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Information

If you are new to the IBA and have just stumbled upon this thread, or have been redirected from another IBA thread, then you may have some questions about this threads purpose and what can be done here. This is a newswire thread for the members of the IBA to post news updates and national information of a sporting nature directly from their IC media outlets. For general guidance on sports RP, consult this handy guide.

The International Broadcasting Alliance is a multi-national broadcasting union set up for member nations to be able to have international communications with more ease, the following excerpt from the General thread states the IBA's background and intent:

A group of broadcasters from varying regions, representing a diverse range of peoples and cultures, have come together to create the International Broadcasting Alliance. Loosely based on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), this union was born out of years and years of consistent interaction among these broadcasters, who frequently meet during the WorldVision Song Contest and World Hit Festival, both held several times a year. Led by representatives from AS1 Comunicaciones (AS1, Achaean Republic), Brityunik Vefecosoin Cairkovoin (BVC, Britonisea), Radiu-Televižio Kalosia (RTVK, Kalosia), Malta Comino Gozo Broadcasting Corporation (MCGBC, Malta Comino Gozo), Natanyan Television and Radio (NTVR, Natanya), Nekoni Television & Radio (NTR, Nekoni), and Tödlichebujoku Kidelavo (TÖBUK, Tödlichebujoku), the Alliance was officially established on January 1st, 2021.

The aim of this alliance is to act as a forum for different broadcasters to come together and collaborate on broadcasting matters (including, information exchange and potentially, the creation of original IBA programmes) as well as to be a resource to fulfill the technical needs of broadcasters.

Membership

Only signed up member broadcasters of the International Broadcasting Alliance can post their news in this thread. Issues of IBA membership are exclusively dealt with within the General thread, linked above, so in order to post here, you must first submit a broadcaster application to the thread and become a member.

The Newswire thread is curated by Nekoni, any further enquiries should be telegrammed accordingly.

[Polkopia]

The Polkopian Premier League is set to kick off this week. Before the league officially starts, here are some of the key points that some of the PPL's top football analysts wanted to highlight. [1/2]



Lada Kirovski: Will Yakoby Kosyo's stellar performance last season carry over to this season?

The reigning champions, Lada Kirovski, are the club on everyone's lips after the team managed to steamroll over the rest of the league to bring the club its first ever PPL championship in its history. Of course, such a feat would not have been possible without the brilliant attacking mindset of Yakoby Kosyo and his versatility as a striker. At only 20 years old, the young forward scored in over 60% of matches that he started, and he looks to improve upon that next season. Head coach Stepan Rydyakov will have his hands full, as some of the other clubs will be looking at shutting down Lada Kirovski's offense. This, of course, makes Kosyo's job as a striker all the more difficult, and it will be interesting to see how the Bulls manage this season.

FK Valinkova: Will the PPL's most expensive transfer translate to domestic success?

FK Valinkova were one of the busiest clubs during the transfer season, boosting their attack options even further with the acquisition of forward Kašmir Sigalov from Peeto Gordost'. Lining up the attack along with midfielders Stepen Azarov and Vikor Varuškin, FK Valinkova's offense will surely be one of the heavy-hitters this season, and will present themselves as one of the biggest challenges to other clubs' defenses. Rumors are circulating regarding the fate of striker Slava Panin, who had previously spoken about his unhappiness at the club, as the addition of Sigalov will most likely result in far less match appearances from Panin.

Peeto Gordost': How will the departures be replaced?

As mentioned earlier, striker Kašmir Sigalov departed Peeto Gordost' for rival club FK Valinkova during the transfer window, leaving a massive gap to be filled in the club's offense. Head coach Deyan Garić, who is known for his 4-4-2 formation, will either have to adjust with one striker, or make use of Yulian Mukhin. Mukhin, who seldom played during the last season, proved to be unpractical for Garić's playstyle, so many fans of the club will be looking to see whether Mukhin will have to adjust, or if Garić will look for another forward to play alongside Ustin Blok.

Olympik Restnov: Breeding ground for young superstars

Olympik Restnov had a curious run last season, finishing in its best position in over a decade, but many question whether this victory will be short-lived. After much of the more experienced coaching staff and players have left by way of retirement or the transfer market, many will be looking to the much younger generation of players to take on the responsibility of leading the team against fierce competition during the next season. In addition to head coach Vadim Pirogočov departing for FK Daroban, the captain's role has shifted as well, with former captain Yaroslav Pinkiv being released from the club due to doping allegations. The responsibility of captain has thus shifted to 20 year-old Timur Grekhov, whose defensive skills have proved themselves on the pitch already, but has yet to show the league how his leadership role will guide to team to success in the upcoming season.

FK Dovogo: PPL's youngest manager hopes to reinvigorate long-lost spark

Last season, Dovogo's string of poor results led the club to sever ties with head coach Alexei Izmaylov and sign Igor Khailin to a 6-month contract. Since signing Khailin, the team bounced back from 11th place to finish the league at a respectable 5th place, with only one win separating them from Olympik Restnov. Khailin, who previously managed Veles Ostrograd in Polkopia's second league, will be looking to prove himself this season, as everyone will be looking to see how the 32-year-old manager will fare against the more traditional playstyle of some of the older generation of coaches. FK Dovogo's activity during the transfer market was surprisingly lackluster, however Khailin seems adamant that he can deliver good results using the squad that he was given during the previous season.

Baravia: Will bankruptcy scares continue through this new season?

Baravia is one of the few Polkopian clubs who have struggled to financially support some of the big names they have brought to their side in recent years. Moreover, the club's inability to fill their stadium with spectators lead many to question whether they will be financially able to sustain themselves over the course of the next season. Last season, the club nearly declared bankruptcy and would have most likely gone under, had they not received a bailout by Angradka's mayor, Evgeniy Peril. The club's reluctance to trade away some of their star players only further the skepticism that many have against the club, however the club's rebranding of their social media accounts and website prove that the marketing team is doing everything in their power to make the club more attractive to prospective fans.

Peeto Korol': Will Gruškin's reluctance to sign foreign players be the club's downfall?

Peeto Korol' is one of many clubs in the PPL who have yet to sign any foreign players, so this notion is not necessarily a new to the league, however head coach Robert Gruškin has adamantly stated that he has no need, nor desire, to sign any foreign players. Several other clubs have taken it upon themselves to be more open to signing players from nations such as Britonisea or Scotatrova, however Gruškin has stated that he does not plan on signing any non-Polkopians during his tenure as coach. Clubs such as Lada Kirovski have expressed similar strategies, however Lada Kirovski has seen success at the domestic level, whereas Peeto Korol' has yet to relive the glory days the club used to see during the 90's. Critiques of this mindset have noted the uninspired playstyle that Gruškin fields the pitch with, and add that the introduction of foreigners may provide some sort of new technique to the club's rather outdated form.

Baal: Tiranov failed to fill gaps in defense ahead of new season

Last season, if you were to ask a casual watcher of the PPL who the most aggressive team was, it would be safe bet to assume they would name FK Baal as their choice. Under head coach Denis Tiranov's leadership, FK Baal scored the most goals out of any other team. Unfortunately for the pirati, the club also was number one in goals scored against, as teams quickly found that the team's aggressive playstyle was to compensate for the lack of defensive ability. The club recently brought up goalkeeper Ikov Petrukhin from their youth squad, who, according to PPL's football analyses is one of prospective keepers in the league, but many argue that this will not be enough to make up for the lack of fitness the defense has shown throughout all of last season. Now that the transfer window has closed and Baal failed to make any real changes in their defensive lineup, it will be interesting to see if the offense will be able to carry the team through next season.

[Polkopia]

The Polkopian Premier League is set to kick off this week. Before the league officially starts, here are some of the key points that some of the PPL's top football analysts wanted to highlight. [2/2]



FK Akasov Orešek: Will FK Akasov change system to play two strikers?

Radoslav Mineyev is now the longest-serving manager in the Polkopian Premir-Liga, having taken charge of FK Akasov five seasons ago, and has seen over 90 players come during his time - not including loans. Two key arrivals this past transfer window may indicate a sight shift in attacking playstyle - Nikolai Lebedintsev has joined on a one-year loan from FK Valinkova 2 in the Second League, while Kondrati Blokhin has made his loan spell from last season a permanent deal. The pair both stand over 1.9m tall, meaning one of the tallest strike partnerships in the PPL could be unleashed. Mineyev has adapted his tactics at FK Akasov but has more often than not played with a single striker; last season though, they struggled to score freely, averaging 1.4 goals per game. Will a more direct approach lift them up to an international competition qualification spot?

Tamenkana: Will Maršpan find that 'spark' for his team?

Last season, many felt as if though Tamenkana's playstyle was lackluster and unimaginative. The team only managed 0.9 goals per game by the end of the season - the lowest of any Polkopian club, and failed to provide any real competition against the league's top contenders, with the only exception being the 1-0 win over FK Valinkova at the beginning of the season. Since then, the team has been steamrolled by nearly every team at one point or another, and its 10th place at the end of the season seemed like a blessing. With head coach Boris Maršpan's contract expiring halfway through the upcoming season, he will need to figure out how he can adjust his playstyle to make his team - and his contract, more attractive for Varzin's local football community.

FK Daroban: Will the club's rebranding have an impact on fans?

The break between seasons normally consists of new players arriving and old faces departing, but seldom do clubs completely rebrand themselves. This was not the case with one Polkopian club, but two - one of them being FK Daroban, formally known as Kalinka. The change comes amid international pressure to change the club's logo, which featured an indigenous man shooting a bow. While many in Polkopia did not see an issue with this, the club's president, Yakoby Žimin, stated that in order for the club to attract foreign players, investors, etc., and with the prospect of competing in international competitions across the multiverse, it was in everybody's best interest to make the change. Fans have expressed mixed opinions on this change, but the club's decision has been one of the most talked-about events during the off-season, so it will be interesting to see how the marketing team responds during the season itself.

Rotlsiav: Is the fast-paced playstyle too fast?

Last season, incoming head coach Yefim Savčuk had a vision for his club in which he implemented in a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense which saw some initial success. As the season progressed, however, it became painfully clear that the team was not physically fit for the level of endurance Savčuk's playstyle demanded. The team struggled with injuries as a result, and failed to play an attractive game after the third matchday. Furthermore, Savčuk's ambitions for acquiring talent was quickly humbled by debts that the club failed to pay last season, and any funds that would have been allocated toward acquiring new and skilled players were instead transferred in order to alleviate the debt the club had acquired. This season, Savčuk has to decide whether to adjust his playstyle or risk the same consequences that plagued his men last season.

Modavia: Carrelian flavor to reboot Modavia?

In the case of some clubs, there is a certain degree of hesitancy when it comes to signing foreign players. Modavia has taken the opposite approach and has instead chosen to begin signing foreigners. This past transfer season has seen the acquisition of midfielder Anilis Bâlle-Léône from Carrelie to Modavia, the club's largest signing in its history as a club, with the hope that the addition will bring a new taste of international football to the Polkopian Primir-Liga. All eyes will be on Modavia and its newest signing, with regards to whether or not the hefty signing fee is worth the results Bâlle-Léône brings the club. If successful, head coach Vadim Gorčesky may use this as an excuse for signing foreigners to his club in the future, and many Polkopian football analysts will undoubtedly be watching Modavia under a microscope as a result of this transfer.

FK Taša: Will the club's lucky break spark a sense of urgency?

Last season, FK Taša finished 14th meaning that they had to win against the 3rd-place team from the Second Division in order to avoid relegation. In this instance, they faced off against Kodiyak Anažensk where they lost 3-2 on aggregate. Fortunately for FK Taša, Kodiyak Anažensk's outstanding debts prevented them from being promoted to the PPL and they were forced to remain in the Second Division, meaning that FK Taša did not face relegation. That being said, rumors are circulating that Kodiyak Anažensk's head coach, Rurik Yaščenko, has been offered a coaching role at FK Taša and may replace Denis Gagurin as head coach. While nothing is set in stone yet, it is evident that the current squad needs some sort of rejuvenation if they are to contend with other Polkopian clubs. After being inactive during the transfer window, save for acquiring Stefan Kohut on a 1-year loan, the club's survival in the PPL seems numbered unless either Yaščenk or Gagurin can do something miraculous to save the club from relegation.

FK Želat: First appearance in PPL - what to expect?

Some of the more dedicated fans to the PPL know that FK Želat, a newly-promoted side, have never made an appearance at the top flight of Polkopian football. Based out of the industrial city, Metagursk, FK Želat climbed to first place in the Second Division under the leadership of head coach, Branislav Popovič, and captain, Alekzei Tir'stenyak. The team's midfield seemed to be the powerhouse of the club, and the club did a very good job of maintaining possession, even when faced with immense pressure from the opposition. We've never seen this squad play together in this league though, so their possession-based playstyle may face threats at a much higher caliber than what they've been subjected to previously, and many will be looking to Popovič and Tir'stenyak to lead them through a very contentious season amid fierce competition.

Torpedo Peeto: Pleško makes his coaching debut

Upon Torpedo Peeto's promotion to the PPL, former head coach Grigori Potryemkhin resigned from his coaching duties in order to pursue coaching abroad, leaving a hole in Torpedo Peeto's coaching staff to be filled. Former Rotislav midfielder, Vladimir Pleško, took on the role after a season of serving assistant coach to Roman Usumov at FK Valinkova, making his role at Torpedo Peeto the first time he has assumed the head coach position at a club. At FK Valinkova, he assisted in coaching a 4-5-1 club, whereas at his time playing at Rotislav, he played under a 3-5-2 formation. That being said, though it unknown how Pleško will structure his club, many can assume that his midfield will consist of five men. Midfielders Torum Sabantsev and Aleksandr Kuklev will be key in Torpedo Peeto's aggressive midfield, and Pleško will have his hands full trying to utilize these youngsters against a league full of seasoned veterans.

[Polkopia]

Matchday 1

FK Želat 2–0 Torpedo Peeto
FK Tasha 0–0 Mordavia
Rotislav 1–4 FK Daroban
Tamenkana 2–1 FK Akasov
FK Baal 1–0 Peeto Korol'
Baravia 0–1 FK Dovogo
Olympik Restnov 0–1 Peeto Gordost'
FK Valinkova 2–7 Lada Kirovski

Current Standings:

Team                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Lada Kirovski           1    1   0   0     7    2   +5     3
 2 FK Daroban              1    1   0   0     4    1   +3     3
 3 FK Želat                1    1   0   0     2    0   +2     3
 4 Tamenkana               1    1   0   0     2    1   +1     3
 5 FK Baal                 1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
   FK Dovogo               1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
   Peeto Gordost'          1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
 8 FK Tasha                1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
   Mordavia                1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
10 FK Akasov               1    0   0   1     1    2   −1     0
11 Baravia                 1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
   Olympik Restnov         1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
   Peeto Korol'            1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
14 Torpedo Peeto           1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0
15 Rotislav                1    0   0   1     1    4   −3     0
16 FK Valinkova            1    0   0   1     2    7   −5     0