NationStates Jolt Archive

<Dazza Dallas with some hot girls holding Ariddian and Bettian flags>

"Hello, this is Dazza Dallas in The Lowland Clans. We have a big final in the World Cup 35 here - World Cup 33 winners Bettia take on the winners of the last cup Ariddia! For me, it's a hard game - to support our friends Bettia or my homeland Ariddia, where I'm going have a second home. So, who's Dazza going to support? Err, both teams. I can't support one team, I'd be easy if Jeruselem was in the final as I'd have support my own team but in this case we aren't - it's not like World Cup 32. You know, my head says Bettia but the heart says Ariddia. I can't choose, it's too hard. There is the other game for 3rd place, and I'm going for Sloths to beat the Vilitans. Why, I think the Sloths could win a World Cup soon."

"Hey, check out the girls here. Bettian and Ariddian girls! Here to support their team. Actually some of Ariddian girls look a bit like me, but Mum was Ariddian so I think I might find a few relatives in Ariddia. So people, don't miss the final and don't miss Isla Blige and her team play for third either. OK, who's going to win?"

Bettians: "Bettia!"
Ariddians: "Ariddia!"

"Me and Dinkie, or is that supposed to be Dinkie and I, are going be at the final LIVE. Will Bettia stop the Ariddians making it back to back, or will Bettia regain the crown? And can the Sloths settle for 3rd spot as Vilita climb back into rankings or will the Cats eat the Sloths? I'm Dazza Dallas and I expect Jeruselemites to watch."

<Camera turns off>

"OK girls, where's a good place to go shopping?"

The Enlightener: what's brown and sticky?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/FAB.jpg

The Fiii-naaaal Count-dowwwwn
(♪ duh-duh-durrr durrrrrr, duhduhduh-duh-durrrrrrr...♪)

Bettia..............................1 (P.Busilanta 73)
Schiavonia.......................0

After falling desperately short in the last World Cup, many pundits here in Bettia wouldn't have fancied the Aroras' chances of bouncing back and making it to the final... but they've done it. Like a dark horse, they've quietly kept themselves in the background before sneaking up on the rails to come within touching distance of reclaiming the ultimate prize in world football.

To do so, they had to overcome Schiavonia, who proved to be every bit as tricky as the formbook suggested. Maybe it was the reddish bits in their kits that distracted the players, maybe it was the fact that they're a decent side. Whatever the reasons, Bettia scraped past by the narrowest of margins.

When you have two teams of this calibre who both enjoy a spot of attacking football, it's only normal to assume you'd be in for a goal-fest, right? In this case, wrong... although it wasn't for the want of trying. Indeed, there were some moments of drama to be had.

The game itself started quite tentatively, with both teams content to feel each other out (in a non-sexual manner, of course). It was the Sloths who had the first half-chance, but Jerry Berry saw his 21st minute shot whizz a foot wide of the post. From then on, the game took on a sort of ebb and flow quality, where a couple of minutes of frantic action would be followed by a few moments of near-serenity (as near to serene as a World Cup semi-final can get, anyway).

As half-time beckoned, Bettia came within a whisker of opening the scoring as Busilanta was set free on the left wing. As he charged down the flank, he spied Andi Busilanta making a beeline for the far post and found him with a pinpoint cross. Unfortunately, the striker's header rebounded off the top of the crossbar, and Sloths goalkeeper Chris Howard was just about able to gather the ball despite the best efforts of the Cafundéu-bound striker.

If the action in the first half was stop-start, the second half could only be described as relentless as both teams somehow found a little extra energy, and proceded to tear into each other tooth and nail (not literally - this was Bettia playing here, not Northern Bettia). At one end, Isla Blige was showing off all sorts of trickery, and combined well with her sister Shiela to fashion a great opening which was only thwarted by the heroics of Chris Swift. At the other end, the Busilanta brothers once again showed why they are such hot property by stringing together a host a great passing movements a shots which Howard was hard-pressed to keep out.

As the onslaught at either end continued, it was only a matter of time before one of the teams finally scored - it was simply a matter of who and where. That question was answered in emphatic style on 73 minutes after Peri Busilanta caught Cueto in possession just inside the Bettian half. With no defenders in the immediate vicinity, the striker decided to go off on a little sprint in the general direction of the Schiavone goal. Recognising the danger, Howard charged out of his area in an attempt to challenge Busilanta, at which point the Bettian promptly lobbed him and watched on in great satisfaction as it bounced into the back of the net with Cueto in hot pursuit.

With time ticking away, it was inevitable that the Sloths would pour forward in search of that precious equaliser - and pour forward they did, literally raining shots in on the Bettian goal (some of which were on target), but despite their great efforts, Christ Swift and his back line held firm to book Bettia's place in their second ever final.

Their opponents are no less than the reigning champions themselves, Ariddia, who saw off Vilita in their semi-final. Apart from winning the World Cup itself, the fact that it is the Rouge-et-Noirs who will be facing the Aroras should give them some extra impetus - the two teams have only played each other twice, with Ariddia knocking Bettia out of two of the last three World Cups on their way to winning them. This fact will certainly not be lost on the players as they bid to make it third time lucky.

The FAB have confirmed that for this final, Bettia will be playing in their change strip of blue and white quarters, together with their patented, scientifically design Azurlens™ blue-tinted sunglasses in an attempt to counteract the overwhelming red which makes up most of the Ariddian kits. All Bettian fans attended this game are also encouraged to wear as much blue as possible in an effort to minimise the red evilness.

So, the big question is - will Ariddia retain the World Cup, or will Bettia gain their revenge?


Fixtures / Results

MD..OPPONENT................VENUE...RESULT

Knockout Stages

FN: Ariddia.................TLC.....
SF: Schiavonia..............TLC.....W 1-0
QF: Elves Security Forces...TLC.....W 2-1 (after extra time)
2R: Rejistania..............TLC.....W 4-1

1st Round, Group 3

01: Qazox...................TLC.....W 1-0
02: Tynelia.................TLC.....W 3-1
03: Jeruselem...............TLC.....W 2-0

Qualifying Group 9

01: Sativaville.............HOME....W 2-1
02: Quakmybush..............HOME....W 3-1
03: United Island Empires...HOME....W 5-2
04: Daughty.................HOME....W 2-1
05: Bostopia................HOME....W 5-0
FR: Az-cz...................Away....L 1-3
06: Sativaville.............Away....W 2-0
07: Quakmybush..............Away....W 2-0
08: United Island Empires...Away....D 0-0
09: Daughty.................Away....W 2-0
10: Bostopia................Away....D 0-0

Poor little Pred.

Bettia had made it to the World Cup final, he'd been there to watch it happen AND he and his father had tickets to the final itself, thanks to him winning a World Cup competition in The Enlightener... but was enjoying the experience?

No.

Ever since the semi-final, the lad had been quite unable to get much sleep, but not through excitement of seeing the biggest game in world football.

For the past couple of nights, his dreams had been haunted by the vision of beauty that had sat next to him. Oh, those eyes, those gorgeous dark eyes staring into his as he took her slender hand and leant forwards. They got closer and closer, their lips quivering in anticipation of that wondrous first kiss... and then the girl's annoying little sister would pop out of thin air right in his face and say "Hello mister! Whatcha doing?" in that annoying cute voice of hers.

Oh, the agonies of teenage love. But what the hell was he doing falling in love with her anyway? He was an average sixteen-year-old with average school grades, average looks and the average sixteen-year-olds's helping of spots. She, on the other hand, was a 600-year-old Ifrit who could probably fry him into a pile of dust with a single look.

It'd never work.

Still, here he was, decked out in blue and white complete with blue sunglasses, sat in a front row seat directly behind the goal. His favourite place. He always made a point of standing behind the goal whenever he went to watch his local team, Pifton Rovers, simply because that's where the action usually was... which hopefully today would be at the correct end of the pitch. He casually flicked through his matchday programme, taking time to study the penpics of the Bettian players. He had just got halfway through the feature on team captain Ariel Haynes when his reading was interrupted by a jolly old voice.

"Well I never. Small NS-world, isn't it?"

He looked up and gasped. There was Ali, accompanied by... that... girl, who stood there dressed in a Bettian replica kit with her arms crossed in front of her, which he couldn't help noticing had the rather enticing effect of, shall we say, enhancing her figure?

"Erm... hi!" he said, waving nervously and closing his eyes to make himself look a little bit cheerful, hoping to dear Allah that she hadn't noticed him staring at her like that.

"Hello pervert boy. Whatcha doing?"

He flicked his eyes open in shock. Yep, sure enough, there was the girl's sister.

"Fatarani, that's very not nice. Don't call this young boy a pervert," Junilun scolded her little sister.

"But Juni, he was staring at you. I saw him. He fancies you!"

"Now stop it! You're embarrassing him!" Junilun said whilst pointing at Pred, whose face was going a rather evil shade of red.

"Ooooh! His face is all red! He looks like a Vilitan!"

At this point Junilun had had enough, so she stuffed her hand into her pocket.

"Look Fatti, here's a ten Clan Dollar note. Go and get yourself some chocolate or something."

"Yay! Chocolate! Wheee!"

"And get something for this boy as well. It's the least you can do for showing him up like that," Junilun said as she turned to Pred. "So, what would you like?"

Pred gulped. Was this babe really asking him if he wanted a drink? And she was paying? Man, this must be a dream. Of course, it's a dream, and soon he'll be waking up with no drink and no beautiful girl to look at. Oh gosh, maybe it isn't a dream. He'd better say something, quick.

"I'll... I'll have a... cola?"

"Cola! Yippee!" Fatarani yelled as she flew off to the nearest snack bar.

"I'm so sorry about my sister. She's not normally this annoying... she's such a child sometimes."

"I'm not a child, I'm 241 years old!" Fatarani said as her head suddenly appeared in front of them, poking out of a small portal.

"Fati... you're losing your place in the queue."

"No I'm not. My body's still in the queue, and my head's here, where I can keep an eye on you and Pervert Boy."

"Just get..." Junilun muttered as she stuffed her sister's head back through the portal. "And don't forget the cola!"

Pred chuckled nervously. "Thanks. It must be tough having a little sister."

"Yes. She can be a handful at times, but she's alright once you get to know her. You'll see."

Pred couldn't believe his luck. This girl was actually chatting to him. Him! Not some high school jock with charming good looks and rippling muscles, but him! Could it be he was in with a shout with her, after all?

"Um... you're not wearing any sunglasses." he said.

"Sunglasses? Whatever for?"

"Well, because of all the red." he replied, pointing at the contingent of Ariddian fans at the other end of the stadium.

"Red? What, like your face? You blush ever so easily. I though men weren't supposed to blush like that."

Damn. Back to square one. He sighed and opened his programme, holding it so she could read it together with him. Okay, so he obviously had no chance of getting her to fall madly in love with him today, but still, they do live in the same suburb. Perhaps he was in with a chance after all.

His face suddenly broke out into a grin and he started giggling like an idiot. Just think, if Bettia score and this girl is still sitting next to him, maybe he could get a celebration hug off her.

Wow.

Now all the Aroras had to do was score... preferably more than once!

Dazza Dallas was playing Second Life on her laptop while waiting for Dinkie Dosha to turn up when her mobile phone rang.

(Conversation in French)

Dazza: Hello, The Village Bike here!
Woman: Hello, that Dazza Dallas?
Dazza: Yeah, it's Dazza alright. There's only one and only Dazza. How may I help you?
Woman: I'm from Ariddia, the name is Betty Dallas ... I'm your grandmother.

Dazza: Grandmother? Really?
Woman: I'm your mother's mother, well I was before she disappeared to Jeruselem.
Dazza: Why's that? Mum never told my why she moved to Jeruselem.
Woman: Oh I think she got a job offer, but it was fake - and they made her into a prostitute. I see you aren't much different.

Dazza: Well, you coming to my place? After this World Cup, I'm going home and getting ready to move into my holiday place.
woman: I would but ... I can't. Don't have a working car.
Dazza: I'll buy you one.
Woman: You don't have to do that, I don't really need one.

Dazza: I'm billionare, I don't have money issues.
Woman: That's alright, I don't need a car. I get there somehow.
Dazza: How come we didn't get to talk earlier?
Woman: I didn't want to bother my daughter or you, but I think now it is the time for me to see you since you are going be in Ariddia.

Dazza: But I'm there sometimes as world Cup player.
Woman: You were working, I didn't want to be a nuisance.
Dazza: Please visit, you've got great-grand kids.
Woman: I'm trying to working something out.

Dazza: Well, I want you visit and see Mum too!
Woman: I will. Say, how tall are you?
Dazza: About 5 feet. Mum's the same and my daughter Kate isn't tall either.
Woman: I'm not tall either. Looks the small gene is pretty strong.

Dazza: I want to see you.
Woman: I'd better do it too, before I get too old and die.
Dazza: What about granddad?
Woman: Passed away a long time ago, pity. He never knew he had a famous granddaughter.

Dazza: Nice talking to you Grandma!
Woman: I'd better go now. The dogs need feeding.

World Cup final and 3rd place play-off (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12825833&postcount=21)

<Dazza Dallas and Dinkie Dosha at a full stadium. Dazza Dallas is wearing a Bettia cheerleader dress with an Ariddian flag sewn where the heart is.>

Dinkie: Hello hello! It's the World Cup final between Bettia and Ariddia! We're in the Lowland Clans. This is the big game. The winners of World Cup 33 vs the winners of World Cup 34 - it can't get any bigger.
Dazza: Oh yeah, we wish we were here as the team playing this final but Bettia and Ariddia were the best teams in this cup. Today we will find out who is the best of these teams!

Dinkie: It's our friends Bettia against Dazza's homeland. It's the biggest personal game for Dazza, apart from the World Cup 32 final where Jeruselem lost to Ariddia and where Ariddia won it's first cup.
Dazza: So who won - Team B or Team A?

Dinkie: The Aroras! They took game, TWO ONE to deny Ariddia the defense of their cup. Bettia regain the cup and will probably be the number one team in the World Cup. We're sure Ariddia will be number two.
Dazza: The Green and Gold team proved too good, and err the French surrendered in the end ... but both teams proved to be the best in this cup.

Dinkie: Congratuations Bettia! and commiserations to Ariddia.
Dazza: Well, Bettia has the glory - but Ariddians can be proud of their team. I'll be seeing the Ariddians real soon when I move for the holidays. Yes, Dazza is going to her second home - the homeland my Mum left. Yes, Dazza is doing Ariddia (smiling)

Dinkie: Watch out Ariddia!
Dazza: Hey, I'm not that bad.

Dinkie: In the other game, the Slothes beat Vilita ONE NIL.
Dazza: Isla Blige and her Sloths go home with 3rd spot. Vilita were far from disgraced as they are making their way back.

Dinkie: That's it from us. The world Cup 35 is over, we welcome the next cup - where we will be back as that guy in that movie said.
Dazza: And I'm going have a holiday in Ariddia but Jeruselem is still my home. I'm not leaving my home, I'm still a Jeruselemite. I want to win this cup for my homeland - Jeruselem. Because it's God's will! Oh stay right here for a minute!

Dinkie: I'm worried fans!
Dazza: (holding a placard saying "Please watch my new TV show - Hello Girlz") I'm back!

Dinkie: Dazza's pluggin her new TV show - about girl issues.
Dazza: It's launching after my holiday in Ariddia. Please watch it.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5728/pinaariaz1.jpg

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/bettia.png Bettia 2-1 Ariddia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/ariddia.png

World Cup final: in brief

Ariddians finish as runners-up

With a one goal lead, the Aroras have taken their second World Cup champion’s title in three Cups, defeating the Rouge-et-Noirs by two goals to one. An early goal by Ariddia’s Raphaëlle du Valdor was not enough to overcome the mighty Bettians, who won the ‘clash of the titans’ with goals by Peri Busilanta and Frank Myfanwy.

It was a well-deserved victory, despite an almost flawless performance by the Rouge-et-Noirs. Bettia has now avenged its humiliating defeat in the second stage of World Cup 32. A three-all tie had been broken when the Bettians had missed all but one of their penalty shoot-out kicks, while the Ariddians had scored all of theirs. Those unpleasant memories are now forgotten by Bettian fans, who tonight will be celebrating a well-earned victory.

The two teams have now monopolised the trophy between them for the past four Cups.

[read full article]


Ariddian players living abroad

PINA (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/PINA) has talked to three top Ariddian players who have settled abroad, either permanently or on a temporary basis for their professional career. They share their experiences of foreign lifestyles.

Cassie Lee (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Cassie_Lee) has never been a professional football player, making her one of the world’s top amateurs. She gave up her job as an air hostess for Ariddian Airlines (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ariddian_Airlines) to move permanently to Errinundera with her boyfriend bilnadvi. There, she has begun training to be a firefighter.

“Errinundrians are wonderful people, but they do like to start fires!” she explains, laughing. “Even here in Combienbar (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Combienbar), which is mostly forest and peaceful, beautiful nature. So firefighters are always needed. I just hope putting out fires isn’t going to make me unpopular!”

Asked about her impressions of her new homeland, Lee said: “Some of it reminds me of home. Vast forests everywhere, a communal lifestyle with everyone helping every else out; and that’s so rare in most countries. . . And they’re vegetarians, like us. They respect all life. Consumerism has never reached here, so it’s never messed up their way of life.”

But some things are different nonetheless. “Errinundrians. . . They have this spiritual connection with the forest, which is a bit foreign for me, but really fascinating. Oh, and they never seem to take themselves seriously! They’re always making fun of how serious we Ariddians are.” She giggled. “It’s a bit disconcerting at first. It makes me feel different from the people around me.”

And life in a tree home? “I’m getting used to it!” she said, sounding enthusiastic. “Bil finds it funny that I’m not used to living in a tree. But I think he’s a bit worried, too, that I might fall out of the tree one day.”

Does Cassie Lee intend to continue playing for the Rouge-et-Noirs, despite the fact she no longer lives in Ariddia? “Oh, definitely. At least for one more Cup, if they’ll have me. Being a Rouge-et-Noir is fantastic, and a great honour. Besides, I’m still very much in contact with Ariddia. I have family there, and everything.”

When asked whether she considered herself Errinundrian yet, Cassie Lee (or cassielee, as her new neighbours call her) considered the question for a long moment.

“I don’t know… It’s starting to feel like home. And I’ll be obtaining citizenship. But I’m not sure I’ve completely adapted to Errinundrian culture yet. I still feel like a foreigner quite often, although everyone here has been really kind and helpful, trying to make me feel at home. I suppose you’d have to ask Errinundrians. In the end, it’s up to them to say whether I’m an Errinundrian.”

Ke Sho (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ke_Sho), meanwhile, plays for Atlético Jutense in Cafundéu. He has told PINA that he doesn’t know yet whether he intends to settle there permanently.

“If I do, it’ll be for [his girlfriend] Célia [Fernandes]. She has her family here, and she has her career here [as a journalist], so I’m not sure she’d want to move to Ariddia. It’s something we’ll decide together. Of course, growing up, I never imagined I could ever live anywhere else than among my people.”

An Indigenous Ariddian (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Wymgani) of the remote E’te community, Sho was 13 by the time he first ventured out of his home community’s land, and discovered the unimaginable strangeness of towns and cities. A few years later, he was travelling around the world, acclaimed as one of Ariddia’s very best football players, and was signed on to play for a Cafundéu club.

“I think I speak more Portuguese than English now,” he remarked, humourously. When he first arrived in Cafundéu, Ke Sho faced a tremendous language barrier, speaking only his native Wymgani and a few hesitant words of English. “I get along by asking people to speak slowly,” he explained, “when I’m out shopping or whatever. But when I watch the news on TV, they all speak so fast! I have to get Célia to explain things sometimes.”

And life in Cafundéu? “It’s so foreign!” he says, still sounding a little amazed. “Life in a ‘modern’ consumer society is something you can’t imagine unless you’re actually living there. There some things I find really disturbing… the poverty, for example, and people being so individualistic. And torturing animals; that’s difficult to ignore. But apart from that it’s an incredible experience, and I’m happy to be here. People in Cafundéu are very nice. I think a lot of people aren’t really used to seeing a black guy like me, but mostly they’re very open-minded and interested in where I come from.”

After a moment, he adds thoughtfully, with a smile: “It’s almost beginning to feel like home. Sort of.”

And then there’s Thomas Dargeau, who plays for St Malo in St Samuel. To read the three interviews in full, see the full article.


[b]The future for the Rouge-et-Noirs?

There has been no official word yet on the composition of the team for the qualifiers of World Cup 36 in two years’ time. But coach Yves al Jahdali (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Yves_al_Jahdali) has said he may very well retire.

“We’ve got to the final again, and we’ve done very well,” he explained. “It’s been a privilege to be the coach for such a fantastic team, and we’ve had some great times together. I’m happy to have contributed towards getting us to the World Cup final twice, and all the way to victory in World Cup 34. Maybe now it’s time for someone new to try some new approaches, without forgetting all that we’ve built up over all these years.”

“As a former Rouge-et-Noir myself,” he added, “I’m delighted to see what the team has achieved today. I predict they’ll continue to do great in future.”

If al Jahdali does indeed retire, it is not known yet who would replace him as coach. Some rumours have put forward the name of the infamous Dazza Dallas.

“I can’t comment on that,” al Jahdali said. “But you have to remember that this is a country with a moneyless economy, so the coach of the national team doesn’t get paid. Why do you think Ariddia has never had a foreign coach? As a foreigner –sort of– I’m not sure Ms. Dallas would want to do the job for free. Unless she finds some sponsorship deal with foreign companies; I really don’t know. In any case, I do wish Ms. Dallas a pleasant holiday here in Ariddia.”

As for new faces on the team in World Cup 36. . . There has been a lot of talk of Jamilah Shahrour (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jamilah_Shahrour) joining the Rouge-et-Noirs as an attacker. Shahrour plays for Rêvane-Est Football Club in her home city, but is known mainly as an outspoken human and animal rights activist. The question has been raised regarding whether Comrade Shahrour would report negatively on the human rights’ situation in countries visited by the Rouge-et-Noirs during qualifying.

“Yes,” Shahrour told us honestly. “I would. If there’s anything to report on.”

How this might affect relations between Ariddia and its competitors in World Cup 36 is a story we’ll be hearing more about, undoubtedly, in two years’ time. . .

[read full article]

Merano Regency
(hidden away somewhere in the "International News" section)

The "Aroras" of Bettia bested the "Rouge-et-Noirs" of Ariddia to win the 35th World Cup of football, 2-1. Both teams have established themselves as modern dynasties, having each won two of the last four tournaments.

With two victories as well as a second-place finish, Ariddia has equaled the records of long-forgotten Europa Brittania and recent legends Starblaydia. However, its true contribution on the international stage during this event is obviously the nation's attempt to promote cultural interchange by surveying worldwide ten-year-olds about what makes their country and football team unique. Answers were varied: Milchama students, for instance, said that a 3-3-4 formation (a term used to describe the positions of the players on the field) made their team unique. Children in the Unified Capitalizt States, however, cited that same formation as a "unique" attribute. Az-cz, on the other hand, has a truly unique formation, with no forwards. However, the poor grammar of a third grader (age 10?) may be cause for concern.

The Enlightener: gooooooooaaaaaaaallll!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/FAB.jpg

Bettia Boleh!!! *

Bettia.........................2 (P.Busilanta 29, Myfanwy 76)
Ariddia.......................1 (Valdor 2)

Well, they've done it again! After a few years of gathering dust, the trophy cabinet in FAB Headquarters here in Gabalfa is once again graced with a fine piece of silverware in the form of the World Cup itself... and once again, it was acheived in dramatic style.

Ever wary of the threat posed by the reigning champions and their mostly-red kits, the Aroras lined up in their change strip of blue and white. As 'Brothers of Bettia' was belted out by the many Bettians in attendance, the tension amoungst the players was quite noticable. The Ariddians on the other hand were looking eager to get out of the blocks and, after treating the crowd to the ever-popular Ulek, they most certainly did that, and in emphatic style.

Straight form the kick-off, they went on the offensive and their early pressure was rewarded when Said bin Said Ismail conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position after Arbustier's shot hit him square on the hand. After ensuring the Bettian wall was the proper distance, Raphaëlle du Valdor unleashed a thunderbolt of a free-kick which left Chris Swift flapping at thin air.

After getting off to the worst posisble start, the Aroras were understandably shell-shocked and the Rouge-et-Noirs attemped to press home their advantage, creating a flurry of chances that the Bettian goalkeeper did well to keep out.

However, the Aroras slowly but surely found their footing and they were back on level terms just before the half-hour mark. A quick throw by Frank Myfanwy up the left flank found Jon Deverill wide open having sprung the offside trap, and he raced up the line before cutting in along the goal-line and playing the ball into the penalty area to find Peri Busilanta, who took great delight in smashing the ball home to level the scores.

The rest of the first half was a real end-to-end affair which oozed the excitement that would befit any World Cup final. Et and Dargeau could both count themselves unlucky, with the latter's excellently-created shot clipping the outside of the post. At the other end, the Busilantas were keeping Cassie Lee very busy indeed, making the veteran goalkeeper earn every cent of her match fee.

The second half saw the Aroras gain more and more of an advantage as their confidence grew. Ariel Haynes saw his free-kick sail inches wide, while the Busilanta brothers were still up to their old tricks, linking up well to create a number of chances for themselves.

The decisive moment came as the game entered its last quarter of an hour. Andi Busilanta took a wickedly curling shot from just outside the penalty area, forcing Cassie Lee to use every bit of her agility to tip it around the post. As Adi Bandasera lined up the corner, the Bettian players jostled for position in the area - indeed, the jostling got a little too enthusiastic, leading to a slight break in the play as the referee calmed things down again. Once order was restored, the kick was taken. Instead of the expected high looping cross, a relatively low and straight ball was delivered instead, which saw Frank Myfanwy racing in to glance the ball past the near post to finally put the Aroras in the lead.

The resulting explosion of noise from the Betian contingent in the stadium was quite astonishing. All the nervousness which had started to creep in as the game wore on was suddenly released in a huge roar. Any thoughts of the game ending up as the one three World Cups ago, which ended in a draw only for the Bettians to lose on spot-kicks, were immediately forgotten.

All the team needed to do now was to shut up shop and play for the final whistle. Unfortunately for the fans, the Aroras don't do defence, and instead they looked to build on their lead. On the other hand, Ariddia started to up the tempo as they injected an extra bit of urgency into their play. Valdor had the chance to another goal to his final tally but his stinging shot was well-saved by Swift. Arbustier also went close, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner which was easily gathered by the Bettian keeper.

As the final seconds ticked away, the shrill whistles from the blue half of the stadium started to reach deafening levels until the referee finally obliged by bringing the game to an end.

Bettia have done it once again! In doing so, they join Ariddia and other great national teams such as Starblaydia and Liverpool England in the elite list of teams who have won this coveted trophy more than once. After the disappointment of the last World Cup, the billions of fans who took to the streets here in the Blessed Realm have something to cheer about once again.


Fixtures / Results

MD..OPPONENT................VENUE...RESULT

Knockout Stages

FN: Ariddia.................TLC.....W 2-1
SF: Schiavonia..............TLC.....W 1-0
QF: Elves Security Forces...TLC.....W 2-1 (after extra time)
2R: Rejistania..............TLC.....W 4-1

1st Round, Group 3

01: Qazox...................TLC.....W 1-0
02: Tynelia.................TLC.....W 3-1
03: Jeruselem...............TLC.....W 2-0

Qualifying Group 9

01: Sativaville.............HOME....W 2-1
02: Quakmybush..............HOME....W 3-1
03: United Island Empires...HOME....W 5-2
04: Daughty.................HOME....W 2-1
05: Bostopia................HOME....W 5-0
FR: Az-cz...................Away....L 1-3
06: Sativaville.............Away....W 2-0
07: Quakmybush..............Away....W 2-0
08: United Island Empires...Away....D 0-0
09: Daughty.................Away....W 2-0
10: Bostopia................Away....D 0-0


* Boleh is used in Indonesian (one of Bettia's main languages, spoken by a number of players including the Busilanta brothers) to mean 'to allow'. In sports terms, it is used in the manner as 'forza' or 'forca'. In other words, "Bettia Boleh!" has the same meaning as "Forca Barca!"