World Cup 85 || RP Thread

by **Mriin** » Tue May 12, 2020 5:53 pm

Scores || Rosters || Discussion || Bid || BoF72

Welcome, one and all, to the eighty-fifth World Cup! Presented by Mriin and Farfadillis, in collaboration with Kelssek and Zwangzug. This is the Roleplay thread where you'll post your stories, match reports, vignettes, and the like.

Finals Schedule

Monday, June 22nd
1v4
2v3

Wednesday, June 24th
4v3
1v2

Friday, June 26th
2v4
3v1

Monday, June 29th
Eighthfinals 
A1 v B2, C1 v D2, B1 v A2, D1 v C2
E1 v F2, G1 v H2, F1 v E2, H1 v G2

Wednesday, July 1st
Quarterfinals
EF1 v EF2, EF3 v EF4
EF5 v EF6, EF7 v EF8

Friday, July 3rd
Semifinals
QF1 v QF2
QF3 v QF4

Saturday, July 4th
3PP0

Sunday, July 5th
Final

Cutoff Times

First half of Qualifying
Farfadillis: 10 - 11 PM EDT || 2 - 3 AM UTC [Groups 1-8]
Zwangzug: 7 - 7:59 PM EDT || 11 - 11:59 PM UTC [Groups 9-15]

Second half of Qualifying
Kelssek: 8:01 - 9 PM EDT || 12:01 - 1 AM UTC [Groups 1-7]
Mriin: 8:01 - 9 PM EDT || 12:01 - 1 AM UTC [Groups 8-15]

Finals
Mriin: 8:01 - 9 PM EDT || 12:01 - 1 AM UTC [Groups A-D]
Farfadillis: 10 - 11 PM EDT || 2 - 3 AM UTC [Groups E-H]
Note that dates will reflect the “previous” UTC day, or in other words the date in the western hemisphere rather than according to UTC.

by **Mriin** » Tue May 12, 2020 5:53 pm

General Information
Mriin is a modern leftist direct democracy. The first thing most visitors will notice is the majority population of satyrs (which in practical terms are Humans, But multicolored and with various goatlike features), known for frolicking in the islands' nigh-tropical weather. Humans make up a large minority, and there are small minority populations of dragons (sort of like this but with separate arms and wings) and dryads (without the back growths and, uh, skulls of their enemies).

The nation is largely split up along the lines of its three main islands each with their own distinct demographics and culture. Groups A and B will find themselves on the largest island of Easthold, locale of the capital and the best beaches. Group C will play on the central island of Seastone, a volcanic chunk that has been hewn into a stunning (if impossible to navigate) city and center of learning. Group D will head to one of the tamed corners of Westhold, the one island still largely wooded thanks to the forest-dwelling dryads. Local detail can be found below and any and all questions about Mrii environments and temperaments are welcomed via TG or Discord.

Maal || Group E || the Megacity Capital pop. ~10m
Transport
There's a difficult choice to be had when visiting: Do you fly into Maal International Airport, in the heart of the urban sprawl with its ease of access to the rest of the island via rail? Or to sail into the old city's harbor, a Mrii cultural landmark and still one of the most bustling parts of the country? Either way, you’ll find yourself navigating the city by the massive grid of light rail that keeps everyone on the move at all hours day and night. Said grid divides the city up into large “blocks” that are largely dedicated to a single purpose, such as residence, business, or nightlife. Each block is designed to be navigated by hoof or bike from the station, though small cabs and various forms of mobility assistance are always available. Access to the rest of the island is provided by high-speed rail.
Neighborhoods
The old city's narrow streets wind through stucco neighborhoods draped with cheap strings of multicolored lights, filled with anything from clubs to traditional restaurants, and leads out to the famous seaside bazaar. It dominates miles of the coastline with hundreds of independent merchants hawking any goods they can get their hands on from the ships that float by night and day, horrible fried concoctions that’ll shave years off your life, and an endless array of tourist tat. A little further towards the modern city center is a half-ring of ethnic neighborhoods if you've got a particular taste for Banijan, Equestrian, Farf, or Qadian cuisine. If you’re a fan of the fusion stylings of top chefs, this is one of the best places in the sporting regions to find mindblowing combinations. From there the skyline balloons into the skyscrapers of modern business with a generous sprinkling of cultural blocks to break things up. Several games will also be played in Kaalen, a southeasterly suburb infamous for being where the wealthiest inhabitants go to escape the bustle of downtown life--though urban sprawl has been threatening to engulf them for years.

Kapytaal 75 000 || 1v4, 3v1, Final
The new glimmering jewel of the MNL, purpose-built to host this very competition. Built in the heart of downtown in one of the few places where a business block isn’t to be found--park blocks east and west, theatre blocks northwest and southeast, nightlife blocks north and southwest, and residential blocks northeast and south. No expense was spared to provide the ultimate spectator experience by leveraging the minds of the University of Architecture to create a high-capacity stadium that retains a measure of the intimacy football fanatics so dearly crave. Not to mention unparalleled crowd flow patterns--guaranteed to get you to the concourse vendors and back in your seat as fast as possible.
Haven 65 000 ||, 4v3, 2v4, SF2
The MNL’s original flagship stadium, hosting all of the national team, perennial league contenders Angels, and their historic archrival Dæmons. The sleek and modern structure was carefully placed so that you could walk in right off the bazaar, to enjoy many amenities hard to find elsewhere in the old city like non-claustrophobic bathrooms. The proximity to the sea--a theme you’ll see crop up with several later stadiums--also means it has a penchant for choking humidity.
Aerodrome 45 000 || 2v3, 1v2, EF6
Located just on the Kaalen side of Maal International Airport, which is typically seen as the border between the two cities. The expansive and heady seating is an impressive sight to behold--until you realize it’s largely empty as their second-rate local team can barely fill a fraction of it. Seeing the ‘drome sold out is a rare joy for Mrii sports nerds, many of whom have never experienced ‘nosebleed seating.’

Northbrush & Southbrush || Group F || the Farmlands pop ~200k & ~50k
Transport
Taking up much of the northeast quadrant of Easthold are vast plains of wheat and barley, with the occasional town sprinkled in. Access is primarily by flying in through Maal International and taking the high-speed rail to whichever of the three destinations you’re aiming for, though the castle is also reachable by smaller boats rented out Maal’s docks.
Locales
The area provided much of the food that helped fuel Maal’s meteoric growth, but now the metropolis’ demands outstrip their production. Laws were passed subsidising the import of foodstuffs from elsewhere in AO to disincentivize brutal growing techniques that could damage the island’s ecosystem, so now the farmlands mostly consist of ‘gourmet’ growers catering to city dwellers with more money than sense. Northbrush is the larger of the twin cities and has more to hold the attention of a foreigner, with the normal trappings of a city--restuarants, nightlife, the works--with a tinge of pastoral charm. That’s versus Southbrush, which still very much sees itself as a frontier town despite that last being accurate some 150 years ago. A good place to stay if you’re metro-phobic and prefer a quieter, star-filled night. The very most northeastern point features the island’s namesake Easthold, one of the nation’s three ancient draconic castles.

Wyvernscrest 35 000 || 1v2, 2v4
Built in the shadow of a redstone ridge important to local folklore--involving the mythical creatures named ‘wyverns’--Wyvernscrest tends to be regarded as the most scenic football stadium among Eastholders. Amenities are rustic but well-maintained. It’s otherwise surrounded by the rolling plains just outside Northbrush, with a convenient special-built light rail line to the city’s main station.
Wyrmstone 25 000 || 1v4, 3v1
Built around a curious rock structure important to local folklore--involving the mythical creatures named ‘wyrms’--Wyrmstone tends to be regarded as the uneasiest football stadium among Eastholders. Southbrush authorities ensure the eponymous stone is completely secure and that the slight wobbling it seems to do is merely an optical illusion. The rickety wooden stands don’t exactly instill confidence either, but they’ve passed inspection.
Seagate 50 000 || 2v3, 4v3, EF5
Not quite built on the castle grounds of Easthold, the imposing tower still looms over the pitch as waves crash into the rocky shore just meters beyond the seaward stands. Limited (and expensive) hospitality is available in the castle itself, but most travellers should plan to stay in Northbrush or close to the docks in Maal and only head over for gametime--and maybe spare some time for a tour. Another field prone to crushing humidity depending on the winds.

Vidial || Group G || the Alchemical Metropolis pop ~3m
Transport
The MNL only recommends travellers make use of Vidial International Airport, but begrudgingly acknowledges sailing into Reyn and taking the rickety old train up to Vidial proper is technically an option. Once in the city under no circumstances should you try and find your way around if it’s more than a five minute walk. The streets wind perilously and nonsensically, and things aren’t helped by the occasionally mind-bending architecture many of the neighborhoods sport. Stay safe and stay on the tram and you’ll find a great many treasures easily accessible.
Neighborhoods
It’s not a stretch to call Vidial a college city. But while you can’t throw a rock without hitting one, there’s a concentration in the northern section of the city, where several sprawling campuses border and intertwine with each other. The sandstone spires painted in each school’s colors are useful landmarks if you ever need to orient yourself. This comes in especially handy as, being a college town, the tavern scene is thriving. The city’s brewing culture is deeply ingrained thanks to the largest gig in town being the University of Alchemy, which produces both the nation’s foremost food scientists and acolytes of the mystical arts. Don’t go overboard with the potions--or do, just don’t be surprised if you get locked up for the night for disturbing the peace.

Gold Field 60 000 || 2v3, 4v3, QF3
A multi-purpose field located in the heart of the University of Alchemy, and a pretty standard one at that--but with an air of no-expenses-spared layered on top. Gourmet street food, high-brow potions being passed out by roaming vendors, and maroon-and-gold banners draped everywhere.
Flâneur 40 000 || 1v2, 3v1, EF7
The chic and intricately designed field well represents its alma mater, the University of Architecture. Walkways seamlessly interwoven into the concourse radiate to all parts of the campus and further to some of the students’ favorite dives, and it even sports this crazy retractable roof to selectively keep out the elements.
the Pub 27 000 || 1v4, 2v4
Unsurprisingly, most regular patrons of the Pub aren’t exactly there for the football. An ever-flowing tap of cheap potions helps distract locals from both the wrongs life has beset upon them, and the abjectly terrible football played by Vidial SC. Having real matches there is always an interesting endeavor, and we imagine travelling fans may be in for some new ‘experiences’ of their own. Make sure you don’t fall in the bathroom’s piss trough.

Hosingr || Group H || the Industrial Heart pop ~1m
Transport
Alaki'taru International was constructed recently to separate passenger flights from the grimy industrial ones, though if you like bumming with cargo containers the port is open 24/7. For various socio-economic reasons Hosingr is the one Mrii city developed with roads in mind, so for finding your way around renting a car or making liberal use of ridesharing apps is recommended. Light rail out to the suburb of Gryst is available if you want to try their hipster potion brews right from a pop bubbling in the woods, or take a guided tour further into the forest to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic tree-city of Laneia.
Neighborhoods
The oft-forgotten ‘third city,’ Hosingr provides the industrial base that is critical for Maal and Vidial to sustain as much growth as they do. Abnormally low in both non-satyr denizens and income and having had their own chances to expand resoundly denied by the island-spanning nature reserve, resentment has been a core part of the Hosingr experience. But they have been gradually opening up as of late as they quickly latched onto the multiple success stories the MNL has brought, including swallowing the pill that sometimes foreigners can help make things better when applied strategically. That opening up has breathed some new life into the city, which for decades was simply rows of factories and rows of low-cost domiciles for factory workers. A bit of targeted and controlled gentrification has made a few areas--the ones as far from the factory district while not encroaching on the light-pollution-limited fringes--into more attractive places to stay both short and long-term. Though it’s a bit of a drive to get to either of the stadiums, which are both firmly rooted in places where workers would get together to kick a ball on their breaks back in the day. Notably the best place to get a steak on the islands as they get fresher shipments from the Calanian mainland.

Iron Alley 55 000 || 2v3, 1v2, 2v4, QF4
AFC Hosingr’s stomping ground lays smack between the factory district and a residential district, catching those both on the way to and coming from work. Seats are small and crammed together, amenities are spartan, and those in the rear rows better be tall to see much of value. The fervent fans always seem to have a good time regardless.
Dockside 31 000 || 1v4, 4v3, 3v1, EF8
Located in, unsurprisingly, the shipyard district. Hosts the creatively-named Harbor squad. Only slightly less cramped than Iron Alley, but with a nice ocean view thanks to one touchline being stands-free to look out on the Crystilakere Channel. Thankfully, as opposed to the other open-ocean stadiums, Dockside tends to get a cool breeze in as opposed to a humidity blanket.

by **Farfadillis** » Tue May 12, 2020 5:54 pm

General Information

Map

Farfadillis is probably best defined as a nation of contradictions: contradictions that live in perfect harmony. The Outlandish Lands' citizens tend to be chaotic, generally by nature. They're mostly irreverent, careless (even reckless), prone to setting things on fire and watching in awe and overall just not entirely there mentally, at least coming at them from the perspective of a different culture. Of course, not all Farves are like this, but it's definitely a marked pattern. You'll perhaps notice, for example, that the country is in a state of complete anarchy. Classic Farfadillis. Things have gotten better ever since Banija unintentionally nuked us, however. Don't ask about that, if possible; it's a whole thing.

But wait! "How do things work?" You might be asking yourself. Well, fear not, for amidst the chaos that stems from total societal collapse, there was one infamous organization that seemed unfazed: the Freisan Farf Freitball Francitian, better known as the FFFF. The FFFF embodies all of the worst qualities of Farf idiosyncracy, and chances are it will show in how it organizes this tournament.

Also, Farfadillis is composed of at least nine very distinct ethnic groups: the Ferdullaelans, the Farolerans, the Rulandese, the Szoirsians, the Indujans, the Kruviši, the Fröndti, the Tanazzans and the Karinthians. Nowadays, pick any two of them and chances are they viscerally hate each other, with a few notable exceptions. Bizarrely, they leave all differences aside when it comes to the national team. Just bear the ethnic tension in mind when in Farfadillis.

The fauna that has developed over millions of years inside the island is very much unlike outside it, so do bear that in mind. If you hear about "radiation-eating snakes", don't laugh; you'll look like an idiot. Imagine how you'd think of someone who laughed at someone believing in the existence of regular snakes. Also, be specially wary of the frogs whose poison sends you straight to hell.

Fittingly, Farf football is obsessed with reckless attacking football; Farf crowds will often get bored if your team is defensive, so expect aggressiveness from some of them if your team is boring. If your team is entertaining, however, expect the Farf crowd to cheer you on.

We hope you enjoy your stay.

Ferdullaele

What used to be the capital state. Ferdullaele is a state located in the northeast of the island. The most fertile land is there and, as a result, it is suspected that they've always been ahead of the rest of the pack economically. This has translated into a healthy dose of cultural hegemony: all Farves must learn Ferdullaelan, as it is the lingua franca of the island. Almost all companies used to be managed from Ferdullaele, and the government officials were generally from there as well. About twenty years ago, the situation escalated into a revolution and things became only worse from there. Nowadays, Ferdullaele is still the richest place in Farfadillis, but it has also had its quality of life affected the most out of all the nations: they used to have pretty much a first-world quality of life, and they now live in utter chaos. Ferdullaelans are currently the most hated and resented ethnicity in Farfadillis. They tend to look up to foreigners, too, so expect them to be very friendly to your country's tourists.

La Fantás
Capacity: 70,000
Matches: HUElavia v Farfadillis, HUElavia v Zwangzug, Zwangzug v Farfadillis, EF1 v EF2
The biggest stadium in Farfadillis, home to the national team. It is situated in the capital, Ferdullaele, where most terrorist attacks happen. It used to have a whopping 100,000 seats, but ever since the you-know-what, the north-eastern stand has been inexplicably on fire, so that's one-fourth of the seats gone, plus those too close to the fire to be considered safe by Farf standards. And yes, those exist. Nobody can quite explain how the stand has managed to continue burning for about seven years. Pagan religions are common in Farfadillis, and they mostly venerate fire, so if you ask around you'll likely get some magical explanations. We are not saying the God of Fire is raining its wrath upon Ferdullaele, but we are saying that stand should've stopped burning long ago. Or, at least, the fire should've propagated to the other stands. We are also saying that if La Fantás were a map of Farfadillis, it would be Ferdullaele that is burning. Again, speculation, but worth pointing out. We've gone on a tangent now. Anyway, huge stadium, fire, don't get burned, don't involve yourself with the surrounding ethnic tension.

La Snerra
Capacity: 100,000
Matches: Zwangzug v Turori, Farfadillis v Turori, Turori v HUElavia, EF3 v EF4
La Snerra was the national team's home in the early days, but got promptly abandoned when the much more modern La Fantás was built. Nonetheless, stadia are in short supply in Farfadillis nowadays, so the heretofore abandoned stadium will be making a comeback around forty years since it was last used. Yes, it may be rusty and unsafe, but at least it's not on fire, and it can fit in a lot of people. There are only seats for 20,000 people, though, which could prove problematic.

Fröndt

Fröndt is a very mountainous region, and most urban centers are in those mountains. The weather is extremely dry and cold, and the fauna is unforgiving. Flying jellyfish abound nowadays. The Fröndti are typically more hard-working and level-headed than other Farves - or so they like to believe - and think of themselves as the reasonable, neutral people of the island. The rest of the island disagrees. They've had trouble with the extremely harsh winters and the flying jellyfish lately, but they're a resilient bunch, so they've adapted to the times. Expect a lot of high-calorie foods and cussing, if you can understand the language.

Den Mytologiska Maneter
Capacity: 50,000
Matches: Taeshan v Equestria, Taeshan v Kelssek, C2 v D1
One of the few stadia left relatively intact by the chaos. It's in the freezing mountains of Fröndt. Temperatures swing wildly between 5ºC and -25ºC there throughout the day, and the surrounding area is infested with flying jellyfish, or flygande maneter, as the locals call them. Literal jellyfish with what are essentially angel wings. Most of them are not lethal, however, and the ones that are make it very obvious by pulsating with different, bright and saturated colors. They've been a bit a plague since, you know, the events we will be continuously referencing throughout this pamphlet. Anyway, wear a scarf and lots of anti-flying-jellyfish repellent and you'll probably be alright.

Szoirsia

Right next to the mountainous region of Fröndt, we find the desert region of Szoirsia. Szoirsians are used to the extreme heat and dehydration that comes with their surroundings. They resort to violence first and foremost to solve problems, perhaps even moreso than the Rulandese. Szoirsians speak one of the most distinct languages of the island: Szoirsian. Outsiders that have come into contact with the language tend to call it either "French but weird" or "Hungarian but weird", though we're not quite sure where the nations of Frence or Hungaria are located. Most scholars agree that there used to be two distinct languages in Szoirsia and, indeed, two ethnic groups, that at some point in the past converged into one. Farves are bad at not burning books, though, so there's no way to be sure. For the adventurous tourists, the biggest attraction might be the possibility to join a giant-scorpion-hunting group for an eveneing and hunt a giant scorpion.

Adar Jak
Capacity: 32,000
Matches: Kelssek v The Holy Empire, Kelssek v Equestria
While no longer the only stadium in Szoirsia, the Adar Jak will still be used because of tradition. It's a stadium situated in the most notoriously unforgiving part of the Szoirsian desert, a part which is home to precisely no living creatures besides radiation-eating snakes. Bring loads of water, because the Szoirsians won't be sharing theirs (it's kinda scarce at the moment, okay?). On a particularly hot day, matches scheduled here will have to be moved to some nearby (or not) stadium. Do not bring a Geiger counter.

Grand René Skaé
Capacity: 25,000
Matches: Equestria v The Holy Empire, The Holy Empire v Taeshan
Home to René Skaé, currrent back-to-back FFL champions, and named after René Skaé the person, this stadium is located in René Skaé, the city named after the person. Nobody is quite sure who René Skaé really was, but the fact that so many things in this area have been named after him seems to suggest that he was some kind of hero. In comparison with Adar Jak, Grand René Skaé is a forgiving stadium, but don't get it wrong: you won't enjoy a game here on a hot day, of which there are many.

Farolera

Farolera's territory is filled with lush forests and fertile farmland, and they've got a population about the size of Kruviš's. Their capacity for self-sustenance is commendable, and one could argue they're faring better than their Ferdullaelan counterparts amidts the chaos. Farolerans speak Faroleran, known as "Spanish" to some other countries. We do not know where "Span" is, either. The past leader of Farfadillis, Alex Terán - who helped plunge Farfadillis into this mess - is rumored to be gathering support in Farolera to form a new government, but you didn't hear that from us. Much like the Ferdullaelans, they view foreigners as vaguely superior, so expect friendly treatment. Try not to look Rulandese, though.

La Gran Avenida
Capacity: 60,000
Matches: Free Republics v Pasarga, Banija v Sarzonia, Pasarga v Sarzonia, Sarzonia v Free Republics, C1 v D2, TPPO
This stadium is home to Avenida Victoria, Avenida Principal and La Nueva Avenida, three historically big teams. It is situated in the middle of a forest. The view from the highest seats is impressive. Please, ignore how dangerous the path to the stadium is, and how long it takes to arrive there, considering going by car is banned. Beware the beasts of the forest. If you ignore the inherent danger, La Gran Avenida is probably tied with La Fantás for both most modern and most visually captivating stadium.

Ojo de la Tormenta
Capacity: 15,000
Matches: Free Republics v Banija, Banija v Pasarga
This small stadium located in Azureña, a town on the coast of Puerto Farolero, is notable for constantly (say, weekly, but actually more often) attracting fantastically violent, highly concentrated storms, while somehow managing to stay inside the eye of the storm, completely unaffected. Azureña is otherwise a very nice seaside resort, or at least it would be if the country was functioning.

Rülândéá

Or Ruland, as it's better known to foreigners. Easily the most famous nation in Farfadillis. Traditionally the most football-crazed, poverty-stricken, grievously mistreated, actually genocided, and environmentally-conscious state (ignore the uranium mining), it's safe to say the Rulandese have never had it good. Rampant crime, terrible quality of life, and a very long etc. Nowadays, anti-Rulandese sentiment is at an all-time high, as most Farves view their "petty squabbles" with Ferdullaele as the root cause for the current crisis. They're one of the most well-known ethnicities of the island because they produce better footballers than the rest of the island combined, to the point that some of the best players in the multiverse come from this relatively small, run-down nation. Their language is notorious for having too many diacritics. Eexpect your most famous footballers to get treated like kings/queens, especially if they play in one of the top IFCF leagues.

Rülândéá Çölíséá
Capacity: 35,000
Matches: Ko-oren v Vilita, Vilita v Kita-Hinode, Main Nation Ministry v Kita-Hinode, Kita-Hinode v Ko-oren, A1 v B2, QF1 v QF2
The Çölíséá (Colosseum) is iconic for being home to rivals Mâ Âlâmëómë and Dí Maozöxê, and for having halved its capacity due to bombings from the then-existent government. The stadium's situated in a particularly rough area of Ruland, so make sure to be extra careful. The stadium itself is actually quite modern, as both Mâ Âlâmëómë and Dí Maozöxê are relatively well-off clubs, but if you squint your eyes you can sort of tell it's been bombed multiple times. The big hole in the northern stand is a bit of a tell.

Kruviš

Kruviš is the most populated of the nations, though only by a slight margin and if you're willing to trust a Farf census from twenty-five years ago. This nation is mostly one huge jungle, but closer to the coast the jungle gives way for civilization... to a degree. The fauna here is perhaps the most dangerous you'll find in the island, which is really saying something. Wasps that explode (like bombs) when stinging, spider-snakes, frogs whose poison literally sends you to hell, etc. Why, you ask, is this the most populous nation, then? Probably human stubbornness. Much like everywhere else, expect nationalism. However, unlike the rest of the nation, they tend to view fellow Farves (except Ferdullaelans) as brothers-in-arms and foreigners as filthy scum, so watch out.

Bojno Polje
Capacity: 40,000
Matches: Ko-oren v Vilita, Vilita v Main Nation Ministry, A2 v B1
It stands to reason that the most populated nation in the island would have one of the biggest stadia, despite having a pretty middling football tradition (not for luck of trying, though). For a 40,000 seater, Bojno Polje is patently unsafe and ugly. Scotch tape is not what is holding it together, but the fact that that's the best we can say is, well, all that should be said.

by **Lisander** » Tue May 12, 2020 6:19 pm

Michaelichen, 1.

Only five people were able to follow that funeral. Three men and two women, dressed in thick covers over their clothes, and wearing masks that looked like they were out of a science fiction movie. The coffin, long and black, was so heavy that four of those present had to help the two gravediggers unload it and descend to the bottom of the earth. When the skiff was already at the bottom and the people had recovered from the effort, one of them took the floor. His name was Adrian Stannis.

"We are gathered here to do the painful duty of burying a person who has done so much for us. What so many dreams and joys he has given us. He was the responsible for the rebirth of our hope in the face of such a great world" - the voice of man began to tremble - "and that even with all the problems, he never became discouraged or weakened. In his memory, we will go on, to do for him what he always wanted to do for us. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a prayer for the soul that lies here. We commend to you, O Lord, the soul of Andreas Fox."

The five joined in a silent prayer for the late coach of the Lisanderian national football team, who had succumbed to that dramatic pandemic that had engulfed the world at that time. Some opened their eyes and raised their faces before, others after.

Stannis spoke again. He, who was the President of the Lissanderian Football Federation, was acting as a master of ceremonies:

"Anders, do you have any words to say, at least to Coach Fox's relatives?"

Inside the black coat, the tallest of the three men just nodded, refusing to speak. Anders Michaelichen, the captain of the national football team, was a man of few words.

"No, sir, I'd just like to leave. I'm very sad, I don't know if I'll be able to stay until the end. I beg your pardon."

Anders Michaelichen was not the most talking guy in the world. He was aware of his position within the national sport, but neither that was enough to change its personality. And he was very important. Wearing the number one jersey and wearing the captain's band on the left arm of the national eleven, he was probably the most important player of that team.

"In this case, could you do me a favour, Mr Michaelichen? Could you take my sister to her hotel? Is everything all right, Martina?" said the third man, who was the older son of the deceased coach.

"I can do this." - The man nodded his head affirmatively, and going to the tomb, he bowed one last time to the old master, and then walked away for good, towards the car, with the woman by his side.

"I'll just get something from the doctor's car!" - Martina said, walking away from him for a few seconds and going to the car in which she had come to the cemetery.

Anders went to the car and started it, waited for the young lady to return. In a few moments she returned, throwing a purse into the back seat of the sedan and entering the front seat.

"Well, come on."

"Yes, let's go," said the girl, taking a small pistol out of her coat pocket and pointing at it. "Don't just stand there, drive. Have you never been kidnapped before?"

Next chapter...

by **PotatoFarmers** » Tue May 12, 2020 9:10 pm

A big headache indeed.
For head coach Adnan Suliaha and assistant Katiri Hedge, choosing the next batch of players to play the upcoming qualifiers is a difficult decision, especially with results of recent friendly tournaments not going their way.
From the last qualifiers, 3 players have hung up their boots. In the goalkeeping position, Jabik Henderson retired following the 9th edition of the IAC where the team obtained fourth place. Strikers Nasir Hansir and Santik Mason also announced their retirement and would not be joining the team for the qualifiers. Alexri Timson has also announced that this would be his last cycle, and at 36, he is unlikely to be able to play every match. The position of Right Winger has always been a headache as the coaches was unable to find a good alternative for Pete Carisa, while the options for third-choice goalkeeper has gone all the way down to Under-18 national team members Nicole Potts and Abdul Huffman. On the other hand, there are too many choices in midfield, which led to constant rotation for the team during their past friendlies.
Speaking of friendlies, the results are ridiculous. The way Poafmersia bowed out of their Wonder Cup competition is unacceptable, and for many higher-ranked nations, surely the manager would have been sacked. Of course, there are a few more friendlies for Poafmersia to go through to get the final squad, but by this time during the last qualifiers 2 years ago, the team was mostly fixed and the leftover matches gave the team ample opportunities to play together, solving the issues with cohesiveness.
How worried can the managers be? Very. The ongoing Baptism of Fire has seen a record 56 teams, with many shocks and surprises coming out of the competition during the Round of 32 which was held yesterday. 7 out of 16 matches entered extra time, and among them, 4 went to penalties. That has already broken the number of the last edition, where 3 went to extra time and none went to penalties. The weakest two teams in the knockout stages, When U Die and Floyssauu, who both qualified from their groups with only 7 points (7 out of a maximum 18!), both made it into the Round of 16. To add insult to injury, the former did it by beating title favourites Adyatin in extra time, with Adyatin being the only team with a perfect 6-0-0 record in the group stage. If anyone says that Poafmersia should not be worried of the new nations, then they have not seen the overall strength of the teams in the Baptism of Fire. Seriously. Which was why Poafmersia agreed to have 3 friendlies to play against the BoF teams. On paper, the reason was because we were one batch their seniors and want to give them some chance. In reality, the PFFA is outright scared of them and want to use the matches to scout the new batch of nations.
Back to the squad selection. The number of new players being selected would be an interesting issue. Adnan advocates integrating more players to create a large pool for the qualifiers, as they did the last time, while Katiri has felt that the friendlies have shown that some players are not developed enough and selecting them might jeopardise Poafmersia's chances at qualification. The brutal way the qualification is done is also why the selection is important - 15 groups of 13 teams are expected with over 195 teams having registered to play the qualifiers. Unlike the last time where Poafmersia was lucky to get a relatively simpler group and managed to get third place, this time round, it may not be that simple getting attacked by the regular teams and the newcomers.

Extracted from the Sporting Daily
Poafmersia expected to be in Pot 5 for Qualifiers
Report by Roisig Hansa
Fiskadaha, Poafmersia - The hosts have announced a grand total of 195 entrants for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, a huge jump from the 165 entrants in the last qualifiers. After posing an above average performance during the team's debut last round, Poafmersia would surely be looking to improve on that performance and hopefully get at least top 3 in the group.
With head coach Adnan Suliaha not expected to release his final roster until after the group draw, the attention turns towards Poafmersia's potential qualification group. To understand the qualification group, the Sporting Daily utilised our current predicted KPB data, matched it against the entry list provided by the co-hosts Mriin and Farfadillis, and came out with the pots. The predicted KPB coefficients are calculated based on the following 8 competitions: World Cup 82, 83 and 84 (including their qualifiers); Cup of Harmony 75 and 76; as well as Baptism of Fire 71 and 72. Poafmersia would be one of those teams losing a bit of their coefficients as competitions from the previous cycle are given lesser weight, but it has only caused a decrease of 5 ranks on the KPB rankings, from 66th to 71st.
A look at the pots would explain everything. For now, only the first 7 pots are confirmed. This is because the KPB rankings could be changed due to the ongoing Baptism of Fire, and that there are teams who could be placed in multiple pots due to their ranks. We decided to look at the first 4 pots, because ultimately these are pots containing the teams which we should watch.

Pot 1
Vilita (1)
Eura (3)
Nephara (4)
Starblaydia (5)
Banija (6)
The Holy Empire (7)
Equestria (8)
Cassadaigua (9)
Kita-Hinode (10)
Commonwealth of Baker Park (11)
Turori (12)
Brenecia (13)
Free Republics (14)
Valanora (15)
South Covello (17)

The hosts are ranked 2 and 16, so the 17th ranked team got pushed to Pot 1. (For your information, there would be 15 groups in the qualifiers.) None of these teams are going to be easy opponents, although Poafmersia would find some of the teams familiar. Poafmersia has played (and will play) friendlies with Baker Park and Equestria, was drawn with Nephara last cycle, and also played against Eura's overseas territories, Euran Oceania Territories, in the Qualifiers and in the Cup of Harmony last cycle.

Pot 2
Taeshan (19)
Sargossa (20)
Ko-oren (21)
Audioslavia (22)
HUElavia (23)
Qasden (24)
Pasarga (25)
Darmen (26)
Siovanija and Teusland (27)
Reçueçn (28)
Mercedini (29)
Chromatika (30)
Zwangzug (31)
Drawkland (32)
95X (33)

Even more familiar faces. Last cycle, Poafmersia played Siovanija and Teusland in their qualifiers group. Poafmersia has also played against Zwangzug in the recent IAC, defeating them in the process. Poafmersia has also played against Qasden and HUElavia in friendlies before.

Pot 3
Cosumar (34)
Kelssek (35)
Main Nation Ministry (36)
The Macabees (37)
Juvencus (39)
Port Ember (40)
Jeruselem (41)
New Lusitania (42)
Squornshelan Remnant States (43)
Damukuni (44)
Terre Septentrionale (45)
Newmanistan (46)
Hapilopper (47)
Ethane (48)
Xanneria (49)

Poafmersia played against The Macabees last qualification cycle, played Port Ember in the last IAC, and played against Squornshelan Remnant States during the last Cup of Harmony. Terre Septentrionale has also played a friendly with us and will be playing a second friendly soon. There would be some teams Poafmersia wish to avoid, such as Port Ember, which have qualified for the World Cup last cycle, and other strong teams like Terre Septentrionale, Kelssek, Main Nation Ministry, Juvencus, Hapilopper, and Damukuni.

Pot 4
Filindostan (50)
Abanhfleft (51)
Bongo Johnson (53)
Busoga Islands (54)
Mattijana (55)
Savojarna (56)
Sajnur (57)
Krytenia (58)
Ancherion (59)
Timuria (60)
Balqia (61)
Eastfield Lodge (62)
Eraman (63)
Darkmania (64)
Sarzonia (65)

Poafmers would definitely have heard of many of these teams. Darkmania had almost made it into the World Cup last cycle, while teams like Sarzonia and Filindostan who performed very well in the Cup of Harmony. Timuria was where Poafmersia played their first games in international football, and the abilities of Savojarna, Krytenia, Eastfield Lodge and Filindostan are well known. It is in this pot where Poafmersia faces their real test, as being able to achieve good results against the team from this pot would signify a good result for Poafmersia.

by **Quakmybush** » Tue May 12, 2020 9:29 pm

0739 hours, Revena, Quakmybush.

Voice 1 "What should we do now?"

Voice 2 "I think we have to do it."

Voice 3 "The Nation needs something to cheer for now, we need to return to our glory"

Voice 1 "Our glory was like 2 second round appearances. We need to do better"

Voice 3 "Well, that will have to start now"

Voice 1 " As you say sir, we will reach out to the neccesary parties, and revive the Quakmybush National Soccer Team, from it's slumber."

by **Twicetagram and JYPe** » Tue May 12, 2020 9:56 pm

Don’t play around, I know you’re right there
Feels like you’ll appear, so I’m just waiting
- Don't Wanna Cry, Seventeen

I could still feel the cooling breeze that welcomed me at Twice Square. I could still feel the warmth of the people who came to see us back home. But the atmosphere was off. We didn't come back home triumphantly. Instead, we came back after a disappointing performance in the BoF 72. The people wore fake smiles as they saw us coming back early. We went to Delaclava with our hopes high. Now they were destroyed. The fact that the World Cup Qualifiers was up next never helped. The only hope we had was to not finish last. That's it.
After 'greeting' our fans, I went to the car park, where my mother was waiting for me. After entering the car, she didn't say a word. Words could only hurt people, but looks can kill them. My whole family was quite disappointed, from what I heard before we arrived. The whole trip back home was awkwardly silent. After reaching home, I didn't greet anyone, not like they wanted to greet me back anyways. I locked myself in my room, took my notebook, and started drawing.

I wondered what would happen if I had continued to pursue my arts degree. Sure, I may not be as famous as I am now, but better to stay out of the limelight than be criticized for something that wasn't your fault.
Ciel de Castro. Undoubtedly Lesley's rival. We both were attackers, we both had this special something in us, and we had this chemistry that just links the whole team together.
I didn't want to be known as de Castro though. My fame was unintentional and unwanted. I didn't want to take a job I didn't think of in the first place. Maybe it was my fame-seeking mind back then. You don't know how fame can hurt you, until you become famous yourself.
That being said, I continued to complete my mini-drawing I was working on before being called-up. I also had a knack for songwriting. I would write songs day and night when I was free. Although none of the songs came to fruition, I still pride myself for them.
"There are one of those days
Days when no one's around
When I feel like I don’t belong anywhere
And my head is hanging down"
I started on my new song. Maybe in these precious few weeks before I was gonna get called up again, maybe I should try a hand at producing. Maybe, just maybe, I could make a song that I could share with the world.
Now though, I just needed some time by myself.
The sad thing is that, this stanza actually reflected my feelings now. I had let not just my family down, but the whole country as well. I felt that all the burden was on me. Or, maybe it was just that my emotions were not good today.
After lying on my bed for a while, I couldn't resist it, and slept.

by **Talamia** » Wed May 13, 2020 4:07 am

*The television suddenly turns on independently*

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages!
Here is Auxe Aggelia, accompanied as always by Gian Gianvilipendio, your favourite sports expert!
We are in our capital city Clinepalas, talking to you from the Pro Diorux TV studios - Are you a sports devote? Pick up your TV remote! - to officially announce the entry of the Talamian National Football Team in the eighty-fifth edition of the World Cup. It is an announcement that fills all the Talamian football fans with joy, a moment that many expected. The recent history of our international football has been able to give us many satisfactions. But what, now, should we expect from the future, Gian?"

"The future? What is the future if not the bottom of a dirty cup of coffee?"

"Thank you Gian for your precious intervention absolutely not influenced by the recent failure of your romantic relationship. I'll tell you what's next for Talamia! After taking part in the first, historic edition of the NSLeft Association Football Tournament, we are now heading to Farfadillis and Mriin. The teams that will participate are 197, all very fierce. To get to the final number of 32 we will have to go through qualifying matches. Are we the latest arrivals? Yes. Will we give up so easily?"

"Yes"

"No. The answer is NO, Gian. TSS, our Talamian governing body for all kind of sports, has confirmed Sanisla Pedalisismi as coach. The top goalscorer in the history of Alfa League is now ready to lead the team on his third consecutive international adventure, after ILFA and NAFT. Pedalisismi announced that the squad will involve the same protagonists of the last tournament. Stronger than ever, our team is preparing to overturn all types of predictions!"

"Yeah. Whatever"

by **Krytenia** » Wed May 13, 2020 8:33 am

Jerome Jaffacake-Phillips' Unveiling As Krytenia NT Manager

"Good afternoon everyone, it's a pleasure to be here. I'm delighted to announce that earlier this week, the Krytenian Football Association offered me the job of national team manager for the next three cycles and I have accepted. We're looking to work together for a common goal: namely, that by the end of World Cup Eighty-Seven, to bring the hallowed trophy to these shores. Yes, you heard me correctly; we are aiming to win at least one of the next three World Cups.

"This, of course, is no small undertaking, and it's involved an almost complete restructuring of the KFA itself. We have called this restructuring Project 87 - for obvious reasons. Project 87 is already making a difference in youth football - the KFA have secured in the last two days a number of sites for regional centres of excellence, for our young players to develop their skills in an enviroment more condusive to this than at present. This will work in tandem with a brand new National Elite Football Centre, which will be built near to the University of Walton. UW are also working with us in the fields of sport science and physiology.

"There will also be a new philosophy in the national team. With the sheer glut of offensive talent available, we may as well play to our strengths. We promise attacking football, relentless pressure on our opponents, and a mentality of playing to our full potential regardless of whether our opponents are Valanora or the Veiled Islands. To accompany this, we have also collated our previous tactics, and those of other nations, into a huge national database so we can analyse and decide our gameplans. We aim for enough information that, by the time our opponents take the field, we'll know them better than they do. To that end, we've recruited former Ousevale Borough manager Paul Smith as our chief tactician and assistant manager."

"Any questions from the gallery?"

Can you give us any details on the specifics of this attacking philosophy?

"A few. We'll be basing it around a pressing game, with a 4-1-5 initial formation. The idea is to stifle teams in their own third of the pitch. Of course, this isn't always possible, so we have a deal of flexibility around the formation, but that's the general idea."

Will you be taking tips from the family? We all remember World Cup 73...

"Haha, no. I've got previous in the international management game myself, you know, I think I'll manage without the hacks chipping in. No offence, of course..."

A few people will be worried about your Audioslavian heritage. What do you say to them?

"Well, I was expecting that to come up sooner or later, so I'll come clean. Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for the national anthem of Audioslavia."

- song plays -

"Next question?"

by **Xanneria** » Wed May 13, 2020 8:04 pm

A short intro on the "Baglegate" incident
By Steve Stevenson

With the next cycle of the World Cup immenet, there's always news to be shot out of a cannon and put into words. Though a brewing rivalry between Xanneria and former CE25 Co-host Newmanistan. It started with new Coach Myrone Rhule chirping about the Newmanistani press sensationalizing the FIlindostani riots. This lead to some choice words between press writer Brianne Henry and Myrone Rhule. After Newmanistan's win over the Maroons things seemed to subside even with Rhule calling said match a "fluke score". But now things have heated back up. Sean Stoddard, a Newmanistani midfielder for Austin City had tested positive for a banned substance last week. This made all sorts of press in Newmanistani with people condemning Stoddard for "Dampening the CE 26 victory", the nation had just obtained. Things took a turn for the weird when it was discovered the failed test was a direct result of a pre-game ritual Stoddard took part in. Stoddard had always ate two poppyseed bagels before each match at Austin City and three at every away match. This has drawn more ire at Xanneria from the Newmanistani press, as they accused the FAX of using FLOX to discredit the Newmanistan team, while it is scientifically proven poppyseed bagles can help you fail a drug test if consumed in large quantities as Stoddard had. This "Baglegate Scandal" as it has been come to be known is now the talk of the Xannerian and Newmanistani community of football fans. Although it is likely to be seen as bad timing by the Xannerian authorities, many people in Newmanistan want Stoddard out and are angrily writing/communicating with blogs about this gaffe. Even the boisterous coach Rhule showed up in a tye-dye shirt with a #7 on the back (Stoddards number at Austin City) and a hastily pasted on AC patch. Many in Newmanistan think this was in bad taste and have openly mocked the new coach. And for those who may not know Rhules is a 37 year old who coaches the Galax SC team when not working at the National Team. He's grown quite a following and now as the head coach of the Maroons he could do great things. This will be a key moment in the Maroons short but powerful history.

Rhules Rules

A PR shot of coach Rhule

Myrone Rhule has endeared himself to the Maroon faithful. A quick whit and a style last seen in the 90s has made Rhule a quick and flashy darling to the media, his snark and opinions have made him an evil bastard to those. He came up into power at the illustrious Univeristy of Hawthorne - Loy City campus program under the of legendary college footballing coach Chip Wooden. Though he only played a couple years in the pros with both Jasperton Alliance FC during their peak Betta tier days and later Palace City Crystal both as a substitute in most situations, it was clearly abundant he had a knowledge about the game beyond his skill level as an athlete. He became a graduate assitant at UHLC and moved up the ranks as a defenders coach before he got hired on by the Galaxy Sports Club for coaching defenders, just as he had in UHLC. Now he had made it, the Hawthorne life style suited him well, his charisma and his style straight out of the late 80s and early 90s fit well with the bright Vilitan colors and flamboyance of Galaxy. Now,as when he became Manager of Galaxy SC with the retirement of Thomas Goy, he became coach of the NT. So now at the most transitional time of early Xanneria football, this man is a our leader, taking the Maroons from an abstract collaboration of old ideas given a Maroon twist to a more international style, and also the gender integration of the team. Will Rhule rule Xannerian football? Time will tell.

by **Sarzonia** » Wed May 13, 2020 9:02 pm

This was a different feeling for Kevin Connelly.

His first three weeks back with the Sarzonian national football team following its second knockout round exit from AOCAF 60 were supposed to be uneventful. He was going to ease his way into training the team and possibly imprint his more defence-oriented system.

However, life had a funny way of intervening at the most inopportune time. He had to assemble the Stars at one of the practice fields in Corcorran, across the border from Sarzonia. It wasn't an ideal situation even though the Delaclavs were beyond gracious hosts and despite their Herculean efforts to make the accommodations as much like home as possible.

The Stars were already sleeping in hotel beds rather than their own. They were here because of the restrictions throughout Sarzonia related to the outbreak of the SARS 2 novel Coronavirus, a virus that an uncharacteristically glum President Grant Haffner was indicating was taking the lives of hundreds of Sarzonians.

The President is trying to project strength and calm, Connelly thought. His mental health sabbatical gave him insight into the difficult task of projecting strength in times of trouble. He was all too familiar with how difficult that task was because he lived it.

His thoughts turned to his former boss Bryan Ostrom. They still did, every day. He couldn't help wondering how different everything would be if Ostrom hadn't pulled the trigger and ended his own life. Or what things would be less different. He was sure the social distancing restrictions would have prevented the Stars from training. He would have to get creative. There was only so much the team could do through Zoom conversations and texting and training on their own.

That's why Connelly jumped at the chance to take the team to Corcorran. They could train. They could live something resembling a normal life without masks, and without stay-at-home orders. They couldn't escape the effects of the virus on the people they knew and cared about. For starters, several of the players knew Todd Meyers, the late assistant traveling secretary for the Stars baseball team. Midfielder Brady Reynolds lost an uncle. Defender Charlie King lost an ex-girlfriend.

They remained sombre reminders that there was more to life than football. But now, the Stars were getting ready to make the trip to Catherina for the Stars tune up against their friends in this "foreign" country that certainly didn't feel foreign.

They were all friends, certainly. They were used to hanging out before and after matches. They were extremely comfortable with their brethren. Even a period of upheaval within Delaclava did nothing to temper the enthusiasm or the regard the Stars had for the Phoenixes.

But now was the time to get down to business. The Stars lined up waiting for the Phoenix boot to strike the ball from the spot at the centre circle to get this friendly started, and with that, unofficially kick off the World Cup 85 cycle for both teams.

They would walk out of the venue as 2-1 victors thanks to Reynolds and Mek'hi West, but their victory felt like it was more than just a friendly. It was 90-plus minutes of sweet relief from the news of the day, including a row that caused hurt feelings among Baptism of Fire entrants and officials.

"Glad that has nothing to do with us," King said.

When the Stars had a chance to look back at the World Cup and AOCAF cycles gone by, clearly the dominant storyline centred on the team's continued grief over Ostrom's suicide. The first half struggles befitting a team that hadn't seen the world stage in years, regardless of whether it's over a century's worth, over a quarter century, or even a decade in Sarzonian measure. The second half surge that saw the Stars pull off one of the biggest upsets of the qualifying campaign.

The Cup of Harmony run that included another couple of upsets. The rivalries, both football and political. The dismissal of starting goaltender Mateo Sandoval for lying about his age.

The AOCAF that saw Sarzonia stunningly win its group ahead of a great regional power in Vilita and Turori. The second round exit by the method that still wreaked havoc on Krytenian psyches.

There was certainly much to unpack for the team, and Connelly was banking on using the time in a "foreign" country that certainly didn't feel like one to do just that.

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Wed May 13, 2020 9:26 pm

Kalactanian National Team Friendly Matchups Roundup

In a disappointing round of friendlies the Kalactanian national Team went 1–3 against teams that they thought that they would play to close games.

Northwest Kalactin 2–3 Delaclava
Against their new rivals Delaclava the Kalactanian national team got beat 3–2 in a ding dong match. It started out with the Delaclavan National team on attack for the start of the game. Ryan Keating made a long pass to Deshaun Howard, who sent the back flying into the top corner with 9 minutes on the clock. Jimmy McCarthy almost got the Kalactanians on the board 18 minutes into the game but the shot was deflected wide by George Ross. Luke Dillan, was determined to put the Kalactanians on the board so he started looking for holes in the Delaclavan defense and when he found one he went flying through and grabbed a pass from Frank Owens to score the goal. As it was tied 1–1 it was quiet for a bit until the Kalactanian team came down off of a counterattack in the 42nd minute, McCarthy, using his blazing speed, received a pass from Flemister and sent it flying past George Ross to score a goal. At halftime, with the Kalactanians up 2–1 the Delaclavan National Team started to slowly overtake the kalactanians on a attack, Hue Grebv panicked and played a bad clearance that went to Dathan Ingram who took the ball and played it to Meyer. Jakerein rushed out to challenge Meyer but Meyer chipped one over his head to score the second goal for the Delaclavans. The rest of the game was very quiet until the 86th minute, in the 86th the young Matt Hall made a mistake of slide tackling Ryan Keating in the box which drew a yellow card from the ref. It was also a penalty kick and Keating started up his run and sent a beautiful ball into the left corner which won the game for the Delaclavans.

HUElavia 3–0 Northwest Kalactin
Against HUElavia the Kalactanian National Team got beat by 3 in a disappointing game that they thought they could win. Of course the 22nd ranks HUElavians handed it to the Kalactanian National Team. Jose Antonio Lobato started the game out by rushing out on the Kalactanians team strikers which forced them to panic and do bad shots. Jimmy McCarthy, the Project Olimpo product had lots of trouble when Lobato would rush out at him. The first goal came in the 23rd minute when Samuel Sissiko took a long shot, Jakerein rushed out on the ball but when he had realized he had came out it was to far it was too late. The ball went into the net and the Huelavians went up by 1. In the 40th minute the second goal came when Joao FREITAS sent a through pass to Marc NAVARRO did a volley into the net over Jakerein. At halftime Wendell Jakerein was subbed out for Mark Romero who is a younger and more maneuverable player. Romero had much less trouble handling the Huelavian strikers who where faster than the older Jakerein. Sissiko almost had a goal for the Huelavian team but he hit the post and Romero jumped out and got it. Romero however, did allow many rebounds which the Huelavians capitalized on. Aurora CONTI found that chance and he took the rebound and netted it into the goal. When the Kalactanians where down 3–0 Jimmy McCarthy tried to stage a comeback. It did not work as the Kalactanians started to give up some chances on defense. Romero was quick to get to any chances that the HUElavians tried to get on them but at full time the score was 3–0.

Cassadaigua 7–2 Northwest Kalactin
In this match Cassadaigua sent the Kalactanians home in a blowout. The game started out horribly for the Kalactanians as the Cassadaiguan national team dominated possession. The first goal for the Cassadaiguans came in the 6th minute as they had a counterattack off of the first Kalactanian possession. Rachel Schanke made a quick pass over to Madison McClain who made a small chip over Jakerein to score the first goal. The second goal came in the 11th minute where Schanke was on a 1-1 with Hue Grebv. Grebv, who was less athletic than Schanke rushed the defense and got beaten. Schanke sent one flying into the top corner over Jakereins shoulder. In the 20th minute Sierra Swift sent a long clear from the Cassadaguans side of the field over to the Kalactanians end. Schanke got her second goal of the game when she grabbed the ball just outside the box. Schanke chipped another over the non-athletic Jakerein to get another goal on the Kalactanians. Ashley Dahlin Got the fourth goal for the Cassadaigua national team when she took a free kick from about 25 yards and it bounced past the back of Jakerein who was later subbed out for Romero again. The Kalactanians finally got their first goal of the game when Frank Owens was tripped in the box and got a penalty kick. Owens got an easy goal on the inexperienced Tiffany Nelson who didn’t work well against penalty kicks. The fifth goal came when the substitute, Taylor Russo scores a beautiful goal against Romero. The sixth goal came when Zack Pierce made a shot over Romero for the goal. Shelby Martin got the final goal of the game for Cassadaigua on a free kick from just outside the box. The last goal came on a amazing long shot by Walter Johnson when he shot it from almost mid-field. Final score 7-2

by **Eraman** » Thu May 14, 2020 3:56 am

Domestic football competitions were halted. All sporting activities were stopped as protesters in condemnation of Eramanian annexation of Mitra and Soma infested the nations. For the first time in its history, the monarchy institution is in threat.

The national team missed out on the Cup of Harmony and Melayu Archipelago Cup for the first time since its formation due to the crisis. But as soon as things get better in Daulapura, the royal capital of Eraman, the ball starts rolling again.

The inception of CMFA Nations League, a new initiative by the Melayu Archipelago football governing body, paved the way for Eraman to get stuck in again.

Despite missing 2 big tournaments, Eraman still manage to be ranked among the best 8 nations in Melayu Archipelago to put them in League A. Eraman were drawn in Group B alongside Pemecutan, Reksonegoro and Labuan & Cempaka.

The first match for the national team after over a year was at home against Reksonegoro. The 45,000-seater Daulapura Stadium, the biggest stadium in the country was packed. The fans were in the mood for some football. But unfortunately, the players were not.

Eraman lost 2-0. The players were clearly not up for it. Eraman then finished the international break with another defeat away at Pemecutan before stealing a point at Samudera Darussalam to finish bottom of Group B with only a point.

With relegation to League B a huge possibility, the national team coach finally recalled senior team players that were banned to play for the national team by the president of Eraman Football Association for the second half of the group stage.

Wearing the captain armband for the first time in 5 years, Putra Daulapura Suara Petara led the national team to win all 3 matches in the second half of the group stage. The 10 points garnered by Eraman was enough to put them in second place, thus qualified for a semi-final spot.

The opponent in the semi final was Ziwana, the westernmost nation in Melayu Archipelago. Ziwana was in the form of their life as they beat Eraman 4-2 on aggregate and went on to win the inaugural edition of CMFA Nations League. Eraman, on the other hand, went on to beat Pemecutan in a match decided on penalty shootout to finish third.

With situations in major cities around Eraman getting under control, Eraman Football Association announced that football will be back to normal. The domestic season will resume. And the national team will compete for a place in the World Cup again.

by **HUElavia** » Thu May 14, 2020 5:59 am

HUElavia begins their aspirations for another World Cup appearance!

HUElavia once again is beginning to feel the fever and passion for the World Cup Qualifiers, this time participating in their 12th consecutive WC Qualifiers appearance. This time around, Los Amarillos have big expectations on them after their surprise run in the WC 84 Qualifiers that had them sweep the Pot 2 team of Group 3, as well as getting a win out of the Pot 3 team and getting an away draw against the Pot 1 team. This run had them finish in 2nd Place in Group 3, and they were the 2nd worst ranked team to qualify for WC 84. In their maiden voyage in the World Cup, HUElavia was placed in Group C with Banija, Farfadillis, and Zwangzug in what was dubbed as "The Group of Life." HUElavia gave their opponents a run for their money, getting wins over Zwangzug and eventual champions Farfadillis, but taking a loss to Banija, in what would see Los Amarillos finish in 3rd Place over goal difference in a 3-way tie with Farfadillis and Banija with 6 points each. This result had HUElavia finish 17th Place out of the 32 teams.

Now, the country is starting to look into buying tickets to the matches, where it is expected to see 85% of tickets being sold to the HUElavian public, while 15% will go to away fans. It is guaranteed that HUElavia will be either a Pot 1 or 2 team in the draw. Once the draw is done, a select amount of stadiums across the country will be chosen to host qualifying matches. The multiverse is now familiar with the cities and stadiums after HUElavia hosted IAC 9, which had them finish as runners-up. It is guaranteed that HUElavia will play at least one match in the capital city of Curumba for these qualifiers.

Regardless, 14 of the 23 players from the last World Cup cycle have returned, along with the fact that many new faces have joined, including 6 new female players to represent the National Team. Players to watch include Lobato, Hierro, Rossi, Cristiano, Hamada and Navarro. HUElavian fans and the team feel confident that this squad can put up good numbers and qualify to their second ever and second consecutive World Cup Finals in this cycle.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Sharktail** » Thu May 14, 2020 8:23 am

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER 85

Once again,the most prestigious Football competition have been back.World cup,the trophy dreaming by all player and nation in nation state to win it.All the player have a goal to represent their country.Work hard in domestic stage,fight to fill the 23 space in national team,the choosen have carried all the dream,hope,strenght and support from all the unselected players and all the fans.

This year,World Cup come with 85th edition in Farfadilis and Mirin.Nearly 200 team confirming their entry for World Cup.All of them have to played in qualifier to qualify for the world cup Final.Limited spot to the world cup final,all the team know they have to worked really hard to take the spot.

World Cup Qualifier 81,this is the first tourney Sharktail joining.With unknown reputation and fame,this team doesnt get any attention at all.The mediorce team who losing in Round of 32 in Bapstim of Fire 68.23 player named to represent this country.Captained by Gaby,Kota Lama FC striker.This team placed same group with equestrian state,Garifunya,Salstead,Northwest Kalactin,Lochario,East Belzaria,Sorrentopia,Penguinland and South Batoko.With the top ranked team in the same group,all prediction said that Sharktail will failed to qualify for world cup final.Luis Philip squad really lucky to grab 4 win and 5 lose while losing 9 time.The first time joining,none of them think they can make it in one go,so they have to improve in the future.

This time come again,Sharktail once again will facing the challenger.The main goal ofcourse want to qualify to World Cup Final,but the goal set up by SFA just to place better and get more good result than the 81 edition.The first batch who played in WCQ 81 surely happy to fell it once again,but with more talented youngster,they facing a challenge for the spot.All the decision will be made by Shaktail NT new manager Sahami.The performance in CMFA MA 4 and CMFA Nation Cup will be the measure for Sahami to chose the last 23 player.

Sahami in dilemma to choosing the no 1 for Sharktail NT.In the last roater for CMFA Nation Cup and MA 4,three goalkeper have been called up.The regular National team goalkeper Ahmad,U21 goalkeper Maxter and experienced goalkeper David.For the first sight,the favourite for this spot surely Maxter and Ahmad.David may be dropped from the team and the other goalkepeer will be choosen as the reserve gk.David may be good,but with his age and lack of higher stage match,he have a huge disadvantage.

Ahmad,the second choice goalkeper in WCQ 81,surely favourite for the No 1.His excellent performance helping Kota Lama winning National Cup last season make Sahami called him up to the National team.But his performance down in CMFA MA 4 and friendly match.He not in his good form.He just in his 27 year old,but his performance may drag him to retired early in international stage.This situation gave Maxter chance after being chosen by Sahami to starting all the six match in CMFA Nation Cup.He surely excited if he choosen as a starter.He have improved so much .He still young and have a lot of time to shine.

Sahami have give a hint he may change roster starter based on this team performance in international stage.He may go choosing a youngster but sometime the experienced player still needed.The final roster still not decided by Sahami so all the player still waiting until the roster list announced.

by **North Quadana** » Thu May 14, 2020 9:55 am

"I'll have the fillet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes. What ar you guys getting?" Alice took another glance at the menu. It was simplistic. Rows of dishes listed on a slightly yellowish paper, but this was the best restaurant in Hengvoorde, although it didn't look like so from the outside. "Stock House" it read at the top of the menu. The stock market used to be in this same building about 200 years ago, which explained the old architecture. It was in dire need of a reconstruction.

"I'll have the shrimp salad and a glass of Valpolicella Ripasso." she said and put the menu back on the table. "Alright. I'll bring out the wine soon." the waiter said and left. "Well Ashkif, when are you leaving?" she asked her son. "In two days. We don't know who were playing though. The draw's taking place sometime soon."

"Wagedaal sure is a beautiful city. Did you know your great uncle Hazim lived in Wagedaal? Yeah. Left home at 16. Said he's gonna be a drummer. That was back in those times when the jazz scene was bustling in the city. He worked at this bar for a while. Umm... crap, I can't remember the name."

"The Sockeye. You've told me this story like a million times"

"Don't interrupt your mother. Where was I? Oh right, The Sockeye. He worked there as a bartender and played drums at live shows in the pub. Those shows were pretty good. They became kind of a big deal in the underground jazz scene. There were these guys he usually played with, Mohamed and Jens. Mohamed was a good saxophonist, also left home at a young age, while Jens was a pianist, and well... a Faberian. That was pretty odd in those times. They used to have these segregated music bands with a band full of Teruvians and a band full of Faberians. That was how things worked back in those day. So, one night they had a gig at the pub. They finished playing and went back to working. They all worked in the pub. So, there were a couple of drunk Faberians, and one of them got into an argument with Mohamed, which escalated into a fight. Long story short, Hazim was stabbed 8 times in the stomach. He was just 27 years old."

"Well it's not like that anymore." Ashkif said. "Thank god it's not like that anymore here in the north, but you'd be surprised how big of a problem it is down south. I don't think that we'll live in peace anytime soon."

The waiter approached their table, with a bottle of wine in his hand. Valpolicella Ripasso, straight from the vineyards of Urkhoven. Top notch stuff. "Here's your wine." he said and poured it in to a glass. It was one of those wine glasses without a stem, although why the stem isn't there is still a mystery.

"Thank you." Alice and her son replied in unison and took a sip. "Auntie's homemade is better." Ashkif said to his mother. "Definitely." she replied with a chuckle and took another sip.

by **Donnacona** » Thu May 14, 2020 6:48 pm

Welcome to Le trio d'attaque, Donnacona's favourite football talk show with Jérémy Pims, Jean-Baptiste Whippet and Alain Petit-Beurre.

Jérémy Pims: Hello everyone, I hope you are joining us with wine or beer or coffee or friends or enemies or any combination thereof.

Jean-Baptiste Whippet raises a glass of red wine.

JP: Hello my friends, I have with me as always the other two members of the trio, Jean-Baptiste Whippet...

Jean-Baptiste Whippet: Hello my friend!

JP: ...and Alain Petit-Beurre.

Alain Petit-Beurre: Hello Jérémy, how are you?

JP: I am well, thank you! Let us begin by discussing the squad Alexandre Faille has brought to camp for the first World Cup Qualifiers for Donnacona. It has been quite a while since we've been on the world stage. There are a couple of notable absences in the squad, first off Julian Asselin, who is off to a tremendous start in Ligue A this season for Saint-Laurent. Should Alexandre have brought him?

J-BW: Perhaps! There's only so much time, we're not sure who we'll be playing yet. He is still very young, him and Luciano Simon, who has been perhaps among the best players in the league this year- they will be here when we might be seriously capable of qualifying.

JP: Is now not the time then?

J-BW: No.

AP-B: I agree, bring the veterans for these- I do not know that I subscribe to the defeatist attitude that we cannot qualify this year. We've qualified before, even if it was decades ago, and there are nations in situations similar to ours who have qualified.

J-BW: I think you are too optimistic!

AP-B: Optimism is the sweetest part of the apple.

J-BW: Fair, but qualification is just so unlikely- we do not have players of the same quality as Farfadillis, as Banija, as Nephara.

AP-B: Qualification is different from winning!

J-BW: We don't have players of the same quality as Cosumar or Kelssek or Savojarna either.

AP-B: So it goes.

JP: We have very quickly moved to a topic that I had written down- does it matter if we qualify? What is the point of football, anyway? Is it merely about scoring more goals than the other team? Is winning essential?

J-BW: No, definitely not.

AP-B: It's not?!

J-BW: To me, the point of football is to be present on the multiverse stage. Sport is a way to bring people together, to learn of other cultures. Football is the biggest sport in much of the multiverse, and whilst it's a shame not everyone is cultured enough to prioritise hockey, it's nice to have a low stakes park romp like football around now and again. It's nice to make the World Cup, but it's also nice just to watch a low stakes sport now and again.

AP-B: Low stakes? Is winning inessential in all sports?

J-BW: No, winning in hockey is the most important thing in the multiverse.

AP-B: I suppose, I would argue that football is similarly critical. There are a lot of less fashionable nations whose identity is tied up in football, and they all have merit.

JP: Less fashionable nations? Care to name any?

AP-B: I would prefer to not incite an international incident!

JP: Moving on slightly, who are we hoping to be put into a group with, knowing roughly how the pots are layered?

AP-B: Layered like a mille-feuille, we are the base layer, with so much cream above us, I do think we will have an opportunity to force some of that cream to spoil. I'd love to be able to see a Gyatso-kai, a Siovanija & Teusland, an Astograth, perhaps a Lisander or a Savojarna, some of the nations we know well.

JP: What are your greatest fears for the national team, as far as groups go?

AP-B: My greatest fears have nothing to do with the national team, although they may still involve MR TAYTO.

JP: Let us not speak of MR TAYTO...

J-BW: Indeed, we needn't summon a depressed Ti-Pomme, nor do I wish to return to a nation so obsessed with chips.

JP: What do your greatest fears entail?

AP-B: My son being ashamed of me, or being alone forever- to never feel the warmth of those whom I love. To never be able to sit on the banks of the river, drinking wine, to have that taken from me. Those are my fears.

JP: Are you not afraid of When U Die?

J-BW: Ayoye.

JP: Let's go to a commercial...after the break we will talk with Botley FC's Maxandre Cousineau about last weekend's derby victory over Stratford.

by **North Quadana** » Fri May 15, 2020 7:53 am

Ashkif took another bite out of his hotdog. He had bought the flowers in the Botanicum*. 12 beautiful white roses, sitting in the passenger seat beside him. "In 200 metres turn left." the monotonous voice of the GPS said. Ashkif took a turn left, and entered a wooded area. The shade of the pine trees attracted a lot of mosquitoes, as one tiny bug flew in the car through the gap left in the window. "Houten Heuvel Cemetery." he thought to himself. It has been 6 years since his father had died, but that day was still ingrained in Ashkif's memory. It was a sunny morning, but it was starting to get cloudy. It was a regular traffic stop. His father was a patrol officer with a lot of experience under his belt. It was just supposed to be a ticket for speeding. His father didn't know that the driver had a his fingers wrapped around a revolver and 2 kilos of illegal drugs in the trunk. He was doomed from the start. 5 times. His father was shot 5 times in the chest and head. He was instantly dead. The driver took off, but they found him. He had some sort of disorder, now he's spending 25 years in a mental institution. But Ashkif would rather see him meet the same fate as his father.

He went through the gates of the cemetery. This was a remote neighbourhood, Ashkif had plans of moving here after his career ends, having become the world champion with North Quadana and being one of the best goalkeepers in the multiverse. Reality was much different though. He had finally reached it. "Leonard Zeldam" it read on the gravestone. He put the flowers down on his grave, picked up the rake left by the bench, and started to clean the place up. After all, you've got to look after your parents, dead or alive.

He was only 17 when Leonard died. He remembers sitting in History class, when his mom appeared in the doorway of the class, her mascara all smudged from crying. He knew something had happened. He didn't go to school for 2 weeks. He barely ate and drank. His father's death certainly hit him hard, and for a while, he even though about quitting football. After all, his father was the one who introduced him to the beautiful game. Thankfully, his mom talked him out of it, or else he wouldn't be here, driving to Wagedaal to the National Team training camp. The stress and the pressure of football and the loss of his father put Ashkif in a dark place. He got together with some shady people and it took him a while to get out of the underground life of drugs and crime. His mom, of course, doesn't know about this time and most certainly never will. "Some things are better kept to yourself." Ashkif thought to himself.

He felt a drop of rain hit his forehead. He looked up and saw big, grey clouds moving towards the cemetery at great speed. "Better get going." he said quietly to himself and headed for the car.

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Fri May 15, 2020 9:43 am

Top 8 Greatest WC Dynasties Ever

1. Valanora 38-45
Okay yeah, anyone can say they are the greatest team ever after 3 titles in 4 years, but this Valanora team could very well be that. Not only did they win those titles and completely dominate while doing it, they secured a top 3 spot in every cup from 38-45, a feat that we could very well never see accomplished again. They beat Zwangzug, Demot and Bazalonia in their 3 titles and those wins where by the score lines of 5–1, 3–1 and 4–2 which showed their complete dominance while doing it. Another show of force they had during this time was whenever they played in the third place game they won. This included a 10–9 penalty kicks win against Casari that may be one of the most exciting in the history of the tournament.

2. Aguazul 54–59
Another team that is right up there with Valanora in terms of dominance during their era is Aguazul. They are the only team to have completed a three-peat. The final 2 World Cup Final matches that they played in both went to penalties. They only won by 1 in each title game but winning 3 in a row is still an amazing feat. They also had a title win in the 54th World Cup against Bears Armed. The only reason this team is not number one on this list is because they had their titles interrupted by Sorthern Northland and also didn’t totally dominate their opponents like Valanora did.

3. Bedistan 20–30
Not only did Bedistan win 4 titles in 8 tourneys but they also showed consistency while doing it which is a good thing to have. Their first title win came in penalties against Total n Utter Insanity. After that they had 2 third place game appearances where they won 1 of them but then lost against the Sarzonia stars who got their first title the year before. After that they had 2 title wins in a row, both coming against the Liventian National Team. A 7–6 loss in penalties against Starblaydia was disappointing for the team but they where back at it again in World Cup 29 with a title win against Starblaydia. Overall, it was a great team but many of their titles where spread out over a long period.

4. Vilita 81–??
The Vilitan dynasty is the newest dynasty on this list and it is still going on. The got their first title in the 81st World Cup against South Covello. Their second title was in the 82nd World Cup when they beat their Atlantian Oceana region mates Turori. In the 83rd World Cup they made a surprise exit in the Quarter Finals against the hosts of that title Banija. They made a return to the podium in the 84th World Cup as they got a third place finish in the 84th World Cup. They have been the 1st place in the rankings since they won their first title in the 81st World Cup.

5. Northern Sunrise Islands 75–77
The Northern Sunrise Islands is one of the best teams of their era. They quickly arose to the best team in the world as they won the 75th World Cup. They had another undefeated run when they won the 76th World Cup as they beat the Audioslavian National Team. They went undefeated in the 77th World Cup until they lost to the Royal Kingdom of Quebec in a huge upset in the round of 16. They didn’t enter into the 78th World Cup but came back as Kita Hinode for the 79th World Cup. There are so many what ifs with the NSI teams. What if they had not lost to Quebec? What if they had entered to the 78th World Cup? After all the 78th World Cup set off a ranking free fall for the team that sent them down to the 30s at their low. The NSI team didn’t lose a game from the 75th World Cup until the Ro16 game against Quebec.

6. Ariddia 32–36
Over the span of 5 World Cups, Ariddia made the finals 4 times. Along with this dominant run they also had 3 titles to go along with it. Their first title came in World Cup 32 when they went on to beat Jerusalem in the finals by a score of 2–1. The next tournament they didn’t finish in the top 4 a surprise for a team that had just won. After that they got back at it again winning the 34th World Cup in a game against Milchama which they won 4–1. Then they lost to Bettia in the finals who was also the team that had interrupted their title run the tournament before. In their final title win they beat Errinundera in a game that went to AET. The final score finished as 4–2.

7. Osarius 70-71
Now we start to get to the teams that won 2 titles in a row after all, there are a dozen of them. Their first title run came in the 70th World Cup in San Jose Guayabal and Equestria. They came out of a challenging qualifying group with Super Llamaland and Cosumar to earn a spot in the cup. They made it through their group with a 2–1–0 record to take the group and earn a spot in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals they beat Pasarga in penalties to get to the semifinals. Then they beat world #1 polarislandstates to get into the finals. In the finals they beat Felix by 1 to secure their first title. In the next cup they qualified by 1 point to put them in the group stage. Again, they qualified out of a group with the NSI in it. Their next game was against one of the best historic teams, The Holy Empire. After winning that game they went on to steamroll Nephara to get into the semis. In the finals they played Pasarga and they where looking for revenge however, that would not come as osarius went on to win their second finals in a row.

8. Cassadaigua 50–51
The final dynasty on this list was a tough one to choose but this team is deserving of that spot. The Cassadaigua team went on to win 2 straight titles in World Cup 50-51 to cement themselves as one of the best teams ever. They finished 2-0-1 in the group stage and was drawn against the best team of the last 10 tournaments. Valanora. Valanora played the, tough but Cassadaigua won 3-2 in AET. They then beat Ad'ihan to go to the finals against Jeru FC a new team to the big stage. They handled Jerusalem FC with ease beating them 3–0 in a game where Cassadaigua dominated. The second title came the year after when they went to Paripana. They put on a great qualifying run where they went 17–0–1. After that they walked over group C to get a Round of 16 spot. Their first big challenge came against Candelaria And Marquez but they edged them out to get a semifinal spot. The finals was to be played against Valanora. They beat Valanora by 1 goal to win their second title.

by **Talamia** » Sat May 16, 2020 1:39 am

"Good evening, folks. I am Basirene Scoptico and I am here on Pro Diorux to tell you one of my stories.

Today we inaugurate our cycle of insights on the true protagonists of the Talamian National Football Team. Who are our heroes? Where do they come from? What glorious future are they destined for?

Relax. Recollect. Remove any other thoughts from you. Let the world around you fade into indistinct. The door is best closed, there is always the television on in the other room. Let yourself be carried away by my warm voice as I tell you about:

Ansem Egemon
June 10, 1983. The son of Epituxe and Makaria Egemon is born in the small town of Lochago, near Clinepalas. He is given the name Ansem, exactly like his grandfather, who was a respected carpenter. Ansem is a lively child, he grows up very quickly and immediately proves to have great sports skills. He soon falls in love with football, despite having tried to practice many other sports previously, excelling in each of them. Watching the games of his favorite team, Ptoco, on television is his favorite hobby.

It is 1992 and Egemon, who until then had played among the boys of the semi-amateur club of his hometown, is noticed by the scouts of his beloved team: Ptoco. At just nine years of age, he is ready to make the first important decision of his life: move to Clinepalas. Thus began his closest and most indissoluble bond, the one with the white color of the shirt of the historic Clinepalas team.

After the die in the youth sector and after seeing his team win the Alfa League for almost six years in a row, Egemon made his league debut in 1999, when Ptoco's winning streak seemed to have stopped. He was only 16. Column of his team and of modern Talamian football, he became Ptoco's captain at the age of 27 and he is now the National team's captain too. Egemon holds the record for most appearances for the Talamian team with 126 caps since his debut in 2003, scoring nine goals as of today. He also holds the record for most caps as captain, with 67.

Ball-winning midfielder, he is characterized by his competitive energy, personality, charisma, physical strength and athletic endurance, so much so that he has acquired undisputed leadership not only inside the locker room but also among the fans. He can play both the role of box to box and anchor midfielder and is very skilled in fighting opponents and recovering the ball.

Thus ends our first story. Stay tuned, don’t go away and many more you will have. Once upon a time...

Basirene Scoptico, to tell you goodnight."

by **Vdara** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:16 pm

Here we go again!

For the first time since the last Cup of Harmony, the Vdaran squad was reunited, albeit with a few big changes. Veteran centreback Panikos Zervopoulos retired due to injuring his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Fanis Mustidis retired due to personal reasons, and two new kids on the block called Apollon Kairakos and Nestoras Galanatos had arrived on the scene following impressive performances at the Sporting World Cup and with Al Haxire and Marionville respectively.

Another new change was the introduction of a new manager, Lükækš Væñøœrëñbérghüïś. Væñøœrëñbérghüïś was a retired striker who had over 150 appearances with Paphos in the Vdaran Alpha League, scoring almost as many goals. His management career had gone decently well, slowly climbing the ranks of managerial reputation with clubs in the Gamma, Delta and Beta divisions respectively, before leading a successful promotion campaign with midtable Beta Division side Pergamos. Since then, his reputation as a manager has only grown higher and higher, culminating recently with his appointment as manager of the Vdaran National Football Team, following the sacking of Iosif Sideropoulos following disappointing campaigns at WC84 and the Cup of Harmony.
Other than that, everything was the same. Everybody was just a year older. Not even the kit had changed, to the delight (and dismay) of many fans.

VdarArena Training Center, Chania

The players slowly began to arrive in the training center car park, with veterans Mathaios Pardakis and Alexis Fotellis being the first to arrive.

“I take it you’re excited to be back, Alex?”

“Huh, what? Oh yeah... uh, definitely!”

“That’s great to hear! See, I think we can do a lot better than last time. We’re a great team, and we only get better with experience, no?”

“Mathaios, you’re 39. Don’t you think you have plenty experience?”

“Not internationally I don’t! I plan to play for as long as my body allows me, and as far as I’m concerned I still feel like I’m in my late 20s.”

“I mean, I definitely feel 36, and I’m sure my body does too.”

“You know, you should maybe take up yoga or something. I started it back when I was in my early 30s, and I’ve only been getting younger, in mind and spirit!”

“Huh. I’ll have to look into that.”

(Note: Fotellis will definitely not look into doing yoga.)

The next players to arrive were Apollon Kairakos and Nestoras Galanatos, who happened to be carpooling with Markos Moustakakos due to both of them only being 18, and not knowing how to drive. The trio seemed to be in a joyful mood stepping out of Markos’ Jeep, with Markos midway through an interesting story.

“...long story short, the gaffer was absolutely fuming at me, and they had to put Metrakis in goals for the next game!”

Galanatos was too busy laughing to come up with anything to respond to the story, so Kairakos piped up with:
“Jesus Markos, you smoked THAT much? I’m honestly not surprised you fell asleep right there and then.”

“Yeah, the worst part is that I drove here on that day, but apparently I drive even better when I’m baked.”

“If you’re baked with me or Nestoras any time soon, we’ll call you a cab. Wouldn’t want you driving on drugs more than once, you know?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know it’s bad. I’ll try not to do it as often.”

“That’s good of you- Wait, you’ve done it more than once?”

“Erm, forget about it. How’s your girlfriend?”

With that, an awkward silence between Kairakos and Moustakakos ensued, with Galanatos still giggling at Markos’ story.

Slowly and surely, more players began filtering into the training center, with the new manager being the last to arrive. He was supposed to be there before anyone else, but his timekeeping is abysmal. With everyone waiting for the new manager in the dressing room, he would have to make a good impact on the team. He would have to say something inspirational, something brilliant, something commanding. However, this would be hard for him to do, since he was wearing a t-shirt that was multiple sizes too big for him and a backwards baseball cap.

“Alright, lads! Let’s get to grips, shall we? Oh, if you didn’t know by now, I’m your new manager. Call me Lükækš, I’m not into being called ‘sir’ or ‘gaffer’ or anything like that.”

A few people in the dressing room looked at each other in total confusion. Some were in shock. However, most chose to listen to the new guy, since Lükækš has a track record for being down to earth and very good at commanding respect, skills that the last manager just didn’t have.

Put simply, this was the man they needed to have as manager. And now they had him.

by **The Jovannic** » Sun May 17, 2020 3:55 am

INTERVIEW WITH.....Gothal Mathee (Coach for the Jovannic National Football Team)
Good Morning and welcome to INTERVIEW WITH...... Today we have National Football Team Coach Gothal Mathee!

Could you explain to the viewers why in both international Friendlies your team has lost?

Well those were our first two friendlies so its kinda expected. I used mostly reserves so that's ought to say something. Well the defense in the First Game against Sharktail was kinda leaky, letting in 3 goals and all that, but we are gonna work on it and make sure its leak proof by the world cup.

Ok... What are your thoughts on future games?

We've asked Talamia for a return match at home so that will be fun. We are also planning other friendlies to test the team.

What are your opinions on the team's performance?

Our team has been quite good in the attack so far. The defence has been shaky, but like I said we will work on it.

Anyone special you want to point out?

Ianu is doing good and so is most of the forward team. Joshua Li's Form is kinda Shaky, although he has made several good saves. Miri Belli is down with Illness, but will be able to play the next friendly.

Thank you for your short but informative interview!

You're Welcome.

by **Kelssek** » Sun May 17, 2020 8:31 am

THE FOOTBALL ZINE ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE READING
ON THE BASIS OF SPORTING MERIT SINCE 2006

The Zwangzug supremacy
Kelssek football memories: Baptism of Fire 20

It’s hard for Kids These Days™ to believe, but there was a time that football was even less popular in Kelssek than it is now. You think it’s hard convincing your friends to come to a KFL match, but back when Kelssek first entered international competitions, some people were downright hostile to this effete foreign sport, suitable only for bourgeoisie cosmopolitan wannabes. Well, some might say times have not really changed. But Kelssek’s entrance into the football world at Baptism of Fire 20 had been greatly anticipated by some, but viewed with great suspicion by others. Hockey not good enough for you liberal elites?

Fans were also unduly optimistic about Kelssek’s chances, wantonly disregarding how improbable the win against Starblaydia at the Kaza Olympics was. The squad was made up of names that would certainly become well-known later on, like Ian Sinclair, Dennis Hartraft, Vincent Arsenault, Henri Cournoyer, and a pimply teenager named François Saint-Louis. The Baptism of Fire, however, puts everyone on a pretty-equal footing as only new entrants to World Cup Committee tournaments are permitted. Off they went to Quakmybush, fully expecting to finally end up playing the final in Bazalonia.

Things started very well. Kelssek won 3-0 against Cesibia and buttered Random Toast 4-0, but then you’d expect that. Were they for real? Etres Vrais threatened to find them out for about 20 minutes, then Tony Archer opened the floodgates and Kelssek ended up winning 6-0. Incongruously, manager Mathieu de Jenken lost his cool at Kelssek’s first setback, a complacent 1-1 draw against Cesibia, and began ranting at the fourth official. Spectators from Estresse Intenso, a mental health facility that was also entering international football at this tournament, watched him thoughtfully. Assistant coach Rory Gregson took the fall and was served a touchline ban when it couldn’t be proven who exactly from the Kelssek bench had yelled at the referee he was going to take a giant shit on his head.

Kelssek wrapped up the six-match group stage unbeaten, with only that one draw as the blip on a perfect record. It’s fair to say confidence and arrogance were on the table, and the next test would be Zwangzug. This was greeted with relief that it wasn’t going to be against a real contender like Quintessence of Dust or Northern Bettia. Kelssek walked out at Jinkton City Field to face the bottom team of group A. They got pasted 3-0.

So hysterical was the reaction, no doubt amplified by what was then a small echo chamber of football fans who imagined the sneering put-downs of hockey and rugby fans – who in reality took practically no notice of the horrific tragedy that had unfolded. Goalkeeper Lawrence Feeley had a sub-standard performance in the round of 16 match, and that was enough for fans to barrage him with accusations of match-fixing. Indeed, the football fanbase’s meltdown was a complete embarrassment, especially for a sport so insecure about its popularity.

It’s a real pity, because it all overshadowed and probably put people off the qualifiers for World Cup 33. Kelssek’s national team had some legendary moments that would’ve helped football get wide traction a lot sooner than it eventually did, if the reaction to getting knocked out by Zwangzug hadn’t been so ridiculous and self-parodic. It let the mainstream sports fan continue to think of football as something more for laughing at than taking seriously.

by **Hapilopper** » Sun May 17, 2020 11:13 am

(OOC Note: Click on the links for more IC information about these incidents mentioned.)
The HNFT Team Center, Hapilopper City
A bit of time before the group draw
It was that time of year again. The Hapilopper National Football Team had gotten together once again to prepare for another World Cup, their third campaign to qualify for the biggest sporting event in the multiverse. Millions of Hapiloppians, and billions, possibly trillions, of people and other sentient beings across the multiverse would watch their national team, and their favorite footballers, go for glory.

At the HNFT Team Center, a group of around two dozen players and coaches were in the middle of a large meeting. The meeting featured less of substance and more of a wishlist – who did the team and the players hope to be grouped with during qualifying? A wide variety of names were thrown about by the players and coaches. These were nations of all shapes, sizes and skill levels – from the obvious choice of Wreckeria, to Vilita, and others such as Vdara, the Sherpa Empire and Xanneria.

WRECKERIA: “Man, could you imagine the attention that would come from a Hapilopper/Wreckeria match?” suggested HFA head Max Greenwell. “I mean, I could imagine all of Atlantian Oceania would tune into our match.”

That suggestion was met with some concern from other members of the HFA and some players. They remembered what had happened in Wreckeria, and worried if such a match would bring about some sort of issue – if a potential incident between the two teams could lead the two nations down the path of war, similar to a war that very nearly broke out following the HapEx bombing in 1980.

“Essentially speaking, we’d have to be on our best behavior,” head coach Buddy Martinez said. “That means all of us, especially you, Nate.”

Nate Ellis, the resident thug on the HNFT, shook his head, almost as if to ask “why are you singling me out?”

Speaking of Nate, however…

VDARA: “I hope we get the Vdarans again,” he interjected. “I want to teach that Alexis Fotellis a thing or two before that fucker gets too old to play.”

Everyone else in the room groaned and threw their arms in the air. A year before, Hapilopper and Vdara, a surprisingly-strong unranked side, made headlines for all the wrong reasons when Nate, being Nate, clotheslined Fotellis in a defensive play, before making a gesture resembling one made by a favorite pro wrestler. The fans in Capital Stadium ate it up and loved it. Fotellis and the Vdarans, however, didn’t. The gesture was perceived to be Satanic.

A few months later, when Hapilopper and Vdara played their next match, this time in the VdarArena, Ellis got his well-deserved comeuppance in the form of a flying kick to the face compliments of Fotellis. Nate’s nose was broken and the matter, in the eyes of most sane people, had been resolved. Both men were equal. But Nate didn’t see it that way. He wanted to retaliate against Fotellis in some form or fashion.

“You know, those guys are bound for some great things, so why not?” said Auggie Burton, one of the team’s starting midfielders. But as he said that, he had his own idea.

XANNERIA: “I bet they’d be a lot of fun to play,” Auggie said.

“Why do you say that?” Murray Hunnisett asked.

“Because they’re Xanneria,” Auggie replied. “They’re stunningly offensive. I mean, they’re hella physical, and we can be just as physical. I mean, we’ve got Colin McLain and Nate Ellis. They can dish it out, but can they take it?”

“I really don’t know.”

There had been a rivalry between the Hapiloppians and the Xannerians dating back so many years, dating back to the days of the Wreckerians and the Tonissians. It had spilled out during the Sporting World Cup, when a bench-clearing brawl erupted between the two nations’ under-18 sides, a brawl that had been started by Hapiloppian Jerold Dickman bringing the heat in the form of a clothesline in the face of C.J. Jackson of Xanneria. Punches were thrown and Dickman was thrown off the team.

“I think there’s some standing invitation between whoever runs Xanneria and President Mathis,” Greenwell said. “Something about a bottle of whiskey and some auto racing or some football. So maybe Mathis is pushing for it.”

“We’re ranked right next to each other anyway, so I bet that’d be really unlikely,” Buddy said. “But it’d be cool.”

This wasn’t entirely true – the Haps were 41st while the Xannerians were 49th.

“Then I hope we BOTH qualify,” Murray said. “Then we can whip their ass. By the way, whatever happened to Jerold Dickman?”

Max and Buddy looked at each other grimly and shook their heads.

“Dickman threw a stool at a chemistry teacher, hit him in the face and got sent to one of those ‘scared straight’ programs in an attempt to scare him into behaving,” Buddy said. “Matter of fact, I think he’s in there right now.”

EQUESTRIA: “But you know what’d really be awesome? If we could whip those horseys again,” Buddy said, changing his tone.

“AW HELL YEAH!” members of the team roared.

Last year, the team had felt jobbed by getting drawn with the Equestrians, especially after that fiasco in the 59th AOCAF, where the team got slaughtered, 8-1, by one of the very best teams in all the multiverse. So they responded in the only way they saw fit – by going out, dressed like apocalyptic road warriors and kicking ass like they never had. The Haps beat the Equestrians on their turf, bringing forth celebrations across Hapilopper.

“If we get them, put me in goal,” Cooter Harris said, calmly and icily. “You put me in goal against those bastards and I’ll give you a win. I want to put those bastards down and FAST!”

Cooter’s voice was increasing in intensity as he continued to speak. It was obvious that 8-1 slaughter still weighed heavily on his mind.

“I’ll make every save in the fucking world if you put me at goal against those fuckers,” Cooter roared. “We WILL whip their asses!”

“Uh, yeah, but we haven’t been drawn against them yet…” Claire Randall said uneasily, a little worried with Cooter’s intensity.

THE SHERPA EMPIRE: “You know, my boyfriend Chris speaks so glowingly about the Sherpas,” Claire continued. “Something about him sending a pet lizard to a fellow driver.”

Ernie, at this point, exploded in laughter, as did a handful of other people in the room. He had heard the story from his brother Drake, who was there when Chris Holmes, Claire’s boyfriend, “sent” that pet lizard to that fellow driver.

“Claire, I don’t think Holmes told you the full story,” Ernie said. “I mean, he did give a lizard to a fellow driver, but first off, it was an iguana and he snuck the thing into that fellow driver’s car while he wasn’t looking and when he was about to go racing. So that iguana was in there doing his thing while the driver, I think it was Kai Qiang, went out there trying to do his thing, and uh, it didn’t go well.”

“No? Chris said it went over wonderful.”

“Drake told me Kai threatened to kill Chris, so no, it didn’t go well,” Ernie explained.

VILITA AND/OR TURORI: “But you know what would really prove that we’re something?” Ernie asked. “If we went out there and beat Vilita. Or Turori. Or both.”

The other players and staff nodded their heads and roared their approval. Vilita and Turori were among the two top teams in all the multiverse. Vilita had won World Cups 81 and 82, the latter over Turori, and had been runner-ups in World Cup 84.

“And not only that, but I’ve never been to Vilita before,” Ernie said. “Drake keeps telling me I’ve got to go there some time, so it’d be a great opportunity for us to do something awesome. Maybe if we could get paired up with them, maybe I could go over there to do some sight-seeing.”

“Look, if we get Vilita, you’re NOT doing sight-seeing, you’re going there to get ready to kick ass,” Buddy said. “What are they ranked right now? First in the multiverse? Yeah. If we get Vilita, you’re going to need to do all you can to get ready and pray to whatever god you believe in that you’ve done enough because you probably DIDN’T.”

There were other teams mentioned – Valentine Z (“I’ve seen that place on the NSSCRA races, looks cool as hell,” said goalkeeper Rod Hughes), whoever won the Baptism of Fire (“As one BoF winner, we could whip up on another BoF winner,” said fullback Colin McLain), and Terre Septentrionale (“I bet that one would be tough as hell,” said midfielder Beautiful Bobby East).

The mood was light and the morale was high. The team had used the AOCAF as a chance to get used to each other, and while they didn’t make it far in the knockout stages, that was beside the point. They had gotten some bugs worked out in the new formation and the new way to play the Hapiloppian game. The Haps were convinced that on this occasion, they would indeed qualify for their first World Cup. The journey had begun.

by **Alba and Cymru** » Sun May 17, 2020 2:24 pm

ԬԬԬ The Celtic Times ԬԬԬ
Bringing Light to a World in the Dark

Celtic Football to Change Venues Prior to World Cup
Edinburgh, Alba

The national football team from Alba and Cymru is preparing for a second run at a world title. Following their tragic loss to Tequilo in the Baptism of Fire, the Celtic footballers have trained nonstop for the upcoming World Cup in Farfadillis and Mriin. Alba and Cymru's football program released the official roster just before the team's departure from Delaclava, and Seumas Field Stadium in Edinburgh has been designated as the home venue instead of Culloden Memorial Stadium in Glasgow. Many fans were disappointed to learn that Culloden is still under construction, and will not be operational until after this World Cup at the least. King Cynbal has also expressed his remorse at the move.

"I apologize to our many fans and citizens," the King said in a televised statement," for the short notice of our venue change. Given the time constraints for the completion of our beloved Culloden Memorial Stadium, it is impossible to run the venue as our official home stadium in the upcoming World Cup. At the earliest, Culloden will be operational during the Cup of Harmony if Alba and Cymru fails to qualify for the World Cup. However, I have much faith in our football team, and we should clear the qualifiers with no trouble. In the event that we should not make it, we still have much to look forward to in the opening of our brand new stadium."

Rumours of Mysterious Illness in Northern Cymru Prompt Government Intervention
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Cymru

Over 200 cases of what is thought to be a severe strain of the influenza virus have been reported in a small area of northern Cymru, according to the Bureau of Health, and over 1,000 other infections are thought to be not reported. Victims have been bedridden with severe cough and pneumonia, along with body aches and pains. So far, there have been no reported deaths, but virologists have expressed concern that this illness could be highly contagious, and advise travelers against going to or from northern Cymru.

"The issue with this disease is that its symptoms match those of influenza," stated epidemiologist Lloyd Rhys, "yet all of our tests have came back negative for any known strain of the flu. We are ruling out other possibilities of what this disease could be. This could be a relative of the SARS ourbreak we saw in China years ago, but so far that's inconclusive. The best advice we can give at this moment is to avoid travel to the affected areas, as well as practice good hygiene; washing hands, avoid touching face, etcetera."

The Ministry of Cardiff over Cymru has decided to allocate funding to disease research facilities, as well as containing the illness and determining its origin.

Glasgow Woman Charged With Embezzlement of Over 2 Million
Glasgow, Alba

Beathag Lìosach, 31, of Glasgow has been charged by the Federal Enforcement of Alba and Cymru with Public Embezzlement of assets at a cost of an estimated 2 million doiliers. Investigators have uncovered evidence of a continued embezzling scheme by Lìosach over a period of 3 and a half years. Lìosach was an employee of ScotsHelm, a federal tax-collecting agency based in Glasgow, where she funneled public funds into private bank accounts in Ole Eire and Catalonia. Alba and Cymru has been working in cooperation with the Irish and Catalan governments to recover the funds, as well as investigate other individuals who may have had a hand in this operation. The defense team of Lìosach declined to an interview with the Celtic Times.

Drunk People at the Local Tavern to Host World Cup in Backyard
The Local Tavern, Drunk People at the Local Tavern

As nations around the world prepare for the influx of hundreds of thousands of tourists over the next few weeks in light of the World Cup, one nation in particular seems to be taking a relaxed approach. Drunk People at the Local Tavern has designated the back yards of two prominent players as the venue for hosting the qualifying matches, according to Sports Centers United. The Celtic Times was able to get an interview with one of the venue holders, Farfa Dillis.

"How do you expect to meet the minimal capacity policy of 4,000 persons in a venue such as this?" asked Celtic Times reporter Harailt Fòlais.

"The whole neighborhood has agreed to host frat parties and guest parties for the influx of fans from the visiting countries," replied Farfa Dillis. "Every house has an application and background check that guests have to complete, but all-in-all there should be enough room for around 10,000 visitors. We're gonna be using Facebook and Instagram livestream to get the footage to all the homes in the neighborhood, so everybody should be covered."

"There are concerns of a shortage of security personnel for your venue. How is your program going to fill the gaps?"

"We're gonna enact a policy of self-policing. I think there won't be any cause for concern in the next few weeks. If there's any trouble, the local police will be patrolling for anything out-of-place."

"How will refreshments and merchandise be handled?"

"As far as I know, most of the parties will be bring-your-own-beer and snacks. As far as clothes? I'm not so sure about that. There's a mall about 10 miles from here that sells some good stuff. I'd recommend our visitors to check it out while they're here."

Several volunteers are helping Farfa Dillis, as well as fellow player Mriin to set up the venues for professional play. There has been debate on how to handle the lighting situation, since currently neither pitch has working field lights.

Choice Scripture for Today
The Orthochronica: Chapter 61, "Am Falanx" (The Phalanx): Verses 12-13:

12 Dagda shall forgive your trespasses, and He will invite you to His Palace, where rivers of wine flow, and He shall build palaces for you. This is the highest victory.
13 Dagda shall present unto you another favour that you greatly desire: divine help and a swift victory. So give this good news unto all who can hear.

World Cup 85 || RP Thread

World Cup 85 || RP Thread

Chapter 1a: Squad selection problems

The Celtic Times, 17 May 2020

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