Handball World Cup IV - Sliponia crowned champions [Archive]

24-02-2004, 18:30

Keeping in mind that the arenas selected for the NationStates Handball World Championships require roofs, KOR3A has selected three arenas in which the games will be held, surrounding and within the KOR3AN capital of Seoul.

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/UnityCenter.jpg
Unity Center, Seoul, KOR3A
Cap. ~23,000
Image of interior (http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/UnityCenterInt.jpg)
Unity Center is the home to Seoul’s basketball team, the Stars, and Seoul’s hockey team, the Stranglers. The staff of Unity Center are used to dealing with special events as many concerts have been held here. For this event, the floors have been configured with handball markings.
Matchday 1: 3v4, Matchday 2: 4v6, Matchday 3: 3v5, Matchday 4: 2v4, Matchday 5: 4v5

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/VetsHall.jpg
Veterans’ Hall, Leaston, KOR3A
Cap. ~17,000
Image of interior (http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/VetsHallInt.jpg)
Veterans’ Hall is home to Seoul University’s basketball team, the Salukis. (Seoul University's campus is actually located 80% within Leaston.) Again, the staff are used to making special accommodations for concerts and other such events. The floors have been configured with handball markings. This could be considered the KOR3AN team’s home stadium, as the team practices at an adjacent athletic training facility.
Matchday 1: 5v6, Matchday 2: 2v5, Matchday 3: 2v6, Matchday 4: 3v6, Matchday 5: 2v3

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/TheDome.jpg
Woodai Stadium, Seoul, KOR3A
Cap. ~63,000
Image of interior (http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/TheDomeInt.jpg)
Woodai Stadium was not long ago known simply as Seoul City Stadium, but the major KOR3AN car manufacturer purchased the rights to name the stadium, to the dismay of some longtime fans. “The Dome,” as it has always been more familiarly known, is home to Seoul’s baseball team, the Senators. The Dome was the first closed-roof field built in KOR3A. The matches in which KOR3A plays and the semi-finals will be held in The Dome, with the roof closed. A specially-made handball flooring surface has been installed on the grass, and the remaining grass has been covered with seats for the expected thousands of KOR3AN fans that will show up.
Matchday 1: 1v2, Matchday 2: 1v3, Matchday 3: 1v4, Matchday 4: 1v5, Matchday 5: 1v6, Semi-Finals

24-02-2004, 18:54

KOR3AN HANDBALL SQUAD RELEASED
4th International Roster

* indicates the number of HWC each player has previously played in.
This year's squad:
18 Lee, Kun-Hee (GK) ***
29 Kim, Young-Sam (CR) ***
06 Choi, Soon-Yong (RW) ***
83 Kim, Hyun-Siek (LW) **
31 Flexengasher, Hans (LB) ***
55 Ha, Tae-Eun (C, Captain) ***
11 McBashy, Willie (RB) **

Bench:
21 Choi-Kim, Han-So (GK)
66 Park, Jung-Hien (CR) ***
99 Park, Dan-Young (RW) ***
02 Lee, Chul-Soo (LW) **
72 Von Smashengräben, Siegfried (LB) **
17 Hee, Red-Yun (C) **
79 Lee, Jason (RB) *

http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/rhornick/www/jersey.gif

NEWI Cefn Druids

24-02-2004, 19:29

Here we have the venues in NEWI Cefn Druids

http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/Arena.jpg

The Hole, Mawr
Capacity - 78,000

Though still under construction at the time of writing, the new Druid National Stadium, known only as 'The Hole', is able to be used because it is currently roofed, just so that nobody will be able to fall the 200 metre drop to the floor of the hole.

http://www.breweryarts.org/europe/France/Provence/pont%20du%20gard.jpg

http://www.timarchive2.freeuk.com/assets/images/Redh_Arena_Entrance.jpg

The Viaduct, Cefn
Capacity - 18,500

The viaduct is built next to the Cefn-Mawr viaduct which links the two cities. The arena is named after Telewest, tho entertained us in the early stages of the last tournament but then disappeared. Presumably, the effects of their controvertial team will not rub off on those playing there.

Matches at the Viaduct: Wella v Rejistania, Rejistania v Lovisa, Sliponia v Lovisa, NEWI Cefn Druids v Maropa, Sliponia v Wella.

http://205.236.172.1/~dnobert/Arena.jpg

Dave's Den, Dave
Capacity - 11,000

The smallest of all the World Cup venues, Dave's Den is also not the most beautiful. However, it has been selected to host matches because of the unique atmosphere it provides, and due to the popularity of handball in the Dave area.

Games at Dave's Den: Maropa v Lovisa, NEWI Cefn Druids v Wella, Wella v Maropa, Sliponia v Rejistania, NEWI Cefn Druids v Lovisa.

http://www.generalconstructionco.com/images/projects/WA%20Nuclear%20Plant%202.jpg

http://graphics.ocsn.com/schools/va/graphics/new-arena-interior.jpg

ChemindusArena, Graymouth
Capacity - 32,000

The ChemindusArena is in the Druid industrial heartlands, and was previously part of a nuclear power plant until only six years ago, when it was closed down due to a larger space being required.

Games at the ChemindusArena: NEWI Cefn Druids v Sliponia, Sliponia v Maropa, NEWI Cefn Druids v Rejistania, Lovisa v Wella, Rejistania v Maropa, 3rd place playoff.

25-02-2004, 02:12

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#3 Sliponia Almost Slip
(5)NEWI Cefn Druids 24 (3)Sliponia 24

KOR3A -- The Sliponia handball team started off their their WC with a draw against #5 NEWI Cefn Druids. The was close the whole way with both teams getting down to business early. Sliponia's high paced play was equaled by their highly ranked opposition.

The Sliponians are looking for their second after having defeated co-host KOR3A to win the title once before. GO SLIP GO!

Final score:
(5)NEWI Cefn Druids 24 (3)Sliponia 24

Lennon Marx

25-02-2004, 03:40

Green Leopards Announce Squad

After being a surprise inclusion into the 4th Handball world cup- after all handball was introduced to the Nomadic Peoples of Lennon Marx late last week, some of the finest athletic talents of the nation have been named in the squad. Five players- Scott McGinnis, captain Richard Deck, Damian Monteleone, Alex Brown and Troy Willis are also members of the Green Leopards National Soccer team, whilst the other nine players hail from other sporting pursuits, and one, Center John Clayton of Palyton has played in a overseas domestic league in the sport.

The squad:
GK Damian Monteleone 24, Rodcliffe
CR Andrew Johansson 26, Cartine Springs
RW Richard Deck C, 25 Cartine Springs
LW Alex Brown 16, Carine Springs
RB Troy Willis 21, Rodcliffe
C John Clayton 27, Palyton
LB Scott McGinnis 18, Rodcliffe

RESERVES
GK Marc Bink 22, Palyton
CR John Eriksson 19, Marxville
RW Johan Roy 22, Marxville
LW Yianni Okapolus 31, Los Alamino
RB Fred Waters 19, Palyton
C Adrian Wilkens, 27 Drasen
LB Mitchell Wilkens, 25 Drasen

Lennon Marx

25-02-2004, 03:51

Green Leopards taught lesson in international debut
The Green Leopards of Lennon Marx were absolutely outclassed by another team who wears bright colours on their uniforms, Kor3a in their international handball debut, losing 34-17 in front a sellout 63000 @ Woodai Stadium. Alex Brown scored half the team's goals and was the only player to really adapt to the pace of the game, which was much faster than most of the Lennon Marx players were used to. It was a debut which will have taught the Green Leopards alot about what is expected of WC quality team, and that can only play in their favour in the future. Their next game, is against fellow debutants Resistenica, in what is likely to be the game that will decide who picks up the wooden spoon in Group A. The match will take place @ Veteren's Hall in Leaston, and tickets are still available for LM nationals wanting to see their countrymen compete. The match will be screen on Channel 6 live, and delayed on channel 1, right across Nomadic People's of Lennon Marx

NEWI Cefn Druids

25-02-2004, 04:08

An interesting side note is that Sliponia is currently playing in KOR3A, the nation that Sliponia was able to beat in becoming the HBWC champions back in WCII (correct me if I'm wrong).

You are wrong, sorry. Sliponia are playing in NEWI Cefn Druids, though you will receive your results from KOR3A, as to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Today's game was in the 32,000 seat ChemindusArena (as shown in the post above Sliponia's).

Cockbill Street

25-02-2004, 11:32

Ankh-Morpork C-mail
Cockbill Street Department

Inaugurators Curse Strikes!
Those Who Start A Cup Shalt Not Win It

It must be obvious by now. The Belmore Family, despite nine tries, has not managed to win the Field Hockey World Cup they hold so dear, and Cockbill Street has come close but never actually won the Handball World Cup (two third-place play-offs and a final so far). Now, today, Cockbill Street spilled their chances of a semi-final spot in KOR3A at the icy Unity Center in Seoul.

Yes, icy. It appears the hosts thought that handball was played on ice...or just forgot to melt the ice after the Stranglers' recent game. Whatever the reason, the arena was full of ice, and they had just managed to get the proper markings on top of it and the right goals at each end.

As scandalous it was, it led to some very funny incidents. The TBF players, apparently more used to the ice, took the lead early on from a shot from about ten metres when Callous slipped and knocked his head on the ice. Neil Quinn had to come on as substitute keeper, but he too struggled with the ice, and TBF had the lead 8-2 before the manager Ironfoundersson took a timeout.

That, along with the entrance of former ice hockey player Thorir Axewielder, turned the tide a bit. Axewielder came on for Alan Jones as centre back, and made four goals in the end of the first half - however, he was the only Cockbill Street player to score in this period, and TBF led 11-6 by half time.

Martin Read, the line-player, then stood up to the task in the second-half. He changed to studded boots during the break, along with the rest of the team, and that caused Cockbill Street to at least be in with a fight. However, the TBF lead was too great, and even though Read made eight out of 16 Cockbill Street goals in the second half, TBF replied with 15 of their own and won the match comfortably, with 26-22.

Cockbill Street now have to beat Alex The Tall in the next match - a task which looked simple enough before the tournament, but now looks exceedingly difficult.

Team:

1. Callous
2. Quentin Johnson
3. Alan Jones
4. Chris Pietersen
5. Benjamin Ioannou
6. Martin Read
7. Andy Healy
-------
8. Neil Quinn
9. Hreidar Trollfighter
10. Thorir Axewielder (not related to the footballers)
11. Andrea Durham
12. Peter Sanders
13. Matt Pollock
14. Glod Glodscousin

Cockbill Street

25-02-2004, 11:33

Travel with Vimesbairn Donkeys to KOR3A! Special prices for members of the CSHBF!

25-02-2004, 14:48

The Belmore Family

25-02-2004, 19:47

We Won at Handball?

The entire nation of The Belmore Family were shocked last night as The Belmore Family actually won a Handball World Cup. The new hosts, KOR3A and Newi Cefn Druids are proving good luck for the Belmorians with the win coming in Unity Center, Seoul, KOR3A. The 7 Belmoian fans were delighted from start to finish.

The first half held a surprise for the Belmorians, ice was laid on the ground due to the earlier domestic Ice Hockey match in the center, giving the mainly facians the advantage. TBF had a good lead from the start. The first goal of the game falling to Mike Parker whose 10 yard shot flew in following a bizarre incident when the streetian keeper slipped and banged his head on the ground. And the lead kept on raising and raising for the Belmorians. By the 25th kminute the Belmorians were up 8-2, so with the Streetians looking nervy, the Streetian Coach Ironfoundersson took a time out.

So, after the small break everyone was back on, David Bader took Jack Pini off for Johnson andthe streetians put on Axewieder for Alan Jones. This was just the ticket for the Streetians, crawling back 4 goals by the 40th minute. But the Streetians were beggining to be sloppy and slipping all over the ice so with 5 minutes untill the half was finished TBF finished 3 goals to take the score to 11-6.

The second half was much more of a battle, both teams switching to studded boots. Cockbill Streets 16 Goals were matched by the Belmorian 15 giving TBF a demanding 26-22 win. And with that comes only our 4th Handball World Cup win, hopefll a sign that things are looking up.

FINAL SCORE
THE BELMORE FAMILY 26
COCKBILL STREET 22

Next Match Vs KOR3A (Woodai Stadium, Seoul, KOR3A)

Roster:
1. Paul Irwin
2. William Beer
3. Simon Binks
4. Tom Herrington
5. Jack Pini
6. Maxwell Sharp
7. Mike Parker
----------------------------
8. Daniel Tomms
9. Niel Tomms
10. Tom Strudly
11. AJ Lal
12. Aaron Odedra
13. Dominic Johnson
14. Tristain Grffifs.

Rejistania

25-02-2004, 22:11

OOC: In case you don't know the National, they always exaggerate - and they want Juu Junu to be fired since the first cup, so see this as an exaggeration and a parody on 'low-standard' yellow-press. TIA!

From the Na~ovi National

Wella won't win
The Orange-Whites defeated the relativly new team Wella by 16-25. Future ex-coach Juu Junu commented about this match: "We started as favorites into this tournament since we're ranked first. Of course this is difficult, so I'm glad that we won here by 9 goals." He was right when he referred to the GD, but most other facts, he totally messed up or left unsaid. For example that the Orange-Whites had the unbelievable talent of marking the wrong persons and their offense was merely ineffective, especially in the first minutes, when they allowed the Wellans to take the lead and to raise the score to 3-0. At least the Orange-Whites changed the trailing into a 12-8 lead at half-time. Also the second half saw many spoiled chances and defense, that surely didn't have it's best day. Especially newbie Ilija Syku was one of the worse players in the team and the question arises why Juu Junu let him start. The match against the second-lowest ranked team in this group ended in the expected win, but it remains to be seen if the Orange-Whites can repeat it against the stronger team of Lovisa.

The result:
Rejistania 25
Wella 16

25-02-2004, 22:31

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/dailydomo.gif
(Handball) WORLD CUP CRAZE!!!

SLIPPERY SURFACE SOURCE OF SURPRISE, SAY STREETERS
Seoul Stranglers’ staff: “Sorry”
Seoul – The 4th Handball World Championships got off to a slippery start for both Cockbill Street and The Belmore Family Tuesday evening. The crew responsible for changing over Unity Center from the Seoul Stranglers’ ice hockey surface to the championship’s handball surface forgot to do their job, but those in charge of marking the floor went right ahead and laid down their paint. Thus, the first half of the Cockbill Street – Belmore Family game was an slip-slide affair, with seven pauses being taken to reset the goal after an over-zealous scoring or blocking attempt resulted in its’ movement. The Streeters and Belmorians came back out after the break with make-shift snowshoes on, in an attempt to control the slipping. The game resulted in an upset victory for the 11th-ranked Belmore Family over the 4th-ranked Cockbill Street, 26 to 22. The Streeters now need to make it clear that they aren’t joking around by winning their next match against Alex The Tall decisively Thursday in the Unity Center. The Center’s staff have apologized profusely for the mishap and have promised that the surface will be back to normal for the next match.

BLUES TAKE GREENS IN FIRST HOME MATCH
Experience beats youth in HBWC 4 opener
Seoul – Reigning champions Team KOR3A came to do battle in front of a sell-out crowd at the 63,336 seat Woodai Stadium yesterday, against handball newcomers from Lennon Marx. The Green Leopards have a squad some would call “fresh meat,” with only one player having significant previous handball experience. The same could be said, however, of the KOR3ANS just three short Cups ago, so the match gave the Blues an interesting bit of introspection. The game also allowed the squad to showcase their skill, racking up 34 points to the raucous noise of the KOR3AN crowd. Green Leopard Alex Brown performed admirably, matching lead KOR3AN scorer Tae-Eun Ha’s eight goals. The same could not be said for his country men, who truly proved themselves “green” indeed. Numerous substitutions on the Leopards’ side were unable to provide the team with the confidence and training it sorely lacked and it was clear that the KOR3ANS were not fully exerting themselves, with the second-half roster being composed mostly of the Blues’ bench. Still, not much more could have been expected from the Leopards and they have a good shot of doing well against their next matchup, newcomers Resistencia, in Seoul University’s Veterans’ Hall, said KOR3AN coach Allen X. Kou. “It was not so long ago we got beaten handily by the Orange-Whites, but we now consider ourselves a world power. If the Green Leopards keep it up, there’s no reason they can’t find similar success.” Team KOR3A looks forward to their next game in Woodai Stadium against 11th-ranked The Belmore Family, Thursday.

“GLOWING” REVIEW OF CHEMINDUSARENA
Declared “mostly safe” by International Handball Federation
Graymouth, NEWI Cefn Druids – Tournament co-host NEWI Cefn Druids wanted an arena that could make electricity in the air. Naturally, they supposed a former power plant would be the perfect venue. The shuttered 900-megawatt nuclear generator was “transformed” into ChemindusArena, a 32,000 seat basketball/handball facility in the industrial heartlands of NEWI Cefn Druids. Concerns over the safety of the arena were only raised after its’ completion, by Sliponian players who noticed the fluorescent lights in the facility glowed even when turned off. An investigatory team from the International Handball Federation was brought in. Measurements of radiation in selected sites revealed that the baseline radiation level was 32 rem/year. IHF officials called this an “acceptable level of risk.” Druid Sporting Minister Trevor Brookley assured anxious-looking foreign players all was well. “Toughen up,” ordered Brookley, “this tournament isn’t for a bunch of sissies who are afraid of ghosts anyway.” Team KOR3A is not scheduled to play in ChemindusArena.

Resistencia

26-02-2004, 00:05

The Resistencia Times-KOR3A 2/26/04
Resistencia's Keeps it Even in First Match
The Resistencia Handball Team arrived in KO3EA a few days ago. This is their first time in the World Cup. However, though they are inexperienced on the big stage, they are confident. "We're here to show the world Resistencia can be competitive in handball," says team captain Anthony St. Marks, "this is very important if we want to advance our national handball program."
Trying to make good on their word, Resistencia Eagles entered their first match against #17 Alex the Tall. Resistencia, being the newcomer, was naturally the underdog. However, they made several key plays at the end to finish with a 20-20 tie.
"I'm very happy," says Alexi Bromirski, coach of team Resistencia, "it's a good start for our first ever cup action. " Hopefully, Resistencia can improve and make a move for the next round.
Near the end of the game, Resistencia recieved a scare when an Alex the Tall player nearly scored. Just when it seemed Resistencia's hopes for a tie were about to end, goalie Tom Walsh made an unbelievable diving save to preserve the tie.
Resistencia's next match comes against the the Green Leopards of Lennon Marx, who were blown out in their first cup debut 34-17 at Woodai Stadium, KO3EA. If Resistencia plays at the level they did in the last game, they should take this match though it will probably be hard fought. There are still tickets available at the Veteran's hall box-office for this match. Many Resistencia fans are looking to go and support their team so will probably buy tickets.
Though the Eagles are looking confident for their next match, it is to be seen if they can survive against other more experienced teams on youth, athleticism, and confidence alone. In the meantime, Resistencia is cup crazy and rooting for their team all the way no matter their chances.

Next Match:
Resistencia Eagles vs. Lennon Marx Green Leopards
9:00 A.M.
National Television Broadcast:
RBC Chanel 2
RESPN Chanel 9
Radio:
WLKM 660 AM

NEWI Cefn Druids

26-02-2004, 03:25

The Daily Druid

ENERGETIC GRIFFINS DRAW IN FORMER POWER STATION
Tobias Trefor at the ChemindusArena, Graymouth for NEWI Cefn Druids 24 Sliponia 24

The NEWI Cefn Druids handball team, the Druids, got their Handball World Cup campaign off to a good start in front of home support yesterday, when they earned themselves a draw against former champions Sliponia.

The match was played at a ferocious pace for its entire duration, and could have gone either way. Like the most memorable sporting encounter between Druid and Sliponian teams, the Richter Classic Final, this one was thrilling from start to finish. However, this time, there was to be no thrilling ending for either team.

Griffins’ man of the match, Stuart James, scored seven goals. Afterwards, he told reporters, “Wow! I’m delighted about how it went today! We did our best for our home fans, and got a result to be proud of. Now we have to build on this.” To be honest, both sides seemed reasonably happy with the result – the Griffins managing to get points from higher ranked opposition for the first time, and Sliponia managing to hold highly ranked opposition in their own back yard.

The Griffins next travel to Dave, where they will face Wella, who were beaten by Rejistania in their opening match. Sliponia face another encounter here in Graymouth against Maropa, who are in their first World Cup campaign.

Griffins’ squad for HBWCIV

1. Trevor Johnson ( GK, 26 )
2. Trevor Lee-Davies ( LB, 31 )
3. Stuart James ( CB, 26 )
4. Dave Yeats ( RB, 32 )
5. Trevor Cannon ( LW, 30 )
6. Trevor Chapman ( RW, 19 )
7. Rhys Chapman ( CR, 18 )

Substitutes:

8. Trevor Jones ( RW, 33 )
9. Eric Renton ( CB, 33 )
10. Trevor Ormillton ( RB, 30 )
11. Robert Thakes ( LB, 27 )
12. Trevor West ( LW, 25 )
14. Terry Hat ( CR, 31 )
16. Trevor Kyzirakis ( GK, 15 )

26-02-2004, 03:43

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#3 Sliponia Announces Final Roster
Finally Finalized

The Handball World Cup IV squad has been finalized. The reason for the delay of it's release involved difficulties with the substitutes. And so with out further time-wasting, here it is:

1. Nick Collins (GK)
2. Wilt Chambers (LB)
3. Kirk Hinner (CB)
4. Rob Knight (RB)
5. Dru Goodens (LW)
6. Kasey Chapman (RW)
7. A.J. Ford (CR)

Substitutes:

8. Earl Travis (RW)
9. James Jones (RB)
10. Kevin Smith (CB)
11. Thom Rakes (LB)
12. Richard Sutton (LW)
14. Jimmy Robbins (CR)
16. Rick Ries (GK)

NEWI Cefn Druids

26-02-2004, 04:17

Group A after matchday 1:

[code:1:ec10f2ab4c]
KOR3A 34 - 17 Lennon Marx
The Belmore Family 26 - 22 Cockbill Street
Resistencia 20 - 20 Alex The Tall

Group A P W D L GF GA Pts GD
KOR3A 1 1 0 0 34 17 2 +17
The Belmore Family 1 1 0 0 26 22 2 +4
Alex The Tall 1 0 1 0 20 20 1 +0
Resistencia 1 0 1 0 20 20 1 +0
Cockbill Street 1 0 0 1 22 26 0 -4
Lennon Marx 1 0 0 1 17 34 0 -17
[/code:1:ec10f2ab4c]

26-02-2004, 09:54

Group B after Matchday 1:

[code:1:23f9eee405]
NEWI Cefn Druids 24 - 24 Sliponia
Rejistania 25 - 16 Wella
Lovisa 31 - 19 Maropa

Group B P W D L GF GA Pts GD
Lovisa 1 1 0 0 31 19 2 +12
Rejistania 1 1 0 0 25 16 2 +9
NEWI Cefn Druids 1 0 1 0 24 24 1 +0
Sliponia 1 0 1 0 24 24 1 +0
Wella 1 0 0 1 16 25 0 -9
Maropa 1 0 0 1 19 31 0 -12
[/code:1:23f9eee405]

Cockbill Street

26-02-2004, 22:00

Ankh-Morpork C-mail
Cockbill Street Department

Basket Scandal in KOR3A
Proper Goals Nowhere to Be Found

In an interesting encounter in the fourth handball world cup yesterday, the Cockbill Street team took on Alex The Tall in yet another match in the famous Unity Center. Yesterday, the Stranglers ice hockey team had been playing before Cockbill Street, and today it was the basketball stars that played, with amusing results.

When the teams entered the arena, they found the correct markings on the pitch as expected, but the staff had apparently forgotten to do the job of getting the baskets away and the proper goals at each end. They had, amazingly, got the right-size balls out, which meant that the players were left to play quite a different game. Handball scoring and rules still applied, but the point was, now, to get the ball through the basket - a game which was completely new to the players.

The Alex The Tall players, being more used to basketball, got the better of Cockbill Street early on. The Streeters quickly realised that the old tactics of leaving the tackling till the players came 9 metres from the goal didn't work, and switched to an offensive style of defending. This helped a lot, and the Streeters quickly came back from being 2-6 down to go up 8-7 after fifteen minutes.

Then, to further complicate things, the staff of the arena suddenly came dragging with these huge goals - except they weren't handball goals, but football goals, about three times as wide! The players immediately sat down in the middle striking, demanding to play with the baskets instead. They got their will, and the half was completed with baskets - Cockbill Street netted a further eight goals, to Alex The Tall's four.

In the break, the staff amazingly enough found the proper handball goals - but then rain broke loose. It had been raining steadily for the past four hours, and the roof apparently couldn't handle it. It leaked, and then it leaked some more, and suddenly we had a shower. The floor became just as slippery as in the previous match, played on ice, and Cockbill Street players had exactly the same problems. Alan Jones slipped and sprained his elbow on the floor, and had to be substituted early on. It didn't prevent the other players from scoring more goals, though, and especially Martin Read liked the slippery floor. He made seven goals in the second half, and ensured a comfortable Cockbill Street win by 29 goals to 22.

Resistencia

27-02-2004, 00:03

Resistencia Times
Veteran's Hall, KOR3A 2/27/04
Resistencia Shot Down:
Eagles' Hopes Come Crashing Down After Humiliating Loss

All of the confidence, big talk, and high hopes Resistencia had gained after tying ALex the Tall in its first ever match came crashing and burning to the ground. They were beaten 23-19 by fellow newcomer Lennon Marx.

The most disappointing thing about the game was that this was considered by many Resistencia's first and maybe only oppurtunity to get a big win in this world cup. Now, Resistencia finds itself in a deep hole with a loss and a tie and going up against much tougher competition.

"It's a tough loss," said captain Anthony St. Marks, who led the team in scoring, "now we just have to look to the next match and do our best. Though they seemed confident after the game its obvious the whole team knows that they are in trouble. With the loss Resistencia will probably have to win two out of their last three games to have a hope of advancing deeper into the tournament.

Hopefully, Resistencia can bounce back. Their next match is against Bellmore Family (1-1-0). This will be a much tougher match than either of their previous opponents. The whole final stretch will be a tough road. Coach Alex Bromirski probably put it best when he said, "now we find out who we really are."

Next Match:
Resistencia vs. Belmore Family
11:00 A.M.
National Television Broadcast:
RBS Chanel 4
RESPN Chanel 9
Radio:
WLBJ 770 AM

27-02-2004, 01:46

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#3 Sliponia Show Much Mercy
"Only" rack up 35 points

NCD -- The Sliponia handball team continued their 2 game undefeated streak with a convincing, yet merciful win over #26 Maropa. The game was kept quick by the a trio of scores from Dru Goodens early on to put the game away. Head coach Nick Daniel wasted no time getting in the subs, which later on led to the ten points by Maropa, however, Coach Daniel was not worried about giving up ten points when his team had totaled up thirty-five points.

http://www.music.vt.edu/students/mvbones/pepband/images/2003/HokieBirdUVA.jpg
Excited fans rush the court.

Sliponia's next match will be against (13)Lovisa in front of a capacity crowd inside The Viaduct.

Final scores:
(5)NEWI Cefn Druids 24 (3)Sliponia 24
(3)Sliponia 35 (26)Maropa 10

Lennon Marx

27-02-2004, 14:41

Green Leopards Breakthrough
Leaston. The Green Leopards bounced back from the heavy beating they were given from KOR3A to defeat fellow newbie nation Resistencia, coming from behind to do so 23-19. Lennon Marx were down a player from the start, Adrian Wilkens stepping in for John Clayton, who suffered a twisted ankle in warmup at C. Coach John-Terry Boutsen was frequent in substitutions, but after a rough start in which Monteleone let in the first 5 shots he faced, in the same time the offence scoring none, Scott McGinnis and Alex Brown began to dominate from the left side, combining to set up a number of goals, before Brown eventually limped off with what appeared to be cramp. His replacement, Yianni Okapolos took up where Brown left off, and when Wilkens was able to score three goals in as many shots, the Green Leopards managed to break out a 4 point lead. From then on both teams traded goals, and the victory margin remained at 4. Man of The Match was McGinnis who assisted 8 of the twenty three goals, scoring 4 others.

When asked for comment McGinnis stated "we were reasonably lucky- they appeared to go off the ball the five minutes either side of the break- and thats where we made our move. Otherwise it was a good fought game." The next game against 17th ranked Alex The Tall will be shown live on Channel 6, Channel 3 showing extended highlights at 8pm, whilst Channel 2 will continue with its matchdaily highlights reel of all the matchday's games

NEWI Cefn Druids

27-02-2004, 14:57

The Daily Druid

WELLA DONE, GRIFFINS
Tobias Trefor in Dave for NEWI Cefn Druids 32 Wella 17

The NEWI Cefn Druids handball team continued their campaign in the Handball World Cup in the less than spectacular surroundings of Dave’s Den in Dave. While the arena is perhaps not the best in the country (you can often feel the stands shaking), the fans probably are, and were almost like an eighth man for the Griffins.

They absolutely dominated the visitors from start to finish, with Rhys Chapman putting in a dazzling display and scoring more goals than the entire Wella team. In the first half alone, the Griffins chalked up an extraordinary twenty goals to just nine in reply. After this, they began to show off, though not too cockily. It was all too much for Wella, whose lack of experience showed.

Next up for the Griffins is a much tougher prospect, the top ranked team from Rejistania. However, on current form, you can bet your life that it’s going to be a close one.

Meanwhile, in Graymouth, over 50 fans were kept in police custody last night after the floor of the ChemindusArena was invaded by fans. The commotion was brought on when locals started taunting Sliponia fans in the crowd about how hard their team were, or weren’t, trying. Apparently, the Sliponians objected to this, and after one thing had led to another, the playing area was taken over by fans. Luckily, this happened after the game was over, and no players were harmed. Rumours that the effects were down to increased levels of radiation have so far failed to be proved.

Rejistania

27-02-2004, 20:34

http://www.geocities.com/versionizer/kamari2.gif.txt

Lovisa lost - rejis rank rises
The Orange-Whites defeated Lovisa by a clear 15 goals lead. The final score was 34-19. Since this match was against the first team in the group table and all teams below have one point less, they managed to reach the first place of group B. Coach Juu Junu said that the match was: "The best proof the the [Na~ovi] National is wrong. We can win against ranked opponents, even if the matches agianst Sliponia and The Druids will be insanely difficult." The National didn't release an answer, but didn't use the term 'future ex-coach' when referring to Juu Junu.

The Orange-Whites started dominating the match from the beginning on. The Hada-Kada connection still worked effectivly: Soon the lasane was leading 4-0. After that, goalie Lyku Syku wasn't able to parry a Lovisan attack, which gave the Lovisans the first goal in this match. Some defensive errors also caused the 4-2 and the 4-3, but that was the shortest distance, the Lovisans could catch up. After this, the rejistanian defense improved its marking. The first half ended by a clear 17-10 for the Orange-Whites.
The second half had some rather unpleasant events for the Rejistanians: Hikira Da injured himself after falling in a bad way. Xira Sikil (known as Xikil) from Inkatil Veran replaced him. Until now, it is unclear when Da'he will play again. Xikil doesn't have much international experience, despite this, he played quite a good match. Even in this uncommon formation, the rejistanians dominated the match. Perhaps the final score was a bit flattering because in the last minutes, the Orange-Whites conceded too many goals, but the win is justified.

The next opponent will be the Griffins from NEWI Cefn Druids, the host team. The team has a talent in finishing 5th and because of this is also ranked 5th. Coach Juu Junu commented: "I guess it'll be a close match and a hard one! Still I hope we've quieta good chance to win."

The result:
Rejistania: 34
Lovisa: 19

28-02-2004, 11:16

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/dailydomo.gif

STREETER FANS: "WE'RE HERE TO DO ANYTHING BUT WATCH HANDBALL"
Unity Center: "This time we promise it's not our fault"
Seoul -- The roof of the Unity Center cracked yesterday when a crazed Cockbill Street "Handball Hooligan" who traveled to KOR3A as part of a tour group made a spectacle of himself on the roof of the arena as his team played beneath. The hooligan slipped and fell on the roof, which was slick from four hours of drizzle, and cracked the roof. The crack grew from being small to large and within minutes the floor was damp with the rain from above. The hooligan, identified as Andrew Crawford, was placed in custody by the Seoul Police. It is not yet known if charges will be pressed against him.

BELMORE FAMILY LATEST VICTIM OF KOR3AN STEAMROLLER
34 - 24 victory
Seoul -- Team KOR3A steamrolled yet another team on their way to this year's Handball World Cup, defeating The Belmore Family in a 34-24 goalfest. Coach Kou stuck with the tried-and-true formula of playing the first line in the first half and the second line in the second half. The first half was heavily in KOR3A's favor, with the Blues' defense clearly making it difficult for the Belmorians to score. Star keeper Kun-Hee Lee was absolutely at the top of his game, allowing only 9 goals in the first half. The KOR3AN offense was similarly on the ball, scoring 20 goals.

The second half was more subdued, with the Belmorians putting on a good show against the KOR3AN bench. KOR3AN first timer goalie Han-so Choi-Kim made a valiant effort to keep the ball out of the goal, but allowed 15 -- still, not bad for his second international game. The Belmore Family's Mike Parker had an excellent game, scoring 4 in the first and 7 in the second for 11, the highest total of any player in the game, KOR3AN or Belmorian. (Second was KOR3A's hometown hero Ha, with 8.) Overall, although The Belmore Family put up a good show, they were outclassed by the Blues' champion-level play.

SLIP/DRUID TENSION GROWS
Sliponian fans rush court
Graymouth, NEWI Cefn Druids -- As the Sliponia-Maropa game came to a close Thursday, Druid handball fans in attendance began taunting the Sliponian players who seemed to be running on fumes. "'They were making a right mockery of the sport," said Druid fan Trevor Fink. "'It weren't [sic] right." The NCD fans started yelling "We want real players, not brick layers," and "Go Druids!"

The Sliponian fans "wouldn't stand for it," said Sliponian Steve Torbs. "They [the NEWI Cefn Druids] were making a bloody mockery of the sport. Plus their rhymes were terrible." The Sliponian fans responded by rushing the court at the end of the game, adding to the tension in HBWC Group A that already existed as a result of the draw between Sliponia and NEWI Cefn Druids on Matchday 1. First-ranked Rejistania are favored to win over both Sliponia and NEWI Cefn Druids by handball pundits, so it is thought that the Group A runner-up will come down to the Goal Difference column of the group standings. Either Sliponia or NEWI Cefn Druids would have to beat Rejistania or lose to a lower-ranked team for this not to occur, so each game truly counts for these two high-powered teams.

28-02-2004, 11:24

Group B after Matchday 2:

[code:1:d905874851]
NEWI Cefn Druids 32 - 17 Wella
Rejistania 34 - 19 Lovisa
Sliponia 35 - 10 Maropa

Group B P W D L GF GA Pts GD
Rejistania 2 2 0 0 59 35 4 +24
Sliponia 2 1 1 0 59 34 3 +25
NEWI Cefn Druids 2 1 1 0 56 41 3 +15
Lovisa 2 1 0 1 50 53 2 - 3
Wella 2 0 0 2 33 57 0 -24
Maropa 2 0 0 2 29 66 0 -37
[/code:1:d905874851]

NEWI Cefn Druids

28-02-2004, 15:31

Group A Matchday 2:

[code:1:685f3824ea]
KOR3A 34 - 24 The Belmore Family
Lennon Marx 23 - 19 Resistencia
Cockbill Street 29 - 20 Alex The Tall

Group A P W D L GF GA Pts GD
KOR3A 2 2 0 0 68 41 4 +27
Cockbill Street 2 1 0 1 51 46 2 +5
The Belmore Family 2 1 0 1 50 56 2 -6
Lennon Marx 2 1 0 1 40 53 2 -13
Resistencia 2 0 1 1 39 43 1 -4
Alex The Tall 2 0 1 1 40 49 1 -9
[/code:1:685f3824ea]

Lennon Marx

28-02-2004, 19:15

[soze=18]Alex The Tall hold Out Green Leopards- Lennon Marx effectively eliminated[/size]
Veterens Hall. Lennon Marx showed inexperience in front of goal and defended ineptly to lose 30-25 in front of just 12000, roughly split between the two. Alex the Tall produced fewer clear cut opportunities in a match that was among the scrappiest ever seen at the World Cup, and included an ugly fight after a Marxian spectator made derogatory comments about the standard of food being sold in the stadium to which stadium security decided to mace all Lennon Marx fans in the stadium and to beat them with clubs, a number of Alex The Tall fans were also attacked. Fifty were taken to hospital, including one in a serious condition after a guard threw him down the stairs. Prime Minister Lennon Marx issued an immediate "Please Explain" statement to KOR3A and word has it an announcement regarding whether the Security company involved will still be employed for the remainder of the tournament is expected to be made within 24 hours. Meanwhile, 11 Security guards were arrested for "extreme violent conduct" and if found guilty will at very least lose their jobs. Both captains immediately followed the game by demanding that the Manager of the company apologize and offer compensation to those affected. The five goal margin was pretty well constant following the first five minutes, when Alex The Tall were the third consecutive team to take advantage of Montelleone's ineptness early in matches, taking a five nil lead,and from there goals were traded pretty much one for one, although the Green Leopards drew within one early in the second half, but following a substitution of goalkeepers, their opponents got back out to five in front. The victorious team must thank their goalkeeper who made a series of magnificent saves early in both halves, and in doing so was probably the match winner. The best for LM was John Clayton who was back from injury, taking 10 goals, while Richard Deck got forward a number of times to score 4. The Green Leopards play the penultimate match at the tournament against 4th ranked Cockbill Street who have surprised many by playing within themselves thus far. However a win for the more inexperienced team looks decidedly unlikely.

Cockbill Street

28-02-2004, 21:59

Clacks from handball team manager Ironfoundersson to the Guild of Washermen, Cleaners and other Performers of Domestic Activities - dated Wednesday 25th February (day before CS v ATT):

WE NEED KITS WASHED NOW STOP CAN NOT TRUST THESE KOR3ANS STOP DECIDEDLY WORKING AGAINST US THIS YEAR STOP CAN YOU HELP US WITH WASHING QUESTION MARK

Telegram from President of the Guild of Washermen, Cleaners and other Performers of Domestic Activities to Cockbill Street team manager Ironfoundersson - dated later that day:

WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HELP IN THE TEAMS EFFORTS TO QUALIFY FOR SEMIFINALS STOP SEND KITS IMMEDIATELY DASH SHOULD BE READY BEFORE NEXT MATCH STOP BEST OF LUCK AGAINST ALEX THE TALL STOP

Conversation overheard in the dressing-room of the Cockbill Street players, Saturday 28th February, 3:45 pm, 15 minutes before match-start against KOR3A.

Ironfoundersson: Right, now, lads, don't worry. The kits'll be here any time now, I'll wager.

Ioannou: Hey, who's gonna deliver these things anyway?

Ironfoundersson: A KOR3An delivery company, I think...Mr Lee's Deliveries or something...

Ioannou: There ya go then. Those KOR3Ans have been working against us all tournament. Remember when the roof broke?

Ironfoundersson: Er, yes...that was one of our blokes...

Ioannou: Same shit. It's all working against us this year.

Ironfoundersson: No it's not. It will only be that if we think that way.

*door opens. A KOR3An enters, bows, and leaves a bag on the floor.*

Ironfoundersson: Thank you. Now this is, lady and gentlemen, most probably our...kits...

*the last words comes as he drags out from the bag a tutu*

Ioannou: What the hell is that?

Ironfoundersson: Um...a tutu, I think.

Ioannou: Who the bloody hell uses them?

Ironfoundersson: Um...ballet dancers...um...

Ioannou: Hey, let me have a look...this bag is full of flipping tutus!! Look, it even says "Vimesbairn Ballet Society" on the side of it.

Ironfoundersson: Um...

Ioannou: We're not gonna play in these?!

Ironfoundersson: It appears we have little choice...

Ioannou: What the flipping heck are you on about?

Ironfoundersson: Rules clearly state that players on the same team have to wear the same kit. Look around - you guys are wearing about six different colours! Unless you have a better idea real quick, and it's about eight minutes to go until the match, you guys are gonna have to play in these things...at least they are similar...

All players: WE AREN'T ****ING DANCERS!!

Ironfoundersson: So, do you have a better idea then?

*silence. After fifteen seconds*

Ioannou: We could...streak...

Ironfoundersson: Sorry, against KOR3An law.

Ioannou: So, we really don't have a choice then...

Ironfoundersson: Afraid not...six minutes left on my watch.

*we leave the players getting dressed - very, very reluctantly*

Extracts from the C-mail, Sunday 29th February:

the entire Woodai Stadium was laughing at the Cockbill Street players...players were seen with decidedly red faces...hope such a humiliation is never seen again at an international match...

Conversation overheard at Guild of Washermen, Cleaners and other Performers of Domestic Activities, Sunday 29th February:

President: Oi there, Alan! Did you get those kits sent to the handballers?

Alan: Yeah, sir...

President: Well, I've just had a complaint in from Miss Jones at the Ballet Society. She says she's received a bucketload of handball tops and shorts for her girls to dance in - she is very disappointed with our services, seeing as she gave in some tutus to be washed. In addition, I have here a recent copy of the C-mail, where the missing tutus have been recovered!

Alan: Oh, but that's good then sir!

President: No, Alan. It is decidedly poor. In fact, I would call it abysmal.

Alan: Why sir?

President: They happen to be situated on the bodies of our handballers.

*silence*

Resistencia

28-02-2004, 22:59

Resistencia's Hopes Cruched By Bellmore Family
Resistencia Times 2/28/04
What little hope Resistencia had left to advance to the next round was wiped away by the Belmore Family in a 34-16 defeat. The game was a clear indication of how far the team has to go before they can be a realistic challenger in a World Cup.
This defeat leaves the future of coach Alexi Bromirski in doubt. "I really thought we could at least make a game out of it," he said, "I'm very disappointed." His disappointment however, does not erase the fact that Resistencia has suffered its worst humiliation in the three games it has played.
The fans at home were not happy about this loss. "They suck!" was the only thing Bill O'Brien had to say about the loss. "They are the worst hanball team in the world." shouted Tina Brightley when asked what she thought.
"It's important for us to not get disappointed with ourselves," says team captain Anothony St. Mark's. He is clearly just trying to keep some team unity because there is every reason to be disappointed after the loss.
Their next match is against host KOR3A. This next match will probably be the toughest match of the World Cup. It will be interesting to see if Resistencia can keep it to within thirty points.
"The only way to get our handball program back on track after this loss is to get rid of that incompetent Bromirski and cut half the team," team manager George Rosenberg explained to us. Hopefully, they will do just that and we will be able to look forward to the next World Cup and forget this disgusting debacle.

Next Match:
Resistencia vs. KOR3A
1:00 P.M.
National Television Broadcast:
RBC Chanel 2
RESPN Chanel 9
Radio:
WLBJ 770 AM

Rejistania

29-02-2004, 00:54

From the Desnike City News:

Junu'he fired during half-time
The match against the NEWI Cefn Druids ended horribly for the Orange-Whites: Not just that they lost 23-27, Itedi Ji~lda, chief of the RejisHBA sacked the perhaps best rejistanian coach ever: the famous Juu Junu. To start from the beginning, like it's normally best: The Orange-Whites had a bad start in this match, the Griffins were able to score the first goals. the team, which seems to consist merely of players called 'Trevor' lost the lead in the 10th minute, but re-gainied it fast. The first half ended 10-15, which was an all-time-negative record for the Orange-Whites. Juu Junu was just talking to the players in a very drastic Isesian as suddently Itedi Ji~lda appeared and shouted: 'Getaway, <censored for decency>! And never come into my sight again, never!' Juu Junu required nearly a minute to realize that he was sacked. While leaving, he shouted 'Hetaki'iln ji viki'iln*!!' at his players.

Since someone needs to do the job as coach, the chief of the RejisHBA asked the first fan he saw, apparently not being a Druid to take the job for this half. Unfortunately, the one wasn't rejistanian, but KOR3An. He didn't understand a word of Ji~lda's word and so answered by a sound that just expressed this. Again unfortunately was, that the RejisHBA chief did hear a 've**' in it. So he nearly dragged the young KOR3An Young Il-Seok to the players so he should do it. As you perhaps can guess, rejistanian differs largely from KOR3An. The problem now was, that the KOR3An fan didn't know any rejistanian and nearly no english while the Orange-Whites didn't know any KOR3An, communication was impossible.

When the second half started, the Orange-Whites had only Junu'he's last commands, which only said to 'attack' and to 'win'. Despite this, the Orange-Whites manages to lower the lead of the NEWI Cefn Druids. Then, the second player injured himself and couldn't play: Syku Kansu. Now Young Il-Seok had a severe problem: He couldn't tell who should replace him. Young Il-Seok looked confused at the situation without knowing how to react. Iki Jamu saved the situation by pointing at him and then at the pitch. Young'he made similar movement to show him that he should play. Unfortunatly, with the second injury the team lost stability again, and at the end, the Orange-Whites lost with the said 23-27. Till now the RejisHBA didn't announce a replacement for Juu Junu and Young Il-Seok.

* Attack and Win!
** Yes

Rejistania

29-02-2004, 00:54

One cup - two hosts,
one click - two posts!

01-03-2004, 10:15

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/dailydomo.gif
Group B Turned Upside Down
Trio of upset victories for lower-ranked teams
NEWI Cefn Druids – The day was for the underdog this Saturday in NEWI Cefn Druids, where the Handball World Cup’s Group B saw a triplet of wins by teams ranked lower than their competitors on Matchday 3. First, 22nd ranked Wella fell to unranked Maropa by a single point in Dave’s Den, Dave. The neck-and-neck game surely had an unexpected result for oddsmakers. Then, at The Viaduct in Cefn, 13th ranked Lovisa defeated 3rd ranked Sliponia in what could only be described as an upset. Sliponia, previously HBWC champions, fell to the feisty Lovisans 21 to 18 in a low scorer. Sliponian coach Nick Daniel was reportedly furious with his offensive linesmen for blowing what should have been an easy win for the more experienced team.

Finally, 5th ranked NEWI Cefn Druids defeated 1st ranked Rejistania in a dramatic shocker. The Orange-Whites ended the first half down by five points to the Griffins. The Rejistanian Handball Association’s president, Itedi Ji~lda, was furious with well-liked coach Juu Junu, who had lead his team to win the first-ever HBWC and then a third and second-place set of finishes. Ji~lda, who it can only be presumed was under the influence of illegal substances, picked a KOR3AN fan on holiday in Graymouth out of the crowd to coach his team for the second half. Young Il-Seok, the lucky fan, did not speak a word of Rejistanian (or English for that matter) and could not communicate with the team other than through gestures and guttural noises. Il-Seok was actually able to bring the Rejis team up by a point, but was unable to close the five point gap required to meet the Druids. Il-Seok said that “Besides that I could not speak the crazy-talk [Rejistanian], the noises of the people in the crowd was incredible, and spurred the NEWI Cefn Druids team to great and honorable victory.” The 23-27 upset win, combined with Sliponia’s loss to Lovisa, makes it appear the NEWI Cefn Druids may reach their first-ever HBWC semifinals, thanks in part to their adoring fans.

Streeters Add Their Own Insult To Injury
Defeated by KOR3A while wearing tutus
Seoul – Team KOR3A expected to have a tough match in front of them as they entered Woodai Stadium this Saturday. “The Streeters are the fourth-ranked team and we’d be crazy not to take them seriously,” said Coach Allen Kou prior to the match. “These guys are definitely here to play handball, even if your paper says otherwise,” he told The Daily Domokun reporter. Au contraire, The Domokun must report. So far, the Streeters had managed to play ice hockey and basketball (although they refused to play football, it must be noted.)

Yet no one expected them to arrive in ballerina costume, complete with leotard and tutu. Apparently the team, untrusting of KOR3AN launderers, had their jerseys sent back to Cockbill Street for cleaning. When the wash came back, however, it had been replaced with that of the Vimesbairn Ballet Society. Due to strict IHF regulations, coach Ironfoundersson required his players to don the outfits and play ball like men (or women, as they case may have been.) Ignoring the outfit mixup, the Streeters played excellently. The crowd hooted and hollered, but the players made the best of it. Ioannou, in particular, scored 13 goals, such was his furor at being made fun of.

But even the rancor unleashed by the Streeters was not enough, for although this increased the quality of their offensive line, the quality of the Cockbill Street defense was compromised. The Blues were able to capitalize on errors that should never have been made in cup play, such as when Read and Healy got confused over who was left and who was right. Thus, Team KOR3A scored 35 goals over Cockbill Street’s 30, and carried the day. Nevertheless, Cockbill Street’s performance was on the whole quite good, and some CS fans suggested they try the leotards again. They were, however, befuddled as to why the team decided to wear the tutus – the characteristic "skirt" part of a traditional ballet costume which is separate from the leotard.

01-03-2004, 10:25

Group B after Matchday 3:

[code:1:ab96a1a4ea]
NEWI Cefn Druids 27 - 23 Rejistania
Lovisa 21 - 18 Sliponia
Maropa 22 - 21 Wella

Group B P W D L GF GA Pts GD
NEWI Cefn Druids 3 2 1 0 83 64 5 +19
Rejistania 3 2 0 1 83 62 4 +21
Lovisa 3 2 0 1 71 71 4 + 0
Sliponia 3 1 1 1 77 55 3 +22
Maropa 3 1 0 2 51 87 2 -36
Wella 3 0 0 3 54 79 0 -25
[/code:1:ab96a1a4ea]

NEWI Cefn Druids

02-03-2004, 01:17

Group A after matchday 3

[code:1:59eea46f1d]
KOR3A 35 - 30 Cockbill Street
The Belmore Family 36 - 14 Resistencia
Alex The Tall 30 - 25 Lennon Marx

Group A P W D L GF GA Pts GD
KOR3A 3 3 0 0 103 71 6 +32
The Belmore Family 3 2 0 1 86 70 4 +16
Alex The Tall 3 1 1 1 70 74 3 -4
Cockbill Street 3 1 0 2 81 81 2 +0
Lennon Marx 3 1 0 2 65 83 2 -18
Resistencia 3 0 1 2 53 79 1 -26
[/code:1:59eea46f1d]

Cockbill Street

02-03-2004, 16:39

Ankh-Morpork C-mail
Cockbill Street Department

For Once, Streeters Are Lucky
Nature Intervenes In Coincidental Win

Today's match against Lennon Marx was proceeding as normal. The Green Leopards started well, scoring a couple of early goals and putting pressure on the players. Then, suddenly, a rumbling noise was heard from the entrance to the hall. People were seen running away in terror, and moments later it became apparent why.

A gargantuan, grey creature stormed out of the entrance, causing the substitute players and staff of the two teams to run for help - most of them onto the pitch, resulting in two minute suspensions for all of them and therefore four on four play for a while. That wasn't the major problem, though. This creature, better known as an elephant, ran around on the pitch dizzily for about four minutes, causing all kinds of confusion. Ben Ioannou just avoided being trampled by it, and such was also the case with many of the other players.

Eventually, though, the elephant fell asleep, and the match could continue amid the protests of the Green Leopards. He had fallen asleep in the goal of Cockbill Street, and the Lennon Marx players of course would not accept that this was allowed. However, this comes under rule 19.4, amendment six, paragraph d of the IHF rules, which clearly state that natural events are part of the game and must be endured.

Thus, Cockbill Street scored fourteen without reply in the first half, and managed to lead by 16-3 at the end of it. A brave Green Leopard eventually decided to blast a balloon just behind the elephant, causing it to wake up, run around in circles again, before falling asleep in the middle of the court. This was easier to handle for the Green Leopards, and especially some of their long passes worked out fine. However, the Streeters were more experienced with wing play, and could thus pull off an easy victory. The second team even played for the last fifteen minutes of the half, to rest the more important players for the all-important fight with Resistencia.

We haven't managed to get a result from The Belmore Family's recent game against Alex The Tall, but we will come back with that quickly.

03-03-2004, 16:38

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

#3 Sliponia Lose One and Win One
Upset by Lovisa, go on to upset Rejistania

NCD -- The Sliponia handball team recieved what many called the shock of the year, until they delivered a shock of their own. After losing by three of lower ranked Lovisa, the Sliponians rebounded hard to beat the number one team in the world (Rejistania) by three.

More information coming soon!

Sliponia's next match will be against (21)Wella in front of a capacity crowd inside The Viaduct.

Final scores:
(5)NEWI Cefn Druids 24 (3)Sliponia 24
(3)Sliponia 35 (26)Maropa 10
(13)Lovisa 21 (3)Sliponia 18
(3)Sliponia 28 (1)Rejistania 25

[This has been tagged...I'm in web design at school and don't have much spare time as we're making a javascript game.]

Rejistania

03-03-2004, 23:42

One cup - two hosts,
one click - two posts!

Rejistania

03-03-2004, 23:43

From The Na~ovi National

Finally - first match without Juu Junu
The Orange-Whites have lost the first match after coach Juu Junu has got his long-deserved pink slip. Maybe it was just because of the aftermath of Juu Junu's incompetent coaching. The new coach (after Young Il-Seok) is Ajaja Ra, before he coached Na~ovi Ynu, the best team in Na~ovi kali, currently fighting for promotion into the second league. Perhaps Ajaja Ra was not a first-class candidate, but there is only a small chance the he can be worse than Juu Junu.

Coach Ajaja Ra shocked the fans by letting the Ly-twins start. They Ly-twins managed to confuse the sliponian players but again, they were not able to capitlize most of the chances they archieved in this way. Fortunately, he realized his error and substituted Hada Isra and Kada Sulny in again. At this time, the Orange-Whites were trailing 4-12. In the half time pause, he explained the team that he would use 'the brazillican tactics' in case of a loss. He also made a substitution and gave additional tactical advises. In the secoand half, the team played like never before. They limited the lead and missed the well-earned draw only by 3 goals.

After this loss, the chances for the Orange-whites to qualify are really low, but since the next team is Maropa, they are still existing.
The result:
Slponia: 28
Rejistania: 25

-----
What the National didn't wrote: At the beginning of the half time pause, Ajaja Ra left, as he said 'for a certain place'. He went to the toilet, searched a bit in his pockets, then found a small mobile phone and dialed a long number - a number in NEWI. A few seconds, nothing happened, then the tuuut-tuuut indicated that the connection waited to be established.
(JJ) Juu Junu, hejida?
(AR) Hejida. here is Ajaja Ra. I have a few questions. Did you watch the game?
(JJ) Yet another reporter, it slanis. Horrible it was. If I were coach, I'd change much, almost everything!
(AR) I'm no reporter, I'm the coach...

(At this time, we leave. It would be too embarassing for Ra'he to see that he was overheard)

NEWI Cefn Druids

04-03-2004, 02:46

OOC: After my computer decided to play tricks on me last night, it has decided to rid itself of all the results and RP bonuses so far. I’ve managed to replace the results of MD1-3, but am still lacking most of MD4, so if anyone can help, please could you TG me them back so that the tables can be updated. Apologies for the inconvenience, but

The Daily Druid

HANDBALL FEVER GRIPPING THE NATION
Tobias Trefor reports.

In case any of our readers haven’t noticed yet, there’s a Handball World Cup going on, and it’s the most exciting yet. What’s even better is that it’s happening on our doorstep!

Yes, NEWI Cefn Druids is co-hosting the fourth Handball World Cup, and what a cup it’s been so far, not only here but in KOR3A. Not only have we had ice, elephants, radiation and pitch invasions, but the general standard of play seems much higher than in years gone by. Gone is the predictable repetition of the same few teams dominating, this time around, the cup is anybody’s.

The two home nations have shone brightest during the tournament, both currently topping their groups. Though it may be expected that KOR3A would qualify, as they have done, the NEWI Cefn Druids team, the Griffins, were thought t be third best in Group B, and would have to settle for another fifth place. How wrong we have been. After an opening draw against Sliponia in Graymouth and a convincing victory over Wella, they stunned the handball world when they returned to Graymouth to take on the mighty Rejistania. What followed would have been shock of the tournament at any of the previous HBWCs, but with the astounding number of ‘shocks’ this time around, some elements of the massive home support began to feel that the way that their team had been performing would give them a chance. Star performances in the first half from Trevor Chapman and Trevor Cannon (no relation to the Brazillican footballers of the same surname) saw the Griffins head in for half time five goals up. In the second half, despite the sacking of the Rejistanian coach, the world number ones picked up, and managed to close the deficit to four points by the end, but the day belonged to the Griffins.

After this, the Griffins travelled to the capital, Cefn, to face Maropa at the Viaduct. After the previous three performances, it seemed that all the Griffins had to do was turn up, and this game was as good as theirs. Despite a bit of hard work early on (Maropa were 8-4 up within ten minutes), the Griffins eventually got into their stride, only conceding a further four goals in the rest of the match, coming out rampant 38-12 winners. On this form, especially with others around them faltering, the Griffins, who require only a draw in their final game against Lovisa to reach their first ever semi-final, are emerging as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Meanwhile, a power cut in Cefn has led to the computer that makes the arrangements for teams as the travel around NEWI Cefn Druids to crash. It is hoped that teams are prepared enough for the situation, but if anyone is in need of assistance, please call us here at The Daily Druid, and we will try to help you out.

05-03-2004, 20:53

Group B after Matchday 4:
[code:1:e0a2053153]
NEWI Cefn Druids 38 - 12 Maropa
Sliponia 21 - 18 Rejistania
Wella 22 - 21 Lovisa

Group B P W D L GF GA Pts GD
NEWI Cefn Druids 4 3 1 0 121 76 7 +45
Sliponia 4 2 1 1 98 73 5 +25
Rejistania 4 2 0 2 101 83 4 +18
Lovisa 4 2 0 2 80 81 4 - 1
Wella 4 1 0 3 76 100 2 -24
Maropa 4 1 0 3 63 125 2 -62
[/code:1:e0a2053153]

Resistencia

06-03-2004, 21:01

Resistencia Times 3/7/04

Resistencia Closes Out Cup in Humiliation

Despite being mathematically out of the World Cup Elimination round, Resistencia still had to play out its final game. Their opponent was Cockbill Street. The only thing the Eagles had to play for was their pride. Even that however, could not motivate them to even come close to their opponents.
The Eagles were totally and utterly humiliated last night with the final score of 27 to 9. This is just the last of a string of humiliating defeats that saw Resistencia finish as the worst team in the cup.
They began with some promise, a draw against a favored opponent. After that though, it was all downhill. They lost their next match to another first time nation, a game they should have won. That was the last time Resistencia even came close to tasting victory. There final three matches were all embarrassing routs that were over by halftime. The matches seemed more like practice sessions for the other teams than being highly competitive world cup matches.
This game was the straw that broke the camel's back. As soon as it ended, coach Alexi Bromirski was fired and half the team was cut. The Resistencia national handball team is beggining a massive overhaul, which they hope, will allow them to be more competitive next world cup.
The only bright spot this entire world cup was team captain Anthony St. Marks. He led the team in scoring by far and away and finished as the World Cup's fourth leading scorer despite his teams abysmal performance. He will remain as team captain due to his outstanding performance and willingness to play. In the final game when all his teammates had already given up, St. Marks kept playing scoring all nine of Resistencia's points and at least gaining some respect of his opponents. Hopefully, he can be the guiding light for future Resistencia teams and allow them to rise above this horrendous performance.
With their heads hanging, the team left the locker room after their final game and prepared to board their flight back home. They wished the best of luck to their opponents. No Resistencia players were available for questions except St. Marks who simply said, "now we have to look to the future."
Hopefully, this positive outlook can help Resistencia rebuild its team and make a statement next time around that playing Resistencia will not be just a practice run.

NEWI Cefn Druids

06-03-2004, 22:36

To help with your RPs, so you can tell if you've qualified or not, here are the final Group A matchdays and standings:

[code:1:163b716340]Matchday 4:

KOR3A 39 - 16 Resistencia
Cockbill Street 28 - 13 Lennon Marx
Alex The Tall 25 - 21 The Belmore Family

Matchday 5:

Cockbill Street 27 - 9 Resistencia
KOR3A 34 - 16 Alex The Tall
The Belmore Family 31 - 15 Lennon Marx

Table (top two go into semi-finals)

Group A P W D L GF GA Pts GD
KOR3A 5 5 0 0 176 103 10 +73
Cockbill Street 5 3 0 2 136 103 6 +33
------------------------------------------------------
The Belmore Family 5 3 0 2 138 110 6 +28
Alex The Tall 5 2 1 2 111 129 5 -18
Lennon Marx 5 1 0 4 93 142 2 -49
Resistencia 5 0 1 4 78 145 1 -67[/code:1:163b716340]

Rejistania

06-03-2004, 22:40

http://www.geocities.com/versionizer/kamari2.gif.txt

A win might not be enough
The Orange-Whites won the last match of the group stage by 32-7 but despite this, the chances to actually reach the semifinals are only minimal. Sliponia needs to lose or draw against Wella (ranked 21) to make Ra'he's team play in the semifinals. Since Wella is the nexxt-to-last team in the group B, the chances for this are extremly low. former coach Juu Junu commented: "It's a curse to be ranked first! With that rank, you can't win a thing!" Coach Ajaja Ra said something, but nothing quoteable.

Ajaja Ra's tactic was again a bit confusing: the Ly twins played instead of Isra'he and Sulny'he, but Sikil'he didn't replace Ra'he like in the matches before. The captain of this team was Radaka Ly instead of Hada Isra. but the perhaps most important factor to the win was that team Maropa decided cope with the last loss against the co-hosts in a typical way: by drowning it in alcohol. The team could not walk straightly and to play a nearly decent handball match was nearly impossible to them. The Lasane had no problems to raise the score to 19-1 until half time. The only goal against them was scored while Lyku Syku was imitating the clumsy 'play' of the Maropans. In the half time, the maropan coach simply recruited some maropan fans to play instead of the national team. The group of fans of course played better than the maropans, simply because it's impossible to be worse. While the national team only once managed to get past LySy, the substitutes did it 6 times. The Orange-Whites also managed to score, but the maropan defense didn't make it that easy like it was in the first half (perhaps due to the fact that something like a maropan defense existed). When the final whistle blew, the maropan coach woke up after passing out on the bench. He and all other visitors could see that the score was 32-7 for Rejistania. Despite this win are the Orange-Whites now are in need of a wonder to reach the semis.

The Result:
Rejistania: 32
Maropa: 7

06-03-2004, 23:14

[code:1:e2638a9d6d]Group B Matchday 5 Results
NEWI Cefn Druids 27 - 22 Lovisa
Sliponia 35 - 20 Wella
Rejistania 32 - 7 Maropa

Final Standings
Group B P W D L GF GA Pts GD
NEWI Cefn Druids 5 4 1 0 148 98 9 +50
Sliponia 5 3 1 1 133 93 7 +40
----------------------------------------------------
Rejistania 5 3 0 2 133 90 6 +43
Lovisa 5 2 0 3 102 108 4 - 6
Wella 5 1 0 4 96 135 2 -39
Maropa 5 1 0 4 70 157 2 -87

Semi-Final Matches
(5)NEWI Cefn Druids vs. (4)Cockbill Street
(2)KOR3A vs. (3)Sliponia
Both matches to be held in Woodai Stadium, Seoul, KOR3A

Playoff Matches
Rejistania vs. The Belmore Family
Lovisa vs. Alex The Tall
Lennon Marx vs. Wella
Maropa vs. Resistencia
Match locations TBA[/code:1:e2638a9d6d]

11-03-2004, 20:37

[code:1:3d881323cc]
Semi-Final Results

Sliponia 32 - 25 KOR3A
NEWI Cefn Druids 25 - 19 Cockbill Street

Finals: Sliponia vs. NEWI Cefn Druids at The Hole, Mawr.
Third Place Playoff: KOR3A vs. Cockbill Street at ChemindusArena, Graymouth.

Playoff Results

Rejistania 25 - 18 The Belmore Family
Lovisa 32 - 28 Alex The Tall
Lennon Marx 24 - 21 Wella
Resistencia 27 - 21 Maropa

Final rankings will be available after the completion of the finals and third place playoffs.[/code:1:3d881323cc]

11-03-2004, 21:36

http://www.ews.uiuc.edu/~rhornick/nationstates/dailydomo.gif
KOR3A SWEEPS GROUP PLAY, BUT LOSES IN SEMIS
to old foes Sliponia, now must salvage third against Streeters

After three games, Team KOR3A only had to win one more to secure their place in the semi-finals. The boys did so, smashingly, in a 39 – 16 walloping of newbies Resistencia reminiscent of the famous 41 – 15 walloping the Blues received from Rejistania years back. Stellar play was seen all around on the KOR3AN side, with rookie goalie Han-So Choi-Kim doing especially well. Said Choi-Kim: “I just wanted to come in and show that I am as good as any of the other keepers out there.” The KOR3AN offense obviously also excelled, with all players scoring similar numbers of goals, but bench center Red Hee scoring a career high eight. “Hi, Mom!” was the only thing Hee would say after the game.

Having qualified for the semis, the Blues went on to do similarly well against the more experienced team from Alex The Tall. The Blues took an early lead in the match which was never matched by Alex The Tall, even though the altitudinous team went through several roster changes. Height clearly was of no advantage, unfortunately for ATT, and the KOR3ANS triumphed 34 – 16 without trouble. “In some ways, we think that the Resistencians did better,” said Coach Allen Kou in a fit of trash talking. “Those guys are new and not much is expected out of them, but from a ranked team like Alex The Tall, we should really see better play.”

KOR3A went with their confidence soaring high as a kite into the semifinal with Sliponia. In retrospect, the team should have been more cautious, considering that TEAM KOR3A lost to Sliponia in the finals two Cups ago. In front of a capacity 63,128 crowd at Woodai Stadium, the team came onto the courts with the adulating fans screaming louder than ever before. KOR3A scored the first two goals of the game and the team and fans both appeared to expect that they were witnessing a winning match on the way to a second consecutive handball championship. Indeed, only five minutes in, KOR3AN defensive players started to gesture to “raise the roof.” This sassiness did not last much longer, though, as the Blues got their overconfidence handed back to them. The KOR3ANS had built up a 13 – 9 lead when the Sliponians went on to score eight unanswered goals, placing them ahead 17 – 13 before the end of the half. The breakdown of KOR3AN play could have been stopped after the first half, but the visibly rattled players came out looking worse than they did after the eight goals, and were unable to ever even bring the game back to a tie. The Slip lead only increased, until the Sliponians had won 32 – 25 in front of a now nearly silent crowd. None of the players were available for comment after the match.

The silence in the crowd turned to anger as fans started booing and as they poured out of the stadium, the fans began to riot. Before the police gained control of the situation, the fans had trashed a produce store, whipping pineapples and other fruits and vegetables at law enforcement. The streets ran red with the juice of tomatoes as the crowd grew increasingly infuriated at what they perceived as injustice. Seven cars had been flipped before the agitators had been rounded up and locked up by the constabulary. Seoul City Police Chief Wang Ko said “There’s no excuse for that kind of behavior and when it happens we have no choice but to take the law into our own hands. What? That expression doesn’t mean what I think it means? That’s preposterous!” An embarrassed coach Kou had no comment on the matter. The Blues have one match left to play, against 4th-ranked Cockbill Street, for the “consolation prize” of third place. The team absolutely must get their heads together and come up with a way to win, because the embarrassing quality of play exhibited against Sliponia should never be seen again.

Cockbill Street

12-03-2004, 16:36

Ankh-Morpork Inquirer

Cockbill Street Bow Out - Again
Streeters Go Down to Druids?!

Splendid. Just after a defensive match against the Resistencians, which sent us through to the semi-finals, the Streeters go out to the NEWI Cefn Druids. The Druids! Yes, they be the blokes in the long white dresses...anyway, back to the point. They were definitely better than our side - not that that was hard, mind. The Streeters weren't passing it at all, more sort of generally flipping it around and hoping that it would end up in a team-mate's hand. The shooting, as a matter of course, slipped up again, and was one of the poorer areas (and that's saying something) of the team's performance. When the keeper can't even save the simplest of shots, we bow out by six goals...and deserved. Now go and learn to do something else (how about ballet? you seemed to be better at that) before we play KOR3A, please, because you aren't gonna defeat them with that style of play.

Rejistania

12-03-2004, 21:28

http://www.geocities.com/versionizer/kamari2.gif.txt

Best of the bad, not good
The Orange-Whites won the last match of this HBWC, but despite the win, the fact remains that this HBWC was the worst ever for the Orange-Whites: They never finished third in their group before (lowest position was 2nd), they never missed the Semifinals before, they never lost two matches in a row before and the coacing - well, we can agree that Young Il-Seok and Ajaja Ra aren't the persons which you would normally want in this job. Ajaja Ra seems to think this is a school match, where everone has the same right to play no matter if talented or not and Young Il-Seok surely will not help us winning - he doesn't even know the rejistanian term for it. It was a clear sign of desperation that the RejisHBFA had to ask every single person on the list down to the more-or-less successful third-league coach to fill Juu Junu's spot.

The Belmorians have never reached the semifinals or even the quarterfinals before. While the belmorian team played in the well-known and established formation, Ajaja Ra again seemed to try something out and made other changes to the starting formation. Isra'he and Sulny'he were starters, again. The match was a hard-fought battle between the Orange-Whites and The Belmore Family. At half-time, the Orange-Blues were leading 11-8. The lasane fought like lions and slowly extended the lead to the final score of 25-18, but the fans were not satisfied. A fan expressed the general mood very good: "I don't understand it. If Juu Junu was coach, we would have trashed them - if they were able to reach the semis! Itedi Ji~lda should be a man and have the simu to admit his error and ask JuJu to come back. It would be far better for us!"

Alex The Tall

12-03-2004, 21:37

Liberal Republic of Alex The Tall sports news of the day

Hello everybody here is Alex Marginal for you're sports news on chanel 52, the only chanel whit 24 hours of sports over the ATT Pact. Our patriots in the Handball championship are not doing very well in these day, last year our team go to the final but this year we are not sure to be in the playoff... Handball it is not a sport that we see everyday on T.V, but it's very difficult and we need to said good luck to our team sometime. This was Alex Marginal for you're "Patriots" sports news.

NEWI Cefn Druids

16-03-2004, 19:09

The Daily Druid

DRUIDS IN FINAL
Tobias Trefor in KOR3A for NEWI Cefn Druids 25 Cockbill Street 19

The NCD Griffins will be heading to their national stadium The Hole for the World Cup Final after a scrappy display against the much fancied Streeters in Seoul. It means that they will come up against rivals Sliponia in what is sure to be a thrilling match, hopefully to rival their opener, in which neither side prevailed.

This match ended up in disappointment for the Streeters, who have been semi-finalists in every cup to date, but are still, it seems, unable to come away with the trophy. Here, it looked as if the burden of expectancy was too much for them. Passes went astray, shooting was generally inaccurate, they did not look like they were capable of reaching the final. The Griffins were not much better, though, especially in the first half, when the sides went in at a paltry 8-all.

In the second half, the Griffins at least looked like they were playing the right sport, and managed a comfortable win in the end, but they will have to improve significantly if they want to win the championship. However, if they play like they did in the opening games of the cup, we’re in for a thriller.

NationStates Jolt Archive

Handball World Cup IV - Sliponia crowned champions