The NOVU Sports Blog

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:44 pm

Do you follow this thread and want in on the action? Send me a TG and we can talk: maybe some transfer activity into a league, participation to some of my domestic events, an international friendly, a themed UFC fight night, ... Anything goes.

Follow this space to get all the updates on the national and international sports performances from the North Oharan Valley Union. In this blog, your loyal reporter Kristaps Rozentals guides you through our local sports culture, our wealth of athletes, our blossoming national competitions and our hopefully ever increasing footprint on the world of international sports.

This blog will be updated whenever Kristaps finds the time, the enthusiasm and the fitting subject. In the meanwhile, feel free to reach out with questions, subjects and comments but please do not post in this space unless given permission by the thread starter.

In due time, this post will have links to the updates on our active sports and sports competitions with NOVU participation. You can detect the tags as they get a bullet point. But for now the expected topics are:

Sports Festivals

2025 - WUF I @ Kiralbay - upcoming

2025 - SUF I @ TBA - upcoming

Domestic Competitions

2024: National Trophy - won by Banvor Tasjavan - MD1 MD1 MD1 MD2 MD3 MD4 MD5 Opening Round Ro16 Quarters Semis Cup Final

2024-25: Top League 1 - ongoing - Preview MD1 MD2/3 MD4/5 MD6 MD7 MD8 MD9 MD10

2024: Demonstration Tournament - ongoing - MD1 MD2

2024-25: Volley Slam 1 - upcoming

2024: Tennis Open Tour Qualifiers
- Sjurvikker Domestic Open - won by Kazymyr Lobota - Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Ro16 Quarters Semis Final
- Serpak Slam - won by Misak Nakashian - Group Phase Ro16 Knockouts
- Zelikne National - won by Kazymyr Lobota - Group Phase Play-in & Octo Knockouts

2025: MGPO25 - upcoming

2024: UFN 1 - Colm Rogers wins Bantam Belt - Preview Review
2024: UFN 2 - Bohdan Dotsenko wins Lightweight Belt - Preview Review
2024: UFN 3 - upcoming

International Teams and Competitions

International Basketball Championship 40 - eliminated in the opening round - Intro Preview MD1 MD2 MD3 MD4 MD5 MD6

World Cup 97 - eliminated in the qualifications - Intro MD1 MD2-3 MD4-5 MD6-7 MD8-9 MD10-11 MD12-13 MD14-15
Cup of Harmony 89 - round of sixteen - Preview Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4

World Volley Expo XVI - 6th - MD1/2 MD3/4 MD5-8 Play-in Quarters Conclusion

NSTT Season 10 - ongoing - Ubung Open 1 Ubung Open 2 ITT

Games of the XVIII Olympiad - 15 medals, 6 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze
- Previews - Launch Skateboarding Weightlifting Cycling Golf Tabletennis Athletics Fencing Canoeing
- Qualifiers - Preview Day-4 Day-3 Day-2 Day-1
- Olympics - Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Conclusion

General Posts

Intro

Calendar

Calendar2

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:57 pm

Timestamp: 19 June 2024 - 22h57
Tags: Multisport, Organisation

How the Footnote can become a Footprint
Minister O’Reilly aspires to make her mark as she sets out ambitious plan to put Oharese sports on the map

It takes a lifetime to gain a reputation but only a second to destroy it. Or in the case of Susan O’Reilly, one attentive photographer and a slightly careless, freshly voted Prime Minister. Ilya Kavorkian had walked out of what would be the final negotiations to assemble his cabinet of ‘national unity’, loosely carrying notes in his right hand. Over the course of those chilly spring weeks, Kavorkian had sprung up among the candidates for the honored position as the most balanced of them all. Opponents would claim him to be the least remarkable and as a consequence the most acceptable to all seven constituent states of the fresh-faced North Oharan Valley Union. With the coalition approximately bagged, he waved to the pressers before stepping into his vehicle. In doing so, a single leaf that had been wrapped around his tome of papers became visible. A simple scribble, at the very bottom of a cleanly typed cabinet list.

Something about unity: O’Reilly?

And so, as her colleagues in the cabinet set off for important duties regarding improved infrastructure, a collective currency or simplified border rules, O’Reilly had been bestowed with the poorly explained minister post of National Spirit. And with a new, derogatory nickname. It seems impossible to me that her fellow cabinet members do not address her as the Footnote as well, or at least when she is out of earshot. As O’Reilly might lack the political weight as a young representative from Loharmey (in the most northern tip of the country), her reputation as a fiery debater went with her to the de facto capital. And what the nation quickly discovered: a fast and efficient planner on top of that. Several of the other ministers still seem to be in the starting blocks and to be fair, some topics are still under heavy negotiation, such as the army composition and wage controls. But in the meanwhile, O’Reilly stole the limelight with a series of ambitious press conferences and ditto plans.

The first two exposés on the ‘Pillars of Oharese Society’ are of lesser importance to our blog (even if I don't debate the impact and interwovenness with which National Culture and National Community should be handled). But the meticulously explained plans on National Sports obviously caught our eye and deserve further explanation. The minister made it no secret that the target of the whole plan lies in improving the network across the states and fostering a feeling of Oharese identity currently only held by a handful. To develop more than a politically advantageous alliance, one should not underestimate a bottom-up sense of belonging and sports can be a prime way to forge that.

Even if a flag shows the level of compromise that is the cornerstone to our Federation (red-green-yellow being the only workable combination that both featured colors of all flags but not all colors of a specific banner), one can attempt to rally the public behind it by launching national representatives on to the international scene. The paperwork has been sent out to the International Basketball Organization already and rumor has it that an entry application to the football World Cup should follow sooner rather than later: marketing material showing anthropomorphised Oharese lions in shorts seems to have been leaked deliberately to augment the hype.

Appearing in front of the world will require an improved level of competition and that immediately leads us into the next two points on the shared agenda of O’Reilly. Seven sports, not accidentally the ones of which popularity is shared across the valley and not particular to one state, received a ‘badge of recognition’ and their very own national organization. The minister ensured that others could follow suit in the future, but that first focus would be to set up and run a domestic, semi-professional competition for all seven. In the mix are first and foremost the most popular team sports, in football, basketball and volleyball: merging thriving local competitions for those seems a realistic goal. Further choices were more remarkable and point to the ambition to not have everything state sponsored: tennis and speed racing attract wealthier sponsors whilst the popularity of various sorts of fights points out that with the right business model, it can exist independently.

The seventh and final sport insists on an even larger ambition, one that focuses on domestic cohesion. Many codes of the game are in existence throughout the region, from lelo in the south over melomäng and gaelball. With the official recognition of what is now ‘Oharese Football’, the minister wants to merge these codes into one single effort. Needless to say that determining only the exact rules of the game will already be a tightrope negotiation, let alone getting a domestic tournament started.

But O’Reilly seems dead set on the proliferation of the new football code as she mentioned it as a specific example when discussing the improvement of youth sports. A target that would be a two-path programme, with either a broad or a narrow focus. On the one hand, three ‘sports high schools’ will be founded that should aim to gather the more talented young athletes and give them more room for training whilst keeping a firm eye on their level of education. According to the minister, this measure should reap fruit within four to six years. A second ambition could have even longer-term effects as all parents receive a sports coupon valued at 120 dollars to be used to join a sports team. A nationally recognized sports team, one must add, so local codes will face a financial uphill battle against by example the brand new Oharese Football. Needless to say that the last word is not written about this yet.

As mentioned, Susan O’Reilly has her marketing affairs in order and coolly hid that impactful measure in the list of initiatives, to end upon a more positive bombshell. From next winter onwards, the main cities of the country will alternate to organize a sports ‘Unification Festival’. In the design of the multisport tournament, there is a winter and summer variation that contains a series of olympic sports. The more revolutionary pillar will be the focus on the event as locus for sports for a wider public. No exact details were given, but O’Reilly pointed to the options to integrate a half marathon, a gran fondo or a loppet into the schedule. For the inaugural edition, speculators have been pointing to Kiralbay as host location and tournament hub.

In conclusion, O’Reilly drew the picture for a rich and ambitious sporting plan, one which the domestic fan can only applaud. But as exciting as her ideas sound, these will require a lot of changes. First and foremost financially: giving wages and prices is currently condoned but poorly regulated, pushing sports into a shadow economy so far. The new ruleset will boost the sums involved but forces the investors into the daylight and requires them to follow the law. Especially as centralized state sponsorship seems to be too weak to carry the financial burden alone. It will require a mentality change from the sportsmen, who treated their involvement as secondary to their day job: not necessarily in the intensity of the effort but mainly in the year-round professionalism and training effort. Last but not least, the final cornerstone of success will be the capacity of the population to embrace the new paradigm and welcome the opportunity to see sports at a substantially higher level. Will this blueprint materialize as meticulously as O’Reilly presented it? Probably not but it offers handles to create a new, richer ecosphere to see young athletes thrive and excel. And if so, that famed National Spirit might actually come into existence.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Fri Jun 21, 2024 5:04 am

Timestamp: 21 June 2024 - 13h04
Tags: Basketball, The Red Wolves

Searching for the Pack
A longlist overview for Justs Ozols as the IBC40 inches closer

The announcement of Justs Ozols as manager for the brand-new Red Wolves received a lot of thoughtful nods and encouraging sounds from within the basketball community. At 59, Ozols combines experience in the industry with the vitality needed to get the players behind his plans. After a more than respectable career as an assist-sprawling guard with the illustrious Beavercats, Ozols managed a string of teams within Strauzeme. Even if success was not always a given, he generally got lauded for a recognizable playing style where movement and a focus on the collective allowed ballers to step up. After three consecutive state titles, Ozols surprisingly opted to step outside his comfort zone and added two ‘foreign’ adventures to his palmares. In Dvavir, he lifted the local Falcons from a mid-table side to the best formation in Luyhatsak. His time with BCT Zutshi was less successful but he connected well with the basket culture in Mtebori. And connecting with what are, in fact, seven vastly different basketball traditions will be a more vital skill then putting those X’s and O’s on the board.

His home state Strauzeme has always been a leader when it came to regional basketball and the depth in rosters plays a vital role in that. When it comes to the physical level and professionalism required to stand the ground at the International Basketball Championship, no place seems to foster such potential with teams such as Vilarme BC, Kerstums Panthers, Uguns Vilarme and Ragii Berzaune. If there is a close competitor, it might be the small but valued top tier in Mtebori. Home to some of the most skilled players in the valley, Ozols knows the potential there after his time in Zutshi and appreciates the focus on ball handling. In comparison to those two competitions, the Luyhatsak Gold League fails to live up to its name: a continuously shifting format, various teams going out of business and notoriously lax refereeing cast a bad light on the competition. But that does not mean that there is no talent to be spotted, especially in the younger generation.

The remaining four states only have a handful of teams and players capable of competing in any of those leagues and have seen their best ones even jump ship abroad (which has not always been a success story). The Cherpahor First Division has been stuck in a stalemate over the strangling duopoly of Bulna Elks and BXQ Pyatovna. The competition in Gledeiradh gets good reviews by those in the know but struggles to get itself on the map as it is notoriously difficult to catch any images of it, whilst financial means are low. In Ilqitobe, a haulover had just been conducted: the five-team league is not toothless but lacks star quality. And in Dinsdal, there seems to grow nothing under the giant tree that are the Krigere Stora, who just win blowout after blowout domestically.

With these power relations in mind, I tried to assemble a list of thirty-five prospects to the national team and what they would be able to add to the Red Wolves. Whilst the focus obviously was in assembling the best squad to represent the North Oharan Valley Union, attention was given to bolstering young players and widening the scouting beyond the basketball heartlands.

Jurijs Zeltins [22/PG/Vilarme BC [STR]] **** Being in the starting line-up of the ‘Red Storm’ at 22 should be all the credentials required. Combines a 360 vision with a good dose of stamina. A bit inexperienced to anchor the team but a selection lock for this blog.
Melkon Baboian [34/PG/Kadzjors PowerNET [MTE]] ** An artist off and on the court. Welds metal during the day but in the Kadzjors Arena, he effortlessly creates seamless attacks. Might lack the pace to stand internationally.
Naidzels Abolins [29/PG/Kerstum Panthers [STR]] **** If he would have some sort of entertainment value for the press, Abolins would long have been accepted as the top tier star he is. Has the length to play in different roles but always delivers as an intelligent guard.
Okro Jandieri [23/PG/Klubi Bazhka [MTE]] ***** The younger of the brothers and probably the shortest player of the longlist, but has raw talent dripping from every pore. If he can make up for his physical limitations, Jandieri could be a basketball player of international allure.
Robers Udris [21/PG/Uguns Vilarme [STR]] ** With just one season in a starting line-up under his belt, a selection for the Red Wolves could come too early but the ease with which Udris floats over the court deserves a second glance.

Kyryl Leshchenko [19/G/Bulna Elks [CHE]] * Will presumably be poached sooner rather than later by a stronger team once the national league materializes. Should work a bit more on his statistics but an imposing figure at his young age.
Dikran Mechigian [28/G/Michk UTR [LUY]] *** A lead guard who can make those drives to the ring but does not mind taking a step back for the collective. The main danger with Mechigian are his form swings, but when he is ready, he is on the money.
Stepan Gloveli [25/G/Tbindali UB [MTE]] **** One good stat to understand the value of Gloveli is that in the last three seasons, he made double the steals in the league as anybody else. Reads the game brilliantly and is not afraid to dig in and get his hands dirty. Top tier attitude on top.
Tamaz Guruli [29/G/Vilarme BC [STR]] **** Really clever players can evolve their game and Guruli is one of those. As Zeltins joined the ranks at Vilarme, he focused more on his scoring capacities and this paid off. Maybe not a default starter but potentially a versatile tool for Ozols.
Vebjorn Eikeli [24/G/Krigere Stora [DIN]] ** Within the Dinsdaller competition, Eikeli stands out for his energy and vision but the few times he was weighed against serious competition might not have been impressive enough to make the final cut.

Davros Ghazaryan [26/SG/Tbindali UB [MTE]] ** As a three-point specialist, Ghazaryan always gets himself on the scoresheet properly. Meticulous from range but against strong, physical opponents, he could lack the physical skills required.
Gunvaldis Dreimanis [24/SG/Ragii Benzaune [STR]] ** Burst onto the scene at nineteen for the versatility of his attacking game but struggled to become a dressing room leader. Taking the sidestep to Benzaune proved to be the right move for him as he can focus on his attacking patterns.
Mihran Pakradounian [26/SG/Dzjevan Legion [LUY]] **** The catalyst behind the title for Legion last year: Pakradounian can be entrusted with the ball in any situation. Churns out strong shot percentages year in, year out and can do so from any range which makes him hard to defend.
Rory Quinn [23/SG/Uguns Vilarme [STR]] **** The build of a center but a few inches short of that position, Quinn turned into a defensive specialist who contributes to the team out of possession. With his improved shot, he lifted Uguns to a new level and in terms of stamina, he is an animal.

Dauren Bekzhanev

Brendan O’Dowd [21/SF/Kishniken Basket [GLE]] * The main talent of the Gledeiradh League could be included to ensure some geographical spread. Has an interesting attacking range but will need to improve his perimeter defending to take the next step.
Dauren Bekzhanev [22/SF/Bartsi Vandaknor [LUY]] **** It is difficult to call a particular skill with Bekzhanev as he stands out in nothing. But far more impressive is his lack of weaknesses: speed and stamina, aggression and vista, powerful drives and efficiency from a distance. A multitool of a player.
Tomass Smugis [20/SF/Anpole BC [STR]] *** The IBC 40 might come a little too early for the biggest talent in three decades for the diminutive Anpole BC, but Smugis is one to watch. He is far from small but has surprising ball handling for a guy with his statute. Exceptional from the free throw line.
Viktor Hlushko [28/SF/Bulna Elks [CHE]] **** After a career starring for the Kerstums Panthers and Dvavir Falcons, the wildly popular Hlushko decided to choose for his family and return to his club of origin. But his impact on the Cherpahor First Division shows he has not lost his touch nor grit.

Askar Temirzhanov [27/F/Kiralbay Sports [ILQ]] *** Quite possibly the best player to never appear in the top three leagues, this stretch forward stayed loyal to his first team and placed them on the map. A facilitator who makes those around him better, sometimes distributing the game before going into the paint.
Goga Jandieri [28/F/Klubi Bazka [MTE]] *** Often in the shadow of his younger brother Okro, but a candidate in his own right for inclusion in the squad. Very athletic for someone over two meters and a menace to play against. Looks like a doppelgänger of infamous actor Julius Stranden, not sure if that impacts Ozols’ choice.
Jurijs Eglitis [22/F/Kerstums Panthers [STR]] ** Eglitis is the face of the Panthers in their rebuild phase. The mixed results from last season might make it hard to include him but in essence, Eglitis is a versatile talent who finds easy baskets instead of looking for the artsy solution.
Terenti Nakashidze [31/F/Bakhlo Riot [MTE]] *** At his prime, it seemed as if Nakashidze was in every position at the same time without relinquishing his duties but ankle injuries scaled down his main skill a little. Despite that, he remains a top level athlete who finds unconventional but effective solutions close to the ring.

Niklavs Liepins

Eduard Sirpanenko [33/PF/BXQ Pyatovna [CHE]] *** ’The Shadow’ looks a bit lumbering but under the hood, one finds an exceptional scorer who can grab contested rebounds. According to all who played with him, he is highly underestimated and a force for good in the dressing room.
Hrahod Mesropian [27/PF/unaffiliated] ** If we made this selection two or three years ago, Mesropian would be an uncontested pick. An elbow injury and off-court shenanigans pushed him out of a contract but Ozols knows his unusual talent and could be the man to give the career of Mesropian a second spring.
Niklavs Liepins [28/PF/Ragii Benzaune [STR]] ***** Quite possibly the only player that will be in all observers’ starting fives. The MVP of the Strauzeme B1T combines strength with an exceptional basketball IQ. A natural leader who creates split cuts in spaces no one saw and dominates rebounds like a seven-footer.
Vaidis Ozers [25/PF/Vilarme BC [STR]] **** Casually reached that point where no one is questioning anymore why he is a starter for arguably the strongest club in the federation. Ozers gets stick sometimes for not getting involved more but is an efficient scorer who knows his strengths and weaknesses.
Zaven Ghazaryan [17/PF/Dzjevan Legion [LUY]] *** Some will say it is too soon but everything this raw diamond touches changes into gold. Transitioned into the starting five of Dzjevan this year without a blink before reaching adulthood. His shooting range is off the wall and if he develops a bit more strength, he is hands-down international calibre.
Zurab Iarajuli [20/PF/Bakhlo Riot [MTE]] **** Another gem but one that already morphed in his third senior year. Initially billed as an archetypical forward-center, Iarajuli improved his jumpshot and developed his vision. It turned him from a physical threat into a more dangerous tactical one for opposition.

Haygaz Tenkian

Archil Atanashvili [25/C/Dzjevan Legion [LUY]] * As a general rule in basketball, you want players to be tall. And Atanashvili has seven foot three to bring to the table. It is valuable domestically, but for the IBC, this gentle giant might be too sluggish.
Bens Leitis [24/C/Uguns Vilarme [STR]] *** With his footwork and occasional three point shot, Leitis confirmed the breakaway from the traditional center role. It makes him difficult to defend against but a clever press can get him in trouble. Useful asset in the fast-flowing game Ozols seems to prefer.
Haygaz Tenkian [24/C/Dvavir Falcons [LUY]] **** Apart from his qualities near the basket, Tenkian stands out for his capacity to think for the collective and find the free man when being double-teamed. Stepped into the limelight under Justs Ozols who noticed his unusual but effective passing style.
Iakub Zoidze [37/C/Ruivi Avalanches [MTE]] ** Yes, the Avalanches brought up the rear in Mtebori last season and Zoidze should be far past his experience date by now. But when fit, he remains a formidable presence in the paint and makes up for any limitations with IQ and wits.
Matiass Dongvani [29/C/Vilarme BC [STR]] **** Started out as a center for his size and blossomed once people realized that you could give him the ball in build-up. Dongvani is notoriously shy but on the court, he is a beast with the added advantage of a strong free throw shot.
Nazar Bojchuk [30/C/Kerstums Panthers [STR]] *** Might not be the best center out there but definitely the one opponents look least forward to face. He weighs on the defenders and contests every duel possible. A huge heart that often puts his more than decent shooting in the shadow.
Sandors Kazoks [27/C/Bakhlo Riot [MTE]] ** A maverick both in his professional and personal life which made him persona non grata once too often. From a pure potential perspective, he should be considered as a prime candidate but his disciplinary record will likely see him declined.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sun Jun 23, 2024 11:04 am

Timestamp: 23 June 2024 - 18h59
Tags: Football, Oharese Football, Organisation

Square Pegs in Round Holes
Centralized calendar planning moving forward despite general protest

Of course it is an easy journalistic angle, but it felt only human to sympathize with Mikkel Heering, the commissioner of the Dinsdaller football competition as he lamented about the decapitation of his league. “With one stroke of a pen she just erases our life's work. No sign of respect for our state league, not even the chance of a last dance. A few week’s notice, please vacate the place and good riddance.” Minister O’Reilly felt the limelight on here and quickly decided to play the move-fast-and-break-things card. In a gesture to keep the focus of the press, a ‘General Sports Agenda’ (GSA) was shared which focussed on the balance between the four main sports. As it has been drawn out, each of the four seasons gets shared by two sports with football overstretching their spring/summer roster with a slot from early February all the way to the final week of September. So in theory, currently in full swing, if it was not for the ongoing traditional state leagues (and a national league not having been invented yet this spring).

Many assumed that this last edition of each state competition would be allowed to sign off on its own terms. Despite the decent overlap, not every one of them currently sits at the same stage. While a few are loading up for the final stretch, some (such as the Dinsdaller tier) are far from finished. Still the new commissioner for the national First Division showed little mercy and announced that 24 clubs would be lined up for a miniature competition starting in July. While officially not yet the final selection for those who should step up to semi professionalism next February, it is clear that the chosen ones can punch their ticket with good behavior in the upcoming months. No wonder the teams involved accepted the ukase sheepishly.

At first sight, it seems ridiculous to sacrifice a proper relationship with the state organizations for just a handful of games to be pushed onto the agenda. But getting something on the agenda must have been the first priority as the alternatives were not available yet. The basketball Top League and the Volley Slam are only planned to start by autumn and winter respectively. According to the GSA, sports fans should be getting ready for some Oharese Football these days. However, it is impossible to prepare for a sport for which the rules are still vague, let alone the teams are set up.

The GSA suggests that games in Oharese Football will be able to kick off (if they have a kick-off) at the start of October. At the moment, this still feels eerily soon as formal protests about their amalgamation have been launched by the National Lelo Union and the Central Organisation for Gaelball Clubs. Even if their chances of success are flimsy, they will definitely delay an already complicated process. Whilst the creation of suprastatal tournament has been discussed many times (even if the implementation does not have the speed or depth instated by O’Reilly) and the minds were softened already, the ground seems far from fertile for a successful Oharese Football competition.

This glaring hole in the agenda needed to be filled and by what better than the favorite pastime of the valley? The football clubs, which are due to be officially announced soonish, have been instructed to quickly wrap up their local duties and report for duty for what has been dubbed the National Trophy. In four pools of six, home and away matches are played to limit the field to twelve teams. After a single play-in round between the numbers two and three of the groups, single quarters, double semis and a single final are planned for a total of fifteen rounds. Considering that for quite a few football players across the nation, the season was nearing the end, this large add-on does not go down well but the clubs wave away their concerns. Whether this will change in the coming weeks is a question, but that they will have to accept the nationalized version of their sport stands little doubt. Success, however, will not be measured by the pressure executed from the top but by the fans. Will they vote with their feet and keep on supporting their favorite (Oharese) football teams? Or will they stay home until the sport falls back into its current balance: maybe less ambitious but more natural.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Mon Jun 24, 2024 11:34 am

Timestamp: 24 June 2024 - 19h34
Tags: Tennis

All Eyes on the Sjurvikker Domestic Open
New era in Oharese sports starts at the grounds with the oldest tradition.

With fifty-seven editions of their prestigious Sjurvikker Open behind them, it is fair to say that the organizers who hand out the coveted Black Vase know a thing or two about getting tennis tournaments on the rails. But even for them, it was quite an accomplishment to set up the inaugural event of the Tennis Open Tour at such short notice. Even if given earlier notice, cramming in this tournament in a few weeks to bring our best tennis players is quite the accomplishment. The baptized ‘Domestic Open’, to differentiate from their marquee event, will be the first of three tournaments of season love.

The General Sports Agenda foresees a Tour with eight events planned between February and August. Talks are still ongoing for the official list, but a second element still to be settled concerns the players who would appear on the Tour. The TOTO (Tennis Open Tour Organisation) decided to use what little time there was left to settle that matter. In theory, twenty-four Tour cards are to be handed out: the TOT competitions will see a field of thirty-two with twenty-four card holders, four qualifiers and four wildcards. But who those twenty-four would be, remained unclarified at first.

It mattered even more when the prize money associated with the Tour was announced: a prize pot of $160K for each single event, with another $500K to be distributed based upon the final classification. As such any competitor seems assured of at least enough to go professional and if success is reached, one could even end up with an unseen wealth for a tennisser. For reference, at the moment only the Sjurvikker Open and the Luyhatsak National offer north of a hundred thousand dollars. There is a handful who live off the earnings but otherwise without a sponsor contract, one needs wealthy parentage or a side hustle. For any ambitious player, this could be a lifeline to develop beyond ‘laudable amateur’. That the lifeline only lasts a single year is forgotten in the moment. But who would make that catch?

Open candidate Grygol Chkadua started his tournament with a hard-fought win over Belavskis.

Eventually the TOTO announced that the three tournaments served as qualifiers: the sixteen players with the best record across the board will have punched their ticket. Next to that, eight more are selected based upon a vague two-year running ranking. In case one wonders, the link hidden on the explanation website leads to a nearly empty page with a few seemingly unrelated tables and a deadlink. Unless you are one of the big names and happen to have an absolute shocker during the qualifications, I would not bank on it to assure my future in the sport.

No wonder tennissers were supposed to be flocking to the subscription boots. But doing so came with a few interesting points and commas that tamed the enthusiasm of a few: one needs to dedicate for all three tournaments in order to qualify. One must accept the ticket if won at risk of a serious fine. And one needs to forward a hefty four-figure sum to the organizers to ensure their chance. For some it is an acceptable investment but not for all. Vadra Revakian was the first high profile to opt out but at 34, that decision was easier to make. “I had hoped to quit top level at different terms. Still, my private business runs well and I do not need to take stupid risks. But I worry for guys who do so and will spend a seasonal budget to end up empty handed. If you’re bankrolled that is easy, but not everyone is.”

Twenty year-old Kieran Quinlan, an exception as a young unsponsored player to try his luck.

This effect shows in the field of forty-four who decided to toss their hats in the ring. Of course the big names of the field signed up, such as Perkons, Baltabekov, Lobota, Nakashian or Belavskis. The second tier of outsiders also enlisted with enthusiasm, believing in their odds to ensure their ticket to the money bags. But when it comes to young upstarts and players who are considered to be outside the top twenty, the list quickly loses body. Had the initial hope been to find sixty-four players willing to risk their chances (and money), then the field has to do with only forty-four subscriptions placed in groups of four: the group winners qualify for the knock-outs, the number two’s battle in the play-in. For every set won, players get a point for the ranking with an extra point for a knock-out qualification and a tournament victory. Making up the field of forty-four, there are a handful of players who don’t seem to make the mark in terms of capacities but the organizers will receive their starting sum with the same enthusiasm.

Results overview

Group A
Peter Kopperud           6   6
Ingerts Melderis         3   3

Fomenko Kuanybeshkov     4   4
Okro Gvazava             6   6


  Group A              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Okro Gvazava           1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
  Peter Kopperud         1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
3 Fomenko Kuanybeshkov   1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Ingerts Melderis       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

No surprises in the opening game with Gvazava and ‘Iceman’ Kopperud doing what they need to do.
Eighteen-year old Kuanybeshkov punched properly above his weight, but fell to the experience of Okro.

Group B
Linarts Perkons          6   6
Roar Myhre               1   4

Nazer Armanev            4   4
Vitalij Kryvenko         6   6


  Group B              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Linarts Perkons        1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
  Vitalij Kryvenko       1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
3 Nazer Armanev          1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Roar Myhre             1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Linarts Perkons is a favorite on every tennis court he steps onto and starts his Tennis Open Tour career with a clear win.
Any wrist injuries worries that perforated his spring seem definitively in the past now.

Group C
Garen Ishkhanian         7   6
Oskar Knudsen            6   4

Karnig Trdatyan          6   4  10
Zynovij Rybak            4   6   8


  Group C              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Garen Ishkhanian       1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Karnig Trdatyan        1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Zynovij Rybak          1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Oskar Knudsen          1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Quite a stunning loss for Knudsen who sees full amateur Ishkhanian take him out in two sets.
The son of steel mill giant Revat Ishkhanian did show he is more than just a tourist here.
The other Group C game was an exciting affair, with a slightly surprising defeat for Rybak against grass specialist Trdatyan.

Group D
Kieran Quinlan           1   6   3
Daneks Birzins           6   1   6

Myroslav Zaporozhets     7   7
Haygaz Zohrabyan         6   6


  Group D              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Myroslav Zaporozhets   1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Daneks Birzins         1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Kieran Quinlan         1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Haygaz Zohrabyan       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

A packed group and Quinlan, one would say in advance but the Kishniken native fought with heart against Birzins who came away with a scare.
Strong serve game and a bit of a revenge for Zaparozhets who beats his ‘black beast’ at the right time after six consecutive losses against Zohrabyan.

Group E
Julijans Leitis          6   2   6
Avskenti Mukhraneli      3   6   4

Kasbar Sarian            5   0
Brendan Moloney          7   6


  Group E              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Brendan Moloney        1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Julijans Leitis        1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Avskenti Mukhraneli    1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Kasbar Sarian          1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

No surprises in this group with a strong Moloney.
Leitis needed more time and effort than expected against the energetic Mukhraneli who inexplicably ruined his own serve at 2-4 (0-40) in the third set.

Group F
Davit Zakareishvili      6   4   2
Set Hadjetian            2   6   6

Panos Altunian           0   7   8
Anri Tiltins             6   6   6


  Group F              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Panos Altunian         1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
  Set Hadjetian          1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Anri Tiltins           1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
  Davit Zakareishvili    1   0  1    1   2  −1    0

Hadjetian, still the best named player for this job, overcame initial difficulties for an opening win.
The most interesting clash came between Altunian and Tiltins, with the latter seemingly dominant for most of the game but eventually leaving empty-handed.

Group G
Pylyp Marchuk            7   3   2
Vahe Musayelyan          6   6   6

Kazymyr Lobota           6   6
Livis Sirovs             2   1


  Group G              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kazymyr Lobota         1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Vahe Musayelyan        1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Pylyp Marchuk          1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Livis Sirovs           1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

A victory over Sirovs only tells so much but Lobota looks in the right form to be a title candidate.
Musayelyan had a lot more trouble against the short, energetic Marchuk but showed composure when things got serious.

Group H
Kanysh Baltabekov        4   5
Finbar McShane           6   7

Vyacheslav Kamarenko     6   4   6
Egins Liemanis           1   6   3


  Group H              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Finbar McShane         1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Vyacheslav Kamarenko   1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Egins Liemanis         1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Kanysh Baltabekov      1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

This group comes as close to a group of death as can be and for Baltabekov, it became a small disaster.
‘Balta’ is in theory a top five player but was stopped by a strong McShane.
He will have to chase both McShane and serve cannon Kamarenko.

Group I
Erekle Nakani            1   1
Misak Nakashian          6   6

Mesrob Mirzoyan          6   6   9
Cian O'Rourkey           7   2   7


  Group I              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Misak Nakashian        1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Mesrob Mirzoyan        1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Cian O'Rourkey         1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Erekle Nakani          1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

A fluid win by Nakashian who had luck on his side during the group draw.
The longest game of the opening day saw Mirzoyan break down O’Rourkey in the end, with the underdog complaining about the umpire afterwards.

Group J
Davit Prokopenko         2   3
Dadzis Auzins            6   6

Grigol Chkadua           7   5   6
Klods Belavskis          6   7   4


  Group J              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Dadzis Auzins          1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
2 Grigol Chkadua         1   1  0    2   1  +1    1
3 Klods Belavskis        1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Davit Prokopenko       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

A lot of eyes on the Main Court for the clash between Chkadua and Belavskis - two former Sjurvikker Open winners.
It became a game of details but the younger one of the duo triumphed and placed Belavskis with one leg in the play-in game.

Group K
Petre Davitaia           6   1
Snorre Syvertsen         7   6

Toma Botkoveli           3   4
Godvars Melderis         6   6


  Group K              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Godvars Melderis       1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
  Snorre Syvertsen       1   1  0    2   0  +2    1
3 Petre Davitaia         1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Toma Botkoveli         1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Hometown favorite Snorre Syvertsen took his sweet time to get the engine running but eventually avoided a third set after a 5-2 start.
Despite his accolades and the audience behind him, Syvertsen never reached the last eight in a Sjurvikker tournament before.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Tue Jun 25, 2024 1:05 pm

Timestamp: 25 June 2024 - 21h05
Tags: Tennis

Favorites Struggle to find Footing on the Slippery Grass
High-paced and unbalanced group stage format sees title candidates such as Belavskis in trouble

“This stupid draw makes no sense, it’s just amateur hour.” I have eliminated a ton of expletives but that sums up the opinion voiced by Klods Belavskis as he shouted it between losing the final point against Dadzins Auzins and smashing a racket to smithereens. The flamboyant 29-year-old never is one to tone it down but in his defense, the eliminated former Sjurvikker Open winner already said something in a similar, slightly less agitated, vein before the first ball was served this week. “Any normal tournament makes a point of protecting the top players and ahead of this crucial qualifier, they decide to mix things up. No one knows why or how the draw was conducted as it was. All we know is that this can be very costly for some excellent players.”

He was not the only one to place question marks next to the structure of the groups. The clumsy format, with an intermediary play-in round that congests the schedule, already won a great deal of criticism but at least some observers understood the importance of giving every TOT Tour Card candidate a decent number of games to prove their metal. But that sense of fairness gets swept under the rug when various excellent players find themselves in difficult positions, quite often as their group harbors multiple names cited as shoe-ins. A number of players as such, only two days into this qualification process, already see quite some trouble on the horizon.

First and most vocal among them is Belavskis. The Strauzeman gathered a great number of palms over the years, among which a Sjurvikker Open, two Pyatovna Roses and two Mtebori Open victories. Still, he had to start his campaign against Grigol Chkadua, another of the top Oharese players. After an exciting and high-quality game, Belavskis lost out. The fair-haired ‘Dreamsmasher’ refused to point to exhaustion but it is telling that he had to give away a 6-4, 2-1 lead against a better rested opponent. Facing an Auzins who is, especially on this surface, a force to reckon in his own right demonstrates the uphill battle Belavskis facedp. His reaction demonstrates the pressure to punch the ticket as soon as possible. Yes, there is a dead rubber against Prokopenko that should add two easy points to the tally but as it stands, Belavskis will have to fight his way back into that crucial top-24 in the next two tournaments.

After his on-court meltdown, Klods Belavskis shared ‘Sometimes I win, sometimes I learn’ on social media.

“The feeling is that there is no room for errors. Tennis is not one of those sports where you can already determine the winner in advance based on quality. It is the form of the day, that little injury that plays up, … And if a handful of games determine the remainder of your career, some guys get twitchy. How can you measure real quality, real merit?” Veteran Set Hadjetian had a more philosophical approach to things after his defeat to Anri Tiltins. “We will think of our sport, our legacy, in a before and an after. If you want to turn the page for the next chapter fast, you might leave something unwritten of the past. So I wonder if the TOT will not eliminate athletes who would have lifted the sport to a next level with such a minimal sample size.”

At the moment, it feels as if corrections to the course are still an option to all but that this format allows very few mistakes is evident. Okro Gvazava, for example, was surprised by an inspired Ingerts Melderis and finds himself with his back against the wall against Kopperud. Both Kamarenko and Baltabekov, the latter two years ago still the player of the season, know that one of them will be home prematurely as they were grouped with an in-form McShane. Even Kazamyr Lobota, catapulted to first candidate in the odds, had a wobble to concede a set to the talented Pylyp Marchuk.

The final word is for Erzan Joskitaryan, former top player and coach of a disappointing Haygaz Zohrabyan who is heading home early after losses to Zaporozhets and Birzins. “They look at tennis not as a game but as a commodity to be sold. And to make sales, you want to create tension and stress. I am sure they will get richer over it, even the players will get richer. But they are also giving up a part of the sport, selling the sportsmanship a bit. It is no longer about the victory in itself and what it means in terms of you and your feelings. From now on, you win for the spoils and nothing more, like barbarian hordes sacking a city.” A sense of drama never has been a stranger to Joskitaryan (especially if the apple of his eye fails to show up against a strong Daneks Birzins) but there is a solid ground in his one-man play. The current qualifiers are not about inherent quality but about rooting out the most stress resistant off the flock and unearthing their capacities when there is a lot on the line. And some stars are struggling to pass that litmus test.

Results overview

Group A
Ingerts Melderis         7   6   8
Okro Gvazava             6   7   6

Peter Kopperud           6   7
Fomenko Kuanybeshkov     2   5


  Group A              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Peter Kopperud         2   2  0    4   0  +4    2
2 Okro Gvazava           2   1  1    3   2  +1    1
3 Ingerts Melderis       2   1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Fomenko Kuanybeshkov   2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Whenever the occasion arises, Godvars Melderis will mention that his younger brother is the more talented one.
Ingerts confirmed that today with a shock victory over Okro Gvazava despite the latter getting four match points.
The group favorite will have to excel against Peter Kopperud, who is flawless so far.

Group B
Roar Myhre               6   7
Vitalij Kryvenko         2   6

Linarts Perkons          4   6   6
Nazer Armanev            6   0   3


  Group B              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Linarts Perkons        2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
2 Roar Myhre             2   1  1    2   2   0    1
3 Vitalij Kryvenko       2   1  1    2   2   0    1
4 Nazer Armanev          2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

A false start for Perkons who didn’t let group minnow Armanev get beyond one set.
Roar Myhre grabs that vital win to navigate into the play-in round.

Group C
Oskar Knudsen            6   4   4
Zynovij Rybak            1   6   6

Garen Ishkhanian         5   6   5
Karnig Trdatyan          7   2   7


  Group C              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Karnig Trdatyan        2   2  0    4   2  +2    2
2 Garen Ishkhanian       2   1  1    3   2  +1    1
3 Zynovij Rybak          2   1  1    3   3   0    1
4 Oskar Knudsen          2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Oskar Knudsen is supposed to be a specialist on this surface but is already eliminated.
In the second match, Trdatyan did what he had to do but Ishkhanian confirms yesterday was no fluke.

Group D
Daneks Birzins           7   6
Haygaz Zohrabyan         6   2

Kieran Quinlan           7   4   4
Myroslav Zaporozhets     5   6   6


  Group D              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Daneks Birzins         2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
  Myroslav Zaporozhets   2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
3 Kieran Quinlan         2   0  2    2   4  −2    0
4 Haygaz Zohrabyan       2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Drama for Zohrabyan who never really found those winners.
We will get a decider between Birzins and Zaporozhets who struggled to break the courageous Quinlan.

Group E
Avskenti Mukhraneli      2   2
Brendan Moloney          6   6

Julijans Leitis          6   6
Kasbar Sarian            4   4


  Group E              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Brendan Moloney        2   2  0    4   0  +4    2
2 Julijans Leitis        2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
3 Avskenti Mukhraneli    2   0  2    1   4  −3    0
4 Kasbar Sarian          2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

The two favorites go two for two, each with their own brand of tennis.
A lot of creativity with Leitis, a hard serve and impeccable stamina for Moloney.

Group F
Set Hadjetian            3   5
Anri Tiltins             6   7

Davit Zakareishvili      5   1
Panos Altunian           7   6


  Group F              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Panos Altunian         2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
2 Anri Tiltins           2   1  1    3   2  +1    1
3 Set Hadjetian          2   1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Davit Zakareishvili    2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

With a strong performance in the second set, Panos Altunian confirms his strong form.
Bit more ups and downs in the match for Tiltins, but he snapped up the crucial points to gain the win.

Group G
Vahe Musayelyan          6   6
Livis Sirovs             3   3

Pylyp Marchuk            2   6   3
Kazymyr Lobota           6   3   6


  Group G              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kazymyr Lobota         2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
  Vahe Musayelyan        2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
3 Pylyp Marchuk          2   0  2    2   4  −2    0
4 Livis Sirovs           2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Lobota seemed on his way to steamroll some more but Marchuk gave him a bit of a scare.
The final match will be a genuine round of 32 already between two players who know the drill.

Group H
Finbar McShane           7   6
Egins Liemanis           5   1

Kanysh Baltabekov        6   6
Vyacheslav Kamarenko     2   4


  Group H              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Finbar McShane         2   2  0    4   0  +4    2
2 Kanysh Baltabekov      2   1  1    2   2   0    1
3 Vyacheslav Kamarenko   2   1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Egins Liemanis         2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

One of the highest anticipated games of the day did not produce what we had hoped for.
Baltabekov simply disallowed Kamarenko to get into his rhythm and took that last life line.
However, McShane ensured that he remains in the driving seat, needing only one more set to clinch the group.

Group I
Misak Nakashian          6   6
Cian O'Rourkey           2   4

Erekle Nakani            6   1
Mesrob Mirzoyan          7   6


  Group I              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Misak Nakashian        2   2  0    4   0  +4    2
2 Mesrob Mirzoyan        2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
3 Cian O'Rourkey         2   0  2    1   4  −3    0
4 Erekle Nakani          2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Only five players left with four sets out of four contested and it is no surprise to see a beaming Nakashian among them.
He will play for the group win against a consistent Mirzoyan who had little trouble with Nakani.

Group J
Dadzis Auzins            4   6   6
Klods Belavskis          6   2   3

Davit Prokopenko         4   2
Grigol Chkadua           6   6


  Group J              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Dadzis Auzins          2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
  Grigol Chkadua         2   2  0    4   1  +3    2
3 Klods Belavskis        2   0  2    2   4  −2    0
4 Davit Prokopenko       2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

The Sjurvikker Domestic Open is over before it properly starts for a disappointed Belavskis.
Dadzis Auzins fights himself to a chance for more with a surplus in technique.

Group K
Snorre Syvertsen         6   6
Godvars Melderis         2   1

Petre Davitaia           4   3
Toma Botkoveli           6   6


  Group K              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Snorre Syvertsen       2   2  0    4   0  +4    2
2 Godvars Melderis       2   1  1    2   2   0    1
3 Toma Botkoveli         2   1  1    2   2   0    1
4 Petre Davitaia         2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Sjurvik starts to believe as Syvertsen seems to have hit a smooth patch in his form.
In the other game, Botkoveli grabs that chance to stay onboard but he will need to improve.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Wed Jun 26, 2024 12:28 pm

Timestamp: 26 June 2024 - 20h28
Tags: Tennis

Knocking on the Door
Zooming in on some of the less anticipated names to reach the last sixteen

That the unprotected group stage format would lead to victims was evident from the get-go. For household names such as Zohrabyan, Belavskis and Kamarenko, the Sjurvikker Domestic Open was finished before it properly got on the road. But if a door closes, a window opens. In this case that opening is for some less anticipated names to step forward and remain in the title race a bit longer. A few of them still have to battle through the play-ins and battling is the right verb to describe the foreseen action there: with players such as Baltabekov, Birzins and Gvazava condemned to the purgatory after dropping points, it will be an excruciating season tomorrow morning. Not in the least because the five survivors will have to step up the plate again in the evening. But that doesn’t stop us from zooming in on some unexpected group winners.

Twenty-year old Zynovij Rybak, the youngest player assured of the round of sixteen, stumbled in a long opening game but managed to overcome the odds with two straight wins. While his name rumbled around long and wide in the youth categories, his first two years on the real stage had been fairly underwhelming. But to Rybak, they were the dues to pay before stepping up. “I did not expect to step onto the court against a Baltabekov or a Perkons and immediately smash it out of the park. That does not stop you from stealing with your eyes, taking notes and crafting the tools to get there.” With the always exciting but far from flawless Julijans Leitis, the man from Bulna receives the perfect opponent to measure his evolution.

But evolution is not always a straight line and Myroslav Zaporozhets can testify on that one. Both he and Rybak have their roots in the state of Cherpahor but the contrast could not be bigger between the wunderkind struggling to fulfill his promise and ‘Zapo’ who must be one of the most overlooked names on the starting list. His interview to The Summary, the leading sports magazine in the valley, was both a refreshing and painful look into the middle tiers of the tennis circuits. “When you get knocked out of the round of 32 in some nothing tournament, it is hard to rationalize to yourself why you are blasting through the savings of your parents again.” No wonder that the victory over top-five player Daneks Birzins meant the world to the amiable Zaporozhets as it brought him closer to ensuring a full income next season. But maybe more importantly, it confirmed that his years of grinding out those training hours start to pay off at a federal level.

With his triumph over Daneks Birzins, ‘Zapo’ took an important step towards a Tour Card.

When Panos Altunian completed his third victory of the tournament, it turned fewer heads. Not that his opponent did not put up a good fight (even if veteran Hadjetian is not on the level of a Birzins) but mainly because he has been consistently good all week already. During the day, Panos assists in the family pharmacy in Michk and he indicated that he has no desire to quit. But if he manages to repeat that form, it seems inevitable that Altunian will leave the pills behind him for a full-time profession. The secret ingredient for Altunian seems to be consistency, with very few skewed losses. His trainer describes Panos as a composed player who seems risk-averse at first before posting a rare but beautiful winner. With that in mind Altunian could show us more on any surface.

It would be unfair to say that Snorre Syvertsen misses that particular skill. Yet so far, the Sjurvikker grass specifically has only been cruel to him. As it stands, it is his eighth participation in what is technically a home match but before the group stage, that had led to a rather inglorious record of 2W and 7L. On his day, Syvertsen is a crafty player but analysts often point to his length to explain the difficult relationship with his home stadium. Then again, if one dives into the figures and eliminates the Sjurvikker Open from the data, it becomes clear that his stats on grass are on par with clay or hardcourt. With that in mind, it seems a psychological barrier rather than a physical one to cross for Syvertsen and with three victories on the trot, he might have done so already. From tomorrow onwards, the games are played during evening sessions, increasing the number of fans in the stadium. The open question is whether that will boost him or bring him down. With (possibly) Daneks Birzins on the other side of the net, he will need the former to finally tame his black beast.

Results overview

Group A
Fomenko Kuanybeshkov     7   6
Ingerts Melderis         6   4

Okro Gvazava             2   6   6
Peter Kopperud           6   1   3


  Group A              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Peter Kopperud         3   2  1    5   2  +3    2
2 Okro Gvazava           3   2  1    5   3  +2    2
3 Fomenko Kuanybeshkov   3   1  2    2   4  −2    1
4 Ingerts Melderis       3   1  2    2   5  −3    1

A remarkable comeback from Okro Gvazava who grabs that last chance.
After the first set, he dunked a whole water bottle over his head and turned out refreshed.
Ingerts Melderis with a disappointment, showing his lack of consistency.

Group B
Nazer Armanev            3   4
Roar Myhre               6   6

Vitalij Kryvenko         2   2
Linarts Perkons          6   6


  Group B              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Linarts Perkons        3   3  0    6   1  +5    3
2 Roar Myhre             3   2  1    4   2  +2    2
3 Vitalij Kryvenko       3   1  2    2   4  −2    1
4 Nazer Armanev          3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Kryvenko cannot make a proper fist against Perkons, he won’t be the last.
That cannot be said about Armanev who leaves with just a single point, but who entertained.

Group C
Karnig Trdatyan          4   6
Oskar Knudsen            6   7

Zynovij Rybak            6   7
Garen Ishkhanian         3   6


  Group C              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Zynovij Rybak          3   2  1    5   3  +2    2
2 Karnig Trdatyan        3   2  1    4   4   0    2
3 Garen Ishkhanian       3   1  2    3   4  −1    1
4 Oskar Knudsen          3   1  2    3   4  −1    1

At least a bit of comfort for Oskar Knudsen to get a victory, but he’s eliminated.
The same goes for Ishkhanian who formed a novelty in this tournament, but missed the mark in the end.

Group D
Myroslav Zaporozhets     4   6   7
Daneks Birzins           6   3   5

Haygaz Zohrabyan         6   6
Kieran Quinlan           4   1


  Group D              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Myroslav Zaporozhets   3   3  0    6   2  +4    3
2 Daneks Birzins         3   2  1    5   3  +2    2
3 Haygaz Zohrabyan       3   1  2    2   4  −2    1
4 Kieran Quinlan         3   0  3    2   6  −4    0

A cold shower for Daneks Birzins who will have to rely on the play-offs to make it through.
For Zohrabyan, this relatively easy win lifts the spirits for the next two tournaments.

Group E
Kasbar Sarian            4   6   2
Avskenti Mukhraneli      6   2   6

Brendan Moloney          4   2
Julijans Leitis          6   6


  Group E              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Julijans Leitis        3   3  0    6   1  +5    3
2 Brendan Moloney        3   2  1    4   2  +2    2
3 Avskenti Mukhraneli    3   1  2    3   5  −2    1
4 Kasbar Sarian          3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

In what had been anticipated as a tight confrontation, Julijans Leitis easily triumphs.
Predicted punching back Sarian, from his side, proved to be more resilient than expected.

Group F
Panos Altunian           6   7
Set Hadjetian            4   5

Anri Tiltins             6   7
Davit Zakareishvili      1   5


  Group F              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Panos Altunian         3   3  0    6   1  +5    3
2 Anri Tiltins           3   2  1    5   2  +3    2
3 Set Hadjetian          3   1  2    2   5  −3    1
4 Davit Zakareishvili    3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Never an easy game against Hadjetian but his twelve year younger compatriot shows great promise.
For Anri Tiltins, the second set was too tight after some sloppy footwork.

Group G
Kazymyr Lobota           6   6
Vahe Musayelyan          3   4

Livis Sirovs             6   6   4
Pylyp Marchuk            7   4   6


  Group G              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kazymyr Lobota         3   3  0    6   1  +5    3
2 Vahe Musayelyan        3   2  1    4   3  +1    2
3 Pylyp Marchuk          3   1  2    4   5  −1    1
4 Livis Sirovs           3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Every bit of Lobota once more looked like a title candidate.
In the closing game, Marchuk won his third three-setter of the tournament.

Group H
Vyacheslav Kamarenko     2   2
Finbar McShane           6   6

Egins Liemanis           6   4   2
Kanysh Baltabekov        3   6   6


  Group H              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Finbar McShane         3   3  0    6   0  +6    3
2 Kanysh Baltabekov      3   2  1    4   3  +1    2
3 Vyacheslav Kamarenko   3   1  2    2   5  −3    1
4 Egins Liemanis         3   0  3    2   6  −4    0

It has been a poor run by Kamarenko who struggles to produce his best tennis in Sjurvik.
The excellence of McShane leaves Baltabekov with a lot of doubts after another shaky performance.

Group I
Mesrob Mirzoyan          5   0
Misak Nakashian          7   6

Cian O'Rourkey           7   5  10
Erekle Nakani            6   7   8


  Group I              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Misak Nakashian        3   3  0    6   0  +6    3
2 Mesrob Mirzoyan        3   2  1    4   3  +1    2
3 Cian O'Rourkey         3   1  2    3   5  −2    1
4 Erekle Nakani          3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

It hasn’t been a great day for pastry but the only bagel of the day does come from a beaming Nakashian.
Elsewhere, O’Rourkey and Nakani turned a irrelevant match into a three-hour spectacle.

Group J
Grigol Chkadua           6   6   7
Dadzis Auzins            7   1   5

Klods Belavskis          3   6   7
Davit Prokopenko         6   2   5


  Group J              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Grigol Chkadua         3   3  0    6   2  +4    3
2 Dadzis Auzins          3   2  1    5   3  +2    2
3 Klods Belavskis        3   1  2    4   5  −1    1
4 Davit Prokopenko       3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Chkadua joins the next round with three out of three, but it wasn’t smooth sailing.
At least he is still in it as Belavskis even struggled to get that consolation victory.

Group K
Toma Botkoveli           4   4
Snorre Syvertsen         6   6

Godvars Melderis         3   4
Petre Davitaia           6   6


  Group K              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Snorre Syvertsen       3   3  0    6   0  +6    3
2 Godvars Melderis       3   1  2    2   4  −2    1
  Petre Davitaia         3   1  2    2   4  −2    1
  Toma Botkoveli         3   1  2    2   4  −2    1

Even if Botkoveli hardly forms a ruler to measure one’s strength, the local crowds are sure.
Snorre Syvertsen, the only one to progress from this group, will get rid of his dark, grassy beast.

Upcoming Draw

Play-in Round

G1 - Brendan Moloney vs          Roar Myhre
G2 - Mesrob Mirzoyan vs     Karnig Trdatyan
G3 - Vahe Musayelyan vs        Okro Gvazava
G4 - Dadzis Auzins   vs   Kanysh Baltabekov
G5 - Anri Tiltins    vs      Daneks Birzins

Octo Finals

Finbar McShane       vs Myroslav Zaporozhets
G1 Winner            vs       Panos Altunian
Peter Kopperud       vs            G2 Winner
Kazymyr Lobota       vs       Grigol Chkadua

Linarts Perkons      vs            G3 Winner
Julians Leitis       vs        Zynovij Rybak
G4 Winner            vs      Misak Nakashian
Snorre Syvertsen     vs            G5 Winner

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 1:28 pm

Timestamp: 27 June 2024 - 21h28
Tags: Tennis

The Stakes
They are up there, somewhere

The field has been trimmed neatly and cut to contain only eight more players, each on a high after a successful trajectory (with the occasional bump in the road for some). By now, the importance of each remaining game starts to slowly shift. In the initial round a lot of focus had been laid upon winning points for the Open Tour ladder. One could even occasionally hear a player still satisfied to have ‘shaved off a point on sets’ despite losing their match. But those targets have now been met: considering the points distribution of the opening tournament, the remaining guys can already book their trains for the 2025 Tennis Open Tour. What is at stake now is the trophy and nothing less. Yes, the winner will not etch his name into the Black Vase but winning a tournament in Sjurvik remains a badge of honor few would ignore.

The first quarter final features the man of the hour Finbar McShane. ‘The Boy from the North’ became a man over the last twelve months and continues to prove so with consistent performances. But to become a household name, an Open title needs to end up on his name. The next step for such a trajectory would be Panos Altunian. You can expect a match with long rally’s and two players who carefully dissect the opposition. In theory, the advantage seems to be for McShane who showed the right patience to get rid of ‘Zapo’ but Altunian rides on a high. Against Myhre, every risky dropshot and stretched slice seemed to end up exactly where he wanted it.

If we are talking form, Peter Kopperud looks good as well (remember his final in Grezadva last month) and every once and a while the local fans remember it is not only Syvertsen who is born in Dinsdal. That all sufficed against an exhausted Mirzoyan but he will need a lot more to handle Kazymyr Lobota. The 29-year old found himself with a fixture that could have been a final in the octo’s but showed that clutch against Grigol Chkadua. There are few ways to beat the energetic Chkadua but with now four wins in a row against him, it seems as if Lobota mastered all of them. The lanky Kopperud will have to find out how to keep the initiative but if Lobota brings his best game, that will be very difficult.

On the other half of the table, we have that other Open favorite in Linarts Perkons. The national number one lost a set to a very audacious Musayelyan but in the deciding end, Perkons’ experience taught him to let the opposition overdo himself whilst picking up the ‘boring’ points. The only thing that slightly worried us was the cooling pack on the wrist with which Perkons left the premises but skipping the play-ins must have been good there. Additionally, he gets a beatable opponent in youngster Rybak. The Cherpahorian managed to profit from a complete meltdown from Leitis (search for the images of game four in set three, in which Julijans Leitis literally did not hit a single ball right) and has tons of enthusiasm in store, but seems too light to measure up against a Perkons.

The grit from Syvertsen shows in this picture as he is beating all his demons at once.

The preview can wrap up with the strongest quarter of the table. Kanysh Baltabekov had to hit the courts twice today but he was the only one to do so with a perfect score as a result. Setting aside Auzins looked easy but getting toe to toe with Misak Nakashian would be something completely different. ‘Nika’ opened dominantly and at 3-6, 2-4 seemed to have the win bagged with powerful tennis. But then his opponent brought technical superiority. The ‘Gardener from Zbasary’ proved to be very comfortable on this lawn and with six games in a row, Baltabekov took over and never looked back. He will have to face the home audience as Snorre Syvertsen rounds up the remaining field. The fair-haired local took not one but two barriers last night. First and foremost on court, where he showed himself unphased after losing the first set to Birzins and managed to overturn a dour situation. It was not the best Daneks Birzins but even this version challenges for a national top ten. The second hurdle crossed for Syvertsen was a mental one: a first quarterfinal in Sjurvik after four consecutive wins finally broke the curse. The way he sank to his knees after the decisive ace shows how much it means to Syvertsen and no one would dare to say that it will be the final chapter of his fairytale. But in the most attractive of four interesting quarters, Syvertsen will need to continue this pace. Those in the stands are happy to ignore that his recent record against ‘Balta’ reads 1-9.

Results overview

Play-in Round

Brendan Moloney          6   3
Roar Myhre               7   6

Mesrob Mirzoyan          7   4   7
Karnig Trdatyan          5   6   5

Vahe Musayelyan          7   2   6
Okro Gvazava             6   6   3

Dadzis Auzins            2   4
Kanysh Baltabekov        6   6

Anri Tiltins             6   1
Daneks Birzins           7   6


Octo Finals

Finbar McShane           6   7
Myroslav Zaporozhets     4   5

Roar Myhre               3   3
Panos Altunian           6   6

Peter Kopperud           6   6
Mesrob Mirzoyan          3   0

Kazymyr Lobota           7   6
Grigol Chkadua           5   4

Linarts Perkons          6   6   6
Vahe Musayelyan          0   7   3

Julijans Leitis          6   1   0
Zynovij Rybak            2   6   6

Kanysh Baltabekov        3   7   6
Misak Nakashian          6   6   1

Snorre Syvertsen         4   6   6
Daneks Birzins           6   3   4

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Fri Jun 28, 2024 1:43 pm

Timestamp: 28 June 2024 - 21h43
Tags: Tennis

Syvertsen under Steam
Sjurvik support sends Snorre swimmingly to the semis

In bygone halcyon days, when the Sjurvikker Open was just another tournament, the Dinsdaller players dominated the grounds and won title after title. But after opening up to a wider audience, it has been a rarity that they could play an important role in the Open. Over the last twenty-five editions, only three managed to make it into the final. Gudmund Voll surprised in 2003 but lost 6-1, 6-0: at the same time the highest and lowest point in his career. Marius Anker only fared a little better in 2011, yet failed to win a set as well. The exception to the role has been the illustrious Thorbjorn Eggum and even he did not have the Open record one would expect from a player his caliber: three finals with the last one, in 2013, finally ending in success.

Since then, an eleven-year drought has commenced. With just a single semi-final from forty-four chances, it seems as if Eggum’s rather erratic departure from the sport raised a curse upon the local fans. As you might remember, Thorbjorn Eggum slapped the door behind him with quite a bang after a dispute concerning stepping stones to professionalism, a conflict with the powers that be that culminated ahead of the Sjurvikker Open. A decade in, it feels like a petty discussion with the former winner just being a bit ahead of his time, but Eggum would not return to the tournament nor its final. Neither would any other Dinsdaller. Yet.

The Snorre Syvertsen who stepped onto the court at a little past six was a different man than the one who nearly fumbled the opening set against Davitaia last Monday. Already visually, you could see he was beaming with confidence. “I feel that my stars are aligning this week and I am just going to discover how far it will take me,” the former furniture salesman smiled. The way Syvertsen took on the first set was mesmerizing: precision and power went hand in hand and even an experienced hand such as Kanysh Baltabekov could not produce a proper response. That shifted a bit in the second hand but as Baltabekov resisted the elimination with all his might, any hole found in the defense was filled by an ectatic crowd. The tiebreak went right to the wire but when Syvertsen sliced it out of reach for ‘Balta’ for 11-9, a football-like roar erupted from the stands.

After a disheartening opening set, Kanysh Baltabekov faced an uphill battle against the crowd.

Triumph for Syvertsen who reached his first semi final in Sjurvik. On top of it, he will not have to face the feared Linarts Perkons. The assumed current number one seemed to recover from a mediocre opening set to cruise to victory. Twenty-year old revelation Rybak was having none of that and proved to be far more sturdy than anticipated. After the loss, Perkons refused to call in his wrist troubles and congratulated Zynovij Rybak in his characteristic style. “What do I think of the loss? You always lose against someone better. Otherwise you would have won. But some better ones are good and some are better. Zynovij is in the second category.” For an outsider, it is quite attractive to rally behind the youngster who slayed some great names for his spot among the last four, but Rybak has the odds against him as he faces Syvertsen and the crowd.

At the other side of the table, the chance for a second Dinsdaller evaporated in the third set. Peter ‘Iceman’ Kopperud did not give up but simply could no longer find a hole in the Lobota defense and was served quite the bagel. The contrast with the audience on the main court for Syvertsen was quite telling, Kopperud never managed to capture the love and attention of the fans. And to be frank, I assume that ‘Iceman’ cared less about the stands than about the actual loss to Lobota. Even about that, he was pretty stoic. “What can you say? If he is in the mood, it’s like playing against a wall. I’m not too good at that.” The next victim to be ‘Lobota-mized’ would be Finbar McShane but we are in doubt if that will be an easy operation. Only twenty-three years old, McShane showed his experience against Altunian who had nothing to lose. Panos played vigorously, took risks and those almost paid off: with the scoreline at 4-3 in his advantage, he captured a break point but could not convert it. That second of hesitation might have cost the pharmacist from Michk the match. With a magnificent dropshot, Finbar McShane eventually won his spot in the semi final. Tomorrow, we will know if he can add Lobota to his list of scalps.

Results overview

Quarter Finals

Finbar McShane           4   6   8
Panos Altunian           6   3   6

Peter Kopperud           3   6   0
Kazymyr Lobota           6   3   6

Linarts Perkons          5   6   5
Zynovij Rybak            7   1   7

Kanysh Baltabekov        1   6
Snorre Syvertsen         6   7

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:21 pm

Timestamp: 29 June 2024 - 20h21
Tags: Tennis

Just One Man Cannot Stop Lobota
Only Syvertsen stands between Kazymyr Lobota and an illustrious double

“I don’t get it. Up until that point, I feel I did everything right. Not perfect, but definitely really well. And then that third set starts and instead of tiredness kicking in, it seems as if he can hit harder, run faster and aim more precisely. In a way, it is ridiculous.” Finbar McShane had a special kind of blunt for the press after his defeat at the hands of a monstrous Kazymyr Lobota. In a way, this result is not a surprise: McShane is a fine player who has shown great improvements this year and week but in terms of stature, he remains a tier below Lobota. And yet, the dominance of the Cherpahorian in the third set was frightening for anyone who is bound to take the court against him in the near future.

Just a week ahead of his thirtieth birthday, Kazymyr Lobota seems to have unearthed the best version of himself. For six or seven years now, he always has been in the mix and occasionally it results in a victory. But a win tomorrow would mean his fourth top-level tournament win of the season and we’re only halfway through. What worries the opposition is that he always adds a little extra. When he won the Sjurvikker Open three months ago, it was a deserved win but the balance could have swung a different way. It seemed as if among a few strong players, he happened to be the chosen one to win on that day. During this Domestic Open, there are some players who can follow his pace for a set, but nothing more. Especially his third and final sets are growing into a thing and it is clear to see the psychological boost this adds to an already excellent tennis player.

No final for Finbar McShane, but the future looks bright for Blarnick’s brightest sports talent.

Does that mean that the trophy (for the occasion a Blue Vase to differentiate from the regular price) is already shipped off to Pyatovna? Don’t go so fast, gringo, but the odds are quite in Lobota’s favor as he faces Snorre Syvertsen in the final. The hometown hero does everything in his might to disprove the Eggum Curse and the fans are loving it, but a certain tiredness was spotted in his match against Rybak. His 20-year-old opponent showed a bit of nerves in the opening sequences, allowing Syvertsen to dominate the first set. But the reply came and even without his usual frivolities, Zynovij Rybak returned to the forefront. The precision that allowed Syvertsen to eliminate Baltabekov was missing throughout the game and his usual impeccable workrate only compensated that halfway.

Fortunately for him, not everything was going great for Rybak either. Some analysts speculated that, being his first time to play in front of a crowd this size, the cheers were slowly eating him up. On the one hand, the natural talent and flair of Rybak usually give him an unphased impression. Then again, the atmosphere from the crowd that oscillated between cheerful and rancorous already became slightly disrespectful at times: the lack of response from the empire against the home favorite’s support was not a good look for the Sjurvikker organization. Be what it might, Syvertsen managed to save his serve throughout the final set, so a single, hotly-contested break sufficed to end the excellent trajectory of Rybak. Snorre Syvertsen returns for the final and hopefully for him, so does the crowd. But it is not unreasonable to assume that their jeers will have a completely different effect on a player such as Kazymyr Lobota.

Results overview

Semi Finals

Finbar McShane           6   6   1
Kazymyr Lobota           7   3   6

Zynovij Rybak            1   6   3
Snorre Syvertsen         6   4   6

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:58 pm

Timestamp: 30 June 2024 - 22h58
Tags: Tennis

Unstoppable Kazymyr Ready To Break Last Boundaries
Triumphant Lobota left little room for doubt about Sjurvikker Domestic Open

One hour and eight minutes. The supporters had to make sure they made it in time to the Main Court to witness how Snorre Syvertsen struggled to challenge Lobota. Whilst the former played an excellent tournament but started to show signs of fatigue near the end, the Cherpahorian grew with every game and eventually proved better. The opening set seemed over before everyone had properly settled in: Lobota opted for attacks in all corners and Syvertsen could not withstand those. Things improved in the second set, with Syvertsen finding his reply by joining the chaos. What was served was far from academic tennis but fairly entertaining. The short games went both ways but Lobota finished in style: a break via a rally that sent Syvertsen in the wrong direction and a serve game capped off with a shattering ace.

Still, in the long run Snorre Syvertsen will also be seen as a winner of this tournament. At 28, we have seen the most confident version of him and that version can make it far in all sorts of tournaments. For the absolute top category, Syvertsen misses that little extra, that unfiltered pinch of raw talent. But with the attitude he displayed, anyone else should be fearful to face him. For Syvertsen goes: if he can make it in Sjurvik, he can make it everywhere.

Capturing the Blue Vase, however, was one step too far but there is no shame in that as Kazymyr Lobota stood at the other side of the net. Lobota has been hovering around that fifth, sixth position of the pecking order for a year or four now: a final every once in a while and eventually a decent list of trophies to show off. But just as I expected him to have reached his ceiling, he shatters it with a season where all his weaknesses seem to have taken a hike. No more off days, no more losing yourself in complexity and no more struggles with rowdy crowds. A Dinsdaller audience is, in general, fairly civilized but it did not have any impact on Lobota that they were one hundred percent behind his opponent.

No surprises and an all-smiles Kazymyr Lobota.

And it pays in dividends. Being able to place that Blue Vase next to his Black edition is one thing, but really breaking that last inner circle must mean a lot. His victory over Chkadua ensured that he won the last confrontation with everyone who could be considered to be top three nationally: from Nakashian, Birzins and Baltabekov over Belavskis and Gvazava. The one but vital exception to this list remains Linarts Perkons yet Lobota looks more than ready to take him on in the near future.

Maybe there is a final ‘opponent’ to conquer. And that one is the public opinion. In theory, Lobota has got it all going for him: an interesting style which does not shun risks, no unnecessary outbursts against the umpire and a good-looking bloke to boot. Yet, he never won the hearts and minds. At home, everyone used to be on the hand of Danylo Horbatchuk, the quintessential Cherpahorian: more cheeky, more interaction, in essence a real character but with a heart of gold. That Lobota once filed an official complaint against a lewd celebration from Horbatchuk definitively tore his relation with the people. Most also found those victory dances in bad taste but tattling, and to authorities no less, goes against the will of the people. Even the stoic Kamarenko, whose interviews are a waste of pixels, got higher approval and there is more anticipation for the upcoming Rybak than joy over Lobota’s success. It is a bit unfair on a man who should be seen as a genuinely excellent tennis player and a decent fellow. Maybe these successes, and the calm joy with which he achieves them, will make people reconsider.

Results overview

Final

Kazymyr Lobota           6   7
Snorre Syvertsen         2   5

Tennis Open Tour Qualification Table

 1. Kazymyr Lobota           16
 2. Snorre Syvertsen         13
 3. Finbar McShane           12
 4. Zynovij Rybak            11
 5. Panos Altunian           10
    Linarts Perkons          10
 7. Peter Kopperud            9
 8. Julijans Leitis           8
 9. Misak Nakashian           8
10. Daneks Birzins            7
    Myroslav Zaporozhets      7
    Grigol Chkadua            7
    Kanysh Baltabekov         7
14. Vahe Musayelyan           6
15. Dadzis Auzins             5
    Okro Gvazava              5
    Mesrob Mirzoyan           5
    Roar Myhre                5
    Anri Tiltins              5
20. Brendan Moloney           4
    Klods Belavskis           4
    Karnig Trdatyan           4
    Pylyp Marchuk             4
24. Cian O’Rourkey            3
    Garen Ishkhanian          3
    Oscar Knutsen             3
    Avskenti Mukhraneli       3
28. Set Hadjetian             2
    Kieran Quinlan            2
    Godvars Melderis          2
    Ingerts Melderis          2
    Egins Liemanis            2
    Vyacheslav Kamarenko      2
    Haygaz Zohrabyan          2
    Fomenko Kuanybeshkov      2
    Petre Davitaia            2
    Toma Botkoveli            2
    Vitalij Kryvenko          2
39. Livis Sirovs              1
    Davit Prokopenko          1
    Nazer Armanev             1
    Erekle Nakani             1
    Davit Zakareishvili       1
    Kasbar Sarian             1

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 3:14 pm

Timestamp: 5 July 2024 - 23h14
Tags: Football, National Trophy

National Trophy Kicks Off In Style
Group phase opening matches deliver with close encounters and marvelous goals

This evening, the National Trophy started and immediately showcased part of the motivation behind the format: close games, all to be followed by the fans. On the one hand, in the stadium and with nearly twenty thousands fans across the two duels, it was clear that the supporters could be charmed by an interstate competition. But, as importantly, by the fans at home. Part of the setup focuses on the availability for those who follow on screen and with six time slots across the weekend, there are a maximum of two games at the same time. Only the final two matches of the group phase will have more parallelism to ensure fairness. Broadcaster OSC4 was notably quick to say that the viewing share was ‘exceptional’ and ‘a great success’. We will see whether, once the novelty wears off, people will still be as thrilled to follow football clubs from outer states.

Be that as it may, those who tuned in to OSC4 tonight made the right decision with a strong encounter between Basqalar and Lokomotivi. Two sides with no interest to lean back, although with varying methods. The home side pressed like a machine to strangle the life out of Bazhka but a reliable Athosyan on goal kept his team afloat with some crucial saves. And in time, Lokomotivi found more space to show their capacities: attacks that put a lot of guys into the box and gets defenses scrambling. Just ahead of the break, a header from Kenosh Baryakan put Kiralbay on the backfoot. Those were not phased and in the first minutes after the break, Ramutdanov pulled the score even with a scruffy goal. Kiralbay pressed on and when Lokomotivi lost a defender on a second yellow, the crumbling seemed near. The visitors in their characteristic orange did all they could but in minute 82, they cracked. Daniarev with that typical banana cross from the right and Daniil Tulumbaev became the match winner with an amazing volley.

The duel between Pyatovna and Aggsvallen lacked that urge forward from minute nil to minute ninety, but that did not turn it into an uninteresting game. Both clubs are picked as candidates for the group win and a certain nervousness could be spotted. A bit less with the visitors, where attacking duo Holmsen and Sendall show why they are more feared than the boogeyman by Dinsdaller defenders. There is a bit of everything to withstand with this duo: Sendall had two of his thunderous shots that nearly hit the target but the moment of the opening half came when Jens Holmsen dribbled three opponents but could only be halted by an ultimate reflex from Valeriy Rambenko. Akademiyi showed a better organized face in the second half but without luck: a header from Kostenko went wide and Rudyuk got himself alone in front of goal but ruined his shot. Just as an entertaining but goalless draw seemed assured, Nils Ake Sendall loaded his cannon from twenty-five yards and silenced the home crowd. One cannot but sense that BK might be a candidate for not just the group, but also the title.

Results overview

Group A

Basqalar Kiralbay 2–1 Lokomotivi Bazhka

Group B

Pyatovna Akademiyi 0–1 Aggsvallen BK

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 2:48 pm

Timestamp: 6 July 2024 - 22h48
Tags: Football, National Trophy

Six To Watch
A selection of players who make use of this bigger stage

Mykhita Andrushenko [Svitanok Bulna] * If there was one team observers considered as a title favorite, it must have been FK Vilarme. And if there was one man who was having none of that, it was Andrushenko. Unstoppable on the left wing with extensive dribbles, the Bulna star is at his best at 26. A man with a manual after personal trauma, but the shared joy of his teammates over his winning goal tells all you need to know.

Ross Darby [Sporting Tullford] * As expected, the Bluebirds could not stop the Barons from capturing the first three points but for Tullford, young midfielder Darby stood out. Amid a sinking ship, the lanky 21-year-old stood out with his quick thinking and vertical passing. Not everything turned into gold as the Tullford attack lacked a bit of juice, but they could not blame the passing into space. Curious to see if Darby can confirm and get the reins of his team in his hands.

Luka Meliava [Merani Tbindali] * Yes, it is hard to call whatever Dzjevan delivered professional football but you still have to convert the chances. With four goals in one evening, Meliava put an early record on the books that will be tough to best. In the past, the Kadzjors native used to be a support striker but he proves he can be the main act as well for Merani. Especially his third goal, where he popped up at the penalty point and pushed it into the bottom corner, shows above average football IQ.

Einars Radzins [Vienots Kerstums] * In a game that was quite a drag to watch, Radzins was a rare source of joy to watch. Diminutive at just one meter sixty-three, he lacks the body to truly become a national star. But against the lumbering opposition from Cherpahor, he thwirled and danced with the ball, a privileged partner whilst all other actors could just stand by and ogle his love affair. Radzins is a genuine ‘the streets will remember’ and now they will cross the borders of Strauzeme.

Artem Ivanchuk [Arsenal Pyatovna] * After three consecutive Cherpahorian titles, one would think that the Arsenal line-up is sufficiently familiar. But the legendary manager Radzinko keeps on finding new gems in the hinterland, drops them in at kick-off and things run like clockwork. Right-back Ivanchuk is the latest find for whom the peculiar five-man defense seems trained from birth. A player with a lot of stamina and the right timing in his rushes, both on the outside as when cutting into the halfspaces.

Timut Ghazaryan saves a point for Banvor.

Timut Ghazaryan [Banvor Tasjavan] * In theory, a victory for Banvor was anticipated but the Ironheads can count their blessings as a striker such as Ghazaryan grabs them a coveted point. Kalaki proved to be a surprisingly agile opponent that made the Luyhatsaki champions appear sluggish. A word quite often associated with their big man up front but when he delivers the goals, who can complain? One successful header on a corner kick and one time dominant over two direct opponents: this is a beast in the box.

Results overview

Group C

FK Vilarme 0–2 Svitanok Bulna
Sporting Tullford 0–1 Kiralbay FC
Sharzhich Dzjevan 0–6 Merani Tbindali

  Group C               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Merani Tbindali         1    1   0   0     6    0   +6     3
2 Svitanok Bulna          1    1   0   0     2    0   +2     3
3 Kiralbay FC             1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
4 Sporting Tullford       1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
5 FK Vilarme              1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0
6 Sharzhich Dzjevan       1    0   0   1     0    6   −6     0

Group D

Vienots Kerstums 1–0 Hirnyky Horychi
Arsenal Pyatovna 2–0 Loharmey Town
Kalaki Kadzjors 2–2 Banvor Tasjavan

  Group D               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Arsenal Pyatovna        1    1   0   0     2    0   +2     3
2 Vienots Kerstums        1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
3 Banvor Tasjavan         1    0   1   0     2    2    0     1
  Kalaki Kadzjors         1    0   1   0     2    2    0     1
5 Hirnyky Horychi         1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
6 Loharmey Town           1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:35 pm

Timestamp: 7 July 2024 - 21h36
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

”Learning Should Be Our Measure Of Success”
Manager Ozols placed the bar low and seems to be the only person in the Union to do so

“Will I be satisfied with seven consecutive losses? You always strive for victory, of course, but I can think of an outcome where we go zero for seven and still can look back at the tournament with a positive conclusion. We need to be aware that this will be a confrontation between the finest talent from our Oharese valleys, and those from the entire world. It will be a learning process, for sure, and one that will see us stumble along the way. But if I see a different, improved Red Wolves stepping off the court of the EvEv Arena than the one to arrive at Gonzaga International, why would I not consider this a success?”

A certain humbleness suits an Oharese representative and when stepping out into the world as head of our first national team, it seems a likable communication strategy for Justs Ozols. With his message, this fatherly figure did his utmost best to keep away any pressure from his selection. A group which, in fairness, no one can tell to be decently, promisingly or downright insufficiently armed for an intense schedule with seven games crammed into eight days. The opening game against Ralsalin (2-8 in IBC39) will tell us a lot more but until that point (and probably a few days after), Ozols refuses to speculate on an outcome.

There is one important element Ozols seems to overlook and that is that the results will matter now more than ever. It is, in a way, surprising that no one from the offices of the Kavorkian Government or O’Reilly Ministry imprinted that into the mind of the national manager. They appointed him not just to lead a training programme, but to represent their new doctrine for the image of the Union. Calling the Red Wolves a propaganda tool might be a bit much but it is exactly how the opposition views them. This is not a basketball team but a representation of what the Union should become: internationally visible, assertive and (what bothers the most to some) one.

The selection, where some saw the presence of Quinn and Hlushko as a gift to the states of Cherpahor and Gledeiradh to make them feel more ‘part of the team’, already launched the first few attacks on the basketball team. Luckily, both players earned their place on merit: alternatives of equal caliber can be named but no one was really snubbed to see these two in. Yet it felt just like a prelude to any potential upheaval if the Red Wolves prove to weigh too lightly in international competition. With three of the four easiest opponents coming early on, nothing will clear the air then one or two wins. If losses come in thick and fast, the presence of the Wolves will be questioned and as such the whole program of nationalization.

It is a governmental line which took a few hits already over the last month. Attempts to install a few liberal viewpoints with regards to same-sex marriage across the union suddenly found a blocking minority. The negotiations to ban any internal import taxes are struggling to reach a finish over dozens of exception cases. Appointing a Major General for the Oharese Army proves to be a minefield. And most dangerously, a secessionist terrorist attack on a local government building in Loharmey took two lives. It is fair to say that the Kavorkian Government can use some positive press and rumor has it his plane tickets to Bukusuma are booked for the day after the first victory: never waste the chance for a good photo opportunity. And so, the games from the Red Wolves might not be about winning for Ozols but are literally a national matter for everyone else.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Mon Jul 08, 2024 7:26 am

Timestamp: 8 July 2024 - 15h26
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

High Flight with Vague Landing
Dominant performance from the Wolves overshadowed by ‘Triumph Flight Incident’

At tip-off, there was major uncertainty about how the Wolves would fare but that disappeared like snow for the sun as soon as Niklavs Liepins took the reins in the game. Manager Ozols usually catches the eye with a collective-focussed tactic but it was clear that the Benzaune ace was given a special role against Ralsalin. Despite the respectable amount of basketball IQ on the court, with Jandieri and Pakradounian all appearing over thirty minutes, every attack somehow had to pass through him to materialize. Liepins also had brought along his characteristic fade-away jumper to Banija and no reply was found by Ralsalin. A 15-22 in the opening quarter turned into a devastating 27-46 halfway.

That does not mean that the Red Wolves were flawless. Haygaz Tenkian had been given a starting spot in the paint but struggled to overpower his direct opponent there. Luckily for Ozols, his preference for the Dvavir center (as he launched him with the club) did not turn into a topic as back-up Dongvani proved little better when given time on court. The lack of rebound power could be a weakness in future games and as rotation soared, Ralsalin played a better third quarter. Veteran Hlushko seemed to be the only one to bring something off the bench but the younger players were caught out: 51-63 and a glimmer of hope for the opponent.

But in money time, Niklavs Liepins quickly quenched that spark with two bombs in succession. Especially the last one, where he barely saw the ring when Pakradounian gave the pass, should make the highlight reels. With the gap established, Justs Ozols could afford to give his full bench a few minutes while the ones who made the difference could be rested: it was clear that Ralsalin accepted the defeat. A triumph with a twenty-two point gap, a surprisingly clear game plan, an MVP performance with 28 points by Liepins: there was a lot to be satisfied about. On top of that, Ozols won some souls as he did not shut his eyes for the learning points: being stronger in the box and beyond the sixth man will be crucial as the high pace of games wears out the starting five.

Needless to say that the victory was well received at home as well, inspiring Prime Minister Ilya Kavorkian to board a private jet along with two more members of his cabinet to Banija before the last whistle. His comms responsible claims that the trip had been planned regardless of the results, but the eagerness to bask in the light of success of the Wolves was noted. In a luckier world for Kavorkian, who does his utmost best to shed the image of a gray mouse, that would have been the full extent of his PR faux pas, neatly balanced by a headline picture of him receiving a Red Wolves shirt from the hands of Liepins. After all, the Red Wolves seem to be the only nationalization campaign to run swimmingly at the moment.

Unfortunately, his plane suddenly disappeared from the radar. It would take over two hours for communication to be reestablished as bad weather had forced the pilot to divert to an unanticipated route. A short period but one that provoked a quick crisis as it became clear that the backup plan for a passing of the Prime Minister is not encoded in law at the moment. It took a full forty minutes before the government of ‘national unity’ proved to be as fragile as a house of cards. Minister Andropaev dealt the first blow, suggesting that the Minister of Interior should take over in such a case, incidentally his position.

A quarter of an hour later, a colleague of his considered the disappearance of a Prime Minister a ‘Military Matter Grade I’ and something for a War Office. You would never guess what his current role would be. Said statement inspired Dinsdaller general Ludviksen to claim that a ‘Grade I’ occurence should lead to the installment of a temporary Military Command and he happened to know the right person for that job. Just before Kavorkian made his reappearance, completely oblivious from the chaos at the ground, secessionists from Gledeiradh claimed their hand was behind it but their ‘Free Republic’ was quenched as swiftly as it was declared.

In the hours after the ministerial jet touched ground in Banija, his office quickly drafted a new law that foresaw that a preappointed vice-PM, a fellow member of the cabinet, would take over if events required. By amendment, it is forbidden for both to be outside a ten-mile perimeter from the governmental seat (currently temporarily in Vilarme). Not everyone was satisfied with that solution, but all agreed it was preferable over the existing chaos. During the senate discussion, one MP jokingly suggested that Justs Ozols should become Prime Minister if something were to happen to the incumbent. “After all, no one did more for national unity during the crisis.” We have heard worse suggestions from the plush seats of the legislative power.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Mon Jul 08, 2024 2:34 pm

Timestamp: 8 July 2024 - 22h34
Tags: Football, National Trophy

A New Fire Shines
How the heritage of Metalists could for once lift them up rather than pull them down

I will admit that it is only the third verse and as such rarely blows through the speakers of the VernaMetal Arena, but it remains nonetheless an intriguing passage in the club anthem:

We carry the ax and don’t fear the toil
On our way to break the FK rule

It is rare to mention a different football team in your anthem, but downright bizarre to underline a supposed dominance of the nemesis. Yet it perfectly exemplifies the struggle of Metalists to become one day more than just ‘the other team in Vilarme’.

The very start of the team is connected to the mighty city opponent. FK, founded by private school graduates and sons of magnates, were first to charge an entrance fee to their games. Nothing exuberant but more than what steel and copper workers could spare for frivolities. Founding their own club seemed the only alternative and since it has been a recurring theme. The fans live in the shadows of the factory chimneys, but the club itself hides in the shadow of FK. Even the red-and-black jerseys are rumored to mirror the blue-and-white of the opponent, although they are also the colors of eternal sponsor VernaMetal.

Metalists quickly rose through the ranks as they could thrawl their nets in a deep talent pool: who would have guessed that not-so-well-to-do kids develop their skills in the streets? But ever since it is an eternal cycle: Metalists reside in the middle of the table, then rise for a season or two until they seem able to upset the existing power balance. Then their best player cracks under a luxurious offer from FK (or the secretary realizes he needs to balance the books), the dynamic falls apart and instead of winning a title, it is back to mediocrity. That state title, of which FK holds double figures, became the holy grail for Metalists, a coveted token of being ‘a really big club’ that always remained out of reach. Ironically, far smaller clubs managed to win it in the meantime.

And so, Vilarme’s second team became a parody, one they cultivated themselves. In part in jest (the ‘Best Club in This Part of Town’ stickers show a tongue-in-cheek), in part as a tragedy. Sometimes an FK loss is celebrated more than a win of their own. It borders a frustrating ideefixe and one that halts them from further development. Many officials in the club lament that they “don’t have the deep FK pockets” to the point where it is an excuse rather than a motivation. And one can sense a certain ennui among the younger fans for whom the perpetuated cycle of defeat becomes a reason to turn away from the club rather than dig deep.

As such, this National Trophy and similarly a nation-wide league could prove to be the breath of fresh air so thoroughly needed for the club. At last, the focus can be on their own development rather than the bigger brother. The adoption of a new slogan, ‘Home of the Red Fire’ might seem incidental but it exemplifies the desire in the higher echelons to write their own story first. This coincides with the arrival of Stefans Limpins as new Director, the first one who is not related to the metal company heritage of the club. A choice that was not undisputed but which might pay off. Their National Trophy campaign at the very least kicked off perfectly, with a simple but clear victory over surprise inclusion Anpole. The football itself remained true to what the fans like: harsh, rough and passionate but a new wind seems to blow. That their first non-Strauzeme player Gera Ridishvili scored the second goal adds to that point.

Results overview

Group A

Idrottslaget Stora 1–0 Vatahan Artak
Starts Zilekne 0–0 Kishniken Rovers

  Group A               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Basqalar Kiralbay       1    1   0   0     2    1   +1     3
2 Idrottslaget Stora      1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
3 Kishniken Rovers        1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  Starts Zilekne          1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
5 Lokomotivi Bazhka       1    0   0   1     1    2   −1     0
6 Vatahan Artak           1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0

Group B

Dinamo Dvavor 2–1 Dzjevan Naftak
Energija Anpole 0–2 Vilarme Metalists

  Group B               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Vilarme Metalists       1    1   0   0     2    0   +2     3
2 Dinamo Dvavor           1    1   0   0     2    1   +1     3
3 Aggsvallen BK           1    1   0   0     1    0   +1     3
4 Dzjevan Naftak          1    0   0   1     1    2   −1     0
5 Pyatovna Akademiyi      1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
6 Energija Anpole         1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Wed Jul 10, 2024 3:18 pm

Timestamp: 10 July 2024 - 23h19
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

Red Wolves Transform Into Play-In Challenger
Victory streak once more clouded by political controversy

With Equestria, the national team faced one of the three experienced sides favored to appear in the knock-out stages. But any anticipated quality gap was not visible on the court. The starting five picked out by Justs Ozols performed well, with Tenkian improving from his first game and bringing more power in the paint. The opponents had done their homework and tried to tie down Liepins with two markers, but this opened up opportunities for other players to shine. Okro Jandieri could direct the game better and these slower, spun-out attacks favored his style but did little good for the scoreline: only 29-30 at half-time made this a bit of a snooze for casual fans.

But the tacticians could quite enjoy the chess match between Ozols and his adversary. Off the bench, Hlushko confirmed that he is an added value and Iarajuli brought the rare flashes of speed to the game that confirm his potential. With a clever double pass and athletic lay-up, it was the junior of the team who created the six-point gap to conclude the third quarter. Everyone anticipated a late rush from Equestria as a loss would bring them on 0-2 and put them in grave danger for an unanticipated early exit. Yet this barely materialized and the Wolves showed themselves deadly efficient in the business end of the game.

With one and a half minutes on the clock, Pakradounian made an elegant steal and launched Dauren Bekzhanev to put 64-70 on the board, the effective end of Equestria’s efforts to turn the tide. An opportunistic final point by Ozers got some stick from the home crowd, as scoring with the match settled seems more frowned upon abroad, but it did not dampen the mood. Ahead of the tournament, the Union appeared to just play the first round in Banija but at the moment the group seems wide open. Only the United Mandaran States perform as anticipated and with Equestria and Chromatika near the bottom of the ranking, this could be anybody’s group. With two fellow debutants next on the agenda, the Red Wolves are definitely play-in challengers.

And all that under the watchful eye of prime minister Kavorkian who seemed to enjoy his time in Banija a little too much: there were claims that he was shouting ‘defense’ at random times. A bit of liberty with the local spirits or just ineptitude? ‘Luckily’ for him, the attention was drawn to something else. A part of the NOVU fanbase were cheering on the players after the game with shouts of “Isprokan! Isprokan!”. Worse of all, Okro Jandieri seemed to join the chant although the point guard denied the allegation, saying he shouted “Thank you fans” to thank the strong away section for their support. Nonetheless, the also present Minister of National Spirit and Loharmey (Gledeiradh) representative O’Reilly took note and made her complaint to the present press.

For those foreign readers of the blog, the usage of ‘Isprokan’ to denote the region of North Oharan Valley Union has taken quite the turn over the years. This part of the Oharan valleys has been notably separated throughout history with the notable exception of the short-lived, turbulent reign of King Isprok. He united an area that aligns more or less to the current territory, but did so at the cost of many lives. Whilst his stature as a great if controversial statesman remains in the south, he is seen as a barbaric tyrant and oppressor in the states of Dinsdal and Gledeiradh: the slaughter of hundreds of innocent townsfolk in Marnarock, at his command, is remembered to this day.

In spoken language, the term ‘Isprokan’ was (and sometimes still is today) to denote the area of the NOVU. Initially, it was used as a geographical term but when the time came to name the new union of seven states, it had gained too much political weight. Other alternatives were considered but dismissed: ‘Prakan’ had been used in ancient times for the area but lacked modern connotation and ‘Silnatia’, after the central river, fell off as not every state borders the Silna. Eventually, the choice was made to use the descriptive, encompassing but rather unemotional Northern Oharan Valley Union. The box might fit the contents (a political union of seven states located in the northern section of the Oharan Valley, a star shaped structure of valleys that houses a variety of nations) but embodies little spirit. And it is very difficult to chant, the basket fans discovered. (Attempts to use the NOVU shorthand worked slightly better.)

In the meanwhile, ‘Isprokan’ returned with a new connotation. Some regionalists in the south denounce the formal current name of our nation and would rather see the old one return. This aligns with a vision in which the southern core takes a stronger initiative (or, pending on the viewpoint, dominant rule) to the union. In Gledeiradh, where secessionist movements stand strongest by far, the name is associated with everything they despise in the Union. The rejuvenation of the term only confirms their sentiment that any union is a foreign rule.

Usage of the name during sports matches only throws oil on the fire. Minister O’Reilly tried to take the wind out of the sails of the secessionists by claiming the topic and promptly demanding a formal statement from the government, denouncing the term and condemning its use. Prime minister Kavorkian, however, draws his constituents from the heartland of ‘Isprokan’. The result was a half-hearted condemnation that managed to leave both sides unsatisfied: some called him a puppet to O’Reilly, whose strong governmental impact despite a limited jurisdiction rubs the wrong way. In the streets of Loharmey and Kishniken, however, a few cars with “wrong” license plates were torched.

After the game, a crafty interviewer put his attention to Rory Quinn, the only Red Wolf from Gledeiradh. The guard from Uguns Vilarme remained the most level headed in the situation, discarded the calls as “barely audible” and “driven by one or two small pockets of fans”. Moreover, he expressed the hope that “this non-topic would not get in the way of celebrating the strong start of our team, our united team”. Whilst we share Quinn’s sentiment, the opportunities for political recuperation are rife if such incidents reoccur.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Thu Jul 11, 2024 4:43 pm

Timestamp: 12 July 2024 - 00h42
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

Red Wolves Leave Elm Day Uncelebrated
Aurevbush deny NOVU a fourth victory in the dying minutes

In a rather ironic geographic twist for a landlocked nation, the transition inland from Busukuma to Jinja City ran far from smoothly for the team from Justs Ozols. A packed RTC Arena saw how Aurevbush denied the Red Wolves a win in emphatic fashion. Quite the disappointment as just one evening earlier, the North Oharese representatives had shown that clutch gene facing the United States of Nova Calania.

As is the case for us, the Tapirs hail from a composite country and they showed composure during the first half: lead out by the excellent Jagodzinski siblings, they proved dominant with a 44-34 gap as the teams paused. Especially the fastbreaks proved deadly and for the first time, Ozols had to make a genuine adaptation to his starting five. Jurijs Zeltins made a first serious appearance, but the main impact came from Zurab Iarajuli. Just turned twenty, this inventive talent found the gap in the setup of the Tapirs with strong drives to the ring. Add to that a bolder approach defensively and the Red Wolves clawed back to 72-71 with ample time on the clock.

A technically beautiful three from Pakradounian put us in front and as Keefe missed the next Calanian attack, Hlushko could widen the gap to four points with sixteen seconds left. After an opposing score, the opposition opted for a quick slash on Tenkian but the center, who had been clunky all evening, proved to have nerves of steel when the times required so. He made no mistake in his free throws and secured the win. Needless to say that when the Union entered the final minutes of game four with a scrappy 56-57 lead over the ‘Lean Team’, the mood was slightly optimistic. At dire times, multiple players had shown to stand up so the question was not if but who, for many observers.

The game until then had shown some resemblance with the stunning win against Equestria: Aurevbush coach PJ Long focused his tactical plan on Liepins, giving Okro Jandieri the keys of the Red Wolves build-up for meticulous passing sequences. On the opposite end, Tenkian struggled to handle seven-footer Nelson Diallo but Kaff and Simic were properly covered by the defensive plans with neither forward scoring over eleven points. Not an exciting confrontation, but one that seemed to confirm that the Wolves have the persistence and maturity to pose a threat.

Unfortunately for us, this did not materialize. In the last sixty seconds, Nelson Diallo grabbed two offensive rebounds to raise the scoring averages of Team AVB. Our side only managed to find the ring through a three pointer by Pakradounian (individual stats leader with 19 points) but three attacks were squandered. For the final of those, a (too) difficult routine was set up to get a winning three but by the time the ball left the hands of Niklavs Liepins, time had run out. That an out-of-balance Liepins, reminiscent of his whole game, missed the ring remained a detail.

It led to the first tactical complaints addressed to Ozols by the pundits. Had Dongvani not deserved more time to halt Diallo? And should there not have been brought a more physically imposing center such as Atanashvili or Bojchuk to Banija, offering more flexibility in profiles under the ring? More visibly, supporters decried the decision to go for three in the dying seconds rather than finding a safer option for two: with a Iarajuli on court for that shot, things might have been easier. What added to the frustration was that a win could have nearly sealed the play-in ticket. A two-point gap in the tables, in this concept, is a formidable lead. Now the Red Wolves face the nearly unbeatable United Mandaran States with the knowledge that the anticipated loss could see them fall back among the middle of the pack. This could potentially put a lot of pressure on the final game against Crpostran.

What added to the disappointment were the record numbers back home who witnessed the game. In part as the success up to now drew more and more people to the live broadcasts. But mainly as tomorrow, the twelfth, will mark a day off for the lion’s share of the population. When determining holidays for the population, a handful were already shared among the states, such as New Year’s Day, Easter or Christmas. On top, each state was given the right to hand out four holidays to their liking. But to improve the national spirit and to round up the number of days off to fourteen, three new, national holidays would be observed from now on. The ninth of February, as the founding date of the nation and a National Holiday. The second Friday of October unites various local customs in a so-called Harvest Festival. And last but not least, historians brought forward Elm Day on the twelfth of July as a national day of remembrance.

The rather unconventional name reflects the national character of the day as elm trees are widespread enough to see the leaves featured on our flag. But its main origin derives from the ‘Elm Trees Agreement’. Whilst some minor conflicts have arisen in the four decades since, those agreements mark the factual end of the Coalition War, the last grand conflict to ravage the region. On the twelfth of July 1982, generals from both parties faced one another in a field near Justara, just across the southern border of Strauzeme. As the temperature rose over thirty degrees, they sought and found shade from some nearby trees to sign a ceasefire.

In the subsequent years, groups of veterans often used the date to march the streets. Whilst at first sometimes in jubilation, the mood gradually shifted in a now more common solemn atmosphere. The focus lies nowadays on those who passed away in the war, across the warring sides. Remembrance architecture often incorporates the elm symbol, most notably the Monument of the Fallen at the quays of Pyatovna which has the names of those who died carved in the leaves of a gigantic elm tree. As the ranks of the Coalition War veterans are slowly thinning, it also won importance as a day of appreciation for previous generations and the current military.

As for the first time Elm Day is nationally recognised as a day off, the latter foresaw a majestic parade and a string of local initiatives. Those did not sit well with everyone: 42 years after the Elm Tree Agreements, a national military remains a touchy subject and protests, be it active or passive, were anticipated. In that light, the troops at home could have used the morale booster in national sentiment from Ozols’ troops in Banija. They will have to do with the knowledge that despite the loss, basket fans across the seven states were not partisan when watching something flying the red-green-yellow, but united in their complaints ahead of the second half of the group phase.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Fri Jul 12, 2024 1:57 pm

Timestamp: 12 July 2024 - 21h57
Tags: Football, National Trophy

Tenacious Tullford Creates Vilarme Crisette
National Trophy goal drought puts title favorites under early pressure

Jinas Kegums will turn thirty-three in a few days time and it is fair to say that the striker has seen his fair share of highs and lows over the years. But even he was struggling to find the right words after the disappointing start from title favorites FK Vilarme. “We are looking for solutions, all together. But at the moment they just don’t materialize on the pitch, it is in the details but against an opponent like this, you need precision in the final third. And then a lot of good actions and interventions are just not enough, they need that bit of excellence that we struggle to deliver at the moment. Still, we’ll go again next week.”

Barring the football cliches, it is a bit unfair to lump three hours of mediocre play into a crisis. Nonetheless, for reference, the last time FK Vilarme went goalless for two consecutive games was in 2022. The state of Lars Upitis, the opportunistic striker who seemed to disappear in the backpocket of a Sporting defender, symbolized the struggle to find the net: against Tullford Upitis got a single shot, one that went about ten yards wide. As easy as it is to blame the strikers when you can’t get rid of the nil on the board, the main manco seems to be in the buildup. In the state championship, we are used to a clockwork with lots of variation, now it reminded one of incapable postmen walking the same rounds, delivering the ball everywhere except in the box.

Tullford was, admittedly, not the ideal opponent for a team struggling for a good result: a sturdy organization, physical marking and occasionally a counter to keep the defenders on their toes and the coach in dubio to push forward. The best chance was for the Bluebirds, but Hayes placed a deep pass by Darby on the crossbar. Manager Konrands Fogelis waited till the eightieth minute to change the FK formation, leading to deafening whistling from the home crowd once the game concluded. Next week, Vilarme gets a chance to set things straight with a visit to low-flying Sharzhich. Three points will be needed to handle the criticism that they cannot handle national level.

Talking about pre-tournament favorites failing to show up, Banvor definitely enters the conversation. The Luyhantsak champions played abysmally in the first half against Hirnyky. The Raiders received such copious amounts of space, they barely knew what to do with it. Luckily for Tasjavan, goalie Zornakyan happened to be the only one to set his alarm for this game. Then why are we focusing on the Vilarme crisis rather than commenting on the poor performances of Banvor? One name: Timut Ghazaryan. The tall forward scored his third goal of the tournament, not with an effort that makes football ‘the beautiful game’ but with a shove, a shirt pull and a right leg in the right place. Four out of six, no worries: sometimes football is a numbers game.

Results overview

Group C

FK Vilarme 0–0 Sporting Tullford

Group D

Hirnyky Horychi 0–1 Banvor Tasjavan

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sat Jul 13, 2024 2:26 pm

Timestamp: 13 July 2024 - 22h26
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

Quality Gap Exposed
Stronger United Mandaran States Put Red Wolves Back In Chasers Group

"Sometimes you’re the hammer, sometimes you’re the nail.” Niklavs Liepins lifted his shoulders as he reasoned his way through the game recap. It was fair to say that the opponents in yellow proved too strong tonight, even if the Red Wolves tried valiantly to develop their own game. It seems as if Jinja City is not passing along lucky vibes as the NOVU team could not overcome the pregame odds. With another difficult encounter against Chromatika on the agenda, the chances for a winless streak in the RTC Arena are frustratingly likely but tonight was not the game where it went wrong.

The Red Wolves were caught by the throat by the SOB Balun duo Abdullah and Sukmawan who kept on finding new ways to cut through the defensive lines drawn by Ozols. An early 14-5 gap became 27-15 and eventually 47-29 at the halfway point. Haygaz Tenkian, who had received quite some (deserved) stick in the previous games, happened to be our best player, ending the match on 18 points but more importantly, proving himself capable in the face of the feared Bimantara. The second half had little added value in terms of determining the winner but as points differential could be decisive in the end, the Red Wolves kept their starting line-up on court. Liepins found a second breath and with three bombs in the fourth quarter, the damage was limited to nineteen points. Not just the face but also the fighting chance for the knock-outs was saved.

In further positive news came the support of the fans. A few nights ago, they shaded the performance of the team with disruptive and demeaning ‘Isprokan’ chants but during this game, they stuck behind the players despite the result. This might be caused by the foundation of a first unofficial ‘supporters rally’ who baptised themselves ‘The Elm Warriors’ after the tree whose leaf features so prominently on our flag. A result of its numerous presence throughout the valley, despite the variations in landscape between the seven different states.

The first action was distributing national flags among the fans to try and counter the often colourful displays from opponent fan clans. Recently created and installed, the tricolour flag still form a new and unfamiliar symbol to rally behind. That despite the thoroughly researched design. It’s prominent colours, red, green and yellow, are chosen to ensure that each of the seven constituent states has one of its own shades echoed but none gets their full pallet. The elm tree borders them all and unites the states, with the powerful black field representing the struggle for peace and unification (or so we are told). There is a deep vexillological explanation for using nine bands, but the one in general use is that the number nine is a known good luck charm. And it is clear that the Red Wolves will need a bit of that as probably the two fiercest opponents for the knock-out round await them in the upcoming games. Hopefully the ‘Tricolor Elm’ will spur them on to stunt.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Sun Jul 14, 2024 2:43 pm

Timestamp: 14 July 2024 - 22h43
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

Penguins Could Make Us Quit The IBC Cold Turkey
Overpowering Chromatika show Red Wolves the tournament door amid ‘turkey dinner’ row

Win or lose, the selection from coach Ozols had done the Union proud so far by showing heart, unity and resilience. Very little of that was observed against a Chromatika that clearly has grown into the tournament after two early losses. They took the game by the scruff of the neck, even without Shaddon-Ysenov, of whom this observer starts to wonder whether her return will be an impulse to the team or hamper their progress. The Red Wolves showed little in response. The only player who had his head in the game seemed to be Niklavs Liepins but even two beautiful floaters with his signature could not avoid an embarrassing 62-36 at half-time.

The danger from the Penguins came from every corner but especially Kim Hae-Ri seemed to find success from every position. With 43 points, she broke her tournament record and could well become one of the defining players of IBC 40. What is sure is that no player of that caliber is lingering on our bench. Not even Hlushko, usually a reliable sixth man, brought much and with Jandieri and Pakradounian failing to bring much tactical prowess, the game was settled. Chromatika felt little need to push hard but even then a painful result could not be avoided. Only one (already eliminated) side got beaten worse tonight.

A visibly disappointed Ozols tried to stay his diplomatic self but said enough. “Teams of this level require an absolute focus and even then you could get beaten. But these were not the Wolves we needed, at least not all of them.” Without referring to them directly, one could read the blame between the lines to Iarajuli and Jandieri. The duo got caught in a social media row when they posted a picture of themselves last night as they enjoyed a turkey dinner with the caption “Mmm… The forbidden fruit.” The post was quickly taken offline, but the damage was done.

The public was split about the action of the two youngsters. As you might know, an archaic law still forbids eating turkey. The bird, non-native to the Valleys, was imported on a small scale as a pet animal for the powerful. As such, it became an honorable animal and one not to be consumed. Bird escapes caused the existence of a few wild turkey flocks but the original law still stands. It has become a symbolic dueling point between traditionalists, who feel all historic state laws should remain upheld until further notice (even if they outlived their usage) and those who want an overhaul of the law book with the foundation of the Union.

In Banija, and in many other nations, turkey is a delicacy or even a common dish. As such, the dinner of the two young basketball players broke no laws. Yet their social media ‘brag’ has been seen as a political statement and after all the upheaval around the team so far, the Red Wolves could miss a new row. The last press conferences have seen more turkey-related than ballgame-related questions, with some wondering whether the whole team joined that dinner (“Irrelevant, next question please.”) or if sanctions would follow (“No.”). Fact is that it did little good for the focus of the team.

Even if a loss against the best pot 2 team of the tournament is a logical result, the size of the loss placed the Red Wolves in a dire position. To ensure play-ins, a top three result is needed. Fourth could suffice, but either way this will need a win over Crpostran, a fellow debutant who have shown themselves more than capable. On top of that, a point gap needs to be overcome to lift ourselves over Aurevbush (assuming Chromatika keeps up their current form). Ozols and his men can only hope that confirmed group winner United Mandaran States takes the task at hand seriously. But before looking to others, they need to show up themselves in the EvEv Arena for the intriguing fixture against the Golden Eagles.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Mon Jul 15, 2024 3:06 pm

Timestamp: 15 July 2024 - 23h05
Tags: Football, National Trophy

FK Vilarme Breaking Boundaries
Strauzeme top club surprise all with arrival of Vassily Pertavskas

Yes, there were ten different games across the weekend, none of which including the record champions from Strauzeme. But still they managed to be the talk of the town from Saturday noon till their official press announcement just half an hour ago. While some clubs took a flying start in the National Trophy, the one from FK reminded more of a nosedive: no goals scored, just a single point won and the knowledge that this unforgiving format left few chances for recovery. This clearly made the upper echelons itchy. When chairman Severins Balodins, who usually operates behind the scenes, appeared at the training complex the morning after the scoreless draw against Tullford, something was up.

The first hunch wondered about the future of manager Fogelis, but he remains on board (for now). A bit later, some journalists caught wind of contacts between Balodins and Svatopluk Wyrzuk. The latter, after some research, appeared to be the head of football in the nation of North and South Slavo-Baltia but the purpose of his connections remained unclear. The wildest rumors even assumed that FK was for sale and would be swept up by foreign investors. Needless to say that the rumor mill provided lots of ammunition for fans and enemies of the most love-to-hateable club in the Union to speculate.

Those guesses came to an end as a proud Balodins presented Vassily Pertavskas to the national press. The twenty-year old striker will be joining the club immediately and could appear already next Saturday as FK take on Sharzhich Dzjevan on the road. The word most associated with Pertavskas so far is ‘unpolished’, but quite often they add ‘gem’ behind it. When given the freedom to aim for goal, being it from far out or with a well-timed header, Pertavskas shows sharpshooter capacity. But he will have to work on his dribbling and has to improve his skills as a team player. Balodins believes Pertavskas will be able to do so in Vilarme and offered the youngster a loan contract for one season and a half, with a signing option at a hefty $1.2M.

Vassily Pertavskas received the unusual number 99 for FK Vilarme.

The addition of Pertavskas will shake up things in the selection for sure. For the past three seasons, bar some youth players who earned the odd minute off the bench, the striking partnership has always been Jinas Kegums and Lars Upitis. Both will feel the heat for their position with Pertavskas, who showed positive signals during his first training session. Kegums, at 33, can start to feel the weight of the years and might be pushed back to a more supporting role. Upitis, on the other hand, kicked off the tournament in an abysmal form and will need to recover fast to keep his spot in the line-up assured.

Not just the Vilarme players are impacted by the notable transfer of the Slavo-Baltic forward, but so are the other clubs of the National Trophy. FK made clever use of a loophole in the regulations: the rules forbade a transfer between Valley clubs, except in the gap between the final of the National Trophy and the kick-off of the new First Division. But there was nothing in the rulebook concerning international transfer. The FA seems to greenlight the move from Pertavskas and if it results in success for FK Vilarme, other clubs could be scouting abroad for players. This opens a whole new front in the war for talent.

The man in the middle of all the controversy, Vassily Pertavskas, remained seemingly calm under the circumstances. He only referred to his ambition to develop with the blue-and-white, lauded the fans of the club and reminded one that his first target would be to prove himself on the pitch. What is clear is that every move of his on the field will be followed up close by everyone, including this blog. The pressure is on for Pertavskas but so far, the Slavo-Baltic attacker left a calm and composed impression, ready to go where no player has gone before him.

Results overview

Group A
Vatahan Artak 0–0 Kishniken Rovers
Lokomotivi Bazhka 0–1 Starts Zilekne
Idrottslaget Stora 0–1 Basqalar Kiralbay

  Group A               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Basqalar Kiralbay       2    2   0   0     3    1   +2     6
2 Starts Zilekne          2    1   1   0     1    0   +1     4
3 Idrottslaget Stora      2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
4 Kishniken Rovers        2    0   2   0     0    0    0     2
5 Vatahan Artak           2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
6 Lokomotivi Bazhka       2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0

Group B
Dzjevan Naftak 2–2 Aggsvallen BK
Vilarme Metalists 0–0 Pyatovna Akademiyi
Dinamo Dvavor 6–4 Energija Anpole

  Group B               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Dinamo Dvavor           2    2   0   0     8    5   +3     6
2 Vilarme Metalists       2    1   1   0     2    0   +2     4
3 Aggsvallen BK           2    1   1   0     3    2   +1     4
4 Dzjevan Naftak          2    0   1   1     3    4   −1     1
5 Pyatovna Akademiyi      2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
6 Energija Anpole         2    0   0   2     4    8   −4     0

Group C
Svitanok Bulna 0–1 Merani Tbindali
Kiralbay FC 2–2 Sharzhich Dzjevan

  Group C               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Merani Tbindali         2    2   0   0     7    0   +7     6
2 Kiralbay FC             2    1   1   0     3    2   +1     4
3 Svitanok Bulna          2    1   0   1     2    1   +1     3
4 Sporting Tullford       2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
5 FK Vilarme              2    0   1   1     0    2   −2     1
6 Sharzhich Dzjevan       2    0   1   1     2    8   −6     1

Group D
Loharmey Town 1–3 Kalaki Kadzjors
Vienots Kerstums 0–2 Arsenal Pyatovna

  Group D               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Arsenal Pyatovna        2    2   0   0     4    0   +4     6
2 Kalaki Kadzjors         2    1   1   0     5    3   +2     4
3 Banvor Tasjavan         2    1   1   0     3    2   +1     4
4 Vienots Kerstums        2    1   0   1     1    2   −1     3
5 Hirnyky Horychi         2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0
6 Loharmey Town           2    0   0   2     1    5   −4     0

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Tue Jul 16, 2024 2:47 pm

Timestamp: 16 July 2024 - 22h46
Tags: Basketball, IBC40, Red Wolves

Red Wolves End IBC On High Note
But victory over Crpostran does not suffice to play an encore

While news of the standings in the other games had already made their way to portions of the stands, the players collectively awaited to see the main board in the EvEv.tmb Arena light up with the confirmation. Seconds later it became hard to tell if there had been an actual victor in the duel between the two debutants as both sides looked defeated. Despite upholding their end of the task at hand, the Red Wolves saw their time in Banija end. Aurevbush took down another giant in the United Mandaran States. Some commentators placed question marks next to the combativity of the latter, who had already clinched the group. But the matter of the fact remained that the last-second miss against Aurevbush determined our faith.

That basketball can be a sport of details had been confirmed in Sisonke already that evening. As anticipated, Crpostran proved to be a matched opponent: the gap with the Golden Eagles never swung by more than five points one way or another. The standings at the end of the first three quarters tell you all there is to know about that: 15-14, 29-30 and 43-43. Niklavs Liepins played, not for the first time, a pivotal role to keep the team on the tracks but it was Okro Jandieri who caught the highlights. His handling skills were underlined by two tremendous no-look passes that caught the Crpostranians dumbfounded. The tournament of the Bazhka guard showed ups and downs but tonight, he placed a line under the ‘turkey dinner’ talks.

The same could not be said about Iarajuli, the youngster barely featured and never stood out. Best one off the bench must have been Abolins who proved to be a multitool. No wonder he still was on the court in a final minute that left heart patients with quite the scare. The Red Wolves went into it two points down and struggled to find an opening. With the shot clock running out, Abolins took his chances and hit a lucky three via the board. Petrov drew out a reply that his players executed perfectly: Dardan with the 62-63 with four seconds left. A similar situation had resulted in failure against Aurevbush but Ozols had a new trick up his sleeve for this one. Tenkian surprisingly earned the possession and made the lay-up, despite the pressure by Nitzan. Rejoice, although for a short time only.

The result sheet from the tournament looks optimistic: four victories for three defeats and getting incredibly close to the play-ins. If anything, the Red Wolves proved to deserve their spot in the IBC and look ready to continue their participation in the future. By the opinion of the public, they should continue to do so under Justs Ozols. Not every decision by the national manager went undisputed but he grew, as did his team. Despite harboring players who never operated as a team before, they looked like a collective in all but one of the games. If this can be developed in the future, the North Oharan Valley Union should be back for more soon.

It does touch upon one of the harsh lessons learned throughout an intense week of basketball. The lack of training camp or team meetings before traveling to Banija showed at times. Next to that, the individual level of the NOVU selection stood the initial test but got caught out against the stronger opponents. Both Chromatika and the United Mandaran States suffered few difficulties to obliterate the Red Wolves early on. On the one hand, finding better and more routines will take time and investment from the key players in Liepins and Jandieri. But in general, the level needs to improve a little more. The national competition, scheduled to take off by the end of September, should aid this. And so, the Red Wolves travel home with points for improvement and a last game disappointment. But in a few days, the realization should come that getting close enough to miss out in such a heartbreaking way should be all the confirmation needed to continue the chosen path.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 1:27 pm

Timestamp: 26 July 2024 - 21h27
Tags: Games of the XVIII Olympiad, Mission NOVUlympica

Mission Olympica Launched
O’Reilly focusses support on individual sports and female athletes

It was with a fair bit of fanfare that minister O’Reilly announced Mission Olympica as launched. With the press gathered at her personal headquarters in Gledeiradh, she explained that the North Oharan Valley Union intends send a “strong and sizeable” delegation to Electrum and Liventia, who shared the hosting duties for the eighteenth edition of the most gargantuan of sports events. But as she made her way through the details, more and more murmurs erupted through the hall. When the time came for supporting questions, O’Reilly tackled one or two but left the building before things got prickly.

Theoretically, we can only rejoice over any ambition of the Union to partake in the show, but it seems as if the Ministry has handed out a set of guidelines that is as strict as it is arbitrary. Six sports have been nominated as ‘focus sports’: athletics, mountainbike, canoeing, sport climbing, table tennis and rhythmic gymnastics. This implies that a well numbered selection will make the trip and challenge for the medals. For seven other, so called ‘discovery sports’, a handful of athletes can be enlisted, yet not too many. As such, spots for archers, cyclists, fencers, golfers, shooters, skaters and weightlifters are available, yet scarce.

It is difficult, not to say impossible, to determine on what basis this split has been made. Most focus sports do have a decent following, but it is hard to make a case where shooting or golf have smaller followings (both active and passive) then gymnastics or table tennis. Especially the enthusiasm for the latter is limited, something that was catalyzed when snoops found out that O’Reilly practiced the sport in her youth. Arbitrary might be one thing but a major personal bias is a different thing: it is the kind of thing that could leave a shadow over her tenure if not handled properly.

The attentive readers notice that no team sports made the list, nor tennis or boxing. The minister tried to angle for the positive spin: these Olympics should focus on the less popular or known sport(er)s but under the cover, a financial Realpolitik shimmered through. It is well-known that O’Reilly’s ministry of National Spirit only got the last scraps of the treasury. Sending complete teams will deplete those. On top of that, there are professional leagues for the key sports. Whilst the ruleset and national organization are pushed by the ministry, they can financially hold themselves without outer support and as such hold some power. If they take the international stage, they want the full headlines and not some multisport event: the IBC proved the value of that. Additionally, they are rumored to have held back nominations for other team sports (rugby, handball, …) or codes (beach volley) to keep the pie to themselves.

A third and possibly most unclear hot topic concerned the inclusion of female athletes. In a traditionalist separation, sports are the male field of excellence, whilst the vast majority of artists (from writers and singers to painters) are female. A backward and (bit by bit) retired view, but one that still heavily impacts our sports community and hampers the talent development. Inclusion in professional sports remains hotly debated yet so far closed off. In that sense, it is disappointing to see that these professional leagues refused the presence of an all-female side to further grow the game. For now, the wait for a genuine pioneer for mixed sports continues.

O’Reilly did make a promise to have female athletes on the delegation but that statement lacked commitment. They were to be selected ‘where possible’ and no hint towards quota or targets were made. A, hopefully ungrounded, fear exists that only a handful of straw(wo)men will make their way to the line-up. Sometimes it is in the details: of the four athletes to front the presentation, none were female. We can only hope that someone shines in the Games and pushes the gender balance a bit more in the right direction. Until that point, it seems as if the goodwill of the Ministry will be the most important factor in determining the gender policy of this country.

by **North Oharan Valley Union** » Wed Jul 31, 2024 8:04 am

Timestamp: 31 July 2024 - 16h04
Tags: Football, National Trophy, World Cup 97, Green Lions

The Future, Today
Seven National League U21 players you could see in the World Cup 97

Tore Repp [Idrottslaget Stora] * With only one spot to play for, it is easy to understand why goalies struggle to make it in a starting line-up at a young age. But this 19-year old makes it look like a breeze. Repp, often called ‘the Harvester’ over the ridiculous length of his limbs, already has over forty starts by his name and showed throughout that he is an exceptional talent. Combining wing span with strong reflexes, he undoes a lot of danger on the line. A forward thinking national manager might include him, even if he struggles to dominate the box. But his evolution in defense management shows Repp is eager to learn.

Andrey Ilichberg [Basqalar Kiralbay] * Yet to turn twenty, already the victim of a major injury and still one of the first names on the team sheet of Basqalar. Left-footed players always bring a bit more creativity and dazzle. Ilichberg struggles to stay between the tight ropes of team tactics but his tendency for the unknown gives the audience that bit more. The nutmeg and nonchalant assist that lifted Karalbay over Artak on matchday three is just one example of what he can do when fit and given a looser leash by a coach who knows how to use him. The jury is still out on whether he is boyish off the field or just a real piece of work.

Yaro Metakvili [Pyatovna Akademiyi] * The son of an Mteborian father and a mother from Pyatovna, Metakvili forms the last one off the talent conveyor belt of Pyatovna. Twenty-year olds are not supposed to possess this insight, hairwidth-perfect passing and general maturity, but Metakvili runs the midfield like clockwork. The mediocre start of the ‘Pointdexters’ should not draw away the attention from this exceptional talent and of this shortlist, he seems the most ready to make international minutes. His stoic nature, unspectacular style (and heritage) does not make him a fan favorite in Pyatovna but any coach values his qualities on and off the ball as well as his natural leadership.

Isidor Goladze [Merani Tbindali] * Despite having the perfect name for a trophy-winning striker, Goladze features in this list as a central defender. Whilst many of his kind wait for the opponent to make a mistake, he actively chases the strikers and puts them on the spot. Usually this leads to unnecessary risks but his anticipation skills stand out: players this age should not have such a football IQ. The nineteen-year old has been excellent throughout 2024 and grows under the wings of his veteran teammate Bertakovs into a leader of his own. Goladze can still be beaten when it comes down to pure power, but his speed makes him a modern defender.

Vassily Pertavskas [FK Vilarme] * The ink on his contract is barely dry but that this young Slavo-Baltian will make his mark on the competition seems certain. Having barely trained yet, Pertavskas was brought off the bench for the clash against Dzjevan but in only twenty-five minutes, he showed his skill with an assist and a goal from the edge of the box. This weekend, he confirmed with a second goal in white and blue, heading it past a hapless Diridadze to break the strong backline of Tbindali. The synergy with the players around him still needs improvement but what else can be expected after only two weeks in Vilarme. The youngster has his spot in the selection of Pavel Jelen confirmed, hopeful to feature as an impact sub.

Manuel Ziririan [Dinamo Dvavor] * A first selection might come a little fast for the youngest player in this shortlist, but if you get eleven goals in a Dvavor shirt before your 19th birthday, everything comes fast. Ziririan only knows one road to the goal and that is straight ahead but surprisingly often, that is the right one. A tireless nuisance to his direct opponent, Ziririan makes heads turn with his goal oriented approach and seemingly endless energy: it has become a default substitution to replace his defender after sixty very exhausting minutes. Technically, Ziririan can skip a beat but if he can turn into a genuine killer, the fear will be real for anyone facing Dvavor.

Karlis Pavazars [Starts Zilekne] * The twenty-year old midfielder has been a crucial part in the revival of Starts over the last two seasons. In many ways, he is the perfect son-in-law, combining his football career with studies in engineering whilst maintaining a nearly spotless disciplinary record on the pitch: just one yellow card in seventy-five appearances is notable in his position. Pavazars possesses more lungs than the average player and will pop up in both boxes, taking care of the dirty work but also targeting those forty-fives with a thunderous shot. In the hardworking machine of Zilekne, this works perfectly and any
flaws in the air are forgiven.

Results overview

Group A
Basqalar Kiralbay 2–1 Vatahan Artak
Starts Zilekne 2–0 Idrottslaget Stora
Kishniken Rovers 0–1 Lokomotivi Bazhka

Vatahan Artak 1–0 Lokomotivi Bazhka
Idrottslaget Stora 4–2 Kishniken Rovers
Basqalar Kiralbay 1–2 Starts Zilekne

  Group A               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Starts Zilekne          4    3   1   0     5    1   +4    10
2 Basqalar Kiralbay       4    3   0   1     6    4   +2     9
3 Idrottslaget Stora      4    2   0   2     5    5    0     6
4 Vatahan Artak           4    1   1   2     2    3   −1     4
5 Lokomotivi Bazhka       4    1   0   3     2    4   −2     3
6 Kishniken Rovers        4    0   2   2     2    5   −3     2

Group B
Energija Anpole 0–2 Dzjevan Naftak
Pyatovna Akademiyi 6–4 Dinamo Dvavor
Aggsvallen BK 0–0 Vilarme Metalists

Dzjevan Naftak 3–1 Vilarme Metalists
Dinamo Dvavor 1–2 Aggsvallen BK
Energija Anpole 2–1 Pyatovna Akademiyi

  Group B               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Aggsvallen BK           4    2   2   0     5    3   +2     8
2 Dzjevan Naftak          4    2   1   1     8    5   +3     7
3 Dinamo Dvavor           4    2   0   2    13   13    0     6
4 Vilarme Metalists       4    1   2   1     3    3    0     5
5 Pyatovna Akademiyi      4    1   1   2     7    7    0     4
6 Energija Anpole         4    1   0   3     6   11   −5     3

Group C
Sporting Tullford 1–3 Svitanok Bulna
Sharzhich Dzjevan 0–3 FK Vilarme
Merani Tbindali 0–0 Kiralbay FC

Svitanok Bulna 3–1 Kiralbay FC
FK Vilarme 2–0 Merani Tbindali
Sporting Tullford 2–0 Sharzhich Dzjevan

  Group C               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Svitanok Bulna          4    3   0   1     8    3   +5     9
2 Merani Tbindali         4    2   1   1     7    2   +5     7
3 FK Vilarme              4    2   1   1     5    2   +3     7
4 Kiralbay FC             4    1   2   1     4    5   −1     5
5 Sporting Tullford       4    1   1   2     3    4   −1     4
6 Sharzhich Dzjevan       4    0   1   3     2   13  −11     1

Group D
Arsenal Pyatovna 1–0 Hirnyky Horychi
Kalaki Kadzjors 0–0 Vienots Kerstums
Banvor Tasjavan 2–0 Loharmey Town

Hirnyky Horychi 0–1 Loharmey Town
Vienots Kerstums 1–0 Banvor Tasjavan
Arsenal Pyatovna 4–2 Kalaki Kadzjors

  Group D               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Arsenal Pyatovna        4    4   0   0     9    2   +7    12
2 Banvor Tasjavan         4    2   1   1     5    3   +2     7
3 Vienots Kerstums        4    2   1   1     2    2    0     7
4 Kalaki Kadzjors         4    1   2   1     7    7    0     5
5 Loharmey Town           4    1   0   3     2    7   −5     3
6 Hirnyky Horychi         4    0   0   4     0    4   −4     0

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