NationStates Jolt Archive

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PINA (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Public_International_News_Ariddia) report

Indigenous World Cup set to start in Ariddia

The final preparations are being made for the Indigenous World Cup, an international football competition for Indigenous peoples from around the world.

Eleven countries are taking part, and nineteen matches will be taking place throughout Ariddia. In parallel to the sporting event, the Ariddian Secretariats for Culture and Education have organised a temporary exhibition at the Museum of the World in the city of New Hope ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/New_Hope). The exhibition presents detailed information on the Indigenous peoples of all eleven participating countries, as well as facts on these nations’ football histories.

“We decided to make this a cultural event, an opportunity for Ariddians and visitors alike to learn more about foreign societies, their history and their way of life,” Secretary for Education Juliet Mdluli explained.

Participants in the Cup are the Akamians of Altanar, the Nemyans ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Nemya), Aquilianans ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Aquiliana) and Dwarves ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Starblaydi_Dwarves) of Starblaydia, the Warpland(er)s of Wentland, the Vigiahs, Tupis and Bois-Jutá of Cafundéu, the Tiki Men of Quakmybush, the Mongols of Milchama, the Ly of Rejistania, the Jyyzith of Laethora, the Xanthonians of New Propagandia, the Azmak of Tanah Burung and the Wymgani ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Wymgani) of Ariddia.

PINA has asked Ariddian Football Association President Anna Teals why an Indigenous World Cup.

“There are two reasons, really. First, we wanted to draw international attention to the very existence of Indigenous peoples, who are often marginalised in public view. This is an opportunity for Indigenous people to take centre stage, and to be reported on in the world media. We’re hoping to create public interest for these peoples’ histories, their cultures and values, and of course their current situation, whatever that may be, in their respective countries. Hence the exhibition in New Hope.

It was for similar reasons that Ariddia hosted the Blind World Cup. And of course Mélanie Sandré ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/M%C3%A9lanie_Sandr%C3%A9) was the only athlete with a disability to take part in the Olympic Games.

But it’s also a sporting event, of course. A new opportunity to play some international football, and we hope to make all participating teams very welcome. We hope it’ll be fun for everyone.”

Participating teams have been given a choice as to whether they prefer to use their national flag and anthem, or a specifically Indigenous one. Ariddia’s Wymgani team has opted for the former, while Altanar’s Akamian players have chosen the latter option.

PINA has asked Ms. Teals why Ariddia’s team has no representatives from the Ariddian Arctic Islands ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ariddian_Arctic_Islands).

“That’s a question that’s created some debate. We did ask the AAI authorities whether they wanted any of their players to be considered. Since the AAIs are an Ariddian dependent territory, you could argue that their population is indigenous in relation to Ariddia itself. Certainly that’s the approach taken by Starblaydia in relation to its annexed territories, for example. The decision was made by football organisations and the Council of Chiefs of the Arctic Islands not to recommend any players.

Indigenous status is a tricky question in the AAIs. The Islands have their own Indigenous people ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ariddian_Arctic_Islands#Ethnicity), and it would be controversial, I think, for Wymgani Arctic Islanders or Korean Arctic Islanders or others to take part in an Indigenous team. And we’ve had no actually Indigenous Arctic players who’ve wanted to participate.”

So Ariddia’s team is made up entirely of Wymgani from the Ariddian Isles. They will be playing in Group B, against the Akamians, the Xanthonians of New Propagandia, and, for their opening match at Darras Olympic Stadium near Rêvane, against Starblaydia’s Indigenous team.

“It’s always interesting to play against Starblaydia, and of course we’re very excited,” Wymgani team captain Uha Teh said.

The AFA has also stated it is “very pleased” to see Tanah Burung return to international football. Tanah Burung’s Azmak team will be playing in Group A, and starting off against the Indigenous Ly of Rejistania.

“This Indigenous Cup is going to make performing the ulek (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ulek) particularly meaningful,’ Uha Teh said.

Tune into PINA (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Public_International_News_Ariddia) now for a live discussion of the Indigenous Cup. Guests include Assistant Secretary for Sport Thomas East, Jane Edwards from the Museum of the World, Ial En of a Wymgani community in Darras, Wymgani football player Ke Sho (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ke_Sho), and retired Wymgani player and former national captain Ue Alt (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ue_Alt). Joining the discussion later will be relevent guests from several participating countries.


= = = = =

* Roster thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12154626#post12154626)
* Schedule & Results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12182149)

There had been controversy whether the Warplands should have been allowed to enter the Indigenous World Cup. The Warplands territories had long been integrated within Wentland and apart from a few diehard members of the Warplands Independence Movement there had been no real suggestion of regional separatism. The integration between the Warplands and Wentland was so complete that there arguably was no longer a separate Warplands population.

Indeed, history suggested that any differences in population were minimal. The volcanic uplands of the Warplands, with twisted rocks, had produced giant mineral wealth for the territory, with both diamonds and coal mined throughout as well as precious metals in other areas. However the Warplands always lacked trade routes with one narrow outlet to the sea and tending to be reliant on routes through Wentland. And when colonial expansion proved ruinously expensive the Warplands almost meekly subsumed its foreign policy to that of its larger neighbour. The final blow came when a dynastic marriage unified the ruling houses of both countries and the two had the same King. There was seen to be little point in having separate countries and following a brief period of federation the two became the Kingdom of Wentland and the Warplands - only people soon dropped the latter part.

However, the entry had been made, perhaps at the instigation of the Warpstone chairman Albert Tripp to gain more international experience for his players; the general lack of transfer activity and maximum wage mean that most players stay close to their home towns. And as the largest city in the Warplands (as well as the home town for the most successful Warplands team in Wentland football) Warpstone supplied the majority of the squad, with a few players from the Bellstead teams of the Towers of Great Bellstead and the Orphans of Alumgreen, and a smattering from other teams around and about. Warpstone manager Harry Telfer took charge.

One man adamantly opposed to the competition was Wentland coach Norman Hacker, who declared it to be an usurpation of his authority and he peremptorily banned the Warplands players in the World Cup squad - which could be disastrous, as Warpstone in particular rely heavily on Kent's crosses to Treves. Without those two the Warplands' team is going to be handicapped.

A kit was soon designed, based on the black and white flag of the Warplands (which in turn paid tribute to the different forms of carbon that provide the Warplands with most of its material wealth), a cornflower blue change kit to match the endless summer skies over the Warpland Peaks, and a nickname of The Condors, following the general avian theme of other Wentland teams.

Juwsa Zaath, Spiritual coach of Jyyzith Ground Bats stood in the hanger with concern on his face. The ten year old plane was was half-way through being given a fresh coat of paint.

'Now, are you sure this thing is safe', he quizzed the chief mechancic.

'Of course it is, this plane has never let me down once...apart from that time when the wheels failed to come down properly but that was due to the ferocious blizzard of '78 so let's not get into that'.

These words didn't seem to reassure the coach. All 23 squad players, himself, a physio and all the kit and of course the pilot would have to get to Arridia on a plane that the coach was convinced was ready to fall to pieces.

'You'd best be right', Juwsa exclaimed. 'Because if anything happens to us, you'll be taken to Daedalus (Capital City of Fordavia and headquarters of the Zaar Alam island chain) and your neck will be on the line..literally.

Chief Mechanic Merzil shook his head. 'No need to worry Coach. This plane is as safe as Karsiis' (a saying copied from Fordavia and referring to their gold medal winning winter Olympic luge star Karsiis Delurty).

Secretly though Merzil was feeling a little uncomfortable. The Blizzard of '78 was just one of many incidents in which this particular plane had avoided crashing and causing a major catastrophy.

'Hmm i best give it some more time to check over a few things' he decided.

He called Coach Juwsa over and made up a story on the spot.

'I've just had a call from Daedalus and you know that lorry of fuel that was supposed to be coming in from Fordavia, well they've had some problems at the plant and it won't be arriving until tommorow so you'll have to stay here for today'

'Those pesky Fordavians. Always having problems of some sort or another. Nearly as useless as you laethorians eh'. he sniggered.

Juwsa was irritated by this event though. It would mean he would have to wait till tommorow for his team to arrive in Arridia. He had wanted them there
as soon as possible in order to prepare for the event and to give his decision crystals (which determined team selection) a chance to acclimatize to the arridian weather.

'All right, but i want that plane ready to go no later than mid-afternoon tommorow. If it's not, you won't even need to worry about ending up in Daedalus. We'll take you back to Jyyzith lands and deal with you our own way...and that Merzil will not be nice for you'.

With that statement he walked back to his bike and drove off in a cloud of dust.

Juwsa's short temperedness stemmed from all the trouble the Jyyzith had gone to even being allowed to enter this event.

At the last Winter Olympics The Jyyzith wanted to send some of their men to compete but it was decided in Daedalus that any Jyyzith competitor would have to go under the banner of Laethora.

Laethora had already decided not to enter the games and anyway the Jyyzith didn't want any success they acheived looking like it had been done by Laethorians.

It was decreed that the only way The Jyyzith could enter International tournaments was if they were to be in an all-islands Zaar Alam team with members from Laethora, Tujol and Fordavia. A vote on each island was taken and the idea of a Zaar Alam team was demolished with a 3-1 defeat as only Tujol voted in favour.

The Jyyzith, not particularly upset at this result as they had no intention of representing a Zaar Alam decided that the only possible thing to do was to become an independant nation and then no-one could stop them entering their own team.

Laethora was unsurprisingly upset at this idea due to the huge Gulu (a natural plant used for making a legal hallucogenic drug) plantations concentrated in Jyyzith Lands.

Fordavia and Tujol also concerned about effects to the Gulu supply if the laethorians lost control of it voted with Laethora to make sure Jyyzith could not be given nation status.

The Jyyzith saw the upcoming indigenous world cup as the perfect chance to get some international recognition for their cause and hope that some pressure will be put on the other Zaar Alam islands to finally allow them to acheive their dream of becoming an official nation

Oberlander Loses It
'Local bias' alluded to by Starblaydi coach

The scoreline of Starblaydia versus Ariddia was a very harsh one indeed on the team made up of Nemyans, Aquilianans and Dwarves who lined up at the Darras Olympic Stadium. Starblaydi Manager Jaime Oberlander cited a series of poor, perhaps even biased, decisions from an officiating team hailing from Ariddia's northern neighbours Ropa-Topia of whom he said "I'd bet they'd bey Gnatanaman refs, right?"

Certainly when replayed to those watching on television, the three Ariddian - Wymgani, whatever - goals were questionable at best. Ariddia's opener came from what should have been their third offside of the match, after Lai Es and Ua Wi's earlier infringements. Replays clearly showed that Fain Ugrubolgdam on the far side was not playing the striker onside, and even a goalie of Jiino Graikalonii's standing can do little when one striker draws him out of his goal and simply squares it to another who has raced away from the defenders.

"I'm losing patience with referees who seem to follow a rulebook of their own making," said Oberlander, who has been on the harsh end of such decisions before, "but there's just no accountability these days, not a bit." Though he'd do better if he put his comments in a more politically-correct way, Oberlander's overriding point is still true - lately Starblaydia have been receiving some pretty awful refereeing performances. None more so than the penalty won by An De, who didn't even claim a foul from Nadiil Istaako when he fell to the ground in the box. The referee, however, saw an infringement somewhere and quickly awarded the penalty, which was duly dispatched past Graikalonii with mere seconds to go at the end of the first half.

Though Starblaydia came out with all guns blazing with both Bazrimar and Liileiko going close with a brace of shots each, Starblaydia couldn't find a goal of their own to score, but again the officials managed to give Ariddia another one in the middle of the second half that just about killed off any Starblaydi hope of a victory, never mind a fairly-officiated match. When Iorgos Kanellopoulos falls over, especially in his own penalty area, you know that it's not a dive - he's not the sort to. So as he looked on in disbelief, along with most other Starblaydi players besides Graikalonni, the ball was poked home for three-nil, and nary a move from the ref besides pointing at the centre circle for the re-start.

"If this is a joke, then it's not funny." And so say all of us.

Final Score from Darras Olympic Stadium:
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/starblaydia.png Starblaydia 0 - 3 Ariddia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/ariddia.png
(None) - (Lescrit 28, De 44 (Pen), Teh 68)
Next Match: Altanar v Starblaydia

AFA “furious” at Starblaydi behaviour
Ariddians criticise “lack of fair play”

Controversy has marred the very first day of the Indigenous World Cup in Darras, Ariddia. The all-Wymgani team took to the field amidst a joyful, excited atmosphere, keen to show off their talent on home ground. Spectators made the Starblaydi visitors welcome, the weather was lovely, and everything was set for a pleasant time of comradely football enjoyment.

Then all went wrong. Sébastien Lescrit, An De and Uha Teh all scored, making it a resounding 3-0 victory for the home side, but there was visible tension on the faces of some Indigenous Starblaydi players. When the match ended, some players from the visiting team refused to shake hands with their Wymgani opponents, and left the field quickly. There were boos from part of the crowd.

Not wanting to let anything spoil the fun, Ariddians celebrated their first win all the same. But then, when news of Starblyadi reports on the match filtered through, casual shrugs turned to anger.

“Some of our visitors showed a disgusting lack of good sportsmanship,” an Ariddian Football Association spokeswoman said, and later referred to the Starblaydi media as “trash”.

Wymgani team captain Uha Teh – who scored her side’s third goal – adopted a more conciliatory tone. While deploring the “lack of fair play” shown by “some Starblaydi players”, she believed it had been a “good match” all the same.

“We played well, we proved ourselves, and we all had a good time,” she added.

Young defender Ke Sho played particularly well, confirming his status as one of the PDSRA’s star players.

Nonetheless, Secretary for Culture Serge Rivage said it was “a shame” that an event intended to be about “friendliness and sport” had led to such controversy.

In the other match in Group B, the Akamians of Altanar defeated the Xanthonian team of New Propagandia 4-1. Ariddia’s team – the only one not to have conceded a goal on Day 1 – will play the latter for its next match.

Mongol Niashra-Sha'a-Picayune-Dasna-Aesh-Cochav-Yareach-Shemesh

Spisna Sectone

12 injured in bad match

The Mongols went out and played typical football today as they injured 10 and got a total of 17 cards including 6 red to have the match end at an odd 7 on 5 at the end of the match. The coach Mal Davids said, "This was a good game to start the tournament they were looking for something to start the action and they found it. It's good to see this type of intiative from the guys."

The game was really quite regular for the Mongols. They came out guns blazing which led to 3 yellows, and a red for Fofano. This of course was followed by the Cafundeu response, which is what one would expect from a bunch no account non-civilized brutes, attacked back of course the horses were in the way and mauled a few people. This led to fighting, and the game was soon forgotten as the two sides clashed.

The Mongols dug in while the ref took out his book and tried to card as many people as possible of course his unintellegible handwriting and unfortunate death from a Cafundeu charge stopped him before more people would be suspended. Then finally a charge by the coach Davids led to the ball being found and a wonderful play by Hiya! led to a goal and a 1-0 Mongol lead. It soon became two after the calvalry took out the left flank and Emmitt Halvenson bagged his first goal of the tournament. Halftime was looking good for the Mongols.

The second half though saw the Cafundeu team manage to get around the trench after some nice work by Pitoco, he found a running Nelsinho who, after getting stabbed, managed to beat the keeper to make it 2-1. By then the Ariddian who had expected to see a football match were rioting and added to the confusion on the field as they came inbetween the two sides. The confusion led to some great tactics by the Cafundeu side as Coach Barnebe saw an oppurtunity. He took the ball from the Mongols and gave it to Metir. Metir stayed behind a 16 man blocking line that stopped the Mongols from getting the ball and scored on a wonderful punt on the 6 yard box. A random fan then blew the whistle before either team knew what happened and the game was over. The Mongols tried to protest but the dead referee would have none of it and then a random fan then blew the whistle before either team knew what happened and the game was over.

Final Score:
Milchama 2 (Hiya 65, Halvenson 87)
Cafundeu 2 (Nelsinho 98, Metir 122)

Akamian team celebrates first international match - and win - ever

Haven-Port-Nouveau Stadium, Ariddia - Kicking off their first entry into international competition with a bang, the Akamian Independence Team notched a 4 - 1 win over the Xanthonian team from New Propagandia.

"This is truly a great moment for Akamians everywhere," team captain Parith Brekala said after the match. "We never expected to win our first game ever, but we managed to pull it off. I hope this victory inspires our people back home and helps reaffirm our identity."

The Akamian coach, Nerias Grennor, praised the Xanthonian team for their tenacious efforts at scoring. "Our defense is our strongest suit, though, and we did our best holding them off," Grennor said. "We look forward to our next match against Starblaydia, and hope we can keep our good luck going."

CENTER]Ground Bats Grind Out Victory[/CENTER]

After the Jyyzith plane debacle the squad only just made it into Arridia in time for their first game of the cup.

The first match was being held at Stade National Rêvane-Sud a venue of the size no Jyyzith had ever seen before.

The opponents were the Tiki men from Southern Quakmybush.

Coach Juwsa was forced to abandon his selection crystals as they had not been given time to acclimatise to Arridian weather and instead the team was chosen by whoever had eaten least on the journey.

Before the kick-off Juwsa sat his team down in their own penalty box and read them two poems of inspiration.

As the last notes of 'Freedom for Jyyzith' (the national anthem) died down so began the 65 strong Jyyzith crowd who had managed to make their way to Arridia on a stolen Laethorian jet and made a constant racket with their varied and unusual musical instruments which seemed to be made of some sort of hard cheese and chicken wire.

Finally the game could begin........

The first 20 minutes were a scrappy and dangerous affair. The Tiki Men went sliding and diving into everything with two legs that moved and the Ground Bats were no strangers to retaliation.

This spell led to two Tiki Men and three Jyyzith bookings for Upog, Gasx and Sarf. Sarf was especially lucky not to be sent-off after a vicious stamp, fortunately for him the incident went unseen.

In the 37th minute the first goal of the game was scored.

Sarf now playing as a striker in the 'Saju' role intercepted a stray pass and raced down the right hand touchline. He whipped an excellent ball in to the box towards the head of Firwe, who looked set to score until a Tiki Men defender shunted him right between the shoulder blades. Despite it being a clear foul the referee gave no penalty but it proved irrelevant as a poor defensive clearance fell at the feet of Gasx 20 yards out. He took one touch to control the ball and move it out from under his feet and the second touch was a scorching strike into the bottom-left hand corner which left the goalkeeper no chance at all.

That was the score at half-time.

As the Tiki Men went into the dressing room The Ground Bats stayed out on the pitch and sat down again and Coach Juwsa preceeded to narrate a story about the Myths and Legends of the ancient Gods.

Somehow, this seemed to have a much desired effect.

The Ground Bats football was now flowing and the Tiki Men were struggling to compose themselves.

By the 64th Minute Mazax had missed two chances and Gasx fired a free-kick against the upright, but the inevitable second goal finally arrived.

Unusually for the Ground Bats it came from a long ball. A seemingly pointless hoof from Oyrasx was drifting up towards Firhe when he and the defender got into a tangle. The referee shrugged his shoulders and let play go on. The Tiki Men goalkeeper looked to have it covered and ran out to clear but the ball hit a bobble and shot over his foot. With the ball rolling slowly towards the penalty spot the fastest man on the pitch Sarf nipped round the fallen goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an empty net.

After that the Tiki Men's heads dropped and the game looked to be heading for a lifeless finish until 7 minutes from time when a clumsy challenge on the side of the Penalty area from Upog gave the Tiki Men a penalty.

More drama ensued as Diih the Groundbats keeper claimed it was a blatant dive and refused to stand in goal for the penalty to be taken. Eventually after much persuation including a yellow card Diih took his place but even then he refused to face the kicker and stood with his back to the ball as an act of defiance.

The referee had no option but to blow his whistle and let the penalty be taken, which unsurprisingly was easily converted.

The last seven minutes passed without event as the Tiki Men struggled to create anymore chances.

As the final whistle blew on a 2-1 victory for The Jyyzith, Coach Juwsa jumped onto the pitch and bent down to kiss the grass.

'That'll show them Laethorians what we're made of when we really want something' he said later.

'The Tiki Men tried to intimidate us early on, but my team won't have any of that nonsense, we will fight back just as hard...usually harder in fact'.

As the sun began to set on the first day of the Cup the Jyyzith team went back to their accomodation for meditation and to concentrate on their next opponents the Azmak from Tanah Burung, while the supporters took their instruments into the Arridian night to find anywhere and anyone to party with.

Team
GK: Diih (Yellow Card)
D: Upog (Yellow Card)
D: Oyrasx
D: Rolje (Sub off 80)
M: Gasx (Goal 37min) (Yellow Card)
M: Paqz
M: Tasnuyl (Sub Off 55)
A: Firwe
A: Mazax
A: Roviij
SAJ: Sarf (Goal 64min) (Yellow Card)

Subs

GK: Luxa
D: Saz (Sub on 80)
M: Jaytasew
M: Juhlo (Sub on 55)
A: Duyi
SAJ: Xaxa

Propaganda Express - Sports Pages


PROPAGANDIA FOR XANTHONIANS


The Xanthonians of New Propagandia go to war today, Lead by Santii Tribe Leader Heirro. But hopefully there will be no bloodshed in this war, as the only goal is to take a ball and get it into the back of a net, without using your hands. With no previous rank, it's all up for grabs at the Indigenous World Cup, and with Caldero Xenia's experience as Gainom Xenia, the Propaganda Express believes that the Xanthonian team Caldero Xenia will have a good chance at winning the Indigenous World Cup.


While they lost their opening match 4-1, Hierro remains confident in his true home teams ability. "We have a fe inexperienced youths on our side, not to mention Kaibo wasn't getting the balls he needed. We'll see how we do against Ariddia, but it's not that the pressure isn't on. If we lose we're pretty much out. It's All or Nothing.".


Meanwhile, with the New Propagandian national team out of the World Cup, the public eye is very much on the Braves from the Xantho Peaks, so they question is, can they beat hosts Ariddia? Well if they forget their differences and get the ball to Kaibo who remarkably managed a goal despite a minimal flow of passes to him, and don't collapse under the pressure they might well be able to, so best of luck to the Boys.


-----------------


But things weren't so peaceful in the locker room at the Gainom Xenia grounds. Heirro was in a foul mood at his team's shortcomings.


"What were you thinking?" He snapped.


"They weren't." Said Kaibo grimly, adding fuel to the fire. He and Heirro seemed to be getting on well again.


"Exactly! You didn't pass to Kaibo, the defence was sloppy.. Is this my team? It's not it's some kind of demonic nightmare." Said Heirro.


"Well maybe if you don't rely on foreigners at Gainom Xenia you'd have a stronger Xanthonian team." Said Elazar bitterly.


"Silence." Said Heirro "Here's the plan for Arridia. Stick to the formation, get the ball to Kaibo. Or get it to Jediym. Defend heavily. And do what it takes to win. The Homeland is waiting on us to get our victory, and this is NOT. I repeat not the team that won me the Freedom Cup last season."


"Quite frankly, this isn't the team that won you the Freedom Cup. For starters Klaret, mithson and Reyes aren't here." Said Tegiya who was annoyed aswell.


"That's not the point. Do what it takes to win." Said Heirro.


"What are you implying?" Said Dejisturn.


"Okay." Said Heirro calming down. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. So here's a sweetener to the deal. For EVERY goal that you score. I'll give you one thousand saturnalias. And for every assist I'll give you five hundred. Out of my own bank account. The game is on my kin. And you will be richly rewarded for your performance."

Phil "Flash" Gordon, veteran centre-half for Warpstone, had been invited into the Ariddian studios to give colour commentary on the Mongol-Three Tribes match. He left wishing he had not gone.

As the camera cut to him after the match, he was ashen-faced. "That was not football," he stuttered, "that was sheer warfare."

"How are you going to cope in your next game?"

"Well, I suppose we shall have to teach the brutes a bit of a footballing lesson. Fortunately Warpstone is not known as the University for nothing, we are taught proper skills, like dribbling and passing. We shall have to rely on that for our play. And hopefully a non-murdered referee will realize that a game has to be abandoned if a team has fewer than 7 players on the pitch."

XANTHONIAN XEROS TO NEW PROPAGANDIAN HEROES


Victory to New Propagandia's Xanthonian's as they bring glory to the Xantho Peaks, with a startling 3-2 win over hosts Arridia, and who says Indigenous people aren't equals in New Propagandian society? Well hardly anyone after the match according to satellite readings from the Propaganda 1 channel who aired it live it, it was the fifth most viewed match in New Propagandian history.


"I am so proud of my Boys this starry night." Said Heirro who was interviewed live on the pitch after the match had finished. "They were a vast improvement over the last game and to come from a 4-1 defeat to 3-2 victory over the hosts is a superb achievement. I'm so glad that the Indigenous World Cup has been so well recepted in New Propagandia." Then two Caldero Xenia players, Elazar the Santii and Tebo Vilao ran up and poured a bottle of champagne over his head as celebration.


But how did our Braves from the Peaks achieve this victory? Well I was in attendance to give my match report.


-----------


NEW PROPAGANDIA 3 - 2 ARIDDIA
'16, '89 Kaibo of Gainom
'34 Jediym the Perrigus


The match back after the Ariddia Wygami performed their ulek which had the effect they wanted and made the Xanthonians nervous, but only for five minutes. The game was going well but something seemed different about our Caldero Xenia, they seemed different and rougher.


The first chance came in the seventh minute, Jediym was dispossessed of the ball by Ie O after he kicked the ball out too far infront of him, Ie O passed the ball to Uha Teh who raced down the left wing and took it past Budic then crossed it over, Lescrit and Tegiya were the nearest to it but Lescrit reacted quicker, though he was just out of reach to it. Then he jumped forward, stuck out a leg and caught it with the bottom of his shoe, pushing it at the goal. Vilao dived in a classic style, feet together, arms streched outbut hands together forming a W. He caught it with ease.


Then came the next big chance and goal in the sixteenth minute. Dejisturn used a nutmeg to get past Eo La then he put the ball between the legs of Ke Sho and raced around him. Dejisturn then put a through ball through the defence and into the small boxjust infront of the line where Kaibo was waiting, Kaibo met the ball with his left foot and sent it into the top left corner. Dejisturn was thrilled to have made the assist, probably for getting past Ke Sho to do it. Kaibo and Dejisturn hugged in the thrill of adrenaline.


In the twentyth minute tempers flared, what was to be a joyful game was besmirched when after a through pass from Joanna Hill, Lai Es was clear of players, just managing to avoid being offside(or would this be what Starblaydia accused them of?), but Imotius and Ceanatis, though pushing their body to their limit, managed to keep up and get to either side of Lai Es and sandwhiched her, She was very frustrated by this, but was fuming when Ceanatis had the nerve to stick his foot out and trip her up ust outside of the box. He was promptly given a yellow card.


The game settled down then, Ariddia equalised about this time to loud cheers from the crowd that was by majority Aiddian but there were still plenty thousand New Propagandianswho were really enjoying the Indigenous World Cup.


The pace quickened as New Propagandia's Caldero Xenia forgot about team focus and went back to trying to score goals, the majority of the attacks were an un-coordinated mess leaving Ariddia open to attack but eventually Ambon in the thirty-third minute gave a through pass to Jediym who raced away with the ball as-if the Draklyn were chasing him. Ke Sho who had been key to disrupting the majority of New Propagndian attacks stuck out a foot and knocked the ball away but it rolled to Cadeym who unusually blasted it at the goal from twenty-eight yards out but it hit the crossbar and Jediym got infront of Ke Sho as it bounced once and quickly towards them and he hit it on the volley. It went low and just under Ila Ho's armpit as She dived for it.


Half-time came and went but as it came up New Propagandia seemed to be getting slightly more aggressive. No changes to the Caldero Xenia side were made.


The second half seemed more drab, Ariddia didn't take too long to equalise, which greatly frustrated New Propagandian Xanthonian Players, though some players such as Cadeym and Elazar, usually quite sedate players, took courage by it and instead of feeding the ball to others most of the time started to aim for the goal themselves.


In the sixty-eighth minute New Propagandia had a corner on the left side. Cadeym took it, it was powerful and went towards the outside but suddenly bent inwards, Ila Ho was quick to run up and punch it into the semi-circle but Elazar was there and waited and he hit the ball as it bounced infront of him, it hit the bottom of the crossbar and went down but Ke Sho volleyed it right as it was on the line.


Some New Propagandian fans from wearing the hit Caldero Xenia home kits and scarves yelled that it went in but it was just outside of the penalty area to the right corner tip. Lao was on it, but Dejisturn got there first. Lao limited his options so he passed it to Ambon who was waiting for a counter-attack by the half-way line but had now run towards the penalty area. Ambon hit it from 30 yards out but rocketed it into the cheap seats.


At the seventy-fifth minute, the traditional time for New Propagandian Managers to decide to use substitutions, Heirro took Dejisturn off as he was looking exhausted and put on Rookie Ulyus Qubex who looked nervous He didn't make any other substitutions incase thre were any injuries.


The eightyth minute approached and both teams had livened it up desperate to equalise. But they were both developing foul moods, mainly fueled on by Lai Es and Ceanatis instant dislike for each other. Of course, in New Propagandia Women don't have the rights the males do(despite their boring protests) which means that naturally Ceanatis dislikes Lai Es even more for playing in a Men's division(which will fuel more Female protests). Ambon had gotten a yellow card aswell, after he pushed Ie O when he tripped Cadeym and accused him of diving.


But the most despicable act happened when Ceanatis was marking Lai Es who had the ball, they had both tripped each other a few times on purpose already but only Ceanatis had a yellow card(the other incidents to be fair didn't warrant one). Lai Es then suddenly decided to burst past Ceanatis but he stuck a leg out as he performed a sliding tackle that looked more like a sideways attempt at doing the splits.


He got the ball first but Lai Es tripped over his leg and sprained her right ankle, it was very controversial, Ariddians yelling "Guilty!" while New Propagandans yelled "Innocent!". The Referee took a moment to think, his view was partially obstructed by Ambon at the time but he must have seen the ball roll away before the roar of the crowd's disgust as he waved play-on.


Then Heirro took Ceanatis off and put Farro on before Ceanatis got a red card. Ceantis wasn't happy at that decision.


But the final insult(for Ariddia anyway) was when New Propagandia scored the final goal and held on for the remaining extra time. Qubex who was making his Caldero Xenia debut had the ball, and was being marked by Eo La. He and La were staring at each other when suddenly Qubex passed the ball back to Budic who crossed it across the pitch, where Jediym got control of the ball. He was exhausted after he had run up and down the pitch all night and quickly passed it to Kaibo who suprisingly(for a selfish striker like Kaibo) backheeled it to Elazar in a wierd reversal of roles.


Elazar blasted it at the goal but Ila Ho parried it, Kaibo then latched onto it and smashed it towards the middle of the net, though he slipped as he did. Ke Sho jogged backwards and volleyed it off the line again but third time lucky as Kaibo once again got to it and sent it into the top-left corner just before Eo La slid in with a tackle trying to take the ball off him.


It was in, Kaibo thought he'd never get it into the net but it was in. Immediately he ran with the energy of an excited child towards the nearest billboard and jumped in the air, in victory, thrusting his right arm clenched in a fist above his head before Qubex and Elazar ran up to congratulate him. The day was won three to two. It was a bit of a scrappy and controversial game, really a poor reputation for what is looking to be a cracking tournament. Next stop: Starblaydia.


Player Ratings: Vilao 6, Imotius 6, Budic 7, Tegiya 7, Ceanatis 7, Ambon 8, Cadeym(c) 7, Jediym 9, Dejisturn 8, Kaibo 10, Elazar 7. Subs: '75 Qubex(for Dejisturn) 7, '83 Farro(for Ceanatis) 6.[/CENTER]

Down To The Wire
Group B all tied on 3 points

Starblaydia bounced back from their ignominious defeat yesterday to Ariddia by defeating the team that thrashed New Propagandia, who in their turn beat Ariddia today too: Altanar. In typical Communist fashion, all four teams are on equal points going into the final Matchday where Starblaydia face New Propagandia and Ariddia face Altanar.

Young Starblaydi starlet Indigo Liiileiko proved to be the difference between the two sides as she netted past Virikina just before the hour mark. The native fans didn't appear to offer much support for the yellow-clad Starblaydi players - yellow and black being the traditional colours of Nemya - who seem to be suffering from the reaction of their coach to the manner in which they received their last result.

The young Starblaydi players had obviously taken on board the reactions of their coaching staff at half time and their play in the second period was a direct reflection of those comments. When you're not yet twenty years old, and there's a two-time World Cup Winner yelling at the 'damn bloody commie scum' for their 'red bastard cheating hippy love-in' antics, you'll probably take the hint and give the Wymgani what's coming to them.

Even so, Liileiko's well-placed shot from the edge of the area sailed past Alana Virikina after good work from experienced Dwarf Keztarr Mahezihim on the right-hand side. Starblaydia's defence held firm in the face of Haihtka's onslaught, playing in first Lukisiua then Labalas, but both were stopped by the Starblaydi defence - first a stern challenge from Kanellopoulos, then from Graikalonii.

Group B hangs upon a knife-edge, with the result of both matches vital to who progresses to the Semi-Final stage. Starblaydia have the most ground to make up, being the furthest behind on goal difference. They have to hope for a stunning win over New Propagandia and perhaps a draw in the Ariddia-Altanar match. It'll be tough for Starblaydia, and the tide is against them, but if this team can step up to the challenge now, in this place, then they can surely go on to greatness in the future.

Final Score from Haven-Port-Nouveau Stadium:
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/altanar.png Altanar 0 - 1 Starblaydia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/starblaydia.png
(None) - (Liileiko 58)
Next Match: New Propagandia v Starblaydia

Mongol Niashra-Sha'a-Picayune-Dasna-Aesh-Cochav-Yareach-Shemesh

Sports Section

A horse, of course

In a mostly normal game the Mongols barely won after the horses got out of their and on to the pitch and Luckatinia (Lucky) kicked a 18 yard curler past the Wentland keeper to give the Mongols a 1-0 victory. The game was relatively normal with it only ending 9 v. 8 for the Warplanders. Thomas was happy with the result as he said, "Go Cubs!" He was later transported to a mental institution where they figured out he was a cable guy named Larry.

We here at the paper feel for him and many other insane people. They are regular people just like me and you, well not really, they can't think straight, they beleive things that nobody else sees or heres and quite possibly might be smarter than everyone else. Anyway one has to feel for these poor souls, being locked up day in and day out and being treated no better than a common criminal. That really sucks.

Anyway back to football, the game started out well for the Mongols as they tried to actually play this time mostly because the ref was being a hotshot and not allowing things he deemed as "weapons" onto the pitch. The Mongols were at first handicapped because of the chains they wore around their hands and feet as they were "weapons." Things soon calmed down however after a metal filer found its way to Halvenson who unlocked the his chains and got the keys. The Wentland team couldn't score though because of the fantaboulous efforts of Turkeyman. While not actually existing Turkeyman was all over the pitch today stopping shots left, center, right, center, left, right, TOUCHDOWN! Yeh ummmmmmmm, apparently I'm insane and will soon be put in a "home" after I post this article.

The game was a bore most of the play was actual football and the Mongols couldn't foul much after they got 3 red cards in the early going. Dev Ivni benefited the most though as the extra room allowed him to "explore the space in the studio" this led to 4 goals. All of them were called back because of bogus rules like "handballs" and "offsides" and "not punching the keeper." Ivni was not sent off though and his continued attacks whether legal or illegal kept the game rolling until the 892nd minute when Dato Nif unlocked the stables and allowed the horses on the pitch which led to the only goal by ?????????????? (Commerce Heights like name here). The confused ref then blew his whistle before being run over by Flattitita and dying.

Final Score:
Milchama 6 (Ivni 32, 46, 85, 97, Luckatinia (Lucky) 203, ?????????????? (Commerce Heights like name here) 892)
Wentland 4 (Bakdock 20, 206, Murray 307, Stark 312)

Akamian team falls to Starblaydia

Haven-Port-Nouveau Stadium, Ariddia - Day 2 would prove to be a disappointment for the Akamian team at the Indigenous World Cup, as they struggled against a tough Starblaydian defense and fell, 1-0.

It would be defense - normally the strong suit of the AIT - that would haunt them this match on both ends of the field. Despite several good shots at the goal, the Akamian attackers were never able to get past the virtual wall that the Starblaydians erected. Meanwhile, the normally staunch goalkeeping of Alana Virikina faltered towards the end, allowing the Starblaydians to sneak their lone goal past her.

"Needless to say, we're a bit disappointed," Akamian coach Nerias Grennor said afterwards. "We were close through most of this match, but just couldn't get it there."

The Akamian team won't have much time to lick their wounds either, as they face another tough matchup on Day 3 against host Ariddia.

"Ref, they can't play with those things on..."

A simple request from Phil Gordon as he proceeded for the toss-up presaged an extraordinary demonstration from the Mongol team. With a roar from their khan the ultras poured onto the pitch from the Bator end in a rampage that swept thousands of Han to their doom whilst the Warplands team vanished to the dressing-room and diplomatic immunity.

Eventually an outbreak of bubonic plague brought down most of the hooligans and the Warplands could take the field for their first ever international match. And given the structure of the tournament a win was imperative.

The Warplands went on to the attack early on but were forced into a number of substitutions as the fired-up Mongols started laying about the forward line and midfield. After twelve minutes all three subs were on and the Condors down to ten men as Stark was butchered. The red cards for the Mongols were little comfort as the berserk nature of the opposition seemed to negate the slight numerical advantage.

Turkeyman was inspired in goal as the Warplands tried but failed to break down the Mongol defence. And this proved fatal as with a minute to go an equine pitch invasion distracted Leiper in goal and he let a simple cross float over his head and into the net. An uncharacteristic error but one which makes progress impossible for the Warplands.

Ground Bats Kept Grounded by Azmak Resistance

The Jyyzith took to the field for the secong group game against the Azmak from Tanah Burung.

Today's pre-match speech from Coach Juwsa was all about 19th Century English landscape painter John Constable.

The players seemed baffled by this until the final few lines at which point a nod of agreement went round the team and they were ready for the match.

'He painted what he saw before him' Juwsa orated.

'Your boots are the equivalent of the brush and the ball is the equivalent of the paint. You must use your boots to spread the ball around the canvas in order to create the perfect picture'

But whether Constable would have been happy with the artistry created in the first half is another matter entirely.

The Azmak's very defensive formation led to increasing frustration for the Jyyzith. As much as they tried they could find no way through the tower of strength that was the Azmak defensive line who very firmly shut the door on any possible oppurtunitys.

With the game still scoreless this frustration began to boil over towards the end of the first half as the Jyyzith went in with numerous late challenges leading to four yellow cards.

The half-time whistle blew and Juwsa got his team settled on the turf and racked his brains for an inspirational speech.

'Well', he thought. 'Constable didn't seem to work that good, but that talk on The Myths and Legends of the Ancient Gods went down well, maybe i can think of something along the same lines'.

'Got it', he muttered to himself and preceeded to tell the Viking saga of Thor and how his hammer had been stolen by the giants and would only give it back if the giant got to marry the goddess Freyja so Thor had to dress up as as Freyja in order to get his hammer back.

Again a look of confusion was on the face of the team until Juwsa's ending.

'These Azmak', Juwsa declared, 'Are like the Giants. They are trying to steal something from us. In this case it is not a hammer but points'.

'And we are Thor, we need all those points for ourselves'

'And Freyja is equivalent to the ability of our football. The Azmak will only give us those points if we give them Freyja (our best footballing ability).

'Coach', interrupted Jyyzith speedster and star player Sarf 'Are you saying that we have to dress up as women'?

'No', Juwsa bellowed, 'What we must do is dress up our football. It must be the most precise, beautiful football we have ever played if we are going to break down this defence.

With that he walked back to his seat on the touchline and the players took their positions for the second half.

The story of Thor seemed to inspire the players to greater effort, but this renewed effort was still not good enough to break down the Azmak defence.

on the 80th minute Julho frustated by another loose pass lost control for a second and went into the next tackle with elbows flying everywhere. For this he received a caution adding to his yellow in the first half meaning he had to leave the pitch.

The last ten minutes followed the pattern of the preceeding 80 minutes. Jyyzith unable to find a killer pass when they got anywhere near the Azmak penalty area.

The final whistle blew, to confirm the result as a 0-0 draw.

The Jyyzith crowd, which had now swelled to 90 supporters weren't sure whether this was a good result or not, but unwilling to let it get in the way of any partying carried on playing their instruments and took off to find the nearest watering hole.

'I give them Constable and Thor'. Juwsa told reporters later, 'But it seems we just aren't at that kind of level yet'.

'But it's another point and means we know what we must do against the Ly of Rejistania. We must win at all costs if we wish to top this group'.

Team:

GK: Diih
D: Rolje
D: Upog
D: Aest (Yellow Card)
M: Julho (Red Card, 2 yellows)
M: Pasx (Yellow Card)
M: Cighbe (Sub Off 72)
A: Roviij (Sub Off 80)
A: Firwe
A: Mazax (Yellow card)
SAJ: Sarf (Sub Off 75)

Subs

GK: Luxa
D: Frey
M: Paqz (Sub On 80)
M: Tansuyl (Sub On 72)
SAJ: Luxa Jr (Sub On 75)

Jediym woke up, he was in bed with a slim blonde pale white woman, he saw her clothes across the room, She was a New Propagandian fan. That must've been some party he had last night, this wasn't even his hotel room. After scavenging the hotel room, he found his items, but his watch said it was 1:30 PM. He was meant to have met with the team over two hours ago! He looked at the Woman he'd spent the night with, She was still asleep. He guessed he'd have to leave her, if She woke up then She'd keep him busy when he had no time to lose. Checking his phone he noticed that he'd have five text messages, four from Heirro and one from Cadeym who he was good friends with. He threw his clothes on but couldn't find his tie, he then ran out of the room while buttoning his shirt.


------------


"Where's Jediym? I hope he hasn't gotten in trouble."


"A boy like him wouldn't last in Ariddia. He only knows the basics of hunting and navigation - he was playing with a toy axe by the time we got taken over."


The team stood outside the meeting room in the hotel, waiting for Jediym to show up. It was unfair tha tthey had to wait for him. Kaibo meanwhile decided to go to the bar to get his "Girl's" a drink. The poor guy wasn't experienced in fame enough to realise they were just groupies. And he was buying them a drink.


"Well I for one am getting bored waiting for some brat who landed himself a thousand Saturnnalia." Said Ceanatis who had been in a foul mood since the game. So foul he didn't even go to a nightclub with the team to celebrate.


"Don't worry." Said Warold. "He's probably not in trouble. Just in some Groupie's bed."


"Yea-" Began Ambon when suddenly they paused as they saw Heirro dragging Kaibo away from the bar by his arm. He was a far cry from how proud and majestic he'd looked against Ariddia.


"We love you Kaibo!" The Women yelled after him.


The Heirro reached the group, but he was still focused on Kaubo.


"Two drinks is your limit, dammit!" Heirro said to him angrily. Then he turned to the team. "Honestly, one night of glory and you boys think you're Kings of the world!"


There was a pause, if the team said something then they'd get their heads bitten off. Budic began to wish he was with the proper New Propagandian team, Lucius Andrews was much calmer and less hot blooded than Heirro. Heirro was just going through problem after problem with the group. First they were unmotivated and unsure of what to do so he gave them cash bonuses, then because of the increase of wealth and fame the Player's decided to stop out late, drinking and Womanising. Which was more disastrous as he had to get them fit for the Starblaydia game. Everything was riding on that.


"Hey, hey, I don't tell you how to drink your beers so don't you tell he how to drink mine!" Kaibo angrily blurted out, wriggling out of Heirro's grasp.


"It's how things work when you're the Leader, Chief." Elazar said "You think you've fixed the problem with a soloution but it just leads to worse problems."


"Don't tell me about problems!" Heirro shouted Elazar down "I led the Santii tribe for eight years, I know about varijlon leadership!" Heirro resorted to a Xanthonian swear word the express his anger. It was more the pressure of the nation that was weighing him down.


"Okay, okay, calm down." Elazar said. "I get it, I was in that tribe too."


"Dammit, what am I gunna do? What if Jediym's a stumbling mess and Kaibo's not looking in playing shape either." Heirro said.


"C'mon, I'm sure it'll work out fine." Said Farro.


"You can't be certain of that. You can't be varijlon sure of that!" Said Imotius, who was biting his nails "I've never been more nervous in my life. I don't even have Smithson here."


"You've got a phone, give 'im a call." Said Dejisturn "He'll give you the advice you need."


"If you need help you've got me." Said young Adalwolf, smiling at Heirro. He spoke in Xanthonian, as he just didn't understand English.


"Ah, Adalwolf I know I can count on you." Heirro smiled back at him, replying in his native tongue.


Then Jediym stumbled through the lobby, he'd had to walk because the lousy taxi driver had refused to drive him there, and he felt sick. Infact he had been sick on the sidewalk, and he felt nearly like doing it again.


"Oh by the mountains Jediym you're a mess!" Said Heirro who was in shock, he couldn't believe that was Jediym. His hair was a complete mess, he was missing not only his tie but his suit aswell and obviously didn't notice the the eyebrow-raising lipstick kiss mark on his collar, also by the way he walked with a stagger and a slouch you would guess he had a hangover.


"What the heck happened to you?!" Exclaimed Heirro, grabbing Jediym by the shoulders and shocking him trying to get an answer.


"Please don't do that." Was all Jediym managed to say.


Kaibo laughed "Looks like someone's bought more beer with his money than me!" He said out loud.


"Shush!" Hierro immediately replied, marching over to Kaibo, abandoning Jediym "For the mountain's sake, if the media find out Im' paying you extra for gals and assist they'll-" Heirro was saying in a loud whisper when he was interrupted by Ambon.


"Uh, Heirro." Ambon said.


Heirro turned around and saw that the Receptionist was almost mechanically walking towards them.


"I assume he's with you." Said the Receptionist. Heirro nodded slowly.


"Well I'm afraid that you'll have to get him right now out of public sight or leave." Said the Receptionist harshly before going back to his unfulfilled life making guests sign in.


"We'd best start the meeting." Said Heirro and hurried everyone into the meeting room.


-----------------


"Okay so Starblaydia." Began Hierro "Well.. They're Starblaydia."


"I think I'll need a little more than that to motive me." Said Tegiya sarcastically.


"Ok, ok. Well, I'll have to break the news to you boys." Said Heirro. "We have four teams including us in our group. And all four of us have the same amount of points. But. We have a below par goal difference placing us on the back foot."


"And if we draw with Starblaydia, giving us one win, loss and draw then it will be a cruel joke." Added Warold.


"Now they may have Dwarves on their team." Said Heirro "But don't let that suprise you. Those Dwarves are fast."


Then the whole room was suddenly filled with laughter, because of a tone heirro didn't realise he was using and the idea of a Dwarf speeding along like Speedy Gonzalez. Then Heirro noticed that Jediym and Head Trainer Serro weren't in the room.


---------


Serro kept Jediym steady as they rushed towards the bathroom. Jediym was going to be sick. Then suddenly the Receptionist was in their way.


"What are you doing here? I told you to get out of public sight!" Said the Receptionist angrily.


"Sorry, but Jediym ne-" Began Serro.


"But but but but but - I don't care!" Rudely interrupted the Receptionist. "Get your ass away of the sight of my guests!" Then the Receptionist was arrogantly striding through the hallway.


"Boy Lovett would love to put a bucket of water over his fat head." Thought Serro before looking at Jediym who had turned green and Serro hurried him to the bathroom.


---------


"Right, so Adalwolf, considering Jediym's state you will have to play attacking midfielder. I cannot stress how important this match is and hope I am making the right decision because we need to win this match." Said Heirro "An score lots and lots of goals! And so, I am upping the goal and assist bonus to three THOUSAND saturnnalia per goal and one thousand five hundred saturnnalia for an assist!"


There were gasps around the room, Elazar almost choked on the saliva he swallowed in suprise. That was a good dose of money. Heirro nodded.


"That's right noys. Get the ball to Kaibo. Get back to defend, put one hundred and ten percent into it, even if your body starts sweating blood becayse you're pushing it so hard." Said Heirro. "Launch risky shots if you need to, but don't get greedy. This money is there but if you don't play as a team and don't at all deserve it, you ain't 'gettin any! Understand?"


The team nodded.


"So it's better to try and make the assists to make sure the team get the money." Said Galatix.


"That's right. But I will be unbiased if I think you don't deserve the money. I guarentee, I won't screw you over." Said Heirro.


-------


The meeting finished on a good reception and they where walking through the lobby, when speaking of Reception the Receptionist showed up, looking angry.


"I thought I told you not to come into public with that bumbling buffoon!" He said angrily.


"Just relax, we're only going back up to our rooms." Said Dejisturn calmly.


But this made the vein in the Receptionists left temple throb. His face reddened.


"Your room? Your room?! You are most certainly NOT taking that - that vomit machine into the hotel rooms!" Said the Receptionist, he raised his voice and people looked at them.


"Hey, that's what the maid team's for." Said Heirro. "Besides, the New propagandian Football Association paid for the rooms and we're using them!"


"I don't care if your Prime Minister's got a room! You are not to set foot in this hotel again!" The Receptionist was shouting now.


"Look, we'll keep him in the hotel room." Said Warold "The Football Associaton can't afford another set of hotels."


"Can you please keep your voice down?" Asked Jediym, holding his stomach. Security guards were walking over now.


"What's the problem here?" One of them asked.


"Get these slack-jawed idiots out of my hotel!" Yelled the Lobbyist, pointing.


"Hey, we aren't slack-jawed and we aren't doing anything wrong!" Said Imotius firmly.


Then the Security Guards turned to the Receptionist. "Listen we know you've been taking it hard at work today. So why don't you take it easy?" Said one of them.


"But they're doing it! They did it!" Yelled the Receptionist pointing at the Xanthonian team again.


"I'd like to apologise".Said the other Security Guard to Heirro. "He's taken the game pretty seriously."


"HOW COULD YOU?!" Yelled the Receptionist, furious.


The Jediym vomited. Over the Receptionist. He looked shock and sank to his knees, soiled. Heirro couldn't resist laughing.

The Players lined up to go through the tunnel but Adalwolf was nervous he was just going to debut for Caldero Xenia. Could he do it? Could he take the hung-over Jediym's place? Of course he could but.. He wasn't really an attacking midfielder. He had all the tricks, he had the pace of youth but he had seldom playing in "The hole". He rarely prayed to the Mountains but.. Ah, it was worth a shot.


"May the mountains bless Me and my Family. May the hunt prove bountiful though I no longer hunt animals - instead I hunt a ball with the aim of kicking it into the back of a net. may my feet be swift and my courage prevail." He recited, then he kissed the tip of his left index finger and drew a mountain shape.


Then suddenly..


"Psst! Hey kid!" Someone was calling to him at the end of the tunnel, around the corner.


Adalwolf was startled. He pointed to himself to make sure he was being summoned.


"Yes, you Adalwolf!" Came the whisper.


He left his position in the tunnel. Vindex asked him where he was going but he didn't reply. He went around the corner and saw it was Heirro that wanted to see him.


"Adalfwolf.. You came." Acknowledged Hierro.


".. Yes." Said Adalwolf.


"I wanted to wish you looked. You've always been my most promising player." Heirro's voice was as low as a mumble but Adalwolf made it out.


"So. I wanted to give you this." Said Hierro, getting to the point. He held out a medallion with the Xantho Peaks engraved on it. "I was the last medallion I made before.. You know."


Adalwolf's face lit up. Heirro was.. Well... his Hero. And he was giving him his medallion.


"Thank you!" Adalwolf was undoubtedly pleased by it. He immediately put it around his neck, and looked at it, admiring it. There was some fine work put into this medallion.


"Good look, Adalwolf." Said Heirro, and he patted Adalwolf on the back.

Everything still possible

The Wymgani team are bracing themselves for the final match of the qualifying stages, in which a loss would see the hosts bow out of the competition. The Indigenous Ariddians have had to recover from a difficult and disappointing match against New Propagandia’s Xanthonian team, lost by the narrow score of two goals to three.

Lai Es and Taji Uls both scored, in a fast paced, exciting match in which both sides received cheerful support from the crowd.

“We put a lot of effort in, scored two goals, but the Xanthonians are really skilled and we just couldn’t pull it off,” team captain Uha Teh explained. “Now we’re really hoping we can do better against the Akamians.”

In Group B, all four teams are on four points, meaning that everything remains possible. . . including the worst.

In the meantime, guest teams have been made welcome by Ariddians keen to learn more about their countries, cultures and societies. . . and simply to display a little Ariddian hospitality. The exhibition in the Museum of the World in New Hope has also been a success.

If the Wymgani win today against the Akamian team, the Indigenous Ariddians will reach the semi-finals. . . something no national Ariddian team has been able to do since World Cup 10.

Outside of media interest, the Ly of Rejistania have done rather well. However, the media eventually realized that a mayor being bribed is not something to keep on talking about for days. Even if it is the KaMaRian.

The Sikenian daily was very concise:

In the World Cup for Indigenous People, the Ly team of Rejistania finished first in their group. The team of coach Me I-Nha (formerly employed by TAHAI!) will meet the Jyyzith Team of Laethora in the semifinal.


The Na~ovi National made it a headline on the first page after winger
Han Tje-Mhi talked this national team having priority over the real one.

He refuses to play for the Orange-Blues!
The dream of playing in the national team of Rejistania is something nearly every player has. However H2SR player Han Tije-Mhi¹ told SyMji and the national coach clear words: It is easy, first I am a Ly, then a rejistani. The nation of Ly always has priority over the nation of Hoa-Je. The latter being the Ly term for Rejistania. If there are conflicts between the requirements of the Indigenous People world cup and requirements of the world cup, I will inform the seleken that I will not prioritze them. Entire Rejistania is shocked. How can this person morally justify not to help the Orange-Blues but instead play in a niche-type event? Is Han just reacting out of racism against the seleken? There are sources which suggest that. A friend told a reporter of the Na~ovi Tani: "Han regularily calls his seleken lecturer 'rat' and I have heard him referring to [Asaikivelemanakere Ralaseletikivenemaratede] as ''pineapple man'." In the times of a united Rejistania, we think that nantiism has no place in the minds and hearts. [...]


¹ Tje is transliterated as Tije in the syllabic Isesi alphabet.


The KaMaRi Update even added an article about the Ly culture and history:
Background info: Ly
The Ly are a pre-melanesian people, who lived in the region of Ham-Niu since countless millenia. The scientific theories of the origin of the Ly people vary greatly. Some researchers suggest a common heritage with the Chinese, others say, the Ly crossed the leagueish sea from Schiavonia or even System Karela. Their language is utterly similar to seleken in speech but has a totally different grammar. Linguists suggest that the languages have completely different origins but co-evolved. See the comparism of different sentences in Seleken and Ly in table 1.


English: She is Isesi.
Seleken: Isesikatawa
Ly: ta Ji-se-si wa xao

English: I thought the weather will be fine.
Seleken: Kara~o-u-nja-ka~lne.
Ly: Nhi ka~l, rou nha.

English: No chance, I'm married!
Seleken: toa-sha! Tenni-ne
Ly: sha tva! Nhi de ten.


While the word order is completely different, the morphemes are alike. In these examples, remaining morphmes are: Nhi and -ne-, Sha, nha and -nja-, tva and toa, ka~l and several more.

In the Ly haditera, the number of native Ly declined to 5 million within the last decades, however we need to keep in mind that some life outside the western nanti-likhat. Ly culture was always unique and rather unrelated to any culture on the Island of Rejistania. The Ly religion knows only 5 gods, which are and are not one almighty spirit. the Ly have a decrementive view of the world (the world is getting more and more bad, it is high time for the faithful to leave) compared to the static (the world neither deproves nor improves) or cyclic (improving times and deproving times alternate) view in most other rejistanian cultures. The cultural center of the Ly culture is the Meanem atakele in Nha Va Kali. [...]

Starblaydia Through To Semis
Youngest player makes the difference

Parkin Riiklik, that's the new name on the lips of Starblaydi fans after his headed goal in the first half of the crucial match against New Propagandia decided the outcome and, ultimately, who went through to the Semi-Finals of the Indigenous World Cup as the best second-placed team. Though at 18 he's the youngest player in Starblaydia's squad, the ethnic Aquilianan rose highest in the penalty area at the back post to bullet an unstoppable header past Tebo Vilao.

The ball blasted in off the crossbar with Vilao completely unable to stop it, over the head of Budic, standing on the line to prevent such an event. Even the steadfast Ceanatis, usually so good in the air, couldn't stop Riiklik's charge into the box and powerful leap to hammer home the header. The young defender, who can play equally well at Right-Back and Centre-Back, has already taken the most difficult step on the road to fame and fortune. Prior to this crunch match, New Propagandian officials actually described Starblaydia's team as their 'nemesis', such was the grandeur of this particular occasion for the young sporting nation.

That 'nemesis' tagline could also be given to Starblaydia from their Rejistanian opponents, who they meet in the first Semi-Final at Wavecrest City Stadium. Starblaydia, of course, defeated Rejistania in the final of World Cup 25 over thirty years ago, something the Rejistanians, and probably also the Ly, have not been able to put to rest - especially after the 5-2 drubbing the White-and-purples dished out to the Orange-blues in the Group Stage of World Cup 29. Whatever the outcome of the Semi-Final match, old scores between Starblaydia and Rejistania, Atlantian Oceania and FIFA/The League and also Takil and Karela will not have been put to rest either.

Final Score from Darras Olympic Stadium:
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/new_propagandia.png New Propagandia 0 - 1 Starblaydia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/starblaydia.png
(None) - (Riiklik 43)
Next Match: Rejistania v Starblaydia

Lyese is a language, which lets many things open to interpretation. When however I-Nha'he came to the team shouting "Tuu, mhei kva!" there was no degree of guessing. The most adequate translation would be: "$deity, we're screwed!" The coach then explained that the next opponent would be the three starblaydian minorities. the mood was generally gloomy upon hearing this. The chance that the 11 best Ly were better than the best 11 of a 100 times bigger population group was rather slim. Especially since soccer is big in both nations. Suddenly Hy Nhan stood up and said something in rejistanian. It took a few seconds until the Ly realized this was a quote from "H1SR- first league, here we come" since Nhan was not knowing it by heart: "Friends in Karela! They might have the better talents, they might have a better place where they come from, even the future might be better among them. we should however not try to keep the defeat low. We should go for the victory here. This is the chance which we have. We should not think why they are better, we should think why we are better. And then 'jisu them!" this did the trick quite well: the He-me-ly-wa-xao got their optimism back. and even Nha admitted that he was maybe too pessimistic and the Ly could make a difference and advance into the final.

Wymgani burst into the semis

There was spontaneous rejoicing and partying in the host nation as the Ariddian Indigenous team delivered a highly convincing 5-2 victory over the Akamian side, to claim a place in the semi-finals. No Ariddian football team has done this well in football for decades – except the ladies’ team which won silver at the Olympic Games.

“We’re really happy, we’ve given our country a reason to rejoice,” team captain Uha Teh said.

Teh scored two of her team’s five goals in the game against Altanar’s Akamians. She is also part of the national team, the Rouge-et-Noirs. But Jo Tael, who also scored two, was far less known to Ariddians. . . until today.

“Well, while other people are partying, we’re going to get back to training,” team mate Laziza Lao joked. The upcoming semi-final is being taken very seriously indeed, and will pit the Wymgani against Milchama’s Mongols, at Darras Olympic Stadium.

“I’m not even going to think about the fact that we may not win,” Lao added.

The team’s success has thrust them into the limelight, and sparked significant public interest within Ariddia. Not that Wymgani players had been a rare sight before now; Ke Sho ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ke_Sho) was already a star, and a Wymgani, Ue Alt ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ue_Alt), once captained the national team. Indigenous Ariddians are very much a part of the nation’s daily life and identity, and the ulek ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ulek) has made them a familiar name in households around the world.

“But it felt special to perform the ulek as an all-Wymgani team,” Uha Teh admitted.

Only The Mongols Left
All the way to the Indigenous Final

Indigo Liileiko scored her second goal of these championships - only the team's third goal in their four matches - as Starblaydia needed penalties to beat the Ly team from Rejistania.

The Ly have surely acquitted themselves very well, with a population estimated at just five million to draw on, they managed to hold the combined forces of three former nations - two of which with successful footballing histories - for one hundred and twenty minutes before succumbing in the lottery that is a penalty shoot-out.

Rejistania's Kja Nhu-De gave them the lead within half an hour of the match as he held off Nadiil Istaako's challenge to fire a right-footed shot past Jiino Graikalonii. Istaako was guilty of not pressurising the Ly forward enough, giving him enough room to make space for the stinging shot. Starblaydia came right back, however, but for the third consecutive match this young team could only find a single goal. From a Starblaydi point of view it appears to be Apollina Iakovakis failing to provide the crucial link between forwards and midfield. The young attacking midfielder appears to be more comfortable on the right wing, as more than a few times we've seen Keztarr Mahezihim have to come inside to have any space to get the ball. In the middle of the pitch he's far less effective, and Starblaydia are suffering for it.

The quality of the strikers, such as it is, has just about brought Starblaydia through with two 1-0 victories in the final two Group matches and it was young Indigo Liileiko again, receiving a defence-splitting pass from Bazrimar, who slotted Starblaydia's equaliser. A long and rather glorious career may well be in store for this young girl from Ionia.

With the teams tied at 1-1, Extra Time beckoned but neither side could make a crucial breakthrough, thanks to dogged defending from both sides. It came down to penalties, something which Starblaydia historically have not had much luck with but did, of course, win World Cup 28 via. All five of Starblaydia's found the net, compared to only four for Rejistania - in the end it was veteran Talenii Karo who scored the decisive spot kick, propelling Starblaydia into the Final of the first Indigenous World Cup.

There they will face the especially-violent Mongols of Milchama, and should the Starblaydi players remain in good health, they will surely be outnumbering their opponents before the game ends, something which points to a Starblaydi world title for their indigenous people and a credit to the players of Nemya, Aquiliana and the Dwarves of Reigas province.

Final Score from Darras Olympic Stadium:
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/rejistania.png Rejistania 1 -(AET)- 1 Starblaydia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/starblaydia.png
(Nhu-De 29) - (Liileiko 73)

Rejistania 4 -(pens)- 5 Starblaydia
(Hii, Nhu-De, Na Kha-Sha, Sha) - (Bazrimar, Liileiko, Iakovakis, Mahezihim, Karo)
Next Match: Starblaydia v Milchama

Brief run for AIT ends

Haven-Port-Nouveau Stadium, Ariddia - The debut of the first-ever international team for Akamia came to a crashing halt today, as the Akamian Independence Team fell 5-2 to host Ariddia. After a convincing win in their first game at the Indigenous World Cup, the AIT struggled in two consecutive losses.

"While we did not do as well as we hoped, we're still glad to have been here," Akamian coach Nerias Grennor said afterwards. "We had the chance to perform for the international audience under our own flag and anthem, and that meant everything to us." Grennor also joked, "We thank the Ariddians also for being gracious hosts - even though they're sending us home!"

In related news, the coverage of the Akamian team back in Altanar seems to have stirred up a minor hornets' nest. After the loss to Ariddia, minor scuffles broke out in Celavan between AIT supporters and people protesting what they called the "glorification of the separatist movement" that the games represented. A protest was also held outside the Aerie in Ael Khalas, at which a small group claimed that using the Akamian independence flag and anthem at the games was an "insult to Altanari sovereignty and unity", and demanded that the government respond. There has not been, as yet, any official response from the King or the government.

Hosts fail to deliver exploit

The Wymgani team will not be competing in the final in front of a home crowd in the National Stadium, as the entire country had been hoping. Ariddia’s semi-final opponents, Milchama’s Indigenous Mongols, proved far too skilled an opponent to overcome.

“They won by a clear margin by being the better team,” Wymgani captain Uha Teh said.

The match was intense, providing a total of eight goals for the enjoyment of excited spectators. Defender Eo La scored a surprise goal for his team, while attackers Lai Es and Sébastien Lescrit proved true to form, also scoring one each. Clearly the Ariddians were eager and full of energy. . . but the Mongols opposite them seemed quite simply unstoppable, and scored five times.

“They’re a revelation,” Teh went on. “I think when all this is over they can go home very proud, and hopefully have gained the recognition they deserve.”

In the meantime, however, the Wymgani team have left the semis behind them and are focusing on their last match in this competition – one which could still enable them to take third place in this Cup.

“And, on home ground, that’d really be great.”

For Ariddian fans, the “little final” for the third place, against the Rejistanian Ly, will be at least as important as the first ever Indigenous World Cup final, pitting the Mongols against the mixed Indigenous team from Starblaydia.

Campeone, Campeone! Ole, Ole, Ole!
All the way to the Indigenous Final - and one step beyond

For the people of Aquiliana, starved for glory even from their first ever tournament where they finished as Runners-Up in the Baptism of Fire for World Cup Seventeen. For the Nemyans, never before gloried by themselves save in amateur athletics. For Dwarves, non-Anglicised in their culture, descended from Cockbill Street, who could not even share in the Street's two Cups of Harmony.

For the little people overseen by the large and powerful, for those whose ancestors were displaced in ages long forgotten save in dusty old textbooks. Around Ariddia's finest stadium there played three distinct national anthems as Dwarven striker Durin Bazrimar lifted the first Indigenous World Cup trophy high over his head.

How did Starblaydia overcome their challenges - specifically the main one of how to fit two right wingers into one side? The answer was simple: switch Mahezihim over to the other side of midfield and let Apollina Iakovakis have her head on the right wing. Dwarven midfielder Kili Izretar, moved in from the left, then became Starblaydia's pivot, the team revolving around his instinctive, seemingly 'no-look' passing.

It worked so well that Iakovakis got herself two goals, including an equaliser for 2-2 and the final winning goal itself. Jaime Oberlander does know how to mould a squad, it seems, and he knows how to change things up when the situation tells you that your first idea was wholly incorrect. Useful things to remember for a World Cup coach.

Final Score from Stade National Rêvane-Sud:
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/starblaydia.png Starblaydia 3 - 2 Milchama http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/milchama.png
(Kanellopolous 23, Iakovakis 65 % 83) - (Ivni 31 & 42)