Copa Rushmori XXXIII - Everything Thread

by **Pasarga** » Tue Oct 01, 2019 11:31 am

Pasarga
Presents
Copa Rushmori XXXIII

Groups
Group A
Pasarga (3)
Olastor (13)
Oberour Ar Moro (14)
Crystalline Caverns (21)

Group B
Sargossa (2)
Taeshan (8)
Pridnestrovia (17)
Nellietopia Enclave (UR)

Group C
Nephara (4)
Cassadaigua (10)
Saint-Michel (UR)
Saintland (15)

Group D
Eura (1)
Askari Union (19)
Falkyr (22)
Darmen (12)

Group E
Nethertopia (UR)
Schottia (16)
Savojarna (5)
Eastfield Lodge (11)

Fixtures
MD1: 1v4, 2v3
MD2: 4v3, 1v2
MD3: 2v4, 3v1

Schedule
Oct 3rd: Draw
Oct 4th: Bye
Oct 5th: Bye
Oct 6th: MD1
Oct 7th: Bye
Oct 8th: MD2
Oct 9th: Bye
Oct 10th: MD3
Oct 11th: Bye
Oct 12th: QFs
Oct 13th: Bye
Oct 14th: SFs
Oct 15th: Bye
Oct 16th: Final/3PPo

by **Pasarga** » Tue Oct 01, 2019 11:31 am

Background
Pasarga was formed by the refugees of the fallen Persian empire following the invasion of Huns. They traveled for several months before they came upon a pair of uninhabited islands in the northwest of what they would later found out to be the region of Rushmore. Wishing to cast aside their failures, the citizens abandoned the majority of their Persian culture, including a hard line adaption of European names, though they retained their old religious practice of Zoroastrianism.

Following their settlement, the citizens decided to call themselves Pasargans after a fashion of those that they encountered on their sojourn calling them the Pariis. It was a tribute to what they had endured but also the promise of what could be rebuilt again. Rather than returning to a warlike people, they turned towards a cultural and spiritual way of life, keeping themselves mostly isolated from the outside world, apart from participation in the events like the World Cup.

Even as the years have passed, Pasarga still stays mostly an isolationist and peaceful pair of nations, relying notably upon the regional alliance of Eura and Polar Islandstates. They have turned to trade and sport as a way of measuring success, branching out of their shell if ever so slightly. The rural regions of the nation still strongly are mistrustful of foreigners and believe that little good can come them, with cities a necessary evil to conduct business.

Map of Pasarga

Weather
Pasarga enjoys a relatively mild and jungle-esque climate throughout the majority of the islands. Notable exceptions are Troubalose and Lunas which both are a few degrees cooler on average than the rest of the nation due to the northern peninsula positions against the cold waters of the Alban Strait. During summer, the majority of the nation averages a temperature of 25 degrees Celcius or 77 degrees Farenheit, though with humidity averaging around sixty to eighty percent depending upon how close to the mountains and coast you are.

Tansportation
While cars are not banned, it is preferred that the citizenry use the various forms of mass transit provided by the government to do their inner city travel. Light rail (including trolleys/cable cars), subways, as well as a bus system provide routes and stops to get to most locations within any of the major cities. Torgos, Targas, Paulinthal, Stein-los, Lunas, and Stilinkeep are all home to international airports for those wishing to fly into the country while most major cities have a smaller airport for domestic travel within the dual islands. Torgos, Lunas, and Pualinthal also are the three major ports of Pasarga and are well adjusted for any influx of passengers that route.

Stadiums
First match listed in a group takes place in the first listed stadium on each matchday.

Group A
Stade de Torgos (Torgos) - 90,000

The crown jewel of Pasargan footballing stadium, it is both the national stadium and the stadium of the club side Galatica. It was built to be a monument to the prowess that the Pasargan people can achieve whenever they put their minds to it and show the rest of the footballing community that they belong. Located in the heart of the capital, it is easy to reach from anywhere within the city and the noise created inside the stadium has been known to shake surrounding buildings whenever the Wanderers are playing.

Telathron (Targas) 72,000

One of the two stadiums being used that has retractable roofs, Telathron is located in the former footballing capital of the nation. Telathron was built as a supposed rival to Stade de Torgos to compete as the national stadium, but the arena feel to the stadium made it lose out. Despite that, it is still a modern stadium that offers the capability to keep the temperatures during the games at a comfortable seventy-five degrees whenever the roof is closed.

Group B
Kilmonarch (Stein-los) - 72,000

Stein-los welcomes any and all travelers to its borders with open arms. Long since believed to be the footballing capital of the nation, usurping the title from both Torgos and Targas, the chance to host the World Cup has the Stein-losians ecstatic. Kilmonarch, the best of which Stein-los has to offer, is a stadium built just a short twenty or so years before with all the latest amenities meant to attract UICA final bids that never really formulated. All the same, this football crazy city is ready to put on a show for all those who are sent to play matches in their jewel.

Albrecht Road (Stein-los) 57,000

Being the home of Stein-los Turkish, the sister club of once famous Albrecht Turkish, Albrecht Road was named after the sister club and designed with Canderlarian architecture in mind. The local is supplied with food and art from the nation to the northwest, to give even more homage to the once great club for with the stadium is named.

Group C
Stilinkeep Stadium (Stilinkeep) 64,000

The second of the retractable roof stadiums, it offers the same services that Telathron does but in the comforts of Peynol's most diverse city. Filled with immigrants from all over the known world, Stilinkeep is a diverse and culturally rich city. Museums and art galleries dot its downtown sector as well as a rustic feel to the city with many of the original buildings built of brick still standing despite more modern facilities and sectors popping up around the city. It is truly a melting pot of different ideas and cultures that have found a balance between the old and the new, much the same as their stadium shows.

Stadium of the Moon (Lunas) - 84,000

Lunas is the de facto capital on Peynol, the largest city on the second island, as well as the one with the most wealth. It suffers from dreadfully cool temperatures compared to the rest of the nation due to its location out on the penisula. This has hardened the citizens who live in Lunas, who call themselves the "Kings of the Strait", with the Alban Strait to their north. There is also a great devotion to the moon in Lunas, as the largest of the stadium suggests, with crescents found in various art forms across the city. There is a very spiritual feel in Lunas and football itself is something of a ritual, with the walk from the "Stalking Dragon", the largest pub, to the stadium every weekend there is a match. Visitors are encouraged to partake in these rituals or at least be respectful of them.

Group D
Taltron Park (Torgos) - 66,000

Home to perhaps the most successful of the three capital clubs in Baskita FC, Taltron is the stadium usually forgotten in the capital. It is neither as big nor as fancy as Stade de Torgos, but located within a city park itself, it offers a serene surrounding and tranquil environment. Even the games inside the stadium are less rowdy than the rest of the city and nation.

San Daros (Paulinthal) - 64,000

Home to the famous, or infamous depending upon where you're from, CA Paulinthal. San Daros is a stadium that intimidates it opposition, with the away locker room purposely being built to only 400 square feet in order to unnerve the opposing team before the match even begins. Being a port city, Paulinthal is home to a large immigrant city, but in particularly a very large hispanic population. As such, it is not uncommon to here a variety of accents of Spanish and even Portuguese being spoken while walking the streets, as well as other vestiges of hispanic culture like taquerias and mariachi bands.

Group E
Fire Park (Troubalose) 62,000

Unlike the rest of the stadiums, Fire Park is not located in a culturally or financially rich part of the nation. The north of Pargis is one of the least populated areas of the dual islands and Troubalose being the only main population center due to the small trading port. Despite this, those who travel to Fire Park and Troubalose will find a friendly and proud host. They are the kings of the desolation and welcome any guests with both humility and respect, as well as cheering on their clubs with the passion expected from Stein-losians or Paulinthii.

Apollo Ground (Troubalose) 29,000

Home to domestic club Tyrysier, infamous for foreigners being unable to speak, Apollo ground is a small and modest stadium compared to most of the rest, but its more intimate nature gives a bit of unique viewing experience for the traveling support.

Other Stadia
Stadium of the Sun (Belja) 56,000

The second largest stadium in Peynol, the Stadium of the Sun is home to FC Belja in the southern tip on Peynol's central region. Belja has a very humid climate that many traveling players find difficult to play in, while it provides the sort of year round comfortable temperatures that make it a popular winter retreat for those looking to escape the cold season. While not as rich as Lunas, nor as historical significant as Stilinkeep, Belja still stands as a testament to how far Pasarga has come with its diverse array of food selections and the calm demeanor that so often comes by the sea.

Stein-los Stadium (Stein-los) 59,000

Despite being home to the least popular of the three major clubs from Stein-los, Stein-los stadium is the oldest stadium to be used. Despite its age, it still is one of the treasures in the nation, with its seats draped in the green of Club Stein-los and the Smoking Brickhouse pub that is attached to the stadium's north end, making it a must see destination to all football purists and tourists visiting Pasarga.

by **Darmen** » Tue Oct 01, 2019 6:23 pm

National Football Team of Darmen
presented by the
Darmeni Football Association

Record (Modern-era only, since Copa Rushmori 24): 222 matches, 105 wins, 45 draws, 72 losses, 468 GF, 374 GA, .541 Win %

Caps
 1 Alberich Goldschmidt 167
 2 Felix Lucanus        139
 3 Mordecai Ó Cuilinn   126
 4 Ritchie Porsche      121
 5 Silver Abbey         117
 6 Zachariah Butler     115
 7 Juanito Stafford     106
 8 Hyman Campo          103
 9 Marcellinus Winton    99
10 Jean Virgo            97

Goals
 1 Felix Lucanus        80
 2 Craig Blackwood      59
 3 Daniel Norton        38
 4 Skylar Hurst         32
 5 Brian Firmin         24
 6 Colin Russell        17
 7 Zachariah Butler     16
   Alberich Goldschmidt 16
 9 Temple Fylan         15
10 Marcellinus Winton   14

Manager - Rabbie Travers - 54 years old
Manager Since: Saturday, September 24, 2044 (World Cup 83 Qualifying) | Record: 22 matches, 11 wins, 2 draws, 9 losses, 52 goals for, 38 goals against, .541 Win %

Darmen failed to qualify for the World Cup and fell early in the Cup of Harmony. The start to Rabbie Travers term as the head of the All Greens has not gone well so far. Without a deep run at this competition, Travers might need to find a new job.

Position          Name              Age
Assistant Manager Sabah Fuchs       47
Offensive Coach   Malachi Holzmann  39
Defensive Coach   Suhail Brownlow   49
Goalkeeping Coach Viktor Jacobson   47
Psychologist      Desmond Ó Damháin 45

23 Man Roster

# Pos Name                 Age Club                      Caps Goals
 1 GK  Hyman Campo          25  Scott City FC             103   0
 2 LB  Feliciano Espinosa   23  Romanopolis United         28   1
 3 CB  Silver Abbey         26  Tempala United Saints     117   2
 4 RB  Cyrus Spalding       24  Scott City FC              35   0
 5 DM  Alberich Goldschmidt 32  MTK Kingsville            167  16
 6 LM  Riley Mac Pharlain   26  Sterling City United       62   6
 7 LCM Abraham Cardoso      25  Raven River (Nephara)      38   8
 8 RCM Alan McNeil          27  MTK Kingsville             44   7
 9 RM  Juanito Stafford     27  Rogerton Valladar CF      106  13
10 LF  Skylar Hurst         27  Atlético Augusta           53  32
11 RF  Craig Blackwood      24  Sterling City United       95  59

12 GK  Daniel Abram         25  Royal PFC                  25   0
13 LB  Anastasio Wilkie     25  Chippewa Valley United FC  42   0
14 CB  Cormac Krämer        25  Atlético Augusta           22   0
15 RB  Kelan Lyne           24  Rogerton Valladar CF       18   0
16 DM  Joel Good            23  Atlético Augusta            7   0
17 LM  Mordecai Ó Cuilinn   28  Chippewa Valley United FC 126   8
18 LCM Víedharr Svendsen    22  Tempala United Saints      18   5
19 RCM Mercurius Byrnes     26  Rogerton Valladar CF       48   8
20 RM  Aquila Freud         24  Sleepy Hollow (Taeshan)    58   8
21 LF  Brian Firmin         28  Johnho United              69  24
22 RF  Ivan Borde           23  Darmen City United         17   4
23 GK  Myrddin Falkenrath   22  KF Trew (Qusmo)            12   0

Tactics
Formation: 3-1-4-2
Style Modifier: +3

Darmen will alternate between the counter-attack and possession oriented football. When counter-attacking, play will likely begin with the defensive-midfielder winning the ball and making an outlet pass to one of the outside midfielders. While not out-and-out wingers, they have many of the same qualities and will use their pace to make their way down the touch-lines before crossing into the box. The strike partnership will always be defined as having one target man and one poacher. Atypically, it is the target man who will score the majority of goals, while the poacher and potentially a midfielder will take shots should any subsequent chances present themselves. However, if either of the outside midfielders are stopped before they can make their crosses, Darmen's chances of attacking will disappear for the near future as the team regroups into its defensive formation.

When playing with possession, it is the goal of the Darmeni midfield to lull their opponents to sleep by stringing together large sums of passes. Against highly ranked sides, sequences of 20-30 passes being strung together before the ball even enters the final third are common. Against lesser ranked opponents, its not unheard of for the team to string together 40-50 passes before going forward to attack the goal. Additionally, any of the Darmeni midfielders may choose to show off an individual skill, for instance they might hold the ball loosely in front of them, inviting an opposing player to make a tackle, before attempting to nutmeg that player as they arrive. Such antics are rare however when facing tougher opponents. While dominating the possession can often frustrate the opposition and cause them to lose concentration, it can just as easily make the All Greens fall asleep themselves and become vulnerable to the counter-attack. Either way, it is almost a certainty that one of the goalkeepers will be called into action, it's only a question of which one.

Defensively, man-to-man marking of the main attacking opponents is the preferred method of limiting the amount of saves the Goalkeeper is needed to make. The defensive-midfielder operates almost like a sweeper, only located in front of the back line rather than behind it. On corners and free-kicks, Darmen will exclusively mark their opponents man-to-man, zonal marking is considered too unreliable.

Team Roles
Captain: Alberich Goldschmidt
Vice-Captain: Silver Abbey
Left Corner: Alberich Goldschmidt
Right Corner: Alberich Goldschmdit
Penalties: Craig Blackwood
Free-kicks: Alberich Goldschmidt

Team Personality
The Darmeni team will never argue with the referee. Indeed, if anything needs to be brought to the attention of the referee it will be done by either the Captain or Vice-Captain in a respectful manner (or to the fourth-official by the Manager). With regards to foul/dirty play, the Darmeni team will not provoke, or retaliate against any opposition player. Darmeni's expect each team to keep to itself and deal with its own trouble makers; any opposition player who attempts to prevent a conflict by pushing or pulling a Darmeni away from the scene will be promptly told off, as that is the duty of the Darmeni Captain.

Nonetheless, Darmen will play in a relatively aggressive manner. Tackles will be conducted in a way which ensures the opponent ends up on the ground, but causing injury will be avoided as much as possible. On set pieces, Darmenis will stand their ground and will not be easily pushed around, they will not however engage in hugging. In fact, if any opposing player tries to push past them, it is not uncommon for the Darmeni player to feign resistance before simply stepping aside and watching as the opposing player stumbles past on their way to ground. This occasionally backfires however, as the referee may mistake the incidence as having been a foul in the box.

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: YES PLEASE!
Choose my scoring events: YES
Godmod scoring events: YES. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
RP injuries to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod Injuries to my players: NO
Give Yellow Cards to my players: YES, no more than two per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Give Red Cards to my players: YES, no more than one per match. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Godmod other events: MAYBE. If you have anything major planned, give me a heads up.
Style Modifier: +3

by **Schottia** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:27 am

National Football Team of Schottia

Copa Rushmori XXXIII
Pasarga

------------------------------
Manager: Raven Cullen 64

Assistant: Merry Osbourne 41

First Team Coach: Richard Dachs 39

First Team Coach: Darren Hanlon 44

First Team Coach: Sophie Gilmour 51

Gk Coach: Jeremy McNott 41

Physio: Claire Hanson-Conavacio 46

------------------------------

On the whole, Raven Cullen looks like a solid choice as manager. Given the state Schottic football finds itself in right now, the Brenecian is probably as good a manager as they could have hoped for. The 64-year-old has already taken two ‘less-glamorous’ footballing nations to the World Cup in the form of Anglatia and her native Brenecia, but Schottia could be her toughest challenge yet. Four years with Handon side, Kings Park, will have given her a good overview of the Schottic game, and this likely helped seal the deal for the FA. Her fast paced, pressing style of play will probably ensure an easy transition for the Schottic squad who were used to that under Lionel Mah. However, given the dearth of any real self belief in the side, it will be Cullen’s ability to motivate players that is most needed.

Cullen has been reunited with Merry Osbourne, who served as her assistant during her time at Kings Park. The former Lammerton and Kingsgrove striker has only ever worked under her countrywoman, and this is her first taste of international football as a player or a coach. Richard Dachs and Darren Hanlon are also familiar faces, having played under Cullen at Kings Park. Hanlon is no stranger to the Schottia set-up, having won 42 caps, mostly during Jane Gullie’s time in charge. Dachs, by contrast, had a pretty unremarkable playing career, but by all accounts is a highly promising coach. Sophie Gilmour worked with the Port Christopher branch of the national performance academy, and her coaching style is largely compatible with what Cullen is trying to do. Jeremy McNott was brought in as goalkeeping coach under Jock Sonny, and seems to have done enough to keep his place on the staff list. The longest serving member of the team, Claire Hanson-Conavacio, is an unsurprising inclusion as physio.

Style Modifier: +2
------

Squad information
Cullen has come in and made some bold changes that are almost certainly going to divide the room. In a sense, her hand was forced, when Evelyn Conjure refused to reconsider international retirement, and building the team around the Brinemouth midfielder was no longer an option. There were also murmurs that Cullen tried and failed to tempt Kara Ciogach back into the fold, with the Southern Star striker continuing to pull on a Brenecia kit for now. Retirements have also robbed Cullen of experienced centre-backs, Make Ünterhausen and Mike Campbell, who helped keep things tight for Jock Sonny two years ago.

Vincent Verbeck, now with North Hall, and United’s Rosie Donaldson come back into the setup for the first time since the boycott. Meanwhile there are first call-ups, for Kelly McInnes, Cooper Granely, Mirka Shitakuari, Donald Nesbit, and Joel Kamara. With the likes of Krista Morham and Line Stenberg missing out, it’s clear that Cullen is determined to make the team her own from the get-go.

In spite of the upheaval, there is little dispute that Ed Lorrey will be the one to start in goals. Being Schottia’s only keeper of note under the age of thirty-five, there will be a lot of responsibility resting on the shoulders of the Mliona-Lpaka star. Pirates No.1, Cooper Granely, will be player patiently waiting in the wings. At wingback, Cullen appears set to go with Rian Corrello and Bonnie McGillivray right and left respectively. Both are playing in highly ranked UICA accredited leagues, and are arguably at the top of their game. In reserve, she has options closer to home, with United’s Louis Hordern, and Marionville’s Dawn Morham on the bench. Centre-back is a potential problem area, with question marks over the form of former Champions Cup winner Grant Carlin, and Ramusok’s John Hare still inexperience on the world stage. Add into mix the fact that Nesbit and Kamara are yet to win a cap between them, and you begin to see how this could be an area of the pitch that the opposition will look to exploit.

In a sense Conjure would have been the perfect player to drive home Cullen’s system from the engine room, but in her absence, that duty will likely fall on the shoulders of Lonngeylin Coast’s Dilon Bánach. Alongside Mâ Âlâmëómë playmaker, Camila Soria Luna, Schottia should have a duo who can push home an advantage against most side in the competition. Maeve Bronte gets the nod in the all-important holding role, with the Crisisbless player perfectly equipped to carry out those duties. The middle of the park should still be the strongest area of the pitch for Schottia, and with Innescourt, Verbeck and Donaldson as understudies, Cullen also has a depth of talent at her disposal.

All indication show that Cullen is set to go with the same three-up-front system she employed in her time at Kings Park. Corinne Martel-Burns was a shock inclusion in this 23-person squad, with most fans believing they had seen the last of the Directus striker after she refused to be substituted in their match with Qusmo. Without doubt Martel-Burns is one of the best in the business, but she’s a loose cannon, and there were certainly more stable options available for selection. Pirates rising star, Reay Cnocstanger, will be favourite to keep her place on the right. She had a good Copa Rushmori last time round, and brings pace and goals to the side. On the left, Cullen might be tempted to go with McInnes who has been tearing the A-League apart of late, but Jack Avelione was Schottia’s top goal scorer two years ago, and will probably get the nod. Mirka is another versatile attacking option, whereas Ross Renshaw and Jack Jevđenijević will serve as more direct replacements for Martel-Burns if needed.

Kits

Home--Reverse--Away

The kits for the most recent cycle are designed by Schottsport of Schottia
----------------------------

Full Squad

1. GK. Ed Lorrey, 26 |

Mliona-Lpaka AFC | Height:189cm Weight:77kg | Caps: 5 Goals: 0
After securing the No. 1 jersey at Dundee aged just eighteen, it was clear that Lorrey was a player destined for the top. A $4 million move to Lammerton was followed by a switch to Mliona-Lpaka the following season, as he quickly established himself as one of the best young keepers in the Multiverse. His talents even earned him a call-up to the WC-80 squad, albeit just to leave with a bum full of splinters. After an impressive spell in the V-League, Lorrey was thrown in at the deep end two years ago, and seemed to swim rather than sink. Athletic, brave, and commanding in the area, Lorrey is the one remaining world-class keeper the nation have left – a relic from a golden age with players such as Gould, McNott, and Black, who are now long-gone, or counting the days till retirement.

2. RB. Rian Corrello, 30

Treason Height: 176cm. Weight: 66kg | Caps: 12 Goals: 0
Rian Corrello loves a robust tackle the way Gary Corsie loves a strawberry. This no-holds-barred right-back started her career at Christopheran Porty, where she was part of their golden generation, before making a big money switch to the Willox Street Pirates. She became a key player for the now defunct Port Christopher national side under Jim Reid, before making the move to Nepharim Premiership heavyweights, Treason. Corrello is lean yet powerful, with incredible stamina and defensive prowess. Most certainly good enough for this current Schottia side; but could her temperament be an issue..?

3. LB. Bonnie McGillivray, 23 |

Mliona-Lpaka AFC | Height:175cm Weight:65kg | Caps: 5 Goals: 0 C
McGillivray shot to fame back in Schottia at the age of eighteen, when she was given the captain’s armband at relegation doomed, Snubbeak Rock. The youngster displayed tremendous grit and leadership, as she fought bravely but failed to avoid the drop. Despite a number of Schottic clubs clambering for her signature, McGillivray opted for the sunny shores of Turori, joining up with Mliona-Lpaka AFC. The 23-year-old is a solid, standard left-back, and a natural leader who has been long marked out as a future Schottia skipper. You know what you get with her, passion and leadership.

4. L/CB. John Hare, 26 |

Ramusok United | Height:187cm Weight:73kg | Caps: 1 Goals: 0
Jock Sonny’s former prodigy at Ramusok, John Hare is probably now ready to make the step up to the starting eleven. He came through the youth system at Handon United, before completing a very successful loan period at Blue Coast. Stuck behind what was at the time a very strong centre-back pairing, Hare went to Cosumar in search of first team football, and has never looked back from there. With the retirement of former skipper, Mark Ünterhausen, there will be pressure on Hare’s shoulders to fill a gaping hole.

5. CB Grant Carlin, 31 |

Lammerton | Height:188cm Weight:77kg | Caps: 12 Goals: 0
After breaking into the New Island first team as a teenager, Grant Carlin quickly established himself as one of the Multiverse’s up and coming defenders. Aged just twenty-two he lifted the Champions’ Cup with Cenian side, 1860 Azoth, and his first Schottia cap followed shortly after. Now back in his home country with Lammerton, Carlin has been putting in some steady performances as he looks to rebuild his reputation as a top defender. At 31, he’s now one of the experienced heads at the back, and will be looked upon to help guide the likes of Hare and Kamara.

6. DM. Maeve Bronte, 32 |

Crisisbless | Height:175cm Weight:65kg | Caps: 19 Goals: 0 (Caps: 91 Goals: 2 for Port Christopher)
Bronte is your bog-standard defensive midfielder. She does all the unglamorous stuff, all the mopping up, and plays the sensible pass. She’s rather good at it though, and her abilities have won her much praise at both Crisisbless and previously the Pirates. Bronte is a player who allows others to play. Her style might not be easy on the eye, but hers is a name other midfielders are delighted to see on the team-sheet. The Christopheran is set to be handed a starting role anchoring the centre of this side, as Cullen looks to go more attacking. She is definitely the type of player for the job, but at 32 is she past her prime.

8. CM/CF. Dilon Bánach, 28 |

Lonngeylin Coast | Height: 171cm. Weight: 63kg | Caps: 57 Goals: 6
One of the stand-out performers from the golden age of SPL football, Bánach will be best remembered in a Handon United jersey, playing for Jane Gullie’s all conquering side. At the time she moved to V-League outfit, Lonngeylin Coast, she was Schottia’s most expensive player of all time. United did everything they could to keep a hold of one of the greatest talents they have ever produced, but lure of money and a chance to stretch her wings proved too much. Bánach can play upfront, but she is best suited to the all-round midfielder role, where her quick mind and even quicker feet can be put to good use. Under Lionel Mah she was often confined to the bench, but under Cullen’s three in the middle system, there is a chance that could change.

10. AMC. Camila Soria Luna, 28 |

Mâ Âlâmëómë | Height:176cm Weight:65kg | Caps: 83 Goals: 27
Camila Luna's career has been nothing if not eventful. She first made the headlines aged thirteen, after pledging her allegiance to Schottia as opposed to her island of birth, Port Christopher. On the park she has turned heads for all the right reasons, however, picking up a U15WC winners medal before going on to win her first cap aged only eighteen. The playmaker left the Schottic youth academy aged fifteen to join up with the Daineri branch of Project +90, where she spent three productive years, before joining Vilitan side, Marine Coast United. Following her side’s relegation she made the move to Farfadillis where she fine-tuned her skills with Mâ Âlâmëómë. Luna had little joy playing in Jock Sonny’s more defensive system, but should thrive under Cullen.

11. RWF. Reay Cnocstanger, 22 |

Willox Street Pirates | Height:177cm Weight:60kg | Caps: 5 Goals: 1
Cnocstanger is the wild card for Jock Sonny in this new-look team. The 22-year-old had a phenomenal season with the Pirates, but as a result of Schottia’s years of inactivity, she has virtually no international experience at any level. She is one of the most naturally talented right-wingers to come through any Schottic side in the last twenty years, and combines devastating pace with a keen eye for goal. Cnocatanger is also a grafter, who picks herself up quickly after a challenge a gets on with playing football. With a few difficult years ahead, Schottia are going to need people like her, who don’t carry the same ego, and are willing to roll up their sleeves.

7. ST/AMRLC. Jack Avelione, 24 |

Bastion | Height:188cm Weight:80kg | Caps: 25 Goals: 10
Jack Avelione has always had a lot to live up to, given the standing his father and uncle both have within Schottic football. That said, the 25-year-old has already surpassed the achievements both, given the fact that the previous Avelione generation never managed to cut it in one of the Multiverse’s top league. The Bastion attacker can play anywhere across the front line, and combines speed and trickery, with a physicality that makes him hard to defend against. In the wake of Chloe Rudden’s retirement, Avelione emerged as a vital player in the short lived Sony era, and Cullen will need to rely on him again.

13. FC Corinne Martel-Burns, 28 |

Directus | Height:173cm Weight: 66kg | Caps: 117 Goals: 93
Few players in Schottic football have ever achieved the infamy as CMB. High profile disputes with managers, assault charges, and a constant battle with mental illness has resulted in the striker commanding a lot of column inches for the wrong reasons. Despite her off field troubles, Martel-Burns’ ability has never been in doubt, topping the goal scoring charts in the now-defunct Q-League, aged just seventeen. After leaving Quebec she struggled a little for consistence, with mixed fortunes during stints in Ceni and Chromatika before completing a $40 move to Directus. Internationally Martel-Burns has been utterly prolific, homing in on the hundred goal mark by the age of twenty-five. An explosive row with Sonny saw her last Copa Rushmore cut short, Cullen is taking a massive risk bringing her back.

Substitutes

23. GK. Cooper Granely, 27 |

Willox Street Pirates | Height:189cm Weight:81kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Granley has been with the Pirates all of his career, but only took over the gloves three years ago. As keepers go he’s very good, but probably not one you would call outstanding. Granley is undoubtedly a safe pair of hands, but has his participation in the current SPL championship team to thank for this call up.

22. RB. Louis Hordern, 30

Handon United Height: 181cm. Weight: 72kg | Caps: 55 Goals: 1
An important player for Schottia in the past, who stuck it out with Handon United throughout the UICA boycott. The 30-year-old is a steam train going down the right flank, and is the kind of full back who can juggle defensive responsibilities, alongside getting forward to support the attack. Hordern is United through and through, and resisted several offers back in the day, staying with his boyhood heroes at a time when he probably could have played for any club in the world. He is a strong, and down-to-earth character, who brings a positive influence to the dressing room.

15. LB. Dawn Morham, 26

Marionville | Height: 182cm. Weight: 68kg | Caps: 2 Goals: 0
Morham is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs in the SPL right now. She is a cool head at the back, very patient, and avoids flying into rash challenges. What makes the 26-year-old so effective, however, is her ability get forward and support the attack. Morham has a work rate that makes coaches tiered just watching her, and a crossing ability, which would make wingers weep. Dawn is the younger sister of Corvistone star Krista Morham, and both players came through the ranks at West Coast Warriors.

14. CB. Joel Kamara, 21 |

San Marco Storm | Height:190cm Weight:81kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
There’s a lot of excitement around this young player, who has been heavily tipped for a move away from San Marco in the summer. The big centre-half followed up a strong SPL season, with some top performances as Schottia gave a half decent account of themselves at the DBC. As Schottia moves into an era without defenders such as Ünterhausen and Souter, it will be to the likes of Kamara that Raven Cullen will need to turn to plug the gaps. At 21 he still has a bit to learn, but the call up to the squad will likely do him a lot of good.

17. CB Donald Nesbit, 31 |

Cornellians | Height:188cm Weight:78kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Donald Nesbit ends a long wait for a Schottia call-up with his inclusion in this squad. The 31-year-old former Marionville skipper has been a big performer in the SPL for more than a decade and it’s only a surprise that it took this long to get the nod. This calming figure at the back had a good first season with Cornellian, and helped hold together what was an otherwise inexperienced back four. While he is prone to the odd head-in-hands moment, on the whole he’s a well-rounded defender who specialises in passing the ball out of danger.

18. WL. Kelly McInnes, 22 |

Marque | Height:178cm Weight: 64kg | Caps: 0 Goals: 0
One of the standout performers in the A-League, as Brenecia continues to prove fertile ground for Schottia’s young stars. McInnes might be a name Auks fans are less familiar with, but this will most likely change over the course of the tournament. A young player who has the bravery to take players on, she should provide a fruitful source of goals and assists. She has Jack Avelione ahead of her in the current squad, but the 22-year-old has the ability to push Bastion forward hard for a starting berth.

19. CM. Ava Rose Donaldson, 23 |

Handon United | Height:178cm Weight: 65kg | Caps: 2 Goals: 0
The name of Donaldson is one that carries with it a fair amount of pressure in Schottic football. However, the eldest daughter of former NT skipper and assistant manager, Colin, is perfectly well equipped to forge her own reputation. Rosie, who previously played with Northampton in the Isle of Avon, was one of the shining lights for Handon United in an otherwise disappointing season. With good awareness and a broad range of passing, she will likely fit in well with Cullen’s high-tempo, attacking system. There is competition for places in the midfield right now, but with the three-in-the-middle system Donaldson has as good a chance as any.

20. AM. Mirka Shitakuari, 26 |

Cornellians | Height: 169cm. Weight: 61kg | Caps: 0 Goals:0
A Schottic footballing rarity in the sense that she’s played for both Cornellians and Handon United (albeit in her youth). Mirka represented the Unified Sunrise Islands at junior levels, and was one of a small number who were naturalised ten years ago. She built her reputation at West Holbrookdale, where she throve under the management of Grant Nean, becoming one of the best attacking midfielders in Schottia. Last season with Cornellians proved to be a big turning point however, as she picked up the SPL Player of The Year award with sixteen goals and fourteen assists from the midfield.

21. CM. Vincent Verbeck, 26 |

North Hall | Height: 184cm. Weight: 69kg | Caps: 1 Goals: 0
A blast from the past, brought back into the fold by Raven Cullen. Schottia fans had probably thought they’d seen the last of the former Zoloroni Metropolitan player, who earned his sole run-out back at the IAC-II. Now at North Hall, he has rebuilt himself as an energetic central-midfielder, ready to be component of this new look Schottia team. Verbeck is definitely a player who has the chance to make an impact here, especially with defensive midfield options thin on the ground.

22. CM. James Inescourt, 25 |

FC Soessch | Height: 183cm. Weight: 77kg | Caps: 2 Goals: 1
One of the next generation starting to emerge, James Inescourt will probably be an important player for his country over the next five years. With Conjure, Bánach, and Stenberg all pushing thirty, it will be to players like him that the new manager will have to turn. After switching position from striker to midfielder, the FC Soessch man has never looked back, as he established himself as a first team regular. Last season Inescourt faded away towards the end, and with it did his club’s title challenge. However, under Sonny, the 25-year-old proved himself to be a useful member of the squad, and produced two very good performances.

12. FC. Jack Jevđenijević, 24 |

Oldhem Knights | Height: 182cm. Weight: 73kg | Caps: 4 Goals: 1
One of two ANL players to make the squad of twenty-three, Jevđenijević is a competent natural goal scorer. He shot to prominence as teenager while still at New Belfast Warriors, where he took advantage of injuries as he burst into the starting line-up. Pace, strength, and composure in the box helped him win a move to Oldhem Knights, where he has slowly been making progress. With the dust yet to settle, Jevđenijević may yet establish himself as a long term replacement for Martel-Burns.

9. FC. Ross Renshaw, 28 |

Colonial Sile | Height:181cm Weight: 71kg | Caps: 45 Goals: 18
As a striker, Renshaw is one you would call ‘steady’ as opposed to ‘prolific’ He’s been a decent source of goals wherever he’s been - Vilita, Turori, Port Christopher – but he’s never set the scoring charts alight. Arguably his most fruitful period came at Blue Coast, where he spearheaded the sides CEdC and CC successes, and ultimately won a move to the V-League. Lionel Mah was a fan of his old-fashioned number-nine qualities, and for that reason he was a big part of Schottia’s WC78/79 campaigns. Of the pitch, Renshaw’s biggest claim to fame is his relationship with fellow striker Connie “CMB” Martel-Burns.

Formation and tactics

Most likely to...
The following categories operate a depth chart system, taking into account the probability that the player will be on the pitch.

Permissions
---------------------
Choose my goalscorers Y 
Godmod scoring events Y*
Roleplay injuries to my players Y (I will decide how long.)
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y 
Hand out red cards to my players N (Y with TG)
Godmod other events Y*
---
*I'm very open to any interesting ideas on or of the pitch, so feel free to send me a TG. 
However, I've always RPed Schottia in a more or less realistic way, so please keep that in mind. 
The main thing is don't kill anyone or end their career.
----------------------

by **Nellietopian Invaders** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:06 pm

Nellietopia is a very beautiful island country nestled in the heart of Atlantian Oceania. But who cares about them? They're just a bunch of losers who cringe at the sight of a purple-stinging nellie.

Several years ago, while everyone was sleeping, the (in)famous purple-stinging nellies of Nellietopia took over Rushmore and made it the wondrous paradise that it is today. Then they realized that that was a stupid idea, and let everything go the way that it was, ending the paradise that it would have been today at the moment it was conceived. Nonetheless, the nellies continue to "rule" the region through subtle methods, interacting only passingly via the relationships with the lowly critters of Rushmore (that roach invasion you never heard about? that one cricket that insists on chirping in the middle of the night, but it must be stuck somewhere behind the walls? the weird crawling centipedes that seemingly come out of nowhere every spring, and now you're totally looking for them because they literally make your skin crawl when you see that scroll of legs sweep across your carpet into the nasty pile clothes you've been meaning to pick up and now you're definitely not going to pick it up because ewwwwww? that goose that just stands in front of your yard, sticking its neck up like it owns the place, because it does? yeah - those were all the brainchildren of the nellies).

Anyway, after many years of ruling the region through the shadows, the Nellies have decided to ingratiate themselves to their adoring public.

To that end, we present to you the Nellies of Nellietopia, complete with their Nellie Scout memorabilia to celebrate their ~~conquest~~ longstanding presence in Rushmore:

by **Falkyr** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:31 pm

The Queen's Wings

Manager: Dagmar Nilsson
Assistant Manager: Sjurd Stendahl (FAC)
Formation: 5-4-1
Style: -1.5
Colors: Blue and red diagonal stripes; yellow accents.

An experienced team in their own realm, a reality-rending event left them disoriented and slightly concussed. While two years have seen countless problems and solutions come to bear for the dislocated Falkyr and the disenfrachised Falconian peoples, the wounds are still raw...

(Blue means male, Green means female)
Starting XI:
Pos - Age - Name - # <Note>
ST - 26 - Imriška Grahn           - #10 <PEN>
LM - 30 - Jonas Ljungman          - #6 
CM - 25 - Ågot Sienkiewicz        - #7  <SET>
CM - 24 - Tatiana Tennfjord       - #8 
RM - 29 - Irene Andréasson        - #9
LB - 28 - Patryk Westerberg       - #2
CB - 31 - Greta Nurmi             - #3
SW - 26 - Zdzisława Laukkanen     - #0  <CPT>
CB - 23 - Dan Vollan              - #4
RB - 27 - Jesper Frank            - #5
GK - 25 - Bronimir Smolarek       - #1

Substitutes:
F  - 22 - Katharina Kristoffersen - #99
M  - 33 - Vilmar Albertsen        - #19
M  - 26 - Juhani Ząbek            - #18
M  - 29 - David Isaksson          - #17
D  - 27 - Rajmund Berglund        - #16
D  - 23 - Ilona Nilsen            - #15
D  - 25 - Zlatica Mäkinen         - #69
D  - 25 - Eric Sundén             - #13
GK - 30 - Halvdan Hjort           - #12
GK - 20 - Katrine Berg            - #20

RP Permissions:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP 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
Godmod other events: Y

by **Pasarga** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:22 pm

Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players Y
Godmod Other Events Y

Pasarga Roster
Nickname: Wanderers
Ranking: 30th
Most Caps: Mór Császár (196)
Most Goals: Ingþór Auðbjörnsson (124)

Kits

Home Away Third
Modifier: +1

Manager: Srđan Jakšić, age 47
Assistant: Michael Mueller, age 47

Goalkeepers
GK: Sasa Szatmáry, age 28, Club Stein-los (F)
GK: Szescõ Mezei, age 21, Hellinic Rouge
GK: Ambrus Galambos, age 27, Stein-los Turkish

After an lethargic performance during the Qualifiers from the more well known names in the keeper pool, the selection has been shuffled and a chance has emerged for a new number one in the Pasarga shirt. Galambos has the inside edge, having been performing well in the domestic scene but he has stiff competition from Sasa who also has been a beacon of keeper play in the SuperLiga. Mezei is still a bit raw for the full senior side but has been very good for every youth and reserve team he has played for so far, having a bit of steely will when push comes to shove. That sort of attitude and spark could be in high demand as the Wanderers look to rebuild their reputation and squad.

Defenders
LB: Rozalia Sebeôk, age 23, Duke of the North (F)
LB/LW: Deli Ács, age 23, Directus

CB: Renata Novaković, age 24, Baskita FC (F)
CB: Ralf Bader, age 28, Directus

CB: Torsten Mueller, age 26, Stein-los Turkish
CB: Christian Berg, age 28, Starling

R/CB: Tabor Csikós, age 23, Spartangrad,

RB: Linka Polak, age 28, Baskita FC (F)

It was not the backline who was often at fault for what went wrong with the squad during the Qualifiers, however that did not spare the rod from being brandished on them as well and the older players have been jettisoned to make room for what have been promising talent for quite some time. With his speed and tenacity, you can expect to see Deli Ács playing at fullback or at the wing or even a hybrid wingback role, though Sebeôk might feel she should be the starter having gotten some playing time during the Qualifiers. In the middle, the now unquestioned leadership of Bader will lead the way as he has become a supremely talented defender, especially when paired with Berg or Mueller. Polak has her spot pretty well in hand, but that is not to discount the challenge Tabor might pose her, having slowly been getting his defensive work refined in Eura.

Midfielders

RW: Jan Gersten, age 25, Bastion

RW: Ádám Berecz, age 26, Baskita FC
AMC: Mária Vöröss, age 23, Canterlot Royals

A/MC: Márió Szölösi, age 20, Ulsa

D/MC: Szalyk Földessy, age 23, Samaj FC

A/MC: Ors Rátz, age 25, Phraen Palace

LW: Orsolya Gere, age 28, Sabrefell Athletic

AML/LW: Kati Szöllôsy, age 29, Tanrısal (F)

The biggest shake up though comes in the midfield, where the entire center of the park has been thrown out and replaced with a squad of under twenty-fives who will be given the added edge of attempting to secure a spot in the pool for the next World Cup. The biggest standout will of course be Szalyk Földessy, as the youngest of the three brothers looks set to make his senior team debut, with the most likely candidate to start beside him being Mária Vöröss, with her technical prowess. Szölösi and Rátz are both expected to heavily challenge for playing time with their own measurable skill, which is even more impressive given the former is still eligible for the Young Wanderers. On the wings, things are pretty tidy with Berecz and Gere and their very capable back ups.

Strikers

ST: Nataša Horvat, age 25, Olympia FC

(F)
ST: Alexander Kárpáty, age 29, Crawford City FC

ST: Júlia Müller, age 24, Cloudsdale Flyers

(F)
AMC/ST: Alexander Jager, age 26, Revolutionaries

Youth is the only thing keeping the two Alexanders in their position, youth and the promise that on their day, they could be the deadliest striking partnership to ever play in the Wanderers shirt. The lack of scoring however in the Qualifiers is a big question mark and is making people wonder if the two can play together or if it has to be one or the other. That questioning is what make it likely that both Júlia Müller and Nataša Horvat will see some playing time, with the former being the more favored choice, having become something of a starlet over in Equestria, even if their league is not very well respected around the footballing world as it used to be.

Formation And Tactics
Srđan Jakšić comes into the job very unexpectedly after the Wanderers' embarrassing crash out of the World Cup Qualifiers and on the heels of his own blushing moment with Tani in the domestic scene. However the PFA decided that they needed someone who knew how to drill in consistency into the squad and that is something that Jakšić is known for, with Tani squads being one of the most conditioned and least carded teams in the SuperLiga. It is suspected that he will keep to the traditional 4-4-2 of the the Wanderers, but do not be surprised if he employs a 4-3-1-2 or even a diamond midfield with the players at his disposal. What is for sure though is that the Wanderers' will be pressing their opponents hard and will look to get into the attack as often as possible.

Captain: Ralf Bader
Corner Taker: Orsolya Gere
Set Pieces: Orsolya Gere
Penalties: Alexander Kárpáty

by **Crystalline Caverns** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 11:50 pm

Crystalline Caverns
"Dropping Sick Beats Since the Last Copa Rushmori"
Roster
Goalkeepers
- Clovis Terrano
- Sekar Sersiuppe
- Marque Glacies
Defenders
- Josceline Arik 
- Austin Timour
- Vanamo Starkeysa 
- Maksym Kujesmart
- Tufayl Muffie 
- Fjordham Alsein
Midfielders
- Dan Castellini (C) 
- Balint Tovnia 
- Brodie Wavers 
- Etzel Zircon 
- Neo Dortmund 
- Cosimo Planetaris
- Zerah Buani
Strikers
- Landen Smoker 
- Seffora Phirestone 
- Bituin Coinicus
- Gay Jatsby
Coaching Staff
- Gaston Rolf (Head Manager still, somehow)
- Björk Björk (Assistant Manager)
Starting XI
Kits (Brought to you by the kit sponsor I forgot from Kita-Hinode)
Other Info
Style: -4
Nickname: The Frostac Wolves (Though "Some Frosty Bois" work as well)
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
- Choose my goalscorers: Yes
- Godmod scoring events: Yes (The crazier, the better!)
- RP injuries to my players: Get my ok first, then we'll talk injuries ;3
- Godmod injuries to my players: See above
- Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
- Hand out red cards to my players: TG for approval
- Godmod other events: As long as you aren't killing my people, you should be good.

by **Nephara** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:28 am

NEPHARA
World Ranking: 13th
Preferred Formation: 4-4-2
Secondary Formation: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: 0
Home Stadium: The Farham Arena in Sabrefell is reserved for the biggest games, but Nephara is a large enough country that it spreads its matches across the nation.
Kit Supplier: ediraf
Nickname: The Cormorants

The mood has shifted. Yet again, Nephara cruised through qualifying. Yet again, they collapsed in the groups, this time with their worst-ever World Cup performance, a single point from three games. Daniella Strauss needs Results. Yep, it's back to a transitional period for the Cormorants and their quest to have a team that can be at the very least the sum of its parts. The Long Heartbreak continues.

Overall Record
438 wins - 78 draws - 111 losses
1407 scored - 736 conceded

Trophies
Baptism of Fire 51
Cup of Harmony 61
World Cup 74
Eagle's Cup 5
Copa Rushmori 30
5 Campionati Esportiva - 6, 8, 10, 15 and 18
Only the second nation in history to achieve the 'Triple Crown' of WCC titles - represented by three stars on the crest.

Most Caps
172 - Hadrian Belfast
155 - Elaine Ashdown
143 - Dieter Konoval
141 - Tosca Marlowe
137 - Cathy Stokes
136 - Tanith Rainsford
134 - Michael Brandon
132 - Estrella Hawke
129 - Adnan Szalai
126 - Anna Shrike, Malachite Scharner
116 - Dale Brightley, Diandra Ballard, Sasha Christener, Penumbra Amokachi
115 - Rowena Strongbow
112 - Konrad Gosforth
111 - Calliope Katskalidis
108 - Gerhard Thunder
104 - Rook Cathar
103 - Keith Rowland, Sieglinde Lohengrin
100 - Leona Rafford

Most Goals
80 - Estrella Hawke
65 - Penumbra Amokachi
57 - Gerhard Thunder
55 - Rook Cathar
50 - Elaine Ashdown

Most Clean Sheets
44 - Diandra Ballard (116 caps)
30 - Apostolos Tsattalios (90 caps)
28 - Portia Thrift (78 caps), Kieron Riordan (66 caps)
24 - Reece Coleman (51 caps), Andreas Swoboda (51 caps)

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y*
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y**
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y***
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

* Hawke takes penalties, Moxham and Strongbow share set pieces.
** I'll have the final say on how long the player will be out, but feel free to make them look severe as you want.
*** One per match.

Tactics

As always, the Cormorants play hard and physical on the defensive and quick, broad and ruthless on the attack, especially loving to absorb pressure and hit on the break. Set pieces are also something of a specialty. They usually press hard and try and wear out the opponent, but are willing to sit back if they need to preserve a lead. The fullbacks are expected to overlap with their wingers and provide much of the team's width. The strikers - mostly, anyway - are all very physical and very capable of finishing, pressing high as the first defenders but also striving to get on the end of chances and to finish what the midfield starts. Nepharim play rough, some might even say dirty - but at least it's always honest, and outright cheating isn't tolerated culturally. Well, not unless it wins a REALLY important match.

Staff
Manager - Daniella Strauss - Age 49
Assistant Manager - Bryony Johansen - Age 45
A former striker, Strauss has never done it at a truly big club - but then, the obvious candidates tend to fail for Nephara. Strauss turned a terrible Corvette side into a credible Premiership outfit for a time, and started to revitalise Southfell United before the Cormorants came calling. Unusually for Nepharim, she likes to keep ahold of the ball, but likes to play quick, aggressive football, with a high line choking the opposition. Bryony Johansen has also spent some time in the hot seat, though with vastly less success at Extreme Hills, and was a dominant centre-half in her playing days.

Goalkeepers
Core
1 - GK - Hesterine Mercator (

Eastweald) - Age 27 - 25 caps, 12 clean sheets
Narrow-shouldered and rather horse-faced, Mercator carries the hopes of Nephara's future. She's outspoken on and off the pitch, unafraid to give referees and defenders alike a piece of her mind. A sharp, acrobatic shot-stopper, a little weak in the air.

12 - GK - Sigurd Rustwyth (

KF Koflir) - Age 27 - Uncapped
Rustwyth was meant to be the next big thing, but who can ever tell with goalkeepers? A long-boned, angular shot-stopper, powerful in the air and with unerring long distribution on his side, Rustwyth just couldn't break through at the Stags, but his career has been revitalised in Qusmo.

20 - GK - Fasolt Senninger (

Creed United) - Age 23 - Uncapped
Another former Stags backup who had to leave for fresh air, Senninger combines the physique of a shaved bear with balletic reflexes. An excellent, graceful shot-stopper, but lacking in the finer things.

Defenders
2 - RB - Anita Sanger (

Rammsissil) - Age 25 - 18 caps
Sanger has flaws, and will admit them freely; she can be a little reckless in moving forward, a little overreliant on jet-heeled pace over positioning to protect her back. But her mental strength sets her apart. She's the first to train and the last to leave, and constantly works to beat the kinks out of her game.

3 - LB - Marcin Close (

Brinemouth, c) - Age 27 - 47 caps, 1 goal
An athletic fullback who has boundless energy, constantly chasing up the flank and tracking back diligently, a quiet and unremarkable professional of the pitch. With a maturity belying his years, Close just does what is needed. But perhaps that's reductive. One doesn't achieve what he has without the ability to change a game with the right tackle, or the right cross; Close has the pace to follow one up with the other.

5 - CB - Roxelana Thorn (

Revolutionaries) - Age 25 - 39 caps, 1 goal
Thorn feels like she could be the woman of the future. Tall, decisive and muscular, Thorn throws herself fearlessly into any challenge to keep the ball out of her net. The art of defending - the joy of defending - is not lost, not as long as Thorn is here.

6 - CB - Ilyana Brosch (

AFC Corvistone) - Age 26 - 18 caps, 1 goal
A tall, grave figure, with a dense web of tattoos. Brosch doesn't really get angry. She just stares. It's worse, somehow. She's an uncompromising defender who sticks tight to her task.

18 - RB - Valeri Longship (

Crisisbless) - Age 24 - 3 caps
Longship's small, unassuming body is inked almost head to toe. A troubled child whose apprenticeship at Morningstar allegedly included bribes from the club to get her a Year 10 certificate, Longship's anger flares up on the field not infrequently. But she's an excellent fullback, particularly on the defensive, forceful in the tackle and never out of position.

19 - LB - Sander Katarec (

Vermillion Rage) - Age 24 - 10 caps
A coltish, attacking fullback, Katarec excels at dealing damage down the left. Intelligent enough to find the right channels for a run or a pass, Katarec can deal serious damage, and he's sharp enough defensively to cover himself.

22 - CB - Raimund Anderson (

North Laithland) - Age 25 - Uncapped
Tall, broad and taciturn, Anderson is laconic as hell. A somewhat early bloomer, Anderson took a while to make that next step up, but the past few years of steady Premiership service have put him in Strauss' sights. Confident in possession, which helps set him apart.

Midfielders
4 - HM - Tawny Shone (

Sabrefell Moths) - Age 24 - 38 caps, 6 goals
A true street-scrapper, from the hard part of Sabrefell. That reflects in her play, uncompromising and full-throttle despite her relatively small size, scampering around and committing niggling fouls.and sneaky ankle-taps. She's far more than a destroyer, though, and that becomes clear the moment she glides onto the ball and picks out a perfect pass from range.

7 - RM - Marica Kuepper (

Jungle Strike) - Age 25 - 15 caps, 4 goals
Nepharim wingers do not generally have a reputation for flair - nevertheless, here the mercurial Marica Kuepper is, combining the traditional lightning pace, general bittiness and ability to handle herself in a scrap with the... let's be honest, arrogance required to really like humiliating her markers.

8 - CM - Malachi Chalk (

Falourr) - Age 26 - 10 caps, 4 goals
Make no mistake, Chalk can handle himself in a scrap. He won't start one, but he'll finish one. He's assertive and confident in possession, but more efficient than flashy. His driving runs into the box cause havoc, and he'll be just as decisive at the other end, a true box-to-box man.

11 - LM - Rowena Strongbow (

Directus) - Age 30 - 115 caps, 35 goals
A powerful, old-school Nepharim winger who burst onto the scene a while back and has impressed everyone for club and country. She's got it all - pace, power, professionalism, and pfinal ball. Surely one of the world's best players, having never taken a step back in her career. The first woman to ply her trade in Eura's leagues, she never looked back.

13 - RM - Monako Saroszi (

Ulsa) - Age 27 - 52 caps, 12 goals
A fearless, driving winger, unafraid to get their hands dirty to get back the ball. They exude a quiet confidence that manifests itself on the pitch as flashy, decisive moves, and they're unafraid to take on a shot themselves. Their red card was the catalyst for everything going wrong last cycle. They have some redemption ahead.

15 - HM - Evangeline Aschenbach (

Starling) - Age 27 - 7 caps
Elegant and intelligent, Aschenbach is the kind of holding midfielder who can really dictate the terms of the game, no mere brute fit only to collect cautions by the bucketload. Perhaps a little more physicality may even have helped, but Aschenbach simply isn't that kind of player. What she is is the perfect player for any team hoping to dominate possession.

16 - LM - Morena Deventer (

Brinemouth) - Age 24 - 12 caps, 4 goals
Deventer's got a real sense of mischief about her. She's a trouble-maker, at least on the pitch. Maybe a little off it. But her impish goblin grin conceals a brilliant football intelligence, which brings the best from her considerable technique and pace. Somewhat lightweight, and has a slight tendency to overthink things at this stage.

21 - AM - Chimera Moxham (

Crawford City FC) - Age 26 - 55 caps, 24 goals
Aren't playmakers meant to be classy? Moxham isn't. She's arrogant, but not in an elegant way, she just always believes she knows the right thing to do, on and off the pitch. Perhaps annoyingly, she's usually right. Decision-making can be a bit flaky, but she has the pace, the eye for goal and even the defensive workrate to make up for it.

Forwards
9 - ST - Estrella Hawke (

Directus) - Age 32 - 132 caps, 80 goals
Statuesque and athletic, Hawke's very strong, very quick and ruthless with the ball at her feet. Her first touch can be her downfall, and she's at her most comfortable charging forward at full pelt, but when she's in full flight she's an irresistible force. As a pure striker's striker, she's world-class. Her mentality is impeccable, her leadership unquestioned, making her a natural choice for the armband. Which was stripped from her after the Cup, as her brand of quiet, steady leadership-by-example fell flat.

10 - ST - Aristide Metzger (

AFC Treason) - Age 27 - 31 caps, 19 goals
Metzger has had to be patient, sticking with his hometown club, but has steadily been able to force his foot in the door as Roddy Fraser aged. And, no, he isn't nearly as clinical a goalscorer... yet. He's an all-action forward, with no setting to dial down the tempo. Plays hard and fast, and prefers power over placement.

14 - ST - Arista Tzorvas (

Olympic Thessia) - Age 24 - 6 caps, 2 goals
A left-field pick emerging as a project of Strauss', Tzorvas never played in the Premiership, and plies her trade off the beaten track in Mytenija. Confident, powerful and ruthless in front of goal, Tzorvas' sole failing is pace; she's a forceful target woman and a natural Plan B, and a real pest to handle.

17 - ST - Kurtis Bastable (

Hornchurch) - Age 24 - 21 caps, 13 goals
A sturdy figure with a low centre of gravity, immense strength and resilience, a deceptive change of pace and an unerring eye for goal, Bastable has emerged as the natural successor to Estrella Hawke, though he's less versatile in his skillset and better with the ball at his feet.

23 - ST - Konrad Lovelace (

Starling) - Age 22 - 1 cap
'The new Estrella Hawke', according to excitable headlines that don't pay attention to anything that matters. They're both from Starling, they're both strikers, they're both athletic, they're both good. Thus far, Lovelace lacks a real dimension besides blistering pace, football intelligence and a ruthless finish - and also lacks a right boot. But he can still do the damage.

ABBREVIATED ROSTER
Goalkeepers: 1 - Hesterine Mercator (Eastweald, COS), 12 - Sigurd Rustwyth (KF Koflir, QUS), 20 - Fasolt Senninger (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Anita Sanger (Rammsissil, VIL), 3 - Marcin Close (Brinemouth), 5 - Roxelana Thorn (Revolutionaries, EUR), 6 - Ilyana Brosch (AFC Corvistone), 18 - Valeri Longship (Crisisbless), 19 - Sander Katarec (Vermillion Rage), 22 - Raimund Anderson (North Laithland)
Midfielders: 4 - Tawny Shone (Sabrefell Moths), 7 - Marica Kuepper (Jungle Strike, VIL), 8 - Malachi Chalk (Falourr, EUR), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Directus, EUR), 13 - Monako Saroszi (Ulsa, EUR), 15 - Evangeline Aschenbach (Starling), 16 - Morena Deventer (Brinemouth), 21 - Chimera Moxham (Crawford City FC, COS)
Forwards: 9 - Estrella Hawke (Directus, EUR, c), 10 - Aristide Metzger (AFC Treason), 14 - Arista Tzorvas (Olympic Thessia, MYT), 17 - Kurtis Bastable (Hornchurch, EUR), 23 - Konrad Lovelace (Starling)

by **The Askari Union** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:31 am

THE ASKARI UNION
Preferred Formation: 4-2-3-1
Style Modifier: 1.25
Playstyle: The long spectre of Skorjiball has left a mark in a nation now trying to play more aggressive, fast-paced, energetic style.
Kit Supplier: Cloaker
Captain: Lux Siravoi
Nickname: la Delfenoj

Having survived the whirlwind of S K O R J I B A L L, the financial implosion of their league (which limps on still, just, without room for foreign players) and three political coups in short succession, the Askari belatedly limp on to new pastures. Having achieved mediocre results in the past at the regional level, it's, well, unlikely that can maintain.

Without foreign players or investment, the Legaskari is a shadow of its former self, which was in its heyday... not very good. All the best Askari players are abroad, and those who aren't yet, aspire to. Underlining the scarce depth of the nation, this team is unchanged to that which competed last tournament, and still wheeling out the geriatric Magali Quaranta.

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    N
Injure Players:               Y
Godmod Injury Events:         N
Red Card Players:             Y
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod Other Events:          N
=================================

Tactics

First-choice lineup.
The Askari have gained in confidence now, and are now able to play to their strengths. The Askari themselves tend to be smallish and more technically gifted than athletic, but a newfound emphasis on 'getting it up there' has taken over, and big lads from Eura have stabilised the spine of the team. Prior Askari sides have been more defensively focused and with an emphasis on pace, but Oslograd has taken to repeatedly yelling "THE BALL IS ROUND" at athletically-oriented plays in training.

Staff
Manager: Amelie Pernaud - Age 49
Asst. Manager: Rhea Fianchetto - Age 40

As manager of Dinamo Sainati, Pernaud oversaw a period of prosperity, and has dominated the game after the Withdrawal. She's the only choice for the job.

Goalkeepers
1 - GK - Gentian Brillante - Age 33 - AC Sainati
12 - GK - Dramane Caragin - Age 27 - FC Elan
18 - GK - Isolde Gaetjen - Age 28 - Duredain Barricade

Impressive talent Caragin is likely to start. Realistically, all three goalkeepers are more or less on the same level. Which is to say, not great.

Defenders
2 - RB - Cygnet Valeri - Age 28 - Walston Brook Albion (EFL)
3 - LB - Eloisa Primavera - Age 30 - Everfree Forest HC (EQS)
4 - CB - Bixente Lalonde - Age 27 - Utica United (OSR)
5 - CB - Armand Tamboure - Age 33 - Blashpool City (ETN)
13 - LB - Ivrea Legati - Age 28 - Dinamo Sainati
17 - RB - Ettore Bajardi - Age 26 - FC Elan
19 - CB - Francisca Barone - Age 27 - SSC Honneur

The Askari have four good defenders; quick overlapping fullbacks in Valeri and Primavera, one defensive titan in the towering centre-half Tamboure, and a deft, confident ball-player in Lalonde. The domestics are a long way down. At best, the backup fullbacks can hope to be rotated in off the bench in lost-cause defeats.

Midfielders
6 - HM - Lux Siravoi (c) - Age 29 - New Cloudsdale Colonists (NCL)
8 - CAM - Susaeta Etxeita - Age 29 - Q-Bee Honeyame (HIN)
10 - RAM - Ravanna Ballarin - Age 25 - LSC Dunelan
11 - LAM - Aurora Solignac - Age 28 - Fevelo Colony (COS)
14 - CM - Lethe Cirvante - Age 29 - Keenan Athletic (COS)
15 - CAM - Laguna Santutxu - Age 21 - Dinamo Sainati
16 - CM - Alessa Leonard - Age 27 - Aznavour OSC
20 - LAM - Marciano Improta - Age 26 - AC Sainati
22 - RAM - Arlecchino Bosi - Age 28 - SSC Honneur
23 - HM - Ascol Vivaldi - Age 24 - Aznavour OSC

By a distance the best area in the Askari squad. Siravoi, Cirvante and Etxeita provide an experienced foreign-based core in the prime of their careers, with Solignac perhaps the star of the team on the left wing. On the right, Ballarin has legitimate promise and is probably the best domestic player here; right now, her best asset is her pace. Little can be expected from the substitutes, though Santutxu shows some promise.

Forwards
7 - ST - Magali Quaranta - Age 36 - Centus Serpents (COS)
9 - ST - Sierra Aurtenetxe - Age 31 - Pillars of Southfell (NPH)
21 - ST - Persephone Vigny - Age 24 - Hussards

A relative golden age of strikers have by now been and gone. Quaranta's been here since the very beginning. That said, she's far and away past her best. Aurtenetxe is by a fair margin the team's main goal threat, a good all-rounder who tore up trees in the Nepharim... third tier, the best landing spot she could manage after a couple good years in Alnio. Vigny has pace, and that's it.

by **Schottia** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 2:37 am

The Brewers

Part One.

Not Normal

Madita Brewer might have only been five-years-old, but she was already certain that she was no normal child. She’d always harboured a sneaking suspicion, and her first day at school had quickly dispelled any notion that ill-fitting, handmade, felt clothing was an everyday choice of attire. Other kids also smelled different. They smelled of sweetly fragranced shampoos, and clothes washed with detergent. Their haircuts were sharp, they were comfortable sitting at a table for long periods of time, and their packed lunches contained plastic-wrapped components. No Madita was not normal. While she knew the best time of year to plant hubbard squash, and the most appropriate soil type for heritage carrots, other kids knew how to use electronic devices, and talked about things they had seen on a contraption called a television. The other children seemed to occupy an entirely different world from her, and right now… she wasn’t sure which she wanted to be a part of…

‘Madita, where are you going?’ One of her classmates asked, as she tried to make her usual swift exit at the end of the school day.

‘I’m just going to wait for my dad round the corner, his, eh… car doesn’t fit through the school gates.’ Madita offered, doing the best a five-year-old could to think on her feet.

‘I heard her dad drives a car that’s, like, a bus.’ Abigail Scafidis stated quite genuinely.

‘I heard that her dad is a special agent,’ Gretchen Pendragon added with sincerity.

The truth was that no one had ever seen Madita’s father, and she was keen to keep it that way.

‘My mum said that her dad is some washed up, crappy footballer, who lives in the middle of nowhere and sings to his strawberries.’ Said Gethin Cartner mischievously - drawing a few giggles from the other kids - even if he didn’t quite believe it himself.

‘Pfffft… that’s just stupid’ replied Madita, as the back of her neck suddenly felt uncomfortably hot. However, she didn’t have long to dwell on it, as the tell-tale sound of her father’s approach could be heard in the distance.

Di-dump di-dump

Tightening the twisted-cord belt holding up her yellow and red patchwork trousers, Madita scrambled round the corner to intercept him before he could get within sight of the waiting children.

Di-dump di-dump

Her father’s cargo bike rattled as it went over another pothole, and came to a stop kerbside. Grinning from behind ten centimetres of straggly beard, he dismounted and walked over to greet his daughter. Maditia’s father was a tall, broad shouldered man, clad in a once-white vest beneath an open checked shirt and cut off jeans, topped off with a pair of handmade sandals. He looked more like his clothes had been thrown on him, as opposed to being selected with any great care. ‘Hey, Madita, how was school..?’ he asked, taking her haversack from her, before giving her short brown hair a ruffle with his hand.

‘Fine.’ Came her standard answer, as she clambered swiftly into the box at the front of bike – moving a basket of garden tools to one side – before strapping herself in. She was in a hurry. No matter how much she loved her father, the thought of having to explain to Gretchen and Abigail why he looked the way he did was a bridge too far.

‘Okay, let’s go home.’ Her father said warmly (much to Madidta’s relief). ‘It’s pea pottage and rye bread for dinner!’

‘Yay.’ Madita cheered, glad to finally be underway. The fact that she was forced to hide her family from her friends was a huge source of internal guilt for her. She’d had what must have been close to the perfect childhood. Living in the country, not a car in sight, kilometre after kilometre to run and play to her heart’s content. Heading down to the hens to collect an egg for her breakfast, feeding the goats Margery and John, licking fresh honey straight from the comb.

Madita’s father pedalled swiftly, and before she knew it, they’d left the town far behind and had started their journey into rural Laith. It normally took them about an hour to make the twelve-kilometre journey, as the hills took their toll on her father’s legs.

He really was the best dad in the world. No matter what he did, it always seemed to make her laugh. Whatever the situation, however everyday and unremarkable, the one thing Madita could be sure of was the fact that her father would turn it into a calamity. He just seemed to be drawn to misfortune the way metal filings were drawn to a magnet. There was something about his face, and that sad look of acceptance every time misadventures occurred, that had her in stitches.

On rainy days, sat with her yellow raincoat buttoned up to her chin, these commutes were something miserable that had to be endured. However, on an early autumn day such as today, Madita felt as if she were flying; her only company a chorus of bird songs and the chirping of grasshoppers as they sped past the fields.

Eventually, her father turned down an inconspicuous side road, trading tarmac for what was little more than a dirt track. Gravel had been poured into some of the larger holes, but all the same, it made for a very bumpy final six hundred metres of their journey. This leg took them along the side of a potato field, then through stretch of woodland, before they arrived back out in the open in what was probably a small abandoned quarry. The alcove doubled up as a car park, and there were a couple of shabby looking vehicles already parked there: a battered old four-by-four, and a 1980s hatchback, dull and listless. To the other side there was a selection of makeshift letterboxes nailed to stakes, hammered into the earth; as well as an old rusting storage container.

Madita already had her straps undone, and was clambering out of the box as the bike had come to a stop. The path down from the quarry into the valley below was steep, despite being well trodden. In the winter, or when it was wet, you needed to watch your footing, but on a day like this Madita would skid down it at speed, sending dust clouds flying in her wake.

On this occasion, Madita had more reason than usual to be hasty. As she wove her way through the birch trees, past the bee hives, and toward home, she cast a glance back over her shoulder to check that her father was not yet at the top of the ridge. Through the gate, up the garden path past the raised vegetable beds, the hen house and the polytunnel, she pushed firmly open the door and darted inside.

‘Hello Sweetie.’ Her mother smiled at her warmly, as she stood preparing a ginger and camomile infusion for her husband. ‘How was school?’ Madita’s mother was a small blonde woman, who always seemed to wear a smile whatever the occasion. She had an easiness and optimism that outweighed her father’s natural dourness. Madita’s mother was stood in front of the wood-burning stove, which also provided all of their heating. One wall of the hut was covered in crude shelving from floor to ceiling, containing a vast array of pots and pans, jars and tubs, herbs and spices. To the other side of the room, Madita sat herself at an old wooden table, and began to pull at the drawstring of her hemp haversack. The room was filled with the scent of camomile with background hint of wood smoke, all competing by the aroma of a hundred spice jars bursting to get out.

‘I’ve got something I need to show you…’ Madita was still struggling, her fingers refusing to do as they were asked - all the time she was looking through the small window to check the progress her father was making.

‘Is it something from School..?’ Madita’s mother left the pot simmering for a moment and took up position just behind her.

‘Sort… of…’ Much to Madita’s relief, her father had stopped to check on his coriander seeds, which were nearly dry enough for harvest. ‘Some lady was bringing these sheets of paper round today from one of the local clubs.’

‘What sort of club?’ Her mother asked with a smile, gently accepting the sheet of paper, which Madita had finally freed from her bag. ‘Foot– ’ Madita’s mother held the piece of paper firmly to her chest as if to shield it’s contents from the world, as she too craned her neck to get visuals on her husband. Madita’s father had been growing increasingly paranoid that the birds might take a fancy to his coriander, and as a result she knew she had a few extra moments. ‘Madita, where did you get this?’ Her mother eventually added, sitting opposite her daughter and placing the sheet of paper between them. Her normal, almost permanent smile was replaced with the gravest of expressions.

‘A lady was handing them out.’ Madita answered sheepishly, but watching her mother fold the registration form decisively in half, she suddenly realised it was now or never. ‘I want to play football!’

Her mother shuddered as if the ceiling were about to collapse on their heads. ‘Don’t you ever mention that word in this hut!’ She quickly got to her feet and pulled the window to. ‘If your father heard you– ’

‘Why can’t I play football?’ Madita felt her face redden and her eyes well up with the frustration of it all.

‘Shhhh!’ Her mother simply put a finger to her lips, her face imploring Madita for silence. Her father had abandoned his coriander vigil, and was now striding up the garden path with purpose. ‘We’ll discuss it later; please just leave it for now Sweetie!’

by **Gran Torche de Saint-Michel** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 4:55 pm

A prime time night broadcast on Forum FM, radio station 93.3 on Sorel, the capital of Gran Torche de Saint-Michel.
"Hello, welcome to Tór! Name's Frida and I'm here with your usual suspects that know all about football, Willy Weiner and Matthias Wondolowein." A female voice said with a rather happy tune to her voice. The song in the background had to be some track that probably died off via people overplaying it for the mere subject of football. "And to those that might haven't heard the news yet, our glorious country is going to play their first-ever international tournament! So, gentlemen, what do you think of the news?"

A more brute-like voice replied in the most possible standard way ever. "We're screwed." Frida sounded hurt from the statement, replying with an 'Oh No' that was clearly registered by the microphones, but the brute relented. "Look, let's be very honest here before anyone decides to put their entire wage in a bet that Saint-Michel will win the Copa Rushmori and I say this because I know how those weirdoes from Tilstad are. There's no way in hell this team will win the cup. We might, however, get into the play-offs assuming half of the group ends up drunk before their matches."

Suddenly, he was interrupted by a voice that seemed to be from a scholar, rather snobby. "Now, now, Willy. I believe you're underselling this team a little too much. Don't get me wrong, the odds are clearly stacked against our brave Sabres, but they're not that screwed. Why, I believe we might actually qualify to the play-offs if our football is decent enough. This is a regional tournament, we're not exactly facing the cream of the crop from these world powers, now, are we? Nephara, for all the talk of how big they are in the sport, have been struggling with finding a goalkeeper from the future and our offence is professional, dare I say, good enough to make an impression in the world scene. Additionally, we don't even know who Cassadaigua or Saintland will field. Now we, we don't have anything to hide. Our line-up features many amateur players and a rather... Golden Generation, dare I say, from the Hinodejin school system."

"Oi, Matthias. Don't start." The Weiner said, angry from the mere mention of the youth players. "What's in Elrichssen's head? Calling up a bunch of kids? They should be at school, not playing against international teams from the region. What kind of look do you think our country gets from doing this? We're not Thunisia, come on. And hell, even if we were Thunisia, read my lips: Mariah Veronica Agger isn't Élodie Proux." While Matthias could be heard noting that 'She doesn't need to be Élodie Proux', Willy kept going on, saying "And honestly, dare I say, she won't be a good soldier like everyone else in this entire Merchant Republic if she forgets her training to go play football at shiny two shoes Hinodejin Empire, got it?"

A sigh came from Frida while Willy kept blabbing on about how the national team felt like something that was done mostly out of the desire to promote their brand of ruthlessness to those looking for a merchant army instead of squabbling with the odds of the team winning silverware but eventually, Matthias stopped him. "Understand this, Willy. Not everyone needs to be a gun-toting maniac. The Merchant Republic wasn't built to be Sir Raphael de Sorel's personal army in the 1500s. It was made to be the place where he could properly establish his perfect world! Our ancestors chose to follow him due to their hopes for a perfect future and we're here, struggling to unite the idea of running a peaceful country with a top football league that, despite our attempts, remains an amateur affair to our traditions that, by all accounts, are outdated! Mariah, Rusudan, Sophia, Lucas and Timo got the opportunity to have a career in football and I'm glad they took it. It'll be the starting step to bury your kind of mindset from the beautiful game and by God all-mighty, it's been long enough!"

GRAN TORCHE DE SAINT-MICHEL'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
"The Sabres"

NUM.	POS.	NAME			AGE	G	TEAM
#01	GK	Jean Jacques ROCHEFORT	33	M	L'Escrimeurs Saint-Michel
#02	SW	Emmanuel OMOWEOBU	20	M	Volator Hallberg
#03	RB	Kevin VAN DER HALLBERG	26	M	Go Ahead Tilstad
#04	CB	Hagen KUNDERT		31	M	Kaisermünster Harriers
#05	LB	Yvette LA SALLE		26	F	Cercle Oudstel
#06	RM	Gustaf ALEXANDERSSON	25	M	Go Ahead Tilstad
#07	CM	Markus KLINGEMANN	27	M	L'Escrimeurs Saint-Michel
#08	LM	Linus BECKMAN		22	M	VfB Ostershafen
#09	RW/OM	Allen FÜCHS		20	F	Hokuto Senateurs (The Hinodejin Empire)
#10	ST	Yvette GRIMARD		25	F	Eterna Miyako (The Hinodejin Empire)
#11	LW/ST	Wenzeslaus GEISZLER	21	M	Cinébuti Monsu (The Hinodejin Empire)
#12	GK	Killian McDONALD	28	M	Cercle Oudstel
#13	RB	Timo RITTER		16	M	Maniwa International High School (The Hinodejin Empire)
#14	CB	Gerald SIEGERT		25	M	Neufstadt Klagentrenk
#15	LB	Luzia BÖHLER		23	F	En Avant Travonne
#16	CB	Sophia LOREN		15	F	Senso-Shukujo Ladies High School (The Hinodejin Empire)
#17	LB	Mathias HEINRICH	23	M	Granz Klub Lahnnow
#18	CM	Lucas VAN DER BILT	15	M	Wuyon Wind Leaf Leg Academy (The Hinodejin Empire)
#19	LM	Mikhail RUTHERFORD	20	M	1825 Vöcklaheim
#20	RF	Mariah Veronica AGGER	15	F	West Mashu Corona Girls High School (The Hinodejin Empire)
#21	CF	Eleonora WYRZYKOWSKI	19	F	Escrima Club du Sorel
#22	LW	Jean PROST		27	M	Go Ahead Tilstad
#23	GK	Rusudan LOMIDZE		15	F	Usagi Sailor Star High School (The Hinodejin Empire)
--	COACH	Alaric ELRICHSSEN	62	M	Formerly Athenas Amerestein (Style 3)

RP PERMISSIONS
Go wild, except for career-ending injuries. These guys don't have the option to go Cyborg, y'know.

by **Trans-Dniesters** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 5:04 am

THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED SOCIALIST STATES OF PRIDNESTROVIA
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM

The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia is not overly familiar with humiliation. Failure yes, there has been a lot of that since the entry of the Pridnestrovian Republic into the greater multiverse; but humiliation not so much. Until the 32nd Copa Rushmori, when the Pridnestrovian national football team turned in one of the most abject performances that a national team could ever put in in the history of football. Couple that with suspicions that something funny may have been happening in Qusmo and the Pridnestrovian Republic is not really that excited for the 33rd Copa Rushmori this time around. Especially when this normally very attacking team have now been forced to play dour defensive football under their manager Gaetano Bernardeschi (who granted is perhaps the epitome of the defensive football manager). But Pridnestrovia is in the Copa Rushmori, and with a (mostly) new cast of characters, the hope is that this time around, there will be no abject misery. The Pridnestrovian Republic does not need more of that.

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: The Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia
Demonym: Pridnestrovian
Team colors: Green and red
Style modifier: -5 (This time it's all defensive)
Formation: 4-4-2
Head coach: Gaëtano Bernardeschi (84 y/o, Abanhfleft)

STARTERS
GK: Ferdinand Julius ABBING 36 y/o, Dinamo Bender

, vice-captain
Five years as the starting goalkeeper of Dinamo Bender and leading them to the Pridnestrovian Cup twice in those five years is surely the sign of a great goalkeeper, good enough to dethrone Svyatoslav Alkaev from the number 1 spot and take it for himself. Ferdinand Abbing is an excellent space manager and can handle anything from inside his box and also doesn't hesitate to rush out and put fear in the hearts of rushing opposition players. (Basically a clone of Manuel Neuer.)

RCB: Yevgeniy Yevgeniyevich TATARINOV 27 y/o, Shakhtar Rheinburg

LCB: Branislav Aleksandrovich NOCHEVSKI 29 y/o, Union Rheinburg

The older brother of Pridnestrovian basketball star Fotij Nochevski. Branimir was always going to be the lesser known of the Nochevski siblings, and both of them knew it. While Fotij gained the fame and the accolades, Branimir kept his head down and worked quietly in the Pridnestrovian lower leagues. His high defensive work rate caught the eye of Union Rheinburg, and he proved instrumental in their title-winning season in the Pridnestrovian Super League in the 2024-25 season as well as two title challenges and Globe Cup campaigns in 2026 and 2027.

LB: Adam Vladimirovich VADIMENKO 31 y/o, Centus Serpents

(Cosumar)
It's not that Adam Vadimenko isn't good; it's just that he's tired of always being on loan from Sheriff Tiraspol. In fact, he spent three years on loan with Rosenpfelblatz North End in Abanhfleft! He did manage to break into the Sheriff first team when he was 25 years old but by then, he had already had enough of Sheriff and decided to strike out for greener pastures. Vadimenko's main ability is to make the last-ditch tackle that can stop an opponent from scoring, but a problem that has remained with him since his first appearance for Sheriff is that his tackles are almost like a hit-or-miss; one moment, he saves his team from otherwise clear-cut goalscoring chances by the opponents and other times, he's on the ground quicker than anyone else and is therefore left behind in the dust, and the opponents score anyway.

RM: Mark Ilyich POLZIN 33 y/o, Deschutes FC

(Dunnes)
Mark Polzin has been in the Pridnestrovian national team ever since they made their first appearance in international football in the 58th Baptism of Fire in Mizuyuki and the Equestrian States, thanks to his impressive performances for Elektrik Admiralnaya, almost singlehandedly bringing them up to the Pridnestrovian Super League for the first time in over 30 years by himself. Of course, that was when he played as the deep midfielder who could pick out passes to his teammates in the final third. But when he was deployed more as a ball-winning midfielder, added to the fact that the upper-tier management of Elektrik seemed content to keep fighting against relegation season after season, Polzin decided that perhaps it was time to move away from the club that had given him his big break. He eventually earned a move to Nephara's Newrook City but, like a lot of players, was a victim of the ruthless nature of the league and was eventually cut from the team after only a season with them. There are rumors though that he has signed a new contract with another team, this one from the nation of Dunnes, and he hopes to stay there quite a bit longer.

RCM: Horea Vladislav ANTONESCU 29 y/o, FC Universitatea Vanatori

LCM: Klaus Ludwig KHVASHCHYNSKI 30 y/o, Union Rheinburg

LM: Demyan Georgiyevich PAJARI 32 y/o, Dinamo Bender

Pajari is the second player to be elevated from the bench to the starting lineup following the retirement from international football of his Dinamo teammate Yaroslav Wasylyshyn, who made the decision to hang up his international boots after getting injured in the same friendly against Abanhfleft that also convinced Isidor Petrov to retire from international footy. This isn't to say that Pajari isn't any good. He's got tons of potential, whole bagloads of them, and about the only thing holding him back from realizing this is the fact that he's got two left feet and can't control a long ball to save his life.

CF: Akhmet Magomedovich DAVIDOV 29 y/o, Shakhtar Rheinburg

It's now two teams on the outside looking in that Akhmet Davidov has helped to the Pridnestrovian Super League title. Everyone knows the story of how Fortuna Novonikolaysk emerged as the most consistent out of all sides during the 2021-22 season to lift their first ever Pridnestrovian title, helped by Davidov's 20 goals that season including a hat trick against Admiral Novorossiysk. Sure, he didn't play as big a role for Shakhtar Rheinburg's 2027 triumph, but 15 goals isn't anything to scoff at either. The sheer fact that he is able to conjure goals seemingly out of nowhere has turned him into a very valuable asset for Shakhtar and Pridnestrovia, a skill that the defensive-minded Gaetano Bernardeschi will be keen to take advantage of this campaign.

CF: Adrian Gervas SALLER 26 y/o, Fortuna Novonikolaysk

RESERVES
GK: Gavril Konstantinovich KORNEYCHUK 30 y/o, Dinamo Macaresti

GK: Fyodor Isaakovich EKSTATOV 31 y/o, Fortuna Novonikolaysk

Fyodor Ekstatov knows that he will never have a season quite like 2021-22. It's a cliche of course, maybe already an overused one, but in Ekstatov's case it certainly rings true. Clean sheets have been hard to come by in the Pridnestrovian Super League, leading to the stat becoming a little bit meaningless. Of course the ability is still quite highly prized, but more because of its rarity than the ability to get results out of it. Hence why Ekstatov is more than happy to warm the bench for the national team while collecting his wages from Fortuna.

DEF: Aleksey Naftaliyevich KARDASHENKO 32 y/o, Dinamo Bender

DEF: Boris Vladislavovich LERMONTOV 23 y/o, Birdingstone United (Ethane)
He's so good at defending that he's divine. At least that's what Ufa claims when they put Boris Lermontov up on the free agent list. But if he's a divine defender then why is the team that came in fifth in the Pridnestrovian Super League allowing Lermontov to switch clubs for free? It seems as if he might just be the missing piece of the puzzle that they need to finally get into the Globe Cup places once again or even a title challenge.

DEF: Timur Timurovich SHALYAPIN 27 y/o, Sporting Ceneisis

(Abanhfleft)

DEF: Urgan Abramovich SPETSIUK 28 y/o, Sheriff Tiraspol

MID: Yeremey Vasilyevich TSVETNOV 24 y/o, Shakhtar Rheinburg

MID: Semyon Ilyich ARSOV 24 y/o, Hullbury Town (Ethane)
Pridnestrovia seems to have a glut of good central midfielders, especially one who can defend their own box and then spread the play out, and Semyon Arsov is just one of them. Arsov tried his best to bring Novosverdlovsk back up to the Pridnestrovian Super League but they just couldn't do it, and the new manager has outright stated that Semyon has no place in his plans.

MID: Bilal Azad KÜÇÜK 23 y/o, Rotor Dnistrosh

MID: Dmitry Anatolyevich NOVIKOV 27 y/o, Pasargad Manitogoro

(Sultanate of Oontaz)

FW: Filipp Pavlovich DYKHOVICHNY 28 y/o, Locomotive Imgortur

(Abanhfleft)

FW: Petro Metodiev ZHDANOV 31 y/o, Wanda Island Wanderers

(Abanhfleft)

STARTING LINEUP

KITS (by Adidulas)

IMPORTANT STATISTICS
Win-loss record: 57-20-57 (penalty shootouts are counted as draws regardless of final result)
First international match: VS Aynard (W 6-0)
First win: VS Aynard (6-0)
First loss: VS Fratton (0-1)
Biggest win: VS Nurkama (9-0)
Biggest loss: VS Pasarga (2-6)

SCHEDULE
WIP

HOME STADIUM (NEW ARMY STADIUM, TIRASPOL)

New Army Stadium in Tiraspol is the home stadium of CSKA Tiraspol and can comfortably seat over 80,000 spectators following a three-year capacity expansion project.

RP PERMISSIONS
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (I decide severity)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (3 per game)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (1 per 2 games)
Godmod other events: Yes (TG me first)

WIP

by **Savojarna** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 5:33 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Savojarna's United Team officially recognised as single national team by the SFFB

Sjoedrhavn - Olaf Jurtanen, despite his limited success in high-profile competition, has actually captured the hearts of Savojar fans with his new, modern play and his integrationist approach to the issue of gender separation that has all but paralysed the Savojarsk Futbolförbundet (SSFB) as well as the Savojarna Football League (SFL) over the last few years. Having started the policy three years ago at the commencement of the first Copa Rushmori cycle where he was at the helm, it has since yielded an impressive Copa campaign that only failed in the quarterfinals against Eura and a playoff out in the WCQ last spring.Now back in the Copa, Savojarna are looking to redeem themselves with a slightly rejuvenated team. The most exciting additions are probably left back Matts Pedersen, who has played an impressive domestic season (OOC: My domestic is currently on hold but IC'ly ongoing as usual) for Aka and was at the core of their surprising mid-table finish when many had them pegged for relegation; and the twenty-year-old goalkeeper Aleksandra Virulainen, who made history in a friendly match against Partizan Sjoedrhavn Women's by being the last goalkeeper of the now defunct U21 women's team.

TEAM

STAFF

Coach: Olaf Jurtanen
Age: 37 // Coach since: CR 32
Olaf Jurtanen, nicknamed "the Mad Professor of Sumanen", has only held two major managerial posts before being promoted to national coach. A former player himself for Transport Hovikkära, the midfielder was known for exceptional game-reading. He had to end his career early after a long and protracted injury at age 26, leaving him with a slightly stiffer left leg. The trademark of Jurtanen is that he is extremely obsessive about his system and a tactical genius, often preparing to extreme lengths. His weakness as a coach is that he often lacks tact in guiding his players.

Coaching Team: Mikaela Rangren, Dmitri Simunov, Asgeir Rundberg
Ages: 45, 37, 62 // Special functions: Technical coach, Mental and Video coach, Physical trainer
Rangren got brought on board from the women's team by Jurtanen. In her previous function as the assistant of Lise Asbeck, she had shown a particular strength in keeping the team together. Her main function is to serve as technical coach and guide trainings to allow Jurtanen to free his mind for tactical pursuits.
Simunov has previously worked as video coach for the SFFB and works closely with Jurtanen to assist him in his near-obsessive preparation schemes. Furthermore, the Russian serves as a link to Russian players who may struggle with Savojarsk (the main language of the team) and has a certification to work as a mental trainer.
Rundberg is the newest addition to the team and got introduced after criticisms that the team had not been sufficiently prepared for the long WCQ campaign. As physical and conditioning trainer, he has a reputation of a tough and demanding man, although he works closely with the medical team to ensure Savojarna's players are well prepared for their games.

Goalkeeper Coach: Valtteri Andersson
Age: 45
Andersson was a long-term goalkeeper for Energie Thorsborg and got directly transferred into the club's youth department when he retired at age 33. Following some good work with the club's youth department, he got trained as a GK coach and worked with the first team and the U21 of Energie for a while before being brought onto the squad of the NT early on. He still works with Energie on the side and is reputed to be very good at developing a goalkeeper's weaknesses.

Doctor: Dr. Christer Ljungberg
Age: 51
Christer is the head of the medical team of the Savojar NT and generally has a reputation of being the Team Dad. Many players have come to him over the years to discuss their insecurities or physical problems, to the point that many consider Ljungberg to essentially be a second mental coach.

PLAYERS
* denotes a starting player.

#1 Viktorija Petrova*
Position: GK // Age: 35 // Height: 186 cm // Club: RLSK Pawlograd
Petrova is at the heart of the recent successes of the Savojar team, most notably their Copa 31 victory where she had been the hero of the shootouts that carried the team to victory. She is known to use her height and agility to play as a reactive keeper who stays on the line and primarily advances in one on ones.

#2 Lars Jensen*
Position: LB // Age: 27 // Height: 179 cm // Club: CASK Thorsborg
Jensen is a strong tackler and hard to get past, often persistently marking his opponent even if he lost a duel and trying to fight his way back. Like all Savojar wingbacks, he is a fast player and an excellent crosser, meaning that he will often join the attack. This is a quality that Jurkanen actively selects for and we can expect to see many advances.

#3 Simon Omark*
Position: CB // Age: 29 // Height: 178 cm // Club: ASK Landsmark
Omark is a strategically smart and ball-secure modern CB. He will secure the ball and organise the game from the back. In the air, he suffers from his comparatively lower height, but he compensates it with speed and intelligence. His tackles are often very well-timed, although compared to other Savojar CBs he somewhat lacks aggressiveness.

#4 Joonas Andersson*
Position: DM // Age: 32 // Height: 187 cm // Club: Admiral Storevik
Andersson is the defensive anchor point of the Savojar midfield. He is not very fast, but has excellent judgment and tackling skills, making him the pivot of the defence. He will often drop back between the two CB's if Savojarna have the ball and secure the defence to allow the wingbacks to overlap. Also regularly drops back against wide teams, as he is taller than most CB's in the roster and can help with aerial defence.

#5 Matts Pedersen
Position: LB // Age: 22 // Height: 185 cm // Club: Akademiker Savojagrad
Pedersen is another fast, aggressive fullback who is extremely persistent, but joins the offence a bit more aggressively than Jensen. This leads to him being vulnerable to counters over the left side, where he might not be able to react in time if he was too advanced before. He has excellent 1v1 skills on both sides of the ball, but is a bit lacking in passing accuracy. The CR is his first tournament for the national team.

#6 Niklas Hoyberg*
Position: CM // Age: 27 // Height: 194 cm // Club: Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Hoyman plays a regista role similar to Andrea Pirlo, organising the game from the back. His strength is a pinpoint accuracy in longer balls as well as a good eye, which means he will be distributing the balls to the front four or go up the pitch himself if he has space. He is also a very strong header, which means that he will often go up for standards. Hoyberg's biggest weakness is that he is often passed rather easily in defence, which is balanced by a defensively oriented midfielder next to him.

#7 Mikhail Jashkin*
Position: RF // Age: 22 // Height: 176 cm // Club: Farrenton Athletic (EUR)
A fast and technically gifted hybrid winger who is known for a deadly eye and his laser-like passes. While he has decent crossing skills, he tends to opt for a flat pass into the box or a dribbling instead, acting almost as a false nine that plays wide on the right. He is one of the most observed players on the team and his move to Eura two years ago has greatly helped him to develop further into the dominating forward he is today.

#8 Victoria Maersk
Position: CM // Age: 26 // Height: 157 cm // Club: unknown
Maersk is a classical box-to-box allrounder who is strong in most tasks, besides her aerial inferiority due to height, and has a high stamina and speed. While not excelling at anything, she is considered a utility player that will probably see a lot of playtime in various positions and roles depending on the situation. Her future is unknown as she is in negotiation with multiple clubs following the integration of the men's and women's leagues and dissolution of her women's club.

#9 Arvid Jotansson
Position: ST // Age: 26 // Height: 192 cm // Club: Admiral Storevik
Jotansson can assume a more forward role or something akin to a false nine, but is more at home in the box. He is a tall, physical striker who is not particularly fast, but very hard to separate from the ball and has a strong shot as well as a good eye for his teammates. A likely substitution against defensive sides or in the final minutes, as he is also a good worker who is not shy to do defensive work.

#10 Jesper Groen
Position: LM // Age: 27 // Height: 182 cm // Club: ASK Landsmark
Groen is an unspectacular player who is mainly on the team to serve as a utility player when leads need to be defended. He is a conservative LM who runs a lot and has a very accurate cross, but is less likely to score himself. Thanks to a great sense of position and a willingness to work backwards, Groen gives the team more stability. He is playing his first Copa under Jurtanen, but previously played in the Men's NT.

#11 Freya Sigurdsdottir*
Position: ST // Age: 32 // Height: 193 cm // Club: ESK Storevik
At 193 cm, Freya Sigurdsdottir is the tallest striker of the Savojar squad. She is a box striker who likes to linger around the edge of the penalty area (or the enemy defence) and then use her speed to position herself in front of the goal for a rebound, cross or through pass. Expect her to score many goals especially against smaller opponents. Also known for extremely cold nerves, which is why she is a staple in the shootout.

#12 Thomas Larsen
Position: GK // Age: 26 // Height: 195 cm // Club: CASK Thorsborg
Considered almost equal to Petrova and one of the best goalies of Savojarna, but in her shadow due to Petrova's NT pedigree. Larsen is similar to Petrova, but considered a bit more athletic and more likely to assume control of his box. Especially at standards and in crossing situations, he likes to use his height to pluck the ball out of the sky.

#13 Denis Metanov
Position: CB // Age: 33 // Height: 188 cm // Club: Lokomotive Jarnstad
Metanov is a more old-school back who is primarily defensive minded and has a safety-first style. If he gets to the ball, he often clears it far out or feeds it to the midfielders as soon as possible. Metanov is also the slowest and most physical of all backs and most likely to get a foul. Thanks to being taller than the starting two and to his no-nonsense defence, he often plays to secure a lead.

#14 Lenka Otalainen
Position: OM // Age: 28 // Height: 168 cm // Club: Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Otalainen is a classical playmaker who has superb passing skills and can play both in the box and in the offensive half or on the wing, but is a bit weaker defensively. She is likely to play if the Savojars fall behind and is remarkable thanks to her extremely precise shots even from longer distances. In the past Women's League seasons, she scored many goals from far out thanks to this skill.

#15 Ville Mertonen
Position: RM // Age: 32 // Height: 184 cm // Club: Dynamo Novaya Russica
Mertonen is a more classical winger who often sticks a bit to the sidelines, but can play absolutely deadly crosses. Like Groen, he is likely to come in as a more defensive winger to take some weight off Jashkin. Mertonen is defensively skilled, but has recently suffered from his age and decreasing speed in order to be a genuine two-way player.

#16 Petteri Hytönen
Position: OM // Age: 34 // Height: 186 cm // Club: CASK Thorsborg
A technically gifted player, Hytönen used to be the playmaker and centre point of Savojarna's first national teams. He is known for sneaking into the box for a header at the far post, and for an excellent overview of the game and game intelligence. Expect him to play superb passes through the enemy defence. Otherwise fills a similar role to Otalainen.

#17 Sigurdur Arjonsson
Position: RB // Age: 27 // Height: 171 cm // Club: ESK Storevik
Arjonsson is the most defensive of all Savojar fullbacks, staying back often and being a very strong defender that is hard to get rid of. While his tackling and positional play is great, Arjonsson is relatively slow and struggles against fast opponents. He also has a very strong distance shot. He is unlikely to play in the usual system as he lacks forward drive, but can be useful in wider systems that Jurtanen sometimes plays.

#18 Perttu Karjanen* -- [C]
Position: ST // Age: 32 // Height: 176 cm // Club: Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Karjanen is the polar opposite of his usual mate Sigurdsdottir, as he uses his speed and technique to make up for his lower height. He often drops back into the space between the defence and the midfield to wait for balls and play in a combi with either winger or with Sigurdsdottir. As a veteran player and captain of the team, he is considered extremely important for the mentality of the side as well.

#19 Krister Voynov*
Position: LF // Age: 24 // Height: 177 cm // Club: Admiral Storevik
Potentially the most exciting single player in the Savojar team, this fast and skilful winger is a constant threat. Voynov loves to swing inside to challenge an opposing defender directly and is extremely good in 1v1 situations. He also scores many goals with a strong and precise shot, and has accurate passing skills as well. His main weakness is a lack of defensive work, forcing the left side to cover for his roaming. Rumours about him changing to a top club after the Copa exist, but are unconfirmed.

#20 Linne Kjaer*
Position: CB // Age: 28 // Height: 182 cm // Club: Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Similar to Omark, she is technically and positionally strong and knows what to do on the ball. Kjaer is somewhat slow but makes up for this mistake by knowing very well where to stand, and has a great skill in standing duels for the ball. Her tackles can be a bit shaky at times and may lead to mistakes or fouls, which is why she rarely resorts to them. Kjaer is also important as the organiser of the defence.

#21 Alexey Nurkanen*
Position: RB // Age: 27 // Height: 180 cm // Club: Libertas Bergheim
Nurkanen is very fast and a precise tackler, as well as having good judgment in building up plays. He often overlaps dangerously as well, having a great cross that can find the head of his teammates in the box. Nurkanen's stamina is lauded for often running up and down the line all day long, but he can sometimes be a bit out of the water when challenged in a fast counter due to his overlaps.

#22 Aleksandra Virulainen
Position: GK // Age: 20 // Height: 181 cm // Club: Savojars Vinge Virkaja U21
The only player to not be signed to a professional team (although she is loaned out to the SFS2 team Union Roopere), Virulainen is not expected to play much. This goalkeeper uses a great awareness and control of the box to counter-act her comparatively lower height and has shown brilliant oversight. She is probably the best goalkeeper of the team when it comes to ball-on-foot skills, and many see her as Petrova's eventual successor. The second newcomer besides Pedersen.

#23 Roman Forsberg
Position: CB // Age: 23 // Height: 188 cm // Club: Energie Thorsborg
Forsberg is another one of the Savojar ball-secure, modern CB's, but shows some nerves at times. He has greatly profited from taking on a more important role in his club and has cut down on his mistakes, but is still prone to occasional over-aggressive positioning or similar faults. His best skill is his heading, as he is a very strong jumper and tall player. He will often join the attack on standards.

STARTING XI:
Petrova
Jensen - Omark - Kjaer - Nurkanen
Andersson - Hoyberg
Voynov - Jashkin
Karjanen - Sigurdsdottir

TACTICS

STYLE: +1.7

The new Savojar style is very fluid, based on the 4-2-2-2 and a lot of movement between the positions. Both strikers can play on the wing or as playmakers as well (although Karjanen is better at it than Sigurdsdottir), and the wingers are good strikers and scorers. They often share playmaking duties with Nick Hoyman, who advances when Savojarna have the ball, transforming the formation into something akin to a 4-4-2 diamond. In offence, the team operates a lot with through passes or crossings towards their tall forwards. In defence, the Savojars play an aggressive pressing, often devolving into a hard man-to-man marking style in their own half. They play very physical and are in top condition when it comes to both speed and strength, as Savojar football often emphasises physical capability over technical finesse.

ROLES
Captain: Karjanen => Petrova
Free Kicks (direct): Voynov (left, centre), Karjanen (right)
Free Kicks (long): Hoyberg
Corners: Voynov (left), Nurkanen (right)
Penalty Kick: Karjanen => Sigurdsdottir => Voynov => Andersson => Hoyman [also progression for shooutouts]

KITS

Designed and manufactured by ediraf

RP PERMISSIONS
Choose Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Scoring: N
Injure Players: Y (no longer than the rest of the tournament, if it is more than on TG me)
Godmod Injuries: N
Yellow Cards: Y
Red Cards: Y - not more than one
Godmod other events: ask for permission

IMPORTANT: If you want to injure Savojar fans, journalists etc., or stage a large scale brawl (also among players) or wage war on us, I am up for that IF you send me a TG first. I will consider my permissions broken if you don't though, and not accept the act (from Savojarna's POV, it never happened - it is up to you whether it actually didn't happen or if the Savojars are lying...)

by **Nellietopian Invaders** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:54 am

AUK looked very anxiously at the maps. Not much has happened in the several years (or was it weeks?) since the little nonsense in Alluersia - he wasn't even sure how it all ended. But now was time for something else. It was time for football.

"Have you seen these records?" AUK asked the nearest nellies, as they were scouring the archives, looking for the definitive maps. "We used to do international football with a bunch of nellies, and somehow, they were actually good. But then we just stopped?"

"It's hard to play footy."

"You have eight legs!"

"Zero feet."

"Irrelevant!" AUK turned his big head towards to the farthest nellies. "Have you found it yet?"

"No sir, but it looks like we're in the right spot. The territorial claims in Rushmore must be here somewhere."

"There won't be 'territorial claims'. These are migratory routes of the Bovine Geese, we need to them to figure out where they are right now. We need them back to transport our newest footy team to Rushmore."

The nellies were exhausted, sorting through countless maps, countless documents, all to find something that wasn't what they thought it was. On top of that, they were supposed to get a team ready to play for the Copa Rushmori, at the same time as the AOCAF. "Why exactly are we doing this? I thought footy was too hard..."

"This is international politics!" AUK explained, to the lowly nellies. "We need to engage the community and show how good Nellietopia is. By persuading them that we are 'good', we can develop diplomacy with them. All they know about Nellietopia is basically purple-stinging nellies, a random smidgen of unrelated animals, and the darned merchandise that we can make out of thin air. I mean, this stuff literally makes itself. I'm not sure how it's even possible, but it is - and the crap that comes out is just... well, let's be glad that people buy it.
At least the frying pans make excellent cookware."

"They also make excellent weapons." AUK turned around, with the scuttering nellies similarly glancing behind. Duck was watching the furious activity in the archives, with his tight entourage of goats on boats. The tentative detente between the two great birds began to chill immediately, but Duck clearly showed no ill will. He flapped his wing over the papers, forcing out the very map that AUK was looking for. "You know, when we made claims in Rushmore, they weren't made on the basis of migration routes of the Bovine Geese. We just made them up. Not all diplomacy is based purely on mutual agreement or even rational choice This is why you diplomats will fail always."

"I hardly justify diplomacy on the basis of its failures." AUK retorted, picking up the map. "I justify it on its successes."

"Oh, I don't disagree," Duck said. "In fact, sometimes, I imagine that the only thing stopping you is your bull-headed determination to succeed. But instead, this isn't about diplomacy or militancy. This is about our place in the world, and without a good role to play, Nellietopia is pretty much a joke. Maybe it's worse than a joke - it's a hackneyed pun on a joke three times removed from a limerick's third verse."

"I gather you're a fan of metaphors?"

"Yes yes, and may the force be with you too, and all that non-sense. Point is, we need something to make the nellies international again."

"Indeed." Duck looked at AUK, who by then, had been gazing over the yellowed map of Rushmore. His attention was fiercely fixed upon the map, even though by then, it had been determined that the map was basically useless - except that maybe AUK hadn't told the whole story of why he wanted the map in the first place... Even though he resented AUK and what he represented, there was something about this strange bird that made winning without fighting possible. "So... what's the destination?"

AUK showed the map to Duck, pointing at a particular spot. "Pasarga."

by **Saintland** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 1:02 pm

The Saintland National Soccer Team

Formation: 1-5-1-1-1-1
Style Modifier: -5
Captain: Alessandro Suedius
Demonym: Sanctii

Roster

Starting Lineup

GK: #1 Alessandro Suedius (24)
SW: #2 Thomas Terentia (23)
RB: #3 Nicolaus Flavonius (23)
CB: #4 Andreas Munatius (22)
CB: #5 Paulus Vibenius (23)
CB: #6 Georgius Maianius (25)
LB: #7 Marcus Pompeius (25)
CDM: #8 Lucas Equitia (21)
CM: #9 Matthaeus Asinius (22)
CAM: #10 Ioannes Granius (21)
ST: #11 Iacobus Sosia (25)

Bench

GK: #12 Antonius Rutilius (22)
GK: #13 Silvester Fadius (24)
DEF: #14 Josephus Staius (26)
DEF: #15 Paulus Octavius (25)
DEF: #16 Nicolaus Plautia (23)
DEF: #17 Lucas Metilius (25)
DEF: #18 Nicolaus Aedinius (23)
MID: #19 Isaacus Baenius (24)
MID: #20 David Bruccius (24)
MID: #21 Salomon Petronia (24)
ST: #22 Abraham Justus (26)
ST: #23 Isaacus Nemetorius (26)

Notes

Between their appearances in the 24th and 32nd editions of the Copa Rushmori, Saintland underwent two time warps with over 50 years elapsing. In the years that elapsed, Saintland split into the Feministvs Sanctvsterra-run west and the Church of Saintland-run east which were eventually unified under the eastern government after King Petrus XX (now officially regarded as a usurper and heretic) died without a male heir and King Paulus XVI, son of King Andreas, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the law permitting Petrus's daughters to take the throne. After conquering Saintland, King Paulus XVI has restored the Church of Saintland to its legally dominant position and has pursued a course slightly more traditional than that of his grandfather. Sanctii time now runs at the same pace as Republican time (OOC: 1 year per WC).

The quality of Sanctii soccer has declined precipitously in recent years as baseball has become the most popular sport due to King Paulus XVI's legendary status in that sport. While King Paulus XVI's son Prince Andreas is tearing up youth soccer at the moment and may one day follow in his grandfather's footsteps, he is nowhere near ready for international competition which means that Saintland is returning to international play with a young defensive-oriented team led by goalkeeper Alessandro Suedius, the young goalkeeper for the St. Nicolaus team that has won the Sanctii league championship 3 years straight. Suedius selected a team of younger stars from the Sanctii league due to the low expectations surrounding the team.

The team is built around conservative, physical, defensive play. If the officials allow rough play, this Sanctii team will take advantage of it to frustrate attack-oriented opposition with a steady diet of borderline dirty tackles. As for the team itself, none of the players particularly stand out other than Suedius and Suedius will shuffle players in and out on a regular basis. The starters listed are the most likely starters but that exact lineup will almost never be the lineup Suedius goes with for an actual match.

Kits (made by Kirola Sports)

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y
Other Restrictions: Y
Use My Bench: Y

by **Saintland** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 1:44 pm

Rivalries to be renewed at Cupa Rushmori XXXIII

(SP) The Saintland National Soccer Team will be facing two of our most legendary rivals at the 33rd Copa Rushmori in Pasarga. Last year, Nephara was the only team to beat our national team in regulation at the Copa Rushmori. This year, the Strongnesse Trophy will be on the line again though we will be heavy underdogs against our oldest rival. We will also see Cassadaigua. Generations ago, they were one of our most bitter rivals and the rivalry will surely be just as intense now as it was for our grandparents.

Nephara entered the Baptism of Fire at the same time as the Sanctii national team: Baptism of Fire 51 in Liventia and United Gordonopia. Neither of those nations has entered the World Cup in an eternity but Liventia is hosting the upcoming Winter Olympics and a mutual travel ban over controversies involving a Summer Olympics a lifetime ago remains in effect (OOC: I'm not 100% sure what was RPed but the Saintland Press is government propaganda and the current Sanctii government is more inclined towards outright lying than previous Sanctii governments were so any errors should be interpreted as propaganda by a theocratic absolute monarchy that routinely lies.). The new Royal Sports Agency has announced its intentions to enter athletes in the VIlitan portion of the Winter Olympics but we will not be visiting Liventia because of their government's militant state atheism and intolerance of those exercising their religious duty to spread the Good News of Iesus Christus to the unsaved.

In Baptism of Fire 51, there were 2 leading nations in the tournament: Saintland and New Sunburn (OOC: Yes, I'm aware it was New Sideburn. This is intentional.). These were the 2 most talented teams by far. Saintland was led by their star player King Andreas the Blessed. New Sunburn, which later started calling themselves Nephara, fielded a team of thugs who quickly became notorious as the dirtiest team in the tournament, resorting to cheating even when they could win fairly. Finally, the battle of Good and Evil took place and one of those thugs assaulted King Andreas the Blessed, getting a well deserved red card. Miraculously, our future King survived unscathed but New Sunburn would steal the match from us and the King was slowed slightly during World Cup qualifying where we came extremely close to knocking in the door of the World Cup and knocking out the defending world champs Audioslavia, who would go on to repeat. The demonic New Sideburn thug's name was Strongnesse. Afterwards, we agreed to play those thugs in an "friendly" match on the eve of every World Cup qualifying for the Strongnesse Cup.

Our history with Cassadaigua is a bit more interesting than that. Cassadaigua is a nation where gender roles are contrary to nature, where women act like men and men act like women. We don't really have much history with them in soccer but our rivalry was very intense in other sports, most notably basketball where Duke Ioannes battled against Cassadaigua and dodged tons of apples. The enormously tall duke had a statement for the Saintland Press about the Cassadagan rivalry: "While Electrum and Ko-oren were our main rivals during the glory years, Cassadaigua was always our biggest rival. We hated them and they hated us and there was nothing better than winning our first championship of the three-peat on their court. The part I didn't like about it was having to dodge all of the apples their fans loved to throw." - Duke Ioannes, former captain and starting center of the Saintland National Basketball Team

Cassadagan fans have a notorious history of throwing apples at our teams, a "tradition" started after a Sister Polus video explaining the banishment of Adam and Eva from the Garden went viral in Cassadaigua. This tradition was renewed at the last Summer Olympics when somebody, presumably an athlete from Cassadaigua, threw an apple at Sister Polus in her office at her school, which was being used as a housing facility for Olympic athletes. The Royal Sports Agency has requested for Pasargan stadium security to ban apples from their stadiums during Sanctii matches as a precaution. We are unsure at this time whether they will cooperate so Alessandro Suedius will have to ensure his team is ready to dodge apples.

The other Sanctii opponent is Saint-Michel. The Saintland Press has no idea who they are. All 3 Sanctii group stage matches will be aired live on Royal Three...

by **Sargossa** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 1:46 pm

Copa Rushmori XXXIII

Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'

The Sargossan national side is experiencing something of a purple patch, with final four appearances at two of the previous three Copa Rushmoris and last sixteen exits at the last three World Cups, before running into Atlantian heavyweights in Vilita, Starblaydia and Equestria. A highest ever position in the world rankings is the result of that, something that Rodrigo Defederico and his staff can be hugely proud of.

Head Coach

Rodrigo Defederico
Former international midfielder who starred in the SuperLiga, before plying his trade in Astograth. A former coach of the Olympic side who led hometown club Dunas Del Sol to the Copa Sargossa final in his first full season in charge. Has led the Corsairs to second and fourth place finishes in the Copa Rushmori and four straight World Cup qualification.

Backroom Staff

Assistant Head Coach: Raúl Churín
Defensive Coach: Guillermo Lucena
Attacking Coach: Alejandro Tapia
Goalkeeping Coach: Armando Abad
Fitness Coach: Mario Sánchez
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura

Talent

GK: 1. Roberto Penedo (27) – Ciudad Soluca
GK: 13. Carlos Ríos (33) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 25. Tomás Gaos (28) – Sportivo Cordova

Penedo’s ascension to the number one spot is made official with him finally handed the number one shirt. Ríos remains a highly experienced backup while Tomás Gaos, a consistent pair of hands in the SuperLiga, is given a first taste of international action.

DR: 2. Carlos Carter (23) – Sporting San Marquez
DC: 5. Juan Esnáider (24) – Alianza Jucaro
DC: 6. Alex González (32) – Oakstone (Eura)
DL: 3. Saúl Escribano (27) – Sportivo Soluca
DLC: 12. Josué Ruiz (25) – Ciudad Soluca
DRC: 14. Enrique Muñoz (29) – Sporting San Marquez
DL: 19. Edmundo Sánchez (23) – Porto Alegro Azul
DC: 21: Hugo Galán (21) – El Nacional

Seemingly you don’t get a look in as a SuperLiga centreback unless you happen to clear six foot so expect an imposing wall of darker blue arrayed ahead of the keeper. González and Muñoz are the only regular faces remaining from the World Cup campaign. Although if the coach sticks with the 5-3-2 system that the side employed to good effect in the latter stages of the qualification campaign Saúl Escribano will also get the nod. Ruiz and Galán provide options at centreback, but it’s likely to be the impressive Juan Esnáider who slots into the back three. Carlos Carter, who has managed to fight off the awful stigma of having a Candelariasian father, is expected to take the right wingback berth.

MC: 4. Sergio Espina (32) – Alianza Jucaro
AMR: 7. Diego Puebla (30) – El Nacional
MC: 8. César Goyoso (27) – Sporting San Marquez
AML: 11. Esteban Leguizamo (22) – El Nacional
AMRC: 15. Daniel Correa (24) – Alianza Jucaro
MC: 16. Adrián Fonseca (25) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 18. Luís Vazquez (31) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 22. Esteban Pomar (22) – El Nacional
AMLC: 24. Mauro Pereira (23) – Sportivo Cordova

With Alejandro Vecino finally calling time on his playing career heir apparent, and essential part of the side in his own right, César Goyoso wears the number eight shirt. The wide players may find their playing time limited with coach Defederico opting for wingbacks in recent matches, but remain in the squad and provide alternatives in times of trouble or Nellies. Sergio Espina may be the captain but he’ll still be aware of the talented Adrián Fonseca waiting in the wings. Either the experienced Luís Vazquez or newcomer Esteban Pomarwill provide the bite in the centre of the park.

FLC: 9. Miguel Ángel Berganza (30) – El Nacional
FRLC: 10. Diego Alejandro Costa (22) – Sportivo Soluca
FC: 17. Fabián Guzmán (29) – Sporting San Marquez
FRC: 20. Matías Cáceres (32) – Ciudad Soluca
FL: 23. Andrés Saavedra (29) – Estrella Torreón
FC: 26. Tomas Murillo (27) – Ciudad Soluca

Much of The Corsairs’ recent success had stemmed from the fluid offensive play provided by the attacking trident of Iván Mayoral, Miguel Marí and Matías Cáceres. But with Mayoral retiring prior to the previous Copa and Marí calling it a day following the recent World Cup it’s a much-changed attacking unit. Miguel Ángel Berganza and Fabián Guzmán came in to good effect but the switch to a front two may also give the coach the opportunity to test out new options. Tomas Murillo, fresh from a massive money move to Ciudad Soluca, and last season’s domestic breakout star Diego Alejandro Costa will be given the chance to shine.

Style

Defederico credits former Sargossan great Ernesto Farias for his own favoured tactical approach, a 3-4-3 system with a high defensive line and an emphasis on pressing and harrying the opposition into a mistake. He is also far more attack minded than his predecessor and his players are encouraged to get the ball from front to back at a rapid pace. Long balls are considered anathema, with even the goalkeeper encouraged to slide a pass to the defender rather than hoofing it up field. But, following a home defeat to Drawkland in the World Cup qualifiers, Defederico tweaked his favoured style, dropping his wide midfielders for deeper wingbacks. But still putting a focus on the offensive side of things. Five clean sheets in the final seven games followed and consequently the side stuck with the 5-3-2 going into the Finals. The system is relatively fluid, with 3-4-1-2, 5-4-1 and a return to 3-4-3 all used to some degree, depending on the circumstances and opposition.

The SuperLiga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while never encouraged, is also not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.

Style Modifier = (+3)

Kit
Courtesy of ediraf

Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes. Just no killing anyone.

by **Taeshan** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 2:35 pm

Nation Name:Taeshan
Demonym: Taeshanis, Taeshites, Taes
Team Nickname: Purple Knights
Modifier: -5
Captain: Randall Abl Bakr
Vice-Captain: Geoffrey Klingenberg

Jerseys

MANAGERIAL STAFF
Manager: Miles Snavely
The longtime Captain for the Purple Knights takes over upon retirement as manager of the national team. A man of the people the players will look up to him as the guiding hand behind finally qualifying for the World Cup. Snavely was joined by a bevy of retirements after that less than glorious return to a World Cup finals and it is his job to get the youth movement even more underway. He has already made some interesting coaching decisions, and the lineup has made many a question come up in the fans and commentators, but if he can do well in this tournament that will do a lot to quiet some of the critics.

GOALKEEPERS

1 – Florian Wagner – Capetown Crocs 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 16 Years Old
If you have not heard of Florian Wagner that’s fair. He’s a relative unknown in Taeshan let alone around the world but he is one of the new members of the national team. Wagner gets the nod in goal as a strong young player with a lot of hope for the future. The team is young and the new manager figured with a veteran back line a young goalkeeper was risk worth taking.
12 – Esteban Foh – X Island Marauders 6 Caps, 26 Years Old
Esteban Foh is the veteran backup goalkeeper. Once again passed over for the national team starting position Foh may never get past 10 caps in his career but he is a very strong and capable netminder. His club form has dipped recently, but he is more than capable.
24– Aysa Madison – Atlantea Hurricanes 3 Caps, 22 Years Old
The real person with an axe to grind with the new starter Aysa Madison will be pushing to get a few starts. Likely the third goalkeeper on the roster Madison will not likely see the field much in the upcoming tournaments, but will likely eventually fall into the backup position in a few years.
DEFENDERS

4 - CB, Randall Abl Bakr – 147 Caps, 5 Goals, 29 Years OldCaptain
One of the positional changes in the new lineup the Captain who helped return Taeshan to a World Cup moves back from defensive midfield to the backline. Randall is the ball player on the backline and has a strong ability to dispense the ball. He is not a typical center back, but the new lineup seems much more fluid and he will have a lot of work to do with this much younger lineup.
8 - CB, Daigo Coshan - Laketown Rangers 69 Caps, 1 goal, 26 Years Old
Two qualifiers under him at Right Back Daigo Coshan moves to his more traditional center back position. A year on loan catapulted him into the starting lineup at a slightly off position starting spot. Coshan will be expected to be the more ball winning center back with Abl Bakr the more naturally ball playing center back.
11 - RB, Geoffrey Klingenberg - FC Brimstone (APX) 116 Caps, 12 Goals, 28 Years Old Vice-Captain
The more interesting lineup change heading into this tournament is Geoffrey Klingenberg’s migration from the right side of the midfield to right full back. Not a strong defensive player, but on the club side of things he has slowly moved back. His speed is not as much as it once was, but his foot skills are still there and he will likely be around for a few more years as he is serviceable on the side of the field.
22 - LB, Santiago Santiago – Mulhampstead (Apox) 33 Caps, 23 Years Old
Santiago Santiago likely thought the back line would get younger after two retirements, but still he sits at the bottom of the pecking order. His side will continue to be the strong side for attacks and the overlap play between Morgenstern, Santiago and Nkitilina will be fun to watch for years to come.
2 – Desmond Cavanaugh – X Island Marauders 5 caps, 22 Years Old
The strongest center back on the bench Cavanaugh will likely feel hard done to be passed over by one and a half midfielders in the backline and not get a chance of his own to start. The next tournament will likely show if he has anything or if he will be passed by some younger center backs in the near future.
3- Victor Borja– Jottnar Kallsmudden (Buyan) 7 Caps, 23 Years Old
Victor Borja was the heir apparent to the Right Back position when Coshan moved inward but the duo in the midfield pushing for starting he was passed over in favor of moving Klingenberg back. Borja will push for spot starts and will likely be the main attacking wingback sub on the bench.
5- Aidan Foster – Atlantea Hurricanes 4 Caps, 23 Years Old
The main tweener on the roster Aidan Foster can play both centrally and on the side of defense. He will get random playing time to kill games along with Cavanaugh. He is the least likely defensive player on the team to see action, but he will see action inevitably.
MIDFIELDERS

6- CDM, Yoshimi Hirahito – Cornellians (Schottia) 17 Caps, 0 Goals, 18 Years old
One of the Schottian contingent Hirahito has pushed to be the starter at CDM, so much so that Randall Abl Bakr was asked to play in central defense. One of the now three teenage starters he is a ball winning destroyer who also has a strong ability to push the ball forward and find impressive passes to spring the attack.
10- CAM, Alson Figueroa - Fadron Flight 69 Caps, 8 goals, 26 Years Old
The attacking midfielder on the squad has a nice amount of caps and continues to pull a lot of the attacking strings. He is able to find both wingers in attack and is also able to put the ball on net himself and that is a strong ability for the squad.
14 - RM, Nycolas Jackson – Willow Street Pirates (Schottia) 26 Caps, 2 Goals, 19 Years Old
The second player playing in Schottia, Jackson was going to replace Klingenberg in a few years anyway and his club play has forced the manager’s hand. The super sub for much of qualifying, Jackson had as much of a hand in qualifying as the starters did. Much like Miles Snavely, Jackson was a part of the 13 man rotation that brought the nation back to the biggest tournament, and hopefully he can be a big part of this moving forward.
18- LM Shiloh Morgenstern – Al Haxire 37 Caps, 5 Goals, 22 Years Old
A big reason for the success in qualifying Shiloh Morgenstern has been a strong member of the national team for 2 tournaments now, and will likely look to use this Copa Rushmori as a launching point to leave Al Haxire. The squad works well and his natural left foot makes defenders second guess when he comes at them.
15 – Elaine Mathieu – Mierton Manatees 11 Caps, 23 Years Old
The best left foot on the bench Elaine Mathieu may not be the senior member of the bench, but he is the most likely to see action. With only two returning national teamers on the bench Elaine will be expected to be a big change sub coming on the field. He is a natural replacement for Shiloh Morgenstern, but he can also invert on the right side of the field.
17- Xavier Melchoir – Real Atlantea 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 23 Years Old
A strong new option on the bench Xavier Melchoir can play both wings. He is a strong option in attacking midfield as well and is likely one of the most veteran players on the bench, even if he has 0 caps before.
20 – Benjamin Moriarty – Yaton FC 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 20 Years Old
One of the two youngest members to join the national team Yaton’s Benjamin Moriarty is probably the best central midfielder on the bench defensively speaking. That said he is the likely option on the right wing for the most part, and could see some action as a full back in a pinch.
21 – Larson Sneijder – Yenvil Town FC 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 18 Years Old
The first person from Yenvil Town to be named to a national team squad, Larson Sneijder is the heir apparent to the attacking midfielder position and if Alson Figueroa slips up he could push for that position. He is also a viable option on both wings, and as a false nine.
22 – Wallace Kepler – Tintown Terrapins 9 Caps, 26 Years Old
Still the senior member of the national team bench Wallace Kepler is not exactly the sexiest of options but he can kill a game in defensive midfield and can also do a strong job as a defensive wing sub.
STRIKERS

7 - RS, Abriel Torres - Cloudsedale Flyers (Equestrian States) 54 Caps, 10 Goals, 25 Years Old
Abriel Torres has passed the 50 cap mark and the 10 goal mark in the most recent qualifying campaign. He is the speedier of the two strikers and with the addition of Nycolas Jackson behind him with Klingenberg as the fullback the right side of the attack is starting to look as strong as the left side of the attack.
9 - LS, Wilhelm Nkitilina – Atlantea Hurricanes 24 Caps, 8 Goals, 20 Years Old
Many questioned if starting Wilhelm Nkitilina off a strong season with Atlantea Hurricanes so shortly into his career was a good idea but it was a stroke of genius for Xander McDrew. The tall attacker scored 8 goals in his first year of service and seems likely to be a big part of this squad moving forward, and could be the reason this team becomes a threat on the international stage.
13 – Shannon Lafayette - Laketown Rangers 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 18 Years Old
Two young new strikers have joined the national team and perhaps the more exciting one is Laketown’s Shannon Lafayette. The young forward has been a strong goal-scorer over the past few years and will be the favored option off the bench. The Knights see him as the main speed option off the bench, and he can be used to stretch defenses.
19 – Giacomo Pantalaimon – Hannah 0 Caps, 0 Goals, 19 Years Old
The other new striking option off the bench is Giacomo Pantalaimon. The Hannah striker is a strong ball winner with a lot of authority in the air. His strengths mainly are on corners and with his back to goal and could be a good option off the bench against teams bunkering in defensively.

Formation 4-4-2 (Diamond)
--Wagner--
--Klingenberg--Coshan—Abl Bakr--Santiago--
--Hirahito--
--Jackson--Morgenstern--
--Figueroa--
--Torres--Nkitilina----

by **Nephara** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 1:19 am

Hey, there. Welcome to the fucking mad-house.
There's not many old faces left anymore. I'm one, which is to say I've nearly got my half-century. Also, I'm one of the few people left relatively un-disgraced by the shitshow last year, because people don't tend to notice leftbacks as long as they defend alright. I got some higher standards, but I wasn't gonna go flag up the Herald's editor and say I was shit against Ko-oren and they could shove that 6/10 up their arse.
If that sounds specific, it's what Rowena did, because she's the type to make a virtue of self-flagellation. But she's got the charisma. She became a hero. It takes a lot of arrogance to show humility so aggressively, and whatever the hell that mix meant the public lapped it the fuck up. Brand Strongbow was going, well, strong.
Lot of the other failures of yesteryear were gone. No Andreas, no Eloise, no Dragora; literally most of the defence that started against the Kites was out the door, no calls, no fanfare. Two of the subs were gone, too - Ishtar and Circe shown the door. Ishtar was probably one of the best wingers in the world, but just never quite found out how to turn that into national team form. Not consistently, and it's all about consistency. Circe was great. Everyone loved Circe. She'd be missed, but she was just old, at this point. Inasmuch as early 30s is old. It's a funny old game, that's what you're meant to say, right?

Anyway, we're there on the training pitch. I'm reflecting on the fucking bloodletting that the boss has done. Tsatts, second-most capped goalkeeper, gone. No Nike breathing down my back. Rusalka was gone - that was her own fault, she'd had a lot to say about the boss to her face in the aftermath. And, hey, at least she'd had the courage. Cheney Breremond hadn't said shit, and he was gone too. Probably the only caps he was gonna ever win were that cycle, but he still made it to a World Cup. It's something, I guess.
Morena hovered around me between drills. She was the one other Docker in the side, so of course we were close. "It's different."
"No shit it's different. Like half the team's-"
"Not that." Morena tittered. She had the habit. Really, she was a little shit, but had the kind of fae aura you never really wanted to fuck with. One night I'd told some of the rest of the lads of the kinds of stories I'd heard coming out of the academy. Morena liked to get her own back on people who slighted her, and did things like 'set peoples' beds on fire' at midnight. She was lucky she was worth more than she was trouble, or she'd've been out the door, her shot at the big-time blown. Maybe West Brinemouth would've taken a chance on her, which is probably worse than letting your career die. But she was easily good enough. Hence, being here. And she was good so long as you were good to her. And anyway, she was my mate, so, you know. I was in the clear.
Yeah, I'm a real two-faced bitch, aren't I.
She snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. "Hey. Hey. Hey." Guess I'd daydreamed. Had a habit of doing that. Never on the pitch, though.
"Christ. What?"
"No, seriously, look at Strauss. You gotta look in her eyes, man. There's steel there. There's Edge there." The capital seemed to fit her tone. She was the type to talk serious witch stuff.
"I'll have to... check, later."
"We aren't gonna get away with things like before. She tried a happy camp. Didn't work last time, hey? Now the press wants a crackdown. Stronger manager would stand up to it, but she--"
"HEY! DEVENTER!"
"Comin', boss!" Morena trilled, and gave me a meaningful look, and danced off.
Well, guess they wanted the midfielders for something. I stood around looking busy as Johansen took over whatever they were up to, and--
"And you, Close!" said Strauss. "Office. Five minutes."
Ah, hell.

Some managers - and we're not just talking football, here - they like to be the new broom type. That was Strauss all over. This was a tabula-rasa kind of place, compared to the sprawl that Brosque had left it in. Everything was in its right and proper position. There was a motivational poster on the wall showing a sunset. A whiteboard. A picture of Strauss' wife and kids was on the desk in front of her, along with a relatively fancy laptop, and not a lot else.
In fact, the only thing that didn't really fit was there was some dried blood on the floor near the window, which Rusalka had apparently put her fist through during their argument. She was one of the best midfielders in the world, and felt disrespected and overlooked. She was right to, bluntly. But she sure as hell left herself open to the 'cultural overhauls' around the Cormorants. The mighty Triple Crown Cormorants, languishing, like, thirteenth in the world... a pretty decent standard to languish, to be fair. But we had high standards. And the players to perform better. Myself included.
"What's up, boss?" Way too casual. Great work, Marcin. I'll think and think for years to say the right thing and open my mouth and what comes out is fucking stupid. That's why the sport shrink told me to keep this journal. Put my inner monologue someplace more productive... and get notes ready for my memoirs after I retire. They're gonna spin gold, let me tell you. According to my agent, anyway. I'm like a lot of the lads, was never really trained in writing too well, so we're making it a lot up as we go along-- but I digress, anyway.
What was up with the boss was "I'm gonna make you captain, Marcin."
"Uhm?" Marcin Close, the great communicator, at work.
"You don't want it?"
"No? I mean, not no- I- that's. I want it, yeah." But... "It's Estrella's, though. She okay with this?"
"It's not her blood on the wall. But no, I can't say she loved it. It'll do her good." Strauss kissed her teeth. "I promoted her because she tuned into a feel-good rhythm that has no place at the top end. We all found that out. I don't mind admitting when I've made a mistake, and there's no shame in it. But action has to be taken. So, the armband's yours."
"Uh," I said intelligently.
"I need you, Marcin." Strauss leaned forward, mistaking my mental blue-screen for actual hesitation, figuring she needed to sell it. Hell, I let her. It'd be interesting to know - why the fuck me? "You're solid. Reliable. You stand up for yourself, but you don't have an ego problem." Oh, Christ. Now it was like telling the ugly girl at the dancefloor she had a wonderful personality.
I said as much. Strauss smirked. "Maybe so. But you can't deny there's a mentality issue with the camp, and I trust you to crack heads together when they need to be. Only then, mind. Hawke couldn't do that part. Strongbow needs the reminder that she isn't the centre of the world. Shone and Saroszi and Moxham, and Mercator, they're..."
"Unstable," I suggested.
"Yeah. But all of them, despite all their feuds? They'll listen to you, Marcin. And you'll keep them in line... keep them firing. They... they..."
Strauss sighed. Long. Hard. I was patient. I can be good, sometimes.
"I know some of them don't respect me, right now. And they'll be unhappy at the cull. I'm not stupid, Marcin, there's no need to look surprised." Was I? Fuck. "So, we're at a low ebb. But it can be rectified. I can make this right. But I need you. Do I have you?"
She leaned back, offered a hand across the table.
Okay, I think I just about had my words back. And hey. The fuck did I have to lose?
I took it. We shook.
Took me some time later to realise exactly how much of the dream I was living. Captain of the fucking Cormorants!

ISideWith UK · by **Eastfield Lodge** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:56 pm

Eastfield Lodge Roster for Copa Rushmori XXXIII

Demonym: Eastfielder

Eastfield Lodge is a pretty glorious nation, somewhat situated in Northern Rushmore - in reality, there's a very small island (acting as a transport hub) which hosts a portal linking the NSverse to a small bubble universe, wherein the rest of the Imperial Commonwealth is located (barring a couple of nations, but they’re linked up in other ways). The IC part describes the fact that there are several empires contained within one superstructure – divisions which are somewhat reflected in the convoluted league structure.

Those of you who know this nation well however will wonder what has happened to the Whoniverse (the universe of Doctor Who, the TV programme). Don’t worry, I will (hopefully) RP what went on. To those who don’t know, this nation used be in the NSverse, but due to the acts of a lone madman from The Holy Empire (mad, or pitiful, the legends are a bit shaky), Eastfield Lodge almost vanished from existence, leaving behind a small island (now in Rushmore), attached to a portal connecting here to the Whoniverse. Things happened, the portal became unstable, and we had to form a bubble universe, and as a result, the resulting temporal shockwave both wiped out all electronic records, and did some weird stuff to people’s ages (hence why some names in the team may seem recognisable).

Anyways, because of the initial portal, whilst humans are the overwhelming majority of the populace here, don't be surprised to find several other races and much advanced technology here. Some more historical information can be found here, in lieu of a factbook (NB: a lot of the information there is inaccurate though, TG me for clarification).

Back to the nation itself, Eastfield Lodge is probably the best place to live in the entirety of Rushmore, according to the WA at any rate. Amongst the accolades heaped upon are: Most Compassionate Citizens, Most Beautiful Environments, Happiest Citizens, Most Dedicated Public Healthcare, Healthiest Citizens, Least Corrupt Government, Longest Average Lifespan, Lowest Crime Rates, Nicest Citizens, Largest Public Transportation Department, Safest, Smartest Citizens, Most Popular Tourist Destinations, Best Weather and Largest Welfare Programs. Also of note is the fact that, in a region containing Saintland, Eastfield Lodge is the Most Devout nation, with Islam being the national religion, and that we have the Highest Police Ratios, so do not be alarmed by the sheer number of police officers.

Manager: Jane Williamson
Age: 50. The first female player to play for the Eastfielder national team back in the day, the former RGS full back became the first big Eastfielder coach in another country, as she went and became the assistant manager for the Chromatika national team, and quite successfully, up until that nation's disappearance from the world. And quite fortunately, she landed in this role after the retirement of her predecessor, although things haven't started auspiciously for her so far, opting not to ring any big changes to the team's system for her first few cycles. Very much a man manager as opposed to an astute tactician.

Assistant Manager: Robert Andrews
Age: 50. The former national team striker, who had over a century of international appearances to his name during his career, was specifically recruited by the previous manager, his old friend and ex-teammate Shabeen Ahmad III. This is his first major job in football since his playing retirement, but his ability to calmly analyse situations even under immense pressure has earned him some plaudits from those in the know, and as such could prove to be a vital asset to the national team going forward.

Player are listed higher are more likely to play – strongest starting XI listed in Tactics section

Goalkeepers           		Age  Gen  Club                       Notes
Korbin Harvey         		33    M   Duke of the North (PAS)
Jam'Aan Couch         		22    F   Marine Coast United (VIL)
Thijn Persson         		27    M   Olympia FC

Defenders             		Age  Gen  1° Pos  Other Pos   Club                      Notes
Tajo Carr-Ponce       		30    M     CB                Ramusok United (COS)
Malenna von Kraus     		30    F   Utility             Royal Jam FC              Ex-NSI international
Vallois Mackenzie               30    M     CB                Royal Jam FC
Wilfred Holding       		26    M     CB                Workers Union (EUR)
Emely Towers          		33    F     CB                Tanrisal (PAS)
Renato Hargreaves     		27    M     CB                Hellinic Rouge (PAS)
Heaven Leggett        		28    F     CB                RGS Athletic
Olympia Gray          		33    F     CB                Kingsgrove (BRE)
Eugenie Tierney                 31    F     CB                Olympia FC

Wingbacks           		Age  Gen  1° Pos  Other Pos   Club                      Notes
Eskama Nagi           		30    F     RB                Hellinic Rouge (PAS)
Ginton French         		27    M     RB                Oakstone (EUR)
Elouan Elbaz			24    M     RB                RGS Athletic
Faustina Dad                    26    F     LB                Raynor City United (VAL)
Ulima Salam           		27    F     LB                RGS Athletic
Marya Garner          		28    F     LB                Olympia FC

Midfielders           		Age  Gen  1° Pos  Other Pos   Club                      Notes
Arjean Jeremiah-Dockson         27    F     CM                CA Paulinthal (PAS)
Sorel Qwivotic        		27    M     DM                Royal Jam FC
Graziana Din          		27    F     CM                Hellinic Rouge (PAS)
The Doctor            		?     M     AM     Utility    N/A - Unaffiliated        Time Lord (Flesh copy)
Jennifer Farrow       		26    F     CM                Crawford City (COS)       Box-to-box midfielder
Osbaldo Bevan         		32    M     AM                RGS Athletic

Wingers				Age  Gen  1° Pos  Other Pos   Club                      Notes
Raquel Accardi			26    F     RM                AFC Treason (NPH)
Breta Glibin			30    F     RM                CA Paulinthal (PAS)
Jewell Foley                    24    F     RM                Nile Bridge
Faustina Cousin 		30    F     LM                RGS Athletic
Crimson "Swift Curse" LaRosso	28    F     LM       AM       Royal Jam FC		   Ex-WGPC driver, joint Sunrisian
Charmine Berretti     		30    F     LW                AFC Corvistone (NPH)

Strikers			Age  Gen  Other Pos  Club                     Notes
Nya Murray            		27    F              Chenoworth Rovers (NPH)
Destiny Blair         		30    F              Baskita FC (PAS)
Kaiya Mohd                      30    F              Royal Jam FC

Style: +1
RP Permissions:
Select my scorers: Y
Give out yellow cards to my players: Y (maximum five, TG me with a reason for more)
Give out red cards to my players: Y (only one more than the number given to your team, maximum of three - i.e. I get two red cards, you must have at least one)
RP injuries to my players: Y (Maximum 3, no career-ending injuries without my explicit permission – I reserve right to how long players are out; you can RP how severe it looks)
Godmod injuries: Y (within some reason)
Godmod scoring events: Y (Have fun.)
Godmod other events: Y (TG me if you're planning on killing anybody though, or anything really extreme.)

If I do RP, I will include the line-up for the next match in my RP post, along with any suspensions/injuries. If there is no line-up, look through my posts and check for current suspensions/injuries, but otherwise it’s fine. Also, if you're RP'ing any part of my match, please use the full name Eastfield Lodge at least once, it helps me find the RP.

NB: As the people of EL are extremely compassionate, and very civilised (despite what you may say about the religion), it would be uncharacteristic for the coaches/players to lose their temper, dive deliberately (jumping out of the way of bad tackles and falling awkwardly doesn't count), to be sent to the stands (if the ref is clearly very biased however...), spit, argue with the ref or fight. Players will also tend to inform the referee about mistakes/clarifications in judgement regarding throw-ins, fouls given but with no contact and goal kicks/corner kicks (plus other bouts of honesty - up to you).

by **Eura** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:43 pm

The Euran Football Association’s Copa Rushmori 33 Squad

Manager: Michael Brandon (53, Nephara)

The unceremonious sacking of Daniel Belgrave as Eura manager following an unexpected and unfortunate exit from the 82nd World Cup group stages caused one of the biggest controversies in recent Euran footballing history. Eura hadn't lost a single game until the final match of the group stage (a surreal 3-0 defeat to Sargossa built on a first half collapse), but in an unlikely turn of fate, three teams finished on six points, and the side went out on goal difference. As Eura's dry spell without trophies extended another year, the EFA had clearly felt they had given more than enough time to Belgrave's project. Many saw this decision as harsh on Belgrave, still regarded by most as something of a national hero given his role in winning the 66th World Cup as a player and winning over two hundred caps. They called it a fluke exit.

However, the writing had been on the wall for longer. Eura had finished qualifying unbeaten but drew an unprecedented seven games. The defeat against Sargossa that directly triggered Belgrave's dismissal was the latest in a string of bizarre Euran collapses to bow out of tournaments that could have been won, adding the Corsairs to a list of at-the-time underdogs including Savojarna, Free Republics and South Covello. There are also ramifications for many players in the squad; indeed, following Belgrave's exit, all four of John Leach, Dominic Miller, Alex Wyatt and even Josh Holmes called time on their international careers.

A dilemma had been created for the EFA on how to proceed. Assistant Mike Humphrey had also been dismissed leaving a need to recruit an entirely new management team. Brief rumours of legend Steve Thompson riding to the rescue from retirement were quashed immediately. Rumours of a dramatic swoop for wildcard Skorji Oslograd were also laughed off. Talk of Lee Sharp (Eura's greatest ever player, former Audioslavia manager and now 1830 Cathair boss), Tom Benedict (Sabrefell Athletic coach and long rumoured target of the EFA) or Walter Crasder (Ulsa) also came to nothing. In the end the appointment made after months of what the selection committee called "challenging reflection" was a choice that could be seen as either surprising or completely natural depending on whether you see the appointment as a nostalgia trip or a return to Euran football's core identity.

Michael Brandon, a stalwart of Directus as a player, one of Nephara's first great players and an iconic manager of the Nepharim side itself, was handed a three year contract. Tom Riley, Euran World Cup winning captain and Brandon's former teammate, was appointed as assistant. It came as a shock in Brandon's own country, where it was widely anticipated that he may take the Brinemouth job in the near future. Instead Brandon has clearly sensed an opportunity to take on one last chance to win the big prize, and to return the favour to the country that made his name. He has been given the freedom to make radical, or even ruthless changes to the Euran side in an attempt to take them away from Belgrave's cautious game to a more stereotypical Euran attacking identity. After a strong start to his reign at the 32nd Copa Rushmori, disaster struck during an abysmal qualifying campaign for the 83rd World Cup. However Eura won just enough points to make the qualifying playoffs, and went on to record a decent winning run into the finals that predictably ended in the quarters against Equestria. Brandon will be hoping his team hit the ground running this time.

Assistant Manager: Tom Riley (58, Eura)

Riley was Eura's captain when they won the 66th World Cup and, like Brandon, has a reputation as a hard working, organised leadership figure who played as a short passing central midfielder. Brandon will not be an unfamiliar figure to anyone in the dressing room but Riley may add a degree of intimate familiarity with the way things work. He will be vital to bringing back the work ethic and team spirit that drove previous title winning Euran sides. The two men have been inseparable as a management team and it is expected that, like Belgrave and Humphrey, they will be treated as mutually accountable for better or worse. Brandon has also brought many of his coaches with him from the Nepharim set up that left following his departure there.

Styles and Permission

Style Modifier: +3

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

Choose my goalscorers – YES
Godmod scoring events – YES
RP injuries to my players – YES
Godmod injuries to my players – YES (But only how the injury happens, not the extent of the injury)
Hand out yellow cards to my players – YES
Hand out red cards to my players – YES
Godmod other events – YES, provided you keep events within the realms of realism, so no deaths etc.

30 man squad

Shirt number – name – position – age – caps – goals – club
Caps and goals not included currently as stats are out of date by one cycle

Goalkeepers

1 - Kevin Belgrave - GK - 29 - Directus
13 – Robert Griffin – GK – 33 – Sabrefell Moths (Nephara)
30 – Ryan Bull - GK - 30 - Brinemouth (Nephara)

A shaky World Cup campaign has lead to the shock dropping of stalwart goalkeeper Robert Griffin. It may be only a temporary hiccup for him but this gives Kevin Belgrave the chance to steal his crown.

Defenders

2 – Scott Coles - RB - 32 - Ulsa
3 – Stanley Burns – LB – 23 – Holdenberg
4 – Charles Roberts - CB - 27 - Bastion
5 – Harvey Blake - CB - 29 - Spartangrad
15 – Dean Steele – CB – 24 – FC Endeavour (Apox)
19 – Samuel Hopkins - CB - 28 - Eastweald (Cosumar)
21 – Jon Haines - RB - 29 - Sabrefell Moths (Nephara)
23 – Ben Hall - LB - 29 - Oakstone
25 – Jarrod Jenkins - CB - 23 - Falourr
27 – Alex Ingram - LB - 21 - Spartangrad

Ben Hall drops to the bench after an average World Cup qualifying campaign with Stanley Bruns making the step up. Harvey Blake remains, but it is likely on last chance saloon. Oliver Murray and Steve Fox are out of the squad for rookie and Falourr prospect Jarrod Jenkins, and another uncapped player, Alex Ingram.

Midfielders

6 – Monica Rowland (F) - CM - 27 - Bastion
7 – Oscar Coltrane - AM - 33 - Sabrefell Athletic (Nephara)
8 – Liam Armstrong - CM - 30 - Starling (Nephara)
11 - Anthony Townsend - RM - 29 - Ma Alameome (Farfadillis)
12 - Rhys Griffiths - AM - 27 - Revolutionaries
16 – Damion Bowman – LW – 23 – Hornchurch
18 – John Talbot - CDM - 32 - Spartangrad
20 – Moira Woakes (F) – AM – 24 – Crisisbless (Nephara)
22 – Harry Humphreys – CM – 27 – Raynor City United (Valanora)
24 - Frank Bevan - CM - 27 - Holdenberg
28 – Vincent Robshaw - CM - 24 - Unioneers
29 – Freddie Wright – RW – 26 – Brigham

John Talbot decided to accept a smaller role in the squad following the World Cup (without actually retiring), while Harry Gravesen has found himself dropped in favour of the returning Vincent Robshaw. Monica Rowland is now a starter.

Forwards

9 – Brian Bond - LW/ST - 27 – Eastweald (Cosumar)
10 – Dion Underwood - ST - 33 - Bastion
14 – John Fletcher – CF – 28 – AFC Treason (Nephara)
17 – Dean Sharp – ST – 32 – 1830 Cathair (Audioslavia)
26 – Morgan Fox - CF - 29 – Falourr

Both Dion Underwood and Dean Sharp simply refuse to retire, but Brian Bond is now the unquestioned starting striker. John Fletcher and Morgan Fox continue to wait patiently in the wings.

Preferred starting lineup

Note; does not take into account suspensions, injuries or any other change. At the end of each RP I post, I will try to give a team for the next match and formation type. If no such lineup is posted, assume that there have been no changes and use the lineup below.

GK - 1. K Belgrave
RWB - 2. S Coles
RCB - 4. C Roberts
LCB - 5. H Blake
LWB - 3. S Burns
RCM - 6. M Rowland
LCM - 8. L Armstrong
RAM - 11. A Townsend
CAM - 7. O Coltrane
LAM - 12. R Griffiths
ST - 9. B Bond

Eura may sometimes play 4-2-2-2 with Coltrane shifted to the left and Wyatt benched for another striker, or a 4-3-3.

Subs

13. R Griffin
21. J Haines
15. D Steele
23. B Hall
24. F Bevan
18. J Talbot
20. M Woakes
17. D Sharp
10. D Underwood
14. J Fletcher

Player Roles

Squad Captain: Scott Coles
Vice Captain: Monica Rowland
Direct free kicks: Oscar Coltrane (Right footed)
Indirect free kicks: Liam Armstrong (Right footed)
Right corner: Oscar Coltrane (Right footed)
Left corner: Oscar Coltrane (Right footed)
Penalties: 1. Brian Bond 2. Liam Armstrong 3. Oscar Coltrane 4. Anthony Townsend 5. Scott Coles

Kits

by **Falkyr** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:05 pm

Dagmar heaved himself up to the crow's nest that overlooked the jury-rigged practice fields, clapping a hand on Sjurd's shoulder. "Anything promising?"

"Not yet." The Falconian shook his head, grimacing just a bit. "We weren't exactly flush with talent before. A few athletic youngsters we might be able to make something of, but not for a few more years at least."

"That's no problem." The gaffer stepped up and took in the view; from that height he could see all the way to the new-ish city center, build on the spot of Falcus' founding. "We've already got a team ready to go, so there's no need to rush the process. Get them trained up right."

"I know, but I was hoping to have someone else to help me carry the flag." Sjurd leaned over, propping himself against the railing. "I've got broad shoulders but it's still a hell of a burden."

They stood in silence for a bit, the faint sounds of balls hitting nets and whistles blowing drifting up. "A whole lot of good that it'll do to say it, but we're in for the long haul. Try to keep thinking about the day where Falconians are back in the limelight of the top leagues. They may not play in Iturributa or the Polar Islandstates anymore, but a generation could break back into the Premiership or the Gold League. Maybe make a first impression on the Harleight Ligen or SuperLiga... and yes, one day, we can work together to finally bring in the Copa."

A few more moments passed before Sjurd sighed. "That's a lot of horseshit, boss, but it's the horseshit I need to hear. Thanks."

Alyssiana settled into her seat; she wasn't normally the most gung-ho about seeing sports live, but something about this Copa had allured her to hop on a flight to Pasarga. For a Queen she always traveled lightly and discreetly, preferring to save the grandiose outfits and pomp & circumstance for her own people. And that's how she found herself in the nosebleeds of San Daros, one row from the very back of the top of the stadium, flanked by one street-clothes guard on either side. For an unheralded match--two insular, non-democratic, lowly-ranked nations facing off in what's likely a battle for third--the crowd was still electric. While she could only make out the figures as la Delfenoj and her own Wings took the field, it was like looking down on the miniatures they used back in Skysreach for wargames. A tactical view suited her just fine.

by **Pasarga** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:49 pm

The camp was definitely different than it had been two years ago at the start of the World Cup Qualifiers, there was an air of uncertainty and a whole lot of trepidation. Every single player over thirty had been jettisoned from the squad and several of the usual standouts of the squad had been left out as a new manager was put in place. They brought with them a large swath of changes, none of least was the several former Young Wanderers had been brought into the squad and were being given a chance to grab their spot in the national pool, in addition to what seemed to be a change in formation based on what the players knew of their own strengths and weaknesses. Mária Vöröss was one of those new additions that the new manager had put into the squad instead of the usual stalwarts and she felt nervous about trying to replace the likes of Jörg Feierabend, with her having had that comparison since she had first broken into the national team program with the Young Wanderers half a decade before.

Even the veterans seemed like they were not truly up for the upcoming tournament, even though their nation was going to have the honor of playing host to the Copa Rushmori. Ralf Bader had been named the captain of the squad but despite his age and steely demeanor, few would have said he was the leader of the backline, much less the whole squad, yet there he was with the armband all the same. It was obvious to all that this was a team that was in transition, one that had been greatly humbled during the World Cup Qualifiers, and now needed a way to find itself once more and get back to playing like a team that had earned the star that adorned the national crest.

"Look alive everyone and start acting like you actually belong on this team and in the stadium. You have all earned your spots here and now have to fight to keep those spots, especially since most of us know that a few of the veterans who are not on this team will be brought back for the World Cup Qualifiers. Making the team is a testament to your skill, staying on the team will be a testament to your hard work and resolve to make yourself a better player and teammate. As you all know, international football is a whole different beast than what we play week in and week out with our domestic clubs, we only get so many weeks together to train and learn each other's tendencies. You have to learn fast, think faster, and act faster if you want to earn that shirt that you're wearing, now let's see some hustle and get to this training, the opening match is only a few days away and we want to open up the tournament with a show not just for our fans but the entire world! Right?!"

Srđan Jakšić had to admire the approach that Michael Mueller was taking with his charges but he had to wonder if they would listen, given how fragile their mindsets all seemed to be. The former international was right though and the experience that he had had with the program was a large part of why Mueller was chosen to be his assistant rather than some other more successful or foreign manager to be the assistant. Mueller had been in their position before, having to come in and try to prove that they were good enough to wear the national team shirt and to make up where a former team had faltered, if anyone would be able to get through to this group it would be him. Srđan had his own problems to worry about, which was the tactics, was sacrificing a player in the middle to link up the backline and attack a wise decision, in order to play the more up tempo pressing game he desired? The opener of the entire tournament, with his host side taking on Crystalline Caverns was but three days away, and still he wondered if it was worth the risk or should he keep to the same formation as his predecessors and hope that his player selection would bring different results?

by **Pasarga** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:51 pm

Matchday 1

Group A
Pasarga 3–0 Crystalline Caverns
Olastor 1–0 Oberour Ar Moro

Group B
Sargossa 3–2 Nellietopia Enclave
Taeshan 1–1 Pridnestrovia

Group C
Nephara 2–2 Saintland
Cassadaigua 2–1 Saint-Michel

Group D
Eura 6–2 Darmen
Askari Union 1–1 Falkyr

Group E
Nethertopia 0–3 Eastfield Lodge
Schottia 3–5 Savojarna

Copa Rushmori XXXIII - Everything Thread

Copa Rushmori XXXIII - Everything Thread

"Roster" Information for the Nellietopian Enclave

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