Polar Islandstates - Road to the World Cup (Completed)

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:08 pm

Proudly, the Federation of Polar Islandstates Football Association has entered a team into the Baptism of Fire and World Cup later this year. For the nation, this prompts one important question: Who is going to be in this team?

To answer this dilemma, a series of national trials are to be initiated. Sol Kirkkegaard and his assistant Morten Yarbin will be taking charge of a full squad of 23 players each, selected from tapes of the recently finished inaugural FPIFA season. These two squads, Alpha and Beta, will play off against each other in a series of seven friendlies, played over the course of a month on a tour of the nation's largest stadiums in front of a free ballot audience. In between matches, these squads will train privately as a domestic team would, and though preparations for each game will be private, Kirkkegaard and Yarbin will compare notes on each game as it passes. Every player will be given a chance to shine in the team, with the aim of halving the 46 down to 23 by the end of the process.

As the final whistle goes on the final trial match, the final 23 will be chosen and announced on the same day by Kirkkegaard and Yarbin. These 23 will then take off to a training camp in the hills above Axel Heiburg, where the FPIFA has funded a world class training facility. This team will then play off for a final time against the unsuccessful candidates at the Nasjonale Stadion under the full direction of the full coaching staff for an exhibition match, this will also be a free ballot event. Watching at this exhibition will hopefully be a series of representatives from foreign football associations, here to watch and hopefully to set up a series of friendlies with the full Polar Islandstates team for the nation's first full internationals.

Invites will be sent out nearer the time, though requests for seats for officials will be accepted at all times during the selection process.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:34 pm

Without further ado, here are the rosters for the two teams, the 46 lucky players in with a shot at representing their country.

ALPHA SQUAD					
Coach:	Sol Kirkkegaard				
		Details			
		Number	Name	                      Position	Club
		1	Dmitri Karlsson	                GK	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		2	Sergey Makarov	                DR	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		3	Patrik Karlstrom                DC	FC Solovetsky Monastery
		4	Aaron Hogg	                DC	Novaya Sibir Reds
		5	Steffan Pekarik	                DL	East Franz Athletic
		6	Petter Bielsen	                MC	Red Star Severny
		7	Miroslav Bardsen	        MR	1. Surtsey Island Rovers
		8	Teemu Hansen	                MC	SK Franz Josef City
		9	Timo Skye	                ST	SK Franz Josef City
		10	Adam Nicklas	                ST	Red Star Severny
		11	Maarten Szkovicz	        ML	Red Star Severny
		12	Tiko Logan	                GK	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		13	Mathias Marek	                GK	Jan Mayen Islanders
		14	Ronald van Bommel	        DMC	Devon Bay Seals FC
		15	Marcel Sanderskye	        AMC	RSK Longyearbyen Town
		16	Rale Khedira	                MR	RSK Longyearbyen Town
		17	Hakke Vestoriko	                ML	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		18	Henning Blonqvist	        ST	East Franz Athletic
		19	Johan Mannison	                DR	Northbrook Diamonds FK
		20	Hassa Thompson	                ST	Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
		21	Jon Birk Pettersen	        DL	Melville Celtic
		22	Anton McAllister                DC	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		23	Svennis Moller	                DC	North Star Grímsey
					
					
BETA SQUAD					
Coach:	Morten Yarbin				
		Details			
		Number	Name	                      Position	Club
		1	Tim Skovgaard	                GK	Lokomotiv Barentsberg
		2	Petter Nikkel	                DR	SK Franz Josef City
		3	Maarten Berg	                DC	SK Franz Josef City
		4	Niko Marek	                DC	Jan Mayen Islanders
		5	Finn Marini	                DL	AFK Hans Island Pioneers
		6	Vladimir Golubev	        MC	RSK Longyearbyen Town
		7	Tommi Kokkur	                MR	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		8	Ole van Jendrisen	        AMC	1. Surtsey Island Gulls
		9	Patrick Ackermann-Finn	        ST	FC Axel Heiburg
		10	Sergei Frank	                ST	1. Surtsey Island Gulls
		11	Vasily Kasanov	                ML	East Franz Athletic
		12	Karl Cristoffsen	        GK	SK Aasiaat Harbour
		13	Bent Gulavson	                GK	AC Aleutia Volcanoes
		14	Luc Demarchelier	        AMC	FC Axel Heiburg
		15	Jonathan Beck	                DMB	Melville Celtic
		16	Igor Melkinov	                MR	FC Solovetsky Monastery
		17	Pekka Silvennsson	        ML	FC Axel Heiburg
		18	Alexsandr van Sorensen	        ST	Jan Mayen Islanders
		19	Kiki Hartmann	                DR	Jan Mayen Islanders
		20	Patrik Lindegaard	        ST	North Star Grímsey
		21	Pol de Huyer	                DL	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		22	Eduardo Prost	                DC	Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
		23	Denis Kodiak	                DC	Lokomotiv Barentsberg

Alpha Squad will play in the Home kit, Beta in the away.

The majority of posts from me from here on in will be RPs.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:34 pm

Tiko Logan was a nervous man.

Barely first choice for his own team, the recipient of a shock call up to the national trials, and only by the grace of Dmitri Karlsson pulling up in training was he here, standing behind Aaron Hogg in the tunnel, waiting to become one of two keepers to be the first to pull on the national jersey in a football match. He'd performed well for his team all season, he knew that, but he felt the pressure on big games, and with youngsters breathing down his neck ad baying for first team action he wasn't always as relied upon as he'd have liked, let alone as reliable himself.

The referee started walking, and the teams started off. Tiko shared a quick glance across at Tim Skovgaard, rival keeper today. It was a look that shared anticipation, nervous trepidation, and competitive fire. Without hoping his rival had a bad game, he hoped his rival had a bad game. Tiko felt bad but that was football. He wanted the place in the national squad as much as anyone.

The noise from the crowd grew louder as htye approached the end of the tunnel. Tiko blinked in the light of flashes from the nation's gathered press. He could hear the stadium commentator's pitch getting higher and higher with excitement, and he physically recoiled as he stepped out from the tunnel. Taking his first steps on the green turf of the Nasjonale Stadion, the noise hit him like a curtain of steel, and the floodlights shone in his face. For a stadium of 30,000, Tiko had to admit it was sounding intimidating.

The national anthem played. Tiko didn't sing. Instead he focused on keeping his eyes shut as all his concentration was deployed on fighting the bile rising in his throat, and controlling the knocking that was swelling in his knees and threatening to broadcast his nerves. Tiko spent what seemed like an eternity in that haze when he was prompted by a nudge on his shoulder. It was Maarten Berg, the opposition captain for the day. He wanted to shake hands, Tiko instead offered a weak hand, limp at the wrist. He could feel the colour draining from his cheeks. Tim handed Tiko a firm pat on the shoulders as he passed, and Hogg walked him away with an arm round his shoulder as the teams dispersed into their formations. Tiko heard not a word of it. Radio static mixed with birdsong was the only sound he could comprehend, the numb shouts of his teammates barely registering as he took his place between the goalposts.

They seemed awfully big.

Tiko clapped to the fans behind his goals almost as a reflex reaction, then turned around and let the numb, hoarse, distant sounds soak into him as the referee looked both ways...

Tiko closed his eyes.

Seconds stretched for eternity, an eternity Tiko felt on his shoulders, tugging at his backbone...

A piercing whistle woke Tiko from his reverence. Sounds that were blocked out and hollow only seconds earlier were now crisp and clear. All of a sudden Tiko felt like master of the universe. All sounds passed through him, all sights ran past him, all events were put before him, the whole world lay before him and Tiko could sense it all. The smells, the sights, the sounds of the stadium flew into Tiko's consciousness and he fell upon them all, drawing deep draughts from the well of sensory overload and becoming intoxicated.
In the distance, mere seconds after kick off, Tiko saw Timo Skye accelerate up the pitch to collect an optimistic longball from Miroslav Bardsen. An interception was missed, Tiko couldn't see who from, this omnipresent demeanour was slipping, and all of a sudden Timo was through on goal. A colossal CRACK reverberated around the stadium and the crowd groaned as the ball hurtled against the crossbar before bouncing out of play.

The speed of the start dizzied Tiko. Even before he could fully imagine the same thing happening to him, even before he could even consider how he might feel had his crossbar been hit with venom so soon after the start of the match, even before he was aware of what was happening, the ball was hurtling down the wing towards him.

All sense of decorum and dignity flew out of the window at that point. All pretentions of omniscience abandoned. Tiko flapped, heading out of his goals towards the player, he didn't know who, chasing down the ball at the corner of his box. Second thoughts flooded his brain as he realised he was losing the race.

Confusion set in and Tiko paused, stuck like a rabbit in the headlights.

Backpeddling furiously, he could hear nothing but the blood pulsing around his ears as he ran towards the recipient of the cross that was zipping over from the edge of the box.

Leaving the open goal to fend for itself, Tiko launched himself at the striker. There was a clatter of limbs, Tiko got a touch to the ball. Both players ended up on the ground, Tiko lunched at the ball again, all idea of axes ignored, Tiko just wanted the ball. The ball would save him.

It wasn't enough.

Tiko ended up lying underneath a striker's torso, he didn't care whose, as he watched the ball bounce without a care in the world into the open goal. It had taken only 72 seconds.

All manner of thoughts flooded Tiko's brain as he trudged towards the goal to pick the ball out.

Resentment aimed at the striker who was now wheeling away celebrating with his teammates, anger aimed at the fans whose eyes he could feel boring into his skull, fury aimed at the defenders who allowed the situation to arise, disappointment in himself for panicking, a wish for the nosie in the stadium to just stop, a hope that the coach was looking the other way or hadn't yet taken his seat...

But which thought to vocalise first?

Tiko reached the ball, flashbulbs popping all around him. Tiko vocalised none of the thoughts.

Tiko vomited.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:15 pm

"Hello hello hello hello hello, and welcome to this review of the first in the seven match series of national trials for the Polar Islandstates national team. I'm Bob..."

"...And I'm Bob. Yes folks, the road to the World Cup really does start here. With the players keen to show the coaches what they can do, and the coaches keen to try out different formations and combinations of tactics, its all to play for, even more so when we bring you this exciting newsflash! Bob?"

"Thank you, Bob. Yes folks, today the FPIFA confirmed that it has its first offer for a friendly match after the trial process is complete. Word was passed along the ranks that officials from the Futbol Astograthiko Federazioa over from The Grand Duchy of Astograth will attending the final exhibition match, and will afterwards be ironing out the details of a friendly match between the two nations for what will quite possibly be the first full international our players will have ever played in. Exciting times. Which just heaped all the more pressure on today's match. Bob?"

"Yes, thank you Bob. The teams lined up like this: For Alpha Squad, Kirkkegaard was forced to put in Tiko Logan over Karlsson, after the latter tweaked his hamstring in the warmup. Makarov, Karlstrom, Hogg and Pekarik made up the backline, with Hogg the captain for the day. Bielsen and Hansen achored the midfield, with Bardsen and Szkovicz providing wing support for Skye and Nicklas up front. For Beta Squad, Yarbin gave the captain's armband to Maarten Berg, with Marek, Marini and Nikkel completing the back four in front of Skovgaard in goal. Golubev, Kokkur, van Jendrisen and Kasanov made up the midfield and Ackermann-Finn and Sergei Frank led the line. Bob?"

"Thank you Bob. The game started at a breakneck speed, and mere seconds after the kick off, Skye had hit the crossbar, and then from that immediate goal kick, a lightning fast break from Kokkur down the right saw him clip a cross to Ackermann-Finn, who scored with his first touch of the game after Logan found himself in no man's land. An ugly goal, but a goal nonetheless, and who knows what Logan was thinking. Bob?"

"Thank you Bob. Yarbin pulled his team back a little after that, as wave after wave of renewed pressure from Alpha Squad came to no avail thanks to the rock solid defending of Marek and Berg at the back, and Beta saw out the half in the lead. Bob?"

"Yes Bob, with Berg and Marek already looking like a partnership built to last for Beta after only 45 minutes, Kirkkegaard chanced his arm with substitutions at half time, with Sanderskye coming on for the more defensively minded Bielsen. This almost paid off immediately for Alpha, with Sanderskye meeting Skye with some lovely through balls only to Skovgaard to deny him time and time again. Skye's movement off the ball was so good that goal poacher Nicklas was taken off after a disappointing showing for the deeper lying Blonqvist. Bob?"

"Thank you Bob, it was a Beta substituion who would make the next impact though. Luc Demarchelier took two touches and then lobbed Logan from all of 30 yards to a magnificent burst onto the national scene for a player who lit up the second division this year, leading his team to promotion. Alpha hit back immdiately though, when another Sanderskye through ball was picked up on by Skye, who this time rolled it back into the path of the advancing Blonqvist, who hit a piledriver from the edge of the box that Skovgaard never evven saw. 2-1, and game on. Bob?"

"Thank you Bob. Alpha hearts were to be broken late on in the game though, as both teams made substitutions which broke up the flow of the game, Demarchelier turned provider for his Axel Heiburg team mate as his cross from the deep caught the Alpha defence flat footed, and left Ackermann-Finn unmarked to head in his second. Ackermann-Finn was subbed soon after to preserve his stamina for the next game. And it was his replacement who grabbed a fourth goal shortly before the final whistle, just to kill Alpha off. Alexsandr van Sorensen, who has had such an incredible season for Jan Mayen Islanders came on to make a national debut of ten minutes, and he was in the right place at the right time for his goal. A corner from Lindegaard took a deflection at the near post, and as Demarchelier scrambled to keep it in play he looped it up over the six-yard-box, where van Sorensen was waiting to volley it high into the top of the net. 4-1, and a scoreline that might have been harsh on Alpha, Bob?"

"Thank you Bob, yes, Beta were decisive and clear in their attacking roles, meaning no attack was wasted, and Alpha instead saw their attacks break on the rocks of the Beta defence. Alpha could havae won, but luck and concentration were their enemies tonight. Yarbin will have to shake things up a bit for the next match of course but if he utilises the players he was drawn in the same way again the Kirkkegaard will have to show why he is the national coach to beat him, certainly if the big names in his squad come up short on the night once again. Bob?"

"Yes Bob, so much of the hype surround players like Makarov, Hogg, and Nicklas went unfounded, and instead the Man of the Match award for Alpha has to go to Timo Skye, who ran and ran and ran tonight for his team, knowing when to lay off and when to shoot, and was unlucky not to get a goal or two himself as the chances were there if he was a bit more clinical. For Beta, despite Demarchelier's incredible performance from the bench, Man of the Match goes to Berg, who led by example as captain today and constantly made the last tackle, or the last blockage that meant Skye went home unhappy. Credit to Ackermann-Finn as well for outshining all other strikers on the pitch today with two goals. Bob?"

"Thank you Bob, so with the first match of seven down, Kirkkegaard and Yarbin has much to discuss with each other, and their charges, and we hope you'll join us in a few days at Carravale for match two. I've been Bob..."

"...and I've been Bob, goodnight."

MATCH ONE
Nasjonale Stadion - 30,523 (Franz Josef City)

Alpha Squad     1 - 4     Beta Squad
            ('59) Blonqvist                      Ackermann-Finn ('1) ('76)
                                          Demarchelier ('56)
                                          van Sorensen ('89)

     Timo Skye         MoM          Maarten Berg

by **Polar Islandstates** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:51 pm

Before we show you the extracts from the live feed following yesterday's exciting Match Two in the National Team Trials, a quick word about last week's first rounds of UICA football, and what happened to our teams in them. It is a case of excited commiserations for most teams I'm afraid, with almost all of our representation eliminated in their first round matches.

SK Franz Josef City, who were playing as our sole showing in the TQCC were knocked out 4-3 on aggregate to FC Mildrid of Erathore. Not a dismal or depressing showing at all, and fans can be very proud of this first rung on the ladder. Following this defeat, they take a sideways step into the Eliminatory Round Draw of the Globe Cup.

In the SBCC, KA Spitsbergen were knocked out by Fort Archer of footballing giants Cosumar 2-1, fans were said to be disappointed at the lack of passion shown at critical moments, but largely they thoroughly enjoyed their trip to this powerhouse of the sport. Northbrook Diamonds FK were the first of our teams to record a win in either leg of their tie, at home to Ibarbe Polo Club of Astograth, but succumbed 3-0 away to be eliminated themselves. Last year's Divisjon Gull champions, FC Axel Heiburg, were knocked out 3-2 on aggregate in a close fought tie with South Holland of North Chicanan, but more success was to be found in the hands of Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox. Congratulations must go to the players and coaching staff alike as they made history by being the first team from Polar Islandstates to make progress in an international domestic competition. They managed to beat Universal of Saugeais both home and away to record a 5-1 aggregate victory. They came mightily close to proceeding even further as well, only going out on away goals in the next round, after drawing 2-2 and 1-1 with Royal Valley Police of Unitopolis. An unlucky end then, but like we said, tentative first steps are first steps nonetheless, and every goal was celebrated warmly throughout the nation.

In the Globe Cup, it was a similar story as Red Star Severny were knocked out 3-3 on away goals by Star Point of North Chicanan, which proves to be an unhappy hunting ground for our teams already. Yuzhny Equinox FC however, had luck on their side as they held Vulkan of Kagdazka and Pazhujebu to a 0-0 draw both home and away, and progressed to the next round after a penalty shoot out.

So, looking forward, with Jan Mayen's Cygnus Cup appearance yet to be scheduled, the only matches coming forwards to be expected are all in the Eliminatory Stage of the Globe Cup. Resolute Storm 1913 FC will play Club ESF of Valanora, with a match against Cross SC of Zarbli the prize should they progress. Yuzhny Equinox will play Dover City of The Babbage Islands should they get past Wolfenstein SA of the East Rushmore Premier, and Franz Josef City get a second bite of the pie against Capivara Group team Faustão PC, with a tie against Sembulan of Jesselton awaiting the victor.

We wish all FPIFA teams the very best of luck in flying the flag for our fledgling league. And now without further ado, onto the match highlights...

FPIBC.com Live Text Highlights

'1
The teams walk out to a huge roar in Carravale, this incredible hillside stadium in Severny. The national anthem is played, and the teams take their place in formation waiting to start.
The teams:
ALPHA line up in a new experimental formation from Kirkkegaard, dubbed "the iceberg"...

Karlsson
Mannison - Moller - Hogg - Pekarik
Bielsen - vanBommel - Hansen(C)
Sanderskye
Skye - Thompson

BETA line up with an attacking 4-3-3...

Gulavson
Nikkel - Kodiak - Marek(C) - deHuyer
Kokkur - vanJendrisen - Silvennsson
Ackermann-Finn - Frank - Lindegaard

ALPHA get the game started.

'5
Timo Skye breaks down the right from a van Bommel through-ball, but his shot is sliced, and falls away for a goal kick

'9
First piece of controversy as Pekarik makes a crunching tackle on Frank in the box. BETA players are calling hard for a penalty but the referee waves it away. Definitely seen those given before.

'15
Ackermann-Finn is unlucky to see his excellent turn and volley parried by Karlsson onto the bar. BETA dictating the play in these opening stages, with Lindegaard and Ackermann-Finn taking excellent wide attacking positions to support Frank in the centre. Their midfield is compact and centred. ALPHA need to get a hold on this formation of Kirkkegaard's.

'18
ALPHA coming back into it now, with excellent supporting wingplay by full-backs Pekarik and Mannison advancing into the space left by the compact midfield. Yet another through-ball from Sanderskye is picked up by Skye, but his pass to Thompson is knocked down by Marek.

'27
Game evening out a bit as the two team's tactics cancel out a little, Thompson's moves and tricks are being cancelled out marvellously by Marek here, he really needs to shake off his attentions if he wants to bring his obvious skill to his team's advantage. Defence winning the game so far for both teams.

'32
Skye finds half a yard of space in the centre and drops a perfectly weighted ball down the wing for Hannison. The cross comes quick and Thompson's diving header is well saved by Gulavson.

'33
Petter Bielsen dictating play once again for ALPHA from the centre, he provides an outlet for van Bommel in the centre and half volleys another cross onto the broad forehead of Thompson, whose knock down for Skye is just behind him. ALPHA bossing things at the moment.

'34 GOAL - TIMO SKYE - ALPHA 1-0 BETA
Recent pressure shows and it is yet another dropped shoulder from Skye that proves to be the telling contribution. Bielsen advances with the ball and lays it off quickly to Pekarik with a superb cross field pass. Pekarik crosses the ball for Thompson who knocks it down for Bielsen as Skye feigns a run, wrong footing Kodiak. Bielsen then knocks a drop ball through for the advancing Moller to lay off for Skye to blast the ball high into the net from ten yards. Superbly worked team goal.

'40
ALPHA still controlling things and threatening another goal. This tactic seems to be working magnificently for Kirkkegaard. Mannison and Pekarik are making regular bombing runs past the central midfielders, with van Bommel playing a holding role along side play dictator Bielsen and enforcer Hansen. Sanderskye is providing a link between midfield and the strikers and is causing all sorts of trouble for Kodiak. BETA need to drop a defender quickly.

'42 GOAL - LINDEGAARD - ALPHA 1-1 BETA
Where did that come from? From an ALPHA corner the lines are cleared and Marek hoofs the ball ungainly up to Frank. All of a sudden its 2 v 1 in attack for BETA as ALPHA got carried away attacking the corner, and Hogg is powerless to stop Lindegaard as he races onto Frank's lofted pass, shins it past the advancing Karlsson, and slots it into the open net. Game on.

'45 HALF TIME
The teams go in equal then, and as they come out for the second half the following substitutions have been made:
ALPHA - Karlstrom on for Moller, and Nicklas on for Thompson
BETA - Beck on for Frank, Melkinov on for Kokkur, and Hartmann on for Nikkel

'49
Ackermann-Finn signals to the bench as he holds his knee after a challanger from Karlstrom. van Sorensen is his replacement.

'51 GOAL - van SORENSEN - ALPHA 1-2 BETA
And van Sorensen makes an instant impact! Performing a dazzling series of stepovers to bamboozle Karlstrom, he bustles past the challenge of Hogg and slams the ball viciously past Karlsson, Marek provided the assist. Three goals in two games, what a talent this boy really is!

'56 GOAL - BIELSEN - ALPHA 2-2 BETA
What. A. Goal. And what a game this is! ALPHA make a sizzling counter-attack and the ball is in the net once more. Nicklas collects the ball from Mannison by the corner flag, and lays it back to Hansen in space. Hansen plays a long pass to Bielsen, who meets the ball with a smashing volley, the balls whistling into the corner of the net from all of 35 yards. Bielsen is celebrating like he's just scored the winning goal in a cup final and who could blame him? Sensational stuff.

'61
The game has settled down a bit recently, Luc Demarchelier coming on for van Jendrisen the last substitute for BETA. ALPHA have also completed their substitutes, with Blonqvist coming on for the excellent Skye, Marek on for the limping Karlsson, and McAllister on for Hogg.

'69 GOAL - MAREK - ALPHA 2-3 BETA
Disaster for McAllister, who has just never looked settled since coming on, as he slips and allows Marek to score a thumping header from a de Huyer corner. Back to square one for ALPHA but Marek has lead by example today. A superb performance from the BETA captain.

'75
ALPHA are pressing for the equaliser here, but are looking short of ideas. Skye looking on from the bench angrily. Hopefully we won't see another one of his infamous outbursts.

'79
BETA have barely seen a sniff of the ball recently as this iceberg formation shows how successful it can be at keeping the ball in their own half, however, Sanderskye is limping and has to go off. ALPHA down to 10 men for the last ten minutes.

'82
More drama here and Blonqvvist is lucky not to be sent off for all but knocking the referee over after his goal is disallowed for offside. He stays on the field, just.

'86
Nicklas causing more problems for Kodiak here as he lurks in the blind spot, lunging through and seeing his toe poke bounce wide from a corner.

'90 FULL TIME
A pulsating match that ends with another victory for BETA then. ALPHA seemed to run out of ideas towards the end despite their dominance, whilst BETA, for all their tricks, can't do a job if they don't have the ball. Niko Marek and Petter Bielsen get the MoM awards for their respective teams after their imperious displays, and it would be interesting to see the final team, because if Kirkkegaard can produce as fluent a performance from a team this rigid and forceful, what will he do when he gets his hands on some more flair players?

See you next time, good night.

MATCH TWO
Carravale - 20,112 (Severny)

Alpha Squad     2 - 3     Beta Squad
        ('34) Skye                      Lindegaard ('42)
       ('56) Bielsen                      van Sorensen ('51)
                                   Marek ('69)

Petter Bielsen         MoM           Niko Marek

by **Polar Islandstates** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:56 pm

The FPIFA would also like to reiterate their invitation for representatives from foreign FAs to reserve seats for the final exhibition match at Nasjonale Stadion at the end of the process, with a view to arranging some friendly matches. We are deeply committed to getting the Polar Islandstates national team the best preparation they can for the Baptism of Fire and World Cup, and very keen to begin good relations with foreign FAs by giving you the best in Polar hospitality.

Best Wishes,
Gustav Ragnorak

FPIFA Chairman

by **Polar Islandstates** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:25 pm

"Sol! Congratulations!"

"Morten my friend, I told you I'd figure it out eventually."

"Maybe so, but you put the iceberg on the back shelf for another week at least."

"A mere technicality. You may see it back soon."

"Oh?"

"I'm saying nothing. The point is, I won today, and you lost."

"No, Sol. The point is, we found out a bit more about these players of ours."

"Quite right Morten. What have you got on your players?"

"Well, first of all I thought Cristoffsen was average at best in goal. He's young yes, and there is time for him to be sculpted into a far better player and leader, but he did not lead today, or mange his defence at all."

"You can't blame him for the goals surely?"

"Well, no. There was nothing any keeper could have done about those goals. Not really. We can't expect miracles of our players day in day out, after all. However, he could have told his defence where to go to prevent such an occasion to happen. I know Berg was the captain, and as usual was a loudmouth, but he hasn't got eyes in the back of his head, and nor has Prost, so Cristoffsen should have been shouting at them."

"Speaking of Prost, you think we made a mistake inviting him?"

"Not really. He won't make the 23, but he was probably right to have been invited."

"Okay, anything else about the defence?"

"Nothing really of note. Hartmann and de Huyer were good today I thought. Not particular spectacular, but solid enough, and Marini just doesn't look half the player of de Huyer. Moving onto the midfield I think you have to applaud Kasanov's performance today. Melkinov I could take or leave but Kasanov's pace is just something else. He could play anywhere in the world and be a success with a motor that fast."

"Agreed, I thought Beck played well in the holding role, too."

"Me too. Very assured, very calm, very accurate. Until you think about it, you wouldn't have known he's in the second league. And as for van Jendrisen, what a performance. My Man of the Match for sure. That give and go with Ackermann-Finn, another player I can't believe was in the second division, was sublime. Demarchelier looks a decent understudy for van Jendrisen as well, but I thought I'd play them at the same time to see what would happen. As you can see, you scored two goals after it so that was definitely a mistake on my part."

"One I exploited expertly though, even if I do say so yourself."

"Well, nobody else is saying it."

"Silencio, old man. Any news on van Sorensen?"

"Nothing yet. Shouldn't be too serious though, looked like a dead leg to me but I suppose there's a chance he's done his knee some damage. I thought Frank played okay when he came on van Sorensen anyway. Nothing too flashy but found space and layed off well. Wish he'd take a few more shots though. How about you, notes on your players?"

"Well, lets see what I wrote down... you want the list all at once?"

"Go for it yeah, our team bus leaves soon so I better dash."

"Right, well, Marek? Very good. Made some brilliant saves and took control at set pieces. May have a fight on his hands to be first choice but he's up there for sure. The backline, Makarov, Hogg, McAllister and Pettersen, were okay. I still prefer Pekarik to Pettersen though. Hogg played very well, a true leader."

"Didn't Pekarik get the assist on Blonqvist's goal?"

"Yes he did. What a cross that was! Inch perfect and Blonqvist had all the time in the world. His partnership with Skye could be very good, I certainly like him a lot more than I like Nicklas. He plays well for his team but he just doesn't gel with any of the other forwards I have here, I'd have to play a five man midfield, which I may try, but I'm reluctant."

"Perhaps later in the series? It would be fair to give him a chance in the formation that suits him best."

"Very true. Anyway, the midfield, before you have to go... Khedira and Vestoriko were pretty unconvincing if you ask me."

"Which I am, and I agree."

"Yes, didn't really look settled at all. The effort was there, but the touches and the passing was missing. The runs Khedira made were nice but he hasn't got the motor anymore really. Five years ago this would have suited him down to the ground, but unfortunately for him, he was born too early really. Hansen and Bielsen, well, what can you say. Safe, assured, confident, Hansen's play was exceptional today, that lofted pass to Skye for the goal... I mean I know Skye had it all to do from there, and the goal was mainly his doing, but the pass was a work of art in itself. And the Bielsen battled away as per usual. Szkowicz and Sanderskye were better down the wing in the second half than I thought they would be. Szkovicz perhaps because I was used to seeing Vestoriko run it out, so he was just a welcome surprise, but Sanderskye because I know he's usually a central playmaker just behind the strikers, but his cutting inside was pretty good. Will definitely consider him for a utility role in future games... erk... but you didn't hear that last bit."

"Hahaha whatever, I'll speak to you later Sol, oh! Before I forget, the football association at Mangolana will be sending some representatives to the final exhibition match, so as well as Astograth, we'll have KPB ranked opposition in a friendly. Anyway, I have to run."

"Ah excellent news! A team with experience, how fun. Morten my friend, for you I fear the coach won't be as fun a place as it has been no doubt, but I'm quite looking forwards to my journey back!"

"I bet you are! Enjoy yourselves! Congratulations again, and see you in Yuzhny! Do svidanya!"

"Ha det!"

MATCH THREE
Mossy Park - 21,433 (Resolute)

Alpha Squad     2 - 1     Beta Squad
            ('67) Skye                      Ackermann-Finn ('31)
          ('75) Blonqvist                                             

       Teemu Hansen         MoM         Ole van Jendrisen

by **Polar Islandstates** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:53 am

How DARE he?! I can't believe he took another shot! I was open! Again! I mean, I know he's on a hat trick, but I was open for both of those as well so I could have scored them just as easily, I mean, I'm Timo Skye.

It's only two nil, they could still come back, so what is Henning doing wasting chances like that when I'm open? I mean, he's Henning Blonqvist, yeah, but I'm Timo Skye.

This is better, Steffan running down the wing... Hate the guy usually, as a matter of club pride of course, he's alright really. Lays it into Teemu, even better, he's my clubmate, he'll knock one forward for me in a second, yeah here we go, he's looking up. Where am I? There, nice bit of space between Berg and Marek, stronger defence on paper my arse, here we go, here's the ball, over the top, yes, jump, control, flick it down, between Maarten's legs, he'll hate me for that, I know all his tricks from training, slam the ball, pick the place, NO! DON'T SAVE THAT! I'M TIMO SKYE!

Urgh. Can't abide this. I deserve a goal. I'm Timo Skye.

Now what? van Sorensen is coming on? I thought he was injured? What? Lindegaard plays him through, WHAT?! He's only been on 30 seconds?! How come he gets the luck and I don't? I'm Timo Skye.

Kick off to Henning again. This isn't fair at all. Run forwards. Find space. Little wink from Maarten. Maarten can naff off. Kick in the shin. Ref didn't see it. Good. Shut up Maarten. Yap yap yap. Get lost. Teemu now, I like Teemu He'll take my side with Maarten. Lays it off to van Bommel. Who's he? He's a nobody. He's passing me the ball, I don't know who you are but thank you. Little touch. Little touch, turn, spin, touch forward, let's go, pull the trigger. SLAM. YES! I'M TIMO SKYE!

MATCH FOUR
Commerce Park - 18,392 (Yuzhny)

Alpha Squad     3 - 1     Beta Squad
         ('7) ('49) Blonqvist                      van Sorensen ('78)
                  ('81) Skye                                            

       Henning Blonqvist         MoM         Vasily Kasanov

by **Polar Islandstates** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:42 pm

-Scene-
The press room at Stadion Solberg, Surtsey, an assembled collection of journalists, photographers, and television cameras are awaiting the arrival of Sol Kirkkegaard on a small stage in front of them, backed by a large FPI team badge. Sol enters the room and the journalists begin to stand and ask questions as the flashbulbs pop wildly...

"Er, yes. Good evening everyone, er, you."

"Olivur Jensen, Evening Gazzette, congratulations on tonight's performance Sol, you must be satisfied with claiming the first clean sheet of the trials?"

"Absolutely. I thought their attacking play was very fluent at times, and incredibly tough to mark, but my players performed excellently and hardly gave them a sniff of a real chance I thought. Apart from those two smart saves by Karlsson obviously. But yes, on the whole, thoroughly pleased. The players drawn into Beta are a wonderfully talented bunch of flair players, so whilst I'm satisfied we continue to score against them, to shut them out completely is a feat I am very proud of. Er, you."

"Sven Tiller, FJ Star, on that note, Sol, does this mean you disagree with the fledgling opinions of many abroad that ours is a culture of defensive football?"

"Well, I think on the one hand you have to look at the players we have. we can only draw from what we've got, and what we've got in a physical, large, built up nation of hardy individuals, I think its only natural that defence is something we feel comfortable with. On the other hand, look at players like van Jendrisen, van Sorensen, de Huyer, Ackermann-Finn, Blonqvist, you know? Look at the ricks and flicks some of these guys are employing, look at the stunning goals scored by positive, attacking play in the UICA championships by some of our teams. All excellent play, fantastic and attractive to watch, and can only help our reputation. A solid bedrock helps, of course. Yes, you there."

"Philippa Yvengaard, Daily Postal, coming back to events of tonight, was that a more advanced version of 'the iceberg' that we saw tonight? Pekarik and Makarov were causing all sorts of trouble."

"Yes that was a more developed form of the idea. Two strikers, a dominant central playmaker just behind them, a box to box athlete, a hard anchorman and a deep lying playmaker dominating the centre of the park, then two commanding centrebacks flanked by attacking full backs. Aboslute what I had in mind and I think I proved the doubters wrong with that performance tonight."

"And were you expecting Pekarik to get both assists as part of that role?"

"Assists are nice wherever they come, I tend to find an assist is just a pass without the goal on the end of it, but yes. His left foot is just so accurate and his right is almost as good when he cuts inside so I was delighted for him, he absolutely deserves his man of the match tag. You."

"Hetta Arshet, Yuzhny Daily, van Sorensen had another excellent run out today, surely he must be in the running for your final twenty three?"

"Absolutely Alexsandr is a contender, he's in the 46 so he's in the running. Everybody is. There are still two matches remaining, for certain I will be giving some of the players seen less more of a run out in the next game at the very least, so contrary to some press reports I have not drawn up a final list of players, nothing of the sort."

"At such a young age many argue that he should be left to develop further before inclusion to any final squad."

"Because of his lack of international football? Rubbish. None of these players have any caps, why should he be less experienced than the others? The right players will make the final cut, that's all there is to it basically. Yes."

"Essen de Marquet, Telegraph Post, do you think Morten regrets his experiment into 4-4-1-1?"

"If I know Morten he won't regret a thing. It didn't really work out for him tonight, no, but there's definitely something to what he's thinking about there. Its only two wingers away from my basic idea I suppose, but they did look a little isolated up front yes. Golubev was a massive anchor in the middle though, fair play to him. Huge performance from him tonight. Yes, you in the silly hat."

"Sergei Poporov, Sibir Star, with a rumoured over-dependence on strikers, you must be over the moon to see your midfield contribute today?"

"Over the moon isn't a word I'd use when your strikers all fire blanks, but yes. Nice to see Sanderskye and Hansen get their goals, both thoroughly deserved based on their play so far in the process. Time for one final question I think, you there."

"Yes, Petter Gunn, FPI Guardian, is there any truth to the rumours of raised voices in the dressing room at half time? Seeing Timo Skye not running out for the second half was a shock to almost everyone in the stadium, is there a rift between you two?"

"I certainly hope there isn't. Yes, there were raised voices, but they were a result of the substitution, not the cause of it. Timo has to respect my authority as manager and I certainly hope this won't compromise his decision to play for his country. I certainly harbour no ill feelings towards him anyway, he was just showing his passion at the end of the day. Or arrogance. However you choose to label it."

"Why were you substituting him then?"

"To save his legs basically. He was one of many players who had come back from UICA duty and I felt he needed the second 45 off. He got angry because he wanted to play, not a lot much else to it really. It was fairly easy to counter his argument, raised though it was."

"And what was his argument?"

"Well if you remove the swear words and hand gestures it's basically 'but I'm Timo Skye!' repeated over and over again. There's no denying his talent though. we definitely missed him second half, there were goals there to be taken. Anyway, see you next week guys, I need to prepare for what will undoubtably be a tougher test at Victoria Stadium. Ha det!"

MATCH FIVE
Stadion Solberg - 20,348 (Surtsey)

Alpha Squad     2 - 0     Beta Squad
            ('52) Hansen                                             
          ('71) Sanderskye                                               

   Steffan Pekarik          MoM         Vladimir Golubev

by **Polar Islandstates** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:13 pm

Half OOC:

The list of nations who have accepted and replied to the open invitation of a friendly match at Nasjonale Stadion, Franz Josef City, for our nation's first full internationals currently consists of the following nations:
Astograth
Mangolana
Flynns Isle
Erathore

Should any nation wish to be added to this list, and all are more than welcome to be, I am a mere telegram away.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:35 pm

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! That has to be the worst forty-five minutes of football I have EVER managed. Get to hell Nicklas you've had your shot. Work best in front of a five man midfield my arse. Get off the pitch. Timo? You're on. Yes, I know you're Timo Skye, I just told you that, Timo, Timo.... Timo, TIMO. Shut up, Timo. Timo, Timo shut up. Aaron, will you take care of Timo for me? Just listen to him and agree that he's Timo Skye. He either has a very short memory or he's just that arrogant. I can't decide which yet.

Also, Ronald, you're off as well. Sorry, but I need to sacrifice someone for Henning. Henning you need to work well with Timo, and play him in more than maybe you have been. Yes, I know he's a bit of a fool sometimes but he does find space a lot.

Teemu, and Petter, I want you to close down on Demarchelier much, much closer. His passing has ripped us apart so far but if you don't give him time he won't get the passes in. And Anton, I want you to man mark Alexsandr. This is his home stadium, he knows it well and he's looking oh so comfortable out there.

And finally, Miroslav, you need to attack de Huyer far more often. He's not looking at top speed tonight and you can get in there behind him if you choose to. Flat 4-4-2 in the second half, the anti-iceberg we were working on in training. If we're still losing 3-0 in ten minutes I'll be throwing Hassa on as well.

Now, get a drink and chill out. Much better in the second half please. You're getting humiliated out there. And I don't like this from my teams. Not at all. I am not a happy bunny. You think you'll be going to the World Cup qualifying matches with performances like that? You can forget it.

Right, is Timo ready? Right, then get out there boys, and wear the badge like you want it. Show some passion!"

MATCH SIX
Victoria Stadium - 16,453 (Jan Mayen)

Alpha Squad     1 - 4     Beta Squad
               ('56) Skye                      ('14) ('43) van Sorensen
                                         ('42) Demarchelier
                                           ('81) Ackermann-Finn

        Timo Skye          MoM         Luc Demarchelier

by **Polar Islandstates** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:59 pm

DRAMATIC SCENES IN LONGYEARBYEN AS NATIONAL TRIALS CONCLUDE
ALPHA CLINCH SERIES DECIDER 4-3 - KIRKKEGAARD 'DELIGHTED' WITH ALL 46 PLAYERS

Sivertsson Road was the venue for the final, and most exciting night of National Trial football tonight, as Alpha bore out significant Beta pressure in the last five minutes to cling onto a 4-3 victory.

In a match that both coaches knew was their last chance to observe their players, both seemed to take a safe road with their tactics in order to watch their players in what might be called their natural habitat. Kirkkegaard lined up his players with the 4-3-1-2 'iceberg' formation, pretty and unassuming from above, but hiding a massive amount of devastating power beneath the surface. Yarbin chose to counter this with a 4-4-2 formation, with the emphasis firmly on attack. It made no surprise either to see perhaps the best performers of the series so far line up out there.

The players looked nervous in opening exchanges, with the knowledge that this was their last chance to impress seemingly heavy on their minds. One player who was playing as freely as ever however, was the ever confident Timo Skye, whose turning and running caused all sort of problems for Beta defenders in the first few moments. His running had Beta constantly worried, and he was a fine example of attack being the best form of defence as Beta proved incredibly reluctant to push forwards and leave themselves exposed.

Alpha had Skye to thank once again for the opening goal. He made a direct run through the box, drawing defenders away as space opened up for Pekarik to lash the ball home from 20 yards as he advanced down the wing. Kirkkegaard leapt off his seat to see his formation being used so successfully, whilst Yarbin must have been left wondering quite why his defence let itself get pulled around so easily.

Beta pushed on in search of an equaliser though, and almost found an immediate response as van Jendrisen saw his free kick cleared off the line by Aaron Hogg. It was another set piece seconds later that would do for Alpha though, as Berg leapt higher than the flat footed Alpha defence to thump home a header at the near post from point blank range.

The goal galvanised Beta's attack, and they pushed even harder from the restart as play after play couldn't be broken down by Alpha's midfield, and pretty soon Alpha found themselves behind. van Sorensen advancing well down the right flank, before laying back the ball for Demarchelier to play a pinpoint through ball that split the Alpha defence in two, leaving Ackermann-Finn the simplest of simple tap ins.

Alpha were rocking, and once again found themselves welcoming the half time whistle. They were a different team after the break however, and their very first attack saw Skye fouled on the edge of the box by Berg, and Makarov slammed home the resulting free kick. It was 2-2, and Beta hadn't even had a touch of the ball since the second half began.

Alpha began to push for the winner, and pretty soon were playing a 4-3-3 with Nicklas thrown on to atone for his poor efforts in the previous game. His very presence was the key to the third goal for Alpha as well, though he had little to do with it. Pekarik's ball from the left sowed disruption in the ranks, and with two defenders left with three attackers to mark, Skye was left free to chest the ball down and slot the ball calmly past Skovgaard to make it 3-2.

Marek was forced to come for Karlsson soon after, as he was forced to limp off the pitch with concussion after a collision with van Sorensen as they both challenged a corner. Marek was forced into action straight-away, with both Ackermann-Finn and Demarchelier demanding smart reflexes as they both shot in from a goalmouth scramble.

Beta were turning up the pressure though, and they had their reward in the 79th minute, after Hansen's mistake allowed Lindegaard to turn and rifle in, the second half substitute proving why he is such a strong contender for the national team. It was a smart finish, and whilst Lindegaard was understandably delighted, Hansen looked distraught. Fans are unused to seeing the reliable player make a mistake, and he will surely be hoping it doesn't cost him.

The game wasn't over though, and with the game finely poised at 3-3, the game got scrappy. Kirkkegaard played his final two substitutes and threw Thompson on as well, and with all four strikers in his squad now on the playing field, it was only natural that he should see him gamble, and it was a big gamble, pay off. Thompson found space on the edge of the area amongst the mass of players, and turned smartly, only to see his shot cannon off the cross bar. With Skovgaard lying prone on the floor, Pekarik raced towards the rebound and played a chip into the box, where Nicklas was finally, after seven matches of waiting, in the right place at the right time to knock the ball over the goal line and into the back of the net.

Nicklas celebrated like he'd just won the world cup itself, and whilst it is unlikely to make a different to his claims for inclusion into the final squad, there is no doubt that his goal was a kind of "I told you so" moment for the man.

With the score at 4-3, Alpha parked the bus, and saw out a period of sustained pressure from Beta to hold out for the win, and a series victory of 4-3.

With the matches over, the hard work now begins for partners in crime Kirkkegaard and Yarbin, as they must choose a final set of 23 players for the exhibition match next week, ahead of the upcoming arranged friendlies with Astograth, Mangolana, Flynns Isle, a home and away tie with Virabia, aanother match with Civil Citizenry, and finally a match against Erathore to come once their Cup of Harmony campaign has reached a climax. Fans are looking forwards to these matches greatly, but some wonder whether anything could match up to the excitement of today's match. Nonetheless, fans of the Terns are looking ahead to a great time of excitement, navy, green, and white excitement.

MATCH SEVEN
Sivertsson Road - 16,837 (Longyearbyen)

Alpha Squad     4 - 3     Beta Squad
        ('34) Pekarik                      Berg ('36)         
          ('47) Makarov                      Ackermann-Finn ('40) 
        ('59) Skye                      Lindegaard ('79)
('86) Nicklas                                 

        Steffan Pekarik          MoM         Patrick Ackermann-Finn

by **Polar Islandstates** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:16 pm

A quick look at the statistics acquired by players in the trials...

ALPHA SQUAD								
Coach:	Sol Kirkkegaard							
					
		Number	Name	             Position	Apps	Ass	Goals	MoM
		1	Dmitri Karlsson	        GK	5			
		2	Sergey Makarov	        DR	6		1	
		3	Patrik Karlstrom	DC	1(2)			
		4	Aaron Hogg	        DC	7	1		
		5	Steffan Pekarik	        DL	6(1)	4	1	2
		6	Petter Bielsen	        MC	7		1	1
		7	Miroslav Bardsen	MR	2(1)			
		8	Teemu Hansen	        MC	7	2	1	1
		9	Timo Skye	        ST	6(1)	2	5	2
		10	Adam Nicklas	        ST	2(4)		1	
		11	Maarten Szkovicz	ML	2(1)			
		12	Tiko Logan	        GK	1(1)			
		13	Mathias Marek	        GK	1(2)			
		14	Ronald van Bommel	DMC	5(2)	1		
		15	Marcel Sanderskye	AMC	4(2)	2	1	
		16	Rale Khedira	        MR	1(1)			
		17	Hakke Vestoriko	        ML	1(1)			
		18	Henning Blonqvist	ST	4(3)	2	4	1
		19	Johan Mannison	        DR	1(2)			
		20	Hassa Thompson	        ST	1(4)			
		21	Jon Birk Pettersen	DL	1(2)			
		22	Anton McAllister	DC	5(1)			
		23	Svennis Moller	        DC	1(4)	1		
								
								
BETA SQUAD								
Coach:	Morten Yarbin							
		
		Number	Name	             Position	Apps	Ass	Goals	MoM
		1	Tim Skovgaard	        GK	5			
		2	Petter Nikkel	        DR	6			
		3	Maarten Berg	        DC	6	1	1	1
		4	Niko Marek	        DC	6(1)	1	1	1
		5	Finn Marini	        DL	1(1)			
		6	Vladimir Golubev	MC	4(1)			1
		7	Tommi Kokkur	        MR	5(1)	1		
		8	Ole van Jendrisen	AMC	6(1)	2		1
		9	Patrick Ackermann-Finn	ST	5(2)	1	5	1
		10	Sergei Frank	        ST	3(2)	1		
		11	Vasily Kasanov	        ML	5(1)			1
		12	Karl Cristoffsen	GK	1			
		13	Bent Gulavson	        GK	1(1)			
		14	Luc Demarchelier	AMC	3(4)	5	2	
		15	Jonathan Beck	        DMC	3(2)			
		16	Igor Melkinov	        MR	1(1)			
		17	Pekka Silvennsson	ML	1(1)			
		18	Alexsandr van Sorensen	ST	3(4)		5	1
		19	Kiki Hartmann	        DR	1(3)			
		20	Patrik Lindegaard	ST	3(4)	2	2	
		21	Pol de Huyer	        DL	6	1		
		22	Eduardo Prost	        DC	1(2)			
		23	Denis Kodiak	        DC	1(3)

by **Polar Islandstates** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:49 pm

OOC:
I plan to RP my national team announcement tomorrow at some point, and then when I'm back next week on Monday I'll RP the exhibition match, and begin the RP process for the friendly matches themselves following on from that. I'll TG the nations that have already announced an interest in playing a friendly, but for I think I have enough nations to play for now and applications to play in this "national team launch" series of friendlies are CLOSED. If you had considered playing a friendly with my nation, TG me anyway and I'm sure we can work something out for a future date in between WC qualifiers but for this initial series I've got enough.

I'll devise a schedule of scorination - according to the rough order at the bottom of the Match Seven RP - after the exhibition match on Monday, but for now if other nations want to start posting RPs about your FA delegates preparing to arrive in Franz Josef City, and/or Rosters for their teams then that's fine by me. There's no pressure to however, waiting for next week or the direct run up to the match you're playing in is fine as well. I have no qualms with mixing OOC and RP in this thread either, as there are so few of us. As mentioned in the TG I sent, I'd rather it was kept to the thread rather than TGs from now, purely so I can tell clearly what I've told to whom, as I'm getting a bit confused recently.

Speaking of getting confused, I hope that was all clear enough...

For reference, I'll scorinate with KPB rankings (or with 0.0 if, like myself, you have none), on NSFSv301, style modifiers will be -3 to +3, and here's the Y/N chart should you want to Roster now:

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y/N
Godmod scoring events Y/N
RP injuries to my players Y/N
Godmod injuries to my players Y/N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y/N
Hand out red cards to my players Y/N
Godmod other events Y/N

One final thing as well, if anyone thinks I'm going about this the wrong way and has any advice for improvements, or any objections, just fling it out there. I'm using this as a learning experience after all.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:55 am

BREAKING NEWS -
KIRKKEGAARD ANNOUNCES TWENTY THREE

NATIONAL SQUAD					
Coach:	Sol Kirkkegaard				
Assistant:	Morten Yarbin				
		Details			
		Number	Name	            Position	Club
		1	Dmitri Karlsson	        GK	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		2	Sergey Makarov	        DR	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		3	Maarten Berg	        DC	SK Franz Josef City
		4	Niko Marek	        DC	Jan Mayen Islanders
		5	Steffan Pekarik	        DL	East Franz Athletic
		6	Petter Bielsen	        MC	Red Star Severny
		7	Ole van Jendrisen	AMC	1. Surtsey Island Gulls
		8	Teemu Hansen	        MC	SK Franz Josef City
		9	Timo Skye	        ST	SK Franz Josef City
		10	Patrick Ackermann-Finn	ST	FC Axel Heiburg
		11	Vladimir Golubev	MC	RSK Longyearbyen Town
		12	Tim Skovgaard	        GK	Lokomotiv Barentsberg
		13	Mathias Marek	        GK	Jan Mayen Islanders
		14	Luc Demarchelier	AMC	FC Axel Heiburg
		15	Tommi Kokkur	        MR	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		16	Vasily Kasanov	        ML	East Franz Athletic
		17	Henning Blonqvist	ST	East Franz Athletic
		18	Alexsandr van Sorensen	ST	Jan Mayen Islanders
		19	Petter Nikkel	        DR	SK Franz Josef City
		20	Patrik Lindegaard	ST	North Star Grímsey
		21	Pol de Huyer	        DL	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		22	Aaron Hogg	        DC	Novaya Sibir Reds
		23	Anton McAllister	DC	Resolute Storm 1913 FC

MORE NEWS AND COMMENT LATER

by **Polar Islandstates** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:37 pm

Jonathan Beck and Ronald van Bommel shared a pint. They looked at each other and sighed. Their work always was going to be cut out for them. Two defensive midfielders, instrumental for their own teams, but playing in the second division, they both knew it was either one of them or the other. In the end it turned out to be neither.

When the news filtered through that Kirkkegaard would be picking five strikers, and only two wingers, they knew that meant a reliance on the 4-man central midfield, with the wingers played on from the bench surely. Surely, this was good news for the two of them, a 4-man central midfield presumably meant you'd need a defensive maestro amongst them, and another on the bench? But no.

Bielsen, Hansen, and Golubev got the spots behind an attacking van Jendrisen for the starting line up. Bielsen and Hansen were fair enough, and Golubev? Beck didn't understand what he'd done wrong to have Golubev chosen above him as the central midfield choice. Golubev had a dodgy knee as well! Some reports said he might not even make it to the exhibition match! And with Jon Bjorgensen regaining fitness by the day, surely there was a chance the East Franz Athletic man could even jump above Beck and van Bommel for consideration should Golubev drop out? Beck didn't like to think about it for now though.

Instead, he just stared at the rising bubbles. Ronald did the same. This was a bad day. A very bad day. Ronald at least had time to move to a bigger club, or drag his into the top division, show himself on a larger stage and be considered again. But this was probably it for Beck. He knew it as well.

With a heavy heart he looked outside. News was filtering through, comments were overheard and passed onto the press. His phone vibrated and he ignored it for now.

It rang again. He looked at the caller ID. It was his wife. If anything, that was worse. He'd have rather talked to press. No, this was a conversation best left for face to face.

There were players he was happy for, of course. Aaron Hogg was powerless to stop his team get relegated this season, and would be playing against Beck next season. They were good friends off the pitch, and Beck was delighted to see him included in the squad. van Sorensen too, and Ackermann-Finn. Both young strikers, nice to know and hadn't yet let fame go to their heads. Beck wished them all the best, and most of all wished that Timo Skye wouldn't corrupt their young heads.

He knew the team would be in good hands, Kirkkegaard was undeniably talented as a manager, with Yarbin there to show him the reigns as well, everyone liked Yarbin, that team would perform. Niko would likely get the captain's armband, and that suited Beck just fine. The man was a colossus on the pitch, and with Hansen, Bielsen, and Berg also on the pitch, the team wouldn't be short of grit. Nor attacking flair, when you looked at Demarchelier, Lindegaard, Kokkur and Blonqvist all itching to come on from the bench. To see Niko's younger brother Mathias in the squad was a nice touch as well.

All in all, Beck had to agree with a heavy heart that the best team had been chosen, bitterness aimed at Golubev notwithstanding, he was just gutted that his efforts had come to nothing, and now, probably never would.

Jonathan Beck nodded at Ronald van Bommel, drained his glass, got up, and left.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:12 pm

Okay, I'm back. Will probably be away this weekend as well so here's the schedule that I'm planning on doing. Its a bit short notice to spring it on you after roughly four days with no activity, so apologies for that, and I'll be breaking my no TG idea to let you all know that the plan is up. IF there's a problem with the sudden timings and you'd rather postpone then let me know. Or if you're happy to let me get on with it without if you're too busy, that's fine too. Hopefully you're all still involved though

Mon 13th March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Exhibition match scorination
Tue 14th March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Astograth match scorination
Wed 15th March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Mangolana match scorination
Thu 16th March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Flynns Isle match scorination
Mon 21st March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Virabia match scorination
Tue 22nd March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Civil Citizenry match scorination
Wed 23rd March between 2300 and 0000 GMT - Erathore match scorination

I'm a bit of a night owl (I live in GMT zone) so I'll give some time between scorination and my RP before posting it so you can have a chance to RP first and dictate goalscorers etc, otherwise there's no RP cut off pre or post your match really, there's plenty of scope for "travelling to the stadium for a look round" or post dated match report RPs. As long as it doesn't contradict anything in a previous RP obviously. I'll work off minimum permissions until they're posted.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:49 pm

Slightly early tonight
Polar Islandstates 3-0 Polar Islandstates B

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:09 pm

Sol Kirkkegaard had been pretty nervous prior to the match. Sure, there had been pomp and circumstance and ticker-tape confetti cannons in the previous trial matches, but this was somehow different. The tour was returning to Franz Josef City, back to his home town, back to where it all began, and the media attention was vast.

As if that enough pressure, he was managing his team of selected players against the players he decided against calling up, to lose to them would be totally humiliating. And to top it all, the FPIFA had only gone and invited international footballing dignitaries to come and watch. Probably to sit and take notes on his tactical style of play as well. But ah well, in this world of technology it wouldn't have been long before they got hold of a tape to analyse it all anyway. Plus they'd seen it in the trials as well.

But the match started well, amidst much fanfare, his players settled well, and responded well to his tactical tweakings, bellowed as ever by his right hand man Morten Yarbin. The nature of the win satisfied Sol as well. It was a strong performance by his team, and whilst the full backs on the B were playing well all game, theirs was ultimately a defensive formation, and his players were able to control possession and dictate play, and when you've got players who can put the ball on a sixpence like his could, this was a dangerous thing to allow.

He reasoned after the match that the passing of his team was probably their strongest attribute overall. Strong but nothing exceptional in the tackle, some of his players were lightning fast and others cornered like battleships, some of his players had a powerful strike and some an accurate one, but one thing that can be relied upon on in this squad was a range of broad, creative, and accurate passing.

All three goals had come from direct and swift passing movements as well, with Bielsen crossing the ball in for Ackermann-Finn to head in from six yards in the first half, and Skye and Hansen scoring in the second half from through balls from Bielsen and Demarchelier respectively.

No, the B team had never posed that much of a problem, so now the work began even harder. Astograth were here, or soon would be at any rate, and whilst only a friendly, this would be the first time the nation had faced another in competition. So if all eyes were on Nasjonale Stadion tonight, international eyes would be on it soon. And with talk of the FPIFA throwing in their hat for the Burchadinger Cup, some competitive matches were just about visible on the horizon.

Sol smiled to himself as he drove home to the suburbs from the stadium. It was difficult, no doubt about that, but he did love his job.

EXHIBITION MATCH
Nasjonale Stadion - 30,523 (Franz Josef City)

  Polar Islandstates     3 - 0     Polar Islandstates B
('14) Ackermann-Finn                                           
('62) Skye                                 
('76) Hansen                                   

Petter Bielsen           MoM          Finn Marini

by **Astograth** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:38 pm

Earlier today, Gartzen Treko froze the image and pointed at the TV screen.

"Alright. Who can tell me what's wrong with that picture?"

The players shuffled in their seats, wishing they could be elsewhere at this ungodly hour. Several stifled yawns, and those in the back took advantage of the darkness to try and get some sleep. Waking up at 6 AM to watch videos was not their idea of training.

"Come on, boys, this is easy. Just tell me what the defenders did wrong here."

Mumbles and whispers abounded, but no one dared until, slowly, someone in the middle of the group raised his hand. Treko smiled.

"Petrigai! I'd expect you to know, being a centre-back! Go on."

"The defenders didn't challenge Skye. They failed to identify him as the most dangerous of the attackers and stuck with the other two. Left alone with the keeper, he scored easily."

The manager's grin widened. This lad knew what he was talking about!

"Brilliant, Petrigai! Now, everyone, remind me who our most dangerous attackers are. In order."

A mumbled chorus of "Skye, Ackermann-Finn, van Sorensen and Hansen" rang throughout the small room.

"Good," said Treko, satisfied, "Now look here closely."

He rewinded the video, and stopped at what seemed like a random moment in the game. The players watched, or pretended to watch, as the ball was passed back and forth for about five minutes.

"Alright. From that segment, who is the best passer of Polar Islandstates?"

The players emitted groans as they realized they should've been paying more attention, and swapped glances in the hopes that someone would answer. After a while of this, the coach threw his hands in the air and sighed.

"Fine, go get some sleep! We're going to watch the exhibition match here tonight, so I'll expect better from all of you. We're here to play a friendly, and it better be a damn good one!"

As the players filed away in silence, Treko fumed. He'd highlighted every single opposition player, down to the third keeper, and they couldn't even tell when they were watching van Jendrisen?

It's going to be a long day, he thought as he rubbed his eyes with his hands.

by **Polar Islandstates** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:26 pm

Roster. Shamelessly lifted from the Burchadinger Cup thread.

KIT COLOURS - courtesy of Barrengeka Kits, Astograth:

NATIONAL SQUAD					
Coach:	        Sol Kirkkegaard				
Assistant:	Morten Yarbin				
		Details			
		Number	Name	            Position	Club
		1	Dmitri Karlsson	        GK	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		2	Sergey Makarov	        DR	Resolute Storm 1913 FC
		3	Maarten Berg	        DC	SK Franz Josef City
		4	Niko Marek	        DC	Jan Mayen Islanders (Captain)
		5	Steffan Pekarik	        DL	East Franz Athletic
		6	Petter Bielsen	        MC	Red Star Severny
		7	Ole van Jendrisen	AMC	1. Surtsey Island Gulls
		8	Teemu Hansen	        MC	SK Franz Josef City
		9	Timo Skye	        ST	SK Franz Josef City
		10	Patrick Ackermann-Finn	ST	FC Axel Heiburg
		11	Vladimir Golubev	MC	RSK Longyearbyen Town
		12	Tim Skovgaard	        GK	Lokomotiv Barentsberg
		13	Mathias Marek	        GK	Jan Mayen Islanders
		14	Luc Demarchelier	AMC	FC Axel Heiburg
		15	Tommi Kokkur	        MR	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		16	Vasily Kasanov	        ML	East Franz Athletic
		17	Henning Blonqvist	ST	East Franz Athletic
		18	Alexsandr van Sorensen	ST	Jan Mayen Islanders
		19	Petter Nikkel	        DR	SK Franz Josef City
		20	Patrik Lindegaard	ST	North Star Grímsey
		21	Pol de Huyer	        DL	Yuzhny Equinox FC
		22	Aaron Hogg	        DC	Novaya Sibir Reds
		23	Anton McAllister	DC	Resolute Storm 1913 FC

Starting lineup:
---------------- Karlsson -------------
- Makarov -- Berg - Marek -- Pekarik -
---- Bielsen ---Golubev --- Hansen ----
------------- van Jendrisen -----------
--------Skye -- Ackermann-Finn ------

Modifier:
+2

The opponent can...
Choose my goalscorers? Yes, Skye is the overwhelming talent up front though. Ackermann-Finn obviously comes second to Skye. And van Sorensen is a bit of a super-sub from the bench if a late goal takes your RP fancy.
Godmod scoring events? Yes
RP injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP
Godmod injuries to my players? Yes, within reason, and I reserve the right to change the severity in a follow-up RP
Hand out yellow cards to my players? Yes
Hand out red cards to my players? No
Godmod other events? Yes, go nuts.

by **Astograth** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:30 pm

Ditto.

by **Mangolana** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:35 pm

Manager: John Secost
Asst. Manager: Ret Johanson
Trainer: Colter Moutas
Head Coach: Colton Howard

Employing the 4-2-1-2-1
Style +2

Goalkeeper: Tim Hedjuk

Left Back: John Davenport
Left center Back: Mathew Johnson
Right center Back: Brent Buckley
Right Back: Frankie Donaldson

Left Mid-Defensive Midfielder: John McFadden
Right Mid-Defensive Midfielder: Robert Jimenez (Captain)

Midfielder: Tappy Shogun

Shadow Striker: Rudy Johnson
Shadow Striker: Jonathan Montgomery

Striker: Franklim Ordonez

Reserves:
Midfielder: Colton Montejunos
Midfielder: Jonathan Kamary
Midfielder: Ashley Howard
Forward: Eric Donald
Forward/Wing: Akeem Howard
LB/CB: Melissa Hogan
CB/RB: Valotensi Rossi
GK: Shaun Gates

Kits

Permissions
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events N
Roleplay injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players Y, but keep it within reason.
Godmod other events N

by **Erathore** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:09 pm

'Borrowed' from the CoH thread:

+1.3 Modifier

------------------GALIGILYGANO------------------

-----GAVINO -----MANLIO-----ALBERICO------NERO

------EMLIO-------NARAZAO------ FIORELLO

--------NIERAN---------

-----MALVOLIO-----MERICCI-----

by **Polar Islandstates** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 4:51 pm

The result of the first friendly has been broadcast:

MATCHDAY 1
Federation of Polar Islandstates 2-2 Astograth

Polar Islandstates - Road to the World Cup (Completed)

Polar Islandstates - Road to the World Cup (Completed)

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