NationStates Jolt Archive

Pre-World Cup 20 Baptism of Fire Cup in Vilita and Lethislavania
Rosters, RP and Scores Thread

The Baptism of Fire is a pre-World Cup tournament for debutant teams to send their World Cup squad to their first warm-up competition to gain vital experience (and crucial KPB-ranking points). For instance, the BoF17 runner-up, Aquiliana, jumped from rank 200 (new nation status) to rank 69, and made it to the Quarter-Finals of the 17th World Cup, this is both a huge leap and a nigh-on unbelievable performance, just shows you what RPing can produce. Consider, also, that a nation that played in the BoF without RP'ing merely went from 200 up to 183, and finished last in their World Cup Qualifying group.

RP bonus is extremely important in the BoF, as all teams start off equal. This means that if one nation has a better RP bonus than another, they have a better chance of winning. Roleplaying your matches gives you a better chance of winning your matches. RP Bonus will be the only seperator in the pack. We hope that the non-participating nations will be weeded out or at least noted prior to the start of the World Cup, as we like to feel special by you RPing in our tournaments, so we give you bonues to help you win.

There will be two sections in the competition, The Lethislavanian Section and the Vilita Section. Each team will play one match against the other teams in their group, followed by Quarter- and Semi-Finals within their own Section. The Champions of the Lethislavania Section and the Vilita Section will meet at the Tivali Ring Stadium in Alikki-Corra, Vilita for the BoF Final.

***Liverpool England, Please do not post in this thread for any reason, take it to telegrams or somewhere else, thank you. Same with Hiiraan. Thank You.***


You may also wish to view the last BoF threads : WC19 (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=374306) WC17 (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=349645&page=1&pp=20)



Group 1 (Vilita)
Ninurta
Lamoni
South Osettia
Nevigrad

Group 2 (Vilita)
Limp Wristed Fish
GT-R
Irenadia
Royal Engrand

Group 3 (Lethislavania)
Sybex
Harlseburg
Five Civilized Nations
Praying2God

Group 4 (Lethislavania)
Korinthos
Wickerslack
Ratvipa
East Lithuania


Matchday Schedule:
MD1: Monday
MD2: Tuesday
MD3: Wednesday
RSF: Thursday

SF: Sunday
Final/3pp0: Monday

Regional Match Schedules:

Vilitan Region
GROUP A :: Matchday 1
Ninurta v. Lamoni - ( Lirai Asku Castle ) -
South Osettia v. Nevigrad - ( Marine World Park ) -


Matchday 2
Ninurta v. Nevigrad - ( Marine World Park ) -
Lamoni v. South Osettia - ( Lirai Asku Castle ) -


Matchday 3
Ninurta v. South Osettia - ( Lirai Asku Castle ) -
Nevigrad v. Lamoni - ( Marine World Park ) -

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


GROUP B :: Matchday 1
Limp Wristed Fish v. GT-R - ( The Shultis ) -
Irenadia v. Royal Engrand - ( National View Stadium ) -


Matchday 2
Limp Wristed Fish v. Royal Engrand - ( National View Stadium ) -
GT-R v. Irenadia - ( The Shultis ) -


Matchday 3
Limp Wristed Fish v. Irenadia - ( The Shultis ) -
Royal Engrand v. GT-R - ( National View Stadium ) -


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

Lethislavanian Region

Group B:: Matchday 1
Sybex v. Harlseburg - ( Tarrevultis Stadium ) -
Five Civilized Nations v. Praying2God - ( Leninstan Minor ) -


Matchday 2
Sybex v. Praying2God - ( Leninstan Minor ) -
Harlseburg v. Five Civilized Nations - ( Tarrevultis Stadium ) -


Matchday 3
Sybex v. Five Civilized Nations - ( Tarrevultis Stadium ) -
Praying2God v. Harlseburg - ( Leninstan Minor ) -


Tarrevultis Stadium Capacity: 38,000
The main stadium for the Kratu wave, it's constructed in a olde-fashoined gran-stand format, with no protection against weather. It was most recently used as the stadium for the LFL Championship.


Leninstan Minor Capacity: 31,000
Used for exhibition games, this stadium is a work of architectural art, taking from the works of Daniel Libeskend and others. It was last used for an Exhibiton between North Tajik U21 and Kratu Blast.



Group D :: Matchday 1
Korinthos v. Wickerslack - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -
Ratvipa v. East Lithuania - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -


Matchday 2
Korinthos v. East Lithuania - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -
Wickerslack v. Ratvipa - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -


Matchday 3
Korinthos v. Ratvipa - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -
East Lithuania v. Wickerslack - ( Leninstan Major Twin Arenas ) -


Leninstan Major Twin Arenas Capacity: 124,230 (Each)
Built for the Cup of Harmony, these massive structures are considered an eyesore to the skyline, but are actually very well-built, created by the renowned Lethislavanian architecht Moraii Silvas.

"And so, it is with great pleasure that I declare the Pre-World Cup 20 Baptism Of Fire Cup Department open!"

The South Osettian President, Edvard Saakashvili used his safety scissors equipped with leather gloves - just in case, according to his Communications Director - to cut the ribbon spanning the doorway into the newest addition to SOFA headquarters. The few people that the PR Agent had managed to round up clapped politely (i.e. not enthusiastically) before heading off to the ceremony's buffet. I, Emmett Devoll, decided to follow the crowd, partly because I wanted to avoid the SOFA Chief, Cary Mclauglin (the stories I had been hearing weren't exactly positive), and partly because I was in the mood for a sausage roll. I was just about to enjoy the succulent taste of sausage meat wrapped in puff pastry when a heavy hand clapped down on my shoulder and squeezed tight, like a boa constrictor on its prey. I turned slowly, sausage roll still in hand, to see Chief Mclauglin's smiling face in front of me.

"Hello Emmett." His soothing tones weren't exactly putting me at ease. "I trust you've got the papers I told you to produce. The deadline's only a few minutes away." He tapped his watch, just in case I hadn't quite grasped the urgency of the situation.

"Yes Chief, I have them right here." I gave him the sausage roll. By the time I realised my mistake he had eaten it, and with it went the last sausage roll of the evening. Curse you, Chief Cary Mclauglin. I'll have my revenge - I swear I'll have my revenge!

"Very nice...now where're the papers?" His mood changed instantly, the frown evident upon his face, and I realised it was time to deliver. This time I got it right, and the papers were delivered directly to the Chief's hand. I'd memorised the data hours beforehand, and I ran through it one final time in my head:

Manager
Darrin Burnison

Goalkeepers
1. Santos Hor (Dinamo Tblisi)
13. Emmett Schleiff (Sport Belshyna)
21. Domingo Galuska (Torpedo Ts'khinvali)

Defenders
2. Tommie Wahlert (Ekranas Ashtarak)
3. Boyd Merring (Dinamo Tblisi)
5. Emanuel Fivecoat (Zimbru Ts'khinvali)
8. Tommie Larrow (Torpedo Ts'khinvali)
14. Emanuel Saalfrank (Torpedo Kutaisi)
17. Jerald Milanesi (Dinamo Tblisi)
18. Darrin Larrea (Lietuvos Gori)

Midfielders
4. Santos Girdler (Ekranas Ashtarak)
6. Emilio Shamp (Ekranas Ashtarak)
7. Winston Goldade (Torpedo Kutaisi)
12. Roman Tasso (Sport Belshyna)
15. Domingo Pavelich (Torpedo Ts'khinvali)
16. Timmy Senay (Dinamo Tblisi)
19. Boyd Sundermeyer (Dila Gori)

Strikers
9. Emmett Legare (Zimbru T'skhinvali)
10. Aubrey Rokus (Dinamo Tblisi)
11. Jan Hannagan (Ekranas Ashtarak)
20. Roman Remaklus (Torpedo Ts'khinvali)

He scanned the papers quickly, and a thin smile spread across his face.

"Good work Emmett. I have a feeling you're going to go far in this business, son. I'll see you later..." As he walked off, looking for a new target, I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. I'd gotten on the good side of the SOFA Chief on my first day - always a good idea. Things couldn't get much better, but there was a major possibility that things could get much, much worse...

President Matt Stone was sitting in his office with a senior delegation from the Congress and Chamber of Deputies, who were all talking about Lamoni's entry into WCXX and the BoF. "We are going to send the following team to the competition," he said as he slid the roster across the table.

Nation: The Free Republic of Lamoni
Team name: Hawks

Coach: Ivan Sergeyevich
Asst. Coach: Domingo Stepanovich

Roster:

Goalkeepers:
[80] Raoul Gonzales
[82] Joachim Frances
[87] Matt Fernandez


Defenders:
[7] Ryan Luke
[8] Joe Greenburg
[4] Bill Josephson
[2] Bill Smith
[5] John Clark
[1] Micheal Drubinov


Midfielders:
[25] Mike Samson
[23] Al Smith
[32] Frank Harrington
[27] Graham O'toole
[22] Mark Savage
[24] Rick Powers
[26] Richard Quentin
[28] Harold Sisko


Forwards:
[16] Jason Pier
[14] Marvin Sims
[18] Matthew Bostock
[17] Jason Matthews
[15] John Anderson


"We are also going to display their new uniforms for the first time," he said as he then slid a photo across the table as well. http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/LamoniKit.jpg

"This will, of course; help us in AOCAF, but that is a side benefit to establishing ourselves on the world stage. We've done well in AOCAF, but this is the next level. From all accounts from nations such as Vilita, Starblaydia, and others, we should do pretty well here. I intend to do so."

"Sir, this is unacceptable. You are placing as head coach of the Five Civilized Nations's team, a man who has not coached a major football in nearly twelve years. How do you expect the Five Civilized Nations to win? Zhao Tong is and cannot be head coach."

"Then who would you suggest as his replacement?"

"Head Coach of the North Watch Wolfhounds, Thomas Levy."

"Although Thomas Levy has experience coaching on the national level, he has no experience whatsoever with coaching on the international level. If you feel that Thomas Levy should be a member of the team, he will be named as the assistant coach. The issue is final. Zhao Tong will be the head coach, assisted by Thomas Levy.

Nation: The Star Realm of the Five Civilized Nations
Team name: Stellar

Coach:
[0] Zhao Tong

Asst. Coach:
[1] Thomas Levy (North Watch Wolfhounds)

Roster:

Goalkeepers:
[23] Porter Alexander (Takil Lancers)
[31] Zhong De (Army Dragoons)
[75] Li Xiang (Cala Citadels)

Defenders:
[17] Liu Gui (Neo City Wolverines)
[19] Shea Lancer (Kamir Dauphins)
[9] Zach Bacher (St. Howards Tigers)
[11] David Hernandez (North Watch Wolfhounds)
[31] Henri Lafayette (Cala Citadels)
[99] Lawrence Fishburne (Takil Lancers)


Midfielders:
[29] Daniel Sykes (Sun City Rangers)
[49] Ma Qiang (Destiny Raptors)
[97] Timothy Scott (Kern Titans)
[67] Ma Xiong (Navy Sharks)
[50] Cao Zhan (Destiny Raptors)
[35] Sun Yi (Cala Citadels)
[55] Randolph Gregors (Jansen Rapiers)

Forwards:
[36] Zhong Jin (Cala Citadels)
[44] Zhu Heng (Army Dragoons)
[28] Zhang Feng (Navy Sharks)
[20] Huo Jun (Jansen Rapiers)
[88] Yu Yan (Air Force Bombardiers)

Ron Don Times
The first newspaper of Royal Engrand

The Bootleg Lions which has been prepared because of the tournament of their first international football
Royal Engrand all sports and in this case Royal Engrand and the football of area which are that unprecedented nationwide representative team most has been attached to the sport defense which spreads. Those have when you play with Vilita of local next door of advantage of the house, somewhat. Or perhaps as for those it is possible to ship in order to play to the area of FIFA with Lethislavania directly. Because we do not have the schedule or itinerary of the group yet, we soak your appetite with the presentation of the roster for the nationwide representative team of Royal Engrand.

Royal Engrand National Team
Nickname: Bootleg Lions
Manager: Svengali Poodlestrudel

Starters (all clubs in Royal Engrand)
GK Pall Rottenson (Rootootenham Cowboyspur)
D Blaine Suspension (Chelocean)
D River Franz (Womanchester United)
D Jon Kerry (Chelocean)
D Pat U. Downson (Burningspaam City)
M Davis Beckbacon (Womanchester United)
M Dicky Arse (Nudecastle United)
M Cowen Hardgraves (Buttnal)
M Jordache Jeans (Nudecastle United)
F Yermain Enemy (Rootootenham Cowboyspur)
F Mikel Blowen (Pancreaspool)

Bench
GK Davey Jimmy (Womanchester City)
GK Kris Jerkland (Pancreaspool)
D Scary Devill (Womanchester United)
D Astley Cold (Buttnal)
D Flamie Character (Pancreaspool)
D Shrill Devil (Womanchester United)
M Blank Lampshade (Chelocean)
M Pawn Screwdriver-Phillips (Womanchester City)
F Aban Sinthe (Womanchester United)
F Plain Looney (Womanchester United)

Grand ciTy heRald
2nd Jan 2005

[National Sports News] After a long time of real struggle, the NFAGT-R had finalized the team rooster for the first competitive international football competition that the nation ever had, the Baptism of Fire Cup XX. As Chairman Ivan Petkov noted, "It would be the most important moment for football for this nation."
"These are the best guys in football for this decade, and you'll find tons of household names in this list," added Greg Fuller, Head Coach of the national team and also the Manager of Valda Bay Seagulls.

Now we are having a synopis of first eleven of the team of 25.
Positions are, as usual, in the notable CM/FM(R) format, and special skill in WCCF-like format for clarity. The newspaper apologizes not having WCCF-like positions because of lack of time and cash. :)



[1] Alfred Woods GK
Playing for Yellowcliff, the keeper helped the team to lose the
least goals in the 1st league, despite having a team finishing in
the mid-table due to a pack of pathetic outfield players. Consider
the fact that he was also awarded the man of match for 22 times
in a single season, you will surely know how important he will play
in the national team.
Special Skill: Incredible Agility

[2] Lance Ferranti D/M R
The Captain of R-Soda, he is the key player of the team. Can play
as a full back or a winger, his crosses will truly strike the heart of
the opponent. Also known with a bad temper and got sent off 4
times in a single season, all due to unnecessary disputes with the
ref.
Special Skill: Lethal Cross

[3] Rae Peplinski SW/D LC
A Valda Bay Player, being selected despite the fact he plays in the
rival club of his manager. The full back might not be impressive in
going forward, but his presence at the back will make those going
forward feeling much safer. He didn't got a great physique, but his anticipation and timing are one of the best in league.
Special Skill: Accurate Stopping

[4] Ted Harshaw DM C
Bought by the seagulls for 10mgt, one would expect he would also
play an important role in Fuler's team. You may not like his playing
type, always engaging in hard tackles, combined with a real lack
of skill in front of the goalmouth; but on the contary, everyone
coming into a circle of 3 yards will have a really slim chance to
pass through. However, the defensive midfielder's true value lies
on his stamina, and he can play like he was put onto the pitch
fresh at 120 minutes in a cup match.
Special Skill: Born Defensive Midfielder

[5] Richie Weegar D C
Nicknamed the Rock Tower by the Redhill Fans, he made up his
lack of agility and speed by his height and strength. Every team
playing a long ball tactic shall think twice before the central
defender.
Special Skill: Rock Tower

[6] Geovanni D C
One of the few lower division player in the national team, the
Central Defender, player for Cali, might use this chance to prove
his worth, especially team Trueno(R) which dumped him at 18.
Being a attacking midfielder in the past, he combines skillful
control, direct passing, and good anticipation in a package. A
good choice especially when you are one or two down.
Special Skill: Direct Long Ball

[7] Martin Lund AM RC
The winger, a Dandelion, could be concluded in one single word:
skillful. Masterful on the ball, know when to use which trick, and
the surprising low shot at a narrow angle; you name it. Given if
you can forget his infamous double own goal in the league match
against redhill, and his tendency to neglect teamwork.
Special Skill: Skill Repository

[8] Hoarce Matthews AM C
The Seasider is not the typical attacking midfielder. He is not the
most skillful, but the young lad, at 19, got himself on the
scoresheet for 16 times in the season, and puts himself among a
pack of forwards in the golden boot table. On the field, he know
when to rush forward, intercept, score, period. Plus, he is tall and
strong, and scoring from corners is not a rarity. Especially for a
attacking midfielder.
Special Skill: Instinctive Rush

[9] Kenton Crofutt D/S C
The typical tall forward. With a height of 6' 10", few can beat him
in front of the goal. The Seagull is lacking with skill on the ball, but
other players can cover this disadvantage. After all, height and
strength of the giant can beat anything.
Special Skill: THE GIANT

[10] Horacio Reuteler AM/F RLC
Nicknamed the Golden Boy, he can just dribble through anything
and put a direct ball into a dangerous position. Playing for FC Trud,
he made 17 assists and 8 goals in a single season. Reuteler is
regarded by pundits nationwide as the most skillful player in the
league. Although he is super-agile, he is also as slow as a tortoise,
and generally not a part beside playing the trigger pass at a
counter attack.
Special Skill: Golden Boy

[11] Passerino AM/F L
Fast. Incredibly Fast. The left winger, playing for Gunners United,
is known nationwide for his speed, speed and speed. Can finish a
100-metre sprint in 10.5 seconds. In addition, fans would always
love his first touch and faking. Nicknamed Rocket.
Special Skill: Rocket Speed


Tomorrow We will continue with the next 11 of the team. Stay tuned.

if it's not too late to sign up... may i post a roster?

Forwards:
Ethen Esteve (CF)
Thomas Perez (CF)
Sean Crippen (RW)
David Gallagher (LW)

Mid-Fielder:
Carl Goodwin (RMF)
Raymond Dungee (LMF)
Adam Esposito (MHB)


Defenders:
Jim Recio (LFB)
Sam Sandelli (RFB)
Tyler Wentz (CFB)
Ji'Breel Weaver (GK)

Subs and Reserves:
Dillon Wagner (GK)
Matt Ray (RW)
Ben Rhodes (LMF)
William Brozoski (CFB)
Ben Kovacs (MHB)
Matt Verrico (LFB)
Brian Salvati (LW)
Chris Gentile (RMF)
Steve Gaden (FB)
Jon-Matt Hopkins (CF)

if im not too late... heres my roster

The Baptism of Fire Cup group stage draw (should) take place tonight at 07:00 PM EST on irc.esper.net ; channel #sport on your IRC Chat clients. for more info see the Wiki in my signature

I might not be on then because I'm going out to have dinner with relatives... But I'll try to be on...

Ratvipa Prepares For Baptism

The Holy Empire of Ratvipa has recently announced its presence to the world, stunning the global community, especially Adam Island, which lies only miles to the south. Ratvipa is a small island colonized and governed by a group of Island Buddhist Fundamentalists many years ago. Some of the students are trained in the Holy Art of Football, with the sacred mission of spreading the Truth through sport.

Here is the starting roster:

COACH: Chen-tao
A wise and ancient llama, Chen-tao is a ruthless coach and trainer who emphasizes the fundamentals and physical fitness over technique and skill.

STARTERS:
G: Fudoki
B: Gyoki
B: Ya'o Xia'ng
B: Anzan
B: Nantembo
M: Abhaya
M: Banko
M: Aiun-ken
F: Ishu
F: Shakyamuni

RESERVES:
G: Hokoji
B: Popkong
B: Ryoun-ken
M: Tetsugyu
M: Egyoku
F: Genshu
F: Eido

My first full day, and as the 'magic' of the evening before was still making me high, I strolled in with a smile on my face and a newspaper under my arm. In the center of the department was a big...well, thing...covered with a big curtain. I questioned the nearest employee about it.

"It's the new holoscreen - whenever a piece of important news comes through, it automatically gets displayed on the screen accompanied by a musical theme tune." Sure enough, as soon as she had finished:

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

"Christmas carols?"

"We're still waiting for Kleine to get the CD that goes with the screen - that was all there was at the time." We both watched the curtains pull back (all by themselves) to reveal the latest news.

It was the group draw - we had been drawn in Vilita Group 1, along with Lamoni, Ninurta and Nevigrad. Just as we had finished reading this snippet of info, SOFA Chief Mclauglin walked into the department.

"Kleine, get your arse over here...and bring Emmett with you too - I've got a job for him." My lady companion turned to me, a frown upon her face.

"You didn't get on the good side of Mclauglin, did you?" I nodded, worried about where this was going. "Oh dear, he's gonna pick you for every job now, you do know that don't you?"

"Oh bugger."

"You'd better go and see what he wants - maybe he wants you to clean his toilet...or taste his food to see if the canteen staff have poisoned it - one of their little jokes, you see." She wasn't exactly endearing me to the job.

*****

A few minutes later, Chief Kleine and I were sitting in SOFA Chief Mclauglin's office. There was a big box of doughnuts on the table, and I realised I hadn't eaten for 24 hours. My stomach rumbled rather loudly, and I tried to disguise it by coughing loudly, which got me some funny looks. I composed myself.

"Right Klein, Emmett, as you should know by now the group draw's been done, and we're in the group with Lamoni, Ninurta and Nevigrad. What have we got on these nations? Emmett?" Both Kleine and Mclauglin turned to stare at me.

"Well, Nevigrad is a new nation in its early stages of development. It's unlikely that they'll play a major part in this tournament. They're only four or five days old, so they'll probably be too busy looking at all the other features and opportunities to pay much attention here. I don't think we'll have a problem with them."

"Good Emmett - I see you've been getting some intelligence reports done. I like a man that shows initiative, don't you Kleine?" Kleine nodded unenthusiastically. "Okay, that's Nevigrad, what about Ninurta?"

"Ninurta...they're a bit of an unknown quantity. It could go either way - so far we've heard nothing from them, but I have a feeling that they may make a last-minute surge, so we need to be careful with them. I think it would be best for us if we played them first, but obviously we have no control over that. In my opinion, it's a fifty-fifty chance."

"Okay, not what I like to hear, but it's good that you're being honest. I'm really starting to like you Emmett - and Lamoni?"

"Lamoni...without a doubt the biggest threat in this tournament. They are veterans of the AOCOF tournament and know how to do things probably. I think the game against them will be the most important one. If we can beat them, it is likely that we can win the whole thing. If you're asking me, Lamoni are good bets to win the trophy - we need to stop them doing so."

"So, Emmett, you say we've got competition here! Interesting...very interesting. Okay, Emmett, you are free to go. I need to talk to Kleine in private." I got up and left in a hurry - without a doughnut I might add.

Grand ciTy heRald
3rd Jan 2005

[National Sports News]Here comes the final 11 of the national team in BoF XX:


[12] Roberto Souza GK
The first choice Seagull Keeper. Got a fast reflex. Would probably work as
cover of Woods.
Special Skill: Fast Reflex

[13] Herbertovich Mayflowerfield-McGeorgeshire D RC
Called HMM by most fans and fellow Trueno(r) players due to his long name,
he is always a valuable asset for any adept manager. He might not be the
strongest in the pack, but he is able to take the ball out of danger when
its dangereous.
Special Skill: Composed Clearence

[14] Ted Wong D/DM C
Ted, being a R-soda Player, would be another rock in the defence. Famous
for his clean and ontime delivery of tackles. Holder of the Fair Play Defender
Award, which is awarded to the defender who has the lowest foul rate in the
League.
Special Skill: Clean Tackle

[15] Bjarnn Gudmundsen DM R
A right-sided fellow who has great stamina. Playing for Dandelion.
Special Skill: Inexhaustible Player (OOC: This is on the black Nedved Card :p )

[16] Heinz Wolf D/M/F L
Fans for him will surely forget his skill, or just neglect his skills. But you can
his presence on the entire left half of the field. After all, if there is someone
to help or just even attract attention, this will be good for the team. Plays for
Redhill.
Special Skill: Covers the Entire Pitch (OOC: black Sorin)

[17] Thomas AM LC
A verstile dribbler. Currently playing for a lower level club in Vilita, he would be
probably the player having the best experience in the team. Currently Not
available and would join the team when they arrives in Vilita.
Special Skill: Verstile Dribbling

[18] Joseph Edwards M C
Brain of the seasider. Controls the rhythm of the game well, and is known to
be hyper-adaptable, having changed club 10 times in 7 year without any
teething problem.
Special Skill: Balancer of the Game (OOC: Emre)

[19] Rhyl McGregor F C
A Enthuaistic Forward. Loves to take risks and make great runs.
Special Skill: Risk Taker

[20] Jose Antonio "Josemi" Ribeiro F RLC
He's 100% Unexpected. Both off and on the pitch. On the pitch, he would go
into positions that no one expected him to be there, and creates lots of
chances. Off the pitch, he is not expected to be here since he has the third
lowest goal rate of all active forwards in the league. Currently a free agent.
Special Skill: The Unexpected

[21] Zisis Tartanidis F R
A right winger and forward. Just turned 19 last month. One of the best
talents in the League. Plays for the Seagulls. He would break into the best
position to score goals or create chances.
Special Skill: Good Positioning off the Ball

[22] Rick Woods GK
The younger brother of Alfred, he's just 17. Why he's picked into the team is still a mystery.
Special Skill: ...Still Unknown...


Tomorrow would be the last of the 3-day series and we would go to Formation and Grouping stuff. Stay tuned.

Ron Don Times
The first newspaper of Royal Engrand

Royal Engrand pulls out the group 2 of Vilita
Because it is the group which as for pulling yesterday end, you see even fortunately, or can certainly win something Roal Engrand is draw among areas of the Atlantian Oceanian house. We examine beforehand our opposite people of this group.

Limp Wristed Fish seems one like the side of wildness of the group certainly. Perhaps one of the small-numbered nations which display the Rejected Realms it is the quarrel which the fish it should strike.

The side where this group of GT-R is hardest is proper. Those them themselves of the footballing world of NationStates and are the team whose tournament this is best, simply in order to feel that but power verifies instantly very. If it believes 2nd it is correct in first declaration it is delusion.

The nation of Irenadia seems that is moved other than this group it is compared by the dictator of relatively small nation, some jingoistic and delusion. We do not think of that those improve.

Prediction
1. Royal Engrand
2. GT-R
3. Limp Wristed Fish
4. Irenadia

The Royal Engrand Baptism of Fire Schedule (in Vilita)
v Irenadia (National View Stadium, Morata Valley)
v Limp Wristed Fish (National View Stadium, Morata Valley)
v GT-R (National View Stadium, Morata Valley)

Next Game
vs. Irenadia

International motion debut for the Bootleg Lions of Royal Engrand happens with this match vis-a-vis Irenadia. Royal Engrand should be used because of momentum, this match in the future as, it is supported. Us permit the fact that the fact that it is best is desired. As for the manager who begins alignment here certain Svengali Poodlestrudel.

GK Pall Rottenson
D Blaine Suspension
D River Franz
D Jon Kerry
D Pat U. Downson
M Davis Beckbacon
M Dicky Arse
M Cowen Hardgraves
M Jordache Jeans
F Yermain Enemy
F Mikel Blowen

Vilitan Region: Matchday 1 Scores

Ninurta [1]-[2] Lamoni
South Osettia [2]-[0] Nevigrad

Limp Wristed Fish [1]-[3] GT-R
Irenadia [1]-[3] Royal Engrand


Tables should be obvious, will be posted after Md2. The Top 2 Teams in each group after MD3 will advance to the Regional Semi Finals.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

I had just re-entered the BoF department when the now already-too-familiar chime of the holoscreen rang throughout the hallowed halls. I made my way to the department's heart, where a crowd was already gathering. Being a mere 5 feet 2 inches tall, I had difficulty seeing what the latest news from Vilita was, so I got the 7 foot tall man, the one that no-one really talked to, to see what all the fuss was about. I knew it would be the first score, and I had my fingers crossed that our first match had been against Ninurta.

"Looks like we won our game. Nevigrad nil, South Osettia two. Good start, and it appears we're second in the table, since Lamoni beat Ninurta 3-1. It also says that match details can be found on the SOFA website." My computer was only a yard away from where I stood, so it was a couple of seconds later that I was sat at my desk scanning the page I had brought up:

Latest BoF Score

South Osettia 2 (Rokus 23; Goldade 63)
Nevigrad 0

I had a feeling that I might get some sort of congratulatory note from Mclauglin, and indeed it was only an hour later that a courier came down from the top floor and strolled over to my desk. He handed me a manila envelope before playing a ditty on his bugle and leaving. I opened the envelope and tipped out the contents. Inside was a big placard with 'Good Work Emmett' written in big red letters. There was also a note, which was slightly longer and more detailed.

'Emmet, thanks to your insight on Nevigrad, I was able to get a message to the team to make sure we played aggressively, and just as you said we would, we beat them. Brilliant analysis - if you carry on like this, expect a promotion soon. Your pal, SOFA Chief Mclauglin.'

I felt a sense of pride, and was quick to put the placard in a prominent place, but the piercing glares I got from my colleagues forced me to take it down. I started to think about the next match. We would either be playing Lamoni or Ninurta. A win against Ninurta was almost certain, and that would put us through to the latter stages of the tournament. Should we play Lamoni next, a win would guarantee us a place in the latter stages AND give us an indication of how good we really were compared to our nearest rivals. I was divided as to which would be better, but decided that a win was a win, and plumped for Ninurta.

By now it was almost one in the afternoon, and way past my bedtime. I clocked off and went home, where I fell asleep on the couch, with dreams of cup glory prominent in my mind.

"This is Thomas Allenberg. Welcome to the Times Weekly Broadcast. Today, we have the unique opportunity to interview the Head Coach of the Five Civilized Nations World Cup Team, Zhao Tong."

Taped Interview With Head Coach Zhao Tong

"How is the practicing going, Coach?"

"Alright, I guess."

"What about the rumors that you were not even going to be considered in favor of Assistant Coach Thomas Levy?"

"Well, let me put it this way. Assistant Coach Thomas Levy is a great guy, I knew him when we were both head coaches of our respective clubs. We're good friends. When the news came that Thomas Levy was being considered as a replacement for me, he called me, telling me not to worry and that he would refuse to become the Head Coach. I was relieved by this news and thanked him profusely, begging to accept the position if he got it. But as it turned out, I was appointed Head Coach of our team."

"How would you rate your team?"

"On a scale? I'd say that they're right now at about an eight. They haven't played together that often before, so this experience of playing alongside your opponents is a new concept for them. But I'll say that they're learning."

"Who are the best players in your opinion?"

"Sun Yi and Zhong Jin are inarguably the best players that I have. They're young, talented, and ruthless with their gameplay. These youngsters will go on to power our football along. Of my veterans, I've got defenders, Henri Lafayette, Liu Gui, and David Hernandez, and midfielders, Cao Zhan and Ma Xiong. I'd say we've got an interesting mix of both veteran and young players. But we'll see who can perform under pressure in the upcoming game."

Lethislavania

Sybex [2]-[2] Harlseburg

Five Civilized Nations [3]-[1] Praying2God

Korinthos [1]-[3] Wickerslack

Ratvipa [3]-[1] East Lithuania

An own goal would never hurt a debut
Easy debut at 3-1, manager relieved of great start

[International Soccer News] The dream of a great debut of the GT-R national team was on the blink of collapse in the first half, but hope soon revived as times goes on, and fans would be delighted at the quality of playing of the GT-R team.

The debut against Limp Wristed Fish took place yesterday in the beautifully set Shultis, which 16743 spectators waited for the show, and a large R-flag, the unofficial flag of the nation, with the national rainbow flag was flown up and down on the stand by enthuastic fans.

Not to mention the ones who are not lucky enough to get a ticket to the scene but stayed at home to watch the game via the National Cable Broadcasting. A record high of some 192 million people was watching the match, breaking the previous record of 145 million of "The Incredible Racer".

The team had a promising start. Just 2 minutes after kick-off, Crofutt received a Passerino cross, but he put it over the bar. 3 minutes after, Matthews pounced on a chance in the clear, but was handled well by the keeper.

However, the tide changed suddenly. at 8 minutes, when people were shouting the word "goal" before that shot from Reuteler was declared offside, disaster came. The dead ball was cleared quickly by the keeper and it reached the feet of an attacker. He made a powerful shot, which could go straight into the goal at the far post, but was caught by Lund, who was sitting there in the box. To everyone's surprise, he didn't deflect the ball clear, but to the near post with mild lob. A stranded Woods could not help the situation, and GT-R was one down.

It looked like it could not get worse, but the situation is much worse. Just 4 minutes after, a fierce shot from a attacker was parried just round the post. at 17 minutes, a long shot was just inches wide. Not to mention a embarassing mistake Ferranti made at 25 minutes that he gave away the ball in front of the goalmouth, but luckily Peplinski was in time to cover. A powerful shot from Harshaw at 31 minutes looked to change the situation, but he could not direct it and it went straight into the hillside. Those who were lucky, please return the ball to the Vilitan Football Association.

However, the problem is at 34 minutes, when Reuteler was charged down by a hard two-footed tackle by a defender. The crowd replied with boos and jeers when Ferranti was booked for dissent; the tackle itself did not constitute a foul in the opinion of the ref. Reuteler was immediate stretchered away and replaced by Edwards.

Another glimmer of home came at 43 minutes, that Edwards was going forward in a good position during a counter attack, laying the ball to Crofutt mid-air. However, the finishing is awful and he launched the ball into air even at 2 yards in front of the line. The scoreline remains at 0-1.

Things did change at the second half in favour of GT-R. Just 3 minutes after the game restarted, Matthews scored with a decent header from a corner kick. Then, just 2 minutes later, Bjarnn Gudmundsen, replacing Ferranti, scored for GT-R with a placed shot at the edge of the area. Within 5 minutes of the second half, we had reversed the tide of the battle.

After this point, the team is playing very cautiously. When HMM replaced the unlucky Lund at 67 minutes, there was no significant attack or goal-creating scenes for the whole of 17 minutes, except a long shot by a opposition midfielder which was well wide. And when he's on the pitch, they played even more defensively, and everything was quiet until 78 minutes.

At 78 minutes, when the Limp Wristed Fish offense is trapped in the GT-R half of the field for a quarter of an hour, they did not realise that their last defender was over the halfline. Seeing this opportunity, Edwards laid the ball to passerino, who is well in front of the last defender but did not count as offside. Although the Limp Wristed Fish team immediately saw this embarassing mistake, they were too slow to intercept. Passerino made the runaround and scored for GT-R.

There might be a glimpse of hope - this time for Limp Wristed Fish - at 87 minutes. A short forward made a beautiful attempt at goal, found the net, before the ref tell that he fouled Ted Wong. As the pressure continues, the whistle was blown. GT-R get its reward for more than 90 minutes of hard play; the first win in any official game in its history.

Final Score: Limp Wristed Fish 1 - 3 GT-R
Goal Scorer: Lund og, 9 - Matthews 47, Gudmundsen 50, Passerino 78
MOM of GT-R: [1] Alfred Woods : Great fielding by him fixed the scoreline at halftime at 0 - 1. Other keepers would give a 0 - 2 or even 0 - 3.

Lethislavania



Korinthos [4]-[3] Ratvipa

Wickerslack [3]-[4] East Lithuania

Sybex [3]-[3] Five Civilized Nations

Harlseburg [1]-[2] Praying2God

The screen reveals a standard newsroom with an immaculately dressed woman sitting calmly behind a desk, shuffling some papers. When the cameras zoom in on her, the woman smiles.

"Welcome to the CNSC Sports News. I am Avila Loccasino filling in today for Eliot Murray."

Pausing briefly, the woman continued.

"As you know, the Five Civilized Nations National Football Team is currently playing in the Pre-World Cup 20 Baptism of Fire Cup. Being the first international sports competition that the Five Civilized Nations has participated, we have not expected that our national team to excel. But recent news reveals that we have been performing very well. David Barcelli reports from Lethislavania."

The scene cuts to a clips of the football game between the Five Civilized Nations and Praying2God, while a narrator introduces the subject.

"As the Five Civilized Nations National Football Team entered the football grounds yesterday to play the first match of the competition, a mood of euphoria and excitement filled the air. The first international match between the two sides started out well, with the Five Civilized Nations winning the coin flip. Immediately, the National Team went on the offensive, driving the ball into the opposing side's territory, forcing the opponent on the defensive, while seeking an opening. Within thirty minutes, an opening was found. After a reckless and unfortunate kick by an opponent's defender that sent the ball flying into the stands, a corner kick by Midfielder Sun Yi ended with a scored goal by Star Forward Zhong Jin. Ten minutes later, a penalty kick resulted in another goal by Forward Yu Yan. By halftime, the Five Civilized Nations was winning 2-0."

The narrator paused, before continuing.

"When the second half began, an errant sliding tackle by Defender Zach Bacher resulted in a red card. Now, the National Team down one man found itself unable to cope with the Praying2God team. Within seven minutes after the beginning of the half, Praying2God scored. As the National Team sought to reinvigorate itself, Team Captain Ma Xiong was injured by a slide tackling opponent forward. Incensed, the National Team attacked recklessly. A beautiful pass by Forward Zhu Heng between two defenders and to Huo Jun resulted in another goal, extending the lead to 3-1 when the final buzzer sounded."

"Thus ended the first international match..."

The scene cuts again, turning to the face of a man standing in front of a football field.

"Unfortunately due to the loss of Captain Ma Xiong, the National Team stumbled in its second match with the Sybex National Team, ending in a 3-3 tie and a penalty shootout."

"This is David Barcelli reporting from Lethislavania."

(OOC: Lethislavania, wouldn't there be a penalty shootout after a tied game or did Sybex win in the penalty shootout?)

Vilitan Region: Matchday 2 Scores

Ninurta [2]-[1] Nevigrad
Lamoni [0]-[2] South Osettia

Limp Wristed Fish [1]-[4] Royal Engrand
GT-R [2]-[0] Irenadia


[1] South Osettia 2 2 0 0 4-0 6
[2] Lamoni 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
3- Ninurta 2 1 0 1 3-4 3
4- Nevigrad 2 0 0 2 1-4 0

[/code]Group B-------------- -
[1] GT-R 2 2 0 0 5-0 6
[2] Royal Engrand 2 1 0 1 4-4 3
3- Irenadia 2 1 0 1 3-4 3
4- Limp Wristed Fish 2 0 0 2 3-7 0

-
-

The next day dragged...a lot. It seemed that the second hand on my watch didn't want to move, but then I realised that it really wasn't, and that my watch was broken. I figured I'd have to take it to the repair shop after work.

Why was the day dragging, I hear you ask? One word, three syllables - La...mo...ni. Our spies in Vilita had reported that our next match was against our biggest rivals in the group, and I was worried. No, rephrase that - I was literally wetting myself. I took a detour to the bathroom and stuffed a wad of toilet tissue down my trousers to make it less noticeable, but I swear I was still getting some funny looks. Maybe I'm getting paranoid...or maybe it was the big lump around the groin area, I'm not sure.

Anyway, that's irrelevant and disgusting (a good trick if you can pull it off). My career in the SOFA depended on our next result. Okay, maybe it didn't, but it felt like it. Chief Mclauglin had a lot riding on me being right, and I had a feeling that if we didn't win, I'd go the same way as the sausage roll at the opening ceremony.

I spent the day alternating between clock-watching, pencil-chewing and trouser-adjusting - hectic schedule, I know. Finally, I was saved by the bell, or rather bells...

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

I was the first by the holoscreen - I felt like Captain Picard from Star Trek, but with more hair. The result was being typed out agonisingly slowly, but when it finally appeared in full, my bowels almost leapt out of my mouth with excitement.

Latest BoF Score

Lamoni 0
South Osettia 2 (Legare 3; Rokus 72)

The cheers rang throughout the halls of the department, and as the table followed shortly afterwards, the cheers were revived.

Group A---------- -
[1] South Osettia 2 2 0 0 4-0 6
[2] Lamoni 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
3- Ninurta 2 1 0 1 3-4 3
4- Nevigrad 2 0 0 2 1-4 0
5- -

So, things were going swimmingly for us - we'd beaten our biggest rivals, we were top of the table, and we hadn't even conceded a goal yet. Could things possibly get any better? Being the old pessimist that I was, I was thinking more along the lines of, how bad could things turn, and how quickly...?

Welcome back to LBC's internet edition. As you know, the Hawks are in their first World Cup Baptism of Fire, so let's check on how they are doing. In their first match against Ninurta, the Hawks dominated with a winning score of 2-1, leaving the team ready and willing for the next match, which pitted them against South Ossetia, a fellow AO nation. The Hawks lost that game 0-2.

Coach Sergeyevich gave a press conference, and we are bringing you a portion of it now: "Our AOCAF experience stood us in good stead against Ninurta, but we have to realize that we ARE going to have games that go the way of the one against South Ossetia. That is inevetible, but we will take our losses and learn from them, for that is the only way to improve. With only two games played so far, we are already in second place in our division. We could be much worse off than that, you realize. We now present you our new formation: http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/LamoniFormation.jpg"

Word from the Presidential palace is that President Matt Stone made a congratulatory call to Coach Sergeyevich after the Hawks won their first BoF match. We have no doubt that he thinks that this is a way to increase Lamoni's stature in the world community.

Lamoni - 2 Matthew Bostock (20), Jason Pier (30)
Ninurta - 1

Lamoni - 0
South Ossetia - 2

Group D Knotted


Ratvipa's first try at international football looks good, as they are in first place in Group D. Unfortunatly, EVERYONE in Group D is in first place! How could this occur?

Well, so far every single game has resulted in a 3-1 win, and each team has won once and lost once. So they all end up with 3 points.

Contrary to expectations, this actually makes it incredibly easy to calculate which two teams will advance. Whoever wins tomorrow advances. If Ratvipa and Korinthos draw, Ratvipas goes. If Wickerslack and East Lithuania draw, Wickerslack goes.

Let the suspense begin.....

Pts W D L PF PA B
Ratvipa 4 1 0 1 6 5 +1
Wickerslack 4 1 0 1 6 5 +1
East Lithuania 4 1 0 1 5 6 -1
Korinthos 4 1 0 1 5 6 -1

Continued Winning Streak
GT-R 2 - 0 Irenadia
Qualifing teams determined, only position left

[Lonngeylin, Vilita] A convincing win by GT-R secured a qualifying place to the quarter-finals of the Baptism of Fire Cup XX.

To remind us, as Manager Fuller suggested before everything, "Although we might not win at this competition, and it might be a bit far off and unrealistic, having a easy win at the group stage and secure a place would not be something out of our reach." This dream was hampered a bit in the last match, as Reuteler, Captain and the GT-R Footballer of the Year, was taken to hospital immediately after he went down in a challenge. He was diagnosed with a broken leg and would return home next week to do further treatment on it. However, despite an awful first half, they did played a great endgame, and the team of Limp Wristed Fish was stranded there, making no progress for half an hour. Fuller commented after the match, that his team would learn how their team works in the first two matches before facing the giants Royal England, which was supposed to be the most competitive team in the group, on par of GT-R.

And they made it. In the beautiful hillside stadium, named the Shultis, they breezed away an under-performing Irenadia with ease. 21548 attended the match, the increase due to people arriving at vilita rather than the strength of the teams. 136 million were seating in front of the TV watching the match according to an ID chip survey.

So the match started. GT-R got the initiative at the very first instance. Passerino did well into the area at half minute before he got tackled, and a powerful shot by Matthews, collecting the loose ball, was collected well by the keeper.

At 7 minutes, Lund made a run pass a defender before being pulled by him. He put a cross on the consequent freekick, but it went straight out of play, evading everything en route.

9 minutes later, Irenadia made a good counter attack, but a low cross was collected by woods safely.

The croud was in high mood at 23 minutes. As Matthews made a run into the area, he was clipped down by a defender, and the ref points straight at the spot. Matthews converted the spot kick with ease and raised the scoreline to 1-0.

The attack does not soften up, and Irenadia had to withstand very heavy pressure. For example, at 29 minutes, a through ball by Thomas made it to Crofutt, though the shot was turned around the post by the keeper. If you need more examples, at 35 minutes, the scene is more hair-raising. A high cross by Lund met the head of crofutt, and he attempted a header which hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Matthews, whose shot was stopped by the keeper, but he let it run free. A Thomas follow-up was charged down by an opposition defender, and cleared it to the byline.

At 41 minutes, there was an example of a rare attack of Irenadia. As a winger dribbles through Ferrenti, he saw a forward was in the clear and decided to made a low cross to him. He made a tremendous shot, but it was just wide. The scoreline remains at 1-0 at halftime.

After the break, things still did not look good for Irenadia; its was just a combination of skill and luck for GT-R. In fact, they played well; they just did not have the man to convert chances into scores. At 4 minutes after halftime, An Irenadia shot, one on one, was just wide suprisingly. and 2 minutes later, woods collected a vicious, great shot at the top corner. And it would be some goal, too.

At the hour mark, there was a GT-R chance to widen up the scoreline. As Passerino speeded away a defender, he let a cross drop at the far post. Too unlucky, too, that the hand of the keeper was faster than Crofutt's head. In addition, a Matthews shot at 67 minutes was neutralized by the keeper.

GT-R had to rely on what they are the best at - Counter-attacks. Its simple and effective for them, especially they had a team of fast players. And it was the Matthews show, too. It was a long ball by Thomas at 71 minutes, reached space in front of Matthews, and he did he was best at - Rush, Collect, Score. Period. As a result, the scoreline was now 2-0. The dream of progressing into the semi-finals were increasingly likely.

But the pressure did not stop here. 5 minutes later, Zisis Tartanidis saw another chance of breaking through. He swayed to the right side, passing the ball to Thomas across the field. A cross to Crofutt did not convert, however, as he missed the volley. And at 83 minutes, A Harshaw drive was just over the crossbar.

Here showed a last chance for Irendia. As the Assistant showed the loss time, A Irendia forward was clipped down by Weegar just outside the box. However, the free kick was stopped by the wall.

A long ball by Irendia, and the whistle, sealed the fate of the lower 2 teams. With only one match left and 6 points behind, they had no chance to proceed to the knockouts. In other words, GT-R had proceeded to the knockout stage with Royal England.

Fuller said after the match, "The lads showed great teamwork. We didn't play spectacularly, but when we could found the net, it would be okay for us. For instance, Matthews played exceptionally well in this match. He did not have great skill, but he is a born goal scorer from behind. If his form continues, he would play a great role in the National Team. After all, he is just 24, and I'm sure that he would become a legend shortly after."

Matthews, attending a press conference, made it clear that he would not be complacement. "My role on the pitch," he said, " is to play well. If I can't play well, I would be out. And if there is someone who is better than I am in this position, I would be out too. For me, I would like to have some competition, as it would imply an improvement in the level of the game in GT-R."

Lethislavania




Korinthos [1]-[2] East Lithuania

Wickerslack [3]-[1] Ratvipa

Sybex [4]-[1] Praying2God

Harlseburg [1]-[3] Five Civilized Nations


Group C P W D L GF-GAPts
Five Civilized Nations 3 2 1 0 9-5 7
Sybex 3 1 2 0 9-6 5
Praying2God 3 1 0 2 4-8 3
Harlesburg 3 0 1 2 4-7 1

Group D P W D L GF-GAPts
Wickerslack 3 2 0 1 9-6 6
East Lithuania 3 2 0 1 7-7 6
Ratvipa 3 1 0 2 7-8 3
Korinthos 3 1 0 2 6-8 3


Finals

Five Civilized Nations - East Lithuania

Wickerslack - Sybex

(OOC: Lethislavania, wouldn't there be a penalty shootout after a tied game or did Sybex win in the penalty shootout?)

OOC: This is the group stage. Here, draws are possible after 90 minutes - the game just stops. Each side gets awarded one point.

If it had been the knock-out stages - which happen after the group stage, i.e. from tomorrow onwards - you would have been right, there would have been a penalty shoot-out.

Vilitan Region: Matchday 3 Scores

Ninurta [0]-[3] South Osettia
Lamoni [3]-[1] Nevigrad

Limp Wristed Fish [2]-[2] Irenadia
GT-R [3]-[1] Royal Engrand



Group A---------- -
[1] South Osettia 3 3 0 0 7-0 9
[2] Lamoni 3 2 0 1 5-4 6
3- Ninurta 3 1 0 2 3-6 3
4- Nevigrad 3 0 0 3 2-7 0

-
Group B-------------- -
[1] GT-R 3 3 0 0 8-2 9
[2] Royal Engrand 3 2 0 1 8-5 6
3- Irenadia 3 0 1 2 3-7 1
4- Limp Wristed Fish 3 0 1 2 4-9 1



Regional Semi Finals:

South Osettia v. Royal Engrand

GT-R v. Lamoni

"Ninurta...they're a bit of an unknown quantity. It could go either way - so far we've heard nothing from them, but I have a feeling that they may make a last-minute surge, so we need to be careful with them. I think it would be best for us if we played them first, but obviously we have no control over that. In my opinion, it's a fifty-fifty chance."

I was now starting to regret those words. After two matches (from which we had accumulated two wins) we found ourselves top of our group and flying high. I, however, was feeling low, because I knew that my intelligence was wrong - there was no way on earth that Ninurta would beat us. Granted, I had no way of knowing that we would do so well, and therefore had nothing to work with when I did my intelligence reports, but I don't think SOFA Chief Mclauglin would have seen it like that. My only hope was that he was so blinded by the win that he overlooked my judgemental error.

There was a buzz in the department - people were talking of a 100% record, nine points out of nine, full marks, and so on. The result was due in a few minutes, and a crowd was building around the holoscreen. Coffee was being dished out by ladle, and the whole thing looked a bit like Glastonbury (apart from the lack of mud, lack of tents, and modern toilets).

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

It was time. We held our breath as one - old Mrs. Trevors, aged 95, sadly died from asphyxiation - and crossed our fingers. Slowly the message appeared on the screen.

Latest BoF Score

Ninurta 0
South Osettia 3 (Tasso 1; Rokus 46, 48)

Group A---------- -
[1] South Osettia 3 3 0 0 7-0 9
[2] Lamoni 3 2 0 1 5-4 6
3- Ninurta 3 1 0 2 3-6 3
4- Nevigrad 3 0 0 3 2-7 0

Unbelievable. Three games, three wins, seven goals for, zero goals against. Truly amazing. The second floor complained about the noise, but honestly, who cares about the Filing Department? Bedlam does not describe the situation at the moment we realised we'd won the group. Men grabbed the nearest woman and kissed them (that's how we worked out Mrs. Trevors had died), desks were overturned, windows were smashed and several arms were broken. Just then:

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

Regional Semi Finals

South Osettia v. Royal Engrand

GT-R v. Lamoni

The day was complete - a good win, a good draw and a good ol' fracas. What more could a SOFA worker ask for? Perhaps a congrats from the SOFA Chief, somthing that I did get, once again for excellent intelligence (I don't think he's realised that I was wrong yet). If we keep winning, maybe I'll take his job...the sky's the limit!

Welcome back to LBC's internet edition. In sports news, the Hawks have defeated Nevigrad 3-1, with Team Captain Matthew Bostock, Al Smith, and Marvin Sims all scoring a goal in a win that assures the Hawks of a playoff spot.

Group A---------- -
[1] South Osettia 3 3 0 0 7-0 9
[2] Lamoni 3 2 0 1 5-4 6
3- Ninurta 3 1 0 2 3-6 3
4- Nevigrad 3 0 0 3 2-7 0

The Hawks play group B champs GT-R next, in a game that is sure to be a thriller.

Team Captain Matthew Bostock went in front of reporters to make a statement: "This team has been together through several AOCAF's, and we feel great about our chances against GT-R. Though we have never faced them before, our AOCAF experience should give us an advantage. We know what to expect from each person on this team."

Coach Sergeyevich shared his optimism with the reporters: "We are very happy to have made the playoffs. We will certainly do our best against GT-R, and hope to advance. We feel that AOCAF has prepared us fairly well so far for international World Cup competition, and what we have seen so far is nothing that is real new to us. It was predicted that we would do well in BoF, and that seems to be happening, so we are feeling pretty good."

The chances of Lamoni advancing are actually pretty good for this type of match, and we will be interested to see if they can pull off a win against GT-R.

Lamoni - 3 Matthew Bostock (10), Al Smith (15), Marvin Sims (20)
Nevigrad - 1

Ron Don Times - Sports Update
The first newspaper of Royal Engrand

Royal Engrand Obtains the Victory of International Debut
The Bootleg Lions neophyte Irenadia 3-1 vis-a-vis at the National View Stadium in Morata victory and Vilita appeared with their unprecedented international matches. As for the Bootleg Lions as for the attack of Irenadia midfield of Royal Engrand which obtains good shock it meaning that backline prevents the fact that intended Mikel Blowen because of two two degrees it is found some control, it is one with the first half with the air, 1 gives the lead of 2-nothing to Royal Engrand with halftime with the land. Blowen through the defense of Irenadia it meaning that the goalkeeper of Irenadia is the exit of position the Jordache Jeans of midfielder of Royal Engrand as a mouth ardently in heuristic, obtains the trick of that hat of that international debut the latter half. Makes easy shock. However, in Royal Engrand another land mark and the way there is the reservation which enters after the color of the red of the match of the protection person Jon Kerry of Royal Engrand of the goalkeeper box which is made in very immoral tackle. Irenadia penalty kick profit, could change that, but when Royal Engrand obtained victory, it was not effect simultaneously.

Royal Engrand Decorates Circular for Knocking Out
The Bootleg Lions when method of conviction 4-1 it hits hard the side from Limp Wristed Fish, still is undefeated simultaneously with their international footballing carriers. The Bootleg Lions this time was the side of many training greatly, splendidly it enters the Astley Cold of the protection person it worked because of Jon Kerry which is discontinued. The Midfielder Jordache Jeans which utilizes the large note where it was paid by the defense of Limp Wristed Fish of the striker of Royal Engrand took shock him, himself struck the goalkeeper in order to take the lead of 1 nothing. And Mikel Blowen of fecundity obtains the lead of 3 nothing which enter into the medium day off in Royal Engrand which gives to two many purposes his himself. That the latter half started, simultaneously, RoyalEngrand in order to make the header whose midfielder is splendid in order to place the Bootleg Lions with respect to 4 nothing, continued the onslaught of Davis Beckbacon violation. The Svengali Poodlestrudel manager player who have decided to give even unfortunately some person of a younger player experience, that separated from the bench which made the mistake which has match the yellow card because several as the striker of the object which is owned accidentally by Plain Looney with the mortgage of Royal Engrand midfielder which only purpose of match is given to the Limp Wristed Fish and Pawn Screwdriver-Philips which leave from tussling sphere it was. Royal Engrand wins match 4-1, decorates because of the following round of the Baptism of Fire tournament. The following match defeats the group or, it confronts GT-R which someone decides.

Royal Engrand Loses Unprecedented Match
The Bootleg Lions let escape their chances which finish the play of the undefeated group with the feet of the side from GT-R by submitting to their unprecedented defeats. With two clearly easy matches for Irenadia and Limp Wristed Fish later, it was splendid to have the competition which has the value for modifying. However in order for they 3-1 to be defeated the Bootleg Lions, there is a value depending upon many this competition which is proven. Two purposes which are recorded with the first half ended as Passerino sound of the striker Pall Rottenson for the noble goalkeeper of Engrand which is stopped in him with GT-R being to have the easy shock which probably will take thin luck, speed of that natural phenomenon and the defense of Royal Engrand where accurate longball has been attached. The 2nd object which is by the striker Horacio Reuteler of GT-R which makes the free kicking which believing goes in order to make 2 nothing of the GT-R rising halftime. The sphere which such as kind of him who is how to be quick the latter half, as Yermian Enemy of the desired striker for Royal Engrand in order to cut the half lead passes the GT-R Alfred Woods of the goalkeeper could be struck. But when finally, it is remainder for the Bootleg Lionsof Kenton Crofutt as midfielder, the boastful side of GT-R which is proven good 3-1 because GT-R it maintains with the lead of for the sake of with the net stand it was possible in the forefront of corner kick. Match of the match for the acquisition Lamoni of GT-R will, the group, and 1st kind. Royal Engrand with South Osettia greatly a harder side is a front.

Next Game
vs. South Osettia

The Imai door, that is circular knockout. Everyone cannot be able lose. There is the challenge where the side where is urged from the South Osettia which is seen in order to make sign in advance in the nationwide representative team of Royal Engrand is very hard. To local progress has become dangerous last! It meaning that the Bootleg Lions welcomes Jon Kerry after the suspensoid of the lead card here, as for the manager who begins alignment certain Svengali Poodlestrudel.

GK Pall Rottenson
D Blaine Suspension
D River Franz
D Jon Kerry
D Pat U. Downson
M Davis Beckbacon
M Dicky Arse
M Cowen Hardgraves
M Jordache Jeans
F Yermain Enemy
F Mikel Blowen

PRAYING2GOD GOVERNMENT OUTRAGED AT THEFT OF NAME

The Praying2God government has issued a formal statement condemning the theft of the name of the country and it's subsequent usage in some tournament called the Baptism of Fire Cup. The Praying2God government said that they never authorized a team to play in that tournament, and never had heard of it until they were informed that a team playing under the name Praying2God was participating. The Praying2God FBI is investigating the theft of the nations' name.

(OOC: Reuteler was out for the match as per my design. I wouldn't mind RPing a wrongly diagnosed injury, though. And just a friendly reminder that your English is great in the vocabulary department, yet your grammar is outshined, that made the reader difficult, and more difficult for the one who have to write based on your words. Maybe I just don't have a manual for the Royal Engrandish Language.)

Luck strikes, Reuteler is fine
GT-R 3 - 1 Royal Engrand
Emerged first in group

A string of wins put GT-R at the first of the group and evaded South Osettia, which sorry Royal Engrand had to face.

It was a fine, sunny day that over 38000 people were packed in the grand National View Stadium to watch the match. As the stadium was submerged in a sea of high mood, we saw the two teams. The GT-R team was like that:

F Crofutt
Reuteler

Passerino Matthews Lund Ferrenti
M
Harshaw

D Wong Weegar
Peplinski

GK WoodsPlaying a 3-6-1 formation. To everyone's surprise, Reuteler was there, since he was wrongly diagnosed with a broken leg. In fact, he had just pulled his foot and the corresponding physio, alas, had his contract terminated with immediate effect. For further information, please refer to the other column.

At home, it was surveyed that 213 million was watching the match on TV, breaking the record set just a few days ago.

Kickoff. The game was evenly matched. Just after a couple of minutes, Yermain Enemy made a run pass a slow Weegar before firing in a shot, but it was too direct and was collected with confidence by woods. Then we saw a Low cross by Ferrenti met the foot of Reuteler at 7 minutes, though his dribble was stopped by the fast River Franz.

The two clubs exchanged procession often, and made the match an eye-feast for any football fan. At 11 minutes, Lund, who was put into the centre position this day, made it well into the area. However, Suspension cleared the ball from danger before he could do anything with it. Then a Crofutt header hit the post, after Passerino did a great cross.

And the high mood continutes in the packed stadium. Moments later, Matthews made his trademark run into the area and laid the ball back to Lund, though his shot was well wide of the goalmouth. Then a Beckbacon cross was just tipped over by Woods, and the corner thereafter was given away for nothing. A Hardgraves shot at 25 yards was then intercepted by Peplinski.

Crofutt was still finding his first goal for the tournament. Despite scoring 23 one year in the First League, and a plenty of crosses, his play did not prove very effective with the strong defenders of the tournament. This was shown by a cross, placed very well by Ferrenti, was headed away by Downson, with Ferrenti leaving little chance of getting above him. Seconds later, another long ball by Reuteler to the head of Crofutt was fisted away by the keeper Rottenson, denying a great goal.

The Bootleg Lions looked to continue their play on the ground. After Hardgraves played a one-two with Jeans, leaving a couple of defenders stranding, He lay the ball to Blowen who made a shot, but was held by Woods.

However, a Magnificant Run by Passerino, following a long ball by Reuteler, made the runaround which left Rottenson standing and he netted the second goal in the competition at 39 minutes.

A silly foul by Arse costed another goal for Royal Engrand, who brought down Lund two footed and received a yellow card. Reuteler converted it with a sensational shot - the time was 42 minutes, and the scoreline remained at 2-0 at halftime.

The play is still balanced in the second half. A Jeans shot at 35 yards was well wide, and another Lund shot was just wide. Harshaw showed his skills as he made a great last ditch to dispossess Blowen.

River Franz continued to rule the Royal Engrand side of the field, and stopped a cross field ball to Passerino. Minutes after, he made a block tackle on Matthews, trying to stop the gap from widening.

And they did it. At 59 minutes, A long ball from Beckbacon met the foot of Enemy. With his tremendous speed and skill, Enemy lobbed the ball above Woods, before he re-controlled it and bury it into the net, making the scoreline 2-1.

The match might be level, If a Baconham freekick was not collected by Woods, nor Peplinski did a crucial tackle that dispossessed Blowen.

The two teams continued to be playing an attacking style. Williams, making his runs as usual, did a good attempt at the goal, but the ball was sailing above the crossbar. Minutes later, A Jeans shot was deflected wide, and a corner by Beckbacon was far from impressing.

Crofutt was seen finding his goal again at 79 minutes, as he tried a shot a goal after heading it down to Wolf to make the pass back to him. It was unlucky that Rottenson had a fast hand and deflected it away. However, as Gudmundsen played in the corner, Crofutt, standing on the near post, flicked it easily through the goalmouth, widening the scoreline to 3-1, and found his first international goal.

Still, so late in the game, Royal Engrand was making good progress. Screwdriver-Philips jinked past Wolf to make a driving shot, but was well wide of the goal. Plain Looney played a one-two with Hardgraves and shot, yet it was intercepted by Wolf. And the most nearly event might be a banana shot by Beckbacon, which was just inches wide of the goal.

As the match drew to a close by the Referee, everything was over. Having beated Royal Engrand by 3-1, GT-R found herself at the top of the table, and evaded giants South Osettia. Now the next opponent at the Knockouts would be Lamoni, which might cause a real hard time for us.

Goal Scorers:

GT-R 3 - 1 Royal Engrand
59 Enemy - Passerino 39, Reuteler 42, Crofutt 79
MoM of GT-R: [4] Ted Harshaw : his position will not catch much attention, but his stamina is an important part of the team, which tackles keep Royal Engrand at bay.

The day of the regional semi-final. We had made it this far, and there was no way we were going out today. I had a briefing with SOFA Chief Mclauglin again, and I was waiting outside his office. This was where it got deadly serious. No jokes, no witticisms - one slip, and we could be out. Surprisingly I felt calm, confident even. I knew what I was going to say, and I had practiced it over and over in my head since I found out yesterday. When Mclauglin's secretary called me in, I took one last look around before taking the meeting that would decide our fate - the team's and my own.

"Emmett, what a lovely surprise!" A lie. "I've been looking forward to this all day." Probably not a lie. "I sure hope you've got something good for me." Definitely not a lie.

"I hope so too, sir."

"Why don't you begin. I'll just sit here and stare at you intently." This he did, rather off-puttingly.

"Okay...well, as you know, our next opponents are Royal Engrand, a puppet of the established nation Melmond, we have found out. They've prepared well - granted, it's a little difficult to understand what they're doing and saying, but on the whole, they look up for the match today. It'll be tough, no doubt about that, but I think we have what it takes to beat them today. Personally, I think we'll win." Mclauglin rose from his chair - this was not good news for me.

"Emmett, I'm surprised at you. You just made a bold judgement there - what am I supposed to do if you're wrong?"

"With all due respect sir, my job is to gather intelligence for you to make the decision. My prediction just then was entirely off the record. There's nothing in my job description that says I must be right about everything."

"True...a little bold of you to say...but true nonetheless. Emmett, I'm going to let you in on a little secret of mine. Do you remember who won this tournament eight years ago?"

"I do believe it was Maserrat, sir. They're no longer in existence."

"I know, Emmet - I was part of the team that won the damn thing, and you know what my job was?"

"I'm gonna hazard a guess at my job."

"Correct. I know what a good intelligence reporter is, because I was one. You, Emmett, are a good intelligence reporter. You give me all the facts, you mix it with a little opinion, and you stick your neck out. I like that - it shows you're not just another of those lame-brained pencil-pushers. It shows that not only do you have a brain, you use it too. Emmett, I don't give a damn about your prediction, right or wrong. All I care about is that you do your job, and you do it well. And that's exactly what you've just done. Now get outta my office, you're making me look stupid."

"Thankyou, sir."

"Don't mention it, kid."

I wasn't quite sure how to feel when I came out of that room. I was happy that he had praised me, shocked about his little secret and puzzled about his comments about the prediction. Did it really not matter to him whether I was right or wrong? If we lost the competition, what would happen to me? I realised then and there - he really did like me, and whatever happened, he was going to make sure I got what I deserved. I almost leapt for joy, but I had a feeling people would start talking. Now I was really feeling confident about Royal Engrand. My opinion? Bring 'em on!

Special Football Report by Grand City Hearld

Reuteler Incident

The fact that Reuteler was present on the pitch was contary from the news a couple of days ago, which reported that Reuteler got a broken leg. To clear the mystery, the manager, Fuller decided to conduct a press conference. He stated that the incident was caused by a wrong diagnosis by physio George Deville, who was also physio of Team Trueno. He made clear that Reuteler had been slightly injured in the match against Limp Wristed Fish, getting a twisted foot in the progress. The injury was faster than expected, and so he was well on the third match against Royal Engrand. To prevent further happening of this kind of embrassment, Deville was immediately sent back to GT-R and Jim Davis of Redhill was appointed as a replacement. Davis would join the group of physio tomorrow.

Reuteler said, "It really hurts when I was charged down. But it became much better when it came to the physio's room. However, Deville twisted my leg a bit, and said my foot was broken. I was truly amazed about it, but as it was a decision by a professional, there is no reason for me to challenge about it."

Lamoni Preview

Our next match would be against Lamoni at Lirai Asku Castle, Yeaddin, Vilita. They had participated in some competition called AOCAF, but from the match videos taken in the three group matches, It would be more likely to be a even match. Their experience and teamwork might be formiddable in some sense, but when you are talking raw skills, physics and minds, our team seemed to be outclassing them confidently. When Captain Ferrenti was asked on the last press conference about the next match, he replied that "We would like to make it clear that local and international experiences are both as crucial, and for me both teams are at a par." It followed after Lamoni Captain Bostock stating that international experiences would put them at an edge. The negligence of Bostock's words was also reflected on the bookers, that Herobrokers offered a 9-4 payout if any team wins, and 3-1 when there is a draw.

For the next match, the team would go in a 4-5-1 formation:


Crofutt

Passerino Reuteler Matthews Lund

Harshaw

Peplinski Wong Weegar Peplinski

Woods


With the combined force of Strength, speed, skill and positioning, the GT-R team would surely emerge winning from such a match, which would be aired at 3am the next day.

Vilitan Region: Regional Semi Finals

South Osettia [2]-[0] Royal Engrand
Lamoni [1]-[0] GT-R



Regional Final

South Osettia v. Lamoni



I will Also sim, for the first time, a Regional 3rd Placed Playoff Match between GT-R and Royal Engrand.

Knocked out Cold
GT-R Lost to Lamoni
A dubious goal left the team and nation on rage

[Yeaddin, Vilita] GT-R was let down by a dubious Lamoni goal, having to resort to the third place playoff, facing wannabe rivals Royal Engrand again.

In a packed Lirai Asku Castle, having an attendence of some 55000 spectators, fans were waiting for a spectacular, thrilling match. It was not a goal thriller; the scoreline was close. But the fact is that both teams played great football.

At home, 254 million was watching the TV, making the nation essentially disabled at the time of the game, as more than half of the population was there. The match started as high mood was raging in the stadium. A one touch pass gave great progress to Lamoni, but the shot was wide. Seconds later, a Crofutt shot was collected by the keeper.

Lund continued to show his skills. He made a beautiful dribble on the right side, before a last-minute cross was intercepted by a defender. Moments after, he tried to get through in the centre of the field but the opponent made a good block tackle on him.

The match becomes a defensive showdown. Weegar rose above a defender to clear a cross, and Wong made a good last ditch. Matthews tried one in, but after a defender denyed him enough space.

Reuteler tried to do the trick and made space out of dribbling, but his effort was made vain by a great effort of a defender. Harshaw also made the opponent's attack short of.

Before the break, Lund attempted on the right wing but was well wide, and so it was all square at halftime.

Its still a showing ground of defenders after the break. Peplinski showed his class by clearing a through ball, and Weegar ruled the air with his physique. On the other side, Crofutt's height did not gain himself any advantage, as he was constantly marked by Greenberg, and the duo of Samson and Smith always kept Reuteler and Matthews under careful watching.

However, the controversy came at 55 minutes, where a Harrington pass was played to Pier, where he was clearly offside from the TV, and was put past a stranded Wood, in off the post. The ref decided that was a goal, and put the GT-R players on rage, including the fact that Ferrenti kicked the ball straight to the stands, earning himself his first international red card and perhaps a long period of suspension, a booking to Harshaw, and a booking to O'toole who tried to contront Ferrenti.

Playing with ten players with one down was not easy; and it would not be easier owing to the nature of the match, which is in fact a knockout. Weegar was replaced by Geovanni, hoping he would try to trigger more attacks. In fact, Geovanni did played a number of long balls, but without a nimble forward except Passerino on the left, things could become difficult, and what we saw was the fact that Crofutt was constantly tackled by Greenberg.

Lamoni did not fare well, too. Savage tried his best to cross into the box, but they were cleared by an excellent Wong. Bostock tried a run but the ball was cleared by Peplinski before he could ever reach it.

With time running out, the pressure was laden on GT-R. Matthews tried to made a run, but he could not get past Josephson. Reuteler tried a cross field but was taken out by Luke.

And to make things worse, Lamoni did build up the pressure. O'tools made a shot in low after he dribbled past Harshaw, but it was wide. A Bostock shot was claimed by Woods.

The game became more intense in the last 10 minutes. Josemi, gaining his first cap for the nation, broke the offside trap on the left and let it fly. The ball stroke a defender. Then we saw Pier again, mixed in a collection of cheers and jeers, as he took it through Wong, but the shot was collected by Woods.

As the game went into injury time, Reuteler took the game to his heights. With a magnificant 35-yarder lob, he would made it all square if the shot was directed to the left a bit. As the scoreline said, it was 1-0 for Lamoni. For us, it would be 0-1, or more politically correct 0-0 with a referee error which wrongly gave Lamoni the right to advance.

Ferrenti, who was sent off, talked boldly to the press after the match. "Those ****ing bu******. The ball was clearly offside, and the ****ing ref was obviously wrong. I was very dissapointed about the level of refereeing in the game, seriously; I would like to make an appeal to my card and the result of the match, if I could do it." According to the authorities, Ferrenti could face a ban for as long as 3 months.

Woods also said, "It was offside. Period. The ref should look more carefully and consider the linesman, who put his flag up for ages. I put my hand up for the fact that the linesman was signalling to the ref, but he did not notice for whatever reason. If I were to select the man of match, It would be Mr. Meyer since he created that silly goal."

Patrick Meyer, who refereed the match, said the following words. "Whatever I said on the pitch is right. I admit it might be wrong after the match, but must be right before I blew the final whistle. According to the rules, the scoreline could not be changed after I made the next decision."

After such a outrageous defeat, GT-R would be facing Royal Engrand again, this time probably without Ferrenti. From his performances, There might be a change to the first choice striker, or even to put Reuteler in front. However, Reuteler lack speed, and it might be McGregor's turn to play the game. There might or might not be a replacement for Ferrenti, depending whether Fuller would play 3 or 4 in the back. Our prediction would be as follows:

GK: Woods
DF: Weegar, Peplinski, Wong
MF: Gudmundsen, Matthews, Harshaw, Reuteler, Passerino
FW: Crofutt, McGregor

Civilized Times Headline: National Team in Regional Semifinals

Even without Team Captain Ma Xiong out with a sprained ankle, the Five Civilized Nations Stellar National Team has advanced to the Quarterfinals, winning two of its three matches and tieing the third match.

Forced to select a new captain, the team has selected star midfielder, Cao Zhan, as the interim captain, before game two. Ma Xiong is expected to return prior to the World Cup. Cao Zhan struggled in game two in coordinating the team, but went into his element in the third game, leading the team to victory with a goal and two assists, powering the Nationals to a victory over Harlseburg.

The entire team have finally united with newfound confidence, especially after trouncing Harlseburg 3 to 1. The team has prepared for the Regional Semifinals by some practicing intermixed with some rest and relaxation. Asked to comment about the team, Head Coach Zhao Tong also expressed his confidence in his team. "These players are very, very good, on par or superior to anyone that our opponents can throw at us. All our matches provide ample evidence of this belief."

For the next match, the team would go in a 4-3-4 formation:


Li Xiang

Shea Lancer Henri Lafayette Liu Gui Zach Bacher

Sun Yi Ma Qiang Cao Zhan*

Huo Jun Zhong Jin Zhang Feng Yu Yan

* = Captain

My earlier confidence had gone straight down the toilet, along with my bile and stomach lining.

"Oh God! Oh Christ! We're gonna lose." I got my assistant to get a damp towel and put it on my forehead, before she realised that she wasn't my assistant and slapped me round the face.

"Male chauvanistic pig!"

I spent the rest of the day chewing my fingers to the bone - the pain was there, but it was kind of dull until I noticed that I'd bitten the ends of my fingers on, after which the pain was excruciating. A dozen or so clumps of tissue later I'd managed to stop the bleeding long enough to hear the result, after which I'd get myself to the nearest hospital.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

"Oh my God, it's here!" I fell out of my chair, and practically crawled my way to the holoscreen, where I kneeled before it as if it was some sort of God.

"Please save me, and my job, and my future jobs, and my pension."

And up it came:

Latest BoF Score

South Osettia 2 (Rokus 51; Fivecoat 69)
Royal Engrand 0

It was kind of difficult to tell, but I do believe my cheers were louder than anyone else's. After all, their careers weren't on the line - mine was. It was unbelieveable - played four, won four, scored nine, conceded zero - had that ever been done before? Now if we could just not be playing GT-R, my pleasure and total satisfaction would be complete.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

Regional Final
South Osettia vs. Lamoni

Honestly, how lucky can one guy get? GT-R, by far one of the best teams in the competition, knocked out the round before we were due to play then, replaced by a team we had already beaten once. Granted, they were going to be a lot better this time, but I was certainly feeling a whole lot better. We were on the verge of making history, and I was going to be part of that history...and by God, did it feel good.

Today was a good day for Lamoni sports. The Hawks defeated GT-R 1-0, and face South Ossetia in their next match. South Ossetia has been the only team to defeat the Hawks in BoF to date, but with Lamoni's winning streak, the team feels that they can take South Ossetia on, and win.

Team Captain Matthew Bostock tells it this way: "We knew that people didn't really expect us to defeat GT-R. We planned on suprising them, and we did. It might have taken an odd goal to do it, but we did it. GT-R is one of the best teams in the BoF, no mistaking that. We feel that we are at least as good as anyone in the BoF. We don't think that we are going to automatically win against South Ossetia just because we think we are a better team, we are not that stupid. We are going to practice hard, do the things that we normally do, and bring our best possible game to the field. Just because no one has yet scored on South Ossetia does not mean that they cannot be defeated, it just makes it more of a challenge, is all."

The team's coach was on the phone to the Lamonian government, and was unavailable for comment at the time of this publication.

The match against GT-R was a tough one for the Hawks, a defensive showdown with a lucky shot by Jason Pier being the only goal in the entire match. When pressed for comment, the goal scorer had something to say: "I really have to admit that that goal was pure luck. It hit the goal post, and bounced off at such an angle that the opposition's goalkeeper couldn't stop it. Still, that gave us the goal that we needed to defeat GT-R, and send them to the third place match. I would think that there have even been AOCAF matches like that, but I can't think of any offhand. Anyway, just before the goal was scored, everyone was thinking that this match might well result in a shootout. We were very fortunate with that shot. Thank you."

Lamoni is expected to stay in it's 3-5-2 formation for the match. http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/LamoniFormation.jpg

Lamoni - 1 Jason Pier (55)
GT-R - 0

For the next match, the team would go in a 4-3-4 formation:OOC: Just a friendly little reminder, that would mean all 11 of your players are field players. You need one guy to play goalkeeper. ;)

And so it was that I was outside Mclauglin's office again, ready to give another briefing. The next match wasn't until Sunday, but the Chief obviously wanted some time to get things together and to prepare the team well. Once again the secretary called me in, and once again I sat in the chair in front of Chief Mclauglin's desk.

"Now remember, Emmett, no wild speculation this time. You don't know who might be listening, and not everybody knows you as well as I do." Mclauglin winked at me, a probable effort to calm me down, but which in reality made me feel ten times more nervous.

"Realistically, there are only three teams left who can win this thing: us, Lamoni and Five Civilized Nations. That basically means that whoever wins the Vilitan region will face FCN in the final, and obviously that's where we want to be. As you know, we've played Lamoni before, and we've beaten them 2-0. Unfortunately for us, they're a lot better this time, as shown by their defeat of GT-R. It seems they've come out on the attack, pretty much saying that they will beat us this time - is that confidence or over-confidence? At the moment it really is too difficult to tell. Obviously they had to be good to beat GT-R. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to play them, and that would have been a good comparison of our teams. Lamoni are veterans of the AOCAF, so they have some International experience under their belts already, which may or may not be an advantage. I think the one crucial thing is that their winning goal against GT-R was pure luck, and we all know what luck does to some people. It goes to their heads, and they think they're a better team because of it. Granted, everybody needs a bit of luck now and again, but once an ego like that has been deflated, that's pretty much it for them. Now, I'm not saying that Lamoni are another Somalialand, but if we can get an early advantage, I think we can go on to win the match. After that, who knows, that's for the next briefing."

Mclauglin was out of his chair by the time I had finished, and was staring at me with his mouth wide open. "Emmett, that was the best briefing I have ever heard - it was detailed but concise, decisive but not speculative, good but not bad. I loved it!" He moved over to one of the walls and pressed a particular brick in the center of it. The whole wall moved aside to reveal a hidden safe, which Mclauglin opened.

"Don't know where I'd be without this baby." He removed a document for the safe, closed the door and let the wall move back into place before continuing. "Do you know what this is?"

"Er...no." He spread the document across his desk - it was a blueprint of the department, only it looked different.

"Emmett, these are the plans for the new World Cup department. After the Baptism Of Fire is over, we're completely renovating it and turning it into this department. Emmett - if we win on Sunday, all this will be yours."

"Excuse me?"

"Emmett, if we beat Lamoni, how would you like to be the World Cup Chief?" I almost fell out of my chair. Was he seriously asking me to take one of the highest positions in the SOFA world, based entirely upon my last briefing? I asked him.

"Of course not. Emmett, I'll be honest with you. I've been spying on you for the past week. I know all about you...even those things you do in the shower at home, but we won't talk about that. You have all the qualitites necessary for the job."

"And they are?"

"Erm...er...well...I'll tell you later. So, what do you say?" He looked very eager, and I didn't want to say no, so I said...

"Maybe. I'll think about it."

"You've got all the time you want...but I want a decision by Sunday. He practically pushed me out of the office and slammed the door in my face. I now had to make one of the most important decisions of my career. Maybe being on his good side wasn't such a great thing...

Lethislavania



Quarterfinals

Five Civilized Nations [4] - [1] East Lithuania

Wickerslack [2] - [3] Sybex

Regional Final

Five Civilized Nations - Sybex

3rd Place

Wickerslack - East Lithuania

OOC: Just a friendly little reminder, that would mean all 11 of your players are field players. You need one guy to play goalkeeper. ;)

(OOC: Whoops, I meant 1-3-3-4 :eek: )

(OOC: Whoops, I meant 1-3-3-4 :eek: )(ooc: as there is always a keeper, its always omitted, so in your case is 3-3-4. A strange formation, more aggressive then a 3-5-2 :) )

Saturday - the day before the biggest match of my life...and I wasn't even playing out there!

I hadn't got much sleep last night. I'd been thinking about Mclauglin's offer. Should I take it? Was I really ready to be in charge of our effort for the biggest event in the footballing calendar? After all, I was just the intelligence guy. Then again, so was Chief Mclauglin in essence, and look where he is now.

My first stop was the coffee machine, and I had a feeling that this and the bathroom would be my main focus for the rest of the day. The coffee was disgusting, but caffeine was caffeine in my book...until someone told me it was decaf. I went to go buy some real coffee from the shop.

If I took the job, I'd have an assistant to do this for me.

"Shut up!" I murmured to myself, gaining me some strange looks from the shopkeeper and customers. I selected a jar of extra strong coffee and a newspaper, before going to the counter to pay for them.

"That'll be five kugra ninety-five, please," the girl behind the till said. She was probably in her thirties, and very enthusiastic about her job (not). I paid her and gave her a smile which I thought said 'It's okay, I'm sure there are worse jobs than yours'. She obviously did not take it like that. I left with some coffee, a newspaper, and a slapped face.

Back in the department, I saw that someone had put a gift-wrapped box on my desk whilst I had been out. I didn't think it was my birthday, and I was pretty sure it wasn't Christmas. As I waited for the water to boil, I opened my gift, and found a Rolex watch and a note:

Dear Emmett,

Just a little something to say 'get you arse over here and accept my offer'.

Your pal, Chief Mclauglin.

P.S. If you don't take the job, I want the watch back.

Well he could have at least made it rhyme.

It was obvious to me that Mclauglin really wanted me to have this job - either that or he just wanted to show me off to other countries. I assumed the latter.

I put on my new Rolex. It looked kind of stupid when I wore it with my cheap suit, but I was sure that I could fix that if I took the job - the pay was quadruple what I was getting at the moment.

Let's recap:

1) The job's better paid.
2) I get an assistant.
3) I lord it over everybody else in the department.
4) I'm good friends with Chief Mclauglin.

Why was I in doubt about taking this job? I decided to read the paper, and as I turned to the sports section, my eyes nearly fell out of my head.

Take the job, Emmett

It appears Mclauglin had taken out an advert in the paper just for me. This was just getting silly now. I had to see him.

*****

"What can I do for you, Emmett? Did you read the paper this morning?"

"I did."

"Anything interesting in, say, the sports section?"

"Nothing really...just my name taking up a whole page."

"Really? I wonder who could have done that."

"So do I. Sir, this really does have to stop."

"What has to stop?"

"The presents, the adverts, the cajoling, to name a few things."

"It's just my way of showing that I like you. Would you prefer that I didn't like you?"

"Dear God, no."

"Then I don't see what the problem is."

"It's just...can we leave it until after the tournament is over? I've got enough on my plate as it is without some kind of psycho-stalker on my back...no offence, sir."

"None taken. Okay, Emmett, I can wait another few days - just don't disappoint me. Get me that trophy, and then you damn well take that job. You hear me, son?"

"Loud and clear, sir."

"Good. Now go out and there and get doing what it is you're good at."

*****

I don't think that could have gone any better, although you can never really tell with that man. It was then that I looked out the window and saw the plane circling the building with the words 'Take it, Emmett!' on a banner flowing behind it. I decided to give him that one - I had only just told him after all.

(ooc: as there is always a keeper, its always omitted, so in your case is 3-3-4. A strange formation, more aggressive then a 3-5-2 :) )(OOC: Well, I've been always put the number for the goalie in...)

Civilized Times Headline: National Team in Regional Semifinals

In the regional semifinals, the Five Civilized Nations Stellar National Team has powered its way past the East Lithuanian team with a stunning four to one victory, taking the Five Civilized Nations to the regional finals, setting a precedent for the first national football team playing on the international level.

The entire team is confident that they will annilihate the Sybex team, even though the Sybex team was the only team that the Five Civilized Nations had not been able to beat on its trip to the regional finals. Drawing with the Sybex team in match 2, the National Team is now looking forward to defeat the Sybex team having worked extensively together and with the presence of an interim captain on par with the injured captain, Ma Xiong. Asked once again to comment about the team, Head Coach Zhao Tong shared the euphoria in the air. "We're going to trounce the Sybex team, no question about it. Last time, with an inexperienced captain we tied the game, but this with Cao Zhan experienced with three good games under his belt, we should win."

For the next match, the team will continue playing in 3-3-4 formation:


:

Li Xiang

Shea Lancer Henri Lafayette Liu Gui

Sun Yi Ma Qiang Cao Zhan*

Huo Jun Zhong Jin Zhang Feng Yu Yan

* = Captain

While the rest of the team was out on the practice field, the team captain was out talking to reporters from Lamoni.

"It's been thought that your last comments regarding the match against South Ossetia were a little... shall we say 'enthusiastic?' Anyway, do you have a response to that?"

Bostock made sure that he was looking into the camera, and baldly stated, "I think that those who say that my comments were 'enthusiastic' need to understand the context in which they were made. We had just won the match against GT-R, and were still feeling the natural high that you get after winning a good game. As I also recall stating, I don't think that we are just going to walk into the stadium tommorow and just walk all over South Ossetia. If I thought that, then why am I here on the practice field, no? Our team is working it's rear off on the practice field in order to ensure that we give our all in the upcoming game. I will not have it said that we were slacking off. We may have lost to South Ossetia in our last match-up, but this will be a hard fought game, make no mistake about that." Seeing the coach waving over to him, Bostock excused himself and trotted over to see what the coach wanted.

The news crews took their 'B' rolls, and did their stories. After that, they left for their hotels.

When the press left, the practicing began in earnest again. After all, it simply wouldn't do to have the things that the team was working on displayed for all to see in the media before the match. There was even a practice match in which the offense would go against the defense, the better to see where the faults in either side might lie. The players were having a lot of fun, and even managed to forget the upcoming match for a time.

Coach Sergeyevich saw this and thought, "Live it up boys, you never know where or when you might have another chance to simply have a good time with no real strings attached. It certainly won't be that way in our upcoming match. Even if we win it, we still will have to face... probably FCN."

The coach had been with the team ever since it was newly formed after the Xilean bombing of the first AOlympics had killed the first squad, and he had never been more proud of his (he still thought of it as 'his') squad.

When he finished with his reverie, Coach Sergeyevich looked at the practice match and watched as Marvin Sims scored on the goalkeeper, Gonzales. Gonzales had been a tough one to get onto the squad, he reflected. Gonzales had been a very young citizen of the former nation of Doitsu, who had fled to the Free Republic with his mother and father after the destruction of that nation. Gonzales had never thought to become a Lamoni citizen, and as a result had a hard time obtaining a job in Lamoni, until Coach Sergeyevich was walking by a soccer field where Gonzales was acting as a goalie for a college football squad. As the coach watched, Gonzales played the position so skillfully that not one shot made it for a goal. Impressed with Gonzales, the coach offered him a spot on the Lamoni national team, and even helped Gonzales become a Lamoni citizen. Seeing Gonzales play in international competition, Coach Sergeyevich was pleased that he had done so; he hadn't come accross too many goalies in Lamoni that played as well as Gonzales. Now, he had to trust that Gonzales would help his team in their upcoming match, and in all of the other upcoming matches that he played in with the Hawks.

Sunday, and the day of the regional finals was upon us. Mclauglin seemed up for it (he had, of course, been here before with Maserrat), and he also seemed to have calmed down his obsession with me, which was a major relief - it was something I really didn't need today, as I tried to organise everyone but myself. Panic? I think that was the appropriate term.

Just as everything seemed to be on track, Moira Jackson sidled up to me, holding something that looked like a CD case.

"Klein finally got round to buying the CD for the holoscreen."

"The what?"

"The CD...for the holoscreen...the one with all the songs on it."

"Oh, that CD. Is there anything good on there?"

"Well...there's a few on there...I'll tell you what. I'll program something in, and we'll keep it a surprise for later on, okay?"

"Right." Because I'll really be concerned about the song when the result comes up.

Moira sidled away again, but it seemed to be only a few seconds before Mclauglin replaced her at my side.

"So, Emmett...today's the big day."

"It sure is, sir."

"Any more news on Lamoni?"

"Yeah, there's a bit, sir. It seems that there captain, a Bostock, isn't perhaps feeling as confident as he did a couple of days ago, although you know what the press does to quotes nowadays. They seem to be practicing quite hard...maybe a little too hard. Burn-out may be something that works to our advantage today. Lamoni look pressured into winning today, and making up for the loss in the group stage. Obviously we're under pressure to win too, but it feels to me that the onus lies more heavily on them."

"Will they break?"

"It's difficult to say. I think the team gets their strength from the back, in other words, from their goalkeeper, a Gonzales. If we can start early, and get him to make a mistake or two, it could all come crashing down for them. However, it's going to be a hard game nonetheless, and the team that wins today, which hopefully will be us, has to be the favourites for the cup."

"Good...have you thought anymore about - "

"NO, I HAVEN'T!"

"Okay! I'll just go now." I wondered if he would be so obsessed with me should we lose today, but I decided that I didn't particularly want to find out.

On the day of the game, the Hawks were on the game field, going over last minute adjustments. It had been planned to make South Ossetia think that the team was less confident. In reality, the Hawks were not going to give up a bloody inch to anyone. They knew that this was going to be a test, but the team wanted to win so badly that they could taste it.

After all, they were playing against a team that had already beaten them once, and they were eager to return the favor. They had even heard a report that the other side thought that the strength of the team was their goalkeeper, but in reality; it was the whole team. There was no one or two stars, the whole team worked together, and when they did, they couldn't be stopped.

They watched as the South Ossetia team came in and started practicing at their end of the field, and noticed the worried looks that they were getting from the other team's intel guy. "What was he so worried about?," they thought. "Both teams have a good shot of winning, so it's not like he should be worried about that, YET. However, he looks like he's going to have a heart attack right here on the field."

Shrugging, the Hawks started to practice on THEIR end of the field, and concentrated on their game.

Lethislavania

Semifinal and Third Place

Five Civilized Nations [4] - [1] Sybex

Wickerslack [3] - [2] Ratvipa

Vilitan Region: Regional Final

South Osettia [2]-[0] Lamoni

Regional Placement Match

GT-R [1]-[0] Royal Engrand



Baptism of Fire Cup Final

South Osettia v. Five Civilized Nations
Tivali Ring Stadium, Vilita



Baptism of Fire Cup 3rd Placed Match

Lamoni v. Sybex
Lethislavania

Ron Don Times - Sports Update
The first newspaper of Royal Engrand

Royal Engrand Goes Down to South Osettia With the Match of Semi-final
For the Bootleg Lions which has entered to match at the castle of Lirai Asku of Yeaddin of Vilita vis-a-vis the taste of overwhelming from the South Osettia there was high desire. Like Royal Engrand it is possible to strike the 1st really these people, you saw that. Record backline and the attack which make strong many chances were obtained, but the South Osettia goalkeeper of Santos Hor played completely, maintained the attack of Royal Engrand from the net. The first half finished non score. However, that the latter half started, simultaneously, momentum the clamp, it did not allot South Osettia in order never to go. The South Osettia striker Aubrey of Rokus used that head from the cross separated, recorded first purpose in order to place the south Osettia with respect to 1 nothing. South Osettia protection person Emanuel Fivecoat because the South Osettia which with the corner kick which passes the Royal Engrand goalkeeper Pall Rottenson in order because of good 2 nothing to install South Osettia is taken the lead continued to use the head afterwards as approximately 20 minutes. South Osettia local lastly Royal Engrand while setting up for re-playing vis-a-vis GT-R for matching the local 3rd place, advances vis-a-vis Lamoni.

Pain of Tournament for Royal Engrand End
The Bootleg Lions, promising start of two victories for the falling of Royal Engrand of their last three matches continuing, way rear those in GT-R finish appearance of the tournament of Baptism of Fire in another loss. As for this match in noble Rngrand match the requiring and however defender Pat U. Downson GT-R attack of the protection person who tries the fact that sphere is kicked from the limit does not reach passing the goalkeeper Pall Rottenson in order to give the lead of 1 nothing of GT-R Pall and to kick in order for he himself to own purpose in the net being to be the quick mistake it was greatly closer than end. Royal Engrand slowly seems that chooses the momentum remaining for matching, but those where time is gone after all with those not to seem the way, with do not choose 1 nothing of the match which is lost simultaneously under any condition sufficiently. The following match to which the Bootleg Lions plays is decoration match of the World Cup.

Apparently I had been seen in Vilita by the Lamoni team, which is difficult when there's a rather large country and two stretches of between Vilita and main South Osettia (West Island). Oh well, that was just one technicality that I really wasn't that concerned about. My main worry was getting past Lamoni.

"They're late. They're late!" I had been pacing up and down the department for the past half hour, much to the amusement of the likes of Moira Jackson, who stepped up to try and calm me down.

"They're late, Moira! The result's late! What's happening out there?"

"Calm down, Emmett. I'm sure there's nothing wrong whatsoever." Then I had a brainwave.

"Moira, when you were playing with the CD by the holoscreen, there wasn't any chance that you pulled the plug, was there?" Moira was guilty as charged - I could see it in her face. I stormed over to the holoscreen, and sure enough found the plug lying to the left of the socket. I screamed at Moira, who shrank back into the crowd. As I fumbled with the plug I heard something I'd not heard from the board before.

You have one new message: Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

"Moira, I thought you changed the tune."

"Well that's what I've been building myself up to tell you for the past few hours. The CD's for the older model - it doesn't work on this one. I'm afraid we're stuck with it until they make the CD for this holoscreen." By that time I wasn't really listening, and my eyes were glued to the screen (not literally, of course):

Latest BoF Score

South Osettia 2 (Rokus 15; Fivecoat 89)
Lamoni 0

At that moment I wanted to kiss Moira, but didn't, due to the unusual number of slaps I was getting lately. We'd done it again: the record now was played five, won five, scored eleven, conceded none. We were on the verge of history - could we be the first team to go the entire tournament without conceding a goal (OOC: genuine question, Vil. Has that been done before?)?

The cheers subsided, and I knew that someone fairly important had walked into the room: someone who could only be...

"Emmett!" shouted Chief Mclauglin, "You've done it again! Step over here - I've got something to talk to you about." I stepped over and he started talking again.

"Now Emmett, you say that the key to our success so far has been our silence from the team." I hadn't, but I nodded anyway. "The coach wants to make a statement, and I'm worried that if we let him, we won't win today against FCN. I am on the verge of history by being the first person to win this thing twice - you have to stop him at all costs. Use whatever means necessary to stop him. You're flying out to Vilita now - you're on the next plane there. Emmett, you're my last hope - do this, and you will go down in history as the person who won this for us." It seems I didn't have much choice in the matter.

*****

I hated planes. I hated taking off, I hated landing, and I hated all that goes in between too. Not even being in first class (for the first time ever) made me less nervous. It was a tense three hour flight to Vilita, and I believe I was first off the plane when we finally landed.

My mission: track down the South Osettia coach, Darrin Burnison, and stop him talking to the press. My port of call: the Tivali Ring Stadium, where the team would be practicing. It took me a mere half hour to find the stadium, and I was almost confident that I could stop any press conferences going ahead. The receptionist directed me to the conference hall, and as I opened the huge double doors, my heart leapt into my mouth as I saw Burnison at the head of the room, just getting into position with several microphones in front of him.

I ran like I had never run before, almost beating the South Osettian sprint record, but missing out by a fraction of a second.

"This press conference has been cancelled!" One journalist put up their hand.
"Mike?"

"Yeah...why?"

"Because...er...um...because...someone let off a bomb outside the stadium!" They didn't buy it.

"Surely we would have heard it - surely we'd be dead by now!"

"It was a mini-bomb."

"How mini?"

"I'm not really an expert on bombs."

"Then how do you know what a mini-bomb looks like?"

"It's small."

"So are most bombs."

"Look, will you just go outside and look!"

"...Okay!" The press filed out, leaving me and Burnison alone in the conference room. He turned to me, and before I could get in there first...

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Stopping you from talking to the press - a direct order from SOFA Chief Mclauglin."

"Mclauglin doesn't own me. I can do what I want."

"Well technically you can't. For example, you can't have an affair with one of his secretaries, but that's irrelevant."

"Damn right, it is!"

"Look, we think that the reason we've been doing so well is because we've kept the team silent. If you break that silence now, there's a large chance we might not win."

"But there's a chance we might not win even if I clam up."

"I'm not a betting man, Mr. Burnison, but I'd take those odds."

"Hmmm...well, if you say it's a lucky omen, I suppose I'd better not tempt fate..."

"Excellent. Now I have to go back to South Osettia, so make sure you don't talk to anyone."

"Wait...why've you got to rush off? Stay here, watch the game - it'll be fun."

"I don't know if my heart can take it."

"Nonsense, I insist - I'll get you a box."

"Oooh, a box."

"See? It's not so bad, is it?" It certainly wasn't.

Civilized Times Headline: National Team Wins Regional Finals, To Play For Tournament First Place

It seemed that the Five Civilized Nations were on the fast track to a new victory. The Five Civilized Nations Stellar National Team has powered its way past the Sybex national team with another stunning four to one victory, after the four to one victory over the East Lithuanian team, allowing the Five Civilized Nations to win the regional finals and propelling the Nationals into the Tournament finals, a stunning feat for a team inexperienced in international competition.

Having won four of its five tournament games and drawn the fifth, the Five Civilized Nations can boast that it is undefeated in the tournament. Led by Interim Captain Cao Zhan, the entire team is confident that they will annilihate the South Ossetian team, the only team that has won all its games during the course of the tournament. Asked once again to comment about the team, Head Coach Zhao Tong shared the mood of celebration in the air. "We're going to continue our trouncing, by beating the South Ossetian team, no question about it. Although they are a strong team, we feel that with our strong offensive, producing on average 3 goals per game, thus outscoring all the other teams, the National Team will continue to do so, powering its way past South Ossetia."

Also asked to comment about the situation that the National Team is facing, Assistant Coach Thomas Levy laid out his poker face. "The match is going to a tough one, pitting the only two teams in the entire tournament that has not lost a game. Although we've outscored every other team in the tournament, we have never played South Ossetia, so I can't really predict the results of our matchup. But I'm sure that we'll see some good football."

For the next match, the team will continue playing in 3-3-4 formation that brought it victory in its past two games, with only one change in the line-up, replacing Huo Jun for Zhu Heng, as Huo Jun only played in the capacity as an assist producer to the three other forwards:

:

Li Xiang

Shea Lancer Henri Lafayette Liu Gui

Sun Yi Ma Qiang Cao Zhan*

Zhu Heng Zhong Jin Zhang Feng Yu Yan

* = Captain

When Burnison had said 'box', I though he meant a boxseat to watch the game in. What he really meant was a...box...a cardboard one. I thanked him before throwing it in the neaest dumpster. I got a seat after a few minutes of bartering with the box office. It turns out the seat next to me was empty, and for a good reason too. It had been reserved for somebody - somebody I really hadn't expected to see there.

"Chief Mclauglin! What are you doing here?"

"I've come to watch the match. You didn't think you were going to get away that easily, did you? Besides, you've still got to give me my briefing on FCN."

"Well, I haven't prepared anything, but generally they're overstepped the boundary of confidence by about a mile and a half. They said, and this is a direct quote, they would annihilate us. In my opinion, this is very bold, and very unqualified. For me, they're forgetting a few very important facts."

"And they are?"

"One. They may have the best offence, but we have the best defence. If they do score, they'd be the first to do so against us, so it won't be as easy as they say it will. Two. The Lethislavania region wasn't exactly the hardest region to win. Opposition was generally very weak, and as they've had no really challenging games, the results will have been distorted, and I don't think they've taken that into account. Three. They're playing in Vilita now. We're used to the terrain, they're not, and that will work to our advantage. Four. 4-3-3 is traditionally a weak formation, as there's no real partnership up front, and everyone's playing against each other. Our front line of Rokus and Legare will be better than their front line of three. In reality, they're not going to get as easy a ride as they may think, but as long as they feel overconfident, they'll be sloppy, and that will play into our hands."

"So, can we win this thing?"

"...I wouldn't want to bet against us, sir." Mclauglin smiled.

"That's what I wanted to hear." Just then, the players started to come out of the tunnel, and the cheering began. "The game's starting. May the best team win." I had no doubt that that would happen.

Civilized Times Headline: National Team Makes Last Minute Changes, Team Captain Returns for Final Game

Just moments before the start of the game, the Five Civilized Nations Stellar National Team has made a last minute line-up change, completely changing its formation, replacing one of its defenders, adding one midfielder, removing one of the forwards, as well as changing the goalie. This also includes the return of Team Captain Ma Xiong, originally slated to return after the tournament but already fully healed from his injury in game 1.

The goalie will be changed to backup goalie, Zhong De, who was substituted in game 3 and 4 after the half.

David Hernandez will replace Henri Lafayette as the center defender. Henri Lafayette will continue to play off the bench as a substitute.

Originally slated to play as a starting forward, Zhu Heng, has been taken off the starting line-up and will play as a substitute.

Although Ma Xiong has returned, Cao Zhan will remain as the Interim Captain until the World Cup begins.

In addition, the lethal combination of the two Ma cousins as the center midfielders has been reactivated.

None of the team members were available for comment.

The team will switch to the 3-4-3:



Zhong De

Shea Lancer David Hernandez Liu Gui

Sun Yi Ma Qiang Ma Xiong Cao Zhan*

Zhong Jin Zhang Feng Yu Yan

* = Captain

(OOC: As I use Chinese names, the surname or family name is at the front, followed by the given or first name)

The Sybex Lions have lost in the final 4-1. It was a very brave performance by the team in the first tournament and they will now have one more game to play in a match between the two losers. The opponent is named Lamoni and Sybex will be at an advantage getting to play the game in Lethislavania where they have played all their matches so far. The Sybex people thank the nation of Lethislavania for hosting their team during this tournament and hope to have a good performance in the upcoming world cup.

Lethislavania

Third Place

Lamoni [1] - [2] Sybex

Baptism of Fire Cup 20: Final

South Osettia [4]-[2] Five Civilized Nations


Congratulations to all nations and best of luck in the World Cup.

Chief Mclauglin and I were allowed to leave on the team airplane. With the Baptism Of Fire Cup with us, the mood was certainly upbeat.

"Emmett, what kind of day has it been?" This wasn't the sort of question that I'd have expected from Mclauglin - it was almost philosophical.

"A good one, sir, in its plainest terms." He chuckled to himself.

"Good answer. This is the second time I've had this cup, and it feels just as good this time as it did last time...actually, the final with Maserrat was quite eventful. We were playing Smoking Pits, and there was nearly a war when we won."

"The game wasn't exactly dull today, sir."

"Nope, you got that right, Emmett. It was a little scary when they scored two to bring it back to 3-2, but I had a feeling we'd hold out. We did that and then some. 4-2...do you know where we'll be in the rankings now?"

"Not yet, but I think we'll find out some time soon."

"Well, you know what's next don't you?"

"Sir?"

"The World Cup."

"I'll toast to that, sir." We toasted and drank.

"Mind you, I am a little disappointed that we conceded two goals. Still, it's got to be one of the best records in the history of this tournament, hasn't it? Played six, won six, scored fifteen, conceded two."

"I'm gonna have that on my gravestone, sir." We laughed and drank again.

I thought back to the very beginning of this experience. The first meeting with Mclauglin, the first briefing, the introduction of the holoscreen...it was all there, as vivid as if it happened yesterday.

"You still owe me a sausage roll, sir."

"Emmett, when we get back to SO, you can have all the sausage rolls you can eat."

"Sounds like a fair deal, sir...sir, I've got something to say. I don't know how to, so I'm just gonna come right out and say it."

"We're all friends here. Emmett, you can tell me anything."

"I'll take it."

"...you mean?"

"Yep. I'll take it."

"I think this calls for another round of drinks...World Cup Chief Emmett Devoll."

"So do I...SOFA Chief Cary Mclauglin." We laughed and drank again. By this time, I was pretty much out of my head. So was the Chief, and it wasn't long before he had drifted off. I decided to follow his example, and for the first time ever on an airplane, I fell asleep...

(OOC: Thankyou for giving me the pleasure of winning this tournament, against a very worthy adversary. I hope that both mine and FCN's World Cup career go swimmingly, and I look forward to hosting the next BoF with Vilita. Also, the adventures of Emmett Devoll continue in the World Cup Qualifying Stage, so be prepared for...pretty much anything there. Thankyou once again.)

Congratulations to FCN and SO!

(OOC: Thank you one and all! But I can't believe that I lost... :p Must be because of the last minute line-up change... :D )

Congratulations to both teams!

SO, your performance was pretty close to mine: I was 6-0 and I outscored opponents 17-2 back in Pre-WC 16. I'll just hope you or 5CN aren't in my World Cup qualifying group. :p

(OOC: Thank you one and all! But I can't believe that I lost... :p Must be because of the last minute line-up change... :D )
(OOC: might be due to the fact that either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-4 is never defense minded :D )

GT-Snipplet

Further news of the GT-R national team would be found at the World Cup later. News is that Fuller was sacked as captain as the team did not make it to the regional finals. Fans was angry at him as he could not make chances pay, and to Crofutt since he did not seemed to get into the whole formation. Ferrenti was also given a 6 month suspension for assaultive behaviour to the ref, so he would be out of the cup. Fans were petitioning to have Matthews made captain.

Congratulations to both teams!

SO, your performance was pretty close to mine: I was 6-0 and I outscored opponents 17-2 back in Pre-WC 16. I'll just hope you or 5CN aren't in my World Cup qualifying group. :p

(OOC: I think from counting... I scored 19 goals (I think) total during this pre-WC... About 3 goals per game. Pretty nice.)

(OOC: might be due to the fact that either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-4 is never defense minded :D )

(OOC: And also that I substituted in another goalie...

And I should probably go back to watching football... I haven't watched anything since the World Cup 2002 in Japan/Korea.)

(OOC: I think from counting... I scored 19 goals (I think) total during this pre-WC... About 3 goals per game. Pretty nice.)



(OOC: And also that I substituted in another goalie...

And I should probably go back to watching football... I haven't watched anything since the World Cup 2002 in Japan/Korea.)
OOC: formations like 4-2-4 are possible and used in lower English divisions, but 2 forwards are in fact wingers pushed forward. Watching football does not hurt in playing the world cup, after all.

(OOC: I'm probably going with the 3-3-4 against weak offensive teams and 4-4-2 against strong offensive teams.)

***Liverpool England, Please do not post in this thread for any reason, take it to telegrams or somewhere else, thank you. Same with Hiiraan. Thank You.***



Congratulations to FCN and SO!

Hey LE! I thought you were asked not to post in this thread. :p

I'm sure congratulatory remarks are fine.

FCN, I imagine the reason you lost is that, before all the nice remarks started coming in after the tournament finshed, my RPs made up roughly 22% of this thread (yes, I was sad enough to work this out). I didn't work yours out, but as this tournament is based on RP alone, it'll probably be something along the lines of that.

I talked to Vil, P2G. That was left over from WC19's BoF. :P

I'm sure congratulatory remarks are fine.

FCN, I imagine the reason you lost is that, before all the nice remarks started coming in after the tournament finshed, my RPs made up roughly 22% of this thread (yes, I was sad enough to work this out). I didn't work yours out, but as this tournament is based on RP alone, it'll probably be something along the lines of that.
Is there any count before my 3rd place match?

I'm sure that I counted at least 15% of the thread.

Finalists would got a higher percentage, as RPs late in the tournament would be dominated by them :p

Finalists would got a higher percentage, as RPs late in the tournament would be dominated by them :p

And they fact they'd have probably got a higher RP bonus in the Group Stages too. You tend not to get past them if you don't RP in the BoF.

And they fact they'd have probably got a higher RP bonus in the Group Stages too. You tend not to get past them if you don't RP in the BoF.A 0-1 lose does not convince that one is far more superior than the other, you know. I thought the game could go either way, and if quantity counts, the tide would be on my side. However, ramdom number rules.

I'm pretty sure that the bonus in my section is like this: SO>Lamoni~GT-R>RE>non-qualifiers
SO got the advantage for his quality. RE got the last place of the qualifiers for the illegiblity :p

A 0-1 lose does not convince that one is far more superior than the other, you know. I thought the game could go either way, and if quantity counts, the tide would be on my side. However, ramdom number rules.

I'm pretty sure that the bonus in my section is like this: SO>Lamoni~GT-R>RE>non-qualifiers
SO got the advantage for his quality. RE got the last place of the qualifiers for the illegiblity :p


Actually, it was more like this:

SO~GT-R>Lamoni>RE>non-qualifiers

Well gee, that makes me feel special.

Not that I'm denying it, though. I thought GT-R was pretty good. I was surprised that Lamoni won.

Is that how you spell 'gee'? What other spelling could there be? I'll shut up now. :)

Actually, it was more like this:

SO~GT-R>Lamoni>RE>non-qualifiers
Wow! That's out of my expectation then. I never thought that my RPs could reach the quality of SO's.

Maybe I'd use the story of Hoarce Matthews as the main plot in my World Cup challenge. Or both. Or... else.

Steal my idea, and I will hunt you down and kill you. :)

Besides, the whole point is that your RPs are good enough AS THEY ARE, with no changes necessary. Keep them the same...and don't steal my idea.

Well gee, that makes me feel special.

Not that I'm denying it, though. I thought GT-R was pretty good. I was surprised that Lamoni won.

Is that how you spell 'gee'? What other spelling could there be? I'll shut up now. :)
Whatever.

Anyway, I made little thought on the name. Just a lousy kind of identifier, dude.

My RPs are basically a mix of phrases from FM2005 and some imagination. Names were just generated by a generator. Players are inspired by RL ones. Lastly, their behaviour... well, kinda Cantona-ish or Di Canio-ish.

I'm sure congratulatory remarks are fine.

FCN, I imagine the reason you lost is that, before all the nice remarks started coming in after the tournament finshed, my RPs made up roughly 22% of this thread (yes, I was sad enough to work this out). I didn't work yours out, but as this tournament is based on RP alone, it'll probably be something along the lines of that.

Well to comment, RPs in general on these forums should not be in first person, unless its a story RP. Otherwise it gets quite confusing...

Steal my idea, and I will hunt you down and kill you. :)

Besides, the whole point is that your RPs are good enough AS THEY ARE, with no changes necessary. Keep them the same...and don't steal my idea.
Most probably it would be "else".

Well to comment, RPs in general on these forums should not be in first person, unless its a story RP. Otherwise it gets quite confusing...He tried to view the whole competition in a personal way.

It's called being original, FCN.

How about not? :p

In the Football-RPing world, I'd say it was. I don't see anybody else doing it currently. Maybe in the story (for want of a better word) RPing world, this may not be the case, but obviosuly you're best placed to comment on that, as I believe you're a bit of a veteran at that.

I think we should let this thread die now, so if you want to carry on this discussion/argument, I'd be happy to do so by TG (can't do IM, I'm afraid).

There are no objections from the BoF Commitee (Me:)) on this arguement/discussion continuing right here in this thread. I think it is actually a very productive discussion, despite the biased opinions each of the parties involved may see it as.

Your RPing is fine. In most cases (this is from my experience), first person RPs is used primarily in story RPs, although after some thought, your RPs actually would work in this context.

Proved by my shiny new trophy which I polish every day (although I think that works off the shine, so I should perhaps stop). :)