NationStates Jolt Archive

The premier club competition in football (of the Association or 'soccer' variety, i.e. the one with the simplest rules and the fewest collisions) is back.

Thirty-two teams will compete, until there is one winner. They will meet in eight groups of four, playing each other twice on a home and away basis, with results randomly generated in 1-2-3 2000 using the WC17 formula. (The group draw will take place using the function designed for this in Leagion 0.0.9a.)

To reflect the fact that the best club teams often, but not always, come from the best footballing nations, there will be a small role for the rank of the national team. Each team's ranking will be 15% of the post-WC18 KPB points for their nation (rounded to the nearest 0.01pts), plus a further 20% to the new total for one of the teams representing each nation. Example: a nation with 10 KPB points; one team will have 1.5pts for this purpose and the other will have (1.5+20%) = (1.5*1.2) = 1.8pts.

You may enter a maximum two teams per nation, and three teams per 'empire' (defining 'empire' as 'all nations owned by you' - e.g. Vilita and Turori are all part of the Vilitan empire, AA/Triangunation/Jaurania were all part of the Progressan empire, etc.). These will probably be either the top two teams in your domestic league or the winners of your domestic league and cup (the former is perhaps more in line with the real CL, but this means nothing in NS). If (as with Vilita) you have an empire-wide league, take the top team from your puppet nation for the puppet spot.

Note that although the KPB rankings for the national team influence the CL, the reverse is not the case - the CL does not affect the KPB rankings (there will be a separate ranking for the CL teams).

Simply fill in the signup form below to enter:

NATION:
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus):
TEAM 2:
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY):
PUPPET NATION TEAM:


NATION: Kaze Progressa
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Kaza X-Teem
TEAM 2: Gauralan
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: No

We've heard a lot about it. We sign up!

NATION: South Osettia
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Torpedo Ts'khinvali
TEAM 2: Dinamo Tblisi
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Nein
PUPPET NATION TEAM: N/A

NATION: Jeruselem
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Beersheba United
TEAM 2: Syrian North
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: No

Hmmm. The Druidish lands have a combined league, and though all teams entering are currently in NEWI Cefn Druids, by the time we get started, they'll probably have all been incorporated into Druida. So it would go a little something like this...

NATION: Druida
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Parkville
TEAM 2: Bessburg
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: No

Nation: Big Pimento
Team 1: Scelestus Iunctus
Team 2: Calista Flock

NATION: Sarzonia
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Woodstock Wild
TEAM 2: Portland Timbers
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): N/A
PUPPET NATION TEAM: N/A

NATION: Vilita
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Yeaddin Owls AFC
TEAM 2: Strike FC
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Turori
PUPPET NATION TEAM: Cednia Beach AFC

NATION: Raptor Claw
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): North Island Clan
TEAM 2: East Island Clan

NATION: Adam Island
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Adam County
TEAM 2: San Adam

Shouldn't we have a UEFA Cup too?

NATION: Starblaydia
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Iskara Daii
TEAM 2: Hallad Reavers
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Nova Britannicus
PUPPET NATION TEAM: Tuncastle Rovers



Edit: Union of European Footballing Association? How many teams are from the Region of Europe?

It's a figure of speech...oh wait, no it's not. :D

What I meant was something in the format of the wafer cup, for third and fourth place teams.

NATION: Bedistan
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Carter FC
TEAM 2: Jamaica Giants
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): none at this time
PUPPET NATION TEAM: none at this time

NATION: St.Manus
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Morgoth Bauglir
TEAM 2: Númenórë
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: No

NATION: Cockbill Street
TEAM 1: KI Lanthanate
TEAM 2: Harewood FC
PUPPET NATION: Nonesuch Street
PUPPET TEAM: Graviton FC

NATION: Aquiliana
TEAM 1: Nidola FC
TEAM 2: Farca United
PUPPET NATION : No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: No

NATION: Liverpool England
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): IDEXO
TEAM 2: CCL 'D'

NATION: Giant Zucchini
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Piemont FC
TEAM 2: Anagon United
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): N/A
PUPPET NATION TEAM: N/A

(Yeah, the Champions League is finally back!!!)

Shouldn't we have a UEFA Cup too?

You mean an NSFA Cup?

Oooh yes, the CL, happy days.

NATION:The Belmore Family
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Alan City FC(All round football GODMODS)
TEAM 2:Doal FC

You mean an NSFA Cup?

Yes, exactly!

NATION: Dance 2 Revolution
TEAM 1: PARANOiA UNiTED
TEAM 2: E-Tuned City
PUPPET NATION : No
PUPPET NATION TEAM: N/A

NATION: Kingsford
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Soldado Barcoenfuego
TEAM 2: Grand Northern City
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Wapahkoneta
PUPPET NATION TEAM: Moni Maanethi (Silverknife)

Re: NSFA Cup - the complexity of two parallel tournaments mean that we're not utterly certain as to whether to do this yet. I've been warned against excessively complex tournaments generally. If this CL runs well, the NSFA Cup could be introduced in tandem with the next one.

NATION: Rejistania
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Kalisimu Salan
TEAM 2: Hetkali Hetaki
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): none
PUPPET NATION TEAM:

There's 41 entrants now - are you going to do a qualifying round?

If there is still room...


NATION: Sliponia
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Wichita
TEAM 2: River Oaks
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Celtico
PUPPET NATION TEAM: Celica FC

Including the unconfirmed teams, there are now 47. I'm planning a 48-team contest now, so one spot remains. I'm closing the signup and giving anyone who hasn't got a puppet team but has got a puppet the chance to fill in that slot.

NATION: Audioslavia
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): Cornellby City
TEAM 2: Raiden F.C.

That makes 49 - but that, too, works. 15 teams will automatically qualify for the group stage, those being the top 15 by the rankings that will be posted here (based on 15% of the national team rankings, plus the 20% bonus; this will be a flat 0.1 points for newbies). The other 34 will face a qualifying match over two legs, the 17 winners completing the 32-team group stage.

SIGNUP IS NOW CLOSED.

When do we get this show on the road then?

Qualifying draw takes place tomorrow. The matches will take place Tuesday and Thursday.


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RANKINGS

RANK TEAM NATION
1 Kalisimu Salan Rejistania 12.81
2 Hetkali Hetaki Rejistania 10.67
3 Yeaddin Owls FC Vilita 8.53
4 Kaza X-Teem Kaze Progressa 8.25
5 Cornellby City Audioslavia 8.17
6 Carter FC Bedistan 7.57
7 IDEXO Liverpool England 7.38
8 Strike FC Vilita 7.11
9 Gauralan Kaze Progressa 6.87
10 Raiden FC Audioslavia 6.81
11 Iskara Daii Starblaydia 6.43
12 PARANOiA UNiTED Dance 2 Revolution 6.38
13 Jamaica Giants Bedistan 6.31
14 CCL 'D' Liverpool England 6.15
15 Cednia Beach AFC Turori 5.46
16 Hallad Reavers Starblaydia 5.36
17 E-Tuned City Dance 2 Revolution 5.31
18 Nidola FC Aquiliana 5.22
19 Beersheba United Jeruselem 4.37
20 Farca United Aquiliana 4.35
21 KI Lanthanate Cockbill Street 4.20
22 Syrian North Jeruselem 3.64
23 Soldado Barcoenfuego Kingsford 3.53
24 Woodstock Wild Sarzonia 3.52
25 Harewood FC Cockbill Street 3.50
26 North Island Clan Raptor Claw 3.39
27 Grand Northern City Kingsford 2.94
28 Portland Timbers Sarzonia 2.94
29 Parkville Druida 2.86
30 East Island Clan Raptor Claw 2.83
31 Bessburg Druida 2.39
32 Alan City The Belmore Family 1.90
33 Doal FC The Belmore Family 1.58
34 Scelestus Iunctus Big Pimento 1.36
35 Calista Flock Big Pimento 1.13
36 Moni Maanethi (Silverknife) Wapahkoneta 1.11
37 Tuncastle Rovers Nova Brittanicus 0.69
38 Wichita Sliponia 0.31
39 River Oaks Sliponia 0.26
40 Morgoth Bauglir St Manus 0.10
40 Adam County Adam Island 0.10
40 Torpedo Ts'khinvali South Ossetia 0.10
43 Piemont FC Giant Zucchini 0.05
44 Anagon United Giant Zucchini 0.04
45 Dinamo Tiblisi South Ossetia 0.00
45 San Adam Adam Island 0.00
45 Celica FC Celtico 0.00
45 Númenórë St Manus 0.00
45 Graviton FC Nonesuch Street 0.00

The draw has taken place. The team listed first plays the home leg first.

Harewood FC v Scelestus Iunctus
KI Lanthanate v River Oaks
East Island Clan v Wichita
E-Tuned City v Númenórë
Portland Timbers v Adam County
Grand Northern City v Celica FC
Alan City v Doal FC
Soldado Barcoenfuego v Graviton FC
Woodstock Wild v San Adam
Beersheba United v Tuncastle Rovers
Syrian North v Moni Maanethi (Silverknife)
North Island Clan v Calista Flock
Parkville v Anagon United
Nidola FC v Piemont FC
Hallad Reavers v Morgoth Bauglir
Farca United v Dinamo Tiblisi
Bessburg v Torpedo Ts'khinvali

Are we welcome to RP here, or are you making a separate thread?

This will be the RP thread too.

Torp Drawn With Bessburg/Tblisi To Play Farca

The draw for the Champion's League has thrown first-time competitors South Osettia in the deep end, with champions Torpedo Ts'khinvali playing Druidan Runners-Up Bessburg, and Dinamo Tblisi facing Farca United of Aquiliana. Head of the South Osettian Football Association (SOFA), Serdan Draray, described the draw as 'tough', but was quick to add that this would by no means faze the players.

"It is true that we have no international experience, but that is no excuse for our opponents to underestimate us. Our teams have proved they are the best in South Osettia, and now they will prove that fact to the world."

Torpedo coach, Yerdran Bel, took a slightly less confident view.

"It will be very difficult to qualify: we must be at our best and hope that our opponents are not. If we can keep the score drawn after the away leg, we stand a very good chance - that will be our main objective in Tuesday's game, and I am sure it will be the tactic of Tblisi as well. This is our chance to propel ourselves onto the world scene. If we can take it, there will be no looking back."

Tblisi's man-at-the-helm, Urnver Alesul, had a similar opinion.

"I agree with Yerdi, we will be hard-pressed to qualify for the group stage. That does not mean I don't think we can qualify - it will just be very hard. If we get our tactics right we are more than a match for any team. We will see what happens on Tuesday, and then we can perhaps see a little more clearly."

Torpedo will be ranked 42nd in the tournament, with Tblisi not far behind on 45th. Should they qualify they will be two of the lowest-ranked teams without a doubt. Whilst it is unlikely they will win the tournament, they could cause some upsets should they be given the chance. The journey begins on Tuesday, and after that? Who knows...

Sarzonian teams face favorable draw

The inaugural world club competition for two Sarzonian Football Confederation teams gets underway shortly with both the four time SFC champion Woodstock Wild and the Portland Timbers, a team that traditionally has dominated the regular season only to fall shot in the finals, representing the league.

"We're going to have to do what we can without much of a scouting report," Wild Coach David Bostwick said. "We're glad we're going to be able to play the first game at home against San Adam."

The Wild will host the first game at their usual home, the Palestra, in spite of its low capacity of just under 32,000. The team was unable to secure Hendrix Stadium with the Sarzonian national team playing there.

"We're just going to be where we're comfortable," midfielder Darrell Bennett said. "We haven't had much time at Hendrix."

Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers have a different challenge ahead of them.

"We're going to go into this as an underdog," Timbers Coach Kerry Tanner said. "We've done a lot of good things in the regular season but we only have one league title to show for it. We're going to have to play two poised games to win this series against Adam County."

The Timbers will host the first leg at the newly-renamed Iron Bowl, named in honor of the country's leading company, the Portland Iron Works. Timbers officials expect a sell out.

"We've got a huge demand for tickets for this game," Tanner said. "We don't want to disappoint our fans."

Adam County To Take On Portland Timbers

The Adam County Cats, champions of the Adam Island Football Association, will play againt the Portland Timbers from Sarzonia. Adam County is ranked #40 in the field of 49, and Portland is ranked #28.

Adam County has a formidable roster, including three members of the National Team, DF Neil Quattlebaum, MF LeannBernet and MF Jeremiah Lipski. They will play in a 4-4-2 formation, to take advantage of Bernet and Lipski's excellent midfielding skills and to compensate for their sagging strikers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/spartacus_007/Adam%20Island/Quatlebaum.jpg
Defender Neil Quatlebaum in home Adam County Stadium. Source: STAN

Adam County 1984 Roster

GK Z_Sandys
DF N_Quatlebaum
DF N_Spring
DF L_Gilman
DF L_Swarner
MF L_Bernet
MF J_Lipski
MF H_Parrish
MF D_Fox
FW D_Geyer
FW S_Eckhard

GK Q_Fye
DF C_Schneider
MF T_Bould
DF A_Kellogg
FW E_Painter
MF C_Field
DF J_Sulyard

PK: D_Geyer

NEWSFLASH:

Giant Zucchini's return to the Champions League sees them in the 1st qualifying round against stiff opposition in Aquiliana's Nidola FC and Druida's Parkville.

Against Nidola away is Piemont FC, who have Giant Zucchini international Madorna starring in their midfield. Also, up and coming Navdid, an Under-21 international, has been making waves in Piemont. However, they will have to be at the top of their game against Nidola FC if they are to get anything from this match-up.

Anagon United will play at home against Parkville, with the internationally acclaimed Sharleston pulling the strings in midfield. Terrorising defences on the left flank is Under-21 international Gigsi, whose dribbling prowess was one of the plus points from the Zucchinis' Under-21 World Cup outing. However, they too will have a tough match against Parkville, and will have to be in top form if they are to progress.

Woodstock Wild roster (starters in bold):
Coach: David Bostwick

GOALKEEPERS
30 Horace Sandt^: Sandt earned the starting goalkeeper's position for the Under 21 national team that finished second in the sixth World Cup. He's just been named the starter.
1 Brian Tawes^: Ironically, this is the same goalkeeper configuration the most successful Under 21 team had. Tawes was beaten out by Sandt again.

DEFENDERS
2 Mike Coyle~: Stars for the national team and has earned his spot as one of the fastest players on the Wild.
5 Gerald Ruff: Plays left center back and works very well with Coyle.
6 Harvey Benson: Just named the starter at right center back. Still hasn't developed chemistry with Ruff yet.
12 Trevor Crenshaw~: Solidified a spot on the national team with his play in the AOCAF IV tournament. Has become a steady player for Coach David Bostwick.
15 Corey Tolliver: The former starter at right center back, Tolliver has lost a step but was never really fast to begin with. Has great chemistry with Ruff, so can be the first player off the bench if the Wild needs to tighten up its defense.
16 John Mason: Can play either defense or midfield, and plays whichever role he's needed. He can hold possession of the ball even in the tightest spaces.

MIDFIELDERS
7 Valentin Kienzl^: Just signed from the Tyrol Tigers, Kienzl served as playmaking midfielder for the Under 21 national team for a long time. He should work his way into that role if given the chance by the Wild.
8 Peter Salivera: Shuts down opposing playmakers like few midfielders in the league. He is one of the best players at studying game film and picking up tendencies of opponents.
9 Darrell Bennett~: Called up to the second choice national team for the AOCAF tournament but he's looking for a chance to start on the senior team.
10 Bobby Convey~: Team captain. A World Cup veteran and a key member of both Stars championship teams, Convey will be looked to for leadership and experience.
11 Lane Carrollton: The best all-around player on the team, but he can get a bit distracted. He usually saves his best games for the most important moments.
13 James West: Can play either midfielder or forward and will be called on as an offensive substitute if the Wild is trailing.

FORWARDS
21 Brian Wilson~: He may be the national team captain, but Convey hasn't ceded his role to Wilson for the Wild. Usually scores the team's biggest goals.
17 Mike Lemke: Needs great service from Convey to excel since he's a pure striker. Led the team in goals, but he's usually the first player to be substituted.

~ - Full Sarzonian international
^ - Former Under 21 national teamer

Portland Timbers roster (starters in bold)
Coach: Kerry Tanner

GOALKEEPERS:
30 Troy Perkins~: A stalwart on the national team, Perkins backstopped the team's only league title, but he also has two cup titles for the Stars.
1 Mario Benedetti: Just signed from the minor leagues, Benedetti doesn't figure to get much game time with Perkins in goal.

DEFENDERS:
5 Devin James: The best defender on the offensive-minded Timbers, James often is asked to shut down the opposing team's top forward despite his inexperience.
8 Sal Dockery: Notorious for his aggressive tackling and fouls, Dockery is one of the league leaders in total fouls and cautions.
11 Joe Tillman: Learning how to play defense as a converted midfielder, but he is a better defensive player under normal circumstances.
18 Geoff Anders: Recently acquired in a trade, Anders should solidify a shaky right side of the defense.
20 Willie Williams: At 34, he's the oldest player on the Timbers, but the team plays steadier defensively when he's in the game.
23 Spencer Johnson: Can play either defense or midfielder depending on the team's needs. Often plays defense with the prodigious offenisve talent on the team.

MIDFIELDERS
9 Tucker Thompson: Just starting to grow into his role as a defensive midfielder for the Timbers. He'll soon be asked to mark the opposing team's top playmakers.
13 Richard Allenby: A tremendous threat from the left side, his heavy shot gives goalkeepers throughout the SFC problems.
14 Dan Canter: A streaky player on the right side of midfield, really struggles when he's forced into the central midfield role.
10 Dix Porter~: Team captain. The playmaker for the second choice Stars team that beat Vilita for the first time in national team history, Porter will be looked at to provide experience as well as leadership.
17 Anders Jarrod: Can play either defensive or wing midfielder as a reserve, but has only made three starts in his four year career. He'll be a bench player here.
19 Van Landon: He can either play midfielder or forward and often joins the attack from either position. Scored a league high 11 goals as a substitute.

FORWARDS:
12 John Clinton^: Signed with the Timbers after the Under 21 World Cup that saw the Junior Stars eliminated before the knockout stages for the first time.
15 Chris Thomas: Even though he's on the wrong side of 30, still has a lot of pace in his legs and can score goals with the best forwards in the league.
28 Donnie Lawrence: He's known as a sparkplug for this team and scored nine goals in limited playing time.

~ - Full Sarzonian international
^ - Former Under 21 national teamer

Spotlight on Piemont FC and Anagon United

Today we take a look at the clubs' influential players and match turners as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League matches.

Piemont FC

1 - Zif
A rock, a workaholic, a perfectionist. One of the top goalkeepers in the Giant Zucchini Premier League, Zif has not missed a match for Piemont FC in its history. Always immensely focused and composed, great inside the box, magnificent on the line. Not very tall for a goalkeeper, sparesome in his moves, yet he makes spectacular saves on occasion.

2 - Siroko
Siroko has made his name in Giant Zucchini as one of the best and most respected defenders in the world. He is gentleman on and off the field and has never been sent off or suspended in his career, much thanks to his ability to read the game. Siroko is known for his calmness, his gentleness, his class, his style, his elegance, his sense of position, his leadership and his offensive breakthroughs. It is very rare to see him make a mistake.

5 - Dotur
The young giant centre-back is an imposing figure at the back for Piemont and an expert in the art of defending. One of the team's unsung heroes, Dotur is a tower of strength in a defence hardly lacking quality. Tall, powerful and versatile, Dotur is also strong in the air.

7 - Argenti
His technical ability, reading of the game and amazing ruthlessness in front of goal is making him one of the greats of Piemont FC. Yet above and beyond these exceptional talents, Argenti was also the epitome of intelligence and elegance. Platini leads from the front and is best known for his poise and creativity on the field.

9 - Navdid
Lethal with both feet, Navdid ranks among the Giant Zucchini's top young midfielders. Comfortable at left or central midfield, the Giant Zucchini native orchestrates plays and isn't afraid to unleash his stinging shot. His rigorous work ethic extends off the pitch as he is constantly training and his leadership qualities are second to none.

10 - Madorna
A pocket battleship of a player blessed with supreme technique and a magical left foot. It is virtually impossible to stop Madorna as he slaloms towards goal, and just as unerring is his accuracy from set pieces. A stocky, powerful player, Madorna played either centre forward or just tucked behind the front line in an attacking midfield role.

11 - Verdi
Quite simply a born goalscorer; Verdi allied economy of movement, perfect positioning and innate opportunism to become one of the finest strikers in Giant Zucchini.


Anagon United

5 - Egvards
Tall and strong and, apart from an abundance of natural skill, he seems to have non-stop, driving energy. Though a powerhouse at left-half, Edwards has the ability to play anywhere, even turning out as centre-forward in an emergency. Possessing an innate ability to read a game quickly, he is a creator as well as a destroyer. He was naturally blessed with size, speed, control, power and courage. He was wonderful in the air and a stunning exponent of the cross-field pass, with distance no object. His shooting is also awesome, both in power and accuracy.

6 - Rabson
A player of unrivalled commitment and determination, he is the driving force behind the entire team. A superb ball-winner and tackler, who could shrug off opponents and make surging runs to drive Anagon forward, Rabson was the ultimate leader. Unfortunately this total unflinching commitment led to him being injured, often out for crucial games.

7 - Beter
Quick, two-footed, beautifully balanced. He can hit long and short passes with equal precision, is swift and fearless in the tackle and he reintroduced the verb 'to dribble' to Giant Zucchini. He is as imaginative and whimsical in midfield as he is economical and deadly given a chance at goal.

8 - Kandonar
One of the most flamboyant players ever to play the game, Kandonar's antics off the field often seem to outshine his brilliance on the field. His passing, innovation and influence is unrivalled, he can split a defence with the sort of pass that only he can create. Eric has an exhilarating array of skills, back-heels, stylish flicks, turns and lobs combined with immaculate ball control and touch. His shooting from long-range was superb while one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he was ice cool and clinical. If opposing defenders lost concentration for a millisecond, it would be enough for Kandonar to punish them.

9 - Gigsi
Few have his pace and penetration when he has the ball at his feet and he is also vital to the team when they do not have the ball. He is a constant worry to defences and despite being a fantastic individual talent, he also works hard for the team. One of the most talented young players in Giant Zucchini, his main asset is his ability to use his skills at a top speed quicker than just about any defender in the game.

10 - Sharleston
A gentleman, never in trouble, never argueing with referees, showing honesty and respect to opponents. He wasn't just a great goalscorer, with a blistering shot using either foot. Sharleston was a player who could also do his share of hard work. Perhaps Sharleston’s greatest strength was his versatility. Technically very strong and an outstanding distributor of the ball, he could spray inch-perfect passes around the park, picking out team mates with astounding accuracy.

11 - Loe
When it comes to scoring goals, from long-range, from headers, overhead kicks, close in poachers; Loe is the master, a mercurial genius when it comes to putting a ball in the back of the net. He is a player all the fans love because he gives absolutely everything when on the pitch. This fierce player fights for everything and is afraid of nobody, few players can match this man's competitive instincts. Loe's most important abilities are awareness and anticipation. He always seems to see the action slightly ahead of everyone else and with his superb reflexes he knows how to use that to deadly advantage.

Kalisimu Salan players:

Goalkeepers:
Hedi Miki
(Ventu Xese)
(Ita Kuva*)

Defenders%
Xeta Kansu
Hadi Mikit
Nana Seku
Kixy Mena
Syku Xijagn
(Niki Me Se~lu*)
(Viji Lyku)
(Syku Lyku)
(Kansu Jura)
(Veja Lyku)

Midfielders:
Y Ki
Rejal Mija
Kansu Saja
Syly Ji
(Kirin He)
(Kansu Hakir)
(Veni "Ly" Lyjaki)

Strikers:
Jese Su
(Kai Jaje)

* from the youth team
% every player defends most of the time, so ignore that classification.

Scelestus Iunctus have tough challenge ahead

Scelestus Iunctus is the top team in the Pimento Primera League (PPL) and have been so for quite a long time. They've been steamrolling the opposing competition for the better part of a decade now and they're finally ready to test their skills against some of the world's best clubs. You'd think a team who has enjoyed the domestic success of Scelestus United would be in a great position in the champions league, but that would be failing to take into account that Big Pimento has one shit of a domestic league. Scelestus open up against Harewood FC, a Cockbill Street based team, and are expected to be 5-2 underdogs. The team which has struck fear into their opponents hearts for so long will now have to try on the part of spoiler.

Starting 11
GK - Pedro Madhavapeddi*
DF - Valeri Sharapov*
DF - George Banks*
DF - William Kerr
DF - Todi Narima
MF - Rufus "Red" Southgate*
MF - Alejandro Oberson
MF - Jerry Wong
MF - Cornelius de Cocq
AT - Boris Valentine*
AT - Charles Jupiter

Flock Just Happy To Be Here

The Calista Flock are a pretty average side in the Pimento Primera League, with the only two notable names on the team being Omore Ngogadi and Bong Jong-Il. They qualified on virtue of making it to the cup finals, since Scelestus pulled the double and won both the league and the cup. Calista will be facing North Island Clan in the first round, and the oddsmakers have them at 3-1 dogs for the time being. However, Calista has two things going for them, (1) They have a real wild card with Bong Jong-Il, the international Pimento striker who has hit the net eight times in six World Cup matches so far, and (2) They're called the Flock and they flock together, they have a great team concept. Calista Flock are an offensive minded team, so it's a given that they'll usually give up a few goals. However, if the defense can keep damage to a minimum and the offense steps it up, they may just have a chance to sneak into the second round.

Calista Flock
GK - King Neptune
DF - Patrick Star
DF - Squidward Tentacles
DF - Gary
DF - Eugene H. Crabs
MF - Omore Ngogadi*
MF - Sandy Cheeks
MF - Plankton
AT - Spongebob Squarepants
AT - Bong Jong-Il*
AT - Larry T. Lobster

*Denotes internationally capped player

I thought we were supposed to be starting on Tuesday. I've heard nothing yet.

I thought we were supposed to be starting on Tuesday. I've heard nothing yet.

Must be the usual OOC disasters as predicted :)

Qualifying draw takes place tomorrow. The matches will take place Tuesday and Thursday.


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RANKINGS
32 Alan City The Belmore Family 1.90
33 Doal FC The Belmore Family 1.58


Is there any concession for being widely recognised as the greatest (GODMOD) of a domestic team ever? Guessed not... goes off to super RP.

Belmorians to play off in what's billed to be match of the qualifiers

2 billio npeople tuned in as Alan City took on Doal FC for the championship on the last day of the season last year, now they are playing it off for an even bigger prize-qualification to the finals of the Champions League, already the of pitch fights have begun. Alan Belmore, owner of Alan City FC has announced that they will only be playing a weakend side against Doal as they feel it would be wasteing their main players. Doal have responded saying this is because all Alan City sides are weak, which is proved by their current lack of ability to get players.

However, speculation has arose that if Alan City lose and do not qualify there might be some government intervention to ensure that Alan City make it through due to a 'financial situation'. Of course Alan Belmore denied these saying: "We want this to be a fair and free football.

However, that is already seems to be going on as the 'divine intervention' known only as RP bonus has been reomved from Doal as government sanction on alledged racial abuse. The NSWCC is looking into this obvious violation of human rights laws and may take action. Also, only the Alan Belmore Roster has been revealed to us, and only in part.
<to be added>

NATION: Lovisa
TEAM 1 (gains 20% bonus): FC Leve
TEAM 2: Telecom Cxal Shepenyagah
PUPPET NATION (IF ANY): Finrods
PUPPET NATION TEAM: Elendil Eresea

fuck das ist zu spat!!!!!!!!!

Cornellby City F.C.
1: GK: James Walsh
2: RB: Kerry McFarland
3: LB: Bradley Day
4: CM: Danny Jenneson
5: CB: Vernon Fairclough
6: CB: Brian Fellows
7: RW: Sandy Bailey
8: CM: Jack Bull
9: CF: Gordan Wyatt
10:CF: James Pardew
11:LW: Joe Daragons
12:GK: Carl Lavisham
13:CB: Joe Kennedy
14:LW: David Shuker
15:CM: Trey Walliams
16:CB: Nathan Drake
17:RW: Paul Whiteson
18:CF: Colin Draper

Raiden F.C.
1: GK: David Taylor
2: RB: Jess Knowles
3: LB: Jussi Paatilinen
4: CM: Ruud Huylens
5: CM: Zareh Artaxiad
6: CB: Jason Thurrock
7: RW: Jacques Papin
8: CM: Kharl Tanner
9: CF: Jorma Taavi
10:CF: Gregor McClane
11:LW: Arie Jansen
12:GK: Pierre Duval
13:CB: David Jones
14:LW: Oliver Ryder
15:CM: Billy McLeish
16:CB: Fred Payton
17:RW: Jurgen Bruckner
18:CF: Rob Dexter

http://www.geocities.com/lifeobrien/corn.jpg

KI Lanthanate squad:

Goalkeepers:

1. Grorgrunter, aged 25, av rating 5.78
12.Melanophlogite, aged 29, av rating 5.24

Defenders:

2. Galena, aged 22, av rating 5.59, central defender/right back*
3. Anglesite, aged 28, av rating 5.29, left back
4. Chalcanthite, aged 27, av rating 5.33, central defender
5. Ian Peterson, aged 21, av rating 5.48, right back
13.Dwornikite, aged 23, av rating 5.19, central defender

Midfielders:

6. Nickel-carbide, aged 29, av rating 5.69, central midfielder/left winger*
7. Nathan Anderson, aged 34, av rating 5.11, left winger/left forward
8. Stein Hammerhock, aged 35, av rating 5.88, right/left winger*
11.Uranopilite, aged 24, av rating 5.31, attacking midfielder
14.Darren Hornby, aged 18, av rating 5.19, central midfielder

Attackers:

9. Chalcedony, aged 31, av rating 5.31, striker*
10.Taenite, aged 24, av rating 5.29, forward
15.Cohenite, aged 26, av rating 5.41, forward

Harewood FC squad:

Goalkeepers:

1. Ivar B'loodaxe, aged 21, av rating 5.67
14.Ivan van Oosterom, aged 21, av rating 5.10

Defenders:

2. Trevor Jones, aged 31, av rating 5.81, central defender/defensive midfielder*
3. Gavin Weddles, aged 26, av rating 5.55, left back/left winger
4. Olaf Fearinciter, aged 22, av rating 5.41, right back
5. William Altrincham, aged 25, av rating 5.22, central defender/left back
12.Ivar Axehacker, aged 28, av rating 5.30, full back

Midfielders:

6. Niall McLavish, aged 21, av rating 5.55, left winger/left back
7. Philip McLavish, aged 19, av rating 5.98, right winger*
8. Richard Gwyddich, aged 24, av rating 5.52, central midfielder/winger
11.Frank Tudd, aged 20, av rating 5.09, central midfielder
15.Lars Andreassen, aged 22, av rating 5.11, defensive midfielder

Attackers:

9. Marcus Bell, aged 33, av rating 5.34, forward
10.Ivor Sorkitt, aged 30, av rating 5.09, striker
13.Eric Saggers, aged 22, av rating 4.46, striker

* signifies players who have been in a senior international squad

The OOC disasters - in this case, related to my brother ensuring he used the desktop instead of the laptop for the Internet connection now the desktop is fixed, a means of stealing the Internet for good without looking nasty - have briefly given way to facilitate the following scores for the first leg. The second leg will come tomorrow.

FIRST LEG

Harewood FC 1 Scelestus Iunctus 0
East Island Clan 1 Wichita 0
E-Tuned City 2 Númenórë 2
Portland Timbers 2 Adam County 0
Grand Northern City 1 Celica FC 1
Alan City 2 Doal FC 1
Soldado Barcoenfuego 1 Graviton FC 0
Woodstock Wild 2 San Adam 1
Beersheba United 4 Tuncastle Rovers 0
Syrian North 0 Moni Maanethi (Silverknife) 0
North Island Clan 2 Calista Flock 1
Parkville 1 Anagon United 1
Nidola FC 1 Piemont FC 2
Hallad Reavers 0 Morgoth Bauglir 2
Farca United 5 Dinamo Tiblisi 3
Bessburg 2 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 1
KI Lanathanate 0 River Oaks 2

NEWSFLASH:

Giant Zucchini's Piemont FC and Anagon United have finished their matches against Nidola FC and Parkville, Piemont with a vital away win and Anagon with a 1-1 draw but a vital away goal.

Nidola stunned Piemont with a brilliant goal in the 8th minute, a ball into the box from the right dummied and sidefooted into the back of the net beating Zif. From then on, it was chance after chance from both sides, Navdid proving exceptionally dangerous. It seems fitting that he grabbed the equaliser before half-time, a dribble from just after the halfway line through the entire Nidola midfield and backline before smashing the ball into the top of the net. He scored an even better winner after the break, a long ball into the box headed into his path, which he chested and volleyed into the far post, which it hit before rebounding into the goal.

The Parkville-Anagon match was one of few chances, and the first half was nothing to shout about, with the occasional chance falling either way. The second half was a similarly tight half, but a slight defensive lapse enabled the Parkville to lash a hopeful chance into the back of the net. However, Kandonar scored the equaliser and the vital away goal 4 minutes later, a spectacular overhead kick that the Parkville keeper had no chance of saving.

Both sides have vital away goals, but the true test will come on Matchday 2, and both teams will have to perform as well if not better if they are to qualify.


Final scores:


Nidola FC - 1
(8)

Piemont FC - 2
Navdid (41, 63)


Parkville - 1
(65)

Anagon United - 1
Kandonar (69)

Jeruselem Government News

Champions League Results in

The first game of the Champions League (club level) have been played. Current participants were without World Cup players who have pushed Jeruselem into the Top 3 of Group 3 for XIX. Beerseheba United were untroubled getting a winning start while Syrian North played a scoreless draw. On the day, Beersheba United's win was the highlight with one other game with more goals.

Beersheba United 4 Tuncastle Rovers 0
Syrian North 0 Moni Maanethi (Silverknife) 0

Farca United 5 Dinamo Tiblisi 3

Hope Still Intact For SO Clubs

As South Osettia's first international matches, it was a time for celebration, and although the results didn't go their way, the fans were singing long into the night, due to the encouraging performances witnessed today.

Top club Torpedo Ts'khinvali lost 2-1 in Bessburg, Druida, but the crucial away goal could be very important in tomorrow's home leg. A 1-0 win or by two goals would see them through to the group stages, and the players and staff are confident they can pull through.

Dinamo Tblisi lost 5-3 to Farca United of Aquiliana in an entertaining match. Once again, the away goals fall substantially in Tblisi's favour, and a win by two or more goals would almost certainly put them through, and although this is a little less likely than Ts'khinvali's progression, there is still a lot of hope.

South Osettia's International Record
Played: 0H 2A
Won: 0H 0A
Drawn: 0H 0A
Lost: 0H 2A
Scored: 0H 4A
Conceded: 0H 7A
Average Scored: 0H 2A
Average Conceded: 0H 3.5A

Doal blaims poison for face disfigurement

There have been rhumors tonight that the manager of Doal FC was poisoned by top Belmorian officials to ensure that PM Alan Belmore's Alan City FC won the vital clash last night. The following pictures have show how the appearence of Doal FC's manager Mr. J00chinky has changed over the last few weeks:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40565000/jpg/_40565531_yushchenko_203.jpg

However, the Belmorian government has merely laughed off these claims saying: "What ludicracy, he hasn't been poisend, he is just suffering from the Belmorian disease oapphremnia which comes from the vigourous inbreeding which has made our country successful. We must note that, as with pitures we have provided you it has happened many times, famously it happened to TV personality John Simpson. We therefore must note that this is under no suspicious circumstances and blame this on foriegn media trying to find a story without acctual Belmorian knowledge."

Below are the pictures provided by the Belmorian government:
Before:
http://www.ezthemes.com/previews/5/54321action.jpg
After:
http://www.geogr.uni-goettingen.de/kus/pics/vn8/www-vn2002-old-man-pagoda-klein1.jpg

Lol

SECOND LEG
Scelestus Iunctus 1 Harewood FC 1 (agg 1-2)
Wichita 2 East Island Clan 2 (agg 2-3)
Númenórë 1 E-Tuned City 2 (agg 3-4)
Adam County 1 Portland Timbers 1 (agg 1-3)
Celica FC 1 Grand Northern City 2 (agg 2-3; AET; score after 90mins 1-1 [agg 2-2])
Doal FC 2 Alan City 2 (agg 3-4)
Graviton FC 1 Soldado Barcoenfuego 1 (agg 1-2)
San Adam 1 Woodstock Wild 2 (agg 2-4)
Tuncastle Rovers 1 Beersheba United 1 (agg 1-5)
Moni Maanethi (Silverknife) 0 Syrian North 2 (agg 0-2)
Calista Flock 1 North Island Clan 0 (agg 2-2; Calista Flock qualify on away goals)
Anagon United 1 Parkville 0 (agg 2-1)
Piemont FC 1 Nidola FC 1 (agg 3-2)
Morgoth Bauglir 0 Hallad Reavers 2 (agg 2-2; AET; Morgoth Bauglir win 3-2 on penalties)
Dinamo Tiblisi 1 Farca United 2 (agg 4-7)
Torpedo Ts'khinvali 1 Bessburg 0 (agg 2-2; Torpedo Ts'khinvali qualify on away goals)
River Oaks 1 KI Lanathanate 2 (agg 3-2)

Torpedo Triumph/Dinamo Distraught

Both teams knew what they had to do. Torpedo had to beat Bessburg 1-0 whilst Dinamo had to win 2-0 against Farca United. In the end, it was to be a magical night for the Torps but an evening of anguish for the Tblisi boys. The matches were played at different times today, so that people could watch and support both teams in their crucial matches. The first up was Dinamo Tblisi at home to Farca United. 5-3 down on aggregate after the first match, Tblisi needed to win by two or more goals to go through. They scored first, sparking hopes that they could pull off the unimaginable, but the side capitulated in the final half hour, conceding two soft goals to put the side from Aquiliana through to the group stage. This match acted as a cup of black coffee for the hyped up football fans, putting out the fire of ecstasy and resigning them to the fact that they would probably not see a South Osettian team in the group stage. The second match, Torpedo Ts'khinvali versus Bessburg of Druida, was live straight after the first match, and things looked to be going the same way for 89 minutes. The SO team were being frustrated by an overly defensive Bessburg, and there seemed to be no way through for the Torpedo strikers. Then on 91 minutes came one last chance. A free kick on the edge of the box - Plauen territory. The 28 year old goalkeeper stepped up to the ball, knowing that a goal now would put them through. Bums across the land were on the edge of seats, and noise levels reached a record low, measured as just over 1 decibel by a random scientist. It was goalkeeper against goalkeeper, and the odds were evenly stacked. Two steps back, turn, and a quick flick of the leg saw the ball sailing through the air. Were this a film it would have been in slow motion, as the ball gently lapsed into the keeper's arms, only to struggle free and find its way into the comfort zone that is the back of the net. 1-0 and the country went wild - they had just qualified for their first ever football tournament. Congratulations to the Torp lads, and keep up the good game!

South Osettia's International Record
Played: 2H 2A
Won: 1H 0A
Drawn: 0H 0A
Lost: 1H 2A
Scored: 2H 4A
Conceded: 2H 7A
Average Scored: 1H 2A
Average Conceded: 1H 3.5A

ZUCCHINIS THROUGH TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

It was a glorious day for Giant Zucchini as both clubs involved in the Champions League first qualifying round have qualified for the Group Stage. Loe scored the vital winner for Anagon in yet another tight, battling affair, while Madorna’s goal took Piemont into the next round as well.

Madorna put Piemont ahead in the first half as an opportunistic throw in into the box was poked in. However Nidola equalised in the second half with a run from midfield through the whole Piemont defence, before poking it past Zif. The tension was right to the wire, as Nidola has a sparkling chance in the 89th minute, an acrobatic dipping overhead kick from outside the area hitting the crossbar with Zif beaten. However, Piemont would hold on to the draw to secure a place in the Group Stage.

Anagon once again battled through a resilient Parkville team, but got a deserved goal from a poor defensive lapse from Parkville, a poor backpass to the keeper quickly latched on by Loe, who comfortably put the ball into the net. That, coupled with yet another strong defensive showing by Anagon, confirmed Anagon’s place in the Champions League.


Final scores:


Piemont FC - 1
Madorna (32)

Nidola FC - 1
(72)


Anagon United - 1
Loe (34)

Parkville - 0

SECOND LEG
Tuncastle Rovers 1 Beersheba United 1 (agg 1-5)

"We lost? But we've got a great team!"

Tuncastle Rovers (4-4-2)
1. GK, Henry Tuckwoth, Nova Britannicus
2. RB, John Bowman (Captain), Nova Britannicus
3. LB, Xtai Ltasi, Psytroxia
4. DM, Glynn Davies, Druida
5. CB, Adam Monterrey, Nova Britannicus
6. CB, Mike Hutchinson, Nova Britannicus
7. RM, Christopher Bell, Nova Britannicus
8. C/AM, Darryl Lamphear, Nova Britannicus
9. SC, Karl Robertson, Starblaydia
10. SC, Rhys Owens, NEWI Cefn Druids
11. LW, Matthew Davis, Nova Britannicus

"Look there, we've got two AOCAF winners in Robertson and Owens, plus the core of the Nova Britannicus team that includes the Captain, Goalie and Midfielders and we've got the only Psytroxian 'Galactico'. How did we lose?"

"They played crap, chief."

"Oh right. Nevermind, then."

SFC teams through to next round

The Portland Timbers have become known as a team that falls short in the big matches in SFC playoff matches despite immense talent, but the Timbers played well in the clutch against Adam County, defeating the Adam Island team 2-0 at the Iron Bowl and drawing 1-1 at Adam County to advance to the next stage of the Champions League 3-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, the Woodstock Wild put up back to back 2-1 wins against San Adam to send the four time SFC champions through to the next stage on a 4-2 aggregate.

"We just played well," Timbers Coach Kerry Tanner said. "There isn't much to say because we didn't have much of a scouting report on Adam County. We did what we had to do and played our style of football and that's why we advanced to the next round."

The Wild were expected to advance as the 24th ranked team in the Champions League but Coach David Bostwick said the team didn't know what to expect from the Champions League match against San Adam.

"Playing two matches against an unknown team was a challenge for us," he said. "We had no way of knowing how good we were compared to other teams in the world but we played our game and you saw the result."

Jeruselem Government News

Jeruselem team progress in Champions League to next round

We have soccer galore with Jeruselem in the World Cup XIX finals, U21 World Cup IX starting and of course the Champions league. The best players in Jeruselem are not playing in their teams and Champions League teams are playing any team they can muster.

Bad news? Not really. Beersheba United and Syrian North made it to the next round of the Champions league. Beersheba's draw was more than enough as it did have a 4-0 lead and Syrian North's 2 goals ended Moni's dreams.

Tuncastle Rovers 1 Beersheba United 1 (agg 1-5)
Moni Maanethi (Silverknife) 0 Syrian North 2 (agg 0-2)

With BPL action on hold indefinitely, Carter FC and the Jamaica Giants have a severe thirst for competition that they would like to be fulfilled. Alas, though, the Champions League also seems to be on hold indefinitely. It is reported that there is growing unrest among the players while they continue to wait.

[OOC: bump!]

Finally, it happens. The group phase draw!



GROUP 1:
Kaza X-Teem
Gauralan
Portland Timbers
Piemont FC

GROUP 2:
Yeaddin Owls FC
PARANOiA UNiTED
Harewood FC
East Island Clan

GROUP 3:
Kalisimu Salan
Iskara Daii
Soldado Barcoenfuego
Morgoth Bauglir

GROUP 4:
Cornellby City
Cednia Beach AFC
Beersheba United
Anagon United

GROUP 5:
Hetkali Hetaki
Raiden FC
Grand Northern City
Alan City

GROUP 6:
Strike FC
Jamaica Giants
Woodstock Wild
Calista Flock

GROUP 7:
IDEXO
E-Tuned City
Farca United
Torpedo Ts'khinvali

GROUP 8:
Carter FC
CCL 'D'
Syrian North
River Oaks

GROUP 3:
Kalisimu Salan
Iskara Daii
Soldado Barcoenfuego
Morgoth Bauglir

GROUP 5:
Hetkali Hetaki
Raiden FC
Grand Northern City
Alan City


The opponents of the rejistani teams:
The amateurs of Kalisimu Salan will play against these teams in the group stage:
Iskara Daii: The starblaydian superteam with stars like Lue'he is considered to be a veritable opponent for the exkola side teachers, butchers, gardeners, pupils and waiters, who decided to play H1SR soccer and were underestimated often enough to win the XVSR.
Soldado Barcoenfuego: This Kingsforder team is something like the definition of an attacking powerhouse. The highly attacking tactics of soldado and the System Karela of Kalisimu will guarantee an interesting match.
Morgoth Bauglir: nothing is known about that team, not even from where they are.

Hetkali Hetaki also nicknamed as: "Team Belmore" will play against these opponents:
Raiden FC: Is there something like audioslavian domestic soccer? Apparently there is even though next to no information about it reaches the Island. We can not give you any information about them except for the fact that they exist.
Grand Northern City: Also this club comes from the new FIFAn nation of Kingsford. We can only hope that no incident like the one in Tranquilitis will happen during away games.
Alan City: This will get interesting: Alan Belmore owns both Alan City and Hetkali Hetaki and even though he does not interfere much into the rejistani politics, it is assumed that he will use his influence to get either Hetaki or Alan City (and preferably the first team) into the next round.

The roster of Hetkali Hetaki:
Goalkeeper:
Navu Tesedi
(Mi~lne Heri)
(Siki Jijen)

Defenders:
Jese Eti~l
Leti Xeji
Y Syij
Dila Sijanji
(Hil Silat)
(Hsen Leaki)
(Verensi Kija)

Midfield:
Syku Siki
Dimi~n Xyjij
Jumentasera Syijikaniviranetala
(Isa Iles)
(Mikijen I Kansu)
(Siga Juru)
(Junil Hijak)

Forwards:
John Ltasi
Nana Kyii
Lyku Kansu
(Kaja Helil)
(Hikyiju Jeji)

After the team's injury time winner over Bessburg, Torpedo Ts'khinvali were in the pot for the group draw that took place today. They were drawn in Group 7, along with IDEXO, E-Tuned City and Farca United, the team that knocked out fellow South Osettian side Dinamo Tblisi. Torpedo are ranked bottom of the group, twenty places below their nearest competitors Farca, and it is expected that they will exit the competition here. Nevertheless team coach Jesper Tyronev is remaining optimistic:

"We have three games left in this tournament as a minimum. We therefore have three games to prove that we are a team going places. If we can do OK now, imagine what we might achieve in the future. We will be giving it all, as we on show for all the world to see. Teams may think they are guaranteed points against us. We must prove them wrong by fighting hard and keeping ourselves in focus."

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/logo.gif


VILITAN STELLAR:
Champions - ( S1, S3, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 )
Runners-Up - ( S2 )

VILITAN CUP:
Champions - ( S5, S6, S9, S10 )
Runners-Up - ( S2, S4 )

TROPICAL TROPHY:
Champions - ( S3, S7, S8, S10 )
Runners-Up - ( S1, S5, S6, S9 )


-------------------Yeaddin Owls have consistently been one of the best teams in Vilita. However, it was a major upset when Yeaddin pipped Marine Coast United to the inagural Vilitan League Title. Marine got one over on Yeaddin though at the end of the season, when Marine out-dueled Yeaddin to the Tropical Trophy, played between the Stellar Division Champions and Vilitan Cup Champions at the completion of each season. Yeaddin were unable to qualify for the Trophy in Season 2 after a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Tivali City. Jonathon Stott and Nigel Chapman put the Owls 2-0 up at the half, but Tivali fought back and upset the Two-Time League champions in their only Vilitan Cup final appearance. The Owls looked ready to face Marine Coast in the Season Three Cup final, before a 2-1 second leg defeat to Cednia Beach saw Yeaddin out.

-------------------Yeaddin Owls finished a remarkable season 10 with a record 24 games unbeaten in all competitions, including their 16 game winning streak midseason, along with a record 70 Stellar Division Points, 76 Stellar Division Goals Scored and just 16 conceded, as well as the all-time record 7-1 victory over Tivali City to add to their record books. The title was the Owls 6th consecutive championship, and 8th overall.


::Club Records::

LARGEST VICTORY:
( 7-1 ) v. Tivaliy City - Vilitan Stellar (S1)

LARGEST DEFEAT:
( 1-5 ) v. Strike FC - Vilitan Stellar (S3)

HIGHEST SCORING MATCH:
( 6-4 ) v. Yutzie Sorma - Vilitan Stellar (S3)

CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES:
( 16 ) - Season 10

CONSECUTIVE UNBEATEN:
( 24 ) - Season 10

CONSECUTIVE DEFEATS:
( 3 ) - Season 7

CONSECUTIVE WINLESS:
( 4 ) - Season 2


----------------Yeaddin find themselves in the record books for two of the most lopsided victories in the history of the Vilitan Stellar Division. The 6-0 Victor over Inland Peaks in Season One still stands as the most lopsided match in Vilitan History. Yeaddin were 4-0 up after just 25 minutes, before Jonathon Stott added 2 more in the last 15 minutes of the match to complete his 3-Goal Performance. It was also one of the last matches for German Salomon at the club, his 26th minute goal one of his last before his transfer to Kingsford Club Elders. The 6-0 Result has only been duplicated once since then, in Cednia Beach's 6-0 victory over Lopinka in season three. However, Cednia had the luxury of 2 Penalty Kicks in the opening 15 minutes, after Lopinka had their goalkeeper sent off. The 1-5 Defeat at Strike goes down as the second most lopsided scoreline in Stellar Division history. The Owls had taken an early lead, before Serge DuPont equalized for Strike with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half. DuPont lit up the stage in the second half, with 2 quick goals for himself, then setting up another for a teamate to put Strike ahead 4-1. The fifth goal was gifted to Strike after DuPont's shot was deflected in for a Yeaddin own goal.

::Individual Records::

MOST ALL TIME APPEARANCES:
Matteo Ollirg - (364) - Season 1-10

ALL TIME GOALSCORER:
Jan Christiansen - (132) - Season 2-10

GOALS IN A SEASON:
Jan Christiansen - (30) - Season 2

YOUNGEST PLAYER
Thierry Columbo - (12 Years) - Season 6

OLDEST PLAYER
Hazem Emam - (41 Years) - Season 2

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/vn/kpv/s-lir.gif

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/strike/logo.gif


VILITAN STELLAR:
Runners Up - ( S5, S6, S9, S10 )
Third Placed - ( S1, S3, S8 )

VILITAN CUP:
Champions - ( S7 )
Runners-Up - ( S5, S8 )
Semi-Final - ( S3 )

Tropical Trophy:
Champions - ( S5, S6, S9 )
Runners-Up - ( S8, S10 )


::Club Records::

LARGEST VICTORY:
( 7-1 ) v. Arcticala Inlet - Vilitan Stellar (S6)

LARGEST DEFEAT:
( 0-4 ) v. Yeaddin Owls - Vilitan Stellar (S2)

HIGHEST SCORING MATCH:
( 6-3 ) v. Marine Coast - Vilitan Stellar (S10)

CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES:
( 10 ) - Season 10

CONSECUTIVE UNBEATEN:
( 14 ) - Season 10

CONSECUTIVE DEFEATS:
( 4 ) - Season 9

CONSECUTIVE WINLESS:
( 5 ) - Season 2



-------------------Strike FC met with Marine Coast United at The Shultis in one of the most memorable Stellar Division clashes of all time. Umberto Melli put Strike off to a dream start 3 minutes in after a cross from Emarka Laniora. Marine Coast faught back but it was Strike who scored again, the veteran Santo Kecker picking up Inaki Solers rebound after the winger saw his shot bounce off the crossbar. Just minutes later, the difference was 3 has Soler again provided the set up for the goal. Marine Coast were dealt a blow just before half time as young defender Petros Alfieri was sent off for violent conduct.

-------------------Marine would not give up though, Carmine Mbidzo rose higher than Michel Rousoi to power Jim Vella's free kick home to reduce the deficit. Two more Strike goals saw the home side get complacent at a deserved 5-1 advantage. However, Callum Banda had other ideas with his 80th minute strike. Marine Coast looked set to score a 3rd, when Inake Soler intercepted and ran the distance of the field, outskilling Sibusisio Azaiez before scoring a highlight reel strike. Azaiez got his revenge in stoppage time, but his scrappy goal off Malovar Stokks corner kick was not enough to save Coast's blushes, Strike solidfying their place in the record books with the 6-3 victory.


-------------------In a surprise move during Season 10, the prodigal Inaki Soler left Strike FC to join Yeaddin Owls in an all-time record transfer fee between Vilitan Clubs. The highly toughted Maurizio Sala moved on to Turoki Isle from relegation-threatened Nusira Lionta. Only Yeaddin Owls purchase of Tanner Nerni, a player much in Soler's mold, even produced a fee half as much as the astronomical fee for Inaki Soler.



::Individual Records::

MOST ALL TIME APPEARANCES:
Danilo Liguori - (271) - Season 1-3; 5-10

ALL TIME GOALSCORER:
Serge DuPont - (115) - Season 2-6

GOALS IN A SEASON:
Serge DuPont - (42) - Season 5

YOUNGEST PLAYER
Ricky Ezis - (16 Years) - Season 3

OLDEST PLAYER
Santo Kecker - (35 Years) - Season 10



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Strike FC Midfielder Umberto Melli In action in the Vilitan Stellar Division

Harewood Qualify From Tight Games
Lanthanate Mess Up At Home

In two closely fought encounters with Pimentan side Scelectus Iunctus - a team with five internationals, most of whom were in the famous 2-1 defeat of Cockbill Street eight years ago in World Cup Seventeen - Harewood FC came out on top eventually after a great showing from Harewood's one international midfielder, Philip McLavish, who scored two goals in Big Pimento and helped haul home a victory. KI Lanthanate - assumed to have the easiest draw and best side - lost 0-2 at home to Sliponian side River Oaks, and have to console themselves with Compound League action, despite leading 2-0 away with 10 minutes to go - as they conceded a crucial goal late on.

Harewood, in the Champions' League by virtue of their 1724 Cup victory, have been drawn into Group B in the group phase of the Champions' League. There, they will face Dance 2 Revolution's PARANOiA United - a team that are the Revolutionaries' version of Rejistania, winning everything in their way, unknown East Island Clan from Raptor Claw, and Vilitan team Yeaddin Owls FC - who are eight-time Vilitan Stellar Champions, winning it the last six times. They've also won the Vilitan Cup the last four times, and are generally just getting better and better. Last season, they went through the Stellar Division with 24 games unbeaten - winning 16 games in a row! They have a strict policy of only playing Vilitan-bred talent, and their brightest stars are probably striker Riccardo Appolloni and midfielder Inaki Soler, who came midseason from Strike FC. They will be a real mouthful for Harewood, especially given that the Stellar Division is probably one of the strongest in the world - along with the Starblaydi Alpha Division, the X1SR season-ending competition in Rejistania, the Bedistan Premier League, the MPL and the Progressair League. That, in itself, should bode for a tough time ahead for Harewood's fans.

Harewood FC (Cockbill Street)
East Island Clan (Raptor Claw)
Yeaddin Owls FC (Vilita)
PARANOiA UNiTED (Dance 2 Revolution)

SFC teams face tough draws

The two SFC participants in the NS Champions League both drew brutal assignments in their first-ever international competition. Fresh off two wins in the NS Champions League and a group win in the AO Champions League, the Woodstock Wild have the easier of the two draws, facing Strike F.C. and Jamaica Giants, the eighth and 13th ranked teams in the world respectively, along with Calista Flock from Big Pimento, ranked 35th in the world.

For the Timbers, their task is to face the world's fourth ranked Kaza X-Teem along with ninth ranked Gauralan, also from Kaze Progressa. The Timbers also have Piemont FC from Giant Zucchini in their group, a team ranked 43rd in the world.

"Our draws are both going to be tough," Portland Coach Kerry Tanner said. "Ours in particular is especially brutal. We've got the fourth and ninth ranked teams in the world and we're going to have a tough time advancing out of that group."

"We have the utmost respect for the teams in our group," Wild Coach David Bostwick said. "Strike FC and Calista are from our region (Atlantian Oceania) and Portland just faced Calista, so we're going to be calling those guys for scouting reports. Strike FC is from Vilita, so we know that's going to be a hard, hard game. Gauralan is from Bedistan and their football heritage is well-known. This will not be a cake group by any stretch."

The Wild say they're going to be prepared for the matches against their AO opponents because of the feeds from the various AO leagues piping into Sarzonian televisions.

"You'd better believe we're going to be watching all those matches," goalkeeper Horace Sandt said. "Even that Baby Pimento team."

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The Full, Official List of Starting Strike FC Players and their International Dossier.

[ 1 ] Michel Rousoi [ - Strike FC - ]
------- GK ( AGE: 30 Eauz International )
Michel Rousoi is the first World Cup Champion to play in Vilita, after originally signing for Turoki Isle FC, Rousoi has married and settled as a permanent resident of Vilita. The 30-Year old keeper is a card-carrying member of the semi-communist alliance. Rousoi signed for Strike after one season at Turoki Isle, and has since led the team to Three Tropical Trophy's and the Season 7 Vilitan Cup championship.

[ 6 ] Ricky Ezis [ - Strike FC - ]
------- D RC ( AGE: 24 GOALS::SR: 2 U21: 1 REG: 1 )
Ricky Ezis is one of the most exciting prospects in all of Vilita, being molded in the exact form of the most capped Vilitan player in history, Enzo Ahat. The Strike FC defender plays alongside former Vilitan Nationals Danilo Liguori and David Leacock in the Stellar Division and frequently outshines his more experienced teammates. His performances have consistently earned him selection to the National team in favor of this duo, and Arcticala Inlet's Emarka Laniora.

[ 4 ] Emarka Laniora [ - Strike FC - ]
------- D RLC ( AGE: 25 GOALS::SR: 0 U21: 0 REG: 1 )
Solid Defender from the rising Alikki-Corra Youth system that also produced Esemar Aliana and Marasent Siaone. Called up to the National Team for the AOCAF competition while Full National Players were out at the World Cup Qualifiers and is still a regular call up for Regional or Fill-In national team roles.


[ 7 ] Danilo Liguori [ - Strike FC - ]
------- D LC ( AGE: 30 GOALS::SR: 0 U21: 1 REG: 0 )
Formerly tauted as the Future star of Vilitan Football, if injuries didn't impede his progress, Broke into the National Team during World Cup 14 and climbed to the Top of the Depth Chart at Left Back after a series of impressive performances at the U21wc3.

[ 69 ] David Leacock
------- D LC ( AGE: 31 GOALS::SR: 0 U21: 1 REG: 1 )
Fading Defender with limited National-Team Call Ups.


[ 25 ] Santo Kecker [ - Strike FC - ]
------- M LC ( AGE: 35 GOALS::SR: 16 U21: 0 REG: 3 )
Captain of Vilitan National Team since the start of World Cup 13. Kecker transferred from Marine Coast United to Barcoenfuego of Kingsford for 6.2m Following World Cup 14. Kecker, a free kick specialist, was left homeless when the Kingsford Pillar League dissolved and decided the time was right for a return to the Vilitan League. While he had originally planned to rejoin Marine Coast United, Kecker ended up at Jungle Strike FC. To this day, Kecker, Strike or Marine Coast have not indicated any of the reasons behind this decision, and it is likely to remain a mystery. Whatever the reason, the effect is clear, with Strike stepping up as the main challenger to Yeaddin Owls in the seasonal challenge for the Stellar Division title, as well as counting up a handful of Vilitan Cup and Tropical Trophy victories along the way.

[ 20 ] Umberto Melli [ - Strike FC - ]
------- M C ( AGE: 30 GOALS::SR: 8 U21: 2 REG: 0 )
Exciting Central Midfield prospect earning a starting role for his Club team and for the Vilitan U21 side. Brilliant performances in the historical Vilitan Under-21 World Cup 3 team earned Umberto Melli his first call up to the National Team during World Cup 15. He has since quited down from all the hype that had been given of him, but Melli has stayed true to form and is still one of the most reliable midfielders in all of Vilita.

[ 36 ] Esanga Docu [ - Strike FC - ]
------- M R ( Non-International )

[ 37 ] Sibusiso Bonsu [ - Strike FC - ]
------- M L ( Non-International )

[ 16 ] Jualiar Vumaou [ - Strike FC - ]
------- F C ( AGE: 30 Turori International )
Vumaou signed for Strike midway through Season 4 to partner the outstanding Serge DuPont during his 28 and 42 goal magical seasons. VUmaou himself has not been as prolific, with 68 goals in his 7th season with the team, but has nonetheless been productive and maintained his place both in the Strike FC squad and in the lineup of the Turori Eels senior National Team.

[ 18 ] Jandi Masi [ - Strike FC - ]
------- F C ( Non-International )


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Strike FC Midfielder Umberto Melli In action in the Vilitan Stellar Division

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The Full, Official List of Starting Yeaddin Owls AFC Players and their International Dossier.


[ 87 ] Bryan 'Pop' Duiker [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- GK ( AGE: 29 GOALS::SR: U21: REG: )
Pop Duiker has spent most of his career playing his trade on the regional stage, never getting much senior action on the international stage. Following in the footsteps of Corsi and Rory Issah, Duiker looked set to take over the top job upon Corsi's retirement. However, the massive uprising of Jimmy Kater and his superb performances in the Under-21 team kept Duiker on the bench where he has been for a record amount of International games throughout his performance-less career. His club life has been much more fruitful, taking over from Corsi when he left Yeaddin Owls to play overseas, Duiker has led the Owls to 6 consecutive Stellar Division championships.



[ 3 ] Marlian Hunial [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- D C ( AGE: 31 Turori International )


[ 5 ] Matteo Ollirg [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- D C (SW) ( AGE: 38 GOALS::SR: U21: REG: )
Sporatic appearances at Centre-Back in the World Cup 13-15 Campaigns, Influencial Club Team player, Now acting as a Player/Coach at Yeaddin Owls



[ 51 ] Inaki Soler [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- AM RLC ( AGE: 21 GOALS::SR: 4 U21: 7 REG: 1 )
Inaki Soler may be the greatest Vilitan talent since Santo Kecker graced the Vilitan history books with the first ever game-winning Vilitan goal against Compound Interest in World Cup 13 Qualifying. Despite a lack of goals so far in his senior career, a high profile-record transfer to the ever-improving Yeaddin Owls AFC is sure to do nothing but improve his chances of keeping his place in the Vilita side. With Helmut Vilkaus announcing an emphasis on Wings in the coming years, many expect Soler to breakthrough and take his place as the first-choice Vilitan midfielder.

[ 23 ] Antonis Siazzu [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- AM C ( AGE: 18 GOALS::SR: 3 U21: 1 REG: 0 )
Siazzu is a product of the Yeaddin Owls youth academy, moving on a fully funded loan deal to Melmondian side Titania Forests during the World Cup 19 Qualifiers. The impressive youth midfielder is one of the youngest since World Cup 13 to make a regular starting role in the Senior National Team, taking up the role during World Cup 19 Qualifiers at just 17 years of age. Working under Coach Nigel Chapman, Siazzu is apart of arguably the best midfield lineup in the entire World, taking up a central role alongside Calaesa Mitaroka, with the phenominal Inaki Soler and the always reliable Tanner Nerni on either side.

[ 55 ] Tanner Nerni [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- M RC ( AGE: 25 GOALS::SR: 4 U21: 6 REG: 3 )
The Impressive Wing Midifleder, born & raised in Turori by Vilitan parents, saw his first international action in the Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football. Nerni's performances at a young age in the AOCAF Cup and for Cednia Beach AFC in Turori earned him what was a then-record transfer to high-flying Yeaddin Owls AFC, a fee still only twice eclipsed, both in Vilitan Season 10. Nerni, however, has never made the impact on the National Stage, as is the case with many of the Owls stars, who seem to save their best performances for the league and never walk too far from the bench when the Teal, Orange and Navy are in action.

[ 21 ] Calaesa Mitaroka [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- M RLC ( AGE: 28 GOALS::SR: 4 U21: 2 REG: 1 )
Mitaroka's Performances for Yeaddin in Season One earned him Youth Player of the Year Honors along with Yeaddin's Stellar Division Championship in the Inagural Vilitan season. Mitaroka never developed into the powerhouse force that was expected from his early performances, but is expected to make a great coach one day do to his leadership both on and off the field at Yeaddin Owls AFC. Mitaroka has indicated he may retire from the International scene after the World Cup Finals in Turori, to concentrate on coaching and regional competitions.


[ 43 ] Riccardo Appolloni [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- F C ( AGE: 21 GOALS::SR: 3 U21: 6 REG: 0 )


[ 44 ] Lai Ncube [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- F C ( AGE: 23 GOALS::SR: 0 U21: 4 REG: 3 )


[ 13 ] Jan Christiansen
------- F C ( AGE: 28 GOALS::SR: 3 U21: 2 REG: 7 )


[ 47 ] Julei Adjei [ - Yeaddin Owls AFC - ]
------- F C ( AGE: 18 GOALS::SR: 0 U21: 2 REG: 1 )

South Ossetia: for three, read six, as this group phase is on a home and away basis.

All: The matches will be generated two at a time (ICly, on successive Wednesdays):

MD1: 1v2, 3v4
MD2: 1v4, 2v3
MD3: 1v3, 2v4

(reverse home teams for MD4-6).

Group 1 will be scorinated by Cockbill Street owing to the presence of Progressan teams.

May I join this, it sounds quite fun!

While this Champions League is full, watch out for a second incarnation in January, possibly bigger than ever. (Same to Lovisa, too.)

Meanwhile:

MD1
GROUP 1 Kaza X-Teem 3 Gauralan 1
Portland Timbers 2 Piemont FC 0
GROUP 2 Yeaddin Owls FC 3 PARANOiA UNiTED 2
Harewood FC 2 East Island Clan 0
GROUP 3 Kalisimu Salan 2 Iskara Daii 2
Soldado Barcoenfuego 1 Morgoth Bauglir 0
GROUP 4 Cornellby City 0 Cednia Beach AFC 0
Beersheba United 1 Anagon United 2
GROUP 5 Hetkali Hetaki 0 Raiden FC 0
Grand Northern City 1 Alan City 1
GROUP 6 Strike FC 0 Jamaica Giants 2
Woodstock Wild 2 Calista Flock 3
GROUP 7 IDEXO 1 E-Tuned City 3
Farca United 0 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 1
GROUP 8 Carter FC 1 CCL 'D' 1
Syrian North 0 River Oaks 0

MD2

GROUP 1 Kaza X-Teem 1 Piemont FC 0
Gauralan 3 Portland Timbers 0
GROUP 2 Yeaddin Owls FC 1 East Island Clan 2
PARANOiA UNiTED 2 Harewood FC 2
GROUP 3 Kalisimu Salan 6 Morgoth Bauglir 1
Iskara Daii 1 Soldado Barcoenfuego 0
GROUP 4 Cornellby City 0 Anagon United 1
Cednia Beach AFC 1 Beersheba United 0
GROUP 5 Hetkali Hetaki 3 Alan City 2
Raiden FC 2 Grand Northern City 1
GROUP 6 Strike FC 2 Calista Flock 2
Jamaica Giants 0 Woodstock Wild 0
GROUP 7 IDEXO 1 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 0
E-Tuned City 3 Farca United 3
GROUP 8 Carter FC 2 River Oaks 2
CCL 'D' 2 Syrian North 2

And in answer to a question from CS, the tie-breaker order for the Champions League is head-to-head results, then goal difference, then goals scored, then RP bonus, then a playoff match. The last two are unlikely...

Mixed Fortunes for Zucchini Clubs

The declining Piemont FC had worse news after surrendering top spot to Anagon United. Losses to Portland Timbers and Kaza X-Teem showed a distinct lack of firepower in front of goal, and are still without a goal 2 matchdays into the Champions League. On the contrary, Anagon United fans are cheering the success of their club, inspired by the new Giant Zucchini sensation, Gigsi. He opened up the scoring against Beersheba in the 8th minute, and Kandonar doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Beersheba pulled one back just before half time, but that was as far as they would threaten Anagon. Gigsi was again on top of his game against Cornellby City, but they proved to be a much bigger threat. But, once again, a flash of brilliance saw Gigsi put one in right at the death to give Anagon their second win in the group stage. Anagon coach Mr Serfugon, "He's a real talent, I think if he continues to work hard he will do well for us."

And here come the early tables:


GROUP 1
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kaza X-Teem 2 2 0 0 4 1 3 6
2 Gauralan 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 3
3 Portland Timbers 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
4 Piemont FC 2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0

GROUP 2
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Harewood FC 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4
2 East Island Clan 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
3 Yeaddin Owls FC 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3
4 PARANOiA UNITED 2 0 1 1 4 5 -1 1

GROUP 3
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kalisimu Salan 2 1 1 0 8 3 5 4
2 Iskara Daii 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
3 Soldado Barcoenfuego 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
4 Morgoth Bauglir 2 0 0 2 1 7 -6 0

GROUP 4
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Anagon United 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
2 Cednia Beach AFC 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4
3 Cornellby City 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1
4 Beersheba United 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0

GROUP 5
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Hetkali Hetaki 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
2 Raiden FC 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
3 Alan City 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
4 Grand Northern City 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1

GROUP 6
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Jamaica Giants 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4
2 Calista Flock 2 1 1 0 5 4 1 4
3 Woodstock Wild 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
4 Strike FC 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1

GROUP 7
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 E-Tuned City 2 1 1 0 6 4 2 4
2 IDEXO 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
3 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
4 Farca United 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Carter FC 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
2 CCL 'D' 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
3 River Oaks 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
4 Syrian North 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2

Harewood Tops Group B
Roars Into First Place

Harewood FC have got off to a great start in the first Champions' League after the resurrection - forty years after the last one died due to lack of media coverage. The C-mail is determined to change that, as we have sent a journalist to cover Harewood's matches in the Champions' League - which have, so far, been surprisingly good, thanks to some great goalkeeping and good penalty taking.

Harewood opened against the weakest side of the group, East Island Clan, at their home in the Harewood Ground. The East Island Clan are a team from Raptor Claw - slightly worse than the North Island Clan, it is rumoured - whose national team's achievements have been as poor as Cockbill Street's. Given that there's no news from the dinosaur league, and nothing in the way of squads from these teams, Harewood went in not knowing what to face. They did manage to knock out Sliponian champions Wichita - a side that was reportedly better than the River Oaks who knocked out Lanthanate - so there was some fears that the side waiting for them was actually reasonably good. However, there was no need to worry. Their attacks were feeble and easily stopped, as their passing play came to little and was too inaccurate at this level, and Harewood often came through in the centre where Bell and Sorkitt controlled action, helped by their attacking midfielder Gwyddich. And when Sorkitt was fouled in the centre by the keeper, Philip McLavish put in the ball easily for 1-0. 2-0 came five minutes before half-time, as Niall McLavish crossed in beautifully and Frank Tudd headed in the decisive last goal of the game.

The away match at PARANOiA UNiTED (no, the lower-case letters haven't been randomly thrown in - the Revolutionaries wish it that way) was considerably tougher. Paranoia play in Dance 2 Revolution, and have been reported as a godmod club owing to the way they dominate the Revolutionary league. However, their side lost the first match to Vilitan Yeaddin Owls (perhaps not surprisingly) and needed a victory here. Great goalkeeping from Ivan van Oosterom, despite conceding two goals, along with one goal each from Sorkitt and Phil McLavish ensured that Harewood travelled away from the Revolutionary lands with one point - a thoroughly decent effort, and one that sends Harewood up to the top of the league after Yeaddin managed to mess up against East Island Clan, somehow losing 1-2 at home.

Group 2
Harewood FC 2 1 1 0 4-2 4
Yeaddin Owls FC 2 1 0 1 4-4 3
East Island Clan 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
PARANOiA UNiTED 2 0 1 1 4-5 1

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Strike on the Outside looking In

--------------Vilita's Jungle Strike FC have gotten off to a terrible start in the Champions League, and with the upcoming National Team match against Eauz in the World Cup finals, things are looking grim for the once favored Lonngeylin, Vilita based club. Eauz National goalkeeper Michel Rousoi has been under increased pressure to concede goals in Eauz's World Cup 19 Finals Matchday 2 Group B clash with the Vilitan Jungle Cats. Rousoi, who plays in the Vilitan Stellar Division for Strike FC, has reportedly been threatened to not have his contract in Vilita reknewed if he makes the saves that prevent Vilita from achieving victory over Eauz. A loss to Eauz would see The Jungle Cats out of the competition, bar a victory over Starblaydia larger than the Blades can accomplish over Nova Britannicus, and a Eauzian sweep of the group. A win for the Jungle Cats against Eauz, coupled with Starblaydia dealing with it's empirical others would see the group locked on 3 points, with the Matchday 3 victors going through, or being decided on goal differential. Vilita currently hold the advantage over Starblaydia on goal-differential after the Blades lost by 2 goals to Eauz on Matchday 1.

--------------Fans also began a rally outside the home of Michel Rousoi and his wife in Lonngeylin, Vilita, but the Vilitan Oribital Intelligence Agency was quick to disperse the situation and punish any of those impeding on the personal privacy of Mr. Rousoi and his family.

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Owls Spend More Time Learning their Opponents Names than Beating them.

----------------Yeaddin Owls AFC were guilty of celebrating in Pre-World Cup 19 Fever, and trying to learn the names of the Raptor Claw-ian opponents, that they forgot that they had a match on their hands. By the time the whole team had arrived at the Lirai Asku Castle in Yeaddin, it was too late to salvage any points, and a late concellation goal did nothing but improve the Owls meaningless goal differential tally. However, unlike the Cockbill Street contengent from Harewood FC, the officials at Yeaddin Owls were able to crackdown and learn the names of a few of the dinosaurs that showed up with the East Island Clan for the match in Yeaddin. Rumor has it that the Vilitan Football Assocation got it's hands on a few documents from the Football Assocation of Turori, namely document #144 (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7616516&postcount=144), which indicated that the following Raptor Claw Internationals were represented in the East Island Clan lineup:


EAST ISLAND CLAN

WB: Makapla Yupdaline
WB: Overla Pinrun
ST: Imat Arget
ST: Runni Naroun

Alan Belmore outraged at Hetakli H

There are rhumors tonight that Alan Belmore will be sacking the manager of Hetkali H as they beat Alan City 3-2. Alan City were leading the game over a visually poor side until 3 substitutions in the last 20 minutes gave Hetkali the skill to overcome the world's greatest team.

Alan Belmore is believed to be currently talking with the manager of Hetkali H explaining how upset he is that his main team was victorious. He declined to give any interviews after the game but did say:
'I am of course upset the my main team were not victorious over my second team however I must accept the result and see how I can plow money into victories for this side. I have no plans at the moment for any reshuffling in the Hetkali H side but I will talk to the manager to see what he has to say for himself'

However the WCC are looking into the first 70 minutes of the match as match-fixing as Hetkali H no doubt were fielding a weakend team until the substitutions. However with the Hetkali win, there isn't much they can do.

Mixed Emotions For Torpedo

After two matchdays, Torpedo Ts'khinvalia lie third in Group 7. A 1-0 win over Farca United, the conquerors of Dinamo Tblisi, followed by a 1-0 defeat to IDEXO has left the team feeling differently about their performance so far.

"We're doing better than people probably expected. We are by far the theoretically worst team in the group, and yet we won one, lost one and only conceded one goal in the progress. There's a good chance that we can finish above the bottom spot, and I think if we can do that, it'll be safe to say we can come back next time and do a little better."

"I think there's a major possibility that we can go through to the next stage of the tournament. We won a game that nobody expected us to and narrowly lost another, and we haven't even had a home game yet. Our best performances are still to come, and if we can get a result in the next game, who knows what will happen."

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VILITAN STELLAR:
S10 - 8th Placed
S 9 - 6th Placed
S 8 - 6th Placed
S 7 - 9th Placed
S 6 - 5th Placed
S 5 - 4th Placed
S 4 - 5th Placed
S 3 - 5th Placed
S 2 - 5th Placed
S 1 - 4th Placed

VILITAN CUP:
Runners-Up - ( S1, S3 )


-------------The 5-5 Draw with Marine Coast United at the Cednia Beach Center in Turori in the middle of the Inagural Vilitan League Season will go down as one of the matches that catapulted the Vilitan League into what it is today. The only 10 Minute period of the game where no goals were score was the final 10, after a Keiaon Akita goal in the 78th minute for Cednia Beach levelled the scores at 5. Cednia Beach had opened the scoring 9 Minutes in, but it took Baron O'Toole just 9 more to equalize for Marine Coast. Then it was Jim Vella putting Marine back in front another 8 minutes later. Yet another 8 minutes passed before Cednia Beach tied the match to the delight of the home support, but Baron O'Toole's second of the match from the ensuing restart quited the Cednia faithful. Mailano Mumamba would have none of that however, as he converted a beautfil free kick less than 5 minutes later to send the match level into the half. Cednia took an improbable lead 5 minutes into the half, but Jim Vella quickly set the match level at 4. It was Baron O'Toole who scored the first hat trick for Marine Coast, before Akita's late leveller launced Cednia Beach into the limelight, taking them from a Relegation threatened team, to a well supported Vilitan Cup Finalist.

::Club Records::

LARGEST VICTORY:
( 6-0 ) v. Tivaliy City - Vilitan Stellar (S3)

LARGEST DEFEAT:
( 0-5 ) v. Strike FC - Vilitan Cup Semi Final (S5)

HIGHEST SCORING MATCH:
( 5-5 ) v. Marine Coast United - Vilitan Stellar (S1)

CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES:
( 6 ) - Season 7

CONSECUTIVE UNBEATEN:
( 9 ) - Season 1

CONSECUTIVE DEFEATS:
( 5 ) - Season 5

CONSECUTIVE WINLESS:
( 9 ) - Season 10



-------------While Cednia Beach is not known as a team harnessing loads of International Talent, currently with only one serving international, aging Turori Eels Goalkeeper Milauo Slietah, the Beach can claim to having as many future internationals training as anybody. At the conclusion of Season 7, a representative from Marine Coast United travelled to Cednia with the mighty Marine Coast bank account with him. He left with Vilitan International Carmine Mbidzo and Vilitan Under-21 World Cup 9 Captain Maurizio Sala. Earlier that season, they gave up the rights to a then little known Forward by the name of Riccardo Appolloni. Appolloni is now first choice striker for Yeaddin Owls AFC, and partners Callum Banda in the Vilitan National Team. Cednia Beach accrued a then-record transfer fee at the conclusion of Season 8 for Wing-Midfielder Tanner Nerni, now a Vilitan International for Yeaddin Owls AFC. Also departing the Beach at that time was now Vilitan Under-21 International Midfielder Jacques Vintila, who went to Jlinal Cove FC. Other past Internationals groomed in Cednia Beach include Turorian Internationals Marlian Hunial, Kiatin Likao, Yabaiy Tbaio, Moiba Linaian and Malaino Mumamba. Rejistanian International and World Cup winning captain Kadu Hsen made 25 appearances for Cednia Beach during Season 6, while former Vilitan Under-21 and Regional Internationals Malovar Stokks and Christos Tchami also spent time at the Beach.

::Individual Records::

MOST ALL TIME APPEARANCES:
Milauo Slietah - (325) - Season 1-Current

ALL TIME GOALSCORER:
Carmine Mbidzo - (82) - Season 1-7

GOALS IN A SEASON:
Carmine Mbidzo - (25) - Season 3

YOUNGEST PLAYER
Tanner Nerni - (16 Years) - Season 2

OLDEST PLAYER
Milauo Slietah - (31 Years) - Season 10

MD3

GROUP 1 Kaza X-Teem 3 Portland Timbers 1
Gauralan 3 Piemont FC 2
GROUP 2 Yeaddin Owls FC 2 Harewood FC 2
PARANOiA UNiTED 4 East Island Clan 1
GROUP 3 Kalisimu Salan 3 Soldado Barcoenfuego 2
Iskara Daii 2 Morgoth Bauglir 0
GROUP 4 Cornellby City 3 Beersheba United 1
Cednia Beach AFC 5 Anagon United 2
GROUP 5 Hetkali Hetaki 0 Grand Northern City 1
Raiden FC 3 Alan City 1
GROUP 6 Strike FC 1 Woodstock Wild 2
Jamaica Giants 0 Calista Flock 2
GROUP 7 IDEXO 2 Farca United 1
E-Tuned City 3 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 0
GROUP 8 Carter FC 0 Syrian North 1
CCL 'D' 0 River Oaks 0

MD4

GROUP 1 Gauralan 1 Kaza X-Teem 2
Piemont FC 0 Portland Timbers 1
GROUP 2 PARANOiA UNiTED 0 Yeaddin Owls FC 1
East Island Clan 1 Harewood FC 3
GROUP 3 Iskara Daii 2 Kalisimu Salan 2
Morgoth Bauglir 0 Soldado Barcoenfuego 1
GROUP 4 Cednia Beach AFC 1 Cornellby City 0
Anagon United 0 Beersheba United 1
GROUP 5 Raiden FC 1 Hetkali Hetaki 2
Alan City 1 Grand Northern City 0
GROUP 6 Jamaica Giants 1 Strike FC 0
Calista Flock 0 Woodstock Wild 3
GROUP 7 E-Tuned City 2 IDEXO 2
Torpedo Ts'khinvali 0 Farca United 1
GROUP 8 CCL 'D' 3 Carter FC 0
River Oaks 1 Syrian North 2

GROUP 1
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kaza X-Teem 4 4 0 0 9 3 6 12
2 Gauralan 4 2 0 2 8 7 1 6
3 Portland Timbers 4 2 0 2 4 6 -2 6
4 Piemont FC 4 0 0 4 2 7 -5 0

GROUP 2
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Harewood FC 4 2 2 0 9 5 4 8
2 Yeaddin Owls FC 4 2 1 1 7 6 1 7
3 PARANOiA UNITED 4 1 1 2 8 7 1 4
4 East Island Clan 4 1 0 3 4 10 -6 3

GROUP 3
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kalisimu Salan 4 2 2 0 13 7 6 8
2 Iskara Daii 4 2 2 0 7 4 3 8
3 Soldado Barcoenfuego 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 6
4 Morgoth Bauglir 4 0 0 4 1 10 -9 0

GROUP 4
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Cednia Beach AFC 4 3 1 0 7 2 5 10
2 Anagon United 4 2 0 2 5 7 -2 6
3 Cornellby City 4 1 1 2 3 3 0 4
4 Beersheba United 4 1 0 3 3 6 -3 3

GROUP 5
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Hetkali Hetaki 4 2 1 1 5 4 1 7
2 Raiden FC 4 2 1 1 6 4 2 7
3 Alan City 4 1 1 2 5 7 -2 4
4 Grand Northern City 4 1 1 2 3 4 -1 4

GROUP 6
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Woodstock Wild 4 2 1 1 7 4 3 7
2 Calista Flock 4 2 1 1 7 7 0 7
3 Jamaica Giants 4 2 1 1 3 2 1 7
4 Strike FC 4 0 1 3 3 7 -4 1

GROUP 7
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 E-Tuned City 4 2 2 0 11 6 5 8
2 IDEXO 4 2 1 1 6 6 0 7
3 Farca United 4 1 1 2 5 6 -1 4
4 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 4 1 0 3 1 5 -4 3

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Syrian North 4 2 2 0 5 3 2 8
2 CCL 'D' 4 1 3 0 6 3 3 6
3 River Oaks 4 0 3 1 3 4 -1 3
4 Carter FC 4 0 2 2 3 7 -4 2

Stat fever...
TOTAL GOALS: 173 (97 home, 76 away @ 2.70 per match)
MOST IN ONE GAME: 7 (Kalisimu Salan 6 Morgoth Bauglir 1; Cednia Beach 5 Anagon United 2)
HOME WINS: 27
AWAY WINS: 21
DRAWS: 16 (of which five have been in Group 8 alone)
OF WHICH 0-0: 5
NUMBER OF TIES BETWEEN TEAMS THAT ARE DIFFERENTLY SORTED DUE TO USING AGGREGATE RESULTS, NOT GOAL DIFFERENCE: 2

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/strike/logo.gif

We Ain't Dead Yet

--------------So take that Cockbill Street. Lonngeylin, Vilita based Jungle Strike FC will be looking to pull out the save of all saves in the International Champions League group stage. Like their Senior counterparts in the World Cup Finals group stage, Strike FC have found themselves on the wrong end of decisions against lower ranked opposition to open the competition, including a pair of losses to Bedistan's Jamaica Giants. However, Jungle Strike are not dead yet. With Goal-Differential out of the equation, Jungle Strike FC will be pulling for Jamaica Giants to sweep their final two groupstage matches against Calista Flock and the Woodstock Wild. If the Giants can do the deed for Strike, then their destiny will be in their own hands. A win over Calista Flock coupled with the pair of Jamaica Giants wins would see Strike need to score at least 2 goals in a Victory over the Woodstock Wild to advance in the final qualifying position, level on 7 points, advancing over both the Wild and Calista Flock based on a superior. Head to Head record.

Go Giants.

Jeruselem Sports News

Jeruselem teams suffer in Champions League, hoping for Santa to give them a win

It's been quiet on the Champions league after the Jeruselem U21 team's triumph in the U21 World Cup IX. Why? Bad results. Mostly Syrian North is doing well, but Beersheba need to lift.

In Group 4, Beersheba had 3 losses offset by one win. They are still last and way behind the leader. They really need to win the next few games or it might be all over now. 3rd placed Cornellby City is only 1 point ahead. Beersheba won it's first game on MD4 after losing the 1st three games (narrowly).

In Group 8, Syrian North LEADS the pack with 2 wins and 2 draws. However CCD is within striking distance and wins are vital if they are to progress to the next round. North drew it's first two games (like the rest of Group 8 did) but is on a 2 game winning streak.

Both teams expect back their U21 players this week from TnUI and this will help them boost their skilled player pool. Beersheba's juniors have been away and it has been telling but the addition of U21 WC IX champion player will boost moral.


GROUP 4
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Cednia Beach AFC 4 3 1 0 7 2 5 10
2 Anagon United 4 2 0 2 5 7 -2 6
3 Cornellby City 4 1 1 2 3 3 0 4
4 Beersheba United 4 1 0 3 3 6 -3 3

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Syrian North 4 2 2 0 5 3 2 8
2 CCL 'D' 4 1 3 0 6 3 3 6
3 River Oaks 4 0 3 1 3 4 -1 3
4 Carter FC 4 0 2 2 3 7 -4 2

Wild race in Group 6; Timbers in fight in Group 1

Group 6 in this running of the Champions League has established itself as the tightest of all eight groups, with the Woodstock Wild in a three way lockup for first place in the group. The Wild (2-1-1, seven points) rest in first place due to goal differential at plus 3, while Jamaica Giants are at plus one and Calista Flock is even.

The Wild earned the berth on the strength of back-to-back wins, defeating Vilitan opponents Strike FC 2-1 with a late goal from midfielder Bobby Convey the difference in a hard-fought match and then slaughtering fellow AO rivals Big Pimento's Flock by 3-0.

"We've put ourselves into a good position in both Champions Leagues," Coach David Bostwick said. "Horace Sandt has played great for us in goal and our offense has been clicking."

Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers are battling Gauralan for the second berth in the knockout stages with the Timbers down in goal differential (plus one to minus two) and head-to-head. The Timbers' two wins have come against group doormat Piemont FC, with the recent 1-0 win getting the Timbers back into contention for the knockout stage berth.

"Troy came up big for us when he had to," Coach Kerry Tanner said of goalkeeper Troy Perkins, his former competitor for the starting goalkeeper's position with the national team. "There's a reason he starts in goal for the national side."

The Timbers will have to find a way to defeat either Kaza X-Teem or Gauralan to advance, and Tanner said that forward John Clinton would play more in midfield in an attempt to tighten the defense a bit, but said the Timbers would continue to attack.

"We're not going to get wins by going into a [defensive] shell," Tanner said. "But having said that, we saw we needed to tighten things up defensively against those Progressan teams. We'll try to play more ball control football and hope that gets us into the knockouts."

The Wild (2-1-1, seven points) rest in first place due to goal differential at plus 3, while Jamaica Giants are at plus one and Calista Flock is even.

Giants Will beat Wild.

The Jamaica Giants are 100% confident that they will beat the Woodstock Wild, due to the fact that the people responsible for signing all of it's players are the same people that are unable to read the rules of the competition they signed up for. The Wild, who claim they top the table due to Goal Differential, are actually in their position due to the head to head results amongst the teams they are tied with. Glad somebody reads the rules, or it would be chaos!

The Giants have two matches remaining. The first of which is against the Woodstock Wild on matchday 5, which they will win, putting them on 10 points. The second of which, on matchday 6, is against Calista Flock, which, like the match against the Wild, Jamaica will win. The Giants will finish on 13 points, and, coupled with Wins over Calista Flock and Woodstock Wild respectively, Strike FC will advance on 7 points along with the Giants to the next round of the competition.

Alan Belmore demands Alan City win

Alan Belmore has threatened to withdraw all payments to Hetkali Hetaki if they beat Alan City on Wednesday. He has said
"My heart lies with Alan City primarily and there it will stay. I devoted my life to Alan City and my other investments must respect that. I'm happy to finance them and I'm happy for them to qualify as long as they don't prevent Alan City from doing so."

When asked whether he is worried about possible penalties for match fixing he said
"It will not be match fixing. I expect the team that Hetkali field to play to their upmost and try to beat us, even if it isn't their best team."

We'll keep you updated.

Harewood Still Atop Group
Second Round Distinct Possibility

After yesterday's 3-1 win over East Island Clan, Harewood FC of Cockbill Street are staring the possibility of success right in the faces, and the question becomes whether they can handle it. A win over Dance 2 Revolution's PARANOiA UNiTED would send Harewood through to the second round of the competition, along with club greats such as Kaza X-Teem, Kalisimu Salan and Cednia Beach.

The Streetian side impressed more on the third round of games, though, drawing 2-2 with Yeaddin Owls of Vilita. The Owls have been on the end of some very bad luck so far in the Champions' League, losing to East Island Clan among other things, and were determined to turn it around today. But even two goals from Ricardo Appolloni couldn't help today. Ivan van Oosterom played another cracking game between the posts, and up front, Philip McLavish added to his assists tally as he single-handedly dribbled past Ollirg and Hunial before passing it off to Ivor Sorkitt for a simple goal, and then scored one of his own to tie the match five minutes before the end.

The 2-2 match was probably the best match so far by Harewood, although McLavish should have been offside early on in the game. The 3-1 match against East Island Clan was far easier, and to be honest, the scoreline should have been more like 5-0. Harewood lined up chances one after the other, and just failed to get the final touch - while East Island Clan scored on their solitary counter-attack.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Harewood FC 4 2 2 0 9 5 4 8
2 Yeaddin Owls FC 4 2 1 1 7 6 1 7
3 PARANOiA UNITED 4 1 1 2 8 7 1 4
4 East Island Clan 4 1 0 3 4 10 -6 3

Still, Harewood are well positioned. Playing PARANOiA UNiTED next week, the side should be more than able to grab a point from that match - which would secure qualification with 9 points. Even if East Island Clan should win against Yeaddin and follow up with beating PARANOiA, that would only lead to Harewood and the Clan being tied for second place with nine points, and Harewood are up on head-to-head meetings. A loss against PARANOiA, however, would mean that Harewood would have to beat Yeaddin to qualify - a Yeaddin who are surely furious after losing to Vecchio in the Atlantian Oceania Champions' League and to East Island Clan in the NationStates variant.

Alan City gains TLC star

Alan Belmore, in a desperate bid to qualify Alan City for the CL knockout stages has purchased 3 new international players. First on his list was Pavel Julios. The star midfielder, captain of The Lowland Clans and Limassol United. The transfer is expected to replace John Gillar who retired from the game yesterday after a very unspectacular carrerr. Alan City are expected to have paid 25 million clan dollars which is around $40Million which is around A10 Million. Alan Belmore said:
"I am delighted at the purchase and can only hope thatm Pavel can play as well for us as he has for his country and Limassol. It's great tor have him on the books."
Pavel Julios spoke to TDB directly saying:
"It is truely an honor to join a club with such a reputation as Alan City. As former champions of the Champions League I'm sure I will develop as a player."
When asked whether there would be any rivalry between him and the other players as they were in the same group for the World Cup he replied:
"I'll be fine with it so I hope the other guys are. The tension might come when we beat you tho :D."

BSTV Sports This Morning
with Mike Michaels and Ken Jenkins

Mike: "Good morning everybody, and welcome to BSTV Sports This Morning. I'm Mike Michaels..."

Ken: "...and I'm Ken Jenkins."

Mike: "Hey, Ken!"

Ken: "What?"

Mike: "I think I figured out why we've been feeling so tired lately."

Ken: "Why is that, Mike?"

Mike: "Because we host every single one of these 'BSTV Sports Insert-time-of-day-here' shows."

Ken: "Really?"

Mike: "Yep. BSTV Sports This Morning, Today, Tonight, and Late Night -- all hosted by the two of us."

Ken: "So that's why I've had four hours of sleep in the last week!"

Mike: "Exactly."

Ken: "I need a raise."

Some guy offstage: "Can we get back to the show, please?"

Mike: "Our topic this morning is the Champions' League. It's been going on for a month over in Kaze Progressa, but, well, what can I say, we're a bit slow over here."

Another guy offstage: "Aye, we know that!"

Ken: "Since when did we have an audience, Mike?"

Mike: "Dunno. Hey you! Out there! Come over here!"

A person...well, is "person" really the right word? The "person" that hops up onto the stage is about 3'9" tall.

Ken: "Since when did we have dwarves in Bedistan?"

Dwarf: "Rha'nith'garh! I'm not from around here, you u’ruth’aha’ni git!"

Mike: "I have absolutely no idea what you just said, and I probably don't want to know either. Where are you from?"

Dwarf: "I hail from C'okh'bill, o' course!"

Ken: "Ah, you're from the Street. What in the world are you doing here, then?"

Dwarf: "Can't a dwarf be a tourist like anybody else around here?"

Yet another guy offstage: "Hey, can we get security in here?"

There is a pause as six armed guards come in and escort the dwarf off the set. The dwarf continues to speak in his native tongue (using a goodly number of those supposed 5000 swear words, it seems).

Mike: "Okay. So...what were we supposed to be talking about again?"

Ken: "The Champions League."

Mike: "Ah, right. The top two finishers in the 2058 BPL First Division, Carter FC and the Jamaica Giants, are currently playing in the Champions' League in Kaze Progressa. They're in Groups 8 and 6 respectively. Ken, how about a rundown of the competition in Group 6?"

Ken: "You got it."

GROUP 6:
Strike FC
Jamaica Giants
Woodstock Wild
Calista Flock

Ken: "First off is one of the two big Vilitan powerhouses. Jungle Strike FC and Yeaddin Owls AFC win pretty much everything coming and going. Both are in this year's CL, and it's Strike that's been drawn into Group 6. Definitely formidable opposition here, and they should be the Giants' primary rival in this group. After that, it's the Woodstock Wild from Sarzonia, admittedly a team I don't have much knowledge of, but given Sarzonia's status as an up-and-coming nation in international football, don't count them out. Finally, there's Calista Flock from Big Pimento. Bedistan played Big Pimento in World Cup qualifying and got held to a draw both times. If their national team is any measure of what the club teams are like, the Flock could prove to be stronger than one would think. This group is not going to be a cakewalk, no sir."

Mike: "Well said, Ken. How about Group 8?"

GROUP 8:
Carter FC
CCL 'D'
Syrian North
River Oaks

Ken: "Our domestic champions, Carter FC, were drawn as the first seed in this group, and one needs to look no further than the second seed to see their competition -- CCL 'D' of Liverpool England."

Mike: "D? They're sending their fourth team to the Champions League? First, they must have a buttload of money to have four teams, and second, I didn't know that was allowed..."

Ken: "No, no, no, you've got it all wrong, Mike. 'D' is an abbreviation for...something. I don't know what. It's like calling Yuba United 'Yuba U'. If they were sending their fourth team, that would be CCL 'D' (4), at least in LE notation."

Mike: "Oh, I get it! So it's like Hetkali H or Kalisimu S or Vimesbairn U..."

Ken: "Exactly. Anyway, CCL 'D' is from Liverpool England. And I'm sure even you know the history of Bedistan-LE matches in international football."

Mike: "Well, I know we haven't won one..."

Ken: "My point exactly. Hopefully, Carter can break the curse here. Next up is Syrian North, from another of the national team's bogey nations, Jeruselem."

Mike: "I thought that was only in under-21?"

Ken: "Yes, but my point still stands. Finally, there's River Oaks from Sliponia, whom we also don't know much about."

Mike: "Hey, aren't those the guys that knocked out Lanthanate in the qualifiers?"

Ken: "Um...hey, that's a good point, Mike. I'm impressed. Yes, indeed, River Oaks did knock out KI Lanthanate, two-time champions of Cockbill Street's Compound League. And with the Street always having strong players (even if they don't show it sometimes), that shows that the Oaks are not to be dismissed."

Mike: "All right, we're gonna pause for a commercial break, and then we'll come back and tell you how our performance has looked so far."

Shameless plug for signup for Champions League 2, now featuring the NSFA Cup! (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=383331)

Alan City - another 2 signings in 2 days

Again Alan City have confirmed another signing as Hijusa Macavaeli joined the club from Quaura Mountain, son of Peninsular Powerhouse star Matingo he certainly has a reputation to live up to around the world. Macavaeli is a long needed eft Winger who is very good at finding space for himself. Under the rigerous training of Quaura Mountain he is quick and likes to get forward however the Belmorians will be worried about his temprament and will have to go to great lengths to curb it. Going cheeply for K10m (A3m) he was great buy from cash strapped Quaura Mountain. Speaking to the national press Alan Belmore said:
"This is one of my proudest days incharge. I've seen this guy on TV for a couple of years now and I've known he is perfect Alan City player. I have no doubt that he will grow as a player and can build in confidence and can help restore Alan City as the dominant force in World football."
Hijusa Macavaeli then took over saying:
"I an so happy to be playing for such a great club which ranks up there with the XTeem, Barcenfungo and Athletic East. I'm suree this is the best thing for my carrerr and I'm honored that Alan has picked me to be transfered."

The 2nd signing was from Bedistan's Port Lusambo FC where Alan City got hold of Kyle Dean, a striker aged only 24 going for a megre $3 million (A900,000). He was the leader of a strong offense for Port Lusambo, racking up 26 goals last season (out of 71 for the team). Alan Belmore said:
"I'm sure he'll be a great addition to the team. His accuracy infront of goal is impressive and I'm sure he'll clock us up some goals."

Ken: "And welcome back to BSTV Sports Today."

Mike: "Today? I thought we were still doing This Morning."

Ken: "Check the clock. It's noon now, so it becomes Today."

Mike: "Aha. Gotcha."

Ken: "Anyway, you've seen the groups, now let's see how the clubs are doing."

Mike: "We started off with Jamaica's group in the group analyses, so we'll start with Carter FC here."

Ken: "Why?"

Mike: "Just to mix things up a bit."

Ken rolls his eyes.

Ken: "Well, as fate would have it, Carter started off by playing CCL 'D', and for those of you just joining us, no, that is not the fourth team of a Liverpool England club. Unfortunately, Carter couldn't quite break the curse, but they did put up a respectable showing, Jackson Reinhardt scoring a goal in the 37th minute, but CCL 'D' would manage to equalize in the second half to make the final score 1-1."

Mike: "The next match was against River Oaks. Once again, an exciting match, and the Bedistani champions certainly put their heart into it, but again it was not to be, as the match ended in a 2-2 deadlock. Every single team in Group 8 drew their first two matches, so effectively they really didn't count for much. Carter and 'D' were top of the table purely on goals scored, with Carter in the number one slot thanks to the wonders of the alphabet."

Ken: "And that's when things started to go downhill. Carter's third opponent was Syrian North, who, like the rest of the group, had gone 0-2-0 up to that point. This time around, Carter's offense just never got up to speed, and it certainly didn't help when defender Jill Greene had to go off with an injury in the 61st. Final score on that: a one-nil win for North."

Mike: "And then, disaster. You see, it appears that CCL 'D' were being strongly ridiculed at home for failing to defeat a Bedistani team. They decided they needed to remedy that, and boy did they ever! They looked like the Nova Britannicus national team out there, playing in an old-style 2-3-5 formation, and Carter simply was not prepared for it. That game was an absolute mauling, the final score being three-nil in favor of CCL 'D'."

Ken: "So how's the outlook?"

Mike: "Not great, Ken. Here's the current table."

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Syrian North 4 2 2 0 5 3 2 8
2 CCL 'D' 4 1 3 0 6 3 3 6
3 River Oaks 4 0 3 1 3 4 -1 3
4 Carter FC 4 0 2 2 3 7 -4 2

Mike: "Basically, the only way through is to win both remaining matches, while simultaneously having CCL 'D' take away no more than a single point from Syrian North and River Oaks. I don't think they have a prayer, Ken."

Ken: "Well, is the news more positive for the Jamaica Giants?"

Mike: "Jamaica started off with a dream two-nil victory over the star-studded Strike FC. Oddly enough, the Giants have no international players, despite the fact that they're one of the most successful clubs in the BPL. Apparently, it was this pure teamwork that overcame Strike on matchday one. Final score on that: two-nil."

Ken: "Then they came up against Woodstock Wild, out of Sarzonia, which is also a part of that immense footballing stronghold that is Atlantian Oceania. Indeed, Jamaica is the only non-AO club in this group. Sarzonia has been on the rise, and their style is shown by the Wild, as they hold the Bedistani side to a nil-all draw, just like their national team did to Kaze Progressa in the World Cup."

Mike: "On matchday 3, Calista Flock from Big Pimento was the opponent, and the Giants were caught asleep at the wheel. Some very sloppy playing on both offense and defense led to a two-nil loss that should not have happened."

Ken: "Then, Strike came back for another round, and they did a really good job this time. I still believe Umberto Melli's goal should've counted, but the ref didn't, it seems. Mark Williams' goal in the 62nd minute was the only one that would count, and it improved Jamaica's record against Strike to 2-0-0."

Mike: "All right, Ken, let's see that table."

GROUP 6
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Woodstock Wild 4 2 1 1 7 4 3 7
2 Calista Flock 4 2 1 1 7 7 0 7
3 Jamaica Giants 4 2 1 1 3 2 1 7
4 Strike FC 4 0 1 3 3 7 -4 1

Mike: "Ken, there's an error in that table. The Giants should be in second, as they have a better goal difference than the Flock."

Ken: "Wrong, Mike. In this tournament, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, not goal difference. Calista Flock beat the Giants in their earlier match, so they get the nod for second place. Really, it looks like anyone's group with the exception of Strike FC, though even they aren't completely out of contention yet. They'll be looking for the Giants to win both remaining matches, while also winning their own. That would put us ahead of the Wild on head-to-head results, even with the Flock, in which case our GD is superior, and ahead of Strike on head-to-head. Strike would be even with the Wild on head-to-head and ahead of the Flock. If Strike can make up those eight units of goal difference -- not easy in two matches, but possible -- then they would go through along with Jamaica. Otherwise, see ya next year."

Mike: "Well, that's all the time we have for today. For Ken Jenkins, I'm Mike Michaels. Good day."

First 2 Eauzians come onto Belmorian scene

Alan City have bought yet another two world renound stars in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. This time it is Vincent Devereux, a strong defender from F.C. Bruzze and Matthieu Rousseau, a fearsome attacker from Zuka. Devereux is famed for his solid defending in Eauz being known as 'The Wall'. Interestingly this is the first time that the Belmorians have ever come into contact with the Eauzians, never meeting them in the World Cup nor signing them for any clubs. Alan Belmore said this about Vincent;
"We're delighted to have him on the team. It's our first time to have a classic defender on our side who will stop the balls and give our keeper a break. I am 100% confident that he will deliver on Wednesday night when we come up against Hetkali Hetaki."
Matthieu however is a very calm individual whose technical play is first class. With the signing of Kyle Dean and now Rousseau Alan City have world renound attacking pair who will no doubt be able to deliver in the upcoming matches. Alan Belmore was evidently delighted to get Rousseau onto Alan City's books and said:
"Rousseau is someone I've being trying to get for a long time. His talent in Eauzian side has shown me that I really need to push for him and I delighted to sit with him today knowing his next match will be for Alan City FC."

Reporter: Hejida Xala Sirid!

XS: Hejida!

Reporter: AS coach of Hetkali Hetaki, what do you think about the performance of the team at international level?

XS: They did greatly in the last matches!

Reporter: Also against Alan City, which was... not a normal match...

XS: To me it was a perfectly normal match.

Reporter: Despite the two teams having the same owner?

XS: Indeed! There is no point in playing to lose or playing to draw...

Reporter: Hell was already announced in case Hetaki beats Alan City again.

XS: It always is...

Reporter: but this time, Alan Belmore is your employer...

XS: He should be glad that his employers do that well! I think if Hetaki plays Alan City, it is a chance for him to see the two models in comparism and comparing is first to knowing...

Reporter: to which two models do you refer?

XS: Alan City is some team, which you can only describe as 'top team'... they have great players, but they have no... emerging spirit.

Reporter: And Hetaki has it?

XS: The management tries to ensure that despite good players are in our team,... the sum is more than the parts... There is an 'emerging factor' which maybe is not that existant in Alan City...

Reporter: I see. What are your expectations for the next matchdays?

XS: We'll see!

------------
Exkola Mekira protests against Kalisimu Salan schedule

The teachers at the primary school Exkola Mekira in Kalisimu kali protested against the tight schedule of the Champions League. Headmistress Li Sarera commented to the KaMaRi Update: 'It is really distressing that two of my teachers are constantly missing classes because they need to play in the champions league for Kalisimu. It is enough that my pupils miss classes due to this.' Geography teacher and defender Syku Xijagn replied: 'Well, I do not agree with Sarera'kansu, I think despite losing some time in class, the pupils do not have major disadvantages. In contrast: I think they can profit from it, they see that hard work will get them somewhere and this lesson is more important the the number of nations in the NS world.' Despite the controversy about the schedules, Kalisimu Salan remains first in the group table and is one of the few undefeated teams.

Exkola Mikira will return to normal briefly, because after MD5/6 the knockout phase will not begin until January 3 (after I'm back from my AFKness from December 28 to January 2).

There will, however, be a draw this evening for the knockout rounds.

Alan City release lineup for Hetkali Match

Alan City have released their line up for the Hetkali Hetaki match. The lineup includes all of the new signings from all around the world. Interestingly there is a lack of Nick Yu and there are rhumors speculating that he has gone to play for a Kaze Progressan club, namely the Islanders. The Islanders are expected to have paid K6.25m (A2m) for him in a very hushed deal. Alan Belmore made a slight reference to his disappearence in the line up saying "Of course, with all this new talnet, some members have to go." The Islanders have not been availible for comment. The team itself however looks like one of the strongest teams ever fielded by Alan City has ever fielded, going back even as far as the Paul Dussis days. The sheet we were given by Alan Belmore is shown below.

Starters
Pos No Player Nationality Price
GK #30 Ítadel The Belmore Family NFS
LB #3 Azanulbizarn Starblaydia NFS
RB #29 Dikelesinivetisaru Rejistania NFS
CB #28 Mija Kansu Rejistania NFS
CB #5 Devereux Eauz NFS
RM #2 Wickersham The Belmore Family A5,000,000
LM #11 Maeda Jnr Dance 2 Revolution NFS
CM #7 Julios The Lowland Clans NFS
LW #8 Macavaeli Kaze Progressa NFS
FW #9 Dean Bedistan NFS
FW #10 Rousseau Eauz NFS


Subs Bench
Pos No Player Nationality Price
GK #12 Licratent The Belmore Family A1,000,000
CB #13 Gurundive The Belmore Family A1,000,000
CB #14 Twink The Belmore Family A 900,000
CM #15 Nistle The Belmore Family A 600,000
FW #16 Jameson The Belmore Family A1,500,000

Reserves
Pos No Player Nationality Price
GK #1 Lambant The Belmore Family A3,000,000
GK #17 Halton The Belmore Family A 300,000
LB #18 Limpeck The Belmore Family A1,000,000
RB #19 Colestone The Belmore Family A 200,000
CB #20 Draxton The Belmore Family A 500,000
CB #4 Jaton The Belmore Family A1,500,000
CB #21 Lemmiston The Belmore Family A 300,000
LM #22 Quari The Belmore Family A 400,000
RM #23 Laudatus The Belmore Family A 500,000
RM #6 Nachton The Belmore Family A 800,000
CM #24 Clankton The Belmore Family A 400,000
CM #25 Lastac The Belmore Family A 500,000
FW #26 Harant The Belmore Family A 600,000
FW #27 Lastwig The Belmore Family A 400,000

Interestingly enough he has given all the worlds newspapers copies of the prices that one would expect to pay for an Alan City player obviously enticing foriegn buyers with enough money to afford such. However rhumors are circulating that a megre A5,000,000 will not be enough for Wickersham and that the board want to hang onto him as he is a vital member of the team and a good Belmorian player. He is expected to be the 'token Belmorian'. We'll keep you updated throughout the champions league.

Rejistanian joins Alan City

Yet again Alan City has spent out on another great footballer. This time Mija Kansu has been the item of their fancy. The fast, maybe you'd use versatile player has helped sincerely with the Rejistanian ‘System Karela’. It is hoped that the pair of both Dikelesinivetisaru and Kansu will help defensively as the team has been dropping far too many goals. Alan Belmore said:
“I am delighted to have Kansu on the team. His versatility has helped KaMaRi Kali Xentira Sekhika and no doubt it will help Alan City.”
Mija Kansu said:
“It has been a life-long ambition of mine to play for Alan City and I am delighted that Mr. Belmore has finalised a deal with KaMaRi and I hope my addition can help Alan City qualify for the Champion’s League knockout stage.”

Ían Ítadel completes Alan City squad

Alan City have, in one week completed a record amount of signings, catching 7 players for them in under a week. This time the signing is 27 year old Ían Ítadel from Kingsford's Soldado Barcoenfuego who is described by the Kingsfordian press as being "Bloody Amazing". His addition to the team was met with great jubilation from Alan Belmore after a tough week. Alan said:
"Wow, once again I get announce there is another member of the Alan City family. I am delighted to welcome Ían Ítadel and feel his addition will result a good result tonight a we face Hetkali Hetaki. This has been probably the busiest week of my life and I can't wait for tonight."
Ían Ítadel was just as happy saying:
"I'm pleased I've been given the oppertunity to represent Alan City. Though I enjoyed my life at Soldado Barcoenfuego I feel it was time to move on and I hope I'm moving on to great things with Alan City FC"

Ían Ítadel Comes down with Food Poisoning


------------I don't know who the heck Ían Ítadel is, or where he comes from, but the fool is lying on my front lawn right now rolling around like a pig in mud holding his stomach. I assume the lads got some kinda food poisoning, he stumbled out of the house accross the street, home of some former Belmorians who offered him a home for the night or something. They always been known to add a lil extra kick into everything they make you know, and they have a garage there full of this suppper speciiaaalll thing they put it in everything they make... I don't quite know what they call it but i think I heard them mention it once as "Gobmob" or "Dogmod" or something like that, apparently it's a very powerful potion and it gets to their heads very quickly. And, well, in this Ítadel chaps case, his stomach. He well, I'm off to get the shovel to try and scrape him off my lawn, someone will pick him up off the street, won't they?

MD5
GROUP 1 Piemont FC 0 Kaza X-Teem 1
Portland Timbers 2 Gauralan 3
GROUP 2 East Island Clan 0 Yeaddin Owls FC 1
Harewood FC 1 PARANOiA UNiTED 2
GROUP 3 Morgoth Bauglir 1 Kalisimu Salan 3
Soldado Barcoenfuego 2 Iskara Daii 1
GROUP 4 Anagon United 2 Cornellby City 1
Beersheba United 2 Cednia Beach AFC 1
GROUP 5 Alan City 0 Hetkali Hetaki 1
Grand Northern City 0 Raiden FC 1
GROUP 6 Calista Flock 2 Strike FC 4
Woodstock Wild 3 Jamaica Giants 2
GROUP 7 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 0 IDEXO 1
Farca United 2 E-Tuned City 1
GROUP 8 River Oaks 1 Carter FC 2
Syrian North 1 CCL 'D' 0

MD6

GROUP 1 Portland Timbers 0 Kaza X-Teem 1
Piemont FC 0 Gauralan 1
GROUP 2 Harewood FC 1 Yeaddin Owls FC 1
East Island Clan 1 PARANOiA UNiTED 0
GROUP 3 Soldado Barcoenfuego 0 Kalisimu Salan 3
Morgoth Bauglir 0 Iskara Daii 2
GROUP 4 Beersheba United 2 Cornellby City 1
Anagon United 2 Cednia Beach AFC 2
GROUP 5 Grand Northern City 0 Hetkali Hetaki 0
Alan City 0 Raiden FC 1
GROUP 6 Woodstock Wild 1 Strike FC 1
Calista Flock 0 Jamaica Giants 3
GROUP 7 Farca United 0 IDEXO 2
Torpedo Ts'khinvali 0 E-Tuned City 0
GROUP 8 Syrian North 2 Carter FC 2
River Oaks 0 CCL 'D' 5

GROUP 1
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kaza X-Teem 6 6 0 0 11 3 8 18
2 Gauralan 6 4 0 2 12 9 3 12
3 Portland Timbers 6 2 0 4 6 10 -4 6
4 Piemont FC 6 0 0 6 2 9 -7 0

GROUP 2
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Yeaddin Owls FC 6 3 2 1 9 7 2 11
2 Harewood FC 6 2 3 1 11 8 3 9
3 PARANOiA UNITED 6 2 1 3 10 9 1 7
4 East Island Clan 6 2 0 4 5 11 -6 6

GROUP 3
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Kalisimu Salan 6 4 2 0 19 8 11 14
2 Iskara Daii 6 3 2 1 10 6 4 11
3 Soldado Barcoenfuego 6 3 0 3 6 8 -2 9
4 Morgoth Bauglir 6 0 0 6 2 15 -13 0

GROUP 4
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Cednia Beach AFC 6 3 2 1 10 6 4 11
2 Anagon United 6 3 1 2 9 10 -1 10
3 Beersheba United 6 3 0 3 7 8 -1 9
4 Cornellby City 6 1 1 4 5 7 -2 4

GROUP 5
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Raiden FC 6 4 1 1 8 4 4 13
2 Hetkali Hetaki 6 3 2 1 6 4 2 11
3 Grand Northern City 6 1 2 3 3 5 -2 5
4 Alan City 6 1 1 4 5 9 -4 4

GROUP 6
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Woodstock Wild 6 3 2 1 11 7 4 11
2 Jamaica Giants 6 3 1 2 8 5 3 10
3 Calista Flock 6 2 1 3 9 14 -5 7
4 Strike FC 6 1 2 3 8 10 -2 5

GROUP 7
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 IDEXO 6 4 1 1 9 6 3 13
2 E-Tuned City 6 2 3 1 12 8 4 9
3 Farca United 6 2 1 3 7 9 -2 7
4 Torpedo Ts'khinvali 6 1 1 4 1 6 -5 4

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Syrian North 6 3 3 0 8 5 3 12
2 CCL 'D' 6 2 3 1 11 4 7 9
3 Carter FC 6 1 3 2 7 10 -3 6
4 River Oaks 6 0 3 3 4 11 -7 3

STAT FEVER
TOTAL GOALS: 251 (125 home, 126 away @ 2.61 per match)
MOST IN ONE GAME: 7 (Kalisimu Salan 6 Morgoth Bauglir 1; Cednia Beach 5 Anagon United 2)
HOME WINS: 35
AWAY WINS: 39
DRAWS: 22 (of which 16 have been in Groups 5-8)
OF WHICH 0-0: 7
NUMBER OF TIES BETWEEN TEAMS THAT ARE DIFFERENTLY SORTED DUE TO USING AGGREGATE RESULTS, NOT GOAL DIFFERENCE: 0 (in fact, no teams are tied on points!)

IN YOUR FACE 'MIDGETS'

Coach David Bostwick: "Say they'll beat us did they? We sure showed them."

Forward Brian Wilson: "I hope they like their helping of humble pie."

Bostwick: "That'll teach them to insult Sarzonians."

Wilson: "We won the group, so now what do you say about that?"

Goalkeeper Horace Sandt: "Jamaica Giants, huh? More like midgets to me."

Wilson: "Yeah."

Bostwick: "This may not be a World Cup title, but I'll take it."

Sandt: "Didn't Portland lose?"

Bostwick: "Eh, who cares? We beat the Giants."

Wilson: "What about our draw with Strike FC?"

Sandt: "Didn't you hear Coach? We beat the Giants. That's all that matters."

ANAGON QUALIFY FOR KNOCKOUT STAGES OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Anagon United have beaten the odds and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. There is celebration in the streets as the team...well...have beaten the odds and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. One bystander had this to say, "Anagon United have beaten the odds and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. Hooray!"

The draw for the second round
ties as stated for the first leg; reversed for the second. Ties to be played on the 4th and 5th of January 2005

Cednia Beach AFC v CCL 'D'
IDEXO v E-Tuned City
Raiden FC v Iskara Daii
Woodstock Wild v Hetkali Hetaki
Kaza X-Teem v Gauralan
Kalisimu Salan v Jamaica Giants
Syrian North v Harewood FC
Yeaddin Owls FC v Anagon United

Is it allowed that two teams play each other that were in the same group? Not that I have any interest in this tournament anymore. ;)

Is it allowed that two teams play each other that were in the same group? Not that I have any interest in this tournament anymore. ;)

/me thinks that all the #1's were in one pot, all the #2's in another. Will edit this with an RP

V is right, it was first and second place in separate pots. IRL, teams from the same group (and teams from the same country) can't draw each other (X-Teem v Gauralan falls on both counts!) but I decided to keep things simple. And fun, in this case :)

The CL is obviously taking a slight break now, but see you all in 2005 for the second round!

Jeruselem Government News

Beersheba miss out while Syrians prosper

The last games of qualifiers for the Champions League provided mixed results to the two Jeruselem teams . Beersheba United narrowly failed to make the next round after a bad start, but late wins were not enough to put into the 2nd round from Group 4. Syrian North topped Group 8 undefeated and showed it was not fazed by international competition.

The return of U21 players did help Beersheba but it was too late. The late wins put it 2 points behind the leader in the end. Syrian North will fly the Jeruselem flag in the Champions League by itself.



GROUP 4
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Cednia Beach AFC 6 3 2 1 10 6 4 11
2 Anagon United 6 3 1 2 9 10 -1 10
3 Beersheba United 6 3 0 3 7 8 -1 9
4 Cornellby City 6 1 1 4 5 7 -2 4

GROUP 8
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Syrian North 6 3 3 0 8 5 3 12
2 CCL 'D' 6 2 3 1 11 4 7 9
3 Carter FC 6 1 3 2 7 10 -3 6
4 River Oaks 6 0 3 3 4 11 -7 3

2nd round
Syrian North v Harewood FC

Coach David Bostwick was having trouble. He spent hours poring over game tapes of Hetkali Hetaki's Rejistani league matches with his assistant coaches and with team captain Bobby Convey. Bostwick's problem wasn't determining what system Hetkali Hetaki was playing. It wasn't figuring out which player the Wild's best marking back should try to shut down. His frustration was much more elementary.

He couldn't speak the language. Not only that, there was no one in the nation's capital who could speak Rejistani since Sarzonia didn't have an ambassador from that country and there were no formal lessons in Sarzonian universities on the language. The only word the Sarzonians knew in that confusing language was "slani" and they didn't even master that.

None of the Rejistani league feeds were translated into English, so Bostwick polled his players for anyone with even a basic idea of how to speak the language. Finally, he approached forward Brian Wilson, who was the Sarzonian national team's captain.

"Hey Bry, do you have any idea how to speak Rejistani?"

"A little bit, why?"

Bostwick looked skyward, mouthing the words, "thank you sweet Jesus!" He practically shoved a tape in Wilson's hands.

"See if you can translate some of that into something we can use."

"I said I knew a little bit. I'm not fluent in it!"

"It's better than anyone else on this team."

"I'll try, sir."

Eight hours later, a bleary eyed Wilson trudged into Bostwick's office. He plopped the tape onto the desk and said, "system kareli" before he collapsed from sheer exhaustion. When he finally came to and had enough sleep not to be delirious, he told Bostwick the team played a defensive style similar to that of the Rejistani System Kareli.

"If we're up a goal, I'm going to pull you back in midfield," Bostwick said. We'll play a 4-5-1. If we're down a goal, we're sending Convey forward and we're going to play a 3-4-3. At least our first match is going to be in Hendrix."

That was a small comfort to Bostwick. At least nearly 80,000 fans would pack the largest stadium in Sarzonia and make the kind of noise that helped the Stars to a 2-2 draw against top ranked Rejistania in World Cup 18. That two goal draw held up as the highest goal total the Rejistanians would allow until the World Cup championship match when they allowed three in a dramatic 4-3 win.

"Maybe they'll put us over the hump this time," Bostwick said.

Attack Alan City!

Hetkali Hetaki again proved which team was the better one of Alan Belmore's assets: In the match between the two clubs ended in favor of Hetaki. The former best team in NS, which surely has the highest transfer budget and arguably the most talented players failed to win against the Hetkalians. For Hetkali Hetaki, this match was a fight for honour and against bad conditions. The reputation of 'second team' and the lack of international players was psychological disadvantage of the team from Hetkali. Alan City's disadvantage was the fact that they were already defeated once by the Hetaki in Rejistania. The Hetaki had problems arriving in Alan City in time and finding the Alan City Stadium in the Alan Belmore Street. The Belmorians played rather defensively due to the last disgrace. This was an advantage for the Hetaki, since they know that tactic from several H1SR opponents. Lyku Kansu's header in the 74th minute, which caused the 1:0, was the only chance that yearned to be capitalised.


OOC: Hetaki means 'attack', and in contrast to Kalisimu Salan and Karela Lines, they play rather attacking.

[OOC: You mean I've got to edit my RP?! Damn. I told you I didn't know Rejistani! :(]

Robert Andrews and Christine Storvik were finally back in their home of Harewood after the torture in Turori - their jungle holiday had been spoiled by the fact that Ankh-Morpork dollars weren't exchangable in Turori, even though that nice man who had got Robert tickets at the travellers' agent said that, yes, you could. So they had to find their way home, slowly - because Robert had seized the opportunity for one-way tickets at one third the price - through the realms of Atlantian Oceania. After a month of walking, swimming, taking works on various boats and coaches, they had eventually reached Harewood - just in time for the big match against Syrian North.

"Well...it could have been worse," Robert said.

"What? Your team knocked out at first stage, no clothes left, no possessions at all except our house, no holiday...brilliant planning, Robbie..."

"Gee, thanks. I just wanted us to have a nice holiday...organised everything...and all I get is crap."

"Because your organisation, dear, was crap. Pure and simple."

"Thanks again..."

"Anyway...why don't just put this all behind us. There's a football match on Saturday, Syrian North against Harewood. We should go watch that."

"You really want to watch football again after all this?"

"Of course. I get a chance to gloat, don't I?"

Before Coach David Bostwick and the Woodstock Wild were set to begin their training for the matches against Hetkali Hetaki, he received a box in the mail that had its return address blotted out. Raising an eyebrow, he got a daisy cutter and opened the box. In the box was a series of tapes. Since the team was just doing general conditioning drills, he put one of the tapes into the VCR.

It turned out that someone sent him a series of tapes of Hetkali Hetaki matches. In English. That same mysterious person also sent a folder which included a scouting report.

"Seems they play a more attacking style than the other teams in that league," Bostwick said to his assistant coach Jeff Taylor.

"But what about System Kareli?"

"Hetkali Hetaki doesn't play that style."

"Oh."

Bostwick took out the other contents in the box and saw that among them was a DVD: Rejistani For Travellers. With the box emptied, he looked all over the box for some identifying information until he found the one place where there was some writing that didn't specify that the package was to go to him or to the Wild: The name Margaret.

"This was sent by someone named Margaret," Bostwick said.

"THE Margaret?"

"I don't know. Could be some random code name or just someone named Margaret. I guess we'll find out."

Second round, first leg

Cednia Beach AFC 2 CCL 'D' 2
IDEXO 0 E-Tuned City 0
Raiden FC 2 Iskara Daii 0
Woodstock Wild 0 Hetkali Hetaki 1
Kaza X-Teem 2 Gauralan 2
Kalisimu Salan 6 Jamaica Giants 1
Syrian North 3 Harewood FC 1
Yeaddin Owls FC 0 Anagon United 1

Remember, if tied after two legs, away goals count. So if Yeaddin Owls win 2-1 away to Anagon United in the second leg, they go through as they would have scored two away goals to Anagon's one.

The Syrian North Jihad

Syrians win first leg

Our local team, Syrian North, won it's first 2nd round game of the Champions League. They faced Harewood FC and were confident of a win. Oh glory, we won! God gave us the courage to summon a 3-1 win for a two goal lead into the 2nd leg. God willing, we can make the next round.

Apparently someone named Margaret inhabits football columns for NationStates games and we have no idea why. There's no Maggies around here.

Syrian North 3 Harewood FC 1

NEWFLASH:

Derfindan scored a rare goal to put Anagon United ahead of Yeaddin Owls. Anagon defended stoutly and Wohard had a good game, keeping a clean sheet. Nevertheless, they still have their work cut out for them in the second leg.

With this CL being at the 2nd round stage can i please put my name down for the next one?

Wild drops opener to Hetaki

The world's second ranked team, Rejistania-based Hetkali Hetaki doesn't play the System Karela style that frustrates many an offensive player on teams that face the infamous Orange-Blues. In fact, "Hetaki" in Rejistani translates to "attack," and that team lives up to its name with an aggressive style of play that belies its position in the Rejistani league.

The Woodstock Wild played a more deliberate defensive game plan to try to stall the Hetaki offense and mostly succeeded, but gave up an own goal that stood up as the match's only goal in the 79nd minute and dropped a 1-0 decision in front of a sellout crowd of 79,822 at Hendrix Stadium in Woodstock.

"We were able to force them to play our tempo, which was good for us," Coach David Bostwick said. "The not so good part was they got a goal because of a mistake. We're going to have to cut those out if we want to win."

Because the first tiebreaker in the two match aggregate goal series is away goals, the Wild would need at least a 2-1 win would send the Wild through on away goals. A 1-0 win would send the series to extra time. For Hetaki, a win or draw in front of their home supporters would send them to the quarterfinals of the NS Champions Cup.

"We know we're facing a tough fight to advance, but we're going to approach this one with nothing to lose," midfielder and captain Bobby Convey said. "I think we'll play a more attacking style in the next match."

The Wild pulled forward Brian Wilson back into midfield in an attempt to slow down the Hetaki offense by playing more of a 4-5-1 than usual and the switch resulted in only four shots on goalkeeper Horace Sandt. Unfortunately for Sandt, one of them came as a result of a defensive breakdown between defenders Gerald Ruff and Harvey Benson. Ruff thought Benson was going to clear the ball and sent a back pass toward him. The ball hit off Benson's backside and caremed past a surprised Sandt for the only goal of the match.

"It was such a shame that the goal had to come that way," Sandt said. "I was as surprised as anyone in the stadium."

For the Wild, they're hoping to surprise Hetaki with a more offensive game plan. Bostwick said the team would use Convey as a withdrawn forward and play a 4-3-3 in Hetkali.

"We're going in with no one expecting us to have a chance, so why not pull out all the stops," Bostwick said.

The Bedistan Sports Digest

Three-Man Jamaica Squad Scores Champs League Goal
Giants lose by five, zero hope of moving on to quarterfinals

REJISTANIA -- And so end any Bedistani hopes of winning the Champions League this year.

A grand total of three players and a coach managed to reach the pitch in Rejistania to represent the Jamaica Giants in their first second-round Champions League match. The full sixteen-man CL squad left the hotel room two hours before kickoff to play in the game, but apparently the majority of the caravan (they traveled in five cars) managed to get separated from the lead car in traffic and were unable to find the stadium. Why the match was still allowed to take place with only three Jamaica players is as yet unknown, but the two "teams" nonetheless took to the pitch. Even Kalisimu Salan, arguably the least aggressive professional football team in the world save Karela Lines, was able to put six goals past the nonexistent Jamaica defense. Rob Morrison was able to put one goal in the opposing net when the Kalisimu S defense started to feel sorry for the hapless Giants and allowed them a single goal gratis.

There is another second-round match back in Bedistan, with the aggregate goal total deciding who advances, but Jamaica would have to win by six (a 5-0 win would also work) in order to move on, and that's not happening against this defense, not even if they put out their fifth string players. So goodbye from Rejistania and we'll try it again next time around.

Final score:
KALISIMU SALAN (REJ) - 6
JAMAICA GIANTS (BED) - 1

In Exkola Mikira, one day after the match:

Syku Xijagn: Hejida pupils!

The class: Hejida Xijagn'he!

SX: Okay, our last lesson did not take place since I was absent, but we will catch it up now, if we progress a bit faster. Let me first check the attendance... Kansu?

10 voices: Yes!

SX: Good, you're all here. Lina?

Lina Ejir: Yes!

SX: Tajerivesivajeh... oh, I saw you already... (we skip him checking the rest of the list) Okay, who did I miss? Hand up! Kansu Mira, I missed you?

KM: No, I am here, I wanted to ask... can you tell something about the match against Ja-ma-id-xa Ji-jan-tis?

SX: Jamaica Giants, you mean?

KM: Yes.

SX: Well, you tell me something first: Where do they come from?

KM: Bedistan

SX: Where is that?

KM: In Terranordalis.

SX: Good, What is their capital?

KM: All the money they get from tourism?

SX: I asked for the capital city, but okay 'capital' has two meanings... Now anyone can tell me the name? Yes, Kansu Syku!

KS: Columbia

SX: Yeah, good! What other states in Terranordalis do you know?

KS: Commerce Heights, Bedistan, Tingitana... Communist Heights... errr

SX: Okay, you did learn at least a bit for this lesson. Okay, not much to tell from me... We arrived at Salan only to see that only three players of Jamaica were there. Well, three professional players from their side against zero professional players from the Salan, the match did take place... Tajerivesivajehsaru?

TL: Isn't a match cancelled if there are not at least 9 players in both squads?

SX: No, you played too much hattrick. Well, this match had walkover qualities... it even reminds me of K Salan matches a few years ago, but there it took eleven people to play like three professionals. I guess we were too overconfident when we were leading 6:0 and that caused the consolation goal for J Giants. Well two hours after the match, the team from Giants was found in Siril Kali. By the way: as homework, find Siril Kali on a map and figure out why they drove that wrongly.

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/logo.gif


Yeaddin headdin' for a treaddin'.

----------------Yeaddin Owls AFC Look to be on course for a royal upset at the hands of rejuvinated Giant Zucchini side Anagon United. The team, bearing remarkable resemblance to the hunky-dunky Lord of the Rings character, making the second of my unconnected and meaningless references to the not-so-bad trilogy today, the first coming in the Rugby Union World Cup, oddly enough, the only other tournament where Vilita & Turori are classified as one entity for all purposes. Of course the two nations will be parting ways when Un.... yea because this is Under-21... When NS Champions League (Reborn) II comes around. Turori already benefitting from being able to enter just one team in this second-inagural (think about that one) Champions League. Vilita will forever by weighted down by the dismal performances of AO Champions League finalists Strike FC. But hey, flaws in the scorinator are just like rainy days, sometimes they just f-...slani sh...crap up that just should never have been slanied. The Owls have made no new signings for the game, although forward Julei Adjei has had his first name legally changed to "Ippolit". No one is really quite sure why.

"Anything in the paper today?" Robert Andrews said to his girlfriend as she came back into the living-room of their shack.

"You just had to ask, didn't you!" she snapped back.

"Something wrong? Oh yeah, Harewood played, didn't they..."

"Shut your mouth before an accident happens involving this hand and your teeth."

"Eh, calm down, Chrissy...never seen you this angry since Lanthanate robbed Harewood of the league title last October..." Robert was on the back foot now.

"We lost 1-3. To Syrian North. Have you ever heard of them?"

"Well...not before it was clear you were playing them in the Champions' League, but you've been going on about them for the past six weeks because there have been no one else to play," (OOC: It must be remarked that the CS season is incongruous with the CL - currently, it is winter break in Cockbill Street, but the Champions' League is halfway through - think Norway, Sweden)

"Before that, obviously..."

"Not really, no. Apparently they got a newspaper called the "Jihad", though."

"Must be sarcastic...unless they declared holy war on Harewood. Seems to have worked a treat, that."

"Going to the match in a couple of weeks, then?"

"Only chance I get to swear a bit for months. No one will notice...of course I'm going. Anyway, we could even qualify."

"And you called me a hopeless optimist only a few months back..."

San Verdi, there's a separate signup for the next Champions League.

Here come the second round, second leg results - this time with X-Teem v Gauralan scorinated by TBF.

CCL 'D' 2 Cednia Beach AFC 3 [agg 4-5]
E-Tuned City 1 IDEXO 1 [agg 1-1; IDEXO qualify on away goals]
Iskara Daii 3 Raiden FC 0 [agg 3-2]
Hetkali Hetaki 2 Woodstock Wild 1 [agg 3-1]
Jamaica Giants 1 Kalisimu Salan 0 [agg 2-6]
Harewood FC 1 Syrian North 2 [agg 2-5]
Anagon United 1 Yeaddin Owls AFC 2 [agg 2-2; Yeaddin Owls AFC qualify on away goals]
Gauralan 2 Kaza X-Teem 2 [AET; agg 4-4; Gauralan win 5-4 on penalties]

Quarter-final draw to take place tomorrow, matches to take place on Saturday/Sunday.

could you please telegram me the link please?

Wild Hetaki

The Hetaki defeated the 'Wild' team from Woodstock by a narrow 2:1 win. Alan Belmore's team qualified for the second round by an aggregate score of 3:1. Their next opponent is scheduled to be determined within a weeks' time.

The match saw the System Hangila agains a System Imdila from the Sarzonics from Woodstock. Again the Sarzonics were prepared for this tactic (unlike other teams, who assumed all rejistanis consider 5-4-1 suicidal). There were some rumours that a certain Margaret wanted to help them, but of course a dementi was issued. Xala Sirid did not care whether the Wilds have help from Snub Nose 38: "The match is decided on the pitch, not before it starts!" The Wilds ent ahead in the 5th minute and kept the lead for most of the match, despite good chances from both teams. But in the last 15 minutes, the Hetaki converted a 0:1 trailing into a 2:1 win. Attacks of Jumentasera Syijikaniviranetala and of Nana Kyii in the 75th and the 87th minute were successfull.

Meanwhile, Alan Belmore assured the Hetaki managers that they have no need to fear of being unemployed in the near future - unless they fail. This is a 180° change from his former plan to sack them for eliminating Alan City.


Hazim Kerzhakov joins the Hetaki
Former Liverpool England U21 defender Hazim Kerzhakov starts playing for Hetaki after his former contract in Liverpool England ran out. The Englander has no knowledge of rejistanian or minokajetian, so he will as first Hetaki player need a translator and a an introduction to game terms. It is a certain symbol of the change in Hetaki since Alan Belmore bought them that the language in the team is no longer minokajetian but rejistanian. Central defender Kerzhakov'he played in the match against Hetkali Hetrika and showed much talent.

Rejistani fans already invented or found out the first funny story about him: It was said that he demanded at least 100 'rejistani currency units' as weekly wage. The rejistanis laughed and told him the exchange rate. His current wage is undisclosed, as usual in Rejistania.

Wild fall short in Hetkali

The Woodstock Wild knew for them to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League against the world's second ranked club team, Hetkali Hetaki from Rejistania, they would need to match the host side's attacking style by playing aggressive football.

"If we were to have any chance of moving on, we'd have to win a goalfest," forward Brian Wilson said. Unfortunately, the scoreline looked like something more to the liking of the Orange-Blues national side and their infamous System Karela, as Hetkali overcame an early Wild tally with two goals in the final 15 minutes for a 2-1 win that sent them through to the quarterfinals.

Wilson struck first when midfielder Bobby Convey sent a through ball into the box that somehow managed to elude the Hetaki defense. Wilson trapped the ball with his chest and flicked an off-footed shot past a stunned Hetaki goalkeeper for the lead.

Despite taking the lead, the Wild knew they would have to score again because of their 1-0 loss at Hendrix Stadium in Woodstock, so they continued to apply pressure. Hetkali also continued to play their attacking style, preferring to avoid the prospect of penalties against the underdogs from the Sarzonian capital.

Both teams had great scoring chances, with the Wild's best chance coming in the 56th minute when Convey just missed a cross from defender Trevor Crenshaw. Convey's shot had the goalkeeper beaten, but it just hit off the goalpost and was cleared out of danger.

Jumentasera Syijikaniviranetala leveled the match 1-1 with a header off a free kick from Nana Kyii and Kyii provided the winning margin with three minutes left in regulation time. The Wild tried to send goalkeeper Horace Sandt forward in a desperate attempt to score twice in the waning moments, but the Wild couldn't get enough accuracy on the shots.

"We're disappointed, obviously," Coach David Bostwick said. "We gave it a great effort but they're just a wonderful team. We've served some notice though."

The Rejistani players were dumbfounded that the Wild came in prepared to play. The team was used to other teams expecting System Karela from them so watching the Wild anticipate their attacks was a "shock" to them. Still, the help from "Margaret" was to no avail, and police now suspect it was Margaret Lyku, a Rejistani immigrant who proposed to Convey last week. Their wedding is scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow.

Harewood Bow Out In Ignominy
Second Round End of Adventure

Harewood FC just couldn't quite carry their league form into the Champions' League today, as they were beaten comprehensively 1-2 by Syrian North, 2-5 on aggregate. The team seemed weak, ineffective and lacking some of their greatest stars, and despite an early cross from McLavish that was headed in by Bell - that gave 2-3 on aggregate - they just couldn't keep it up and were forced into defence by the Jeruselem side, who fully deserved the victory and the quarter-final spot. With that, Cockbill Street retreat from the Champions' League is complete, and on the new NSFA rankings the nation sits in fifteenth place - which probably means they'll be limited to one entry for next year. Woohoo.

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Cednia Strengthen force for Quarter Finals

------------------Turori's Cednia Beach AFC has begun early spending on their income from their surprising and well publicized NS Champions League run that has seen them through to the Quarter Finals, putting them in the top 8 in the world, if you want to look at it that way. Cednia set off to acquire a new breed of international talent to support Turori's Miluao Slietah, who had been performing a one-man act as goalkeeper throughout the tournament.

------------------Cednia's first signing came in from local nation Starblaydia in the form of central midfielder Stelios Doukas. The soon to be 24 year old will go straight into the lineup for Cednia Beach, having never featured in International Club Competition before.

------------------Cednia then sought after an international standard striker, and found their player in Cockbill Street. Rhianna Peters is a shining young prospect who hopes to be a fixture in a new future in Cockbill Street football, a successful one. Peters will be the heart and soul behind the Cednia Beach attack.

------------------Both players attending training this week following Cednia Beach's victory over Liverpool England's CCL 'D' in the Second Round. One player who has yet to begin training is Melmond's Loala Saenu. The young defender has just agreed contract terms and is currently in flight to arrive in time to participate in the Quarter Finals. Saenu arrives with a good reputation from one of the hottest teams in Melmond, Morales Blacks. With these new signings, Cednia Beach will look to turn their surprising success into a formidible Champions League run.

Syrian North Jihad

Syrians march into the quarter-finals of Champions League

Cockbill Street's team Harewood FC played their last Champions league game for this tournament after a lacklustre loss 2-1 to Jeruselem's Syrian North, God willing. They had lost the last game 3-1 and really needed fire up. They didn't.

Syrian North's win means they march into the quarter finals on 5-2 aggregate win and look forward to the challege, God willing. The coach was really happy with win and it means the extra revenue from the tournament will fund play purchases for the next Jeruselem season to challenge Beersheba United and Jerusalem United.

Harewood FC 1 Syrian North 3
Harewood FC 1 Syrian North 2 [agg 2-5]

The draw for the quarter-finals has been made. As is the case IRL, this incorporates the draw for the semi-finals and final too, and is shown by the following (Insanican-style) box:


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Team listed at top plays the home leg first.
Quarter-finals take place on January 8/9
Semi-finals on January 11/12
Final January 14 (single leg @ Progressair Stadium, Kaza)

Iskara Daii--------------\
Semi final 1-------\
Syrian North-------------/ \
\
Final--\
/ \
Cednia Beach AFC---------\ / \
Semi final 1-------/ \
Yeaddin Owls AFC---------/ \
\
\
WINNER
/
IDEXO--------------------\ /
Semi final 2--------\ /
Gauralan-----------------/ \ /
\ /
Final--/
/
Hetkali Hetaki-----------\ /
Semi final 2--------/
Kalisimu Salan-----------/

Wohard Blunder Knocks Anagon Out of Champions League

The score was 1-1 and Anagon supporters were rejoicing, for the team was about to achieve the impossible, moving onward to the quarter finals of the Champions League. However, a moment all Anagon fans will remember, an ambitious lob by Yeaddin was destined for the hands of the keeper, but it was not to be. Wohard let the ball slip and the ball bounced into the goal. Wohard dived in and clawed the ball out, but it was too late. Yeaddin goes through on away goals.

OOC: Are you sure the officials spotted the ball going over the line? :D

IC: Gauralan and Kaza X-Teem may not be the most established rivals, and most fans of the latter remember when the former were relegation battlers to be swatted like flies whenever the two sides met in the league. While last season they sensationally snatched the second Champions League spot, when the two Progressan sides met in the group stage it was X-Teem who easily won both encounters. So they must have thought they had a virtual bye to the last eight when they once again drew Gauralan in the second round.

But no. Gauralan took the lead in X-Teem's own backyard and home of the Champions League final, the Progressair Stadium, within eight minutes, Rahujiz Rapikok's deflected low drive from the edge of the penalty area easily beating Fayu Fanzuhu, who was committed to the dive before the deflection took it in over his legs. X-Teem inevitably rallied, and a double strike from 19-year-old prodigy Bajzara Jablai just before half-time gave them the lead. But Gauralan's second critical away goal never seemed long in coming, and came on 62 minutes courtesy of a corner, headed in from defender Arista Zilif. Despite a frantic final half hour there were no more goals.

And so to the second leg at the Westside Stadium, with Gauralan able to progress with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw as well as a win. X-Teem needed a win, or (heaven forbid) a 3-3 or higher-scoring draw; a second 2-2 would lead to extra time. Jablai was on hand again to open the scoring on 23 minutes from at least as many yards with a thunderous shot into the top corner. Rapikok equalised three minutes into the second half in almost identical fashion, and at this point Gauralan were going through. That seemed to be sewn up in the 68th minute with a scrambled goal from Yauru Janzunj, but within five minutes Mert Takkaro had bought the match back to square one with a deft downward header from a long free kick, bouncing awkwardly over the hands of Gauralan goalkeeper Hazu Naishi. And so each match had gone the same way: the visitors gaining the early lead, the home side scoring twice, the visitors equalising. Just like the first match, this one produced no goals. This included the extra-time period enforced by the identical scorelines, though Janzunj and Jablai both hit the outside of the same post - Janzunj in the first half of extra time, Jablai in the second. Symmetry was the theme of this match. Somehow, the penalties had to break that symmetry.

But it would take a while in coming. Both sides scored their first three penalties. Gauralan took their fourth penalty first - and the taker, Arista Vuiz, thumped his penalty against the bar. X-Teem had the chance to virtually seal their passage, but Naishi easily saved Gruji Bav's gentle kick, clearly a shot of someone afraid to miss the target.

Zilif scored the fifth Gauralan penalty; Takkaro, who had to score his penalty to save X-Teem, did; Urial Unvis scored the sixth Gauralan penalty; Fanzuhu took the sixth X-Teem penalty - and hit it too close to opposite number Naishi, who gleefully punched the ball away to the sound of a delerious crowd. This was, and may forever remain, Gauralan Football Club's finest hour.

Two days later, delerious fans were suddenly shocked as Rapikok was sold to rising Melmondian club Bezrukova Turquoises. While some believed the sale was blasphemy, the transfer fee of 16m wong (K3.4m) coupled with the money from this Champions League run will undoubtedly be enough to lure big stars to the Westside Stadium.

Jeruselem Government News

Syrian North to meet Iskara Daii in CL quarters

Syrian North have been draw to meet Iskara Daii on the Champions League quarter final. We know very little about Iskara Daii and have never played them at any stage. The Syrian team are still ready for the challenge and can't afford to be complacent.

Jeruselem World Cup and U21 world cup players have returned to Syrian North and a much stronger line-up is expected to be declared. U21 coach Rabbi Goldstein who trained the IX champions is expected to assist with training.

Iskara Daii Factfile
The best Starblaydi club in History bar none

Home City: Jhanna, Starblaydia (the Captial)
Home Stadium: Foundation Road, 75,000 Capacity
Team Colours: Red and White

Having won more Championships, Titles, Awards and Money than any other Starblaydi team, you'd expect that the Daii have always been at the heart of the establishment. Far from it. When the Starblaydi League was first formed, the Daii were pretty much at the bottom. Through young talent, practically drawn from off the street, Iskara Daii formed a culture all of its own, which took it's players to the top of the heap.

Cashing in on the Di Bradini brothers was a shrewd marketing move that set them up for decades to come. Selling Simeone Di Bradini to Alan City of The Belmore Family at the peak of his powers for £40M brought all the money they'd ever need, and they even got a cheap Belmorian striker for it. Then PARANOiA UNiTED of Dance 2 Revolution got in on the act, purchasing the younger Roberto Di Bradini for £20M.

With this money, the Daii have been able to cherry-pick the youthful talent from all over Atlantian Oceania, and sometimes even the world. Just look at their captain, Tuade Lue, a World Cup Winner with Rejistania. Iskara had him before he even made the national team, and they've managed to keep him too.

This is, however, probably the last time that the Daii will line up with such a powerful team, as many of these faces are well over thirty, and facing their last attempts at Titles and World Cups and now looking forward to what they're going to do after they retire.

So far Iskara Daii have won the Ainorpisp Invitational Tournament, come third in the Inaugural Atlantian Oceania Champion's League, and now have made the Quarter-Finals of the Nationstates Champions League. Add to that reams of Starblaydi Alpha Division titles, Tiberius Cup wins, Individual golden boots and any other type of award going, and Iskara Daii are the best Starblaydi team ever, and consistently provide the beating heart of Starblaydia's national team.

Squad List (Famous Faces Only in a 4-4-2)
1 GK Rodriguez Da Silva Starblaydia
2 RB Ceri Salisbury Starblaydia
3 LB Rastian Salaam Starblaydia
4 DM Ki-Jana Carter Starblaydia
5 SW Jean-Pierre Durand Starblaydia
6 CB Jaime Majeed Starblaydia
7 (C) RM Tuade Lue Rejistania
8 DM Wilbert Willis Nova Britannicus
9 AM/CF Marco Del Blanco Starblaydia
10 SC Andrew Winters The Belmore Family
11 LM Thanh Madray Starblaydia
--
12 GK Nick Cavaletti Nova Britannicus
13 SC Darius Belizaire Starblaydia
14 RB Jikiri Fuinbar Starblaydia
15 L/RW Frederic La Salle Nova Britannicus

As for having such a weird name. 'Iskara' is the district in Jhanna where they come from, and the 'Daii' were the ancient warrior-nobility of Starblaydia.

Quarter final, first leg

Iskara Daii 2 Syrian North 1
Cednia Beach AFC 1 Yeaddin Owls AFC 1
IDEXO 4 Gauralan 2
Hetkali Hetaki 0 Kalisimu Salan 3

Jeruselem Government News

Starblaydian champs win first leg

Iskara Daii won the first leg of their Champions League game against Syrian North. It was a tough game for both teams as defense was word and it showed. Inthe end, Iskara beat out the Syrians 2-1 to take a 1 goal lead for the 2nd leg of the quarter final.

Iskara Daii are the best team ever from Starblaydia while Syrian North only got into the Champions League with little experience of teams from other nations. Only Jerusalem United have played outside Jeruselem before this Champions League.

Iskara Daii 2 Syrian North 1

In a butcher's shop in Kalisimu:

Customer: Hejida!

Kai Jaje: Hejida!

C: I wouldn't have thought that the shop is open today!

KJ: Profit is profit, and I need it!

C: But you are playing for a Kalisimu Salan, you had a champions league match yesterday.

KJ: Well, we are Salan, just for the fun of it, you know!

C: Yeah, but 'having fun' against Hetaki...

KJ: Yeah, I wouldn't have expected that much fun too.

C: 3:0, I still cannot believe that and I cannot believe that you stopped partying yet!

KJ: Duty calls... My father is not able to work here anymore...

C: Oh!

KJ: But I was up very long yes... errr even today. Not just the trip from Hetkali back to the nanti ligat... we celebrated so much that we nearly were thrown out of the train... and then later too. I mean, 3:0 against Hetaki doesn't happen often...

C: Indeed, I did not see you score thrice that often.

KJ: This time was special... I mean, the Hetaki had some injury problems, many fans were for us, quite an advantage... Jie, then this chance which yearned to be capitalized directly in the beginning... gave us more self-esteem against this opponent. and well,... Hetaki did not have their best day... we not too after that injury of Jese [Su], but a better day than them...

C: Alan Belmore will not employ you now!

KJ: Jie... after two goals against his second club... guess heads'll roll there!

C: That's Team Belmore, so yeah! Han'iln on the return leg!

KJ: We will!

C: Oh, I forgot, my wife asked me to buy this (gives piece of paper)

Alan Belmore: MICHEALLLLLLLLL!

Micheal: Yes Sir, what can I do for you?

AB: How on earth did those Rejistanians lose, they're meant to be good. What's happenning to my teams?

M: Well they lost to another Rejistanian side sir...

AB: Another Rejistanian side eh? WE'll have to send the boys round there.

M: Surely not sir... we havn't used those since the assasination of the Doal FC manager.

AB: I'm afraid we'll have to. Call in James.

M (into a small mike on his arm): James, you may enter now.

James: Sir, your Minister of Defence is here at your service.

AB: There is a dressing room in Kalisimu Salan where I need the boys to be sent into.

James: Surely not... We can't use them... Thhey're....

Alan: Just do it James. Send in the..... LadyBoys.

*Inside the dressing room of Kalisimu Salan shouts of "What you doing here" and "What the slani is that" can be heard from miles around - The players come out, not ever wanting to open their eyes ever again.*

Quarter-finals, second leg

Syrian North 0 Iskara Daii 0 [agg 1-2]
Yeaddin Owls AFC 3 Cednia Beach AFC 0 [agg 4-1]
Gauralan 0 IDEXO 2 [agg 2-6]
Kalisimu Salan 2 Hetkali Hetaki 0 [agg 5-0]

OOC

Great, we get close games and still managed to lose out 2-1 ...

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Brave Cednia Crash Out

------------------Turori's Cinderella Story in Cednia Beach AFC has finally come to an end at the hand of local rivals Yeaddin Owls AFC. After a stronger-than ever Cednia Beach team held the Owls to a 1-1 draw in Turori, the teams arrived at the state-of-the art Lirai Asku Castle in Yeaddin, Vilita. One of the most advanced stadiums in the world, the Castle is just as it's name suggests, an ancient Vilitan Castle, with the stadium built within it's walls, preserving the local scenery with all the plus's of a world-class facility inside.

------------------Despite strong performances in the first leg of the matchup from new signings Stelios Doukas (Starblaydia), Rhianna Peters (Cockbill Street) and Loala Saenu (Melmond), Cednia could not keep pace with the Owls, undisputedly one of the top teams in the world at home. The Vilitan fans were in full force, although a fair number of Turorian supporters on hand, with Yeaddin being one of the closest major ports, air or sea, to the Turori mainland. Youngster Loala Saenu seemed to be uncomfortable in the unfamiliar Derby atmosphere, and was mostly responsible for letting up the second Yeaddin Owls goal, especially because it came off Saenu's foot, albeit in an attempted clearance. Hurried by Riccardo Appolloni, Saenu blasted a beautifully placed ball in the corner of Milaouo Slietah's goal, much to the dismay of the Cednia Beach support. Appolloni would net a 3rd on his own to clinch the game, but Cednia Beach would not leave the field without a round of support from their fans signifying their remarkable achievements in their first Champions League.

Semi final first leg

Iskara Daii 1 Yeaddin Owls AFC 1
IDEXO 0 Kalisimu Salan 1

Belizaire Rescues Daii at home
Last-Minute Equaliser Denies Yeaddin Lead

Young Starblaydi Striker Darius Belizaire gave Starblaydia a One-All draw with Vilitan legends Yeaddin Owls in the Foundation Road Stadium.

'The most important match the team have ever faced' is now ahead of Iskara Daii as they travel across Atlantian Oceania to Vilita, needing a win or a high-scoring draw to progress to the Final of the Champion's League. Though the Daii have won an International Football tournament before, in the Ainorpisp Invitational, they did not manage to progress into the Final of the Atlantian Oceanian Champion's League.

Even though making a Semi-Final in a tournament composed of the finest club teams from around the world, the Daii will still see themselves as under-acheivers if they fail to give Yeaddin a good match in the return leg.

from: www.kalisimu-salan.esv.rj
1:0 AGAINST idexo

The fans, who were irritated that Salan scored 5 goals in 2 matches (scoring often is no reason to get mad at the team, but conceding often is), were pleased in the match against IDEXO. The System Karela worked well against the Englanders, of 2 chances, the Kalisimuan team had, one was capitalized. "Midfielder" Rejal Mija was able to score in a counter-attack. The 0:1 victory means the Salani have a better chance to advance into the final, even though one away goal does not mean that much against an attacking side like IDEXO (or is for us any side other than Karela L an 'attacking side').

Semi final second leg

Yeaddin Owls FC 5 Iskara Daii 1 [agg 6-2]
Kalisimu Salan 1 IDEXO 1 [agg 2-1]

FINAL - Progressair Stadium, Friday January 14 - Yeaddin Owls AFC v Kalisimu Salan

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Yeaddin look to add NS Cup to League Title.

The 11th Vilitan Season kicked off with the Annual Tropical Trophy match. Yeaddin Owls AFC squared off against Strike FC. It was the Owls who came out flying, with Turori's Malaino Mumamba and Vilitan prospect Antonis Siazzu putting the Owls 2 goals up within 15 minutes. Former Strike FC starlet Inaki Soler then added a 3rd for Yeaddin who looked comfortable going into the break. Strike made a double swap less than an hour in in hopes of sparking something and getting back in the game, but their concellation goal did not come until the 87th minute after a classic cross by Santo Kecker. Eauzian goalkeeper Michel Rousoi handed Yeaddin the clincher in injury time after failing to deal with Jan Christiansen's effort, leaving it for the potent Riccardo Appolloni to tuck away.

The season began with the biggest opening day clash in recent history, with goals from Antonis Siazzu and Carmine Mbidzo cancelling each other out in a 1-1 draw between megoliths Yeaddin Owls AFC and Marine Coast United. Strike had to come from behind to beat Marine Coast United 3-1 and maintain their position atop the table on goal difference after 6 weeks, until a draw with Arcticala Inlet coupled with Yeaddin's halting of Inland Peaks momentum saw the Owls return to the top of the table.

The two leaders finally met in week 9, and the Owls looked to take control at The Shultis with a 2-0 halftime lead. However, Strike got one back just after the interval, and Santo Kecker converted from the penalty spot to keep Strike in the hunt for the title. Marine Coast United were having trouble keeping up, with draws against Arcticala Inlet, Tivali City, Turoki Isle and Inland Peaks pushing them to 5th in the table 10 games in. Yutzie Sorma were obviously struggling without a single victory and just 3 points at the bottom of the table.

As the league resumed, it was once again the clash between Marine Coast United and the Yeaddin Owls AFC that took headlines. Once again, the match dissapointed with a classic 1-1 draw, the 3rd consecutive between the teams in the league. Yeaddin Owls were held by Arcticala Inlet, who scored in stoppage time to claim a point against the league leaders. Strike were held again by a second consecutive 3-3 scoreline after Michel Rousoi was sent off just 15 minutes in, while both Yeaddin Owls AFC and Marine Coast United registered victories in Week 16 tightening the race for 2nd place.

Yeaddin Owls unbeaten run was ended at 47 matches in all competitions as Colonial Sile got coals from Cain Side and Arthin Oaker to relegate the leaders to a 2-1 defeat. Inland Peaks took a solid hold on the 5th position in front of the National Spotlight, netting two stoppage time miracle's from Niccolo Mazzeo and Crystilakere World Cup winner Noel Adiguzel to propel them over League Leading Yeaddin Owls, opening the door for Arcticala Inlet, Marine Coast and Strike FC to all close within 9 points with 5 matches to play. Arcticala Inlet held 2nd place via a single Goal Differential, with Arcticala having given up 28 goals, and Marine Coast and Strike FC both having conceded 29, while on 40 goals scored.

The Owls all-but wrapped up the championship with 3 games left to play, defeating Strike FC 3-1 at the Lirai Asku Castle. A pair of victories for Arcticala Inlet saw them take some breathing room into 2nd place, 8 points behind the leaders. With 10 Draws A piece, Irougil and Yutzie Sorma were all but relegated, facing each other before matched with Yeaddin Owls AFC and Marine Coast United respectively to finish the season.

The Owls were crowned champions for the 9th time, and 7th consecutively despite a 4-4 draw with Eastal Lunar, after a Henrik Bastale brace lifted Turoki Isle to yet another victory, taking Arcticala Inlet out of the race for the title. Irougil fought bravely to come back from 4-0 down at half time, but lost 4-3 to Yeaddin Owls and found themselves relegated back to the declasse division. Despite the scare, Yeaddin wrapped up the Championship and re-assured their position as the best team in Vilita & Turori. Record attendances at the Lirai Asku Castle predict that the NS Champions League Final in Kaze Progressa will be well attended by the Yeaddin faithful.


Top Goalscorers::

Pos Player Club Apps Gls
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Antonis Siazzu Yeaddin Owls 20 (1) 10
Iñaki Soler Yeaddin Owls 21 10
3rd Riccardo Appolloni Yeaddin Owls 19 9
4th Lai Ncube Yeaddin Owls 26 5
Malaino Mumamba Yeaddin Owls 16 (4) 5
6th Tanner Nerni Yeaddin Owls 19 (1) 4
Jan Christiansen Yeaddin Owls 7 (2) 4


Highest Average Rating::

Pos Player Club Apps Av R
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Riccardo Appolloni Yeaddin Owls 19 7.63
2nd Antonis Siazzu Yeaddin Owls 20 (1) 7.48
3rd Iñaki Soler Yeaddin Owls 21 7.43
4th Malaino Mumamba Yeaddin Owls 16 (4) 7.25
5th Lai Ncube Yeaddin Owls 26 7.19
6th David Leacock Yeaddin Owls 24 7.13

IDEXO finish cup with draw

Kingsfordian club IDEXO, now based in Liverpool England, have managed to finish the fifth Champions League tournament in third/fourth, making them only the second Liverpool England-based team (after Orean) to make it to at least third place (Orean achieved third in CL1 and second in CL2) in the Champions League.

The club have released an official statement backing Vilitan club Yeaddin for the title. The Champions League will have its final in Liverpool England for the first time when the sixth champions League comes to a close sometime soon.

From www.kalisimu-salan.esv.rj

We conceded? Halen'ta, we're in the final!

Hey Sikenians, stroke of luck that we draw against you in the H1SR in our first season? Maybe, but look where we are now! Vi-na-li (if you Sikenians cannot understand that: Je~lmiki~l). We went up and you went down! Were you ever in the CL at all?

Sorry for that gloating for any non-Sikenian readers, but I just could not help thinking of the history of Kalisimu Salan and could not resist comparing Kalisimu S and Sike K. Let me use this page for a small comparism of Sike and Kalisimu: when a team called Sike K dominated the league and lost in the HVSR every single time, a team in the far west of Rejistania went bankrupt. An amateur team, which had one player in the ASR found a loophole, bought the right to name themself like the bankrupt one: Kalisimu Salan and was due to this allowed in the DLH1SR. With much self-esteem, even more boldness and a chant basically going 'What have we got? - Magnificence' (excuse my horribly translation) we went to face teams like Siril, Jinhes Lines and all those from Jesejil... and were (no wonder) trashed - horribly! Then there was the last match of the season, against a team called Sike Kaletri... that team fielded their D-team, we our A-team and played more defensive than Karela Lines. Guess what happened? Sike was disgraced by a 0:0. This did not just found our reputation, but also our tactical preferences.

Okay, we were relegated, we assumed so at the beginning of the season. What we did not assume was the high amount of people, who were interested in our club suddenly, dope-smoking crackheads (wait that's redundant), generally crazy people and dropouts from other clubs, who still wanted to play high-class and some where even skilled. Maybe Miki Taseri was one of the best players in Kalisimu ever, even though his contract at Hades L was not extended due to his age. Kalisimu Salan vastly profitted from the interest in the club and managed to get promoted despite everyone expected us to get relegated. That was the time of (excuse the jisu expression) Hykus Texkikil, ie: clubs from DK searched for talent in other parts if the Rejis of even abroad. Unfortunately for them, Sike did ignore that trend and experienced hell in the DK (incidentally, they still do it). Kalisimu Salan used its "concede=evil" tactics and the fact that they are constantly underrated to win the league and even the XVSR. No one had an idea how that happened. I will not start bragging or gloating again since we are currently in mid-table mediocrity, but the wonder continues in the CL: we are in the finals! Not only as first rejistani team ever, but also as first amateur team in the history of this competition.

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Owls Kitted for Champions League Success

------------------Yeaddin Owls AFC have for the first time publically unveiled their brand new team kits, which will be used for the first time in the NS Club Champions League Final against Rejistania's Kalisimu Salan in Kaze Progressa. The Yeaddin-Based Tiones Lumber company has reknewed their sponsorship with the Seven-Time Vilitan Stellar Division Champions.


http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/kit.gif


------------------Tiones Lumber have been on board with the Owls from the start as an associate supporter for the club. However, Tiones association with the club was out of support for the team, and not marketing prowess, as for the first 10 seasons the Tiones Lumber logo did not appear on the classic Yeaddin Owls uniforms. With the invitation of Yeaddin to the Nationstates Champions League and the Atlantian Oceania Club Championships, the Owls and Tiones Lumber re-worked the terms of their sponsorship agreement to feature the Tiones logo centered on the front of the kit, as so many other Vilitan clubs already had.


http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/sponsor.gif


------------------With the continued success of the Yeaddin Owls, many fans were calling for the club to upgrade the club bade, which was almost identical to that of one of the top Bedistani clubs, Yuba United. Owls fans wanted their own unique identity, but still wanted to retain the tradition of the original Owls logo. Yeaddin Owls AFC management employed kit makers and graphic specialists 3wide Designs (http://www.3wide.com) of Lonngeylin, Vilita to come up with a team crest that would carry the Owls into the next generation, while not forgetting the roots of the club as a local amateur team in the days before the creation of the Vilitan Stellar Division.


http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/crest.gif

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/logo.gif


Owls make last minute lineup additions

------------------The Yeaddin Owls AFC board were not satisfied enough with their 5-1 thrashing of Starblaydian weaklings Iskaara Daii, and quickly invested in two brand new goalkeepers after the match. After signing Strike FC's classic defender David Leacock, who is ineligible for the final match in Kaze Progressa due to his participation with Strike earlier in the competition, the Owls secured the signature of 19 year old Mavaloaio goalkeeper Manolis Masi as cover for Bryan 'Pop' Duiker. However, when it became clear that Tivali City's Delain Falcon would be leaving the club, Yeaddin quickly swooped in with their checkbook and took the young National prospect off of Tivali City's hands. Having a history of lackluster goalkeeping since the departure of Massimo Corsi in season one, the Owls have become the first team in the history of the Vilitan League to have 3 recognized international goalkeepers on roster at the same time.

http://www.dirt-racing.com/3wide/sites/vilita/sports/teams/yeaddin/crest.gif

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Kalisimu Salan 3 Yeaddin Owls FC 3 AET
Yeaddin Owls FC win 5-4 on pens

YEAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:fluffle: :D :p :fluffle: :) :cool: ;) :) :D

The Giant Zucchini Football Association congratulates Yeaddin Owls for winning the new Champions League trophy.