NationStates Jolt Archive

I decided to put them all together - it's so much easier to have 1 thread than 3 IMO.

The draw for the 8th Field Hockey World Cup, to be held in Cockbill Street has been made.

The groups:

Group A (in Roegrow)
Rejistania (2)
Towlieban (36)
NEWI Cefn Druids (32)
Sliponia (10)

Group B (in Ashkenazy)
The Belmore Family (3)
Sweet Sweet Beer (36)
Lovisa (36)
Oddslavo (13)

Group C (at Vimesbairn All-Hockey)
New Manhattan (17)
Grand master Mark (36)
Kaze Progressa (1)
Gleam Street (36)

Group D (at Vimesbairn National)
Cockbill Street (22)
Wella (36)
Belmorian Scandinavia (5)
Liverpool England (12)

The stadiums:

Roegrow - The Roegrow Grass Pitch

It is what it says. A grass pitch in the middle of the second biggest city of Cockbill Street, Roegrow. Capacity: depends how many people can stand around it. No artificial constructions whatsoever. We rented the goals.

Ashkenazy Construction Site

Aptly named, the Ashkenazy stadium is not completely finished yet. There is a couple of patches which lack grass, the stands are not completed, the place looks a mess. The goals stand at each end - we hope. Capacity: 6,000-ish - might be 10,000 by the end of it.

Vimesbairn All-Hockey Arena

At least this stadium is finished. The only problem is, the engineers placed it on the only site in the whole town with geological activity, cleverly enough. Thus, expect the ground to shake a bit when playing. Capacity: 400 - for safety's sake.

Vimesbairn National

Well, this stadium has been in place for a long time. And it's the national team of football who uses it the most. The only problem with this ground is that Vimesbairn FC use it for football training and matches, thus games may only be played at night. Oh, did we forget to say there's no floodlights? Capacity: 150,000 - but nobody's gonna turn up at midnight to watch field hockey?

The Belmore Family rejoice at draw.

The Belmore Family are rejoicing after the FHWC8 draw putting them with 2 newbies the competiton. Coach Clive Belmore said:

"The guys are looking forward to the cup and hopefully we can go all the way and impress the fans."

Currently the odds stand at:

The Belmore Family (3) 7-2
Kaze Progressa (1) 7-2
Belmorian Scandinavia (5) 17-5
Rejistania (2) 4-1
Sliponia (10) 10-1
Cockbill Street (22) 12-1
Oddslavo (13) 15-1
New Manhatten (17) 15-1
NEWI Cefn Druids (32) 60-1
Grand master Mark (36) 63-1
Gleam Street (36) 63-1
Sweet Sweet Beer (36) 65-1
Lovisa (36) 65-1
Towlieban (36) 75-1
Wella (36)100-1

From the Na~ovi National

FHWC will take place in poverty
The 8th field hockey cup will hopefully take place in Cockbill Street. Hopefully because no one knows, if the poverty-stricken third-world country will be able to host the cup or simply overcommited itself on this hard task. The 'stadium' in which group A will play is not a stadium but simply a grass pitch, located in the center of the city of Roegrow. Coach Sa-Tri On, who visited the 'stadium' said: "There are better playing facilities in the south mintanian seventh league - hell, there are better pitches in North Mintania! I thought someone made a bad joke!" Inira Hsi kept a bit optimism: "There are wose parts in the world to play field hockey - can someone please tell me where?"

The Rejistanians will face Sliponia, the NEWI Cefn Druids and newcomers Towlieban in their group, if the country manages not to collapse under their debts untill the cup is finished.

CEFN BUGLE

HOCKEY FAILURES LOOK SET FOR REPEAT
Garth Davies reports from Cockbill Street

NEWI Cefn Druids' field hockey team have been drawn against two top ten teams in the group stages of the World Cup. The team, who have become the epitomy of NEWI Cefn Druids sport, will have to face both Rejistania and Sliponia in games they will be expected to be thrashed in, while newcomers Towlieban are expected to be battling with the Druids to avoid the wooden spoon in the group.

However, there is good news for the Druids - the pitches in Cockbill Street are very similar to those back home. The Roegrow Grass Patch, where the Druids' group games are to be held, is typical of the Druids' home pitch at the aquaduct. After the disappointment at the last World Cup, the government decided that it's expenditure was too much for the return they were getting, and so reduced the funding given to the Druid Hockey Association in favour of other sports. Litlle did they know that it would give them the only advantage they would get next time around. Maybe the funding might be given back after their trip to Cockbill Street.

TBF start campaign Successfully

TBF start their campaign in earnest last night as they took a sweet 3-1 win over Sweet Sweet Beer. The win, however is mainly thanks to the pure drunkeness of the Sweet Sweet Beer team.

It was, however the SSB team did take the lead when their Sweet Sweet Striker Fosters Inc. (It is unsure whether his parents were particularly mean or it is a strang advertising policy.) But TBF managed to pull back with 3 late goals...

Extended RP to come tonight.

From the Sikenian Daily:

Junis-Omeh start strong against minnows
For the Junis-Omeh, the match against Towlieban was a test: Nelili Ri has resigned after the triumph in FHWC7, and after the great matches in the last Cup, the expectations were extremely high. The Orange-Blues didn't crumble under the pressure of high expectations, but archieved a resounding 6-1 victory. Even if the venue was more than a bit uncommon for the Junis-Omeh, they dominated the match. the Towliebanian defense was merely nonexisting and so Hsi'he and Naruk'he used the chance to improve their individual statistics: both archieved a hat trick. the match would easily have ended 6-0 if there wasn't a strange incident that equalized the score: In the 57th minute, a flick of towliebanian <player> would normally missed the rejistanian goal, but suddently, a large dog ran on the pitch, was hit by the ball and deflected it into the goal. I Jasra'he was so surprised that he couldn't react fast enough. The dog was sent off by he referee.

The result:
Rejistania: 6 (Hsi 3rd, 21st 47th, Naruk 10th, 35th 54th)
Towlieban: 1 (<not clear howthis is jugded> 57th)

CEFN BUGLE

DRUIDS SLIP UP
Garth Davies reports on Sliponia 2 NEWI Cefn Druids 0

The Druids' field hockey team were beaten again yesterday, when they were beaten 2-0 by Sliponia. Though the tenth-ranked team deserved the victory, the poor quality of the pitch in Roegrow made it tougher work for them than the Druids themselves.

In damp conditions, Sliponia lived up to their name by slipping every time they tried to put a pass toghether. Luckily for them, the Druids can't even pass in normal conditions, so it was little wonder that Sliponia took the lead on fifteen minutes, when goalkeeper Elena Imps stumbled when clearing the ball, letting <player10> smash the ball into the empty net.

Worse was to come for the Druids. A long corner three minutes was hit straight to defender Fred Leftfields, but he mis-timed his swing and could only watch as the ball skewed off the edge of his stick past a helpless Imps for 2-0.

Conditions were worsening all the time, though, and the only reason Sliponia didn't make it more was that they kept hitting the ground at vital moments. Even with their experiences at home with such dreadful pitches, they could not cope with playing a half decent defence on it, and simply could not break them down.

Final Score:
Sliponia 2 [<player10> 15, Leftfields o.g. 18]
NEWI Cefn Druids 0

The New City Tribune - A New Manhattan News Network Publication
New Manhattan Scores Second-Ever FHWC Win In Amazing Style
ASHKENAZY CONSTRUCTION SITE, CS - The New Manhattan field hockey team played their first game of FHWC8 in Cockbill Street today at a stadium which was apparently not completed before the start of the Cup. The few people in the government that actually knew about the field hockey team struggled to sell tickets, but actually managed to fill the 6,105 seats that had been completed. Without the noise of the crowd to distract them as happened against Timway and Kaze Progressa last Cup, the team walked off the field victorious against new nation Grand master Mark. More surprising than the win, however, was the scoreline, which we will provide footage of the match if necessary to prove:
(17) New Manhattan 5
(36) Grand master Mark 0

Mudbath Paves a Succesful Path
Sliponia 2 NEWI Cefn Druids 0

Sliponia has started off another succesful Field Hockey World Cup with a stylish two-nil win over NEWI Cefn Druids in what FHWC officials are calling the largest mudbath in the events history.

"I'm glad we got the win, I'm just hoping conditions get better. Hell, I'd even want to play on turf. Pretty much anything would be better than this field," said Sliponian goalkeeper Andrew Miller.

Final Score:
Sliponia 2
NEWI Cefn Druids 0

Double Post.

The Daily Druid

HOCKEY TEAM PUT UP BRAVE FIGHT
Dave Garths in Roegrow, Cockbill Street for Rejistania 4 NEWI Cefn Druids 3

The NEWI Cefn Druids field hockey team registered a fifth successive World Cup defeat yesterday, this time a plucky 4-3 against a highly fancied Rejistanian side.

Though the result sounds close, the Druids were never really in contention. The Junis-Omeh were two up within the first ten minutes. First Taki~ll and then Syku took advantage of some slack Druid defending, both easing through and shooting past Elena Imps.

The Druids shouldn’t have worried too much, though. It would soon be 2-1 when, on thirteen minutes, Rejistania conceded a penalty corner. It was taken by Trevor Quentin, who knocked it back to Anna Steeple on the edge of the area, who stopped the ball for Trevor Fox to strike into the bottom corner.

Rejistania continued to dominate, and eventually made it 3-1 on 25 when a penalty corner of their own was eventually finished by Taki~ll after Mjekir’s initial shot was blocked by Imps.

However, the final goal of a pulsating half was another from the Druids – this time, Trevor Tipton managed to run the entire length of the field, with a couple of little passes with Leanne Righteous, and wallop the ball home for 3-2. It was a remarkable goal, especially considering the condition of the pitch after the previous games played on it.

The second half was similar in style to the first, with Rejistania having the majority of possession and chances, with NEWI Cefn Druids breaking away occasionally. It was the favourites who scored next to extend their lead, Inira Hsi hit a long range effort that looked like a simple save for Imps, but the poor quality pitch saw the ball bobble up over the hapless goalkeeper’s stick into the net.

However, it wasn’t over. Again, the Druids hit back quickly. This time, a scramble in front of goal led to the ball somehow bobbling into the net. It looked at first glance that it had gone in of the stick of unfortunate goalkeeper Janake I Jasra, but replays showed that the goal should not have stood, as it had gone in off the shin of Righteous.

Fortunately for the Junis-Omeh, the injustice did not affect the end result, and it is they who go through to the quarter finals. The Druids, however, face an uphill struggle to avoid a sixth straight World Cup defeat as they play newcomers Towlieban in their final game.

Final score:
Rejistania 4 [Taki~ll 7, 25, Syku 10, Hsi 49]
NEWI Cefn Druids 3 [Fox 13, Tipton 29, Jasra o.g. 60]

http://home.comcast.net/~rockchalkjayhawk87/ysn.gif

Sliponia Slaughters Second Team
Sliponia 5 Towlieban 0

Sliponia, now 2-0, are positive about this year's FHWC. After going very far last year, the Sliponians are out for blood and have won their first two matches with a combined score of 7-0. Tom Davis has preserved the shutouts in both matches.

"I can't take all the credit," Davis said. "These guys have been doing their part in keeping me out of trouble. On my own, I've saved eight shots total between the two games." Davis continued. "Had I not had the great guys I do, that number could easily be double."

This 2-0 start is interestingly similar to the start of the Handball World Cup team from Sliponia which also is boasting a 2-0 record.

Final score:
Sliponia 5
Towlieban 0

From the Sikenian Daily:

Junis-Omeh still didn't lose
It gets scary for the Junis-Omeh: While they normally always lose the first FHWC match or if they win, play the next matches so horribly, that the qualification is endangered untill the very last second, this time, the Junis-Omeh won by a close 4-3 against the team with the most diificult name in the entire cup: The NEWI Cefn Druids. The match could not start in time, because the Streeters had problems to organise the goals. Rejistanian fans normally don't care about such problems, they are fanatic enough to follow the team everywhere and to wait no matter how long to see them play. The difference between the ranks (2nd compared to 32nd) was also reflected in the match: The Junis-Omeh were the dominating side. The first half ended 3-1 for the dominating Rejistanha'ny's. In the second half the druids played more defensively. Hsi'he put his name to the scorers list in the 49th minute and I Jasra'he in the 60th for the other side. The unfortunate goal keeper archieved the first own goal of his international career.

The result:
Rejistania: 4 (Taki~ll 7th & 25th, Syku 10th, Hsi 49th)
NEWI Cefn Druids: 3 (Fox 13th, Tipton 29th, I Jasra own goal 60th)

Belmoria Scandonavian striker found guilthy of taking banned substance!

BeS star Field Hockey striker, Geo Thermal has tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone. The drug known as nandrolone (also known commercially as Deca-Durabolin) has the FHWCC name 17b-hydroxy-19-nor-4-andro-sten-3-one, and is an anabolic steroid (a muscle-building chemical) which occurs naturally in the human body, but only in tiny quantities. It is very similar in structure to the male hormone testosterone, and has many of the same effects in terms of increasing muscle mass, without some of the more unwanted side-effects such as increased body hair or aggressive behaviour. As such, it is being actively examined in clinical tests as a possible treatment for wasting diseases, and to strengthen and increase body tissue and musculature in HIV infected men. In this form it is usually injected in its decanoate form, after first being dissolved in a suitable edible oil.
However, what is detected in the drug tests is the metabolism product of this molecule, called 19-norandrosterone, which is excreted from the body in urine, making it easy to obtain samples. A limit of 2 ng per ml of urine (set by the Field Hockey World Cup Comittee) is the maximum concentration thought possible to occur in human body by 'natural means', and if this is exceeded the drug test is considered positive. Since some samples given by athletes have shown levels up to 100 times higher than this, the conclusion is that the athletes must have been taking extra quantities of the drug to enhance their performance.

Geo Thremal made this press release:
"I have never, nor ever will take drugs. I have strong anti-drugs policies and would never dive into them. Drugs are only used by a cowardly section of the sporting section and I am not one of them. This is complete fabrication by the FHWCC and is another Belmorian assasination attempt on the Belmoria Scandinavian sports team and is unacceptable. I will be apealing to the committee and I hope they will ignore the Belmorian lies!"

The Committee is to vote on his puishment with 4 options

1. 2 Year Ban
2. Lifetime Ban
3. Exclusion of BeS from FHWC9
4. Lifetime Exclusion of BeS from all FHWCs

OOC: FHWCC members Vote Now.

From the Sikenian Daily:

A sh...y draw
The Junis-Omeh defined the word 'sh...y draw' in a new way in their match against Sliponia. The match was again on the grass pitch in central Roegrow. Unfortunatly, this place is also used to take dogs for a walk, a fact which was tragic for the rejistanian score. Goalie Janake I Jasra had bad luck as he slipped on a piece of dog excrements as he wanted to reach the ball. The ball sailed past him and gave the Sliponians the lead. During most parts of the match, the game was balanced. In the 21st minute, the Sliponians archieved the lead in the way already described. It was the third big chance for them. Sliponia played more defensivly after that, they didn't want to endanger the lead. The Rejistanha'ny had problems to get chances, but they attacked constantly and finally, Naruk'he archieved the equalizer three minutes before the end of the match.

The Junis-Omeh have qualified for the round of 16, where they are going to meet 3rd ranked The Belmore Family. Everyone expects it to be a hard match and hopes, that dogs are not allowed on the pitch before or during the game.

The result:
Sliponia: 1 (<player>)
Rejistania: 1 (Naruk 57th)

The Belmore Family March on

The Belmore Family had probably one of our greatest wins in our long Field Hockey history last night when we stepped out onto the pitch against Rejistania. The ex-champs were fired up for the game and weren’t going to back down easily.

The first goal of the game fell to the Rejistanians when Syku latched on to a penalty corner placing the ball in the goal before the defense had time to think. But this lead was shortly destroyed as Alan Belmore was given a penalty flick as their keeper laid on the ball intentionally. The flick was glorious, nicely setting itself in the back of the net. But the riot did not finish there. Alec Mitchell added a second for TBF on the stroke of half-time when he bustled his way into the D to produce a low hard shot into the goal.

After the teams re-emergerged they were straight back on goal with Rejistania taking the match to 2-2 with Taki~ll's cross being met nicely by the stick of Hsi who managing to level the score. But we were now fired up, we were ready to do the business and on the 76th minute Alan Belmore took his tally to 2 when a free kick on the edge of the D was given. The ball was blasted into the D by Dalia with the slightest of touches all that was need from Belmore. Now the Belmorians were cruising, but just before the end they sealed the match why Canham's low hard shot from the edge of the D found its way into the back of the net.

FINAL SCORE
THE BELMORE FAMILY 4

REJISTANIA 2

TBF: Heh - good one. Do we TG our votes, or what?

OOC: Insert really long RP that the forums ate here. :roll:

TBF: Heh - good one. Do we TG our votes, or what?
BeS have malready been kicked from the comp, but vote on whether yo want the player or the whole team banned for [x] amount of years

TBF: Heh - good one. Do we TG our votes, or what?
BeS have malready been kicked from the comp, but vote on whether yo want the player or the whole team banned for [x] amount of years1. 2 Year Ban

http://home.comcast.net/~rockchalkjayhawk87/ysn.gif

Sliponians Go Home Empty Handed
But sure enjoyed the ride

The Sliponian national team drew Rejistania's team and with that, it was enough to make the quarter finals, however no one seemingly knew from the Sliponian side. The complete lack of offense led to Sliponia's 1-nil draw against Oddslavo.

Final scores:
Rejistania 1 Sliponia 1
Oddslavo 1 Sliponia 0

Ankh-Morpork C-mail
Cockbill Street Department

We're Winning A Sport - But Don't Know The Rules
"Field Hockey"-ists Gain Surprise Win

Most people thought the noise about field hockey would die down after three games, as the Cockbill Street team only won once and would normally have been knocked out. However, a Belmorian Scandinavian player tested positively for some strange substance, which disqualified the team and allowed the third-placed team in the group to qualify - which happened to be Cockbill Street. Allegations that the test was fixed has been denied by the organisers.

Anyhow, Cockbill Street got to the quarter-final against 1st-ranked Kaze Progressa at the new Vimesbairn All-Hockey Arena, famous for its seismic activity, and surprisingly managed a win. Nobody really knows how, since the Progressans apparently had six times as many chances, four times as many corners (which are supposed to be very important) and even had four penalty shots, of which two were scored.

Nonetheless, Liz Ure (yes, you read correctly - females apparently also play this game) scored the final goal eleven minutes into extra time, making the score 4-3 and sending the crowd of 985 into despair. The only man who was jumping up and down was the president of the Field Hockey federation, who afterwards stated that this could have a huge boost for the popularity of the sport in Cockbill Street. Funnily enough, another three people joined the Field Hockey Federation after the game, making the total number of members twenty-six. They are all expected to turn up at the Roegrow Grass Patch for the semi-final against The Belmore Family - founders of the Field Hockey World Cup. We wish the Streeters luck, although we seriously doubt their chances.

Liverpool England 2 New Manhattan 0, Liverpool England 2 Oddslavo 1

FINAL OF FHWC8 - Liverpool England vs The Belmore Family

Could 8 really be a lucky number for Liverpool England? The team won the football world cup in the eighth running, and now in the Field Hockey world cup, the ex-hosts have the chance to repeat that amazing feat achieved by Sir Jim Whites' men. Stay tuned for results!

Liverpool England 2 New Manhattan 0, Liverpool England 2 Oddslavo 1

FINAL OF FHWC8 - Liverpool England vs The Belmore Family

Could 8 really be a lucky number for Liverpool England? The team won the football world cup in the eighth running, and now in the Field Hockey world cup, the ex-hosts have the chance to repeat that amazing feat achieved by Sir Jim Whites' men. Stay tuned for results!

http://www.abelmore.com/TDB.JPG

TBF go to final

Both teams were nervous. Neither had made it to a FHWC final previoulsy and both were eager to produce a great result.

The nerves ashowed early on in the first half, especially for Liverpool England as TBF capitilised on a short coner, given due to a foot by <number 9>. Goshawk played it to Canham whose low hard strike gave the Belmorians the lead. But the Liverpudlians were not downheartened. They came straight back at us with <number 7> going around the whole defence to level the game 1-1. But now TBF had control of the game. So by the break Baly had netted 2 to bring the score in at 3-1 to the Belmorians.

After the break we took the lead even further with Pete Vatcher attaching himself to Shahen Dalia's cross. Now the Liverpudlians were in trouble. Their manager knew that they needed to do something quick so he used his tactical cunning (or what of it a LE manager can have it) to switch to a 2-3-5 to try and fight back. And it payed off. In the last 20 minutes superstart <number 10> poted 3 goals, two from short corners and one from open play.

So the game boiled down to extra time with end-to-end play both teams trying to finish it but it was Liverpool England who sealed it with <number 7> scoring from another short corner.

FINAL SCORE

THE BELMORE FAMILY 4

LIVERPOOL ENGALND 5

OOC: Congrats LE

OOC: Thanks, although I did record the score as 3-3 at half time elsewhere.