 2-1 Pyazhnaya
Participants: Gentle Breeze, Reniira Clevinger, Stephen Mitcham ~ Lydia Vickers [C], Cathy Winchester [VC], Kichirō Matsuda [ballot]
Location: Geometrio's, Dignity Cross; Brightway district, Saint Eleanor city, EXT

LYDIA'S SUMMARY

First half: 1-0 [36m]
Second half: 1-1 [58m], 1-2 [75m]

Manager: Gentle Breeze did as she was expected - kept an eye out on our regulars, made a smattering of useful substitutions, and helped deliver us a result in what I am sure will be our toughest game so far. TWO CHEERS
Tactics: Our traditional, counter-attacking approach served us well, especially in the latter stages where we needed to "surprise on the upside" away to the second seeds, but it might have been too conservative for much of the second half. MORE COURAGE NEEDED AGAINST WOODSMERE

GK: Arielle Richardson was absolutely to blame for that first goal, but since I talked to Kirsti before the match and she doesn't exactly feel prepared to just start the next one off the bat, KEEP

LB: Cathy Winchester repeatedly had to be bailed out by yours truly, who was overextended, and Graham, who doesn't deserve it. She's getting a bit dog-eared and alternatives are available. DROP FOR FALCONER
CB: Lydia Vickers was pretty average today and probably genuinely needs some re-bedding in. Unlike Bridget Coombe, she would be totally fine with getting dropped. Everyone else disagrees, so KEEP
CB: Katy Wilson kept the defence afloat, which is saying a lot as she doesn't even do that for Indy, and was typically sharp, astute, and a little bit annoying. Were she here, she'd rip this page of my notepad up and write up her own report about how everyone was a solid 8.67/10. KEEP
RB: Rachel Curran could not be as annoying a bastard as she normally is, but relished the opportunity to stay in her lane and neutralise attacking threats for once. Mar Sara vs Occidental Olympic is going to be fun the next time it happens. KEEP

LM: Graham Lawson deserved to play more of a part, but didn't really help attacking matters with the fact that he kept getting pulled away on other business - had Cathy not misfired, he could have helped us win by two or even more. DROP FOR EMMERSON
CDM: Maria Morgan is far from Bridget Coombe v1.6, but did excellently - in my opinion, better than everyone else - especially when preventing the complete collapse of the team. KEEP
CDM: Kichirō Matsuda almost derailed Morgan's hard work and was typically lucky not to get booked, but he is about as good as we can get given that the centreback crisis has moved up one position. KEEP
CAM: Kavezalea Felaraneta was genuinely underwhelming and sometimes actively took away from the attack - a case could be made that my dad could have done better in his position, and he's a sixty-something civil servant. DROP FOR ALDRA
RM: Nacle Ohan was the undisputed king of the team today, running inside and outside the line, grabbing his goal and preventing us from looking absolutely horrendous. KEEP

ST: Olympia Woodward was, despite nominally being the lead striker, much more helpful as regards Ohan. She could well work similar magic next time. KEEP

-----

CDM (sub): Lydia Nicholls was okay, but - in common with a lot of the team today - a little bit pathetic and possibly a bit worse than Matsuda. I won't tell her that, though. NOT RETURNING
CAM (sub): Gisken Aldra deserved more than seven minutes to make an impression. From what I know of their club performances, they are a good player. I mean really good. STARTING
RM (sub): Lily Emmerson worked well with Aldra, as you would expect, but didn't exactly take all the opportunities she was offered. STARTING (despite the grievances)

-----

Hot: Wilson, Morgan, Ohan
Not: Richardson, Winchester, Felaraneta

4-2-3-1 with Falconer, Aldra and Emmerson in their expected positions, we were very wobbly and might need stabilisers next time

Goodbye to Love
Episode Ia

10:12pm - Tuesday 17th January 2017

Rebecca Bryant liked reading books - perhaps too much for her own good. She was reading this one soppy ice-hockey-themed romance novel from four years ago and kept asking herself two things: what the hell she was going to get for her birthday and why Saint Eleanor didn't have more sports than just cheerleading (which she loved) and football (which she was okay at, which isn't good enough in this country). Neither of which were related to the book, as she was rather enjoying it. I told you she liked reading too much.

She liked listening to Radio 3, at a push, when she was trying to get to sleep. This would happen later. For the time being, she was trying to listen to her parents having an argument, which she didn't normally listen to as she preferred to not have to listen to whatever nonsense they were dealing with. Something about who has to pay for the groceries and the restaurants, which wouldn't be a problem for her when she married and then her husband would do everything because it's the good, honourable, Christian thing to do if such a thing still exists in this country. Something about the car, too. She's not interested in driving. Not really. She then decided to no longer listen to Radio 3 later because she was going to get up, grab the earmuffs which did a good job at cancelling noise and a better job at keeping out the cold, and get back to reading her book from page... 224? How time flies.

Wow, this is interesting. I'll just keep reading for a few minutes and then go to bed and go to school wearing my normal blazer and tie and skirt and stockings and lace-ups and the earmuffs I'm currently wearing which are allowed by school uniform I'm pretty sure and definitely not a pair of tights because it's two degrees outside and I can be trusted to pick out my own outfit and it's going to be it's my eighteenth birthday and it's not going to rain-pronounced-snow tomorrow and

7:03am - Wednesday 18th January 2017

"Good morning... you don't normally make me breakfast?"

"This is an important breakfast. The most important breakfast you've ever had."

"Because it's my first breakfast as an adult, right? Right?"

Group of Six meeting (LXXXV) --- Woodsmere 2-4 SAINT ELEANOR
Participants: Gentle Breeze, Reniira Clevinger, Stephen Mitcham ~ Lydia Vickers [C], Cathy Winchester [VC], Kichiro Matsuda [ballot]
Location: Torch burger restaurant; Central district, Saint Eleanor city, EXT

Stephen here. This was a bit of a bum-squeaker, but it was one that we needed and deserved. Jeremy Roheline put the Hares ahead - not an unfamiliar scoreline for our team in the early stages of the game - but we continued to press ahead instead of panicking or worrying, and sure enough, Gisken was in with two great goals before the interval (good shout on Lydia's part). We kept sniffing around in the second half trying to get a bit more of an advantage and it was some defensive silliness on their part that helped us; Roheline returned for second helpings at the midway point, but it was left to Olympia to get the final goal of the game, even if it fell much below her ideal standards. There wasn't anything in particular to praise or damn about our lot, even faintly, although that is to be expected after two wins from two. I do think that Gentle Breeze now understands the value of experimentation, which was instilled into the team towards the end of the last qualifiers. This means that Kirsti will make her debut against Avote, who have been subjected to two 1-0 reverses so far and who we hope we can defeat by a slightly greater margin. Isabella and Michelle in particular will also be dragged into the starting eleven; subs as necessary.

by **The Martian Independent Republic** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:05 pm

the Martian Independent Republic 1 - 0 Kelssek
Jowling 62' |

Langenia 0 - 1 the Martian Independent Republic
| Garamond 83'

the Martian Independent Republic 1 - 1 Stewartika
Garamond 5' | Wanima 90+2'

The Afanc Strait 0 - 3 the Martian Independent Republic
| Caballi 21', 41', Jowling 75'

"I have to admit it's getting better" - Despite late slip-up against Stewartika, Spiders rebound from MD1 loss

After a horrendous loss against Vetrahjart in the opening game of the qualification campaign, the Spiders have rebounded nicely, allowing just one goal over the following four games. If the Martians win their next three games, that will put them top of the table halfway through qualifying - Stewartika have one less game to play and the MIR holds the tiebreaker over Kelssek - however, that is still very much an 'if they win' rather than a 'when they win', as Sajnur are quite a tough team to beat on demand, especially on the road.

MD3: Aeolis bolsters its giant-killing reputation
The last time a top-10 team won in Aeolis Base, the Spiders were ranked 177th in the world, losing 1-0 to Tumbra in qualification for WC98. Since then, Audioslavia, Squornshelan Remnant States, and Kelssek have all traveled to the Martian capital, and only the world #1 SRS were able to even get a draw. Despite having more chances, the Voyagers couldn't get a shot in the net, the closest they came being a missed penalty, conceded after a very sloppy tackle from Cheng that nearly got a straight red. An Deòir tried to fake Enwye out, shooting straight down the middle, but the Spiders' goalkeeper was having none of it, earning man of the match for keeping a clean sheet and stopping 8 shots on goal. On the other hand, it only took one attack to score a goal on the other end, with Jowling getting one past Carrieri in the Martians' only real chance of the night. The full-time whistle blew, and the home crowd was ecstatic. The Spiders need a draw in Kelssek to hold onto the tiebreaker, which will be quite hard, but not impossible.

MD4: Spiders pushed hard but secure the full three points away
Langenia and Stewartika (see below) are both teams that are highly underrated, and both played their hardest to try to get an upset. Los Azules had several good chances, the best being a combination between Antonio and Guzman that distracted Enwye and forced Scarlett Fenton to do everything she could to kick the ball out of bounds; luckily for the Spiders, the ensuing corner kick fizzled out. Eventually, it became clear that the thing that separated the two teams was stamina - even after the Langenians made full use of their substitutes, the unsubstituted half of the team was tired, Doyle (on for an exhausted Jowling) was fouled, and Garamond could outpace the defense to score a late winner. Enwye, after the second straight "Ko-orenesque win" (perhaps inaccurate considering the Dragonflies' attack), described himself as "doing the best that he could", and saying that he used to get mad at himself, and did so after the loss, but he realized he had to move on, crediting that for the win.

MD5: Royal Purple (STW) play their only game in Aeolis Base ever
Xuesen was packed with fans wearing shirts all the colors of a sunrise. It was clear the visitors weren't used to the chilly weather, and Grovalle couldn't move quickly enough to stop Garamond's rocket into the top right corner. With 2 1-0 wins in a row, however, the Spiders would have been happy with a third, and they weren't really creating any new chances, just trying to stop Royal Purple from doing so. This strategy collapsed in the second half, however, as the visitors clearly wanted a goal more than the Martians wanted to prevent one. Despite being the better team, they were bound to make a mistake, and one occurred right at the very end, as a slip-up from Enwye gave Wanima an equalizer. Of course, the theatrics of the game were nothing compared to the theatrics of the postgame, where Stewartikan manager Kunio managed not only to insult the MIR in describing their play, but also in backtracking, referring to Aeolis Base as a 'colony'. Any future matches they play will likely be in Huygens Base - however, that's a matter for the future, as the next time the Spiders could host Royal Purple is two years away.

MD6: Finally, a multi-goal win
This game was all Caballi, all the time. A brace by halftime, and an assist setting up Jowling for a third. For once, this game wasn't that close, as despite the home side's technical skills, the Spiders simply outmuscled them - something they're not accustomed to doing, with the Martians meeting their match in terms of the things they typically excel in, speed and agility. For once, Enwye didn't have to do much busywork, stopping just two shots throughout the course of the game. The MD15 home fixture against the unranked team is a must-win for the Spiders, but for now, they're focused on the road ahead - Skyberius at home, and Sajnur away.

Martian local elections, 13 Feb 2342

v Base \ Party >	United Martian Party	Socialist Party of Mars	Movement for Freedom	Independents
Borealis	1 (+/-0)	9 (-1)	1 (+/-0)	2 (+1)
Milankovic	3 (+1)	8 (-2)	2 (+1)	0 (+/-0)
Sagan	0 (-1)	5 (+/-0)	1 (+1)	1 (+/-0)

"These were supposed to be the bases where we picked up seats." Najib Amin was furious again. Why wouldn't you be if your party has missed its already-low targets?

"I mean, functionally we did pick up seats. The Socialists lost three, and up there it's basically them against everyone." Maeve Blandford, his campaign manager, knew that she had to calm him down, especially given he had to make a speech in twenty - no, now it was nineteen minutes.

"Okay, let's assume your statement is true. Then why is the independent elected in Borealis someone who has said that the Socialists aren't going far enough? Why did we lose a seat in Sagan? This just isn't holding up."

"We lost a seat in Sagan because our incumbent was retiring, and the local branch realized that nominating anyone would just play spoiler."

"Alright, you're avoiding Borealis, which clearly means our campaigns there were a failure."

"I-"

"Moving on. Is there any chance of moving the Skyberius game to Mangala, so we can have a victory of some sort before the election?"

"Well, here's a thought. What if you actually got a policy goal achieved, like building that factory you'd promised? Wouldn't hurt the local party's chances if the most famous person from that base in a century brought something back to that base, instead of spending all their time in Aeolis." Maeve had just about had it dealing with her temperamental boss.

"That's it. You're fired. I don't need someone who's constantly talking back and insulting me."

"What? You know there's no one else like me, and you'll be losing a great asset." Maeve wasn't expecting that. He'd threatened stuff like that before, but this was different.

"Yes, I know there's nobody else who can perform this horribly in an election. Now get out." The last two words shook the room.

Preparing for his speech a few minutes later, Najib wondered if he'd made a mistake. Probably not, to be honest. He needed someone from a base that had competitive elections - maybe Schiaparelli, considering the whole thing going on there. Still, Maeve was right - He did need an achievement to run on, especially because March 25 was going to be a referendum on him as a leader. That conversation was in the past, though. He had a speech to give.

ISideWith UK · by **Eastfield Lodge** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:07 pm

TV Coverage of Eastfield Lodge vs Auprussia - Matchday 6 of WC100 qualifying

Larkin Mansur: Welcome everyone to New Lodger City for the sixth match of this mammoth qualifying campaign for the hundredth WCC World Cup. Eastfield Lodge, the group’s top seeds and, on paper, the favourites to qualify from the group, will be playing the second seeds Auprussia, the current group leaders. Joining me tonight up in the commentary box will be Eastfielder and Starling legend Ali Asif, the first Eastfielder player to ever win the UICA Champions Cup.

Ali Asif: It’s a pleasure to be up here watching this match, and I certainly never expected to commentate on a match where the Imperial Commonwealth are both the strongest side in the group, and the side in desperate need of a win to even stay in the race to finish top of the group. You can tell the fans here are tense about the possibility of losing to Auprussia, but once the match kicks off I think they’ll get behind the team once the going gets tough.

LM: Aleksandr Meogegiv has named an unchanged side from the one that defeated Boring Paradise in the last international break, so Yuvin O’Sullivan lines up in goal, with Zakaria Webber and Diana Kirkup in the heart of defence, both proving their worth in the last match on their return after both were sent off in the opening match of qualifying. Mimi Phelan and Allaire Delaware-Mahmud complete the back four. Captain Harun Farrow lines up with Wasps midfielder Florian Mordecai in the centre of midfield, whilst Boet Caceres, Goldie Jafari-Law and Paisley Lysander line up behind Chappell Holdsworth, who scored the winner to secure three points against Boring Paradise. Lining up across from them, Auprussian head coach Eleo Vicard has selected his strongest line-up, the 4-4-2 with Gallis in goal, a back four consisting of Aregnac-Tignon, Seaxany, Aelle, Di Portenfenisa, and a midfield four of Pardau, Siebault, Pagault and Lithobert. Up front, they’re headed by Audac and Mitregasque.

[7 minutes]

LM: …Jafari-Law receives the ball on the wing, she has her head up but is headed off by Di Portenfenisa. Delaware-Mahmud in support and he receives the ball. First time cross in, headed out by Seaxany, only as far as Farrow. Steps inside and … what a goal! Absolutely spectacular from the captain, Harun Farrow with a rocket into the top corner past Gallis!

AA: That was literally something from nothing. He basically had nothing to work with there, but that one sidestep past Pardau opened up just enough space for him to get the shot off. 25 yards, and Gallis had basically no chance of reaching that. It’s been a bit of a cagey game so far, but the hosts deserved that at least, and hopefully this will open the game up now.

[19 minutes]

LM: Farrow on the ball, looking up and trying to find someone. Sideways pass to Mordecai, back to Farrow, the Auprussian midfield holding firm and not allowing any forward movement. Back to Kirkup. Kirkup attempts to switch play out wide to Phelan, but the ball goes out of play. Quick throw from Siebault, and Audac is away! Audac free down the right, and bearing down on the box! Cross from Audac, deflected, Pardau! What a finish from Pardau! Kirkup managed to block the cross into Mitregasque, but Pardau had all the space they needed to place their shot from the edge of the box, low into O’Sullivan’s right hand corner.

AA: It was a great first time effort, but that all came from the throw-in. One misplaced pass from the Eastfielder back line, but the presence of mind from Siebault to find the run of Audac with that throw. A great run from the forward as well to create the crossing opportunity, and Pardau did that classic midfield role of following in on the loose ball. This is certainly not going to be an easy game for the Imperial Commonwealth.

[30 minutes]

LM: Just about half an hour gone now, and it’s still 1-1 here at the Memorial Stadium. O’Sullivan takes the goal kick, plays it long into the Auprussian half. Header by Pardau, straight up, Pardau challenges it again. Ball falls to Mordecai who quickly hits it wide to Jafari-Law. Early cross in to Holdsworth, cleared by Aregnac-Tignon, back to Mordecai, back out wide to Jafari-Law. She beats Di Portenfenisa, gets the cross in! And Holdsworth … off the bar! The Stags striker so close to giving the hosts back the lead with a header.

AA: Excellent work from Goldie to even create that opportunity in the first place, keeping up the pressure against the full back to create that space. It was a good cross, and Holdsworth just about beat Seaxany to the ball. It was a good header, and a few inches lower it would have beaten Gallis.

[43 minutes]

LM: Caceres, runs at Aelle, stops, tries to create an opening but Aelle’s holding firm. Tries to squeeze out a cross but it’s off Aelle for the corner. Eastfield Lodge’s second corner of the game.

AA: Caceres has really struggled to create much down that right hand side this first half. He probably needs more support from Phelan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s still struggling with the attacking duties she has under Meogegiv, basically the complete opposite of what she’s used to at VLC.

LM: Still, Caceres has a chance to make up for his lack of impact on the game so far, as he stands over the corner. The usual jostling in the box as he looks to whip it into the maelstrom. In comes the corner, and it’s missed by Gallis! Shot in, cleared off the line and away. I think it was Webber with the shot … but the ref’s blown his whistle, and she’s pointing to the spot! Penalty to Eastfield Lodge! I think Webber’s shot may have been blocked illegally?

AA: Webber managed to stab it towards goal, but Pagault did block it with his thigh on the line, before controlling it with his hand to stop the follow-up, looks like it was Holdsworth reacting to the loose ball. Pagault clearly moves his hand to the ball, pushing it just far enough from Holdsworth before he forces it clear with his left foot.

LM: It’s a yellow card from the referee for Pagault, as he didn’t block the shot fully with his hand, but the penalty is the bigger issue for the visitors right now. Holdsworth stands over the ball, waiting for the crowd to clear from the penalty box. Two steps back, a short run-up. Gallis ready on the line, whistle goes. In comes Holdsworth, and scores! Smashed down the middle, calm as you like! Gallis diving full stretch to his right like his mind was already made up, and it’s advantage Eastfield Lodge once again, the hosts leading 2-1 heading into half-time.

AA: Risky to go straight down the middle, but he must have sold Gallis with the eyes. Still a very confident penalty though.

[45+2 minutes]

LM: Out for a throw in, and we’re entering the last minute of the first half. Caceres with the throw, reaches Mordecai in the middle of the park. He passes it wide to Jafari-Law, back into Lysander in the middle of the park. Has space to turn, but gets closed down by Siebault. Good tackle, ball back to Farrow. Farrow tries switching it out to Caceres, and he heads it past Aelle, Holdsworth running onto the ball. He has space, puts in the cross and … off the bar by Aregnac-Tignon! The Auprussian defender narrowly misses his own net by the narrowest of margins.

AA: That was such a poor piece of defending from the visitors. Sexany completely misses the run from Holdsworth, allows him to get onto the end of the headed pass from Caceres, and it’s a good ball across the face of the goal by the striker. I don’t know what Aregnac-Tignon was trying to do there. It looks like he’s trying to get his leg wrapped around the ball but misjudged it poorly, and just slices it up and backwards into the crossbar.

[59 minutes]

LM: Lithobert standing over the free kick on this near side. Two people in the wall, a crowd in the box waiting for the cross. Lithobert takes it , short back to Aelle, back out to Lithobert, cross comes in but well collected by O’Sullivan. Good hands from the RGS keeper there. And he throws it out long, brilliant throw finding Delaware-Mahmud breaking free! The full back clear of the defence, closing on the Auprussian net. Out comes Gallis, the Eastfielder rounds him and scores! 3-1 to Eastfield Lodge, and that could be the goal that secures the three points for the hosts in this tie.

AA: It’s been a quiet start to the second half so far, but that was a brilliant throw from the keeper, and what a run from the fullback, Delaware-Mahmud made sure to keep onside to get the ball, and it was a simple counter-attack in the end, staying ahead of the last set of defenders and he just needed to finish it off. Gallis didn’t even do anything wrong, he committed early but Allaire just had enough time to set himself and take it round Gallis to open up the goal. It’s all on the visitors now, they have to attack if they want anything from the game.

[72 minutes]

LM: Aguiar on the ball now, passes it back to Dinwoodie, out wide to Phelan. The Wasps fullback carries it forward. The hosts are just probing for weaknesses at this point, looking to add to their tally tonight. Farrow now on the ball, plenty of space. Forward to the other substitute Scripps, back to Farrow. Farrow plays it to Holdsworth, who holds it up well, he plays it to Scripps, Scripps cuts outside of Seaxany, gets the shot off, parried by Gallis, straight to Farrow and a simple tap in makes it 4-1.

AA: It’s a great passing move from the hosts, and props especially to Holdsworth for holding the ball up the way he did, giving Scripps the time to worm her way into the space she needed to get off the shot, and Farrow does that classic midfielder tactic of following up, with the rest of the Auprussian defence standing still.

[79 minutes]

LM: deu Cavaldraissaiy, backtracking, ball back to Aelle, back to deu Cavaldraissaiy. He manages to turn Dinwoodie, advances forward, beats Phelan with a burst of pace. Phelan manages to recover to block the cross, and it’s out for a corner. Rare opportunity for Auprussia to get back into the game again. Vinmirre over the corner, plenty of bodies in the box to aim for, interesting that they’ve not gone for a short option. Vinmirre takes the corner … and it’s in! Seaxany’s wheeling away celebrating, and it looks like he’s given Auprussia that little ray of hope for the last ten minutes of the match.

AA: It’s a good corner from the visitors, well placed from Vinmirre, and Seaxany looks like he’s just outjumped everyone at the near post to head it right into the top corner. Nothing the defenders could do about that to be honest, it was just a perfectly executed corner kick.

[90+2 minutes]

LM: Heading into stoppage time now, but Auprussia are on the attack again, Vinmirre on the ball. Plays it back to Aregnac-Tignon. Out wide to Aelle, back into Vinmirre in midfield. The hosts holding firm. Long ball forward out wide to Pagault, who takes on Fevison. Back inside to Siebault. Siebault plays it to Saloux-Chard, he turns and has his shot blocked. Clearance only as far as Siebault, sideways to Vinmirre. Vinmirre tries his luck from distance and only finds the arms of O’Sullivan. A strong effort but straight down the middle of the goal, the RGS keeper not needing to move to stop that. O’Sullivan takes his time, before kicking it forward, but the ref has blown her whistle for full time. Eastfield Lodge have seen off the second seeds Auprussia 4-2, and it’s a big win in the fight to qualify from Group 3 for the landmark 100th World Cup. They now only sit two points behind the group leaders, albeit with an extra game played, but Aleksandr Meogegiv will be pleased with this performance from his players.

WC100Q MD1: Salagalu 3–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-2-3-1): Horak - Webber (35’), Kirkup (48’), Phelan, St Cleer (<> Fevison 74’) - Forde (<> Halward 63’), Farrow - Caceres, Hackett (<> Guillou 48’), Lysander (<> Scripps 74’) - Noble (<> Ingersleben 63’)
Goals (Assists): Noble (31’ - Lysander)
Headline: Dramatic loss mars the start of Meogegiv’s reign as manager as 9-man Eastfield Lodge lose to minnows

WC100Q MD2: Eastfield Lodge 3–0 Santira
Line-up (4-2-3-1): Horak - Halward, Guillou, Phelan (<> Fevison 78’), St Cleer - Forde, Farrow (<> Mordecai 68’) - Caceres, Hackett, Lysander (<> Scripps 68’) - Noble
Goals (Assists): Noble (1’, 81’ - Caceres), Forde (42’ - Caceres)
Headline: More disciplined performance gets Imperial Commonwealth off the mark in qualifying

WC100Q MD3: Natanians and Nosts 2–0 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-2-3-1): Horak - Halward, Guillou, Phelan, St Cleer - Forde (<> Dinwoodie 63’) , Farrow - Caceres (<> Aguiar 63’), Hackett (<> Jafari-Law 76’), Lysander (<> Scripps 76’) - Noble (<> Holdsworth 76’)
Goals (Assists): N/A
Headline: Difficult day in Natanians and Nosts as Imperial Commonwealth crash and burn

WC100Q MD4: Eastfield Lodge 1–1 Khachen
Line-up (4-2-3-1): O’Sullivan - Halward, Guillou, Fevison, St Cleer - Mordecai, Farrow - Aguiar, Hackett (<> Scripps 67’), Caceres - Holdsworth (<> Ingersleben 67’)
Goals (Assists): N/A
Headline: Sluggish Lodgers drop yet more points in bid for place at historic World Cup

WC100Q MD5: Boring Paradise 0–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-2-3-1): O’Sullivan - Webber, Kirkup, Phelan (<> Fevison 58’), Delaware-Mahmud - Mordecai (<> Forde 58’), Farrow - Caceres (<> Scripps 69’), Jafari-Law (<> Hackett 69’), Lysander - Holdsworth (<> Noble 79’)
Goals (Assists): Holdsworth (32’ [p])
Headline: Holdsworth penalty helps Imperial Commonwealth narrowly see off former colony of Boring Paradise

Likely line-up to play Biyambi (4-2-3-1):
O’Sullivan - Webber, Guillou, Phelan, Delaware-Mahmud -Mordecai, Farrow - Caceres, Jafari-Law, Lysander - Holdsworth
Suspended: N/A
Injured: N/A

by **Kwrpania** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:10 pm

CUTOFF
Qualifying stage MD7/8

by **Bonusia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:10 pm

Round 1: Bonusia 0-1 Moladea - L
@La Caravana, Op, Bonport, Bonusia
Round 2: Porotia 2-1 Bonusia - L
@Porotia
Round 3: (Friendly) Bonusia 3-3 Solgavden - D
@Estadi de la Unificació, Somorrosta, Detrívora, Bonusia
Round 4: Bonusia 0-0 United States of Nova Calania - D
@Inda' Regareka Bonusian Stadium, Kekla, Keklagara, Bonusia
Round 5: Bears Armed 0-1 Bonusia - W
@Bears Armed
Round 6: Bonusia 5-0 The Lake Isle of Innisfree - W
@Hepepelioli, Wèep, Pungapu, Bonusia
Round 7: Greater Deutsche vs Bonusia
@Greater Deutsche
Round 8: Bonusia vs Meris
@Tomàtic, Sant Molina, Ralí, Bonusia
Round 9: Zenic vs Bonusia
@Philosophia Colosseum, Manacus, Zenic
Round 10: Moladea vs Bonusia
@Moladea
Round 11: Bonusia vs Porotia
@La Cova del Tigre, Unom, Plana d’Unó, Bonusia
Round 12: (Friendly) Dixie Florida vs Bonusia
@TBD, Dixie Florida
Round 13: United States of Nova Calania vs Bonusia
@Stadion Azteca, Ostrow Krolewski, Odlegla Ziemia, United States of Nova Calania
Round 14: Bonusia vs Bears Armed
@Estadi Casa Tarradellas, Kynetbo, AMK, Bonusia
Round 15: The Lake Island of Innisfree vs Bonusia
@The Lake Island of Innisfree
Round 16: Bonusia vs Greater Deutsche
@Estadi d'Avellanes&Turró, Minga, Tionera, Bonusia
Round 17: Meris vs Bonusia
@Meris
Round 18: Bonusia vs Zenic
@La Blanquinada, Tarraconova, Tarraconensis, Bonusia

THE MATCH REPORTS

MATCHDAY 5	MATCHDAY 6
BEARS ARMED 0-1 BONUSIA	BONUSIA 5-0 INNISFREE
BONUSIA ESCAPES THE BEARS' CAVE WITH THREE POINTS	GOAL FESTIVAL IN THE PEDIC ISLANDS; BONUSIA PUTS 5 AGAINST THE REVELATION
Events (BAR): - Events (BON): A. Cea 76'	Events (BON): J. Ramon 13' 89', Y. Morad 34', [INCORRECT FORMAT] (O.G) 48', B. Formiga 59' Events (LII): \|\|\| [INCORRECT FORMAT] 65' (\|\| 31')
SUMMARY: Bonusia grabbed a very important three points against the squad of Bears Armed in their visit to the ursine nation. The match started difficultly for the Space Labubus, as most of the Bonusian players were astonished and scared of facing sentient bears. Nevertheless, there was a difference between the defense and the attack. Having seen the type of team they were facing, Boquete went for a very strong and containant defensive line with Bruch and Burgés, who were both able to keep the Bears at bay. However, the absence of Isaac Pedra, who is by far the most physical Bonusian forward, due to his injury against Porotia mermated the Black Star's ability to create chances. Not only out of a lack of capacity but also because of a lack of courage. Despite having proven to be very respectful and clearly sentient, the beast-like appearance of the sapient bears set aback the Bonusian attackers. Aitor Cea, the game's only goalscorer, talked about it after the game: "It's been hard because we had to fight our own survival instincts. When you see a hairy bear that might weight twice or thrice as much as you, with claws that could tear you apart like thin paper, running towards you; the last thing you do is run towards him. I would bet anyone in our situation would've felt the same". The only goal came in an isolated play. Lluís Portí gained a free kick on the edge of the area, and Aitor Cea put it perfectly in the upper left corner. The ursine goalkeeper managed to graze the ball slightly, bursting it due to the claws; however the ball had already gone in. In the end, very good three points for Bonusia to reactive. However, something more is needed for the so-wanted World Cup qualification. MVP: Biel Burgés (BON)	SUMMARY: In the warm Pedic Islands, Bonusia put on an excellent offensive display that we so missed from the BoF games back in Banija. The rival was no less than the revelation of group 22, the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The islanders, who were at first thought of as the Cinderella of the group, had shown until then an extraordinary performance, coming to Wèep unbeaten and topping the group, even beating the favourites Zenic. There are probably many reasons why the Innisfreeans had not lost any of their previous 5 matches. However, none of them were shown at the Hepepelioli Stadium. The Bonusian players, motivated by the sun, the warm heat and the cheerful Weepian fans who came to support the Black Star, played like they know, with determination and being fun to watch. Jofre Ramon, native to Wèep and the star of the Aso, today really felt like a fish in the water playing in his home stadium. In the 13th minute, he inaugurated the scoreboard after an incredible display of the skill. After getting past two Isle defenders, the llimanian baited the keeper and, with a gentle rabona, he changed the ball's direction and pushed it into the net. He would also assist in the 2nd goal, as after getting through the side back and incursing into the area, he put a killer pass to Yonatan Morad. The 2nd half was also dominated by Bonusia. In the 48th minute, Morad got past the goalkeeper and, in a play that could be considered disrespectful, he kicked the ball so it bounced into the opposing keeper before going into the goal, thus accounting as an Innisfreean own goal. Not much later, Bernat Formiga would also join the party with a low shot that went right in grazing the close post. To end the party, against an Innisfree side with only 10 players, Morad returned the favor to Ramon by gifting him the last goal, which he celebrated amongst his lifelong neighbours. The MVP, Jofre Ramon, gave us a word after the game ended: "Yeah, the game was very nice man, it's good being with your people, y'know man? Uh, yeah I met these dudes we played and I told myself "Yeah man they come from the Isles too, Ramon you gotta give em some disks", but I think they ain't used to it, they looked sick man. Anyways, going to the beach man. See you". MVP: Jofre Ramon (BON)

- Welcome to El Ressopó, live on Carca TV. The favourite sports talk-show for the fellow night owls that just didn't get enough! My name is Salvador Bonet and next to me are my usual guests: Ramon Berenguer,

- Hi! Thanks for having me, Salvador.

- Berenguer Ramon,

- Hi Salvador, thanks for having me!

- And, last but not least, our beloved Ca- uuh Regina Quaresma, as has been the norm since the sudden disappearance of Calla Callat

- Hiii sweetheart. Oh, did I tell you how NICE you look in that blazer? Wow, you SLAY sis!

- Yeah, Regina, you told me last programme... This afternoon, in the Hepepelioli Stadium, in Wèep, the national team of Bonusia beat the stand-out of our group and which had been leader until today, The Lake Island of Innisfree, by 5 goals to nil. Bonusia was superior during all the match, and they left lots of skillful details, specially Jofre Ramon, who won the MVP in his home town. With Matchday 6 finished, the table looks like this right now:
.                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 United States of Nova Calania    5    4   1   0    11    1  +10    13
2 The Lake Isle of Innisfree       6    4   1   1     8    9   −1    13
3 Zenic                            5    3   0   2    11    7   +4     9
4 Moladea                          6    2   2   2     6    5   +1     8
5 Bonusia                          5    2   1   2     7    3   +4     7
6 Bears Armed                      6    2   1   3     7    8   −1     7
7 Greater Deutsche                 5    2   0   3     5    5    0     6
8 Porotia                          5    1   0   4     2    8   −6     3
9 Meris                            5    1   0   4     7   18  −11     3
- Later we'll see in premiere the match highlights, but first, it's time for the headlines! Ramon, what's your headline for today?

- Salvador, my headline is clear: "Wèep to it's knees after Bonusian exhuberant 5-0 win"

- What about you, Berenguer?

- Clear is my headline, Salvador: "Circumstantial win against wannabe revelation doesn't serve Bonusia to get more than 5th place".

- Alright, what about you, Regina?

- Eww, who made that gross graphic? It's like sooo BASIC. It needs a bit more colour, don't you think? And some decorations in between too, a bit of pink would be nice. It's like too plain you know? Some butterflies maybe, they look soo adorable! And...

- Regina... Regina! Look, if you want you can design I asked you for the headline.

- Ooh okay! Well mine is pretty visible, look. I have it a bit tilted to the left, I made it like this like a year ago or so and I'm like suuper happy with it!

- Regina, I was asking for your headline, not your hairline.

- Ooh, okayyy. And what is a headline?

- *My lord, how did she get her journalism diploma?...* A headline is the title of the main news for a newspaper. Journalists use them to catch the attention of the reader or the spectator, in our case.

- Ooh I think I know what you mean! Okay here it goes. My headline is: "I HATE this graphic, make a new one!"

- Oh my god... Never thought I'd say this but I miss Calla...

It was one of those dog days for Calla Callat. He had been on the road for quite some time at that point, and he still hadn't found any case that he could work with. He came close to it when a possible multiple kidnapping was reported in the outskirts of the peaceful Somorrosta. But in the end, it was no more than a false alarm: Apparently it was just that a big group of kids decided to live alone in the wild, but they came back as soon as they finished their supply of gummies.

Without making much noise, Calla had already travelled from end to end of the Bonusian Peninsula. Starting in his homeland of Kynetbo, he went mostly along the coast, getting through cities like Rocafonda, Op and Somorrosta. After getting to Somorrosta, he took a look in the rest of Detrívora and headed to Kekla, the second capital. He thought that with a big city like Kekla there came big opportunities for himself, but that couldn't be further from the truth. There appeared to be no demand in all of Kekla for his services, so despite how beautiful he thought the city was, he had to continue his trip inwards, to Minga.

He still had savings to keep going and he still was determined. His Nasi started working again for that good cash, so he didn't have to worry about savings. However, after so long searching and so little to account for, a cloud of doubt formed in Calla's mind. Minga wasn't really the place he thought that could host an interesting case to investigate. Although it is one of the biggest cities on Bonusia, it was more similar to a big town than to a true regional capital. So, he was faced with the dilemma. After leaving Minga, would he keep going and explore the Bonusian Interior, or would he just return home? Maybe he could return to El Ressopó, at least that way Ignasi could stop working again.

As he wondered about that and many other such things, he entered a small bar near his hotel. It was a small bar, with the floor made of industrial tiles, with a bar that occupied all the right wing of the room. He sitted in the bar itself, next to a light-brownish-golden haired woman, and ordered his usual.

- Hi! One beer?

- Beer?

- Yeah beer, got some?

- I don't know, man. Let me check in the back...

Suddenly, the woman spoke to him. Perhaps just to make chit chat, but this talking would end up transforming Calla's life forever.

- Hey, are you foreigner?

- Yes, how you know?

- Easy, no one here drinks beer, everyone goes always for wine. Even the low end cheap wines made here are great.

- Oh cool.

-...you're not the talkative one, are you?

- Not really, sorry.

- Well, don't mind me then... ...and what are you doing here? Sorry, just curious. Not many tourists come at this time of the year.

- I'm looking for jobs.

- Ooh, what do you do?

- I'm an investigative journalist.

- Wait really? Because I've got my own investigation going, and it's a pretty big deal if my assumptions are correct.

- Interested.

- I'm trying to prove the existance of the Tabalot, a mythical creature that inhabits the dense virgin forests of Tionera. I would need someone to help me find connections across my data.

- We could talk about it. Have my number.

- Excellent! By the way, I didn't ask you your name?

- My name is Calla Callat.

- Ooh I know you, you were in that talkshow right?

- Don't remind me... What's your name?

- My name is Mireia Torrellana.

- Pleasure, Mireia. Let's talk tomorrow then.

De l'est vingué un bon cavaller,
que a Minga hi veia gran merder.´
A Kynetbo nat i criat,
era a un programa retardat.
Ells feien com si mai hi fos,
però un bon dia va tocar el dos.
Ans venir a Minga fou cagada,
el Tabalot farà esmorzada!

by **Solgavden** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:16 pm

Harald Kistner Memorial Stadium, Lysborg

In the minutes before Solgavden’s game against Farfadillis, the locker room had a nervous energy as all the players knew the stakes this match had. This will be De Rega Röda’s first major test in their World Cup qualifying campaign, and their previous games so far had been a mixed bag. They did manage to secure wins in friendlies before the tournament, but they also lost more times than they'd like to admit, including a 6-2 thrashing by #1 ranked SRS. Their qualifying campaign started off with a convincing win against Windows 7 Bliss, only to fall 2-1 against Igratia away, a match they were sure to walk away with all three points. During their first bye, the team travelled to Bonusia for a friendly, which ended in a 3-3 draw that seemed to become a shootout. While the fans in attendance were surely entertained, the team felt that they had the chance to put the game away, and manager Peter Strömberg tore into the players afterwards. At the end of his stern monologue, he said what was already on the player's minds: “The eyes of the world are upon us, this our chance to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in Solgavish history, and you clowns are playing like it's the SFL Third Division! Our match against Farfadillis has the chance to be a make or break for us, and HKMS will be packed, so let's give them a show and make Solgavden proud!”

His prediction came true, as Harald Kistner Memorial Stadium was filled to the brim, and the fans were already getting rowdy with anticipation. The roar of chants and song echoed throughout the sold out stadium, with the game not even starting for another hour. The sound echoed into the locker room as well, and while the team hoped it would intimidate the visiting Farves, it seemed to have the same effect on them as well. It hit young striker Oskar Rosendahl particularly hard, as he sat in his chair with his head in his hands, and his leg shaking with anxiety. Rosendahl’s personal goal in qualification was to impress manager Tiedemann Denholm, and the rest of his teammates at Inverhaven City. But he hasn't even got off the bench yet, and he expressed his wishes to Strömberg, who dismissed him with a simple “I'll think about it”. Fellow reserve forwards Noah Buckholtz and Marco Kurosawa noticed that Rosendahl was in disarray and tried to cheer him up, to no avail. That’s when Buckholtz mentioned a couple of souvenirs he brought back from Bonusia.

A vendor from Wèep sold him a couple ‘rubdisks’, which supposedly had a calming effect on the user. Buckholtz thought it was bullshit, but he bought them for the novelty of it, and hoped it could at least give a placebo effect on Rosendahl’s mind. Rosendahl took one of the rubdisks and caressed it in his palm with his thumb, and while not much happened at first, the effects soon hit him like a ton of bricks. A few minutes after getting the rubdisk, Rosendahl’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he began to grab at the air in front of him, as if in a daze. This bewildered both of the forwards, and after a quick internet search, their eyes went wide as Buckholtz turned to Kurosawa and succinctly described their situation, “Marco…we’re so fucked”. It turns out that drugging one of the team’s forwards less than an hour before arguably the biggest games of World Cup qualification was not a good idea. Luckily, the other players in the locker room were essentially in their own little worlds, and didn’t notice the level of panic coming to Buckholtz and Kurosawa in waves. Rosendahl, on the other hand, was in his own universe, seeing scenes of bright colors dance across his vision, mythical animals that felt like they were right there, even the other players seemed to have magically transformed into non-corporeal beings, he sensed their presence spiritually, but he couldn’t sense their presence physically.

Noah and Marco formulated a game plan as the team began to get ready to step out onto the pitch. Ossler, Tennefjord, and Halvorsan were all red hot at the moment, so hopefully only one of them would be subbed out. In that event, Noah and Marco would volunteer themselves to go out, or they’ll send the only other forward available in Kodi Holst. Rosendahl could sit on the far end of the bench, away from Strömberg’s prying eyes, and spend the rest of the match tripping out in peace. While Buckholtz and Kurosawa weren’t the brightest, which should be clearly evident by now, their plan seemed foolproof, until they noticed the hundreds, if not thousands of cameras that would be watching their every move. While the national anthems played, viewers on television would see the broadcast pan across the bench as normal, until they saw Oskar Rosendahl visibly shaking and foaming at the mouth. But they couldn’t focus on Rosendahl long, as the Solgavish team started the game struggling against the superior Farfadillis, being down 3-1 at the half. Compared to the cacophony of supporters banners and chants to start the game, HKMS seemed like a graveyard now, with all of the hope being sucked out of the stadium like a vacuum. The team still looked sluggish to start the second half, causing Strömberg to sub out left striker Hannes Ossler, and bring in Oskar Rosendahl to replace him.

“Wha-wait no”. Both Buckholtz and Kurosawa shot up to protest, but Strömberg shot them a glare that made them fall back to their seats like a sack of potatoes. They could now only watch in horror as Oskar Rosendahl, quite possibly the highest person in all of Greater Lysborg, jogged onto the pitch and tried to salvage the game against the 9th best football team in the world. Rosendahl, however, was having a blast, as he strode past fluorescent blue elephants and pink ponies (hey, they should be in a club). As play resumed, he fell into his role naturally, making passes to his teammates, and dribbling past unusually aggressive garden gnomes. Soon after subbing on, he received a long pass from an on-fire Soren Danielsan (literally, he was covered in flames), and drilled it past the Farf keeper to the roar of the crowd. As Noah and Marco watched on, they saw how well Rosendahl was playing, and hoped that there was now a chance they could escape this nightmare unscathed. Rosendahl continued to dice up the Farf defense, as if he was a man possessed, and caught Ügüs Hâx wildly out of position, spinning past him and slotting in his second goal in less than ten minutes.

The fans in attendance couldn’t believe his eyes. In only ten minutes of playing time across four games, Rosendahl has already scored twice, and tied the game 3-3 against the projected group leaders. It was also at this point that opposing Farves thought to themselves, “Hey, we should maybe get out shit together”, and played like their lives depended on it, putting an already strained Solgavish defense to the test. Luckily, due to some late game heroics by goalkeeper Gunny Kristoffersan, Solgavden held firm. When Kristoffersan sent a long volley up to midfield, it landed perfectly on Rosendahl’s toes, and after a few quick dribbles, the young striker found himself alone against the keeper, feigning right before landing a shot in the upper left corner, sealing the victory for Solgavden and the hat trick for Rosendahl with the whistle blowing shortly after. The stadium erupted into cheers for the home team as they seemingly scored three goals out of thin air. Rosendahl was surrounded by his teammates who lifted him in the air, singing his praises. Buckholtz and Kurosawa rushed through the growing crowd and whisked Rosendahl away, bringing him to his hotel so he could hopefully sleep the high away. When he awoke, Rosendahl had no recollection of what happened the previous day, and was equally as shocked to learn that he scored a hat trick against Farfadillis. Naturally, he was drug tested the next day, and since rubdisks were totally unknown to the Solgavish medical community, he passed with flying colors.

Solgavden’s upset win against Farfadillis gave the team a shot of adrenaline they desperately needed. The team would go on to win 2-0 against Diollo away, and “win” 0-0 against Kanzlia at home. The match against Kanzlia in particular was a career game for Kristoffersan and the rest of Solgavden’s defense, and they promptly parked the bus against their superior opponents, never letting them get the chance to establish an attack. Looking ahead, Solgavden is currently tied for second with Farfadillis, and hopes to come out ahead, should they continue their form.

by **Audioslavia** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:49 pm

THE _____________|  |______________
   / ||  |    |  |  ||    |  |  /
  /__||__ \   |  |__||__  |  | /
 /   ||    \  |  |  ||    |  | \
/    ||_____| |  |  ||___ | _|_ \__
                 |  |      CYC 100

continued from here

The Unofficial World Championship tracks the lineage of an imaginary title belt from the first game of World Cup founders Ariddia in World Cup 1 to the present. The rule is simple: To win the belt, you have to beat the belt holder. For the first six cycles - an era where the world champion qualified automatically for the next World Cup - the Unofficial World Championship made its way from matchday one to matchday seven of the finals and eventually found its way into the hands whoever won the actual, official World Cup. Then, at the end of World Cup 6, Brazillico won their second World Cup in a row and, for reasons unknown, decided to retire.

Under UWC rules, if a belt holder declines to participate in a cycle, or is assumed to have departed the realms of international football, then a new, interim title is created and awarded to the winner of the next World Cup. Errinundera were duly awarded the interim title along with their World Cup winners trophy for cycle 7. That belt would find its way into the hands of Endray-Island, who were confirmed as retired by the end of World Cup 9, neccessitating the creation of a second Interim title, which would go to World Cup 9 champions Europa Britannia.

This belt, the Interim 2003b belt, would find its way to the final of World Cup 10, where Lemmitania would take home the spoils. According to my initial research, this Interim2003b belt would be taken into World Cup 11 qualifying group 7, while a returning Brazillico would bring the original, Lineal belt into World Cup 11 qualifying group 9. Eventually, the two belts would be unified.

The Idiot Project episode 4, chapter 3 was entitled The Birds and the Blues. It concerned two teams, Eauz and The Eagles Nest, who contested this, the very first Unification Bout in the history of the Unofficial World Championship.

But the discovery we made recently complicates things a little. As if it wasn’t weird enough that Senzymnia entered a CoH without having entered qualifying that cycle, Brazillico apparently did the same thing in World Cup 10.

When looking for Brazillico matches in the pre-Jolt World Cups, I only checked World Cup threads. There was no Baptism of Fire to look into, and the idea that a team might have been able to enter the Cup of Harmony - a tournament which, admittedly, operated under much more relaxed rules back then - hadn’t crossed my mind. The thing is: This is like a ship setting sail one degree off course, there’s a chance that we could end up in a much different place than we expected.

And it turns out the Lineal championship’s Brazillico-to-Eauz route from cycles 11 to 16 never actually happens.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                Champion  v  Challenger              Extra Information:
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Brazillico 3-0 Dead Man                (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Brazillico 0-0 Exetonia                (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Brazillico 1-0 Belarussian States      (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Brazillico 0-1 Spaam                   (Spaam win belt)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                    Spaam 2-0 Dead Man                (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                    Spaam 1-0 Exetonia                (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                    Spaam 5-0 Belarussian States      (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                    Spaam 4-0 One Blue Dot            (Defence 4)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                    Spaam 0-2 Ravenspire              (Ravenspire win belt)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Ravenspire 5-0 One Blue Dot            (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Ravenspire 1-0 Exetonia                (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Ravenspire 2-0 Belarussian States      (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Ravenspire 3-0 Brazillico              (Defence 4)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q               Ravenspire 1-2 Dead Man                (Dead Man win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                 Dead Man 1-3 Commerce Heights        (Commerce Heights win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q         Commerce Heights 0-1 Svecia                  (Svecia win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 0-2 Dead Man                (Dead Man win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                 Dead Man 0-4 Lennon Marx             (Lennon Marx win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q              Lennon Marx 1-1 The Fivefold Star       (Defence 1)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q              Lennon Marx 2-4 Makongo-Wodimalongo     (Makongo-Wodimalongo win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q      Makongo-Wodimalongo 3-4 The Fivefold Star       (The Fivefold Star win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q        The Fivefold Star 0-2 Commerce Heights        (Commerce Heights win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q         Commerce Heights 2-2 Makongo-Wodimalongo     (Defence 1)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q         Commerce Heights 1-0 Dead Man                (Defence 2)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q         Commerce Heights 1-2 Svecia                  (Svecia win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 1-0 Dead Man                (Defence 1)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 1-0 Oddslavo                (Defence 2)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 1-0 Stalag 5                (Defence 3)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 1-0 Lovisa                  (Defence 4)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 1-0 Magnus Valerius         (Defence 5)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q                   Svecia 2-4 Lennon Marx             (Lennon Marx win belt)
2004-C014 WCQ-Q              Lennon Marx 0-2 Oddslavo                (Oddslavo win belt)
2004-C014 WCF-1R                Oddslavo 1-0 Total n Utter Insanity  (Defence 1)
2004-C014 WCF-1R                Oddslavo 1-2 Svecia                  (Svecia win belt)
2004-C014 WCF-1R                  Svecia 1-2 Total n Utter Insanity  (Total n Utter Insanity win belt)
2004-C014 WCF-2R  Total n Utter Insanity 3-0 Brazillico              (Defence 1)
2004-C014 WCF-QF  Total n Utter Insanity 1-0 Tanah Burung            (Defence 2)
2004-C014 WCF-SF  Total n Utter Insanity 0-1 Kingsford               (Kingsford win belt)
2004-C014 WCF-F                Kingsford 1-0 Rejistania              (Defence 1)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-0 Tasty Toast             (Defence 2)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-2 Cockbill Street         (Defence 3)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 3-3 The Belmore Family      (Defence 4)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 3-2 Lovisa                  (Defence 5)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-1 Magnus Valerius         (Defence 6)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 1-1 Shang-ti                (Defence 7)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-0 Resistencia             (Defence 
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-0 Rukbat al Rami          (Defence 9)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-0 KT MPLG                 (Defence 10)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 1-0 Tasty Toast             (Defence 11)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 0-0 Cockbill Street         (Defence 12)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 2-0 The Belmore Family      (Defence 13)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                Kingsford 0-1 Lovisa                  (Lovisa win belt)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                   Lovisa 1-1 Cockbill Street         (Defence 1)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                   Lovisa 1-1 The Belmore Family      (Defence 2)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                   Lovisa 2-2 Tasty Toast             (Defence 3)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q                   Lovisa 0-1 Magnus Valerius         (Magnus Valerius win belt)
2004-C015 WCQ-Q          Magnus Valerius 4-3 Tasty Toast             (Defence 1)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q          Magnus Valerius 3-2 EL CID THE HERO         (Defence 2)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q          Magnus Valerius 4-1 Bluesonia               (Defence 3)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q          Magnus Valerius 0-3 Europa Britannia        (Europa Britannia win belt)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 1-0 EL CID THE HERO         (Defence 1)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 3-0 Bluesonia               (Defence 2)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 1-0 Artoonia                (Defence 3)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 2-3 Oglethorpia             (Oglethorpia win belt)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q              Oglethorpia 2-1 Artoonia                (Defence 1)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q              Oglethorpia 1-1 Magnus Valerius         (Defence 2)
2004-C016 WCQ-Q              Oglethorpia 1-1 EL CID THE HERO         (Defence 3)
2004-C016 WCF-1R             Oglethorpia 1-1 Druida                  (Defence 4)
2004-C016 WCF-1R             Oglethorpia 1-0 Lykaia                  (Defence 5)
2004-C016 WCF-1R             Oglethorpia 0-1 Eauz                    (Eauz win belt)
2004-C016 WCF-2R                    Eauz 2-0 Spaam                   (Defence 1)
2004-C016 WCF-QF                    Eauz 2-1 Druida                  (Defence 2)
2004-C016 WCF-SF         The Eagles Nest 0-3 Eauz                    (Eauz win belt, Lineal and Interim titles unified.)

The above has now been removed from the legacy of the UWC.

So what now?

We go back to the drawing board.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                Champion  v  Challenger              Extra Information:
2003-C010 CoH-1R              Brazillico 1-3 Spaam                   (Spaam win belt)
2003-C010 CoH-1R                   Spaam 1-2 Tranquillitis           (Tranquillitis win belt)

The danger at every turn here is this: What if a total random wins the belt and leaves? Oh my god, what if Tranquilitis ruins another UWC belt? This is the team that, at home to an unfancied Endray-Island team on the final matchday of World Cup 9 qualifying, failed to get more than a point, and thus consigned the very first Interim title into permanent exile. Here in 2025, the UWC picture is as follows:

Lineal: ???
Interim 2003a: Endray-Island (last seen: WC9)
Interim 2016: <Bouncing around WC100 Qualifying Group 13>
Interim 2020: Brookstation (last seen: WC96)

Is it possible Tranquilitis have screwed us out of half of the “active” belts?

Thankfully: No.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                Champion  v  Challenger              Extra Information:
2003-C010 CoH-1R           Tranquillitis 0-2 Timway                  (Timway win belt)
2003-C010 CoH-SF                  Timway 1-1 Iansisle                (Iansisle win belt) (Iansisle win 4-2 on Penalties)
2003-C010 CoH-F                 Iansisle 2-2 Tranquillitis           (Defence 1) (Iansisle win 3-2 in Extra Time)

Iansisle win the Cup of Harmony in their debut cycle, and take the belt into World Cup 11 Qualifying Group 5.

Does that group sound familiar to anyone else? Oh god it’s the Adolf Hitler Shot My Bus one.

01105JOLT: Liventia, The Lowland Clans, Anti-Nazis, Iansisle, Cockbill Street, Beestings, Praying2God, Pablicosta.

Fortunately, Praying2God don’t get their odd little paws into the Lineal championship. The title makes it all the way to the World Cup 11 final.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                Champion  v  Challenger              Extra 
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Iansisle 2-0 Cockbill Street         (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Iansisle 0-0 Praying2God             (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Iansisle 0-0 Anti-Nazis              (Defence 4)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Iansisle 0-1 The Lowland Clans       (The Lowland Clans win belt)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q        The Lowland Clans 1-1 Cockbill Street         (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q        The Lowland Clans 1-0 Praying2God             (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q        The Lowland Clans 3-0 Anti-Nazis              (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q        The Lowland Clans 2-1 Beestings               (Defence 4)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q        The Lowland Clans 0-2 Liventia                (Liventia win belt)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Liventia 2-2 Beestings               (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Liventia 1-0 Praying2God             (Defence 2)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Liventia 1-1 Anti-Nazis              (Defence 3)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Liventia 2-0 Iansisle                (Defence 4)
2004-C011 WCQ-Q                 Liventia 2-0 Cockbill Street         (Defence 5)
2004-C011 WCF-1R                Liventia 5-0 Belmorian Scandinavia   (Defence 6)
2004-C011 WCF-1R                Liventia 1-1 Ravenspire              (Defence 7)
2004-C011 WCF-1R                Liventia 1-1 One Red Dot             (Defence 
2004-C011 WCF-2R                Liventia 2-3 New Montreal States     (New Montreal States win belt)
2004-C011 WCF-QF     New Montreal States 2-1 Rejistania              (Defence 1)
2004-C011 WCF-SF     New Montreal States 1-4 Warnocks Wizards        (Warnocks Wizards win belt)
2004-C011 WCF-F         Warnocks Wizards 0-1 Europa Britannia        (Europa Britannia win belt)

The Interim 2003b ends WC11 qualifying in the hands of Sliponia, who finish fifth in their group. As such, there’s no unification in cycle 11. The Lineal title has another cycle to traverse. Perhaps there will be a unification in cycle 12? Perhaps it will eventually line up with the ‘old’ lineal title? Or maybe this title belt will find its way into the hands of some random fly-by-night footballing minnow, to be endray-islanded out of circulation forever.

2004-C012 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 0-1 Cockbill Street         (Cockbill Street win belt)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q          Cockbill Street 4-0 OPArsenal               (Defence 1)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q          Cockbill Street 0-2 Gormith                 (Gormith win belt)

I have no idea who Gormith are.

You could call it Randxiety.

2004-C012 WCQ-Q                  Gormith 0-1 Telewest                (Telewest win belt)

I have no idea who Telewest are.

Randxiety is the moment between the host scorinating and the host posting scores, or before you get round to looking to see how your team has done, knowing the match has already been played.

2004-C012 WCQ-Q                 Telewest 0-2 OPArsenal               (OPArsenal win belt)

I have no idea who OPArsenal are.

Any kind of crossing of fingers is ridiculous. You can’t affect something that’s already happened.

2004-C012 WCQ-Q                OPArsenal 2-1 Lubistan                (Defence 1)

Randxiety is pulling the lever in the trolley problem, only the second track goes into a tunnel.

Waiting in the tunnel is an old enemy in the form of Total n Utter Insanity. Only here, they're about to perform an act of heroism.

2004-C012 WCQ-Q                OPArsenal 0-4 Total n Utter Insanity  (Total n Utter Insanity win belt)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q   Total n Utter Insanity 1-0 Lubistan                (Defence 1)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q   Total n Utter Insanity 2-1 Telewest                (Defence 2)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q   Total n Utter Insanity 2-3 Europa Britannia        (Europa Britannia win belt)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 3-0 OPArsenal               (Defence 1)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 3-1 Gormith                 (Defence 2)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 1-0 Telewest                (Defence 3)
2004-C012 WCQ-Q         Europa Britannia 1-0 Newcuba                 (Defence 4)

But then, the opposite of Randxiety is also bad.

That feeling of inevitability. Like you’re in the trolley problem, but you’re the one on the train tracks and you the person with the lever is, I dunno, TnUI or someone.

Both Lineal and Interim titles make it into World Cup 12.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                The Lineal Unofficial World Championship
2004-C012 WCF-1R        Europa Britannia 4-1 Dennisov                (Defence 5)
2004-C012 WCF-1R        Europa Britannia 2-0 Kingsford               (Defence 6)
2004-C012 WCF-1R        Europa Britannia 0-2 East Spaam              (East Spaam win belt)
2004-C012 WCF-2R              East Spaam 1-4 Oglethorpia             (Oglethorpia win belt)

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                The Interim Unofficial World Championship
2004-C012 WCF-1R                   Kerla 1-0 Kaze Progressa          (Defence 3)
2004-C012 WCF-1R                   Kerla 1-1 Oddslavo                (Defence 4)
2004-C012 WCF-1R                   Kerla 3-1 The Lowland Clans       (Defence 5)
2004-C012 WCF-2R                   Kerla 0-4 Rejistania              (Rejistania win belt)

With both titles making it out of the group stage, a meeting is inevitable. We can now be sure that the Lineal title makes it from this point in the past all the way to the present day. The title brought into World Cup 100 by Kimi-Suomi is alive and well.

Which means the Cycle 62 Unification between the Lineal belt and the Interim 2012 belt - the outrageous nine-nil win for Audioslavia against Kiryu-shi - still happens.

To date, it’s the second of two unifications. And, as it turns out, the second unification to feature Audioslavia.

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                The Lineal Unofficial World Championship
2004-C012 WCF-QF             Oglethorpia 0-2 Commerce Heights        (Commerce Heights win belt)
2004-C012 WCF-SF        Commerce Heights 3-4 Audioslavia             (Audioslavia win belt)

YEAR-CYCLE-PHASE                The Interim Unofficial World Championship
2004-C012 WCF-QF              Rejistania 2-1 Giant Zucchini          (Defence 1)
2004-C012 WCF-SF              Rejistania 2-0 The Lowland Clans       (Defence 2)

The ^NEW! First Unification
March 2004 - World Cup 12 Final
Rejistania 1-1 Audioslavia
[AET. Rejistania win 4-3 on PKs]

The route from Rejistania to Eauz remains, only instead of being Interim blue, the path is Lineal purple.

You can follow the Unofficial World Championship here. You can see the old, now out-dated version here

Bulls Begin the Charge

In football news, the national team have started to find their feet, with two wins during last week's international window and the prospect of two supposedly 'easier' games to come in the next window. There is a chance that, come the halfway stage of qualifying, the side will be in a position to truly fight for the group win.

Elsewhere, Hapilopper remain the form team, four points ahead of the Bulls in first, and just ahead of BoF semi-finalist Super Earth, the team that so resolutely battered the Bulls in that upset on matchday three.

Ancient frenemies New Montreal States now sit fifth, just ahead of a Snestar team that are falling slightly short of their promise here in World Cup 100. Their 2-5-1 record is only good enough for fifth, which is very much the 'bottom' of the real group here. On the basis of these last 9 matchdays, none of the bottom four can hope to take anything from the top five.

Aside, of course, from that brutal opening day draw between Denyssia and Audioslavia. In a tight group, it may have been that matchday one encounter that has already sealed Audioslavia's fate.

by **Soviet Kem** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 7:36 pm

Soviet Kem 0–1 Reçueçn

By Bahav Xakin

Another matchday, another loss for Ken Stavisk, but to give him credit Reçueçn was coming off a 7-0 win against Shiverian Republics. I say that Ken Stavisk, with his defensive style actually was a plus this time against Reçueçn, however their own hyper-defensive play kept us from scoring as well, and in playing hyper-defensive teams we have no way through. Attacks win you games, but defense wins you silverware, while I criticize Ken Stavisk for his defensive play style, it is only because of the formation he uses. As seen by Reçueçn currently sitting undefeated in group 14, defense is the way to win silverware, but Ken Stavisk does it the wrong way. I think that Soviet Kemrainan players are more geared for attacking football, even if we create some of the best goalkeepers, I think that Ken Stavisk's defensive play style just doesn't fit the way Soviet Kemrainan players, especially with The Echo Grid's next generation of players.

The game was basically gridlock, with both sides fighting in the midfield, shutting each run down almost instantaneously. There was an early breakthrough though in the 8th minute, but the cross into the box was intercepted by Zoinski. Later into the half in the 39th minute Firat made a spectacular through pass to Asselineau, who smashed it past Zoinski into the back of the net. Genish II attempted a through pass to Nort in the 56th minute, but it was cut out by Kayserling, who then put the ball back into the battle in the midfield. The game ended with the ball still in that same midfield battle, the progression in the midfield for most of the game was most comparable to trench warfare, with the centre line being the no-mans-land.

The North Polish Union 0–1 Soviet Kem

By Bahav Xakin

This game was joyous as we did pull off a wonderful upset win on the road. We are still sitting 5th in the table of group 14, but we now have a win going into our next game, this will boost the confidence of our players. My previous theory about Ken Stavisk has now been challenged with this game, but there are always exceptions and outliers, so we will see if my theory is true or not. Our current position we are one point off of a three-way tie for third place in our group, but I think that all teams in group 14 should attempt to bring down the top two nations, as second place Banija is 7 points clear of third place.

The game was enthralling though, with Zoinski starting in only the 7th minute managed to block three consecutive shots from Saławiej, Dörfel, and Oeming. The 21st minuet Genish II intercepted a through ball from Oeming, with Genish II then starting a counterattack eventually allowing Nort to finish clinically by chipping Kalinowski in the 38th minute. Gligimesh cleared a corner in the 63rd minute, preventing a possible goal, and launching the ball into a battle in the Soviet Kemrainan half, creating a no-mans-land near the edge of the center circle. Eventually in the final moments Lukaszewski got onto a breakaway, he would have tied the game if it were not for Zoinski, who saved Lukaszewski's shot, and with the final clearance marking the end of this absolutely stunning match and sealed the upset win for Soviet Kem.

by **Stewartika** » Sat Nov 01, 2025 8:35 pm

A WIN AWAY FROM HOME - STEWARTIKA WITH A HILL TO CLIMB NOW UNDER GROUP LEADERS

In the one game played during this set of matches, Riandera away from home in Matchday 7 before one of two bye weeks, Stewartika takes all three points in a relatively cagey affair that saw Royal Purple once again come back from trailing, this time to win. Unfortunately, with that bye competitors for the top spot Kelssek and the Martian Independent Republic, who Stewartika drew to both last time around, are now even on games played, and are both now two points clear of the Pigs. Group 8 has become a do-or-die race for Stewartika, where defeat even once may spell the end for the World Cup dream, and every game is a must win going forward.

Matchday 7 - A Day for the Reserves

Kunio expressed the desire for this set of matches to rest his top players with the single match played and bye week, reasoning 198th ranked Langenia was to be the best time to do that, and give the reserve players some time to shine. Here’s a rough lineup (since I wasn’t able to make a pre-match post in time…)

4-2-3-1

GK: Wujin (C)
DEF: Fae, Himmel, Strand, Song
PIVOTMID: Kang, Soon
ATTMID: Tran, Jin, Haggstrom
ST: Sjoberg

Bench: Loeb (GK), Wanima, Blake, Kim, Valliney, Ryu, Polluck

Team Captain Sung taking a much-needed rest, fourth captain Kame Wujin takes the skipper’s band for this match in goal. Winger Nathaniel Tran makes his first start for the national team in this fixture, with several of his young colleagues on the bench for the first time. It’s as classic a football matchup as you can get in this world here at the Diego Talaman Stadium, blue vs red - Langenian Los Azules in their home shirts, Stewartikan Royal Purple this time in their away red. Before the match, Kunio expressed his acknowledgment of Langenia’s similar playing style to theirs, noting their aggressive shape was much like Stewartika’s, although he has noticed things that could slip them up.

Langenia got the match underway underneath the eager supporters, still not dampened by Los Azules’ current poor form. This atmosphere proved to be conductive to the home side’s play, they made several teasing passes through the midfield that came to nothing at first. Soon, however, after some decent runs courtesy of Tran and Haggstrom, they knocked hard at Stewartika’s door. A through ball from Oscar Galindo found striker Ricardo Antonio, and as Himmel and Strand closed in, the fear of strikers bashed into them following Lorenzo Gallejo’s astounding hat-trick against them in the Baptism of Fire, Antonio unexpectedly simply held the ball up, then easily back heeled to the unseen Samuel Esteban. Before any member of the defense could react, the winger had already slammed it home with all the momentum of his run into the left side of goal. The Diego Talaman bursts in celebration, and it was 1-0 to the home side.

Thankfully, Stewartika were able to find a solution through this stumbling block. As Langenia’s head coach Adrian Costa had said himself, the higher more aggressive line would leak goals and lead to trouble if the offense didn’t score more goals to balance it out. This would prove ironically true, as soon after the opening goal Jin would send a through ball slicing straight through Langenia’s defensive line, sending Sjoberg on to coolly slot in the equalizer before the now-energized away end. A friendly high-five is shared between the two first teamers as their reservist teammates surround them in awe, an excellent example for the younger generation right on the pitch for them to see.

The chances continue to fly between the two teams, neither being able to definitively counter the other’s offensive strategy, pure luck keeping the ball out of the net on both ends as half-time comes.

As the teams return, three changes were made for Stewartika - Jin, Soon, and Haggstrom making way for Wanima, Ryu, and for the first time, 18 year old David Valliney steps onto the pitch wearing Stewartika’s colors. As the action continues on, soon a chance breaks for Langenia, Antonio once again holding up and passing, this time to the other side for Raul Guzman. This time, however, Ott Bentham was there. Langenia high up the pitch, keeper Jose Angel off his line, the right back shoulder pushes the winger off the ball and boots it up field, straight to Valliney’s feet. Without thinking twice, the teenage attacking midfielder slams it from his spot at the halfway line, soaring over Angel’s fingers and into the net. Running triumphantly to the corner flag, he unveils his celebration, a quick boxing sort of move as the Stewartikan fans roar and his teammates congratulate him for his astounding debut goal. Stewartika goes on to keep this lead to end the match 1-2, and with the three points.

Full Time:
World Cup Qualifiers - Group 8

Langenia
Stewartika

1
2

S. Esteban ’14
V. Sjoberg ’39

D. Valliney ’63

MAN OF THE MATCH: David Valliney

Venue: Diego Talaman Stadium

Weather: cloudy, medium wind, 73 degrees F

Interview with David Valliney

I: David, goal and man of the match in your first appearance for Stewartika, how does it feel?

V: Ah, amazing honestly… it really feels like I’ve made it after so long training and my parents believing in me. And playing in the civil war… this is all just so cathartic, you know.

I: I bet, so David any plans to celebrate over the bye, with or without the team?

V: Well, uhh, we’ll see, you know…

I: Well alright then, thanks David.

V: Thank you.

Stewartika returns home to rest on their bye, and then host two straight matches - first against the unranked Afanc Strait, who currently sit sixth in Group 8 with two wins, a draw, and four losses, and then the first return fixture against Skyberius, who delivered the Pigs’ so far only loss in qualifying on the first day with a 3-0 loss away from home. Stewartika look to increase the pressure on the group leaders and make up lost ground in the draws. Until then.

NEXT TIME - Interlude: Sjoberg

by **Riandera** » Sun Nov 02, 2025 1:35 am

RIAN☆STAR
SUNDAY - November 2, 2025

A win in Electrum, a draw at home
Rafflesias celebrate victory over Electrumites, home match ends in a draw
by .. Kevin Widiyanto

Centralis and Bandar Suryana—The Rafflesias have proven that they can bounce back to past glory in the last two matches.

On MD7, the Rafflesias defeated the unranked Electrumites 1-4. Krane scored a goal for Electrum thirteen minutes in, which was followed by Woolridge's strike five minutes later. Zhang scored at 41' and 68', while Rahman scored the last goal of the match at 87'.

"It was a breeze, that one [match]," Zhang said in a post-match presser, "but it was nice to get play with the Electrumites."

Next up was a clash with Saterun on our soil. At the time, they were just under Riandera on the group table (and still are). Rahman scored the first goal for Riandera at 25', but Ibañez came along and balanced the scores at 48'. Woolridge scored the next goal for Riandera at 71', but the scores were balanced again when Bates scored at 86'.

Riandera's next match is in Valladares. They drew on their previous two matches, and are ranked World #297. After that, they will have a rematch with Tristan de Cunha, this time on their soil.

RianStar has been Riandera's most trusted news source for forty years. It offers unbiased views of different domestic and international news, making their reports to the best quality.

by **Paradystopia** » Sun Nov 02, 2025 1:47 am

Vote share across entire population

The supposed Erroropolisish movement for independence met with a startling blow today as the Paradystopi people voted against the proposal of independence for the south-western island city of Erroropolis. Whilst the snap referendum saw nearly three-quarters of Paradystopi declining the opportunity to vote, and nearly three-quarters of those who did vote declining to state an opinion or openly spoiling their ballot papers (A source from the electoral commission did state that a sizable percentage of spoiled votes contained the phrase 'Who gives a f*ck about Erroropolis?') of those that did vote, 71% were of the opinion that Erroropolis should not be awarded independent nation status.

As of writing, The National Scrutineer^TM has been unable to reach Erroropolis mayor, Error Message for comment on the result given it was he who called for, and has been a vociferous campaigner in favour of the referendum succeeding. His press secretary informed us that he was currently in Geektopia, and presently occupied with 'nothing in the least bit suspicious', 'absolutely nothing to do with the World Cup qualifying that absolutely isn't happening right now' and 'actually don't tell them I'm in Geektopia'.
Erroropolis native and leader of the anti-independence 'We're in this sh*t together' campaign; Markus Wong-Wang gave his heartfelt thanks to the Paradystopi people following his side's victory stating 'It's a landmark decision for Paradystopia and her peoples, human, xat'i and pteron alike, that we wish to stay united'. A known opposition of the mayor, Mr Wong-Wang also went on to say that this success gave a clear message to his opponent that his home city 'has no intention of giving more power to a clearly deranged autocrat'.

Following the failure of the referendum to garner support for Erroropolisish independence, a new movement has sprung up in it's wake to rename the island city from 'Erroropolis' to 'Oeopolis' though most Paradystopi living outside the city seemingly couldn't care less.

by **Seeberg** » Sun Nov 02, 2025 2:38 am

“They told me to do some commentary about current events, like hitting the halfway-mark, or my recent obsession with truffle-flavored popcorn,” said Sigismund Schiltze and adjusted his feathered green felt cap, “but how can you say something about today and tomorrow without firstly discoursing protractedly on the many yesterdays of time gone by,” he continued and took a long swig from his stein while seated on a slightly uneven bench in the shadow of the Ministerium for Cultural Angelegenheiten on Zuzuzurren Straße, just off Philharmonisches Platz, in the heart of fair Brinterberg. “So while you might expect a small treatise on our prospects going forward or the use of acidity regulators, I instead invite you to sit down and dig your fingers deep into the story of How The Horkenheimers Ended Up Here.” Herr Schiltze devoured his last bite of a particularly dry quarktasche and smacked his lips in contentment, before continuing: “Call me old fashioned, but when the soufflé deflates, you must serve it with dignity, and so I suggest we now proceed to Part 11, wherein we bear witness to the declining popular interest in FußBall, but also learn of an amusing cultural backlash with a renaissance of sorts for HändeFußy.”

“I suppose it was inevitable, really. FußBall had become respectable, a true part of society. And with respectability, came evermore bureaucracy, and with evermore bureaucracy, came greater predictability, and with greater predictability, came unavoidable staleness, and with that popular interest soon waned. FußBall, in a word, had become langweilig.

The increasingly geriatric leadership of Doktor Wingholter’s successors - men like Wolfgang Scraderknopf, Johann Müdemann and Thomas Pattsituation, none of whom had ever kicked a ball, but all had extensive experience in filing paperwork about balls - ushered in an era of what was generally - in the ministerial world and in Society - considered procedural perfection. The games themselves had evolved - or devolved, depending who you asked - into a finely choreographed and precise machinery, with more likeness in a train timetable than the passionate bouts of old.

The stands were different as well. The Code of Spectatorial Decency had grown into a 1093-page document, complete with appendices, footnotes, and even a glossary of what was acceptable crowd facial expressions. The Game-Gastgeberstaffel, which at this point had been rebranded as the Spectatorial Harmonie-Korps, patrolled the stands in great numbers, ensuring that no one cheered too loudly.

Over time, the once-packed stands of places like Baden-Baden-Baden Park Stadia and Knackwurst Sportplatz became sparsely populated affairs, with the gentleman-officers of the SHK outnumbering the attending spectators, which now mainly consisted of select upstanding members of society and the odd senior citizen reminiscing about the glory days of Felina FußBall and the tactical genius of Ingemar von Taktik. Because the people, well, the people had largely moved on. The Brinterberger Beobachter, once the standout voice of FußBall enthusiasm, now ran its Liga section next to the obituaries and sudoku puzzles, and even the Brinterberger Cup, that grand old tournament of yore, had lost its luster. Children no longer wore team colors, grown men no longer argued in cafés, and the sidewalks outside Die Alte Bäckerei on Rheingutstraße remained unmolested.

Despite all this, the game persisted. Because this was Seebergundia, and once something becomes properly institutionalized, it cannot simply be undone. The SFV existed, the infrastructure was in place, the judges were trained and sock-length regulations were properly codified. And so, FußBall continued. Not because of any popular demand, but because it was now a properly Seebergundian activity, on par with Graeco-Roman wrestling, various equestrian disciplines and archery. The nature of the associations changed as well, as membership dwindled when older enthusiasts died and recruitment was almost nonexistent. The youth sections remained, because despite everything FußBall was still a great place to store your kids, but few stayed on for long and had moved on when they reached late adolescence.

Ironically, since FußBall had started as a dirty activity of lowly workers and lesser academics, it was now the elites that pushed their children to persevere with FußBall beyond the standard Mittelstufe years, stating the required structuredness of understanding and properly executing FußBall at a higher level built character. This greatly contributed to associations from the heart of fair Brinterberg - Staad FBV, SV Brinterberg and BSV Mordorheim - gaining a significant advantage and developing into the undisputed kings of Post-Wingholter FußBall. Their advantage was mainly the ability to replenish their Liga squads with young blood, and there are several amusing anecdotes of young and energetic central teams completely obliviating an opposition made up of balding and bierbauched northerners, southerners, and men of east and west alike.

This push on young Men of Society to engage in FußBall led to an amusing social development, wherein these descendents of the men who had once banned the game of HändeFußy, now suddenly found themselves nostalgic for the very chaos their forebearers had tried to suppress. They gathered in salons and parlors, sipping herbal infusions and sekt, reading aloud from the old anthology Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Radical Disruption and The Social Order by Klinkenklossstein, Diggerdeigerschtroumph, et al and lamenting the loss of an authentic Seebergundian spirit. They spoke of HändeFußy as a cultural treasure, an unrefined gem buried beneath layers of modernity and compromise, and eventually they started organizing private gatherings to try their hand at playing.

They didn't play in the woods or on the mountain slopes, like in the old days, but rather in their parents' manicured gardens, and while I am sure the intention truly was to recreate HändeFußy in its original, anarchic form, their attempt at chaos and violence was only ever curated and aestheticized, complete with silk gloves and tailored knickerbockers. This fascination for the old game was not kept a secret for long, although the scandal was only modest and society mostly just rolled their eyes overbearingly at these silly boys. The critical theorists of the Institute for Sozial Research, down out west in the St. Paulina Quarter, couldn't help themselves, of course and released a mean pamphlet about the nostalgic reactionism of the upper classes and how HändeFußy’s return was a clear symptom of a society unwilling to confront its own contradictions and therefore unable of subverting its hegemonic social structures.

This “renaissance" of HändeFußy was mostly just a ridiculous anachronism and not indicative of anything more than silliness, really. If it shows us anything, however, it would be that it was especially the young people of Brinterberg that had either completely abandoned FußBall, or yearned to escape it. Because, the younger generations - those born after the Vergoldete Age, who had never known the thrill of a properly executed 3-5-3 or the joy of a well-timed aesthetic violation - found the game utterly obsolete, if they even wasted a thought on it whatsoever. They preferred the syncopated rhythms of newfangled foreign imports like jazz music and improvised interpretive movement in dimly lit underground clubs on Kaufleute Platz, Ordensgemeinschaft Straße and Gneisbänderung Platz in the south, or along Gugelhupf Allee in the eastern Heilige Birgitta Quarter.

Fußball, to them, was a relic. A museum piece. A pastime for the elderly and the snobs. Still a weekly ritual, sure, but for the few and no longer for the many. Perhaps something their grandparents would discuss over lukewarm herbal infusions in the back rooms of the Vergoldete Mackrell Bäckerei on Grimmaische Straße, which was cornered with Gugelhupf Allee, but still a world away.”

World Cup 100 | RP thread

WC100 Chapter 2

100 - 3 (Wake Up)

Scorigami

Goodbye to Love: Episode Ia

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