Di Bradini Cup 45/U21WC66 Everything Thread

[Valanora]

Round of Sixteen
Pasarga 2–4 Bears Armed
Kita-Hinode 3–2 Baker Park
Ko-oren 2–1 Starblaydia
Cosumar 4–0 Juvencus
Abanhfleft 1–2 Nilrahranfan
Vilita and Turori 1–0 Averyickan City
Savojarna 1–0 New Juan Carlos Land
Slovanija and Teusland 1–0 Tulize

Quarterfinal Fixtures
Bears Armed v Kita-Hinode @ Hatire Memorial, Capri
Ko-oren v Cosumar @ Hellgate, Raynor City
Nilrahranfan v Vilita and Turori @ Donna Cathedral, Mar Sara
Savojarna v Slovanija and Teusland @ Metropolis, Ibini

[Cosumar]

Cosumar U21s into Quarters: which players are leading the charge?

by Toira Carib
DBC Beat Reporter

V A L A N O R A -- The Junior Dragons took full advantage of being a man up for 70 minutes in their Round of 16 fixture against Juvencus, scoring thrice in the second half to prevail 4-0.

Only 72 hours after suffering their first blemish of the tournament against Alpine Union to end Group D play on a sour note, the Cosumarite youth faced an uphill battle to restore confidence against a ragtag Juven-in-name-only group that had exceeded expectations by grinding out draws against both Pasarga and Schottia. Much ado was made of the lack of information available on the seemingly stateless mercenaries the Holy Empire had recruited for this tournament. The media quickly casted them as an amorphous menace - a dark cloud moving across the battlefield to send Cosumar the way of Schottia. Despite the public's quivering, things almost immediately broke the Cosumarites' way once the ball was kicked.

Whatever magic Sergeant Giovanni Addemando had drawn upon to escape this DBC's Group of Death evaporated. A Surya Barış own goal put Cosumar on the board in the 11th minute. The unconventional Crimson-clad project collapsed further in on itself eight minutes later when a straight red was shown to Pavle Gupta for recklessly clattering Claudian Polastri. Juvencus showed their fighting spirit (or fear) by holding on to the 1-0 deficit all the way to half time, but it was only a matter of time until the more-polished Junior Dragons picked the lock. Lyndalyn Alford again looked to Cathal Turner to provide the goals, and the Klyde #9 did not disappoint, beating Om Jain at the near post in the 59th minute and slotting home first-time from the near penalty spot in the 82nd minute. The fourth goal came less than a minute later, Skaldir Tibrewal looping a long ball from Dane Pridgeon over Jain with his head. Loic Daumre made a penalty save for Cosumar U21 to preserve the clean sheet in stoppage time.

Up next for Alford's squad is a quarterfinal clash with Group C winners Ko-oren on Thursday. The victor will earn a semifinal berth against either Kita-Hinode or Bears Armed, whom the Junior Dragons have already beaten in Valanora. The good thing for Cosumar is that, as defending champions with a healthy amount of returning players, they are experienced in the deep rounds of this tournament. So, as we move into the truly high-pressure matches with four matches under our belts, let's reflect on the player pool's stock thus far.

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Dragons Breathing Fire
These players have separated themselves as stars of the tournament and greatly increased their market value

Cathal Turner, ST - Read the above match summary, and then re-watch his more impressive brace against Bears Armed. What's left to say about Turner? He leads the team with five goals, and is showing that he should be in the running to challenge the likes of Romikk Valgard and Vega Zeale-Riddick for the senior #9 shirt in the future. The perfectly-timed run he made for his second goal against Juvencus was textbook execution. Now he just needs to emulate counterpart Odóma's club form to truly make himself a hot commodity.

Claudian Polastri, CM - Even despite missing the big Juvencus win with illness, Polastri has been one of Cosumar's aggregate standout performers. There might not be a better passing left foot in the whole tournament. His touch, skill and vision are on full display as a class above whenever he is out there. If he can carry this form into the Euran season, Unioneers might have a breakout star on their hands. What's more, he hasn't been afraid to get stuck in on defense either.

Skaldir Tibrewal, MF - The young Barbarian was an unsung hero in the Round of 16 win by working hard and leading the team in winning possession. With right back Tilda Tidesson staying high, he was tucked inside in more of a central role than his usual place on the right (from where he scored a long-ranger against Lochario), and his presence there was extremely effective. For his industry, he was rewarded with his second goal of the tournament late on. Tibrewal is developing into the type of heady athlete a coach can feel good about deploying in almost any position.

Eve Davenport, LB - Davenport had her struggles against the Alpine Union, but has been very good otherwise in this DBC. She set up Turner's goal against Lochario and has shown the ability to hit line-splitting passes when she's not charging the end-line herself.

Olivia Haidt, CB - The likes of Turner and Polastri will get the headlines, but by the average numeric ratings, Haidt has actually been the top-rated Cosumarite performer across the four games. The metrics don't lie. There's definitely an argument to be made that she has been the best overall Dragon at DBC 45. She has been an absolute rock in the middle and has thrived stepping up and playing the ball forward like she has been trained to do at Real Azuris.

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Dragons Flying Along
These players are visibly contributing to the team's success and giving a positive overall impression

Harlan Sheriff, DM - Sheriff was a workhorse at d-mid against Juvencus, playing in place of the suspended Dane Pridgeon (yellow card accumulation). He has a tendency to play it a bit too safe with his passing choices in possession, but is never shy to start a counterattack blitz after making a hard tackle.

Mylon Doyle, FW - It can be frustrating to focus on Doyle, as she'll go missing for long stretches still. But increasingly often this year, she pops up with a moment of magic like her side-volley goal against Bears Armed, or the nifty step-over flick to set up Turner's second in that same game. That's when you're reminded why she's a must-start alongside her more-famous Klyde teammate. That stellar Bears Armed performance, combined with her best club season to date, should make her highly sought-after should Klyde fail to retain her. Especially if she can replicate that performance in a knockout match with more eyeballs.

Tilda Tidesson, RB - The Real Azuris youth product was not looking so hot through the first two group stage games despite the wins, and was at fault for the first goal conceded against Bears Armed, caught too far forward. However, she rebounded with a solid defensive shift in the loss to Alpine Union and had several positive contributions going forward against Juvencus, feasting on the space vacated by the red card. It was her stinging shot that led to the opening own goal.

Theris Flaksenhaar, LW - After a lively ten-minute cameo against Lochario in the opener, it's a bit confounding that Theris didn't appear again until popping up on the starting teamsheet against Juvencus. The most explosive of FC Kaldukosic's Flaksenhaar siblings has been terrific in his limited time on the field and could not have threaded a better-weighted pass on Turner's first goal. I don't think many people knew he had that in his game. One-on-one skills? Sure. Wheels? Absolutely. But if this dude can be that type of playmaker consistently, he should absolutely be starting on the left from here on out. And at FC Kaldu for that matter.

Rosalie Duvalier, RM - The other back-up winger on Alford's roster hasn't made the same level of impact as Flaksenhaar and isn't close to starting over Tibrewal, but she has been a positive contributor nonetheless. Provided good width and service for the last twenty minutes against Bears Armed and did well to engineer Cosumar's best scoring chance against Alpine Union, although she put it just wide.

Samothias Odwyk, FW - Odwyk has served as the super-sub striker in this tournament, and changed the dynamic of the game against Bears Armed with his playmaking - indirectly leading to the late win. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Alford reward him with a start if Cosumar advance deep and she decides Doyle needs rest.

Jakki Montelius, CM - Along with Flaksenhaar, one of the subs that came on and broke the game open in MD1 against Lochario. Scored a nice, gentle curler from inside the area after a one-two with Turner for the fourth goal. Got the start and played all 90 minutes in the Round of 16 against Juvencus in place of an ill Polastri and wasn't as eye-catching, but facilitated things well and saw out the win. Unfortunately, she picked up a strained quad in stoppage time and won't be able to build on her lone start.

Loic Daumre, GK - Has started three of the four games in goal. Made a huge save to keep the Junior Dragons alive against Bears Armed. Rushed way out of his goal to make a gutsy intervention in the first half against Juvencus to prevent a goal that could have brought the Holy Empire back into the game at 1-1. Has conceded three goals, but it's hard to take much issue with them - no glaring errors. Mostly reliable with the ball at his feet and flashed a couple particularly nice pieces of long distribution. Could deal with set-pieces better.

Faroon Sethi, GK - His lone game in goal was against Alpine Union. Although Cosumar lost that game 1-0 and Sethi perhaps could've stopped the one goal (it would've been a great save), he made a few other notable saves in the match that allowed us to still be in the hunt for a point until the final whistle.

---

Dragons Yet To Take Flight
For whatever reason, these players have not been 100% convincing thus far, or not had a chance to be

Domé Odóma, ST - Despite being the HL's midseason Golden Boot leader with Stoneshore United, Odóma has not seen a ton of time at this tournament due to Turner already being firmly-established as Alford's first-choice striker. Was at the right place at the right time to pounce and score the cherry-on-top fifth goal against Lochario, but that one moment isn't enough to say he has truly made an impact at this tournament.

Dane Pridgeon, CM - It will be interesting to see if Alford restores Pridgeon to the starting midfield after the performance Sheriff had in his place in the Round of 16. On the whole, Pridgeon has been pretty average in Valanora, a definite step backwards from his great performances in the DBC 44 title run. Had a bad giveaway against Alpine Union that nearly led to a second goal and has picked up a couple foolish yellow cards (hence his suspension against Juvencus). Did take his goal well against Lochario though. If Alford sticks with Sheriff, it will be a major blow to the Cazadores Cathair man's hopes of making a name for himself here. Good thing he put such good performances to tape last time.

Régine Rao, LW - This is another surprising one, considering most pegged the Eastweald sparkplug as one who would be heavily-influential for the Cosumarite attack. As it stands, Rao has just had three disappointing group stage games in which she struggled to get involved before being benched for Theris Flaksenhaar against Juvencus.

Astrid Omenihu, CB - Omenihu has been a bit of a mixed bag. Was solid against Lochario but has also made periodic errors in judgement (a worrying trend for an undersized defender supposedly known for her intelligence) and was burned on the second Bears Armed goal. Still, she has Alford's faith and is likely to start again against Ko-oren.

Boleslaw Brodecki, CB - The Haidt/Omenihu CB duo favored by Alford means that Brodecki is the odd man out. He did start against Alpine Union, but didn't quite look comfortable.

Morgan Oakenfour, LB - Davenport's good performances have limited Oakenfour to just two very late substitute appearances in which the ball barely came their way.

Mirijana Zajonic, RB - It's surprising that Zajonic hasn't gotten on the field yet - not even as a sub - considering the kinks Tilda Tidesson labored through in the first two games. Must be a disappointing tournament on an individual-level for Zajonic, who has been with this team for awhile and has a close relationship with Alford - things she probably thought would lead to a chance or two.

Leandro Dellavigna, CB - Still no minutes for the Ram U prospect in Valanora yet either.

Henry Hollifield, CAM - The youngest player in this group and a U21 debutant, Hollifield has been a passenger on the bench. And that's okay. He's being groomed by Klyde teammates Turner and Doyle to play a leading role in DBC 46.

[Vilita and Turori]

Vilita and Turori survive damp Round of 16

Artani, Mar Sara, Valanora :: After starting the Under-21 World Cup with a bang and a 6-2 victory over Indusse, Purapal Eskiiy's Vilita and Turori Little Eel Kitties have struggled to set themselves apart from their opposition as their inexperience and lack of clinical finishing up top left much to be desired from a performance stand point. In an effort to combat against the risk of defeat, Eskiiy turned to a number of World Cup regulars in the roster for the Di Bradini Cup Round of 16 including Eastal Lunar's Nii'arala Milaaso up top, Timaala Hualtia the goalkeeper for the Turori National Team returning in goal and a strong midfield presence from Limu Katarakhna. In the end, however, it would be the contributions of a defender that would be all the difference.

After both sides exchanged early chances in the match it would be about another thirty minutes before the game would finall see its first goal. The chance came after a deflected shot from the Eastal Lunar FC attacker Nii'arala Milaaso. Averyickan City defender Avery... something... just stuck a leg in front of Milaaso's shot and the ball hit the advertising boards behind the net. Intikko Kuhilana delivered the corner kick and it was met by the head of the Cosumar based Cassandra City defender Lohani Riiyaaw who made redirected the ball low and out of the reach of the goalkeeper who was also named Avery ... something...

It was a welcome tally for Purapal Eskiiy and the Vilita and Turori Under 21 side after a nervous opening thirty minutes that saw the relatively unheralded side thwart the Little Eel Kitties attacks in the drowning rain and wind conditions in Mar Sara. Both sides would have felt a certain level of relief when the half time whistle came as they were able to retreat to the relative safety of the locker rooms to get a dry change of clothing and re-group for the second half.

There were perhaps some fears of the match being delayed but the top notch facilities and staff in Valanora meant that the field retained a playable state and the match could resume as scheduled. Eskiiy made one change to the team that returned for the second half with Turakia Diijelhma making way for the more experienced Enzoril Alabonni as Vilita and Turori looked to put the game out of reach with a second goal. In the end, however, the rains would be the only factor that drove the play on the day. After thirty minutes of play in the second half, Purapal Eskiiy shifted the Vilita and Turorian strategy from pressing for the second goal to holding the ball and securing the 1-0 victory. In the 77th minute, Eskiiy introduced fresh legs in defense with Biliki Rona'atu'i replacing Amakli Inuro'o and not long after it was the goalscorer Lohani Riiyaaw who made way after a strong performance for Nua'oma Aikiki. There wouldn't be another noteworthy attempt on target for the remainder of the game as Vilita and Turori held on for the narrow 1-0 victory that would end Averyickan City's Vanorian vacation.

Vilita & Turori [1] - [0] Averyickan City

:: Vilita & Turori Goalscorers :: :: 36' Lohani Riiyaaw

:: Vilita & Turori Statistics :: :: Possession: 55% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 3

:: Averyickan City Statistics :: :: Possession: 45% :: Shots on Target: 3 :: Corner Kicks: 4

---

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Averyickan City ::
[GK]Timaala Hualtia, [D.]Rojara Tiones, [D.]Amakli Inuro'o, [D.]Lohani Riiyaaw, [ML] Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [MC] Lentali Purama, [MC]Limu Katarakhna, [MC] Khrusan Mlianko, [MR] Intikko Kuhilana, [FC]Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC]Turakia Diijelhma
BENCH::
[FC]Enzoril Alabonni, [FC]Nua'oma Aikiki, [M]Naraiza Ruaplal, [M]Lati'ala Giaoka, [D]Biliki Rona'atu'i, [GK]Vernasa Sanamun

---

With the victory Purapal Eskiiy had led their side onward to the Quarter Final Stage where the names were a little more familiar than some of those that were competing in the Round of 16. Familiar fixtures such as Ko-oren v. Cosumar in Raynor City and Bears Armed v. Kita-Hinode in Capri. A mouthful of a fixture in Ibini with Savojarna v. Siovanija and Teusland. Then there was Vilita and Turori's opponent. It seemed as if the Little Eel-Kitties would be on course for a date with Abanhfleft but the Fleftic side were stunned with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nilrahrarfan, a nation that had been outspokenly burdened by Valanora's ban on automobiles causing its players to show up covered in Coal Dust due to their use of an antiquated "Teleportation" system.

It will be the most important match of the young coaching career of Purapal Eskiiy as the multi-World Cup winner will look to demonstrate Vilita and Turori's strength after a serious of close matches have left the Little Eel Kitties fighting against elimination. The match will be held at the Donna Cathedral in Mar Sara, another positive for Eskiiy's side who have been based in Mar Sara throughout the tournament and won't have to travel ahead of the Quarter Final, unlike the Nilrahrarfans who may once again show up with a chip on their shoulder having been prevented from traveling by their preferred automobiles.

[Ko-oren]

Butterflies, Junior Dragons, and lots of familiar faces

Eight teams left. The Butterflies are more and more established, two quarterfinal appearances on the last two tournaments. The next frontier is the quarterfinal itself, and we are ready for a podium spot for Ko-oren. Instead of relying on aging players, the national team can finally involve the youth - and national team head coach Juliasterinthen is doing that. Without giving up on the U-21s. Another team with a proud U-21 team is Cosumar. The Junior Dragons made the final four last year, and we know that, because we lost to them in the final eight. Just look at this:

DBC 44 - Round of 16
Darmen 0–4 Cosumar
Abanhfleft 1–2 Ko-oren

DBC 44 - Quarterfinal
Cosumar 2–1 Ko-oren

And then this:

DBC 45 - Round of 16
Ko-oren 2–1 Starblaydia
Cosumar 4–0 Juvencus

DBC 45 - Quarterfinal
Ko-oren v Cosumar

And you see evidence for how history repeats itself. Down to the scoreline. Cosumar beats Darmen 4-0, Ko-oren wins by a small 2-1 margin, only for the Junior Dragons to win the next match 2-1. It's strange to see that Ko-oren wins by another 2-1, but the one thing that makes it uncanny is how Cosumar won both of their Round of 16s by 4-0. A rare enough score. Whether history is truly cyclical or not remains to be seen, but so far we shouldn't get our hopes up.

If only those on the field would be different. Only, the Junior Dragons rely on mostly the same core as last tournament. This year's team consists of seven 21-year-olds and four 20-year-olds. Last year's team consisted of just three 21-year-olds... and those are the only ones to have disappeared from the blue-white team. GK Lincoln, CB Jabelon and SS Masatoshi 'graduated' from the Junior Dragons, giving way to Davenport, Omenihu and Tidesson in defence, Rao, Pridgeon, Polastri and Tibrewal in midfield, and Turner in attack. All seven of them are still starters on the current team - so Cosumar effectively gained one year of experience per player. I would assume that means they are even better than last time, then. It doesn't help that ST Turner continues his late-season form into the DBC, scoring many goals and only getting more athletic. Polastri is as good as any Cosumarite hoped, a playmaker with enough flair to turn passes into key passes and key passes into assists. Tibrewal is another dangerous player, not the flashiest but the Cosumarite Courier tells us they're a somewhat invisible but indispensible asset to most teams. At the back, Davenport and Haidt (a new face) hold the fort, and they do it well. Especially Haidt is a force to be reckoned with, as Davenport often disappears into the opposing half on some opportunistic attack.

Thanks to the Cosumarite Courier, we're also handed a few worse spots to pick on: Pridgeon and Rao leave the team's left midfield open, and Omenihu is far removed from Haidt's form. The centre-back duo couldn't be further apart form-wise. All in all, Cosumar will be fielding an experienced U-21 side, confident, with players that ooze talent in every line. Multi-faceted, there are athletic, quick, agile, technical, intelligent players all around, and it's Mara's job to figure out what what each Cosumarite can do - and what each Cosumarite definitely can't do. That's no easy task.

Not to sell the Butterflies short: Cosumar aren't the only team relying on a core of players that carry over from the 44th edition to the 45th. While the Junior Dragons are largely 21 by now and there will be a massive turnover before the 46th, Ko-oren relies on a core of players that, in some cases, aren't even 18 yet so we've got a while to go with this talented generation.

Starting goalkeeper Heijting is just 19, and is still in the youth (University) league. Collins, Borggreve, Brownhill, Parlow, and Bruijns, all return as defenders from the 44th Di Bradini Cup - but there have been changes as to which players start on the field and which ones sit on the bench. Odonaghue, Torsatherinthen, and Emmanuelli form the midfield, all appearing at the last DBC. Midfield is probably the deepest line, and the trio have fought - and lost - their starting jobs. The Junior Dragons will face Yerowie, Caldeira, and Miyazawa, at 19, 18, and 20 years old, respectively. Having the other three to fall back on surely isn't a horrible dilemma to face. Up front, Killand plays his second consecutive tournament as a starter - this time fed by Throgmorton.

A lot of the current selection is hoping to go professional after this tournament. In fact, a lot of them are already on professional rosters. It's often the returning players from the 44th who are looking to impress and compete for a Top League roster spot. Tonight will be a big factor: a win, and your future looks brighter again.

[Bears Armed]

Florise Fane burst into laughter when she saw the summary that Bark had typed-up to place at the head of her report on the Belles’ win over Pasarga.

Bears Armed vs. Pasarga
Ground: “somewhere in Valanora”
Score: 4-2
Result: Bears Armed wins.

Goals
Bears Armed (4): Andrraya Deh-Bruin (#11) @ 10’, Amarr’hrrree o Redwood (#10) @ 39’, Nerretta Barris (#7) @ 67, Andrraya Deh-Bruin (#11) @ 90+4’.
Pasarga (2): Juliska Müller @ 24’, Éva Mezei @ 52’ [penalty].

Red Cards
(none)

Substitutions due to Injury
(none)

“For true? You want urrs to say just “somewhere in Valanora” for the game’s location, as if we were hrreporting under wartime secrecy rrules?”

Bark shrugged: “As a courtesy to our hosts here, ayyuh, I do,” he replied. “They made it clear enough that they didn’t want the specific grounds used for that rround to be made public, for some rreason that they didn’t explain, and it seems polite to play along with that…” (OOC: Well, the fact that Valanora didn’t give us this information OOC means that I can’t name the site here, so I feel free to presume that there was IC secretiveness for some reason involved as well… )

“Hr’rmm, I suppose so.
“Anyhows, on the hwhole our girls are continuing to do well here…”

“With both Karra and Lurrsee included in that, for their marking and passing and in this game — even though neither of them got a shot at goal, this time — with credit for an ‘assist’ each.”

“Ayyuh, they’re both doing urrs proud… and doing good old Holy Tee’s proud, too.
“But hwhen, hwhen, hwhen, will our defenders learn to do their jobs properly? Even with the Belles holding possession of the ball for so much of the time, and keeping it up near the Pasargan goal, hwhenever the Pasargans did manage a counter-attack they found our half almost wide-open, and both before and after Bruin was brought on in place of Mead the level of cooperation between our Backs was terribly low.
“And that tackle by Mead that gave the Pasargans their penalty? It smelled like an accident to me, and the hrreferee did only give her a yellow card for it, but that was still a cub’s mistake”

“True enough, the rrefereeing did seem fair enough throughout. He gave urrs a penalty shot after Deh-Bruin was foulded by — ur’rmm, ‘Sivikovvy’, hwas it? —just after that, too, after all. Pity that their keeper, Mezei was agile enough to get a forepaw to the ball and tip it just up over the bar…”

“The player hwhom Mead ran into? His name’s pronounced something more like like‘Tsiffkofitch, I think.
“Hr’rmm, from the way that you said ‘their goalpkeeper’, should I take it you share my opinion that O Barrdenn wasn’t hrreally up to scratch in our goal?”

“Ayyuh. And hwhat’s more, a little bird has told me that Urrsara Northgate shares that opinion too: Next game, O Barrdenn’s on the bench and TroutBrook is starting, instead.”

“Hokay! That’s good.
“Any other changes to the line-up, according to your avian friend?”

“Mead on the bench, with Bruin starting in her place; otherwise unchanged.”
A bell sounds.

“That must be rroom service, with our supper. Grrreat, I’m starving…”

[Kita-Hinode]

HINODEJIN FOOTBALL HISTORY
Rags to riches: How college football grew to its' current standing
VALANORA - In a couple of hours, twenty-three of the best players currently attending university at the Hinodejin Empire will be squaring off against the Ursines from Bears Armed. Now, before one starts to consider whether or not they should call the Sonics' opponents by any sort of adjective to the likes of Brazenly, Avaricious, Duplicitous and even Larcenous, it should be pointed out that this game is really up in the air as far results go. Both teams are pretty capable although it'd be best for the opponents to keep a close eye in the prospects that the Hinodejin team has presented in this edition of the Di Bradini Cup. Names like Itsubaku, McIntosh and Konovalova might have come as surprises, but let nobody take this team any less seriously as they should.

Still, considering a team of university kids have indeed found their way into the top eight under-21 national teams of the multiverse (whether by luck, coincidence or actual skill) and that many games between universities have not only been sell-outs but also had the honour of taking place outside of the Empire, presenting themselves to the Multiverse with the sort of class and power only deserving of the Empire; we should talk about how back in the day, things were indeed an awful lot different for these institutions in the sport. It's night and day how these were indeed different, so sit down, it might be fun to hear about the times Hinodejin institutions could've indeed been national champions... now if only they were good.

Now, everyone is familiar with the legend of Nikolai Thorben, deemed by many to be the pioneer in Hinodejin football. He had aided the creation of the very first Nations' Cup in 2024, where he would actively help Somei-Yoshino to a respectable second place finish in the tournament between the Empire's original eleven provinces. The tournament achieved its' main task, lift the spirits of locals and re-introduce to them the thing that made the Sunrisians fun, the stronghold that sport played into people's lives. Four provinces that took part in the tournament decided to introduce state leagues of their own to better prepare their squads and hopefully find new players to push themselves above the tide, come next tournament. And right then and there, Universities (that had been barely built up by that point) ended up in the fold in two of those leagues: Kameria saw Hiuni University (nowadays known only as Hiun University, based after the town of the same name) while Tsutsuji had both Uranai and Miare Universities participating.

You'd be wondering what exactly did the teams from institutions that had just barely been created bring to the table at their respective competitions and... well, to be honest, not much. The blue-and-white hooped clad Miare University saw only three wins while the other two institutions didn't do much better. Other institutions would go on to join the state leagues of their respective states once those were established, but the only noteworthy team was the Burakuriri State University, who ended up on the top four of the Burakuriri state league repeatedly but never really found themselves champions. Additionally, their state rivals Tikarurishi College saw their Alumni qualifying to the Trophy of Eden, the team later became Princesiña Tikaru, who exist to this very day.

In the end, these teams phased out from the state leagues, preferring to instead play against their fellow academical institutions, citing that competition was too rough for them at the state league level. These days, university teams have really jumped up from their humble starts: the league is part of the one-two punch that the Empire heralds as its' most notable claim in football, while also helping out at other sports like hockey and basketball. Now, let's hope they don't take inspiration at their origins... we really don't need to lose by 12-0 to the Ursines.

[Valanora]

Quarrterfinals
Bears Armed 3–6 Kita-Hinode
Ko-oren 3–3(3–3 AET)[3–4 PKs] Cosumar
Nilrahranfan 0–1 Vilita and Turori
Savojarna 2–1 Slovanija and Teusland

Semifinals
Kita-Hinode v Cosumar @ The White Fortress, Gladerial
Vilita and Turori v Savojarna @ Angelotic Temple, Longview

[Kita-Hinode]

"So, papa isn't around?" Maraja asked from her side of the video call. The phone showed a man, dressed like a scientist, which he pretty much was anyway. He seemed a bit disappointed but nodded in a bit of frustration. "You know how your father can be sometimes. Ever since he caught me watching that reality show with those muscle people from another planet, he's been feeling intimidated and every time I tell him he doesn't need to be strong for my own sake, he insists." Sprîta sighed. She had been living with two fathers ever since her creation, yet she could never remember a day where one of the two fathers would look towards being as good-looking as he possibly could for his lover's sake.

"Damn." The golem sighed, "Tell him to watch the game against Cosumar then. The manager told me I'd start." She wasn't wrong, for the team's starter Myozan Namezono had been properly introduced to what an Ursine's power shot was: it hurt like hell. One of the shots, in fact, was hard enough that Namezono was left coughing up blood after the game. Still, the doctors said he'd be fine... as long as he was rested for the rest of the tournament. Maraja had the best performance on pre-game training, so she managed to step over Frederik Hiraguma in the Depth Chart... and was now starting for the Empire in a case of circumstances in her favour.

For the goalkeeper herself, it was a moment of intense pride. She always felt different from other kids when she was growing up. Her skin was pale and wasn't able to fully cover her body. Two of her limbs, her arms, from the joints to the tip of her fingers were fully robotic. Her brain, her soul: it was all borrowed from a victim of one of the many pests that destroyed what was now the Western portion of the Empire. Every sleep of hers was harder to get. She'd get memories from her previous soul, memories of destruction. She'd wake up from those nightmares, pondering if humanity had the right to create what, mostly, was an artificial being. She'd think of her two parents, the two that had wished her into this world.

Of course, those thoughts wouldn't survive long, once she could feel the tight, loving hugs of Seichiro, one of her caretakers, her father, the one that was more of a bookworm. In the end, those questions would come and go, her nightmares would always follow her but for a second, she had pride. Pride of being the Empire's goalkeeper.

[Cosumar]

Cosumar through to DBC semis again!
Daumre incredible in 3-3 draw, shootout in Ko-oren rematch

by Toira Carib
DBC Beat Reporter

R A Y N O R C I T Y -- The U21 national team has progressed to claim one of DBC 45's final four places, but it required some good fortune in surviving the thriller of the tournament thus far. For the second consecutive edition, Ko-oren stood between Cosumar and the semifinal... but this time the Butterflies pushed the Junior Dragons even harder: finishing level on 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after 120 minutes before a dramatic shootout.

The match had a lot to live up to. The DBC 44 quarterfinal between the two sides was a great match in its own right - a tight 2-1 - and the eerie parallels between the lead-up path to that game and this one likely heaped some additional pressure on the occasion, particularly for Cosumar's many returning players. Fortunately, this rematch was the rare sequel that exceeds the original, cranking everything about the last edition's encounter up a notch. The drama at Hellgate had more than enough intensity for the spectators at hand.

First of all, both goalkeepers were in tip-top form, combining for eight saves (exclusive of the eventual shootout), including a run of four consecutive stops by Ko-oren's Heiko Heijting later in the second half to keep his side in the match when they were already down 2-0.

Cosumar thought they had put it to bed when Claudian Polastri scored his second goal sixteen minutes into the second half, but Heijting's saves set the stage for a Ko-orenite comeback. Jurorarra Yerowie made the most of a goalmouth scramble in the 81st minute to restore some hope, and then Tobias Killand slotted home the equalizer with mere seconds remaining in stoppage time -- an accurate rolling strike to the far post from the right side of the box.

The Junior Dragons, who thought they were about to celebrate their victory, looked crestfallen at conceding - some players collapsing onto the pitch. Lyndalyn Alford quickly urged her troops to get back up and managed to rally them back to spirits before the kickoff of extra time. Then, within minutes of the restart, the Cosumarites thought they'd gone ahead again when Olivia Haidt powered a header at goal and Heijting tipped it up onto the crossbar and back down. However, the referee ruled that the ball hadn't crossed the line. A brief VAR review was unable to provide conclusive evidence to the contrary.

The nail-biting episode was a prelude to Cosumar's actual third goal, fifteen minutes into extra time. Substitute right wingback Mirijana Zajonic, in her first appearance here in Valanora, cut inside and finished at the near post after being played into space on the right by a Harlan Sheriff through ball. But Thaddeus Rampton leveled the scores again with just five minutes remaining, going unmarked in the middle on a corner and scuffling it across the line after Cosumar failed to clear it.

Rampton's goal left it 3-3 after 120 minutes, but that was only the start of the fireworks.

After the final whistle, Cosumarite goalkeeper Loic Daumre immediately sprinted down to the tunnel for injury treatment. For a moment, it looked like he wouldn't be able to continue due to wrist and forearm pain, which would've forced Cosumar to go full Gabriella Antonio-style in the shootout, having already used all their subs. With Cosumar's players stalling the referee for Daumre, the fans entered full panic mode, creating a buzz of anxiety in the stadium. Meanwhile, the Ko-orenite fans began airing their impatience, urging the referee to commence proceedings without the injured goalkeeper. To a mix of cheers and boos, Daumre would eventually run back out, arm freshly-wrapped, just in time to partake in the shootout.

Raskasseu Torsatherinthen converted the first penalty past Daumre with a panenka, lifting a finger to his mouth to hush the Cosumarite fans at Hellgate. Skaldir Tibrewal responded for the Junior Dragons, and then Napoleon Brownhill made it 2-1 to the Butterflies. Next up was dual-goal hero Polastri, but Heijting came up big again -- stretching himself to tip the middle-height strike around the post. Isabela Basquez then made it 3-1 to Ko-oren, forcing Samothias Odwyk to convert to keep Cosumar alive.

All signs pointed towards Ko-orenite victory, with a 3-2 advantage and Daumre looking unlikely to stop anything with his sore arm pinned gingerly to his side. But then, out of nowhere, the Surf Jettica man stepped up to save Butterflies midfield leader Celia Marrable, producing a roar of desperate hope from the Cosumarite corner. Daumre then proved his steel by volunteering to step up and hit his own penalty next, blasting one into the top corner past his counterpart Heijting. Single-handedly, he'd neutralized Ko-oren's advantage.

From there, things got even crazier. Events took another turn in favor of Cosumar when Susumu Miyazawa stepped up and nestled his penalty into the side-netting. The outside of the side-netting, that is. Dane Pridgeon could've ended things then and there, but matched Miyazawa with an almost identical too-wide strike. 3-3 still after five frames. A save and a miss apiece. Into sudden death.

Heijting saved from Theris Flaksenhaar to give Ko-oren their own chance to win it, but Loic Daumre kept the Junior Dragons alive by producing a stop on top striker Linus Throgmorton, whose tame shot was a disappointment following a long run-up. And thus in continued. Save after save. In Frame 7, Edwin Odonaghue failed to convert for Ko-oren as the noise levels soared, but then Heijting guessed right to keep Eve Davenport's potential winner out with a trailing leg. It was turning into a true goalkeepers' showdown -- a fitting conclusion to a match that had been defined by the two #1s in regulation.

As the shootout moved on to yet another round still at 3-3, Loic Daumre did it again, saving on Yerowie by holding his ground in the middle and landing with a grimace on his taped wrist. Unfortunately, the streak of saves between Daumre and Heijting couldn't keep going forever. The injured Daumre's fourth save of the shootout would prove to be the body blow for Cosumar. The coaches, fans and young players themselves could hardly bear to watch as under-utilized substitute striker Domé Odóma jogged forward, but his shot to the left was true. It had just enough power to elude the clutches of Heijting, ending the shootout 4-3 after eight frames and setting off celebrations around the grounds.

What can Alford and her staff take from this wild win as they look ahead to the semifinals against Kita-Hinode?

Detractors will argue that Cosumar should not have even been taken to extra time by a Ko-oren squad that was both significantly younger and less internationally experienced. But this was a gutsy win for our boys and girls. It was the type of result under pressure that can buoy a program with belief and confidence for the rest of a tournament, however far that may be. There's a good chance that Cosumar will have to face another high-stakes extra time showdown in their pursuit of a trophy. If that's the case, having been through the wringer against Ko-oren and coming out the other side will prove to be an invaluable mental advantage. They've now won in this situation before. There are certainly defensive details that need to be ironed out (two of the three goals should not have been conceded), but overall, the takeaways are positive.

The more practical question to ask might be the status of Loic Daumre. Sure, that arm didn't stop him from being heroic in the shootout, but we were desperate. If he's better off not playing in the semifinal, he won't play. Second goalkeeper Faroon Sethi looked decent in his one game against Alpine Union, but is he capable of doing what Daumre just did? Does he have that match-winning DNA in him? Against a Hinode program that has long prided itself on youth development and this year includes elite attacking prospects like Kotaro Katsura and Ikki Tokei, we might need him to in order to advance to defend our title.

The White Fortress in Gladerial will be a grandiose stage for Sethi and the rest of these players to make their mark. The last time the Junior Dragons played there was the DBC 44 semifinal, when they similarly edged Pasarga on penalties after a 2-2 deadlock. More happy memories at The White Fortress will mean one more step closer to becoming the first back-to-back DBC winners since Cafundeu and first three-time winners since Pasarga, which would truly be a crowning achievement for Alford's tenure and the U21 program as a whole.

[Vilita and Turori]

Vilita and Turori advance to face Rivals in Under-21 Semi's

Donna Cathedral, Mar Sara, Valanora :: The Vilita and Turori Under-21 World Cup squad continued their progressive but relatively unimpressive march through the multiverses teams of the future

Eskiiy put forth just a few changes to the squad for the Quarter Finals with Biliki Rona'atu'i who came on as a substitute for Lohani Riiyaaw against Averyickan City retaining their role in defense while Eastal Lunar FC starlet Nii'arala Milaaso who has yet to score in the competition was left out of the starting eleven in favor of Marine Coast United's Enzoril Alabonni who scored a pair of goals in the tournaments opening match against Indusse.

Perhaps the influential Vilitan midfielder Purapal Eskiiy had seen some of their playing style transfer over to their coaching and match day preparations as the Vilita and Turori little Eel Kitties seemed overly focused on earning set plays and playing a slow game from box to box. The Set plays do have their place, however, and it was a free kick in the 33rd minute that led to the matches opening goal when Limu Katarakhna played the ball in and watched as Amakli Inuro'o just barely got a head to the ball mere inches from the grips of the Nilrahrarfan goalkeeper. The aim was true and Vilita and Turori had the lead and could already sense the satisfaction of a job well done.

Eskiiy's side did have a scare in the first half when Cuoabaza Orani'aoa needed medical attention and was replaced by Kiidallen Aeroluzzi. In the second half, Eskiiy's side played as much keep-away as they did press forward for another goal and most of Eskiiy's changes were centered around the idea of controlling possession and keeping Nilrahrarfan from having an opportunity to create a goal scoring opportunity. Midfielder Intikko Kuhilana was introduced in place of the inexperienced Naraiza Ruaplal and the impact was apparent in charging down the opposition midfielders and forcing them into the mistakes that would return possession into the favor of Vilita and Turori. Eskiiy's final move was a curtain call for the goalscorer Amakli Inuro'o as the Euran based defender was taken off with just 3 minutes left to play with the furthest distance to slowly get off the pitch as Eskiiy looked to see the match through to its completion.

While once again it wasn't particularly pretty or overly impressive, Purapal Eskiiy remained unbeaten as a manager at progressed their side through to the next stage with a narrow victory against lesser known opponents. With the victory the Vilita and Turori Under-21 Squad will now pack their bags, departing their Mar Sara base to head North East to the Angelotic Temple in Longview where they will contest the Semi-Finals of the 45th Di Bradini Cup against Savojarna, who defeated Siovanija and Teusland 2-1 at Metropolis in Ibini in their Quarter Final fixture. Having advanced to the last four of the competition, the time for inexperienced opponents is over and Eskiiy's side will be tested properly if they are to continue their Under 21 World Cup run.

Vilita & Turori [1] - [0] Nilrahrarfan

:: Vilita & Turori Goalscorers :: :: 33' Amakli Inuro'o

:: Vilita & Turori Statistics :: :: Possession: 58% :: Shots on Target: 5 :: Corner Kicks: 4

:: Nilrahrarfan Statistics :: :: Possession: 42% :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 3

---

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Nilrahrarfan ::
[GK]Timaala Hualtia, [D.]Rojara Tiones, [D.]Amakli Inuro'o, [D.]Biliki Rona'atu'i, [ML] Limu Katarakhna, [MC] Lati'ala Giaoka, [MC]Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [MC] Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR] Khrusan Mlianko, [FC]Enzoril Alabonni, [FC]Turakia Diijelhma
BENCH::
[FC]Kala'a Yuliizala, [FC]Nua'oma Aikiki, [M]Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [M]Intikko Kuhilana, [U ]Tulaki Rauogba, [D]Lohani Riiyaaw, [GK]Striitca Virahat

---

Vilita and Turori have long had a bubbling rivalry with Savojarna that has sat on the fringes waiting to explode as tensions build between the two nations who seem to continuously cross paths in major sporting competitions. Of course, the most famous meeting between the two nations was in the world of Ice Hockey where Vilita and Turori earned their long awaited first ever World Cup of Hockey championship on Savojar soil against the home side Savojarna during the 34th World Cup of Hockey.

Savojarna
-v-
Vilita & Turori

After stunning one of the top nations in the sport, Novaya Zemlya, with a 6-1 Semi-Final win the Vilita and Turori Ice Cat Things were off to the Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion for the 34th World Cup of Hockey Grand Final. While Vilita and Turori had been a dominant force in regional Ice Hockey, they had never quite matched those accolades on the Internationstatal stage. For the Grand Final, the Vilita and Turori squad were led by long time Head Coach Avalan Marcraw who sent on-form goalkeeper 'Snowman' Avalanski of the Seraai Icestronauts into the goal in favor of the experienced Fiko Oreta or Tommy Finn who served as backup goalie on the night. It was a rough start however as the pro-Savojarna home crowd had a lot to cheer for when goals from fourth liners Juha Neronen and Yuri Elyagin put the home team on the board. The Savojar's got even more momentum when Tavren Raparon finally put one past Savojar net minder Niklas Hoyman only for the goal to be called back as it was touched by a high stick before entering the net. Marcraw's team were down 2-0 after a period and needed a boost. Then, within 3 minutes of the start of the second period, Savojarna were up 3-0 thanks to a tipped effort by Aljaksander Zagulin after a shot from the point by Soren Falborg.

Needing to shake things up, Marcraw inserted Tommy Finn into the match to slow the game down and the veteran Alikk-Corra Aye-Aye's net minder immediately got involved in the play offensively as well seeking out Emhaoi Linaozi up ice in space and the Vilisorma Yutzie's center finally got Vilita and Turori on the board. It was the beginning of an onslaught as goals from Cartai Chiate, Kevin Diesel and Ocean Suzgar late in the second period silenced the crowd and gave Vilita and Turori a 4-3 lead headed into the third. The host country put the pressure back on after a goalie change of their own and would eventually find an equalizer to send the game into extra time. It is there that the highlight reel moment came with Vilita and Turori having set up inside the zone and the shot having missed the net and picked up by Suzgar who found Cinnami Vellamoi at the point. Vellamoi, having just changed with Mike Ice, laid into a shot that seemingly had eyes and incredibly found the back netting untouched along the way emptying the Vilita and Turori bench and giving the Ice Cats their first World Cup of Hockey title.

It could certainly be said that the World Cup of Hockey Final was the series that turned occasional opponents into defined rivals and Savojarna would not take long to get their revenge for the home-soil upset by the Slimy Ice-Cats by ending Vilita and Turori's reign and eliminating them from subsequent World Cup of Hockey tournaments.

More recently however there seemed to be a calming of sorts - or at the very least an unexpected partnership with journeyman Vilita and Turori auto racer Jama'obo Pegasii signed up to fill an open seat at Savojarna's SVJ Racing Team for the second World Grand Prix 2 Championship season. The SVJ Team we're looking to improve their form and look outside of Savojarna for their second team driver while Pegasii had no interest in playing second fiddle to a Cocoabo in driving for the Tropicoast based VTM Tropicorp Engineering team. After Pegasii impressed in early practice sessions, the Savojar team put their inherent distrust in anything Vilitan behind them they could find no practical reason to not offer the seat to Pegasii. While the partnership struggled to find a consistent form it did allow some easing of sporting tensions between the two nations particularly as Pegasii found the podium with runner-up finishes in the Cocoabo Preservation Grand Prix at the Cocoabo Park Circuit and at the WGP2 Challenge of Esmerel at the Forest Cross Raceway.

The cooling of tensions would only last about as long as the draw for the World Cup 82 Qualification phase, however, when Vilita and Savojarna were drawn against each other as the top two seeds in their Group. The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in Savojarna setting up a tight stretch run. Heading into the final matchday of Qualifying, Savojarna were on top of Group 13 a single point clear of Vilita and Valladares who were level on points in second spot. With Savojarna and Vilita squaring off against each other on the final matchday in Vilita while Valladares had the luxury of playing the Groups bottom side Nottinhaps, third placed Valladares were sitting in the best position as if they won as predicted, only one of Vilita or Savojarna could advance. It meant that the Rivalry between the two nations was back in full force and the prizes were binary. One team would win Group 13 and move on to the World Cup 82 Finals, the other would be eliminated entirely and not be advancing to Valanora and Apox.

Goals from Internationstatal superstar Sipke Tarala and defender Linkat Cjinder coupled with a shutout from Mako Canopii delighted the home crowd as the Vilita Jungle Cats advanced as Group 13 winners at the expense of Savojarna, who had entered the day as leaders and would be heading back home having missed out of the World Cup entirely. Now, in their first major tournament since, the two sides would meet again with high stakes as one side will move on to contest the Under-21 World Cup Final while the other will have their dreams dashed at the penultimate stage.

[Valanora]

Semifinals
Kita-Hinode 1-1(2–2 AET)[1–4 PKs] Cosumar
Vilita and Turori 1–1(2–1 AET) Savojarna

3PPo
Kita-Hinode v Savojarna @ Artani, Mar Sara

Final
Cosumar v Vilita and Turori @ The Battleground, Raynor City

[Savojarna]

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Vilita and Turori - again

Vilita and Turori have a long and contested sporting history with Savojarna. The two nations coexisted largely independently of each other, before a clash on ice brought them into each other's vision. A narrow victory of the Ice Cat Things in the WCoH final meant that the Savojars failed to win their first international title on home soil, in their national sport. Instead, they had to wait until the Handball World Cup to lift an international trophy, and still await a second chance at gold in ice hockey. Since then, the teams have also met in football during the World Cup Qualifiers, where perennial favourites Vilita (without Turori) had failed to beat Savojarna for three consecutive games. The curse broke at the worst moment as Savojarna's 2-0 last-round-defeat in Vilita meant that the Savojars, entering the final round as leaders, would end up third in their qualifier group behind Valladares and Vilita. They failed to advance to their second World Cup, bringing the rivalry back to centre stage. It spread to the youth stage with the Savojars meeting the Vilitans in the U21 semi-final.

Savojarna took a good start, finishing a counter after only seventeen minutes. Loeseth could intercept a ball in the midfield and immediately found Jashkin on the right side, with the star of the team quickly advancing down an empty sideline. A high ball into the box found Vilhjalmur Ruriksson, who was unfazed by his opponent's attempt to unbalance the Savojar giant and headed the ball into the goal. After the leading goal, they started to heroically defend, holding on to the lead into the break and almost doubling it with a diving header by Jacobsen that missed the goal by a few centimetres. Pushing down the left, Savojarna had another chance right before the whistle as Pedersen overlapped and they managed to overload the left side entirely, allowing the fullback to lay the ball back to Lehtonen. The winger played a through ball on Jacobsen, who narrowly failed to reach the ball ahead of the Vilitan keeper.

In the second half, however, Purapal Eskiiy managed to re-organise their team to be more offensive and break down the tough Savojar defence. This plan proved to be successful as the Savojars gave up more chances, and an early defensive change of Kolarov was generally seen as somewhat overly conservative. Baldvinsson replaced Poulsen to make Savojarna play in a double pivot formation rather than the more staggered version they opened with. The aggressive charge of the Vilitans was briefly halted, but it hurt Savojarna deeply after the equaliser in the 77th minute. A cross by the Eel-Cat-Things was cleared by the Savojars, but Limu Katarakhna managed to capture the ball and dodge the tackle attempt by Baldvinsson to score on a long-range shot to the top left corner.

Savojarna were now out of their depth offensively, with only one change still possible and coach Kolarov having already set up his team notably more defensively in a 4-4-1-1, with Jacobsen hanging back and no true playmaker on the field. Moving into the overtime, Savojarna thus played cautiously, defending solidly, but gave up a goal in the first half thanks to a free kick that found its way right into the goal. Despite the desperate efforts of Kolarov, moving into a formation with all three attackers on the field and only one centre-back on the pitch, the Savojars failed to reverse the score. Onagin came closest five minutes before the end, but saw his shot from nine metres stopped miraculously by the keeper. Savojarna thus once again failed to advance past Vilita and Turori, playing for third place tomorrow against Kita-Hinode, who lost on penalties to Cosumar.

[Cosumar]

Cosumar vs. Vilita & Turori!
DBC 45 Final: How they got here, what to watch for, who to pick

by Toira Carib
DBC Beat Reporter

R A Y N O R C I T Y -- A rivalry that has spanned decades, AOCAF Cups, and World Cups will be renewed in the Di Bradini Cup when Vilita & Turori and Cosumar meet at The Battleground for the U21 multiverse championship. The legacy nation(s) in the heart of the region and the enigmatic civilization on its north-easternmost fringe aren't traditionally considered rivals, but they've crossed paths on the pitch enough times over the years that tomorrow's encounter feels familiar and charged with extra significance.

While the Vilitans have historically gotten the better of Cosumar at the senior level (most recently knocking the Vanquishers out in World Cup 80 on the doorstep of the quarterfinals), their superiority isn't quite as clear here at the youth level. The Eel Cat Things are former champions, yes, but their last and only U21 title came all the way back in just the seventh edition of the tournament. To give you an idea of how distant that was, the long-extinct nation of Fmjphoenix (where the heck was that?) won FOUR titles more recently than Vilita & Turori's. Cosumar, on the other hand, are the defending champions and - thanks to their DBC 35 title as well - are on the hunt to lift the trophy for the third time.

So, while Vilita & Turori's pedigree in the sport and in big tournaments is difficult to ignore, the nuances of maintaining a successful U21 program clearly matter and should give Cosumarites reason to not be scared of the teal and orange on the other side this time. At the very least, the Junior Dragons have a fair shot at winning this one.

Crowning a favorite doesn't get much easier when you look at recent form either.

Both teams needed more than 90 minutes to book their place in the final, in Cosumar's case a second consecutive knockout match ending in penalties. Vilita were poor for large stretches against Savojarna, but eventually found their footing and were able to equalize 1-1 from long range late in regulation. After then taking a 2-1 lead on a deflected free kick early in extra time, they were able to comfortably see out the win. Savojarna may have highlighted some of this team's flaws - such as vulnerability on the counter - but then again, the Junior Dragons should know as well as anybody how a gritty extra time victory can transform a team's psyche. Their own 3-3 draw and penalty triumph against Ko-oren in the Quarterfinals was a highly flawed one, yet it propelled them to a much more assured all-around performance in Gladerial (although it would also go to penalties).

So, yes, Cosumar looked comparatively better in the semifinals, but both teams will be riding high on confidence. Lyndalyn Alford may also have to contend with additional fatigue on her team's side after two 120-minute affairs in this condensed tournament schedule. Bettors, you can feel justified in rolling in either direction. Regardless of who you'll be cheering for, here are the keys to the match that you should be looking for:

1. Can Cosumar get some possession? Vilita & Turori will look to dominate the ball and create scoring chance after scoring chance with it. This is an extremely technically adept Vilita & Turori side, with a generous helping of players already blooded into their senior national team pool. This means they will look to not just win, but win with authority - smothering Cosumar with possession. Savojarna were able to push them to extra time by sitting back and springing counters, but we saw how that eventually worked out for the Savojars. They could only keep the Eel Cat Things at bay for so long. The Junior Dragons will need to put something together in possession themselves if they want to have a serious chance. They probably won't win the possession battle, but keeping V&T under 60% would be acceptable. 55-45 would be a win. That would mean they're doing their job of taking the ball away and keeping it a bit to create their own scoring chances.

2. Take your chances! From there, it's just about being more clinical in the final third, which Alford will like their odds of with players like Doyle, Turner, and Odóma. When Cosumar has a chance to score against a team of V&T's caliber, they simply must take it. This is the best team they'll play in Valanora and profligacy will not go unpunished. Heck, you don't have to wait for the perfect chance either. Be aggressive. Some of the great goals in the history of this tournament (of which there are many) have come when an audacious young player just decided to have a go. Be in position to receive a ball, get into the final third, and take a shot. Although Timaala Hualtia is an incredible prospect as we saw when he anchored Turori to the World Cup 82 semifinal at age 19, he's not an infallible goalie (yet) and is occasionally out of position. The Junior Dragons need to test him and pressure him from different ranges and angles.

3. Who will create a "moment"? Finals and regional rivalries... both of these things are about big moments that transcend time and players, embedding themselves into the fabric of programs and fandoms. Who is ready to make that history? Vilitan star striker Nii'arala Milaaso has done it before, in the World Cup 82 Final no less! But this year's Cosumar U21 team, although lacking the international pedigree of a Milaaso, has displayed a propensity to draw such moments from players up and down the roster. Both goalkeepers have been heroic in their respective penalty shootouts (Sethi in the semifinal), Cathal Turner has scored timely goals, and his counterpart on the bench - Odóma - walked up cold to hit a game-winning penalty against Ko-oren. It was defenders Tilda Tidesson and Olivia Haidt who surprisingly stepped up with the big goals against Kita-Hinode. So maybe it just comes down to who wants it more. Cosumarite and Vilitan fans both seem to be up for this one, so the atmosphere here in Raynor City should be electric. It's usually evident within the first fifteen minutes which team is more determined to give their fans a reason to remember the match.

How could you not love this all-Atlantian final here in Valanora? Onlookers around the world might expect it to be a cakewalk for the heralded Vilita & Turori U21s with such tailwinds from World Cup 82 behind them, but the Junior Dragons do have the ability to pull it off and win back-to-back Di Bradini Cup titles. My prediction is that it happens. Domé Odóma is the hero, coming off the bench to score the winner in a 3-2 victory.

Leave a comment with your prediction!

Expected Cosumar XI: Daumre; Davenport, Omenihu, Haidt, Tidesson; Flaksenhaar, Sheriff, Polastri, Tibrewal; Doyle, Turner

[Vilita and Turori]

Aikiki fires Vilita and Turori through to Di-Bradini Cup Final

Angelotic Temple, Longview, Valanora :: The Vilita and Turori Under-21 World Cup Squad had packed their bags and headed on up to Longview for their Semi-Final fixture against Savojarna. For many players on Purapal Eskiiy's squad, it was the first time all tournament long where they would be playing against a nation they had ever played before with a handful of players on Vilita and Turori's Under-21 Squad having been a part of Vilita's World Cup 82 Qualification campaign where the Vilita National Team had to breakthrough with a first victory over their Savojar rivals just to qualify for the World Cup 82 Finals.

Prior to their Semi-Final match up against Savojarna, the most familiar faces that the Little Eel-Kitties had faced had come in the group stage when they defeated Oberour Ar Moro 1-0, a team that Enzoril Alabonni and Nii'arala Miilaso played against during the World Cup 81 Qualification Campaign for the Vilita National Team and Indusse, a team which none of the players had experience against but due to their outspoken and often maligned media coverage, it was at least a fixture that local outlets could focus upon in their pre-tournament highlights. In the knockout rounds, however, it was a tough marketing play as Eskiiy's side were drawn against Averyickan City and Nilrahrarfan prior to earning their place in the Semi-Finals. While the matches were both competitive there was no history between the two nations to build upon for the neutral wondering if they should care about tuning in to the Under-21 World Cup knockout rounds.

That all changed when it got to the Semi-Final stage and the crossover rivalry with Savojarna was re-ignited once more just following the epic build up and coast to coast media coverage that had surrounded the crucial World Cup 82 Qualifying final match day winner-take-all, loser gets eliminated match the two sides had played out in Vilita. In hindsight, it could be said the match was equally as important as the World Cup Final itself as without that victory the Vilita Jungle Cats would not have made the World Cup 82 Final and perhaps it would have been their rivals Turori who were lifting their first World Cup Trophy.

Now, unified once again and cutting to only their Under-21 prospects Vilita and Turori came together in an attempt to once again earn a place in a major competition final. It was Savojarna however who got the better start to the match putting pressure on the Vilita and Turori goal which was occupied by Striitca Virahat of Vilitan club Kiiarana City. It was a big decision for head coach Purapal Eskiiy to leave Turori National Team goalkeeper Timaala Hualtia on the bench despite the fact that the Turorian net minder had kept three consecutive Clean Sheets since giving up two goals in the tournament opener against Indusse. When asked about the decision, however, Eskiiy indicated that the choice to go with Virahat was based on the Kiiarana City goalkeepers work with the Vilita National Team during the World Cup 82 Qualification campaign where Savojarna was the Vilitans biggest competition despite the fact that Virahat did not start either of the games against Savojarna.

Seventeen minutes into the game it seemed Eskiiy may have been regretting their choice as Savojarna took the lead on a headed effort from Vilhjalmur Ruriksson that was out of the reach of Virahat putting the Little Eel Kitties in a very unfamiliar position - trailing the game. It was the first goal that Vilita and Turori had conceded in the knockout rounds and just the third all tournament having been scored upon three times in the group stage but this time was different as the stakes were much higher and the Little Eel Kitties attack hadn't scored more than a single goal over 90 minutes since opening the competition with a six star performance against Indusse. If Purapal Eskiiy was going to lead their side to the Di Bradini Cup Final they would need at least one and possibly two goals before the end of the day.

Trailing at the break, Eskiiy made one change out of the locker room to replace the more defense minded midfielder Tulaki Rauogba with the more attack minded Cuoabaza Orani'aoa in response to the reduced attacking threat from the Savojar's who seemed committed to defending their slight advantage and hoping the lines held through to full time to see them through to the Final. The change resulted in additional chances for the little Eel Kitties but they still weren't able to get the equalizer. By the hour mark enough was enough for the former Vilita National Team midfielder as Purapal Eskiiy decided it was time to bring on the heavy hitters. Laying in waiting on the bench for the Little Eel Kitties were Vilita National Team forward Nii'arala Milaaso and utility player Enzoril Alabonni who were brought into the match in place of Lati'ala Giaoka and Kiidallen Aeroluzzi as Vilita and Turori transitioned to a 3-4-3 attacking formation for the remainder of the match.

The tactical changes by Eskiiy were finally rewarded in the 77th minute when a cross from the newly introduced Alabonni was cleared only as far as Limu Katarakhna who quickly fired back with a well-placed effort on target with Savojar net minder Albin Lindholm slightly out of position. The ball snuck into the top left corner and the match was level with the two sides now entering a likely 'next goal wins' situation with less than 13 minutes left in regular time.

The thirteen minutes would pass with both teams having collected their collective breaths and preparing for the extra 30 minute session, hoping to create that moment of brilliance to send their side through to the Under-21 World Cup Final. Having already fully committed to their defensive posture the Savojar's could do little to threaten Striitca Virahat's goal. The decisive moment finally came in the second half of extra time when Nua'oma Aikiki redirected a Limu Katarakhna cross past Lindholm and just inside the far post the give Vilita and Turori a 2-1 lead. The defensively postured Savojarna side attempted to push forward for a final equalizer but it was not to come and after 120 minutes of battle, the Little Eel Kitties were moving on to the Championship game.

Vilita & Turori [2] - [1] Savojarna

:: Vilita & Turori Goalscorers :: :: 77' Limu Katarakhna :: 111' Nua'oma Aikiki

:: Vilita & Turori Statistics :: :: Possession: 55% :: Shots on Target: 6 :: Corner Kicks: 11

:: Savojarna Statistics :: :: Possession: 45% :: Shots on Target: 5 :: Corner Kicks: 5

:: Savojarna Goalscorers :: :: 17' Vilhjalmur Ruriksson -

---

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Savojarna ::
[GK]Striitca Virahat, [D.]Moumouni Verre'elali, [D.]Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.]Lohani Riiyaaw, [ML] Limu Katarakhna, [MC] Intikko Kuhilana, [MC]Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC] Tulaki Rauogba, [MR] Lati'ala Giaoka, [FC]Kala'a Yuliizala, [FC]Nua'oma Aikiki
BENCH::
[FC]Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC]Enzoril Alabonni, [M]Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [M]Lentali Purama, [U ]Turakia Diijelhma, [D]Amakli Inuro'o, [GK]Timaala Hualtia

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While the Vilita and Turori Under-21 Squad features a handful of experienced National Team starters, they have gotten support from their entire roster in their run up to the 45th Di Bradini Cup final, particularly in midfield where a number of previously uncapped Vilitan League prospects have made an impact throughout the tournament. With the high profile Championship Game at The Battleground in Raynor City on the horizon, however, Head Coach Purapal Eskiiy is sure to be looking to leverage his players with big game experience, notably those who featured in the World Cup 82 Final between Vilita and Turori.

While Striitca Virahat started for the Little Eel Kitties in Longview for the Semi-Final due to their familiarity with their Savojar opposition, it is expected that Turori National Team goalkeeper Timaala Hualtia will be wearing the gloves against Cosumar in the final. Hualtia served as backup to Wiyauw An'maude for Turori during the World Cup Finals but was in goal for Turori's historic 6-3 Semi-Final victory over Farfadillis due to An'maude's yellow card accrual. Now Hualtia will likely get the chance to star in the championship game with a chance to extend their ongoing clean sheet record.

Another Turorian, Biliki Rona'atu'i, earned a starting position for the Turori National Team after wholesale changes were made for their knockout round fixture against Pasarga with the team having conceded a pair of goals in the final Group stage match against Darmen. The Cednia Beach AFC youngster Rona'atu'i had just five national team caps headed into the World Cup Finals but started in each of Turori's knockout round fixtures en route to the World Cup Final and will likely anchor the Vilita and Turori defense against Cosumar.

The impact of Limu Katarakhna has been felt throughout the tournament in Valanora with the Eastal Lunar midfielder scoring the late tying goal in the Semi-Final against Savojarna and providing a number of key assists to get the Little Eel Kitties to the Final. Katarakhna made a surprise appearance as a substitute as a youngster during the World Cup 81 Final and was part of Vilita and Turori's AOCAF 56 winning side.

Finally, two established members of the Vilitan National Team, Nii'arala Milaaso and Enzoril Alabonni, will likely play a major part in the final for the Little Eel Kitties. Milaaso has quickly become a regular for the Vilitan National Team having already accrued 41 Caps and 22 goals despite being just 21 years of age. Alabonni is regularly used in a substitute role due to their tactical openness and ability to play multiple positions on the field. Alabonni may reprise that role for the Under 21 World Cup final which will likely be one of the most anticipated non-senior level fixture in some time as it does put the defending Under 21 level champions up against the unified entry consisting of the top Under-21 players from the two reigning World Cup Finalists, Vilita and Turori. The Little Eel Kitties will be focused on taking the game to their regional rivals as they look to bring the Di Bradini Cup home to the Vilitan Cove for the first time.

[Valanora]

3PPo
Kita-Hinode 1–0 Savojarna


Final
Cosumar 1–1(2–1 AET) Vilita and Turori

[Cosumar]

Turner, Cosumar U21 stun Vilita & Turori to win second consecutive Di Bradini Cup 2-1

by Toira Carib
DBC Beat Reporter

R A Y N O R C I T Y -- Cosumar's Junior Dragons have done it again. Despite being heavy underdogs against Vilita & Turori - one of the most decorated collections of U21 players in recent memory - they won the 45th U21 championship at The Battleground with a resilient 2-1 win in extra time.

After a fast, end-to-end start that saw the Eel Cat Things strike a potentially devastating opener in the first four minutes, the match became a test of the Cosumarites' self-proclaimed "Vanquisher spirit" as it wore on. Faced with coming from behind against a truly gallant opponent that was mostly controlling the flow of gameplay, their odds of winning - let alone equalizing - looked increasingly bleak.

The experience of winning this tournament last year, however, gave Cosumar the necessary confidence to keep battling toe-to-toe with their World Cup champion foes. Their calmness, urgency and apparent lack of nerves were eventually rewarded with a goal to make it 1-1 in the 70th minute. Winger Theris Flaksenhaar broke free past Rojara Tiones with a pirouette on the left flank and centered a pass to Skaldir Tibrewal, who created a window of space to shoot around Lohani Riiyaaw from 15 yards. Timaala Hualtia was quick to dive and block the dipping shot, but Flaksenhaar had followed the shot in after initiating the sequence and was there to toe-poke the rebound back into the net. The goal was against the run of play, but it was all that the Junior Dragons needed.

Vilita & Turori resumed their clever attacks with increased urgency after conceding the equalizer, but a combination of tireless Cosumarite defending and a couple instances of wayward finishing (Milaaso uncharacteristically missing the target on one particularly gilded chance) saw the remaining 20 minutes pass with the score still 1-1. Onwards into extra time... where anything can happen.

With the atmosphere in the cavernous Battleground suffocating and a tournament's worth of fatigue weighing on all 22 players, the extra time period became a slugfest, a survival of the fittest... balanced on a knife's edge. It could've gone either way and, fortunately for Lyndalyn Alford, the Dragons had that extra bit of fairy dust on the day that the Eel Cat Things lacked. Midway through the second half of extra time, the telling moment came, preventing Cosumar's third-straight penalty shootout. Cathal Turner, longtime talisman striker for Cosumar youth squads, latched onto a flick-on header from Flaksenhaar (the FC Kaldukosic man again making his presence felt) and glided straight in on goal as the defense could only watch, caught flat-footed. Turner would make no mistake, passing the ball past a stranded Hualtia to his near post. As it nestled neatly into the side-netting, Turner never stopped running - continuing all the way around behind the goal and over to the corner flag, arms straight out to the sides as if flying. He only had a couple moments in the spotlight there before he was lost in the middle of a mob of teammates: Mylon Doyle the first to arrive, then Claudian Polastri, then the others.

By the time play restarted again, the clock was about to tick on to the 117th minute. The Vilitans would push forwards a few more times, even calling for a penalty when Tulaki Rauogba had a coming-together with Polastri, but the Cosumarite youths kept finding a way to dig the ball out and hoof it clear. When the final whistle came and the Fiefdom was etched into the history of the DBC as back-to-back winners forevermore, it was a surreal feeling for the players and fans alike.

The kids might not have proven themselves a superior team to the VilTur combined squad because they definitely aren't, but what they did prove was that they are absolutely fearless and capable of beating anyone on their day. Most of all, they proved that the future of the senior national team is in good hands. Winners' hands.