NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/SFA-Logo.gif
The Inaugural Di Bradini Cup
An Under-21 International Tournament

The first international Under-21 football tournament to be held in a long time, Starblaydia is proud to be the venue for this new competition. Twenty teams have come to Starblaydia, and one will emerge as the champions, to lift the inaugural Di Bradini Cup! Starblaydia, as hosts, are automatically placed in Group A, with the remaining draw coming at random. After four matches of Group Play, The top two in each Group will progress to the Quarter-Finals. Let the games commence!

Group Draw (Rosters will be linked when posted)
Group A
Kura-Pelland (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032693&postcount=11)
Starblaydia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13031446&postcount=4)
Quakmybush (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13037880&postcount=26)
The Orion Islands (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032088&postcount=6)
Minilla Island (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13041986&postcount=36)

Group B
Vanek Drury Brieres
The Islands of Qutar (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032519&postcount=10)
Taeshan (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13031438&postcount=3)
Jeruselem (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13031416&postcount=2)
Bettia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13040427&postcount=33)

Group C
Az-Cz (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032851&postcount=12)
Bazalonia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13037369&postcount=20)
Milchama (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13036708&postcount=19)
Elves Security Forces (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032137&postcount=7)
Lovisa

Group D
Cafundeu (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13033147&postcount=13)
The HURD (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032478&postcount=9)
New Brittonia
St Samuel (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13032274&postcount=8)
Geisenfried (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13039527&postcount=31)

Schedule
MD1: 1v5, 2v3, 4 Bye
MD2: 4v1, 5v3, 2 Bye
MD3: 1v2, 4v5, 3 Bye
MD4: 2v5, 3v4, 1 Bye
MD5: 3v1, 4v2, 5 Bye

(e.g. on MD1, Group A will be: Kura-Pelland Vs Minilla Island, Starblaydia Vs Quakmybush while The Orion Islands have a Bye)

Jeruselem's U21 Cup Roster

Nickname: Croisés
Formation: 4-4-2 (+2)

Coach/Manager: Monique Alexander*, Captain of Tel Aviv Sharks and friend of Dazza Dallas
Captain: Joline Jollie

* Retired porn star too

Jeruselem U-21 "Frenchie" Girls team

Most of the team have parents of "French" descent and have been selectively picked for this cup.

GK
(F) Kylie La Brai, 18 - Former Jeruselem gymastics champion. Known is Miss Bouncy.
(F) Madam Lenior, 16 - Works as a cleaner at university on her other job.

DEF
(N) Lila Maisy, 20 - Nerd girl, can recite 100 PI decimal points. Not a particularly tall.
(N) Woohoo Chirac, 18 - Got named by drunk parents
(FF) Celine Dion, 19 - Gets upset if she can't get her maple syrup in the morning.
(f) Francine le Blanc, 20 - Has learning difficulties because doctors dropped her on her head when she was born
(F) Fiskin Dallas, 14 - Another Debbie Dallas daughter! Wants to be just her mother.
(N) Joline Jollie, 18 - Ex-child prostitute saved by a Dazza Dallas

MID
(F) Bridget Bardot, 19 - Wants to be model when she gets older
(FF) Stephie Barthez, 15 - Known for her pinkie hair and commie ideals
(N) Sheepukan Fox, 17 - Lives on farm, speaks like a sheep too.
(f) Sally O'Hara, 18 - More Irish than French
(FF) Effie, 16 - her birth certificate has her surname missing so the team call her Effie Something

ATT
(F) Kara Kool, 14 - 2nd daughter of Harry Kool. Run in circles for fun.
(f) Rachael Troi, 16 - Daughter of local businessman
(N) Nicole Kisan, 17 - Illegitimate child of a French priest

(FF) French as any Ariddian
(F) Speaks French well
(f) Some French but not fluent
(N) Can't speak French

Choose goalscorers : Yes
Godmode goals : Yes
Injure players : No
Godmode injuries : No
Give yellow cards : No
Give red cards : No
Godmode fouls : No
Godmode other events : Yes
Rate and judge individual performances : Yes
Try to date the coach: Yes

Yes, it's my Frenchie team minus two World Cup players recycled

And the starting team from taeshans atlantea province the purple nights 13 year old nationwide champions
Gk Isaac Newton # 43 Ld Chuck The Duck # 7 Cd Alan Pearsin # 77 Rd Rickys Meyerse # 11 Rm Axe Lewis # 8 Rcm Jake del rio # 33 Lcm Zack The Geek # 17 Lm Zeke Jr. # 12 Ls Alan Gregory # 42 Cs Damion Aslott # 23 Ricky zellefrow # 14 :cool:thats me
Subs
Gk Argentin Royal # 12 D Zeke Rogers # 3 M Myan Inca # 4 S Theo Aztec # 5
Manager Rio De Neveda
Like every team im ever gonna have -5 defensive team

I Give My Opponent Permission
(and actively encourage them) To:
====================
Choose My Scorers
GodMod Any Goalscoring Events
Yellow Card Players
GodMod Other Events for Humorous Intent
====================

Notes:
1) None of the players have been capped before

2) The best starting eleven are, thankfully, numbered 1-11 and are in bold

3) Asterisk* on roster denotes Female player

4) I actively encourage, nay nearly demand, that if you RP first you pick my scorers (if any).

http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/SFA-Logo.gif
Starblaydi U21s to Début
A brand-new start all round

The Staff
AI. Apollina Iakovakis*, Manager, 35 - Indigenous World Cup Winner
22 Caps, 4 Goals (Uncapped at Under-21 Level)

The Goalkeepers
1. Fernando Rodriguez, GK, 21 - Corinthian Spirits
12. Kostas Nikolaidis, GK, 17 - Hecia
19. Sandra van Agmark*, GK, 15 - Internashionale

The Defenders
2. Ornvidar Bazraltek, RB, 21 - Karak Ungor Chiefs
3. Edmundo Rivolli, LB, 17 - Hersch Albion
5. Roque Bravo, Captain, CB, 21 - Tabeck FC
6. Sebastian Brunner, CB, 18 - Hallad Reavers
13. Milo Conigglia, R/CB, 19 - Basian Valley
14. Marco Lima, CB/SW, 17 - Jhanna United
20. Leandro Perheira, L/CB, 15 - Internashionale

The Midfielders
4. Kwame Jabir, DM, 17 - Penningworth United
7. Antonio Mora, RM, 19 - Iskara Daii
8. Joseph Shakirii, AM, 20 - FC Farça
11. Kalia Canildo*, LW/LB, 18 - Corinthian Spirits
15. Juan Oscar, L/DM, 17 - Internashionale
16. Jaime Gomes, R/CM, 16 - Corinthian Spirits
21. Alfonso Di Angelo, A/DM, 15 - Iskara Daii
23. Karinha*, C/AM, 13 - FC Farça

The Forwards
9. Stefan Hinkkonen, CF, 18 - Widdrington Wolves
10. Giorgio La Pranza, SC, 21 - Vecchio Victors
17. Lii Chong-Sun, SC, 17 - Internashionale
18. Tarquin Fullbright, SC, 21 - Montepool Waves
22. Raphael Torino, SC, 15 - Jhanna United


The Formation
http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/StarDBC1.jpg


Home And Away Kits:
Kits created by:
http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/ediraflogo.jpg
http://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/NewHome.gifhttp://www.starblaydestudios.co.uk/Images/NewAway.gif

I'll try to get up a roster and what not later but for now just a couple of comments:

1. Jeruselem & Bettia together, ain't that always the way?

2. Az-cz, Bazalonia, Milchama and ESF all in the same group? :eek: I know they aren't the senior sides, but still.....

The Orion Islands Roster

Nickname: Werewolves
Formation: almost exclusively 3-5-2
Head Coach: Senator Ronald Kelly
Trainers: Kimberly Nash, Mike Temple, Steve Sampson
Assistant Coach: Jerald Kelly
Goalkeeper Trainer: Mohammed Sigh

Goalkeepers: *Thomas Lionheart-19
Isaac Bova-15

Starters: CF Jamal Reynolds-14
CF *John Baptista-20
LM Jeremy Flak-15
CM Stephen Grissold-14
CM *Patrick Christian-18
RM Michael St. Louis-18
DM William LaForge-14
CB *Clancy Ryan-13
CB Maverick Thompson-17
CB *James Hammett-17

Bench: Forwards: Samantha Asimov-19
Miroslav Bobetto-19
Uriah Chaka-15
Stanley Robinson-16
Midfield: Harrison Jones-20
Wesley Ford-16
Lars Hetfield-21
James Ulrich-20
Defense: Terra Costa-19
Geordi Riker-14
Luke Hamill-15
Ben Guiness-16

Choose Scorers: yes
God Mod Goals: yes
Card but not too much
Star player indicated by *

From the Offices of the ESC does the Marauder information come

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers N
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players N
Godmod Other Events Y

Style Modifier: +3

Uniforms
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/Krytenia/ESF31.png

Home

Manager

Fabio Mannasuch
Age: 38,964
Has been the head man at the famous Raynor City Rockers for over 1,000 years and is the winningest manager in ESF history. Having won over 300 titles between the three teams he's managed in his career, there is little he is not prepared for. Fabio likes his teams to play a very attacking style and is known to throw the kitchen sink in the last ten minutes if the need arises. With commititments to the senior side already, Titenburg and Constant have let this great mind have a go with the countries youngsters and the EFA hopes the risk pays off.

Assistant Manager

Jamie Kiki
Age: 16,234
A very tactful choice for the assistant manager, as the Char Sara Inferno skipper looks to set aside the rivlary between Char Sara and Raynor City for the good of the country. Jamie likes his players to analyze every aspect of the game, even the most smallest principals that most managers assume players already know. A very much grind about approach from his players is expected, but with Mannasuch as the head man, it will be interesting to see which style the players will utilize the most, or possible a harmony between the two.

Goalie

6 Lazio Fornad, Sharala Academy
Age - 19
Sex - M
One of the most insightful youngsters you know, Lazio was the natural choice for being made captain. A eager student of the game whose skill is evident, but is still very raw. His time at the academy so far has however improved his reaction time, and he can come up with a stellar save just often enough to keep his side in it.

Defenders

33 Raul Magni, Night Academy
Age - 20
Sex - M
Blazing fast speed coupled with adequete marking is enough to keep Raul above the rest. While the tackling and positioning still needs to be ironed out, the lad is all the ready to prove he belongs on the squad and in the starting eleven.

36 Slyvanas Iclander, Capri Academy
Age - 21
Sex - F
The most polished and ready to go player on the squad. Slyvanas is not the most talented, but uses her skill to the best of her abilities. Her nact for deliverring the perfect spring pass will be key to creating breakaways that will likely be the bulk of the better scoring chances in the tournament.

29 Igandu Mie, Kareen Academy
Age - 20
Sex - M
The tallest, at 6'4", and toughest player on the squad, Igandu is pretty adequete in his marking, tackling, and positioning, but he really shines in the air. He often is the winner of the ball anytime it goes above head high, and comes up for nearly every corner.

Midfield

12 Rolanda Oz, Valanari Academy
Age - 20
Sex - F
Despite her lack of height at 4'10", this lady is as fercious as you can find. She can play a holding midfiled role, but Mannasuch has her out on the wing to sure up the flanks. Her crossing is just as good as her marking, and should prove useful on corners and on quick counters.

16 Sasha Wrath, Valanari Academy
Age - 21
Sex - M
Despite being part drow, this young man has been given the chance to overcome racial sterotypes and has proven to be a maestro in the middle. If it were not for the insightful Fornad, this once would be outcast would of worn the armband, but he will still have plenty to say about the outcome of the fixtures regardless.

18 Lucias Smink, Valanari Academy
Age - 19
Sex - M
A very cunning and agile central midfielder. He's not you first choice at first glance, but when you watch him run and distribute the ball, you begin to fall in love with his touch. Now he is not always keen to get back on his defence obligations, but with Wrath as his partner, there is not always the pressing need.

8 Ashley Flora, Hartdale Academy
Age - 20
Sex - F
Despite coming up through a defensive minded academy, she has developed into a decent attacking midfield. She has the ability to distribute the ball when needed to, hold it up, or take on the last defenders and beat them depending on the occasion.

28 Keinai, Rinaldi Academy
Age - 19
Sex - M
One of the few none Elunists on the squad, the young lad is odd in that he does not talk once the game has began, despite being one of the easiest to talk to players off the pitch. Whatever his reason may be, no one is questioning it, as he might be that next big thing at winger the country has to offer.

Strikers

7 AF Rose Diamond Santapa, FC Capri
Age - 19
Sex - F
The daughter of the football reporter and the chief editor of the Elven times, this lady was not expected to become a footballer. However, she showed talent at a gathering at a party hosted by the Nights, and was enrolled in their academy. Using his connections, Zacharius was able to get FC Capri to take on the budding starlet at the age of 15, and she has been groomed into a first class striker by the likes of Severus Snape and Heather Hall, as well as the many other crafty players and staff who call Capri home. Her touch is great and if she could work on her accuracy from long range, her future will be quite bright.

11 Ariela Night, Night Academy
Age - 16
Sex - F
The second and last child of Kyla Night and Zacharius. This poor girl has a world of expectactions laid before her. With the achievements of her parents, and the exploits of her brother, the country assumes she will provide the same, and if she doesn't, then she is a bust. Luckily for the squad, her father and mother have taught her will and have molded her into a perfect combination of speed and toughness that will be difficult for most defenders to cope with for ninety minutes.

Subs
30 GK Isan Tezel - age 18 - Galderial Academy (M)
37 DF Klin Jubani - age 19 - Monaven Academy (M)
34 DF Venus Love - age 20 - Mar Sara Academy (F)
20 MF Jeane Silent - age 19 - Char Sara Academy (F)
17 MF Alexander Smite - age 20 - Night Academy (M)
13 MF Surall Harden - age 17 - Wexax Academy (M)
32 MF Clara Moonchild - age 20 - Char Sara Academy (F)
14 AF Quinton Lee - age 18 - Hondo Academy (M)
23 AF Barcello Snu - age 20 - Valanari Academy (M)

Captain: Lazio Fornad
Set Piece Taker: Rose Diamond Santapa
Penalty Taker: Ariela Night
Right Corner: Ariela Night
Left Corner: Rolanda Oz

Fornad
Magni Mie Icelander
Kenai Smink Wrath Oz
Flora
Santapa Night

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players Y
Godmod Other Events Y

Style Modifier: +1

Home Kit: All Light Blue
Away Kit: All White

Manager: Luigi De Ribiera

Assistant Manager: Mohammed Ostantrinia

GK: Luca Biortello
RB: Nathim Oscararti
CB: Luther Della Rosa
CB: Seth Justantinium
LB: Omar Nazzariam
RM: Marco Di Helana
CM: Salvatore Rocka
CM: Costas De Mazouna
LM: Carlos Van Alta
ATT: Massimo Arquilla
ATT: Sebastien Atalanta

SGK: Louis Ripratchi
SRB: Georgi Di Santos
SCB: Bruno Della Porcria
SLB: Jose Ferradia
SRM: Frankie Della Porcia
SCM: Leo Pertroubi
SLM: Yasser Niobi
SATT: Oscar De Noutica
SATT: Mido Al Khady

The U21MHz GNUs of the HURD

The HURDists use a special version of ConTiki as operating system to control their robotic player. The robotic players are of the Monolith-class and have about the size of a midget. They run with only 21 MHz and solidstate storage. They do not have a network-access so the HURDists need to actually replace the LINSPEC-cards to patch the programs.

The human staff
Chief Programmer: Ted Schneier
Chief Technician: Unix Thompson
Chief of Scouting and Tactics: Deborah Init
Chief of Logistics: Krita de Icuagaza

The robotic players
The robots are subsentient and are only identified by numbers. The HURDists somehow always use 'her' instead of 'it' when referring to an individual robot. Their style is +2:
GK: #1 (the HURDists call her bobcat because she is a small lynx)
DF: #2, #3, #4
MF: #5, #7, #6
FW: #8, #9, #10, #11

Substitutes: #12, #13, #14, #15, #16

Normally the HURDists _will_ use all substitutions in the game because the GNUcubs are rather buggy in their first matches. Otherwise, RP as you want as long as it's in good fun!

Total Football
The Islands of Qutar's favourite sports magazine
12/06/2049

The Islands of Qutar Under-21 Squad

Starting Eleven

James Hall
test
Matt Hargreaves
Thomas Knight
Steve Bridge
Kevin Barry
test
Oliver Smith
Nick Robinson
Richard Carson
William Young
test
Paul Kennedy
Conor Scott


Substitutes

Adam Powell
Liam Ball
Dominic Jones
Sam Carney
Chris Hutchinson
Tim Rhodes
Harvey Osborne
Darren Boston


(Style Modifier: +1)

Kura-Pelland Under-21 Squad

1. Gary Tarban [GK, 19, Dynamo Daryfield]
2. Stephen Marlbury [SW/CB, 19, FC Bargoiten]
3. Bart Cambridge [LB/LWB/LM, 20, AS Basicas]
4. Charlie Senigas [RB, 17, Harrington Lakeside reserves]
5. Benjamin Whiting [CB/DM, 20, AS Basicas]
6. Fabrizio Cotton [RWB/RM/CM, 18, Club de Micheldev]
7. Zach Goodall [CM/LM/AM, 18, United Trilan]
8. Alan Alexiv [AM/RM/RW, 18, Isetkilde FC]
9. Charlie Bolton [CM/AM, 20, AS Assiri]
10. Ryan Ikira [AM/CF, 19, AS Assiri]
11. Fedde Beattis [ST, 20, Deportivo del Arapucera]
12. Chris Carling [GK, 20, Dudenhall Rovers]
13. Ryan Deacon [SW, 21, Fretton Town]
14. Stephen Ilkley [CM, 19, Marthley Rovers]
15. Andy Madden [ST, 21, Parwood City]
16. Alan Wilson [LB, 20, Delta Force Cardim]
17. Teddy Vax [DM/CM, 17, Andinhill]
18. Christie Powter [CM, 18, Andinhill]
19. Bobby Ulrich [CM/AM, 20, Deportivo del Arapucera]
20. Tom DiMaggio [AM/ST, 19, Club de Micheldev]
21. Vincent Horney [CB/RB, 20, Minsten Academicals]
22. Alan McElroy [GK, 19, Minsten Academicals]
style modifier: +0.5
RPing permissions; do not godmod. The only players who can be sent off are numbers 4, 5, 8, 13, 16 and 17.

Usual starting 11 (4-1-4-1) - Tarban; Cambridge, Marlbury, Whiting, Senigas; Vax; Goodall, Bolton, Ikira, Alexiv; Beattis.

Az-cz submits the same roster it submitted to the AO U-21s many years ago. Back then they were very small children whereas now they are middle school aged. The team doesn't use any real formation or starters and applies many of the little league style rules to the squad so that everyone gets a fair chance.

1 Kengo Inokuchi

Age: 12

#3 Ct-Pt

Age: 13

#5 Flo-Ma

Age: 13

#7 Ti-Ger

Age: 11

#9 Go-Mar

Age: 13

#11 Juan Valdez

Age: 12

#13 Cro-Mg

Age: 13

#15 Bk-Oh

Age: 11

#17 Lo-Rdr

Age: 12

#19 Swt-Ht

Age: 12

Girls:

#2 Sa-Ra

Age: 12

#4 La-Ra

Age: 12

#6 Youn Ji-Hyun

Age: 13

#8 Tie-Mar

Age: 5

#10 Selo-Ex

Age: 13

#12 Mo-El

Age: 12

#14 Su-Wee

Age: 12

#16 Baranna Obama

Age: 11

#18 Ju-Lee

Age: 12

#20 Sonia Alexander

Age: 12

If RPing first, my opponent has my permission to:
Choose Scoring Events: Y
Choose My Scorers: Y
Hand out yellow cards to my players: N
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Injure my players: N
Godmod any other events: Y (within reason)

CAFUNDÉU'S SUB-21 TEAM

Team Formation: Offensive 4-3-3.
Team Style: +3

Team Coach: Gustavo Mercegues.

* use the bolded names of the players when RPing

(Nº - Name (Age, Team))

Goalkeepers
1- BARTOLOMEU de Andrade Souto (20, SC Lasft)
12- ANDREI Tziet (18, Pernetas EC)
22- DIOGO Fazano Mercedes (20, Clube Imperial)

Full-backs
2- MARCELO ROCHA (19, Cafundó do Juta)
6- AUGUSTO CÉSAR Ollarte Bueno (20, A.F.F.)
13- LEANDRO Horas Marte "CAVALO" (21, Atlético Jutense)
16- Sílvio de Abreu "SILVINHO" (18, Petardos S/A)

Defenders
3- JOÃO CARLOS Moreno Gaetano (21, SC Lasft)
4- Giuseppe Almorini "RAVIOLI" (19, Tabajara)
14- Fernando Toca CONCEIÇÃO (20, Atlético Insular)
23- Vânderson Varela "VAVÁ" (17, Petardos S/A)

Defensive Midfielders
5- LIONEL dos Anjos Fonseca (20, Dunboor FC)
8- Eric SILVEIRA Carvalho (18, A.F.F.)
15- MURILO Sakeshin Jordes (18, Sambarilove)
20- WALDINEI Sampaio (20, Galáxia)

Offensive Midfielders
10- Charles MOREIRA (19, Galáxia) *(key player)
17- ÉVERTON Muniz Costa (20, Petardos S/A)
19- ALEX Aorini (18, Ranca Toco)
21- José Drummond Afonso "ZECÃO" (17, América)

Attackers
7- Ricardo Adonis Kennifet "RICARDÃO" (21, Penders)
9- DANILO Paulista Viena "SAMPA" (21, Galáxia)
11- FABRÍCIO Nogueira (20, Khalmar-Tijhus)
18- RUBIANO Nespa Chaves (20, CR Submiria)

Line-up:

------------------------------Bartolomeu------------------------------
--Marcelo Rocha-----João Carlos--------Ravioli--------Augusto César---
------------------Lionel------------------Silveira----------------------
-------------------------------Moreira--------------------------------
--------Ricardão------------Danilo Sampa-----------Fabrício-----------

Noz-Tf was sitting at his desk when one of his assistants came in.

"Sir, I've just received a memo from Starblaydia asking us to participate in something called the Di Bradini cup."

"Di Bradini was a great one back in the day. If memory serves he was the winner of the legends competition back in World Cup 30, when Pizelkaxrovsky was still an up-comer, rather than an absolute legend of the game. So what's this for, some kind of senior league?"

"Actually just the opposite. It's for a U-21 sir."

"Ha, ha, ha. I remember the last time we competed in one of those. Thought it was under 21 kgs."

"Yeah, that was rather famous sir. I remember watching those kids on TV. So what are we going to do?"

"Well it's well known that we don't have an under-21 team. But I certainly don't want to discourage the Starblaydi's. Despite their militant agression they've been a good ally of ours, especially on the pitch. And provided us a magnificent coach to get us to the power we are now. So we've got to send a team. But who?"

"May I make a suggestion sir?"

"Sure Cw-Byup."

"Why don't we send the same kids we sent to Myrtannia?"

"Say more?"

"Well apparently the kids and parents had such a wonderful time they've kept that team together all these years. They've been playing together for years, so despite not being as old as their opponents they'll have a much better feel for each other. And because you did such an excellent job picking them, they're all quite cute so we'll be popular back home, and athletic so they'll actually stand a small chance to succeed. And they all have at least one cups worth of experience so that could help too."

"Well I think we'll still get crushed. We are talking about kids here. But Bostopia had some success with five year olds as well a while back, so what the heck. I'll right to the Starblaydian authorities to request extra attention be paid to the refereeing in those matches to prevent any injuries and we'll give it a go. Barring a major injury it ought to at least be well recieved here."

With that Cw-Byup left Noz-Tf's office and he set to working drafting out the letter to Starblaydia.

Jeruselem coach Monique Alexander (aka Moany) was holding a press conference for the Di Bradini Cup.

Random Reporter: Why is Kate Dallas and Scarlet Ferris missing from this team?
Moany: Oh, Kate is going on holidays with her family to Sel Appa and Scarlet is flying home for World Cup talks.
Random Reporter: So, they are both going to be in World Cup?
Moany: Yes, both girls have been picked for World Cup.

Random Reporter: You look like some actress we've seen before.
Moany: Oh, I'm an ex-porn star. I'm sure someone's seen all of me somewhere sometime.
Random Reporter: How does one juggle two careers - football and adult movies?
Moany: Easy, you play football when it's in season and make movies in the break.

Random Reporter: How did you get this job?
Moany: Oh, Dazza Dallas asked me if I was bored and wanted to babysit a bunch of girls. She wasn't lying but she didn't mention it was a football team.
Random Reporter: Are your team scared of Starblaydia?
Moany: In the past, yes but we are ranked 11 in the world now. We're not scared of anyone - even Ariddia or Bettia.

Random Reporter: Jollie Jollie got sent off last game, why is she a captain?
Moany: Oh, it was easy. Not many of the team are real leaders like Kate Dallas - so we needed someone with a bit of passion to keep the girls awake.
Random Reporter: You're a good friend of Dazza Dallas, she's retired. Has she slowed down at all?
Moany: Err, no. She's Dazza ... Dazza is always Dazza.

Random Reporter: How do you see this team?
Moany: A development team with players of the future. They came 3rd in Ariddia so we weren't playing amateurs as a warm up.
Random Reporter: You're still single, why?
Moany: Oh, no time for a man. But I'm looking, I want kids too. Don't worry about me.

Ted Schneier sits on his console when ha hears his jabber-client signaling an incoming message. It was one of the programmers in charge of a section of the programming:


==> Alat!
<-- Alat, to you too! Wazzup?
==> the new version isn't.
<-- eep, what happened?
==> the performance... these GNUs are slooooooooooow with the new patches.
<-- eeep, can you optimize it?
==> 'optimize: the change code which is running too slow so it will not run at all'
<-- heh!
==> well, I put the new version on svn and told the crew that we can improve this. I posted some ideas as well.
<-- Great! Does it at least work?
==> That is what the beta-testers are for. We just wrote it :p
<-- 'If it compiles, good, if it boots up, perfect'?
==> Yeah, like the ConTiki crew would say.
<-- Talking about them, have you gotten the hcli-API?
==> 'twas not their fault, they didn't provide such a thing, we need to remember that ConTiki is no Unix.
==> We do it from Userland.
<-- Don't Minixize!
==> Never have, never will!
<-- k, any ETA on when you'll have a running version?
==> HHow about Really Soon Now?
==> *How
<-- :-)
==> *hurries off to continue programming*
<-- Have a lot of fun!
==> You as well!

First Game in a Decade
New era for Starblaydi football dawns

It's been ten years since Starblaydia lost to Vilita in the final group stage match of World Cup 34. Ten years since a football has been kicked in anger. One of the players who played that day, substitute midfielder Apollina Iakovakis, has now gone on to a career in coaching; making her Starblaydia's second female coach - only Cherry Garcia has coached a team before - and the first female to coach a team other than the Women's national side. Iakovakis was part of Starblaydia's victorious Indigenous World Cup team as a twenty year-old, and knows all about the pressure that a tournament can bring.

"We thought we'd have a problem in that tournament, as besides Talenni Karo [who's just-teenage daughter, Karinha, is named in the squad] and a couple of Dwarves, our only player over twenty-one was Jino Graikalonii, the 'keeper. Despite being so young we had a great togetherness, and though we lost to the Wygmani in the first game, we went on to win the whole thing. That proved that a great start isn't always required, it's what you do at the crucial stages. I've been instilling that in my team."

Iakovakis is one of the dedicated team of ex-players and coaches in Starblaydia who have been keeping the dream of a national team alive. Since the war in Atlantian Oceania, Starblaydia have not entered any teams into any worldwide competition, and by putting on the first Di Bradini Cup and inviting the world, they are showing that the new Starblaydia can pick up, sportingly, where the old one left off.

There hasn't been a formal Under-21 competition anywhere in the world for twenty-five years, since Atlantian Oceania staged its first and only Under-21 Championship in Myrtannia - something that a ten year-old Iakovakis watched obsessively at the time.

"There were some great future names in that side: Graikalonii, Rekeseski, Cravex, Mahezihim, Kaza Matranga and Betanii Marrones. I'm wondering how many of this Under-21 team of mine will be able to stake their claim to being super-stars of the future. How many of these can win a Baptism of Fire, or a Cup of Harmony - who can be there when Starblaydia re-qualify for the World Cup itself?"

Looking at the team so far, one could point easily to Roque Bravo - the twenty-one year-old captain of the side. Big and strong but with a clever touch, expect to see him cutting out passes left, right and centre, before playing them up the field. In attack, watch out for Stefan Hinkkonen, a broad shouldered centre-forward who will certainly let opposing defences know that they're in a battle of strength. Kalia Canildo, the only female starting player, will surely use her pace up and down the left touchline all day, delivering pin-point crosses for the heads and feet of Hinkkonen and La Pranza. Don't forget Tarquin Fullbright, either, though resigned to a place on the bench, this twenty-one year old only missed out on the number-nine shirt thanks to the in-training partnership of Hinkkonen and La Pranza. The half-Britannican Fullbright has a sharp eye for goal and excellent pace, so expect him to be a real impact player for the young Starblaydi team.

Their first match, against Quakmybush, will open the tournament and hopefully provide a great exhibition for the rest of the tournament to come. And future tournaments, of course. The Starblaydi FA are saying that if this is a success, then the Di Bradini Cup has a four-year cycle, with one hopefully coming before each and every World Cup.

It's been said that each new generation of Kura-Pellandi talent is better than the last. The current generation proved themselves in the Oxen Cup while their seniors mostly laboured away in the Baptism of Fire, several stealing first-team places. This incoming generation - the one that many believe will take Kura-Pelland to future World Cup qualification and beyond - have a point to prove in the Di Bradini Cup in Starblaydia.

Nobody has more to prove than Charlie Senigas, signed up by champions Harrington Lakeside last year at just 16 and already tipped as a future superstar. So far he's been restricted to reserve-team football at Walton Park, but he says he has no regrets about the move to the league champions and adds that he 'desperately wants' to become a fixture of the first eleven, saying that as a lifelong supporter of Lakeside 'there was no other choice when they came calling'.

Striker Fedde Beattis has proven himself already at Deportivo del Arapucera, filling the gap left by Jose Cazarez who made a name for himself at the Oxen Cup. 'I want to be the best, and I will do anything to get there,' he insists. It is believed he may seek a move abroad, possibly to Cafundeu where Cazarez is now based.

For some, this is a chance to shine at a high level for the first time, and they have their own way of forging a career. Teddy Vax and Christie Powter play for Andinhill, a Third Division side in suburban Porterbridge. 'We just want first-team football - some of the big names have courted us but we don't want to move because we'd sit on the bench, they just want to get us cheap before we get better and then let us rot and that's actually going to cost them too,' Vax said in an interview for PBS Sport. He says he wants to move to a top club eventually 'but the time is not right. And both me and Christie want to get Andinhill into the Second Division for the first time.' Already Vax and Powter - just 17 and 18 - are fixtures in the Andanhill midfield, and it is believed Vax will start for the Under-21s too as a holding midfielder.

Manager Kevin McIntyre has plenty of midfield options but concedes he has a relative lack of striking cover. 'Most of the standout youngsters right now play in midfield, and I believe they all deserve a chance,' he said. To this end, a midfield-heavy 4-5-1 is expected to be played, though with an attacking emphasis. The flair and long-range shooting of Zach Goodall and Ryan Ikira are likely to be critical to the success of this plan.

Spartan Post-Tribune-Gazette-Forum-Update-Daily-News-Today

Sports Section

Hunters to take field

The first Warriors were Hunters who hunted either other humans or animals. The name switch for Milchama is only one of the many changes in the U21 system with Coach Alex Lans getting replaced by Mayok Olimar. Olimar, a native Israeli takes a well rounded team that many expect in Milchama expect to dominate. However the Hunters also have a poor group with World Cup vets Az-Cz, ESF, Bazalonia and Lovisa. Olimar took it in stride saying, "While all these teams have had success at the World Cup level we are still the most successful just based on being there longer and having more out round appearances than anybody else." This claim might not be true but we're a Milchamian newspaper do you really expect us to fact check? No.

Without further ado the roster: In the usual 3-3-4.

GK: Harrison Carlt- The spaghetti legged keeper is known for his flying saves and great cross presence. Some are tipping him to start for WC 38 despite Halutz Dalton still being in the international team.
D: Marus Fuller- Tough imposing full back who would be a centerback except for his dazzling dribble skills and wonderful shooting ability. His temper has been a problem in the past and might be again.
D: Steven Rorshe- Large centerback. Not very fast but good a positioning, especially for a youngster. He's just large, very very large.
D: Marcus Toriento- Some though he should be a midfielder but his good tackling prowess brought him to the defense. Expect him to come up and link up with the midfield and provide a good extra attacker.
M: Kellen Holmes- Speedy winger who continues the tradition of fast Jews who are wingers. His speed and dribbling ability should help him out.
M: Erich Dunama- The eclecic Dunama is expected to lead the team. The captain of the squad his passing skills are also quite formidable.
M: Tavaris Miller- Another speedy wing who is known for his crossing ability. His goal in the U19 Milchama championships has made him the most famous player in the squad.
F: Odin Larsson- Viking! Viking! Viking! Also a fabulous crosser and can score a few here and there but Viking!
F: Kery Cork- Fast, deft touch, great center forward. The team's main threat will be looked upon to score goals.
F: Marcus Rice- Tall, fast, possibly gifted we're not sure. What we do know however is that this kid is good, like scary good.
F: Devin Martin- The perfect wing forward, fast and a good crosser.

Subs;
GK: Fletcher Donovan
D: Pat Valentine
M: Lewin Flomage
F: Carter Forns
Horse: Dover

BazaCubs to Face Familiar Friends!

SDB, Probably the most known Starblaydi in existance and ex-WCC President to boot. To forever once and for all indellibly leave his name in the World Cup with the Under 21 world cup in soccer.

The new look BazaCubs have never been in an international competition before so let's have a detailed look at the fairly defensive team, which have one striker, 4 midfielders, 5 defenders and finally the keeper.

Forward:

Eliza McDonald

Eliza, is 17, the youngest on the team but had shown great natural talent, coming from Drago FC's youth program Eliza is the girl to watch but it remains to see if this tenacious 17 year old has what it takes to take on the position as the only forward.

Midfield:

Daniel Johnson

Daniel turns 21 the week after the tournament, the most experienced and probably battle-hardened of the team. Doesn't take any prisoners or funny business. Get ready to earn an enemy for life if you cross this guy

Daniel Radcliffe

18, Used to be a child superstar appearing in many movies gaining a cult following, however his true passion is soccer and he has been able to build his abilities up to the point where he is truly is worthy of this position. However ihe still has a crazed fan or thousand and so has some extra security

Andrew Jones

19, the black sheep of the team, he's always getting in some sort of trouble but his abilities keep him in the team, if it isn't something on-field it's something off.

Louis Creek

20, Nephew of "The Bandit" it seems soccer runs in the families blood. Unlike his uncle, Louis isn't known to be aggressive.

Defenders:

Michael Cavendish

20, Not much to say apart from a consistant performer

Kal Klien

19, Drop dead gorgeous with skills to kill, Whether that's in her soccer abilities or for real, hasn't been yet determined.

Zach Brax

18

Dennis Burgess

20, Emigrated while he was young from Bedistan, watched as his old country be incorporated into the Unified Capitalizt States. The only national identity he has now is Bazalonian.

Trevor Newman

19
Keeper:

Henry Gaines

20, the son of a cousin of James Gaines, president of the WCC. Perhaps the WCC pres will come and see, perhaps not.

Matchday 1 Scores:

Group A
Kura-Pelland 4-2 Minilla Island
Starblaydia 3-1 Quakmybush

Group B
Vanek Drury Brieres 2-2 Bettia
The Islands of Qutar 3-2 Taeshan

Group C
Az-cz 4-1 Lovisa
Bazalonia 1-2 Milchama

Group A
Cafundeu 2-1 Geisenfried
The HURD 4-0 New Brittonia

The Latin Crusaders U21 are gearing up for there first ever U21 international tournament and have arrived in Starblaydia today for the Di Bradini Cup with much anticipation.

Whilst the rest of group 4 played there first fixtures on match day one the St Samuel U21 squad were training ahead of there first match against Cafundeu.

Manager and ex-St Samuel international, Luigi De Ribiera, has said that he is excited and looking forward to leading his young squad into the nations first U21 tournament and believes that his squad has the skill and diversity to mix with the favourites. "It will be a big test for the lads and we have our toughest match first against Cafundeu, who have always had very skillful and exciting youngsters coming through there youth system."

After the match the kids went out for pizza with there parents, where a great time was being had by all. From the way the kids were acting you would never have guessed that that group of 11-13 year olds had just beat a full U21 side of a somewhat respected nation.

Most of the kids weren't even talking about the game. Despite scoring two goals in the match Youn Ji-Hyun wasn't talking at all about the game, instead she was eating her pizza, talking with her friends and making eyes at an older Starblaydi teenager in the joint. And despite scoring the first goal of the game, and then stepping into goal and pitching a clean sheet in the second half Kengo Inokuchi was more concerned about pulling off the necessary moves to beat Go-Mar in Fatal Fighting Four. And you couldn't tell from the way that Sa-Ra was acting that she made the mistake that allowed the one Lovisa goal.

However, the way the parents were acting was a dead give away. They were all talking about the game and how much things had changed since they were so little way back in Myrtannia. And how back then the other teams had all taken pity on them, but this time Lovisa treated things like a real match and lost badly anyways. Or protecting their children from the few people who came in who recognized them.

But both children and parents alike were in a very good move and were looking forward to the next match against ESF. On technical skill they were big underdogs, but they had shown they wouldn't be pushed around and because they didn't care nearly as much as anyone else they would be unstressed.

Under 21 team loses in barnburner 3-2 Zeke jr scores both goals

From the blog Everything has Changed:

Preemptive Multitasking? Or just an excuse

Of course, Starblaydia is not a country one would normally go to. They have something like a government. As we all know, governments are either despotic, corrupt or both. Starblaydia chose corrupt. Miri plans to hack one of the CCTVs to send pr0n to the surveillance center. I do not think this is a good idea, Starblaydian prisons (I think that is the term) might even use closed source software. But I do understand the irking. It is annoying if not everything is hackable. In other news: thank Athe, the great un-god for SSL with encryptions strong enough to keep the government busy until the universe dies :-) The good thing is that here people use UNEK in some forked version. Yes, I opened a terminal and typed 'xyzzy' and 'plugh' to test it.

The match was fun. The GNUs looked so twencen, that it was really funny. And can you believe that a programmer with too much time on their hands included code to make them touch the place where normally the heart would be if these people were humans during the national anthem? I am just happy that singing was not included! The nameless guys from New Brittonia seemed to be about as skilled as an average HURDist. Compared to them, the U21MHz GNUs were really acrobatic (and had a sense of tactic). Bobcat never was challenged, the one chance they had went wide above the goal. the GNUcubs also were rather stiff and rather... unskilled, at least compared to the real GNUs There is a difference between having as much computing power as one damn well likes and being limited to 21 MHz. It was luck that the HURDists scored 4 times. The goalie of the Brits made a big mistake at that situation where he tried to hold a weak shot by #10: he lost the balance and both he and the ball fell into the goal. The HURDist fans laughed about that. Their laughing felt silent when #10 was unable to parse that situation and crashed. It just ceased to move anymore and Deborah Init had to indicate a substitution and #16 entered the match. The second substitution happened later then #2's code was somehow glitchy and it just walked around in circles. A third fortunately was not needed. The match ended 4:0 for us.

Quakmybush Piranhas U21 Soccer Team

The Piranhas will play a 2-2-6 formation with the highest possilbe attacking style modifier.

The Players (Player Name/Number/Gender/Age/Club)

Goal Keepers
*Lope Yasha/1/M/19/Revena Juniors
Leif Drahomíra/31/M/17/Jinkton City U19s
Johnathan Eilidh/99/M/16/Inner City Saints Youngsters

Defenders
*Caoimhín Brennan/56/M/20/Revena Ruckus
*Vilhelm Rosetta/51/M/15/1984 Reds Jrs.
Gérard Cody/12/M/17/Cherrywood Juniors
Lyon Daichi/19/M/18/South River Slugs


Midfielders
*Lyle Diantha/35/M/18/Jinkton City Juniors
*Kyle Christin/29/M/19/Revena Ruckus
František Isaiah/45/M/20/Jinkton City Jesters
Inos Donnachaidh/24/M/14/Revena Juniors

Forwards
* Henrikki Einrí/7/M/19/Revena Juniors
* Dara Earnest/8/F/18/SPM FC
*Stephen White/19/M/19/Cherrywood Juniors
*Douglas Jackson/24/M/20/unattached
* Jim Hughes/14/M/19/Revena Ruckus
*George Crawford/15/M/18/Jinkton City Juniors
Claude Méndez/16/M/12/Jinkton City Lightning

Kura-Pelland's strategy seemingly worked better than the players within it, as Minilla Island were overcome 4-2 despite a relatively poor performance.

The unheralded islanders took a shock lead in the fourth minute, when Alessandro Tutti was given the freedom of the six-yard box at a free-kick and duly nodded into the roof of the net.

But this seemed to spur the Kura-Pellandi side on, and they drew level in the 13th minute, a long ball from Vax being flicked on by Ryan Ikira for Fedde Beattis to nonchalantly tuck into the bottom left corner. Eight minutes later, a Zach Goodall run on the left drew a foul, and his free-kick looped over a misplaced goalkeeper and in off the post. Whether he intended to score himself was highly questionable, but the goal still counted. In an interview, he didn't exactly clear anything up, saying that 'I saw where the goalie was and basically just aimed it at the post thinking it might be deflected in, but I also knew that if it went a little the other way it might have gone right in if nobody covered it, and that's what happened'.

Kura-Pelland looked to have sealed the game just before half-time in some style when Ikira's 30-yard piledriver deflected off the same post on its way in, but Tutti struck back on the hour to increase nerves. The deal was really sealed in the 76th minute, when a loose clearance was pumped back into the box by Teddy Vax, and Beattis picked up the pieces.

Better performances will be needed, but there's good reason to believe they will come. The team showed spirit and organisation if nothing else, and that's how good teams get away with bad days.

GAZETA DO POVO: ALL THAT YOU NEED TO READ IS HERE!
Sports Section - written by Orlando Marcos Schleffer

POSITIVE RESULT IN FIRST GAME

Cafundéu played the first game of the U-21 Cup against Geisenfried. The team played well, showing a good offensive power, but the game wasn't very easy. The opponents had a secure defence, which could stop many plays of the Monopolists. Their keeper could save many balls, but, in the end, Cafundéu won thanks to the good plays, previously prepared by the coach.

Gustavo Mercegues, who played for the National Team when he was a player, used all his knowledge about tactics to help the team. Cafundéu started the game with an offensive strategy, using the wings. With that, the team hoped to score from aerial balls, taking advantage of the good heading ability of Ricardão, or using the speed of the full-backs to reach the attack fast.

When the game started, Cafundéu started to attack. In the first play, Augusto César reached the offensive area and crossed the ball. The defence cleared the danger, but Silveira shot from outside the area after taking the rebound. The goalkeeper made a good save. Minutes later, Moreira made a good pass to Fabrício, who invaded the area and shot, seeing another good save of the keeper.

Geisenfried tried to attack too, but their attacks weren't so good and dangerous. Bartolomeu had few work to do during the first half. In one of the plays, an attacker dribbled Lionel, who pulled his shorts, stopping the attack. The referee showed a yellow card to Lionel, as the act was considered a bad behavior. During the remaining of the first half, Cafundéu continued more offensive, but Geisenfried made an excellent defensive work.

The teams returned for the second half, with no changes in the line-ups. But Mercegues made some changes in the strategy of the team, and they improved the performance of Cafundéu. In the first play of the second half, Silveira made a very good pass to Danilo Sampa, who was fouled inside the area. Penalty kick. Moreira took the penalty and scored easily the first goal of the game.

After scoring the goal, the Monopolists continued to attack. The team had a chance from a set piece. Moreira took a free kick and crossed the ball to the area. Ricardão headed the ball, but the goalkeeper saved without problems. Geisenfried replied attacking too, with much more organized attacks than the ones of the first half. In one of them, a midfielder passed the ball to a team mate. But his shot was so poor, that it went to his team's bench, where the coach made an amazing save, holding the ball.

Minutes after, Geisenfried could score the goal. After a corner kick, a defender appeared in the middle of João Carlos and Ravioli and headed to score the goal. An unexpected goal that obligated Cafundéu to attack with full strength. The pressure lasted for some minutes, until Éverton received the ball in the midfield and passed the ball to Fabrício. The attacker invaded the area, dribbled an opponent, and shot to score the goal.

With less than ten minutes remaining for the end of the game, Mercegues made the last substitution, defending the team. The defensive midfielders did an excellent work holding the ball, to secure the victory of the Monopolists. In the last minute of the game, Marcelo Rocha tried to score from a long ranged shot, but the ball went over the bar.

Cafundéu - team used: Bartolomeu; Marcelo Rocha, Augusto César, João Carlos and Ravioli; Lionel (Éverton 57'), Silveira and Moreira; Ricardão (Silvinho 66'), Danilo Sampa (Conceição 83') and Fabrício.
Coach: Gustavo Mercegues.

Goals:CAF: Moreira 48' , Fabrício 79'.
GEI: A Defender 71'.

Monique: Yes Fiskin?
Fiskin: HAPPY BIRTHDDAY!
Monique: Thanks Fiskin, the other girls don't seem to know. No need for presents - just win the next game for me.
Fiskin: I got you something anyway.

Monique: Yes, always like your family to do this kind of thing.
Fiskin: Here it is! (hands over small package)
Monique: Something small hey? (opens package)
Fiskin: So what do you think?

Monique: Looks like weird charm ... what's it do? Looks erotic.
Fiskin: Helps one get married! It belonged to my mother.
Monique: So this belongs to Debbie Dallas?
Fiskin: Mum doesn't need it. Dallas girls don't need it either.

Monique: Thanks for that, trust a Dallas to give me something like this.
Fiskin: You're our friend, we help our friends.
Team: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Monique: Thanks team.

<Later after training>

Monique:
OK, team. Remember the curfew, you are mostly kids and I don't want you lot running amok in town especially you Fiskin. It's our first game tomorrow and we are missing two big players in Kate and Scarlet. I want a win, nothing else is acceptable. We have a few hours of free time so don't spend it recklessly. If you miss the curfew, you're not starting tomorrow. Oh, I won't be around tonight, got business to attend to.

"Damnit, where is he, He said he'd be here!" Henry Gaines said as he looked at the empty spot where his mothers cousin was meant to be, That being James Gaines, president of the WCC.

"He'd be here if he could, he probably tried to come and then got dragged into a meeting. You know how political soccer can be." the coach said trying to comfort the 20 year old.

"It's dad all over again."

"Come on now, don't get worked up you got a job to do, you need to keep your mind on the ball and stop it."

"I'll try."

------

26th minute:

"The Bazacub defense is holding firm so far... .but no the Milchamians, Kery Cork has the ball manages to side step around a challenge by Kal Klien. And now it's one on one... Cork vs. Gaines... he shoots ... and he scores. Henry Gaines totally misreading what should have been an easy save. You got to wonder what's on his mind at the moment for it certainly isn't football."

45th minute:

"What a goal by Eliza she is certainly the bright spark of the team, she scores just before the half-time whistle there was nothing in it. Hang on, the Milchamians are challenging the goal, saying that it was after the whistle, the ref is seemingly standing by his decision. Though let's have a look at the video."

*Side panel of the goal where Eliza made her successful attack* the ball enters, the net, it was in it just a matter of when it went in. A Slo mo replay... Showing the ball... well, it was inclusive it could have broken the pane when the whistle blew or it could not havew as well. One of the times when you just mose well flip a coin. And no referee has changed his mind... No GOAL for Bazalonia. It is still 0 - 1 to Milchama"

51st Minute:

The Bazacubs made no lost effort, feeling short changed by the referee for being denied that last kick the normally defensive team temporarily into all out attack. Eliza played a pivotal role but she wans't the one who scored it was one of the Daniels, Johnson I think who put the ball past the Milchamian keeper. It was tied

56th minute:

It was hard for the Bazacubs to go back to defense for the next 5 minutes this allowed the Milchamian Horse to gallop through and score a goal. Why a horse is on the field is unknown but in AOCAF it certainly has been a fixture. While technically still under 21, We believe that it is much older than that in horse years.

Final Score: (Johnson 51') 1 - 2 ( Cork 26', Horse 56')

Geisenfried National U21 Football Team

Formation: 4-5-1 'Star' formation
RP Modifier: -4

GK - #1 Matthias Anders, 20
GK - #12 Niklaus Lehmicke, 17
SW - #4 Oswin Henninger, 18
LD - #3 Lloyd Sehrbier, 18
CD - #5 Felix Klugge, 21 (C)
RD - #2 Linus Schwarzen, 17
DF - #13 Brendan Reitemeyer, 20
DF - #14 Henrik Rosenthal, 16
DF - #15 Tobias Kaufmann, 15
LDM - #6 Leon Schneider, 18
RDM - #8 Bernard Jonach, 17
LWM - #11 Phillip Auberke, 20
CM - #9 Carsten Machts, 20
RWM - #7 Rainer Hesse, 18
MF - #16 Jakob Kantor, 17
MF - #17 Simon Nehaus, 15
MF - #18 Johannes Astor, 17
MF - #19 Marcel Deitmar, 14
CF - #10 Samuel Genz, 19
ST - #20 Viktor Rechtenbach, 17
ST - #21 Vincenz Tohfen, 14

If my opponent RPs first, they may:
Name my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Godmod other creative events (including injuries): Y
Injure my players: Y, but keep it limited
Give out yellow cards to my players: Y, but keep it limited
Give out red cards to my players: Y, but keep it limited

Konigseifert Chronicle
Under 21s Start Off With Tough Loss to Cafundeu
Geisenfried hopes to rebound against Brittonians

After baffingly deciding to skip on the World Cup's 36th edition, Geisenfried's RFFA, after being heavily criticized on the move, decided to rejoin the world's largest sporting scene by re-entering World Cup 37 as well as entering the Under-21 team in Starblaydia's inaugural 'Di Brandini Cup.' In perhaps fitting fashion, their first opponents in the DB Cup were one of the co-hosts of the tournament they had snubbed: Cafundeu.

The early part of the match was characterized by heavy sets of attacks by the offensive Cafundeu side against the defensive Geisenfried side, as the two styles clashed bitterly. A couple of solid shots from the Cafundeu side led to beautiful saves by Matt Anders, who despite eventually giving up 2 goals has proven to be a solid choice at goalkeeper. For the first half, the Geisenfried's offense proved anemic, though third-generation player Samuel Genz managed to draw a yellow card on the Cafundeu defensive midfielder Lionel dos Anjos Fonseca.

After the halftime break though, Cafundeu mounted a quick assault. In trying to deny an opportunity to the Cafundeu forward Danilo Sampa, Oswin Henninger fouled him in the area, and his vehement protests to the referee earned him a yellow card. The resulting penalty was converted by Charles Moreira to make the game 1-0 in favor of Cafundeu. Afterwards, they proceeded to try and press their advantage, but defense and Anders held fast, and it eventually led to a counterattack that brought up a corner near the 70th minute. Felix Klugge moved up for the corner, and midfielder Rainer Hesse found him for the header that caught the Cafundeu defense and goalkeeper Bartolomeu de Andrade Souto off guard and tied it up at one all. This led to a furious set of attacks by Cafundeu in order to break ahead again, and eventually the striker Fabricio Nogueira managed to make a move against Linus Schwarzen and put himself in position to make it 2-1 Cafundeu. Geisenfried tried to counter afterwards, but to no avail.

After the game, the U21 team's captain, Felix Klugge, who also was selected as a member of the WC37 team and was the only goalscorer for Geisenfried in the match had this to say concerning their hopes for the rest of the Di Brandini Cup. "Obviously, it hurts to lose the opener, especially considering how tight this competition is. Here, you only have two spots open for five teams and only four games to play, and every game matters. That being said, I feel good concerning the matchups between us and the next two teams we face, and hopefully we can gain momentum for that critical last game. If we win out, we'll definitely be in the right position to get into the next round."

Cafundeu: 2
Geisenfried: 1
Moreira 48' (CAF), Klugge 71' (GSF), Fabricio 79' (CAF)

Group D G W L D PT GF GA TGD
The HURD 1 1 0 0 3 4 0 +4
Cafundeu 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 +1
St. Samuel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Geisenfried 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 -1
New Brittonia 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 -4

The Enlightener: Here we gooooo!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/FAB.png

Young 'Uns Take To The Field

After a layoff of god know how many years, Bettia's Under-21s finally have some action to get their teeth into.
The lucky 18 selected to represent the Young Uns are:

Goalkeepers
1. Mark Tolfrey - age 19, Tiddles Park
2. Andy Leyton - age 20, Lorshill United

Defence
3. Jamie Perkins - age 20, Lorshill United
4. Matt Colston - age 16, Butetown Dragons
5. Mike Scharoun - age 19, Butetown Dragons

Midfield
6. Tim Sloughton - age 20, CPD Porthbalfa
7. Ibrahim Cathays - age 17, Gabalfa Rovers
8. Frankie Prince - age 16, Butetown Dragons
9. Caleb Farmer - age 18, Butetown Dragons
10. Alim Ghazi - age 19, Grappenhall City

Wingers
11. Karim Abdul-Aziz - age 18, Tamrida
12. Andy Muhammad - age 15, Gabalfa Rovers
13. Akram Davies - age 17, Sukatra Tigers

Forwards
14. Ari Busilanta - age 15, Perumnasih
15. Michael Weybridge - age 19, Banastra Forest
16. Thomas Hayes - age 16, Ryoga Bay
17. Jamal Stephens - age 20, Sukatra Tigers
18. Ataa Ahmad Mahmoom - age 15, Gabalfa Rovers


Probable starting eleven shown in BOLD
Style Modifier: +5 (or the maximum possible)
RP Permissions: Players RPing first may write pretty much whatever they want, short of killing any players -
if you really do feel the need to indulge in a spot of murder, please ask my permission first :)
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Fixtures / Results

First Round, Group B

01: Vanek Drury Brieres................D 2-2
02: Taeshan............................
03: Jeruselem..........................
04: The Islands of Qutar...............
05: BYE

Kicking Off in Right Style
Iakovakis wary of Pellandi Threat

Starblaydia took their first step back into international football by taking apart Quakmybush's Under-21 side by a three goal to one scoreline. Starblaydia knew their defence would be called to silence the Piranhas six forward players, and, marshalled by Roque Bravo, they did an excellent job.

Opening the scoring, Starblaydia broke through the encampment that the Piranhas had laid around the Starblaydi penalty area, and with a swift series of passing started by Ornvidar Bazraltek, through Antonio Mora and Stefan Hinkkonen, it was left for Kalia Canildo - arriving like an express train into the box - to hammer the ball unreachably past Yasha in the Piranha goal. Starblaydia were two-nil up before half time as again Quakmybush were found wanting at the back. Hinkkonen manfully held off Brennan and the younger defender Rosetta, slipping the ball out to Joseph Shakirii, who half-volleyed into the top corner of the net.

Hinkkonen was certainly proving a handful, but the strike force had to be changed when Giorgio La Pranza was forced off with a dead leg. Lii Chong-Sun
came on to replace him, but the disappointment from twenty-one year-old striker Tarquin Fullbright was visible. Fullbright had been tipped for a starting place at these championships, but Apollina Iakovakis appears to prefer the Little & Large strike force combinations.

The Hinkkonen/Chong-Sun partnership looked promising, but narrow, and they were contained for the most of the second half. Another replacement for Starblaydia brought the first goal for Quakmybush, as Sebastian Brunner
was replaced in central defence by Marco Lima - who was immediately caught out at a Piranha corner - reacting too slowly and allowing Henrikki Einrí to head into the back of the net.

Fullbright, who was warming up more energetically than most players on the pitch were performing, finally got his chance with ten minutes to go, as the exhausted Hinkkonen was brought off, to a standing ovation from the Starblaydi fans present. Fullbright certainly used his opportunity, as he produced some great individual skill - and a brilliant one-two pass with Shakirii - to find himself alone in the box. He hurdled the onrushing Yasha with ease and slotted a tap-in from seven yards to wrap the game up for Starblaydia.

After a Bye match, Starblaydia face early Group A leaders Kura-Pelland, and will certainly be on the look-out for two-goal poacher Fedde Beattis, as well as the long range Exocets from Ryan Ikira. The Pellandi team didn't perform particularly well, but still managed to run out 4-2 victors. If Starblaydia could handle the attacking stylings of Quakmybush well enough, a team who have just netted four in a match should be a sterner test, and may well decide the outcome of Group A.

Starblaydia 3 - 1 Quakmybush
(Canildo 27, Shakirii 34, Fullbright 86) - (Einrí 63)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Canildo 1
Fullbright 1
Shakirii 1

Elven Times
Academy Built, Academy Strong?

Despite the obvious disadvantages compared to humans, who age quite faster than we, the EFA and ESC decided to enter the Marauders into the Under 21 World Cup. Now we all know that the academies have players this young and with some skill, but is there enough of that skill developed to honestly make a team that can compete with the other nations, whom do not have the same aging timeline as we elves. It is proven that we hit our prime in playing in the years of 700-1050, but humans hit it around the age of 24, and are decently developed by the age 21. Despie the talents of my daugher Rose Diamond Santapa and Ariela Night, this reporter is unsure of whether or not this team that has been assembled to don the navy and black is ready to take on the best of the rest of the worlds youth. You may say that our academies and obvious talent on the senior level is justification enough to say that we can, but as pointed out, there are some sever difference between the two competitions.

If this team is going to succeed, it will definately have to be done in the midfield. Wrath, despite his heritage, is obviously our key player, for if he can't win the 50/50 balls and get the ball to the strikers, then they can't do a thing despite their talent. This is the same problem our senior side is starting to show, we have some amazing, absolutely world class strikers, but our distrubtion from the midfield is sometimes lacking, and the backline can falter in clutch situations. Perhaps this generation will take this chance that it might be to turn that around, and I would hope so. These kids are the next in line to be our professionals and to represent the country on the international stage. They have obviously showed their instructors something to be selected, and apart from Rose, all are still in academies training to get better. With that in mind, Rose will have to be a leader out there, and prepare the rest of the team for what real game action is like, after having already spent five years on FC Capri's first team.

Their first test will be friendly Gnomes of Az-cz, who are using the same squad from the AO-U21 tournament oh those years ago. Unlike most of the squads who have come, they have a care free sort of spark about them that will likely prevent them from having the same amount of stress the other players will face. Having already demolished Lovisa in the first match, the defence will definately need to be on their A-game to prevent this high powered attack from making a mockery of the clash. If this were the senior sides, then I would say a great game would be upon us, but as it is just the youth, there is always that amount of dout that it could not live up to the billing.

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz
MD3: ESF v Lovisa
MD4: Milchama v ESF
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia

Article by Luna Santapa

Minilla Island's Under-21 National Team


GKs;

1) Cory Peterson, 20, Richmondtown FC
12) Don Andamann, 18, Brentwood(Minya) H.S.
23) Kevin Kroger, 19, Westfield FC

DEFs

2) Bryan Hinds, 20, FC Sarava City
3) Garrie Christian, 19, 1FC Zigra
4) Ray Donovan, 17, South Darda HS
5) Kevin Hannafay, 20, FC Unity Barragon
14) John Kasper, 20, FC Richmondtown
16) Mark Stivick, 19, Westfield FC
18) Dave Hanrahan, 20, FC Godzilla
20) Ken Connor, 19, FC Yongary

MIDs

6) Nick Penny, 19, FC Barnhart
8) Bobby Thomerson, 17, J.D. Hogg(Hazzard) HS
10) Derek Shue, 17, Marshall HS
13) Tim Preece, 20, Gamera City FC
17) Brian Brown, 20, Hazzard FC
21) Ray Markham, 19, SC Northridge
22) Steve Carpenter, 20, Godzooky City FC

FWDs

7) Alessandro "Alex" Totti, 16, Western Technical(Minya) HS
9) Mike Fazio, 18, FC Yongary
11) Blaine Hahnemann, 19, FC Barnhart
15) Jair Mountairo, 18, Gamera City FC
19) Terry Hicks, 18, FC Minya

TD: Carleton Books
Coaches: Garrie Overstreet, Jon Coretti
Physio: Kelly Cranston
Physician: Dr. Cory Watson

Strat: +3

Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

Lineup: Peterson; Hinds, Christian, Kasper, Hanrahan; Preece(C); Penny, Shue; Carpenter; Totti, Fazio

Good luck to our Little Warriors!

Matchday 2 Scores:

Group A
The Orion Islands 1-2 Kura-Pelland
Minilla Island 3-2 Quakmybush

Group B
Jeruselem 5-1 Vanek Drury Brieres
Bettia 0-0 Taeshan

Group C
Elves Security Forces 1-1 Az-cz
Lovisa 2-3 Milchama

Group D
St Samuel 2-0 Cafundeu
Geisenfried 3-2 New Britonnia

Matchday 2 Tables:

Group A P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Kura-Pelland 2 2 0 0 6 3 +3 6
Starblaydia 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3
Minilla Island 2 1 0 1 5 6 -1 3
The Orion Islands 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
Quakmybush 2 0 0 2 3 6 -3 0


Group B P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Jeruselem 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 3
The Islands of Qutar 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3
Bettia 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
Taeshan 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
Vanek Drury Brieres 2 0 1 1 3 7 -4 1


Group C P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Milchama 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 6
Az-Cz 2 1 1 0 5 2 -3 4
Elves Security Forces 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Bazalonia 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
Lovisa 2 0 0 2 3 7 -4 0


Group D P W D L GF GA GD Pts
The HURD 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3
St Samuel 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
Geisenfried 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3
Cafundeu 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
New Brittonia 2 0 0 2 2 7 -5 0

Top two teams in Group go through to Quarter-Finals.

Defeat in First Match In Di Bradini Cup

After a hard fought matchup, The team from The Orion Islands came up short in its match-up versus Kura-Pelland. The team's coach, the beloved Senator Ronald Kelly had this to say: "They fought hard out there, and it was close. I just hope they can break this nervousness of theirs. This is the first time any of them have competed at this level. Baptista wasn't on top of his game, and neither was Hammett. I know they are better competitors than they showed today." So the blame falls on Baptista and Hammett? This humble reporter thinks that everyone played hard out there, and we wish them the best of luck in their next match-up.

From the blog Everything has Changed:

Herman's HURDists

No HURD today, the fun has gone away
The GNUcubs stand alone, are waiting for the dawn
No HURD today, the programmers just sigh
the minutes sneaking by, how do they hate a bye.

How could they know what 'have a nice day' means
in'a land of no hope, a land of no dreams?
How could they know how good things would have been
if played in the HURD, not this place gray and lean.

With apologies to Herman's Hermits

Taeshan ties bettia 0-0 in second cup match

St Samuel(0) 2
Arquilla 67, Atalanta 83
Cafundeu (0) 0

St Samuel kicked off there Di Bradini Cup campaign in style with a well fought match against Cafundeu. The Latin Crusaders U21 boss, Luigi De Ribiera, had stated before the fixture that it was Cafundeu that he most feared in the group stage.

The first half had all the ingredients for a nail biting, intense and exciting fixture with both teams getting stuck in. Massimo Arquilla had two decent chances to put St Samuel in front but failed to produce the goods both times. Cafundeu's Danilo Sampa also had a rocket shot denied by lightning reflexes from goal keeper Luca Biortello. The score line at half time was 0-0, but by no means a dissapointing display.

The second half was just as intense as the first half and after 15 minutes play opened up and it was end to end stuff with both teams again having plenty of opportunities. On the 62nd minute Danilo Sampa won a penalty after he was bought down by Della Rosa, but Ricardão put the penalty kick over the bar to deny Cafundeu the lead.

It was Massimo Arquilla who finally broke the dead lock when he finished a solo effort by beating 2 defenders to go one on one with Bartolomeu and put the ball into the back of the net. Danilo Sampa came close again straight from the kick off when he hit the bar from a great header and then minutes later having yet another long range effort parried onto the post.

Sebastien Atalanta completed the performance for St Samuel with a great low driven volley from 15 yards out that ricocheted off a defender and past Bartolomeu to make it 2-0.

It was a happy Jeruselen dressing room after the team of girls had thumped rookies Vanek Drury Brieres FIVE ONE. Fiskin Dallas was doing her one-handed hand-stands which other girls tried but couldn't achieve. Captain Jollie Jollie was in a good mood and everyone was content. In fact, Jeruselem topped the table with the only win of the cup in their group which was even weirder.

Jollie: Fiskin, how do you those handstands! I keep on falling on my face.
Fiskin: I don't know, I just can! Good balance I guess.
Monique: Actually, my friend Dazza could do those two when she was younger.
Jollie: Oh well, I guess I'm not freak like a Dallas girl is.

Monique: Well, thanks for the birthday present girls.
Jollie: Just doing my job coach.
Fiskin: No problem, I want more - I want to take a cup home!
Monique: You girls don't need much motivation do you?

Jollie: Oh, we want to be famous so clubs pick us up for lots of money. We don't have a famous surname like some around here.
Fiskin: Me? (smiling)
Monique: Look we came 3rd in that Frenchie cup so there's no problem with that.
Jollie: I want lots of money so I get that car.

Monique: What type of car?
Jollie: The new Lamborgini. 300 clicks per hour.
Monique: Why don't you just borrow Dazza's?
Jollie: Hey Fiskin, you think I can?

Fiskin: Well, be nice to me first!
Jollie: OK OK
Monique: You have to watch these girls.
Jollie: I want be a racing driver when I'm older.

The Godzilla Times

Little Warriors Pull off win

Starblaydia - 16 year-old Alex Totti is fast becoming the star of the Di Brandini Cup. The Little Warriors played a solid Counter-attack game as they defeated Quakmybush 3-2. "This was a superb effort," Stated gaffer Books. "We do need to tighten up defensively. However, facing six forwards, we handled them very well." However, the star of this match was the Western Tech striker. Totti picked of a pass from Earnest, and raced through the defense, and curled a shot past Yasha to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute.

It would begin to look rough for the boys, though. The six-man front line presented problems. Quakmybush outshot the boys, 24-11. In the 28th minute, Earnest, the only female on the pitch, would loop a pass to Jackson, who beat Christian outside the six-yard box, and drilled a shot past Peterson into the corner in the 28th minute.

Eight minutes later, Einri would launch a free kick into the top corner after Kasper got booked for tripping Jackson outside the box. The boys would be down until the 70th minute. Sub Connor would launch an errant Diantha pass onto the feet of a streaking Totti. Totti would fake around two defender, and then drill a missle from 20 yards into the net. The game would seem stalemated. In the 88th minute, Mike Fazio grabbed the ball at midfield. Got the advantage in a foul, and charged Yasha. Fazio shot low, but Yasha only parried it onto the feet of a streaking Totti, who pumped the game-winner into the roof of the net.

"I was just amazed," Said the Western Tech striker, "I cannot believe the tourney we are having. I am sure we can run the table and make the semi-finals at the very least."

The strats and lineup remain the same.

Kura-Pelland's midfield solidity proved crucial once again, as The Orion Islands were edged out 2-1 to maintain the winning start to the Di Bradini Cup.

Two poached goals from Beattis proved critical as the islanders were worn down through excellent possession football, Ryan Ikira showing uncharacteristic grit and determination to add to his undoubted flair while Teddy Vax played superbly behind the rest of the midfield, extremely unfortunate to concede an own goal in the 82nd minute when desperately attempting to make a goal-line clearance. He did make one excellent tackle in injury time that probably prevented Kura-Pelland from being cruelly denied two points.

General consensus was that this was a better performance than the previous game and that 2-1 probably flattered the opposition, but Starblaydia are seen as a much tougher test, at home and fresh from a bye in particular. 'No doubt about it - they're dangerous,' Vax said in interview. 'But we've picked up club experience, we're on the up, we've got momentum, and this is a nation with a more established and stable youth system in recent years than Starblaydia.' Analysts generally agree with that but point out the superb natural talent in Starblaydia - but then it was ever thus.

In other words, Alex Totti is also emerging as a big name in this tournament, as he joins Beattis on four goals after scoring two goals to help Minilla Island defeat Quakmybush 3-2. Quakmybush's six-strong forward lineup is clearly proving ineffective.

Elven Times
Sleepers

Alright, this squad has shown something, if just a little, to prove that they are worth being choosen to play a World Cup against other nations youth. Going up against a stellar attack of the young Gnomes of Az-cz, the squad managed to hold them to a single goal and take one in themselves to leave things even after the ninety had been played. Already favorites by the hosts to be the two teams to advance, the road does get somewhat easier for both squads from here on out, and if both pull what should be collectable points against the Horse of Milchama, they very well should be on their way to a second round appearance. I know that this is more than just an one game tournament, but the poise shown by the squad to pull out a draw in the circumstances given really has impressed me quite a bit. I was betting on a heavy Az-cz victory, and perhaps I overexpected for the gnomes or underexpected our younglings, but it was not to be.

Az-cz clearly had the upper hand for the majority of the first half, mostly due to their roster not giving out their players preferred positions, and the Marauders were looking all sort of desperate when clearing their lines. It was because of this chaotic nature of their play that the Elves conceded the first goal of the game when a nifty header by Kengo Inokuchi that Fornad was just able to get his hand to. The attempted clearance by Magni deflected off a falling Smink and flew to the wide open striker of Az-cz. The young lady got the chip shot off as Fornad came sliding in and was greeted in a mixture of cheering and boos as the ball rolled in the netting, putting the pink and green up in front with just ten minutes until the half.

Despite the wisdom of trying to calm his players down, Mannasuch didn't speak a word to his side during the break, instead let their poor performance from the first half weigh on them. He hoped that they had enough pride and honor to be utterly dissapointed in their display and would come out in the second half ready for business. Showing character beyond their years, the team did come out in the second half much more focused and tactically sound. While not the complete domination that the Gnomes put up in the first half of play, the run of play started to go completely in favor of the navy clad players, as they mounted some serious oppurtunities in the early goings that tested the reflexes of Sa-Ra, who was once again in net for the Gnomes. She proved quite up to the challange of keeping her net pure and made the stops to keep her team ahead. It would take a spot of luck for the Maruaders to pull it level, as Ra looked and was unbeatable for the first eighty-six minutes of play.

But with the advice of Kiki, Mannasuch brought on Jeane Silent in the eight-first minute for Santapa, to keep ahold of the ball for those last ten minutes, where the desperation for an equalizer would leave the team exposed. It was off a throw in that Silent recieved the ball from Wrath and dribbled Obama to get into a clear shooting lane and put hard, accurate bullet on frame. However a touch of luck struck when the ref pointed to the spot after the ball was cleared off the line by Valdez, with the ref claiming the ball was played with the hand, but decided not to give a card, concluding the penalty was consequence enough. Up stepped the youngest player on the team, and the one with the most expectactions, Ariela Night. As the ref gave the whistle, the daughter of the two scoring leader in the ESF national team history gave a hesitation step that made Ra go right and tapped the shot in to the left with the type of grace that one would expect of Kiso, not his younger sister. The 10,000 fans traveling fans, with the majority of them being members of the Navy Wave, went into a frenzy of jubilation, and gave a chorus of "Strength, Honor, and Glory" past the final whistle, until the players left the pitch for the locker rooms.

Up next is the doormats of the group, Lovisa, who seem intent on handing out large goal victories for their oppisition. A large scoreline in favor of the navy and black to get a good goal differential heading into their big match with Milchama would do wonders for the squad's chances of progressing. I'm sure Mannasuch and Kiki will have their players ready for the next game, espicailly after the way they responded in the second half to the adversity before them. If the finishing is there in the next match, and a poor first half start is absent, this could turn out to be an insightful move by what I saw as disillusioned members of the EFA and ESC.

Elves Security Forces 1
Areila Night (87) PK

Az-cz 1
Youn Ji-Hyun (35)

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa
MD4: Milchama v ESF
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia

Article by Luna Santapa

Konigseifert Chronicle
Geisenfried U21s Successfully Dispatch New Brittonia
Team faces another vital test in St. Samuel

Having lost in their first matchup against Cafundeu, the Geisenfried U21s desperately needed to get a win if they wanted to stay in the Starblaydian Di Brandini Cup. They got one in a key matchup that should keep their hopes alive of getting on into the next round. In the opening minutes of the game, Leon Schneider took away an opportunity of New Brittonia and capitalized on the counterattack by sending a long pass up to Carsten Machts, who broke away from all defenders and sent the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 early. About a half an hour later, while on the offensive, Samuel Genz, son of famed footballer Wolfgang Genz, and grandson of Karl Genz, showed some of his inherited familial ability by dribbling past a few defenders and neatly scoring the first goal of his national career in the thirty third minute, making it 2-0. Towards the end of the half, the Geisenfried defense slipped up a bit and New Brittonia got an opportunity it cashed in on to make 2-1. After the break, it was mostly quiet until Rainer Hesse got a chance about thirty minutes into the second half, which he sent flying past the keeper and solidified the Geisenfried lead at 3-1. After that, New Brittonia managed to put one in themselves, presumably due to fatigue and a bit of overconfidence in the lead, and it ended at 3-2.

Geisenfried: 3
New Brittonia: 2
Machts 5' (GSF), Genz 33' (GSF), Brittonian 42' (NBR), Hesse 76' (GSF), Brittonian 88' (NBR)

Group D G W L D PT GF GA TGD
The HURD 1 1 0 0 3 4 0 +4
St. Samuel 1 1 0 0 3 2 0 +2
Geisenfried 2 1 1 0 3 4 4 +0
Cafundeu 2 1 1 0 3 2 3 -1
New Brittonia 2 0 2 0 0 2 7 -5

Matchday 3 Scores:

Group A
Kura-Pelland 3-2 Starblaydia
The Orion Islands 1-0 Minilla Island

Group B
Vanek Drury Brieres 1-2 The Islands of Qutar
Jeruselem 2-1 Bettia

Group C
Az-cz 3-0 Bazalonia
Elves Security Forces 6-1 Lovisa

Group D
Cafundeu 0-1 The HURD
St Samuel 0-1 Geisenfried


Matchday 3 Tables:

Group A P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Kura-Pelland 3 3 0 0 9 5 +4 9
Starblaydia 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 3
The Orion Islands 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Minilla Island 3 1 0 2 5 7 -2 3
Quakmybush 2 0 0 2 3 6 -3 0


Group B P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Jeruselem 2 2 0 0 7 2 +5 6
The Islands of Qutar 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 6
Bettia 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2
Taeshan 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
Vanek Drury Brieres 3 0 1 2 4 9 -4 1


Group C P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Az-Cz 3 2 1 0 8 2 +6 7
Milchama 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 6
Elves Security Forces 2 1 1 0 7 2 +5 4
Bazalonia 2 0 0 2 1 5 -4 0
Lovisa 3 0 0 3 3 8 -5 0


Group D P W D L GF GA GD Pts
The HURD 2 2 0 0 5 0 +5 6
Geisenfried 3 2 0 1 5 4 +1 6
St Samuel 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 3
Cafundeu 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3
New Brittonia 2 0 0 2 2 7 -5 0

A critical, dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Starblaydia puts Kura-Pelland top of the group and almost a lock to stay there, with Fedde Beattis once again delivering the goods.

As against Minilla Island, Kura-Pelland had to come back from behind, Stefan Hinkonnen's looping header from an Antonio Mora cross giving Starblaydia a seventh-minute lead. It was not enduring, for seven minutes later a Ryan Ikira daisycutter was only punched weakly by Fernando Rodriguez, and Beattis latched onto the rebound ahead of Roque Bravo.

After those early goals, both teams settled into a more patient style of play, and there were few chances in the rest of the half. 1-1 looked a likely score even as the second half progressed, until Alan Alexiv produced a goal from nothing; marked tightly on the right hand corner of the penalty box, he knocked the ball through Edmundo Rivolli's legs with his left foot, ran right around him, then smashed the ball through Rodriguez's legs from a tight angle.

Starblaydia responded on the hour by introducing Tarquin Fulbright, replacing Kwame Jabir - and the game opened up, with both teams producing good chances. The best of all fell to Fulbright himself, one on one with only Gary Tarban to beat, but he hit the post and Bart Cambridge desperately intervened.

The equaliser did come, however. Four minutes from time, Mora's long cross-field pass intended for Giorgio La Pranza deflected off the head of Teddy Vax and fell kindly for Fulbright, whose first-time chip left Tarban stranded. A fortunate yet brilliant goal all at once, and it looked to have deprived Kura-Pelland of three points.

Beattis had other ideas. In the 89th minute, his outrageous overhead kick from a corner deflected off Rivolli and onto the far post, where it was cleared as far as Mora. Again he attempted a long ball, this time it found Fulbright, but his shot was too close to Tarban and virtually bounced off him. Kura-Pelland delayed the resultant corner with a substitution, replacing the solid Vax with the speedy yet tall Tom DiMaggio. Four minutes of added time were announced. Amidst a wall of noise, Tarban punched the corner away, Cambridge hoofed the ball towards DiMaggio, he beat Roque Bravo for pace before casually knocking the ball square on the edge of the box to Beattis, who couldn't miss and duly didn't. That proved the winner.

DiMaggio is set to start the next match, against Quakmybush, but Vax is also almost certain to play in a rejigged midfield as the team finds a way to adapt best to Quakmybush's ultra-attacking, almost old-fashioned style with a six-man forward line. So far, they have lost twice, but this has been attributed to lack of form amongst the forwards largely from being swamped by sides geared towards the counter-attack. Expect Kura-Pelland to try something similar.

Pellandi Edge Victory
Fans to coach: 'Play Fullbright!'

Had Tarquin Fullbright played for ninety minutes rather than just the last thirty, Starblaydia probably would have won this match. Apollina Iakovakis' insistence on playing La Pranza and Hinkonnen as a strike force may have looked fairly good on paper, but surely Fullbright deserves a place on the starting line? Two goals in two appearances - hell, two goals from forty minutes of play - is an excellent strike rate and in comparison La Pranza hasn't even got a single assist! So the question remains: why does Fullbright not start?

Hinkonnen proved himself with the opening goal, heading from just inside the box to beat Gary Tarban with an expertly-placed header to the top corner. Within ten minutes Starblaydia were leading the two-win Pellandi - but not for long. Their red-hot striker Fedde Beattis, master-opportunist, latched onto a poor punch from Rodriguez. Master-poacher, more like.

The teams went in at the break level at one-all, but Kura-Pelland were soon in the lead after the restart after some individual brilliance from Alan Alexiv, going past Edmundo Rivolli like he wasn't there and smashing it in past Rodriguez for the second. In response to this, Iakovakis heeded the baying of the Starblaydi crowd and introduced Fullbright for the poor-showing La Pranza. Starblaydia immediately looked brighter, Fullbright hitting the post shortly after, being put through by Shakirii.

Fullbright, again, scored what he thought was the equaliser with less than five minutes to go, brilliantly looping the ball over Tarban when it had unexpectedly dropped to him off the head of Vrax.

With a minute to go it was end to end stuff, and both teams' fans thought they could spur their players on for the win. A Beattis bicycle kick was pushed onto the post, before Fullbright blasted a shot to Tarban's body mere seconds later. Four minutes of Extra Time - a result of long treatment to a Kwame Jabir head injury after the Alexiv goal - was signalled and both teams were desperate for the win, but it was Fedde Beattis on the edge of the six-yard box who side-footed past Rodriguez for the win.

A disappointment for Starblaydia - no more so than the actions of their coach. Will Fullbright start against Minilla Island? One can only hope so, or Starblaydia will find themselves out of their own tournament before the knockouts.

Kura-Pelland 3 - 2 Starblaydia
(Beattis 14 & 90, Alexiv 52) - (Hinkonnen 7, Fullbright 86)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Fullbright 2
Canildo 1
Hinkonnen 1
Shakirii 1

From the blog Everything has Changed:
beee-ba-ba-ba-ba-bo

Everybody slanis one way or the other
So check out my message to you.
As a matter of fact don't let nothin' hold you back.
If the HURDists can do it so can you.
Everybody's sayin' that the GNUcubs are buggy
But they don't ever f*ck up when it counts.
But what you don't know I'm gonna tell you right now
That the bugs caused the 1-0 to rather high amounts.

We're the HURDists
Where're the HURDists? We're the HURDists

Why should we be pleasin' all the politician heathens
Who would try to change the seasons if they could?
The state of the condition insults my intuitions
And it only makes me crazy and my heart like wood.
Closed source's a bother - one way or the other
So check out my message to you.
As a matter of fact don't let nothin' hold you back.
If the GNUcubs can do it, hacker so can you.

With apologies to Scatman John.

Without ignoring the licenses of copyright-users, we can state that it was a very exciting match. Cafundeu surely had impressive talents and the GNUcubs nearly conceded at at least 5 occasions if not the goalpost, bobcat or sheer luck prevented it. The HURD had 2 good chances but in the end, soccer is a lottery and it does not matter who utterly dominates the match, but who erratically manages to get the ball into the goal and that was not Sampa or Ricardão or Fabrício but GNU #12. It was a bug because after a while (about 16 minutes after his substitution for #3), he decided that being a defender was no fun and changed his position info himself to become an attacker. Normally this would have been a bad thing, but The team wanted to save the substitution and thus, he remained an attacker - and scored.

The Jeruselem girls looked at the scoreboard in disbelief - Jeruselem 2 Bettia 1. They checked again in case there was an error, it wasn't! They hadn't really noticed the scoreline until the last minutes. All game the Bettians had pushed the Jeruselem defense to it's limits. In particular, Bettia had targetted little Fiskin Dallas as the weakness but the more they targetted her, the more chances the Jeruselem attack had to score and they did score - twice. Defender and captain Jollie Jollie had a inspirational game as the Bettians didn't want target her as she had a nasty temper.

Fiskin celebrated by doing one handed handstands which delighted the crowd. Dallas women were born entertainers. The Jeruselem girls walked off the field in jubilant mood as the Bettians trudged off the field in less than happy mood.

Normally a Jeruselem vs Bettia was a goalfest but coach wanted to ruin all that. She had changed the way Jeruselem played to frustrate the Bettians instead of allowing them play their attacking football. They played very Karelan with a few attacking breaks. Without the skills of Kate Dallas and Scarlet Ferris who were their main combination this was a hard thing to as not many of the Jeruselem girls had the speed of Kate Dallas.

Both goals were scored on the break when the Bettians had overcommited in attack, and the team were quite happy. It was back the normal game for their next opponents though.

St Samuel (0) 0
Geisenfried (0) 1

St Samuel came out second best in a dissapointing 1-0 defeat against Geisenfield. Samuel Genz scored the only goal of the game early on in the second half on the 49th minute. A Phillip Auberke corner was swung in and Genz rose above two defenders to head a powerful header home.

St Samuel were unable to get back into the game even after some heavy pressure for the remaining 20 minutes. Geisenfried keeper Matthias Anders denied St Samuel strikers Massimo Arquilla and Sebastien Atalanta on three occasions with some fantastic goal keeping.

St Samuel will be dissapointed after a poor first half performance and not capitalizing on the chances that they had in the second half.

Hello, this Jimmy Plant, with OSN Soccer Center. The top story today involves The Orion Islands' under 21 team competing in the first ever Di Bradini Cup. After a tough loss on opening day, the Orion team played a hardnosed game against the Minilla Island team. The victory was owed, in large part, to star forward John Baptista, who scored the games only goal, bicycling a goal off of a pass by Patrick Christian. John Baptista had this to say:

"We had practiced hard preparing for this, and we came out to play hard. We wanted to put our country on the map. And I think we did it today. Patrick had been trying to set me up all day, and Minilla's defense was obstructing everything we tried until late in the second half. He gave me a perfect rainbow pass and I took advantage of the wide open shot, gave it a bicycle and when I heard the crowd go nuts, I knew I had made it. It felt amazing."

So there you have it, folks. Baptista wants to put us on the map, and it looks like he's doing a fine job. Good Luck, kids.
Now, in league news.....

Elven Times
Praise Deserving?

While it is not the same as knocking off Az-cz, Bazalonia, or Milchama, this win against the cellar of Lovisa is a key step in the right direction. Despite giving them a good cushion of goal differential, a blowout like this raises morale and creates momentum that no amount of skill can prepare for. It's intangable stuff like that which become key in tilts amongst two heavyweights, which this group is considered once you remove Lovisa. So whenever you have a victory of this fashion, it creates those intangables and gives you that edge heading into the bigger match up. With the confidence now of not only drawing with Az-cz but also this big win, Milchama will likely not intimidate the squad had the results differed, such as losing to Az-cz and/or barely defeating Lovisa. While I am not saying that this will make a win against the horselovers definate, it definately improves their odds in acheiving an excellent outcome when the two meet in four days time.

The match against Lovisa should of been renamed the Sasha Wrath show, as the drow really liked on top of his game, netting two of his own, and setting up Ariela's first. In addition to Wrath's good play, Flora, Night, and Rose all had good showings after what could be considered a poor performance against the Gnomes. Night and Rose both collected a pair of goals, and Flora had four assists as well, giving confidence in Kiki and Mannasuch that the move to put the lady in the attacking midfield spot despite her defensive academy was the right decision. There is reason for concern however, as the defence did concede a rather sloppy goal in the fiftyith minute when Fordan stopped a long range shot but wasn't able to corall it. As it bounced into the middle, the defenders failed to clear their lines and allowed the oppisitions striker to sneak in and get a touch to it before Fordan could recover. Though it was a mere concolation goal, it is those type of sloppy moments that could prevent the squad from achieving to their potential and once again the managers will have a reason to keep their squad working hard in training despite a great showing.

Milchama has gotten all six points from their two fixtures thus far, and sit atop of the group, where the Marauders are in third. It must be noted that the two matches were against Lovisa and Bazalonia, who are looking quite vulnerable at the moment, so those points are not the hardest earned in the world. Considering they have both us and the Gnomes left to play against, their place in progressing could be very unsettled, espicially if we get the result we are hoping for in the match. It will be the midfield who gets us that result, as the backline is the not the brick wall that one would hope it would be, and the strikers can only create magic if they get service. With the formation, it shouldn't be hard to create that advantage where it counts, but Milchama has proven on multiple levels that you can never count them out, despite their weird customs and traditions. But if we can muster the effort that we are possibily capable of doing, it should turn out to be a most glorious occasion for the navy and black.


Elves Security Forces 6
Sasha Wrath (11, 39)
Ariela Night (24, 45)
Rose Diamond Santapa (31, 73)

Lovisa 1
Striker 1 (50)

Scorers
Ariela Night 3
Rose Diamond Santapa 2
Sasha Wrath 2

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa 6-1
MD4: Milchama v ESF
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia

Article by Luna Santapa

GAZETA DO POVO: ALL THAT YOU NEED TO READ IS HERE!
Sports Section - written by Orlando Marcos Schleffer

GENERAL VIEW ABOUT THE LAST TWO GAMES

After winning the first game of the competition against Geisenfried, Cafundéu's team seemed motivated to continue with the good campaign and play well against the other opponents. But, in the last two games, it became clear that something is lacking. The team has enough talent to play well, but fails to score. You ask: why? Let's try to find an answer.

First question: are the team's performances horrible? The answer is no. In the first game, the team had an excellent game, something that wasn't repeated in the games against St Samuel and The HURD. But we can't say that the team played badly. Facing teams with a reasonable amount of talented players, the bad results weren't unpredictable. But of course you, as Cafundelense readers, would expect better results.

So let's go to the second question: is the defence working well? The answer is surprising: yes, it is. The full-backs are dangerous players, and the goalkeeper and the defenders didn't make mistakes. Yes, they suffered four goals, but all the goals happened after good plays made by the opponents, at least in our opinion.

Let's move to the midfield. The question is: is the midfield working properly? The initial function of the midfield was to help the defenders and start the plays, creating good goal chances and linking the defence with the attack. Now comes a different answer: some of these things aren't happening. The goal chances are appearing, and the defensive midfielders help the defence, but the midfielders have difficulties in linking the other sectors of the field.

So, the losses are their fault? Well, the amount of missed passes and midfield mistakes really harmed the team, but we still need to look at the other sectors. Now, to the attack. Are the attackers doing their job? Of course not. Why? Because their job is to score goals! And what is happening? No goals, only missed chances! The three attackers are good players, but they really need to start to score to make the team improve.

So, have we found the guilty ones? Let's think about it for a second. No goals in the last games, even with many chances. Yes, something is wrong with the attack, and because of that the team lost some of its strength. But let's look at one last thing. The fifth question is: and the coach, what is he doing to change this situation? The answer is simple: nothing. So, in the end, the coach is the one to blame! He needs to make changes in the team!

Nothing less predictable than to blame the coach for the team's losses. Yes, we know. But the CCFM wasn't intelligent when decided to choose Mercegues for the job. Two years ago he was just a defensive midfielder of Petardos S/A, he doesn't have experience as a coach. The results of this risky choice you can see now. After discovering that we were going to criticize him, he promised changes. Let's see what he can make.

Cafundéu - team to be used: Bartolomeu; Marcelo Rocha, Augusto César, João Carlos and Conceição; Silveira, Moreira and Éverton; Danilo Sampa, Fabrício and Rubiano.
Coach: Gustavo Mercegues.

Matchday 4 Scores:

Group A
Starblaydia 4-1 Minilla Island
Quakmybush 3-4 The Orion Islands

Group B
The Islands of Qutar 1-2 Bettia
Taeshan 1-0 Jeruselem

Group C
Bazalonia 3-1 Lovisa
Milchama 0-0 Elves Security Forces

Group D
The HURD 3-2 Geisenfried
New Brittonia 0-4 St Samuel

Matchday 4 Tables:

Group A P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Kura-Pelland 3 3 0 0 9 5 +4 9 Q
Starblaydia 3 2 0 1 9 5 +4 6
--------------------- - - - - - -- -- -
The Orion Islands 3 2 0 1 6 5 +1 6
Minilla Island 4 1 0 3 6 11 -5 3 E
Quakmybush 3 0 0 3 6 10 -4 0 E

Group B P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Jeruselem 3 2 0 1 7 3 +4 6
The Islands of Qutar 3 2 0 1 6 5 +1 6
--------------------- - - - - - -- -- -
Bettia 4 1 2 1 5 5 0 5 E
Taeshan 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
Vanek Drury Brieres 3 0 1 2 4 9 -4 1 E

Group C P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Az-Cz 3 2 1 0 8 2 +6 7
Milchama 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7
--------------------- - - - - - -- -- -
Elves Security Forces 3 1 2 0 7 2 +5 5
Bazalonia 3 1 0 2 4 6 -2 3 E
Lovisa 4 0 0 4 4 11 -7 0 E

Group D P W D L GF GA GD Pts
The HURD 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6 9 Q
St Samuel 3 2 0 1 6 1 +5 6
--------------------- - - - - - -- -- -
Geisenfried 4 2 0 2 7 7 0 6
Cafundeu 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3
New Brittonia 3 0 0 3 2 11 -9 0 E

QF1: 1st A will play 2nd B
QF2: 1st B will play 2nd A
QF3: 1st C will play 2nd D
QF4: 1st D will play 2nd C

SF1: Winners of QF1 + QF2
SF2: Winners of QF3 + QF4

Wanted: One More Point
Showdown with Orion Islands next

Atlantian Oceania hosted Rineu as Starblaydia took to the field against Minilla Island. The Islanders, touting themselves as possible Group-toppers after their win against Quakmybush, matched Starblaydia's formation position for position, Diamond versus Diamond. On more personal terms, however, Starblaydia were more than a match for their opponents.

After Stefan Hinkonnen was played in by Tarquin Fullbright and proceeded to force Peterson into a clawing save that resulted in a corner, Starblaydia flooded the box with the big men and forced in the first goal. Roque Bravo slipped in ahead of his marker, Hanrahan, and the Captain marked his third appearance for the Under-21s with a goal: heading into the goalie's body and following up the rebound to stab the ball past him with the flick of an orange-coloured boot.

When Antonio Mora scored an audacious thirty-yarder with what looked like a miss-kick, but looped in perfectly to the very top left corner with Peterson flailing, Minilla Island knew they were in for a tough task. Before half-time Fullbright effectively ended the game as a contest, flashing his trademark smile with high-fives all round. To their credit, though, Minilla Island didn't give up and tried to come at Starblaydia in the second half.

Their young wonder kid Alex Totti got them a goal back, but it turned out to be just a consolation, skinning Sebastian Brunner in a flat race and blasting the ball into the roof of the net past the lunge of Rodriguez. Starblaydia answered that challenge fairly quickly, however, and substitute Lii Chong-Sun scored the fourth and sent every Daehanjeitown in Starblaydia's cities crazy. The young striker of Han descent has great promise, based on his two substitute appearances so far.

With the 100% Kura-Pelland confirmed as one of the two teams to progress from Group A, Starblaydia and The Orion Islands face each other in a deciding match to see who goes through to play in the Quarter-Finals and who goes away to sit in the stands and watch on hotel television sets.

Starblaydia 4 - 1 Minilla Island
(Bravo 15, Mora 28, Fullbright 41, Chong-Sun 75) - (Totti 71)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Fullbright 3
Bravo 1
Canildo 1
Chong-Sun 1
Hinkonnen 1
Mora 1
Shakirii 1

Ricky zellefrow scores and the purple knights stay alive in the cup beating jerusalem

New Brittonia (0) 0
St Samuel (1) 4
Massimo Arquilla 7
Sebastien Atalanta 47,83
Salvatore Rocka 62

The St Samuel youngsters today played the perfect performance with a great all round effort earning a 4-0 victory. After watching the senior team beat Ambrose-Douglas 3-0 in the world Cup Qualifiers the under 21 made it a great day for St Samuel.

The Latin Crusaders scored early on when Massimo Arquilla was unleashed one-on-one and remained came to slot home. St Samuel were denied a handful of chances and had to wait until the second half for the 47th minute when Sebastien Atalanta made it 2-0 with a superbly placed header from a Rocka corner which left the keeper no chance.

Salvatore Rocka got on the score sheet himself on the 62nd minute when he put home a thunderous 25 yard free kick which set the stadium alight. Atalanta finished off the superb performance with his second of the game when he headed home once again from a Rocka corner to make it 4-0.

A very tough fixture awaits the Latin Crusaders in there final group game against the group leaders, the HURD, who are yet to drop any points. St Samuel are currently sitting second in the group and a point would secure qualification, but a defeat for St Samuel and victory for Cafundeu would see both teams, plus Geisenfried level on six points. It is hoped that the Latin Crusaders wont have to rely on there good goal difference which currently stands at +5.

Elven Times
By A Hair

That is how much the Marauders had between them and having their dreams of progressing into the quarterfinals snatched away from them. Milchama had broken through on a devestating counter attack in injury time and Cork had worked over Fornad to have an open net to put the winner in. Instead of putting a powerful shot in to exlaim their truimph with a bang, Cork instead went with the soft, accurate touch to insure that the shot didn't go flying high or wide. Out of nowhere Magni came sliding in as the ball was about to cross the line, and for a moment it seemed like he would push the ball completely over and seal the result for the horse lovers, but in an astonishing display of skill, he used a reverse siccor kick to avoid putting the ball into his own net, but clear it out to Icelander at the top of the box, who then set it all the way down to Milchama's penalty area and the final whistle was blown.

Despite the late dramatics, it was a very well fought game for the navy and black, as they pushed forward with class but always had their backline in position to stifle the Milchama attacks. All in all, the result is quite flattering to Milchama as they came out flat footed, nearly conceding in the second minute when Night and Rose combined for a one two punch that had Santapa in on the keeper alone. Rose's age showed though, as her shot went wide of the post instead of inside where she had aimed it. However, as young as these players are, there is no need to worry, as they still have hundreds of years to perfect their games to acceptable levels and learn to finish chances like that, even though she is a professional already. Her partner would have her attempt at a go ahead goal go ary in the twenty-third minute, with a shot from twenty yards out coming off the crossbar and cleared away by Rorshe.

Milchama got their first quality chance off a corner kick in the thirty-seventh minute. Dunama had received the short corner and sent in a precise pass to to Rice who was point blank in front of goal. Despite getting the touch to it and putting it in the corner, Rice was denied as Fornad's quick reflexes had him cradling the ball right in front of the post, with Milchama not getting another great chance like that until the ending dramatics that should of given them the three points and a spot in the quarterfinals. The Marauders would have one final good chance in the eighty-third minute, but Quinton Lee's great shot from ten yards out was met by an equally great stop by Carlt, and the two teams had to share the points.

Milchama will be cursing their luck as they now look like they will be the odd team out, as they will be taking on the Az-cz team, who just needs a draw to clinch their advencement, thanks to goal differential. The Marauders fates are in their own hands as well, for as long as they win, they will be progressing. They will be taking on the Bazalonia squad who has failed to live up to expectactions and are already eliminated from the possibility of progressing heading into the final matchday. What I'm looking for here is for the offence to put the ball in the back of the net, for despite the rout of Lovisa, this offesnce is having trouble finishing their chances. A good amount of chances are created, but the finishing is lacking soo far, but with the struggles of Bazalonia, the squad might have the right recipe to rectify their conversion ratios before and if they progress, where there oppenents will be coming from Group D.

Elves Security Forces 0

Milchama 0

Scorers
Ariela Night 3
Rose Diamond Santapa 2
Sasha Wrath 2

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa 6-1
MD4: Milchama v ESF 0-0
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia

Article by Luna Santapa

Monique Alexander was talking to her team after losing to Taeshan

"Hey hey, what was that! Come on, we beat Bettia and lose like this? I know having the Princess missing because she's going on holidays is disruptive but this is training for the future. Next game, I want a big effort. None of this let's get a draw crap - it's time we embrace System Takil. I want a win and I want a big win. If the Princess was here, she's be demanding that. People are watching us because they are looking for the future. We don't want to be like Bettia in this cup! Look they are gone despite winning a game finally. We would have qualified if we had won this game. Next game - play to win and play like winners. If you were Dazza Dallas, would you play like the crap I saw today - NO. Folks! Losing is not an option. Yes, we lose from time to time but making that a habit is bad. It's easy getting into a losing streak, but far hard maintaining a winning streak. Keep your mind the job, and keep working hard. No one hands out cups, you have to earn it."

What a difference 8 years make. Going into the game against Bazalonia the older kids had slight memories of the match and all of them remember hearing stories about going up against the Bazalonians back then. Yes, they were beaten by many goals that day but all the parents of the children became huge fans of Bazalonia due to the wonderful treatment they recieved. So it was with a bit of sadness they watched their children embarass the Bazalonians.

When the twins hooked up for a goal in the 18th minute the Bazalonians couldn't believe what happened. Two twelve year old girls had made them look like chumps and now they were losing to a bunch of middle schoolers. When Bk-Oh added a second just before the half they could tell that the Bazalonians would not have a pleasant second half. No coach likes to lose but to lose to an opponent everyone expected to beat so easily was not fun.

Most of the parents expected the Bazalopes to come out much stronger in the second half and come back. Not that they would've minded such as they liked Bazalonia knew their children could deal with and weren't overly stressed. But the Bazalopes instead wilted. And continued their downward slide. When Swt-Ht added the third goal late in the game some of the parents noticed that the Bazalonian keeper was starting to cry. Despite being young adults being trounced by children stings one pride. And despite the attempts of the parents to get their children to give Bazalonia a mercy goal, convincing middle schoolers to show mercy isn't always the easiest thing in the world.

After the game the parent sent gift baskets to all the players on the Bazalonian squad reminding them that one loss doesn't mean they aren't good footballers and not to give up their dreams of joining the senior black and gold.

From the blog Everything has changed

Welcome to qualification
Welcome to this match
From defeating to defeat
Welcome to this match,
from us HURDists, to you winnies.
Welcome to this match,
not a trashing, it's exciting

Qualification-oooooooooon

With apologies to Partysahnen

Well, what can I say? The HURDists managed to get a good programming this match was rather close and the GNUs can be clad for not having any emotions and thus playing the same no matter whether they are up 5:0 or behind 0:10. It is said that the HURDists installed some tactical patches during halftime. I have no idea whether that was the fact or not, I suspect they just edited some variables and recompiled. However they no longer were as defensive as in the first half and thus turned a 0:1 into a 3:2.

Of course, after the match, all HURDists celebrated. The Starblaydian police kinda accepted our urge to let the cow fly, but I think they called us crazy behind our backs because some of us were dressed up as GNUs - or because some were wearing the costumes of national team GNUs and not GNUcubs.

Matchday 5 Scores:

Group A
Quakmybush 1-6 Kura-Pelland
The Orion Islands 2-6 Starblaydia

Group B
Taeshan 4-0 Vanek Drury Brieres
Jeruselem 5-2 The Islands of Qutar

Group C
Milchama 1-4 Az-cz
Elves Security Forces 6-3 Bazalonia

Group D
New Britonnia 1-4 Cafundeu
St Samuel 2-1 The HURD


Matchday 4 Tables:

Group A P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Kura-Pelland 4 4 0 0 15 6 +9 12
Starblaydia 4 3 0 1 15 7 +8 9
The Orion Islands 4 2 0 2 8 11 -3 6
Minilla Island 4 1 0 3 6 11 -5 3
Quakmybush 4 0 0 4 7 16 -9 0

Group B P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Jeruselem 4 3 0 1 12 5 +7 9
Taeshan 4 2 1 1 7 3 +4 7
The Islands of Qutar 4 2 0 2 8 10 -2 6
Bettia 4 1 2 1 5 5 0 5
Vanek Drury Brieres 4 0 1 3 4 13 -9 1

Group C P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Az-Cz 4 3 1 0 12 3 +9 10
Elves Security Forces 4 2 2 0 13 5 +8 8
Milchama 4 2 1 1 6 7 -1 7
Bazalonia 4 1 0 3 7 12 -5 3
Lovisa 4 0 0 4 4 11 -7 0

Group D P W D L GF GA GD Pts
St Samuel 4 3 0 1 8 2 +6 9
The HURD 4 3 0 1 9 4 +5 9
Cafundeu 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 6
Geisenfried 4 2 0 2 7 7 0 6
New Brittonia 4 0 0 4 3 15 -12 0



QF1: Kura-Pelland will play Taeshan
QF2: Starblaydia will play Jeruselem
QF3: Az-cz will play The HURD
QF4: St Samuel will play Elves Security Forces

SF1: Winners of QF1 + QF2
SF2: Winners of QF3 + QF4

Six-Shooters Qualify!
Starblaydia go great guns against Islands

In what is Starblaydia's highest-scoring Under-21 victory since a Seven-Nil drubbing of The Belmore Family in Under-21 World Cup 20's Group Stage, Starblaydia thrashed The Orion Islands 6-2 to maintain second place in Group A and put themselves in for a meeting with Jeruselem in the last eight.

It wasn't all plain sailing for Starblaydia as within ten minutes John Baptista had put the Werewolves One-Nil up after just six minutes of play, flashing a shot across the body of Fernando Rodriguez and in off the back post. He was played through by Michael St. Louis wide left, and left Sebastian Brunner for dead in the box to fire the Islanders' seventh goal of the Di Bradini Cup. Baptista looks to be an excellent player, it's just a pity that the support from young Jamal Reynolds isn't quite there yet. If the fourteen year-old had a few more years behind him, their partnership at the spearhead of a 3-5-2 would be far greater.

Starblaydia had to wait a full quarter of an hour before they were level again, Tarquin Fullbright scoring his fourth in four games to even things up again. Incidentally, his goal was the three-hundredth to be scored by Starblaydia's Under-21s in their competition history, and by the end of the match he would put himself in the all-time top-ten of Starblaydi Under-21 goalscorers. As every other player in there took at least 10 games to get to six goals, and Fullbright has taken just four, this is either the only Striker in Starblaydi worth a damn or he's the best we've ever seen. Though not one of the classics, tapping in after a goal-mouth scramble, his predatory instinct is there for all to see.

Seven minutes later and Starblaydia had the lead via Kwame Jabir. The defensive midfielder hasn't always been able to be the engine room of Starblaydia's midfield, but his goal was a vital one, as it put Starblaydia back in front and calmed their nerves some. As Starblaydia couldn't pull the trigger for a second goal - Hinkonnen, Canildo and Shakirii all leaving it for someone else - Jabir took control and had a go. The shot took a deflection off LaForge and wrong-footed Lionheart, who just failed to get a boot on it.

Before half time, Stefan Hinkonnen made it Three-One with a turn and shot from the edge of the area, but that wasn't all that the script had in store in the first half. Picking up the ball after a miss-control by Antonio Mora, Werewolves midfielder Patrick Christian sprinted through the Starblaydi half, played a one-two with Baptista and drilled his shot into the bottom-right corner of the net past Rodriguez for Three-Two. Starblaydia were clearly deflated by this, and went in at half time looking like they were the team on the wrong end of the Three-Two scoreline.

A cagey second-half began with both sides wondering about what the other was going to do. Starblaydia were trying their best not to concede a third goal, while The Orion Islands were waiting for an onslaught to wash over them. In the event both sides' defensive mindset led to not much happening, until Starblaydia decided to step on the gas. Dragged by the scruff of their proverbial necks by their captain; Roque Bravo decided that the best form of defence was attack, and he broke into the Werewolves' half, releasing the quick-reacting Kalia Canildo down the left. Her cross was met by the diving header of Stefan Hinkonnen, who claimed his second goal of the game. Four-Two up and Starblaydia were back in the driving seat, so much so that they scored a fifth within ten minutes. Hinkonnen's long-range free-kick curled its way into the back of the net for what the Widdrington Wolves player thought was his hat-trick. The goal was also claimed by Fullbright, though, and though on the pitch they happily agreed to disagree, replays showed that Fullbright got a crucial touch on the ball that diverted it over Lionheart's glove.

Tarquin Fullbright had to wait until the final minute to complete his hat-trick, and with Hinkonnen replaced by Chong-Sun and La Pranza on for Shakirii, his was the final say. A long, high ball from Bazraltek was miss-hit by Maverick Thompson, and Fullbright had gambled: he sped away from Thompson and was faced by the onrushing Lionheart. With split-second thinking he headed the ball up and over Fullbright, and the ball bobbled gently over the line, barely touching the back of the net.

Starblaydia had six, Fullbright had two, and Starblaydia would face Jeruselem in the Quarter-Finals.

The Orion Islands 2 - 6 Starblaydia
(Baptista 7, Christian 45) - (Fullbright 21, 75 & 89, Jabir 28, Hinkonnen 42 & 67)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Fullbright 6
Hinkonnen 3
Bravo 1
Canildo 1
Chong-Sun 1
Jabir 1
Mora 1
Shakirii 1

St Samuel (0) 2
Atalanta (61), Della Porcria (88)
The HURD (1) 1
#9 (25)

The St Samuel U21 came back from one nil down to steal a 2-1 victory to finish top of the group. St Samuel were pretty much guranteed qualification with there good goal difference but face a tough match against the unbeaten HURD.

The match started somewhat nervy for the young Latin Crusaders and almost conceeded in the 4th minute when #10 had a shot cleared off the line by captain Salvatore Rocka. But there was nothing keeper, Luca Biortello could do in the 25th minute when #9 struck an awesome shot from the edge of the box into the net to put the HURD one up.

St Samuel tryed in vain to get the equalizer but where unable to capitalize on the few chances they had in the first half.

The second half saw manager Luigi De Ribiera make various changes and St Samuel started the half with the 3-4-3 formation only to change five minutes later to 3-3-4 and then again five minutes later to 3-5-2 formation. Di Ribiera's tactic of trying to confuse the HURD appeared to work and in the 61st minute and after there fourth formation change Sebastien Atalanta was put one one one with #1 and remained cool to chip the ball over the keeper and into the net.

With the score line level, a point would see St Samuel through in second place. But the HURD were by no means happy to settle for a point and came back hard on St Samuel causing Luca Biortello to make some amazing saves.

De Ribiera continued to switch formations and it seemed every few minutes captain Salvatore Rocka was barking orders for players to switch positions. By the 70th minute St Samuel had used up all three subs.

By the last five minutes St Samuel by now playing the 2-5-3 formation and a great effort from Salvatore Rocka which looked destined for the top corner was palmed wide by #1 for a corner in the 87th minute. The resulting corner was taken by Rocka who whipped one in which Atalanta volleyed with venom only to see another outlandish save by #1 which he parried out, but only as far as substitute Frankie Della Porcria who smashed home the rebound to put St Samuel in front with 2 minutes left on the clock.

The Latin Crusaders played out the final few minutes and as the whistle blew saw huge celebrations from the entire squad and thousand or so Samuelonian supporters.

The victory means that St Samuel finish top of group B and face Elves Security Force in the quarter finals. It has been reported by airlines that over 5,000 flights have been booked for Starblaydia from St Samuel for the quarter finals with more still looking to travel and with the senior squad looking somewhat slow to start in the World Cup qualifiers the U-21 is gaining much support back home.

Vkb was killed in this match as the 13 year olds from atlantea province broke out and scored a blowin 4 goals. Zellefrow scored once as did zeke jr ,chuck the duck and zack the geek

Monique Alexander was addressing her team after a stirring 5-2 win
"That's the football I want to see! I want more of that kind of football. OK, we have to address a few defensive issues but if we score 5 goals a game, we should be alright! Now we play ... err ... hey Fiskin, you're holding the results sheet"

Fiskin: Starblaydia!

Monique Alexander
"Bloody hell, not again! Why do we always run into them!"

Fiskin: I don't know ... it's our curse.

Monique Alexander
"Ok girls, we are ready. So they beat us in the past but now is OUR future. Jeruselem aren't the low ranked weakling now. We are a top 20 side and not that useless team we used to be. OK, I want a big game, a bigger game than before. If we can fight to lose to Ariddia 3-4, we can win! They are the hosts with millions and billions of fans at home, but let's give them something. A show, to show we are Jeruselem the winners, not Jeruselem the team who fold against the team who have plagued us for so long. LET US CHANGE this history. It's the future of Jeruselem vs the future of Starblaydia. Don't let the Princess down, I know she's want to be here."

After watching their children play another excellent game of soccer they were exceedingly happy. Amazingly this group of middle schoolers had won their group and put up the second best overall record in the tournament. So they had a very nice evening, which they celebrated by a day at an amusement park, complete with roller coasters, all kinds of sugary and salty snacks and even some carnival games.

However it was when they saw the second round matchups that the parents got a little bit worried. They had drawn the HURD. And while no one had heard much about the HURD, they did know they were robots. And they were a little afraid that the match might get out of hand. Not that they thought the robots would be violent, just that they might mistake the team for being bigger, older and stronger than they actually are. So the parents decided it would be best to write letters to the HURD asking them to remember to not abuse the small size of their opponents. They didn't want to see their sweet babies get injured by football playing machines.

Quakmybush's six-strong attack were smashed to smithereens as Kura-Pelland picked up six goals of their own, three of them from Fedde Beattis who now seems a shoo-in for the senior squad, in a destructive 6-1 victory that seals top spot in the group, the only 100% record of the tournament and a match against Taeshan in the quarter-finals.

Just a shame this tournament doesn't really matter, isn't it?

'Oh, it does matter,' insists Beattis. 'This is a chance to assert our ability and where we're going in the future. We are seriously going places.'

While many of the giants of football are missing from this tournament, all four WC36 semi-finalists included, this is still an impressive lineup. Quakmybush and the all-new Starblaydia have been dealt with easily, as have two impressive new island nations, and the target has to be winning the tournament. Az-cz's fabulously talented and carefree pre-teens and The HURD's 'under 21MHz' robots are the main dangers.

From the blog Everything has Changed

Sad, sad GNUcubs

their steely skins are covered by dirt and grass and stuff * they tried the best that they could it was not quite enough * st samuel was able to change this buggy game * and the sad, sad GNUcubs were playing like insane * they can't turn back time nor history * so this game became a misery * they fought but like in prophecy * the only made it worse * sad, sad GNUcubs * they are sad, sad GNUcubs * they are sad, sad GNUcubs, they have lost!

With apolgies to pornophonique

Elven Times
Forray In The Frontier

Praise Elune, we jumped the hurdle of Bazalonia, and are into the dash of the quarterfinals, where a strong St. Samuel side stands defiantly in our way. Many positives can come away from the final matchday result, but soo can many things to be worked on, as the defence went abit wacky and let in three, of which only one did Fornad have a chance of getting a finger to it. Despite the somewhat shaky defence, you had to be thrilled with the converting that the midfield and strikers were putting on display. Six of the ten shots found the back of the net, with Santapa leading the way with a pair of goals on either side of the break. Combined with Night, they have totaled four of the Marauders thirteen goals, and look to be a deadly combination much like Kyla Night and Zacharius were in their hayday on the senior squad.

St Samuel will prove a qutie difficult challange for these youngins, as they were able to come tops through a somewhat difficult group. The Marauders may have the advantage if you look at the statistics, as they had a better offence, knocking in thirteen goals compared to the Latin Crusaders eight. Both defences are hard nuts to crack, with St Samuel conceding a mere two goals, and the elves just five in their four matchups. I've said it many times before, and I'm saying it again, the key is the midfield. Honestly, you can have the best striker in the world, but if their midfield fails to get them the ball or in good positions, then their skill is all for not. Now our midfield has shown through the four matches that they are up to snub with their oppisition, but you have to wonder when age will become a factor, or the lack of expierence. I'm not trying to undermine the wonderful results these younglings have put on for the country, but they are the equivilant of one year olds for humans, and are bound to have lapses and immature moments here and there. That may be the battle that Mannasuch and Kiki will have to overcome more than preparing the squad for the next match, just making sure these kids are ready mentally for the fixture.

With all that said, this squad should be quite proud of themselves, and the fans of the navy and black should be quite optimisitic. Though they are still hundreds of years from being polished, apart from perhaps Rose, these kids are defeating the best of the rest of the worlds youth. That is quite a feat, espicially considering the aging differences. Now I don't want to put the crown on them yet, but a team like this, if they can continue to mature and grow over the years, would be the type of squad that would take the senior squad to the championship, where they have failed to do so. But first, they must be wary and mentally ready for St Samuel. It's going to be tricky to prepare for them, as they like to change formations not only for matches, but also quite a bit during matches, and the squad will likely need to do man marking to keep track of their marks. The squad has also been practicing penalties, as it could very well come down to that, and Mannasuch has revealed to me that if it comes down to that, his takers would be:

1) Ariela Night
2) Rose Diamond Santapa
3) Sasha Wrath
4) Lazio Fornad
5) Keinai

Elves Security Forces 6
Sasha Wrath (3)
Rose Diamond Santapa (13, 67)
Ariela Night (33)
Lucias Smink (51)
Venus Love (87)

Bazalonia 3
Henry Gaines (24, 44)
Zach Brax (62)

Scorers
Ariela Night 4
Rose Diamond Santapa 4
Sasha Wrath 3
Lucias Smink 1
Venus Love 1

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa 6-1
MD4: Milchama v ESF 0-0
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia 3-0
QTF: ESF v St Samuel

Article by Luna Santapa

Quarter-Final Results
Kura-Pelland 7-1 Taeshan

Starblaydia 2-2 Jeruselem
Starblaydia 4-3 Jeruselem AET

Az-cz 2-2 The HURD
Az-cz 3-2 The HURD AET

St Samuel 1-2 Elves Security Forces

SF1: Kura-Pelland will play Starblaydia
SF2: Az-cz will play Elves Security Forces

St Samuel 1
Elves Security Forces 2

The Latin Crusaders bowed out of the Di Bradini Cup after a well battled game against ESF. St Samuel U21 played fantastically throughout the tournament and have done there nation proud, having got to the quarter-finals and only narrowly losing out to ESF

ooc- thankyou Starblaydia for a very exciting tournament. Hope to return next time for the Di Bradini Cup.

ooc- thankyou Starblaydia for a very exciting tournament. Hope to return next time for the Di Bradini Cup.

OOC: You're very welcome, I hope everyone has enjoyed this little Cup, I'm hoping to do another one before WC38 in/around the time of the BoF.

We've Got A Semi!*
Jeruselem feel curse continues

*This is the only vaguely risque comment that will be used in this article.

Starblaydia marched on into the Last Four of their Di Bradini Cup, but they required Extra Time and a seven-goal thriller in which to do so. Jeruselem and Starblaydia have met quite a few times over the years and, generally, Starblaydia have come out on top. History repeated itself as Starblaydia advanced to the Semi-Finals, but only just.

Jeruselem fans thought it was the early onset of the Rapture when Edmundo Rivolli hacked at Woohoo Chirac's shins and sent the midfielder flat on her face in the Starblaydi penalty area. Just three minutes into the match and the ref pointed to the spot for a penalty. Rachael Troi cooly stepped up and slotted into the bottom left hand corner of the net, while Fernando Rodriguez's dive went the other way. Dreamland for Jeruselem and so it lasted for half an hour.

That was until Kylie La Brai's clearance up-field was sliced, and landed straight at the feet of Joseph Shakirii. With one touch he took the ball away from Lila Maisy, and with his second he hoofed the ball towards the net. Scrambling back, La Brai just couldn't get there and the ball trickled into the goalmouth and over the line. Starblaydia knew they were lucky to be level, while Jeruselem looked heartbroken that their incredible start had been wiped away. That was the way the first half ended, and Starblaydia looked the happier of the two teams, while Jeruselem were determined to change the scoreline.

Both teams came out with fire in their bellies and a flurry of yellow cards were issued as the tackles went in and the temperature rose. Starblaydi players were forced on to their best behaviour so as not to get sent off and perhaps miss a crucial Semi-Final. As the aggression in the match was lowered, it was Starblaydia's most powerful player who broke the deadlock just past the hour mark. Getting on the end of a long-ball from Sebastian Brunner, Hinkonnen allowed the ball to bounce once, held off the challenge of Dion and hit it on the volley, unstoppably, into the net. Jeruselem knew it was now or never: they had to score.

Kool hit the outside of the post, Troi forced three corners and Barthez thought her pink locks had headed the equaliser, as she hadn't heard the whistle go for a foul on Kalia Canildo. When Bridget Bardot picked up the ball out wide on the edge of the area, she cut inside Rivolli and unleashed a pin-point shot that whizzed past the fingertips of Rodriguez and levelled the match at Two-Two. Starblaydia versus Jeruselem at Under-21 level occured twice in the old Under-21 World Cup and Starblaydia came away from both encounters with the win, with a cumulative five goals to three scoreline. Could they break the tie before the ninety minutes, or would Jeruselem go on to buck the historical trend?

Well, it was neither.

Ninety minutes came and went and Starblaydia-Jeruselem was still Two-Two. On to Extra Time! Two periods of fifteen minutes, and the team ahead at the end - if any - would win, if it was still a draw, penalties would be struck until a victor emerged. The first half of Extra Time began and it was Starblaydia who took the lead, substitute Right-Back Milo Conigglia was on the end of a flowing move, and all he had to do was place the ball past La Brai for the goal. Five minutes later and the match was level - again - at Three-Three: Kara Kool out-sprinted Brunner and chipped the ball over the advancing Rodriguez. Two minutes of both teams keeping the ball later, and the Second Half of Extra Time began.

With two minutes left, less than a hundred and twenty seconds to go, Starblaydia won it. It was that man again: Tarquin Fullbright. Six goals in four matches he had to his name, and now it's a magnificent seven, putting him seventh-equal on the All-Time list of goalscorers for the Under-21 side. A header, from a Canildo cross, gave Starblaydia the lead with barely enough time for a celebration and a re-start. Though Jeruselem threw everything they had at the white-and-purples it wasn't enough, Starblaydia put up a last-ditch defensive effort and held on, to reach the Semi-Finals.

Now Kura-Pelland stand in their way. Not only undefeated, but also the only team to have beaten Starblaydia in this competition; 3-2 in the Group Stage. A tough test for the hosts but, whatever happens, they've done themselves proud in this tournament.

Jeruselem 2 - 2 Starblaydia (FT)
Jeruselem 3 - 4 Starblaydia (AET)
(Troi 4 (Pen) & 113, Bardot 78, Kool 103) - (Shakirii 34, Hinkonnen 63, Conigglia 98, Fullbright 118)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Fullbright 7
Hinkonnen 4
Shakirii 2
Bravo 1
Canildo 1
Conigglia 1
Chong-Sun 1
Jabir 1
Mora 1

Az-cz Scroll
Editorial

The Kids are alright
by
Shi-La

While most of the country is focused on the senior level pink & green as they continue to try to bring home their first ever cup, and those following other soccer are probably watching the Unkgnomes in the AOCAF, I'd like to remind you that there is a third set of Az-czzers competing in an international football competition. And for my money it's the best set out there.

Let me put my cards on the table. I'm the mother of one of the players on the team. My darling Mo-El is one of the players on the squad. So yes of course I'm biased. But I also want to tell you that there are a lot of reasons to watch them even if you aren't related.

First is the joy they display. They bring an energy and passion that you won't find amongst professionals. They truly are kids who have bonded as teammates and go out and play to have fun. They support each other when they have times of trouble and enjoy the whole game good or bad. For anyone who is a sports fan or athlete watching them play reminds you why you got into sports in the first place. It's a definite breath of fresh air.

But don't think that just because they're kids having a good time they aren't also good soccer players. They've advanced to the semifinals of the under-21 competition earning 4 wins and a draw without losing against teams like Elves Security Forces, Milchama, Bazalonia and The HURD. So they can play the game pretty dang well. They've been playing together for 8 years now, since before they even started elementary school, so their sense for each other is amazing. And they've got great composure for children. When The HURD scored a fluke goal at the end of regulation in the quarterfinals they didn't panic. Instead Lo-Rdr came off the bench and slotted in the winning goal six minutes into extra time. No fuss, no worry just determined play.

Then there's the chance to see the future of the national team. In many ways these matches are more important to the national team than any of the other matches currently going on right now. It would be a crushing blow for the senior squad not to qualify and the Unkgnomes, despite their valiant efforts probably won't affect the main squad much. But some of these kids will eventually make their way up to the national team. So watching their development is an indicator of how the team will be in the future.

So there are some good reasons to watch the team. And they'd love more support. So whether you're watching on TV or making the short journey out to Starblaydia, support are kids. They'll make you proud as they compete for the crown. They next face the oldest side in the competition in Elves Security Forces. A tough test for the kids but, whatever happens, they've done themselves proud in this tournament. Come show them the support and admiration of our great nation.

Elven Times
The Rising Tide

It was a collectively great affair, made even better by the fact that it was the Marauders that came out on top. Yes, the Marauders will be sending their kiddies into the semi-finals of the Under-twenty-one world Cup, where they will meet group mates Az-cz. Hats must go off to the St. Samuel squad, as they played their hearts out, leaving everything out on the pich, and have nothing to regret about their display. The two teams were soo evenly matched in skill, that it came down to a spot shot to decide the winner, with the most unlikely of takers sending the elves on and leaving the Latin Crusaders behind. Lazio Fornad, the goalkeeper for the squad, converted the penalty in injury time, after Ariela Night was taken down when she had made her way into the box and was in the process of taking a shot. With nerves of steel and solid accurate shot to the right corner, Fornad proved he can do more than just keep the squad in it in his own area.

I have to tell you, that after another splendid display from Sasha Wrath, don't be surprised to see more and more drow enter the footballing profession. Yes most of them are still restricted to the undercities, but if they have talent equal to this lad, I would be willing to bet my house that the Senate would vote to lessen the restrictions that allow drow to venture to the world of the light. Once again he was directing traffic in the midfield, making sure that the defenders got forward when they needed to be, and made sure the wingers came back for their defensive assignments. And again, he was rewarded with a beautifully headed goal coming from a set piece, tying him with Night and Rose for the team lead at four. I for one have become a great fan of his, and my thoughts about his race have been changed.

Yet all of this might become mute if the momentum is not continued on and they do not show up for a difficult match against Az-cz. The first time these teams met in the tournament, things were even as they drew one all. Yet both squads have improved in quality, obviously as they both are here in the semis, but I think that the Gnomes have been more impressive in their progression as a squad. They defeated a strong Milchama squad when we were only able to get a draw and then took out another strong squad in the HURD. Maybe it's due to how friendly the nation is that I'm leaning towards them upsurping the Marauders, but I honestly feel that we are not better than the Gnomes in this particular field and event. Now that might not matter if we somehow make it to penalty kicks, but just getting their will be a feat worth telling their friends and family. If the squad does get to penalty kicks, they will indeed use the same five that would of been used had the match up against the Latin Crusaders went that path. Whatever the result, it has been far more than anyone ever though would of occured when we entered, and it is clear that these young elves have a great career ahead of them. Elune be praised.

Elves Security Forces 2
Sasha Wrath (14)
Lazio Fornad (90+) PK

St. Samuel 1
Massimo Arquilla (62)

Scorers
Ariela Night 4
Rose Diamond Santapa 4
Sasha Wrath 4
Lucias Smink 1
Venus Love 1
Lazio Fornad 1

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa 6-1
MD4: Milchama v ESF 0-0
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia 3-0
QTF: ESF v St Samuel 2-1
SMF: ESF v Az-cz

Article by Luna Santapa

Quarter-Final Results
Kura-Pelland 2-2 Starblaydia
Kura-Pelland 3-2 Starblaydia AET

Az-cz 1-4 Elves Security Forces


Final: Kura-Pelland will play Elves Security Forces
3PPO: Starblaydia will play Az-cz

Oh So Close!
Starblaydia fall at penultimate hurdle

Starblaydia will no longer compete for the first trophy named in honour of their greatest sporting hero after a loss in the Semi-Finals against Kura-Pelland, a team who beat them earlier in the Group Stages. Starblaydia's strikers were closed down completely, and neither Hinkonnen or Fullbright - who both scored in their first meeting - were able to make their mark against a well-prepared Pellandi side.

It was that man again, Beattis - or 'that little bloody poaching bastard' as Manager Apollina Iakovakis was overheard to say - pounced on the first half-chance in the penalty area and tucked the ball away to open the scoring after ten minutes. Try as they might for two whole matches, Bravo and Brunner have simply been unable to get a handle on this man for the entire ninety minutes.

Starblaydia did manage to equalise before the first half ended, however, as right-back Ornvidar Bazraltek got himself on the scoresheet for the first time. With Starblaydia's 4-4-2 Diamond formation the width in midfield is provided by overlapping full-backs, but they cannot stray too far forward for fear of being caught out on the break. This was one of the few times that Balraltek found himself in and around the Pellandi penalty area and, somehow, he further found himself in a position to bundle the ball over the line. Along with himself, goalkeeper Gary Tarban and defender Stephen Marlbury. As comical as it was on the super-slow motion replays, Starblaydia were level.

The second half started much the same, with Bravo chasing Beattis around the penalty area like a policeman after a fleet-footed pickpocket, not quite able to properly slap the cuffs on his target. When Starblaydia had the ball, however, Beattis became a solitary figure, almost completely unable to influence the game. This freed up Bravo himself, and on a corner he came surging forward into the penalty area to power the ball into the back of the net with an excellent header. Kura-Pelland equalised within five minutes, though, as Charlie Bolton came through the middle and rifled the ball into the bottom corner on the hour mark.

Lii Chong-Sun came on to add a different dimension up front. Juan Oscar was deployed to put a bit more bite into the centre of midfield. Marco Lima took to the field to really get a handle on the Pellandi strikers, but it was all to no avail and Starblaydia went to Extra Time for the second time in two matches. There was to be no luck this time, however, as Ryan Ikira broke the deadlock and won the game for Kura-Pelland.

Starblaydia have only the consolation match left, against a young Az-cz side, in the Third Place Play-off. They might not be able to win the tournament, but surely they can pick themselves up from this defeat and get a little bit of glory back to the Under-21s.

Kura-Pelland 2 - 2 Starblaydia (FT)
Kura-Pelland 3 - 2 Starblaydia (AET)
(Beattis 11, Bolton 61, Ikira 97) - (Bazraltek 34, Bravo 57)

Starblaydi Goalscorer Chart:
Fullbright 7
Hinkonnen 4
Shakirii 2
Bravo 2
Bazraltek 1
Canildo 1
Conigglia 1
Chong-Sun 1
Jabir 1
Mora 1

The youth revolution in Kura-Pellandi football was pretty much completed last night as Kura-Pelland secured a second straight victory over Starblaydia, albeit in extra time, after a 7-1 quarter-final demolition of Taeshan.

Fedde Beattis scored two in each game, with goals spread liberally around the supporting cast including a priceless 118th-minute header from defensive midfielder Teddy Vax in the Starblaydia game; Elves Security Forces, a giant of the modern game, are all that stand between Kura-Pelland and their first piece of silverware. Kura-Pellandi bookmakers still don't believe in the team much, and are freely dangling odds as long as 11/5 on victory in 90 minutes and 11/8 overall. One bookmaker quotes ESF as 1/2 to win the match and 8/11 to win it in 90 minutes.

Spread bets are already taking place on how many of this U21 side will play a WC37 qualifier, the current quoted estimates being 3-4.

Elven Times
And Into the Heavens

There are not words that would do justice for the display of the squad nor the feeling of absolute joy that I, and I'm sure many of the nation, am feeling right now. Despite my very wary prediction and statement that the Gnomes have been the more impressive squad, it was the mini Marauders that found a way to get the job done in the semi-final, and now have a chance to bring home the title in a tournament the EFA almost decided not to put them in. These lads and lasses of different races, relgions, and background have come together as a unit, and overcome soo many obstacles that stood in their way, that it seems now only a forgone conclusion that they will defeat the Kura-Pelland squad that is their honored competition in the final of this inagural Di Brandini Cup, hopefully not the last. Anything less now would be a diservice to the accomplishments of this rag tag, rashly assembled, very youthful squad, that has the promise to reach the ultimate fufillment that no ESF squad has had since entering the world scene.

With stories like Sasha Wrath, Ariela Night, and even my own daughter, it would be hard for any nuetrals not to root for this squad to win the championship. Despite the arrogance that is usually ossocaited with being elven, and for good reason, this squad is soo compelling that you want to see them achieve this glory, unless you're Kura-Pelland of course. It will not be an easy thing to win the title, as Kura's youth are very talented, but honestly, St Samuel and Az-cz are likely more difficult squads to deal with. This isn't trying to take away their accomplishment, anytime you topple a host in the semi-finals, you really are doing something right, but their path to the final did not contain as many difficult challanges as ours. Mentally, as well as physically, the Marauders are ready for the magnititude of this match, and I only have to wonder if the Kura squad is, having not had the tests of their mettle and spirit that the trial of a final soo often brings out. A trophy will be making it's way to the Hatire Memorial regardless of the outcome, but I'm sure the fans and the squad both will feel a thousand times better be it a championship rather than second place.

Elves Security Forces 4
Ariela Night (17)
Sasha Wrath (61)
Lucias Smink (64)
Rose Diamond Santapa (66)

Az-cz 1
Lo-Rdr (59)

Scorers
Ariela Night 5
Rose Diamond Santapa 5
Sasha Wrath 5
Lucias Smink 2
Venus Love 1
Lazio Fornad 1

Schedule
MD1: Bye
MD2: ESF v Az-cz 1-1
MD3: ESF v Lovisa 6-1
MD4: Milchama v ESF 0-0
MD5: ESF v Bazalonia 3-0
QTF: ESF v St Samuel 2-1
SMF: ESF v Az-cz 4-1
FNL: ESF v Kura-Pelland

Article by Luna Santapa

Third-Place Play-Off Result:
Starblaydia 4-1 Az-cz

Final Result:
Kura-Pelland 1-3 Elves Security Forces

Congratulations to ESF, who's Under-21s take the inaugural Di Bradini Cup! Hope to see you all back in Starblaydia for the second edition just before World Cup 38!