WCXV Cup Of Harmony - RP Thread [Archive]

Starblaydia

15-07-2004, 10:41

Starblaydia's first Cup of Harmony

Group Information

The Lowland Clans
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_lowland_clans.jpg
With more rule-book consultations than an International Measurement Federation Exhibition match, The Lowland Clans were dumped out of the WC Finals that they thought they had qualified for. After being level on Goal Difference and Goals Scored with fellow Grouop 1 team Aquilla, TLC beat Aquilla over a two-legged playoff, which was then discounted by what is the most controversial ruling decision that this reporter can remember. They will most certainly be fired up to win this competition.

The Weegies
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_weegies.jpg
High-scoring The Weegies, with 41 goals in the Qualifiers, came fourth in Group 7, only denied Qualification on the final Matchday with a loss to Nastic 2 while Spaam drew.

Crystilakere
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/crystilakere.jpg
Known to most Starblaydi's as the home of their Regional Delegate in the UN, Crystilakere cruelly missed out on the World Cup 15 Finals on Goal Difference, despite scoring five in their last match. Balti Pie did their best by holding Group 6-rivals Giant Zucchini to a draw but it just wasn't enough for Crystilakere, who missed the cut by just three goals.

Starblaydia
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/starblaydia.jpg
A respectable and widely-predicted 7th in Group 8 for the WCQ debutants, they outscored every other team in the Group and beat all three Qualifiers (Lemmitania, Dance 2 Revolution and Vilita) at home in 'Fortress Starblaydia' Their home record was their downfall as they ended up with a W6-L6-T6 record. Not predicted to go very high in this competion, even breaking into the top 10 would be an achievement indeed.

Group B Lineup (Matches to be played in Krytenia)

Group B
The Lowland Clans (32)
The Weegies (40)
Crystilakere (52)
Starblaydia (93)

Fixture List

MD1 The Lowland Clans v Starblaydia (Green Street, Westleigh)
MD2 The Weegies v Starblaydia (Ackersleigh Park, Remires)
MD3 Crystilakere v Starblaydia (Coalfields, Osteria New Town)

Preditcted Matches Post-Group stage

MD4 Turori v Starblaydia
MD5 Starblaydia v Krytenia
MD6 Fifteenth Place Match: Starblaydia v Lukaia

Squad List

Goalkeepers (3):
1. *~Boaz Myhill, 31
The best 'keeper in the country by some distance, Boaz is as solid between the sticks as you could ask for. A great commander of his area and good shot-stopper too, he's been the number one for as long as many fans can remember.
12. ~Matt Higgins, 27
Starblaydia's number 2 'keeper, Higgins' fantastic record at penalty-saving in the Starblaydi Premier League may see him get a game or two in the Qaulifiers.
23. ^Rodriguez Da Silva, 20
Entrenched as the Under-21 Goalkeeper since he was 16, Rodriguez is being touted by every pundit as the future of Starblaydi Goalkeeping for as long as the next decade. He is being brought to the tournament for experience.

Defenders (7):
2.*~Philip Ifil, 29
An attacking Right-Back, Ifil and his trademark colour-co-ordinated Bandana are always willing to get forward and take a powerful shot from distance.
3. *~Ryan Garry (Captain), 30
Inspirational down the left of the park, Garry holds the team together at the back, more defensive than the other full-back.
5. *~Matthew Kilgallon, 30
Although criticised for using strength and pace to get himself out of poor situations, Kilgallon's natural talent assures him a place in the team.
6. *~Paul Cole, 25
Tall and strong, Paul Cole is a skilled Centre-Back, who reads the game excellently.
13. ^Rastian Salaam, 19
The Under-21 back-three player will most likely fill in on the left side of the park if called upon.
16. ~Robert Cole, 26
Able to play at either full-back position, Robert Cole, like his brother Paul, is a solid defender.
21. ~Stephen Asante, 30
Originally denied a starting place because of his recently disciplinary record, Stephen is now outclassed by the other players.

Midfielders (7):
4. *~Enrico Bigon, 30
Actually interchangeable with Philip Ifil at Right-Back, Bigon sits in front of the back for as a wind-break for the defenders, helping them out and only going forward if desperately needed. Recently moved to the Elders club of Kingsford for £1.5M.
7. *~Stefan Haldorsson, 25
This two-footed playmaker and free-kick taker has entrenched himself on the left side of midfield with his dazzling displays of skill and his work ethic.
11. *~David Benson, 23
The youngest player taken to the World Cup, Benson's Right-Midifeld antics balance Haldorsson's perfectly, with great runs and through balls.
14. ^Ki-Jana Carter, 19
Supremely commanding at the U21WC3, Ki has been brought along to the Cup of Harmony. His defensive tackling is second to none,.
15. ^J.J. Stark, 17
The young and highly skilled Right-midfielder is the youngest player in the squad, needing senior experience.
17. ~Steve Owens, 28
Ousted from the Starting-Eleven by the skills of de Souza Lima, Steve Owens' determination can bring him back to the fore in his role 'in the hole' behind the strikers
22. ~Aiden Matranga, 27
Fiercely patriotic, Aiden is a small left winger in the classical mould, flying down the touchline for a pin-point cross into the box

Forwards (6):
9. *~Nikola Lazerevski, 28
An out-and-out striker, "Laser" Lazerevski is a clinical finisher with great pace, top scorer in the Starblaydi Premier League and Player's Player of the Year this past season.
10. *~David Bentley, 29
Forming an excellent partnership with Lazerevski for club and country, David Bentley's sweet touch, work rate and shooting ability are much prized by the nation.
8. *~Fabricio de Souza Lima, 27
No-one can really decide whether Fabricio is an Attacking Midfielder or a Forward. His amazing ball control and fierce right foot mark him out as a samba star.
18. ~Guylain N'Dumbu-Nsungu, 31
Wherever you put him, he'll play his heart out for you. His speciality is as a hulking, bruising striker, he'll try and try until the final whistle.
19. ^Ricky Torino, 18
Played alongside Di Bradini in the U21WC3, his stinging shot is famous with goalkeepers all over Starblaydia.
20. ^Simeone Di Bradini, 19
A nineteen year-old striking sensation in Starblaydia's U21WC3 campaign, Di Bradini has pace, power, drive and an excellent touch. The new Nikola "Laser" Lazerevski?

Notes:
* = Starting XI
~ = Played in the WC15 Qualifiers
^ = Played in the U21WC3

Cockbill Street

15-07-2004, 11:23

Ankh-Morpork C-mail

Street announce Cup of Harmony Squad For Melmond
More Oldies Thrown Out - They Go To Krytenia And Are Masters Instead

Simon Quier is the surprise omission from the 18-man Cup of Harmony squad that left by carriage from Cockbill Street today. The 38-year-old striker, who has poured in goals consistently both for the Noriega Tigers and the Street, have been left out in a row over wages and selection policies. In his place have come Stein Stonelover (no relation to Petter of Barcoenfuego), a 28-year-old who plays regularly for R'dhuz'lith in the Compound League. In addition, Simon Jones, Jonny Ball and Larvikite have been left out, and another newcomer from Jorvik FC's excellent youth system, James Underwood, has been taken in. Underwood is a technical midfielder or forward, who struggles in rainy conditions and when anything defensive is required of him.

The squad:
Keepers: 13 Ashley Robinson (31, 5.22, Roegrow A), 1 Frederic Roberts (22, 5.69, Rizh'peith K)
Defenders: 2 Jorn Arnarson (29, 5.21, Izh'no'got K), 3 Tomas Rogers (29, 5.90, R'dhuz'lith K), 4 Neil Trucker (28, 5.88, U'ghaz'dukh K), 5 Niall Johnson (34, 5.61, Harewood), 14 Bjorn Spearthrower (26, 6.09, U'ghaz'dukH K), 18 Petter Stonelover (33, 5.96, Barcoenfuego (Kingsford))
Midfielders: 6 Einari Einarsson (30, 6.11, U'dh'gazh'dukh K), 7 James Underwood (21, 5.54, Jorvik), 8 Harald Axewielder (37, 6.51, Westinghouse-Armature (Giant Zucchini), captain, retires after this tournament), 12 Sodium-alginate (19, 5.97, Vimesbairn U), 15 Johnny Howard (22, 6.04, Harewood), 17 Magnetite (30, 5.66, Roegrow A)
Forwards and Strikers: 9 Steinari Einarsson (28, 5.96, U'dh'gazh'dukh K), 10 Alexander Peterson (23, 6.64, Chesham R), 11 Rikki Stone (25, 6.98, Acosta Browns (Melmond)), 16 Stein Stonelover (28, 5.79, R'dhuz'lith K)

Matchday 1:

Cockbill Street v Lykaia - MelAir Park, Lee

Most likely to be the prügelknabe of the group, Lykaia would struggle against a potent Cockbill Street side, happy to revenge their goal difference loss in qualifying. Lykaia, who were ranked 188th before the World Cup, have seen a marked improvement over World Cup 15, and finished 7th out of ten in their group, winning five of their eighteen qualifying games.

Prediction: Street 3-1

Jeruselem v Wella - Makinshakes Stadium, O'Connor

An interesting match-up in the first game, where many things could be decided. These teams are very tightly matched, but especially Jeruselem have underperformed in the recent World Cup. There is reason to believe Wella is the stronger team at the moment, though, after taking 30 points from a difficult group including two-time-champions Lemmitania, World Cup regulars Svecia, the sports-mad Vilitans and Revolutionaries, and the singers of Avenging Altos.

Prediction: 2-2 draw

Saturday:

Cockbill Street v Wella - Frankndottir Stadium, Acosta

Rikki Stone will have fun here, as Cockbill Street will take revenge over the closely associated nation to Lovisa, Wella. After a poor qualifying campaign, clearly induced by constant zeppelin travel and parachuting. Here, in front of the football-mad Acosta crowd (although probably more into the Bears than the Streeters) and the travelling Streeters, he should excel.

Prediction: Street 2-0

Jeruselem v Lykaia - White Bread Dome, Suburbia

Mmm...white bread. Soft and delicious...especially with olive oil. Sorry, got distracted there for a second, where were we? Oh yes, match between Jeruselem and Lykaia. Well, unfortunately for Lykaia, they should struggle in this match too. Their squad is not yet talented enough to reach the top level of international football, where the teams of this group is playing.

Prediction: Jeruselem 4-0

Matchday 3:

Cockbill Street v Jeruselem - Melmond Bowl, Melmond City

If everything goes according to plan, then this match will be irrelevant. Shame for the planners, who have put this match in one of the biggest stadiums in Melmond. Anyway, Jeruselem are probably the toughest opponents, and are expected to come into the match boosted by RP-inin. They will also have something to fight for. Both teams will likely be satisfied by a draw.

Prediction: 1-1 draw.

Wella v Lykaia - Frankndottir Stadium, Acosta

Well, even if Wella win, they could still be out unless Cockbill Street lose, if our predictions are correct. Nobody is likely to care about this game anyway.

Prediction: Wella 1-0.

Tables:

Cockbill Street 3 2 1 0 6-2 7
Jeruselem 3 1 2 0 7-3 5
Wella 3 1 1 1 3-4 4
Lykaia 3 0 0 3 1-8 0

That means the Street will go on and face the second-placed team in Group C, most likely Svecia or Raptor Claw, as the hosts Melmond have some reputation for doing well at home. Decidedly tough match-ups, whoever they will meet, and Cockbill Street shouldn't consider themselves assured of a semi-final spot. If that is reached, however, they will meet the winner of the other Group C v Group D match, no matter what.

Svecia

15-07-2004, 16:41

The Svecian national team, after being knocked out of qualifying for only the third time in its history, returns to the international stage. The lineup has been changed around a bit due to the retirement of several starters, among them the fabled Fransico Carati. Here is the projected lineup for the group matches:

Goalkeeper
Piet van Meer

Defense
Tomas Kristiansand
Karl Mayha
Hans Larsson

Midfield
Sven Laursen
Mikael Solskjaer
Arnold von der Rein
Olaf Swach
Jochim Mendel

and Forwards
Benelux Maalerski
Hanan Belagt

The new forward, Benelux Maalerski, just recently joined the national team after moving to Svecia a couple months ago. The team has eagerly embraced his outgoing personality and impressive voetbal skills, and the nation of Svecia eagerly awaits the start of the cup. Ticket sales, although not on levels on par with World Cup sales, are nevertheless drawing in large amounts of money.

Melmond

16-07-2004, 03:24

A Cup of Harmony Preview
By Henry Kalangalangalang of the Melmond City Herald

ALDI, MELMOND—Certainly this rendition of the Cup of Harmony is the dance of the heartbroken. Many sides who were slighted or faced great misfortune during the last moments of qualifying are in this Cup of Harmony and are the favorites to win it all. Those sides are: The Lowland Clans, The Weegies, Cockbill Street, and our very own Fearless Farmers of Melmond. Group B will be especially tough since both The Lowland Clans and The Weegies are in that group whereareas Melmond and Cockbill Street merely has to face the likes of Svecia and Jeruselem respectively. The other host nation Krytenia may surprise people in their deceptively not as difficult Group A featuring the overrated Halfassedstates, Iansisle, and Turori. It may be argued that Melmond’s Group C may be the easiest for any team, especially because Melmond is a host nation in this Cup of Harmony, an elaborate goodbye for the first generation of Melmond football. Let’s preview Group C.

Svecia was the team that Melmond played in its first international match 4-nil. After a Svecian coverup in the papers, both FAs have kissed and made up. Svecia has won both meetings between the sides, but the Fearless Farmers have come along way since the inaugural qualifying campaign. It will be interesting to see how Svecian striker Hanan Belagt will play considering he has played very well in the Melmond Premier League for the Unne Yellows and later the Melmond City Blues.

Raptor Claw is also another side which Melmond played twice during its inaugural qualifying campaign. However, in their two matchups, the Fearless Farmers were the victors both times. Raptor Claw is a much improved team and nation ever since evolving from a prehistoric tourist trap into a formidable theme nation.

The least threatening team is by far Oaker. Much was expected from these newcomers during qualifying, but they never really got off the ground. We expect to see this team finish dead last in this group.

The Prediction
1. Melmond
2. Svecia
3. Raptor Claw
4. Oaker

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Stadium, Aldi)
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen)
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali)

Next Game
vs. Raptor Claw (Microcosm Stadium, Aldi)

The official Melmond football salvation tour known as the Cup of Harmony begins against familiar foes from Raptor Claw. Melmond won both of their prior encounters during qualifying in World Cup 13, and both sides have been radically improved since the two encounters. Expect more adept football this time. However, on paper, Melmond has the clear advantage in all categories, but Raptor Claw as size and intensity and if the Fearless Farmers underestimate this side Raptor Claw could very well win. Manager Felix Coostatlwak will put in the original starting lineup.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- Sergio Ortiz
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Cristina Antunez
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

Microcosm Football Colossuseum
Location: Aldi, Melmond
Seats: 97,474 (Open Air)

Aldi is the second largest city in Melmond and is on the coast of the Aldi Sea. It is known for its beautiful weather and gnarly surfing. However, this town does seem to have an inferiority complex to the larger Melmond City and the more glamourous Unne. One sign of this complex is that the city of Aldi felt it had to build a bigger stadium than Melmond City to still look like a world-class city. With that and the sinister brainchild of Microcosm of Melmond, the Microcosm Football Colossuseum was built by those subconsciously hypnotized by the talking dolls made by the company and Matmel which brought people from other cities in Melmond and far away places like Bedistan and Commerce Heights to build this monolith for free.
This stadium is the home of the Melmond Premier League club Aldi Reds. Plenty of tickets still available. Don’t miss your last chance to see the first generation of Melmond football!

Krytenia

16-07-2004, 09:54

THE HERALD SPORTS DIGEST

Halfassed Performance

AVID-DIORD - Both hosts have suffered defeat in Matchday One of the Cup of Harmony, as after Melmond's shock defeat against Raptor Claw, our very own celestials crashed and burned at the hands of Halfassedstates.

The match started well enough for the Celestials, as buoyed by their own fans, they chased the opener - Colin Ulvæus flashing a shot wide thirteen minutes in. However, Halfassedstates steadily came back into the game, and Clayton Lormer had to clear out of the six yard box from a teasing cross-shot.

Halfeassed continued to improve through the first half, and it was inevitable they would take the lead. They did so on 37 minutes, <MF7> whipping in a fiendish cross for <FW9> to outjump Guarado and nod home. Alan Munitis' attempts to save led only to a broken wrist as he landed awkwardly - he's out for the rest of the tournament.

Another goal broke Krytenian hearts at the beginning of the second half. Michael Lewison was booked for a silly foul, and <MF8> thumped a sizzling free-kick round the wall. Sub goalie Adam Vernazza somehow managed to get fingertips on the ball, but could only manage to deflect an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

Krytenian heads simply dropped after that, and <FW9> got his second of the game twelve minutes from time, pouncing on the loose ball after Vernazza saved well from <FW10>.

After the final whistle was blown, there was complete silence from the 45,000 shellshocked Krytenian fans. Three-nil was the final score, but the Celestials still are in a reasonable position in the group. Iansisle will be a crucial game; a win and the Celestials could advance to the Big Eight, defeat and ninth will be the best the home faithful can hope for.

Final Score from the People's Stadium:
KRYTENIA.....................0
HALFASSEDSTATES........3 (<FW9> 37, 78; <MF8> 47)

Team to play Iansisle (@ Atterbrook Way, Elliston)
GK - Adam Vernazza [13]
LB - Michael Lewison [2]
CB - Clayton Lormer [6]
CB - Seth Grüber [12]
RB - Yves Davison [3]
LM - Chris Lydersen [22]
CM - Wes Byers [7]
CM - Will Guarado [8] (C)
RM - Cecil Poldov [4]
CF - Ari Smith [9]
CF - Colin Ulvæus [11]

Cockbill Street

16-07-2004, 12:38

Ankh-Morpork C-mail

Street Trounce Educated People
No Use Of Long "Lycean" Robes In This Game

A great display of football in yesterday's match between Cockbill Street and the Lykaians of Plato saw the latter go down by 0-5 today. There was absolutely no resistance whatsoever put up by the opponents, as Harald Axewielder put up one of his finest performances for the national team to date.

It started with a good rush from left back Petter Stonelover, who on the spur of the moment turned and dribbled off two men of the university. His cross to the right-hand side was picked up by Harald Axewielder, who played it back into the centre of the pitch where Einari Einarsson picked it up. He ran with it for about ten yards before spotting Alec Peterson's run clear of the defenders. A lovely chip over the Lykaian back line saw Peterson alone with the keeper, and he capitalised with a cheeky shot on the standing foot of the Lykaian goalkeeper. 1-0 after only six minutes.

Then it was Rikki Stone's turn to glow. The 25-year-old showed flashes of his brilliant technique in the next half-hour, but it wasn't that which gave him the two-nil goal. A cross from debutant left-winger Johnny Howard saw to it that Stone could use his head and steer the ball in. 3-0, however, was a stroke of brilliance. A one-two pass with Steinari Einarsson saw him past the first central defender. The second one came rushing out to stop him, whereupon Stone tricked him with a simple right-left combination. Suddenly, Stone was all alone with the keeper, who rushed out again. Another chip amazed the Melmondian crowds, as the ball went in off the bar and down.

At half-time, Olaf Iskalt recognised the need for rest in the already tired midfield, which would likely have to work even harder against Wella and Jeruselem, and brought on James Underwood and Sodium-alginate for Jonny Howard and Einari Einarsson. The pair did surprisingly well, especially Underwood, who scored his first national goal in his debut with a cracker of a shot from 20 yards.

The final nail in the coffin was brought on by the right back Jorn Arnarson, who pounced on a Streetian counter-attack chance. He received the ball from an unselfish Steinari Einarsson as the two of them found themselves alone with the keeper, and proceeded to whack it into the empty net. The final score, 5-0, was perhaps slightly flattering for the Street, but nevertheless an excellent start to what all Streetians hope will bring them back their second Harmony Cup title.

Cockbill Street: Roberts - P Stonelover, Rogers, Spearthrower, Arnarson - Howard (Underwood on 45), E Einarsson (Sodium-alginate on 45), Axewielder - S Einarsson, Stone, Peterson (S Stonelover on 51)

MelAir Park, Lee, Melmond:
Cockbill Street 5 (Peterson 6, Stone 18, 37, Underwood 48, Arnarson 68)
Lykaia 0

The Lowland Clans

16-07-2004, 13:55

ASNN - Stars open CoH with vegeance as they crush Starblaydia

Westleigh, Krytenia - The Stars opened the Cup of Harmony today with a loud thudding of Starbalydia. Thought highly of by managers' Lester Preston and Terry Fleury, they did excellent in the qualifiers, beating all three qualifiers. Unforunately for them, that did not keep the new look Stars squad for rolling over them like a steam roller. The game opened with hundreds of TIS and Federal Investigaton - Criminal (FIC) agents hidden in the stands, waiting to possibly jump a bribed referee.

Obviously slightly nervous, the ref continued glancing around in the stands for agents and big black helicopters. But that didn't hold up the game, where Pavel Julios opened the scoring fifteen minutes in on quick rebound that dented the post on striker Kevin Donahughs ripping shot. Starblaydia had several excellent chances in the first severeal minutes though, with a shot just a hair wide as Martin Teller was faked out on some beautiful footwork by Fabricio de Souza Lima. But that was it for Starblaydia, as the Stars then took the match over, dominating with physical size and skill not seen since the retiring of Lard Mackintosh.

Mark Jeremy was taken down by Ifil just outside the eighteen, Jeremy took his signature power shot which just grazed past the fingertips of Boaz Myhill. The game went into half with that boost to the Stars, who did not expect the fury of attemtps to get back into the game. The second half opened with a barrage of shots from all ends of the field, and a goal by captain Ryan Garry disallowed on a foul away from the play. With that note, the Stars new defensive core began to wake up and smell the flowers and began to pack tighter, sticking to there men like glue.

Jason Fleury, laregly a non-factor in his somewhat dissapointing debut, but soon came alive as his small size, powerful muscles and incredible speed to nimbly deke around Paul Cole to wind up for a big power shot, only to tap it in the opposite corner.

TLC Stars 3 - 0 Starblaydia
Julios (15th, No Assist)
Jeremy (43rd, No Assist)
Fleury (68th, No Assist)

Group Information

The Lowland Clans
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_lowland_clans.jpg
After being cheated out of a spot on the World Cup, The Stars are geared up with plenty of new faces and enough old ones to give them the drive to take it all. Will definitely make it to the top three.

The Weegies
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_weegies.jpg
The Weegies have been gathering attention the Allied States, with there high powered offence and flashy style, reminiscent of the high flying offence of the Stars of past. Look for them to be the biggest threat to the Stars dominance of the group

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/crystilakere.jpg
Crystilakere is not known in the Allied States as well as it is probably should, but the Stars have never played them. They missed qualification on a goals for difference, but look to take the group by surprise and qualify for the quarter finals.

Starblaydia
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/starblaydia.jpg
A newer sqaud coming out of the World Cup with a relatively respectable 7th place in one of the toughest groups, Starblaydia could perhaps be the darkhorse to take second and move on to the quarter finals.

Group B Lineup (Matches to be played in Krytenia)

Group B
The Lowland Clans (32)
The Weegies (40)
Crystilakere (52)
Starblaydia (93)

Predictions
Group A
Halfassedstates (28)
Turori (83)
Iansisle (37)
Krytenia (91)

Group B
The Lowland Clans (32)
The Weegies (40)
Starblaydia (93)
Crystilakere (52)

Group C
Melmond (44)
Raptor Claw (54)
Svecia (34)
Oaker (84)

Group D
Cockbill Street (28)
Wella (47)
Jeruselem (46)
Lykaia (127)

Quarter-Finals and Concellation
A1st v B2nd: Halfassedstates over The Weegies
B1st v A2nd: The Lowland Clans over Turori
A3rd v B4th: Iansisle over Crystalikere
B3rd v A4th: Starblaydia over Krytenia
C1st v D2nd: Melmond over Wella
D1st v C2nd: Cockbill Street over Raptor Claw
C3rd v D4th: Svecia over Lykaia
D3rd v C4th: Oaker over Jerusalem

Matchday 5 Fixtures: Venues TBA
Game K5: The Lowland Clans over Halfassedstates
Game K6: Turori over The Weegies
Game K7: Iansisle over Starblaydia
Game K8: Krytenia over Crystalikere
Game M5: Cockbill Street over Melmond
Game M6: Raptor Claw over Wella
Game M7: Oaker over Svecia
Game M8: Jerusalem over Lykaia

Matchday 6 Fixtures: Venues TBA
Championship Match: The Lowland Clans over Cockbill Street
Third Place Match: Halfassedstates over Melmond
Fifth Place Match: Turori over Raptor Claw
Seventh Place Match: The Weegies over Wella
Ninth Place Match: Iansisle over Oaker
Eleventh Place Match: Starblaydia over Svecia
Thirteenth Place Match: Jerusalem over Krytenia
Fifteenth Place Match: Crystalikere over Lykaia

Final Placing
1. The Lowland Clans
2. Cockbill Street
3. Halfassedstates
4. Melmond
5. Turori
6. Raptor Claw
7. The Weegies
8. Wella
9. Iansisle
10. Oaker
11. Starblaydia
12. Svecia
13. Jersalem
14. Krytenia
15. Crystalikere
16. Lykaia

Starblaydia

16-07-2004, 15:46

Brave Blades go down Fighting
Three-nil defeat shows some promise as Opening Match defeat curse strikes again

An expectant crowd at Green Street in Westleigh, Krytenia were ready to see the Starblaydia national team in their first match since the World Cup 15 Qualifiers. Widely seen as dark horses for the group, Starblaydia couldn't match The Lowland Clans in their first game of the seventh Cup of Harmony. This wasn't a match to use team nicknames, as 'The Stars' vs 'The Blades' would lead to much confusion all round.

A crowd filled with Starblaydis and lots of large men in suits, sunglasses and with earpieces, cheered on their team. When de Souza Lima's shot scraped some paint off of the post after only 100 seconds, the Starblaydis thought they might have the edge in this contest. All that changed, however, when Pavel Julios was first to a rebound off the post, accelerating past the under-prepared Matthew Kilgallon to tap the ball into the net.

Things got worse at the end of the half, when Philip Ifil took away the legs of free-kick specialist Mark Jeremy, who simply got back up and promptly rifled the ball past the wall and also the fingertips of Boaz Myhill. 2-0 down at half-time, Manager Jean-Paul Georges-Ringeaux's team-talk must have done a world of good as the Blades came out with all guns blazing.

Controversey after 51 minutes threatened to flare up into an unsightly shoving match as Captain Ryan Garry's incredible running and passing to get into the TLC box and even stroke the ball past the TLC 'keeper ended with the referee blowing for a free kick to TLC.

The action-replay, obviously unavailable to the referee at the time, proves almost incrontrovertably that Stefan Haldorsson , holding off a tough challenge, breathed in the general direction of TLC forward Jason Fleury, who immediately went down holding his face.

To make matters worse, the ineffectual Fleury, making his debut for TLC, sealed the Clans' victory with a third after bamboozling the excellent Paul Cole, who had contained the fat, short-arse youngster all match.

Some major changes may come into effect for the next match, as many Starblaydia players seriously underformed, in all areas of the pitch.

Final Score:
The Lowland Clans 3 - 0 Starblaydia
(Julios 15, Jeremy 43, Fleury 68)

Melmond

16-07-2004, 17:22

RAWRS! in Frustration
Tired Melmond National Team Gets Mauled by Raptor Claw
By Jim Dwordorf of the Aldi Tribune

ALDI, MELMOND—Optimism filled the air in the city of Aldi in the United Postmodernist States of Melmond. The nation itself has a renewed sense of optimism ever since it regained its seat as UN Delegate of the Exclusive Capitalizt Zone and has the most endorsements it has ever gotten. There was renewed excitement about the national football team as well after its major disappointing finish in the World Cup qualifying. Melmond has a chance to prove itself as a very solid host in the NationStates football universe and the first generation of the Melmond National Team and its native Melmondian coach Felix Coostatlwak has a chance to end their era on a good note in front of their own fans. However, things started on a real bad note.
After a PR photo shoot at a beautiful secluded beach 50 miles away from Aldi, the Melmond National Team took a private charter bus to get to Microcosm Stadium in Aldi. Unfortunately, the country roads they had to go down were literally riddled with potholes. The first problem was a flat tire. Some of the Melmondian Players had to come out and help fix the flat tire. The bus was back on the road until it kept on stalling in a rumoured to be haunted part of the road. Some ghouls and zombies tried to attack the Melmond National Team but they were able to stop them with one chant of the HRM3 spell. Once the supernatural attack was warded off, the Melmond National Team is only three-fourths of the way to the stadium and already an hour late for the contest. The fans at Microcosm Football Colossuseum are getting impatient, wondering where their Fearless Farmers are. Unfortunately for the fans and the Fearless Farmers, the road woes continue as some very strange people who are probably part of some obscure cult dressed as Bartlett pears start hitting the bus with rainbow trout. The entire team had to come out and defend their beloved private charter bus from these weirdos. However, the cult still kept on charging with rainbow trout in hand at the Fearless Farmers, showing that they aren’t responsive to violence. In a smart move, Manager Felix Coostatlwak got the inflatable lawyer out of his briefcase and inflated it to scare off the cult members. Finally, the Fearless Farmers made it to Microcosm Football Colossuseum in Aldi. Sure, they were three hours late and dead tired from fixing flat tires, fighting supernatural creatures, and fending off people dressed as Bartlett pears, but there is a game to be played.
However, their fatigue marked the entire first half. One can see that Melmond was struggling to keep up with the Raptor Claw side, and in turn made some sloppy challenges. At the 11th minute, on an earned corner from Melmond defender Jonsi Torrini, striker Chris Owen, the air force of the Melmond attack, jumped higher than everyone else, however his body control was lacking as he carelessly collided with Raptor Claw goalkeeper Gonnast Opyou, who was clearly in position to obtain the corner. For his out of control scoring attempt, Chris Owen gets a yellow card. At the 25th minute, Raptor Claw was organizing their attack as the midfield and defence of Raptor Claw kept on passing the ball back and forth to each other hoping to find a hole in the Melmond defence. Melmond midfielder Camui Arai was running as fast as he can to prevent Raptor Claw from taking advantage of an open player. He was keyed on stopping Raptor Claw midfielder Runni Nondaside from finding one of his key strikers. Unfortunately, when he made the sliding challenge, Nonadaside had already passed the ball to one of the strikers. He falls to the ground from Arai’s late tackle. However, the referee realized that Nondaside was playing up the pain and only gave Arai a yellow card. The yellow card woes ended for the Fearless Farmers at injury time of the first half, as a nifty dribbling move by Raptor Claw striker Runni Naroun got past Melmond defender Sergio Ortiz. Ortiz in a knee jerk reaction makes a tackle from behind on Naroun and gets a yellow card of his own although the small Raptor Claw contingent at the game wanted to see a red card. However, since the infraction was inside the goalkeepers box, so Raptor Claw gets a penalty kick, which was no problem for Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm, as Naroun shanks the ball far left of the goal. The first half ends scoreless, but one can tell as the teams were walking off the pitch that the Raptor Claw side had far more energy within them.
At the second half, one can see the ravages taken on by the Fearless Farmers from the obstacles faced on the way to the stadium as well as by the physical play of the Raptor Claw side. The tired backline held Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm out to dry as Runni Naroun ran circles around them and had many angles to choose from to get the ball past Snhp Xtfuinxm. It was a one in ten guessing game that Xtfuinxm lost as he was guessing one way and was too late in his reaction to the ball going the other way. The ball hits the net and at the 51st minute, Raptor Claw takes the 1-nil lead.
Seeing how the fatigue of the Fearless Farmers defence could let in more goals and can really damage Melmond’s goal differential by keeping them in. Manager Felix Coostatlwak eventually replaced three defenders: Trav Strachan coming in for Sergio Ortiz, Phael Survigosis coming in for Scott Cheney, and Kestrel Bluesummers coming in for Nina Steen. Only Jonsi Torrini stayed in the match for the Fearless Farmers. That idea seemed to work for a short while until fatigue caught up with the new batch of defenders at the 82nd minute as Raptor Claw striker Imat Arget was able to run past Melmond defender Phael Survigosis and was able to head a Imadalea Der cross into the net. Raptor Claw takes the 2-nil lead and will win the match with the same result. The Fearless Farmers faithful left the stadium with mixed feelings, knowing their side was dead tired, but also knowing that they had far more talent than Raptor Claw. Some of the fair-weather fans started selling their tickets to the Oaker match on mBay for dirt cheap prices, but the truly faithful of the faithful believe that the Fearless Farmers will bounce back.

Goals
Naroun, RCW 51st
Arget, RCW 82nd

Cards
Owen, MEL 11th
Arai, MEL 25th
Ortiz, MEL 45th

Standings

Other Group C Result
Svecia 1 – Oaker 0

Group C
Pts W D L GF:GA GD
1. Raptor Claw 3 1 0 0 2:0 2
2. Svecia 3 1 0 0 1:0 1
3. Oaker 0 0 0 1 0:1 -1
4. Melmond 0 0 0 1 0:2 -2

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: None
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Stadium, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen)
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali)

Next Game
vs. Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen)

One loss is certainly a big hole when there are only three games to play in a group play. All games now are virtually must wins, and Melmond must definitely beat this team from Oaker as one cannot think of an advantage that this Oaker side may have against our Fearless Farmers. With lots of rest after the Raptor Claw match, Melmond should dominate in what should be a mini-redemption match. Manager Felix Coostatlwak keeps the original starting lineup intact. As for the Svecia-Raptor Claw match, a Raptor Claw victory would be most preferable for the Fearless Farmers so they can control their own destiny against Svecia.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- Sergio Ortiz
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Cristina Antunez
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

MPNK Stadium
Location: Faasen, Melmond
Seats: 58,750 (Open Air)

Faasen is Melmond’s fifth largest city and is more known for its music scene rather than its sports. Faasen is known as the place that spawned international music legends such as the Lying Eyes, Neurotransmitter Frequency, Alice Millie, and new sensations Entry. Sports it is not at all the known for. MPNK Stadium was built during the rush of popularity of the Batter Up Baseball League and is mainly funded by Faasen media giant MPNK. MPNK just started up as a punk and ska radio station in the Faasen area and just grew to be a media giant in the nation. MPNK stadium is the home of the Faasen baseball team as well as the Faasen Oranges club team. Nothing remarkable about it as a stadium, but it is a memorable place for baseball moments. Plenty of tickets available!

Halfassedstates

16-07-2004, 17:46

Ahhhhh - right, will get my ass in gear and sort out a roster.
Apologies for the delay - just managed to get into the forums!
Jolt seems to be working well tho!! :)

Svecia

16-07-2004, 20:01

VILÄMNA DAGENS NYHETER
ALMOST OAKERED
Suprising formation keeps Lightning on heals

MELMOND - Svecian players were happy to hear that their rivals Melmond were in the same group. Unfortunately, they nearly lost to a team from the nation of Oaker. Fortunately they didn't. But nevertheless, the team could have. Oaker controlled nearly the whole game from the Svecian side of the field, and this was compounded by midfielder Mikael Solskjaer's dismissal in the 75th minute after he received his second yellow card of the game for a dangerous tackle. Granted, the Oaker side frustrated nearly every attempt Svecia made to attack and then would play keepaway.

But the 15.000 Lightning supporters that made their way to lovely Melmond for the Cup of Harmony finally got a chance to taunt the Oakers when Hanan Belagt shot low and hard to the left to beat the Oaker keeper in the 82nd minute. His goal, his 14th in international play, gave the Lightning a much needed boost after a dismal World Cup qualifying campaign which saw the Svecians only manage 5th place in a relatively easy group.

Svecia's other CoH group member, the side from Rapter Claw, easily ran over the Fearless Farmers of Melmond 2-0, although the scoreline could easily have been more: Rapter Claw missed a first half penalty, and the Melmond defense never really seemed to be able to keep up with the RC attacks. Whether this is because Rapter Claw is really good or because Melmond was a little tired after their trip remains to be seen when Svecia takes on Rapter Claw in the next group match.

Crystilakere

16-07-2004, 20:11

Crystilakere Sport Popular 3wide Kit

For the Third consectutive competition, the Crystilakere National team arrived accross the Channel in Krytenia for the start of their Cup of Harmony campaign, they were were proud to display their Famous kit, Designed and Manufactured by 3wide Designs (http://www.3wide.com), The same company that manufactures the kits for the Vilita (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=vilita) Jungle Cats and Turori (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=turori) Eels. The kits are a real step up from those manufactured in Crystilakere for World Cup 13 & 14.

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/ao/cryskit.gif

Here is the Crystilakere Roster for the Cup of Harmony

GK:: Emiliano Addis *
GK:: Gaetano Novello

D -C-:: Filippo Ferraro *
D -CR:: Donato Arrigoni *
D -CR:: Alejandro Ayala *
D L-R:: Rene' Niljssen *
D -CR:: Salvatore Redaelli
D LC-:: Francesco Schiavon

M -CR:: Maurizio Cavallo *
M -C-:: Darren Whelan *
M -C-:: Giuseppe Zucco *
M LC-:: Paolo Gallo *
M LCR:: Hazem Emam
M -CR:: Riccardo Vecchi
M -C-:: Massimiliano Rosi
M LC-:: Sebastan Wolf

F:: Carlo Romano *
F:: Christian Benedetti *
F:: Benjamin Kuhn
F:: Michael Baker

Emam Shines in Stellar Championship

Crystili native Hazem Emam has reason to be optimistic about his Nation's chances in the upcoming Cup of Harmony. Emam was an early signing for Yeaddin Owls AFC in the Vilitan Stellar Division, and started in all but 2 matches for the Owls on the way to their first ever Stellar Division Championship. The experienced Emam signed for Yeaddin following an open trial held in Crystilakere by Yeaddin, Turoki Isle and Makosile clubs. Emam is the first Crystili player to feature for a Stellar Division side.

Crystils roll over Weegies

Crystilakere got off to the perfect start in their Cup of Harmony campaign with an early win over group favorites The Weegies. Goals from the always threatening head of Filipo Ferraro and the youthful Benjamin Kuhn off the bench sent the Crystils flying, knowing that 3 points against Regional Rivals Starblaydia on Atlantian Oceanian soil would send them through to the next round.

Crystilakere 2 - 1 The Weegies
(Ferraro 30, Kuhn 73) - ( Unknown 51 )

The Lowlands Clans 3-0 Starblaydia

The Lowland Clans

17-07-2004, 08:16

ASNN - Stars All but Clintch First Place in Group With Slaughter of Crystilakere

Westleigh, Krytenia - The Stars continued there romp through the Cup of Harmony with crushing of underdog Crystilakere in a 3-1 match that threatened to turn into a riot after suspected terrorists planted trouble makers in the crowd. The game was also marked by big men in suits with sunglasses and earpieces watching all the entrances once again. The match also had several flybys of FJ-27C Highlander V attack jets and OH-101C Nighthawk helicopter flyovers. The referee reported peed his pants when he viewed the stadium before he came, requiring a change in shorts before the game began.

After his largely bland debut in yesterdays game against Starblaydia, Jason Fleury took his play to the next level, dominating the Crystilakere defense with his speed and ball handling skills. The game began with a charge up the pitch using his speed to get around Rene Niljssen and Maurizo Cavallo, just to ditch it off to a waiting Kevin Donahugh, who pounded it pass a diving Emiliano Addis. The game continued with a fast paced, end-to-end rushing style closer to the game of hockey than anything else. The Crystals forwards took their one big chance on a defensive blunder by Edgar Kolapoussif, which gave the ball to a wide open Christian Benedetti, who used the open pitch to make a beauitiful turn move to get around Martin Teller to score at the thirty fifth.

The Stars responded befor the half with a long goal kick from Teller, which landed at the feet of Orlando Rose, who took it in, and with his classic accuracy, threaded a pass to Kellem Asten through two diving defenders, and Asten just slid it into the open goal just as the whistle sounded. During the half though, there were reports of wild fans, three of which were arrested for unkown charges, but are currently sitting in the Westleigh Police Station. The rumblings then turned to the heavily armed TIS and FIC agents around the station, with several fans charging the lines of troops, only to get hit by a sniper with a beanbag round positioned on the roof of the stadium.

The game continued under the growing watch of the TIS and FIC agents, but with little noticable impact on the game. Though down 2-1, the game was far from over as the Crystals tried to put themselves back in the game. Unable to get past the wall of big men at the back, the Stars forwards then turned several botched attempts to turn the ball around and shove it down the keepers throat. With just over twenty minutes left in the half, The Stars seald it with a beautiful powershot from Mark Jeremy, which sealed the game as a victory for the Stars.

After the game though, outside the stadium, over three hundred disgruntled and drunk Crystilakere fans began to riot outside the stadium, TIS and FIC agents began to try to disperse the crowd. Several individuals began to provoke the crowd into attacking the TIS and FIC. The TIS troops then began firing beanbag rounds at several protesters, which provoked the drowd even more. Soon, the pass of the OH-101Cs dispersed the crowd by firing a new 'sticky shocker' ammunition, knocking out many of those in the crowd. The main speakers though, slinked into Westleigh's underground and disappeared. The manhunt is still underway, and we will bring you more details as we get them.

TLC Stars 3 - 1 Crystilakere
Donahugh (4th, Fleury Assist)
Asten (43rd, Rose Assist)
Jeremy (71st, No Assist)

Cockbill Street

17-07-2004, 12:57

Streeters Almost Through
Though Stone Falter Through Pressure of Home Crowd

Rikki Stone was a disaster here at Acosta, but apart from that, things went well in Cockbill Street's second Cup of Harmony match. Boosted by a massive goal difference from their first match against the Lykaians, the Streeters went into the game with no respect. James Underwood, the 21-year-old from Human Premiership club Jorvik, had impressed in his last game with a goal and some good raids down the left-wing, and was rewarded with the place as specialist left-winger instead of Johnny Howard. Otherwise, the starting line-up was the same.

It started as an entertaining match to watch, with both teams having chances within the first ten minutes. Steinari Einarsson blew one over the bar after eight minutes, having chested down a fine cross pass from James Underwood, while Andrzej Kmicic of Wella had a good shot along the floor that went about a foot outside Roberts's far post. Then, Harald Axewielder showed the flashes of brilliance that has been with him and Cockbill Street ever since the qualifying to World Cup 10. Rushing into the box with the ball, neither right-back Jacek Grocki nor centre-back Bogdon Wojton could stop the 37-year-old dwarf from getting a free shot at Marian Skoczen. And so he did - a strike that was measured as 78 mph as it flew past Skoczen into the top corner of the net. 1-0 to the Street, and well underway.

However, the Streeters seemed to think that Wella were as poor as Lykaia's attackers in the last game. With Lykaia, you could rely on them not completing more than three passes. The Wellans, and in particular midfielders Robert Sarapata and Leszek Parijan, had excellent passing feet and a creative football brain with it, too. Parijan's pass out on the left wing to Aleksander Keller was pure genius, and Keller could go into the box unharmed as Arnarson was completely lost - trying to mark Sarapata! Keller's shot was saved by Frederic Roberts, but Tomasz Lange was there on the rebound and only had to tap it into the empty net. Wella continued to pile on the pressure after they got the equaliser, and headers from Andrzej Kmicic and Rafal Heczko went just wide. Cockbill Street, in short, were lucky to have 1-1.

It's said that the Streeters often "drop like a stone", alluding to the fact that when Rikki Stone does badly, the team tends to, as well. However, the second half today was an exception. Despite Rikki Stone being completely invisible (the C-mail journalists, at one point, wondered whether he was out giving autographs to the Acosta crowd), the other ten men of the pitch showed their finest performance since the Group Stage matches in Kingsford back in World Cup 14. The first fifteen minutes was all Cockbill Street, with four huge chances going begging as Rikki Stone squandered two shots wide, Alec Peterson sent a hard shot just to the left of the keeper, which was fisted to a corner, and James Underwood's long shot went off the bar and over.

Still, the Street weren't degraded by squandered chances, and continued to fire away. And it was actually a defender who did the job. Left back Petter Stonelover came on one of his rare runs up the left wing, dribbling past Keller and Sarapata before facing left-back Jerzy Lotko, who had rushed out. However, Lotko performed a poorly timed sliding tackle, and Stonelover could calmly chip the ball over his leg and then jump after it. A well weighed cross back to Harald Axewielder inside the box on the right was followed by a pass to Alec Peterson, who shot it off the post and in from the penalty spot.

But again the Streeters fell back. Complacency led them to believe that the Wellans had no offensive force left, but nothing could be further from the truth. Right-winger Leszek Pabijan became their nemesis, as he found room to construct a wonderful attack on his side. Petter Stonelover, still ecstatic about his own performance, was transformed into a statue as Pabijan rushed into the box and tried to chip Roberts - luckily, his cheeky shot went over.

Iskalt, recognising something had to be done, brought off two of the poorest players on the pitch - Tomas Rogers, whose man-marking of Andrzej Kmicic had failed completely, and Rikki Stone, who many people wondered whether was still on the pitch. On came Neil Trucker, in order to bring some experience and air power into the central defence, along with Stein Stonelover, regular substitute in these matches.

However, it was not the right medicine. Trucker, in particular, had no easier time with Kmicic's technique, and his pass through to striker colleague Rafal Heczko, who had ran behind the back line into a suspected off-side position (which probably wasn't, since Jorn Arnarson was about three yards behind the other defenders), was a stroke of genius. Heczko was suddenly through on goal and had an easy shot for 2-2.

All tied up again, and it looked as though Cockbill Street and Wella would share top spot in Group D. However, James Underwood, the Jorvik talent, had other plans. How Jorvik have failed to promote with this man in the squad is beyond this journalist, and how long Jorvik will keep him is another question entirely. His shot is amazing, as he proved when he curled a free-kick from 35 yards just to the right of the far post - and just out of reach of a poorly-placed Skoczen.

Cockbill Street's last match is against Jeruselem, and unless the Street lose by three goals or more, they are virtually guaranteed qualification into the quarter-finals. Although no less than expected, it is important that these preliminary matches pass without problems.

Cockbill Street: Roberts - P Stonelover, Rogers (Trucker on 71), Spearthrower, Arnarson - Underwood, E Einarsson, Axewielder (Magnetite on 84) - S Einarsson, Stone (S Stonelover on 71), Peterson
Wella: Skoczen - Lotko, Wojton, Grocki - Keller, Sarapata, Heger, Pabijan - Kmicic, Lange, Heczko

Cockbill Street 3 (Axewielder 18, Peterson 67, Underwood 81)
Wella 2 (Lange 28, Heczko 74)

THE CALCULATIONS

Group D:
Cockbill Street 2 2 0 0 8-2 6
Jeruselem 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
Wella 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
Lykaia 2 0 0 2 0-7 0

Final round: Cockbill Street v Jeruselem, Wella v Lykaia

Cockbill Street

Are qualified as long as they don't lose by three goals or more and Wella don't beat Lykaia by a lot of goals (the total goal difference in the two matches have to be at least 7, i.e. Cockbill Street 1 Jeruselem 4 and Wella 4 Lykaia 0). If they lose by three goals, they can not win the group, otherwise they can win the group as long as Wella don't pass them on goal difference.

Jeruselem

If they win, they are qualified as long as Wella don't win by a goal more than Jeruselem. Can win the group if they win by three goals.
If they draw, they are qualified as long as Wella draw
If they lose, they are qualified as long as Wella lose by the same amount of goals. They can lose by a maximum of 3 goals before Lykaia pass them.

Wella

If they win by a goal more than Jeruselem, they are qualified. If not, they can not go through unless they get past Cockbill Street (see this)
If they win by only one goal, Jeruselem must draw or lose.
If they draw, Jeruselem must lose.

Lykaia

Have to win by at least four goals and hope that Jeruselem lose by four goals as well in order to finish second.

Group C:
Svecia 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
Raptor Claw 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
Melmond 2 1 0 1 1-2 3
Oaker 2 0 0 2 0-2 0

Final round: Svecia v Melmond, Raptor Claw v Oaker

Svecia

Are qualified as long as they don't lose against Melmond by two goals. In addition, Raptor Claw must win in order for Svecia to be knocked out.

Raptor Claw

Are qualified if they win. Raptor Claw may win the group, but that requires Melmond to win by only one goal more than Raptor Claw.
If they draw, they are through as long as Melmond draw or lose
If they lose, they are through as long as Melmond lose by only one goal.

Melmond

Are qualified if they win by two goals
If they win by one goal, Oaker must win or draw.
If they draw, they qualify as long as Raptor Claw lose.
If they lose, they are out.

Oaker

Can qualify if they win by two goals and Svecia win.

Likely results, according to the C-mail Predictor:

Cockbill Street 1 Jeruselem 1
Wella 2 Lykaia 0
Svecia 1 Melmond 1
Raptor Claw 3 Oaker 1

Which would give the following quarter-finals:

Svecia v Wella
Cockbill Street v Raptor Claw.

Cockbill Street would be happy enough to meet Raptor Claw, who are rated 68th in the world, but Svecia could be a fearsome opponent. So they should go all-out for the win tomorrow.

Jeruselem

17-07-2004, 16:16

Jeruselem Government News

Showdown with Cockbill Street to decide qualification

After a shock loss to Wella 1-0, Jeruselem beat Lykaia 2-0 to be back in contention to qualify to the finals of Cup of Harmony XV. They face Cockbill Street which leads Group D with 2 wins while Wella and Jeruselem have one win each. Wella play Lykaia in a much easier contest while Jeruselem needs to win and hope Lykaia beat Wella as well.

Starblaydia

17-07-2004, 18:47

180 goalless Starblaydi minutes in the Cup of Harmony
First point gained for Starblaydia

Oh woe is Starblaydi football at the moment. By kicking out the under-performing members of the squad and bringing in the rising stars of hte Under-21 team, people expected Starblaydia to do well in this invitation-tournament.

What they hadn't expected, though, was the vastly superior quality of the other teams. Whereas three or four teams of the quality of The Lowland Clans, The Weegies and Crystilakere are expected to be in a World Cup Qualifying Group of 10 nations, these teams comprise three of the four places in Starblaydia's group. So, looking at it from a statistical point of view, Starblaydia have provided a slight upset in this match by holding The Weegies to a draw.

Starblaydia Coach Jean-Paul Georges-Ringeaux had been expected to make more than a few changes to the starting line-up for this match, but in the end he only made a few, swapping around dyed-in-the-wool veterans between field and bench. The usual Under-21ers, however, were used sparingly.

Stars-of-the-future like Simeone Di Bradini, J.J. Stark, Ki-Jana Carter and even 23 year-old established first-teamer David Benson were sat kicking their heels on the bench as the late twenty- and thirty-somethings failed to live up to their supporters' expectations. Only Captain Ryan Garry and soon-to-retire striker Guylain N'Dumbu-Nsungu, 31, raised any excitement with the crowd as they tried desperately to grab the game by the throat and haul Starblaydia back into the match. Alas, their attempts were futile, at least The Weegies didn't manage to score either, which is a bonus.

"That's the worst game of international football I've ever watched." Said one disconsolate Starblaydi fan.

"I agree." Agreed another.

"Yup." Said a third.

And so it went on. As many fans streamed out of the Ackersleigh Park Stadium with fifteen minutes to go following some of the most abject football that Starblaydia have ever played, the remaining die-hards had just one chant for their manager, a call for the brightest prospect in the Starblaydi game.

"There's only one Di Bradini."

Final Score:
The Weegies 0 - 0 Starblaydia

Melmond

17-07-2004, 20:26

In Your Face!
Fearless Farmers Get the Win in What Was an Utter Snoozer of a Match
By Ian Oioi of the Faasen Times

FAASEN, MELMOND—The Melmond National Team entered the half-empty MPNK Stadium in Faasen very well-rested. In fact, they appeared almost too well rested. Whereareas in the match against Raptor Claw the Fearless Farmers were too tired to fend off the Raptor Claw attack, the Fearless Farmers seemed to be relaxed to the point where they lost their competitive edge. The opponents were the rather unknown quantity that is the National Team of Oaker. The Sharks as they are nicknamed in their host nation, have had some prior success in such tournaments as the Baptism of Fire and out of all the nations new to NationStates football international play, Oaker has the most raw talent. They have played the strong Svecia side rather close, only losing by one. How will they do against the Fearless Farmers?
The answer is rather pitiful. Oaker played some of its worst football ever as on the mark passes were the exception rather than the norm. All their shot attempts were off target or easily stopped by a half-comatose Snhp Xtfuinxm. The unawakened Melmond attack actually was able to get off some shots passed the Oaker’s shoddy defence, but most were off-target or so soft that they were easily caught by the Oaker keeper. The first half was plagued with just plain bad and boring football as the fans seemed to be catching up on their sleep during the match or entertaining each other with competitive “made you look” contests.
At the second half, something hit the two superstars of the Melmond National Team Snhp Xtfuinxm and Critandi Unne. That something was a speeding football right into their faces. On an Oaker breakaway, the Oaker striker’s shot rocketed into Xtfuinxm’s face. The hard shot to the face was a reminder for him that in fact that he is in the middle of a very important match. After the ball to the face, Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm played like the world-class goalkeeper he was touting to be. He made no acrobatic saves; he didn’t need to as he was always at least three steps ahead from the predictable Oaker attack.
In the middle of the second half, a poor goal kick rammed right into the face of Melmond midfielder Critandi Unne. S/he finally awakened to her full strength and her talent basically took over the Fearless Farmers and the entire game. S/he didn’t have the usual solid support of her team this time around, who were playing as if they were feeling the affects of a Mountain Doobie binge. It took an individual effort to score Melmond’s only goal of the match, in fact it was the only goal of the match and Melmond’s Cup of Harmony campaign period thus far. S/he intercepted a pitiful pass by an Oaker defender and had a wide open lane toward the net. It was basically hir and the Oaker goalkeeper, and Critandi Unne just toyed with him as just about when the Oaker goalkeeper committed to how he was going to stop Critandi Unne’s attack, Unne puts the ball in the opposite direction. The goalkeeper went right for the ball, Critandi Unne subtlely chips the ball over his diving body and the ball rolls right into net. The goal was at the 76th minute. Critandi Unne tries to shake hir teammates to celebrate with hir to go with the noise of the excited crowd. However, her teammates still haven’t woken up from that long long nap and that cheer s/he though s/he heard was actually the collective snoring from the crowd, bored to sleep by the poor play on the pitch. Anyway Melmond gets their key win and the game against Svecia is a must win. It should be a classic of a match as both sides are friendly rivals and Melmond should find their middle ground.

Goals
C. Unne, MEL 76th

Cards
None

Standings

Other Group C Result
Svecia 1 – Raptor Claw 0

Group C
Pts W D L GF:GA GD
1. Svecia 6 2 0 0 2:0 2
2. Raptor Claw 3 1 0 1 2:1 1
3. Melmond 3 1 0 1 1:2 -1
4. Oaker 0 0 0 2 0:2 -2

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: Critandi Unne (1)
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Stadium, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen) W 1-0
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali)

Next Game
vs. Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali)

This game is utterly crucial. There is really nothing else one can say other than that, but I will try anyway. This matchup is between one of our oldest and most friendly rivals Svecia. Svecia is the team Melmond played in its first ever international match and lost 4-nil in Vilamna, Svecia. However, both sides have taken different turns as Svecia rocketed up the standings only to fall this time around and Melmond is much more respected and touted. How Svecian striker and Melmond Premier League veteran Hanan Belagt plays should be very interesting as he is much more familiar with the Melmond football style than any other player on the Svecian side. The legacy of the “team of destiny”, the coaching legacy of Manager Felix Coostatlwak, and the first generation of Melmond International Football is on the line in this extremely important match. Fans will also be eyeing the Raptor Claw-Oaker score. That game will be played at Lifedonations Stadiums in Morales, which is sold out and will have a crowd which hugely favors Oaker. This match at Xpress Counsel Field in Cali has been long sold out. Manager Felix Coostatlwak remains headstrong about the talent of his original starters and refuses to make any changes.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- Sergio Ortiz
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Cristina Antunez
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

Xpress Counsel Field
Location: Cali, Melmond
Seats: 37,500 (Open Air)

Cali is Melmond’s sixth largest city and while Unne is said to be the most fashionable city, Cali is said to have the most fashionable people. Cali is the heart of Melmond’s movie and fashion industries and not very known for its support of sports. However, it being the sixth largest city in Melmond got a new stadium built in the Batter Up Baseball League boom of popularity. Xpress Counsel Field is obviously sponsored by Xpress Counsel, a firm in which makeovers are common, fashion wise and psychologically. The stadium houses the Cali baseball team and the resurrected Cali Purples of the Melmond Premier League. In case anyone gets injured Cali has good hospitals as Theys Eluay could attest to. Tickets are hopelessly sold out! Buy your rally farmer hats at nearby retailers as I am sure plenty will be available around but not at the stadium itself.

Starblaydia

18-07-2004, 09:50

4-0 Thrashing by Crystilakere
Manager listens to fans and look what happens

Starblaydia manager Jean-Paul Georges-Ringeaux, fed up to the back teeth with the press and fans on his back, took the unorthodox step of giving a survey to around 2,000 Starblaydi fans and sporting journalists. They filled in their Starting XIs and tactics, then handed the sheets back to the manager. After an evening of compiling the results, Georges-Ringeaux picked: 'The people's team'

"Just goes to show what 'the people' know," said the manager, "you're all on my back all the time, so i give you the team you want and its four-nil, appreciate it, thanks very much." he promptly stormed off.

Our next match is against another AO-region team, Turori. Let's hope we can do slightly better.

I ain't sayin' nothin'.

Final Score:
Crystilakere 4 - 0 Starblaydia
(Ferraro 22, Whelen 26, Romano 53, 71)

Cockbill Street

18-07-2004, 15:24

Press conference, in the dungeons below Melmond Bowl, after Cockbill Street drew Jeruselem 1-1:

John Fredericks, Vimesbairn Herald: We noted a certain complacency among the players during today's match. Are you pleased with the team's performance so far in the tournament?

Olaf Iskalt: Yes, I am. We've had many players who has performed above expectations, and we have had no problems in advancing to the next round.

JF: But how about today's match - are you pleased with a 1-1 result against Jeruselem?

OI: Well, you can never be too pleased about a draw, of course, but seeing as we won the group with a draw, and our second team players didn't give away any chances at the back, I'm quite happy overall.

Henry Kalangalangalang, Melmond City Herald: I didn't see Rikki Stone in the grounds today - why wasn't he playing?

OI: It's the third match of the group, we're as good as through unless we lose 0-4, what do you expect us to do? There wouldn't be a point in putting the first line-up out there, and Mr Stone is one of those players who seems to take his place in the team for granted. I have to teach him a u'thi'ang'haratha!

HK: Um...Mr Axewielder, could I ask you to translate, please?

Harald Axewielder to Iskalt (sotto voce): K'uth'ny argh'ka du'zh'nie?

OI to HA: D'ozh'nie'KATH!

HA: It seems Mr Iskalt did not intend for that to be translated, Mr Kala...sorry, I really can't pronounce your name. However, the general gist involved some very nasty stuff with an iron bar.

HK: But Stone wasn't even in the stands! If he had been, the crowd would all go crazy to get his autograph, and nothing like that was seen?

OI: Yes, well, there was a minor disagreement between Mr Stone and the management. There is an unwritten rule that every squad player, no matter how important, shall watch the game, but Mr Stone refused to go upon knowing that he would not play in the game.

HK: So what did you do?

OI: We waited for him to turn up at the team bus, and when he didn't arrive, it was obvious that he had left the hotel. Alec Peterson went up to get him, and knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

HK: So, you just left?

OI: That is correct. We would be late for the match otherwise.

HK: Will there be any other punishments for Mr Stone after this incident?

OI: The matter is currently being treated by the Cockbill Street Department of Sports, but we anticipate that Mr Stone will get a ban for at least a couple of games.

HK: Excuse me? Did you say ban?

OI: Yes. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, and Mr Stone is by no means an indispensable member of the squad. He will also, probably, be fined quite a large sum of money.

HK: But isn't this a bit rash? We're talking about your greatest star here, who just made a decision not to watch an unimportant game - you even admitted it was unimportant by putting out your B team!

OI: Nevertheless, it is a national game, and Mr Stone has to set an example for the younger members of the squad. Certainly, he shows us that he doesn't care what happens to the team when he doesn't play for it, so he must obviously show otherwise during the ban period.

Joanna Wibblesham, Press Director of the Cockbill Street Department of Sports: I believe that is all. Thank you for your attention. A press release regarding the Stone case will be released in due course.

PRESS RELEASE - COCKBILL STREET DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS - FOOTBALL DIVISION

Rikki Stone has been banned for two games and fined $100,000 following his refusal to turn up at Cockbill Street's Cup of Harmony match against Jeruselem in the Melmond Bowl, despite constant reminders for him to do so. Mr Stone has been informed about the ban, but will issue no further comment on his punishment.

Cockbill Street 1 (Peterson 81)
Jeruselem 1 (<striker> 14)

Crystilakere

18-07-2004, 16:46

Crystils Thrash Rivals, In the Last 8

The Crystils moved on the the Final 8 of the Cup of Harmony following their World Cup agony, missing out on the finals only on goal differential, despite a lopsided victory on the final matchday and a late surge of results. However, the future now looks bright again for the Crystils, after a huge thrashing of Regional Rivals Starblaydia in the most energetic atmosphere since the Vilita matches in World Cup 14. The Match was held in neutral Krytenia, Due West of Crystilakere and Due South of Starblaydia, making for a packed crowd and electric atmosphere, which the Crystils soon took advantage of.

Filippo Ferraro, unarguably one of the best headers in the region, set the Crystilakere support alight on 22 minutes when he emphatically headed home off a Whelen corner. And the already celebratory atmosphere only increased just minutes later, when Whelen himself teed up a centering pass by Benedetti, leaving Starblaydia without a chance, and sending the Crystils into a magical 2-0 halftime lead. The match was sealed in the second half by a Carlo Romano brace, showing why he was the leading Crystilakere scorer in World Cup 15 qualifying, showing no mistake in capitalizing twice on defensive error by the Starblaydia back four.

Crystilakere will now move on to the Quarter Finals where they will play Halfassedstates in a one off knock out match for a chance to make it to the final four.
Crystilakere 4 - 0 Starblaydia
(Ferraro 22, Whelen 26, Romano 53; 71)

Roster:

GK:: Emiliano Addis *
D -C-:: Filippo Ferraro *
D -CR:: Donato Arrigoni *
D -CR:: Alejandro Ayala *
D L-R:: Rene' Niljssen *
M -CR:: Maurizio Cavallo *
M -C-:: Darren Whelan *
M -C-:: Giuseppe Zucco *
M LC-:: Paolo Gallo *
F:: Carlo Romano *
F:: Christian Benedetti *

GK:: Gaetano Novello
D -CR:: Salvatore Redaelli
M LCR:: Hazem Emam
M LC-:: Sebastan Wolf
F:: Benjamin Kuhn

Melmond

18-07-2004, 21:13

Legacy Rescued!
Melmond Advances Into Top 8 with 2-nil Victory over Friendly Rivals Svecia
By Boo Teefull of the Cali Tribune

CALI, MELMOND—The tide is turning. One can feel it. The atmosphere at Xpress Counsel Field in Cali was quite possibly the complete inverse of the atmospheres of the first two games. An infectious excitement moved through the sellout crowd, most donning the rally farmer hat on their head, about the chances of the first generation of the Melmond National Team salvaging their legacy by not absolutely choking in a Cup of Harmony in which they are the host nation. The energy levels of the Fearless Farmers were just as different as the matches before. They are not too tired or too relaxed, one can see as they were warming up that they were at that happy medium in which they were calm and collected and yet maintain their competitive edge.
The opponents were the Svecia National Team, who was riding the crest of a two-match winning streak with wins over Oaker and Raptor Claw. These two sides had played each other before, way back when Melmond first debuted their national team, with Svecia defeating Melmond 4-nil at their first ever international match in Svecia. The home match was a softer loss, a 2-nil loss to the team known as the Lightning. Both sides have been friendly rivals since those two matches as the Svecia Voetbal Association let star striker Hanan Belagt play in the Melmond Premier League in which he had a very successful career. The fans also had their eyes on the scoreboard as well watching the results from the Raptor Claw-Oaker match, which means a lot to Melmond’s qualifying hopes to get into the top 8.
The first half of the match brought very few cheers from the Fearless Farmer faithful as Svecia was very game for this match and took nothing for granted. Svecia controlled the tempo of the first half and stayed true to their moniker of the Lightning as they certainly played at a lightning fast pace. However, Melmond was doing a great job themselves of keeping up with the very quick Svecia side as the defence did a well enough job against the Svecia attack to not give Svecia the best selection of shots. When Svecia did have a chance to shoot the ball, Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm made easy work of their attempts.
The first loud cheer from the stands was not from anything on the pitch, but the news that Oaker scored the first goal and took a 1-nil lead over Raptor Claw. An Oaker win and anything other than a loss for Melmond would put the Fearless Farmers into the top 8. The fans had very little to cheer about on the pitch as Svecia was swarming around all Melmond attacks and made pre-emptive strikes on Melmond’s plays that George W. Bush would be proud of.
Svecia was able to get a golden opportunity to take the lead as the first half was coming to an end. Before the best Svecian strike opportunity, a groan eminated from the crowd as the scoreboard showed that Raptor Claw has scored the equaliser. Seconds later, Svecia striker Hanan Belagt was able to get past Melmond defender Jonsi Torrini and closed in on the net. However, in a pique of irony, Torrini made a tackle from behind on Belagt. Torrini gets charged a yellow card at the 43rd minute and Hanan Belagt was able to get up from the tackle and take the penalty kick. The Fearless Farmer faithful could feel the momentum shift against them, as if the dominoes were starting to fall for another disappointment. They know the finishing talents of Hanan Belagt, but they also know of the uncanny goalkeeping prowess and physical skills of Snhp Xtfuinxm. Belagt takes the kick, and Xtfuinxm guess right and makes quick work of the penalty! Melmond regains the momentum as the first half ends.
The Melmond National Team was back in top form during the second half, as they took the reins of the tempo away from the Svecians. The Melmondian midfield really stepped up as the Svecian side was never able to set up a cohesive attack. At the 59th minute after a desperate Svecian clear after Melmond made a furious attack, defender Nina Steen makes the pass to midfielder Cristina Antunez, who in turn crosses the ball all the way across the midfield to midfielder Martin Goodwin, who makes a neat dribbling move past Svecia midfielder Mikael Solskjaer. Goodwin dribbled forward to with the ball remaining near the out of bounds line. As the Svecian defenders closed in on him as Goodwin threatened to make a scoring attack of his own, he lets out a beautiful cross in which striker Chris Owen flew through the air and headed the ball straight past Svecia goalkeeper Piet van Meer. The crowd as well as the Fearless Farmers are enraptured by the play as the Fearless Farmers take the lead 1-nil.
However, there still was a nervousness stirring within the crowd as the Raptor Claw-Oaker match was still 1-1, knowing that with this one goal, they are still dependent on that score to get in the top 8. They will have to worry no more at the 69th minute. Melmond striker Benjamin Leeb makes an accurate, hard strike in which Svecia goalkeeper Piet van Meer had to make a diving stop. He was only able to ricochet the ball, Melmond midfielder Camui Arai hustled to kick the ricochet at the net in midair. The ball was far away from van Meer as he was not able to recover in time to stop the ball from going into the net. All worries are relieved as Melmond takes the 2-nil lead. If Melmond wins this match by two, they are in the top 8 no matter the score of the Raptor Claw-Oaker match.
As the minutes waned in this match, one thing was taken away, first place. Raptor Claw scored the go-ahead goal late in the match and took the victory of Oaker by the score of 2-1. However, Melmond was able to hold on and win the big time match against Svecia 2-nil and qualify for the top 8.
After the match, Melmond captain Martin Goodwin had this to say about the match, “We have always had this internal obligation to uphold the legacy of the first generation of Melmond football, we do not want to disappoint our long time supporters and especially Felix who has put so much effort into the health of the sport in Melmond. This was major.” Manager Felix Coostatlwak was happy with the victory, but expressed some remorse for the Svecians, “They are really nice people there in Svecia and it’s sad to see them in such decline, also due to Raptor Claw’s win we have a very tough match against Cockbill Street.”

Goals
Owen, MEL 59th
Arai, MEL 69th

Cards
Torrini, MEL 43rd

Standings

Other Group C Result
Raptor Claw 2 – Oaker 1

Group C
Pts W D L GF:GA GD
1. Raptor Claw 6 2 0 1 4:2 2
2. Melmond 6 2 0 1 3:2 1
3. Svecia 6 2 0 1 2:2 0
4. Oaker 0 0 0 3 1:4 -3

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: Critandi Unne (1), Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1)
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1), Jonsi Torrini (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Stadium, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen) W 1-0
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali) W 2-0
v Cockbill Street (Melmond Bowl, Melmond City)

Next Game
vs. Cockbill Street (Melmond Bowl, Melmond City)

This will be by far the most difficult and competitive match of any of the top 8 as both Cockbill Street and Melmond have two things in common: both were favorites to win the Cup of Harmony coming into the tournament and both sides believe they have something to redeem from their close calls in terms of World Cup qualifying. With the home crowd, coming off a win, and the news that star striker for Cockbill Street and Acosta Browns of the Melmond Premier League Rikki Stone will not play for disciplinary reasons, one must believe that the momentum sides with the Fearless Farmers. However, Cockbill Street has a side talented if not more talented than our own Fearless Farmers. Much more than advancing further into the Cup of Harmony is on the line in this match. Manager Felix Coostatlwak will keep his original starting lineup intact, but he will make adjustments when needed.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- Sergio Ortiz
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Cristina Antunez
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

Melmond Bowl
Location: Melmond City, Melmond
Seats: 92,542 (Open Air)

Melmond City is the capital and largest city in Melmond. The United Postmodernist States of Melmond grew from this ancient city which was said to be visited by the mythical light warriors. Anything and everything happens in the megalopolis known as Melmond City. The Melmond Bowl was built so that Melmond would have a national stadium of sorts. Its original purpose was football It is the home of the 3-time Melmond Premier League champion Melmond City Blues. It also hosted events in the Exclusive Capitalizt Zone Olympics as well as various other events. Tickets are still available, but going very fast!

Krytenia

18-07-2004, 23:01

THE KRYTENIA QUESTION

With Jeff Morales and Gary Terzza

Jeff: After another disappointing display on home turf, critics in Krytenia are asking: "Where did it all go wrong?"

Gary: First of all, let's have a look at the story so far.

Tape rolls, The Farm's "All Together Now" as backing track.
First, shots of Krytenia's first game of WC15, as the Celestials put the fear of God into Lovebug.
Then, pictures from their win against Larkinia.
Shots from their triumph over adversity in Rampagonia.
More feed - a four goal haul against Artoonia.
THAT win over Dennisov.
Roger Celsen's hat-trick in the return over Artoonia.

Gary: So what's happened since then Jeff?

Jeff: We've been rolled over by Oglethorpia, Gesamtkuntswerk....

Gary: Who qualified for the World Cup....

Jeff: (flustered) Halfassedstates, Iansisle....

Gary: KPB Top 50.....

Jeff: (angry) OK then **Mr Wise Guy** explain the draw with Turori!

Gary: No wins in five?!?!? Six now.

Jeff: (seriously peeved) So, what's the problem with the national side? The players? The Manager? The lack of good young talent?

Gary: (snapping) The overwhelming pressure put on the national side by a hypercrital media who expect miracles straight off the bat? Avidia wasn't built in a day you know....

Gary and Jeff begin to scrap - telecast drops off

KRYTENIA vs THE WEEGIES - the fightback starts here!

The Lowland Clans

19-07-2004, 15:41

ASNN - Stars stave off disaster with extra time goal

Westleigh, Krytenia - The Stars thought that this game would be a simple practice run before the much anticipated match with Halfassedstates. The match came to a razor thin edge to to being an excercise in gross overconfidence. The game was once again overshadowed by the even greater amount of burly men in dark suits and sungalsses, as well as five OH-101C Nighthalk flyovers at any given time. Still though, the Stars started out well, but the Ians all but blew the Stars away after a disasturous first half, threatening all the hard work that Mark Jeremy and Jeff McKay had put into the Stars.

The game started out as well as could be expected, withe several quick opening rushes with a slew of chances, but then, the carefully conditioned war machine of the TLC Stars began to fall apart at the seams. A quick series of little flick passes, they made the Ian forwards made their way through the midfield and the backend, only to make a fool of Martin Teller as they slid it past his scrambling body and into the open net. Then, words were exchanged between members of the team, and then it all fell apart. The squad began bickering and playing on a level near equal to Abysmalitan play. Jeremy and McKay were nearly through the roof near half time, where several juvenile mistakes nearly gave the Ians a full two goal lead.

They stormed through the tunnel, reportedly using language to make even the foulest of mouths cringe, and the storming began. Unconfirmed reports have that the yelling from both captains and all three managers reported caused a 2.1 earthquake on the richter scale. The speech did seem to inspire the team though, with the second half turning out much better than the first. The second half began with a quick goal by Pavel Julios, who took advantage of the stunned Ians defense because they actually passed to each other, but despite the new found confidence in themselves, the game drove hard, with many chances on both sides.

As the game neared ET, McKay used an injury time to gather his troops together, and ready them for one last strike. As the clock hit ninety, the Stars drove into a furious frenzy, with Jerry Mindwalkers ballhandling skills, he took it down the left side wth amazing speed and skill. He then left it for a waiting Kevin Donahugh, who powered it toward the box. A nimble Jason Fleury lept up and headed the ball to captain Mark JEremy, who let loose past the stunned Ians keeper and into the goal, netting the Stars their much awaited game with Halfassedstates.

TLC 2 - 1 Iansisle
Julios (56th, Illius Assist)
Jeremy (91st, Fleury Assist)

Krytenia

19-07-2004, 15:58

THE HERALD SPORTS DIGEST

Bye-Bye Bye

Latest Defeat Thin End Of The Weegie

AFTER another disappointing defeat on home soil, the KFA has finally decided that the team is going nowhere fast under the tutelage of Ed Bye, and releived him of his position of Manager.

A KFA official quoted:

"The rose-tinted glasses are off and we've realised how far behind we are internationally. Bye has had plenty of time to get the squad moving and has got absolutely nowhere. The KFA has therefore decided to release him from his current contract.

"Assistant coach Mark Ono will take charge of the team until the end of the Cup Of Harmony, after which we shall make a decision as to a permanent manager for World Cup XVI. We are taking all applications seriously, and are interested to hear from any parties willing to take the job."

Krytenia looked completely at sea, and only a panther-like display from Adam Vernazza stopped the game from becoming a total rout. Turori are next up, and Krytenia will want to win to avoid the wooden spoon game in their own tournament.

KRYTENIA...............0
THE WEEGIES..........2

Svecia

19-07-2004, 16:13

VILÄMNA DAGENS NYHETER
MELMOND THROUGH AT EXPENSE OF LIGHTNING
2-0 loss means Svecia take third in group

MELMOND - It was the perfect scenario. A 2-0 win for the Fearless Farmers would put them in the top two. Anything less wouldn't. And it was just Svecia's luck that that's exactly what happened.

Luck hasn't been on Svecia's side as of late. Not only were they knocked out of World Cup qualifying, but they are now in the bottom half of the Cup of Harmony and their world ranking is sure to drop to the lowest number ever.

The only bright side is that due to their victory over Lykia, the Lightning get to play Oaker again. Although with the lack of offense of late, this game could turn into another L.

Besides pride, the only thing Svecia lost against Melmond was their winning streak against the Farmers...

Starblaydia

19-07-2004, 16:45

Starblaydia finally get a first win
Regional Rivals Turori Reeling from Revitalised Team

Starblaydia came close to not scoring in international football for five hours. After 270 goalless minutes in the Group Stage, Starblaydi fans were praying for a goal, never mind a victory.

Things didn't look like they were going to plan as Turori kept the ball for the opening minutes, with Starblaydia barely getting a kick, except on the shins of Turori forward Jualiar Vumaou, for which Matthew Kilgallon was booked after fouling the Turorian three times in quick succession.

As the clock ticked inevitably towards the magical half-hour, and therefore the three-hundred minute mark, the fans were getting depressed. Then, the magic happened.

New 'keeper Da Silva threw a quick ball out to Garry on the left and he exchanged a quick one-two with Enrico Bigon. A pin-point pass down the line for Stefan Haldorsson left him with all the time in the world for a cross. Fabricio de Souza Lima leapt highest and nodded the ball down for Simeone Di Bradini, who drilled the ball into the back of the net. One-nil Starblaydia!

By half time the fans still hadn't calmed down, and the players slowly began to realise that they were, in fact, winning. They put some more effort into the match and ended up scoring again, Di Bradini turning provider for Lazerevski to smash the ball into the roof of the net from close range with twenty minutes to go.

The Weegies now stand in the way of a re-invigorated Starblaydia, who fought themselves to a 0-0 draw earlier in the Tournament and the Lord-Protector himself knows that the next game can't possbily be as awful as that 0-0 draw was.

As the conga lines through the streets put it so well:

Star-blay-dia-are-n't-rub-bish!
Star-blay-dia-are-n't-rub-bish!

Final Score:
Turori 0 - 2 Starblaydia
(Di Bradini 27, Lazerevski 71)

Cockbill Street

19-07-2004, 18:48

Ankh-Morpork C-mail

Street Struggle Past Hosts
Unlikely Stonelover Hero

Petter Stonelover was the hero as Cockbill Street's national side beat the hosts of Melmond in a packed Melmond Bowl yesterday. It wasn't the best game of football the Streeters have ever played, particularly the first half, where Melmond controlled the right wing and had many good attacks coming down there. Left back Jorn Arnarson had his work cut out as Martin Goodwin had complete control with his dribbles, helped by central midfielder Critandi Unne.

Luckily for the Street, Cristina Antunez was being kept in check on the other wing by Petter Stonelover, so both Tomas Rogers and Bjorn Spearthrower could shift over to the left in an attempt to keep control of Goodwin and Unne. And over the course of the first half, this system tended to work, although it gave up a very important chance. Rogers, confused whether he should go over to the right or stay in the centre to block an attack coming through there. A brilliant through pass from Critandi Unne resulted in Benjamin Leeb coming completely free with the keeper, and he cheekily touched it to his right. 1-0 for Melmond.

However, the Streeters have always been famous for fighting back in tough situations. And not being able to rely on Rikki Stone to create goals out of thin air, they had to find other ways to score. A good chip from central midfielder Einari Einarsson started the attack five minutes before the break, followed by quick passes between Johnny Howard, Einarsson, and right-winger Harald Axewielder. Finally, it was Howard who got the chance to score as the ball bounced off the Melmond centre-back, but he shot it over the bar.

In the second half, the Street took over the game as Melmond's players found their attacking style of play tiring. Camui Arai, who had been invisible all game, now took to some incredibly poor passing that gave Cockbill Street the chance to attack. Johnny Howard pounced on it, rushing forward with good pace, before passing it out to left winger James Underwood. Underwood crossed it back, into the box, and Steinari Einarsson got up to it well before he was pushed by an impatient Jonsi Torrini. Penalty kick, said the referee. And of course, being the star that he is, no one would deny Harald Axewielder what could be the last penalty kick of his playing career. The shot, a cheeky "Panenka-chip" over Xtkikiik (well, I tried to spell it), brought Cockbill Street the equaliser they sorely needed.

The remainder of the second half was tense, but even. Both sides had the opportunity to score, but both keepers were excellent (no, you're not tricking me into spelling Xtfu...damn, you did it, didn't you.) So, the referee had no choice but to order the teams back for another thirty-minute spell of gruelling football in the heat of the Melmond Bowl. Tomas Rogers, used to the cool mountains of R'dhuz'lith, looked very out of touch today, and at ninety minutes the experienced Niall Johnson of Harewood took over. He was good, although not spectacular, at the back, and as the Melmondian players struggled too, quality of play deterioriated. This led to a great chance for Alec Peterson after 98 minutes, but his shot was loose and bounced into the keeper's hands.

After 14 minutes of the first half, play was stopped as some spectators ran onto the pitch, and the Melmond police later confirmed that these were Acosta Browns supporters desperate to get their hands on their great hero, Rikki Stone. Just goes to show the intelligence level of the normal Stone devotee. Back at the game, however, a couple of minutes had to be added on, and in the dying seconds of the first half of extra time, James Underwood got in another cross. This time, it was the hard-working dynamo named Johnny Howard who could leap up in the air and put his head to the cross - which bounced onto the ground, then onto Sergio Ortiz, hit Ktsufinkms' leg (not again...) and then into the goal. It must have been the strangest goal seen in international football for quite some time. Nevertheless, Howard yelled his glee all the way to the centre circle, and went on as the players changed for half-time.

Cockbill Street now decided to try and defend, and did so quite well, after putting on Sodium-alginate instead of the more technically and attackingly minded Einari Einarsson. A last-gasp chance from Chris Owen wasn't enough to send the Streeters into the agony of a penalty shoot-out, and the national team now go into the semi-finals facing old foes Wella.

Cockbill Street: Roberts - P Stonelover, Rogers (Johnson on 90), Spearthrower, Arnarson - Underwood, E Einarsson (Sodium-alginate on 107), Howard, Axewielder - S Einarsson, Peterson (Stonelover on 85)
Melmond: Xtfuioai... - Torrini, Ortiz, Cheney, Steen - Goodwin, Unne, Arai, Antunez - Owen, Leeb

Cockbill Street 2 (Axewielder 64 pen, Howard 105+2)
Melmond 1 (Leeb 39)

Halfassedstates

19-07-2004, 19:15

Halfassed team for CoH semi-final match.

Chuck Mitchell’s squad.

GK's
Fred Fleetfoot (19 – Cenataurs)

Def's
Wayne Sleet * (25 – Simleons{GZ})
Bobby Slick * (27 – Whogivesa City)
Monty Smithers * (22 – Forest)
Joe 'the pieman' Simon (24 – Platypi)

Mid's
Patrick Flynn * (26 – Platypi)
Sean Bendy Jnr * (24 – Whogivesa City)
John Bell * (22 – Platypi) {Captain}
Nathan Hunter * (26 – Forest)

Forward's
Robin Ya * (20 – Forest)
Marco Ze Bulliao * (21 – Cenataurs)

Melmond

19-07-2004, 20:53

Running on Empty
After a Rip-Roaring Start By the Fearless Farmers, Melmond succumbs in Extra Time
By Henry Kalangalangalang of the Melmond City Herald

MELMOND CITY, MELMOND—One can certainly tell that it is now summer in the capital and largest city of Melmond, Melmond City. It was hot and muggy inside the Melmond Bowl, and the collective breaths of the sellout crowd of 92,542 made things even muggier on the pitch. The opponent was Cockbill Street, a team which was basically screwed out of qualifying for the World Cup as we were. They are as determined as we are and quite possibly a little more talented as this side has had a history of success. But what Melmond had behind them was the sellout crowd, wearing their rally farmer hats and chanting in unison, “Beat the street!” repeatedly.
Melmond took in the scenery and dominated the first half of the match, especially through the right wing as the venerable team of Melmond’s only team captain in its history, 40 year old Martin Goodwin and arguably Melmond’s best player ever Critandi Unne was almost invincible with their advances through the Cockbill Street midfield and defence. Unfortunately, the Cockbill Street defence was able to key on the two as the other side of the midfielder, former Melmond City Blues player Camui Arai and current Melmond City Blues player Cristina Antunez played dismally in front of a crowd which knows them well. At the 39th minute, the astounding effectiveness of Martin Goodwin and Critandi Unne got the Cockbill Street defence to key in too aggressively on them. Critandi Unne was able to make a brilliant pass, passing the ball to Melmond striker Benjamin Leeb with the precision of putting a thread through the eye of a needle. Leeb, a wizard in terms of the power and accuracy of his shots from the ground, lets a solid shot go past the Cockbill Street keeper Frederic Roberts. The crowd goes into a frenzy as Melmond takes the 1-nil lead.
Cockbill Street tried its best right before the end of the first half to score the equaliser, but after an impressive string of passes and a ricochet off of Melmond defender Sergio Ortiz, Cockbill Street midfielder Johnny Howard was able to attempt a shot, which unfortunately for the Streeters sailed over the bar. As the second half began, the Melmond National Team seemed to lost their coherence. Melmond midfielder Camui Arai played uncharacteristically poor in one of his final matches in his career, making hasty passing decisions which resulted in key chances for Cockbill Street. Maybe all that losing and lack of support with his hometown Suburbia Whites has gotten to his head. Anyway, the pesky Johnny Howard made the interception and quickly found midfielder James Underwood. Underwood makes the cross to striker Steinari Einarsson, who was bumped by a all too eager Melmond defender Jonsi Torrini. The referee called a foul, and luckily not a yellow card as it would have been Torrini’s second yellow card and he would have missed the next match. Cockbill Street legend and midfielder Harald Axewielder took the honours for the penalty kick. A show down between a superstar with a great past and a superstar with a great future was won by Axewielder as he cleverly chips the ball over a prematurely diving Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm (c’mon its not that hard, its pronounced Snip Zit-fooey-nix-em). Xtfuinxm guessed right, but the ball sailed over him as he already was on the pitch and couldn’t recover. The crowd quiets down as Cockbill Street scores the equaliser at the 64th minute. It is now one all.
The second half ended scoreless in an intense back and forth match which got rather physical at times but the referee let them play because nothing was too vicious and blatant. The goalkeepers of both sides had to contend with many attacks, but was able to stave them all off. After ninety minutes, the score was still 1-1, and thirty more minutes of football was to be played.
As the first half was almost over, a bizarre incident involving from excited yet rather upset Acosta Browns supporters who didn’t get to see one of their top players, Rikki Stone, play against the Melmond National Team stormed the field trying to look for them. The Melmond police quickly took them down and put them into their custody. The Fearless Farmer faithful was rather displeased as if they have seen an act of footballing treason. As they were being carried of the field, some Melmondians started throwing their steamed and fried dice at the idiots who stormed the field. One of those idiots was hit in the eye with some extra spicy fried voodoo dice and had to be taken to the hospital before jail.
Ironic that edible voodoo dice sprinkled the pitch as the magnificent discover which helped them win the Cup of Harmony in their home soil before backfired as the karma of the edible voodoo dice circled toward Cockbill Street. Case in point, Cockbill Street Johnny Howard made a header which not only ricocheted off today’s Melmondian walking goalpost Sergio Ortiz, but off of Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm. The karma of the voodoo dice is equalising everything as it becomes more useless for influencing matches and more delicious. Howard was lucky he was credited for the goal at the 105th minute as it was clearly an own goal. Melmond had a last gasp effort as midfielder Martin Goodwin makes the cross to high-flying striker Chris Owen. His header ended up hitting the post and kicked away by the Cockbill Street defence. Melmond loses 2-1 in a heartbreaker.

Goals
Leeb, MEL 39th
Axewielder, CST 64th
Howard, CST 105th

Cards
None

Standings

Other Results
Halfassedstates 1 – Crystilakere 0
The Lowland Clans 2 – Iansisle 1 (AET: 1-1 FT)
Turori 0 – Starblaydia 2
The Weegies 2 – Krytenia 0
Raptor Claw 0 – Wella 1
Svecia 1 – Lykaia 0
Jeruselem 0 – Oaker 2

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: Critandi Unne (1), Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Benjamin Leeb (1)
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1), Jonsi Torrini (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen) W 1-0
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali) W 2-0
v Cockbill Street (Melmond Bowl, Melmond City) L 2-1
v Raptor Claw (Makinshakes Stadium, O’Connor)

Next Game
vs. Raptor Claw (Makinshakes Stadium, O’Connor)

We should win this one.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- Sergio Ortiz
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Cristina Antunez
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

Makinshakes Stadium
Location: O'Connor, Melmond
Seats: 60,217 (Open Air)

The city of O’Connor is Melmond’s fourth largest city. It is the big city hub which is smack dab in the middle of the Melmondian fertile plain. O’Connor is also the heart of the largest industry in Melmond, the book publishing industry. However, it was Melmondian fast food giant Makinshakes who bought the naming rights of this new football-specific stadium. It is a very versatile stadium which can host things from hockey games or a regional favorite like American football. Football is its number one client however as O’Connor Greens of the Melmond Premier League calls the stadium home. This stadium doesn’t have some of the fancy amenities new stadiums like Melmond Bowl and Microcosm Football Colossuseum have, all it has in technology is a jumbotron, but it has a blue-collar beauty to it that the people of O’Connor love to call their own. Of course, having Makinshakes being the sponsor of the stadium, expect good food at the concession stands as well as the famous sandwich of O’Connor, the Big O. It is also said that the city of O’Connor has one of the most beautiful skies In Melmond.

The Lowland Clans

20-07-2004, 08:48

ASNN - FINALS!

Westleigh, Krytenia - The team that nearly fell apart against a half-rate ream yesterday, pulled together with great leadership from the captains, as well as one heartfelt speech from manager Jeff McKay, and showed that they still belong in the world football community. The game today was widely predicted to be the most exciting match of the Cup. With arguably the two most talented sides in the Cup, this game was supposed to be the epitome of the rebuilding process. A loss here and it all goes down hill, but a victory would put the Stars in as favorites in the finals and redeem the ugly qualifying effort by the Stars in the WCXV.

You could feel the tension as the whistle blew and the two sides charged at each other like Viking Hordes of old. The match was very even, with very few rushes ever passing into attacking territory. Mark Jeremy tried to break through the line of defenders, and nearly did until an artful tackle by defender Bobby Slick kept it away. Halfassed managed a group breakthrough, shattering the strong line of engagment that had held for nearly half an hour. Robin Ya made it past Moe West, and then charged on Martin Teller, whose had a record of easily frayed nerves, but he made a brilliant stop, anticipating the powerful shot that would've tucked itself nicely into the left corner. Martin made several stops like this after a quick Halfassed breach of the defense.

The game closed to half with the opportunites nearly equal as well. The second half began to show the advantages of a well conditioned squad of newcomers and experience. The Halfassedstates side began to tire as there attempts to break the rock solid defence began to become less frequent, then the Stars began pushing forward. Soon, the back and forth nature of the game began to be replaced by Lowland Clan dominance. Soon, Fred Fleetfoot was being pounded by a seemingly neverending barrage of shots from the Stars midfield and forwards. The defence even moved up to about the eighteen, never making more than a few steps back, as the Halfassed team began to crack under the pressure.

Then, it all came down to one play. The defence strained under a fresh wave of attempts to get into the box with just a few minutes left to play, and could barely hold in the attempts. Then a near successful clearing attempt was intercepted by Mark Jeremy, who charged past the stunned defense into a one-on-one showing with the keeper. His eyes focused in on the keepers, drawing him left, while he dropped it to a waiting Jason Fleury who pounded past the taken keeper, and the stands erupted into a wild frenzy of Clans support. To reporters after the game, Jeremy cautioned against over celebration: "The Street are a tough team, and there is no question we will go to the edge to determine the champion."

TLC Stars 1 - 0 Halfassedstates
(Fleury 87th, Jeremy Assist)

Cockbill Street

20-07-2004, 11:19

Ankh-Morpork C-mail

FINAL! I'UR'NIDH'KAH!
Though, it has to be said, with a lot of help from the weather

A rain-soaked match at the White Bread Dome in Suburbia yesterday saw Cockbill Street beat the Wellans for the second time in the Cup of Harmony. However, while the last match was exciting, tense, and reverberating till the last minute, this was your run-of-the-mill 4th-division match by comparison...except that fourth-division teams have better attacks and much, much worse defenses.

Both teams had clearly studied their opponents' way of thinking in the last game, and made an excellent attempt at killing off all the opposing system was good for. And since both teams lacked creative power to go outside the system, with the Street employing the old "U'dh'gazh'dukh Tra'zh'okh" system mixed with some outside influences, there were no chances at all created. Eventually, Harald Axewielder, in frustration more than anything, unleashed a shot from thirty yards. The ball spun crazily in the rain, and the keeper couldn't get a clean grasp of it. Steinari Einarsson fought with Lotko, the Wellan left back, to get there first, and won the battle, which meant that he had an easy tap-in for 1-0.

As a result, the Wellans were forced to attack, but this did not mean that they forgot their defensive system. Neither did Iskalt and the Streeters, and the match petered out to a 1-0 win for Cockbill Street. All the journalists at the place agreed that it had been one of the most boring Cup of Harmony semi-finals ever witnessed, and a Rejistanian journalist, sent (or, more likely, banished or exiled) out to cover the semi-final, asked after the match whether Mr Iskalt's recent trip to Rejistania had been to study the fabled "System Karela", to which he replied that, "yes, of course, didn't you watch the game? It was perfect. We won 1-0, which is the goal of System Karela. Excellent."

The C-mail hopes for more entertainment against the Lowland Clans. Surely it can't be worse...

Starblaydia

20-07-2004, 11:49

Weegies Swept aside
Top Ten finish Guarnateed as Blades fight for 9th

World Cup Qualifying rivals Svecia will contest Starblaydia for 9th place in their final match of the Cup of Harmony, in a bid to be the best of the Bottom 8.

New-found star Di Bradini has certainly got his scoring boots on as he found the net for the second game in succession to put Starblaydia into the best possible position following the dismal group game results.

Final Score:
Starblaydia 1 - 0 The Weegies
(Di Bradini 36)

Melmond

20-07-2004, 15:29

Cockbill Street Journalist Apparently Really High During Report

Word comes from the world wire that the report from the Cockbill Street Ankh-Morpork C-mail was written while the journalist was apparently sampling all the many legal drugs in Melmond. Many chemical thrillseekers head to Melmond as there are no drugs that are illegal as the government emphasizes personal responsibility.
The most telling portion of it all is where the journalist claimed the rain helped the Cockbill Street side beat the Wella side 1-nil. The main problem with that is that the White Bread Dome in Suburbia is a completely indoor stadium. It doesn't have a retractable roof, so therefore, rain cannot fall on the pitch during the match. It can fall on the pitch before the match as the all natural grass pitch is outside the stadium before it is wheeled in through the retracting stands to the pitch.

Svecia

20-07-2004, 15:56

VILÄMNA DAGENS NYHETER

REPEAT VICTORY
Lack of offense continues to plague Lightning but defense holds solid

MELMOND - Once again the Lightning nearly lost to a team from the nation of Oaker. Fortunately they didn't. But nevertheless, the team could have. Oaker controlled nearly the whole game from the Svecian side of the field. Without the spectacular play of Mikael Solskjaer and Tomas Kristiansand on both sides of the ball, as well as the spectacular saves from keeper Piet van Meer, the Svecian side could easily have given up 3 or more goals to a team that, on paper, should have been rolled over by the much stronger Svecikan side. But the Oaker side frustrated nearly every attempt Svecia made to attack and then would play keepaway.

The 15.000 Lightning supporters that made their way to lovely Melmond for the Cup of Harmony finally got a chance to cheer back at the Oakers when Sven Laursen shot low and hard to the right to beat the Oaker keeper in the 72nd minute. His goal, his 1st in international play, gave the Lightning a much needed boost after having to finish in the bottom eight of the Harmony groups.

Halfassedstates

20-07-2004, 17:54

So close but first semi-final appearence ends in defeat

The Hurricanes first battle with the Stars was billed as the match of the tournament, surprisingly it gave the fans good value with a old fashioned up-and-at-em battle.
The Hurricanes defence continued their recent vain of good form, unfortunatly their opponents defence proved just as good. Stars keeper Martin Teller had possibly the best game of his life, three stunning saves from Robin Ya alone had the Halfassed supporters tearing their hair out.
Something had to give, and just when extra time seemed on the cards, a poor clearance from Joe Simon fell to Jeremy and he burst through 1-on-1 with Fleetfoot before setting-up Fleury for the tap-in. It was heart-break for Fleetfoot, the surprise debutant had kept a clean sheet for the tournament, a total of 447 minutes.
"He's very down, which is good in a way, it means he feels he could have done better." commented manager Chuck Mitchell beforing adding "Its what I want to see in my players, that kind of attitude and refusal to accept defeat. Hopefully we can build on this for WC16, but we will give our all against Wella to try and claim third and get some from medals from the event!"

Melmond

20-07-2004, 19:09

RAWRs of Celebration
It May Have Taken Penalty Kicks, But Melmond Gets Their Revenge on Raptor Claw
By Zuke O’Kenzie of the O’Connor Times

O’CONNOR, MELMOND—It certainly was refreshing to see that the Fearless Farmers and their faithful instead of dwelling on being so close but missing their ultimate goals that they now focus on the next game and highest possible goal. There was no sulking after that freakish loss against Cockbill Street from either the players or the fans. The first generation of Melmond football, with six players on this team retiring from international play as well as legendary manager Felix Coostatlwak, wanted to leave the fans of Melmond with happy memories and to stay true to the Fearless Farmers moniker. Raptor Claw was the opponent again, the same team who beat our Fearless Farmers 2-nil after the team was dead tired from various bus malfunctions and bizarre attacks on the way to the stadium. The venue for the rematch was perfectly chosen, Makinshakes Stadium here in O’Connor. The first time these two sides met in Melmond was in the city of O’Connor. Back then when Melmond made their inaugural campaign in World Cup qualifying, Raptor Claw was in their group. And back at that long ago time O’Connor did not have a football specific stadium, therefore the baseball-specific Woocat Books Ballpark was used. The retractable-roof stadium was a godsend during the match as the match was scheduled during the bone-chilling O’Connor winter. Melmond won that match 2-nil. However, Raptor Claw is a much improved side now.
Luckily for Raptor Claw, this match was in the beautiful summertime in O’Connor. It was 20 degrees Celsius outside and very sunny with not a cloud in the sky. However, it was a very blustery day with strong gusts of winds at times in the fertile plains of Melmond. These winds wreaked havoc on any cohesive plans to start an attack. Long balls and crosses got stuck in the swirling wind and ended up in unintended places. However, at times the wind was a major assist for the offence as a gust blows the ball in a different direction that the defence or the keeper is prepared for. The wind was to blame for both the goals in this otherwise defensive battle.
The first half was more of a testament to great defence by both sides. Not only did the great gusts of wind break up any clever passes or plays in the match, whenever the ball fell to the ground or a midair pass actually connected, a marker from one of the sides was right upon the attacker. Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm and Raptor Claw goalkeeper Gonnast Opyou had an easy time taking care of any shots due to the lack of really good chances at goal scoring during the first half.
It would take a fluke for Melmond to go up in the match 1-nil. At the 41st minute, Melmond midfielder Martin Goodwin broke past Raptor Claw defender Makapla Yupdaline. As another Raptor Claw defender, Imapla Yindabak closed in, he found a streaking Chris Owen getting open. Preparing for a classic Goodwin cross to Owen flying header, Goodwin lobs the ball to Owen softly. But it wasn’t Owen’s head that put the ball in the net, but a great gust of wind redirecting the ball and completely taking Raptor Claw goalkeeper Gonnast Opyou by surprise. Melmond takes the 1-nil lead with Martin Goodwin’s freakish goal. Melmond has the lead at half time.
The great defence of both sides continued during the second half. As the second half started getting more desperate and physical for both sides to keep up, Melmond eventually made three substitutions. The first and third substitutions were sentimental choices as they were bench players who are in their last go around as a member of the national team First, Manager Felix Coostatlwak brings in defensive minded midfielder David Bixler in place of Cristina Antunez. Second, coming in for defender Sergio Ortiz is Kestrel Bluesummers, an agile defender with a powerful longball for a clear. The last substitution as the second half was a big surprise, as Manager Felix Coostatlwak had Melmondian superstar Critandi Unne have a rest and put Chara Effitont in the match.
As we reached the 87th minute, it appeared the Melmond had the match won. However, as Raptor Claw was making their last effort, their high scoring midfielder Maki Narun made a play for the stone ages. His dribbling was as sticky as short grain rice and he wrapped around Melmond’s defenders as if he was nori. He then stuffed the ball right in the middle of net past Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm. Melmond was reeling after that amazing Raptor Claw goal as the sides will go into extra time. This will be the second extra time in a row for the Fearless Farmers. However, this extra time was far from eventful as penalties will decide the match.
Raptor Claw went first as Contro Lindaplae took the first penalty kick. Snhp Xtfuinxm guesses wrong, but the shot was well over the bar! Melmond’s first penalty taker was Nina Steen. She makes a nice clean shot, but Gonnast Opyou guesses correctly and makes the catch. Second for Raptor Claw is Runni Nondaside, who converts as Snhp Xtfuinxm guesses wrong. However, David Bixler for Melmond was able to answer as he converts his penalty kick and both sides are even 1-1 after two rounds. Third for Raptor Claw was the player who scores the equaliser Maki Narun. He doesn’t disappoint his teammates and the three Raptor Claw supporters in the crowd as he converts. Third for Melmond was Chara Effitont. The Raptor Claw goalkeeper guessed correctly but wasn’t swift enough to stop Effitont’s uncharacteristically hard shot right into the net. Fourth for Raptor Claw was Imat Arget, who gets a lucky break as Snhp Xtfuinxm guesses right, but Arget’s kick hits the goalpost and goes into the net. Now Melmond’s captain Martin Goodwin has a lot of pressure on his back, but being the veteran he is he deals with it easily as he makes an accurate shot right into the net as the Raptor Claw goalkeeper guesses wrong. After four rounds, we are tied at 3-3. Raptor Claw striker Runni Naroun was to take the fifth and final penalty. He makes his shot, but Snhp Xtfuinxm guesses correctly and makes easy work of the goal. The crowd is paralyzed with bottled-up excitement which is about to bubble over and exploded if Mr. Clutch for Melmond Camui Arai makes the penalty. He does not disappoint as he shoot straight ahead as the jumpy Raptor Claw keeper divided to the left. Melmond wins it and will play for a respectable fifth place finish.

Goals
Goodwin, MEL 41st
Narun, RCW 87th
(Melmond wins on PKs 4-3)

Cards
None

Standings

Other Results
Halfassedstates 0 – The Lowland Clans 1
Crystilakere 1 – Iansisle 4
Starblaydia 1 – The Weegies 0
Turori 1 – Krytenia 0
Wella 0 – Cockbill Street 1
Svecia 1 – Oaker 0
Lykaia 0 – Jeruselem 1

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: Critandi Unne (1), Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Benjamin Leeb (1), Martin Goodwin (1)
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1), Jonsi Torrini (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen) W 1-0
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali) W 2-0
v Cockbill Street (Melmond Bowl, Melmond City) L 2-1
v Raptor Claw (Makinshakes Stadium, O’Connor) W 1-1 (PK 4-3)
v Iansisle (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi)

Next Game
vs. Iansisle (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi)

This is the very last game for the great manager and Melmondian football pioneer Felix Coostatlwak as well as six players of the Melmond National Team. Martin Goodwin, Nina Steen, Camui Arai, Scott Cheney, David Bixler, and Chara Effitont will be playing their final matches as members of the Melmond National Team. The Fearless Farmers and their faithful will be more than motivated than ever to end the first generation of Melmond football on a good note. Iansisle may have been playing rather well recently, but with the motivation of 20 Fearless Farmers, a strong manager and soon-to-be manager and the support of 97,474 Melmondians, they really have their hands full. The starting lineup is one more of emotion than tactics as all six players who are going to retire after this matchup are playing in the starting lineup. Defensive minded midfielder David Bixler will be playing as a defender in order to keep Critandi Unne in the midfield.

GK- Snhp Xtfuinxm
D- Jonsi Torrini
D- David Bixler
D- Scott Cheney
D- Nina Steen
M- Martin Goodwin
M- Critandi Unne
M- Camui Arai
M- Chara Effitont
F- Chris Owen
F- Benjamin Leeb

Microcosm Football Colossuseum
Location: Aldi, Melmond
Seats: 97,474 (Open Air)

Aldi is the second largest city in Melmond and is on the coast of the Aldi Sea. It is known for its beautiful weather and gnarly surfing. However, this town does seem to have an inferiority complex to the larger Melmond City and the more glamourous Unne. One sign of this complex is that the city of Aldi felt it had to build a bigger stadium than Melmond City to still look like a world-class city. With that and the sinister brainchild of Microcosm of Melmond, the Microcosm Football Colossuseum was built by those subconsciously hypnotized by the talking dolls made by the company and Matmel which brought people from other cities in Melmond and far away places like Bedistan and Commerce Heights to build this monolith for free.
This stadium is the home of the Melmond Premier League club Aldi Reds. A very limited amount of tickets left for this match as people from all over the nation will be making the trek to Aldi. Don’t miss your last chance to see the first generation of Melmond football!

Cockbill Street

21-07-2004, 20:13

Ankh-Morpork C-mail

Now We're Really High - Did I say that?
Glorious Farewell for Harald Axewielder

Cockbill Street did it again. They showed that the World Cup qualifying farce was exactly that - as both the teams who were denied places in the finals by the World Cup Committee's over-ruling went to the final of the Cup of Harmony. And today's match had no shade of System Karela, thank all the spirits of the Street. It was, instead, a cracking international match, and one which deserved to go to extra time. Locals, after the match, claimed that "This one should never have stopped." And that comes from a people who really aren't that interested in football yet (although this Cup of Harmony must have changed something)

Both teams started in an attacking formation, desperate to get the first goal and put pressure on their opponents. It was the Stars, as the national team from the Lowland Clans dub themselves, who took control of the game early on. A couple of dangerous shots from Fleury and Jeremy had Fred Roberts worried a bit, but the defenders were clever enough to let them shoot from a not very dangerous distance.

In the tenth minute, Cockbill Street had their biggest chance yet in the match. A good dribble from Einari Einarsson, which saw off both midfielders Rose and Illius, were followed by a great through ball to the brother, Steinari, who at times today seemed to have telepathic contact with Einari. His shot, however, grazed the bar before going into the hands of a happy Melmondian.

There were no shortage of official balls, however, and the match quickly proceeded with a massive goal-kick from Teller, whose right foot seemed to contain an amazing strength. These kicks were usually chested down by either Johnny Howard, who was excellently placed for that length behind the other three midfielders, or Tomas Rogers, so such kicks were really useless.

The offensive 3-4-3 formation of the Stars saw to it that the Street often could break through the middle. James Underwood's pass to Rikki Stone was a classic example of that, as Rikki and Steinari Einarsson found themselves in a two-on-two with McGraff and the keeper. Stone took it himself, did a right-left-right feint to confuse McGraff, and then bore down on the keeper before chipping it over him. 1-0, in the most arrogant and Stoney fashion, but it did the trick.

The first half of the match wasn't over after that. Especially Kevin Donahugh, Stars right forward, dominated against the relatively weak, defensive-wise, left side of Jorn Arnarson and James Underwood. He got plenty of chances to break through, and again Olaf Iskalt had to ask Spearthrower and Rogers to move over to the left, just like against Melmond. The best chance came thirty-two minutes into the half, when he suddenly found himself free after an awful clearance from Arnarson. His shot, however, was right at Roberts, and although it threatened to blow his stomach out, it was safe.

The Street had chances to go 2-0 up as well, with Harald Axewielder's right-wing dribble and following cross as the best chance. However, Rikki's header went to the right of Teller, who made a fabulous save. The following corner-kick was well cleared by Moe West, and nothing dangerous happened after that, so it was 1-0 at half-time.

If the first half had been good, the second half was spectacular. Perhaps not defence-wise, but hey, who comes to football matches to watch great tackles. Five minutes into the half, Einari Einarsson rushed through the central defense of the Stars, only to be thwarted by the posts. Then the Stars and left forward Jeremy had the chance, taking a free-kick in a good position, but his shot just got a faint touch on the wall and bounced out to a corner. The corner, a short one, was taken by Jeremy to "half-back" Rose, who then passed along the floor to Fleury. From four metres, his shot somehow managed to bounce off Tomas Rogers to yet another corner kick for the Stars. Clearly, something had to be done, and fast. Sodium-alginate, ever the substitute, came on for Einari Einarsson in an attempt to get the balance of the team a bit further back.

However, two defensive midfielders, Howard and Sodium-alginate, didn't work well at all. The two were just too alike to be able to play on the same pitch at the same time, and the Stars mercilessly exploited the rooms that were available in the centre. Although, by the time they had got to about thirty or forty yards, there was no room, by then their forwards Jeremy and Donahugh had the time to exploit the wing attacks. The Stars were in control of the match, and there was only a matter of time before they would score.

Of course, it was the vulnerable left wing that went "ping". Axewielder and Petter Stonelover, have, after all, got experience in defending against international class sides. James Underwood, well, he still plays in Division 1 and have only played against Melmond if you talk about class sides. Jorn Arnarson does have the experience, but hasn't been up to scratch so far in this cup - and neither was he when a pass from Illius went over his head through to Donahugh behind him, who then cut right into the box. From an acute angle, his shot went in a lovely arc over Roberts and into the goal. Nothing could be done about it - the Street had been pegged back, and the helicopters with the Lowland Clans flag on the side and lots of black-dressed, official-looking people inside it suddenly began to shoot in the air, celebrating the Stars' goal.

It seemed like Iskalt had realised his mistake, and he put on Alec Peterson for Bjorn Spearthrower in a desperate attempt to throw people forward. Thus, the Street were transformed from a 6-2-2 formation (which it almost had been with Howard and Sodium-alginate in the centre) to a much more aggressive 3-2-2-3, similar to their opponents, but with central midfielders that were more defensively concerned. And that, along with complacency in the Stars side, led to a more even game. More fun for the neutral spectators ensued, as a free-kick from Fleury curved into the bar, and the rebound was picked up by Donahugh, but luckily Howard was there and saved the day. He also tried to get forward more, pushed up by Iskalt and sweeper Rogers, and his dribbling skills frustrated the Stars' midfield. One of those actually led to him getting a decent shot at goal, but Teller was well placed and could save the shot.

The ninety minutes ebbed out with a 1-1 scoreline on the board, and so the already tired players had to endure a further 30 minutes of extra-time - just as they had against Melmond. Iskalt, however, had been cold enough to save one of his substitutions to the extra time, and that turned out to be a stroke of genius. Steinari Einarsson, obviously worn out from his many runs behind the three-back Stars line, was taken off at the 90-minute mark to be replaced by Stein Stonelover. He was not a star, granted, and he struggled sometimes with his technique, but his pace was enough to get a two or three-yard headstart on the defenders, by which time he had already given himself a one-on-one opportunity. Such a chance came in the ninth minute of extra time, as McGraff had gone AWOL and Kolapoussif couldn't come in from the right back to save him, but again he was thwarted as Moe West slid in on the worn grass of the Melmond Bowl.

In the fifteenth minute of the half, Cockbill Street got the break-through they may not have deserved. And how fitting that Harald Axewielder, the man who has not missed an international since he got injured in a freak accident over 20 years ago, and who is now retiring, got the chance to score it. A free-kick from 25 yards out curled back over the wall, into the post and then into the net - a bit of luck, yes, but it sent the Streeter fans into a state of complete ecstasy. The Street were only sixteen minutes away from their second major trophy at football, and in style, too.

The second half of extra time saw an amazing charge from the Stars, desperate to get that equaliser which would give them a penalty shoot-out and at least a fifty-per cent chance of winning. However, it was not to be, as a Streetian counter-attack was nicely finished off by Petter Stonelover, as he smashed in a shot from a rather difficult angle. Strange though it was to see the right back attacking with a 2-1 lead, it was fully justified, and the Streeters could now just wait for the final whistle.

Led off the pitch triumphant by Harald Axewielder, the whole of the squad could march up cheered on by 92,542 mad spectators, and there was definitely a tear in the captain's eye as he lifted up what is very likely to be his last trophy ever won on the football pitch. After over 20 years of football with Cockbill Street, a career that has taken him almost everywhere on this globe and on other globes where football is known and loved, he will finally retire to Giant Zucchini. They know a thing or two there about keeping their stars ageless, so all of the C-mail staff would like to take this opportunity to wish Harald Axewielder a happy retirement, and a glorious time as a star in Giant Zucchini.

Cockbill Street will now play in the International Recreational Competition - the first friendly football tournament ever to be hosted on Streetian soil - without Axewielder, who has said point-blank no to saying goodbye on home soil. This will, naturally, weaken the right-wing of the Streetian attack, but with talents like Magnetite of Roegrow Athletic, James Underwood of Jorvik FC (albeit primarily a left-winger), and U21 players Tom Chapman, already a regular in Harewood FC, and G'ch'perykh Irgo'ba's Thorgeirr Axewielder (no relation, sadly, to the great Harald), we have a lot to look forward to still.

Cockbill Street 3 (Stone 18, Axewielder 104, P Stonelover 117)
The Lowland Clans 1 (Donahugh 69)

-----------------------Roberts------------------- |COCK-
--P Stonelover---Rogers---Spearthrower---Arnarson |
-----------------------Howard-------------------- |BILL
-----Axewielder------E Einarsson-----Underwood--- |
------------------------------------------------- |STREET
------------S Einarsson-------Stone-------------- |
-------------------------------------------------
--------Jeremy--------Fleury-------Donahugh------ |THE
------------------------------------------------- |
---Julios------Rose-------Illius------Mindwalker- |LOW-
------------------------------------------------- |
---------West--------McGraff-------Kolapoussif--- |LAND
------------------------------------------------- |
----------------------Teller--------------------- |CLANS

Cockbill Street substitutions: Sodium-alginate on for Einari Einarsson 55, Peterson on for Spearthrower 71, Stein Stonelover on for Steinari Einarsson 90.

Melmond

22-07-2004, 04:55

A Grand Finale!
Melmond Gets the Decisive Win In the Last Match of the First Generation
By Jim Dwordorf of the Aldi Tribune

ALDI, MELMOND—Sometimes, there are just those days that seem particularly rather perfect. This was one of those days for the Melmond National Team. Due to strong walkup sales, a sellout crowd of 97,474 made it to the Microcosm Football Colossuseum to see the last gasp of the first generation of Melmond football. Six players: defensive midfielder David Bixler, the hustling defender Scott Cheney, the sexy and talented defender Nina Steen, the long time captain midfielder Martin Goodwin, the speedy and flashy midfielder Camui Arai, and the dependable sub midfielder Chara Effitont; will be playing their final matches as members of the Melmond National Team. However, the biggest farewell belongs to the retiring Manager Felix Coostatlwak. Coostatlwak was for the longest time the only link Melmond had to the footballing world when the sport was third tier in popularity in the nation and there were only teams going up to college. His constant barnstorming of many nations as player and coach for over 50 years had done wonders for the sport of football not falling off the sporting radar completely. He along with others wanted to put Melmond on the international sporting map and decided that football, the world’s most popular sport, was the natural pick. So with this in mind the national team and the Melmond Premier League debuted. They have grown into a strong entity thanks to Mr. Coostatlwak.
The weather in Aldi was immaculate as it was partly cloudy and 22 degrees Celsius with a gentle breeze. The opponent was Iansisle, a side Melmond has played and defeated before, coincidentally in the first Cup of Harmony in Melmond. They have been playing well as of late, but seemed over their head in combating the intensity of the Melmond side and its countless faithful. It’s not that the Fearless Farmers even hungered for fifth place that much, they just wanted to leave the fans with wonderful memories of the first generation.
Throughout the first half, Melmond was in control, but Iansisle was hard charging to keep up with the Fearless Farmers. The Ians made good challenges and tightly marked the strikers of Melmond or any other player who was thinking about a score. Iansisle also had a respectable attack, finding ways through the motivated Melmond defence and taking advantage of the fact that Melmond’s David Bixler was not in his normal position. The defensive minded midfielder was put as a defender in order to keep superstar Critandi Unne in the sentimental lineup. Iansisle focused their attacks on that side but it all came to no avail as Melmond goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm made easy work of each shot.
It took rather long until Iansisle would buckle. At the 42nd minute, an Iansisle defender makes a short-sighted pass, thinking that an Iansisle midfielder was open. The speedy Camui Arai and makes the interception and starts sprinting toward the net and lets out a shot that the Iansisle goalkeeper had no time at all to react to. Camui Arai scores a major goal in his last international performance ever as Melmond will bring their 1-nil lead into half time.
As the second half started, it was very apparent that Melmond owned this game as the Ians seemed fatigue and the Fearless Farmers seemed nearly invincible. They strike again at the 52nd minute. Melmond midfielder and captain Martin Goodwin was closing onto the net as high flying Melmond striker Chris Owen was streaking past the defence. The goalkeeper was anticipating the famous Goodwin-Owen cross connection and was in perfect position to stop it. Martin Goodwin did make the cross, but it wasn’t to Owen. His cross floated behind Owen and charging to make the header is Melmond midfielder and Goodwin’s teammate with Cali Purples Chara Effitont. Effitont makes the header right past the keeper. It is now 2-nil Melmond as the fans are finally starting to feel justified about the greatness of the first generation despite not being in the World Cup.
Melmond would basically put the match away at the 66th minute. After an Iansisle defender had to kick the ball out of bounds to get out of a pressure-packed Melmond attack, Melmond earned a corner kick. Melmond defender Jonsi Torrini as usual takes the corner kick. He lofts a doozy up, easy for Melmond striker Chris Owen to leap up and hit. He makes the header, but it hits the left goalpost but goes right in the feet of Martin Goodwin who finishes what Owen started. The long time Melmond captain also makes his last goal of his international career as Melmond has the commanding 3-nil lead over a relatively talented Iansisle side.
Manager Felix Coostatlwak made three substitutions after the Fearless Farmers took the 3-nil lead. He high fived goalkeeper Snhp Xtfuinxm and strikers Chris Owen and Benjamin Leeb as they headed to the sidelines. Coming into the match is goalkeeper Gina Unne and strikers Mornakh the Bloody Handed and Naol Keelafin.
Melmond continued to dominate the match except for one brilliant play by Iansisle midfielder Geoffrey Fletcher. Fletcher, who plays for Acosta Browns of the Melmond Premier League, was familiar with the Melmondian style of play. He predicted a pass that Melmond defender Jonsi Torrini tried to make and intercepted it and found nothing but daylight. Melmond goalkeeper Gina Unne rushed toward Fletcher to make the challenge but Fletcher just rockets the ball in the upper right corner of the net. Iansisle gets their goal at the 80th minute, but this was Melmond’s time to shine. Once the game finished with Melmond getting the 3-1 victory, the Fearless Farmers could care less about getting fifth place in a very competitive Cup of Harmony. The first generation of Melmond football got to show their best football in front of a very large home crowd in their last ever appearance. The entire team picked up Manager Felix Coostatlwak on their shoulder and did laps around the field high-fiving fans and waving the Melmond flag. The only cup glory Melmond has ever tasted was in the Cup of Harmony, but considering their humble beginning, it was glorious nonetheless.

Goals
Arai, MEL 42nd
Effitont, MEL 52nd
Goodwin, MEL 66th
Fletcher, IAN 80th

Cards
None

Standings

Other Results
The Lowland Clans 1 – Cockbill Street 3 (AET: 1-1 FT)
Halfassedstates 1 – Wella 0
Crystilakere 0 – Raptor Claw 2
Starblaydia 0 – Svecia 2
The Weegies 2 – Oaker 1 (AET: 1-1 FT)
Turori 0 – Jeruselem 1
Krytenia 1 – Lykaia 0 (AET: 0-0 FT)

Final Cup of Harmony Results
Champions: Cockbill Street
2nd Place: The Lowland Clans
3rd Place: Halfassedstates
4th Place: Wella
5th Place: Melmond
6th Place: Iansisle
7th Place: Raptor Claw
8th Place: Crystilakere
9th Place: Svecia
10th Place: Starblaydia
11th Place: The Weegies
12th Place: Oaker
13th Place: Jeruselem
14th Place: Turori
15th Place: Krytenia
16th Place: Lykaia

Melmond Team Stats
Goals: Camui Arai (2), Martin Goodwin (2), Critandi Unne (1), Chris Owen (1), Benjamin Leeb (1), Chara Effitont (1)
Cards: Chris Owen (1), Camui Arai (1), Sergio Ortiz (1), Jonsi Torrini (1)

Melmond National Team Cup of Harmony Schedule

v Raptor Claw (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi) L 2-0
v Oaker (MPNK Stadium, Faasen) W 1-0
v Svecia (Xpress Counsel Field, Cali) W 2-0
v Cockbill Street (Melmond Bowl, Melmond City) L 2-1
v Raptor Claw (Makinshakes Stadium, O’Connor) W 1-1 (PK 4-3)
v Iansisle (Microcosm Football Colossuseum, Aldi) W 3-1

NationStates Jolt Archive

WCXV Cup Of Harmony - RP Thread