Cup of Harmony 32 (Invites/RP/Rosters/Scores) [Archive]

Newmanistan

14-04-2008, 12:49

Newmanistan will be there to participate in its first Cup of Harmony.

Team Nickname: The “Rockets”

The Kits: Home/Away/Alternate

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj156/newmanistan/NEW40.png

If my opponent RPs first:

Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but just to the extent of saying so-and-so was injured. I’ll determine the severity!
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but no more then 1 per game.
Godmod other events: Within reason. TG your idea for approval first. No deaths/stadium damage.

Style Modifier: +4
Preferred formation: 4-3-3

Manager: Brian Carson
Age: 43
Background: In his 8th season as manager of the Pocono City Capitals, he also played his entire career there as a striker, and is the all time club leader in most offensive categories. As manager, he has led the Capitals to three championships. Considered a tactical master, he was chosen for the national job because the Empire knows we will be seeing opponents for the first time, and has the faith in Carson over any one else to be the one that can catch on to their tendencies and make the appropriate adjustments. He is a player’s manager, and does a great job keeping his cool, and won’t let his anger show as he feels that demoralizes the team. He led Newmanistan’s championship winning team in the 4th Di Bradini Cup, as well as the 27th Baptism of Fire Championship winning team.

Here are the starting eleven:

*** IN GOAL ***
Name: Kevin Dalton
Position: GK
Number: 1
Age: 34
Club Team: Pocono City Capitals
Background: Dalton is the undisputed top goalkeeper in the Empire, and was probably the easiest decision of Carson’s when naming the squad, and not just because he plays for him. Dalton is a 7-time Keeper of the Year in the NSL (Newmanistan Soccer League), and has won three NSL championships with the Capitals. He has particular great vision, reading plays very well, and his age has made him wise to the moves of attackers.

*** DEFENDERS ***
Name: Jeremy Brooker
Position: LB
Number: 5
Age: 19
Club Team: South Charlotte Condors
Background: Brooker plays for the last place Condors in the NSL, but it is argued that that has made him a better defender, because the opposition seems to get so many chances against them. The #1 overall pick of the draft 2 years ago, Brooker lived up to the hype winning Rookie Defender of the Year honors last season, and has maintained his form this year. Brooker’s best strength is his overall awareness. It’s not the main part of his game, but Jeremy will never shy away from hard physical play. His stock is rapidly rising after an impressive performance in the Di Bradini Cup then again in the Baptism of Fire, especially for someone so young.

Name: Tony Borsinger
Position: LCB
Number: 6
Age: 19
Club Team: Tundra Falls Mariners
Background: Already the anchor of the up-and-coming Mariners defense, Borsinger is the definition of a defensive defender. He never gets caught up in the attack, and is admired for his ability to read plays before they happen at such a young age. Despite an impressive physical stature though, critics feel that Tony is a little too soft at times. He rarely gets carded, and some feel he needs to play with more of a killer instinct. Tony made an outstanding impression on Carson in the Di Bradini Cup, and that’s likely what got him this spot on the team. He is also the team’s “spiritual” leader. He leads the team in prayer before every game.

Name: Mark McCafferty
Position: RCB
Number: 4
Age: 29
Club Team: Centralia Cougars
Background: McCafferty was originally a teammate of Chapman’s when they broke into the league together and early in their careers before the business aspect of the NSL separated them. McCafferty is now part of the Cougars, who are a very defensive minded club, rated the “#1 most boring team in the NSL” by fans of the league. To the Cougars and McCafferty, that is a major compliment. He is 2 time winner of the Defender of the Year award. Mark is an aggressive one, and is one of the top candidates on the squad to lead the club in bookings.

Name: Eddie Chapman
Position: RB
Number: 7
Age: 29
Club Team: Loudon Leopards
Background: In the prime of his career, Chapman has been the anchor of the Leopards defense ever since he signed here from Southport four seasons ago. He is a very consistent defender. He’s not the type to wow you, but he is reliable and safe in his own end. He’s not afraid to make a run upfield, but only when he’s sure he’ll have support. Has never won a NSL defender of the year award, but has finished second 5 times. Was named to the Baptism of Fire XI by a panel of Starblaydi and Krytenian legends.

*** MIDFIELDERS ***
Name: Chris Peterson
Position: LM
Number: 13
Age: 24
Club Team: Putnam Lake Eagles
Background: Peterson isn’t going to score many goals, but what he is going to do is create opportunities. He is a speedy midfielder, and it allows him to also be just as effective in the defensive end. He has yet to play a game for Putnam Lake, as he was recently traded there in a blockbuster deal last month, but he is really excited about the opportunity to play with McAllister in this tournament, and that can prepare him for club play. He has twice received recognition as the NSL’s Best Two-Way Midfielder.

Name: Kevin Carrigan
Position: CM
Number: 19
Age: 30
Club Team: Loudon Leopards
Background: Carrigan is a soft-spoken player who is just entirely devoted to football, and desparately wanting to win a championship. He has done that in Loudon, and he couldn’t be any more excited to now be able to represent Newmanistan in the World Cup. Kevin is defensively responsible, but is always eager to be right up there with the strikers. His powerful right leg makes him a welcome addition to any rush. He is a two-time NSL MVP, and a four-time NSL Midfielder of the Year. Carrigan is the Rockets man to deliver corner kicks, and did a great job on this in the Baptism of Fire.

Name: Brett Prescott
Position: RM
Number: 17
Age: 25
Club Team: Dover City Mountaineers
Background: A fantastic finisher, many people think that he should really be a striker because of it. But it’s because there is a lot more to him then that, as he has a great ability to control the midfield. He does have a bit of a mean streak in him, and that is of some concern to the coaching staff, but they also feel that the club should have at least one player on the pitch like that, so the opponents don’t try to take advantage of the others. He is often assigned to the opponent’s top goal scorer to “rough him up” a little bit.

*** STRIKERS ***
Name: Jeremy McAllister
Position: LS
Number: 20
Age: 19
Club Team: Putnam Lake Eagles
Background: McAllister has made a quick splash in not just Putnam Lake, but the entire NSL as well. His best attribute is his speed, his 4.18 40-yard dash time was second in the NSL skills competition earlier this year, second only to Shawn Drummond, who is a substitute. Jeremy then made an equally impressive splash in the Di Bradini Cup, scoring 12 goals, including four games where he scored at least two goals. He was the leading scorer in the tournament, and as it went on, he showed great chemistry with coach Carson. He then scored 17 goals in the Baptism of Fire, including two in the Final. Named to the BoF XI. At 19, he is a player certainly worth watching on the global scale as he progresses.

Name: Kevin Lewis (***TEAM CAPTAIN***)
Position: ST
Number: 43 (superstition; has worn it in everything his whole life)
Age: 28
Club Team: Pocono City Capitals
Background: Lewis has made the number 43 famous in Newmanistan. His superstition over the number was certainly helped that he scored 43 goals in his rookie season. Nevermind the unusual number, Lewis is a deadly striker, with good finishing ability. Though he really fits well in a 4-3-3 formation is he is creative passer, particularly in close. Him setting up McAllister is a scenario that really excites coach Carson. He has, on four occasions led the NSL in assists, and on three occasions led it in goals.

Name: John Murphy
Position: RS
Age: 30
Number: 10
Club Team: Loudon Leopards
Background: He’s a pure finisher. Doesn’t quite have the speed of McAllister or Lewis, but doesn’t mind trailing the play by a little bit to get rebound opportunities. John will always work hard, because it’s what made him what he is today. He was undrafted out of juniors and signed with South Charlotte as a project, but was then traded to Loudon for a minimal amount of cash. That seemed to ignite him, as ever since he’s been a Leopard, he’s improved to be the great striker he has become today.

And the rest.....

*** REGULAR SUBSTITUTES ***
Name: Nathaniel Russo
Position: GK
Number: 2
Age: 28
Club Team: Olympia Gladiators
Background: A very agile goalkeeper, shooters thinking they’ll have a sure goal if they locate shots perfectly in the corners may have another thing coming. Because of his ability to position himself very well, this agility allows him to get those tough shots. He’s worthy of being a starter, and is a two-time NSL Goalkeeper of the Year himself, so if needed, the team shouldn’t miss a beat. His drawback is streakiness. He’s known to go into prolonged slumps, so that’s why he’s the 2nd goalkeeper.

Name: Nate Stratton
Position: CB
Number: 3
Age: 27
Club Team: Springfield Thoroughbreds
Background: Stratton is a tall defender with an outstanding work ethic, and plays great under adversity. Hometown fans jokingly say he doesn’t like playing in Springfield, because away games and neutral site games seem to really fire him up like no other. Born and raised in Springfield, the 2-time Defender of the Year is living a dream, having played his entire career with his hometown team. He will use his size to his advantage.

Name: Mitch Conrad
Position: CB
Number: 9
Age: 33
Club Team: Southport Tigers
Background: Mitch is a hard nosed defender that is willing to take on any one that comes in his direction. He is a three-time NSL Defender of the Year, but that was earlier in his career. Age and the wear and tear of the game has begun to take its toll on him, which is why Carson elected to have him be a substitute and Brooker be the starter. Since he’ll be out there in short stretches of time when his number gets called, his knowledge of the game will really come in handy. On the sideline, he’ll also act as somewhat of an assistant coach.

Name: Steve Boland
Position: MID
Number: 16
Age: 26
Club Team: Springfield Thoroughbreds
Background: In his second year in the league, Boland won the NSL MVP. Since then, he has continued to play at a high-level. Boland has a tremendous work ethic, and would be captain material if he were a starter. He is able to score goals, but he is more of a set up man. He should see some decent action in the tournament, particularly if Prescott runs into trouble with bookings.

Name: Shawn Drummond
Position: ST
Number: 11
Age: 19
Club Team: Springfield Thoroughbreds
Background: Drummond had great chemistry with Jeremy McAllister in the Di Bradini Cup, and is someone that will probably see action as a substitute in every game. Drummond relies mainly on his above average speed, and also finishes real well. That speed should provide the Rockets a nice boost late in games. Shawn is an exciting player, and isn’t afraid to some flair and finesse to his game. In the Baptism of Fire, he indeed did see some action in every game.

*** RESERVES ***
Name: Julie McElroy
Position: MID
Age: 23
Number: 12
Club Team: Southport Tigers
Background: Julie is by far, the best female player in the Empire, and was absolutely elated when she heard the news that she would be on the team. This is not just a publicity stunt, Julie has been the leading scorer in Southport for 3 seasons in a row, impressive since she is still young. She is fearless, as not only will she take anyone on, she is also eager to initiate a lot of the physical play. Though listed as a reserve, Carson has promised that she will see action. Had 5 caps in the Baptism of Fire.

Name: Shane Classen
Position: MID
Age: 27
Number: 14
Club Team: South Charlotte Condors
Background: Frustrated a little bit in having to play for a such a poor team with the Condors, Classen is absolutely thrilled to be recognized for the national team, and is more then happy to simply be a reserve. Classen is a defensive midfielder, but with a powerful leg kick, he can get the ball to the strikers deceptively well. Very physical player.

Name: Ken Gillman
Position: CB
Age: 31
Number: 22
Club Team: Tundra Falls Mariners
Background: An offensive minded defender, who will have a versatile role on this team. Because he can also play the midfield, Carson thought he was the best utility guy to serve this role off the bench if needed should a rash of injuries occur. Gillman is strictly a defense-first player.

Name: Eric Novak
Position: ST
Age: 37
Number: 15
Club Team: Loudon Leopards
Background: Somewhat more of an inspirational choice, and when inactive, can serve as an assistant coach for Brian Carson. Novak has been through it all, and is the active leader in goals in the NSL. Because the Empire is making the first global appearance, Carson wanted to give the future Newmanistan Hall of Famer a taste of what it is like. Though he’s not only on the team for this reason. If needed, he can still find the back of the net. He’s just lost a couple steps.

Candelaria And Marquez

14-04-2008, 13:34

“It’s a bloody disgrace, is what it is!”

“Yes, Owen, I –”

“What – and tell me honestly, Freddie – what do they bring to the table?”

“Um, well –”

“Nothing! Obviously. I don’t care what they’ve done in the past; they’re just a bunch of no-mark hackers! And they’re going to get absolutely thumped in that competition –”

“Yes, Owen, but –”

“They’re going to loose five-nil, every game, mark my words! They won’t be dancing then no more, oooooh no! And the bloody Lovisans.”

“Lovisa didn’t qualify, Owen.”

“Oh. Who did?”

“Scotchpinestan.”

“Oh, bloody wonderful! Even worse! They didn’t event want to be in this tournament! And half of their players seem to be from MN Smith! I hope they get stuffed.”

“And I expect they will, Owen, but –”

“You know why this is, don’t you? It’s because Anderson didn’t go to their little anniversary soiree. We’re being punished!”

“He did have an election to fight, Owen. Besides, the Sorthern Northlandish and Bazalonians both sent representation and –”

“Never mind all that. You still can’t get away from the fact that this play-off system was insane from start to finish. Clearly designed to keep us little guys down. It’s rank protectionism, that’s what it is! And it stinks.”

“It’s a great shame, Owen. Now, look –”

“They were being paid, y’know. Absolutely no doubt about it. Bribery. The Capitalizts for a start.”

“I hardly think they need to –”

“And I thought I could trust that Kennedy fellow as well. Gabe, I told him… Well, I can’t remember what I told him, but the point is. He’s double crossed me. I won’t forget that in a hurry.”

“I don’t doubt it, but –”

“You know what this means, don’t you?”

“No…”

“This is our calling! If the Candelaria And Marquez Association Football Association stands for nothing else, it’s this! This has to be our focus, now! The Old Boy Network that’s corrupting the very heart of the international game! And I’ll tell you this for nothing, Freddie – Starblaydia and Krytenia will never host another international tournament! Not after this debacle! Not under Owen Jones’ watch, oooooh no!”

“Owen?”

“Hm?”

“They’re hosting the Cup of Harmony.”

“The what now?”

“Cup of Harmony, Owen. Also known as the Loser’s Cup. For those who didn’t make it to the World Cup proper. We have competed in two before…”

“Yes… I remember that. The whole ghastly business with the monkey in Kura-Pelland. And… the other one. I’ve rather blanked them out.”

“Anyway, Owen, we’ve been invited.”

“We have?”

*snuffling sounds signifying a fight between two moles or, possibly, the handing over of a sheet of paper*

“Hello… may know… have not qualified for the 40th World Cup Finals… Yes, I had noticed! Officially invited… like to enter… What’s a tg? Official… Waitaminute! Who the hell are Candelaria & Marquez?!”

“Um. Us, Owen. Since 1960.”

“No, I know for a fact we’re Candelaria And Marquez. I shall write back informing these Starblaydians –”

“Starblaydis.”

“Oh! And what a pity they couldn’t afford us the same courtesy! I don’t know who these Apersandian interlopers are, do you, Freddie?”

“Ampersandia ceased some time ago, I believe Owen. There’s a Principality of Ampersandy…”

“That’s not the point, Freddie. I’m telling you, I’m in half a mind to boycott this thing entirely. It’s just one cock-up after another!”

“I’ll ring and tell them we’re going to be there, shall I?”

“Oh, yes please.”

Jariss

14-04-2008, 14:11

Jariss returns with the same crew as the WC squad.

Jariss squad
Style -5 (or whatever max defense is)
Lineup 4-5-1

Coach- Leni Banama age 45- After just missing their first ever showing in the World Cup proper by a single goal. Coach Banama brings the team back to the Cup of Harmony hoping to improve on their quarter finals appearance last time through. With the defense showing signs of returning to its old ways, expectations are fairly high for Coach Banama to put up a good showing.

G- Tali Vindu age 28 (starter) Jariss’ only keeper in its world cup history is back to try and improve on a somewhat spotty effort in the last WC. Early troubles kept her from keeping her under 10 goals promise in the WC and this time in the CoH she has promised to allow no more than 2 goals in any match, referring back to the pair of 3-0 poundings delivered by the Han in the qualifiers.
G/D- Kia Paru- age 25 (reserve)Kia decided the liked her role as a keeper last time around despite limited action and has agreed to stay on as the backup and reserve defender this cup as well. In her lone start she put up a shutout against Engbec though the match ended in a scoreless draw.

F- Minna Dawo age 30 (starter) Jariss’ all time scoring leader in international play despite barely being in double digits,led the team in scoring this Cup as well though a tough second half may have hurt the team's chances at better seeding in the playoffs.
F- Li Chu age 27 (reserve) The one handed Chu is back again this cup and expects to see a bit more playing time to try and keep Dawo fresh. he added a couple goals in the qualifers despite limited playtime.

M- Joa Giranu age 28 (starter) One of the more reliable options at midfield, Giranu now has the role of leader of the midfield and is expected to be the one to keep Dawo busy on the attack this cup. He led the team in assists in the qualifiers.
M- Fae Numuu age 26 (starter) A good passer and ballhandler she is fast enough and flexible enough to play anywhere but has settled in at midfield though in a pinch she could come back to defense. Was a bit inconsistant defensively in the qualifiers.
M- Lou Hitua- age 24 (starter) Considered a possible option at forward as well, Hitua still possesses the strongest leg on the team though not swiftest of foot which has hurt him when it comes to the attack. He has moved to the top of the penalty kickers however for the squad.
M- Goa Kitii- age 23 (starter)- sister of Gia Banama, Goa announced that she would be taking her sister’s spot on the team and no one was to argue, least of all her brother-in-law. Goa is fast on her feet and has improved since last time around. She had a solid if unspecatular qualification run.
M- Ta Lau- age 21 (starter)- A newcomer to the team, Lau was just under the team minimum age of 18 last cup or she would have been here last time according to most. The most dominant player on the high school squad big things are expected for her in international play.

D- Fya Panai age 28 (starter) the best defender on the Spiders in her high school days she was a clear choice to lead the defense once again.
D- Goru Lyani age 29 (starter) Another veteran of Jariss’ first squad, Lyani has overseas experience in Errinundera which makes him as well as Giranu the players with the most overseas experience of anyone on the roster. He had a couple of key mental errors which hurt the Spiders in both their matches with the Han.
D- Telao Rashi age 36 (reserve) A veteran of last Cup’s team, Rashi has willingly taken a step back to the bench so that younger legs can carry the day for the squad.
D- Riena Querre age 32 (starter)- the oldest player on the team, Querre is a solid all around defender though she does not excel at any particular part of the game, she is a good fit at almost any defensive spot.
D- Nia Juilo age 21 (starter). Settling in at defender now after spending some time at midfield, Julio is the fastest player of the team and looks to be ready to cover whatever steps Rashi and Querre have lost with age. She was one of the few defensive highlights of the first half for the team and may turn out to be the new leader of the defense in a few years wityh a bit more experience.
D- Leo Gasti age 22 (reserve) Another former high school player of the year, Gasti is on his first WC roster but expects to see regular playing time with some older players starting.
D- Tiko Windu age 20 (reserve) another set of young legs to give the veterans a rest, Tiko is one of the better ballhandlers on the squad despite only average speed.

penalty kickers- 1)Hitua 2) Dawo, 3) Giranu, 4) Chu, 5) Vindu,

Choose my goalscorers Yes
Godmod Scoring Events Yes
RP injuries to my players No
Godmod injuries to my players No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players No
Godmod Other Events Y Yes

Acapais

14-04-2008, 18:09

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/metalmurf/AFA.jpg
Acapais National Football Team

Roster

Goalkeepers
1 - Hunchman O'Hare*
22 - Paul Junxton
23 - Aaron Stop

Defenders
2 - Bradly Sample*
3 - Derek Sample*
4 - Nick Daniels
9 - Kyle Rummy*
13 - Bobby Underland
14 - Rex Agitril*
17 - David Franzman
18 - Steve Ferrie

Midfielders
5 - Henry Paroe*
6 - Pablo
7 - James Fronberry (C)*
8 - Zachary McKellar*
11 - Al Vick Osman*
15 - Benjamin Nelson
16 - Jason Wellington
21 - Danny Cole

Strikers
10 - Jose Castro*
12 - Dave Lugini*
19 - Dean Chilvers
20 - Bobby Carter

Starters are marked with an "*" although I'll name line-ups before each match.

Player & Staff Details

Manager - Stephanie Horne
Age: 47
Int'l Caps: 31

1 - O'Hare, Hunchman
Age: 26
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: Three Rivers
Int'l Clean Sheets: 0
Int'l Caps: 10

2 - Sample, Bradly
Age: 26
Position: Defender
Current Club: Holliday FC
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 30

3 - Sample, Derek
Age: 26
Position: Defender
Current Club: Elkheart Spartans
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 1
Int'l Caps: 30

4 - Daniels, Nick
Age: 36
Position: Defender
Current Club: Highland Park FC
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 27

5 - Paroe, Henry
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Real Malakoff
Int'l Goals: 3
Int'l Assists: 6
Int'l Caps: 31

6 - Pablo
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Three Rivers
Int'l Goals: 1
Int'l Assists: 2
Int'l Caps: 26

7 - Fronberry, James (Captain)
Age: 35
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Highland Park FC
Int'l Goals: 18
Int'l Assists: 12
Int'l Caps: 55
Int'l Caps as Captain: 31

8 - McKellar, Zachary
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Elkheart Spartans
Int'l Goals: 3
Int'l Assists: 2
Int'l Caps: 31

9 - Rummy, Kyle
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Current Club: Ansonbrough
Int'l Goals: 1
Int'l Assists: 1
Int'l Caps: 31

10 - Castro, Jose
Age: 27
Position: Striker
Current Club: Schulenburg
Int'l Goals: 8
Int'l Assists: 2
Int'l Caps: 29

11 - Osman, Al Vick
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Elkheart Spartans
Int'l Goals: 3
Int'l Assists: 7
Int'l Caps: 31

12 - Lugini, Dave
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Current Club: Edgewood United
Int'l Goals: 7
Int'l Assists: 2
Int'l Caps: 39

13 - Underland, Bobby
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Current Club: Stinnett West
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 7

14 - Agitril, Rex
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Current Club: Yorktown
Int'l Goals: 2
Int'l Assists: 2
Int'l Caps: 25

15 - Nelson, Benjamin
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Kaufman Wanderers
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 17

16 - Wellington, Jason
Age: 31
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Holliday FC
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 13

17 - Franzman, David
Age: 17
Position: Defender
Current Club: Kaufman Wanderers
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 3

18 - Ferrie, Steve
Age: 16
Position: Defender
Current Club: Lakeside AC
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 3

19 - Chilvers, Dean
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Current Club: Yorktown
Int'l Goals: 1
Int'l Assists: 1
Int'l Caps: 4

20 - Carter, Bobby
Age: 15
Position: Striker
Current Club: Keenshire
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 2

21 - Cole, Danny
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Edgewood United
Int'l Goals: 0
Int'l Assists: 0
Int'l Caps: 4

22 - Junxton, Paul
Age: 36
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: Real Malakoff
Int'l Clean Sheets: 6
Int'l Caps: 19

23 - Stop, Aaron
Age: 41
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: FC Commerce
Int'l Clean Sheets: 0
Int'l Caps: 3

Stats as of 04/14/08

Uniforms

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/metalmurf/Acapais-Jersey1.png

Tactics

Style Modifier = +2

Acapais will generally play a 4-1-2-1-2

--------------------------------------------------
-------------Castro----------Lugini---------------
--------------------------------------------------
-------------------Fronberry(C)-------------------
--------------------------------------------------
----Paroe-------------------------------Osman-----
--------------------------------------------------
---------------------McKellar---------------------
--------------------------------------------------
----Sample-----Agitril------Rummy-------Sample----
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
-------------------O'Hare (GK)--------------------
--------------------------------------------------

Stadia

S'jet Stadium
Location: Hearn, Keenshire
Capacity: 84,541

Kushan Stadium
Location: Port Maypearl, Kempshire
Capacity: 72,788

Vaygr Field
Location: Edgewood, Keenshire
Capacity: 69,337

Somtaaw Stadium
Location: Stinnett, Keenshire
Capacity: 63,129

Gaalsien Field
Location: Slidell, Keenshire
Capacity: 55,618

Manaan Park
Location: Lancaster, Kempshire
Capacity: 47,066

Naabal Stadium
Location: Royse City, Krumshire
Capacity: 41,012

Paktu Park
Location: Greenville, Krumshire
Capacity: 39,980

Soban Lane
Location: Fort Wallace, Kempshire
Capacity: 35,474

Other Information
Acapais (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Acapais)
Acapais national football team (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Acapais_national_football_team)

Permission Boxes

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goal scorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events N
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 N

Nethertopia

14-04-2008, 18:17

Nethertopia signing up, we'll post our roster soon.

Terreiro de Ogum

14-04-2008, 18:28

The orixás told Pai Alcir de Macaé through the búzios that Terreiro de Ogum must participate in the Cup of Harmony.

Due to this, our country signs-up.

The Archregimancy

14-04-2008, 18:57

Invite accepted. However, as described in the discussion thread, I may not be able to fully participate for a week or so.

In the interim, I've asked Star by TG whether he'd consider posting my roster for me, as described in that TG.

Apologies for my lack of involvement of late.

Green wombat

14-04-2008, 20:18

Green wombat gladly accepts a CoH berth, as we might as well suck at something else for a change.

Roster shall be the same as the WC Qualifers.

Prux

14-04-2008, 20:26

<Movie announcer voice:>

"THEY ARE COMING BACK....

TO FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

THEY'RE BIGGER, FASTER, MEANER.

THEY WANT TO FINISH BETTER THAN FOURTH PLACE.

THEY WANT TO DESTROY ANY NATION FOOLISH TO GET IN THEIR WAY.

COMING SOON TO A CUP OF HARMONY NEAR YOU,

ROBO-DUCKS 2
CUP OF DISHARMONY

THIS TIME ITS ON!

rated R for Robots.

PRUX'S CoH 32 ROSTER

The Robo-Ducks (a 3-2-3-2 formation, and a +2 modifier)

Head Coach: Professor Gearlosse

GOALKEEPER: Dizzy Duck
DEFENSE: Quacky Duck, A Flack Duck and Dougal Duck
SWEEPERS: Cheapie MacDuck and Frugal MacDuck
MIDFIELD: Jumbo Duck, Mumbo Duck and Dumbo Duck
FORWARDS: Speedy MacDuck and Quickie MacDuck

Reserve: Backup Duck

Taeshan

14-04-2008, 21:00

Taeshan National soccer Team
#41 in the world

Enters the Taeshan Purple Knights. Purple home jerseys, and gold lettering, Opposite aways. Yeah we finally conceded to non all purple all the time.

We play a - whatever is the saecond lowest style

Manager- Thats right Zeke
Ass. Manager- His broda from anotha mutta Bubba Froalie

Here's the Mother Fu**ing Roster
GK Tad Montague #1 Captain 26^
LD Jacin Raellis #2 23
CD Jayly Riae #3 23
RD Matt Rhietuard #4 27
LM Ashton Smyth #6 29
CM Zeke Jr. #14 17
RM Brian Ying Uing #18 23
LS John Kitna #12 29
LCS Ryan Williams #10 29
RCS Soco Kennedy #13
RS Hele #19 20

Those Damn Subs
GK Joey Reunion #16 27
D Mike Hones #15 21
D Adelin Riazeo #66 21
D A.F. Falcon #17 23
M Ricky Domingo #5 24
M Sammy Sanchex #44 21
S Doug Newier #99 20

Kosovoe

14-04-2008, 21:07

Here be the roster of the Kosovoe souel.
#91 In todays soccer world

Manager- A White Guy

The Roster
GK Aximili Ridre #00 22
LD Jeffrey Morgan #7 21
LCD Tyler Stewart #18 24
RCD Thomas Miller #29 23
RD Xavier Hiroshima #22 20
LM Vladimir Islac #18 25
CM Griffin Myers #11 18
RM Eli Walker #13 19
LS Ossi Euro #25 20
CS Angel Kennsington #32 20
RS Jamie Barry

Subs
None for this cup

Colors- Bright pink home, and Lime away(numbers and letters opposites)

Fujisawan Territories

14-04-2008, 21:25

* denotes a female player
Starters are bolded
‡ Hoji University of Medical and Surgical Sciences has no organized varsity athletic teams as they are a rigorous medical school, however Yoshifumi participates in intramural zeokit on campus. She missed World cup 39 selection due to injury, while on the University of Hoji women’s team.

+4 style modifier

Head Coach: Jotaro Komine
Assistant Coaches: Stephen R. Distefano and Kishino Kubeiro

Goalkeepers
3 Sakura Jo* (Hoji Metropolitan High School for the Deaf) Age: 17
2 Noko Fujimaki* (Tokuzawa) Age: 28
1 Azumomo Tsukenn (Fujisawan Territories National Men’s Team) Age:29

Defenders
5 Keiko Shi* (Fujisawan Territories National Women’s Team) Age: 27
9 Kiyotada Satoh (Okazaki Island) Age: 30
7 Atsumori Tori’i (Lesser Antilles University at Sapsaki (LAU-Sapsaki) Age: 20
22 Motonobu Mizutani (Iwosaka Island) Age: 29
6 Suzuki Itago (Hoji Metro) Age: 27
16 Segawa Gakushi (Hoji Metro) Age: 30
19 Sofu Muso (Narasaka) Age: 23

Midfielders
10 Hirokazu Reizei (Albrecht Turkish FC (Candelaria And Marqeuz) Age: 24
8 Kinuko Ienari* (University of Hoji (UH) Age: 21
18 Ginko Kawaii* (Lesser Antilles University at Hoji (LAU-Hoji) Age: 18
13 Yasutsugi Takikawa (Hoji Metro) Age: 26
15 Sada’aki Akamatsu (Koshima International University (KIU) Age: 21
20 Rina Mitsubishi* (University of Hoji (UH) Age: 20
17 Sué Yoshitomi* (Lesser Antilles University at Hoji (LAU-Hoji) Age: 21

Forwards
11 Nobomitsu Sataka (São José (Cafundéu) Age: 25
23 Izukoza Yoko* (Hoji (Women’s League) Age: 26
4 Zenki Sakurai (Iwosaka Island) Age: 29
12 Sharena Yoshifumi* (Hoji University of Medical and Surgical Sciences)‡ Age: 23
14 Toshio Ichimonji (Hoji Metro) Age: 21
21 Taree Taira* (University of Tijuku (UT) Age: 19

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 Y
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players N
Godmod other events Y

Prazkoy

14-04-2008, 23:32

Prazkoy will be sending the same exact team to Starblaydia and Krytenia, except this time accompanied by a new coach, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, and eight pawns.

Prazkoy Komisat oř’Futbol
(Prazkoy Football Association) - PKF

Playing Style = -5
Formation = 5-3-2

Head Coach: Miroslaw Filip

Player # POS
Alek Voronsky 1 GK*
Danye Waďersek 2 GK
Maťas Gigoran 3 GK
Grigor Fedyeňet 4 D*
Pytor Ťmalst 5 D*
Hamy Rostok 6 D
Laurêt Gargarin 7 D*
Walter Kyemlîn 8 D*
Yohan Kimmler 9 D
Rodyan Šmetalyan 10 D*
Šamyul Iskandar 11 M*
Wilhelm Žakrodyet 12 M*
Way Tudurn 13 M
Yosef Unďek 14 M
Yugi Dvořak 15 M*
Luwig Holst 16 M
Karl Yamnec 17 M
Nataňel Ťelsim 18 M
Boris Šmenťa 19 F
Kîlmer Radyan 20 F
Woďoy Fedoruskan 21 F
Sebasťan Podolsky 22 F*
Ilyuška Waderček 23 F*

* = starting

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: no
Godmod Other Events: Yes

Prazkoy

14-04-2008, 23:54

The College of Cardinals meet in Praz today...

Kardinál Yan Sobesky: We've received a notice from the Star... Star... Starvaldiski people that we've qualified for the World Cup!

Kardinál Grigor Račnik: You read that wrong. It says that we've failed to qualify for the World Cup, so we're invited to the Cup of Harmony instead.

Kardinál Čelsi Popov: What's that mean?

Kardinál Karl Mnemer: It means that we're going to send the team to Starvaldiski to play in the Cup of Harmony! That's settled, these boys need practice.

Kardinál Yan Sobesky: Unďek Štitlen has resigned already. Who are we going to send as the new head coach of the team?

Kardinál Čelsi Popov: Miroslaw Filip.

Kardinál Grigor Račnik: The chess player? What in all that is good makes him qualified?

Kardinál Čelsi Popov: He plays chess.

Kardinál Karl Mnemer: And that helps us how?

Kardinál Čelsi Popov: He can win us victories with tactical precision. Have you seen the way he plays?

Kardinál Grigor Račnik: I don't think football is played like that...

Kardinál Yan Sobesky: Well, we don't have much other choice. We should let Welmistr (Grandmaster) Filip try it out. If God does not will him to succeed, we will choose another person until divine authority should render to us the right man for the job.

*unison*: Amen.

Terreiro de Ogum

15-04-2008, 01:18

THE INDEPENDANT TERRITORY OF TERREIRO DE OGUM RELEASES TEAM LIST FOR THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

Style is -4.2

ÈPA BÀBÁ! After years trying to get our independence, our lovely country of Terreiro de Ogum was finally able to escape from the control of Estresse Intenso’s government (although that control was already inexistent). Now we are a country, thanks to our mystical power and thanks to Olorun, our great god! And, now, using our magic abilities, team work, faith and different practices, with the help of our Orixás (Orisha), we will now try to win games against the biggest opponents. Oxalá we will win something! Now, see our list of players:

“Oxalá guie nossos guerreiros do futebol rumo a vitória, usando o poder de Ogum, o apoio de Iemanjá e o braço forte de Xangô!”

The 25 (currently 11) players (yes, Terreiro de Ogum has 25 players in its roster) – use the names in BOLD in the RPs (no need to put their names in capital letters too, please):

Each player has a pre-game ritual, which will be made in every game that they play as starters only. There are 5 levels of spiritual strength: very low, low, average, high and very high.

Goalkeepers (the hands that hold our faith):

1- Baitolah BIBAH
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Iemanjá.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: Baitolah Bibah is the most talented goalkeeper of Terreiro de Ogum. Born and raised in the territory, Baitolah is an orphan rose by a famous mãe-de-santo, and learnt how to prepare medicinal recipes to help the ill with her. He is funny, talkative and loves to show himself to the public. He is homosexual, and often makes jokes of the opponents of Terreiro de Ogum.
Pre-Game Ritual: a lover of foreign music, Baitolah Bibah is the last member of the team to enter in the field, wearing his full pink goalkeeper clothes. When he enters, the music “I Will Survive” is played (or other music associated with homosexuality).

12- Wladmir Girnos Bueno “PAPAGAIO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Ayrà.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: this man is crazy. Seriously. Wladmir, usually known as Papagaio, can’t communicate well with other people. He has serious difficulties in creating phrases of his own. He lives in a small village, where he works as a mechanic. His life isn’t special, but now he has been recruited to play in the National Team, due to his incredible agility. He is called Papagaio (parrot in Portuguese) because, as he can’t create his own phrases, he repeats what the other people say.
Pre-Game Ritual: if Papagaio plays as a starter, this means that Bibah isn’t playing. So, Papagaio will be the last player to enter in the field, making gestures to his teammates, who probably won’t understand him.

22- Bianca Marçal Nínive “CIRCENSE”
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Obá.
Spiritual Strength: High.
Info: this young woman is just 16 years old, but became the third choice of the Terreiro de Ogum National Team for the goalkeeper position due to her incredible elasticity and acrobatic moves (she is a circus star), that help her to make saves with less difficulty. She lives in a small village that doesn’t have a terreiro, so she’s not much linked with Umbanda rituals. But she is very sensitive and can feel the presence of the orixás.
Pre-Game Ritual: if Circense plays as a starter, she’ll be the first player to enter in the field (yes, even before Preto Véio). She’ll look extremely happy and will make some acrobatic moves, a small show for the supporters.

Full-Backs (the messengers of our future):

2- Ananias dos Santos “BICHO GRILO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Exú.
Spiritual Strength: High.
Info: the terreiro leaders usually are the ones that make the homemade medicines, but Bicho Grilo is the one that finds the ingredients. With extremely high knowledge of the plants and animals that live in the terrain of Terreiro de Ogum, Bicho Grilo can easily survive in the jungle and find any kind of plant there. Due to his love for nature, you can find him talking with animals, but this usually happens only after he smokes his marijuana, something that he does daily (every hour, I should say).
Pre-Game Ritual: one of the last players to enter in the field, Bicho Grilo enters in an extremely low pace; walking on the grass and feeling it (he doesn’t wear shoes). He has long hair and beard, and smokes marijuana in the field (if it isn’t a country where marijuana is prohibited).

6- Ubiratan de Carvalho Quirino “TOQUINHO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Xangô.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: brother of another starter of the National Team, Guaxinim, Toquinho is a dwarf, and is a bit taller than his brother. He has an incredible speed, and due to that usually works as a messenger in the territory, making the contact between different terreiros possible. When playing football, Toquinho is responsible for fast counterattacks and good long passes, but doesn’t score many goals.
Pre-Game Ritual: Toquinho will be one of the first players to enter in the field. He likes to show his speed to the supporters, so he’ll enter with full speed, reaching his position in few seconds.

16- Joe Hi-Kim “ZEN”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxumaré.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: the Umbanda attracts many people, who were used to follow a different religion. But unlike other religions, the Umbanda practitioner doesn’t have to abandon his former religion to get into contact with the orixás. And this situation was perfect for Zen. Follower of Shinto, Zen went to Terreiro de Ogum to learn about the place where strange rituals where being made. He loved the place, and started living here. Zen is a formidable defender, calm and secure, and has a high spirituality.
Pre-Game Ritual: if Zen plays as a starter, he’ll enter in an intermediate position in the order of players. He’ll walk quietly to his position, wave to the supporters of both teams, and later meditate a bit to be concentrated for the game.

23- HORÁCIO Valente “BAIXOTE”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Ibeji.
Spiritual Strength: Very Low.
Info: Horácio Baixote is the third dwarf of the Terreiro de Ogum National Team. Cousin of the starters Toquinho and Guaxinim, Horácio Baixote is much younger than them, and because of that his football talent isn’t developed. If he has one. He isn’t a very good player, but has a very good fighting spirit. So bad that he lacks strength, otherwise would be a very good defender because of that.
Pre-Game Ritual: Horácio Baixote will enter in an intermediate position in the order of the team. He’ll enter with the ball, controlling it and reaching the middle of the field.

Defenders (the guardians of our honour):

3- Maria Celeste Ernestelli “RECLUSA”
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Yewá.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: no one knows from where she came exactly, or about her life before reaching Terreiro de Ogum. All they know about her was in her documents, a passport from Cafundéu and a library card. She was adopted by a mãe-de-santo when she was only a child, and soon it was discovered that she is extremely sensitive, being able to have contact with spirits and to being possessed by them. This power has been explored by her “mother”, and she is now famous because of her ability. When not possessed, she doesn’t speak with anyone, with the exception of her “mother”.
Pre-Game Ritual: in fact, Reclusa doesn’t have any special pre-game ritual. She will enter before Bibah, so will be one of the last ones to enter. She will quietly go to her position in the field.

4- Jorge Diniz Sodré “PRETO VÉIO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Nanã.
Spiritual Strength: High.
Info: this man is a wanderer, known in the whole territory. A nice, calm man who likes to chat with everyone, from the commoner to the powerful mãe or pai-de-santo. But he specially enjoys chatting with the children, telling histories to them about his adventures. He has no enemies, and can be considered the most honest and respected person in Terreiro de Ogum.
Pre-Game Ritual: Preto Véio is the first player to enter in the field, going directly to the sector of the stadium where the Terreiro de Ogum supporters are. He’ll wave to them and after that will shake hands with his opponents, being nice with everyone.

13- José Carlos Pereira Filho “ZECA DA PONTE”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxóssi.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: although Terreiro de Ogum’s authorities try to make the country successful in social equality, there are many things to do yet. When the territory was under the control of Estresse Intenso, there wasn’t social equality, but now, with the independence, the leader pai-de-santo is trying to give better conditions for the poor. Zeca da Ponte is one of these poor people. He lives under a bridge, sometimes without something to eat, completely miserable. But, as a player, Zeca da Ponte has some ability as a defender, and can get something to eat during the competitions.
Pre-Game Ritual: when Zeca da Ponte is selected as a starter, he enters in the field and asks the referee for food. Searches the field for some bread or other kind of food. If he doesn’t find anything, becomes very frustrated.

16- Janaína Soraya Couto “RAINHA”
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Iyami-Ajé.
Spiritual Strength: High.
Info: the woman with most children in Terreiro de Ogum, Rainha has family ties with a lot of people, as her mother also had many children. She is not a mãe-de-santo, but is good at making rituals to call the orixás too. She is a bit crazy, so sometimes can become angry without reason or complain about things that didn’t happen. She is very respected by the citizens of Terreiro de Ogum, as she is the leader now of the biggest family (in number of people) of the country.
Pre-Game Ritual: Rainha loves her family. So, she’ll enter the field behind Pai Berto if put as a starter, being accompanied by her children (all her 16 children), giving a kiss on each of them before the start of the game.

20- Victor Cirino da Alvorada “BEBUM”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Egungun.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: Bebum is another drunken man of Terreiro de Ogum, as Pinguinha. The difference between them is that Bebum doesn’t have to look after money to be able to buy his cachaça or beer. No, the other people give him money for him to do so. Why? Because Bebum, even drunk, has always everything interesting to talk about, and is also a good snooker player. In football, is just average.
Pre-Game Ritual: Bebum won’t enter in the field with a bottle of cachaça. No. He will enter with a barrel of beer. Will offer it to his teammates and to his opponents, and later will go to his place in the field.

Defensive Midfielders (holders of our home):

10- PAI BERTO de Tucumã de Obalatá
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Obalatá/Oxalá.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: son of the “leader” of Terreiro de Ogum, Pai Alcir de Macaé, Pai Berto is a talented pai-de-santo, who focuses on helping the people of the territory in the area of health. Some people say that Pai Berto has a better sensitivity than his father, and that he is a natural leader. His knowledge of the orixás and of the umbanda magic became legendary. Now in the National Team, Pai Berto is the captain and “boss” of the team, with more powers than the coach.
Pre-Game Ritual: while Preto Véio is the first one to enter in the field, Pai Berto is the second. He enters with his full-white clothes, wore by all pais-de-santo, and raises his arms to the sky, before making homage to the orixás.

5- DONA ROSA Lozano Pumete
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Ossaim.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: this old woman is a very good football player, and one of the major negotiators of Terreiro de Ogum. She makes contact with other countries, and this is very important to guarantee the autonomy of the country. She isn’t much involved in the religious ceremonies of the country, but she likes watching them, and, because of that, has some knowledge about them.
Pre-Game Ritual: Dona Rosa isn’t one of the first or one of the last players to enter in the field. In fact, she doesn’t do anything special. Just enters in the field and talks with each player of the Terreiro de Ogum team.

15- Rafael Rocha Brumes “ARMÁRIO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Xangô.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: the most strong person of the team. Without any doubt. Armário is 2 meters tall and weighs a lot too. But he isn’t overweight, he is strong. He is the security guard of Pai Alcir de Macaé, and no other person of the country have the courage to fight against him. Only his presence intimidates the opponents. In the National Team, will play as defensive midfielder, and will probably win many tackles.
Pre-Game Ritual: if Armário plays as a starter, he’ll enter in the field together with Pai Berto, looking at the stands to try to see if there’s someone or something that can harm the pai-de-santo.

24- MÃE EDITH de Maná de Ifá
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Ifá.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: an evil mãe-de-santo, Mãe Edith is the only one of the team that you can accuse of making “black magic”. She is a very talented mãe-de-santo, with an enormous knowledge of rituals and of the orixás, and very strong spirituality. Too bad that she decided to make rituals to harm others rather than ones to help the people. She is the one that destroy relationships, put illnesses in people, make someone get fired from his/her job, and other bad things. She and Tramóia are the ones that won’t follow Terreiro de Ogum’s policy of respecting an opponent, making dark rituals.
Pre-Game Ritual: Mãe Edith, when playing as a starter, will enter just before Reclusa and Bibah. She’ll use a completely white outfit, will raise her hands to the sky as soon as she enters the field and will say something that no one will understand. She seems very strange and mysterious.

Attacking Midfielders (seekers of our prosperity):

9- Liceu Modesto Babuíno “PINGUINHA”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxóssi.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: Pinguinha is a drunken man. He simply loves to drink cachaça, and does the possible to get some money to have something with alcohol to drink. He doesn’t do anything illegal, but everything else… for him, the cachaça is more important than everything else. He is a good football player, even when drunk, and will have sufficient motivation to want to score goals and create plays for the team.
Pre-Game Ritual: Pinguinha enters in the field in an intermediate position in the order. All he does is to get his bottle of cachaça, throw a bit of the liquid in the grass, and then drink the remaining after making a short prayer.

8- Rafael Graziano “TRAMÓIA”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxum.
Spiritual Strength: Very Low.
Info: a criminal, expert in stealing, sneaking into places without being noticed and preparing traps for the opponents. Tramóia is one of the few players that won’t respect the opponent, trying to get advantage in every play using dirty tricks. He is very good at making these tricks without being noticed, so it’ll be difficult for him to receive a card, as he probably won’t get caught. He isn’t popular in Terreiro de Ogum for being a criminal, but his talents will be very useful for the National Team, as he’ll be the main responsible for creating offensive plays.
Pre-Game Ritual: Tramóia is one of the first players to enter in the field, but he won’t be noticed until the entrance of Reclusa. He’ll appear in the middle of the field, surprising everyone and laughing, probably holding an item stolen from someone from the stands.

17- Lara Motta Ithiel “POMBA GIRA”
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Exú.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: Lara is just a common woman, who works as a waitress in a famous bar in Macumba, the capital of Terreiro de Ogum. But what Lara doesn’t know is that she has a big spiritual sensitivity, something that was discovered when she went to a terreiro. The spirit of the Pomba Gira possessed her. Now this ability will be used in the football team, as the Pomba Gira is a very good dribbler.
Pre-Game Ritual: Lara will enter in the field without being possessed. When all the players of Terreiro de Ogum have entered, she’ll become the Pomba Gira, shouting and making gestures.

19- PAI Makabi Tomake “ÁFRICA”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxalá.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: the person that was the main responsible for the independency of Terreiro de Ogum, Pai África is currently the oldest pai-de-santo alive in the country. He says that he came from África (what’s this? Some kind of spiritual realm?), and knows the orixás and their preferences like no other. He knows rituals that no other pai or mãe-de-santo from Terreiro de Ogum knows. As a football player, can’t play much because of his age, but has an excellent vision.
Pre-Game Ritual: if selected as a starter, which is something very rare, Pai África will enter just after Preto Véio. In fact, he doesn’t need to do anything special. The supporters of Terreiro de Ogum will stand up and applause him.

Attackers (conquers of our glory):

7- Matheus de Carvalho Quirino “GUAXINIM”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Oxumarê.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: brother of another starter of the National Team, Toquinho, Guaxinim is a dwarf, and is a bit smaller than his brother. Good in positioning and good at predicting what the other players will do (thanks to good knowledge of the football), is a very good attacker who will make many assists. He is very fast too, so is a special weapon for the counterattacks, as his passes to his team mate Master Kacet are perfect. Another thing that can surprise many is his good ability at heading.
Pre-Game Ritual: Guaxinim is the one that has the best relationship with the supporters. So, he will be one of the first players to enter in the field, calling the supporters to sing for the team, to send Terreiro de Ogum to the victory.

11- MESTRE Timóteo Hora Novaes KACET
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Ogum.
Spiritual Strength: High.
Info: one of the most famous and influential people of Terreiro de Ogum, Mestre (Master) Kacet is probably the only one that is known outside the territory. He is the best Capoeira master of the world, thanks to his great abilities, superb technique and good reflexes, this among other skills. A football lover too, Mestre Kacet joined the team wanting to use his Capoeira ability to score goals. And he can do that. Most of his moves are a mix between Capoeira and football, so expect to see him scoring goals using acrobatic moves. He is also a very friendly person, and likes to talk with the defender that is marking him.
Pre-Game Ritual: Mestre Kacet’s entrance order isn’t an exact one. He can sometimes enter as one of the last players, or as one of the first ones. But, when he enters, he smiles to the cameras and makes some of his Capoeira moves, to impress everyone, especially his opponents.

18- Sandro Viriatlo “DEMO”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Nanã.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: this man has the ability of summon the most evil and devilish spirits. Since he was born, Sandro often did evil things due to the influence of these spirits. He only discovered his spiritual ability after visiting a terreiro, and since then many pais and mães-de-santo are trying to help him to avoid the influence of these spirits, although sometimes they can give some good hints about supernatural things. Demo is the name of the evil spirit that controls Sandro when he plays football, a deadly attacker with an excellent long ranged shot.
Pre-Game Ritual: if Sandro plays as a starter, he’ll immediately be transformed in Demo when he steps on the grass. His expressions and gestures change drastically, and he fights for the ball even before the game starts.

21- Leão do Federal “COBRADOR”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Ogum.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: what is the Leão do Federal doing in this National Team? The answer is easy. No one is better at finding breaches in the opponent’s defence than him. The Cobrador, as he is more commonly called, is the “Tax Collector” of Terreiro de Ogum. As the country doesn’t use money, he gets some food from the families of the country to use in the government’s programs of assist of the poor. The Cobrador is a very determined player, and never will give up of a play.
Pre-Game Ritual: the Cobrador will enter in the field using a black-tie outfit. When he reaches his position in the field, he’ll remove his clothes (no, he won’t play naked. He’ll use the normal Terreiro de Ogum kit) and get prepared to play the game.

25- Pirimeu Tossatto “CIENTISTA”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Iemanjá.
Spiritual Strength: Low.
Info: Cientista is a person that believes in the orixás, but doesn’t believe in their supernatural nature. He doesn’t believe that they are spirits or representatives of the god Olorun. He thinks that they are something physical, which could be explained with the use of the science. Most of our citizens feel sad by him, because it’s certain that the orixás are spirits. As a football player, is a talented attacker.
Pre-Game Ritual: the Scientist (Cientista) will enter in the field with a piece of paper in one hand and a pencil in another, making notes of interesting things that he saw in the entrance of the field. Later, will go to his place in the field.

Staff Members (controllers of our destiny):

Coach: Duílio Menezes “BLIND MAGICIAN”
Gender: Male.
Orixá Guide: Iansã.
Spiritual Strength: Very High.
Info: Duílio, called Blind Magician by nearly everyone (only his mother calls him Duílio) is a pai-de-santo with good leadership and some abilities as a football coach, thanks to his contact with spirits of dead football coaches. His style is very defensive and cautious, that’s why Terreiro de Ogum is a defensive team. He is blind, but has a supernatural perception that allows him to walk and do other things like if he could see.
Pre-Match Ritual: when the Blind Magician enters in the field, he gets some grass from it and eats it. After that, he makes a short prayer and goes to his place in the bench, in a very slow way.

Assistant: ÍRIS Duarte Serafim
Gender: Female.
Orixá Guide: Yewá.
Spiritual Strength: Average.
Info: the assistant of the Blind Magician is probably the most common member of the team. She is a young woman, who works together with the Blind Magician in his terreiro, helping him to prepare the rituals. She has knowledge about the orixás, but lacks spiritual strength. She is very happy with her life and loves helping her master, but her job is very simple.
Pre-Game Ritual: Íris enters together with the Blind Magician, following him and watching him to see if he will fall (she knows that he can walk alone, but still worries for her master).

Formation: basic 4-4-2 (style is -4.2):

-------------------------Bibah-------------------------
--Bicho Grilo-----Reclusa-------Preto Véio---Toquinho---
-------------Pai Berto----------Dona Rosa--------------
------Pinguinha-------------------------Tramóia--------
--------------Mestre Kacet---Guaxinim------------------

RP Permissions: you're free to choose scorers, send cards to my players (red card limit is 2), RP injuries (light ones) and other things (but these things can't be very unreal (can be a bit unreal) or serious (involving death, arrest, etc.)

Stadium: Terreiro de Ogum do Pai Alcir
Info: part of the big terreiro of Pai Alcir de Macaé, this field doesn’t have grass, only dirt, but is a good place for playing football, as the players will be able to get in contact with the orixás playing in this marvellous place.

Kits (made by JMC):
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/Krytenia/TDO40.png

Details about Terreiro de Ogum: this country is in fact a small part of Estresse Intenso that got its independence few years ago. In fact, it already had full autonomy, due to the fact that Estresse Intenso’s government can’t control the country well (the country is a complete anarchy). But, anyway, Terreiro de Ogum is now independent, and due to this could have relations with other countries, something that the territory wasn’t able to do before. One of these things is football. The team couldn’t play in international competitions, but now it’s replacing the Landau Institute, which decided to stop playing in international competitions due to the death of The Machine.

The citizens of the country don’t have money, so they divide everything that they have. Their leader is the most experienced “pai-de-santo”, currently Pai Alcir de Macaé, father of the captain of the National Team Pai Berto de Tucumã, who is a pai-de-santo too. Their language is a mixed of different spiritual languages. The most important fact about the country is its religion. ALL the citizens follow the Umbanda religion, although some of them also respect and practice related religions like Candomblé and Quimbanda (Macumba). You can use Wikipedia to get information about these religions. They make mystical pre-game rituals, but nothing is done to harm the opponent: before everything, they respect their opponents like brothers, and would like to be respected too. Oh… expect some phrases in Portuguese during our RPs.

Blouman Empire

15-04-2008, 05:18

Kelssek

15-04-2008, 07:05

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/kskfootballjersey.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/kskfootballjersey-away.gif

Pos. Age Team
Richard Davis GK 34 Capital FC
Petr Zherdek GK 29 Castors de Outineau
Claude Chamonix GK 31 North York

Mikhail Gobrynin D L/C 33 Clayquot City
Pierre-Luc Dubois D C 22 CF Outineau
Alexandre Tremblay D/DM C 20 Langlois Océanic
Francois St. Louis D L 22 Albrecht FC (C&M)
Simon Avant D R/C 34 Kirkenes FC
Gordon Symonds D R/C 25 Coquitlam United

Ian Colwyn DM C 26 Castors de Outineau
Jean Despatie M C 25 Vickery Jaguars
Alexandre Lacoutre M R/C 19 CF Laneux
Kenneth Regehr AM R 25 Mazinaw Stallions
Kyle Anderson M L 29 SC Saint-Remy
Jean-Luc Fournier M C 21 Clayquot City
Charles Fletcher AM L 26 Capital FC
Paul Clifton M C 32 Kirkenes FC
Vincent Arsenault AM/F C 27 CR Submiria (Cafundéu)
Darach Salthill AM C 26 Kirkenes FC

Ian Sinclair F C 24 São José (Cafundéu)
Douglas Crawford F C 29 Ulyanov Wolves
Henri Cournoyer F C 25 Langlois Océanic
Laurent Pontoise F C 18 CF Laneux

Manager Bryan Symonds
Assistant Manager Douglas Tremblay
Physiotherapist Pierre-Luc Sauvigér

Style mod: +2

Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod match events Y
RP injuries to my players Y (you may have a player go off injured, but do not specify an injury)
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 N

Starblaydia

15-04-2008, 09:14

I didn't think I was going to be invited so I didn't bother checking untill now I hope it isn't to late confirm that we will play in CoH 32.

As I dont have much time atm I won't place in roster and what not, however, I will at a later time hopefully within 12 hours of the original post time.

When is the first game expected to be played?

It is not too late at all. There are 'enough' nations in to make it a worthwhile tournament, and we're obviously still willing to accept any and all of the remaining invited teams up to the 32 for a full-on huge tourney.

With the World Cup Draw happening on Thursday, we're ideally looking for something similar around the Friday/Saturday mark. The CoH one is more-flexible, however, with games starting, perhaps, on Monday/Tuesday? These are only rough estimates, of course.

Rejistania

15-04-2008, 09:50

The National team of KaMaRi kali signs up with this team:

Coach: Tahik I Ly

Goalkeepers:
Alik Hana, age 30, KaMaRi Xentira
(Jatu Karil, age 28, Kimiuntu Kimi)
(Hyku Kansu, age 25, Karela Veran)

Defenders:
Jasuki Lyku, age 22, Hanin Sekhika
Jaru Sia, age 25, Hades Lavemje
Inik Salu, age 29, Sikane Sekhika
Jyi I Asnu, age 32, Hamatil Hetaki
Suvenu Ariu, age 27, Karela Lines
(Karela Kansu, age 29, Hades Lavamje)
(Janek Salan, age 21, Matix Veran)
(Iatana Hetu, age 22, Solidarije Sekhika)
(Lyku Kansu-I Hetarim, age 25, KaMaRi Xentira)
(Kiju Taku, age 19, Sutene Sekhika)

Midfielders:
Halitk~ha~o Mijati~l, age 22, Taeurikil Tigers
Erali Hana, age 27, Kimiuntu Kimi
Siki Amu, age 22, Lasane Juniversitije Junis
(Sijak Syku, age 25, KaMaRi Xentira)
(Desentij Jakutak~hi, age 25, KaMaRi Karela)
(Linux Kansu, age 23, Sikane Sekhika)

Those other players:
Hilat Takil, age 21, Kalimnintan 1978'la
Ken Hetinx, age 25, Setak~hir Sekhika
(Ijuru Il-Kiu, age 26, Matix Omeh)
(Soveri Kiuta, age 24, Karela Lines)

If you RP first have a lot of fun. You know... the insanity is mandatory and clothes are optional type. (or just do a normal RP, whatever you prefer)

Kose and The Turkomans

15-04-2008, 12:59

Rankings Update
The Turks team have rissen in the rankings by 29 ranks into the 56th position which does show the rate of improvement within the team. Also the players within the team have been exported as such to other nations.

Other nations of note to us have done very well in the rankings such as Newmanistans rise into 53 still ahead of us as the Turks yearn to avenge their final defeat. Nethertopia another rival are in 75 now after a very much mediocer performance who fall just 1 place behind the despicable East Aintairees.

Alhrem Has First Interview
I met with Mr. Alhrem who is amazingly calm and level headed. Firstly I asked him about the team he has selected and why certain players have been dropped he replied "it is based on merit and club form."
"That may be well and true but certain players have played very well in their few apearences and have been dropped"
"As I say their form for their clubs have been far below par for someone of the national team." It was at that point he left for the cafe Türkü.

Jeru FC

15-04-2008, 13:56

Jeru FC Team Roster

Formation: 3-4-3 (+3) or System "Not really Takil"

Coach/Manager: Alfredo Neves of Cafundeu
* Former coach of Cafundeu

GK
Private James Honky, one of shortest goalkeepers in Jeruselem aside from school team goalkeepers.
Private Hans Mandebrott, obsessive Dazza Dallas porn collector and working on a Kate Dallas collection

DEF
Private Rayne Pocock, likes fights at bars and getting beaten up in the process.
Private David Dohah, once played football with a live grenade
Private Sam Shotan, thinks he's guy in the Doom computer games but he's not
Private Akbal Hofta, prays like true Moslem but always in the wrong direction
Private Unkt Bafal, likes driving on pedrestrian footpaths to avoid traffic

MID
Private Nok Emdown, skilled on the field and with the ladies
Corporal Sheik Yeisles, team captain and resident team bully
Private Linus Hokans, he's up to the latest army tech - a Mac Plus computer
Private Monsy Rivere, has fainting spells around red-headed short attractive women
Private Rambo Mann, thinks he's Rambo the hero ... hard to understand
Private Rosen Falka, owns a rather large knife collection
Private Uggen Caveman, his name describes him perfectly

ATT
Private Pansy Petal, likes to shop at Razzle Dazzle - a women's clothing store
Private Grunden January, performs best in his first 5 minutes during a game - and is useless for the rest
Private Jakob Fakestein, Gay jewish man
Private William Deckstra, can't stop stealing women's underwear
Private Chris Kantos, has shot himself in the foot - TWICE
Private Mickey Rate, calls himself a real man, but the girls don't think so

RP Permissions
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players N
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 N

(Yes, it's the WC38 and WC39 of idiots again)

Lovisa

15-04-2008, 23:51

Jeruselem

16-04-2008, 06:06

if will be a empty place for my team, that Lovisa want to start in CoH tournament. It will be greatful for us.
thx

i know that Im not active very well, but I have problem with my internet connection, but I always try to check forum when is possible.

OOC

* Waves *

You're in playoff against Green Wombat for the one spot in the WC40 finals. Scotch .... err, withdrew and well either you or Green Wombat are in the finals. Of course, if you lose the playoff - there's always the CoH here.

Nire and Nire

16-04-2008, 10:26

Official Decree of the Republic of Nire

The Republic of Nire Football Association today formally accepts the invitation to appear at the Cup of Harmony 32. This will be the Mighty Bulls second appearance at the tournament, finishing a credible last in Cup of Harmony 30.

The FA is expecting success at the Cup of Harmony, having failed to qualify for the world cup proper courtesy of the out-dated and inherently flawed away goal rule. The Cup of Harmony 32 is an opportunity for Nire to finally establish itself amongst the credible footballing nations.

In line with the World Cup qualifiers a team will represent Nire at the Cup of Harmony although no players will be sent to the tournament.

Ends

Rennidan

16-04-2008, 11:13

From the multiple offices of the Rennidan Sports Council

Today, Rennidan officially accepts the invitation to the Cup of Harmony.
We will be sending the same squad as we sent to the World Cup.
We also hope to have a bloody good time.

________________________________________________

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y (Nothing too silly)
RP injuries to my players Y (Nothing too serious)
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

Stadium
Rennidan National Stadium (55,000)
Location: Rennidan, Isle of Rennida

Style Modifier: -5
Rennidan will play in 5-3-2

Uniforms

60202

Will change to gold and green for Away matches.

Manager

Michal Ronnan
Age - 53

An ill man with a brilliant tactical brain. He could have been one of the best military leaders to grace Rennidan, but his love of football couldn't be kept down. He's known for his strict training regime, and his sheer reclusiveness. He hasn't been seen by the public for over twenty years.

Assistant Manager

Allison Debanon
Age - 22

Debanon was tipped to be a worldwide success at an early age, but not as an assistant manager to a national football team. She was set to be a model, but Ronnan snapped her up out of high school after watching her coach a netball team. At first, she had her critics, but after three years at the team, no one is complaining about her. She commands respect and order, and ten times out of ten, she’ll get it. Whether it’s because of her attitude or her legs is still to be decided.

Goalie

Ryan Malkoa, No. 27, Southern Hawks
Age - 24
Sex - M
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 181 lbs
Malkao was born with gloves on his hands, or so rumours have it. Born in Southern Rennidan, he’s lived there all his life. He’s been with the team since it’s formation three years ago, and is somewhat of the ringleader of his team mates, due to his good sense of humour and the fact there are always laughs to be had with him. Even on the field, he’s known for doing some silly stuff. Some of which pays off.

SUB

Jo Malkoa, No. 81, Southern Hawks
Age - 19
Sex - M
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 151 lbs
Ryan Malkoa's little brother, Jo shows a similar level of skill, but his mentality is the opposite of his laid back brother when on the pitch. High-pressure situations get him nervous as hell.

Defenders
STARTING LINE UP

Micah Desono, No. 4, Southern Hawks
Age - 27
Sex - M
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 144 lbs
Micah is short, skinny, and full of mouth. He’s one of the more fiery players of Rennidan’s team. If he sees something he doesn’t agree with, he’ll make damn sure the referee knows about it, even if it means risking a yellow card. Unfortionatly, he’s also willing to do whatever it takes to get the ball away from the opposition. Still, the defence wouldn’t be as strong as it is without him.

Samual ‘The Wall’ Fortal, No. 5, Beamers United
Age - 22
Sex - M
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 204 lbs
Big. That’s one way of describing Samual. He’s tall, muscular and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. He is by far the cornerstone of Rennidan’s defence Anyone taking a free kick should be careful to not let the ball go near him.

Daniel Samman, No. 24, Wessex F.C
Age - 27
Sex - M
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 166 lbs
Daniel is an average player. He has good speed, alright passing, and spot on tackling. His one strength, however, is set pieces. He’ll often be called forwards to take corners, free kicks or penalties.

Daniel Malakolo, No. 35, Wessex F.C
Age - 27
Sex - M
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 172 lbs
Malakolo is Samman’s best friend, on and off the pitch. Pictures of them clubbing and drinking have been in the papers quite a bit, and their chemistry on the field is amazing. Many say it’s as if they’re in each other’s heads.

Harri Belon, No. 44, Wessex F.C
Age - 21
Sex - M
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 144 lbs
Harri is another strong player. He’s known for being a bit too laid back, but his tackling prowess is outstanding. He could get a ball away from a hungry polar bear without it noticing. Apparently.

SUBS

Simon Milokov, No. 40, Firtos United
Age - 42
Sex - M
Height: 6’2"
Weight: 166 lbs
Unfortunately, Milokov is getting on the old side. Fortunately, he’s still an apt player. But for now, he’s on the bench. Most likely to swap with Belon.

Henry Harolds, No. 41, Littletown F.C
Age - 19
Sex - M
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 122 lbs
Second youngest on the team, Harold’s doesn’t get too much play time because of his inexperience. However, he doesn’t mind. He’s happy just being on the team.

Midfield
STARTING LINE UP

Michael Ronnan, No. 6, Southern Hawks
Age - 22
Sex - M
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 155 lbs
It’s tough being the manager’s son. At first, people said he only had the spot on the team because of his dad. These people had obviously never seen the 2006 Southern Hawks vs. Wessex F.C Rennidan Cup Final, where Michael scored from about twenty yards outside the keeper’s box. Four times.

Robert “Clover” Golos, No. 14, Hampton
Age - 25
Sex - M
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 183 lbs
Golos isn’t a spectacular player. He’s the weakest in midfield that isn’t sitting on the bench. However, he is known for some unbelievable luck on the pitch.

Sammi MacOlv, No. 16, Ulii
Age - 21
Sex -M
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 255 lbs
Spontaneous and crazy. Sammi’s ball control and passing ability is unparallel in Rennidan. He also has a bit of a habit of showing of his skills.

SUBS

Mic Dannov, No 66, Yanton Golds
Age – 20
Sex - M
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 125 lbs
Mic was the best player in midfield, apart from Michael Ronnan. Unfortunately, a dodgy tackle which left him injured meant he was too ill to make it passed the manager’s strict regime. Still, he’s on the bench at least, and he might get some play time eventually. When he does, the opposition will have to change their game plan drastically to account for his presence.

Strikers

STARTING LINE UP

Nicholi Drentum, No. 8, Ulii
Age - 17
Sex - M
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 141 lbs
The baby of the team, Dreuntum made a national stir when he joined the starting line up. However, it was all good praise for him. It was long expected he would make the national team when, on his first appearance for Ulii, he put a goal past Malkao himself. Known for his hard striking and legendary accuracy.

Mo Siv, No. 7, Yanton Golds
Age - 30
Sex - M
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 111 lbs
Siv is the smallest professional player in Rennidan. The ex-Rennidanian Holy Monk is quiet, hardly saying a peep, and is calm and composed on the pitch. It’s impossible to read him. Whether this is from his training as a monk, or from Ronnan’s training regime is unknown. He’s also the fastest player on the team, running from A to B in a blink of the eye. If someone kicks a through pass into what looks like blank space in the box, be careful. They’re probably setting Siv up.

SUB

Lucas Lucas Senton, No. 99, Southern Hawks
Age - 22
Sex - M
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 231 lbs
This heavy-set man is known for being a bit of a nuisance in the box. However, the amount of skill in his left foot is uncanny.

Captain: Ryan Malkoa
Set Piece Taker: Daniel Samman
Penalty Taker: Daniel Samman
Right Corner: Daniel Samman
Left Corner: Nicholi Drentum

Starblaydia

16-04-2008, 11:34

THE ARCHREGIMANCY BRINGS YOU

THE CUP OF HARMONY 32 SQUAD

First of all, everyone except newbies knows that the Archregimancy is a nation of Eastern Orthodox Christian monks, right? Newbies may also need to be reminded that the Archregimancy was once a top-10 team; their relatively recent slide through the rankings stands as definitive proof that our ranking system does allow for movement in both directions (small consolation though that may be to the monks). Feel free to RP their fall from grace as you see fit.

CoH 32 takes place during Orthodox Lent, called Great Lent in the Archregimancy.

Orthodox Easter, or Pascha, which is still calculated on the Julian calendar, takes place fully five weeks after what the Monastic Football Association terms 'heretical schismatic Western Pascha'. As a result, the Archregimancy's national team is fasting during qualification - training on a diet of lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans to Americans), mushrooms and vegetables.

The Archregimancy national squad uses an anonymous starting XI system. This is considered a particularly appropriate symbol of Lenten humility.

The coach and team spokesman, however are not anonymous. Both are from Magnus Valerius:

Coach:
Fr. Aleksey the Hegumen - 'He is the head of the St. Nikolay of Leonia monastery that excels at the production of fine wines. Of course, he abstains from his order's produce... most of the time. He is in line to rise in the ranks, perhaps to replace the aging [Valerian] Patriarch Feodor III - so in lieu of the Patriarch's love of football, Aleksey has tried to mimic him'.

Spokesman:
Fr. Isan the Polyglot - 'This honorable monk has devoted his time in the [Valerian] St. Tikhon monastery outside of Kholmogory to learn as many tongues as he can, although he usually mixes up his Romance languages: "Et teu, mon amigo?"'

These Valerians didn't do spectacularly well in WC39, but at least they managed to get the Archregimancy back into the tournament proper.

Formation:
The Archregimancy always plays an orthodox 4-4-2; style modifier +0.

Kit:
New kits!

See Fr. Seraphim the Occasionally Dangerously Free Thinking Theologian model the Archregimancy's new monastic robes!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/vakraas/Stephen.jpg

Team Icon

The team is always accompanied to matches by the Holy Icon of the Mother of God, Bringer of Victory, which shall be paraded before the team before all matches. The Holy Icon looks like:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/vakraas/theotokos_of_nicopeia2.jpg

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players Y (within limits, see above)
Godmod injuries to my players Y (within limits, see above)
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players y
Godmod Other Events Y - (within limits, see above; and no religious conversions of players, please)

And remember... Monks don't cheat. Please.

OOC: I realise my team might present a role-playing challenge. Rest assured that once they start playing they'll play just like any other team (though they might be a bit more inclined to pray after scoring), so I have no problem with you treating the team like any other if you don't want to deal with the Orthodox Christian element.

Kura-Pelland

16-04-2008, 18:51

After controversy in Kura-Pellandi media surrounding the 'Angel of Numbers' Margaret, not to mention the Scotchpinestan lunacy, there were significant doubts as to whether the CoH invite would be accepted.

But accepted it is, although even that acceptance is being drowned out a bit now by rumours that AS Assiri have agreed to sell Norbert Fiero to a Cafundelense club in what is said to be the biggest transfer ever involving a Vircais club.

A more defensive approach is almost certain to be displayed. And that'll translate to a style modifier of -1.093. One flair player will be in - Danny Bindett - but the whole style of the team is up for renewal.

Candelaria And Marquez

17-04-2008, 13:11

Candelaria And Marquez national football team squad for Cup of Harmony 32

The Republic of Candelaria And Marquez is a nation comprising the two large islands that make up its name and several smaller, semi-autonomous entities. Together they comprise the Candelarias, and the two terms are used more-or-less interchangeably, despite the theoretical difference between the two. The ‘correct’ national adjective is Candelariasian, though Candelarian is internationally ubiquitous and a wide variety of other manglings (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13326087&postcount=18) are in regular use around the world. The country and football team alike are invariably referred to as C&M, though the latter’s official nickname is the ‘Big Blues’.

They play in blue.

Though a small, dull country, C&M has become a fairly notable sporting force in recent years, having twice reached the World Cup finals. They will be competing in this, their third Cup of Harmony, following a qualifying campaign plagued by injuries, apparently primarily the fault of the team’s estranged doctor Alex Malventi. There may also have been spectral sheep and stuff involved, but frankly we lost track of that plot even before you did.

C&M are considered a force in global youth soccer and field hockey; though the nation is perhaps best known for its increasingly perverse refusal to acknowledge the existence of anything ‘weird’ among their fellow football-playing nations, including gnomes, elves, dwarves, androids, genies, practitioners of voodoo, monks from an alternate dimension, pre-pubescent children, sentient mice, robotic ducks, cucumbers, Greek letters and aliens. The country’s government has been known to put pressure on the press, as well as take active – and often extraordinary – measures themselves, to make sure the Candelariasian people don’t discover all the aforementioned odd stuff, or indeed that their governments have been lying to them for the past god knows how many years.

Otherwise, C&M is kinda thriving, tolerantish multicultural democracy that also manages to be about as boringly British as you can get. Except without the drinking, or the casual sex. And a tad more left-wing. But otherwise you take the point.

The country is also home to the CMSC, which is generally agreed to be the fifteenth-best domestic football league in the world, and even includes women.

+1.5 modifier thingy

Permission Thingy: Do whatever you like, short of murder and that. TG me for anything exceptionally odd, please’ums, but otherwise knock your out.

Squad:

Manager: Sixty-nine year-old Lloyd Donnelly is the third manager of C&M following the death of Mark Baker and resignation after five games of Ricardo Garcia. After a highly successful career in club management at Green Island and Albrecht FC, he led the national under-21s to their first Di Bradini Cup title before becoming Big Blues manager at the start of WC39 qualifying. He has become known for his regular use of clichés, inspiring music and motivational racism.

Critics from many quarters have put C&M’s failure to qualify for the World Cup down to the manager, who has never managed to attain the degree of nationwide popularity of his predecessor Baker. None of this is really fair, Donnelly having been hamstrung by a multitude of injuries to key players in the back half of the qualifying campaign. His tactics regularly come in for criticism, largely of the sort that maintains he should be playing a bog-standard 4-4-2 of the sort that Candelariasians are most comfortable with. Thankfully, he looks set to ignore such neanderthals in this CoH, and play his preferred 2-3-2-1-2. This will likely consist of Martinez in goal, Young and Wojciechowski as the central defenders, Burgos and Duxbury as the wing-backs, Mengucci holding in midfield for Corradini and Montano with Cassumba Domingos ahead of them and Novo and Ignacio Vélez up front. This would be a fluid side however, with Montano and Cassumba Domingos able to pull out onto the flanks at times, while the chosen XI should be subject to change as well as the CoH goes on.

Donnelly will be assisted once again by his long-term colleagues Mick Lugo and Rod Orión, and will also be joined by former C&M right-back and reformed celebrity gambling addict Damien Sono.

Stats correctish as of the Nethertopia v C&M post-qualifying friendly

Goalkeepers:

22. Oberon Martinez, Aged 32, Albrecht Turkish, STARTER, 48 caps
His last hurrah? Probably not, given the lack of obvious Candelariasian mid-twenties goalkeeping talent, and Martinez returns to his place between the sticks after his injury problems. A big, athletic man, he has always struggled from corners but his distribution and decision-making remains top drawn.

1. Ozzy Stefano, 34, United Trilan [Kura-Pelland], 8 caps
Worth his inclusion for his leadership in the dressing room alone, but Stefano just seems to get better with age. He became only the third ‘keeper to play competitive games for C&M in the recent qualifying campaign and certainly impressed, despite a reputation for inconsistency. Getting on a bit now, but he can pull off incredible saves when needed, particularly from the spot. And occasionally scores headers.

23. Joel Sbaïz, 23, KT Hotspur
Harry Primrose’s injury forces him out of a C&M squad for the first time in their history, and Sbaïz has clearly been chosen for his youth over any claim on being the literal third-best-goalkeeper-in-the-country. 6’4” and possessing all the talent in the world, Sbaïz has shown a tendency for eraticism this season but has two little dots in his name which always goes down well in C&M. Candelariasians love an accent.

Defenders:

2. William Burgos, 26, América [Cafundéu], STARTING RIGHT WING-BACK, 28 caps (2 as sub)
Up and down like a bride’s nighty in Donnelly’s estimations, Burgos has for now made this place his own. Has good enough feet on him to play in midfield were he required to, but is none the less a comfortable defender who tempers that with the occasional leg-breaking challenge.

5. Ben Young, 25, Green Island, STARTING CENTRE-BACK, 14 caps
Tall and agile, Young captained the Small Blues to Donnelly’s Di Bradini Cup and looks set to keep his place for many years to come.

18. Shane Wojciechowski, 30, Albrecht FC, STARTING CENTRE-BACK
Something of a surprise selection, but Donnelly has never been entirely sold on Steven Williams. Wojciechowski is certainly a safe pair of feet, powerful and with an excellent stride he can make up for any deficiencies or naivety Young still possesses. At the very least, a first-rate career spent at Abiodun North and Albrecht FC deserves to be rewarded with a few international caps.

13. Alex Duxbury, 22, Cathedral City, STARTING LEFT WING-BACK
Another odd one, players as young as this seldom get in to the senior C&M side so early, but his impact on Catedral’s season cannot be understated. A real athlete, he has pace to burn and has come a long way defensively lately. His crosses can be wayward, but he’ll get plenty of them in. ‘The Duke’, for the record, is the third black player to represent C&M at senior level, and the first of West Indian origin.

3. José Luis Sosa, 24, Marquez-Onwere, 14 caps, 2 goals
Best going forward and excellent on the overlap, which is perhaps why he’s found himself dropped in the new formation. The left-back’s long throws will be missed, and he could yet squeeze Duxbury back out of the side.

12. Harris Dixon, 23, Albrecht Turkish, 9 caps (4 as sub)
Continuing the theme of young but experienced defenders comes CMSC title-winner Dixon. The right-back will challenge Burgos all the way, with the younger man the more capable defender but lacking the Américan’s combative nature and attacking instincts. From a wealthy background, his father’s factory makes 90% of Rushmore’s spud guns.

15. Steven Williams, 25, Albrecht Turkish, 15 caps, 1 goal
A robust, rosy-cheeked young man whose success for the latest CMSC champions has come as something of a surprise, but he is a much more intelligent footballer than he has previously been given credit for and is a keen bird-watcher, apparently. Quite what he’s done to upset Donnelly so is unclear though, with Williams seemingly set to surrender his first-team place for now.

Midfielders:

8. Connor Mengucci, 24, América [Cafundéu], 20 caps (11 as sub), STARTING HOLDING MIDFIELDER
By far the most defensively-minded midfielder in the squad, Mengucci is a commanding presence but can still produce the odd badly mistimed tackle. His link-up play with the defence and midfield will be utterly crucial to C&M’s chances, but he’s learnt a lot from his year in Cafundéu.

4. Matteo Corradini, 26, Albrecht FC, 44 caps (6 as sub), 5 goals, STARTING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER (RIGHT), CAPTAIN
Playing at the heart of the C&M side is where Corradini is at his best, his cool distribution and midfield steel making him a key man. He’s really come of age both for club and country in recent months, and had been rewarded with the captain’s armband with Ben Head left at home after breaking back into the first-team.

20. Alessio Montano, 24, Yarzoya FC [Kura-Pelland], STARTING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER (LEFT), 8 caps (2 as sub), 2 goals
Unlike many of his fellow Candelariasian lefties, Montano relies more on his superb technique than speed. A touchline hogger by trade, he’ll have to adapt to playing more centrally very quickly or face a challenge from Ma, Caras, Dobson or Edwards. Yeah, Donnelly likes picking superfluous midfielders. A jammy little sod, he can also be counted upon to score off some wicked deflections and find the back of the net with wayward crosses.

7. José Felipe Cassumba Domingos, 26, Marquez-Onwere, STARTING ATTACKING MIDFIELDER, 55 caps (8 as sub), 11 goals
You can’t argue that he’s not a talented little bugger, but those ‘C&M’s first true world-class player’ predictions seem rather distant memories now. He’ll ghost about the pitch, score the odd goal and lay on perfect opportunities, but he’s not what he used to be. Fred Ma must be spitting feathers.

6. Fred Ma, 29, Gwangdong [Daehanjeiguk], 27 caps (11 as sub), 4 goals
A genuine box-to-box man who’s been used more often behind a front two, Ma’s blossoming with age and the solid little ethnic Han will hope to push Cassumba Domingos all the way. If needed, he could also play wide on the right.

14. Kenan Orlovic, 29, Port of Clotaire
The unfortunate absence of Ben Head gives this midfield beast a shot at the big time. His original, unheralded CMSC career ended with the relegation of Mayo Valley, but two-and-a-half seasons for PoC have cemented his reputation as one of C&M’s best – and certainly most aggressive – holding players.

16. O’Sullivan Caras, 31, Clube Imperial [Cafundéu], 82 caps, 9 goals
The most-capped player in C&M history, Caras looks unlikely to reach the hallowed 100 now after loosing his place in the first XI. That may well not last, for many are the managers keen to take a punt on everyone’s favourite non-denominational religious nutter, given that he’s as comfortable wide as in the centre of midfield. He still has the pace – and in a rather slow-looking team he’ll have to use it – and can still be counted upon to deliver unerringly accurate crosses into the box.

19. Ben Edwards, 25, Albrecht FC, 8 caps (6 as sub), 1 goal
One of that rare international breed; a player deemed worthy of earning a recall. Absent from Donnelly’s last squad after his initial selection, Edwards’ return is slightly unexpected given the manager’s preferred formation, but clearly deserved. An important part of Albrecht’s success this season, the heavy-set midfielder has a clear preference for the wide right role, from where he delivers top-notch crosses and delicate passes alike.

21. Adlai Dobson, 27, Gamboa FC, 10 caps (1 as sub), 2 goals
A less orthodox left-winger than Montano, the right-footed Dobson is a mighty dribbler for sure who can also play behind a front two. His form for Gamboa has been mediocre this term but Donnelly seems to love him, and to be fair he’s never let C&M down. Still, if there’s one thing we do well in the Candelarias it’s produce left wingers, so don’t expect him to be around much longer without a series of performances in the CoH.

Forwards:

10. Ignacio Vélez, 30, Cafundó do Juta [Cafundéu], STARTING STRIKER, 64 caps (8 as sub), 34 goals
Strikers tend to loose their pace when they pass thirty, but speed has never been Iggy’s game. C&M’s key man instead spends most of the game waiting patiently off the shoulder of the last defender for an opportunity to employ his pin-point accuracy, and though his star may have waned a tad with the belated emergence of Novo, success or failure will surely still depend on him.

11. Ramiro Novo, 29, Parwood City [Kura-Pelland], STARTING FORWARD, 32 caps, 23 goals
A former left winger, Novo is pretty quick for a big man though his power will be the most important thing, as well as his heading ability. Supposedly he’s Vélez’s provider first and foremost, but his goalscoring record is immense.

9. Joe Cunningham, 24, Albrecht FC, 15 caps (13 as sub), 6 goals
Smaller but quicker than Vélez, Cunningham is developing more as a auxiliary striker at his club side and it is behind the front man that he may get most of his games this time around. He’s still lost none of the eye for goal that saw him score fifteen times for the under-21s, mind you.

17. Rául Vélez, 26, Green Island, 11 caps (10 as sub), 2 goals
The much-travelled younger brother of Ignacio has had spells for MarquezOW, Radyukevich and Delta Force Cardim before shipping up at the GIZ and becoming a goalscoring monster. More in the mould of Novo than his sibling, he was the top Candelariasian scorer in the CMSC last year; but his presence, given the lack of any forwards with genuine pace in the squad, is controversial.

Candelaria And Marquez

17-04-2008, 13:24

The National Reporter Online: News with a View
Five for Five as Donnelly shuffles reluctant favourites

Iain Miller writes. Days after announcing that his squad would exhibit ‘no more changes that absolutely necessary’, Lloyd Donnelly has confirmed a twenty-three with five newcomers.

To a great degree his hand has been forced by the off-field events that contributed to the Big Blues’ breakdown in the second half of qualifying, with the most high-profile being the absence of Lorenzo De Wilde. The Cheonjin defender has been unaccounted for for weeks now, after disappearing from his hotel room in Dance 2 Revolution, amid rumours that he had run afoul of the Han Empire’s post-terror crackdown on anarchist groups. Though De Wilde still seems an unlikely figure to be caught up in such an affair, internet message boards remain aflame with suggestions that the twenty-nine year-old had real reasons to be afraid of becoming labelled as a ‘non-human entity’ by the Imperial Government; a stance which our own government had challenged vociferously over the years. Sadly we cannot, as the Home Office minister Lyndon Hernández MP explained on the Evening News last night, hope to tackle the primitive attitudes of our sporting acquaintances on such matters.

De Wilde’s silence speaks volumes however and, wherever he is, he clearly does not wish to be found. DI Havard Nicholson, of the Khatib-Gassett Constabulary, led a fact-finding mission to Dance 2 Revolution only last week in an attempt to assert the whereabouts of both De Wilde and the missing team doctor Alex Malventi, but despite the assistance of his local counterpart, Sergeant-at-Arms ‘Awfully Rough’ Neil of the Maedo Chapter, no sign of the pair was forthcoming.

Of course, followers of C&M national sports teams are all too aware of the problem of players and coaches going AWOL while on official duty. After the regrettable small child/clocktower incident of our first CoH, the former C&M right-back Lan Albret remains unaccounted for, while the national field hockey goalkeeper Donny Sackett remains missing following the Blue Sticks’ victory in the WCiH final against the former Liverpool England. And then there’s the dearly departed Mark Baker of course. And not to mention the entirety of the national rugby union team, currently operating as citizens of the self-proclaimed, utterly unrecognised hotel-based microstate of New Rugby.

Donnelly’s answer to De Wilde’s absence is to call up Alex Duxbury, the young Cathedral City left-back and yet another player to graduate from the under-21s. Duxbury’s is certainly a surprising call, getting in ahead of Özkan Yalçin, Ciaran Kelly, Seiichi Ganaha and the like, but his impact on his new Catedral side cannot be underestimated. Even odder though is that he appears to have wrestled a starting berth from José Luis Sosa.

And he’s not the only one, though the other newcomer in defence is in the rather more experienced form of Shane Wojciechowski. Defender of the Season in the CMSC not so many years ago, the Albrecht FC man is hardly one for the future but was the clear choice of the CoH campaign after Donnelly had opted to drop Tom Redway following a second recent unscheduled absence of his own. Andy Le Lan’s eyes, ears and mouthpiece on the pitch for the Scorpions, Wojjer looks set to even push Steven Williams back to the bench.

Perhaps the most notable exclusion is Ben Head, who quickly becomes C&M shortest-standing captain following the tenures of Peter Waddington and Benji Fu. He may yet return to the squad when WC41 qualifying gets underway, but the damage done to his knee cap by the East Antairees defender Reg Locke has been deemed too severe to risk. In his place is another man looking to start – and probably finish – a short, belated international career, in the form of Port of Clotaire’s Kenan Orlovic. He will certainly play second fiddle to his younger colleagues Connor Mengucci and the new captain Matteo Corradini, both of whom are set to start in the 2-3-2-1-2. Orlovic certainly brings some real aggression to the squad, as well as an exceptional beard.

Donnelly’s squad selection has always been the subject of press criticism, and it’s hard not to see why. In his preferred first-team only the wing-backs Duxbury and William Burgos will provide any width, yet he names a seemingly excessive number of wide men. Three players seem to be fighting for Alessio Montano and José Felipe Cassumba Domingos’ places in the centre, yet all of them are traditionally more comfortable on the flanks. O’Sullivan Caras and Adlai Dobson are both retained, while Ben Edwards returns to the squad after a year out. His form with Albrecht FC has been sparkling certainly, but his inclusion would still seem to speak volumes over Donnelly’s lack of options. Braver CMSC fans would be prepared to suggest that he’s just not looking hard enough, but who can blame the manager for including players from his beloved former club, not least one of his own protégées in the form of Edwards.

Edwards’ inclusion is made possible by the absence of Rex Sandstrom, with Donnelly having apparently decided that four strikers are enough after all and released the Depor star. At twenty-nine and thirty however, this tournament will surely be Ramiro Novo and Ignacio Vélez’s last big hurrah, and their performances will be key. It will likely be left up to Donnelly’s successor to try and work out just who, if anyone, is capable of taking up their mantle. Even given their ages, Joe Cunningham and Rául Vélez will face a real job to live up to the record of their fellow CoH forwards. The other newcomer meanwhile is Joel Sbaïz, taking the mildly pointless third-choice-goalkeeper’s jersey in the absence of Harry Primrose.

So is this really the squad to take home the world’s second-most-coveted footballing trophy? Donnelly and his players have certainly been keen to play down the tag of competition favourites, but the statistics at least speak for themselves. Despite what ultimately amounted to a poor World Cup qualifying campaign, C&M remain the twenty-second ranked team in the world, comfortably the highest in the CoH. Of course, this competition is seldom kind to the fallen elite – the far higher-ranked Sel Appa were eliminated in the semi-finals last time out – and there is a clear sense that the overall quality on offer this time is of a higher standard than usual.

With the Sorthern Northlandish FA in meltdown and unlikely to enter a side into the CoH (so at least we can count on the support of our own little diaspora over in Oceania), our nearest challengers by KPB points are Kura-Pelland. Of course. And while we would dearly love to knock them out of yet another sporting tournament, their new-look outfit took an impressive friendly win in the umpteenth Vircias derby that may have banished the ghosts of their incredible six-nil defeat against the Bazalopes, and they may yet represent our biggest challengers.

Not until the thirty-fouhh… thirty-fifth position do we meet another contender in the form of Lovisa, but two comfortable victories in qualifying suggests that the Europeans will engender little fear in the C&M squad. Directly below them, the reigning champions of Jeru FC are a decent outside bet, but many punters will look beyond them towards the rather less experienced cadre of sides. Following last year’s runners-ups from the Landau Institute, another set of Estresse Intenso spawn in the form of Terreiro de Ogum are lowly ranked but will be right up there, while a host of sides in the ‘50s and ‘60s offer CMSC interest, with Koze and the Turkomans perhaps the most likely to emerge.

Yet, if there’s a reason for the pessimism shown by the Big Blues faithful currently packing for the AO, it can be summed up in one word: Newmanistan. Any country (or ‘club’, presumably) who can make such a rapid impression in the under-21 game will be respected in the Candelarias, and while the side itself will never be hugely popular in our neck of the woods (overtly religious, twee and intermittently decadent… creeeepy) you can’t argue with their development up to this point, nor their potential at the highest level. But still, there are plenty of C&M fans who believe that our fate rests instead with our own limitations. “Frankly, I think we’re just out of ideas for this team,” supporter Julius Dutton told the National Reporter as he booked his tickets for Krytenia. “I mean, I’ll support them and everything, and I reckon they’ve got a half-decent chance as well, but all our preparation was clearly for the World Cup. I don’t reckon Donnelly knows how he’s going to tackle this tournament any more than the rest of us.”

Newmanistan

17-04-2008, 16:01

THE ROCKET REPORT

CUP OF HARMONY AN INTERESTING TOURNAMENT

By: Meghan Traynor, Pocono City Sports Network

Pocono City, Newmanistan- The football playing world is now split up into two parts. In one corner, you have the nations that qualified for the World Cup. That is indeed what we are all playing for when we all ultimately announce to the world that we will attempt to qualify. Only 32 teams now have a chance to realize that dream, leaving us to the opposite corner. The Cup of Harmony nations. The two corners are in the same ring, but one is truly the main event and the other on the back burner of the undercard. I’ve been told it’s a rare occurrence for both the World Cup and the Cup of Harmony to be playing in the same nations at the same time. While Newmanistanians will watch the World Cup matches, adopt a favorite nation or two in the competition (I’m told Bostopia is getting quite a following in the Empire after the classy ovation given by their fans following the playoff), and perhaps participate in some sort of wagering pool over it, the Cup of Harmony is where Newmanistan sets its sights now.

But just what is the Cup of Harmony? It’s an interesting and unique tournament that no one ever says they want to be in, but once your there, there is still that pride that wants to win it just as badly as you would the World Cup, for most nations. For some, the Cup of Harmony is nothing more then the “Loser’s Cup”, because in a sense, that’s exactly what it is. And it is on that premise, that the nations competing in Cup of Harmony are split into two distinct groups. You have the nations that really don’t want to be here, because not having qualified for the World Cup is a supreme disappointment. Nations like Kura-Pelland, Taeshan, Candelaria and Marquez, and The Archregimancy are in this group. Now, don’t misinterpret that statement by saying these teams aren’t committed to success in the Cup of Harmony. That’s not what I am saying at all, just that well, these nations really wanted to be in the World Cup instead, and likely had high expectations to be there. Then you have the other group, where Newmanistan fits in. In this group, the World Cup wasn’t really an expectation. Kose and The Turkomans, Nethertopia, and perhaps the Fujisawan Territories also fit in here. For these nations, and others, the Cup of Harmony isn’t a “Loser’s Cup”, but a chance to increase your world ranking and gain experience for your next qualification attempt. As for that world ranking, you see where the Rockets are now? Up to #53. Not bad, that’s an increase of 28 spots.

In the Cup of Harmony then, which “side” will prevail? The “It sucks we’re here and not in the World Cup” side or the “We’re honored to be here” side. Our belief is that the nations of the first group that come to play in the Cup of Harmony and are in it to win it, and aren’t pouting over the failed World Cup qualification will be the strongest contenders. On that note, we name Candelaria and Marquez as our pick to win this Cup, over Kura-Pelland in the final. We feel that Newmanistan could contend, and perhaps make some noise, but we don’t want to get to far ahead of ourselves. Is Newmanistan a favorite? No. An underdog? No. Sorry, Underdog. The Rockets are really somewhere in the middle, perhaps closer to the top group. Newmanistan is no longer a stranger to the world of football, as nations such as the aforementioned Candelaria and Marquez as well as Daehanjeiguk have recently paid nice respect to the Rockets. Although the actions of the fans in Bostopia simply cannot be topped, it was one of the most classy displays we have seen from a home side toward our team, and despite the fact that Bostopia kept the Rockets out of the World Cup, the nation has become one of the top choices when we've polled our fans on who they want to see win the Cup.

Take the time to enjoy the Cup of Harmony, because while its not the World Cup per say, there’s going to be a lot of high quality football played in it. And if you’re traveling to Starblaydia or Krytenia, ticket prices for Cup of Harmony matches are bound to be much lower then the World Cup matches!

Blouman Empire

17-04-2008, 17:24

OOC: I know I said within 24 hours but things get on top of you anyway for what it is worth here is my roster

FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF BLOUMANY

The Football Federation of Bloumany (FFB) wishes to advise all interested parties that the final roster for the 32nd Cup of harmony has been finalised.

Manager: Baron Johnathon Konjac. Current manager of United F.C of the Midlands he has taken his team to win 3 of the past four titles in the Fraycrant Championship league, won two Fraycrant Football trophies and 2 FFB trophies and 2 Champions leagus titles
Assistant Managers:Kane Gronon, Fredrick Donald and Matthew Monhash
Physio: Dr. Bradly Holdings

Goalkeepers

#1. Henry Burner
Age: 30
Position: GK
Club: Atlético Insular (Cafundeu)
International Caps:
Short Bio: Considered to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Blouman football, he has increased his experince against foreign players while playing for Atlético Insular in Cafundeu

#23. Johnathon Marton
Age: 26
Position: GK
Club: Kings Park F.C
International Caps: 0

#31. Henry Jackson
Age: 20
Position: GK
Club: Port Fansat
International Caps: 0

Defenders

#2. Sam Kiamar (Vice Captain)
Age: 26
Position: CD
Club:
International Caps:
Short Bio: Excellent Defender and has great leadership qualities can regain morale within a losing team and has managed to be able to motivate the team to win in these situations and has previous international experience.

#3. William Walker
Age: 24
Position: CD
Club: Lincoln upon Isar
International Caps:
Short Bio: Excellent defender and can play right across the back line has won best and fairest for his club 2 years in a row

#4. Ahron Bricker
Age: 29
Position: LB
Club:
International Caps:
Short Bio: Good defender with a proven record and previous international experience he is able to close down defenders with ease

#5. Richard Moaninton
Age: 20
Position: RB
Club: Jollip Province Athletic
International Caps:
Short Bio: Has excellent defending abilities, a player who can stave off attacks down the right wing, he has prior international experience being on the Blouman World Cup 39 team and 5th Di-Brandi Cup team.

#41. Adam Issacs
Age: 25
Position: LCB
Club: Kollen City
International Caps: 1

#37. Sam Killner
Age: 27
Position: RCB
Club: Athletic Club of Newcastle
International Caps: 2

#25 Johnathon Cooper
Age: 18
Position: CD
Club: Malloca
International Caps: 0

Midfielders

#6 Steven Holdings
Age: 25
Position: CM
Club: CR Submiria (Cafundeu)
International Caps:
Short Bio: Strong midfielder extremely fit and able to run from one end of the field to the other and can quickly change from attacking mode to defensive mode, he has added to his experience and improved his skill since playing overseas in Cafundeu for CR Submiria.

#7. Alexander Lightfoot
Age: 29
Position: LM
Club: St Peters
International Caps:
Short Bio: Able to bamboozle opposition midfield with fancy footwork and good skills he can quickly read the game of play and adjust to suit, he does play slightly defensively

#8. Johathon Filmar
Age: 22
Position: RM
Club: C.F. Cathedral City (Candelaria And Marquez)
International Caps:
Short Bio: Uses the right side of the field well and can move up and down it with ease, a fast player who is dangerous in corner kick situations with his excellent heading ability and has great crossing skills. Has enhanced his skills and experience since the last World Cup playing in the 31st CoH and playing overseas in Candelaria And Marquez for C.F. Cathedral City

#75. James Sleep
Age: 18
Position: RCM
Club: FC Middleton
International Caps: 0

#35. Maximillian Granis
Age: 30
Position: RM
Club: Barton Wanderers
International Caps: 1

#29. Ross Milsop
Age: 20
Position: LCM
Club: Clackridge
International Caps: 0

#88. Lord Jason Konogger
Age: 24
Position: CDM
Club: Bonknock Hill Rovers
International Caps: 1

#30. Christopher Notting
Age: 28
Position: CAM
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Untied
International Caps: 0

Forwards

#9. Christopher Speed
Age: 20
Postion: CF
Club: Jollipville Athletic
International Caps:
Short bio: Teen prodigy fast, excellent shot, plays the centre forward position well, began playing for his team in their top team at the age of 16 years and 5 days and is the youngest player in 101 years to debut at this level, loved by the media due him playing with the ball well and can produce goals from the most unlikely of position he has improved his skills since in both the 39th World Cup qualifiers and 31st Cup of Harmony as well as playing in the 5th Di-Brandi Cup. He has won the Tonning Medal (League best and fairest) for the past three years. He is a teenage heartthrob and is cited for the reason why their has been a 150% increase of females attending Jollipville Athletic games.

#15. Anthony Williams (Captain)
Age: 29
Postion: ST
Club: Krondorf
International Caps:
Short Bio: Excellent Striker can find the back of the net more times then not, and with good ball skills can turn defenders inside out as he moves through players to get a clear shot in the penalty area, dangerous in these situations. Excellent leader who can motivate players and direct them in to his vision.

#11 Jack Junkson
Age: 26
Position: ST
Club: Corrimal Rangers
International Caps:
Short Bio: Good striker with near pinpoint accuracy on goal while not particularly fast being strongly built and with a wide frame he can charge through smaller players who dare to go up against him

#10. Martin Fox
Age: 20
Position: ST
Club: Newgate
International Caps:

#20. Johnathon Rhodes
Age: 20
Position: ST
Club: Eastpool
International Caps: 0

Uniform

Home Uniform: Shirt, Red horizontal band on top and bottom quarter, thin royal blue horizontal band underneath top red band, thin green horizontal band above bottom red band and in the middle a gold horizontal band. Shorts, Black with thick white stripe down either side. Socks, Red
Away Uniform: Shirt, White. Shorts, Black with thick white stripe down either side. Socks, Royal Blue

Style Modifier: +1.5
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Those which have a short bio are starters.

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 N
Godmod other events Y (within reason TG me if you want something major)

OOC: I will be inserting international caps when I have the time to go through the past tournaments in which I have participated and count up the number of games

Starblaydia

17-04-2008, 20:13

OOC: Blouman, it's the Di Bradini Cup, and there have only been 4 of them so far, not five.

As of now, though, the 32nd Cup of Harmony requires one more invited nation to sign up, then we can begin.

Nethertopia

17-04-2008, 20:13

THE NETHERTOPIAN TIMES

Kit:
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2762/nethertopiakitxt3.png

Well, it's time for a roster. Here it is. Including updated stats and the unupdated biographies.

Pos Age # Player name (Caps) (Goals) (club)
GK 19 1 Wouter van Dalen 24 The Peregrins
GK 20 12 Ron de Vries 2 NAPC

DL 22 2 Sergio Torres 24 1 The Peregrins
DL 20 13 Marnix Huisman 1 The Gray Towers
DC 21 3 Gert-Jan Meijer 24 Tenderville United
DC 21 4 Ronnie de Haan 23 Tenderville United
DC 23 14 Daniel de Lange 0 The Gray Towers
DC 23 15 Ahmed Hammami 2 NAPC
DR 22 5 Mike Igwe 24 1 Ashdom City
DR 22 16 Ruben van Wonderen 0 FC DePardenti

ML 25 6 Daouda Diompy 23 The Peregrins
ML 23 17 Cees Hendriks 3 Tenderville UNited
MC 24 7 Fouad Snijders 24 1 Tenderville United
MC 23 8 Klaas Koppers 24 1 The Peregrins
MC 24 18 Boy Krohne 2 FC DePardenti
MC 23 19 Jeremy Hofman 0 Tenderville United
MR 25 9 Andrés García 25 1 The Peregrins
MR 20 20 Obinna Agbo 0 Ashdom City

SC 22 10 Abdoulaye Soro 24 27 El din Marbles FC
SC 25 11 Souleymane Diakité 23 12 The Gray Towers
SC 23 21 David Muños 0 NAPC
SC 19 22 Kingsley Kalu 8 5 The Peregrins

Coach: Rob Kietecs

Style = +2
Nethertopia will play in a 4-2-4 formation.

GK 1 Wouter van Dalen
DL 2 Sergio Torres (C)
DC 3 Gert-Jan Meijer
DC 4 Ronnie de Haan
DR 5 Mike Igwe
AMR 6 Daouda Diompy
CM 7 Fouad Snijders
CM 8 Klaas Koppers
AML 9 Andrés García
ST 10 Abdoulaye Soro
ST 11 Souleymane Diakité

Player profiles:

GK Wouter van Dalen
Native. Good agility aggression and a perfect stamina but lacks creativity and movement.
GK Ron de Vries
Native. Strength is is best Point but he’s not very creative and lacks movement. Needs to grow a lot before becoming a top class keeper.

DL Sergio Torres
Native with foreign parents. Very good in the air and the best captain on the team. Lacks attacking abilities.
DL Marnix Huisman
Native. Great teamworker with a lot of stamina but not very strong.
DC Gert-Jan Meijer
Native. Best header in the team and superb strength but very laid back.
DC Ronnie de Haan
Native. Positions himself very great and has also a good shot, tackle and pass. Is not good with headers and is slow.
DC Daniel de Lange
Native. Good points are pace, stamina, strength and heading but is bad in making the right descision.
DC Ahmed Hammami
Immigrant. Good technique but is not an outstanding player. Does not shoot so well.
DR Mike Igwe
Native with foreign parents. Aggressive, a teamworker and a good tackler but shoudn’t try headers.
DR Ruben van Wonderen
Native. Very good teamworker, great tackler, good in the air but not very creative.

ML Daouda Diompy
Immigrant. Typical winger with great aerial strength and a good movement. Not a good leader and a bit of a lonewolf.
ML Cees Hendriks
Native. Strong and good at giving passes. Lacks aggression and pace.
MC Fouad Snijders
Native. Great cross, great pass, good dribble. Average shooting and not the best in making descisions.
MC Klaas Koppers
Native. Superb tackling, very aggressive, strong and a teamworker. Average shot but no real weak points.
MC Boy Krohne
Native. Good leader, nice passer but not a fast player.
MC Jeremy Hofman
Best crosser and passer on the team with also technique and movement but terrible when heading.
MR Andrés García
Immigrant. Player with the best technique. Almost impossible to beat in the air, great pace, dribbling and stamina and a fair shot. Lacks strength and leadership.
MR Obinna Agbo
Native with foreign parents. He’s a winger with a good technique and an accurate cross but has no stamina and doesn’t shoot too well.

SC Abdoulaye Soro
Native with foreign parents. A very fast player with a good shot. His great weakness is that he lacks strength.
SC Souleymane Diakité
Immigrant. Long player who rules the air and a creative mastermind. Just like Soro not a strong player.
SC David Muños
Immigrant from a similar country. A born dribbler with leadership. Like all other strikers before not strong.
SC Kingsley Kalu
Immigrant. Has the best shot on the team and is very aggressive but is not good in the air. Also lacks creativity.

All time top scorers:
1) Abdoulaye Soro 27
2) Souleymane Diakité 12
2) Kingsley Kalu 5
4) Andrés García 1
4) Klaas Koppers 1
4) Fouad Snijders 1
4) Mike Igwe 1
4) Sergio Torres 1

Starblaydia

17-04-2008, 21:58

OOC: Blouman, it's the Di Bradini Cup, and there have only been 4 of them so far, not five.

As of now, though, the 32nd Cup of Harmony requires one more invited nation to sign up, then we can begin.

With the invite confirmation of Septentrionia, the Cup of Harmony's sign-ups are now closed.

The Group Draw took place live on IRC, just after the main WC draw, and has been edited into the third posted, along with the basic Matchday Schedule. Full stadium information, including a stadium allocated to each and every one of the Matches, will be edited in to the relevant opening posts in the next few days.

Taeshan

18-04-2008, 00:26

The Unaclaimed Newspaper

Knights Draw The Archregimancy

In a draw that may prove unfavorable for the Purple Knights, they were drawn into group K for the 32nd Cup of Harmony with other powerhouses The Archregimancyt, and KaMaRi formerly known as Rejistania who we've played before. The Arch team is expected to win the group as they are the highest ranked team. The battle for second shall be close as the 41st ranked Taes take on the 43rd ranked KaMaRin's, and a familiar foe the 66th ranked Fujisiwan Territories who the Knights faced in the qaulifiers.

The battle will be close, but there is at least one team in the group that is expected to make a lesser of an impact then the others, Aleos. Who don't even seem to have a roster. Anyways the Knights will be in a close, tight battle for the second spot behind the Archens.

In other news it has been announced that the nation of Taeshan may play host to the next BoF competition if another nation will step up to help the young Tae nation cope with the incoming people.

Aleos

18-04-2008, 00:50

1. Ave - goalkeeper(P)
2. Bora - sweeper(P)
3. Valgaav - center defender(P)
4. Fram - defender
5. Valleha - defender(P)
6. Renda - defender
7. Zaren - outside midfielder (P)
8. Rigel - center midfielder (P)
9. Alma - offensive midfielder/striker (P)
10. Verd - center midfielder (P)
11. Nero - striker (P)
12. Ava - goalkeeper
13. Zara - defender
14. Oran - stopper
15. Haval - defender
16. Simon - outside midfielder (P)
17. Braca - defensive midfielder
18. Darius - midfielder
19. Orvel - striker
20. Sarvic - multiple positions
21 Dore - striker
22. Perri - striker (P)

Coach: Hares Dalermo of Yaforite fame

Formation: 1-3-5-2/1-3-4-3

]My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: No
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes

Kereca

18-04-2008, 02:01

Cup of Harmony 32 Squad

Kereca's World Cup bid is over, but that doesn't mean the KNT is done playing international football this year. Kereca will travel to Krytenia and Starblaydia to compete in the 32nd edition of the Cup of Harmony. Western FC manager Cliff Carpenter will manage the national side, which will bring all twenty one players abroad, albeit with a different starting XI. The Kerecans will sport the same kit used in World Cup 40 (pictured).

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7522/kerecakitti7.png

And now, for the squad (Starters in bold):

Formation: 4-4-2

Forwards
#12 Kevin Roberts (19 years old) Club: Kereca University
#3 Martin McBride (22) Club: Athletic
#21 Bill Sowell (21) Club: Athletic
#11 Larry Huie (21) Club: Kereca University

Midfielders
#1 Curt O'Rourke (27) Club: Athletic
#19 Jimmy Napier (16) Club: Eckert Prep
#9 Mike Allison (40) Club: Athletic
#15 Bruce Albin (30) Club: Western FC
#4 Patrick Gillis (19) Club: Kereca University
#2 Ron Mangrum (17) Club: Eckert Prep
#6 Scott Kohler (19) Club: Kereca University

Defenders
#25 Jeff Wadley (17) Club: Gansby PS
#10 Russ Zapata (16) Club: Gansby PS
#16 Pat Hatley (16) Club: West End PS
#23 Danny Beard (29) Club: Western FC
#13 Craig Martin (17) Club: Eckert Prep
#5 Mike Ceja (22) Club: Kingston Town
#18 Justin Kee (28) Club: Western FC

Goalkeepers
#30 Joey Coleman (17) Club: Gansby PS
#00 Jeremy McNulty (27) Club: Kingston Town
#31 Jerry Arias (15) Club: West End PS

Manager
Cliff Carpenter (45) Club: Western FC

Assistant Manager
Roger Davidson (35) Club: Gansby PS

As far as RPing goes, do whatever you like.

Newmanistan

18-04-2008, 02:41

THE ROCKET REPORT

COH DRAW SET

Pocono City, Newmanistan- Across the world, many people probably turned off their TV’s after the World Cup draw was set. That’s a shame, because the Cup of Harmony draw was equally exciting and has ended up with some very interesting groups. For the Rockets, it means returning to Starblaydia, which if you’re keeping score, and we know you are, have won 20 of their 21 games played in the country, with the other being a draw. And on that draw, we blame a higher power! (The Orixas!)

The Empire is heading to Group J, but it may affectionately get called Group Baptism of Fire by the teams involved in it. Four of the six teams participated in the 27th version of the Baptism of Fire, which being a tournament that the Rockets won, should have most outsiders name the Rockets as a leading threat to get out of the group. A fifth team in the group, Prazkoy, could have been in the Baptism of Fire themselves, but missed the deadline to be able to join it. The only nation with experience in the group is a side that has plenty of it. After all, Jeru FC has not only been at this level before, they are the defending Cup of Harmony champion. While they may be licking their chops to feast on the Baptism of Fire meat, they do know that it will not be easy. An interesting showdown could be looming in the group too, between Newmanistan and Kose and The Turkomans, as surely the Turks have already circled the date on their calendars as an opportunity to get some revenge. Newmanistan has the ability to get out of this group, but they will have to work for it, because only two nations go to the knockout stages, and there is no weak link in this group, that we see. Here’s a look at our competition:

Jeru FC: Ranked 38th in the world, there’s no reason to think that the defending champions can not only advance out of the group, but win the whole thing again. Led by Cafendeu’s Alfredo Neves, the military nation of Jeruselem has shown that they are just as capable on the pitch as they are as soliders, or perhaps other things. Some of these players do have unique personalities, which should make them fun to watch. No truth to the rumors though that Private Nok Emdown and Newmanistan’s Jeremy McAllister are planning a competition on who can get the most, you know what, afterwards. Oh, that’s right, we have the new J-Mac now, so we nominate Shawn Drummond to represent Newmanistan against him.

Kose and The Turkomans: Like the Rockets, the Turks have enjoyed a fast ascension up the world rankings, and now find themselves in the 56th slot. While they obviously want to win the Cup, they also would love to knock off the team that beat them in the Baptism of Fire championship. It’s an opportunity for them to get some sweet revenge, and certainly Newmanistan will need to be prepared for that. Having said that, there’s a lot more to the Turks. This is a well rounded and well coached team, led by one of the best up and coming strikers in Sinan Kose, but during qualifying they began to develop into more of a complete team, and that should make them a much better squad then the one we saw in the Baptism of Fire.

Septentrionia- Not to be counted out, the 58th ranked team in the world is certainly very much a legitimate player in the group as well. Also, in our spell checkers. Sesquipedalianist got easy once you typed it a few times, this one, proves to be more of a challenge, especially that first “I”. We don’t have much more information on them, but they did have a pretty solid run in the Baptism of Fire, and as they get better people like us will have no choice but to start spelling their name correctly because it will be at the top of the leaderboards.

Kosovoe- Ranked 91st overall, Kosovoe is best known for their hideous bright pink and lime green kits. We believe this is how they plan to win games, make the opponents grow so sick of watching the uniforms that they sneak up on you and score goals. They could be a contender if they get some bounces here and there, but we think the overall strength of the group will be too much for them to overcome.

Prazkoy- With the 112th ranking, Prazkoy could be seen as the weak link of the group, but that’s a little deceiving. After all, they did not have any Baptism of Fire KBP points to fall back on, and that’s hurt their overall ranking. They are a very defensive minded team, which also is a little interesting, because this is a group of mainly offensive teams, particularly the Rockets and the Turks. They could be quite a sleeper.

Jeruselem

18-04-2008, 04:52

From: Lady Dazzarina Handiskya Dallas, Jeruselem's Ambassador to Qazox
To: Alfredo Neves and boys of Jeru FC

Dear team

Don't be dismayed at getting destroyed by the Han team at the World Cup 40. I know you guys did well at home but the Han much better at their home. The Cup of Harmony is not real substitute to making the finals like Jeruselem does but I think you boys can hold the crown.

This cup, it looks like it's going be hard to win the CoH. There's plenty of hard teams about like C&M, the Monks and the fantastic upcoming teams who have impressed. However, it's not impossible! Jeru FC won the last cup despite Sel Appa being there.

I know the boys want to be heroes and make the World Cup finals but twice you have come close. Don't give up boys! The path is never easy and there will be stumbles but a good performance at CoH will help. I know you lot are just bunch of useless army idiots who prefer girls to guns but you are the national face of our army even if you aren't exactly the world's best army men.

Boys, keep the coach happy and put in a good performance. Remember, the Dallas support Jeru FC as Jeruselem's 2nd team. You might have have the glamour but you have a Cup of Harmony which Jeruselem have never one.

Attached is a picture of my daughter Marie Antoinette wearing a Jeru FC team strip and holding a very large rocket launcher. She wanted to join the team as a cheerleader but if I allowed her to do it, people would complain about child exploitation. I know what real exploitation is about and some of those people like to pretend we don't have teenage girls selling their bodies just to feed their kids. Oh, I have no idea where she got the rocket launcher from.

Dazza Dallas
Jeruselem's Ambassador to Qazox
XXX

Prux

18-04-2008, 05:37

<Press Conference>

Man #1: Professor! What do you think about the decision to have your team compete once again in the Cup of Harmony?

Gearlosse: Vell, I zink it iz a gud think. Ve finished in ze semifinals last time eround und we haff upgraded ze team a bit to zink a biet more on ze fly.

Man #2: Which of the teams in your group poses the most problems for the team?

Gearlosse: None of zem. Ve are higher een rank zen most of ze teams und Lovisa is always overrated.

Woman #1: Any predictions about the Cup of Harmony?

Gearlosse: I vill prove to zose ediots back in Prax, zat zey should kip zis team eround for ze next Vorld Cup, und beyond.

Man #1: How will you do that?

Gearlosse: I haff a secret veapon that I haff programmed into ze team. I haff to go und prepare for Acapaiz, zough it vill not take too lonk.

Kose and The Turkomans

18-04-2008, 13:59

Revenge of The Turks?

The group draw has resulted in one of our greatest rivals being placed in our group find out who in our analysis:

Jeru FC: This is a team that we will find hard to overcome, we will need our monopoly in attack, Sinan Köse (ooc: Proper spelling) and our heavy rock in defense Üzulmez Yilmaz to be in full health and Alp to be in his zone. I think it will be safe to say this is a game we cannot afford to lose. Score: 3-2 to them, I'm sorry you cannot expect us to win.

Newmanistan: Revenge is best served with a dose of Sinan Köse who has matured alot since the BoF final and will be looking to destroy the Rockets and slaughter their goalie in a metaphorical way. Brooker will need to deal with a mature Sabri Guneş who has improved greatly during the qualifyers. Score: 1-1

Kosovoe: Very famous for their repulsive kit, but they should be an easy win but make no mistake if the sun shines on that kit right we will have a blind keeper, well he couldn't possibly be any worse. Score 3-1 Us

Septentrionia: A team that we should really look to beat however when they play, they pkay good but it is more often than not our day so we should win. Score: 3-0 Us.

Prazkoy: A team we know little about but we will for once use the rankings and say that we will win and score quite a few. Score: 4-0 us.

"Just Like Home"
The Young striker Nuri Türkoğlü has said that Starblaydia has become like a second home for him and the team of BoF 27 runners up. This has come after it was confirmed they would make their second trip to Starblaydia in this world cup cycle, he went on to say "We are well known around here and I hope our regional friends here will give us vocal support if not, well lets just say we have The ultrAslan behind us" the ultrAslan are a group of aggressive fans said to have been responsable for the riots of the BoF 27. The team went on to quote the Fort Minor song "If it don't feel like home, do what I do, just pretend you don't feel so alone!"

Nethertopia

18-04-2008, 15:53

THE NETHERTOPIAN SPORTSTIMES

Falcons disappointed at missing Newmanistani and K&TT group
Farça, Starblaydia - The Nethertopian team watched as they were drawed in CoH 32 group I, while preferring group J. By not getting into that group they're missing chances to play against the top two BoF 27 teams which our nation has ties to in the national competition. Watch the IDSN for more news about that. At least our doesn't hat to compete against Candelaria & Marquez, who crushed the Falcons with 0-5 in the latest friendly series. Let's see what will happen in the next few weeks.

Kietecs decides to quit
Farça, Starblaydia - National Team Coach Rob Kietecs has decided to resign from his position as coach of the Falcons after the Cup of Harmony. In an official statement he said that he needs to focus on the future of Tenderville United, his club in the Nethertopian A-League, our first professional national competition. Several other trainers from the NA-L have been mentioned as follow-ups, but applies from foreign respectable trainers will be appreciated.

(OOC: TG our nation if yours has interested trainers for the position)

Acapais

18-04-2008, 18:16

Draw for Cup of Harmony announced.
Acapais placed in Group I.

Excitement poured throughout Acapais last night when the draw for the World Cup qualifying campaign was announced.

More than 10.93 million people was said to have watched to World Cup/Cup of Harmony Draw on television hoping and wishing Acapais would not be grouped with a high seeded nation. To the delight of the fans, Acapais avoided the highest ranked nations like Candelaria And Marquez, and Kura-Pelland.

Having competed only three times, Acapais was placed in Group I as the fourth seed. In a group of six, there are two other nations Acapais have a history with. Last year’s cup the hearts defeated Lovisa in a major upset and a recent draw with Nethertopia in a friendly.

"We got the best group possible when you talk about Acapais qualifying for the knock-out stage for this year’s Cup of Harmony." says manager Stephanie Horne. "But we can't let that distract us from our goal, winning games. We are going to start today getting ready for Prux. Yes, Lovisa is in our group, but we can defeat them if we prepare properly. We won four years ago, remember."

Lovisa recently engaged in a World Cup Qualification playoff with Scotchpinestan after landing the second place in their group. They ultimately upset by Scotchpinestan on aggregate goals to be sent to the Cup of Harmony. However, Scotchpinestan dropped out of the World Cup proper reasons known only to the local association. Leaving a spot open in the World Cup, many though the spot was going to be given to Lovisa, but the hosts decided to have a one-match playoff between Lovisa and Green Wombat, the fourth place nation behind Scotchpinestan in the qualifying group. The game at The Zydrakos Dome in Yafor 2 went into penalty kicks. Green Wombat came out victoriously and was given the spot.

Twenty-four nations entered this year’s Cup of Harmony and divided into four groups of six. The top two teams qualify for the knock-out phase.

"I am so excited about this year's World Cup. I really think we can win our group." says a walking pedestrian.

Players of the Acapais National Football Team have high hopes for themselves also.

Al Vick Osman says, “We have a great chance for winning for the Cup of Harmony this summer. We just have to remain focused and do our job.”

Sally Mayfield, sports expert, says, "The teams in this tournament have been playing World Cups for years. Since Prux and Lovisa are very solid teams, Acapais will probably end up third in their group and will go home empty handed."

Sally predicts that the two qualifying teams from group I will be Prux and Lovisa. Acapais, she says will end up in third place.

Group I:
Lovisa – 35
Blouman Empire – 59
Nethertopia – 75
Terreiro de Ogum – 68
Acapais - 63
Prux – 39

Schedule of WCQ matches for Acapais:
Matchday 1: Prux
Matchday 2: Blouman Empire
Matchday 3: Nethertopia
Matchday 4: Lovisa
Matchday 5: Terreiro de Ogum

Next Match:
vs. Prux
Acapais Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers, Bobby Carter
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/prux.png

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13608816&postcount=8)

Jariss

18-04-2008, 18:53

JARISS RENAISSANCE PRESS
“No storm shall silence us!”

Ouch!

Jariss has finally found out their groupmates as they return to the Cup of Harmony for the second straight year looking to improve on last Cup’s quarterfinals run. However things appear bleak as they find themselves in the most top heavy group in the entire Cup qualifiers. And with only the top two teams moving on it will take a few good breaks for the team to sneak in.

Despite only missing out by a single spot in the rankings as the third seed to Kelssek (51 to Jariss’ 52) the top two are well beyond that level. With Candelaria And Marquez ranked 22nd in the world we have the highest ranked team in Jariss’ group. But then it gets better as Kura-Pelland ranked 28th is also in our group. They are also the second highest ranked team in the Cup. That’s right Jariss has the top two teams in the entire tournament in the same group as us. Not too tall a task for our team is it?

In comparison, group I (which our staff finds odd for the first group of the tournament as most begin with the more logical ‘A’) the top seed is hard luck Lovisa at 35th after failing twice in the playoffs for the Cup proper, followed by 39th ranked Prux. Group J has our old Baptism of Fire opponents Jeru FC at #38 as the number 1 seed followed by 53rd ranked Newmanistan. That’s right there are four teams in our group L with higher ranks than the second seed of Group J. Finally the most competitive group appears to be group K with the monks of the Archregimancy at #34 leading the way with Taeshan at #41 and two other teams (KaMaRi-43rd and Nire and Nire -48th) also expected to make a run at it.

So there you have it. Our group L not only has the only two teams ranked below 30th but also doesn’t have a single team ranked in the 30s or 40s compared to the other groups which are filled with them. One might wonder if the longstanding respect between Starblaydia and Jeruselem has resulted in some tweaking of the draws to favor Jeruselem’s military squad. Could Jeru FC’s number been switched with CAM’s or KP’s to ensure an FC advance? Has the total power gained by the Starblaydian/Krytenia joint dominance over all the major soccer events of this season have opened the way for corruption to seep in? I guess we can only see how it all plays out on the field and see if jariss can overcome the near impossible odds stacked against them this time around aand somehow make their way to the Elite Eight again this Cup.

Taeshan

18-04-2008, 20:48

Candelaria And Marquez

18-04-2008, 21:26

The National Reporter Online: News with a View
Boing.

Iain Miller writes. Having trouble rising to the occasion? Just can’t get yourself up when you need to the most? Never fear, a nice big bowl of Special K will have that Cup of Harmony rabbit put back in its packaging in a jiffy!

In says much for Bakers, Donnellys, Joneses, Fritzes, Fus, Carases and Vélezes of this world that we can justifiably feel quite down about our country’s preparations for the see-oh-aitch, based around the fact that we seem to feel we shouldn’t really be there. Dance 2 Revolution are looking forward to games against the Eesseff, Ad’ihan and Northern Bettia in a very competitive World Cup Group C. With respect, what have we got? A bunch of also-rans and bee-oh-eff failures. Sorry, let me rephrase that last bit. Bee-oh-eff failures who weren’t even in the Baptism of Fire. They went into World Cup qualifying with that notorious world ranking of one hundred and seventy-third. No wonder they got screwed.

What this group does give us is a genuine hope of progression. Now let’s be clear here, every game retains a real possibility of a slip-up. And at twenty-second in the world the Big Blues do look a tad out of place so everyone will be gunning for us. But we’ve avoided sides like Newmanistan, the Turkomans, Taeshan and KaMiRa that could easily cause us real problems. Jeru FC, Lovisa, Prux, the Arc… and the other highly-ranked sides are all safety tucked away in the other half of the drawn. We can’t afford to relax, not by a long shot, but let’s try and enjoy this experience, shall we?

After all, if any CoH can claim to have a party atmosphere then by golly it’s this one. With the World Cup going on simultaneously in the two host countries, Candelariasian fans will be mingling not only with their direct opposite numbers, and former friends and foes from the Fujisawan Territories and the like, but with Hans and Ad’ihanis, the Vephrese and Jeruselemites. They’ll be knocking about with Eesseffians and Az-czzers! Won’t that be fun! And Jeruselemites as well. We should probably keep stressing that.

For all that three Di Bradini Cups have done for Candelariasian-Starblaydi relations, Foreign Office officials will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief that C&M have been dropped in Krytenia. There remain awkward social differences among certain Starblaydi communities that our own officials would rather not have to deal with, whereas – at first glance at least – Krytenia is a home away from home. An English-speaking majority and significant Spanish-speaking population, with plenty of non-Caucasians also walking the streets. A similar climate, physical geography, flora and fauna, albeit with enough birds of prey to leave Steven Williams dribbling. Industrially the country had more than just an echo of C&M about it. They even have a female President and let’s be honest, so will we in a matter of weeks. Are the Candelarias truly not Krytenia in microcosm?

Scratch beneath the surface of course, and the differences become clear. The Krytenians are a rather older people than we, with a culture not borrowed from European ancestors but developed all on their ownsome. Unlike us, they have all-too recently suffered the horror of war, and theirs is truly a new country as a result. No-one can argue the power of football here, for both its positive and malign influences on this land and her people.

Of course, we’re quite keen on it too, which is more than you can say for Kelssek. Oh they’ll try, bless ‘em, but Football Kelssek will never find a way of pushing ice hockey or rugby far enough out of the nation’s affections to let in the beautiful game. Not that they’re strangers to us of course, anything but. Four games between the senior sides have seen three draws, and they will present a truly stern test to Donnelly’s boys. Francois St. Louis is well known to us, for given Kelssek’s own experience with time dilation he will likely serve as Albrecht FC’s left-back for the better part of the next century. The striker Ian Sinclair is probably the key man, having pierced Oberon Martinez’s C&M net more than once of the years (twice in fact). He also has many years experience playing in the ubiquitous Cafundelense league, where he currently performs up front for São José alongside the Candelariasian Marcel Souloy, (who now rejoices under the nickname Duncan, for elusive reasons).

From Kelssek – a gregarious, world-renowned nation with no overwhelming love of this sport – we turn to their near polar opposites in Rennidan. For nearly a century, the Holy Empire (not that one) closed its doors to outside news and persons, but that deplorable lack of trust shown towards both their own people and foreigners has well and truly dissipated with their presence in the global tournaments of at least two forms of football. Defensively powerful, breaking them down will be a nightmare. It’s hardly a mouth-watering tie though.

But then… Then we reach our third opponents in the group. Kura-Pelland. Footballing viagra for those struggling to get up for this Cup; C&M’s rivalry with the Vircais nation stretches back eightish years now to this very tournament, when difficult off-field circumstances surrounded what eventually became a 2-0 win for the CoH hosts. Armchair fans from both nations might be slightly surprised to find that, barring a 3-1 friendly win for the Big Blues, C&M and Kura-Pellandi international football sides have never again met before now, neither at senior nor under-21 level, but from the moment that Turks’ Club swooped for Giorgio Pezzoni and Holger Pi became the first foreigner in the KangaToast Championship, it was clear that a ‘special relationship’, of sorts, was about to develop.

Relations on a formal level haven’t always been smooth, but today our two domestic leagues are so entwined as to be practically a common market. No less than sixteen Kura-Pellandi players earn their trade in the CMSC, and not too many fewer Candelariasians in the modern Corganen Championship. Andy Woolworth and Matthew Tortini are considered among the CMSC’s finest managers, while Adam Williamson and Jacob Wilson are keeping up the Candelariasian end of the bargain in the country commonly referred to simply as ‘over there’.

The advent of the Champions’ Cup may further enhance these rivalries, following Albrecht FC’s penalty shoot-out defeat to United Trilan in the Preliminary Round and the Prangren Greens’ two defeats at the hands of Green Island before Parwood City returned the favour in the quarter-finals… with a certain Ramiro Novo amongst Parwood’s goals.

And that’s all without invoking no less than two codes of hockey. The World Championship in Hockey seemed destined to be Kura-Pelland’s after they walked through their group, but this time the 2-0 lead wasn’t enough, and they surrendered their semi-final place to the eventual champions… That’d be us, then. Not that that tournament passed off without off-field controversy between the two countries either, after a bizarre umpiring performance by two Kura-Pellandi officials gave the Blue Sticks a key victory in the group stage… and made a international icon of one Louisa Giles.

A late Candelariasian goal did for Kura-Pellandi in the most recent ice hockey event as well, when our boys bravely took ‘em down with us, loosing 3-2 – the perfect scoreline to send the unknowns of Wavispa through to the knock-out stage and send both the Blue Pucks and the Kura-Pellanders back home. Poifect.

The point is, if you as a Candelariasian football fan can’t get excited for this one, you might as well be dead. Win this, and the Big Blues could be on their way to their first tournament victory – something plenty of far bigger sporting nations never achieve. Loose it, and we’ll never hear the end of it…

Oh, and we play Kereca and Jariss as well. They’re quite good, I guess.

Nire and Nire

19-04-2008, 08:32

The Unaclaimed Newspaper

Editorials

We would like to apologise to fans of the Futbal team of Nire and Nire, in our artical "Knights Draw Archregimancy" we forgot to mention the 48th ramked team in the world. We hope this apology is excepted, and we wish all countries luck in this 32nd CoH.

Nire refuses Apology, declares war on Taeshan

President Nire is reportedly furious over the refusal of fellow Cup of Harmony participant nations to recognise the re-united Republic of Nire. Nire, in its second appearance at the tournament is considered one of the front runners after a narrow defeat on away goals in world cup qualifying.

While Nire is not sending any actual players to the tournament, expectation is still high that the Mighty Bulls will return victorious. Taeshan has been warned that any future diplomatic snubs of this magnitude will not be tolerated. President Nire yesterday declared war on Taeshan saying "we will wipe them from the face of the earth". Alongside the current FA policy of not sending players to tournaments, the Nire Armed Men and Bombing Lands Association (NAMBLA) will not be sending troops into Taeshan, nor will they be engaging the Tashan army or citizens in any way. However, President Nire is still confident of victory.

Kura-Pelland

19-04-2008, 10:45

With so much of the talk elsewhere surrounding Taeshan's war with Nire and Nire, not to mention the World Cup itself, the Cup of Harmony draw needed something special to grab attention.

How's about the first match between Kura-Pelland and Candelaria and Marquez ever to take place on neutral territory? Yes, that'll do.

The two highest-ranked teams in this Cup, and probably the single biggest game that could be envisioned in this tournament, and it happens right away in the group stages thanks to the bizarro-unseeded group draw, a group completed by Kelssek, Rennidan, Jariss and Kereca. Of these, Kelssek and Jariss are the only two to hold any terrors whatsoever.

In other news, Naboombo Umbongo international Samuel Wengamana has signed for newly-promoted Corganen Championship side Fariynuff FC. The attacking midfielder scored four goals and set up four more in his team's freakish qualification run which saw them denied of a World Cup spot only by the fact they, um, literally ceased to exist.

Newmanistan

19-04-2008, 11:27

(The team gathers in the hotel meeting room, with some outside news serving up some great talking points.)

McAllister: Brooks, is it true?

Brooker: I assume you mean the transfer.

McAllister: Yeah, I mean congratulations I guess but I am kind of surprised. I remember we talked about this and you said you would never go overseas.

Brooker: It was different, that was a low level team. This is Dunboor FC in Cafundeu, J-Mac. This is a top club in that league, which is a stronger league then the NSL. I’m tired of losing in South Charlotte, the team sucks. I can say that now. (Grins) A bunch of us are moving on, Jeremy.

McAllister: Yeah but you? What about your girlfriend?

Brooker: She’ll come with me. Peterson is coming to Cafundeu, too. He’s not going to Putnam Lake after all, I’m afraid.

McAllister: #&@%! Chris too?! Chris!!!!

Peterson: Yes Jeremy?

McAllister: You’re going to Cafundeu also? I was looking forward to playing together with you in Putnam Lake.

Peterson: I know, I didn’t really pursue it. They came to me, offered Putnam Lake the money and I agreed to go there. It’s an exciting new opportunity.

McAllister: I’m happy for you, though. I guess. Who else is going there?

Peterson: Prescott.

Prescott: What?

Peterson: Oh, nothing, he just wanted to know who else was going to Cafundeu.

Prescott: Yea, I can’t wait, it will be fun. I’m going to a club called A.F.F. Spoke with their people this morning actually, they got deep pockets and are really exciting about winning a championship so I can’t wait. You know, Jeremy, they wanted you too.

McAllister: I see.

Peterson: Yeah, Putnam Lake’s never going to let go of you. Ever.

McAllister: You know, that’s fine with me. I love Putnam Lake. I wish you guys the best but with you guys out of the league it just makes our path to the NSL title easier. (Laughs) Except for Peterson, though.

Prescott: Dunboor FC, Brooks?

Brooker: Yep! Haha!

Prescott: That should be good. I’m glad for you though, after what you put up with in South Charlotte, you deserve it.

Lewis: Hey guys.....

Prescott: Yes, you going somewhere too, Kevin?

Lewis: No, I just want to remind everyone about the Cup of Harmony. We should be focusing on Prazkoy.

McAllister: It’s ok. I’m focused on Prazkoy.

Prescott: It just makes us want to win the Cup of Harmony more, Kevin. It’s because of the Baptism of Fire and because of our World Cup qualifying effort that we got these overseas offers. Do you think three years ago, these clubs would have come knocking at our doors? It’s a sign of respect.

Lewis: I know, I guess you’re right. But still, we have our club sides later, right now it’s the Cup of Harmony, and it’s a very difficult group.

McAllister: Is something wrong Kevin, you seem bothered by something.

Lewis: No, I’m fine, J-Mac. I’m just, well.....

McAllister: Well what?

Lewis: Nah, nevermind.

Brooker: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he seemed a bit jealous.

McAllister: Don’t feel that if its true, man. I’m not going anywhere. Most of us are going back to our home sides, and the Empire has plenty of talent that can step up.

Lewis: It’s not jealousy. Not at all. I am very happy for you, I’m just worried about Pocono City and the NSL. We’ve (Pocono City) have transferred about three of our top young players to Nethertopia, and now the league is losing more players. I know there’s more waiting in the wings. But I want to be there for Newmanistan, that’s what this is about.

McAllister: There’s plenty of talent in the Empire, and with the popularity that we’re getting in our borders, its only going to get better. The NSL’s ratings will go through the roof this year. All the top clubs are being equally affected. Look, Dover City’s losing Prescott, we’re losing Peterson, Loudon’s lost a couple. It’s all going to balance out.

Lewis: Very true.

Brooker: We may go different ways with club sides but remember what we have here. We will always represent Newmanistan in these tournaments. All of us have grown our football to be right up there with racing now in the Empire. And right now, we got more business to take care of. It starts with Prazkoy. We are one. We are Newmanistan. Let’s go get Prazkoy! Rockets on three, one two....

Team: ROCKETS!!

Septentrionia

19-04-2008, 17:56

Septentrionian roster, Cup of Harmony

Kits to be used during the CoH:
Main kit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Oli55/Septentrionia-main-kit.png

Kit to be used in case of colour clash:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Oli55/Septentrionia-second-kit.png

Manager: Lionel Henri (US Septentrionalis)
Asst. Manager: Louis Levasseur (CS Ourseville 1093)

Formation: 3-4-3
Style modifier: +2

Starting eleven:

Pos. # First Name Last Name Age Club
-----------------------------------------------------------
GK 1 René Laviolette 28 St-FX
DL 2 Roger Danis 26 St-FX
DC 38 Nicolas Leduc 23 FC Cap-Phare
DR 4 William Benoît 29 Sept-Onze
ML 5 Louis Quenneville 31 Union
MCL 6 Mario Latraverse 27 Union
MCR 7 Raymond Paiement 28 Ourseville 1093
MR 8 Olivier Saucier 33 ASJL Cap-Nord
ST 9 Roland Bouchard 25 Sept-Onze
ST 10 Nicolas Maloeil 24 Union
ST 93 François Lafontaine 25 Dauphin

Subs:

Pos. # First Name Last Name Age Club
-----------------------------------------------------------
GK 11 Martin Vachon 19 Dauphin
D 12 Paul Bourassa 23 US Septentrionalis
M 13 Luc Gauthier 28 Bourdailleux
M 14 Alain Bellemare 26 CS Lac-Amédée
ST 15 Gérard Labrie 24 Athlétique

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

Kose and The Turkomans

19-04-2008, 18:52

Kose looks to the team
Scoring powerhouse Sinan Köse has recently called upon the entire team to rally behind the coach and to pull out every trick known to them, but has urged the ultrAslan to respect the Starblaydi authorities.

Nuri Türkoğlü, who has recently scored his first ever goal in Nethertopia has said that "It was a shame that we didn't get drawn aainnst Nethertopia, but I am relishing the chance to destroy Newmanistan!"

Kose not to play?
Rumors have emerged from the training camp that Kose may not be apearing in the opening match due to Alhrems opinions of earning a place in the squad, but the question of who will be placed ahead of him?

Nuri Türkoğlü is the favorite to replace him after his debut for a Nethertopian team was more than impressive and will probably bring a far more speed based attack than Sinan's Strengh based style of play. However any team will know that even if Sinan is on the bech they should note there are several capable replacements.

Krytenia

19-04-2008, 19:53

STADIA TO BE USED IN KRYTENIA

Manor Field, Bletcham
Capacity: 51,666
A simple concrete-and-steel structure. Serves the best mutton jalfrezi pie in the Overleague.

Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
Capacity: 43,281
The stadium, like the team, are owned by Northern Star Electronics, who also make the stadium’s advanced floodlighting and undersoil heating systems.

Ostlers Lane, Stratford
Capacity: 37,996
Home of Stratford Rovers, this is an out-of-the-box four-stander.

The Eyrie, Hoxton
Capacity: 34,840
The largest stadium in Krytenia without covered stands. Prepare to get wet!

South Road, Sandwell
Capacity: 32,240
A new stadium, built in 2091; the East Stand Bar has the longest bar in Krytenia.

Parc Abertawy, New Cefn
Capacity: 31,101
The Abertawy is another new stadium, built in New Cefn, itself built on the ruins of…Mawr. No, we don’t know either.

Newmanistan

20-04-2008, 16:23

THE ROCKET REPORT

CUP OF HARMONY SET TO BEGIN

By: Clint Peterson

Starblaydia- We have returned to Starblaydia, a place that Newmanistan has enjoyed nothing but success, quite frankly. They have an amazing record on Starblaydi turf, when counting the Di Bradini Cup and the Baptism of Fire, and now seek to win even more games in this great nation. I have been fortunate to really get acquainted with the culture of Starblaydia as I’ve become a pretty frequent visitor here. So too have the Rockets, who have been able to make this like their second home.

It’s hard to describe the atmosphere here. On one hand, the Starblaydis are pumped to have the World Cup here. Even though the Rockets aren’t fortunate to be participating in that event, they can still feel all the excitement and anticipation over it. I got Capitalizt SLANI in my pool. Yeah, I wasn’t very adventurous, but I couldn’t pick Milchama after they beat us twice. Despite World Cup being rampant, there has been some excitement leftover for the Cup of Harmony. For a nation that hosts both events, there does seem to be room for both. But at the same time, something feels missing. We didn’t know Simeone Di Bradini that much, but both times that we have been here, he was a prominent figure moreso because he was someone that everyone looked up too. The legend has moved on, but he will not be forgotten. Not by the Rockets, who will wear a black “SDB10" patch on their kits during their matches. It’s been mentioned before, but the Rockets players have been touched a little extra by him, given the fact that they won the final cup Simeone would see that was named in his honor.

If you are wondering about Underdog, the poodle has been brought to Starblaydia and will be attended too by Jennifer Carson, Brian’s wife. Even though the Rockets really aren’t underdogs in this tournament, superstition is now starting to take over.

I’ve heard about the transfers. Brooker to Dunboor FC in Cafundeu is the big one. While I am on assignment here for the Cup of Harmony, I will do my best to get a hold of Jeremy and have a sit down discussion with him about that decision and what his expectations are. The more interesting transfer is Brett Prescott to A.F.F. You know who else is being transferred to A.F.F.? Sinan Kose of Kose and The Turkomans. Strange things happen, but folks, that one right there has got to be one of the most ironic twists you can imagine. After smothering him in the Baptism of Fire final, playing very physical and shutting down the young Turk, Kose and Prescott are soon going to be setting up one another for goal scoring opportunities. If that was the only twist, it’d be ironic enough, but first, Prescott will have to shut him down again when the Rockets and Turks meet in the group stage in this Cup of Harmony. Foes to “we’re gonna be friends” back to foes and eventually to friends. There’s a roller coaster ride for both of them.

The Rockets open up their Cup of Harmony bid against Prazkoy, a team that on paper they should be able to beat. Prazkoy is a tight defensive team, but fortunately the Rockets have had a few extra days now to truly break down their opponent and find their holes in their defense. A speedy team, which the Rockets most definitely are, are usually the kind of team that the defensive minded ones have a hard time against. Let’s hope for more success in our second home!

Kose and The Turkomans

20-04-2008, 20:23

Kose out of squad!
In a bold move by manager Keron Alhrem, Sinan Kose is on the bench for the opening game against early favorites, Jeru F.C. another surprize is the placement of Cakir Fuat in the starting goalkeeper position. Kose's replacement is the up and coming Nuri Turkoglu who is set for his first ever international start. All we can do is pray this pays off.

by Temucin Ak

Turkoglu Relishes chance
Nur' Turkoglu has said in a statement that he is " Relishing the prospect of playing against the best team in the group." Our reporter then mentioned the chances of him retaining his place for the "Revenge of The Turks" Match were very long "Of course the coach has told me that, but I feel honored that Sinan even offered to step down from the starting position and as long as we grab the win I'll be happy."

Match Preview
by Osman Serhat

Now instead of dancing around with the superstars, I'll be looking at what it all comes down to on the night - The Game - the teams will both be playing each other in their first ever clash meaning that I would expect both teams to be cautious at the start, however after a half of breaking each other in one team will dig it's claws in and steal the win, it's just that kind of game.

The key talking point will inevitably be Sinan Kose who is going to be on the bench for this titanic clash that could decide which way the group swings. Also one thing that will likely bite us in the ass is our inexperience at this level which after a fairly strong qualifying session is simply no longer an excuse for being out classed.

Final Score: 1-1 just too little separates them.

Newmanistan

21-04-2008, 08:26

THE ROCKET REPORT

SIT DOWN WITH THE COACH

Starblaydia- The last couple days have been filled with anticipation, as both the World Cup and Cup of Harmony get set to begin. And of course, we have to throw in the World Bowl, too. It’s been an very eventful past few days in Newmanistan’s soccer world even if there have been no matches played. Key players transferring out, and then today news of a major player transferring into Newmanistan. The NSL is now a premiership, and will be called the NPL from now on. There’s a lot to talk about, so I had to sit down with Brian Carson and get his take on everything.

CP: Brian, it’s our first one-on-one of the Cup of Harmony. No matches have been played yet, but there is plenty of news around the Empire. First though, how is the team looking in training?

BC: Our training has gone quite well. The players are excited about this Cup, and are eager to win it, and it shows in the effort they put forth on the training ground. We’ve done a good job, I believe, in breaking down the Prazkoy defense in how it can be exploited.

CP: I’m going to ask you about your opinion of each team in the group, and I’ll start with Prazkoy.

BC: It’s a good defensive team, we’re not fooled by their ranking and realize that they are a formidable team. I think we can get through their system, though.

CP: Then you play Kose and The Turkomans. That, should be good. We know they want revenge, so what do the Rockets do to keep that from happening?

BC: We know they want revenge, and they have a good enough team to get it, but let’s not forget that we want that game too. It’s been circled on our calendar as much as it has been on theirs as we want to show that our victory in the Baptism of Fire was no fluke, and that we can go out there and do it again. Trust me, they won’t be any more fired up then we will be, we are eyeing that game too.

CP: What about Sinan Kose and Brett Prescott. Prescott shut Kose down in the final, now we’ve heard word that the two are going to be teammates in Cafundeu. Do you worry that Brett might ease up on the talented Turk?

BC: As much as I know Brett, I am not worried about that one bit. I’ve talked with Sinan Kose very briefly after the Baptism of Fire final, and what I saw was a player who works hard and doesn’t want a free pass. He wouldn’t want Brett to play any other way. It’ll be exciting to watch, but no, I am not worried about any letups because of that.

CP: Then its Kosovoe, thoughts?

BC: I don’t know how anyone wears a uniform like that. I’m sure they will play hard, because they already look foolish wearing those colors, so they will want to make up for that with their effort.

CP: Then you get Septentrionia, which is a squad that can’t be forgotten.

BC: If I were them, I think I am preaching exactly that. People are looking at the defending champs being in this group, and then the two Baptism of Fire finalists. Septentrionia is a very good club, and they could feast on being overlooked. So we will have to do what we can and make sure they don’t end up being a sleeper. If we do, we should be able to handle them.

CP: Then you close out against those defending champions, Jeru FC.

BC: They will be a great test, being the defending champions, and really the only true veteran team in our group, I anticipate them getting out of the group. But we’ll just have to make sure they do it as the 2nd place team.

CP: Let’s switch topics now and go to the news of the Newmanistan Soccer League now becoming the Newmanistan Premier League. It’s a dramatic change that will effect everyone. What is your opinion of that?

BC: Well, I’m not as surprised as those in the media and the fans, because as coaches we knew that the league had been considering this, and in fact took a poll of the coaches before they made the announcement. It’s a true football league now, most football leagues have this format. The league wants to be recognized better on a global scale and this was a good step, as well as dropping the word “Soccer” from the league name.

CP: Most of the top teams, including your Pocono City Capitals, have lost key players to transfer, what is your thought of that?

BC: I think it’s spectacular. Look, I want to the best for our domestic league, but you have players getting offers now that would never have been considered being given to Newmanistanians by these leagues before we signed up for the World Cup and the preceding tournaments, particularly Cafundeu. I believe in opportunity. I could be selfish and say it will hurt the NPL so I don’t like it. I recognize the effects, but for the players, this is terrific.

CP: Then this morning, Southport makes a major announcement in the purchase of Sakura Jo, the amazingly talented and inspirational goalkeeper from the Fujisawan Territories. With other big clubs losing players, does this put Southport now as a team to beat since they didn’t lose anyone?

BC: Jo playing in Newmanistan is a major boost for the league. Given how well she has overcome being deaf to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world is an amazing story. She’s shut us down twice already, though we were fortunate to get one by in the Di Bradini Cup. She will have a terrific future here. I’m a little surprised in Southport going out and being the one to make the purchase, but good for them. Certainly, they are a much better club now.

CP: Alright Brian, I’ll let you get back to coaching.

BC: Thanks Clint, and I have to give a shout out to our “other” football team. Brett did it in his interview so I must do the same. Good luck guys, in the World Bowl.

Kelssek

21-04-2008, 15:09

Malton International Airport, Kirkenes

Bryan Symonds looked on in irritiation as his assistant manager jabbed furiously at his palmtop, muttering "we're gonna be well organised and all this time, yeah... well organised"

vs. Candelaria And Marquez
vs. Kereca
vs. Jariss
vs. Kura-Pelland
vs. Rennidan

"You look like you're programming a goddamn nuclear device, Doug."

"Did someone say nuclear device?" a nosy airport police person butted in.

"No."

"Alright then. Report if you see anything suspicious, yeah?"

"Sure," said Bryan as a bomb-sniffing dog clambered over the mountain of luggage. After checking-in, the players had all gone to terrorise a Jim Norton's outlet, leaving the support staff to cool their heels in the boarding gate lounge.

Fujisawan Territories

22-04-2008, 04:43

Hoji Police Department International Press Release
Hoji Police Department Case #08-283470

The men and women of the Hoji Police Department are seeking assistance from the international community in locating two individuals.

Eizo Watanabe, 21, and his girlfriend, 18 year old Choukodai Inoguchi were last seen together at the World Cup 40 qualifying match against Taeshan at Crosscom Global Arena. Inoguchi has not been seen or heard from since the day of the match.

Watanabe is believed to be in Krytenia, and it is suspected that he has arrived in Krytenia ahead of the Cup of Harmony. There is reasonable suspicion that Inoguchi is deceased at this time, and a substantial amount of circumstantial evidence sufficient enough to arrest Watanabe in connection with Inoguchi's disappearance. Watanabe has two prior assault charges relating to Inoguchi.

It is unclear if Watanabe brought Inoguchi to Krytenia with him, or if Inoguchi disappeared in the Fujisawan Territories.

Eizo Watanabe is a 21 year old, 5'8", 189 lb. Fujisawan male, with black hair and brown eyes. He may be armed and should be regarded as a threat to public safety. He is wanted for questioning in the disappearance of Choukodai Inoguchi. He may be using the name Kanera Kitano. If seen, do not approach! Call appropriate authorities to assist.

Choukodai Inoguchi is a Fujisawan female, 18 years old, 6'0", 152 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. She has a scar on her right hip and a tattoo on her back in blue ink of the seven islands of the Fujisawan Territories. Inoguchi is severely bi-polar and takes medication for her condition. If seen, call your local authorities immediately, or call the Hoji Police Department hotline for this case at 1-96791-372-4010.

The Hoji Police Department, Crosscom Global Telecommunications, and the family of Inoguchi are offering a one million dollar (USD) reward for information leading to Inoguchi or to the arrest of Watanabe.

Undercover investigators from the Hoji Police Department will be present at all Fujisawan Territories Cup of Harmony matches in Krytenia, following up on a tip that Watanabe was planning to attend Cup of Harmony matches. Several federal intelligence agencies have also joined the case and will be working in Krytenia.

Media inquiries should be directed to Hoji Police Department Public Relations at 1-96791-372-8126.

The Archregimancy

22-04-2008, 13:34

(OOC - thanks, Star, for posting a roster on my behalf; still very little internet access; have conjured up an IC reason for my silence....)

Monastic Memorandum

TO: Nations participating in CoH32

RE: Paschal Vow of Silence

Dear Fellow Cup of Harmony Participants,

As we are in Holy Week, preparing for the most sacred annual rites and liturgies of the Orthodox Church, it is with regret that we must announce that the entire Archregimancy delegation to the Cup of Harmony has taken a collective vow of silence in order to prepare us for this holiest of seasons.

We shall make no further utterance until after Pascha, at which point, after declaring CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! to all and sundry, we shall again take a more active role in sporting affairs.

Our team shall continue to participate in this august tournament, but expect no reply, no argument, no comment while our players reflect on the solemn glory of His sacrifice.

Yours in Christ this Holy Week

The Monastic Football Association

Rejistania

22-04-2008, 16:57

Xkora'ny ve Son'ny

Inik Leisa did not agree to write articles on regular basis about the Cup of Harmony, but when his family received the second dog corpse per mail, he surprisingly changed his mind. This is what he has to say on the match against the Archregimancy:

Haaa, please no hurt my family! This is Inik from Karela Kalesa, and from what I have seen, both teams were rather balanced, ie: most of the time they will manage to stand upright without falling down. Now, you all know the other Inik, Inik Salu? He is not only related to me in sharing the first name: he slanis playing and I say slani about his playing. This guy is like, well, let me illustrate it: People say that Inik is autistic, just in place here, no one says autistic they say syndrome Kanner. in his case, people no say syndrome Kanner but syndrome Kanner do slani.

Now people say that the nation we play is called the Archregimancy and that it is holy. Well, if there were holes in the nation, I'd better fix them. And if my nation had the first syllable exactly the same as the word ass on German, I'd not wield the name with quite as much pride.

Starblaydia

22-04-2008, 22:46

MATCHDAY ONE
a.k.a. Don't overwrite your resume.xml files, kids

Group I
Lovisa 2-1 Blouman Empire @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis
Nethertopia 0-2 Terreiro de Ogum @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis
Acapais 1-0 Prux @ Karela Park, Nova Malta

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Terreiro de Ogum 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
2 Lovisa 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
3 Acapais 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
4 Blouman Empire 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Prux 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
6 Nethertopia 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0

Group J
Kosovoe 1-3 Septentrionia @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Jeru FC 2-2 Kose and the Turkomans @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça
Prazkoy 1-0 Newmanistan @ Flavioso, Flavia

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Septentrionia 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
2 Prazkoy 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
3 Kose and the Turkomans 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
4 Jeru FC 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
5 Newmanistan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
6 Kosovoe 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0

Krytenia

22-04-2008, 23:44

MATCHDAY ONE
a.k.a. No, really, don't.

Group K
Taeshan 1-2 Aleos @ Parc Abertawy, New Cefn
Fujisawan Territories 2-1 Nire and Nire @ Ostlers Lane, Stratford
The Archregimancy 1-2 KaMaRi @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 KaMaRi 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
2 Fujisawan Territories 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
3 Aleos 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
4 The Archregimancy 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Taeshan 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
6 Nire and Nire 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0

Group L
Candelaria and Marquez 2-2 Kelssek @ The Eyrie, Hoxton
Rennidan 1-1 Kura-Pelland @ Manor Fields, Bletcham
Kereca 0-2 Jariss @ South Road, Sandwell

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jariss 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
2 Kelssek 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
3 Candelaria and Marquez 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
4 Rennidan 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
5 Kura-Pelland 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
6 Kereca 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0

Taeshan

23-04-2008, 02:20

The Unaclaimed Newspaper

Knights are Defeated by Aleos In Cup Of Harmony Opener

In there opening match of the 32nd cup of Harmony last night the Purple Knights of Taeshan were defeated by Aleos team. The knights looked utterly confused as the Aleosens scored on the backup goalie Joey Reunion, who is in for the injured starter Tad Montague who was injured during the cup and has decided not to play this cup on a personal leave.

The only goal was scored by Midfielder Brian Ying Uing who has been on a hot streak since he gained the starting spot at the deginning of the last cup. In all the group K matches were suprising as one of the other favorites to advance out of the group were defeated. The Archregimancy also lost in yesterdays game, and many Futbal fans in the world were suprised. Well anyway the Knights have another game coming up soon so stay tooned.

Newmanistan

23-04-2008, 02:39

THE ROCKET REPORT

DISTRACTED ROCKETS SLOPPY; UNINSPIRED

Flavioso, Starblaydia- If the Rockets are to have any success in the Cup of Harmony, things will have to be much different. Against Prazkoy, they put in a completely flat performance as they were downed by the score of 1-nil, the team’s first ever loss in Starblaydia. While credit must be given to the smothering Prazkoy defense, Newmanistan didn’t exactly bring their A-game. Or their B-game, quite frankly.

With so much other stuff going on surrounding key players, mainly transfer season overseas as well as talks heating up within the NPL itself, the distractions were plentiful. Not to mention, when the team left the Empire, their domestic league changed its name and setup. Even manager Brian Carson, who we won’t usually criticize, seemed distracted. After all, there have been some rumors, that he too, is being looked at by overseas clubs. And then there was the Kose and The Turkomans factor. Next on the schedule, looking past Prazkoy to get all ready for Sinan Kose and company. Of course, they said the right things over the last few days, concerning this game, that Prazkoy was the only thing they were thinking about. Well, that was not the case.

From the Newmanistan standpoint, there isn’t much to speak of. The passes were horrific, particularly the ones from the back end to the midfielders. With the Rockets unable to connect with the “first” pass, their ability to attack was really contained. Again, Prazkoy gets some credit for this. Their defensive pressure was outstanding, but even when they didn’t bring the heat, the Rockets were struggling. Fittingly, it was an errant pass that led to a turnover to Wilhelm Zakrodyet in the 60th minute, that allowed the Prazkoyan (or whatever people from Prazkoy are called!), to have a 1-on-1 with Kevin Dalton, and he beat Dalton to the left side. It would be the lone goal, and a big win certainly for Prazkoy. Further complicating matters was in the 73rd minute, John Murphy had to limp off the field, holding his leg, which team doctors have diagnosed as a hamstring pull. Murphy will be out of the lineup against Kose and The Turkomans, and Shawn Drummond will start in his place. Julie McElroy will move from reserve from substitute.

Can the Rockets overcome this? Let’s hope they get their heads on straight for the Turks.

Prazkoy

23-04-2008, 02:58

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP

And here we are in Krytenia, where Miroslaw Filip faces off against Brian Carson of Newmanistan. And today, it's going to be an interesting match. On one hand, a chess master from Prazkoy. And the other... a football coach, of all things. Well, Filip will be white, and Carson will be black. The match begins.

Filip starts with a conservative mark, King's pawn opening! Carson replies, d5! A bold start. Filip does one better, d4! Will Carson oblige? No, he moves e5! What the hell is going on? No one's taking pieces!

Filip goes for a quick check, Bishop to b5. Carson answers with a quick c6. Filip pulls back Bishop to a4, and Carson presses on - b5. Bishop to b3, and Carson finally takes a piece, as he moves to e4. Carson's got the position, but Filip is not known to make many mistakes. Let's see where he goes now.

Oh no! He moves his pawn to d5! And Carson answers him! But wait, queen to d5, Carson's queen to d5, and bishop d5! Wow, what an exchange! Now Carson's rook is threatened! Carson tries to save it with a knight to c6, but we all know where that's going to go.

Check! Classic fork. Now, Carson moves to d7, and the rook is lost. Carson tries opening the other side, but Filip doesn't do any thing conservative by moving his other bishop g5. Carson's answer is h6, and Filip backs down to h4, and Carson presses again to g5. Bishop now goes to g3, where the last pawn traps the bishop. Will Filip take it?

No! Bishop to e4, pawn takes the bishop and knight to f3! This match is certainly irrational but it's certainly interesting! Is Filip trying to prove something? Carson moves his bishop for a check at b4! Pawn to c3, bishop to a5, b4, and b6! The h-file pawn takes that looming threat and Carson moves king-side knight to f6. The bishop is threatened!

But now look at this! Filip moves bishop to g6, check! Carson has no choice but to move the king, and he moves d8! Knight to e6, taking a pawn and threatening a bishop. Knight moves again to c6, check! King to c7, and knight to e7! Carson takes his knight to g4, for a threatening attack.

Filip castles king-side and Carson quickly takes the pawn with the knight. Now pawn to c4! What's Filip doing? That's just inviting trouble! Carson takes the pawn, and Filip moves another pawn b5! Knight moves d3, and the bishop now puts Filip in check! Knight to e5 now, and Filip moves knight to c3. Carson checks g4!

Filip back to h1, where Carson makes the predictable move back to f2, and Filip back to g1. Knight to d3 and check again! Filip back to h2, his place of sanctuary apparently. Meanwhile Carson moves his knight back to f2, and Filip makes the move! Knight d5, check! He has a choice to make, and Carson takes the knight with the bishop. But Filip takes the bishop, and we're back at square one! King moves to b7, knights takes the last bishop and Carson's down to one rook and one knight!

Not anymore! One rook, while Filip has two rooks and a bishop! Carson refuses to resign, as he moves his pawn forward one to c3. Rook to f6, and king takes the pawn. Rook to b1, and it should be apparent now that this is the end of the game. Carson resigns! The game is over, and Filip wins up one! Well, what a weird match... Let's tune in next time for something more realistic...

(ooc: FYI, the adjective form for Prazkoy is "Praži" (prah-zhee)

Jeruselem

23-04-2008, 03:33

The Jeru FC Gun Barrel

Our boys unable to beat Turks

No, we have not invaded Turkey! Not yet anyway. Our team played Kose and the Turkomans (aka "Turks") at the Cup of Harmony in Starblaydia and only managed a 2 ALL draw.

The team weren't feeling the best since they were recovering from a flu one of the players caught after sleeping with Jeruselem floosie earlier. No, it wasn't a Dallas or Sallad girl. They weren't in the mood to go all out attacking and allowed the Turks to get some control over the game. Private Nok Emdown is the suspect who gave the flu to the team.

The Turks scored first with Jeru FC keeper bumbling and dropping the ball into his own. The coach said later the keeper overdosed on flu medication and it affected his concentration skills. Jeru FC hit back later in the first half from a set play with Private Jakob Fakestein knocking in a simple header to even the scores.

The team fell asleep again, and once again the Turks too the lead at the start of the 2nd half. The keeper being a bit slow, did not stop a simple shot from range. Not the kind of game, our defending champs needed to show. The coach had the keeper replaced with Private Hans Mandebrott who seemed a bit more alert.

Private Rosen Falka saved the team's blushes with a great goal near the death of the game to make it 2 ALL. Hopefully, the team plays better next game as it gets harder with this group full of ambitious new teams.

Private Nok Emdown denied he was source of the flu saying
"Girls with the flu are sickly. Any real man can spot a girl isn't looking well or right. They won't have the energy to have fun with you. It wasn't me. I think we caught the cold off some young kids who wanted autographs. I may not be too fussy about women but I go for healthy women. If they aren't well, you leave them alone. I like my girls like those Sallad girls."

Acapais

23-04-2008, 04:53

Cup of Harmony XXXII – MD1

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Prux http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/prux.png
1:0 (0:0)

Match Report:
Karela Park, Nova Malta – The first match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against higher ranked Prux and ended in a 1-0 win for the underdogs on Tuesday night. The win for Acapais marks the first win in their last four matches.

Many chances in the first half came from both Prux forwards Speedy MacDuck and Quickie MacDuck. However most of these shots were covered well by the Acapan Defense and in the end, easy saves for the goalkeeper O'Hare. The Hearts had chances in the first half from Jose Castro and Paroe but they lacked class and ended in poor finishing.

Midfielder Benjamin Nelson was brought on to start the second half and the sub immediately mad an impact. The likelier of the two sides swaped from Prux to Acapais. Dean Chilvers came on later to give Acapais a larger offensive push.

After a comfortable save from O'Hare, his quick distribution to Rex Agitril started an Acapais counter-attack Rex fed a through-ball to Dean Chilvers who beat two defenders to be one-on-one with the Prux goalkeeper, Dizzy Duck. Dizzy being far off his line made it easy for Chilvers to chip a cheeky ball into the back of the net for the match winner. This was Chilvers third international goal of his career.

Despite starting in the last thirteen matches for the Hearts, goalkeeper Hunchman O'Hare earned his first international clean sheet.

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “it was a good win and I hope we can keep the intensity up for the remainder of the tournament.” Miss Horne is now won her last two Cup of Harmony Matchday one matches.

Acapais will face-off with The Blouman Empire for Matchday Two of Cup of Harmony XXXII who lost to Lovisa on Matchday one.

The win leaves Acapais in third place in their group and one half of one point from a knockout spot.

Scoring:
Acapais – Dean Chilvers (Rex Agitril) 82

Booking:
Acapais – Al Vick Osman (Caution; Reckless foul) 32
Acapais – Derek Sample (Caution; Reckless foul) 44
Prux – Dougal Duck (Caution; Reckless foul) 57
Acapais – Bradley Sample (Caution; Reckless foul) 64
Prux – Cheapie MacDuck (Caution; Reckless foul) 79

Acapais Lineup:
Acapais Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample (Dean Chilvers 63); Zachary McKellar (Benjamin Nelson 45); Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro (Nick Daniels 85), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers, Bobby Carter
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Blouman Empire
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/blouman_empire.png

Injuries/Supensions:

Acapais Goal Scorers:
1 – Dean Chilvers

Acapais Assists Leaders:
1 – Rex Agitril

Acapais Yellow Cards:
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Bradly Sample
1 – Al Vick Osman

Acapais Red Cards:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Prux

23-04-2008, 04:58

"I haff not idea vhy ve lost to ze Acapaizes."

That in a nutshell, from Professor Gearlosse explains much and nothing at all.

A 1-0 loss to Acapais, at Karela Park in Nova Malta, is not quite the start the Professor wanted. Maybe his improvements didn't work or Acapais juat wasn't afraid of 5 foot tall robotic fowl and used a strategy that didn't conform to set perameters or some other technical mumbo-jumbo.

The next match is against Terreiro de Ogum, and hopefully the Prof. Will figure out what he did wrong and correct it.

Kelssek

23-04-2008, 07:52

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/media/national-independent.gif

Salthill powers Kelssek to hard-fought draw
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008 | SPORT | by John Davis, international football correspondent

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/coh32-darachsalthill.jpg

HOXTON -- As the final whistle blew at The Eyrie, there was only one question surrounding Darach Salthill's place in the national team as the Kirkenes FC midfielder worked his magic to earn Kelssek a thrilling 2-2 draw against Candelaria And Marquez - why not before?

Making his international debut with a flamboyant hair dye job to mark the occasion, Salthill set up Ian Sinclair with a through pass timed and cooked to perfection to open Kelssek's account in the 38th minute.

Candelaria And Marquez came back with its response, taking the lead through Ignacio Vélez in a defensive breakdown which allowed the wily striker to slip the offside trap. With Richard Davis too under-aggressive in coming out of the net, Vélez had little trouble putting the ball in the goal.

But then it was Salthill selling Alex Duxbury a deke, slipping past his marker, racing into the penalty box and putting a rocket past Oberon Martinez to bag the equaliser with 11 minutes to go.

"I just knew it was an opportunity to make the most of," Salthill, who was named man-of-the-match for his stellar efforts, said after the match, "but it's just the first game and we've got lots more football to look forward to."

Salthill, along with his Kirkenes FC teammate Paul Clifton, were added to the national squad following the failed World Cup 40 qualifying campaign. Clifton did not play against Candelaria And Marquez but is expected to see action in the next game against Kereca.

Newmanistan

23-04-2008, 09:56

THE ROCKET REPORT

ROCKETS-TURKS. ROUND 2. NUFF SAID.

It isn’t all the time that games within the Cup of Harmony, at the group stage, trigger much outside interest other then that of the two nations involved. But tonight’s game between Newmanistan and Kose and The Turkomans is one of those exceptions. Both sides are amped up for the showdown, and now it’s time to play. It’s not the Baptism of Fire championship, but it’s a critical matchup, especially for the Rockets. Having lost to Prazkoy, Newmanistan finds themselves in a bit of a hole, and cannot afford to lose here. A draw, maybe that would work, but certainly not a loss. The Turks didn’t win their opener, but they drew against the team that is seen as being the top side in the Group, Jeru FC, so that is a tough earned point for them. In the Baptism of Fire, Brett Prescott did a brilliant job containing Sinan Kose, but now he must do it again. Kose wants to show he can play better against the Rockets, but interestingly, there’s a new twist in the plot. Sinan Kose and Brett Prescott very soon will be teammates. Both have been transferred to A.F.F. in Cafundeu. You think that A.F.F. had been watching the Baptism of Fire final? Yes, that was a rhetorical question. Our Clint Peterson sat down with Brett Prescott to talk about this big contest.

CP: Hello again, today I am joined by Newmanistan midfielder Brett Prescott. Brett, thanks for joining us.

BP: Thanks Clint for having me, I’m excited about this interview! Nice to get some recognition!

CP: As always, Brett, we’ll miss you when you go to Cafundeu.

BP: Oh don’t say that, you root for Pocono City, we all know that, you’re glad to see me out of Dover, admit it!

CP: Well, selfishly maybe (laughs) but we will miss you. So, how about this big rematch with the Turks?

BP: It’s not really a rematch. We’re still going to be the Baptism of Fire champions even if we lost 8-nil (laughs).

CP: True, no matter what, Newmanistan won the big one. But what about this second round?

BP: Yeah we’re all fired up for it. They are too, its too bad the World Cup is also going on, because this is kind of showdown should be the centerpiece everywhere. I hope we get a sold out crowd, and plenty of loud, but responsible fans. I wish we could appeal to the powers that be to have this game go to extra time and a penalty shootout if we were drawn at the end of full time, so there can be a winner. Neither of us want the match to end in a draw.

CP: Have you talked to Sinan Kose, given that you two are about to be teammates in Cafundeu, about this match right here?

BP: Kose and I get along pretty good. In the Baptism of Fire we got a lot of respect for one another. We both realized that the other was just doing their job to win the match for their country, and we know its going to be like that again in our game tonight.

CP: Are you looking forward to being teammates?

BP: Very much so. By being assigned to him like this I know what he’s about and have tried to anticipate his moves before he makes them. When we get together with A.F.F., that’s going to be good for both of us, because again I can anticipate what he’s thinking and hopefully set him for great scoring opportunities, because we all know how great of a finisher he is.

CP: It seems as though Newmanistan needs at least something here, pointswise.

BP: Yeah, we need three points. Not one. Not zero.

CP: What happened against Prazkoy?

BP: (shakes head) Ya know, we’ve gotten that question about 100 times now. How about we all just say hey you know what, Prazkoy played one heck of a great game. They are a defensive powerhouse. We knew that going in, but we could not solve them. We tried many different ways of attack, and they answered the call on all of them. Tip your cap to them, they deserve it. And if they play like that the rest of the Cup of Harmony, they can win the group.

CP: So you completely downplay a poor Rocket effort?

BP: I’m not saying that. We didn’t play well. But man, its not like against Lithima when we drew when we were just flat out pathetic. We played a good club, I don’t give a damn what their ranking is because they are better then that. They beat us. They earned it. And now we must move on. Again I assure everyone who’s listening that when it comes to Prazkoy, forget their ranking, they are a good club.

CP: John Murphy got hurt late in the game and Shawn Drummond will take over, how will that effect things?

BP: It gives us a little more speed up front, but we’ll miss Murph. We think we could get him back for matchday five.

CP: Alright everyone, that was Brett Prescott. Thanks for listening.

BP: Thanks Clint, and I just want everyone to know that even though I am going to play in Cafundeu, my heart will always bleed sky blue and white.

Candelaria And Marquez

23-04-2008, 13:08

The National Reporter Online: News with a View
Kelssek make a mountain out of a Salthill

Iain Miller writes. Blimey… Those who claimed (hello) that this was going to be one of the most open Harmonies in years look to have displayed prescience of the highest order. Even those distracted by the Big Blues’ own meek efforts on Matchday One couldn’t have failed to notice that Kura-Pelland also somehow contrived to draw with Rennidan – who are, for the record, ranked ninety-fourth in the world and statistically the second-worst team in this Cup, while the Kura-Pellandis are the second-best. What a shame that Darach Salthill had to go and spoil what could have been a very enjoyable twenty-four hours of pointing and laughing on our part.

It’s not as though Group J was the only one to kick off with some bookie-agreeable results, though. Elsewhere in Krytenia the impending threat of an extended Chilly War between the two countries appeared to do for the Niri and Tieshanese chances, while the highest-ranked side to win were actually Lovisa. An uninspiring unit perhaps, they may be something of a sleeper in this tournament, but frankly you might as well stick a pin into this report and go with that country. Unless you’re reading the online edition, obviously. Probably wouldn’t do the screen much good. Anyhoo, the reigning champions from up Jeruselem way could only manage to eek out a draw themselves and the semi-finalists of two years ago, Prux, were felled by Acapais. ’Tis a pity you guys back home haven’t been sent any highlights of that game, because the hearts do seem to be on the way back. But elsewhere in Starblaydia even the much-fancied grief tourists from Newmanistan lost their opening game. Hîp-Hîp-Hurê!, as they don’t actually say in Prazkoy, on account of having their only language and everything…

Anyway, the point of all this is to illustrate that a 2-2 draw on a day like yesterday isn’t an appalling result, and the good news is that we won’t have to watch the national team take on Kelssek again for at least a week or so. Maybe much longer. Cross your fingers on that, because if the Big Blues are developing a consistent bogey side, it’s the East Pacific’s finest. The last four games have ended in draws and there was a certain destiny about this one too, for C&M’s opener clearly came against the run of play. Kelssek had knocked it about very pleasantly; Charles Fletcher and Kenneth Regehr getting plenty of time on the ball to show up the Big Blues’ lack of width, with William Burgos and Alex Duxbury frequently forced back into the back four. Alessio Montano gratefully attempted to compensate by wandering out to the flanks, but that just seemed to sap C&M’s inspiration in the centre of the park, and Lloyd Donnelly’s carefully-laid tactical plans looked set to fizzle out in the face of Bryan Symonds’.

Having had monsters and mares against C&M in the past, it was mildly inevitable that Albrecht FC’s Francois St. Louis would become the centre of attention again, and his misplaced pass on twenty minutes fell to his club team-mate Matteo Corradini. With a playful wink, the midfielder celebrating his first official captaincy galloped past the Kelssek left-back and crossed into the sparsely-filled box. José Felipe Cassumba Domingos wisely left it well alone and held up Simon Avant, giving Montano enough time to take the ball past Mikhail Gobrynin and open the scoring.

No sooner had TV1’s commentators decided between Sol-til and Sal-thil did the Kelssekian debutant make his first real impact on the game however, after good work down the left by Fletcher. The Capital FC man’s cross was fine, but Salthill’s eye for a pass will clearly have more than a couple of foreign clubs sitting up and taking notice. Everyone knows about Ian Sinclair of course, who needed only one touch to roll the ball daintily past Oberon Martinez.

Martinez’s form on his return from injury thankfully wasn’t tested too far in Hoxton (the Krytenian Hoxton, not our Hoxton. Let’s just hope that nobody’s satnav directed them towards the 11,000-seater Army Ground rather than the Eyrie), for Ben Young and Shane Wojciechowski looked a comfortable partnership and, while Burgos and Duxbury were being terrorised, the Kelssekian attack struggled to get in behind the Candelariasian backline. Instead, C&M themselves got a breakthrough, when a long, looping cross from Connor Mengucci fell at the feet of the goalscorer Montano. The Yarzoya FC winger delivered a curler of his own and Ignacio Vélez, with a quick glance towards the linesman’s flag, or lack thereof, was able to get just beyond the veteran Gobrynin (not that they’re not all mostly veterans, of course. Most of these guys were playing Baptism of Fire football at a time when the names of Northern Bettia and Zwangzug would still provoke a “Who?” among most football fans), and poke home past the dithering Richard Davis.

Having taken the lead C&M pushed on, and were slightly unfortunate not to twice extend their position through Ramiro Novo, but as the third failed to come so Kelssek found renewed home. The temptation for Mengucci and Corradini to drop back into their own box became impossible to resist and the alleged underdogs’ possession became absolute. Finally it paid off, when – as my Kelssekian colleagues reliably inform me – Salthill sold Duxbury a deke. No doubt it’ll look good on the Duke’s mantelpiece, whatever it is, but on this form it’ll be the only accolade the Cathedral City man will be taking home from Krytenia. Effortless in the CMSC, Duxbury looked overawed in the bright lights of the Cup of Harmony – understandably, given he’s making his first senior start at a major tournament. His selection once again raises questions of Donnelly’s judgement, considering that José Luis Sosa was kicking his heels on the bench, but Salthill cared naught for any of that. With Duxbury left scratching his nose the curiously barnetted Kirkenes FC man gave Wojciechowski the slip and gave Martinez no chance whatsoever with a thunderbolt into the top right-hand corner.

Until the news of Kura-Pelland’s measly point came through, Salthill’s goal had felt like the winner for the expectant Candelariasian fans. If nothing else though, we’ll be guaranteed entertainment in this Cup, and that should be enough to entice those Big Blues fans whose passion has been wavering lately back into the fold. I know for a fact that more than one Radyukevich supporter had paid through the nose for the chance to watch David Wolverton and Julius Rotherwell face off in the Krytenia v Demot clash in Avidia, but they will surely be joining the rest of us in our little tour of the country’s second tier cities while Group J remains this open.

At the very least, the results of Matchday One will hopefully convince our twenty-three to treat their next opponents, Rennidan, with the respect they deserve – and not merely as an hors d’oeuvre ahead of that clash on Matchday Three…

Cup of Harmony 32 Group J Game
@ The Eyrie, Hoxton, Krytenia

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/candelaria_and_marquez.png Candelaria And Marquez 2
Montano 20, I. Vélez 53

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/kelssek.png Kelssek 2
Sinclair 38, Salthill 79

Kose and The Turkomans

23-04-2008, 15:08

2-2

Turkoglu was starting in place of the weary Kose who looked a bit off in the warm up and it Appeared to have paid off with an early effort gaining him the first blood.

But then after a blunder by Alp Jeru were let in through the back door as Fuat was left helpless at the power of their attack

Then at 45 minutes came on an off form Sinan Kose who scored from range what looked to be the winner but then a late equalizer left the Turks wondering what may have been.

Now the Turks will require Sinan and others like Turkmen and Yilmaz to be on top form for the biggest rematch now dubbed "the Revenge of The Turks" Match against Newmanistan who return on the back of a surprise defeat at the hands of Prazkoy.

Kose has Returned
After news of him possibly missing out on last nights match it left many fans worried as he did seem off peak but in a live interview he has confirmed that he has returned to the stage and is more hungry than ever for success. He told us "I have never really been out of contention for a game and it left me frustrated" He went on to say " I hope I never expierience something like that again in my career. Kose hit the target in the 2-2 draw last night.

Riots prevented
After the Turks opening night draw the ultrAslan were kept under tight control by Starblaydi officials and have been praised by members of the team who released a statement "Those who use violence to get their points across are showing our great nation up and I fully commend those who prevented an emulation of the Baptism of Fire riots"

Jariss

23-04-2008, 15:12

JARISS RENAISSANCE PRESS
“No storm shall silence us!”

Good Start

Despite the difficult odds the team is facing at this year’s Cup of Harmony, the team has yet to show that it has bothered them on the field. In their opening match they did what they had to do in beating 89th ranked Kereca by a 2-0 margin. Thanks to the rash of draws in the rest of the group, Jariss finds itself alone in first and more surprisingly equal on goals with the top scoring squads in the group. Most helpful were the surprise failures of the tournament powers Candelaria And Marquez as well as Kura-Pelland to get wins against their lower ranked opponents.

That may come back to hurt us however as we find that KP is our next opponent and will no doubt be looking to improve on their disappointing performance and would especially try to avoid finding themselves 5 points back with three matches to play in the event of a loss to the Spiders. On the other hand KP could very easily find themselves looking ahead to the clash of the titans on the third matchday when they play C&M and might be the opening our Spiders can take advantage of to come away with points in what is expected to be a very tough match coming up. The best news is that the team will have some time to recover some before they have to face C&M on the final matchday of qualification win, lose or draw. Taking points in those two matches will be critical for the team’s apparent slim chances to move on.

Observers had noticed that the Spiders seemed to have gotten the benefit of a few questionable calls in their match with Kereca. This writer has to wonder if this may indeed be part of some sort of ‘make-up fix’ by the co-hosts after this writer raised questions over the honesty of the draw before the Cup began. We shall be watching future matches closely to see if this was a fluke or a growing trend for the Spiders.

Terreiro de Ogum

23-04-2008, 20:07

The return of the Terreiro!

"Os orixás não garantem vitórias absolutas seguidas de vitórias. É preciso raça, vontade e qualidade para vencermos. Se o sucesso não vem logo, ele virá depois."

After not qualifying for the World Cup, the Umbanda team was invited to the Cup of Harmony, which is happening in the same place of the World Cup, and in the same time. A big competition, our beloved players are feeling the responsibility on their shoulders, and they know that a good performance in the games can result in improving the image of our small but beloved country in the eyes of the rest of the world. And in the first games, the team did the job well, defeating Nethertopia by the result of 2x0.

Before talking about the game, let's talk about the Cup of Harmony. Not qualifying for World Cup 40 was a predicted thing, as Terreiro de Ogum's team is still an inexperienced one, and the players weren't so talented after all... most of their ability comes from their spiritual power, something that lies beneath them, but doesn't come just from them. They needed the rituals to call the orixás to help them, and just with the combination of rituals and faith the orixás would help us... but their help was decisive.

In the World Cup qualifiers, things were different. Although the orixás offered their help in most of the games (the exception is that one when the ritual was done in a wrong way), the help wasn't enough for the team to defeat countries like Capitalizt SLANI and Jeru FC. More football ability was needed. Now, the team is in the Cup of Harmony, and can do a good job in this cup, with the help of the orixás. Today, they helped... Ogum gave the team the power to score the goals, with Mestre Kacet.

Kura-Pelland

24-04-2008, 00:25

Scientists at the University of Fariynuff's Margaret Institute claimed to have deciphered announcements from Krytenia and Starblaydia suggesting that 'RP bonus' - linked to media coverage and often rumoured to be passed on to the players in the form of the drugs RP-inin and the less common Verbosita - was greatly reduced in this World Cup.

That'd explain Naboomo Umbongo. It's our RP-free philosophy... Naboombo Umbongo.

Anyway, if there's one thing that never changes, it's that sometimes football (whether you subscribe to the Institute's 'Excelite' theory or not) produces utterly crazy results.

That'd explain Naboombo Umbongo...

...and it's about all that explains Kura-Pelland's utterly rubbish performance against a Rennidan side who themselves were on fire. 1-1 flattered the Kura-Pellandis, who should have had Michael Modexa sent off before his deflected shot cancelled out Bo Phelps' 22nd-minute own goal.

Rennidan were robbed, in honesty. Kura-Pelland clearly have one eye - two? - on Candelaria And Marquez, but if they play like this then that match will become a mere irrelevance. As may sport in general, as ever crazier domestic news stories start to dominate. Already, the murder trial of rapper Munay Mann (real name: Bernard George) is dominating TV news, and this kind of performance will only usurp that for the wrong reasons.

Rejistania

24-04-2008, 17:51

Xkora'ny ve Sono'ny

Inik Leisa still completely voluntarily does the Cup of Harmony related editorials. for our newspaper. If he is writing different things, he is telling lies. please contact the Weekly if you read a censored call for help in the following text:

Hello to all readers of this really honest and honorable newspaper, Let t take a look at opponent: I told already the last editorial the Archregimancy is what, but let say something about its name: Arch is referring to government, is found in monarchy, matriarchy, and plutarchy, -regi- is also referring to government, but somewhat military so: regiment, regime, and region (you think last term no military signifiant, go see hooligans different rekiho from in fight), -men- is plural man or in lyki cause. Last syllable -cy like -xi sounds, maybe because they second ones after Rome from akahele*.

Now, is Archregimency took vow of silence for week current. This advantageous: less complaining to referee in situations ambiguous, also less support from fans, who silent as well, this meant: KaMaRi fans loudest. However, Jasuki Lyku said did hear one of the monks mutter 'blia!' under breath after foul.

TBC

OOC:
* akahele means temple, but it is also used for christian churches. 'Rome from akahele' thus means roman church.

BTW: OOCly my English is better, it is just bad ICly :)

Rennidan

24-04-2008, 18:41

One Point for 'The Unknowns' Please.

Rennidan has done it again. This time, in the Cup of Harmony, they're playing against bigger and better teams on paper, but keeping their own on the pitch.

This time around they drew 1-1 with Kura-Pelland Manor Fields, Bletcham. The team had decided to play Jo Malkoa instead of his elder brother, who is currently relaxing after the World Cup with an around-the-world backpacking trip.

It was a tight match which had many of us biting our knuckles, and we have to admit whilst we would have preferred a win, the draw will suit us just fine.

One point on the table, more to come soon.

Newmanistan

24-04-2008, 20:24

(The team meets up for a pre-game get together in preparation for the Turks)

Carson: Ok guys, settle down. And listen up.

(Players do as instructed)

Carson: For the first time since Newmanistan declared itself a player in these tournaments there’s a word that’s been mentioned, and I don’t like it.

Chapman: What’s that?

Carson: Distraction. Also, unmotivated. I don’t know if I agree with that, but if we have given the media the opportunity to throw these terms out there about us, then we can be doing a better job of it.

Lewis: Yeah, your right, let us all remember why we are here.

Carrigan: Hey, I don’t know what the rest of you think, but I don’t think its necessarily the transfers and all that stuff, I think it’s something else. The whole Loser’s Cup mentality.

McAllister: KC’s got a point.

Carrigan: I know we were never expected to go to the World Cup, realistically, but man we came real damn close, especially with it coming down to the end of it. Now, we see them in the World Cup, here in Starblaydia too I might add, and it makes it harder to put not being in the World Cup out of mind.

Brooker: Yeah, especially when all the sports highlights shows are 90% World Cup, 10% Cup of Harmony. But yeah, we are here, and we still need a good showing.

Carson: You raise a good point, guys. I didn’t really think we’d be one of those clubs with the whole “Loser’s Cup” mentality, but if this is going to be a factor, I am glad I know it now. But guys listen up, I think deep down, we all knew we would be in the Cup of Harmony and not in the World Cup. Forget the Cup. Don’t read the papers, don’t watch the sports reports. No thinking about that other Cup. I know it can’t totally be tuned out, but we are here and not there and that is where are focus needs to be.

McAllister: Right on!

Brooker: Yes sir!

Carson: Now we know the Turks want to wipe the floor with us. It’s a hard working club, and there are a lot of similarities between us, and it is because of those similarities, that we know they are going to want to play the game of their lives today.

Lewis: And so will we!

Team: That’s right!

Carson: Very good guys, and so will we! We’ve beat them before, we can do it again. Brett, like you did in the Baptism of Fire, I don’t want Sinan Kose to have any room to breathe.

Prescott: Oh he won’t.

Carson: Cut down his passing lines. Gunes has progressed well too, so I want you to make his day difficult, Kevin (Carrigan), I am confident that I can assign you to him, and then have McCafferty rough him up a bit when he gets in a good attacking position. As much as he has gotten better, and the team around Kose has gotten better. It’s still a case of containing Sinan Kose. I don’t know why he didn’t play against Jeru FC and nor do I care. He will be fresh, so we’ll have to get to him early.

Prescott: Will do, sir.

Carson: Alright, now lets go out and there and make the second time hurt worse then the first.

Fujisawan Territories

24-04-2008, 21:13

KLVE 8 Print Edition
Komine Praised in Territories Win

The Fujisawan Territories won their opening Cup of Harmony Match against Nire and Nire 2-1, and head coach Jotaro Komine was widely praised as a result. Stephen Distefano, the previous head coach, stepped down to an assistant head coaching position following a disastrous World Cup 40 qualifying run. Under contract through World Cup 41, Distefano will remain an assistant coach for the duration of his contract.

Many are pleased with the change as Jotato Komine is the coach that led the Fujisawan Territories Under 21 team on an improbable journey to the Di Bradini Cup final.

“Having him running the show on the senior side is the best possible news for this team. He is absolutely brilliant in the way he coaches, and I think he’s the best hope to turn this team around,” Distefano said during a press conference shortly after his voluntary demotion was announced.

Forward Izukoza Yoko had been a close ally of Distefano but in recent months turned critical. There were many publicized tense moments between the two during World Cup 40 qualifying matches.

“I think he knew that there were people who weren’t pleased with the way that he was running the team. He was making decisions that myself and a lot of other people just didn’t agree with, and I hope now that we can move forward in a new, better direction,” Yoko said.

Komine is the author of ‘Belief: How a Six Letter Word Changed Twenty Three Lives and a Nation’, about his coaching of the Fujisawan Territories Under 21 team that made it to the 4th Di Bradini Cup final against all odds, and he says his approaches work because he means every word he says and he makes it a point to actively get involved with his players lives on a personal level.

“They have to trust you. If they have trust in you to know that you know what you’re doing, then you can focus them on themselves, and they can start trusting themselves. Then they realize that maybe they can do that after all,” Komine said.

The Komines it seems have been blessed recently. Komine’s niece Shizuha Komine, a player on the World Cup 39 roster has been named as head coach of the upcoming 5th Di Bradini Cup.

“Success runs in the family. I’m really happy for Shizuha. She’ll do great and right now, I’ve got my hands full with the senior side and getting that team turned around. I have nothing against Stephen, but I will say this team needs new leadership and direction,” Jotaro Komine said

Krytenia

24-04-2008, 23:06

DING!

Look's like time's up for this round, but stay tuned as we play for DOUBLE POINTS!

Starblaydia

24-04-2008, 23:21

MATCHDAY TWO
a.k.a. Snazzy Kits Incorporated

Group I
Prux 3-0 Terreiro de Ogum @ Flavioso, Flavia
Acapais 2-0 Blouman Empire @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis
Lovisa 2-2 Nethertopia @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Acapais 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6
2 Lovisa 2 1 1 0 4 3 1 4
3 Prux 2 1 0 1 3 1 2 3
4 Terreiro de Ogum 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
5 Nethertopia 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
6 Blouman Empire 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0

Group J
Newmanistan 2-1 Kose and the Turkomans @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça
Prazkoy 2-1 Septentrionia @ Karela Park, Nova Malta
Kosovoe 1-3 Jeru FC @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Prazkoy 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
2 Jeru FC 2 1 1 0 5 3 2 4
3 Septentrionia 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 3
4 Newmanistan 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
5 Kose and the Turkomans 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
6 Kosovoe 2 0 0 2 2 6 -4 0

Krytenia

24-04-2008, 23:35

MATCHDAY TWO
a.k.a. Double Your Money, Double Your Fun

Group K
KaMaRi 1-3 Nire and Nire @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
The Archregimancy 2-0 Aleos @ Ostlers Lane, Stratford
Taeshan 1-2 Fujisawan Territories @ Parc Abertawy, New Cefn

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Fujisawan Territories 2 2 0 0 4 2 2 6
2 Nire and Nire 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 3
3 The Archregimancy 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
4 KaMaRi 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3
5 Aleos 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
6 Taeshan 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0

Group L
Jariss 0-0 Kura-Pelland @ South Road, Sandwell
Kereca 2-1 Kelssek @ The Eyrie, Hoxton
Candelaria and Marquez 0-1 Rennidan @ Manor Fields, Bletcham

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jariss 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4
2 Rennidan 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
3 Kereca 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
4 Kura-Pelland 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
5 Kelssek 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
6 Candelaria and Marquez 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1

Terreiro de Ogum

25-04-2008, 01:34

Robo-Ducks not affected by our spiritual power!

"A lei espiritual só vale para aqueles que as têm. Máquinas são apenas objetos feitos pelo homem, e devido a isso não possuem espírito. Nada espiritual os afetará!"

And the Cup of Harmony continues for our beloved team. In the second game, Terreiro de Ogum faced Prux, a team that reached the semifinals of the previous edition of this same competition, and nearly got a place in the World Cup. So, a very difficult opponent, one to not be underrated. With this fact in mind, our pais and mães-de-santo doubled their efforts in the rituals in order to bring the orixás' help, adding strength to the team and maybe even weakening the opponents (as some evil pais and mães-de-santo do rituals for).

When the game started, Terreiro de Ogum showed good football, probably thanks to the boost in their abilities that is generated by their spiritual strength. Their faith in the orixás make miracles, and one of these miracles is to transform what should be only an average team in a good one. Mestre Kacet made many acrobatic moves to try to score, Tramóia made his tricks... things seemed good. But they weren't. The robo ducks were only analyzing the playing style of Terreiro de Ogum, and attacked well soon after. Still in the first half, one of the ducks scored.

But... what happened that the robots weren't affected by our beloved rituals? The answer is that they are robots, so our spiritual power didn't reach their souls... because, as far as we know, they don't have one. So, they could continue focused on the game, and were able to win it. Our team even tried to react, but the ducks didn't let them score, and increased the advantage later in the second half, completely destroying the hopes of our beloved team, that now must get a good result in the next game to continue well in the standings.

Jariss

25-04-2008, 02:49

JARISS RENAISSANCE PRESS
“No storm shall silence us!”

Bizzaro Group

That about all you can say after the first two matches of the group stage of the Cup of Harmony. After today’s results the highest ranked team in the group Candelaria And Marquez finds themselves dead last with one point after a shocking 1-0 loss to last seed Rennidan, who now only trails our Spiders by 1 in goal differential. Second seed Kura-Pelland is actually best of the three as they sit with 2 points in fourth after their scoreless draw with the Spiders of Jariss, the second draw in a row for the second highest ranked team in the group. In between, the third seed Kelssek sits at 1 point also with their upset loss to Kereca who rebounded from their 2-0 loss to the Spiders. So the bottom three seeds hold the top three slots and the top three at in the cellar.

What does all this mean? It means that Jariss with a win and a draw sit atop the group with 4 points going into our match with Kelssek. Two straight shutouts for keeper Tali Vindu finds our team as one of only two squads that have yet to allow a goal. The other being Acapais over in group I. While the Spiders are the only group leader not at six points I don’t think anyone on the squad will be complaining about their current position. On the other hand this next match with Kelssek will be a critical one. A Jariss win would all but ensure that Kelssek could not win the group and depending on other results could be in serious trouble at even rallying for the second qualifying spot.

Even more interesting is the fate of Kura-Pelland and Candelaria And Marquez. The two top seeds in both the group and the tournament find themselves in the unexpected position of fighting for their lives as time begins to run short. A loss by either combined with Jariss and Rennidan wins could very well find one of these two favorites to win it all on the outside looking in. Even a draw may not help these two teams.

All this just proves how vital it is for the Spiders to keep up their strong play so far as they face their near equal ranked Kelssek opponent next. Another win and the team’s chances to advance improve dramatically. And as the team’s defense, unlike in the world cup, has come to play from the start of this tournament, the team appears to be gelling much better than at any point during the World Cup qualifiers. If they are going to make a move in this tournament, then the team seems to be peaking at the right time.

Taeshan

25-04-2008, 03:47

im not even gonna take the time right now to write a good rp now, because well probally just suck in the next game and screw ourselves.

Newmanistan

25-04-2008, 03:50

THE ROCKET REPORT

REVENGE OF THE TURKS? DENIED!

Farca, Starblaydia- It would have been a nice scenario for Kose and The Turkomans. Knock off the Rockets and get some measure of revenge for the Baptism of Fire final in which the Rockets triumphed by a 3-1 score. It wouldn’t get them a championship back, but it could seriously hamper the Rockets chances of advancing out of the Group stages here in the Cup of Harmony, and that would not be a bad consolation prize. The nations have a nice budding rivalry; one that’s never became nasty, but is very competitive between the two, and should be for a long time to come. Newmanistan was not about to oblige for the perfect Turk scenario, however. Instead the Rockets also came out and played hard, knowing that three points weren’t just a luxury, they were a necessity.

The start of the game was classic as the teams stared each other down. Brett Prescott lined up opposite Sinan Kose and shook the hand of his future A.F.F. teammate but it was done with one of those looks of determination. Both Kose and Prescott couldn’t care less about A.F.F. right now, national pride was at stake. The opening minutes saw hard-nosed football. Each team came out wanting to establish the tempo, and were as physical as they could be within the rules in order to do exactly that. Those who don’t know or understand the game might have viewed these minutes as uneventful, but it was a battle for field position, a hard nosed battle by each side to assert themselves. It took 10 minutes for the first shot on target, and it came from Sinan Kose, who solved his marker, Prescott, then put on a nice move around Tony Borsinger. Just one problem. Kevin Dalton read it the whole way to get a relatively easy save, and holding onto it as well. More minutes of the first half ticked away as we went past twenty, then thirty, without a goal but with plenty of excitement out on the pitch. But in the 38th minute, the game would finally get its first goal, thanks to the speed up front of Jeremy McAllister and Shawn Drummond. After Drummond initially got a nice cross from Kevin Carrigan, he dribbled by two Turk defenders and appeared to be ready to take shot, or slide the ball to Kevin Lewis for a shot. But he did neither. Instead, he took the more risky route, and directed a long pass to McAllister on the opposite end. This was a game where you needed to take risks, and certainly Iskender Kazim was not expecting it. McAllister roofed the shot, and the Rockets were up 1-nil at halftime.

During the intermission, it appeared as though both coaches preached more of the same. After all, the Turks had been going on the attack all game, they just hadn’t been able to penetrate the Rockets defense very well, and when they did Dalton had the answer. This changed, however, in the 53rd minute, when they got the equalizer, coming off the foot of who else. Sinan Kose. Kose perfectly placed a shot into the top left corner, leaving Dalton helpless to try and stop it, and tying the game up at one. The deadlocked score did nothing to lessen the intensity, as neither wanted a draw. Certainly, both the Rockets and the Turks could maybe, deal with it, if they did just get a point, but not here. Not in a rivalry game of this stature. There was going to be a winner, and in the 76th minute, it appeared as though that winner would be the Turks, but Kose missed a prime scoring opportunity. After faking out Dalton, he had plenty of open net to shoot at. But he rang his shot off the post, and it was quickly cleared by Jeremy Brooker. But on the end of that clear, Brooker hooked up with a streaking Chris Peterson who made a brilliant run. Peterson then fed Lewis with a nice pass, and likewise Lewis to McAllister. McAllister then took a shot from about 25 yards. The shot would not make it on net, but it got Kazim to overcommitt to his left, and when the ball deflected off of defender Sukur Saray, it ended up right on Shawn Drummond’s foot with Kazim out of position. Shawn delivered, putting Newmanistan up by the score of 2 to 1. This goal, and the events leading up to it, really sucked all the life out of the Turks, and they never really mounted a serious threat afterward, allowing the Rockets to secure the victory, and get a big three points.

Prazkoy

25-04-2008, 05:02

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP

http://www.coffiszero.com/images/scacchi.jpg

Coming back from that early win against Brian Carson of Newmanistan, Filip is going on to play against Lionel Henri of Septentrionia. Both had a good win in their first match, and we're going to probably witness much of the same. Surprisingly, the GM from Septentrionia has the higher rank, but I think Filip has the experience.

And what's this now? Football players are going onto the pitch dressed in chess pieces and the pitch has become a giant chess board? This is weird and interesting all in the same breath! Filip begins the play with an unconventional closed style queen's knight opening. Henri replies with the static French defense. Filip now brings out both knights, and Henri starts replying with a queen's knight to c6.

The players are moving feverishly as they try to get around the pitch. Man, I'd hate to be that guy doing the knight's piece. Did I just hear someone sneeze? Hmm... those thastrenutaphobiosis folk must reproduce like gnats or something. Anyway, Filip moves out his first pawn, king's side to e4. Henri replies with d5! Will Filip take it? No! He moves out d4! Henri replies e5! Filip takes e5, and Henri moves down d4, knight to d4, and Henri counters with his own knight c6 to d4!

Intense exchange, but Henri comes out on top after it. Filip moves king's bishop to d3. Henri continues to press the attack, bishop to b4. Filip counters with a king's side castle. Henri decides to take the knight and a pawn moves in to take the bishop. This is perhaps the most aggressive play yet shown by either Henri or Filip to date... of course, Henri doesn't play chess, and Filip doesn't play too aggressively. Mysterious, ain't it?

Henri backs away, knight to e6. Filip's queen dashes out h5, but Henri marks with a pawn at g6. Queen back to h3, and knight to f4. Fork! But Filip doesn't seem to care. Actually, let's take a look at the captured pieces! It looks like they're about to play something called football! Prazkoy scores one! Back to chess, Filip moves queen f3! Knight captures the bishop and he pawn takes the knight! Well, with the influx of Septentrionian players, it seems that they've taken the score in the football match all even.

Henri moves pawn to f6. Filip replies with pawn to d4. F5! Filip captures f5, Henri recaptures! Intense, isn't it? Filip presses to d5. Henri tries to recover the middle ground with a move to c6. Filip is undaunted, moves to c4. Henri is becoming more and more rash, as he captures d5, but is immediately by Filip.

Big mistake! Knight to e7! Filip doesn't show any mercy, pawn to d6. Knight recovers to c6, a good balancing act. But Filip presses the attack! Queen to h5! Henri has two options. He takes the sensible option, king to f8. Filip moves his bishop to h6, to keep up the pressure, and now Henri moves into a temporary safe zone at g8, but the king is now trapped. What will Filip do to exploit this opportunity?

Move a pawn, of course, to f4. Saves the central position. What will Henri do? Prazkoy scores! Again! Oh, right back to chess. Henri moves queen to c6 - check! King moves safely to h1. Henri moves conservatively to e6. No his best move, but considering the alternatives... he seems to be banking his last hope on an attacking stance.

Filip moves queen to g5. Henri only has one choice at this point. Filip presses the attack even more, g7. King back to e8, and the queen takes the rook, check again! King backs to d7. Filip surprisingly does not take the rook, instead takes the pawn, h7. Henri chooses to get back into c8. Queen returns to h8. The king has no choice but to return to d7. Filip finally takes the rook. Henri seems to have succeeded at trapping the queen, as he moves the knight to d8.

But wait, Filip moves queen's side rook to c1! The threat is not over. Knight returns to c6. Still, the queen is trapped back in the A corner. How to get the queen out? He doesn't and moves the black bishop to g5. Henri moves queen to b2, a feigning attack move, since he can't really do anything. Still, a bad move by Filip could be the end of him as well. Filip moves the queen out to f8, and Henri opens his A file with a move to a6. Filip moves his other rook to cover the d file, and now they're both looking pretty tense. But Filip has the material advantage. A wrong move for Henri will send a horrible cascade against him. He moves his queen back to b6.

Filip with the attack! C-file rook captures the knight, and the pawn captures the rook, but it's only a consolation prize. Queen to e7, and king backs to c8. Pawn to d7! Tense moment. The wrong move for either side will set back everything for both of them! Henri must capture the bishop, and the queen moves into position. King backs to b8. Filip moves the e-file pawn to e6. Henri resigns! It's over! Filip wins the match! And both gentlement shake hands over the board, as Henri passes some words to Filip! Oh, what a tense and crazy moment! Both players at their prime! Who could have imagined something like this?

And we'll have an opportunity to speak to Miroslaw Filip later on in our tour, but for now, we'll concede that we've just witnessed a great win for Filip! And what's this now? Hamsters are starting to flood the pitch! Why are there hamsters on the pitch? They've raided the players' booze box! They're drinking the players' booze! The players are furious, chasing these furry hamsters! Oh my, the madness! Won't anyone think of the beer? The hamsters are sooo furry though!!!

And there's crickets now. And a swarm of fireflies. And a flock of geese. And a herd of bazalopes... somehow. It looks like the local zoo let out a little early. Well, that was an interesting 90 minutes as we brought you the best in chess and football. Prazkoy wins, and Filip takes away another vaunted win. Maybe the Hussites are right after all.

Prux

25-04-2008, 05:06

<Press Conference>

Reporter 1: Professor, why did the Roboducks win today?

Professor Gearlosse: "Vell zey sat back und en-alyzed ze veakness of ze Terreiron de Oguma peoples und zat lead to ve victory.

Reporter 2: Any changes for the next match against Blouman Empire?

Professor Gearlosse: Plowman Npire? Maybe, i might haff to use ve secret veapon, but vho know? Anythink cun happend.

Reporter 3: Professor, what about the rumors that you have been contacted by other nations to begin production on robo-animals for future World Cups?

Professor Gearlosse: I haff never been in contacted by ozer nations aboot ze Robotic Duck team. I am onder contracted with ze Prax team for at least ze end of ze Cupo of Ze Harmony. I vill not answer any more quvestions now. Aufvedershen.

Kose and The Turkomans

25-04-2008, 07:01

Beaten out
The Turks were once again beaten by Newmanistan who have now recorded two victories over us. in our search for revenge maybe we over stepped on the attack as McAlistair penetrated our defense as did Drummond. However Sinan Kose did get the goal he was after, but it wasn't enough as once again defensive blunders have cost us dearly.

After the match there was no hostile reception for either team from their own fans or that of th other team, this will likely be the start of a long and hard rivarly which we will look forward to resuming.

Next match
The Turks next match will be against bottom team Kosovoe who the Turks must beat if they are to remain in the competition for places. Alhrem will look to continue with our current system of one striker but is not trying to sort out Sinan's lack of chances.

Kelssek

25-04-2008, 07:49

"...all unknowns, and so, that really was a game they shouldn't have lost." said Adam.

"I agree, Dave."

Adam gritted his teeth.

"Oh, sorry, Adam. I was just talking to Dave."

"You... remembered my name."

"So a loss to Kereca..."

"Yeah."

"Jariss vs. Kura-Pelland, now that one was a crazy match. What's Kura-Pelland come to? Really, really brutal," Dave said, shaking his head, "just brutal. And how about the Prazkoy match? That's what comes out of playing football like it's chess, or chess like it's football, or in fact... just crazy."

"I found that match very confusing. Especially when they changed that pawn for a queen 86 minutes in. I thought you told me you can't make more than three substitutions. And then why didn't they just put two queens in the starting lineup in the first place?"

"You saying the Septentrionians got gays on the team?"

"Would that help them?"

"Why the hell can't we ever have normal commentary on this show?" Adam sighed in exasperation.

The other two hosts stared at him for a moment, then sighed themselves.

"Okay. So... a loss to Kereca..."

"Yes."

"We shouldn't have lost to Kereca."

"That's what I said."

"You're a good man, Adam."

Newmanistan

25-04-2008, 10:05

(Rockets players discuss various topics.)

Brooker: You see this commercial? What’d I do to show Kate Sallad some real rocket power!

Drummond: You know it sucks, every time we get Jeruselem or something affiliated with them, we get guys. First the monks in the Di Bradini Cup, now their miltary team.

Brooker: If I tackled Kate, she wouldn’t be getting back up real quick. But not because she was hurt. (Laughs). She’s a tough chick.

McAllister: I hear Putnam Lake’s trying to get her to transfer over.

Drummond: Yeah, you wish.

McElroy: Jeremy, again, you have a girlfriend.

Brooker: Actually, Julie, no I don’t. We broke up.

McElroy: Oh no, I’m sorry. Why?

Brooker: She didn’t want to move to Cafundeu with me. At first she was all cool about it and so excited about it and then she goes changing her mind. Doesn’t want to make such a dramatic lifestyle change, and we had a fight. She doesn’t care about my needs, so I’ll find someone else, it’s not like I can’t get women.

McElroy: Maybe you should have talked about her needs before you signed the contract with Dunboor FC?

Brooker: I did. She saw the dollar signs and backed me. You can’t change your mind in football, especially over this, and it’s not like I would anyway because I want to play for Dunboor FC more then anything. Now, I can begin my pursuit of Kate Sallad.

McElroy: Uh huh. Good luck with that.

Brooker: It’d just be for some fun, ya know. Nothing too serious. I’ve been tied down for too long.

Drummond: J-Mac, your awfully quiet on the Kate Sallad topic, what’s wrong with you?

McAllister: Kate’s a very talented football player.

Drummond: Yeah, and?

McAllister: Yeah, ok, she looks good but it doesn’t matter. I’m here for football not for women, you know I am moving on and trying to get more serious as a person.

Brooker: Damn, J-Mac, still? (Laughs)

McAllister: Yes, very much so.

Brooker: It’s not all its cracked up to be. You think they love you then the next moment they want you to back out of a huge contract that can change your whole life.

Drummond: So what’s the proper pronunciation of our next opponent, Septentrionia?

Brooker: Who cares.

McAllister: Brooks, cheer up. I mean, we should be respectful of them.

Brooker: I’ll cheer up when Kate Sallad walks in my room.

Drummond: Dude really, there’s tons of chicks out there looking to strike it rich out there by banging a football player. Go get one, or two, or three.

Brooker: Yeah, I know. I will. But I still have the number of the hotel that Jeruselem is staying in, I got off a rejected Jeru FC guy, some guy named Mickey Rate, and I am going to prank call her tonight anyway.

Drummond: Now that’s the spirit.

Jeruselem

25-04-2008, 14:31

[The Jeru FC team were having their relaxation time. In the past it meant sleeping with local girls but under the current coach that wasn't going to happen, especially after one player broke the rules and gave the team a cold which didn't help them in the first game.

Some were reading dirty magazines, some were playing on Nintendi Wii, some were reading military magazines while others talked about their sex lives or a lack of one.

Private Hans Mandebrott was talking girls with Private Nok Emdown.

Nok: So who's your favourite girl?
Hans: Well, I don't have one but I'd take of the redheds.
Nok: There's a lot of redheats in Jeruselem. Most of them Frenchies.
Hans: There's only on redheat I really want.

Nok: Dazza is a grandmother already, how about someone your age?
Hans: She doesn't look like a grandmother.
Nok: No, she doesn't. Must the world's hottest grandmother.
Hans: I guess I must go for other quarry.

Nok: Kate Dallas is locked up in some temple.
Hans: Pity, she was hot. No I mean the other Kate.
Nok: Kate Sallad.
Hans: Kate yummy Sallad.

Nok: Since Jacinta Dallas has boyfriend, that Flak Sho fella. He's a good looking for a Jew anyway. I'll see if I can the Sallad girl instead.
Hans: Both the Sallad girls are single.
Nok: OK, you get Kate and I get Jacinta.
Hans: Sound good to me.

Nok: You seen the new topless Wii ads?
Hans: Yes, I've got them.
Nok: Pretty hot, I think the new Wii is going sell.
Hans: I like my consoles cheap and fun, like my girls too.

Mickey: Why don't girls like me? They go for you but not me. It's not fair.
Nok: Spilling beer on girls dresses is not the way.
Mickey: Hey, it's not on purpose. How come you get away with it!
Nok: You have to be a gentlemen not a wanker.

Mickey: I can get girls, I'm no idiot.
Nok: You get termimally drunk ones who aren't much of a challenge.
Mickey: You're the guy who gave us the cold.
Hans: It wasn't Nok. He's careful about the girls he gets.

Mickey: Well, who was it then?
Nok: It wasn't me. I don't want to be sick. Girls don't go near sick people.
Mickey: You two are just perverts.
Hans: At least we have taste in women.

Candelaria And Marquez

25-04-2008, 17:11

The National Reporter Online>Sport>Football>Breaking News
REPORT: ‘Coup’ could oust Donnelly

Iain Miller writes. Chitchat emanating from both the Candelarias and Krytenia this morning suggests that after three-and-a-bit years at the helm, Lloyd Donnelly’s tenure as Big Blues boss may be effectively over.

The veteran manager’s failure to use his Head has been blamed in some quarters, namely in a revealing interview with former C&M captain Ben Head <in this paper> this morning, in which the Green Island lynchpin steams into the seventy year-old and claims that either his ego has gotten the best of him, or Alzheimer’s has finally struck. Head is just one of innumerable pundits to lay the blame for C&M’s current form at the door of Donnelly’s tactics, with the manager’s predecessor, FC DePardenti head coach Ricardo Garcia, claiming that the squad had been left “dazed and confused by [his] self-indulgent attempts to force them to play this avant-garde formation.”

The Big Blues’ inability to adapt from the classic 4-4-2, as used in the qualifiers, to Donnelly’s own beloved 2-3-2-1-2 eyesore certainly seems a major factor, and the personnel chosen have been criticised too. “Throwing that poor [Alex] Duxbury [the Cathedral City left-back] kid straight in there in tournament football is just such a weird move,” Head told the NR’s Naomi Scott, “But that’s not the worst of it. You can’t play [Alessio] Montano is the centre, it’s just crazy. I don’t care how good he is, it’s like playing [Albrecht FC striker] Joe Cunningham in goal. Alex [Montano] is a top, top player. He’s also a one-trick pony, and he does that trick brilliantly, but you can’t expect him to form any kind of partnership with [Matteo] Corradini [the Albrecht FC midfielder and current captain]. I know we’re not brilliantly well off for offensive central midfielders, but they’re out there. He [Donnelly] picked this squad for this tournament [the Cup of Harmony], knowing he was going to play this way, so there’s no excuses for square-pegging it, as far as I’m concerned.”

Head proceeded to reel of a list of potential central stars left out by Donnelly, from MarquezOW’s Reiban Okeke and Merlin Siriwong, to Jackson Tanzani (of Radyukevich), Jamie González (of Portuguese), Russell Jobson (of Catedral) and Nathanial Stewart (of Jerusalem Utd). But it is his own omission that grates the most. After being left out through injury, Head appeared lithe and well in the GIZ’s 3-2 CMSC victory over Albrecht FC. “I told the manager [Donnelly] I [Head] was going to be perfectly fit by the time the [Cup of ] Harmony started, and the doctors backed me up. With all due respect to Matt [eo Corradini] and Gooch [Connor Mengucci], I should still be in that team, never mind in the twenty-three. And I’m sorry to say it, but it’s a personality thing. I was too much of a competitor to him [Donnelly] in the dressing room. He basically brought Corradini through at Albrecht [FC]; he can control him. That’s why he’s got the armband. And frankly it’s sickening to see what he’s [Donnelly is] doing to this team just to satisfy his ego.”

Such comments would have stunk severely of sour grapes several weeks ago, when things were looking up despite the Big Blues’ failure to reach a third successive World Cup. With most key players back from injury, the team coming off the back of a five-nil drubbing of Nethertopia and the scheduled clash with Kura-Pelland seemingly the only genuinely testing game in a relatively easy group, there was real cause for optimism over C&M’s chances, both within the camp and in the country at large. Be honest: once you’d got over the pain of loosing to the blasted Dance 2 Revolutionarians again, the Cup of Harmony was beginning to look a rather attractive prospect, wasn’t it?

If we’re being insanely optimistic, it may yet become so again. Theoretically we could loose to Kura-Pelland and still qualify, and it’s fair to say in any case than our Vircasian friends are looking pretty damn awful as well. But it’s so hard to put a positive gloss on things because C&M truly were abysmal against Rennidan. Sure, we’ve suffered six-nil defeats in the past, but Demot and the ninety-fourth best side in the world are hardly natural bedfellows. This may have been the worst we’ve ever played. The horrible fact, which even Corradini and co. couldn’t argue with post-match, was that the one-nil scoreline flattered C&M. The size and strength of Shane Wojciechowski and nimble feet of Ben Young were able to keep little Mo Siv and the inexperienced Nicholi Drentum at bay for most of the match, and Oberon Martinez didn’t have that much work to do. But the possession statistics speak for themselves, and C&M were simply unable to string together more than two or three passes before Rennidan took hold of the ball for yet another extended session.

It made for depressing viewing. The lack of adventure shown by the Rennidanians didn’t improve the quality of the spectacle on offer, but making this one for the neutral wasn’t really their imperative. They’d struck the major blow after barely ten minutes, when Montano was comfortably tackled by Harri Belon and the ball ran on to Sammi MacOlv on the half-way line. The twenty-one year-old trotted forward unopposed as Corradini and Mengucci backed off, before the Américan midfielder attempted a half-hearted block on the number sixteen. MacOlv sought out Michael Ronnon on the edge of the area, who struck a stinging shot at Martinez, forcing the restored C&M number one to tip it over the crossbar. Ronnan himself then delivered the corner, from which Daniel Samman leapt like a certain migratory fish that shall remain nameless, and headed home perfectly.

No doubt some commentators considered all this merely the calm before the Candelariasian storm, but Rennidan are better than their rank and reputation suggest. After loosing their first six competitive internationals, they picked up back to back one-nil wins against Kosovoe and Terreiro de Ogum – no world-beaters themselves, certainly, but a sign that better things were to come. But did Donnelly take them lightly? It’d be the easy way out to claim such a thing, but even were that true, the Big Blues still had eighty minutes to break down this particular Holy Empire. But they could not, with Ignacio Vélez and Ramiro Novo seldom testing Ryan Malkoa, while the leaders had more than a couple of opportunities themselves to extend their lead. Alex Duxbury and William Burgos were in particular outclassed, and no doubt the sight of Micah Desono and Belon merrily bombing on forwards will have amused more than a few of their supporters back home.

Donnelly tried desperately to make his changes, but neither Rául Vélez nor Joe Cunningham nor José Luis Sosa could offer anything new to the game. The clearly still injury-aware Cassumba Domingos plodded around the park while Fred Ma kicked his heels on the bench. And let me tell you: you only had to watch it on the telly. I was there. And it was truly dreadful.

For Rennidan and their fans, this will go down as the game where they entered the almost-big time. For us? Well, I can now give you the recipe for a particularly fine lamb jalfrezi (it’s the extra one-and-a-half tablespoons of Kelola Oil that does it, apparently), but I don’t think your average Candelariasian supporter in Krytenia is going to have got much else out of this. Thank god the Kura-Pellanders only drew again…

We’re still quite a way from knowing what XI will take to the pitch in that all-important clash, but the bigger issue surrounds just who’ll be picking that team. Donnelly and the CAMAFA are staying conspicuously shtum on the matter just now, but the cavalcade of reports radiating from the camp in the immediate aftermath of the match cannot be ignored. Ben Head himself was happy to intimate that the manager had officially mislaid the dressing room, with a cadre of experienced players including O’Sullivan Caras, Ignacio Vélez, Ozzy Stefano and Oberon Martinez effectively seizing command. That no-one’s been put forward to deny such accusations would seem to speak volumes and, while we’ll surely have a clearer picture of the new regime – if any – tomorrow, few among by colleagues out here in the AO seemed in doubt this morning that a sea change was in the air. On this showing, we’d better hope so. Because this is one year where I didn’t expect the Di Bradini Cup to be taking centre stage again…

Kura-Pelland

25-04-2008, 19:26

Everyone said C&M v Kura-Pelland was the only match of real significance in this competition.

Say what?

Rennidan have taken four points from the two sides, while Kura-Pelland's two points is two too many for their current form, and living proof that the ultra-attacking style of the world's elite is the correct method. A bore-draw with Jariss (JARISS) in Sandwell was absolutely dire, Norbert Fiero having but one chance, which he missed horribly.

One has to wonder how long this can go on for... this is easily the worst period in Kura-Pellandi football history, and interest in the team is waning fast.

Nethertopia

25-04-2008, 20:15

THE NETHERTOPIAN SPORTSTIMES

Once again, we prove to be worthless at competitions
Jhana, Starblaydia - The Falcons have once again showed that gaining points against other teams is difficult for them. After the loss against Terreiro de Ogum, they now failed to win from Lovisa. The match however was exciting. With the Nethertopians being overrunned in the first half, partly because first goalie Wouter van Dalen still camps with an injury and thus playing with Ron de Vries. He made a terrible mistake in the 10th minute and conceeded another goal in the last minute of extra time before the break.
In the second half the Falcons seemed to have gotten better. Coach Kietecs left Daouda Diompy in the lockerroom and replaced him with Cees Hendriks. He flourished the game up with his long passes, until Souleymane Diakité was able to score with a header. Hendriks made the second one himself in the 71st minute, placing a free kick from 18m in the top right corner.

Fujisawan Territories

25-04-2008, 21:10

KLVE 8
New University of Hoji Study Prompts Changes in Athletic Programs

Recent studies by medical institutions worldwide have concluded that female athletes are more likely to tear an anterior cruciate ligament or ACL than their male counterparts. In the Territories, the rate is five to one.

So the University of Hoji set out to do a study of their own, got funding from the federal government, and got consultation from a renown orthopedic surgeon, Marouji Baisotei. The year long study concluded last month and now new legislature is being passed as a result. The study tracked length of recovery time, factors leading to ACL injury, and

“The most common sport for ACL injuries among Fujisawan female athletes is zeokit [soccer], and then gymnastics, followed by basketball,” Baisotei remarked.

The study tracked one hundred female athletes with ACL injuries at various stages of recovery across all seven islands. Their ages ranged from fourteen to twenty three.

Seventeen year old Arika Yamaha agreed to participate in the study when she tore her ACL six months ago while playing zeokit at Hoji High School.

“I heard about the study and I wanted to participate because a lot of my friends have been in my situation. And I hope something good can come from this study,” Yamaha said.

Yamaha says she hopes to eventually be able to play zeokit and is glad sh

As a result of the study, the Fujisawan legislature has passed requirements for high school and university athletic programs. Female athletes must now be tested for total knee strength, and female athletes with more than one ACL or other serious knee injury requiring surgery are not eligible to participate in high school and university athletic programs.

“The intent is to identify female athletes who already have weaker knees and who would be more prone to serious knee injuries. If you look at the Cup of Harmony, a player like Ginko Kawaii is at great risk,” Baisotei said.

The effects of the new regulations on the Territories’ international competition is mostly limited to the Di Bradini Cup, as all Di Bradini Cup players in the Territories are affiliated with a high school or university.

The Archregimancy

25-04-2008, 22:20

OOC - this is a half-serious suggestion for the hosts; it's highly unlikely that the Archregimancy would agree to play tomorrow until 1:00am Sunday morning (UK time) due to it being the day before Orthodox Easter. While the match can be scorinated as normal, could I suggest that, for IC reasons, IC kickoff take place at 1:00am during the night?

THE MONASTIC TIMES
(Special Holy And Great Friday Edition)

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross
He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns.
He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.
The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.
We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ
We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ
We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ
Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.

PASCHAL VOW OF SILENCE DRIVES FOOTBALLERS
One Win, One Loss in Cup of Harmony

By Fr. Nicholas the Scribe

Despite this being the most solemn of days on the Orthodox liturgical calendar, I have been summoned from my meditation cell to write a quick report on the Archregimancy's progress thus far in the Cup of Harmony. Knocked out of the World Cup playoffs by our Orthodox brothers in the Holy Empire, we find ourselves competing in this consolation tournament for the third time in four tournaments due to the ongoing prejudice against Orthodox monks manifested by the sinning heathen freemason-loving heretical atheistic Roman Catholic referees that the World Cup organisers continue to insist on using. Why they can't use Orthodox priests to referee out matches escapes us. But enough of my blathering; I'm only getting away with this level of editorialising because my usual editor's off on some Paschal vigil somewhere, and since virtually no one in the Archregimancy is going to read this anyway - what, with all the solemn preparation for Pascha tomorrow night - I might as well say what I like, right?

Anyway, the Cup of Harmony is traditionally a tournament that we do very poorly in. The last two tournaments we participated in, we were the overwhelming favourites. And we were awful. Clearly we feel harmony is best spread by losing to inept opposition; this tournament started off no differently, with a dreadful loss against some atheistic no-hopers called KaMaRi. Typical.

The Matins of the Twelve Passion Gospels seemed to cheer our footballing monks up no end last night, though, for after three and a half consecutive hours of standing up or kneeling down* in the presence of Metropolitan Mark of Voronets - and without accidentally setting anything alight with candles - they went out and beat Aleos 2-0. Another bunch of no-hopers, true, but at least it's a start.

At this rate we might even get out of the first round, God willing. But I doubt it.

Acapais

25-04-2008, 22:43

Cup of Harmony XXXII – MD2

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Blouman Empire http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/blouman_empire.png
2:0 (2:0)

Match Report:
Fraxinus Dome, Sciuntis – The second match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against the Blouman Empire and ended in a 2-0 win for the Hearts on Thursday night. The win for Acapais marks the second win in a row.

Acapais started the scoreing summary early in the 12th minute when Jose Castro, who recently transferred to Agreman FH in Cafundeu, split the ball between the keepers legs and found its way to the back of the net. Acapais doubled their advantage in the 26th minute when James Fronberry’s far-post header from Paroe crawled across the goal line.

The second half was similar to the first half in the respect that Acapais had most of the possession, most of the chances, and most of the foul calls go their way. The only difference was the lack of goals for the Hearts. Despite their questionable finishing, Acapais came away with three points and a clean sheet.

Blouman Empire keeper, Henry Burner, had difficulties in the first half with a Acapais attacks. Dave Lugini shot a left-footer toward the upper ninety which hit the corner of the post and deflected inward. The football hit Burner in the face and defected to his defenders feet and was cleared away. Play was stopped for the injury for up to seven minutes. Luckily for the Blouman Empire and their fans Burner was able to continue and see out the match. Controversy arose when the fourth official signaled for only three minutes of stoppages at the end of the first half and zero extra minutes to conclude the second half. The Blouman Empire manager, Baron Johnathon Konjac, felt they were robbed of sometime by the officials. He was quoted saying, “It was a disappointing loss, but the outcome may have been different if were given a few extra minutes.”

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “it was a good win tonight and I hope we can keep the energy flowing in the next matches. Sitting in first feels great of course, we just must remained focused and keep doing the things we good. Our defence in the last two games has been the best I’ve seen since I’ve been a manager for Acapais. Addressing the added time issued, I certainly think it boosted our confidence that we could go into the locker room ahead 2-0 and that’s all I have to say.” Miss Horne is now won her last two Cup of Harmony matches.

The Hearts goalkeeper, Hunchman O'Hare, earned his second consecutive international clean sheet.

Acapais will face-off with Nethertopia for matchday three of Cup of Harmony XXXII who drew to Lovisa on Matchday two and are sitting on one point after two matches.

The win leaves Acapais in first place in their group and two points ahead of Lovisa who are in second.

Scoring:
Acapais – Jose Castro (Zachary McKellar) 12
Acapais – James Fronberry (Henry Paroe) 36

Booking:
Acapais – Rex Agitril (Caution; Reckless foul) 61

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe (David Franzman 64), Al Vick Osman (Pablo 86); James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro (Nick Daniels 75), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Nethertopia
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/nethertopia.png

Injuries/Supensions:

Acapais Goal Scorers:
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Jose Castro
1 – James Fronberry

Acapais Assists Leaders:
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Henry Paroe

Acapais Yellow Cards:
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Bradly Sample
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Rex Agitril

Acapais Red Cards:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Newmanistan

26-04-2008, 00:01

THE ROCKET REPORT

DON”T OVERLOOK THE KEEPER

By: Clint Peterson

Starblaydia- Perhaps Newmanistan’s most underrated player in this entire World Cup season, ranging from the Baptism of Fire, to World Cup Qualifying, and now ultimately the Cup of Harmony has been Goalkeeper Kevin Dalton. Often overlooked because of the offensive style of the Rockets, Dalton’s fine play has been a big reason why Newmanistan is knocking on the door of the top 50 in the world rankings. The 34 year old has won many accolades during his domestic career playing with the Pocono City Capitals, winning three championships with the team, all under coach Brian Carson. Dalton has also won the NSL (now NPL)’s Goalkeeper of the Year a record 7 times. I had a the opportunity to sit down and chat with Kevin, in this exclusive one-on-one interview right here in your Rocket Report.

CP: Hello everyone. I am here with Kevin Dalton, the starting goalkeeper for the Rockets. Good evening, Kevin.

KD: Good evening, thanks for having me.

CP: Tell us a bit about your experiences thus far since the Baptism of Fire thru now.

KD: I’m just really thrilled to be able to represent the Empire in this kind of competition. I don’t think there is a greater honor for an athlete then to be able to represent his or her country at this level, and to do it as a goalkeeper, is particularly special. I’m also really honored to be able to play with the rest of nation’s best, and to be able to measure myself up against the other great goalkeepers of the world.

CP: At 34 now, you’re kind of at that age where World Cup 41 could still be in reach keeping your position in mind. Is it something you thought about? You are obviously still in great shape.

KD: That’s a tough one, Clint. On one hand, I would love to represent the Empire again and have to opportunity to actually play in the World Cup, as opposed to the Cup of Harmony. But we still probably have a little more work to be done to get to that level for World Cup 41. Plus you have so many other talented keepers in the Empire, and if someone is better then me, I don’t want to be in their way if they are more deserving of the spot. We’ll see how it all works out.

CP: You mentioned before that you like to measure yourself up against other goalkeepers. Is there a keeper in particular, or is that more of a general thing. Tell me about that.

KD: It’s the nature of the position that really makes you look at your peers and look at how they go about doing their thing, because maybe you can catch something that can make you a better goalkeeper. Because as long as a keeper is not getting a clean sheet in every game, then he or she still has room to improve and things that they can learn. There isn’t one particular keeper, there are a lot of great ones playing.

CP: How do you think you have measured up? How would you rate your performance thus far, from the Baptism of Fire until now?

KD: Given the many factors, I think I have done alright, but I am probably middle of the pack right now with all of these other great ones. In general, Clint, I’m satisfied with how I have played. There have been a couple games where I really felt as though I let my team down in qualifying, but my teammates did a great job in picking me up from that since we were able to have a shot in the playoff. Though that one goal against Bostopia I allowed in the first leg that broke then 2-2 tie for them, that one does still haunt me. I’d give myself probably an 8 out of 10.

CP: You played Milchama, would you rate them as a World Cup favorite right now?

KD: I guess so. Actually, I haven’t paid any attention to the World Cup. The Cup of Harmony is all that I am concerned about right now.

CP: One of the world’s best goalkeepers, the young Sakura Jo from the Fujisawan Territorities, has been transferred into the NPL by the Southport Tigers. What’s it going to be like with her in the league?

KD: I am really excited for Sakura. Given that she has done so well to overcome her deafness, and has represented her nation so well, you can in my opinion, make the legitimate argument that she is the best goalkeeper in the world. Obviously, it is big for Southport.

CP: How has the transfer season affected the NPL in your opinion?

KD: In the long run, it will be a great thing. I know that a lot of other players have signed to play overseas, but we have brought in some very good players like Jo, and Carlao from Cafundeu. When you add into the equation the many new faces that are joining the league, and the serious rising interest level in our football since the Empire played in the Di Bradini Cup, you’re going to see the NPL be highly successful.

CP: Alright Kevin, thank you for joining us, and good luck against Septentrionia and beyond.

KD: It was a pleasure. Thank you.

Nire and Nire

26-04-2008, 01:41

Nire News in Brief

Nire and Nire meet Taeshan in Grudge Match

Tensions are high ahead of tomorrow's match between The Republic of Nire and Taeshan after a major diplomatic snub by the unfancied Taeshan nation. While both sides have been preparing behind closed doors, we have been able to obtain secret footage of the Taeshan team.

Go here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEYQom14NF0

Nire expects to win comfortably.
<end>

Taeshan

26-04-2008, 03:43

Ah Who Cares... The Unaclaimed Newspaper

Knights face grudge match against Nire and Nire, after two loses

Yes thats right the Purple Knights are officially screwed. They lost again yesterday in another close match. Whats more is they've lost to lesser more unpristine teams. Well anyway the team is in a state of disrespair as the are the only team without a win in there group. They have exactly zero points, and are on the brink of being expelled from this 32nd cup of Harmony in the first round.

The knights have lost to the Aleosan team, and another team that is either the Fujisiwan Territories or Kamari. At least I know it wasnt Nire and Nire, or the Archregimancy. Oh shit were screwed. We still have to play the Archregimancy. Well at least well play them after a nice cup of tea.

The Archregimancy is it seems in the same boat as the Purple Knights. They have not been livinh up to there expectation, but this drunken newswriter can at least tell you there one up on are squad as they have beaten the Aleosen squad we managed to falter at the grips of.

Well in our next match the Purple Knights face the Nire and Nire squad. You may remember that in an earlier article this season comenting on the group draw for the cup a former colleague of mine who has since been Fired forgot to mention the Nire and Niren team in his article about the draw. This sportswriters mistaken mind resulted in many a loss of Taeshani Potato head dolls in a war between these two countries.

I and you hopefully can put this matter behind us, but as you may have seen in a recent Nire and Nire George Lucas publication the Nirese are still bitter and would like to get revenge in our to soccer teams first ever match on a soccer pitch. It seems they(the dudes in Nire and Nire) think they can beat us, and I assure you that they are probally correct. As you saw in the last game are team tends to lie down and cry there little asses of when they know they cant win a game, But the Tae team has one out before so there may be a small little slimmer of a glint of a chance that the Taeshani side will finally win a game in this CoH.

Kose and The Turkomans

26-04-2008, 09:53

Kose insists theres still life.
After the teams form has taken a massive slump taking only 1 point from 2 games, several media circuts have been doubting the team and it's ability. However as with nearly every media issue Sinan Kose has hit back saying "It may not be as easy as the baptism of fire group, but we can still do this I've seen stranger things happen." Coach Alhrem also made a rare apearance to the media saying "As long as it is mathematicly possible we will continue to play for the top spots."

While the team may beleive it, it's a different issue for the fans as many fans are already planning their return flights to the Turkic Isles*. But we do have many inspirational leaders in the pitch and the team is maturing very quickly and could well be pushing up by the end of the group stage.

Where's the Defense?
By Tamer Karaman
I'll get straght to the heart of the problem here folks, the defense. Ok so they have the hardest job on the team but this is no excuse for their sloppy performance and perhaps next world cup time it may be time for the big stars to be out! Look at Uzulmez Yilmaz the 'commanding' center back but since we have reverted to the 5 man defense he seems to have lost all sense of command and the defense has been broken upon time after time.

Then comes the midfield while the wingers have no problem with pushing the ball up the wings but the center midfileders have been lacklustre and it has become our Achilies heel as this is where we often lost possesion however there have been small sparks of brilliance from Ariakan Ismael.

The goalkeeper apears solid enough but he hasn't yet forged a working relationship with his centerbacks 3 of them now has made it even more difficult, so Alhrem if you're reading this take the advise.

Newmanistan

26-04-2008, 14:08

(Narrator: And now, back to the Pocono City Sports Report, here’s Meghan Traynor)

Traynor: Welcome back everyone, I’m Meghan Traynor along with Kevin Collins, and in this segment, we are going to move to the Cup of Harmony.

Collins: That we are, Megs. The Cup of Harmony is two-fifths of the way done with its group stage, and I tell you want, Group J is absolutely unpredictable right now.

Traynor: I don’t think anyone expected Prazkoy to be sitting at the top of the table, but there they are with a second well played game as their defensive has been simply impossible to penetrate. I think that people who criticized Newmanistan’s failure to score may simply be realizing, that Prazkoy is simply a good defensive team.

Collins: But are they a fluke? Because if they are, then this group is even more wide open then we thought.

Traynor: I really don’t think that they are. They are a defensive side in a group of offensive minded teams. That’s going to make them a frustrating opponent to play. We were certainly frustrated, and so was Septentrionia.

Collins: You said that nice and fluidly, Meghan, Septentrionia.

Traynor: haha. Well that’s half the battle, Kevin. If you sound like you pronounced it right, people will just think that you did and give you the benefit of the doubt. Their kits are nice, best looking ones in the group.

Collins: Yeah they look good, it will beat the eyesore that is the Kosovoe kit later on. But Septentrionia is our next opponent, and it’s a pivotal game. What do the Rockets have to do?

Traynor: It raises a good observation, because if you think Prazkoy is a fluke, then this game is absolutely critical. The Rockets have the head to head win over the Turks, which is nice, but this game right here is pivotal, because if Prazkoy were to fall, and Jeru FC remains in contention, then this could be the battle for second.

Collins: It is. We don’t want to count the Turks out, we’re just making the point that if the Rockets were to beat Septentrionia, it’s going to then be difficult for the Turks to then get ahead of Newmanistan given the Rockets have the head to head win.

Traynor: Nor do we want to assume Prazkoy is a fluke. But they do still have to play Jeru FC and a Turks team that’s hungry for a win.

Collins: It essentially now makes Kose and the Turkomans a team the Rockets want to be rooting for. We know that they are very capable.

Traynor: We never really talked about Kosovoe. Are they done?

Collins: No offense to anyone from Kosovoe watching. But yes, they are done. Given the fact that you got Prazkoy there with six points and three teams: us, Jeru FC, and Septentrionia all tightly packed, and a lurking Turks team, its going to be hard, and I feel, impossible, for Kosovoe to make us this ground.

Traynor: If they win their final three games, that’s nine points, and may not still be enough.

Collins: It could be. But to think they will win all three of their final games is a stretch in itself considering they still need to play Newmanistan, the Turks, and Prazkoy. And even if that happened, they’ll need more help.

Traynor; Alright, we need to go back to commercial. Coming up next, we’ll talk hockey, and a 5 OT playoff thriller between Dover City and North Charlotte. We’ll tell you who eventually scored, and how after this.

Collins: Only here on the Pocono City Sports Report. Stick around.

Daehanjeiguk

26-04-2008, 16:15

The College of Cardinals meet in Praz today...

Kardinál Yan Sobesky
Kardinál Grigor Račnik
Kardinál Čelsi Popov
Kardinál Karl Mnemer

Račnik: I guess we were right to appoint Filip to the post.

Mnemer: Who knew chess players could lead football teams?

Sobesky: I didn't.

Popov: Oh, ye of little faith. Now that Prazkoy is leading the group, you now believe? But don't take too much heart, there are three more matches to go, and they will all be much harder. We have yet to play against the adulterous army players from Jeruselem; the revolting peasants of Kosovoe; and the unholy infidels of Kose and the Turkomans.

All others: *gasp*

Sobesky: Did you just call the Turkomans unholy?

Popov: Yes. In my opinion, God does not favor those following the preachings of some Mohammad, and if they had any sense, they convert to the Grand Hussite tradition.

Račnik: But one of our traditions in the Hussite Church is to permit free practice of religion while demonstrating the superiority of our faith in deed, not words!

Mnemer: Yes, Kardinál Popov. You need to reconsider your opinions of the other faiths in the world.

Popov: But have you seen the world recently? It is overrun with the unholy Romans, the vulgar Orthodox, and the pagans, and the wild raging sabertooth tigers!

All others: *gasp*

Popov: Maybe not the tigers...

Račnik: I think our best alternative is confession and prayers. I don't like the idea of making the national football team a conversion beacon. Especially as the policy of the Prazkoy National Government is to avoid exporting our national identity as much as possible.

Popov: Well, what about one of our star forwards getting a draft in some foreign pagan country's national league (that would be me)?

*silent*

Sobesky: We tread on very thin ice. Let us go to our chambers for meditation and let God decide for us the best alternatives.

All: Amen!

Candelaria And Marquez

26-04-2008, 16:39

The Albrecht Herald Online>Sport>In Brief

Donnelly clings on The CAMAFA and members of the national team’s coaching staff have rallied around beleaguered manager Lloyd Donnelly ahead of the crunch CoH tie with Kura-Pelland.

Former C&M right-back Damien Sono, speaking from Krytenia to TV1, claimed that reports that the veteran coach had been usurped from within the camp were “inane”. He continued, “We’re all extremely disappointed with a result like that in Bletcham. We all know, and we all accept, that we haven’t performed well in this tournament – certainly not by the standards we’ve set ourselves, anyway. I appreciate that people watching back home will be looking at the way the Fujisawans and Acapais and Prazkoy have performed and will be wondering why exactly we all think we’re supposed to be challenging up there; but we know we belong in that company. We’re just going to have to knuckle down, scrape out the results we need to qualify, and once we’re in the knock-out stages anything can happen. Getting through’s still in our hands… so I don’t think it’s worth getting a panic on just yet.”

At this stage however his comments have yet to be echoed by any members of the playing squad – with the current media blackout supposedly introduced to help them give their full attention to the Kura-Pelland game. CAMAFA President Owen Jones has however given his full backing to Donnelly, but told RZA that he was in the process of forming an official dossier of complaints towards the CoH’s organising authorities, centring around their failure to given proper pre-warning as to where games would be played during the group stage, the lack of a seeding system allowing the top two sides by world rankings to be drawn in the same group, and the continued use of a lower-case A in the ‘And’ of Candelaria And Marquez, which Jones claims has been sapping team morale.

__________________

The Albrecht Herald Online>Sport>In Brief

Caras for Cassa as C&M go for broke The debate over just who is in charge of the Big Blues right now has taken another twist after the line-up for the Kura-Pelland game was announced. The new XI exhibits four changes to the sides deployed against Kelssek and Rennidan, and looks suspiciously like a 4-4-2.

The most notable inclusion sees O’Sullivan Caras returned to the right-wing, with all rumours suggesting that it is he who is now effectively running the show for the Big Blues. There is no place for José Felipe Cassumba Domingos, with Fred Ma partnering captain Matteo Corradini in the centre. Alessio Montano remains, but is pushed out onto the left. At the back meanwhile, William Burgos and Alex Duxbury have been chopped after poor performances.

The team sheet was issued via the CAMAFA website, with neither Lloyd Donnelly nor any of his staff materializing for the pre-match press conference.

GK Oberon Martinez

DR Harris Dixon
DC Ben Young
DC Shane Wojciechowski
DL José Luis Sosa

MR O’Sullivan Caras
AM Fred Ma
DM Matteo Corradini (c)
ML Alessio Montano

Str Ignacio Vélez
Fwd Ramiro Novo

__________________

Somewhere in Bletcham…

“So… Let me get this straight? Kura-Pelland are at 11-5 to win in ninety minutes? And then Justin Urquhart’s 10-1 for first goal scorer? And 21-10 for a penalty to be awarded at any point, right? 110 to 1 you’ll give me? Excellent… Tell me… Do you accept reformed pounds..?”

Acapais

26-04-2008, 17:25

Dear Miss Stephanie Horne,

The subject matter of this letter pertains to your future here as the manager of the Acapais national football team.

Your recent run of form in the Cup of Harmony is impressive and we are pleased with the results, moral, etc. However the board has come to a decision to let you see out the Cup of Harmony and evaluate the results.

We regret to inform you that if Acapais does not win the Cup of Harmony this year we will not be renewing your contract and we will proceed in another direction. The AFA would like some silverware and we believe you are the one that can do it. If you do win the Cup of Harmony, we would like to extend your contract for the next four years. Please do consider.

We really like you and want you to stay, so make us and the rest of the Acapais fans proud by earning the Cup.

Sincerely,
Peter Waters
AFA President

Terreiro de Ogum

27-04-2008, 02:48

One day in Pai Alcir's terreiro

While the team waits for another game in the Cup of Harmony in Krytenia, I had the pleasure to be invited to the terreiro of our beloved leader, the master pai-de-santo Pai Alcir de Macaé. In this visit, I was able to talk with Pai Alcir and follow some of his rituals. It was a very pleasant experience, something that I'll never forget. I received the welcome of his daughter when I entered in his house, and she guided me to Pai Alcir's room. And there he was, with his white clothes, sitting near a table with food (bread, cheese, cakes, biscuits) and drinks (coffee, water, orange juice and cachaça). His house is a big one, surrounded by a beautiful garden, where he does his rituals to call the orixás.

After eating some of the cake and drinking some coffee, I started to talk with Pai Alcir about the Cup of Harmony. The pai-de-santo was drinking too, but cachaça. At that time, he wasn't drunk. He said that he is following the team's campaign in the Cup of Harmony, and is confident that the team can make a good job. His favourite player is, of course, his son Pai Berto de Tucumã, but he showed some admiration for Mestre Kacet, Preto Véio, Guaxinim and even to the bench players Pai África and Zeca da Ponte. "They're all good people", he said, "and they all deserve to succeed, in football or in their lives in general. And I'm sure that the orixás will guide them to good things."

After talking for nearly an hour in his bedroom table, he asked me if I wanted to go to the place where he does his rituals, his private terreiro. Of course I wanted. But, it was not as big as I expected. In fact, it was just a small part of the garden with space for the raising of some small animals and another place where he stocks the items needed for the rituals. He said that "the bigger part of the terreiro and the other part of the garden are used for other rituals, the rituals that I do with the help of other people, or which involve many people." After more chat, he started the ritual, intending to bring the orixás to help the team in the next game. He really has experience in these things. The ritual was magnificent, and after that I had to go home.

Newmanistan

27-04-2008, 08:44

THE ROCKET REPORT

ROCKETS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY

Starblaydia- During this brief break in the action, Newmanistan players found themselves doing something that some people in Starblaydia later mentioned as “needing to happen more often around here.” With 24 nations on the Starblaydia side when combining the World Cup and Cup of Harmony, Newmanistan may have become the first to make the rounds to several local hospitals, for sick children as well as some senior citizen centers.

“A bunch of us got together and wanted to do something special.” said defender Tony Borsinger, “With all the competitiveness going on in this country with two prestigious cups on the line, you have to be able to take a breather and realize what is important. Without the fans, we wouldn’t get paid to play a game.” Midfielder Chris Peterson agreed, “We think we’re under pressure out their on the pitch, but these kids who are fighting life threatening and terminal illnesses are the real warriors. All we do is kick a ball around.” For the kids though, seeing these athletes that just a kick ball around was an incredible experience, and none of them seemed to really care that they weren’t from Starblaydia. They were football players, and like all kids, they look up to professional athletes with many of them wishing that perhaps they could also have been football players. “We tell them that they can be anything,” remarked Jeremy McAllister, “No one should give up on their dreams, though unfortunately for these kids it’s not really going to be a reality, and it’s sad. Still, they should always believe and be positive about themselves.”

The Rockets spent most of their time in the Jhanna area, making the rounds, and putting a smile on the face of many youngersters. Pat King, a 7-year old with a rare form of leukemia was one of the many touched, “I think the football players were great. They are really nice. And look they signed autographs!” His mother, Katherine, a 31 year old accountant, was literally in tears of joy when she saw how happy the Rockets made her son, “I have a new favorite team outside of Starblaydia. These guys didn’t have to do this, but to take the time out of their busy schedules while being far away from their home, it just shows how classy they are and that they do things right. My son will remember this day forever. Thanks, Newmanistan.” They also visited a couple senior citizen centers where they may have learned a thing or two themselves more about Simeone Di Bradini. “This one man there showed me pictures of himself and Simeone from when they were both in the their 20's.” McAllister said, “It was autographed by Simeone, this gentlemen truly idolized him. He knew who I was too, which was pretty cool, he still follows football very well.” But then, Jeremy got another life-touching experience, the man’s grandson, an aspiring 10 year old football player happened to be in the room at the same time, “He asked me to take a picture with the three of us, and that he would put it next to the picture of him and Simeone, and that he would give it to his grandson as a keepsake. It was special to him, because he is unable in his condition to attend any more games live. I was really touched.”

Many hospital workers were also very impressed by the Rocket’s genuine interest to do this kind of thing. Said one hospital vice president who wanted to remain anonymous, “Everyone is caught up with the World Cup, and with the Cup of Harmony, but for the players from Newmanistan to have the kids and the elderly in their thoughts during their mini break with the tournament while they maybe could be doing other things was a very classy move. They took a few hours out of their time, but the impact of the visit on the kids and the elderly is something that will be with them for the rest of their life. They didn’t have to do this, since it is not their home, so the fact that they did really says a lot about their character. I know I will be rooting for them to win the Cup of Harmony now. The people they visited, really didn’t care that they weren’t Starblaydi, they are just honored to be in someone’s thoughts and treated special like this.”

Manager Brian Carson was thrilled about the visits and was also touched by the experience. “Originally, we didn’t want the media to get hold of it actually,” he explained, “We didn’t want to make it look like we were doing it for publicity, because that really never was part of the equation. We’ve been treated so well here, we wanted to give back. And as a coach, I thought this was a great way to get the players to relax a little bit, see what’s really important in life, to alleviate the pressure of our remaining Cup of Harmony games.”

Just another way that Newmanistan is making an impact, we congratulate everyone for this real victory, a victory in life that gets more then three points.

Newmanistan

28-04-2008, 14:18

ROCKETS TAKE IN WORLD BOWL ACTION

(ooc: Yes this a shameless cross-promotion RP! ;) )

(After a morning training session, the Rockets football players gather together and get set to watch well, other Rocket football players, playing back at home in Pocono City in the first game of the World Bowl.)

Chapman: Ah yes, World Bowl I. Why do they call themselves football players too, I mean we’re the real football players.

Dalton: You know how many times that’s been debated. We know what the real football is.

McAllister: Damn right!

Peterson: So who are we playing in this?

Chapman: Qazox. Unlike their real football team, they might actually advance out of a group stage.

McAllister: Qazox in a knockout stage? I can’t fathom that. I see they lost out in with World Cup again to go to the second round.

McElroy: I’m surprised you could even get this signal, I thought I would only be able to watch his on the internet.

Chapman: Yeah, I was surpised too, I don’t think much of anyone in Starblaydia is watching it.

Peterson: Their producers are just being nice, since there are a few nations with World Bowl teams here, they can at least acknowledge it on a channel in the 700's.

Dalton: Better then nothing.

McElroy: Good, because I need to see my Southport boys. Alex Foster is such a hunk. We used to, well, nevermind.

McAllister: Oh come on, you brought it up, tell us!

McElroy: Well, two years ago we dated a few times. It just didn’t work out with our busy schedules and just having to travel so much. We still keep in touch, actually we’ve been texting back and forth while I’ve been here.

(TV Announcer: Parisi breaks free, down the right, the 20, 10, touchdown! Rockets lead!)

Team: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!

Chapman: Mr. Tundra Falls. Good for him.

Brooker: You guys are watching the World Bowl?

Chapman: Yea, Brooks, come join us.

Brooker: I’ll pass, I don’t really care for it. I mean, why in the world do they have to call that football too, they don’t even —

Peterson: Been there, done that!

Dalton: Can’t real football players ever watch this kind of football without talking about why they call their sport football too?

Brooker: I’m surprised this would even be on Starblaydi TV. This being a nation for real football and all. I won’t have to deal much with this other football in Cafundeu!

McAllister: We might have a chance in this, to win the whole thing.

Chapman: I hope they don’t. It’s not like I’m going to root for them, but we have to win a World Cup before they win a World Bowl. They can’t get bragging rights.

McElroy: Well we have a Baptism of Fire championship, so we have bragging rights.

Chapman: Not if they win a World Bowl.

Dalton: Baptism of Fire is bigger deal then World Bowl. World Bowl’s not as well established yet.

McAllister: I agree, Kev.

Chapman: Nah, see, we’re looking at it as real football players. Of course we think that Baptism of Fire is a bigger deal, we were on the team. But in Newmanistan, the sports are unfortunately pretty equal, so if they get a World Bowl that might push us off the map.

Peterson: Well then, there’s just one thing I have to say about that!

Chapman: What?

Peterson: Go Qazox!

(All laugh)

Blouman Empire

28-04-2008, 15:26

OOC: Crumbs, you go away for the long weekend and you lose two games better do something I suppose.

THE EMPIRE TIMES

EAGLES DROP TO BOTTOM
Eagles Robbed of 4 Minutes

The Eagles last night played against Acapais at the FraxinusDome in front of a crowd 35000 last night. The game ended poorly for the team going down to Acapais 2-0, which has resulted in their worst starting performance in a Cup of Harmony tournament and has fuelled further speculation of Baron Konjac's impending dismissal.

The game started poorly with Acapais forward Jose Castro, performing a nutmeg on Burner in the 12th minute. Acapais had most of the possession in the first half with James Fronberry scoring a second goal for his team taking the score 2-0. In the 35th minute a wayward shot from an Acapais player struck Burner in the face knocking him, this resulted in seven minutes of stopped play, at the end of the first half 3 1/2 minutes was given for extra time with none in the second.

Many of the players expressed outrage at the referees arguing that they were denied any chance of making some sort of comeback. Manager Baron Konjac said of the poor timekeeping by the match officials "It was a disappointing loss, and the outcome may have been different if were given a few extra minutes, but that is the nature of the game sometimes things just don't go your way in football and today was one of those days". While many players don't want to publicly say anything many have said that while they don't feel cheated of a win they feel that this large discrepancy shouldn't happen. FFB Cheif Sir Kenneth Kings has asked the Starblaydia CoH officials to ensure that all matches are played in the spirit of the game and that all referees are kept to a high standard.

The second half also fared poorly for the side with Acapais maintaining control of the game with the eagles only managing 3 shots on goal, while all were on target Acapais keeper Hunchman O'Hare was able to stop them with relative ease. Burner came off in the 75th minute complaining of a headache with Johnathon Marton replacing him, who played an excellent game saving many shots on goal by the Acapais forward line, the final score 2-0.

The loss puts the eagles at the bottom of the table yet to record a result, with only three games to go and the future looking bleak. Baron Konjac who is now looking in doubt to remain at the helm at the end of the Cup of Harmony said of today's game "It was a bad day for us and we did play terrible, but I know this side and they don't let this to continue and I am sure that we can play over the remaining games and able to rack up some points". While there has been no official confirmation of the impending dismissal of Baron Konjac speculation has mounted with FFB insiders saying that unless the team reaches the playoffs the Baron Konjac will be immediately stripped of his position with the side.

Blouman Empire

28-04-2008, 15:53

THE EMPIRE TIMES

Letters to the Editor

Sir,
I think it is disgraceful that the Eagles were denied the opportunity to play a full 90 minutes of football, while the team may not of won they had an opportunity at the very least to score a goal. I will be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs due our goal difference, I think the referees in the match against Acapais should be held accountable.
J. Lioncolnmyer; Jollipville, Truingren.

Sir,
The FFB is right in saying that Starblaydia has been lax in their stance on referees if this is allowed to continue then teams will begin winning on the support from the referee and not on their playing ability.
V. Wynn; Pt Fansat, Braxon

Sir,
I find it absolutely hypocritical of the FFB to criticise Starblaydia tournament officials over the conduct of referees when they can't keep their own in check. It was during the last FFB Cup semi final which saw Krondorf proceed to the final after a extremely poor decision by the referee gave Krondorf the undeserved win over Corrimal Rangers, the reaction from the FFB nothing. Perhaps the FFB should take the plank of wood out of its own eye before picking the splinter out of the eye of someone else.
D. Volumatic; Corrimal, Regarmar

Sir,
The Lord Chancellors idea to implement a customs union within the empire is disgraceful, not only will it bring about the end of many industries in the empire that rely on tariffs to keep the unemployment rate down but it helps the economy on the empire as a whole. To abolish these would see a two way economy within the empire where some countries live the high end of the pork, while others mull in a state of despair as they watch their children go hungry. The emperor and all members of the Royal council, needs to seriously consider if this is what they want before supporting the move.
M. Cooper; Binken, Wedrom

Sir,
With the recent terrible results from our international football team, I believe that it is time to reassess all members of the team. Not only do we need to get rid of Baron Konjac but to dismiss all those players who cannot handle international games, this constitutes 75% of current players.
P. Oliphant; St Sebastian's and St John's, Promdrania

Sir,
I hope that all Bloumans will continue to support our team, after all we will be with them during the good times we must help them during their bad times so they know we are always barracking for them.
L. Baker; Konunga Hill, Regarmar

Sir,
It is so nice to be able to read of young children helping out their elders. Volunteering is something people only seem to do nowadays if it benefits them, they have forgotten that it is to help their fellow man. The children you reported on is a shining example that all people should look on.
T. Melborn; Kornos, Eastern Bloumany

Starblaydia

28-04-2008, 23:09

MATCHDAY THREE
a.k.a. Double Yer Bonus No More

Group I
Nethertopia 2-3 Acapais @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis
Terreiro de Ogum 1-2 Lovisa @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Prux 3-1 Blouman Empire @ Flavioso, Flavia

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Acapais 3 3 0 0 6 2 4 9
2 Lovisa 3 2 1 0 6 4 2 7
3 Prux 3 2 0 1 6 2 4 6
4 Terreiro de Ogum 3 1 0 2 3 5 -2 3
5 Nethertopia 3 0 1 2 4 7 -3 1
6 Blouman Empire 3 0 0 3 2 7 -5 0

Group J
Jeru FC 3-1 Prazkoy @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis
Kose and the Turkomans 3-2 Kosovoe @ Karela Park, Nova Malta
Newmanistan 4-4 Septentrionia @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jeru FC 3 2 1 0 8 4 4 7
2 Prazkoy 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 6
3 Septentrionia 3 1 1 1 8 7 1 4
4 Newmanistan 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 4
5 Kose and the Turkomans 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 4
6 Kosovoe 3 0 0 3 4 9 -5 0

Krytenia

28-04-2008, 23:38

MATCHDAY THREE - GROUPS K & L
a.k.a. To Hell With It, Play Them All At 1am

Group K
Fujisawan Territories 0-4 The Archregimancy @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
Nire and Nire 2-0 Taeshan @ Ostlers Lane, Stratford
KaMaRi 2-1 Aleos @ Parc Abertawy, New Cefn

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 The Archregimancy 3 2 0 1 7 2 5 6
2 Nire and Nire 3 2 0 1 6 3 3 6
3 KaMaRi 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6
4 Fujisawan Territories 3 2 0 1 4 6 -2 6
5 Aleos 3 1 0 2 3 5 -2 3
6 Taeshan 3 0 0 3 2 6 -4 0

Group L
Rennidan 1-2 Kereca @ South Road, Sandwell
Kura-Pelland 0-2 Candelaria and Marquez @ The Eyrie, Hoxton
Jariss 0-1 Kelssek @ Manor Fields, Bletcham

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Kereca 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 6
2 Candelaria and Marquez 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4
3 Jariss 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 4
4 Kelssek 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
5 Rennidan 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
6 Kura-Pelland 3 0 2 1 1 3 -2 2

Jeruselem

29-04-2008, 03:19

Err, see below post ...

Jeru FC

29-04-2008, 03:22

The Jeru FC Gun Barrel

Princesses defeat the Han

OK, our team in Starblaydia continued it's merry run. Prazkoy have not lost a game yet and neither have we. Our boys took them on to see who was really the form team and our boys didn't have much trouble pusing them aside 3-1. People may hate Alfredo Neves but you can't say he hasn't delivered with Jeru FC.

The Han destroyed Jeru FC in the World Cup 40 play-offs to progress to the first round. In a twist, they came up against our national Jeruselem team. Jeru FC aren't a Jeruselem, we know because Jeru FC suck at beating real football teams like the Han. Jeruselem beat the Han 4-1 so safely make it to the 2nd round of World Cup knockouts. In a way, we did get revenge but then Jeru FC are in the Cup of Harmony still since they didn't make the 1st round of the World Cup 40.

Oddly today, Prazkoy is a puppet state of the Han empire and well ... Jeruselem and Jeru FC won by a large margin. You could say it was Jeruselem day today!

Could our army team ever qualify for the World Cup? Twice, we've been close and we can't see why not. Oddly, if Jeru FC had qualified for the World Cup 40 ... our national team would be easily knocked them out of the 1st round anyway. So maybe Jeru FC not making the finals was a good thing this time round, as they can still win the Cup of Harmony. They did last time.

Jeru FC 3-1 Prazkoy @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis
Kose and the Turkomans 3-2 Kosovoe @ Karela Park, Nova Malta
Newmanistan 4-4 Septentrionia @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça

Kereca

29-04-2008, 03:35

South Road Stunner

By Kenny Woods,
Sports Correspondent,
The Kereca Times

The 32nd edition of the Cup of Harmony is officially past the halfway point, and the upstart Kerecans find themselves in an unfamiliar position.

First.

A late goal by emerging star Kevin Roberts put Kereca up 2-1, and that dramatic score proved to be just enough to clinch their second victory. Roberts had some help from Kereca University teammate Scott Kohler in the 81st minute to score the match winner. Kohler sent a fabulous cross into the box from the right side, and Roberts directed it towards goal with a glancing header that just got past the outstretched arms of lanky Rennidan keeper Ryan Malkoa. The Kerecans clearly used their knowledge gained in a friendly versus Rennidan during World Cup qualifying. Fourteen thousand faithful were present at South Road stadium, composed of a great deal of Kerecans who took the short flight to Krytenia, as well as a number of Rennidan supporters and neutral Krytenian onlookers.

After their thrilling victory over Rennidan, another side expected to finish near the bottom of Group L, Kereca sits alone atop what many considered to be the toughest group in the tournament. Through three matches, the surprise leaders already have upset one group favorite, 51st ranked Kelssek. However, the top two ranked teams in the group, and indeed the entire tournament, Candelaria and Marquez and Kura-Pelland, loom on the young Kerecans’ schedule. If the squad intends on finishing in the top two and advancing past the group stage, they will have to get past these two footballing giants.

No matter where Kereca ends up after this year’s Cup of Harmony, they will have made a remarkable run in their international debut. Despite being the very last entry into World Cup qualifying, too late even for the Baptism of Fire, the Islanders have performed admirably. They earned draws with both qualified teams from their group, Yafor 2 and Northern Bettia, and scored an impressive victory against the Fujisawan Territories.

Can the underdog Islanders maintain their pace, and sneak into the quarterfinals? Only time will tell.

Daehanjeiguk

29-04-2008, 04:51

ooc: oh gosh! I've got to stop this before it gets worse!

His Imperial Majesty's government, detests recent accusations that the state of Pajigoe (Prazkoy) is a subject of His Imperial Majesty's government, and while such accusations are flattering, he finds no reason for other countries to assume that the two states are linked. We do not carry puppets in our pockets, as if nations were toys or games to be played on some stupid online chatting forum style role-playing. Instead, we boast only three autonomous kingdoms - not some dump in the road whose language is only comprehensible to the people who speak it.

ooc explanation: Prazkoy, being a puppet, is sponsored by my NS account; but in no way are the two countries linked. Prazkoy is completely independent of the Han Empire, and the Han Empire does not control anything in Prazkoy or of Prazkoy. Please, please, please, please!!!!!! Don't make the mistake of ruining your children's lives by telling them this lie! GOD KILLS THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY NINE (incidentally, the lowest sum of the digits is FOUR) KITTENS EVERY TIME SOMEONE THINKS THAT PRAZKOY IS LINKED TO THE HAN EMPIRE! THINK OF THE KITTENS!

We believe that Jeruselem is still chiding in their significant victory over the Han recently, and their remarks of "two great wins over of the Han!" are only attempts to make themselves feel better about it. For shame, they should not relish in this victory, but instead implore their players to press farther and faster! Especially upon such a poor and weak wretched country.

And we suppose, next time, your army team will face off against our army team when it happens again. That way, it's more equal.

ooc: nothing intended to be harsh or rude - jut poking fun, as you should be - whether or not you choose to refer to Prazkoy as a Han puppet is yours, but at least I can say "I told ya so!"

Prux

29-04-2008, 05:20

<Press Conference #3>

Professor Gearlosse: Pliss, before you azk me your quevestions, I haff un announce to maken. It is now uffical zat ze RoboDucks vill represent Prax in ze next Vorld Cup. Ze notice haff just comin in not a minute or two ago. So now any quevestions?

Reporter #1: Professor, did the Prux Football Association make this decision before or after today's win against the Blouman Empire?

Professor Gearlosse: I don't know. I just gotten the notice after ze match. I am very gladly zat ze nazion has decided to moff into ze Tventy-Virst century und I vill do my best to make ze Praxians proud.

Reporter #2: What is this all about, your secret weapon? Three games into this tourney, and we haven't seen it yet.

Professor Gearlosse: So far ve haff'nt had to use ve veapon yet. But I may use it vonce or tvice in the next matches und see if it vorks like I zink it vill.

Reporter 1: Back to my original question. Why now? Why didn't the PFA use your team this past World Cup?

Professor Gearlosse: I haff not idea vy zey didn't ask to usen my duckies. But tzey haff seen ze lighting und a new era of football vill begin. Zat is all ze time I haff for today. Ve vill beat Nevertopia und take ofer ze group.

Newmanistan

29-04-2008, 10:04

THE ROCKET REPORT

THREE POINTS FOR EXCITEMENT; BUT ONLY ONE PER TEAM

Farca, Starblaydia- Last evening’s match between Newmanistan and Septentrionia was a thriller; the kind of game if it were between two clubs in the middle of the season could be rendered a game of the year. It was all about offense and scoring, and neither goalkeeper playing particularly well. Did we jinx Kevin Dalton by highlighting him a few days ago? Well, you decide.

Each team needed a win, though a draw wouldn’t actually kill them, three points was a priority. No one was going to play defense early, it was attack one way, and then attack the other way. Defenders were joining the rush on both sides, making for an entertaining game, unless your name was Kevin Dalton or Rene Laviolette. Everyone knew there would be a goal soon, and sure enough in just the 6th minute, Roland Bouchard blasted a shot by an apparently screened Kevin Dalton. Normally, he makes the save, but here he didn’t, and it was one-nil in favor of Septentrionia. The lead would not last long, as the Rockets pressed hard for the equalizer, pinching their defenders up in a ferocious attack. Chris Peterson led the rush and found Kevin Lewis for a shot which deflected off a defenders leg right to Eddie Chapman, who was in an unusual position. But Chapman took the shot and scored! A very unlikely goal, but in the 10th minute it was 1-1. But wait. Two minutes later, here comes Septentrionia imitating what they just saw out of the Rockets. Olivier Saucier led the rush, and found Bouchard streaking up the middle, and found just in time to keep from going offsides. Roland took the shot, and again beat a frustrated looking Kevin Dalton to put them back in front 2-1, in just the 13th minute. At that point, they were going to settle down, and focus on the defense a little more, right? Well, nope. Septentrionia went back on the attack, with Saucier again looking good, and again finding Bouchard. Originally, it looked a lot like what transpired for the second goal, but this time Bouchard did a great job in faking the shot, which Dalton bit on in a big way, and then passing it to teammate Nicolas Maloeil, who had a half step on Jeremy Brooker. Brooker dove to prevent the shot, but it was too late, it left Maloeil’s foot already and found the back of the net, and Septentrionia was up by the score of 3-1, after just twenty minutes. Strangely, Brooker received a yellow card for this tackle, and Brian Carson was about as pissed off as we have seen him in any World Cup sanctioned event.

Sometimes though, a team can turn a negative into a positive, and that’s just want the Rockets did. Instead of sulking and feeling sorry for themselves over the questionable card, and being down by two goals, Newmanistan bonded together and controlled play for the remainder of the first half. Septentrionia was either not ready or not able to stop what they were about to see, as the Rockets turned on the afterburners. Minute 27: Chris Peterson guides the ball into Kevin Lewis, he fights off a defender and feed it off to Jeremy McAllister who knows just what to do with it. GOAL! 3-2. Minute 31: Peterson again initiates the attack by getting the ball into the attacking area, but this time the Rockets pass it around a little more, sensing that their oppponents were back on their heels a little bit. Eventually, McAllister sets up Lewis with a brilliant cross and Kevin finds the back of the net. GOAL! All tied up at 3. Minute 40: Here they come again, Laviolette made a save moments earlier but it was time for a corner kick. Carrigan made a terrific delivery, but the ball bounced around a little bit before landing on Jeremy McAllister’s foot. J-Mac was covered, but he noticed Carrigan streaking toward net, and found him, barely onside (though offside in the minds of Septentrionians), and Carrigan ever so softly sneaks it by the left foot of Laviolette. GOAL! Newmanistan up 4-3! This is where we headed into intermission.

As fun and as wide open as the first half was, both teams realized that it could not continue. This game was too valuable to both sides to risk losing in an 8-7 shootout, which is what that game was looking like it might become. The fans loved it though, and it had to be one of the best first halves of the Cup of Harmony simply in terms of entertainment value. But both teams would have to be more defensive, and they were. This is where we open Brian Carson up to a little criticism. I know, don’t pick on the manager, but just a little bit, we must. With the way that the Rockets finished off the first half, why wouldn’t you want to keep on the attack, and get some more pressure, at the very least. He chose not to do this, and Newmanistan sat back, and seemed to be allow Septentrionia to regain their composure from the quick three unanswered goals. Surely, Lionel Henri, their manager, told his team to relax and settle down, and they did look quite refreshed. The second half was not as exciting as the first, but minutes ticked away, and the Rockets were holding on. Until, the clock hit 76. Here, in this minute, Septentrionia gets the equalizer on a play that began a bit opportunisitic with a lucky bounce off of midfielder Chris Peterson, but finished in an aggressive rush, and a tying goal by Olivier Saucier, who we feel was the best player on the pitch wearing a Septentrionia uniform.

With the game tied at 4, and time beginning to run out, we hoped they wouldn’t play for the draw. But to put it nicely, they played for the draw in the remaining time. While each team wanted three points from the match, getting zero from it would be too costly. One point, while not the most desireable, could still be workable for each club as they move forward.

Candelaria And Marquez

29-04-2008, 13:14

The National Reporter: News with a View
Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy!

Iain Miller writes. So unfortunately, Lloyd Donnelly didn’t pick the KT Hotspur left-winger-come-left-wing-back Özkan Yalçin among his twenty-three. We also don’t have any Jewish players in this squad, to give the Oy, Oy, Oy bit some relevance. They don’t like to make life easy for our poor beleaguered sub-editors, do they?

However, there are still two men about whom this game was all about. Two men known, for the purposes of this hastily dashed-off match report at any rate, as Ozzy.

Amalgamating with the bacon, beer and bodily odours on this crisp Hauxea night was the unmistakable smell of revolution – and specifically, the day after the night before. The coup d'état was over, the metaphorical statues of Lloyd Donnelly lay shattered across Krytenia; a haughty head in Blecca, a proud arm recycled for scrap metal. The inevitable period of looting had finished, any attempts at an insurgency by Donnelly’s supporters had been crushed.

The man himself had been captured, tried and found guilty. Last night he sat in the stands alongside his contempories, the fallen Lugo and Oríon, his head bowed throughout. He has served this country with distinction for many years. In theory he remains our footballing head of state. But his reign ended the night C&M lost to Rennidan. For now, he can only wait and watch and wonder with the greatest trepidation what the future will hold.

He’ll probably get a gig doing half-time punditry on the forty-first World Cup for TV1. Hanging would be a kinder fate.

The C&M side showed four changes from the last XI, but everyone could see that the key alteration was on the bench where, among the subs, sat Joel Sbaïz for the first time. The KT Hotspur goalkeeper (who isn’t Tunisian Jewish after all, sadly. I checked. Oy.) was wearing the relevant bib for the first time, with the man eleven years his senior, Ozzy Stefano, spending most of the game in an upright position, standing in the technical area, pointing and screaming. He had a calf injury according to the CAMAFA, which was why he was absent from his usual place as Oberon Martinez’s back-up on the bench. In reality of course, he was C&M’s interim Prime Minister; and the future of the Big Blues in Krytenia rested in his all-too young hands.

But as the first rendition of “You’re just a small team in Vephrall” wafted across the Eyrie in the clear morning air, it was obvious that Stefano was more than just an impromptu figurehead. Tactical genius or beneficiary of New Manager Syndrome, the goalkeeper held his twenty-two charges in the palm of his hand. Probably the first thing he’s held all season, a few United Trilan fans in the west end of the ground would mutter to themselves. But the Candelariasians were clearly inspired by the presence in the dugout of the leader of their little peasant revolt, while the Kura-Pellanders looked nervous, dispirited and at times frankly disinterested.

Probably. It was hard to tell, what with it being one o’clock in the bloody morning and all – though, while we must query the sanity of the CoH organisers and their craven capitulation to the wills of a certain odd people we won’t mention, at least with the time difference we got to see a C&M game on foreign shores at prime time for once. It’s just a pity we might as well have been watching highlights of the old Blind World Cup in Ari… Uhm… Well, you know what I’m getting at. It was dark.

That didn’t seem to put off the Candelariasians, and certainly not Matteo Corradini. The captain, retained in the Donnelly-given role despite the rebellion, spent the best part of his childhood playing football in dark Hoxton nights, and while this particular town may be half a world away he was taking to it again like a duck to water, pulling apart his again central midfield counterparts Xavier Le Monde and Teddy Vax. Holding players aren’t supposed to do that.

On fifteen minutes he set up the move that saw C&M come unbearable inches from opening the scoring; a galloping run down the centre and a dainty skip around MarquezOW’s John Horner ending with a pass to the feet of Ramiro Novo. The Kura-Pellandi-based Candelariasian striker but his shot just wide of the C&M-based Kura-Pellandi goalkeeper Stephen Hill’s right post.

Corradini played in a striker once again moments after, though this time leaving Ignacio Vélez with plenty to do. The Kura-Pellandi backline backed off C&M’s top scorer as he sauntered forward, and as well they might – this guy’s, like, officially the second best forward in the best league in the world, lest we not forget – but the Cafundó do Juta man also skewered his effort just wide.

It could – maybe should – have gone all so very wrong on the twenty-fifth minute, when young Liam Marling nicked the ball off Fred Ma and ran down the left, expertly evading Harris Dixon. As he prepared a shot on Martinez’s goal, the Bargoiten man became suddenly aware of the looming shape of Shane Wojciechowski behind him, the Albrecht defender tackling him, missing the ball entirely, and chopping him to the ground.

Justin Urquhart, given a chance up front with the poor form of Chris Chenoweth and Norbert Fiero, stepped up to the spot, but his effort was ultimately weak and easily saved by the A.Turks ‘keeper.

C&M seemed to draw confidence from this turn of events, and were soon motoring again. Finally, on the thirty-fifth minute, the pressure told. Corradini beat Vax to the header from Martinez’s ball out, and found Ma on the edge of the area. With Steven Corgi nipping at his heels, the Gwangdong man passed to O’Sullivan Caras near the corner flag, who broke past Bo Phelps and crossed across the face of goal. The ball hit James Williams, but the defender could only slice the ball back in the direction of his Clube Imperial team-mate Caras, who made no mistake this time. Hill didn’t even try and stretch as the shot powered into the top left-hand corner for the veteran’s tenth international goal.

After failing to be selected for the first two games in Krytenia, Caras’ international career seemed set to fizzle out in the Cup of Harmony. Who can really say who he’ll be remembered, but it certainly won’t be fairly. While his goalscoring rate may not be impressive and his general demeanour annoying, this is a player who until recently had never missed a competitive game for his country. How unlike us, as a people, is it to fête the shot-sure striker, the steely defender, the fancy-dan winger, but ignore the tireless efforts of a man who can always be counted upon to get the job done. After a decade on the national team, the Big Blues are Caras’ club. A domestic career spent at Portuguese, Caires City, Central United and Clube Imperial has largely been disappointing – and he deserves better that being just the guy who fills the right-sided problem. If he leads C&M to Cup of Harmony glory – and you never know, he might yet – his space in the annals of Candelariasian sporting history may prove rather larger.

For the here and now, he was no less central in the second half against Kura-Pelland. Not wonderful, he’s never that, but C&M’s rock out on the right. Only the nouse of Williams prevented him for doubling-up early on, but the C&M defence remained just about watertight enough. Iain Belling, Fiero and Urquhart prodded, hoping to catch Ben Young out for strength or Wojciechowski for speed, but Martinez was equal to any efforts that sneaked though. The all home-based defence continued to work seamlessly with the attack drawn from overseas and finally, on eighty, it paid off for a second, decisive time. Corradini supplied Ma, who opened up the space for Alessio Montano to run into. He crossed low to the far post for Caras, who beat his man Phelps and tucked in number eleven.

Substitute Fedde Beattis had one final chance to get the Kura-Pellandis back in it, but Martinez plucked it out of the air to the slightly sloshed cheers of the travelling faithful. It doesn’t get much better than beating Kura-Pelland at the best of times. At the worst of times, it doesn’t get any better. And when that win gives you more than an outside shot of making the knock-out stages when all had seemed lost? Priceless.

They didn’t have much time to savour it ‘cos the floodlights finally gave up the ghost three seconds after the final whistle and they had to go home. But there won’t be much sleeping done in Hoxton tonight. And who knows… we may even be keeping the Kereca squad awake and all…

Cup of Harmony 32 Group J Game
@ The Eyrie, Hoxton, Krytenia

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/candelaria_and_marquez.png Candelaria And Marquez 2
Caras 35 and 80

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/kura-pelland.png Kura-Pelland 0

Jariss

29-04-2008, 14:14

JARISS RENAISSANCE PRESS
“No storm shall silence us!”

Dogfight

That’s how it looks to end up as everything tightened up considerably after match day three. Jariss’ comfort zone is long gone as they failed to take advantage of an underperforming top seeds by losing a tough 1-0 match to Kelssek. Because of this the team is now in a four way tie for second with only two matches left. The first goal allowed by Tali Vindu so far proved to be the deciding one as now, despite allowing the fewest goals of any team, the Spiders find themselves at 1-1-1 trailing top seed Candelaria And Marquez by two goals as both teams have an equal differential. However this puts us only 1 goal differential point ahead of both Kelssek and our next opponent Rennidan. Leading the way is our day one victims Kereca who managed to win their next two to take over the top spot with six points.

But wait there’s still more. Things will continue to move around n the final two days as Kereca faces both C&M as well as a still underperforming Kura-Pelland squad in their final two matches and we finish our qualification run against C&M as well. Also KP faces Kelssek next in a match where it could be in our best interests to root for KP to keep Kellsek back as they finish with a winnable match against Rennidan. We also face Rennidan in our next match so its possible that a somewhat favorable early schedule for Kereca may drop them down a few spots when all is said and done and Rennidan may struggle to maintain its early strong start.

Assuming a win against Rennidan next, something that we in the press freely do without concern yet attack players who make such claims, that puts us at 7 points. If C&M and KP both win that would move us into a tie with C&M for first, Kereca would drop to third with 6 and KP would move up with five points. With Kereca facing KP on the final match day and us against C&M it could very well end up that the winners of those two matches will be the two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

So when all is said and done no one really has a clue what’s going to happen as the qualifiers wind down to a close.

Kose and The Turkomans

29-04-2008, 15:45

Sharpshooters!
While rotation is not one of Alhrems primary policies the subbing between Sinan Kose and Turkoglu have been payin dividens back to the team as Sinan saw his shots hit the net twice and Turkoglu got the assist for a Turkmen volley.

The game in its self was made even by blunders by Kazim who is now being replaced as the starting goalie by Fuat who will have more expierience at holding this new defense together.

Two early goals from Kosovoe seemed to have destroyed any turkic resistance to their team as they seemed to capitulate in the starting minutes.

But an excellent volley from Serkan Turkmen set things at 2-1 before the half.

Sabri had a chance to tie things up when a gaping goalmouth faced him but his nerves clearly left him too shaken to apply the killing edge.

At the turn of the half Sinan Kose was subbed on and then the path of the game swiftly changed as he scored in the 52nd minute from a penalty kick, this was when the pengelum swung very much in the Turks favor and after two very quick scares Sinan applied the killing blow in the 81st minute, too late for a come back from Kosovoe? wouldn't you believe it but a last second scare ensued only for Sinan kose to clear off the line to keep the score in their favor.

Next game
The Turks will now take on suprise package Septentrionia who will be looking to overturn the Turks as they will both be looking for the elusive second place position.

The key to this match lies within the atacking force of both teams while our new "Lucky Charm" Sinan has been on form he is looking to be suffering from fatigue but this will not bother our opponents who will look for every opertunity to expose any weakness in our back line.

by Nuri Ozcan

The Archregimancy

29-04-2008, 20:43

OOC - well the MFA think that break was for their behalf, anyway...

THE MONASTIC TIMES

THE MONKS HAVE RISEN! THEY HAVE RISEN INDEED!
Sacriligeous Headline Announces 4-0 Thrashing of Fujisawan Territories

By Fr. Nicholas the Scribe

Following the Cup of Harmony hosts' sensible decision to postpone further matches until the conclusion of Orthodox Easter, the Archregimancy's national team stepped out at Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham, and proceeded to teach the heathens from the Fujisawan Territories a footballing lesson. With the sounds of the Paschal greeting 'Christ is Risen! He has risen indeed' echoing through the ground, the opposing squad were powerless to stop the resurrection-inspired anonymous monks from racing to a 3-0 halftime lead. A single second half goal from one of the most outrageous and, dare one say it, miraculous free kicks ever seen in the Cup of Harmony - an improbable scorcher from the halfway line - completed the rout.

After the match, finding themselves in the unaccustomed position of heading a group in a football tournament, the monks furthered the spirit of harmony embodied in this great tournament by teaching the crowd and assembled media how to say the Paschal greeting in as many languages as possible. A full list follows:

Old English - Crist aras! Crist sodhlice aras!
Middle English - Crist is arisen! Arisen he sothe!
Iyaric Patwa - Krestos a uprisin! Seen, him a uprisin fe tru!
Frisian - Kristus is opstien! Wis is er opstien!
German - Christus ist auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden!
Yiddish - Der Meschiache undzer iz geshtanen! Avade er iz ufgeshtanen!
Dutch - Christus is opgestaan! Hij is waarlijk opgestaan!
Afrikaans - Kristus het opgestaan! Hom het waarlik opgestaan!
Danish - Kristus er opstanden! Sandelig Han er Opstanden!
Icelandic - Kristur er upprisinn! Hann er vissulega upprisinn!
Norwegian - Kristus er oppstanden! Han er sannelig oppstanden!
Swedish - Kristus är uppstånden! Ja, Han är verkligen uppstånden!
Latin - Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!
Italian - Cristo è risorto! È veramente risorto!
Catalan - Crist ha ressuscitat! Veritablement ha ressuscitat!
French - Le Christ est ressuscité! Vraiment Il est ressuscité!
Portuguese - Cristo ressuscitou! Verdadeiramente ressuscitou!
Romanian - Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat!
Spanish - Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!
Church Slavonic - Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!
Russian - Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе! (Khristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!)
Belarusian - Хрыстос уваскрос! Сапраўды ўваскрос! (Khrystos Uvaskros! Saprawdy Wvaskros!)
Ukrainian - Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес! (Khrystos Voskres! Voistynu Voskres!)
Bulgarian - Христос Возкресе! Воистина Возкресе! (Christos Vozkrese! Voistina Vozkrese!)
Serbian - Христос Воскресе! Ваистину Воскресе! (Christos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese!)
Czech - Kristus vstal z mrtvých! Vpravdě vstal z mrtvých!
Slovak - Kristus vstal zmŕtvych! Skutočne vstal!
Polish - Chrystus Zmartwychwstał! Zaprawdę Zmartwychwstał!
Lithuanian - Kristus prisikėlė! Tikrai prisikėlė!
Old Irish - Asréracht Críst! Asréracht Hé-som co dearb!
Irish - Tá Críost éirithe! Go deimhin, tá sé éirithe!
Manx - Taw Creest Ereen! Taw Shay Ereen Guhdyne!
Scots Gaelic - Tha Crìosd air èiridh! Gu dearbh, tha e air èiridh!
Breton - Dassoret eo Krist! E wirionez dassoret eo!
Welsh - Atgyfododd Crist! Yn wir atgyfododd!
Sanskrit - Krista uttitaha! Satvam uttitaha!
Marathi - Yeshu Khrist uthla ahe! Kharokhar uthla ahe!
Albanian (Tosk) - Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall!
Armenian - Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜ Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի՜ (Christos harjav i merelotz! Orhniale harutjun Christosi!)
Greek - Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη! (Christos Anesti! Aleithos Anesti!)
Turkish - Hristós diril-Dí! Hakíkatén diril-Dí!
Chamorro - La'la'i i Kristo! Magahet na luma'la' i Kristo!
Filipino (Tagalog) - Si Cristo ay nabuhay! Siya nga ay nabuhay!
Indonesian - Kristus sudah bangkit! Dia benar sudah bangkit.
Carolinian - Lios a melau sefal! Meipung, a mahan sefal!
Hawaiian - Ua ala hou ´o kristo! Ua ala ´i ´o no ´oia!
Basque - Cristo Berbistua! Benatan Berbistua!
Malayalam - Christu uyirthezhunnettu! Theerchayayum uyirthezhunnettu!Aleut - Kristus aq ungwektaq! Pichinuq ungwektaq!
Yupik - Xris-tusaq Ung-uixtuq! Iluumun Ung-uixtuq!
Japanese - ハリストス復活！実に復活！ (Harisutosu fukkatsu! Jitsu ni fukkatsu!)
Korean - Kristo Gesso! Buhar ha sho Nay! [ooc - sorry, Han, don't have this in the original characters; perhaps you could oblige?]
Navajo - Christ daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá! T'áá aaníí, daaztsáádéé' náádiidzáá!
Tlingit - Xristos Kuxwoo-digoot! Xegaa-kux Kuxwoo-digoot!
Lugandan - Kristo Azukkide! Kweli Azukkide!
Swahili - Kristo Amefufukka! Kweli Amefufukka!
Quechua - Cristo causarimpunña! Ciertopuni causarimpunña!
Syriac - Meshiha qam! Bashrira qam!
Arabic (Fus'hah, i.e., "standard") - Al-Masih-Qam! Hakkan Qam!
Maltese - Kristu qam! Huwa qam tassew!
Hebrew (modern) - Ha Masheeha houh kam! A ken kam!
Tigrigna - Christos tensiou! Bahake tensiou!
Amharic - Kristos Tenestwal! Bergit Tenestwal!
Mandarin - 基督復活了他確實復活了 (Jidu fuhuo-le! Ta queshi fuhuo-le!)
Georgian - ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა! (Kriste aghsdga! Cheshmaritad aghsdga!)
Estonian - Kristus on ülestõusnud! Tõesti on ülestõusnud!
Finnish - Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totisesti nousi!
Hungarian - Krisztus feltámadt! Valóban feltámadt!
Esperanto - Kristo leviĝis! Vere Li leviĝis!
Quenya - Ortanne Laivino! Anwa ortanne Laivino!

And then there was much rejoicing. For a change.

OOC 2 - and the weirdest thing about that is the discovery that NS apparently supports the Georgian and Armenian alphabets....

Prazkoy

29-04-2008, 23:28

[SIZE="1"][ooc - sorry, Han, don't have this in the original characters; perhaps you could oblige?]

ooc: oh, ye of little faith!

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP

Filip fell for the first time in this tournament yesterday against Alfredo Neves of Cafundeu, representing Jeru FC in a bizarre twist of luck. After losing several key pieces and key positions, Filip suddenly stood up with his king in his hand and yelled out for all to hear:

"예수 그리스도께서 부활하셨네!"

No one in the room was aware of the meaning, and Filip was immediately taken by Krytenian police for trying to start a riot. Later, officials from the Prazkoy Grand Hussite Church attempted to free the chess champion, claiming that he had received the Holy Spirit while playing the chess match. Unfortunately, Filip's removal of his king piece was interpreted as a forfeit, and as such Neves goes away with the win. It was a disappointing match anyway, because Filip was uncharacteristically bad. Maybe his spiritual transfiguration had something to do with his poor performance.

Hussite bishops accompanying the Praži Football Team claimed that Miroslaw Filip was in the midst of a Holy Transfiguration, similar to that received by the Apostles during the Pentecost. He was also noted chanting the "Paschal Greeting" in a foreign language. "One of the first things that the Apostles did after receiving the Word from Christ was to speak in tongues. It seems apparent to us that he was chosen by Christ to administer to the people of Krytenia the Gospels! But as to why He chose at this time and in this manner, using that language - *bless you!* - I don't know." Filip was reportedly later released from the Krytenians, after an earthquake shook the holding cells and people began to sing a tune while awfully out of tune.

ooc: for the Archregimancy, the proper (I think) pronunciation for the phrase is as follows:

yei-su geu-ri-seu-do-gkei-seo bu-hwal-ha-syeot-nei! (or alternatively in fast speech:

yesu g'ris'to-geso buhwal-hasyo'ne!) I prefer the former.)

EDIT - It means "Jesus Christ is surely resurrected!" if you have no clue what the Archregimancy is saying.

Acapais

29-04-2008, 23:35

Cup of Harmony XXXII – MD3

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Nethertopia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/nethertopia.png
3:2 (3:2)

Match Report:
Fraxinus Dome, Sciuntis – The third match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against Nethertopia and ended in a 3-2 win for the Hearts on Monday night. The win for Acapais marks their third win in a row.

Abdoulaye Soro started the scoring for Nethertopia early in the 4th minute. O'Hare, attempting to punch clear a corner kick, hit it straight to the feet of Soro whose one-time volley was bound for the net. A quarter-hour later, Al Vick Osman curled a right footer around to the far post for the match’s equalizer. Jose Castro scored the go-ahead goal for the Hearts in the 33rd minute off a cross from Kyle Rummy. The one-time volley was struck with great velocity and left the goalkeeper, Wouter van Dalen, helpless. The Acapais skipper notched his second of the Cup when Dave Lugini was dragged down inside the penalty area. The thirty-five year-old Highland Park FC veteran made no mistake finishing. Souleymane Diakité brought one back for Nethertopia in the first half stoppage time with a beautiful scissor kick to the far post. Hunchman O'Hare had no chance of getting to it.

In the second half, Nethertopia pressed their attacks much harder. Pablo was brought on for additional defensive help for the Hearts in place of attacking midfielder Henry Paroe. Even Castro had to drop back and help defend much of the second half as Nethertopia sent wave after wave of attacks toward O’Hare and his backline. In the end, however, Neither team scored in the second forty-five minutes and Acapais came away with three points.

Nick Daniels replaced Dave Lugini in the 69th minute as a tactical substitution after Derek Sample was sent-off for receiving his second yellow card of the match for a rash tackle on midfielder Daouda Diompy. During his exit he was seen violently stomping and kicking a cardboard-box at the foot of the tunnel. Much of the television media deemed it very immature for Sample to behave in such a way. The WCC has issued a two-match ban for the defender for the red card and his reaction afterward.

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “it was a good win tonight and I hope we can keep the aggression flowing in the upcoming matches. I was very glad we were able to fight back back from being a goal down. Sitting in first feels great of course, we just must not lose focus and keep doing the things we are great at. Addressing Sample’s behavior after he was sent-off, The AFA and I will discuss what we will do as far as a potential suspension or fine on top of his WCC suspension.” Miss Horne is now won her last three Cup of Harmony matches.

Acapais will face-off with Lovisa in a crucial matchday four of Cup of Harmony XXXII who defeated Terreiro de Ogum 2-1 on matchday three and are sitting on seven points after three matches.

Scenarios for Acapais on matchday four are as follows: Acapais can clinch a playoff spot on matchday four with a win over Lovisa. A draw for the Hearts would keep Acapais in first place but potentially only one point ahead of Prux if they were to win, but if they were to lose, Acapais would clinch a play-off spot. If Acapais fall short against Lovisa they will potentially drop out of the top two play-off bound teams if Prux were to win, and would drop to second otherwise.

The win leaves Acapais in first place in their group and two points ahead of Lovisa who are in second.

Scoring:
Nethertopia – Abdoulaye Soro (Klaas Koppers) 4
Acapais – Al Vick Osman (Zachary McKellar) 19
Acapais – Jose Castro (Kyle Rummy) 33
Acapais – James Fronberry (pen) 41
Nethertopia – Souleymane Diakité (Fouad Snijders) 45+

Booking:
Acapais – Derek Sample (Caution; Reckless foul) 31
Nethertopia – Fouad Snijders (Caution; Reckless foul) 52
Acapais – Rex Agitril (Caution; Persistant Infringment) 65
Acapais – Derek Sample (Sent-off; Subsequent Caution) 69
Nethertopia – Mike Igwe (Caution; Unsporting Behavior) 78
Acapais – James Fronberry (Caution; Reckless foul) 91+

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe (Pablo 73), Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro (David Franzman 85), Dave Lugini (Nick Daniels 69);
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Lovisa
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Nick Daniels; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Bobby Underland, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/lovisa.png

Injuries/Suspensions:
Suspension – Derek Sample (sent-off: two-match ban)

Acapais Goal Scorers:
2 – Jose Castro
2 – James Fronberry
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Al Vick Osman

Acapais Assists Leaders:
2 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – Henry Paroe

Acapais Yellow Cards:
2 – Rex Agitril
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Bradly Sample
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – James Fronberry

Acapais Red Cards:
1 – Derek Sample

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Newmanistan

30-04-2008, 03:35

(Rockets players gather to discuss strategy for the Jeru FC contest)

Lewis: Alright guys, and gal, we always say we will do anything to win, right? Well, here’s the game plan.

Drummond: Your seriously going to do this?

Lewis: Yeah, but we don’t want coach to know. As we know, our opponents have some interesting characteristics about them, so Shawn and I have devised this idea to try and throw them off their game a little bit.

Drummond: They may be military men, but they are still at the end of the day, men.

Lewis: First, there’s this guy named Dohah who likes to play football with grenades, so we had someone back home in Newmanistan create these neat little things that look like grenades. Don’t worry, they aren’t real ones. We will casually toss one or two out on the pitch and make Dohah think he needs to do something with it.

Drummond: Then this guy Nok Emdown, who gets the women, well we have contacted some travelling fans that will just about flash him everytime he looks in their way. They won’t actually do it, so everytime he looks in their direction he’ll pause and wonder if this is the time they’ll take it off.

Chapman: You guys are demented.

Lewis: Actually, we think the placement of attractive Newmanistanian women in the stands might throw a few of them off. Especially if they think they might take off their tops.

Drummond: And these guys probably haven’t had a Newmanistanian woman yet, so we know they’ll love what they see and get very curious.

Lewis: Then there’s a couple guys on the team who have fetishes with women’s underwear. So, Shawn?

Drummond: Yeah, I’ve pretended that the girls I was with the last two days lost theirs but actually hid it, so we can throw it on the field too, and see what they do when they see a couple thongs on the field.

Lewis: And Julie?

McElroy: God, I can’t believe I agreed to do this.

Drummond: Just doing what it takes, Jules. Let’s see it.

McElroy: Here (tosses bra and thong). You owe me for this.
Lewis: That’s the spirit, Jules!

Drummond: Julie will also be a little more flirty on the field then usual.

McElroy: Yeah yeah, which one was it again you want me to flirt all game with?

Lewis: Nok Emdown, we can get him off his game that way too.

Drummond: We also paid off someone of Kate Sallad’s figure to completely dress like her and impersonate her, while sitting behind the Jeru FC sideline.

Lewis: She will make suggestive comments all game, and make them think it is Kate when in fact, it is not.

Drummond: That chick is hot though, her name is Brittany, I’m gonna get some after the game.

Chapman: Uhh yeah, thanks for throwing that part in, bud.

McAllister: This is nuts.

Carrigan: I have one problem with this. Are we going to throw ourselves off our game at the same time by doing all this?

Lewis: Not at all, Kevin. We’re just gonna put this stuff on the pitch while no one is looking at the beginning of the game, and then we’re gonna play like normal.

Carrigan: I guess.

Lewis: Others we’re gonna tease by saying Kate Sallad came out with a new porn video yesterday, to get them thinking.

Drummond: And, that might be inevitable with her sometime anyway.

Lewis: No one else we really have anything for. We need to get these three points, so let’s do everything it takes!

Drummond: Coach is coming, put that stuff away.

(Lewis hides the items)

Team: Hey coach!

Carson: Hello everyone, I got a lot to go over, so I better get right to it. (Coach goes into a long strategic lecture).

Kelssek

30-04-2008, 04:38

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/media/kirkenescourier-new.png

BRIEFLY: SPORTS
ARSENAULT'S GOAL WINS FOR KELSSEK
A brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty box in the 49th minute by Vincent Arsenault was the difference-maker as Kelssek defeated Jariss 1-0 at the Cup of Harmony in a hard-fought match which remained close throughout. Jariss threatened several times and Petr Zherdek can take some credit for winning the three points with an excellent stop off a header by Fae Numuu. Kelssek will face Kura-Pelland next in what could well be their toughest match of the competition.

Jeru FC

30-04-2008, 05:09

The Jeru FC Gun Barrel

Army men rate Jeruselem's hottest women

In the army, we talk about blowing up things and ... women. We are lucky, our women are particular good looking and some are happy to have a bit of fun too. We have an annual survey of army men and women about who are top women in Jeruselem from the armed forces perspective. Deceased women are not included.

10. Kate Dallas

Dropping down the ranks, but some still admire her despite being stuck in a temple in Jeruselem. It's not no one likes her, it's just she doesn't get the publicity like she used to.

09. Jacinta Sallad

A newcomer to this list. Essentially a Princess Jacinta Dallas clone, the Sallad girl can actually play football. She doesn't look very smart but being a football defender, she's tough and fearless.

08. Scarlet Ferris

The World Cup 40 captain and classic French girl. Not a high profile football player but some in the army like their leaders.

07. Kara Kool

A Jewish favourite. Kara is never out of minds of our Jewish men and women.

06. Debbie Dallas

The grandmother is still highly regarded. Anyone who can raise 13 children while having a career is not someone to disregard.

05. Jennifer Sloan

Another newcomer to the list. The fitness minded people in the army like her because of her clean living and her status as one of Jeruselem's best Karate girls. Many army trainers want her to join the army as she's the type of woman they want to fight for them during a war.

04. Nikki Seabourne

JGN's top female reporter excluding the Dallas girls. Army people feel good when they see her on TV doing her stuff.

03. Princess Jacinta Dallas

Shaded out of 2nd, Jacinta Dallas is big favourite. Mainly because she's the daughter of an army man and also a Dallas. In a nation where there are many female pop stars, Jacinta's public figure as Princess and Pop Star is big.

02. Kate Sallad

The new Kate Dallas. People like the passion and grit she brings to her game. She doesn't hold back when in combat, something army people like to see. And she's very attractive as well like a young Kate or Dazza Dallas.

01. Lady Dazza Dallas

Still number one despite being a grandmother. The current Ambassador to Qazox had served country in all areas although some in a less than normal manner.

Kose and The Turkomans

30-04-2008, 18:55

http://www.KTTpreviews.Ko.Tm

Preview (V Spetentrionia)
Their record is the same as ours and they are not to be discounted from the competition, a word of warning a sure fire way to fail is to think it's easy. Its on that note that the Turks should focus and that they should hold their defence deep, as their attackers have hit the target two more times than our team, but perhaps this is one game where we should look to press the wings as this is where their defense is at their shakiest. This should translate into a Sinan Kose start which will be revealed at the end of the article writing, look out for the anouncement.

Written by : Orhan Ak, 12:35 pm (TMZ time)

Team Released
16:15

Gk: Cakir Fuat
RB: Metin Aydin
LB: Murat Turan
CB: Hikmet Koc
CB: Sukur Saray
SW: Lefter Alp
CM: Ariakan Isamel
CM: Firat Mertcan
RM: Sabri Gunes
LM: Serkan Turkmen
ST: Sinan Kose

Krytenia

30-04-2008, 23:41

MATCHDAY FOUR - GROUPS I & J
a.k.a. Krytenia: Co-Host In Disguise

Group I
Blouman Empire 1-0 Terreiro de Ogum @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis
Nethertopia 4-6 Prux @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Acapais 4-2 Lovisa @ Flavioso, Flavia

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Acapais 4 4 0 0 10 4 6 12 Q
2 Prux 4 3 0 1 12 6 6 9
3 Lovisa 4 2 1 1 8 8 0 7
4 Terreiro de Ogum 4 1 0 3 3 6 -3 3 E
5 Blouman Empire 4 1 0 3 3 7 -4 3 E
6 Nethertopia 4 0 1 3 8 13 -5 1 E

Group J
Septentrionia 2-0 Kose and the Turkomans @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis
Jeru FC 5-1 Newmanistan @ Karela Park, Nova Malta
Prazkoy 1-1 Kosovoe @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jeru FC 4 3 1 0 13 5 8 10
2 Septentrionia 4 2 1 1 10 7 3 7
3 Prazkoy 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 7
4 Kose and the Turkomans 4 1 1 2 6 8 -2 4
5 Newmanistan 4 1 1 2 7 11 -4 4
6 Kosovoe 4 0 1 3 5 10 -5 1 E

Krytenia

01-05-2008, 00:21

MATCHDAY FOUR - GROUPS K & L
a.k.a. Nuts to KP

Group K
Aleos 1-1 Nire and Nire @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
Fujisawan Territories 1-2 KaMaRi @ Ostlers Lane, Stratford
The Archregimancy 0-0 Taeshan @ Parc Abertawy, New Cefn

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 KaMaRi 4 3 0 1 7 6 1 9
2 The Archregimancy 4 2 1 1 7 2 5 7
3 Nire and Nire 4 2 1 1 7 4 3 7
4 Fujisawan Territories 4 2 0 2 5 8 -3 6
5 Aleos 4 1 1 2 4 6 -2 4
6 Taeshan 4 0 1 3 2 6 -4 1 E

Group L
Kelssek 2-0 Kura-Pelland @ South Road, Sandwell
Rennidan 0-0 Jariss @ The Eyrie, Hoxton
Kereca 0-2 Candelaria and Marquez @ Manor Fields, Bletcham

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Candelaria and Marquez 4 2 1 1 6 3 3 7
2 Kelssek 4 2 1 1 3 3 0 7
3 Kereca 4 2 0 2 4 6 -2 6
4 Jariss 4 1 2 1 2 1 1 5
5 Rennidan 4 1 2 1 3 3 0 5
6 Kura-Pelland 4 0 2 2 1 5 -4 2 E

Newmanistan

01-05-2008, 02:39

THE ROCKET REPORT

OUCH!

Starblaydia- Don't mess with the defending champions. The Rockets were crushed by Jeru FC this evening by the score of 5-1. "This was our worst effort of any of the games we played when combining both the World Cup qualifying effort and the Cup of Harmony," said Brian Carson. And none of us are about to argue with him. This result though was more of a result of a great game played by Jeru FC, with the military mentality of going for the kill then continuing to stomp on the throat until you're sure the opponent was dead. And that's also what Newmanistan's advancement hopes are. Dead. Too much of a goal differential comeback would have to be made on Septentrionia for it to be a reality. One more game left, against Kosovoe, which will only be about playing for pride.

Not much to otherwise say about this. Jeru FC looks like a club that can win their second consecutive Cup of Harmony. Perhaps they should make sure they never qualify for the World Cup so they can start a nice little Cup of Harmony dynasty. Congrats to them. As for the Rockets, they'll be home soon after one more game.

Kelssek

01-05-2008, 03:59

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/media/chronicleandherald.gif

Kelssek defeat Kura-Pelland 2-0 at Cup of Harmony
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/coh32-kpwin.jpg

SANDWELL -- It will go down as a famous victory for Kelssekian football as Kura-Pelland were felled 2-0 in a group stage tie at the Cup of Harmony, hosted in Starblaydia and Krytenia, on goals by Ian Sinclair and Kyle Anderson.

This loss is just the continuation of a miserable run by Kura-Pelland, originally tipped as one of the favorites, who are now bottom of the group and still without a win in the competition.

Perhaps it was the weight of expectations, and the increasingly real fear of failing to meet them, that led to a tentative start, which a bubbling Kelssek side coming off a hard-fought victory against Jariss punished early.

Vincent Arsenault started the move in the 22nd minute, beating Steven Corgi to a loose ball and finding Darach Salthill down the middle. Salthill's shot was parried by the Kura-Pelland goalkeeper Stephen Hill, but the rebound fell to entirely the wrong player; Ian Sinclair made no mistake with the goal at his mercy.

The Kura-Pelland team seemed almost shell-shocked to fall behind against a team they twice made such short work of in the World Cup qualifiers and became even more sputtering, failing to clear a free-kick, the defence instead turned over the ball to Jean-Luc Fournier and with a quick pass to his SC Saint-Remy teammate, Kyle Anderson fired the ball past Hill and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Whatever was said during the half-time team talk, Kura-Pelland emerged from the tunnel a different side and showed much more of the play expected of a top-class team, and Petr Zherdek had the posts to thank on two occasions as they came perilously close to finding the net. Credit also the defensive efforts to hold off the comeback attempt and earn the clean sheet for Zherdek.

And then the team gathered to celebrate as the final whistle blew on a match that will be entered into the books with the draw against Ariddia and remembered for some time to come.

Jeruselem

01-05-2008, 04:18

From: Princess Jacinta Sasha Dallas,
To: Jeru FC football team

Hello guys. Me and Flak Sho are getting married and you are invited. I know you are big fans of my family (well, the women anyway) and it'd just be rude to not invite you. Anyway, you all should be there! I know some of you want to marry me as well but I can't exactly clone myself. There's that Jacinta Sallad girl if you want go chasing birds.

Great win today over Newmanistan! Not sure how you won with all those pretty girls being distracting. I didn't know there were so many pretty girls from Newmanistan at all actually. One looked a bit like my sister.

They'll be lots of fun at the party. I'll be make sure there's plenty of women to oogle at. Your fave person, my Mum will be there too. Not a lot of grandmothers like party like Mum does. I'm sure you'll have a good time and even find someone to marry in the future. Well there's those Sallad girls around. Fiskin Dallas is available too, she's quite the bike I am but she's a nice girl to get to know.

Keep up the good work guys. I know winning the Cup of Harmony is not same as making the World Cup finals but you will one day. You're looking good at this cup but you need harden up for those games against big teams.

Love
XXX
Jacinta

Prux

01-05-2008, 04:35

<Press Conference #4>

Reporter #1: Professor, how did your team come back from a 3-0 halftime deficit to Nethertopia?

Professor Gearlosse: Ze secret veapon of course!

Reporter #2: So what was the weapon? We didn't see anything different at all in the second half, other than Backup Duck coming in for Mumbo Duck. So how could the team score 6 second-half goals?

Professor Gearlosse: I haff told you, it vas ze secret veapon!

Reporter #3: So Backup Duck is the secret weapon?

Professor Gearlosse: No, ze backup is not ze secret veapon. But he is a major componet of ze veapon.

Reporter 1: Professor, can you just tell us anything about the weapon? Anything at all?

Professor Gearlosse: Only vun think, its Magic. Zat is all for today. Ve vill beat Acapaises und vin ze groupen!

Septentrionia

01-05-2008, 04:44

On the waves of Radio-Sept Monde English, the English World Service of Radio-Sept, the national public radio network

Richard Deschênes: We're now going to the sports news, with Laurent Jolin.

Laurent Jolin: Hi Richard. Well, Septentrionians can rejoice: we didn't lose the game 7-10 against Kose and the Turkomans: In fact, Kose was pretty alone when Les Gars du Nord won their game 2-0. Let's listen to a report from our do-it-all guy who thinks he is the best on the network while we only send our worst reporter to report about soccer, Vincent Patenaude.

Vincent Patenaude: It was a very beautiful day in Sciuntis, Starblaydia as Septentrionia and Kose and the Turkomans were tackling on each other for this lighted match. This game began very smoothly while the Septentrionian manager, Lionel Henri, was drinking a smoothies. At the 10th minute, Roland Bouchard got the ball in the opponent's area, but when attempting to kick the ball, he missed it because one of the girls in the area was disturbing him and he kicked the referee's butt instead: he got red carded. At the 25th minute, Sinan Kose tried to score, but René Laviolette found a way to stop the ball from penetrating the net. Right after the play, he passed the ball to Nicolas Leduc who passed to Mario Latraverse to went from one side to the other of the field (traverser le terrain), passed to Nicolas Maloeil in the area who scored a goal. 1-0 Septentrionia. The goalie tried to complain to the referee about the fact that the goal was clearly offside, but nothing could change the outcome, not even a Capitalizt bookmaker who jumped on the field to bribe the referee 1093 grams of gold. While Pacitalians tend to fix matches, it did not happen this time because Pacitalian referees tend to not be involved in WCC competitions. So both teams left at half-time with Septentrionia leading 1-0.

The game's second half was harsher. First because the referee got harsh, then because tackles became harder on the Septentrionians. But Les Gars du Nord kept playing their game and scored another goal at the 60th minute when Nicolas Lafontaine scored a goal from a free kick outside the penalty area. He then went to the water fountain and drank some water to play again. At the 67th minute, Nicolas Maloeil got injured to the eye and had to leave the pitch, being replaced by Gérard Labrie. After the game, Henri told the press Maloeil's eye is in a very bad situation and he could lose its use. So his cup run is over, and so is his season in the Superligue. He might be back in fall, however, to see his team fall in the playoffs, once again. At the 76th minute, Sinan Kose tried to score once again, but a hard challenge by Nicolas Leduc took him down to the field. Kose then challenged Leduc to a fight, but Leduc rejected, arguing that a duke cannot beat a prince. The referee gave both players a yellow card. The end of the game came with Septentrionia winning 2-0. Nicolas Lafontaine got elected man of the match and received matches, maybe not a good idea considering his past actions in Starblaydia during the Baptism of Fire. For Radio-Sept, I am Vincent Patenaude in Sciuntis, Starblaydia.

Laurent Jolin: Thank you Vincent. I really appreciate your reports because we then get something and/or someone to laugh at. Now on to the Hockey Nordikliga...

Kose and The Turkomans

01-05-2008, 06:39

From bad to worse
Septentrionia 2-0 KTT
This is possibly our most dissapointing result in this tournement, since it leaves us mathematicly in the competition but very much out of it. Any of the ultrAslan were taken care off since the Sinan Kose yellow card after they started chanting to Leduc "You Dirty filthy, coward" this meant most of the stewards were directed towards our fans as once again they have shown us up.

Anyone who watched the match would know that Sinan Kose was made very isolated by a very good and strong defense, however Sinan will likely complain to the media on the harded tackles that came down on him as he said in the post match interview "The referee wasn't watching, he was fiddling..." we cannot write the rest due to explicit swearing but you get the idea of frustration; Alhrem was suprisingly calm about the defeat saying "They played well and if theres anything expirience has taught me it's to know when your beat, well played."

But where this leaves us in the group is above Newmanistan a small concelation prize for our weak performance, as we square off next match against the very defensive Prazkoy.

Newmanistan

01-05-2008, 13:10

(Players gather in preparation for the match against Kosovoe)

McAllister: You guys see this bulls**t?

Brooker: What’s up?

McAllister: Our own press, saying, “Oh all that’s left for the Rockets now is to play for pride.” What the hell is that?

Lewis: I don’t know, but hey, I can understand if other nations want to count us out, but our own press, saying we’re done, that’s not right. But hey, they said that about us during qualifying and we went on to win three in a row and get in the playoffs, missing actually qualifying for World Cup 40 by just a lone goal.

Carson: You guys are right. We are not done dammit! If anyone thinks we’re done, get out of the room and fly back to Newmanistan now! (No one leaves) Good. Because we still can get this thing. We beat Kosovoe, we have seven points. We need help, but we can get it done.

McAllister: Who cares about goal differential on Septentrionia. They play Jeru FC now. Jeru FC can do the same damn thing to them that they did to us. Kosovoe’s at the bottom of the table, we can score against them and turn that goal differential around in our favor.

Brooker: Damn right!

Lewis: You gotta believe people, do you believe?!

Team: YES!!! WE BELIEVE!!

Carson: We also gotta root for the Turks to beat Prazkoy. I don’t see why they can’t.

Chapman: There’s only one Sinan Kose! Come on everyone sing, There’s only one Sinan Kose!

Team: All hail Sinan Kose! There’s only one Sinan Kose!

Carson: Ok, but we don’t want Sinan Kose to score too much. The Turks hold a slight goal differential lead on us. We gotta beat Kosovoe and we have to crush them. Knock them down and squish them like a bug.

McAllister: No mercy!

Team: NO MERCY!

Carson: 5-1 Rockets. 2-1 Turks. 5-1 Jeru FC. We’re in. Why not? It can happen!

Lewis: Now its time to make it happen!

Carson: That’s the spirit boys, but again, we must crush Kosovoe! Be aggressive.
===================================

Later on.....

McAllister: Shawn, what are you doing?

Drummond: Writing a note.

McAllister: To who?

Drummond: Nok Emdown of Jeru FC.

McAllister: Why?

Drummond: All that sounded good before with the coach, but really, Jeru FC doesn’t have much to play for. They don’t have the same incentive to crush Septentrionia because they’ve basically won the group. So, I’m trying to offer a little incentive for them to want to destroy them, and not just beat them.

McAllister: Oh dear, do I really want to read this? Let me see...

Drummond: Here

To: Private Nok Emdown
From: Shawn Drummond c/o Newmanistan Rockets
Re: Septentrionia

Dear Private Nok Emdown:

On behalf of the Newmanistan Rockets organization we apologize for our lame attempts to throw you all off your game and have learned our lesson by the beatdown that you put on us. However, we can make some good out of this yet. You see, we really need you to do the same thing you did to us to Septentrionia. So I’m willing to make a deal with you. Those women, teasing you and your teammates whenever they could during the game? Well I have connections with all of them, even the one we impersonated Kate Sallad with. If you guys can not just beat this Septentrionia, but pound them into submission like you did with us, I will see too it that you and your buddies have your choice of any or all of these women, whichever you may prefer. It’s not that I’m doubting your ability to go out and get them on your own, I’ll just save you the time and money to spend on their drinks. The Septentrionians are a weird bunch anyway, so that too should make you want to beat them silly. Call me at xxxxxxxxxxx if you wish to arrange a deal.

thanks, Shawn

Jeru FC

01-05-2008, 14:12

To: Shawn Drummond c/o Newmanistan Rockets
From: Private Nok Emdown
Re: Septentrionia

Don't worry about Jeru FC being lazy and not scoring goals. When we don't score goals, we're just being incompetent like we sometimes do. Admittedly we are not a Jeruselem because we don't know how to defend really. When we don't score goals, we usually lose the game because our defense frankly sucks.

I didn't know the Newmanistan girls were so hot. I'll tell the boy if we win really big they can get contact with some err nice err loose women. We should beat Septentrionia, but I assume you want some ridiculous scoreline like 10-0. Well we aren't Jeruselem but we could manage 4-0 or something as we rarely score more than 5 goals in any game. We have conceded more than 5 goals in one game but then we played the SLANI and C&M.

I like that Kate Dallas or Kate Sallad look-alike. Of course, a Kate Dallas look-alike is a Dazza Dallas look-alike (when she was younger). I can't guarantee we'll be at our best because some days we play like rubbish for no reason. When Jeruselem play crap, they draw ... when we do it, we tend to lose.

As for slacking, the coach won't let us slack. It's a good thing because we'd suck as a football team otherwise. Don't worry about us sitting and defending, we don't do that because we lose games that way.

Nok

Kose and The Turkomans

01-05-2008, 15:55

Still in to win
"The team should never give up" That is the spirit that Sinan Kose has now inspiried within the team as they look into the dephs of faliure, which is now only a matter of how close it is.

Make no mistake we can still make it providing Newmanistan either win by less than 3 we Beat Prazkoy a draw will not do us anything here then we need Jeru to win by atleast 4 goals against Septentrionia which they are more than capable of.

Sinan Kose said "We've tried so hard, lets make this game matter!" he even called upon the ultrAslan to make this feel like home - like they needed encouragement - of course he said that there should be no trouble should we fail to go through as they seek to build up a team that qualifies within the next 5 World Cups. Unsuprisingly this is within the next 20 years by which Sinan Kose will be 36 and likely considering retirement from international football. When asked whether or not he cared if he ever played a world cup finals match he replied "Of course I do, who doesn't I'd love to play in the world cup but I may have to settle for a healthy league career, which is not a consilation prize for me since I feel that my club is just as important as my nation."

When we asked him about his earlier comments about the ref he responded "I am very sorry for my comments and I have appoligized to the referee and I'm hoping that Leduc will also recieve my apolligy, however I have to say... what game was the ref watching eh?"

We then moved on to ask what tactics he would change; he was evasive saying "Well I don't really see much wrong and it's our coaches decision he always has the final say and we really must seek to keep him for a few World Cup cycles." But as I pressed further he cracked saying "If and I must stress if I was the manager for this team I would seek to push a midfielder up in my support because I'm rarely getting the through ball now although last game was a shocker I'll admit, but still theres no excuse from me or the Turks team we've held our hands up and admitted fault, but don't get used to it!" It was there we cut the interview since he had a training session but he's a good lad once you know him.

Alhrem Pleads For Caution
While the fans, the media and almost certainly the players will be calling to throw caution to the wind Alhrem has maintained his positions on the negative tactics. With Sinan saying in an earlier article about his isolation it seem's that the glue behind the team has not made his voice heard when you consider Alhrems responce "Sinan's only job for this team is to play, not to manage he should leave this to the professionals..." he paused to collect himself "While I value his input on tactical arangements I will not be bullied b school boy tactics to please the crowd, I mean we are professionals we have to see deeper than throwing everyone upfront."

We then asked him if he thought Turkoglu had been playing better than Kose; he said "I feel Sinan has an edge about his play... don't get me wrong Turkoglu is talented but Sinan has this rawness that the team lacks when he's not on." I asked if he felt that if Sinan was injured or suspended if Nuri could step up "Of course I have to put my trust in him, but only as far as his will go in my tactics, and beleive me Sinan has to trust my tactics before I consider him indespencable to the squad. So thats the harsh message to Kose beleive and deliver or risk it, only time will tell if this relationship between fans, manager and players will last the many cycles Sinan expects.

Prazkoy

01-05-2008, 20:00

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE WORLD CUP

So we've given up these comprehensive coverage of Filip's matches with chessmasters from other countries because we received a note from Prazkoy fans indicating that that weird green field over there is the real action. So... why on earth did we get a chessmaster to run the whole thing then?

I don't know. God knows. Literally. The Grand Hussite Church, as the principal sponsor of the Prazkoy National Football Team, chose Miroslaw from a mass of many contenders. What stuck out about Filip? Perhaps we can shed some light from Filip's miraculous transfiguration last match against that Cafu guy from Jeruselem. Or something like that. Apparently, members of the Grand Hussite Church believe that Filip is the next incarnation of the Prophet Elijah, in anticipation of Armageddon. And what was the significance of his transfiguration during the Jeruselem Army Team match? Apparently, this place described in the Bible is in Jeruselem, so there's something about the End of the World coming to Jeruselem in the near future. Why in Krytenia then? Because he was facing a person from Jeruselem, of course! Nevermind the guy actually comes from Cafundeu and the place described in Jeruselem is never accurately described except by name alone. What do you think about that? It's the End of the World! According to some other prophecies, the world is coming to an end soon, so Filips transfiguation seems to one of the last indications that the world is coming to end. And really soon! Now, if only we could actually define "really soon"; otherwise, I'm probably going to wait until I'm dead.

Oh, and somehow, Filip managed to draw against a white guy. Not sure just exactly how significant this is yet, but after leaving everyone snoring in disbelief as the two players ended up moving their king-side knights back and forward between the g-file and the f-file. Yeah, not very interesting. After the first 7 moves, the announcer accurately predicted the remainder of the match before the moves were ever made, saying "...white knight to f3, black knight to f6, white knight to g1, black knight to g8, white knight to f3, black knight to f6, white knight to g1, black knight to g8..." The tournament organizers forced a draw after it seemed apparent that Filip was sleeping and playing in his slumber. The white guy was spotted chewing a shoe and shorting corn kernels up his nose before sneezing them all out.

Prazkoy

01-05-2008, 20:15

Kardinál Yan Sobesky
Kardinál Grigor Račnik
Kardinál Čelsi Popov
Kardinál Karl Mnemer

Popov: Haven't you heard? We're on the verge of reaching the Second Round of the Cup of Harmony!

Sobesky: You mean...

Popov: The chessmaster is also proving his worth for converting the unholy masses of Krytenskoy.

Mnemer: Wait. Weren't we in Starvaldiskoy?

Popov: Well, the group draw put us in Krytenskoy.

Sobesky: Wait, is this the same Miroslaw Filip who got delirious during a chess match against some guy from Cafundeu? Lord, save us!

All others: *gasp*

Sobesky: What? It wasn't swearing!

Mnemer: Thou shall not use the Lord's name in vain! You know that!

Popov: Let's forgive Kardinál Sobesky before we move on to our next state of affairs.

*unison pray*

Mnemer: I've heard reports that the Second Coming is near and is coming to Jeruselem. Should we prepare a Holy Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in anticipation?

Popov: Jeruselem is the Holy Lands. Except, that it's been perverted by the unholy Ariddians with no clothes.

Sobesky: They wear something!

Popov: You have seen these foul beasts?

Sobesky: They're not beasts! I met them in Jeruselem once. Well, by accident.

Mnemer: Fathers, we must pray for Kardinál Sobesky, for he has not confessed to us his sins.

Sobesky: Is it a sin to look at foreign people?

Račnik: IT IS A SIN TO LOOK UPON THE WHORE OF BABYLON!

*all silent*

Popov: You know, Father Račnik. If we followed the Pope still, I would certainly nominate you as Holy Pontiff.

Račnik: Any reason?

Popov: You make the voice of God sound weak.

Račnik: SACRILEGE! REPENT!

Mnemer: Let us pray for we are human too, and we have all sinned at some time in our past.

*unison* Amen!

Kose and The Turkomans

01-05-2008, 20:23

Popular Sports show: KTT Warm Up

P1: And thats how the national tennis league was cancelled

P2: And now on to greener pastures as we are joined by Ex-KTT coach Murat Hasanoglu to evaluate the teams chances tonight.

M: Good to be here guys.

P1: So an obvious Talking point, Sinan Kose; unfit or just complacent.

M: Well I wouldn't say complacent since he has worked hard all of his career and especially for me, perhaps it's the coaching (Eyes move shiftily)

P2: Well his season is at a different time than our leagues so... perhaps it's a lack of match fitness?

M: Perhaps but he's always playing sports I'd say theres something deeper-

P1: Personal Issues?

M: Well during our first tournement he was a bit... shall we say, over active in the social interaction.

P1: A girl he's letting the team down over a girl?

M: Well not letting down as such, but almost certainly out of focus.

P2: Well a girl is not the things you care about as a prince-

M: But as a teen?

P1: (muttering) well played...

P2: Listen I'm not a expert on the human mind but I'm not as dumb as I look or sound... (Under) or that comprehension test indicated.

M: Oh I'm not suggesting that at all, but to the football.

P1: Yes? oh right... a question from our viewers that is quite common: Would you change the goalkeeper.

M: Short answer No simply because I developed that bond of trust that Alhrem seeks to create.

P2: Is there a long answer because we have time to kill

M: Unfourtenately no.

P1: well thank you for your time.

P2: And next, why is peeing in freezers becoming a national craze as the first competitive UPC (Useless Peeing contest) happens in a small shops freezer.

Acapais

02-05-2008, 01:26

Cup of Harmony XXXII – MD4

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Lovisa http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/lovisa.png
4:2 (2:2)

Match Report:
Flavioso, Flavia – The fourth match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against Lovisa and ended in a 4-2 win for the Hearts on Wednesday night. The win for Acapais marks their fourth win in a row.

Nick Daniels started the match in place of the suspended Derek Sample but it was the twin’s brother, Bradley, who gave up the first goal by allowing the Lovisa midfielder behind the defence. The low-cross across the mouth of the goal was finished by the Lovisa striker. Acapais bounced back only three minutes later when Dave Lugini netted his first of the campaign. His far post shot from the top of the eighteen hit the post before bouncing in. Lovisa took the lead again only five minutes later when shot striker’s slipped right through Hunchman O'Hare’s hands. The goalkeeper remained focused for seven minutes later he made a spectacular save from close range. Acapais drew level for the second time in the match when midfielder Zachary McKellar netted his first of the cup. His powerful strike from the just outside the eighteen left the goalkeeper parked in his spot.

Once the whistle for halftime was blown it started to rain. Thunder and lightning followed. Since it was a Cup of Harmony match, the match must be completed and the two nations played the waiting game. An eight o’clock evening kick-off and a four hour weather delay meant the second half started about one o’clock the following morning. Because this was such a crucial match for the two teams and the score was level at the half, the tension and nerves radiating from the players, managers, coaches, fans, and even the media personal skyrocketed.

Once the second half resumed, both teams approached the remainder of the match with caution. There were only two shots on goal from Lovisa in the second half and both shots came after Acapais scored the match winner in the 72nd minute. Pablo, who came on as a substitute in the 54th minute, scored from a corner kick taken by the Acapais skipper James Fronberry. Lovisa began to seriously press for a goal in the later stages of the match. Hunchman O'Hare intercepted a cross from the wing and quickly threw the ball up field for Al Vick Osman whose through ball the Pablo was weighted perfectly and Pablo fooled the keeper to secure his second goal of the match, three points and a spot in the last eight of the Cup of Harmony.

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “it was another splendid win tonight and I hope we can keep the positive attitude in the knockout stages. I was very glad we were able to fight back from being a goal down, again, twice. Being in the knockout stage for the third time in this nation’s history is a great feeling but we are aiming for the ultimate goal, the trophy” Miss Horne is now won her last four Cup of Harmony matches.

Acapais will face-off with Terreiro de Ogum on matchday five of Cup of Harmony XXXII who were defeated by Blouman Empire 1-0 on matchday four and are sitting on three points after four matches. Terreiro de Ogum cannot qualify for a knockout with the last eight.

Scenarios for Acapais on matchday five are as follows: Acapais can clinch a top seed playoff spot on matchday five with any result against Terreiro de Ogum, but if Acapais were to lose they could still capture that top spot is Prux fail to win. If Acapais lose and Prux win, Prux would take the top spot and Acapais would have to settle for second.

The win leaves Acapais in first place in their group and three points ahead of Prux who are in second place.

Scoring:
Lovisa – Number 8 (Number 9) 8
Acapais – Dave Lugini (Jose Castro) 11
Lovisa – Number 10 (Number 11) 16
Acapais – Zachary McKellar (Henry Paroe) 23
Acapais – Pablo (James Fronberry) 72
Acapais – Pablo (Al Vick Osman) 86

Booking:
Acapais – Jose Castro (Caution; Reckless foul) 29
Acapais – Henry Paroe (Caution; Persistant Infringment) 60
Acapais – Pablo (Caution; Reckless foul) 62
Acapais – David Franzman (Caution; Reckless foul) 87

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Nick Daniels; Zachary McKellar (Pablo 54); Henry Paroe (David Franzman 83), Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro (Dean Chilvers 45), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Bobby Underland, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Terreiro de Ogum
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Nick Daniels; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Bobby Underland, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/terreiro_de_ogum.png

Injuries/Suspensions:
Suspension – Derek Sample (two-match ban (has served one))

Acapais Goal Scorers:
2 – Jose Castro
2 – James Fronberry
2 – Pablo
1 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Dave Lugini
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Al Vick Osman

Acapais Assists Leaders:
2 – Zachary McKellar
2 – Henry Paroe
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – James Fronberry
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Jose Castro

Acapais Yellow Cards:
2 – Rex Agitril
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Bradly Sample
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – James Fronberry
1 – David Franzman
1 – Jose Castro
1 – Pablo
1 – Henry Paroe

Acapais Red Cards:
1 – Derek Sample

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Daehanjeiguk

02-05-2008, 01:27

(ooc: This is not an RP intended for Prazkoy, but to make something worthwhile for Candelaria And Marquez (hereafter referred to as C&M), because I'm going to be an a$$...)

SIC

Imperial Agents arrived at the Count's office. They had a warrant in their hands.

"What now?" he asked them.

"Do you have any information on the anarchist known as Lorenzo de Wilde?"

"No. I've been trying to contact the Candelariasians and even they don't know. They lost him somewhere abroad."

"Lost him?" one of the agents yelled. "Are you aware that anarchists are roaming the international scene freely, plotting against His Imperial Majesty's domain? And you lose a known anarchist, one who has stepped foot upon Imperial soil and plotted violence against its citizens? Are you crazy?"

"It's not my fault! I warned the CAMAFA that Imperial authorities would take action if they didn't. And they tried to. I don't know. They told me that they had resolved the issue. But I never heard from this character."

"We've traced his contacts within the Empire, and he's made quite a mess, because of this footballing thing. You should be more careful of whom you invite to play here; otherwise, we're going to have terrorists walk straight through those golden doors, carrying shoes in one hand and a bomb in the other, and no one is going to stop him because he's a superstar. Don't you remember?"

"They didn't have shoes back then!"

"But don't you remember? They made bombs out of everything! They managed to rig the wig factory and several thousand people had blown heads instead of hair! The bicycles! Oh my goodness! And the fish! Are you willing to have a return to that era?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Jeong was perspiring heavily as the agents nodded. "I'm a faithful citizen, and I would never intentionally bring criminals or barbarians to our land."

"That's the problem with you people. Making money... Somehow, you lose sight of your obligations to society, to protect her, and in the quest for money, we will accept even the terrorists to come to us. Because of people like you, seven hundred citizens died. Because of people like you, thousands of other people died, thousands more suffered inhumanities, and thousands more lost their families. I'm not sure if this internationalizing progress is really progress at all."

"We need it, to make an impact against the Mujeongbu."

The agent scoffed in return. "The Mujeongbu are becoming the least of our worries. It's these stupid idiots that make it on their own. People like your football star. They make their own movement, the Mujeongbu claim responsibility, and then we get into problems." The agents prepared to leave. "Tell the CAMAFA that if they don't clean up this act within the next week, we will do it for them."

"You're not going to kill him, are you? They don't even know where he is!"

"That's not our problem. Lorenzo de Wilde is a threat to Imperial Security, and until his conscience is clear, the Hwarang will look to eliminate all threats in any manner necessary to achieve this result. They have 7 days. If we don't hear from them or they don't solve the problem, then we will deal with the problem ourselves in our ways. I would suggest that you also warn them that if they become a problem, then we will deal with them too."

"What? Are you people threatening a foreign country?"

"Not the country, but if it comes to it, that the people of Candelaria And Marquez condone and endorse terrorism and anarchism as viable ideologies, and indeed host organizations aimed to spread their radical beliefs, then the Empire must pursue them as a hostile target."

"But these people aren't evil."

"People are never evil - only their thoughts." The agents left while Jeong wondered how best to portray this message to the CAMAFA. He hit the buzzer button for his secretary.

"Count, sir?"

"Ms. Kim - we've got a letter to write. Cancel that 4pm DDR meeting."

Official Communication by the Imperial Football Association of Daehanjeiguk

To the Candelaria And Marquez Football Association:

We have received further information from His Imperial Majesty's protectors. We are aware that their patience is starting to thin. Unfortunately, they are considering alternatives to reducing the apparent risks of letting Lorenzo de Wilde remain unaccounted and unhindered. There is a general fear that he is plotting a great terrorist campaign against the Empire, and unfortunately, I cannot provide evidence suggesting otherwise. I hope that you understand, with the recent terrorist attack in Casari, against innocent persons and His Imperial Majesty's subjects, that the intelligence community is taking every threat seriously - from the mundane to the present.

I am not asking for you to remove Mr. de Wilde or terminate his contracts, but rather to account for his presence and his intentions. They have given us a deadline of approximately 7 days, which translates for you 6 days to find him and manage his affairs. I hope sincerely that the CAMAFA does take this seriously and in the spirit of our otherwise good relationship embarks to resolve this matter before the Imperial government is inclined to intervene. In any case, I'm afraid that de Wilde's services in the Han Empire are at an end, as I cannot reasonably allow his return to Cheonjin. We maintain our promises for compensation upon successful resolution.

Count Jeong Mongjun, Chairman of the Imperial Football Association
鄭夢準伯,大韓蹴球協會會長
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/soccer.png

Nire and Nire

02-05-2008, 08:11

Nire and Nire need win to advance

A historic quarter final appearance is with Nire's grasp ahead of the final pool match against the Archregimancy. Win, and Nire advance. Lose and the tournament is over. It is simple as that. In an exclusive report, we can today announce that Nire has won the match to be played tomorrow evening Nire time. Secret video has been obtained (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGXvmLU8xmo) which shows Nire completely dominate the Monks.

Kura-Pelland

02-05-2008, 12:01

Kura-Pelland have sacked their manager with a game to spare in the CoH - with Keith Matthews almost certain to take over - after yet another defeat, this one to Kelssek.

The defensive experiment has gone incredibly awry, and an attacking style seems certain in the future. The extent to which fans even care now is disputable - one quote on NTV's SportChat forum summing up the mood ('As Green Day sung, I don't care if you don't. That's why my affections are with the Arrows (the gridiron team) and not these eleven assholes.') that is being increasingly shared.

Kose and The Turkomans

02-05-2008, 16:17

Reserves; Who's here to stay and who's a seat filler

Well as our adventures apear to be coming to a close since we are almost all but out; nows a better time than any to look at the future -if any- for our reserves:

Nuri Balıkcı
Age: 17
Position: Keeper
Caps: 0
Future: The young keeper is set for an above average career by most standards since his move to Sultanli, he does look to have a bright future for the national team as the focus seems to be moving towards the youth.
Verdict: Here to stay!

Tumer Oktay
Age: 27
Position: Right Mid
Caps: 2
Future: An old dog who has learn't new tricks to force his way into the side on two occaisions, unfortunately for him the team was founded too late to capture him young and while he is a class act on the pitch I feel he's just too old.
Verdict: Seat filler for at least WC 41

Ismael Koc
Age: 17
Position: Center Back/Sweeper
Caps: 4
Future: This young lad has the truest of skill and has proven at a young age to be able to command a defensive line, definately one to watch for a few world cups, however he does class with his slightly timid brother on positioning and with the true commanding might of Uzulmez.
Verdict: Here to Stay!

Hasan Kirac
Age: 23
Position: Left Mid
Caps: 2
Future: Younger than the other number 2 winger and by far alot better with a slice of potential, but he may be overlooked sometimes by the team but he has the ability to slice any defense open with seeming ease.
Verdict: Here to stay

Murad Al-Dwadalah
Age: 24
Caps: 2
Goals: 1
Future: Too old to establish himself and even if he does it would be too little too late for him, he does seem to slowing with every game leaving him unfit. While he may be the most effective finisher on the team his lack of match fitness leaves him breathless... and not in a good way.
Verdict: Back up for two more world cups!

Candelaria And Marquez

02-05-2008, 19:33

“…n plaster for up to six weeks. One SD&GP list member has already described Jefferson’s accident as an electoral disaster for the party, but party head office are insisting this lunchtime that their leader will be back on the campaign trail in no time. Jefferson’s deputy Martin Alicarte is expected to attend a planned walkabout in Arrigo this afternoon, before the Young Ethnic Achievers Awards this evening.”

“Yes, and we’ll be returning to that breaking story a little later on, but firs–”

“Thank God for that.”

“…delaria And Marquez Association Football Association President Owen Jones has confirmed that the senior team’s manager Lloyd Don–”

“What the hell is the matter with this bloody country?!” sort-of-President James Anderson groaned. “Half of our cities are covered in probiotic spunk, and the second story on the one o’clock news is the bloody football?!”

“…go and Orión expected back in Albrecht by the late evening. A statement on the CAMAFA website has confirmed that goalkeeper Ozzy Stefano and former C&M defender Damien Sono will become co-caretaker managers for the remainder of the tournament, following back-to-back two-nil victories over Kura-Pelland and Kereca. The Big Blues remain narrow favourites for the Cup despite their off- and on-field nightmares in Krytenia, but their future may still depend on taking a positive result from the final group fixture against Jariss. C&M last played the island na–”

“They gave the job to an unreliable goalkeeper and a gambling addict…?” Anderson wondered out loud, despite himself. He’d been a true football fan once, and though cynicism had long since taken hold you couldn’t help but care about the national team.

“To be fair, James, things really have picked up since they assumed control.”

“A victory over the worst Kura-Pellandi side of all time and that other bunch of nobodies beginning with K? Woo. They’re going to get slaughtered in the next round, if they make it that far.”

“As long as they don’t get Prux or the monksfromanalternatereality I personally couldn’t give a shit either way, Mister Sort-of-President, sir,” Lyndon Hernández, Minister for Rational Thought, said sweetly.

“No… Of course not. Probably better they get knocked out sooner rather than later, in the long run. Give the public more of a chance the concentrate on the elections.”

“Are there elections, sir? I hadn’t heard it mentioned.”

“Yes, alright, shush.” Anderson held up a hand as an interview with the Candelariasians’ goalscorer against Kereca, Ramiro Novo, showed signs of winding down. “Right, here we are…”

“…ay up front alongside Ignacio Vélez, despite nagging injury concerns over the Cafundó do Juta man after limping off late in the Kereca game, following an ill-timed tackle from the young, supposed Green Island target, Russ Zapata.

“Next, and months after that heated row over the positioning of this year’s Bank Holidays, C&M has woken up to an impromptu long weekend, with a stormfront expected to arrive today from continental Rushmore provided some surprisingly unseasonable weather. Sally Korkaric has the story.”

“This was not what C&M was expecting to wake up to this morning. From Albrecht to Arrigo, Saurin to Sloane, the Candelarias are covered today in a film of Spring Snow. Oily to the touch and carrying a most unusual smell, this morning’s blizzard has had many local meteorologists baffled. But Mark Abrahams, from the Albrecht National Weather Centre, believes there’s no cause for alarm, and a simple explanation.”

“Ahh, yed, thjis id nod ud unc’m’mn phn’m’nm id dall, idssss, urrruh, cord bey stermzz in Nederrrtopia, and, urrruh, contaid smal quandidies offfurr... mucus, azzid phosphatase, fructose… Id very udoodual, but itdz tuddily harmless.”

“And that’s the message the local authorities are putting out, isn’t it Sally?”

“That’s right Jenny, they’re stressing that it’s probably best not to ingest the stuff, but it’s perfectly harmless for children to play in. And playing in it they certainly have been, Conservative Presidential candidate Tate Sayfritz here with his grandchildren enjo–”

Anderson switched off the screen in a huff and span round to meet the variously embarrassed and disinterested gazes of his staff, the apolitical members of his unofficial Second Cabinet. “Sayfritz is playing cricket in the snow with his grandchildren. Why didn’t any of you think of that? Incidentally,” he rounded on Hernández, “Weird snow? Really? That’s the best you could come up with?”

“We were toying with a fleet of airships carrying a vast shipment of Müller peach & apricot fruit corners running into bad weather and exploding over the Candelaria. We decided this would go down slightly better. Snow of unusual consistency actually isn’t that unusual at all.”

“Any closer to knowing what it actually is?” Anderson’s Military Intelligence Liaison Officer, Johanna Wilbur, asked with vague interest.

“The esteemed Professor Patel says he’s buggered if he knows. Could be some sort of large gelatinous life-form. Ectoplasm, possibly. Semen… Either way, it should be cleared away by the rain we’ve got coming tomorrow.”

“Alright, thanks Lyndon. Okay, well, if there’s nothing else; I’ve got the Young Ethnic Achievers Awards this evening, and –”

“There is one other thing, actually.”

“Hm?”

Hernández scratched the back of his neck in a time-honoured expression of awkwardness, and gave Wilbur a light grin before turning back to the President “Owen Jones received this, this morning. On the De Wilde issue again.”

“Oh, God. Right, give it here. Patience is running thin… great terrorist campaign…six days to find him… inclined to intervene… This is a threat, isn’t it?”

Wilbur nodded. “Whoever’s signature it has on the bottom, this isn’t Count Jeong’s work. Anyway, I took the liberty of showing it to Jenna, since she’s temporary head of state and all, but…”

“Yeah, no, thanks for laying this one on me. Still no closer to finding him, I take it?”

“We’ve had more agents than I even knew we had scouring Dance 2 Revolution. He’s gone. So’s Doctor Malventi, although I’m still not convinced there’s a connection.”

“Oh, well. If we can’t find him, the Empire isn’t going to be able to either, right?”

“Sir… This is the Hwarang we’re talking about. These people have fingers in every pie they possibly can. If their agents can’t find him, no-one can.”

“Oh. And… What would they do with him, if they did find him?”

“Well… Y’know how we tend to throw anyone who threatens to spill the beans about the whole Lying to Them for Eighty Years about the Existence of Sentient Non-Humans and All Manner of Paranormal Activity Being Real thing to the general public into maximum security detention centres?”

“Yeah.”

“The Han are worse. We may think De Wilde’s just some looser trying to score with anarchist chicks, but they reckon he’s dangerous. You can hardly blame them, after Casari. And if he didn’t come willingly, and there’s no reason to suppose he would…”

“If I may, Jamie,” Anderson’s senior policy director Abira Saleh piped up, “I really don’t think having an international left-back being murdered by foreign security forces would go down particularly well with the electorate at this time. Although,” she added, winding a stray strand of her hijab round her right index finger thoughtfully, “A big diplomatic incident would really put the spanner in Morton’s first month in office. I mean, y’know, for your successor’s sake,” she continued, blushing.

“Let’s not think quite that far ahead, shall we, Abby?” Anderson smiled coldly at her. “Jo, what’s the worst case scenario?”

“Um… Depends on how quickly we could evacuate our children and non-essential personnel to the countryside, sir.”

“Woo. Right, find De Wilde, in that case. Take every agent you need, divert resources from Rational Thought if you have to, Lyndon. I want every sleeper from here to Lazarus on high alert. You’ve got five days to find him.”

“And if we can’t, Mr. President?”

“Then may God help us all, Jo.”

Saleh stuck up a biro. “D’you think we could maybe amend that to something a little less denominational? Something like, ‘Then we’d all better really hope for good luck’? Only, y’know, we’re still going for the atheist vote, after all…”

The Archregimancy

02-05-2008, 22:33

THE MONASTIC TIMES

MONASTIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION DENOUNCES VIDEO HOAX
Nire and Nire Video 'Shows Catholic Schismatic'

By Fr. Nicholas the Scribe

The Monastic Football Association tonight denounced the Nire and Nire football association for claiming that a video released by said association (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGXvmLU8xmo) showed the redundantly-named heretics 'dominating' the Archregimancy's squad.

"As anyone can see" said a senior archimandrite, speaking on condition of anonymity, "the monk shown in the video isn't even Orthodox. Why, the video in fact appears to show a Catholic schismatic, possibly a Franciscan. You will also be able to note that the monk in question appears to be happy and relaxed, when everyone knows that Archregimancy monks only ever display an air of solemn dignity."

MFA officials were said to be demanding that the Nire and Nire football association apologise for their "outrageous heretical slander" by converting to Orthodoxy prior to the match. "If they persist in their heathen ways, I regret we shall feel compelled to consign them to Cup of Harmony elimination Hell" said team coach Fr. Alexy the Hegumen.

In other news, the Archregimancy squad held their opponents goalless for the second consecutive match, as cellar dwellers Taeshan failed to score against our God-fortified defence. That the squad themselves failed to score in turn, leaving them requiring a win to guarantee advancement is neither here nor there.

Rejistania

02-05-2008, 23:39

"Okay, Liax, do you know the text?"

"I am not silly, Hesri!"

"No, but a foreigner!"

"I am a Rejistani as well!"

"Listen, tahoj*, I know that you are a very loyal person to this nation, but this does not make you an insider to the kind of things, we are trying today! Also, you don't even live in KaMaRi..."

"I live in Matix, big deal! It's not as if it is a different nation!"

"Well, what I want to try is KaMaRian magic..."

"Su‽ Magic?"

"Indeed! I know that you are as pissed about the 0:15 loss against Vujisam as I am!"

"...Fujisawan Territories!"

"Same difference! Now, we can make a difference if you for a second get over your primitive prejudices against magic!"

"But magic does not work‽"

"Maybe it does... and if not, all you lose is some time and all I lose is the lilek'ny** I spent on these goodies!" Hesri shows a red bag with the word (in English, Greek and seemingly Korean letters) KAMSU.

"You buy from Kamsu? But most of the stuff there is from the communists in 'heights***!"

"We can't let the Oliverran and Arridian exploiters destroy our economy"

"Better let 'heights do it?"

"Commerce Heights is communist, they at least treat their workers somewhat fair..."

"Meh... I am not convinced about that, but tell me what 's in there!"

"Certain spices, only the best quality, two candles, one white and one yellow, vajirdi leaves... I already do have the components for a riliku."

"Evidently..." Liax looks at a few curios looking things in one corner of the room.

"So... in it or not?"

"In it... it is not that actually something bad can happen."

"I guess this is not the time to tell you that the magic is not considered safe?"

"Heh... I do not believe in magic!"

"Good. But to relieve my conscience: this is something I devised based on the works of Ata Hunju. It was never tried before."

"Debts of the nation!****"

"Very well!" Hesri and Liax put the big plate (the amatanusera) with strange ornaments representing the 13 ranu'ny and the 26 gods of the outer heaven on the ground on which they are sitting. Hesri creates the amata-dsama, which look somewhat like cigars out of the leaves and the different spices while Liax lights the two candles in cautious distance to the plate (Hesri insisted on 'at least 12 steps from it'). Hesri arranges the amata-dsama on the plate and then starts chanting: "He-lelovy, he-nah, he-novenja! he-lelovy, he-nah, he-kuija!" after he repeated it the second time, Liax joins in, exactly in the way, Hesri instructed him to do and goes towards Hesri, one candle in each hand. He reaches Hesri at the time, when he reached the end of that mantra and Hesri starts a new version: "Ha-nik~hek~huanja he-nah he-ja! Ha-nik~hek~huanja he-nah-e!" Liax, as instructed keeps the old version up for two repetitions and then sings the new one in a slightly different version. Now, Hesri lights two amata-dsama and starts doing traditionalesque dance-like movements. The traces of the burning amata-dsama seem to form symbols. The chanting reaches a new stage, but returns to the first mantra while Hesri lights up new amata-dsama and starts dancing even fiercer....

After a seemingly endless time, Hesri finished the ritual and sinks to the ground. Liax sits down as well.

"Now, astatiest shaman of them all... did it work?" asked Liax jokingly.

"He can look at that now, but first, let me catch a breath! I am exhausted!"

"Bad stamina?"

"No, stamina which... makes bad stamina... appear... far superior... to mine... I really... should... start jogging... again!"

Liax already got up and searches through Hesri's chaos for an Update (even though he started to suspect that Hesri does not read the KaMaRi Update but the National*****). Failing to find one, he switches on the TV. Two lovers appear on the screen doing the kind of thing, lovers do.

"Debts! Where's Esuvortu 1 on this thing?"

"5"

"No, at 5 is this weird station here!"

"SU‽"

"Yes!"

"Never!" Hesri gets up and starts hectically changing channels on the TV until he finds a channel transmitting news on 8. The logo with the letters "JiT" is not like any logo the two know of existing channels. Coincidentally the announcers starts reading the sports news: "After the 2:1 win over Fujisawan Territories, Inkatil Jetu, president of the Asene Sekhika Sike apologized for his comments about the quality of the team of KaMaRi."

Liax and Hesri look at each other in sheer horror. Liax stutters: "A... a KaMaRian team‽"

"Sike has it's own soccer association?"

"Weird stations on air‽" Liax states as if the conversation was scripted

Hesri turns red as a tomato and utters: "oops!"

"What do you mean by 'oops'?"

"Well... This ritual was supposed to make something undone, su?"

"yes."

"Apparently, it changed a bit too much."

"Slani!!"

* 'tahoj' means 'master' and is used to respectfully address the kind of people which social standards consider worth it.

** 'lilek' is a colloquial term for lil'kansu, the currency, which was used in most of the rejistanian history.

*** he refers to Commerce Heights here (in the actual speech, an adjective would have been omitted, this makes 'heights somewhat misleading albeit easier to understand for non rejistanis).

**** This is idiomatic for "nothing which concerns me personally".

***** The Na~ovi National is about as willing to put quality over sensationalism and blind hyping as a starving person is willing to ignore a plate of food which suddenly appears in front of him.

Krytenia

03-05-2008, 00:49

MATCHDAY FIVE - GROUPS K & L
a.k.a. That Wasn't Orthodox

Group K
Taeshan 1-1 KaMaRi @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
Aleos 1-2 Fujisawan Territories @ Parc Abertawy, New Cefn
Nire and Nire 1-0 The Archregimancy @ Ostlers Lane, Stratford

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Nire and Nire 5 3 1 1 8 4 4 10 Q
2 KaMaRi 5 3 1 1 8 7 1 10 Q
3 Fujisawan Territories 5 3 0 2 7 9 -2 9
4 The Archregimancy 5 2 1 2 7 3 4 7
5 Aleos 5 1 1 3 5 8 -3 4
6 Taeshan 5 0 2 3 3 7 -4 2

Group L
Candelaria and Marquez 2-0 Jariss @ South Road, Sandwell
Kelssek 0-1 Rennidan @ Manor Fields, Bletcham
Kura-Pelland 3-0 Kereca @ The Eyrie, Hoxton

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Candelaria and Marquez 5 3 1 1 8 3 5 10 Q
2 Rennidan 5 2 2 1 4 3 1 8 Q
3 Kelssek 5 2 1 2 3 4 -1 7
4 Kereca 5 2 0 3 4 9 -5 6
5 Kura-Pelland 5 1 2 2 4 5 -1 5
6 Jariss 5 1 2 2 2 3 -1 5

Quarter-Finals, Krytenia:
Nire & Nire v Rennidan @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
Candelaria And Marquez v KaMaRi @ The Eyrie, Hoxton

Nire and Nire

03-05-2008, 02:28

Nire and Nire Advance, Refuse to Apologise

In the spirit of International sport, Nire and Nire has refused to apologise to The Archregimency, instead opting for the "haha told you so" school yard approach.

This is the first time that Nire and Nire has advanced to the quarter-final stage of an International competition since the Baptism of Fire over a decade ago. Given the low quality of their opposition, the Mighty Bulls are confident of advancing to the semis.

The FA president is considering finally dispatching some players to Krytenia for the playoffs although a final decision will be made in the next few days.

Starblaydia

03-05-2008, 10:06

MATCHDAY FIVE - GROUPS I & J
a.k.a. Steve Jobs, give me a hosting discount

Group I
Lovisa 0-1 Prux @ Stadii di Quercus, Farça
Blouman Empire 3-2 Nethertopia @ Stadii di Sciuntis, Sciuntis
Terreiro de Ogum 0-0 Acapais @ Karela Park, Nova Malta

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Acapais 5 4 1 0 10 4 6 13 Q
2 Prux 5 4 0 1 13 6 7 12 Q
3 Lovisa 5 2 1 2 8 9 -1 7
4 Blouman Empire 5 2 0 3 6 9 -3 6
5 Terreiro de Ogum 5 1 1 3 3 6 -3 4
6 Nethertopia 5 0 1 4 10 16 -6 1

Group J
Kosovoe 1-2 Newmanistan @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Septentrionia 2-1 Jeru FC @ Flavioso, Flavia
Kose and the Turkomans 0-0 Prazkoy @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Jeru FC 5 3 1 1 14 7 7 10 Q
2 Septentrionia 5 3 1 1 12 8 4 10 Q
3 Prazkoy 5 2 2 1 5 5 0 8
4 Newmanistan 5 2 1 2 9 12 -3 7
5 Kose and the Turkomans 5 1 2 2 6 8 -2 5
6 Kosovoe 5 0 1 4 6 12 -6 1

Quarter-Finals, Starblaydia
Acapais v Septentrionia @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Jeru FC v Prux @ Karela Park, Nova Malta

Kose and The Turkomans

03-05-2008, 10:12

All square
Alhrem... he has done his best thats all we wanted right? Wrong we wanted more than that but he hasn't delivered and yet the FA choose to keep him after a disgraceful game like that... Sorry if that seemed agressive but that is whats on everyones lips back home tha and the elections as the next stop for Alhrem and the Turks is the Oxen cup where he will look to turn his luck around.

Jeruselem

03-05-2008, 13:08

Nok: We had a crap game today!
Hans: Yes, the coach wasn't too happy about it.
Nok: We should have won indeed.
Hans: But we are Jeru FC, prone to playing badly at any moment.

Nok: Never mind, we are play Prux next?
Hans: Yes, Prux ... the Prawns I think.
Nok: Aren't they a bunch of robot ducks?
Hans: Yes, I think so.

Nok: Let's see ... four wins and draw, 13 goals scored and 6 conceded.
Hans: Much like us, except we drew one game.
Nok: We'd better win this. The coach will get very upset if we loose to bunch of ducks.
Hans: Yes, not good. He's a hard man to please but he sure has made us better players.

Nok: Yes, the team must get better. Looking at the teams here, we have to fight hard to win this cup.
Hans: The Monks had another shocker too.
Nok: Yeah, and they are ranked above us!
Hans: Well, at least we made it.

Nok: Hey, I talked to Kate Sallad. If we won this cup, she promises to take one of us out for date.
Hans: And who would that be?
Nok: Well, it's me. She likes me the best.
Hans: You always seem to pull the girls.

Nok: I could see if her sister can hook up with you.
Hans: I hope I can get something out of that deal.
Nok: I heard they are fielding an U21 Jeru FC at the Brandini Cup?
Hans: Yes, full of army kids including a Dallas.

Nok: I can't blame them, we've been around a long time. Middle aged army losers we are.
Hans: Well, we should settle down with a wife and kids one day.
Nok: A lot more girls in the army these days.
Hans: I don't think that Daisy will get married.

Nok: Well as a man, he's almost a female these days.
Hans: I see he's been to the same doctor as Dazza Dallas.
Nok: Sally Dallas, yes - she's a hottie for a doctor.
Hans: Married to a football player, as you'd expect.

Nok: Oh well, time for Peking Duck.
Hans: There's not many Chinese places around here.
Nok: What about some Kimchi?
Hans: I'm not keen on spicy cabbage.

Acapais

03-05-2008, 13:59

Cup of Harmony XXXII – MD5

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Terreiro de Ogum http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/terreiro_de_ogum.png
0:0

Match Report:
Karela Park, Nova Malta– The fifth match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against Terreiro de Ogum and ended in a 0-0 draw for the Hearts on Wednesday night. The draw for Acapais continues their streak to five straight undefeated matches in a row.

Tragedy loomed Karela Park for the Hearts after just 8 minutes. Acapais captain James Fronberry was carted off after landing awkwardly from a header. Results indicated it was a fractured fifth metatarsal and that he would miss the remainder of the Cup of Harmony, the IFFF nations cup, and the Oxen Cup.

Fronberry was replaced by Pablo and play resumed. Pablo made a nice appearance for the Hearts shooting five on target by himself. Strikers Jose Castro and Dave Lugini both had four shots on frame each and Paroe had two. None of the shots troubled goalkeeper Bibah as he gobbled them up with ease.

Terreiro de Ogum sat back and played a defensive match but without their usual starters as they were already eliminated. McKellar motioned the reason for the scoreless draw was that “when James was injured it took the wind out of the sails so to speak.” The only solid chance for Terreiro de Ogum came in the 39th minute when Guaxinim hit the outside of the near post from the left side.

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “I am very happy with the boys we got what we needed tonight and secured first place for Acapais. This is where the fun starts. We are aiming for the ultimate goal, the Cup of harmony trophy. Terrible to see James go off like that. We love the lad you know.” Miss Horne has not been beaten in her last five Cup of Harmony matches.

Hunchman O'Hare notched his third clean sheet of the tournament and also of his career.

Acapais will face-off with Septentrionia in the quarterfinals of Cup of Harmony XXXII who found victory over Jeru FC 2-1 on matchday five to clinch a spot in the last eight. Septentrionia finished their group with ten points.

The draw secures Acapais top spot in their group and a place in the Cup of Harmony quarterfinals.

Scoring:

Booking:

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy (Bobby Underland 72), Nick Daniels; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; James Fronberry (C) (Pablo 8); Jose Castro, Dave Lugini (David Franzman 64);
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Bobby Underland, David Franzman, Pablo, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Septentrionia
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; Pablo; Jose Castro (C), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/septentrionia.png

Injuries/Suspensions:
James Fronberry – (fractured fifth metatarsal) (return TBD)

Acapais Goal Scorers:
2 – Jose Castro
2 – James Fronberry
2 – Pablo
1 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Dave Lugini
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Al Vick Osman

Acapais Assists Leaders:
2 – Zachary McKellar
2 – Henry Paroe
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – James Fronberry
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Jose Castro

Acapais Yellow Cards:
2 – Rex Agitril
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Bradly Sample
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – James Fronberry
1 – David Franzman
1 – Jose Castro
1 – Pablo
1 – Henry Paroe

Acapais Red Cards:
1 – Derek Sample

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Newmanistan

03-05-2008, 14:34

THE ROCKET REPORT

PACK YOUR BAGS AND COME HOME

Nidola, Starblaydia- The Rockets first Cup of Harmony experience has come to an end, but not before they defeated Kosovoe by the score of 2-1. Newmanistan entered the contest with a very slim hope of advancing, but it would require help, and a big win here. None of that happened. Jeru FC needed to beat Septentrionia by quite a bit, but they didn’t even win. Septentrionia got the win and the 2nd place spot. Had Jeru FC blown them out, the Rockets still would have needed Kose and The Turkomans to beat Prazkoy. That didn’t happen either as they ended in a draw. Newmanistan could have won 12-1 and would be heading home just as well.

The Rockets goals were scored in the 16th and 27th minutes, with Jeremy McAllister picking up the first one, and Kevin Carrigan getting the second. The guys in the ugly uniforms drew one back in the 61st minute. It was just the Rockets second win in the Cup of Harmony leading to conflicting opinions about how we should evalute their effort. First, this is a tough competition, even if it is not the world cup, and a 2-1-2 record isn’t actually terrible. However, it was seen as a group that the Rockets could advance from being that they were the 2nd highest ranked team in the group. The opening loss to Prazkoy really set the tone for tough run in the Cup of Harmony. Brian Carson agreed with that opinion, “We put ourselves in a hole early,” said Carson, “Prazkoy had a good tournament and they deserve credit for that, but when we began with a loss and still had Jeru FC on our schedule, as well the Turks and the Septs, and it was a tough hole. Losing as we did to Jeru FC was tough, too.” Jeremy Brooker pointed to the Septentrionia draw as the most costly one, “We had that game, we had the momentum, and then we went to halftime and never regained. If we got three points against them, things could have been so different.”

Even though the Rockets are done, let’s not let it spoil how great the Empire’s first run through the World Cup cycle of events, starting with the Di Bradini championship, and then winning the Baptism of Fire. Now, they’re set to go through it all again. Some players will go to play in Di Bradini Cup 5, and others will go to Qazox to play in Oxen Cup 6. Then, we can sit back, and watch the Baptism of Fire this time, which will be played in Daehanjeiguk, before World Cup 41 Qualifying will be on us before we know it. On that note, we congratulate our players for the effort. Two championships, and we couldn’t have seriously thought we were going to win the World Cup, or even qualify for it, yet we came within a goal of qualification. So while the Cup of Harmony is somewhat of a disappointment, this venture has been a great success. And just think, we get to do it all over again. As time goes on, Newmanistan will only get better.

Candelaria And Marquez

03-05-2008, 17:03

“Alright lads, c’mon, gather round. That was good out there today, it really was. Alright, I know it wasn’t pretty, I know we’re not going t’be flogging any DVDs of that game, but that’s not really the point. That was as a professional a second half as you’re ever likely to see, so you should be really proud of yourselves. You got the job done, qualified top, now it’s a tricky quarter-final. But you’ve got to be believing in yourselves now, ‘cos I could see some of your heads drop a bit, around the half hour mark, yeah? You’ve just gotta accept, yeah, you’re not going t’be beating anyone five-nil anymore. This isn’t the East Antairees we’re dealing with, lads; sides like Jariss are always going t’take an age to break down. We can’t simply think we’ve got any right to walk over any of these sides, just ‘cos they’ve only got amateur leagues, or half the rankings points we do. Doesn’t mean anything, y’know? But we’ve learnt our lesson now, haven’t we, we’ve learnt we’ve got t’graft! We’re doing this together, as a team, as a squad, each of you doing your job, each of you supporting each other. No-one’s going to be getting any special treatment just ‘cos they’re a veteran, or just ‘cos they’re young and hungry, or just ‘cos they play for Albrecht, yeah? Not any more. We’re in this together! And as long as we remember that, there’s no reason at all – no reason at all! – why we can’t be lifting this little mug, yeah? You agree with me, Dame?”

“¡Sí!”

“Brillant.”

“Okay amigos, finish up here, then come and get your jabs. And then we'll get some sleep, no? Big game coming up.”

The assorted Big Blues cheered vaguely, not being natural teamsters, and set about the business of dressing back into their official team suits and replacing those items of sharp and pointy bling that the ref Edward Lassani had officiously confiscated. For O’Sullivan Caras, the veteran Clube Imperial midfielder, this was a job of mammoth proportions, with diamond-encrusted crucifixes dangling from every available appendage and an excessively large number of WWJD? rings. Truth be told, he didn’t really believe in most of that stuff, but he’d always worn several kilos of trinkets. They’d always brought him luck.

Ozzy Stefano and Damien Sono formed quite the oddest manager he’d ever had, for the national team at any rate and, bearing in mind that Ricardo Garcia still twitched occasionally and muttered curses against the nasty little goblins, that was saying something. Ozzy had always been a tremendous addition to the dressing room, right from when Donnelly had first selected him three-and-bit years ago; a real cheerleader, but done in a calm and measured way. His speeches were hardly Birchian, and frankly his tactical awareness wasn’t great – he was a goalkeeper, after all – but after the powerful all-encompassing gafferness of Mark Baker, peacebeuponhim, and the aloofness of Lloyd Donnelly, it really had been a breath of fresh air to have a genuine mate as your boss.

Sono fulfilled the other role. Caras had known him for over a decade, having been picked for that first Baptism of Fire squad alongside the then Albrecht Turkish player. They’d formed the Big Blues’ right flank for thirty-eight games, they’d roomed together on overseas trips, they’d had plenty in common as Marquezian boys of mixed Anglo-Hispanic parentage and upbringing. But somehow, Caras had never got to know the real Damien Sono; a sullen figure who seemed to come alive only when discussing the odds of victory, or the first goalscorer, or the last goalscorer, or the likelihood of a streaker, or someone scoring from forty yards out, or whatever. Tactically he seemed to have his finger on the pulse, and certainly talked the talk, but Caras still has his doubts.

It had been Sono, after all, who had insisted that they take it easy in the first half, despite the Jarissians’ own mind-numbingly defensive outlook. He’d supposed the reasoning had been that Leni Banama’s team needed to win too, to guarantee a place in the quarters, but it had soon become apparent that they were uneager to diverge from a tried and tested formula. Fya Panai, Reina Querre and their other experienced defenders had knocked it around at the back, while Ignacio Vélez had sauntered about with little support and Ramiro Novo was making it five in midfield, just to make sure that C&M could actually keep the ball for any length of time.

In his own position out on the right, both he and young Harris Dixon could see that Goru Lyani had been there for the taking, but Sono still stood on the sidelines making desperate hand signals instructing them not to leave any holes for Goa Kitii to exploit. That was all very well, but the Jarissians had seemed in no mood to pile forward, even when presented with clear opportunities. Caras knew he wasn’t the only Candelariasian out there who’d felt hamstrung by Sono’s presence.

In the second half at least, the old defender had given them permission to drive forward a little more, and Ramiro Novo had eventually been chopped just inside the box by the youngster Nia Juilo-Julio for Ignacio Vélez to score from the spot. Only at that point had the oppositions thrown caution to the mind and C&M soon, inevitably, caught them on the break. Caras himself had squeezed past Lyani’s challenge and set up Fred Ma.

You couldn’t argue with a third straight two-nil and Caras didn’t attempt to try, as he fiddled nervously with a bangle. It was a great and glorious revolution; that was how they were portraying back home, and for a country as antipathetic to notions of grand rebellion as C&M that was impressive. A team being led to victory by their own players, not a crumbling nutter like Donnelly… it was quite inspiring, it really was. But… Something just didn’t ring true to Caras. They’d deserved every win, but somehow it all felt a bit wrong.

He shrugged, swung his kitbag over his shoulder and flung open the dressing room door, only to bang his elbow on the handle, with an almighty crack. A cloud of happy whiteness overcame in for a moment before O’Sullivan Caras blasphemed very loudly and dropped to the floor, giving his shattered limb one last glance before he blacked out.

***

Elsewhere…

The microlite meandered down the little runway outside Hoxton, skidded, and came to a halt inches in front of an oak tree. It steamed gently for a moment before a figure of indeterminate ethnicity – unless green is an ethnicity – stumbled out and threw up behind a bush.

Wiping sick off his Cathedral City tie, Lyndon Hernández walked gingerly over to where his right-hand being, Daniel Martino, stood with his arms folded. They were intact, if anyone’s keeping notes.

“Good afternoon,” Hernández said with false brightness. “That was a most enjoyable flight. Right, bearing in mind that I should be on the campaign trail right now, or else shovelling… snow, or looking for that blasted De Wilde, what’ve you got for me? I know we won, so who’re we playing in the quarters?”

“KaMaRi.”

“Well, I like you too, Dan, but…”

The elf frowned. “That would only even remotely make sense if they were called KaRaMi, sir.”

“Yeah, but I thought of it on the plane, and I was trying to work out a pun involving Toyotas… Haven’t really had much in the way of sleep… Anyway, why does that warrant bringing me out here? The monks are out, and as long as we avoid the duckthings and the team without any players, we should be fine. What’s so concerning about the former Rejistania, then? I know they can do strange and terrible things with a tilde, but…”

“There is a real chance C&M could yet draw Prux or Nire, though. If they get past this game. I thought you should probably be here just in case. As it is, there’s some real weirdness going on with the Rejistanians. There was an energy spike in Kovenham yesterday strikingly similar to the sort we pick up when our Time Dilation Device has been set off. It’s a real concern if they’re fiddling with that sort of stuff too. Plus, while you were on your way over, Sam ‘phoned and said that at least seventy-eight of our Record Keepers independently recorded the Fujisawan Territories winning fifteen-nil, which is really odd... Sir?”

Hernández slowly slumped down onto the hot tarmac. “Dan… Does this actually concern me, right now? Bearing in mind I won’t officially be a Minister again for a couple of weeks. If ever.”

“Um… No sir.” Martino looked down at his boss. “Would you like me to fetch you a paper bag, sir?”

“Mm-m.”

“Right-o.”

***

Elsewhere…

A pretty obvious Elsewhere… actually, I don’t go in for mystery…

“…at’s two-nil, to C&M, both in the second half, Ramiro Novo first goalscorer, Ben Edwards to start in place of O’Sullivan Caras? And then, to be replaced in the second half… Al? Did you say Ignash…? Yeah, Ignacio Vélez to be replaced. Two hundred thousand credits? Excellent…”

Septentrionia

03-05-2008, 22:56

A day in Nicolas Leduc's life...

07:00: He wakes up. Eats something, mostly cereals with snowflakes in them. Well, in fact, it's Frosted Flakes, the Septentrionians' favourite meal.

07:30: He is in the shower. As he is taking too much time singing "Never gonna give you up" by Richard Hastlings, his wife, Rickie Rolle, tells him to get out.

09:00: After fighting with a random person, Nicolas goes downstairs and plays some QBox1093. After a while of pressing buttons, he finally gets bored and moves on to another popular activity: Singing in the snow

12:00: He comes back to home to eat. His wife cooked him some roast beef, with olive oil. He thinks it tastes "oily".

14:00: It's time to go practicing. With his wife, that is. He needs his daily fuck and if he doesn't get it, he'll get very mad. So mad he might hit a polar bear. We know the political consequences of such an act...

14:12: After nothing happened, he comes out of the bedroom, pledging to stop taking steroids.

14:30: He takes steroids and heads to the national team practice.

14:35: He got stuck in traffic when two people decides to get off the road playing "Who's going to surrender the quickliest?"

15:55: After an hour of listening to "Surrindère Extra" on the radio, he finally arrives to FC Cap-Phare's stadium. When asked by the coach what's the reason for him being late, he told him "I hate the French", before kissing some lily.

17:00: Dinner time! As there is a game tonight, he is eating at the stadium. His order reads as follows: "Poutine... Fries with cheese and gravy. Who the hell eats that and LIKES that? Double Hamburger with Ketchup and mayonnaise. Diet Cola. "Take out". He then proceeds to the locker room where he eats all that in front of his teammates. Even the fat guy of Han ancestry who eats tons of crude eggs throws up.

18:30: 15 minutes before kick off. He tells his teammate to give him the ball. They don't accept. He then threatens to sleep with their girlfriends: They agree right away.

20:00: The game is over. FC Cap-Phare won another game, with Nicolas Leduc playing a great game: he injured two players, a teammate, threw some gas to fans and threatened to ask Pacitalians to fix the game to the referee, who wanted to give him a red card.

21:00: To celebrate their win, the team goes to the main bar in Cap-Phare: Le Phare Éteint (The lighthouse with no light). He then proceeds to get drunk with his favourite drink, Surrindère Rouge wine.

23:00: He leaves the bar with a girl. They have fun and sleep together.

06:00: Nicolas wakes up. He looks at the girl beside him and realises something's wrong... "I just slept with my MOM? OH NO!"

Prux

04-05-2008, 05:50

<press conference #whatever # it is>

Reporter #1: "Professor, congrats on advancing to the knock-outs for a second straight time. Now how to you propose to defeat the defending CoH Champions, Jeur FC?"

Professor Gearlosse: "Vell, ve keep doink vhat ve haff been doink und if needed use ze secret veapon iff ve need it."

Reporter from Jeruselem: "I think that your talk of a 'secret weapon' is just that, a bunch of talk. We've not seen any proof that such a waepon, if it exists, has even been used. I believe that you are a fraud!"

Professor Gearlosse: "You zink I am ze phony! I bite my zumb at you und your army team. I am goink to use ze veapon for ze whole match, und zen ve vill zee who laffs zen!" <storms off stage>

Starblaydia

04-05-2008, 22:54

QUARTER FINALS, STARBLAYDIA
a.k.a. Twice-Nightly Whiteley, Scoring with an awful tie.

Acapais 3-1 Septentrionia @ Stadii di Nidola, Nidola
Jeru FC 5-2 Prux @ Karela Park, Nova Malta

Semi-Final, Starblaydia
Acapais v Jeru FC @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis

Krytenia

04-05-2008, 23:14

QUARTER FINALS, KRYTENIA
a.k.a. ...And after posting these, he logged off to have sex. Lucky git.

Nire & Nire 1-1 Rennidan @ Northern Star Stadium, Kovenham
1-1 FT, 1-1 ET; Rennidan advance 3-2 on penalties
Candelaria And Marquez 3-1 KaMaRi @ The Eyrie, Hoxton

Semi-Final, Krytenia
Rennidan v Candelaria And Marquez @ Manor Fields, Bletcham

Rennidan

05-05-2008, 16:36

Hoyle Mekka, head of Rennidan Football WorldWide, the countries top football coverage specialists, stood before a packed auditorium. Behind him, a large screen projected an enlarged image of the balding forty eight year old (and he was rather miffed it was picking up the zit on his chin).

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, we all saw the match. We all saw the nail-biter that was Rennidan versus Nire and Nire in the quarters for the Cup of Harmony. They said if we ever went down to penalties, we would be up shit creek without a paddle."

He paused, allowing for the slight ripple of hearty-faked chuckles to sweep the room.

"They were wrong."

Slowly, the award-winning smile that had guaranteed him a job at the head of a company from birth crept over his face.

"I would like to quote some of our fine opponents from Group L." He shuffled some papers and cleared his throat.

"Kereca said that Rennidan was another side expected to finish near the bottom of Group L. Personally, I think it's great we've exceeded their expectations."

"Kura-Pelland, whilst commenting on Group L, mentioned the last three teams drawn. Kelssek, Rennidan, Jariss and Kereca. Of these, according to Kura-Pelland, Kelssek and Jariss were the only two to hold any terrors whatsoever. Terrors they may have, but apparently being able to scare people doesn't count for much on the pitch."

"And, finally, our opponents in the semi-finals have had quite a bit to say of both our team and our nation. Candelaria And Marquez started the Cup by comparing us as the polar opposites of Kelssek. They said that our team is "defensively powerful" and "breaking them down will be a nightmare". They also pointed out our early head start on the others, and how the supposedly second worst team in the Cup managed to be the team that was supposed to be second best. Finally, they pointed out that "Rennidan are better than their rank and reputation suggest"."

Mekka turned and looked to his left, where the entire Rennidanian team were sat. This, after all, was an event held in their honour. Ryan Malkoa sat at the front, his face flushed with tan. Next to him sat his younger, more timid brother, Jo Malkoa, who had been brought on for the penalties that assured them a place in the semi-finals.

"I have to admit, I think Candelaria And Marquez were right. And I, myself, am looking bloody well forward to our match against them. They're a fine team themselves, and we're sure no matter what the outcome, it'll be a crowd-pleasing match."

Leaving the stage to an ear-pleasing decibellic clap, Mekka couldn't help but chuckle slightly. A team who were shut away for nearly a century, who were supposedly one of the worst teams in both the World Cup and the Cup of Harmony, had made it to the Semi-Finals. If they made it through, they'd finally get the respect the nation deserved.

If they didn't?

Well. There's always next year.

Candelaria And Marquez

05-05-2008, 21:13

“… as the Big Blues inched closer to what would be a most unlikely first title. Keenan Bailey is in Hoxton – not that one – for us, Keenan? What’s the mood in Krytenia tonight?”

“Well, it–”

“Or should I say West Starblaydia, I suppose?”

“Oh, absolutely Terry, and believe me that’s all anyone over here is talking about today, the football has certainly for once taken a back se–”

“D’you reckon that’s what’s gunna happen to us, then?”

“What?”

“When old Morton gets in and starts flirting with that Canning bloke. We’re gunna be New Ad’ihan?”

“Fuck, I hope not. I never know where to stick the apostrophe.”

“I’ll tell you both where to stick your apostrophes in a minute, Duke… I’m trying to watch this.”

Alex Duxbury rolled his eyes. Candelariasians do this a lot. “Matt – what’s the point in coming half the way round the world to Krytenia –”

“West Starblaydia,” Joe Cunningham corrected languorously.

“Whatever. Point is; we can get C&M telly at home. In, like, crystal-clear digital quality an’ everything.”

“Just shush, guys.”

“…ans have begun piling into the country anew. Many are hopping back and forth between Starblaydia and… uh, the other bit of Starblaydia, watching both Cup of Harmony and Di Bradini games. Others like little Antonio here have just flitted in for the day… Are you looking forward to the Rennidan game, Antonio?”

“’n.”

“The wheels on the bike go round and round, round an–”

“And what’s that you’ve got there?”

“I f’nd ‘t. ‘ts f’r l’ck.”

“…ound, the wheels on the bike go rou–”

“Gosh, and what an annoying little thing it is, wel–”

“Fuck you, lady!”

“I, uh… OkaythanksAntonio, well many fans here could be forgiven for feeling less than optimistic. Yes, C&M are coming off the back of what is one of their best winning runs ever – in fact, only once before having the Big Blues strung together four consecutive victories, against Gweridijongya, Wavispa, Jariss and the Nires. Critics would have suggested that those good times were a long way from ever seeing the light of day again, particularly after a certain one-nil defeat earlier in this very competition. But that was before the Grand Revolution, before the emergence of Ozzy Stefano and Damien Sono as our saviours –”

“Oh, give it a rest, Kee,” Cunningham muttered.

“…eir way stand Rennidan, following their penalty shoot-out victory against the Nires. The last time these two played, C&M were truly awful and Rennidan inspired. While we continually face a battle to live up to expectations, the Rennidanians have been the surprise package of this tournament, and are guaranteed to push the Big Blues all the way.

“But clearly things are very different now. New managers, new players to a great degree; C&M have the experience of ninety minutes against their opposition while their rivals must surely be shattered following a couple of hours of football of their own. One major dampener though: while Michal Ronnan has a complete set of players to pick from, the Big Blues will be missing not only O’Sullivan Caras, who remains in intensive care in Hoxton, but Ignacio Vélez, whose own injury nightmares continue with a broken ankle picked up late on against KaMaRi. But Stef–”

“Intensive care…?” Duxbury whispered.

Matteo Corradini nodded slowly. At twenty-six he was young, as C&M captains went, and knew that there were more than a few of the old guard who resented his armband. He’d half expected to loose it once Lloyd Donnelly had been deposed. But, though he might have been comparatively inexperienced compared to some, he’d won more caps that anyone bar Oberon Martinez, Ignacio Vélez, José Felipe Cassumba Domingos and O’Sullivan Caras. And he also wasn’t stupid.

“I thought Sully had been sent back to Cafundéu for treatment…” Cunningham wondered aloud.

“Shut up,” Corradini hissed.

Cunningham and Duxbury swivelled on the settee as Ben Edwards walked into the hotel room the four of them shared, following by a pontificating Damien Sono and a bored-looking Alessio Montano.

“You just couldn’t help yourself, could you, eh?” Sono was complaining to the right-winger. “Thinkin’ you’re Guillermo Big-Time, no? We had peaceful first half, then two-nil up quickly in second half, you put nice cross into Ramiro, score beautiful goal yourself… You’re having man-of-the-match game, no? And then you go and spoil it all!”

“I made a mistake, Dame! Gaffer… Look, that Ariu was a great little player, and if I’d’ve tackled’m I’d probably have ended up being sent off. And I was distracted, y’know… the whole nudity thing…”

“So you just let them run right into our penalty area?! A defender?! And… MATTY, WILL YOU TURN THAT TELEVISION OFF!” The sounds of Keenan Bailey popped out of existence. “We gave you an excellent chance to replace O’Sullivan, and you need to learn to be much more disciplined. We were happy at two-nil, no? We should have stayed there, not piled forwards. This goes for all of you,” Sono told the room, “The Rennidanians are a great counterattacking team. When you get to two-nil against them, then you stop, no? No leaving it for Cassa to come on as substitute and dig you all out of trouble?”

“We were still two-one up, gaffer,” Montano said reproachfully, before catching Corradini’s eye. The left-winger shrugged. “We’ll do better next time. We all promise.”

“Make sure you do…”

Sono left the five of them to it, shutting the door behind him. Montano pirouetted towards the captain. “What was all that about?”

“Did you know Caras’s still in intensive care in this very city?”

Montano frowned. “He’s gone back to Cafund–”

“Nope.”

“Then what’re Damien and Ozzy playing at, not telling us…?”

“Not sure… Alright lads… You can all whistle The Great Escape music, can’t you…?”

***

Matteo Corradini, Alex Duxbury, Ben Edwards and Joe Cunningham looked up with vague amusement.

“Alessio… What…? Why…?” the captain offered.

“Um… Well I thought, y’know, with the bed sheets…”

“I think you’re supposed to tie them together, rather than just hang one out of the window…”

“Yeah, I’m… woaauh… I’m getting that now, Ben. I just didn’t want to wake the others…”

“You could’ve just used the front door, like wot we did…”

“Thankyou. Look, what am I gonna do, I can’t climb back up…”

“Probably not a good idea to get you to jump, either, considering how fragile we all seem to be at the moment… Alright, just… Don’t go anywhere.”

“Whaa?”

“We won’t be an hour, I don’t suppose. Enjoy the night air…”

“Okay.”

***

Several workmen were busily painting the words “West Starblaydia” over any and all mentions of the word “Krytenia” when the four players snuck into Hoxton Public Hospital by moonlight.

“Oi,” a voice said authoritatively, after a distressingly brief interval. “You’re, uh, soccer players, aren’t you?” a young doctor asked, a snide look on her face. “Can’t remember the country…”

“Candelaria And Marquez,” Corradini told her, opting for honesty.

She shrugged. “Whatever. Who cares about names these days? Or soccer, for that matter… stupid sport, anyway…” She sighed. “You’re looking for your guy, then, Caras? He’s outta surgery now, he’s on Ward Twenty-Six. You probably shouldn’t be waking him or anything, but what do I care? Us West Starblaydis aren’t particularly known for our commitment to our work…”

She trudged off, and the players trotted over to the lift. A few pings later and they were adopting their most purposeful strides, marching into Caras’ ward like they were actually supposed to be there. The veteran midfielder was sitting up, unsteadily scooping soup into his mouth with a spoon wobbling in his left hand.

Ben Edwards was the first to feel the bile rise to his throat, when his eyes descended on Caras’ other half, microseconds before his fellow players. His right arm had been amputated above the elbow.

Caras looked up at them and smiled weakly as they inched gingerly towards him. “Tell you what… they never had ‘transhumeral’ on my word-of-the-day calendar.”

“What happened?” Corradini asked faintly.

“Man versus door handle. That’s what you get when you’ve been weaned off your regular dose of Verbosita, apparently. Brittle bones, right? And I wondered why I was feeling so exhausted again… Doc says I haven’t been dosed up for a fortnight. Something like this was bound to happen…”

“But, I… Are you alright?” the captain asked limply.

The older man grinned. “In denial and on some very interesting drugs. They couldn’t save it, y’know? They tried injections, like last time, but… But hey, I mean… There’s been, like, full-on androids playing international football in the past, right? We know that, even if nobody else back home does. And Cafundéu’s rich, isn’t it? Clube Imperial reckon they’ll be able to get me a pretty nifty prosthetic limb… Anyway, how’s Iggy, more to the point?”

“Um. He’s fine. Um. The break wasn’t that bad.”

Edwards scratched his nose thoughtfully. “Y’know this probably means we’ve all been affected?”

“None of the rest of us have broken anything, though.”

Caras nodded. “But none of you have been on the stuff for as long as I have. What with time dilation an’ all, I’ve been ‘hooked’ for a decade. The effects were always going to be worse for the likes of me.”

“But… Sully, who’s doing this? We all thought it was old Malventi when things were going awry the other month, but he ran off ages ago.”

“I don’t know… All I know is, Matty, you’ve got to tell the others! There’s no way you can play a football match when every tackle could see you…” Caras left the words ‘lose a limb’ hang in the air.

“It’s the semi-final, Sully,” Edwards whispered, a professional to the last. “We can’t miss this game.”

“Well… Just make sure you get yourself dosed-up, lads. I don’t want this happening to anyone else. As much as anything, it gives us an unfair advantage in the penalty box… Ben?”

O’Sullivan’s successor on the right nodded.

“That Harri Belon? The Rennidan left-back? He’s a great tackler, right? Don’t give him any time or space; you just won’t be able to hold onto the ball for any length of time. Get your crosses in nice and early, from the half-way line if you can. Good luck, yeah?” He looked down at his raw stump. “I… I should probably get some sleep now…”

Corradini smiled, nodded and led the other three out of the room and back into the lift. The Candelariasians tried to avoid looking at each other. Instinctively, involuntarily; Edwards, Duxbury and Cunningham found themselves running their left hand up their right arm, as if checking that it was still there. Corradini pushed his up his sleeve, and felt the captain’s armband he kept under his shirt at all times. It felt heavier than ever. It was certainly sweatier.

Acapais

05-05-2008, 22:13

Dear ANPC member,

Attached is a copy of a letter I found in Stephanie Horne's office. Do with it whatever you want.

Sincerely
AFA member (yeah that's right... no name)

attached copy of the letter (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13643888&postcount=109)

Acapais

05-05-2008, 22:14

Cup of Harmony XXXII – Quarterfinals

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Septentrionia http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/septentrionia.png
3:1 (2:1)

Match Report:
Stadii di Nidola, Nidola – The sixth match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against Septentrionia in the quarterfinals and ended in a 3-1 win for the Hearts on Sunday night. The draw for Acapais continues their streak to six straight undefeated matches in a row.

With the first choice captain, James Fronberry on the bench due to a Cup ending injury, Jose Castro took the armband for Acapais and received his first cap as a captain.

Dave Lugini started the scoring for the Hearts in the 9th minute after a cross from Pablo found the crown of the striker’s forehead and was sent low past the Septentrionian goalkeeper, René Laviolette. Acapais fans went crazy for this goal fore the Hearts have never won a Cup of Harmony knock-out match. This celebration was short lived for Septentrionian striker Roland Bouchard netted the equalizer just two minutes later. Bradly Sample scored an unusual goal later in the first half. Off of a corner kick by Pablo, who over shot the crowd in front of the net, landed to Sample who awkwardly kneed the ball toward the net and touched no one while crossing the goal line. This was Bradley’s first ever international goal. With little happening the rest of the half, the whistle blew for half-time and Acapais went into the locker room ahead 2-1.

The second half entitled “saves from the keepers.” O'Hare and Laviolette were truly outstanding in the second half with each team shooting 100% of their second half shots on target. O'Hare stopped a header point-blank with his feet in the 62nd minute. Laviolette deflected a driven shot off the post and out in the 69th minute. The climax of the match happened in the last five minutes when an apparent hand ball by Kyle Rummy was whistled for a penalty kick. Septentrionian captain stepped up to the spot and struck it low and hard and to O'Hare’s right. But Hunchman O'Hare produced the save of his career which went wide for a corner kick. A counter-attack followed the corner kick and just before substitute Dean Chilvers was able to shoot he was taken down inside the penalty area by defender Nicolas Leduc who the referee did hesitate showing the red card. Jose Castro put away the penalty kick and sent Septentrionia home early. Acapais won 3-1 and won its first Cup of Harmony knockout match in their history.

It was interesting to see how nervous Manager Stephanie Horne looked throughout the match knowing that she would be fired for losing. A member of the Acapais Football Association let the letter (sent from the board to the manager telling her to win it all or else…) leak to the Acapais National Press Company minutes before the Cup of Harmony quarterfinal started who according to the ANPC wished to remain anonyms. Miss Horne pacing within the boundaries of the team's bench area and covering her eyes many times during the match.

Manager, Stephanie Horne said after the match that “I am so excited for the team and the fans. I believe we can make this a cup to remember. We have to be focused against the army squad, Jeru FC. This team is in stellar form, much like we are. We are aiming for the ultimate goal, the Cup of harmony trophy. We missed James today but he is happy for the team and the fans.” Miss Horne has not been beaten in her last six Cup of Harmony matches.

Acapais will face-off with Jeru FC in the semifinals of Cup of Harmony XXXII who defeated Prux 5-2 in the other Starblaydia quarterfinal match to clinch a spot in the last eight. Septentrionia finished their group with ten points.

The win secures Acapais a place in the Cup of Harmony semifinals and either the Cup of Harmony final at Stadii di Quercus in Farça, Starblaydia or the third place match.

Scoring:
Acapais – Dave Lugini (Pablo) 9
Septentrionia – Roland Bouchard (Louis Quenneville) 11
Acapais – Bradly Sample (Pablo) 30
Acapais – Jose Castro (pen) 88

Booking:
Septentrionia – Louis Quenneville (Caution; Reckless foul) 35
Acapais – Bradly Sample (Caution; Persistant Infringment) 57
Acapais – Kyle Rummy (Caution; Reckless foul) 63
Septentrionia – Nicolas Leduc (Sent-off; Denied a GSO) 87

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril (David Franzman 76), Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman (Dean Chilvers 81); Pablo; Jose Castro (C), Dave Lugini (Benjamin Nelson 90);
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Jeru FC
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; Pablo; Jose Castro (C), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/jeru_fc.png

Injuries/Suspensions:
James Fronberry – (fractured fifth metatarsal) (return TBD)

Acapais Goal Scorers:
3 – Jose Castro
2 – James Fronberry
2 – Pablo
2 – Dave Lugini
1 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Bradly Sample

Acapais Assists Leaders:
2 – Zachary McKellar
2 – Henry Paroe
2 – Pablo
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – James Fronberry
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Jose Castro

Acapais Yellow Cards:
2 – Rex Agitril
2 – Bradly Sample
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – James Fronberry
1 – David Franzman
1 – Jose Castro
1 – Pablo
1 – Henry Paroe

Acapais Red Cards:
1 – Derek Sample

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Jeruselem

06-05-2008, 00:30

Nok: Woo, that's a great game!
Hans: Yeah, that was some game.
Nok: So, where was the secret weapon?
Hans: I don't know ... I didn't see one.

Nok: It wasn't those floosies flashing their tits at us during the game?
Hans: No, that's just our female fans.
Nok: What about the duck with rocket launcher that exploded?
Hans: Err, probably not. Any duck that blows itself up is no secret weapon.

Nok: That annoying lot of ducks in the crowd with a quacking noise device?
Hans: Might be but didn't bother us. Too busy looking at girls.
Nok: What about those girls in the pink tops?
Hans: Nah, they are probably from Jeruselem too.

Nok: The female streaker?
Hans: Nah, people know streakers don't bother us.
Nok: Oh well, we'll know.
Hans: What you got there Nok?

Nok: Princess Jacinta Sasha Dallas sent a letter.
Hans: What'd it say?
Nok: Just good luck.
Hans: Don't know why she likes us.

Nok: Oh, her father is a former Jeru FC football player.
Hans: I know but still people who like us are weird
Nok: Know anything about this Acapais team?
Hans: Not really ...

Nok: The coach Stephanie Horne is cute.
Hans: She's still no Dazza Dallas though.
Nok: But we can't complain.
Hans: No

Coach: Hello boys, what are you two plotting.
Nok: Just talking ... no plots
Coach: I just heard Dazza Dallas.
Nok: Talking about the Acapais coach Stephanie Horne.

Coach: You lot, think about football. Not boobs and other stuff.
Nok: But I might have a date with Kate Sallad!
Coach: Oh, how'd you get that.
Nok: Conditional, if we win this cup.

Coach: See girls love winners not losers.
Nok: Two more games! Yeah!
Hans: We can't wait.
Coach: We wouldn't be here if we didn't mess up against the Han

Hans: But they were lot better than us on the day.
Nok: Yes, and we aren't Jeruselem still.
Coach: Well, make the best of things here guys.
Nok: Don't worry. I want my date with Kate Sallad.

Prux

06-05-2008, 05:42

<Final Press Conference of the CoH>

NUMEROUS REPORTERS CLAMORRING FOR THE PROFESSOR

Offical from Prux: "Sorry, but due to a malfunction of the secret weapon, Professor Gearlosse is not here. I apologize but he will not be making anymore interviews until he has his weapon worked out."

<On the Cargo Plane back to Prux>

Man #1: Professor, where are you?

Professor Gearlosse: I am over here, you dumbkov!

Man #1: Where?

Professor Gearlosse: I am over here by ze crates! Und ze veapon still hasn't dissarges yet right?

Man #1- No sir. The invisiblity ray is still at 25% capacity. But we expect it to be completely drained within the hour.

Professor Gearlosse: I still haff not idea how ze veapon blew up vonce I touched it. I haff ze only passvord und zere's not a shance zat unyvone could haff sneaked past ze guards.. right?

Man #2- No Sir. I was on duty at the time and I saw no one come even near where the weapon was stored. But we do have evidence that someone was in there, but we haven't yet gotten back the results on the fingerprints.

Professor Gearlosse: I bet it vas ze Jerus! Zey vere treatend by our sucess und zey stole my plans und copied zem! But i vill haff ze last laughing! Zey vill rue ze day zey messing vith me!

Rennidan

06-05-2008, 21:33

Allison Debanon chewed furiously at the tip of a pencil who was surely regretting its existence. For the past couple of days, the assistant manager of Rennidan Football Team had been furiously working away with interviews, speeches and generally keeping the team from going to hell.

Sure, they were nice guys.

But the fact they were in the semi-finals of the Cup of Harmony meant they were partying a little more than Allison appreciated.

It's times like this a little 'pick-me-up' was necessary.

Enter Charlie White, her expensive little friend.

__________________

Mic Dannov sat atop the roof of the five star hotel the guys in budgeting had happily splashed on for the team. The wind caused his legs to sway to and fro as they dangled off the edge.

His eyes caught the last glimmer of the sunset as the cogs that were his mind whirled.

His life was football. It was the only thing he had ever been able to do. When he was a kid, when all the other children were sat in their homes, blasting away at the latest piece of homework, Mic was outside, kicking a football against a wall.

A smirk crawled over the cracked lips of the soccer veteran as memories flooded his senses. The first football he was given was from his grandmother on his fifth birthday. He had worried she'd get it wrong and get him an 'American' football, but the old lass had pulled through for him and made his day. That ball lasted him five years, and when it finally went bang, he actually cried.

It was more than pig-bladder wrapped in leather to him.

It was his soul.

He flunked school, of course, but was picked up by Yanton Golds at the tender age of seventeen. He played hard, and in the three years of playing he made a big enough name for himself that Michal Ronnan payed some attention to him.

Unfortunately, his good luck ran out.

The tackle that ended his prime position in the national squad left him in intensive for several weeks.

And when he got out, he was told he could stay on the team, but the bench was now his home.

And it killed him on the inside.

Dannov's eyes turned downwards, towards the long drop down from the rooftop of this five-star hotel, with the five-star staff.

He wondered if the five-star janitors would mind sweeping his one-star arse off of the pavement.

__________________

Michal Ronnan sat in his luxury room, surrounded by the beeping machinery and luminous wiring that kept the football genius alive.

In here, he felt like a God. He felt like he could live forever.

He made all the decisions in here, which meant he felt powerful.

And more importantly, he knew everything.

Allison's little habit was going to be dealt with confidentially, as to not alert anyone. Not even her 'good friend' Ryan Malkoa (which reminded the ill-stricken manager, he needed to remind everyone that seeing work mates is a no-no).

He knew about Dannov's little depressive tendencies (can't hide the scars forever, bub). However, he had faith that the midfielder's strong character would pull him through.

Faith, after all, was everything to a man who should have died a long time ago.

__________________

Dannov turned his back on the edge of the building but, what felt like to him, the edge of the universe.

It was a stupid idea. He was a good footballer, and just needed time to become great again.

What would his nana say? She'd be ashamed if she saw what he had been thinking of doing.

It was a goddamned stupid idea.

Besides, he was scared of heights.

West Starblaydia

06-05-2008, 23:55

SEMI-FINALS
a.k.a. And in a change to our advertised programme...

Semi-Final, West Starblaydia
Rennidan 1-0 Candelaria And Marquez @ Manor Fields, Bletcham

Semi-Final, Starblaydia
Acapais 3-1 Jeru FC @ FraxinusDome, Sciuntis

Third Place Playoff
CANDELARIA AND MARQUEZ v JERU FC
@ Ostlers Lane, Stratford, West Starblaydia

THIRTY-SECOND CUP OF HARMONY FINAL
RENNIDAN v ACAPAIS
@ Stadii di Quercus, Farça, Starblaydia

Jeruselem

07-05-2008, 02:48

Nok: No more date, how sad.
Hans: Hey, don't worry. I think she might still ask you anyway.
Nok: She's a glamour girl, I'm just stupid army person who's no good at being a soldier.
Hans: You can play football Nok and get the girls.

Nok: Yeah, but Jeru FC aren't that respected still.
Hans: I suppose we have to qualify for a World Cup now.
Nok: I heard we're getting replaced.
Hans: So what are we going to do if we aren't playing football?

Nok: I don't know but I'm not going back to sweeping floors.
Hans: I cleaned toilets ...
Nok: I don't suppose we could become civilians instead.
Hans: I think we signed into the army for life.

Nok: That was a stupid idea.
Hans: Yeah, so what are we going for do for a living.
Nok: No idea ...
Hans: Hey, we could ... you know coach!

Nok: Girls teams of course.
Hans: Yeah, that's the plan.
Nok: Great ... so how to do we pull that off.
Hans: Good point.

Rennidan

07-05-2008, 07:59

Henri Sweo, Reporter for Rennidan SportNews, on the Semi-Finals match against C&M, and Rennidan's chances in the final.

And there it is, ladies and gentlemen, the final whistle!

What a match we have just witnessed! Goaless until the 92nd minute when Rennidan pulled out all the stops with a down-the-entire-goddamned-pitch pass from Ryan Malkoa to Michael Ronnan, which meant the manager's son managed to tuck it away an inch out of Oberon Martinez's reaching hands.

Throughout the match, both teams had had several shots on target, yet both Malkoa and Martinez were at their peak performance, not allowing a single shot past them.

Perhaps it was exhaustion from 92 minutes of non-stop physical attack that left Martinez's reflexes just a split second behind what they should have been, or perhaps Ronnan's shot was the best Rennidan has made all season. What's for certain is it'll be on the nation's highlight real at the end of this tournament.

Our eyes now look to the horizon, and the final match. Acapais will certainly be a hard team to beat, but with Candelaria and Marquez tucked neatly under our belt, it shouldn't be a one-horse race. If our team can keep their Fort Knox defence in control like they have been, then we can probably expect a low-scoring final.

For a team that entered the World Cup and Cup of Harmony dead last, Rennidan, 'The Unknowns' as the media has gracefully labelled them, have done pretty damn well in this reporters books.

Acapais

07-05-2008, 17:52

Cup of Harmony XXXII – Semifinals

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/acapais.png Acapais : Jeru FC http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/jeru_fc.png
3:1 (2:0)

Match Report:
FraxinusDome, Sciuntis – The seventh match of Acapais’s Cup of Harmony campaign for Cup of Harmony XXXII was against Jeru FC in the semifinals and ended in a 3-1 win for the Hearts on Tuesday night. The win for Acapais continues their streak to seven straight undefeated matches in a row.

After a half-hour of scoreless action, Jose Castro scored the first goal of the match when a mistake by Private David Dohah from pressure by Henry Paroe gave Jose Castro a one-on-one against goalkeeper Private James Honky. Castro slotted it underneath the keeper toward the near-post for a cool finish. Jose Castro hit his fifth of the cup when he got down for a head from a low cross from Dave Lugini. James Fronberry, in his suit, tie, and cast, cheered for his teammates from the sidelines. Acapais, up 2-0, were in the driver’s seat heading for the locker-room.

Although Jeru FC had some fascinating individual plays they never seemed to really take hold of the match as a team. Acapais only defensive tactic was to double-team the army’s strongest players, but Jeru FC could not seem to gel together. Dave Lugini netted the third goal of the match when Pablo sent in a free-kick that connected with the striker’s head. Jeru FC pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Private Pansy Petal received a pass from midfielder Private Rosen Falka and nailed a twenty-five-yard knuckle-ball in the bottom corner. This goal however was too little too late as Acapais held on to win the match 3-1.

In the end it was a comfortable win for Acapais, but you would not have known that standing next to the manager. Stephanie Horne was seen several times during the match covering her face with her hands and peaking occasionally between the gap that she’d made with her index and middle fingers. After a near miss by Osman she frantically shook her hands near her face while jumping a few centimeters off the ground. After the win however she screamed with happiness. She met the players in the middle of the field to celebrate.

Miss Horne was quoted after the match that “Oh… my… God! I cannot believe we’re in the cup final. We are so happy to be here. This is what you play for.” When asked if the rumors of her potential dismissal she said, “Yes, they are true. But even if we lose the final, the players and I have had a run in football like no other this country has ever experienced, and for that I am grateful. I am so proud of my boys.” Miss Horne has not been beaten in her last seven Cup of Harmony matches.

Acapais will face-off with Rennidan in the Cup of Harmony XXXII Final at Stadii di Quercus in Farça, Starblaydia who defeated the powerful Candelaria and Marquez 1-0 in the West Starblaydia semifinal match. This is Acapais’s first ever cup final in any tournament let alone a WCC tournament.

Scoring:
Acapais – Jose Castro (Henry Paroe) 38
Acapais – Jose Castro (Dave Lugini) 46+
Acapais – Dave Lugini (Pablo) 67
Jeru FC – Private Pansy Petal (Private Rosen Falka) 82

Booking:
Acapais – Hunchman O'Hare (Caution; Delay of Game) 79

Acapais Lineup:
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample (David Franzman 57), Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy (Nick Daniels 75), Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar (Benjamin Nelson 64); Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; Pablo; Jose Castro (C), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne

Next Match:
vs Rennidan
Starters: Hunchman O'Hare (GK); Bradly Sample, Rex Agitril, Kyle Rummy, Derek Sample; Zachary McKellar; Henry Paroe, Al Vick Osman; Pablo; Jose Castro (C), Dave Lugini;
Available Subs: Paul Junxton, Nick Daniels, David Franzman, Benjamin Nelson, Dean Chilvers
Head Coach:Stephanie Horne
http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/rennidan.png

Injuries/Suspensions:
James Fronberry – (fractured fifth metatarsal) (return TBD)

Acapais Goal Scorers:
5 – Jose Castro
3 – Dave Lugini
2 – James Fronberry
2 – Pablo
1 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Dean Chilvers
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Bradly Sample

Acapais Assists Leaders:
3 – Henry Paroe
3 – Pablo
2 – Zachary McKellar
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Rex Agitril
1 – James Fronberry
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – Jose Castro
1 – Dave Lugini

Acapais Yellow Cards:
2 – Rex Agitril
2 – Bradly Sample
1 – Derek Sample
1 – Kyle Rummy
1 – Al Vick Osman
1 – James Fronberry
1 – David Franzman
1 – Hunchman O'Hare
1 – Pablo
1 – Henry Paroe
1 – Jose Castro

Acapais Red Cards:
1 – Derek Sample

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acapais RP Threads
Roster Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13391027&postcount=8)

Candelaria And Marquez

07-05-2008, 21:17

TLDR

Matteo Corradini went in, and went in hard; studs glinting in the Bletcham night. Back home he would’ve received a straight red for that, or at least a second yellow; but the referee, the Kr… the West Starblaydi Oliver Valdor, exhibited all the traditional hallmarks of a wanker, and awarded the Big Blues the free kick instead.

Robert Golos, the looming Rennidan midfielder, looked down to his shin where the C&M captain had left his calling card in raw pinkness, and granted Corradini a sour look before trotting back the requisite ten yards. As Ben Edwards lined himself up, Corradini heard the whistle go and pounced forwards, launching the ball down the pitch and into the area. His Albrecht FC team-mate merely sighed and shrugged and ran on after him in the hope of getting more Candelariasian bodies into Ryan Malkoa’s box; but the third Scorpions man on the park, Joe Cunningham, was no match for the massive Samuel Fortal, who shepherded the ball back to Malkoa.

Corradini cursed. God, he was angry! Angry at himself, and his team, that they weren’t at least a goal to the good. Not that they’d remotely deserved it, of course, but Rennidan were still nothings, when all was said and done. Not a single man jack of them played outside their own, insular league. They were revoltingly defensive, far worse than C&M had ever been, even in the very earliest days of Mark Baker, peacebeuponhim. They were also ranked between Abu Omar and Schiavonia for a reason, surely? And their manager was on the brink of reaching the happy haunting grounds, by all accounts.

At least they have a manager, Corradini thought bitterly as Oberon Martinez launched another long ball well overhead, A proper one, anyway. Ozzy Stefano and Damien Sono were still prancing about on the touchline, desperately sending conflicting orders. Oblivious to each other, the goalkeeper was pressing the players back; hoping to hold on for the extra half hour, or even penalties. Sono meanwhile had insisted that the Big Blues swarmed forward at every oportunity, no matter what the cost in counter-attacks.. The fact that the clock was ticking round to ninety without them having even scored once was clearly causing him much consternation.

“SCORE, DAMN YOU, SCORE! TWICE!”

It was the ninety-second minute. Sono was fighting a loosing battle.

Now, Corradini watched as Malkoa took the ball again and lofted it up field, far beyond Corradini trotting back into the centre circle. This was a job for Ben Young and Steven Williams, if anyone. Instead, the captain found himself drawn to look at the crowd, at the thousands of Rennidanians and Candelariasians alike waiting with baited breath for the ‘final’ whistle. His eyes moved up involuntarily to the executive boxes, where the lumpen form of the CAMAFA President Owen Jones sat, his hands clenched in desperate pudgy fists just like every other C&M native in the ground. And a little way along the line, past some nondescript faces of various hues, Corradini looked into a familiar pair of eyes.

He’d first met Lyndon Hernández five years ago; the significant part of his brain unaffected by time dilation was quite sure of that fact. When he and Ben and Ben and Steven and José and Rául and Joe had lifted the second Di Bradini Cup. When the seven of them, and the others in that squad, had first encountered real beardy dwarves – before being told later in the dressing room by the Minister for Rational Thought that, if they knew what was good for them, they actually hadn’t.

Since then – and, for the older players in the squad, some time beforehand – the term ‘Hernández’ could only ever be spat. More than anything, he was symbolic of their own weakness: that the several dozen C&M international footballers past and present had seen all the wonders, all the truths, that the world had to offer – had played against half of them – but couldn’t say a word to anyone back home, for fear of what would happen to their pay packets.

The ball fell to the feet of Michael Ronnen. The midfielder teed himself up and, as the substitute Williams steamed in, unleashed a perfect, powerful, curving shot past the fingertips of Martinez.

One quarter of the crowd erupted. One third clapped appreciatively. Five twelfths buried their heads in their hands, groaning softly. The Rennidan players amassed in a heap by the corner flag, Ronnen wriggling at the bottom. Ten C&M players fell to the floor. Only Matteo Corradini remained still, keeping the eye of Lyndon Hernández way up in the stands. And, almost imperceptibly, they nodded to each other.

***

“Not good enough, Sono! Absolutely not good enough! They’re NINETY. BLOODY. FOURTH. In the world! We’re twenty-SECOND!”

“Not for much longer,” Rául Vélez remarked coolly.

“Oh, be quiet! This doesn’t matter to you! You’ve got a big-money move to Cafundó do Wotzitsface just around the corner! You don’t know what it means to bloody bleed blue and green! This goes for you too, Osbert! I know you’ve spent too long in bloody Kura-Pelland to understand, bu–”

“Mr. Jones, we’re all upset… Honest to God, we wanted to make the final every bit as much as you, or anyone back home! And I fully take responsibility for this… We both do, don’t we, Dame?”

Damien Sono merely glowered at Ozzy Stefano, and stayed slumped in a damp corner of the dressing room while Owen Jones held court.

“I think what the President is trying to say,” Jones’ assistant Freddie Painter explained helpfully to the room in general, “is that you all gave it your best under extremely trying circumstances, and should return as national heroes for getting this far!”

“I can speak for myself, Frederick,” Jones grumbled. “But yes… of course. You all did wonderfully…”

“Not all of us,” Sono muttered dreamily, ignoring the CAMAFA man’s sarcasm. “I’m ruined…”

“Oh, stop complaining, Sono. I’m over it now, so should you be,” the fickle Jones beamed heartily. “Tomorrow is another day! World Cup Forty-One’s just on his way, and no doubt you’ll play a big part. Your managerial career’s just beginning, lad…”

“I don’t think Damien here is referring to his future opportunities in football management…”

The room turned sharply at the entry of a new voice, as Lyndon Hernández stood in the doorway next to Matteo Corradini. Kenan Orlovic, who despite his age was a virgin at international level, rolled his eyes.

“Trust this government to want to get in on the act! Semi-finals in the Cup of Harmony’ll look good on your CVs, won’t it? Sporting success always helps the sitting government. You make me sick…”

“You done?” Hernández asked personably. “I think, if I may speak for Mr. Corradini here, that Damien means that he’s financially ruined. Don’t you, Damien?”

Sono looked up suspiciously from his corner. “Whhmum…?” he ventured.

“I did a little digging. Well, my little friend Dan here did,” he added, gesturing towards the tall, curiously-eared man standing behind him. “That’s an awful lot of credits you wagered on a two-nil scoreline…”

Jones’ eyes bulged. “You bet on your own sporting event?! After you specifically told me you were over the whole gambling thing?!”

“I wondered why you were so eager for us to win two-nil,” Fred Ma muttered.

“Actually,” Hernández ventured, “I think you’ll find that was two-nil on the Rennidanians… And Martinez, Wojciechowski, Montano and Corradini to go off injured…”

“They should have done,” the wide-eyed Sono whispered in a clichéd, golumesque manner. “I sent them all for their… doses…”

“I got there first,” Corradini offered calmly.

“Doses…?”

The captain nodded at Oberon Martinez and took a further step towards Sono. “Our doses of Verbosita. Y’know? Substance that helps the body cope with time dilation, gives us extra physical energy to cope with the endless flights, makes us all joylessly wholesome to avoid extra-curricular orgies… Causes brittle bones and exhaustion if not supplied regularly thereafter… We haven’t been receiving it, you see? We weren’t last year, with Dr. Malventi, and we haven’t been here, either. And it’s all you, isn’t it… Dame? ‘Gaffer’? You wanted us to lose today. Rather more, you wanted us to lose half our players to injury. You wanted us to end up like O’Sullivan Caras…”

“No… I never… I never meant that to happen! Come on, amigo… How was I supposed to know he’d lose his arm?!”

Jones, Painter and the players who hadn’t visited Caras gave a collective gasp.

“Get up, Damien,” Hernández instructed as he strode forward. Daniel Martino followed him close behind, holding off the baying crowd as best he could. “Well Damien… Let me shake you by the hand!”

Sono looked at the outstretched digits doubtfully.

“I mean, I’ve been trying to get C&M sides to lose for mon… for years. It’d be a terrible thing for the country if we actually won anything, we always thought. ‘Make people more interested in the outside world… less fearful. I mean, believing that we actually deserved a place in the international community, with all its wonders and mysteries? With all its elves and gnomes and jinn and sentient mice and svarts…”

“Gnomes and jinn and what…?” Orlovic whispered, as several more experienced players gave him reassuring pokes in the ribs.

“For the sake of the nation, it was my job to make you lose. The senior side, the under-21s, the bloody hockey players… And I was royally crap at it! We all gave up after a bit, concentrated on other things instead. I wouldn’t have been so hasty if Damien Sono had been on hand to foul things up!”

“I didn’t… My debts, no? I just wanted…”

It was Owen Jones’ turn to waddle forwards. “I love this team, you know? These players… My country. I don’t know, maybe we wouldn’t have won if you hadn’t been here, but…”

“Probably not, actually, sir,” Painter offered. “They really did play quite well, the Renni–”

“But that’s not the point! You’d have let these boys die given half the chance. You’re a common traitor, Sono. And a heartless one at that!”

And he smacked him one in the nose.

Sono slipped back down the wall and onto the cold floor, letting the blood stream down his mouth and tracksuit, as Jones turned away and grimaced. Freddie Painter removed a packet of peas from the recesses of his pockets and handed them to his boss, sharing with Martino an interspecies grin of recognition universal among prepared-for-anything assistants.

“You should probably all go,” Corradini said quietly to his fellow players.

“But –”

“I’ll explain later.”

They trudged out, each given a contemptuous backward glance at the bloody Sono. Hernández crouched down in front of him.

“Thanks, Matteo,” the minister called after him, before dropping his voice to a low growl. “Because there’s more, isn’t there, Damien? You didn’t just make sure the players didn’t get their Verbosita, you sold it on, didn’t you? Thought you’d make a tidy profit on the stuff. Knowing what it could do to people if they didn’t get a regular supply, you happily sold it on? To Big Paddy, right?”

“He… he offered me…”

“I don’t care. But you know that he then supplied Pastor Daniel Nilsson, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Clotaire? And that mad old bugger supplied some of his young, struggling congregation in the hope it’d get them through a difficult school year? And then your mule didn’t make it, and four of those children who couldn’t get their doses and died as a result of injuries received?”

“I… no.”

“But you knew it could happen, didn’t you, Damien? And you didn’t care…”

The defender grinned sourly and licked the blood off his top lip. “I expect you’ve done worse… minister…”

Hernández straightened up. “Yes. I expect I have.”

***

The four of them watched the quietly protesting Sono being loaded into the back of a M.O.R.T van.

“I didn’t know the Ministry had an office in Kr… in West Starblaydia…?”

“Oh, you’d be surprised, Owen. We have tendrils dangling in many bowls of soup. It pays to be prepared.”

The CAMAFA President sniffed. “What’s going to happen to him now, then? When’ll he stand trial?”

“He won’t. He can’t. If he did, we wouldn’t be able to stop the Nilsson stuff coming out… and before you know it it’ll be spectral lambs on the lunchtime news.”

“Spectral…?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, well… Besides, it wouldn’t be great for the public mood, with the election days away, eh, Minister? It’s bad enough that people’re going to find out about poor Sully Caras, particularly after a last-minute semi-final defeat like this…”

“I think what the President is trying to say,” Painter interjected, “is that we’re very thankful for your help. Who knows what could have happened if Sono had been in the dressing room for the third place play-off.”

“I can speak for myself, Frederick… But yes. Thank you, Minister.”

“Don’t mention it. And you’re right of course, Owen. So was Orlovic. Politically, we can’t afford this. No, we’ll find Sono a nice little island somewhere where he can’t cause anyone any trouble.”

“And he won’t face justice?”

Hernández smiled. “I rather think we’ll all face justice, eventually.”

“Do you?”

“I like to think I do… I expect that’s enough. Um… you’ll be wanting to give a press conference,” the minister told Jones, changing the subject. “Announcing that Stefano will be taking solo charge for the Jeru game.”

“Yes… I suppose I will. Come along, Frederick…”

The minister and Daniel Martino watched them leave, Painter fussing over Jones’ red knuckles as they went.

“What an unnervingly similar relationship to yours and mine, Dan,” Hernández remarked.

“Mm. Except we lack the unresolved homosexual tension.”

“Quite. Well, unless –”

“No. Well, I mean –”

“No!”

“Thank Elune for that.”

“Aye.”

“I suppose we should be getting back home, then, sir? Especially given all this business with the storks. The Ministry will be needing you, even if…”

“Even if it might only be for a few days more until the election? Yeah… But no. We’ve still got the third place play-off to oversee, haven’t we? Against Jeru FC… football players with guns and grenade and helmets… now that’s just not normal…”

“I’ll make some phone calls, sir.”

“Good. Thanks, Dan. I… I wish we’d won, y’know?”

The elf smiled. “Yes. Me too, sir, actually.”

“Yeah.”

NationStates Jolt Archive

Cup of Harmony 32 (Invites/RP/Rosters/Scores)