NationStates Jolt Archive

From this date, 18 countries will start their World Cup history...

They'll have good and bad moments, their future is still uncertain...

But the first chapter starts now, and it's the...

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2889/minibofjz9.jpg

BAPTISM OF FIRE
THE 30TH EDITION
in Cafundéu and Estresse Intenso

Welcome to the thirtieth edition of the Baptism of Fire! For most of you, it'll be your first contact with the international football competitions, where your players will be able to warm up before the World Cup qualifying starts. You can start preparing your luggage, while waiting to see where you'll have to go. Cafundéu and Estresse Intenso are two completely different countries. While in Cafundéu you'll have to pay for eack kilogram of luggage that you bring to our country (that would be just the start of your expenses - remember that you have to pay for everything here, from the cost of entering the country to the cost of eating exotic food or using the bathroom twice in a hour [which is more expensive than the cost of using it only once], or even the classical cost of crossing the street), in Estresse Intenso you don't have to worry with anything - you can bring whatever you want to there... just be cautious to not be robbed.

We'll have 3 groups - one of them entirely in Cafundéu, one entirely in Estresse Intenso (with most games being played inside the Landau Institute - a huge island which is the location of a psychiatric institute that recently started to treat other illnesses) and one that has games in both countries. The draw will be made soon, by one of the most famous and loved (well, I'm not sure about this) commentators of the world: Breno Gavião! I'm sure you'll like him.

So, from now you can start sending to us your list of players and staff (a.k.a. roster) and releasing your first media comments of the competition. I hope you all have a good participation in this Baptism of Fire (which will be your only, remember this!), and I expect that this will be a good start for you in the international scene.

Carlos Alberto Urubupungá
President of the CCFM



OOC: that's it, the Baptism of Fire has started from now. The group draw will happen on Monday, with the first matchday being scorinated on Wednesday. Before this, you can post your roster (the list of players/staff/anything else/basic details of your country) in this thread, which will contain everything about this Baptism of Fire. When posting your roster, you're encouraged to post also a RP permissions box, where you'll note which things you allow when others RP things involving your team:

If my opponent RPs first, he/she can:
Choose my scorers? Yes/No
Yellow card my players? Yes/No
Red card my players? Yes/No
Injure my players? Yes/No
Godmode injuries? Yes/No
Godmode scoring events? Yes/No
Godmode other events? Yes/No

Also, RPing is very important in the Baptism of Fire, and this edition won't be different. The RP bonus in the scorinator that will be used is already a good one even in other events, so in the BoF it'll be even more decisive (as all countries have no ranking points). So, the more (and better) you RP, better will be our chances (but, as ever, a win is far from completely guaranteed).

The groups:

Group Globo Multimedia (Cafundéu)
Chutnusak
Cassadaigua (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14092014&postcount=7)
Bushdome (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14090507&postcount=6)
Secristan (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089568&postcount=3)
Docky (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14099492&postcount=24)
Valetaland

Group Banco Econômico (Caf/EIT)
Tanah Tinggi
Myedvedeya (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089741&postcount=5)
Colbourne (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089565&postcount=2)
Urna Eletrônica (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14096523&postcount=15)
Maestro L Pavarotti
Mantwenic (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089620&postcount=4)

Landau Institute Group (EIT/the Institute)
Vlaskin
Maimeiras
Thoughts of Randomness (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14094148&postcount=12)
Tortuga y Hispaniola
Deceased Writers Guild
Kjomasasopia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14092437&postcount=9)


Fixtures:

MD1: 2x5; 6x1; 3x4
MD2: 5x4; 1x3; 2x6
MD3: 6x5; 3x2; 4x1
MD4: 5x1; 2x4; 6x3
MD5: 3x5; 4x6; 1x2

Other links:
BoF hosting bid details (more about the countries, stadiums, etc.) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=565391&highlight=hosting)
World Cup 43 sign-ups (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=565560)
The last BoF (29th) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=561959&highlight=baptism)

#19 Dan Barret f
#9 Todd Dichio f
#7 Julius Ibrahim f
#25 Juan Ruiz f
#28 John Smith f
#20 Carlos Guevara m
#5 Joey Harse m
#10 Ron Ricketts m
#33 Derek Robinson m
#15 Tony Rose m
#3 Tyrone James d
#14 Jeff Marshall d
#11 Jim Brennan d captain
# 4 Pablo Velez d
#16 Abdus Wynne d
#1 Rick Sutton gk
#18 Kevin Edwards gk
Choose my scorers? No
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? No
Injure my players?No
Godmode injuries? No
Godmode scoring events? No
Godmode other events? No

The nation of Secristan has decided that after years of competing in other sports that it is now time to compete in the World Cup. Our opponents in the Baptism of Fire, with a couple of exceptions, are entirely unfamiliar with our country. There is one important thing you need to realize about the players that will be competing for us. Unlike other countries which do strange things like have tryouts, or pick the best players off of their domestic teams, and even recognizing that some nations may actually go to the ridiculous extent of compensating their players for their participation. In Secristan, such ideas are considered to be absolutely absurd.

Here, players bid for their spots to represent the country, with the Secristan Department of Sports (SDOS) collecting the proceeds and using them to fatten their wallets. Once they won individual auctions to be part of the team, they then had to bid separately for starting/substitute/and reserve rules. The coach also had to go through this process.

In order for their bids to be valid, candidates had to pass a rigorous physical examination, and be between the ages of 18 and 38, and had to have played a minimum of one year of professional football. So, these aren’t just a bunch of schmucks. They should be quite competitive. Why do the players bother to bid? To get a return on their investment. If they do well, they can sign endorsement deals throughout the country with major domestic companies. They’ve seen it happen already with our team that won the 1st International Basketball Championship.

About the Fans: The only Secristanis that will be attending the games in Cafundeu are the upper class. They wear suits to all games, and may feel the need to conduct business transactions during the game. With the games in Cafundeu, this may be the case more often then not. They generally look at fans of other nations as being “beneath them.” Instead of chanting, Secristanis will jiggle Ruscents (a coin of the Rusa, the currency of the country) in their pockets, or in a special container designed to maximize the sound of the coins. The sound will inspire the players and likely annoy the fans of the other team who may just wish they could chant like normal people.

Without further delay, here are the winning bidders. Included are the age, and a couple of their best football attributes.

Secristan will play a 4-4-2.

Coach- Jim Kendall, 48

Team Nickname: The Millionaires
"Home" Kit- Green with Gold trim
"Away" Kit- Gold with Green trim
"Goalie/Alternate" Kit- Black with Green trim

Starters:

GK: Michael Rossiter, # 1 , 24- Reflexes and can usually force the shooter to commit first.
LB: Lucas Kempski, #4 , 28- Outstanding strength and height, can out muscle anyone.
LCB: Jake Wesley, #3, 27- Hard-nosed, physical player.
RCB: Phillip Novington, #2, 32- Experience, poise, and terrific leaping ability.
RB: Isaiah Petrie, # 5, 28- Great awareness, anticipates plays before they happen.
LM: Curtis Coleman, #17, 23- Agility, playmaker.
CAM: Stephen Alexander, #23, 25 - Determination; work ethic.
CDM: Darnell Jones, #18, - Defensively responsbile, enjoys the physical nature of the game.
RM: Blake Pitchford, #11, 31- Free kicks, corners.
LS: Kevin Walker, #10, 24- Finisher; will generally be set up by Rogan.
RS: James Rogan, #8 , 24 -Speed, speed, speed, and more speed. Fantastic work ethic. Team captain.

Subs:
GK: Alexander Reardon, #21, 30- He actually hates Michael Rossiter. This will be interesting.
CB: Chris Carmin, #7, 27- The most arrogant player on the team. And that’s saying something.
CB: Anthony Coughlin, #6, - Always makes the safe play. Boring but effective.
MID: Todd Carney, #12 , 25- Speed.
MID: Jose Castillo, #13, 26- Intelligence, finishing.

Reserves:
GK: Steve Richardson, #31, 26- Will stop anything down low. Up high, that’s another story.
CB: Carl Perino, #9, 33- Defensive awareness.
CB: Lennie Burnett, #22, 18- Young student of the game. Up and comer. Daddy bid for him.
MID: Brian Marcott, #15, 22- Plays a strong two-way game. Keeps it simple.
MID: Justin Kadison, #16, 27- Much like Marcott, hard worker.
ST: Kevin Trafelski, #19, 29- Solid finisher, but really only in it for the money and fame.
ST: Mickey Johnstone, #14, 32- Scary accurate shooting.

If my opponent RPs first, he/she can:
Choose my scorers? Yes
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? Yes, two card limit.
Injure my players? Yes but only to say they are injured. Nothing else.
Godmode injuries? No
Godmode scoring events? Yes
Godmode other events? Ask first. Feel free to portray my team as being arrogant and stuck up and just bunch of jerks.

#2 Daniel Schockwort 2 goals f
#6 Adekunle Sanni 4 goals f
#8 Chris Tompson 1 goal f
#9 Wesley Perkins 3 goals f (captain)
#10 Elias Koger 0 goal m
#11 Kaodie Sanni 3 goals m
#13 John Nunes 2 goals m
#15 George Wisken 0 goals m
#17 Jack Doughty 0 goals d
#19 John Hues 1 goals d
#20 Kao Min 2 goals d
#21 Ukabie Akie 1 goal d
#23 Oscar Janson 3 goals d
#25 Yohumie Kahos 5 goals gk
#27 Galor Eiminson 4 goals gk
Choose my scorers? Yes
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players Yes
injure my players Yes
Godmode injuries No
Godmode scoring events Yes
Godmode other events Yes

MYEDVEDEYA ANNOUNCES ROSTER FOR BAPTISM OF FIRE

kit-(Thank you Sorthern Northland)http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1572/myedvedeyacw5.png

The Myedvedeyan International Football Team, in the midst of their so-far mixed success Oxen Cup Bid, will also be participating in the Baptism of Fire, their first chance to gain points for the international rankings system. We hope to perform well, against many equally untested nations, especially due to our practice against strong competition at the Oxen Cup.

MANAGER:
Prince Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration
Prince Bagration was a legend in two fields in his youth, first that of football, then that of soldierly. Retiring from the Navy at age 65, he has been welcomed back into the football world with this commission. Has organized the Kamchatka Grizzly Bears into a 4-4-2 formation.

FORWARDS:
#28 Aloyoshenka Vorotaev- Age 19
CLUB- Pyotroveskovlad Imperial
Vorotaev is a quick, small forward with a deadly finish from any distance. Sometimes lacks control, but will beat pretty much any defender to the ball. Look for Vorotaev to take nearly all set pieces for the squad. Named one of the Players to make an Impact at this tournament by the Myedvedeyan Media.

#9 Aleksander Rozhdestvensky- Age 23
CLUB- Cossack United
Rozhdestvensky, although his last name barely fits on the uniform, will stand out at this tournament. A Wayne Rooney-like combination of size and speed, he will be sure to turn heads. At age 23, he is still coming into his prime, and Myedvedeyans cannot wait to see what he can become.

#11 Aleksander Abramov- Age 28
CLUB- Voroskaev Tygers
Abramov is a reliable, large albeit slow forward. He can hold the ball well, and will probably be used often as a late-game substitution when offense is needed. His experience will be important in aiding the young strikers to mature.

#12 Nikolai Karpolsky- Age 24
CLUB- Manju (Daehanjeiguk)
Recently transferred to the Great Han Empire's National Football League, Karpolsky is a great young prospect. A product of Myedvedeya's Moskva State Athlete's Academy, he will get some playing time at the Cup.

#14 Pavel Zolkin- Age 31
CLUB- Voroskaev Tygers
Far past his prime, Zolkin was once an electrifyingly fast, extremely tiny goal scoring machine. Now, look for him to come on occasionally in a supporting role, and be a mentor to younger players on the team.

MIDFIELD:
#8 Arman Barabanschikov- Age 28
CLUB- International of Moskva
An established player, Barabanschikov will be an interesting figure to watch on the left wing for Myedvedeya. His left foot is legendary, and one can look for him to take some of the set pieces that Vorotaev does not. Myedvedeyan media named him one of the three Players to make an Impact at this tournament.

#4 Alexander Markov- Age 22
CLUB- Daenam (Daehanjeiguk)
A gifted dribbler with clinical finishing skills, Markov will play as a left-central midfielder. He was recently transfered to the Great Han Empire's National Football League, and will be interesting to watch in that role as well as at this tournament.

#13 Nikolai Dolohov (Captain)- Age 28
CLUB- International of Moskva
Dolohov is the star of the Myedvedeyan national team. Gifted in nearly every regard, look for the Captain to receive club offers from everywhere once he has the chance to make an impression. His skills are formidable, but what truly makes him exceptional are his abilities to lead the squad- both older and younger players respect him completely, and he is almost a second coach on the field. Voted one of the three players to make an impact at this tournament.

#7 Grigor Ulyanov- Age 29
CLUB- Tsar's Guard
The right winger is the oldest of Myedvedeya's starting midfielders, but still has the skill to make a difference. Look for his beautiful crosses to fly onto the head of Rozhdestvensky multiple times in this tournament. He is famous for his incredible determination and ferocity, much like Gennaro Gattuso.

#16 Kostya Mazipov- Age 25
CLUB- Bagration FC
One of Myedvedeya's better players, he will essentially come on every game, and may start some for Markov in the midfield. Currently recovering from an ankle injury. Plays anywhere in the midfield, preferably in an attacking role.

#23 Yuri Morozov- Age 24
CLUB- Yaroslavl Axe Bears
Morozov is a complete unknown, a recruit from the Myedvedeyan territory of Yaroslavl who made it onto a professional side, and rose from there. His development should be intriguing to watch. Plays on the left side.

#2 Sasha Karbonenko- Age 20
CLUB- Voroskaev Tygers
A star on the Under-21 level, Karbonenko's speed and ball skills should allow him to have success at the senior level. Plays in the center, in a very attacking role.

#17 Jov Mikhaiylichenko- Age 29
CLUB- Air Force FC
Mikhaiylichenko is known throughout Myedvedeya for being the most obnoxious, short-tempered and aggressive player to come out of the country. If there is a fight, odds are he started it. If there is a red card, odds are its' awarded to him... Still, he has considerable skill, and should see some playing time. Plays in the center, in a neutral-to-defensive role.

#15 Igor Parshin- Age 23
CLUB- AC Jaril
A young prospect from the Moskva State Athlete's Academy, Parshin could develop into an excellent midfielder in the next few years. Do not look for him to get much playing time at this tournament, but look for him to make an impact in the future.

#19 Vassili Pencherjevsky- Age 17
CLUB- International of Moskva
Found by a professional scout playing soccer on the streets, Pencherjevsky is a young phenom. Pulled from the U-21 squad to play here due to an injury to 33-year-old Misha Kulyanov (will not participate in this tournament), Pencherjevsky will see some playing time, and can probably make an impact, even at his extremely young age.

DEFENSE:
#5 Ivan Romasko- Age 26
CLUB- Pyotroveskovlad Imperial
Romasko is a small, speedy left back, who will be on the attack nearly as much as a midfielder due to his fantastic acceleration and speed. His main flaw is his size, which prevents him from keeping up with the physicality of some forwards. Very much like Gael Clichy of Arsenal.

#3 Karolek Preminin- Age 31
CLUB- CSKA Moskva
The oldest starter on the team, Preminin will anchor the defense in the center, from both a physical and tactical point of view. A very skilled player, he was a candidate for the Captaincy when the team was called.

#27 Ivan Mizin- Age 24
CLUB- Bagration FC
Mizin is an extremely large, often very brutal and physical central back. Look for him to take control of anything played in the air. Consistently gets into trouble with referees, mainly due to his size.

#10 Maksim Korotkaiev- Age 26
CLUB- Cossack United
This introverted, strange looking right defender is one of Myedvedeya's most erratic players. He is sometimes the best player on the defense, and sometimes abjectly horrendous. Look for him to settle into one of these modes, and for his playing time to be adjusted as such. Many were surprised to see him gain a starting spot.

#20 Vas Pervoi- Age 23
CLUB- Svalvinya CF
Pervoi is another MSAA product, and was a star all through that program, and at the U-21 level. Look for him to take Preminin's spot in a tournament or two, once the older defender retires.

#18 Ivan Blevsky- Age 21
CLUB- Wunnam (Daehanjeiguk)
Recently Transferred to Daehanjeiguk's National Football League, Blevsky will be a frequent addition to the team, as he begins to accumulate senior-team experience. Look for his dribbling skill to feature prominently.

#22 Tasha Romanov- Age 24
CLUB- Yaroslavl Axe Bears
Romanov is a solid, but unspectacular defender. Look for him to get some playing time, especially when attempting to protect a lead.

#25 Konstantin Naesenko- Age 33
CLUB- Pyotroveskovlad Imperial
The oldest Player on the team, Naesenko used to be a starter, and will now mainly fulfill a mentoring role. Still, he may be used occasionally for his experience and cool head.

#26 Roman Izmailov- Age 22
CLUB- International of Moskva
Just off the U-21 Team, Izmailov is an interesting prospect. He has great speed, and great ball skills, but seems to be out of place on nearly every play. Given some tutoring, he could be a great player in a few years.

GOALKEEPERS:
#1 Boris Bykovsky- Age 23
CLUB- International of Moskva
The Young Bykovsky shocked the nation when he out-preformed veteran Uri Saitov for the starting job, and is now a hero of the country. An extremely athletic goalkeeper, look for him to make highlight-reel saves all tournament long. Must improve Tactical skills to become truly world-class.

#21 Uri Saitov- Age 28
CLUB- CSKA Moskva
The Longtime starter for the team, Saitov is Tactically sound, and Technically skilled, but is not spectacular in any area. Look for him to play only if the young Bykovksy struggles.

#24 Pavel Ontonov- Age 22
CLUB- Cossack United
Ontonov is the youngest of the three keepers, and is probably destined to become Bykovsky's second string after Saitov is gone. Look for him to play only if something happens to Bykovsky and Saitov.

RP PERMISSIONS:
Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Scoring Events: *
RP Injuries to My players: Nothing Tournament-ending, but Yes
Godmod Injuries to my Players: N
Hand out Yellow Cards to my Players: Y
Hand out Red Cards to my Players: If you really feel the need...
Godmod other Events: *
*- Don't Godmod unless you tell me first and I agree to it.

The Bushdome lineup is as follows:

1: Deagan gk
2: Shuck (capt) d
4: Ste' d
5: Kirkbride d
67: Sudlowe d
7: Crag m
8: Sved m
10: Poynts m
12: Moreis m
11: Hanson st
9: Hamill st

Subs
99: Courtina Gk
76: Trant M
14: Rabby D
19: McAxan D
21: Crooch st

Bushdome Times
The manager of the Bushdome team, (Mark Caroney) gave a statment about the competition which is about to start. "This is our first major competiton as a nation, so it is perfectly ok to be feeling quite worried about what the next few weeks have in store for us. But i can safley say as a team, we are strong, as a team, we are brave on the tackles, as a team we are fast and intelligent, but most importantly as a team, we are one!!!" This statment was met with cheers and much applouse from the journalists that were present, lets just hope that the Bushdome team is as good as Mark Caroney's speaches.

If my opponent RPs first, he/she can:
Choose my scorers? Yes
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? No
Injure my players? Yes (but nothing too bad)
Godmode injuries? No
Godmode scoring events? Yes
Godmode other events? Yes

Cassadaigua is a small nation of only about 74 million people (Of which about 65% are female), located in the equally small region of Vermont. It is a democratic nation but it seems to have a pretty large gap between rich and poor. It is a nation looking to establish itself in the world, and with a population that loves soccer, participating in the World Cup was an easy decision. The journey begins here, in the Baptism of Fire as they join other nations making their international debut in the sport. Success in World Cup 43 will only be a dream but success in Baptism of Fire 30 we hope to manage.

The all-female roster that we are sending to Cafundeu is as follows:
Starters in Blue
Subs in Green
Reserves in Red

Coach: Michelle Baynes, Age: 36

Goalies:

# 1- Rachel Terry, Age: 22
# 20- Nicole Mc Crossin, Age: 32
# 21- Leslie Tompkins, Age: 33

Defense:

#2- Michelle Fuller, Age: 21
#4- Jessica Messina, Age: 24
#6- Brooke Reynolds, Age: 26
#5- Amber Brandt, Age: 28
#3- Rebecca Crespo, Age: 27
#18- Megan Cassens, Age: 23
#23- Diane Goodrich, Age: 25

Midfield:

#9- Christine Scott, Age: 25
#7- Erika Cotrell, Age: 26
#8- Nicole Robertson, Age: 25
#13- Michelle Burrows, Age: 29
#16- Elaina Pennington, Age: 27
#22- Meredith Browning, Age: 31
#19- Kelsey Devito, Age: 30

Forwards:

#11- Courtney Ferguson, Age: 26, CAPTAIN
#10- Jessica Keeley, Age: 25
#12- Kirsten Logan, Age: 28
#14- Brittany Macey, Age: 28
#15- Catherine O’Shea, Age: 32
#17- Jennifer Anderson, Age: 25


If my opponent RPs first, he/she can:
Choose my scorers? Yes
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? Yes, no more then one please.
Injure my players? No
Godmode injuries? No
Godmode scoring events? Yes
Godmode other events? Why not, just don’t kill anyone or seriously hurt anyone.

(ooc, Sorry Caf to hijack the thread a bit, but Cassadaigua's roster brings back fond memories of the Women's World Cup.. Good Times, Good Times.. back to the newbs....;))

As the kjomasasopian 1st XI returnes to heal thier wounds aftewr a 0-0-5 track record at the 8th Oxen Cup, the Minister for Sport, Meat and Wifebashing, Shayne "Shazza" Boags, has to assemble a "Second XI" squad to send to the Baptsim of fire. Mr. Boags sits down and calls the teams coach and a good personal friend, George McCann.
"Hello?"
"Hey George, it's Shayne."
"Yeah, about that incident at the pub....i was drunk, your mum was drunk, things happened, i regret them....can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
"WHAT?"
"oh, nothing...so about this Baptism of Ice...
"Fire!"
"Where? Oh, Right... The Oxen Cup Squad are all either injured, retiring or just plain buggered..."
"So, what you are saying is that we have no players available from the Oxen Squad?"
"Precisely."
"Perfect. this gives us a chance to send in a Youth League squad to prepare them for what lies ahead....Top Grade and Internatoional football."
"so, youll have a squad by the deadline?"
"quite possibly...when is that, by the way?"
"umm, *looks at clock in office* 10 minutes ago!"
"shit! ill have it to your office in 3 minutes!"
as Shayne hangs up the phone in a hurry, he gathers together the top 20 field players and 2 Goalkeepers(on statistics)from the Kjomasasopia Youth League, an Under 21's Competition that ranges from 14 year old superstars to 21 year old....stars, thier names, position and numbers, and drove as fast as he could to the KFA Building in Kili Kili.

Shayne ran to the door, to find it unlocked and with a note attached:
Come on up, Shayne.
"George! here's your team."
George looked down at the piece of paper that had the squad enlisted on it
FORMATION: 4-3-2-1
ASTERISK INDICATES STARTING XI
KEEPERS:
*Indigo Lochlainn, 20, #1
Bench:Jared Dubhghlas ,19, #12, Reserves: None.

DEFENDERS:
*Dwayne Mathews,21, #3
*Nicky Byrne,20, #18 (c)
*Shel Jude,17,#5
*Charlie Abel
Bench:Carson Trafford, 14,#87;Emlyn Jere,21,#4
Reserve:Braidy Gerallt,19,#30
MIDFIELD:
*Trefor Tristen,20,#41
*Malachy Dougal,15,#33
*Llyton(Clyton) Simpson,17,#2
Bench:Raymond Lindon,20,#66;Alastair Mickey,19,#7
Reserve:Ronny Galestroorn,22**,#39
**Ron is not a KYL player, but has been selected.
FORWARDS:
*Cairbre Islwyn, 20, #27
*Siorus Comgan,20,#8
STRIKER:
*Joshua Jessup,19,#10
Bench: Temple Dillon,20,#77; Brenden Jess,16,#19
Reserve: Mili O’Finnigan,14,#9{+}

If my opponent RPs first, he/she can:
Choose my scorers? No
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? No
Injure my players? No
Godmode injuries? Yes/
Godmode scoring events? Yes
Godmode other events? Yes

CAFUNDEU IDEAL SPOT TO BE BAPTIZED

They call themselves the Monopolists in sporting competitions. That moniker is earned and perfectly portrays the ingenious philosophies of life in which this nation stands for. In Secristan, we have already become accustomed to their way of life as our paths have crossed in the International Basketball Championships. When we met in that competition, our nations were able to put less important matters, such as basketball, aside and focus their attention on working out business deals that could better the economy of both nations. The Secristan Stock Exchange is flourishing at the moment, and the influence of monies from Cafundeu have played a part in that.

The influence of Cafundeu continued throughout into our daily lives. Upon hearing that they placed a tax on sidewalk usage for pedestrians, the Secristan Department of Revenue put this law into place here as well and proceeds of this have been satisfactory to this point. One difference though is that they do not require a bidding process for the rights to tickets, and it is first come first serve. We don’t feel that this will be a problem though as tickets are high priced enough to keep much of the lower classes from the other seventeen nations from even considering a trip to watch the games, and all of the taxes that exist in the country should take care of the middle class of their nations. Therefore, expect tickets to be available for our games and it is likely that due to the economic prowess of our nation that we will be bringing the largest contingent of supporters to Cafundeu. Other nations will probably make this claim, but the Rusa Signs don’t lie. The economy of Secristan and the lifestyle of Cafundeu are a perfect match. Perhaps the neutral fans of Cafundeu will be able to relate to our Millionaires since we are a high class, and highly professional nation. Should we be sent to their companion nation of Estresse Intenso, it would be a disappointment, but we would still feel just as good about the situation we will be in.

Secristan should be considered one of the favorites to win the Baptism of Fire as we have the most experience of any nation participating in world events. We have competed in the recent Summer Olympiad, two World Baseball Classics, two World Bowls, two International Basketball Championships, and two World Lacrosse Championships, plus a World Cup of Hockey. Not too long ago, Secristan’s region of One Big Island produced a Baptism of Fire champion. There’s room for another on the Island. Whether we win it or not doesn’t really matter though. It will be a financial windfall for the country either way, and that is where our priority lies.

Myedvedeya Prepare for Baptism of Fire

The Myedvedeyan International squad trained today for the Baptism of Fire Cup, in preparation for World Cup 43. Newly Outfitted by Asal Eide Spoirt of Sorthen Northland, Myedvedeya's squad prepare to take on fellow newcomers in an attempt to be crowned the best nation to never have played a world cup before. The Kamchatka Grizzly Bears, mainly made up of players from Myedvedeya's newly founded Premier League, have a great deal of experience playing together and against each other. Most of Myedvedeya's midfield is made up of players from recently crowned Champions International of Moskva, and their experience together will help the entire team to find rhythm. Myedvedeya plays a fast paced, passing type of game, and this rhythm is essential to their success. After a decent but unspectacular Oxen Cup campaign, Myedvedeya hope that this experience will help them in this cup. Due to the general inexperience of most of the other squad, Myedvedeya hope that this will give them an advantage.

Myedvedeyan fans will travel to Cafundeu prepared to pay the huge amounts of tax on everything, due to the fact that fans are being subsidized by the government. The Tsar believes that Cafundeu's taxes are unreasonable to foreigners, and has provided a Myedvedeyan fan's fund that will pay off all of these costs, allowing a huge contingent of fans, with their famous live Bear companions, to travel to the country for the tournament. If Myedvedeya is drawn into Entresse Intenso, this fund will be used to pay for tickets for extra fans. Either way, expect a huge, highly nationalist contingent to travel to the Cup, and Myedvedeya hopes to benefit from this.

The group draw will be announced later, and Myedvedeya's team of reporters will continue to cover the Cup at that point.

for more sports news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/sports

The nation of Thoughts of Randomness, being relatively new and having little experience at anything else besides governing themselves, has a firm wish to establish themselves in the sports world. Being relatively new at this, and football not being a well-known sport (they track and field), they need all the luck they can get.

Bold= starters

The team roster is as follows:

MANAGER/COACH- Dominic de Rinaldi, age 42
Dominic, an immigrant from a different nation, actually knows how to play football. He makes the team practice 13 hours a day, so that they can "git football into their leetle heads."

Goal Keepers:
#7 Franco Mishinga, age 19
Franco, or "Frankie", isn't very smart. However, at 6' 11", and weighing 210 lbs, he's a big guy, and can block most balls by just shuffling around the goal.

#19 Idina Martinez, age 18
Idina is one of the few people who has actually played football regularly before, making her a valuable asset to the team. She is very good technically, but not an exceptional goal keeper.

#11 Raul Gomez, age 17
Raul shows promise as a goalie, but he doesn't really listen to anyone, and just does his own thing.

DEFENDERS:

#8 Marcus Ontario, 21
Is a better-then-average player, at least for this team.

#5 Chazz Norwan, 22
Kicks very far and hard.

#19 Norma Rodgers, 18
Below average skill.

#21 Eddie Bowers, 21
He brags a lot, but is a mediocore player.

#17 Elva Trombretta
Shows promise, an above average player.

MIDFIELD:

#14 Rowan Keely, 17
Has played soccer before, but gets run over by other players because of height (only 4' 9").

#23 Derek Klaptman, 19
Former track star, he has been put on the team for his amazing stamina.

#25 Nora Bora, 18
Decent player

#4 Tom Black, 19
Has never played before, but the coach describes him as, "friggin' amazing".

#15 Bobby Viles, 18
Decent player.

FORWARDS

#16 Shelly Robinson, 17
Isn't that great of a player, but skillfully distracts the other team.

#1 Micheal Newman, 20
Easily the best player on the team, and is the captain.

#12 Nicholai Vespucci, 19
Is great at shooting.

#11 Katerina Moni, 18
Isn't great, but obviously puts in all her effort.

#13 Ned Fisher, 20
Is awful. Just plain awful.

Choose my scorers? No
Yellow card my players? Yes
Red card my players? Yes
Injure my players? Yes
Godmode injuries? No
Godmode scoring events? Yes
Godmode other events? Yes

After 3 days on boat, the Youth Strikeforce team arrives at their 1-star hotel in Cafundéu only to find there has been a mixup in the booking, and they have been wiped from the records of the hotels system. as a way of offering the team thier condolances, the hotel staff evicted guests from the top floor and gave it to the team, free of charge. things are looking up for this young squad.

Courtney’s Space
(The Blog of Captain Courtney Ferguson)

I got the call on Friday night. Up to this point, I was just honored to have been chosen to represent my country in the Baptism of Fire. I thought that my chances would be good of being named to the team and as such when that call came I remained cool and collected. I would be going to Cafundeu, or to Estresse Intenso. We don’t really know yet. It was the call on Friday night that sent chills throughout my body. It was Michelle Baynes, our coach. I figured she was just calling me to go over our travel itinerary as we leave Cassadaigua and head out. Or maybe a practice had been rescheduled. “Courtney,” she said, “we have chosen you to be the captain of the team.” I stood still and was speechless. So much so that Michelle needed to ask me if I was still on the line. I told her I was honored, and that I would definitely accept the role.

My dreams as a little girl are being answered, and I can’t believe it. I remember watching the World Cup on TV and thinking to myself, “Why is it that Cassadaigua can never compete in this?” I asked coaches that I had growing up and they all told me, “Courtney, the nation just isn’t strong enough to be taking on the challenge of the world.” I didn’t want to believe them. I watched with envy the recent World Cups. Watching the great nations of the world compete for the title. Some were obviously better then others, but there were a lot of other nations. Nations that attempted to qualify and were hardly heard from. They were strong enough to at least make the effort. What did they have that Cassadaigua didn’t?

I never let go of that silly dream to play in a World Cup one day. I played my heart out in every level of competition within the country and that day I read the news I was in shock. “Cassadaigua to participate in World Cup.” Oh my God, was this really going to happen? Having been the leading scorer of the CSL for the last three years, I can’t lie and pretend I didn’t expect to get named at that point. Sure enough, I got the call. The second call, I didn’t expect. To be the captain, the leader of the team as we make our inaugural appearance.

I realize that I probably won’t participate in the actual World Cup in my lifetime. But to participate in qualifiers, with the simple thought that maybe we could have the slightest of chances will be plenty of motivation. Also to be part of the first team will be an honor. Who knows, maybe one day, decades from now, we will be a serious power. If that happens, I can say that I was part of the team where it all began. The journey begins now, in this thing they call the Baptism of Fire. This is a tournament of all new nations. Maybe there is a future World Cup champion among us. I’m sure that the seventeen other nations all have these great aspirations. I don’t know if we are a favorite or not. But I can tell you one thing. Myself and my fellow Dagans are ready. We believe.

The Urna Eletrônica National Team

Urna Eletrônica is a country focused on politics. The biggest events in the country are the elections, and there are elections for everything. So it'd be natural if the team was composed only by politicians. The list of players is below, with their position and team.

Manager - Deodoro da Fonseca: founder of elections in Urna Eletrônica, this man is so old that he doesn't move, talk or do anything. Some say that he is dead.

Starters:

1- Ulysses Guimarães (goalkeeper/PMDB): surely the most experienced player of the team and a bit old to continue playing. But it was his choice to continue playing football, and the fans think that he can die one day playing football.

2- Roberto Freire (defender/PCB): defender of the democracy, dreams of communism in Urna Eletrônica. Defends the equality, the freedom of religion, the universities, but is viewed with suspicion by some people, a barrier for his goals.

3- Paulo Maluf (defender/PDS): this player has problems with the police, but has many loyal friends. Attackers playing against him must not bring their wallets with them, otherwise Maluf will surely steal them and they won’t noticed it. But, if someone discovers that Maluf stole something, he’ll deny and say he had never seen that wallet before in his whole life.

4- Ronaldo Caiado (defender/PSD): this man isn’t popular and it’s difficult to be certain about his ideas. The only thing we know about him is that he has some farms and is one of the leaders in his political parties... well, there he must be popular.

5- Enéas Carneiro (midfielder/PRONA): very popular, but is a target for jokes. Many people don’t think he is really serious, and that he isn’t a true politician, but his style surely conquered the hearts of many. His huge beard (bigger than Lula’s), combined with his way of talking (he talks shouting... always shouting) really makes him noticeable in the field.

6- Guilherme Afif (defender/PL): friend of the defender Maluf, has a past of alliances with army generals and a dictatorship. He tries to avoid being linked with them, so he doesn’t like to talk about the past. Moves a lot inside the field, making many gestures.

7- Leonel Brizola (midfielder/PDT): popular player, is loved by many but hated by many too. He likes to provoke his opponents, and dislikes the media too. He is good at making funny comments, which usually humiliate his opponents. Has the respect of most of the population, but most end deciding by voting on other candidates.

8- Fernando Collor (midfielder/PRN): very charismatic, you’ll like this player, even if you’re playing against him. And he’ll take advantage of this fact to steal money from your bank account until you discover he is controlling your life. Be cautious, you’ll never know when he’ll arrive... he appears when you’re least expecting.

9- Lula (attacker/PT): a strong player full of strange phrases and pronunciation mistakes, he knows how to control the ball well and how to shoot to the goal. He is very popular, but many people don’t trust him, maybe because of his big beard. Poor people see in Lula their representative in the National Team.

10- Mário Covas (attacker/PSDB): solid and serious player, is respected by his team mates, but this doesn’t mean they like him. But he dislikes most of his team mates too. Is a responsible player, and work hard for the team. Doesn’t like to get involved in personal discussions, but, when this happens, he becomes ferocious.

11- Sílvio Santos (attacker/PMB): a businessman that decided to use his popularity to become a politician. He knows nothing about politics, but a lot about personal marketing, so everyone likes him even when he makes mistakes. And, if needed, he can use some of his money to make the media say good things about him.

Substitutes:

12- Marronzinho (goalkeeper/PSP): a poor person that has difficulties even to find something to eat, dreams of using the technology of an important company to find water in his homeland, a dry place. He stays quiet for most of the time but, when he talks, it means that is something very important!

13- Lívia Maria (midfielder/PN): only woman in the team, this is the only important fact about her. Comes to give a feminine touch in the National Team, as she surely doesn’t have a place to play.

14- Paulo Gontijo (defender/PG): well, this man isn’t much popular, but has some friends. Nothing that could help him to win a place in the starting team.

15- Aureliano Chaves (midfielder/PFL): is linked too with the army generals (but much more than Afif, being considered a friend of them), which isn’t good for his popularity. Also, many people from his own party don’t think he is able to win a disputed election.

16- Affonso Camargo Neto (defender/PTB): is friend of anyone that has the power inside the country. Because of that, he has already been a friend of the most different kind of people possible, which isn’t a good thing for his popularity.

17- Celso Brant (attacker/PMN): another experienced player, seems too old to play in the starting eleven. He is popular with older people, but the younger don’t even know him, so this is a curious situation.

18- Antônio Pedreira (defender/PPB): owner of a strong name, this is really the only thing that he has, so he won’t be much noticed in the team.

19- Fernando Gabeira (attacker/PV): probably the most famous politician in the bench, is known for being the defender of freedom, including freedom of using drugs and to make whatever you want to do, being against laws that limit the people’s freedom. Opposed the army generals.

20- Zamir Teixeira (midfielder/PCN): another player that will just fill the bench, won’t be able to take the place of the other politicians, which are much more famous.

21- Manoel Horta (midfielder/PDC do B): surely the least important player of the team, if we don’t count the third goalkeeper.

22- Eudes Mattar (defender/PLP): who is this guy? Well, we don’t know too, but surely it’s just someone to make the bench look full.

23- Armando Corrêa (goalkeeper/PMB): this man is someone that wanted to become a good politician, but decided to give Sílvio Santos a chance, because he knew he’d never win anything. So, he now stays in the most obscure position of the National Team.

Lasft, the second biggest city of Cafundéu. Inside the event room of the CCFM headquarters in the city, the group draw for the 30th Baptism of Fire will begin. Representatives from all the 18 countries participating in the event are there, hoping to see where their team is going to play. They can’t think about the difficulty of the group, as in theory all the groups have the same difficulty.

In the large room, with many drinks available for the guests and food being served, there are even some representatives from countries that already have World Cup experience, who probably decided to go to the draw to eat and drink, paying less than they would usually pay to eat elsewhere in the country. And, of course, on the stage, the Baptism of Fire organization committee members are waiting for the draw to start. Leaders from sports association from both Cafundéu (as the CCFM president Carlos Alberto Urubupungá and the Counselor-Minister of Sports Erasmo Carlos Jowenguard) and Estresse Intenso (the AEEI leader Professor Breno de Abreu and the current Landau Institute chief Doctor Letícia Sabin) are there. Only one person is missing, and probably one of the most important of the event.

After nearly half an hour expecting him, he arrives. The noise of his car, which looks like a Formula One car, is heard by everyone in the room. And, when the elevator stops in the floor of the group draw ceremony, they know that the event can finally start. Breno Gavião had arrived, the brilliant and smart commentator, who knows all the rules from all the sports in the world (at least he thinks this way). He is loved by everyone (this isn’t exactly true, but we have to keep his image as positive!), says hello to all the guests, drinks some cachaça, eats a coxinha and goes to his position in the stage. Finally he starts speaking:

“Hello, hello to all my frrrrrrriends, who watch me on Globo Multimedia and now have the honor of being in the same rrrrrrroom with me for this marrrrrrrvelous event! Today, we’ll discover how the thrrrrrree groups of this edition of the Baptism of Firrrrre will be composed, and then we’ll be able to starrrrrrt the competition. I’m sure you arrrrrre anxious to see your team playing in an official Worrrrrrld Cup Committee competition for the firrrrrrst time!”

“So, let’s finally starrrrrrrt with this grrrrrroup drrrrrrraw, sorrrrrry to keep you waiting!”

“Grrrrroup Globo Multimedia is the firrrrrrst grrrrroup, and it’s the one that will have all of its games in Cafundéu! The best stadiums of the competition and the highest expenses are in this grrrrroup!”

“The second grrrrrroup is called Grrrrroup Banco Econômico, and its games will be played in both Cafundéu and Estrrrrrresse Intenso, including the excellent stadium of the Aterrrrrro Sanitário, a landfill located in Limbo!”

“And, the last grrrrrrroup is the Landau Institute and Canabrrrrrava Cachaça grrrrrroup, with games being played in Estrrrrresse Intenso. Most of the games, although, will be played inside the Landau Institute, so enjoy your stay with crrrrrrazy people and insane doctors!”

“Now, let’s make the drrrrrraw!”

The group draw starts. Nothing really special happens while Breno Gavião is doing the draw, he just takes one ball, says the name of the country [with many “rrrrrs”, of course] and the group where it’ll go. After all the 18 balls were taken, he announces the groups:

“Grrrrroup Globo Multimedia has: Chutnusak, Cassadaigua, Bushdome, Secrrrrrristan, Docky and Valetaland!”

“Grrrrroup Banco Econômico has: Tanah Tinggi, Myedvedeya, Colbourrrrrne, Urrrrrna Eletrrrrrônica, Maestrrrrro L Pavarrrrrotti and Mantwenic!”

“And the Landau Institute grrrrrrroup, sponsorrrrrred by Canabrrrrrrava Cachaça has: Vlaskin, Maimeirrrrras, Thoughts of Rrrrrandomness, Torrrrrtuga y Hispaniola, Deceased Wrrrrriterrrrrs Guild and Kjomasasopia!”

“Thanks for coming and good luck!”

The groups:

Group Globo Multimedia (Cafundéu)
Chutnusak
Cassadaigua (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14092014&postcount=7)
Bushdome (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14090507&postcount=6)
Secristan (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089568&postcount=3)
Docky (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14099492&postcount=24)
Valetaland

MD1:
Cassadaigua x Docky - Estádio Nacional dos Cocos, Porto Lacruz
Valetaland x Chutnusak - Obelisco Monumental, Lasft
Bushdome x Secristan - Arena América, Abadia

MD2:
Docky x Secristan - Estádio Rei Albieri Van Tocco, Cafundó do Juta
Chutnusak x Bushdome - Estádio Nacional dos Cocos, Porto Lacruz
Cassadaigua x Valetaland - Arena Multiuso Dra. Veiga, Astari

MD3:
Valetaland x Docky - Arena América, Abadia
Bushdome x Cassadaigua - Obelisco Monumental, Lasft
Secristan x Chutnusak - Arena Multiuso Dra. Veiga, Astari

MD4:
Docky x Chutnusak - Estádio Nacional dos Cocos, Porto Lacruz
Cassadaigua x Secristan - Obelisco Monumental, Lasft
Valetaland x Bushdome - Estádio Rei Albieri Van Tocco, Cafundó do Juta

MD5:
Bushdome x Docky - Arena Multiuso Dra. Veiga, Astari
Secristan x Valetaland - Estádio Rei Albieri Van Tocco, Cafundó do Juta
Chutnusak x Cassadaigua - Arena América, Abadia


Group Banco Econômico (Caf/EIT)
Tanah Tinggi
Myedvedeya (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089741&postcount=5)
Colbourne (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089565&postcount=2)
Urna Eletrônica (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14096523&postcount=15)
Maestro L Pavarotti
Mantwenic (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14089620&postcount=4)

MD1:
Myedvedeya x Maestro L Pavarotti - Presídio, Carandirú City (Cafundéu)
Mantwenic x Tanah Tinggi - Complexo Poliesportivo, Neblina (Estresse Intenso)
Colbourne x Urna Eletrônica - Maracatuzão, Dunboor (Cafundéu)

MD2:
Maestro L Pavarotti x Urna Eletrônica - Complexo Poliesportivo, Neblina (Estresse Intenso)
Tanah Tinggi x Colbourne - Toca do Tatu, Central City (Cafundéu)
Myedvedeya x Mantwenic - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo (Estresse Intenso)

MD3:
Mantwenic x Maestro L Pavarotti - Toca do Tatu, Central City (Cafundéu)
Colbourne x Myedvedeya - Presídio, Carandirú City (Cafundéu)
Urna Eletrônica x Tanah Tinggi - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo (Estresse Intenso)

MD4:
Maestro L Pavarotti x Tanah Tinggi - Maracatuzão, Dunboor (Cafundéu)
Myedvedeya x Urna Eletrônica - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo (Estresse Intenso)
Mantwenic x Colbourne - Presídio, Carandirú City (Cafundéu)

MD5:
Colbourne x Maestro L Pavarotti - Complexo Poliesportivo, Neblina (Estresse Intenso)
Urna Eletrônica x Mantwenic - Maracatuzão, Dunboor (Cafundéu)
Tanah Tinggi x Myedvedeya - Toca do Tatu, Central City (Cafundéu)


Landau Institute Group (EIT/the Institute)
Vlaskin
Maimeiras
Thoughts of Randomness (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14094148&postcount=12)
Tortuga y Hispaniola
Deceased Writers Guild
Kjomasasopia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14092437&postcount=9)

MD1:
Maimeiras x Deceased Writers Guild - Sector Sigma Competitions Area, Landau Institute
Kjomasasopia x Vlaskin - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
Thoughts of Randomness x Tortuga y Hispaniola - Sector Delta Sporting Field, Landau Institute

MD2:
Deceased Writers Guild x Tortuga y Hispaniola - Estádio Jaçanã, Rio Pardo
Vlaskin x Thoughts of Randomness - Sector Zeta Football Place, Landau Institute
Maimeiras x Kjomasasopia - Sector Psi Sports Area, Landau Institute

MD3:
Kjomasasopia x Deceased Writers Guild - Sector Delta Sporting Field, Landau Institute
Thoughts of Randomness x Maimeiras - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
Tortuga y Hispaniola x Vlaskin - Sector Psi Sports Area, Landau Institute

MD4:
Deceased Writers Guild x Vlaskin - Sector Zeta Football Place, Landau Institute
Maimeiras x Tortuga y Hispaniola - Estádio Jaçanã, Rio Pardo
Kjomasasopia x Thoughts of Randomness - Sector Sigma Competitions Area, Landau Institute

MD5:
Thoughts of Randomness x Deceased Writers Guild - Sector Delta Sporting Field, Landau Institute
Tortuga y Hispaniola x Kjomasasopia - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
Vlaskin x Maimeiras - Sector Sigma Competitions Area, Landau Institute

Top two teams of each group and the 2 best third placed team get qualified for the quarterfinals.

Info about the stadiums and cities is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=565391&highlight=hosting)

Group Draw Announced

Cafundeu and Estresse Intenso today announced the Draw for the groups of the pre-WC43 Baptism of Fire Cup. There are three groups of six in the tournament, one in Cafundeu, one in Estresse Intenso, and one with Matches in both. The group in Cafundeu has the best stadiums and Facilities, and the group in Estresse Intenso will be played mainly inside and insane asylum. Myedvedeya had been hoping to be drawn into this group, as casinos would have made windfall profits from bets on Bear VS Mental Patient fights.

Myedvedeya's final location has been determined to be the inbetween group, named Group Banco Economico, and located in both the host countries. The main stadium is the supposedly quite nice Atero Sanitario, a stadium in a landfill, in Limbo. Myedvedeyan players are studying both waste management and Applied Theology, to discover what conditions they should plan to face.

The final Group Draw for Group Banco Economico is as follows:

Tanah Tinggi- Myedvedeyan scouts have no information on this nation.

Myedvedeya

Colbourne- Fellow clients of Asal Eide Spoirt, the republic of Colbourne should be an interesting and entertaining opponent for the young Kamchatka Grizzly Bears team.

Urna Electronica- Urna Electronica are a nation based around politicians, and Myedvedeyan believe that the group of elected officials will be no match for our group of state-bred athletic phenoms. We plan to fill the front row of the stadium with politicians and lawyers, who will distract the opposition by debating them about both foreign and domestic policy issues.

Maestro L Pavarotti- Myedvedeya has never seen this nation outside of the Golden Cup of Futsal, but a team that can be inferred to be made up of corpulent Opera singers should be no problem. Myedvedeya's game plan is to run in circles with the ball until the opposing team have all passed out from unfitness, then score on the open goal.

Mantwenic- Myedvedeya have faced Mantwenic once before in the Oxen Cup, which resulted in a 2-2 Draw. The enthusiastic Mantwenic squad will be interesting competition, but Myedvedeyan players' domestic league experience, and State Athletes Academy should give them the edge.

SCHEDULE
Myedvedeya x Maestro L Pavarotti - Presídio, Carandirú City (Cafundéu)
Myedvedeya x Mantwenic - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo (Estresse Intenso)
Colbourne x Myedvedeya - Presídio, Carandirú City (Cafundéu)
Myedvedeya x Urna Eletrônica - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo (Estresse Intenso)
Tanah Tinggi x Myedvedeya - Toca do Tatu, Central City (Cafundéu)

CAFUNDEU APPEARANCE CONFIRMED

We don’t have to be worried about being sent to the psychiatric institute anymore. They would have been disgraceful conditions for our much esteemed members of the Secristan Millionaires football team. Instead we are going to a Group sponsored by the fine folks at Globo Multimedia. A move of sponsorship genius, we applaud this company for purchasing naming rights to the group, and you can be sure that they will be receiving phone calls from Secristani business leaders about perhaps establishing a market in One Big Island, which of course would be based in Secristan. The Millionaires are paired up with five opponents, and to date we have only seen rosters from Bushdome and Cassadaigua, though the Bushdome roster seems a little short, we only have last names. Cassadaigua is a bunch of women, but as we have seen from the World Bowl and the World Cup of Hockey, just because a team is full of females doesn’t mean they are any less capable. Secristan should be the team to beat here, and anything less then second would be a serious disappointment. Secristan wins the group, and Cassadaigua advances with us. That is our prediction.

The Secristan Department of Revenue- International Division is very excited about the games location in Cafundeu, and Globo Multimedia is just one of the organizations which will be contacted about expanding their horizons into Secristan. The Secristan Deparment of Sports has, as expected, placed the games on a pay-per-view basis at a rate of 49R per half, or 96R per game, an incredible savings of 2R over purchasing each half individually. In addition, the five game package can be purchased beforehand for 475R, which would save you an amazing 5R over buying each game individually.

The Schedule is as follows:

MD1: vs Bushdome
MD2: vs Docky
MD3: vs Chutnusak
MD4: vs Cassadaigua
MD5: vs Valetaland

NATIVE "ZEH TYHLA" used to strike fear into our opponents!
fa yna vnus dra ecma uv Kjo!
fa yna vnus dra ecma uv Masa!
fa yna vnus dra ecma uv Sopianu!
yht fa yna kuehk du gemm ymm oui meddma vilgc!
ymm uv oui lihdc femm tea po uin ryhtc!
fa yna jano vilgehk caneuic rana, lihdc!
OUI FEMM YMM TEA! [KJO! MASA! SOPIANU!]


Pronounced: "feah aenah funoo-see de-raah eay-kumah oo-fu Keyo!
feah aenah funoo-see de-raah eay-kumah oo-fu Massare!
feah aenah funoo-see de-raah eay-kumah oo-fu Soapeearenu!
ae-ha-te feah aenah kukooeay-ha-kuk deoo geeaymm aemm ohooee meay-de-demah fuee-lu-ge-ku!
aemm oo-fu ohooee luee-ha-de-ku feeaymm teeayah peoh ooeen raae-ha-te-ku!
feah aenah jaeahnoh fuee-lu-geeay-ha-kuk kuahneayooee-ku raahnah, luee-ha-de-ku!
OHOOEE FEEAYMM AEMM TEEAYAH! KEY-O! MASS-ARE! SOAP-EE-ARE-NU!"]

schedule:
MD1: Vlaskin - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
MD2: Maimeiras- Sector Psi Sports Area, Landau Institute
MD3: Deceased Writers Guild - Sector Delta Sporting Field, Landau Institute
MD4: Thoughts of Randomness - Sector Sigma Competitions Area, Landau Institute
MD5: Tortuga y Hispaniola - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
SO, TORTUGA, WE MEET AGAIN :p

ODDS SET

The Secristan Department of Gambling has placed the following odds on Baptism of Fire Events.

Odds to win Group Globo Multimedia:

Secristan: 1/ 2
Cassadaigua: 2/1
Bushdome: 5/1
Chutnusak: 15/1
Valetaland: 20/1
Docky: 25/1

Odds to win Group Banco Economico:

Myedvedeya: 1/ 2
Colbourne: 2/1
Mantwenic: 7/1
Urna Eletronica: 8/1
Tanah Tinggi: 8/1
Maestro L Pavarotti: 50/1

Odds to win Landau Institute Group:

Kjomasasopia: 1/ 2
Tortuga y Hispaniola: 3/1
Thoughts of Randomness: 3/1
Maimeiras; 20/1
Vlaskin: 30/1
Deceased Writers Guild: 40/1


Odds to win Baptism of Fire:
Secristan: 3/1
Myedvedeya: 3/1
Kjomasasopia: 4/1
Cassadaigua: 7/1
Colbourne: 10/1
Mantwenic: 12/1
Thoughts of Randomness: 15/1
Tortuga y Hispaniola: 15/1
Field: 25/1

(OOC: Before others claim that I'm being a "homer" listing us a favorite, bear in mind that this are Secristani odds to the Secristani public, so our odds would naturally be lower).

3rd favorite to win? AWESOME!
we will win! FEAR THE STRIKEFORCE!

Courtney’s Space
(The blog of Captain Courtney Ferguson)

Yesterday evening we found out the specifics of our Baptism of Fire journey. We go to Cafundeu and not the mental institution. This made me pretty happy at first because the idea of playing in a crazy society that exists in Estresse Intenso especially as a female athlete. Our team could be seen as an easier target there. That is something we don’t need to worry about, and I picked up the latest copy of “Cafundeu Taxes for Dummies”, just so I am prepared. I thought they were only joking when they said you had to pay to do so many things. I am fortunate to be a professional athlete and so are my teammates, and we will all be able to get by and pay what needs to be paid. Even though we will be ok, we do empathize with our supporters who cannot afford to travel with us. We know you will be back home cheering for us. For those Dagans that are able to afford this trip, I look forward to meeting you in Cafundeu and hearing your support during our games. We’re on our way, and in fact I am typing this up while in flight.

We are in a Group that has been sponsored by a corporation. This is just the way they do things in Cafundeu and maybe Globo Multimedia will have some cool innovative products for us to try out. The group has six teams, and we will play our first game against Docky, then it will Valetaland and Bushdome. Valetaland is actually a smaller country then us! After them, we meet Secristan. I’ve been told that Secristan is one of the favorites to win the Baptism of Fire, and that this will be our toughest game. Maybe it will be, but right now we are all first timers so we are all on equal ground. Our last game is against Chutnusak.

Some casino in Secristan listed us as the second choice in the group, and the fourth overall team in the Baptism of Fire. It’s nice to have respect. This is going to be fun.

The Bushdome team was ordered to train in private, eat in private and just stay in private. But once the fixtures had been announced the Bushdome coach finally broke the silence at a press conference at the teams hotel.

"We have been waiting for a moment like this for many a year now. A chance to prove our greatness on an internatinal stage. We are very much excited about the prospect of playing the teams we have been drawn against." He then had a quick glance at the fixtures sheet which he had not had a proper chance to look at.

"We are first set to play Secristan at the Arena América, Abadia. We realise that this team is one of the favourates to lift the cup, but this does not deter us, we plan on making a strong start by winning the first match. After that we wish to go from strength to strength with win after win. Any questions?"

A journalist from a popular Bushdome mens magazine raised a hand and said "You have yet to name your full squad list, you have only named the starting 11 and a few subs, why is this?"

"Do not worry, we have the reserves here with us, we have not named them as we feel it would be best if they are not playing then they are out of sight of the press, but if push comes to shove then we shall name and play them. One more question please, i have to be on the training ground in half an hour" Came the reply.

A little voice from the back of the room said "If you could give one message to all the fans at home, what would you say?"

"Expect to win!" was the answer given

abc

The Republic of Colbourne has released their jerseys for international play

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6895/colbournegu5.png

Courtney’s Space

I shake my head at the amount of times I have to pay a fee to a cross a street here. I wonder, if they must have these laws, can’t you somehow pay up front a day or a week ahead of time? We’ve done a good job keeping up with them and actually a lot of us are getting a kick out of it. It’s different, it’s expensive, but that’s what the World Cup is supposed to be all about. We want to win. We want to experience glory, but it’s also nice to experience the culture of another nation and there is so much about Cafundeu that is different then Cassadaigua. We got some good news today, and that being that a Dagan Corporation is going to be sponsoring us and they have decided that they will take care of the majority of our expenses for all of these silly taxes. The Greyhound Shipping company is the one to thank, so maybe give them a greater consideration when sending that important overnight package. Oh God, I’m sounding like a sales person now, I better stop!

I got an email from a seven year old girl from Concord Heights that I would like to share with you:

Courtney, I am so happy that you are going to play soccer against powerful countries. You are my hero I want to be just like you and play in the World Cup one day. I play youth soccer now and I score a lot of goals just like you do and my coach said that I am one of the bestest kids that he ever coached and if I practice hard I can do it. I am only seven years old. My mommy is too old to play soccer but she really wishes she could do what you are doing she said she was a real good soccer player too and she showed me a lot of pictures. Do you think I can play in the World Cup one day because I really really want too.
Your biggest fan, Hannah

Hannah, you’re letter brought tears to my eyes, because I was there. When I was seven, it was World Cup 38. I watched it and dreamed that I could be there. I remember that Vephrall was one of the countries hosting the games. It was a pipe dream then but here we are twenty years later and again it’s Vephrall. It would be a sweet culmination if we did qualify for the World Cup and get to play there. But it’s going to take us a while before we do that. I hate to sound like I am admitting that it won’t happen but the odds of winning the lottery are probably greater then us qualifying for World Cup 43. Hannah, it can be you. In twenty years you will be 27. Keep believing. Keep trying. My teammates and I are paving the road for you. Remember that. In twenty years, I will be watching you. Maybe, I will be watching you in Vephrall. Keep the dream alive sweetheart, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t play in a World Cup. That’s what they told me. That Cassadaigua would never make a qualification effort. Here we are!

Home Kit:
http://www.bluemoonsport.co.uk/images/zaragoza%20green%20black%20red.jpg
Away Kit:
http://www.bluemoonsport.co.uk/images/ajaccio%20navy%20red.jpg

MUCH LIKE HOME

As we get set for the opener for Baptism of Fire 30, a lot of us have really enjoyed the lifestyle of Cafundeu and have been remarking about how comfortable it has been for our players and our traveling supporters, and let’s not forget for us journalists as well. We’re in Abadia tonight, and set for Secristan’s opener against the country of Bushdome in a game that we really feel that the Millionaires will win. Our players have found that the Cafundeu people are really well schooled on issues of money, so there is no fooling them as we did with Dancougarans in the International Basketball Championships. However, what we have seen is Secristanis mocking Bushdome supporters when it comes time to pay simple taxes such as sidewalk usage or cross the street. One such Bushdome citizen was arrested when he refused to pay the cross the street the tax then complained about it, further not realizing that the complaint would also cost him. Then he didn’t realize that the argument would cost him, and that he would also have to pay the arresting officer a fee (OOC: Operating on this assumption, if you don’t tax for this, I apologize) for his time and labor in carrying out the arrest, as well as handcuffing fee, and a transportation fee for the trip to the local jail, where we assume there will be a lodging fee. A group of Secristanis laughed, while not forgetting to hand over the laughing tax to the officers as they observed and read up on the latest Blackberry equivalent from Globo Multimedia. We thought that this would happen, that it would be to the advantage of our country to play here because of the similar lifestyle, and it seems to be occurring from a spectator sense. One other nation, Cassadaigua, who is in our group, seems to be trying to make it more comfortable as a corporate sponsor has agreed to pick up the tab on all their extra tax charges. Perhaps there are some bright minds in this nation for a company to do that, and we would be interested in talking to the people at Greyhound Shipping about establishing a Secristani market since they seem to have excellent business sense.

Without getting into too much detail about it, the team has looked good in their practices here in Abadia, including goalkeeper Michael Rossiter, who is showing his customary outstanding agility. Also looking on great form are Curtis Coleman, James Rogan, and Kevin Walker. By this, we have no doubt that this team is prepared to take on the challenge of their first WCC-sanctioned event against Bushdome. The SDOS reports a record amount of football related pay-per-view purchases for the event, and in addition that purchases of the five-game package are exceeding expectations.

Bushdome Times

FANS RIOT
Earlier today fans of the Bushdome football team were involved in a scuffle with opposing fans. It started earlier today when Bushdome were being arrested in mass for not paying the "cross the road" tax. Bushdome fans were arrested much to the delight of Secristan supporters, the remaining Bushdome fans charged them which resulted in a 5 minuet battle. It was quickly stopped and all involving partys have been disaplined.

Match Build Up
Again very little is known about the Bushdome lineup, and there have been hardly any comments from the Bushdome team. We don't know why this is but sources say its so the young players do not get star struck by their new found fame. All we can say is that the team has been training hard and it set to put on a good show for the oppisition. Coverage is on BBS 1.

Myedvedeyans Prepare for First Baptism of Fire Match

The Myedvedeyan national Football squad were out on the practice fields this morning, preparing for tonight, when they will play their first ever match in a WCC tournament. The Kamchatka Grizzly Bears will face the top 11 of Maestro L Pavarotti, a nation which has not posted a roster, or made any press releases. It can be assumed from the name, however, that this is not a nation with a focus on sporting events. Myedvedeyans firmly believe that they will show their strength tonight, with a resounding victory over the Roster-less newcomers. Myedvedeyan spirits are further boosted as the Secristani Casinos, the same ones who predicted Myedvedeya would be "Breakout team of the Tournament" at the Second International Basketball Championships (Myedvedeya won the tournament) have called Myedvedeya as one of 2 teams with the best odds to win the Baptism of Fire. (3:1)

Myedvedeyan Captain Nikolai Dolohov released this statement before the match:

"I was really impressed with what the boys showed out there today on the practice fields. Our passing game is coming together just the way we wanted it to, and with this and the Oxen Cup for experience, we are finally finding a rhythm with each other on the pitch. We showed the world that we have potential, making it out of our group at the Oxen Cup, now is our time to realize that potential. Myedvedeyans are famous for coming through when it really matters, and now is when it starts to really matter. Expect a good performance out there tonight, we are going to show the world what we are capable of."

Dolohov's Sentiments were echoed by many others on the team, including the Manager, Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration. The former Military hero turned soccer coach believes that his side is one of the strongest in the cup, and that their domestic experience, along with their experience at the Oxen Cup, will be a boon to them throughout the tournament.

"We must look at this as the first step", he stated, during a press conference, "towards the overall advancement of Myedvedeyan football. This tournament, the World Cup Qualifiers, and hopefully, the World Cup itself are all tied together. How we perform at each of these levels will affect our footballing legacy for years to come."

Bagration has named the standard Myedvedeyan lineup for this match, meaning that the starting 11 will be:


#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky



Since our opponents have not released a roster or jersey, Myedvedeya will take the pitch in their home kits. (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myedvedeyahomeca6.png

The Tsar himself has given the squad his blessing, and they will go forth into this tournament practiced, determined and ready.

For more sports news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/sports

(OOC to Secristan: you were completely right in your RP. Cafundéu really exaggerates on the fees, so the arrested supporters had to pay the cited costs and many others, probably. By the way, let me collect the fee for making an OOC comment to the BoF organization and for commenting about our police force in your media release, ok? :p)

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

Matchday 1 Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Tio João food (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
The CCFM charges the following costs (complaints cost V$50 each):
Fee for winning: V$100
Fee for a draw: V$200
Fee for losing V$500
Fee for scoring 0 goals: V$300
Each goal scored decreases the "scoring 0 goals" fee by V$50 (minimum of V$0)
The basic fee for playing in a Cafundéu stadium is V$1000 (can be higher depending on the features of the stadium)

-In Landau Institute, there isn't a fee, but the losers will have to work with the patients for 2 days


Group Globo Multimedia
Cassadaigua 3–0 Docky
Valetaland 2–1 Chutnusak
Bushdome 2–2 Secristan

Group GM P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Cassadaigua 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
2 Valetaland 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
3 Bushdome 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
3 Secristan 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
5 Chutnusak 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
6 Docky 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0


Group Banco Econômico
Myedvedeya 4–1 Maestro L Pavarotti
Mantwenic 1–1 Tanah Tinggi
Colbourne 0–1 Urna Eletrônica

Group BE P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Myedvedeya 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3
2 Urna Eletrônica 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
3 Mantwenic 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
3 Tanah Tinggi 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
5 Colbourne 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
6 Maestro L Pavarotti 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0


Landau Institute/Canabrava Cachaça Group
Maimeiras 0–2 Deceased Writers Guild
Kjomasasopia 2–0 Vlaskin
Thoughts of Randomness 2–1 Tortuga y Hispaniola

Institute Group P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Deceased Writers Guild 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
1 Kjomasasopia 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
3 Thoughts of Randomness 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
4 Tortuga y Hispaniola 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
5 Maimeiras 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0
5 Vlaskin 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0

(OOC: If I had a rusa for every time I typed “Bushdown” instead of “Bushdome” I could pay everyone’s cross the street tax).

SECRISTAN; BUSHDOME MAKE THEIR POINT

As you are aware if you paid for the game and watched it, the Millionaires drew with Bushdome by the score of two-all. Hanson scored a goal in the 84th minute that turned what looked to be a Secristan victory into the draw. Right now it’s tough to know if this is a good draw or a bad draw, with it coming in the first game of the Baptism of Fire. Bushdome is looking like a solid contender in this group, and we’re starting to get the feeling that Group Globo Multimedia will be one that sends three teams into the quarterfinals. We thought the match was well played on both ends, and that both teams will look at the contest as having good points and things that they need to work on as they progress through the tournament. Secristan’s goals were scored by James Rogan in the 38th minute and Kevin Walker in the 64th.

There was a report this evening in the Bushdome Times of a fight that broke out between a group of their supporters and some Secristanis. We wish to confirm this report and add Bushdome to the list of nations that have been somewhat aggravated by the attitude of our highly successful and wealthy supporters that choose to attend sporting competitions on the road. It wasn’t a major altercation, but there were some punches thrown on both sides. The Secristanis were defending their turf more then not, and law enforcement seemed to side with them a little bit in the altercation since they did pay their laughing tax before hand, and the group of Bushdome supporters did not pay a fee to be annoyed by it before they charged our people. After law enforcement broke it up, Secristanis not only paid the officers the fee for their aggravation, but also gave them a little bit extra, with the intention to annoy the Bushdome people even more. We wish this could have translated into a victory, but a draw might be something we can work with as long as we beat some of these other countries in the group. Up next is Docky, who got spanked by Cassadaigua tonight, 3-0.

The Secristan Department of Journalism has arranged for the wire transfer of funds to pay the fees we need to the proper organizations, as well other fees that come along with the transaction.

Myedvedeya 4-1 Masetro L Pavarotti

The Myedvedeyan International Football Squad absolutely dominated the small nation of Maestro L Pavarotti today, winning by a score of four goals to one. This result places Myedvedeya at the top of their group, with the most goals scored of any team in the tournament. The fitter, faster Myedvedeyan side outran and outdribbled their opposition, and controlled the match entirely, earning 73-27% possession. Coach Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration was extremely happy with his side after the match.

"Our boys were fast, they were precise, they were clinical, and they played good defense. I was happy with our play through the entire match, and believe this is the form that will allow us to fulfill our potential in this tournament. This was a fantastic match to introduce ourselves to the world on, and I hope we can continue in this vein."

The first half began quickly, with Myedvedeya putting pressure on the opposing goal within the first five minutes. In the Eighth, Arman Barabanschikov had a fantastic run down the wing, and fired an inspired left-foot shot at the MLP keeper, but smashed the ball off the crossbar. In the Eleventh, however, Aloyoshenka Vorotaev was not to be denied, as he charged into the box to head home a Grigor Ulyanov cross. Ulyanov continued to send balls freely into the box for the remainder of the half, one of which connected with the left foot of Nikolai Dolohov on a corner kick for Myedvedeya's second, found in the Nineteenth minute. The match slowed down for a while after that point, with few chances from either side. One of the few notable moments came in the form of Aleksander Rozhdestvensky's fantastic 30-yard rocket, which veered left by a mere foot, stopping everyone in the stadium's hearts for a second. In the Forty-First, Vorotaev found net again, this time after a beautiful buildup from the entire midfield. Ulyanov, taking the ball down the right wing, switched it over to Barabanschikov on the left, who played it forward to Vorotaev. Vorotaev, after passing two men, flicked it back to midfielder Alexander Markov, who faked a shot and tapped it back to Vorotaev, now wide open. The diminutive young striker then proceeded to smash the ball into a lower corner, making the keeper look quite the fool. The first half ended minutes later, with the score at Myedvedeya 3, Maestro L Pavarotti 0.

The second half opened with great excitement, in the form of the first, booking of the match. A MLP forward had found his way into the Myedvedeyan defense, and Ivan Mizin proceeded to very physically remove him. Unfortunately, he did so within the 18-yard box, and was given a yellow card, while a penalty was awarded against Myedvedeya. The Pavarottian striker placed the ball perfectly in a corner, bringing the score slightly closer at 3-1. Myedvedeya threatened many times in the second half, but did not manage to put away another goal until the Seventy-Sixth. The young Vassili Pencherjevsky, brought on in the Seventieth for Grigor Ulyanov, was brought down hard about 25 yards out, and Vorotaev curled the free kick into the upper-right corner to complete his hat-trick. Myedvedeya mainly held the ball for the next fifteen minutes, threatening the goal less than previously, and the match ended with a score of 4-1.

Scoring:

Myedvedeya Maestro L Pavarotti
A.Vorotaev '11, 41, 76 ????? '47
N. Dolohov '19

Myedvedeya's Bear of the Match Poll

A.Vorotaev-76%
G.Ulyanov- 10%
N.Dolohov- 6%
A.Rozhdestvensky- 4%
A.Barabanschikov- 3%
V.Pencherjevsky- 1%

Myedvedeya's next match is against Mantwenic, in Estresse Intesno. Read more about it in Novy Moskva News' Myedvedeya Pregame tomorrow.

(OOC to Cafundeu: curse you for putting the minimum fine of V$0 clause in there, otherwise fee for winning (V$100)-deductions for each goal scored (V$50x4=200)= you owe me V$100. :p)

for more sports news, log on to www.novymoskva.mye/sports

(OOC to Cafundeu: curse you for putting the minimum fine of V$0 clause in there, otherwise fee for winning (V$100)-deductions for each goal scored (V$50x4=200)= you owe me V$100. :p)

<USELESS INTERJECTION>
I can't say that I know Cafundelense laws by heart, but given my recent history with the country, I don't think he would owe you anything...

===Han Interpretation of the Taxes===

Tax for Arriving in Cafundeu: V$?500
Tax for Using Training Facilities: V$1000
Tax for Submitting a bunch of non-national citizens to Cafundeu: V$1000
Tax for Fair Referees: V$100
Tax for Winning: V$100
Tax for Playing in Cafundeu: V$1000
Tax for Getting Players not getting a Hat-Trick: V$100 per player
Tax Credit for Scoring Goals: -V$50 per goal
Tax Credit for Each Player getting a Hat-Trick: -V$50 per player
Tax for Paying Tax: V$50
Tax for Complaint: V$50

On that account, you owe Caf a lot of money.
</USELESS INTERJECTION>

*me pays tax for useless interjection*

<USELESS INTERJECTION>
I can't say that I know Cafundelense laws by heart, but given my recent history with the country, I don't think he would owe you anything...

===Han Interpretation of the Taxes===

Tax for Arriving in Cafundeu: V$?500
Tax for Using Training Facilities: V$1000
Tax for Submitting a bunch of non-national citizens to Cafundeu: V$1000
Tax for Fair Referees: V$100
Tax for Winning: V$100
Tax for Playing in Cafundeu: V$1000
Tax for Getting Players not getting a Hat-Trick: V$100 per player
Tax Credit for Scoring Goals: -V$50 per goal
Tax Credit for Each Player getting a Hat-Trick: -V$50 per player
Tax for Paying Tax: V$50
Tax for Complaint: V$50

On that account, you owe Caf a lot of money.
</USELESS INTERJECTION>

*me pays tax for useless interjection*

(ooc: LOL, that sounds about right, but you forgot about these:

Tax for wearing cleats on grass: V$25 (per shoe, per player).
Tax for breathing in Cafundelense Oxygen: V$1 (per breath).
Tax for contributing to increase in Cafundelense CO2 atomspheric levels: V$1 per Cubic Centimeter expelled (per player).

^^do they have a tax for looking at Cafundeu?
id like to know, cause then we can save money if we all close our eyes...
ON A LIGHTER AND SLIGHTLY BRAGGISH NOTE:
ooooooooh!
we are from the kj and o,
where the mountains meet the sea!
its a land where men play football,
and we strive for victory!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see(you'll see!)
oh, we are from the kj and o, and we strive for victory!

oooooh,
today we played Vlaskin, what a sorry side they were!
we left them torn and tattered as we soared to victory!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see (you'll see!)
WE ARE FROM THE KJ AND O, AN WE STRIVE FOR VICTORY!!!!!

sorry Vlaskin, winning song is necessary!
KJO 2 D VLA 0
GOALS FROM: O'Finnigan (11th,89th minutes)

Courtney’s Space

It was a gorgeous day in Porto Lacruz, so much so that we hope the sun is not charged a tax for shining its light on the beautifully groomed pitch before the game. Two nations were ready to make their international debut and they were both hoping that the perfect weather would be an omen on what the future will hold for them in the Baptism of Fire. I started to get a little teary eyed as I was about to lead my team, my country, out onto this field. But I didn’t cry. I saw the players from Docky and I knew the time for sentimental feelings was over. It was game time, and I got my game face on. Out we came, ready to play and hoping this would go well.

The game plan was simple from that start. We weren’t going to adjust to Docky. We were going to play our game, because we needed to see if our game could make it at this level. After a few minutes, we all calmed down and realized that even though the stage is much greater, it’s still soccer. Still eleven on eleven. It took about ten minutes before our confidence began to grow as we were taking control of this game, and the 16th minute I got one more thing to cherish. The first goal ever scored by Cassadaigua internationally. Erika Cottrell gave me a perfect pass and I did what came natural. I didn’t think about what I was going to do with the ball once I got it, I just took the pass and fired. Our celebration was as much about relief as it was about excitement. We can do this! We belong!

Kirsten Logan’s goal in the 35th minute was important and fired us up even more. We got breathing room for the game but we got confidence for the tournament. Defensive play and great goalkeeping by Rachel Terry also made us feel real good. We sealed the game in the 71st on Jessica Keeley’s goal and left the pitch with a 3-nil victory. Fans were standing and cheering for us and afterwards the media informed us that we had dominated the game in every aspect. Maybe we did. All I know is that we were just doing what came naturally to us.

We have to be careful not to get too excited over this. It was just one game and there is a lot of soccer left for us to play. Valetaland, who is our next opponent, won their game too, so we have to be ready. I promise you that we will up for the match.

(OOC to Cafundeu: curse you for putting the minimum fine of V$0 clause in there, otherwise fee for winning (V$100)-deductions for each goal scored (V$50x4=200)= you owe me V$100. :p)

for more sports news, log on to www.novymoskva.mye/sports

(OOC: Didn't you notice that you have to pay a basic fee of V$1000 [at least] as you played in Cafundéu the first game? And, as you were playing in the prison, you'd have to pay for your players' protection and the fee for entering in the prison

You scored 4 goals, so V$300 - 200 = 100. The fee for winning is V$100, so V$100 + 100 = 200. The basic fee is at least V$1000, so V$200 + 1000 = 1200. You have to pay at least V$1200 for Matchday 1 game. Each goal scored reduces the fee for not scoring goals, not the overall fee

* changed it to make it more understandable :p)

(OOC: If I had a rusa for every time I typed “Bushdown” instead of “Bushdome” I could pay everyone’s cross the street tax)
OOC: ^ Im loving it :D

Bushdome Times

2-2!
The Bushdome team have got off to a great start, they went into a game as the underdogs and came out as equals to the millionaires. The team coach is reported to have said, "Great result! We owe our succsess to the great Tsar Schuck, without his funding we would not of been able to get to such a strong start." Although it was a good start things still need to improve as wins = points.

Fans voted worse of tournament
In a recent poll carried out by the Bushdome times, it appears that our fans are the worst behaved. This comes after a small fight broke out yesterday between our loyal supporters and the Secristan supporters. Also our fans have been reported to have tried to provoke a fight with the police in the stadium at yesterdays game. Although the internatiol community thinks we are thugs, we here in Bushdome think that the boys supporting the team are just very patriotic.

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Mantwenic (Estresse Intenso)

The Myedvedeyan International Football squad travel today from Cafundeu, land of taxation, to co-hosts Estresse Intesno, who seem to be quite the opposite. A regiment of Tsar's Guard soldiers has been send to protect the players from crime and violence in this new nation, and there should be no problems on that score. Of the few who have had the misfortune to meed the Tsar's Guard, who are not used in battle unless the situation is dire, no one has yet lived to tell the tale. With security concerns out of the way, and all of their Cafundelese taxes paid by a government fund, the Kamchatka Grizzly Bears can focus on winning tonight's match.

The KGB have faced Mantwenic once before, in the group stages of the Oxen cup. This match resulted in a 2-2 draw. Since that game, however, Myedvedeya have qualified for the elimination round of the Oxen Cup, and found a beautiful rhythm at this tournament that allowed them to smash Maestro L Pavarotti last night by the score of 4-1. Mantwenic were not so fortunate in their first match, fighting their way to a 1-1 draw with Tanah Tinggi. The Myedvedeyans expect that their speed and athleticism will give them the edge against the equally determined players of Mantwenic, and allow them to remain at the top of group Banco Economico.

Prince Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration, coach of the Myedvedeyan squad, had this to say about his young team:

"They were fantastic yesterday, and, from what I've seen of highlights, there's not a team in this tournament they can't beat if they play at that level. We will go out onto the field tonight focused, determined, and confident that we can make this match the next step in creating our legacy as a Footballing Nation."

Most of the lineup will remain the same, but 17-year-old phenom Vassili Pencherjevsky will be starting the game in the place of Grigor Ulyanov, who tweaked his ankle in the last match. Ulyanov should be fine in time for tomorrow night's match against Colbourne.

With this in mind, the starting lineup is as follows:


#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #19 Pencherjevsky

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky


Mantwenic have not released a jersey, so Myedvedeya will once again be playing in their home jerseys, http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6916/myedvedeyahomeuj8.png

By the will of the Tsar, we go to another victory tonight.

for more sports news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/sports or our new BoF/WC page, www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

(OOC to Cafundeu, Qazox, Daehanjeiguk: I stand corrected. *pays tax for being corrected* Thank you for giving me a better understanding of the...overarching nature of Cafundelense taxes. *pays the thanking tax and the understanding things tax*:()

Matchday 2 Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Loteria Cafundelense lotteries (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
CCFM fees continue being the same (see matchday 1 for a list of basic costs)
Landau Institute group losers with the same punishment


Group Globo Multimedia
Docky 0–3 Secristan
Chutnusak 0–3 Bushdome
Cassadaigua 3–2 Valetaland

Group GM P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Cassadaigua 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 6
2 Bushdome 2 1 1 0 5 2 +3 4
2 Secristan 2 1 1 0 5 2 +3 4
4 Valetaland 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3
5 Chutnusak 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0
6 Docky 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0


Group Banco Econômico
Maestro L Pavarotti 1–2 Urna Eletrônica
Tanah Tinggi 0–2 Colbourne
Myedvedeya 3–1 Mantwenic

Group BE P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Myedvedeya 2 2 0 0 7 2 +5 6
2 Urna Eletrônica 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
3 Colbourne 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 3
4 Mantwenic 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2 1
5 Tanah Tinggi 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
6 Maestro L Pavarotti 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0


Landau Institute/Canabrava Cachaça Group
Deceased Writers Guild 2–2 Tortuga y Hispaniola
Vlaskin 1–2 Thoughts of Randomness
Maimeiras 1–1 Kjomasasopia

Institute Group P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Thoughts of Randomness 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6
2 Kjomasasopia 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
3 Deceased Writers Guild 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 4
4 Tortuga y Hispaniola 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
5 Maimeiras 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
6 Vlaskin 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 0

Myedvedeya 3-1 Mantwenic

The players promised that this time it would be different. The coach promised that this time it would be different. The media promised that this time it would be different. It was different. Myedvedeya and Mantwenic, having played once before, ending in a disappointing 2-2 draw, clashed again in the group stages of this Baptism of Fire Cup. Myedvedeyans everywhere focused intently on this match, the only group match in which we have previously faced our opponents. Myedvedeya needed to come up big to defeat the determined squad of Mantwenic. They did. A 3-1 victory was well deserved by Myedvedeya, who controlled the ball beautifully, and played a quick, on-the-ground passing game which had fans shouting for joy.

The first half began slowly, with both sides feeling each other out, searching for a way to overcome their opponent. Mantwenic nearly opened the scoring in the Eighteenth, with a free kick which clanged off the upright, causing every Myedvedeyan's heart to leap into their throat. In the Twenty-Seventh, Myedvedeya finally broke through. A gorgeous passing sequence, Pencherjevsky-Dolohov-Pencherjevsky-Rozhdestvensky-Dolohov-Pencherjevsky-Vorotaev-Dolohov, led to Nikolai Dolohov firing a bullet of a shot, which was parried by the keeper. Unfortunately for Mantwenic, the parried ball sailed directly towards midfielder Arman Barabanschikov, who did not hesitate in volleying it into the open net. Barabanschikov's goal seemed to turn a switch in the heads of the players, and the game rapidly became more and more offensive. Aloyoshenka Vorotaev had an excellent effort denied in the Thirty-Third, and Nikolai Dolohov hit a post in the Thirty-Fifth. In the Thirty-Eighth minute, Mantwenic drew even, as a striker performed a gorgeous dummy, fooling the Myedvedeyan defense, and keeper Boris Bykovsky, before one of the other Mantwenic forwards tapped the ball into the corner. Within a minute, however, Myedvedeya regained the lead, as Vassili Pencherjevsky became the youngest player ever to score for the Myedvedeyan senior team (Age 17), with a glorious header off Nikolai Dolohov's longball. The half ended with Myedvedeya ahead, 2-1.

In the second half, Myedvedeya continued to press the attack. Over the course of the first ten minutes, Dolohov, Vorotaev, Pencherjevsky, and Rozhdestvensky all had viable attempts on goal. Mantwenic were forced onto their back foot for most of this half, as the game was increasingly played entirely on their side of the field. The tables seemed to turn, however, in the Sixty-Eighth, when Mantwenic were awarded a penalty, for a yellow card-gaining tackle from Ivan Romasko. The striker calmly jogged up to the ball, and blasted what looked like a sure goal towards the lower left corner. Not so. In an incredible feat of athleticism, Myedvedeyan keeper Boris Bykovsky just managed to bend the ball around the bar with his fingertips, becoming the savior of Myedvedeya's slim lead. The KGB, inspired by their keeper's fantastic play, struck back hard, redoubling their efforts on Mantwenic's goal. The final blow came in the Seventy-Fourth, as Aloyoshenka Vorotaev netted his fourth goal of the tournament, after dribbling two defenders and the goalkeeper. Myedvedeya continued to threaten, but nothing of significance was produced before the end of the match.

Myedvedeya remain top of group Banco Economico, and have both the most goals scored and the best goal differential in the tournament.

Keeper Boris Bykovsky, when interviewed, had this to say:
We played a good, technically sound match. We could have scored six, but we had a combination of bad luck and some misses. The whole team has areas we need to improve on. I personally should not have been fooled on the goal, and wish I could have kept a clean sheet. Still, we were very skillful, and we can expect more wins in the future with this type of form.

Scoring:
Myedvedeya Mantwenic
A.Barabanschikov '28 ????? '38
V.Pencherjevsky '39
A.Vorotaev '74

Myedvedeya's Bear of the Match Poll
N.Dolohov- 35%
V.Pencherjevsky- 28%
A.Vorotaev- 15%
B.Bykovsky- 10%
I.Mizin- 7%
I.Romasko- 5%

for more BoF news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

ooooooooooooooooooh,
we are from the kj and o,
where the mountains meet the sea,
its a land where men play football, and the strive for victory;
yes,we represent our land because we are the best you'll see(you'll see!)
we are from the kj and o and we strive for victory!

oooooohhh,
today we played Maimeiras, what a champion side they were,
we both were torn and tattered as we battled to a draw.
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see (youll see!)
WE ARE FROM THE KJ AND O, AND WE STRIVE FOR VICTORY!

KJO 1 Dr MAI 1
Goals: KJO: M. O'Finnigan (89th)
MAI: ???? (??th)

Total Goals:
O'Finnigan; 3 Goals

FIRST WIN ACHIEVED

We never want to forget the ultimate objective of Secristan’s appearance in the Baptism of Fire and soon to be World Cup qualification and Loser’s Cup, which is to generate revenue for the national government, but it’s acceptable to sit back and enjoy what happened tonight for the significance of it. After all, it was the first ever win for Secristan in these competitions. Even though soccer, or as the rest of the world calls it, football, is not the biggest sport in the country; it is a sport recognized as the biggest in the entire world. Thus, it would be nice for Secristan to establish some kind of a presence, if nothing else, as a nation that commands respect. This is why we’re here, and why the Secristan Department of Sports entered the country in the World Cup. They don’t expect to generate as much revenue as the World Lacrosse Championships recently did, or the recent World Bowls or Basketball, but they are hoping that interest in this brand of football can one day be that high. Long term financial planning, you can call it.

Last night, we picked up our first victim, which would be the nation of Docky. So far this country has not been very competitive in any way, but that’s their problem. The victory, by the score of 3-0, gives the Millionaires a record of 1-1-0, remaining tied with Bushdome, while both of us look up at the cuties from Cassadaigua. The game got off to a good start for us, as in the 6th minute, James Rogan scored off a corner kick that was executed perfectly by Blake Pitchford. Now, the world sees that there is more to Rogan then just is blistering speed. He’s pretty good at headers too. In the 20th minute, we extended our lead as the speed of Rogan left the Ducks (typo intended) standing still. He then passed it over to Kevin Walker, who finished the play. This is how Secristan expects to be scoring a lot of goals in the Baptism of Fire and beyond. After the game was 2-0 for a long time, the Millionaires added a third in the 73rd minute as substitute Kevin Trafelski made the most of this playing time by scoring a goal.

The next match for us will be against Chutnusak. Seriously, who names some of these countries? The Secristan Department of Sports has also agreed to televise the pivotal Bushdome vs Cassadaigua match tomorrow free of charge to all those who purchased the five-game plan at the beginning of the tournament, or for 50% off for everyone that purchased on of the first two games. Anyone else wishing to view the special telecast must pay normal pay-per-view rates.

EARNING RESPECT

Cassadaigua is proving that they belong right there with the rest of the first-timing nations in the Baptism of Fire with a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Valetaland by the score of 3-2. Trailing 2-1 after 70 minutes, the Dagans did not throw in the towel displaying the fighting spirit that has made our nation great! In the 73rd minute, Christine Scott blasted a shot by the unnamed keeper to tie the game. Then in the 79th, it would be Courtney Ferguson on a nice passing play that also involved Jessica Keeley and Erika Cottrell. It was Courtney’s second goal of the game as she also scored the first goal of the contest of which came in the games 25th minute. The Dagans are now leading the group, with a perfect 2-0-0 record, and this should be erasing any doubts as to whether or not they belong at this level of competition. Proving that young ladies can accomplish the same great things that men can in soccer, much like all walks of life, our team is starting to become noticed by other nations that are not in the Baptism of Fire. Some concerns were made about the demographics of our country in being 65% female when we get a bunch of traveling male athletes and supporters. This is something that we are not worried about for as long as these men come here and respect our culture things should be fine. Additionally, we were picked by one nation to be walking out of Cafundeu with the Baptism of Fire championship trophy. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves there and start worrying about the fees in which Cafundeu will charge for a championship podium, and for the time and energy that they will have to use in order to have someone hand a trophy to a winner. Michelle Baynes and Cassadaigua have played well early in this tournament but so too have many other nations. Are we a contender? We’ll know soon enough. Our next two games are against Bushdome and Secristan. We hope this plays out well for us.

Even though we know that there is a fee imposed on pointing this out to the Cafundeu organizers, maybe they will go easy on us because the potential for a major lawsuit could be much worse. We noticed that the groups on the most recently posted standings were simply referred to as Groups 1, 2, and 3 and that this has actually happened the last two times. The folks at Globo Multimedia and Banco Economico cannot be too happy about this, we imagine.

We deny the rumors the Globo Multimedia sent us a bunch of goodies free of charge for us to point this out so they could avoid paying the complaining tax. This nice shiny new laptop is working very well. Wait, nevermind.

NO EXCUSES

Up next for our beloved Millionaires is a game against the nation of Chutnusak. It’s a small nation out in the Pacific. We don’t know much about the country, so we looked up some information on them courtesy of the World Assembly. We were impressed by what we saw as it’s a government that realizes that successful people are wealthy people and instead of wasting time giving out handouts to the poor scum of the country hoping that maybe one or two of those lowlifes can turn their life around, they are sure that the rich are taken care of. That’s how it should be. We haven’t seen many of their supporters here in Cafundeu, however, so perhaps they don’t have as many wealthy people. They don’t have a formal roster submitted, and while this may have been done to avoid the roster submission fee, but we don’t really think this is the case. It may have been more about sparing them the embarrassment of having their identities known due to their poor performance in the Baptism of Fire thus far. After losing to Valetaland, Chutnusak then were handily defeated by Bushdome. Chutnusak is officially a pushover of Group Globo Mutlimedia, and the Millionaires will have absolutely no excuse to do anything but pick up three points in this game. Because afterwards, there’s a pretty important contest against the young ladies.

We mentioned before that the Bushdome game with Cassadaigua will also be televised here on a pay-per-view basis, or free of charge for those who purchased the five game plan in advance. With the group looking like a three horse race, there will be a lot of important matches in the next two days as the heavyweights begin to have their head to head matchups. This is why you cannot afford to slip up against these little cream puffs named Chutnusak. While we expect a large contingent of supporters in Astari tonight, expect much more in Lasft tomorrow. If Cassadaigua, and their female population are also in attendance in big numbers, things could get very interesting. We know how much women love men with money.

OOC: How did I lose 3-0? Cassadaigua has done the samee amount of posts as me and I have RPed.

Docky has found the Baptism of Fire hard with 3-0 losses to both Secristan and Cassadaigua. The Dockians don't really care that much though as they're making a tidy profit by selling other nations soccer shirts:p!

-snip-

(OOC: Check your Telegrams, please.)

Courtney’s Space

Now wasn’t that exciting? I guess if we had our way we would have preferred to not have been trailing Valetaland by a goal after seventy minutes, but it should be a good learning experience for us. We’ve been labeled now as one of the teams to beat and have even seen some outsiders predict us to win the entire Baptism of Fire. That’s nice and all but it came after just one game where we beat a nation that seems to need to make some improvements. Last night, Valetaland tried to bring us back to reality and gave us a real true battle. They played hard, but we began to notice in the second half that we had much more stamina then them. Even though it took us until the 73rd minute to score the tying goal, we sensed that our legs were fresher around the hour mark. This is why you never saw us panic. We kept our cool and were confident that good things would come our way. They did when Christine blasted a shot by their keeper to tie the game at two. Moments later, it was my turn. It was my second goal of the game and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We were up 3-2, and we went on to win by this score. I guess you can say that we shown an ability to put teams away like we did with Docky and that we have shown an ability to pull out a close game like we did last night. Those are the things that championship teams are made of, but we still don’t know if we have what it takes yet. Bushdome and Secristan have also proven themselves to be good teams and they will be our next two opponents.

I can’t tell you how much fun it is to represent our great country out there. I know I have said this before, but it has really been fun to play with people that you play against during the regular season. I’ve just gotten a very interesting e-mail though. I’ll share it with you tomorrow.

Bushdome Times

3-0
Bushdome have made their promise of a good start come true! As they crushed their opponents in a 3-0 win. The manager had this to say, "I told you, i told you we were to make a good start and we did." On the start player of the team (Hanson) he said this "Hanson is a great player full of energy and pazzaz, he also has a strong charecter which shows when he plays." He is tipped to be the next captain once Shuck has retired in a few years time. With the team to play Cassadaigua next they are predicted to stick to the same winning formula of recent games. Their is quite a buzz about our natinal team at the moment, so lets hope our lads can kep up the fight! Its amazing how the efforts of just 11 men can make a whole country smile.

More fans to go!
More Bushdome fans are flying out en mass to see their heros play. "We didn't expect to win, so we didn't go, but after the 3-0 score i have to go and witness history!" gubbered one fan as he boarded the plane. Although this is a good thing, many of our rival papers claim that this will lead to more football related voilence and an increase in alcohol consumpiton. But here at the times, we say "have fun and enjoy the tournatment!"

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Colbourne (Cafundeu)

Tonight, the Myedvedeyan International Football Squad will leave the lands of lawlessness and unlimited freedoms, and plunge once more into Cafundeu, the land of unlimited taxation. The Myedvedeyan side has been dominant through the first two games of the cup, beating Maestro L Pavarotti by the score of 4-1, and Mantwenic by the score of 3-1. Myedvedeya have scored the most goals of anyone in the tournament, and have the best goal differential of any squad as well. Myedvedeya's opponents, the Republic of Colbourne, defeated Tanah Tinggi, but were beaten by Urna Eletronica, who also have a 2-0-0 record. Colbourne is a decent side, but the KGB are certain they can defeat their fellow Asal Eide Spoirt clients.

We have been unstoppable so far, and will continue to be so if we maintain our current form.
Stated Captain Nikolai Dolohov. Dolohov was voted player of the match in the second game, and scored a goal in the first.

Coach Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration will be playing the same lineup as the first game, as Grigor Ulyanov has returned from injury. Young Vassili Pencherjevsky, who played in his place last match, will probably be brought on later in the game.


#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky




Seeing as Myedvedeya's opponent's home jersey has red and blue stripes, Myedvedeya will wear their home kits (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myedvedeyahomeca6.png, as opposed to their red away colors.

We wish to go out, and win a third game for the Tsar.

for more baptism of fire news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Even though we know that there is a fee imposed on pointing this out to the Cafundeu organizers, maybe they will go easy on us because the potential for a major lawsuit could be much worse. We noticed that the groups on the most recently posted standings were simply referred to as Groups 1, 2, and 3 and that this has actually happened the last two times. The folks at Globo Multimedia and Banco Economico cannot be too happy about this, we imagine.

(OOC to Cassadaigua: Ooops, forgot it! The scorinator gives me the tables, so I posted them unchanged! Well, this will be fixed now

OOC to Docky: the fact that you RPed as much as Cassadaigua at that time means only that you'd have close chances of winning the game. But, as luck plays a major part in the scorinator, the result was completely understandable)

IC:

After being warned by representatives of the Cassadaigua National Team of the fact that the groups' tables and results don't have the names of their sponsors, the CCFM had to work fast. It tried to calm down the sponsors, and sent a note saying that the mistake would be corrected. The director of the CCFM (not president), Ronaldo Bustos, said: "this is surely something that shouldn't have happened... we are sorry. In the end, we'll have to pay more for this mistake than you... although in the end we'll all pay for it, even the ones that don't have direct relation with this issue.

Thanks to this mistake made by the CCFM, Globo Multimedia could negotiate another 10% of the shares of Cafundéu's football organization, and now owns 30% of them. Banco Econômico only asked for money, and Canabrava Cachaça could renew the contract to be the official drink of the Cafundelense NT. The most curious note is that now Globo Multimedia reached the mark of having 20% of all the available shares in the world's market.

RP cutoff for MD3 - as I've posted some extra things in this post, the results will be in another.

Matchday 3 Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Guaraná Muquirana (guaraná soda drinks - which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
CCFM fees continue being the same (see matchday 1 for a list of basic costs)
Landau Institute group losers with the same punishment


Group Globo Multimedia
Valetaland 1–2 Docky
Bushdome 3–1 Cassadaigua
Secristan 1–0 Chutnusak

Group GM P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Bushdome 3 2 1 0 8 3 +5 7
2 Secristan 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3 Cassadaigua 3 2 0 1 7 5 +2 6
4 Valetaland 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1 3
5 Docky 3 1 0 2 2 7 −5 3
6 Chutnusak 3 0 0 3 1 6 −5 0


Group Banco Econômico
Mantwenic 2–0 Maestro L Pavarotti
Colbourne 0–2 Myedvedeya
Urna Eletrônica 1–2 Tanah Tinggi

Group BE P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Myedvedeya 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9
2 Urna Eletrônica 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
3 Mantwenic 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
4 Tanah Tinggi 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 4
5 Colbourne 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 3
6 Maestro L Pavarotti 3 0 0 3 2 8 −6 0


Landau Institute/Canabrava Cachaça Group
Kjomasasopia 3–1 Deceased Writers Guild
Thoughts of Randomness 3–0 Maimeiras
Tortuga y Hispaniola 1–1 Vlaskin

Institute Group P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Thoughts of Randomness 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 9
2 Kjomasasopia 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3 Deceased Writers Guild 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
4 Tortuga y Hispaniola 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
5 Vlaskin 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
6 Maimeiras 3 0 1 2 1 6 −5 1

Myedvedeya 2-0 Colbourne

Myedvedeya played a fantastic match tonight, overcoming fellow Asal Eide Spoirt jersey clients Colbourne to earn their third straight international win. No other side has come close to beating the Kamchatka Grizzly Bears yet in this tournament, as they have cruised to 4-1, 3-1, and 2-0 victories with a smooth, ground-based passing offense, and the strategy of running circles round their opponents based on physical conditioning. Over their first three games, the KGB have racked up nine goals, and a goal differential of +7, both remaining the highest values in the tournament.

Today's match against Colbourne was dominated by Myedvedeya from the start. Winger Grigor Ulyanov, coming back from injury trouble, played even more ferociously than usual, leaving defenders stunned, and often bleeding in his wake. The misery began for Colbourne in the Twenty-Eighth, when one of Ulyanov's crosses connected with the left foot of Aloyoshenka Vorotaev, and was crushed into the upper-left corner of the netting. Vorotaev has been Myedvedeya's breakout star at this tournament so far, scoring 5 of the Myedvedeyans' 9 goals. Myedvedeya continued to press the attack, but had no luck in the remainder of the first, which ended at 1-0.

The second half continued much like the first, with Myedvedeya pressing forward, but unable to find a goal. Nikolai Dolohov was violently fouled in the Sixty-Fourth, leading to a yellow card, and a veritable explosion of boos from Myedvedeyan fans. (Along with the roars of angered bears). In the Seventy-Third, Dolohov's corner flew in, and landed beautifully on the head of the giant defender Ivan Mizin, for his first goal of the tournament. Myedvedeya continued to control possession, and the game ended with the score at 2-0 in their favor.


Scoring:

Myedvedeya Colbourne
A.Vorotaev '28
I.Mizin '73

Myedvedeya's Bear of the Match Poll
A.Vorotaev- 41%
N.Dolohov- 26%
I.Mizin- 21%
G.Ulyanov- 12%

Myedvedeya's Leading Scorers to This Point
I)-Aloyoshenka Vorotaev- 5 Goals
II)-Nikolai Dolohov- 1 Goal
Arman Barabanschikov- 1 Goal
Ivan Mizin- 1 Goal
Vassili Pencherjevsky- 1 Goal

for more baptism of fire news, log on towww.novymoskva.mye/WC43

ooooooooh!
we are from the kj and o,
where the mountains meet the sea!
its a land where men play football,
and we strive for victory!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see(you'll see!)
oh, we are from the kj and o, and we strive for victory!

oooooh,
today we played Dead Writers Guild, what a sorry side they were!
we left them torn and tattered as we soared to victory!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see (you'll see!)
WE ARE FROM THE KJ AND O, AN WE STRIVE FOR VICTORY!!!!!

KJO 3 D DWG1
Goals: O'Finnigan (13th)
Islwyn (45th, 67th)

DWG: ???? (??th)

Injuries: O' Finnigan (14th, Suspected Broken Leg, Uncertain Time Off) INJURY UPDATE TOMORROW
Goal Tally:
O'Finnigan:4
Islwyn:2

ooc: yes i know i said dead instead of deceased, but it didnt work with the syllable scheme using deceased.

Docky record first win

Docky recorded a great win today, the first win of the national team's history. Vateland fell to the passing style of Docky, with the playmake Higginson being instrumental in setting up one goal and playing a part in another. Max North picked the ball up just past his own box, and took it about 20 yds before playing it left to Sadler, who sent it up the wing. George Dree collected and ran to the byline before swinging in a cross. The goalkeeper punched it away only to fall to Higginson just outside the box. We were expecting one of his super goals, but instead he played a through ball to the goalie's left hand side, and Jamie Adams ran in and hit it. The second goal happened just after Al-Hab came on for Dree. Higginson on the half way line played it to Alkhatab AL-Hab on the left who made a sparkling run through the inside, before sending the ball between Vateland's 2 centre backs, and Steven Hallworth cooly slotted home. All in all it was a good victory, but the manager will have a hard choice for his left winger next match.

Starting Line up:

Du 6
Corey Liversidge 6
Max North 7
Ben Sadler 7
Harry Hetheringtonfield 6
Geroge Dree 7
Josh Pierce 5
Jack Higginson 8
Jamie Adams 7
Steven Hallworth 8
Sam Freeman 6

Subs:
Alkhatab Al-Hab (57)8
Josh Buckley (73) 6
Cameron Corton (85) 7

MILLIONAIRES CRUISE

The final score of 1-nil doesn’t really do justice to way that Secristan was in control of this match. It wasn’t domination by any means, but those of us who purchased the game likely felt confident throughout that the Millionaires were eventually going to pull the game out. It wasn’t Secristan’s best day, let’s get that out of the way real quick. Chutnusak, though, was worse. Those guys are just horrible. I don’t know who these people are, but since their country values their rich far more then their poor, perhaps they should have done a better job of naming the team to have been to ensure that their true citizens, their upper class, were the ones battling for their country. We knew Secristan would win because the opponent could hardly execute two consecutive passes all game long. If our team spent the first twenty minutes going for the kill, instead of laughing and mocking the opponent, this game would have been a rout. Let’s not kid ourselves though, they were looking up at the scoreboard all game long to see what was going on between Bushdome and Cassadaigua. Their minds were probably more on the their next opponent for many different reasons. In the 36th minute, the Millionaires had another goal executed by James Rogan’s speed and playmaking ability and Kevin Walker’s finishing. Walker got the goal and Chutnusak seemed to be rather emotionless about it. Their team was flat all game long, and never mounted much of a threat to tie up the game. The Millionaires saw this, sat back, and played extremely conservative, turning this game into a bit of a snoozefest in the second half.

The win, coupled with Bushdome’s 3-1 win over Cassadaigua means that the two teams that drew on the first match day are now tied for first in Group Globo Multimedia. Bushdome presently has a slim lead of one goal in the ultimate tiebreaker between the nations, and should be feeling very good about the position that they are in. They may be rooting for a Cassadaigua win over us as that would secure first place for them, assuming they don’t choke against Valetaland or Docky. It does look like that all three of the Globo Multimedia frontrunners are going to be heading to the knockouts, and that’s the way it should be.

Courtney’s Space

There’s no need to panic. After losing to Bushdome last night by the score of 3-1, we recognize that our fans may be starting to second guess our team and whether or not we are as good as we were looking like we were at the start of the competition. Isn’t that the fickle nature of sports? After every win you get all pumped up and after every loss you wonder if the sky is going to come crashing down on everything you’ve accomplished to that point. It was just one game, so do not get carried away. Instead, tip your hat to Bushdome. They have a good team and maybe they have been a little overlooked in this Baptism of Fire. I know from experience that an adrenaline rush kicks in when you feel that you are the underdog and that you have everything to prove, especially when you are up against one of those other teams that’s getting some of that press that you thought that you might be getting. We thought we were going to be the underdog like that, actually. Somehow we began to get listed as a favorite for thing. I don’t know how that happened other then us winning our first two games. Sometimes a loss isn’t a bad thing if it sends you back to reality and keeps you from getting a big head, and maybe this will do that for us.

In the back of our minds though we know, we have to beat Secristan. Do we HAVE to beat them? Maybe not theoretically, but that is the way that we are going to approach the contest. Secristan supporters have been attending these games in high numbers, and they have a reputation for being extremely arrogant due to being very wealthy. When I signed by first professional contract with Bennington, my parents told me one thing: “Courtney, don’t ever let this contract change you as a person. Never forget where you came from and the people who helped get you there.” I’ve tried to heed those words and they have become very important to me. Money doesn’t make a nice person become an arrogant jerk. Money makes just allows the arrogant jerk’s personality to become known to everyone. I’m sure there are some nice Secristanis around. Maybe. Possibly.

Speaking of money and of wealth I have to let you know about the e-mail I got. First, when I saw it was from the GM of Bennington, I opened it expecting a good luck against Bushdome message, but instead I got this:

“Courtney, I have received something I thought that I would never one day see. A transfer offer from a major international club. The Nethertopian team Tenderville United has presented this offer, and I have accepted the monetary transfer price. It saddens me to know that I would parting ways with you as you have done everything we could have possibly asked of you while here in Bennington. From a business sense, it is a dollar amount that can really help out our organization. From a personal sense, I do not want to get in the way of what could be an amazing personal opportunity for you. Tenderville United will actually be a second division team in Candelaria and Marquez, and one that should be a top team in it and thus have a great chance to promoted into the premier league of Candelaria and Marquez, which I am sure I don’t have to tell you, is one of the top domestic leagues in the world. A league in which we will never come close to having in Cassadaigua. I’ve attached a file with the contract details and contact information of Tenderville United personnel.”

He went on a little bit with technical stuff, but that’s the main point of the e-mail. I have mixed feelings about this. The opportunity is amazing and I want to do it. But it would mean I would have to leave Cassadaigua. I’ve never been more proud to be a Dagan then I am right now. Too have a chance to play in Candelaria and Marquez, though. Wow. I want to know what the fans think. Send me a comment here at the blog!

To comment, click here.

Bushdome Times

Tip Top, Top Of The Table
Another crushing victory for Bushdome as they triumphed over Cassadaigua, with a 3-1 win. At the start of the tournament we were looked upon as the underdogs, the failures and even we must admit that we thought the coaches words of confidence did seem a little too hopfull. But after another win for Bushdome and now we sit at the top of the table, we must appologise for ever doubting the team. With only two more matches to go we are very confident, in fact extreamly confident! Ex-football legend Album, who watched the match from the stands said this about the match, "Its one of the best performances i have ever seen! I just wish i was a few years younger and was able to play with these great Bushdome players." He also went on to comment about our fans who are unfairly getting alot of bad press. "The fans are great too! Just being in the stands with them, it just makes the whole match better, the atmosphere, the songs, the, man i just had a great time!"

They got cash, we got heart
We would just like to point out that, money is not what makes a team succsessfull, i mean Bushdome is not the richest nation in the cup and likewise with its fans, but we are sat proudly at the top of the table. Whilst the "Millionaires" who currently occupie the number two spot are well known for flashing the cash and being extreamly arrogant. What that nation lacks is heart, because of our lack of cash it has brought our community together. We share everything from lending money to the man next door to giving food and water to the homless, and this great spirit is evident in our team. This is another case of good will truimphing over greed and corruption.


**Disclaimer**
The Bushdome Times does not in any way accuse or suspect the proud nation of Secristan to be greedy or corrupt, we wish to take this oppertunity to wish them all the best in the current tornament.

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Urna Eletrônica (Estresse Intenso)

The Myedvedeyan International Football Squad will play their fourth WCC sanctioned international match tonight, against second in the group Urna Eletrônica. If Myedvedeya win tonight, they will essentially be assured victory in Group Banco Econômico. Myedvedeya have been in fantastic form through the entire tournament, winning all three of their BoF games, and have received a request for a pre-WC friendly from Taeshan, a more established competitor. Myedvedeya's young squad have played a fast-paced, attacking style of football, and have been rewarded with nine goals in three matches, five of which came from striker Aloyoshenka Vorotaev.

Tonight's opponents, Urna Eletrônica, won their first two matches, against Colbourne and Maestro L Pavarotti, before being beaten last night by middle-of-the-group Tanah Tinggi. Urna Eletrônica is a team made up of politicians, an Myedvedeya does not expect to have any trouble defeating them. We do not only have our soccer skills, but also, our Myedvedeyan squad has another trick up their sleeves. The Tsar has bought most of the front-row seats in the stadium, and is filling them with Myedvedeyan political experts, who will spend the match engaging the Urna Eletrônian players in debate about international issues. They hope that this will distract the opposition enough to ensure victory.

Prince Vassili Sergyevitch Bagration, Coach of the Myedvedeyan squad, had this to say about the team:
"We have proved ourselves to be one of the better sides in this tournament, and I do not think that there is any team we cannot beat if we play our best. Our young forwards have been fantastic, especially Vorotaev, who is on the hot streak of his life. As long as we continue scoring goals and playing our style of football, we should have great success in this tournament.

Bagration will be playing his standard Lineup in today's match, due to their success so far.


#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky




Myedvedeya have worn their home kits three matches in a row, and, as such, have decided to wear their away jerseys. http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myedvedeyaawayvh8.png

With the lord and the Tsar on our side, we go forth to fight once more.

for more BoF news, log on to www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Injury Update From The Strikeforce Camp:
Star striker Mili O'Finnigan, Aged 14, in attempting to score a second goal in as many minutes, somehow fell in running and snapped his right Tibia, forcing him to the sides for 6 months, missing the rest of the tournament and the rest of the KYL. our thoughts are with you, Mili. Joshua Jessup, Aged 19, has been given the job of playing striker for the rest of the tournament.

ooc: the Tibia is the Shinbone, just in case you didn't know.
KYL= Kjomasasopian Youth League

Matchday 4 Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Agora Saúde healthcare (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
CCFM fees continue being the same (see matchday 1 for a list of basic costs)
Landau Institute group losers with the same punishment


Group Globo Multimedia
Docky 4–2 Chutnusak
Cassadaigua 1–0 Secristan
Valetaland 3–1 Bushdome

Group GM P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Cassadaigua 4 3 0 1 8 5 +3 9
2 Bushdome 4 2 1 1 9 6 +3 7
3 Secristan 4 2 1 1 6 3 +3 7
4 Valetaland 4 2 0 2 8 7 +1 6
5 Docky 4 2 0 2 6 9 −3 6
6 Chutnusak 4 0 0 4 3 10 −7 0 E


Group Banco Econômico
Maestro L Pavarotti 2–2 Tanah Tinggi
Myedvedeya 0–0 Urna Eletrônica
Mantwenic 2–2 Colbourne

Group BE P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Myedvedeya 4 3 1 0 9 2 +7 10 Q
2 Urna Eletrônica 4 2 1 1 4 3 +1 7
3 Mantwenic 4 1 2 1 6 6 0 5
4 Tanah Tinggi 4 1 2 1 5 6 −1 5
5 Colbourne 4 1 1 2 4 5 −1 4
6 Maestro L Pavarotti 4 0 1 3 4 10 −6 1 E


Landau Institute/Canabrava Cachaça Group
Deceased Writers Guild 1-1 Vlaskin
Maimeiras 0–3 Tortuga y Hispaniola
Kjomasasopia 1–2 Thoughts of Randomness

Institute Group P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Thoughts of Randomness 4 4 0 0 9 3 +6 12 Q
2 Kjomasasopia 4 2 1 1 7 4 +3 7
3 Tortuga y Hispaniola 4 1 2 1 5 3 +2 5
4 Deceased Writers Guild 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5
5 Vlaskin 4 0 2 2 3 6 −3 2
6 Maimeiras 4 0 1 3 1 9 −8 1 E

Myedvedeya 0-0 Urna Eletrônica

Myedvedeya Qualify for Next Round

Myedvedeya today faced Urna Eletrônica, the second-placed team in group Banco Econômico. The Myedvedeyans came onto the field knowing that a win or a draw would guarantee them qualification for the next round. They played a more conservative, defensive style than in their previous qualifiers, and finished with a 0-0 draw. This gives them 10 points, guaranteed qualification, and a 6 point goal differential lead over the only team that can tie them for the group lead. Myedvedeya remain undefeated, with a record of 3-1-0, and a goal differential of +7.

Prince Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration had this to say about his side's performance against Urna Eletrônica:
"Our defense was watertight, and we accomplished what we set out to do. I think we should have found the net on a few occasions, and I am somewhat disappointed in the strikers for not doing so, but I feel that qualifying for the next round was all that really mattered in this match. We have a chance to rest our starters tomorrow against Tanah Tinggi, and we can all celebrate tonight, as I am sure those back in Myedvedeya are doing.

Scoring: N/A

Myedvedeya's Bear of the Match Poll:
B.Bykovsky- 36%
N.Dolohov- 25%
I.Romasko- 21%
V.Pencherjevsky-10%
A.Vorotaev-8%

Myedvedeya's Top 5 Jersey Sales:

I)- #13 Dolohov
II)- #28 Vorotaev
III)- #1 Bykovsky
IV)- #9 Rozhdestvensky
V)- #8 Barabanschikov

unlucky to lose today, that makes two losses in 2 days, with our striker going injured.
no team song, too deflated by the losses.
TOR D KJO 2-1
GOALS: KJO: Jessup (11th)
TOR: ???? (??th,??th)

Total Goals:
O'Finnigan: 4
Ilswyn:2
Jessup:1

WE MUST, AND WE WILL, DEFEAT TORTUGA Y HISPANIOLA TOMORROW, FOR MILI O 'FINNIGAN, FOR THE PRIDE AND GLORY OF THE ISLANDS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INQUISITON.

WE HAVE OURSELVES A RIVAL

Last night, the whole complexion of Group Globo Multimedia changed. Bushdome appeared to be in the drivers seat, with our beloved Millionaires hoping to hang with them. Cassadaigua looked as though they might be heading for a third place finish while the rest of the group only gets points against each other. In a major upset, Valetaland beat Bushdome, with the latter perhaps having a hangover from their big win over Cassadaigua. Secristan needed to capitalize, and if we won, we could have taken control of this group. But no, we were defeated by Cassadaigua last night by the score of 1-0. So now the group looks much like it did a couple matchdays ago. Cassadaigua back on top, with us and Bushdome tied for second. Just a point back, is Valetaland as they try to get into the mix as well. The craziness actually affected Myedvedeya as well, as they could only draw with Urna Eletronica. That leaves just one team with a perfect record. Thoughts of Randomness is 4-0-0, but if you don’t realize that the Landau Institute Group is by far the worst group of the Baptism of Fire, then perhaps you should admit yourself to that institution. There is now just one matchday left, and in our group, all of the top three will be playing teams in the bottom three. Valetaland will be looking to gun us down, while Bushdome and Docky and Cassadaigua and Chutnusak meet up. These will be good games as with this setup, only Cassadaigua likely feels good about advancement right now. Docky has won two straight after consecutive 3-0 defeats to open up play. Maybe things will be even crazier today.

Secristan and Cassadaigua though, just became the rivalry of the Baptism of Fire, thanks to an incident about twelve minutes into the game. It appeared that our Millionaires were doing a little taunting on the field to the young ladies, directed mainly to their captain Courtney Ferguson. In the 12th, Jake Wesley appeared to have words with Ferguson when Courtney shoved him to the ground. Lucas Kempski then came in and pulled Courtney’s hair and threw her to the ground, which of course got a reaction from Courtney’s teammates. Jessica Keeley and Christine Scott came to her aid, and more Secristani players came to Kempski’s aid, as if he really needed it. And before you knew it, we had ourselves a battle royale going on inside the penalty area in front of Rossiter. It didn’t last too long, only about four or five minutes as the referee did a good job taking control of the situation. He probably should be commended for his handling of it, as he issued a yellow card to a total of eleven people, six players from Cassadaigua and five players from Secristan. By giving them a last chance before being sent off with red cards, the players got their focus on the game back. Not the fans though, and this is what caused the delay to take about 20 minutes. Fights broke out between the supporting sides, while others threw items onto the pitch. Once order got restored, we were back to business and remembering why we were here, at least into halftime. It is alleged, and we can’t say this with all certainty that Lucas Kempski and Jessica Keeley got into a fight in outside the Cassadaigua locker room when Kempski yelled a derogatory remark at their team. The fans got into it again too when a group of Cassadaigan fans jumped Secristani supporters, stealing their jars that they juggle coins in to cheer on the team and whacking them over the heads of it. Three Secristanis needed to be taken to the hospital and we hope that those responsible will be arrested and made to pay a whole lot of money. The start of the second half was delayed a few minutes, and when it got underway the teams for the most part, focused on football. Kirsten Logan scored in the 55th minute for the goal of the contest. Cassadaigua may get to laugh today but he who laughs last, laughs best, and there’s still a lot more to be done.

The Secristan Department of International Affairs apologies to Cafundeu, its people, the people of Lafst, and all those watching the game, whether it be freely in another nation or on a pay per view basis here, for the actions of our fans and players last night. It is expected that a high bill will placed upon us, and the Secristan Department of Sports says that the fees incurred by its players (not the fans) during the incident can be sent to the SDOS office.

Bushdome Times

Lost but not forgotten
Bushdome was defeated for the first time in this tournament, the Bushdome boys were defeated 3-1. This has left us join second, with only one game left in the group stages there is still everything to play for. We must now win the next match to book our place in the knock out stages. For the first time in the tournament the Tsar of Bushdome has commented on the tornament. "I have been following the progression of the team, and i was very much excited about the results of the first 3 games, but this last result saddens me as i feel the team is capable of so much more. But i predict we shall be victorious in the next game, in fact if we are each player and coach will get a new house!" Stirring words there, and now the team have a bigger motive to win!

NO BACKING DOWN

When you sign up to take on the world in a sport the generates so much passion and intensity, you have to be prepared for everything. You do this with practice and game preparation. Scouting and watching tapes of players that are the ones most likely to be your responsibility during the match all go into it. Soccer is a beautiful and glorious game. Sometimes, it has an ugly side. What we witnessed last night was fantastic. Cassadaigua getting superb goalkeeping from Rachel Terry as she impressively bounced back after a subpar performance against Bushdome. The one goal victory, and a little help from Valetaland puts the Dagans back on top of the group. This is not, however, what is being talked about on the streets of all major cities to small towns. The fight. On the pitch in the 12th minute and in the stands throughout the contest is foremost on the minds of our people, and you can’t blame it. This happens in the world of soccer. Especially in international play when passions are so high. We knew of Secristan’s reputation. The world knows how these guys act, their fans already had a smaller incident with Bushdome supporters. But what did the world know about Cassadaigua? A team comprised of all women could be seen as being softer, a team that could be pushed around, and a team that would not fight back if challenged. Easy pickings, thought the spoiled brats of Secristan.

Our ladies came to Cafundeu to play soccer. Not to do this stuff, but they knew what this was. This was a challenge, not just with an impact in this game, but to show everyone watching that we will take this challenge, and maybe even raise you up a notch. Lucas Kempski’s hair pulling and throw down of Courtney Ferguson was disgusting, even if Courtney started it with the shove of Jake Wesley. After the game, Ferguson told us what happened, “That idiot was talking trash the whole time, but I can deal with that. Then he said something about my country, and our fans and I let him know what I thought about that when I pushed him down.” A brawl ensued, lasting about five minutes as the Dagans made a statement that they will stand their ground and stick behind their teammates. The carryover into the crowd may have had something to do with this too. The reports of Cassadaigans injuring Secristanis by stealing their stupid coin jars and beating them with it is true. It wasn’t right, and those fans will rightfully be arrested, but you just have to love the symbolic nature of that. Them getting beat by jars of small amounts of change, much like their exploited citizens carry around as they try to stay alive, yes that is just so sweet. Secristan announced that they will pay the charges for everything that happened from their players. Cassadaigua will do one better. The Dagan government will cover all the taxes and fees from players and fans that have been incurred due to what transpired.

A soccer game still took place between the two, and in the end, Cassadaigua gets a major win, a win that they really needed. Chutnusak is the next opponent, and we have the feeling that things will be more peaceful in this one.

Tortuga y Hispaniola Players Finally come off Hangover, Remember own Names.

Tortuga will play a 4-2-4 for this cup.

Playin' Wardrobe: http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tortugalv7sj0.png

FORWARDS

José Gaspar
Benito de Soto
Juan Guartem
Roberto Cofresí

MIDFIELD

Edward Teach
Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalahimah

DEFENSE

Edward England
Jan Erasmus Reyning
Bernard Claesen Speirdyke
Stenka Razin

GOALKEEPER

Bartolomeu Português

Substitutes are not named, as they are cabin boys who will only be brought on in case of severe injury.



In terms of RP, anything is ok except tournament ending injury, most of my players will play on through anything less.

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Tanah Tinggi

Today, the Myedvedeyan International Football squad will face Tanah Tinggi in their final match of group Banco Econômico. Myedvedeya has already essentially clinched the group title, and, as such, will play a team made up nearly entirely of their reserve players.

Prince Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration, Coach of the Myedvedeyan squad, had this to say:

"We've qualified for the next round, the team behind us would have to make up a 6 point difference in goal differential to catch us for the group title, and we think it's time to give our stars a bit of a rest before the elimination stages"

Every starting player will be rested, with the exception of Aloyoshenka Vorotaev, who has requested to stay in, in an attempt to win the tournament's golden goal award. (He has 5 goals at this point.) As such, the lineup will look like this:



#28 Vorotaev #12 Karpolsky

#16 Mazipov #23 Morozov #2 Karbonenko #19 Pencherjevsky

#20 Pervoi #18 Blevsky #22 Romanov #26 Izmailov

#24 Ontonov


for more baptism of fire news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Courtney’s Space

What a great victory for us against Secristan! We knew we had to win and we went out there and did it, and I must tell you that is a great feeling. As good as it was, I know most of my readers want me to talk about the fight. This was not something I wanted to be a part of in the Baptism of Fire, but one can only be ridiculed for so long, and in my opinion, if the referee had given Wesley a yellow card for his disparaging remarks which I will not repeat on the blog because I know many young fans read it, then I don’t think there would have been a fight. I also cannot believe that Kempski wasn’t red carded for what he did. I spend an hour on my hair before every game, and this moron thinks he can just do that to me. It didn’t hurt, but it did tick me off. Especially when I saw a chunk of blonde hair on the pitch, I wanted to pick it up and make him have to eat it. I should have thought about it. What’s done is done. This is not Cassadaigan soccer, we are not a rough team. We are also not a bunch of little sissies, or a bunch of golddiggers, which we were referred to as several times in the game. We will stand up for ourselves, and as a team. We showed Secristan that, then we went out and beat them, getting a very important win for our advancement prospects. It is a result that should mean qualification as I really think that our group will have three teams in the final eight.

For our fans that took part in the fights in the stands, I really don’t know what to say. Normally, I would speak out against it, but I can’t right now. I don’t know what the circumstances were, and I know how arrogant those Secristanis are. We have one more game left, and it is against Chutnusak. They have been one of the weaker teams in the Baptism of Fire, so we have a lot of confidence, and are excited to be able to just play soccer again, as we do not anticipate any problems with them in regards to what we saw last time out. My friends have pointed out that I am in the running for the Golden Boot of the tournament with my four goals. It’d be cool, but that’s not why I am here and I will always put team accomplishments ahead of individual.

I was going to use this space to show some e-mail responses to my contemplation of whether or not to play in Nethertopia, but this is starting to run long, so I will do that next time. I’m not the only Dagan now getting noticed. Jessica Keeley and Kirsten Logan now both have offers on the table too, and I am very excited for them. Please continue to send comments about this or anything else that may be on your mind.

BearMail Email Services

From: Aloyoshenka Vorotaev (cvorscor@bearmail.mye)
To: Courtney Ferguson

Just a quick message, as you seem to be my closest competitor for the Golden Boot. Congratulations on your club offer, Good luck with your campaign, and may the best scorer win.

-Aloyoshenka Konstantinovitch Vorotaev

Matchday 5 Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Editora 25 de Maio (publishing company - which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
CCFM fees continue being the same (see matchday 1 for a list of basic costs)
Landau Institute group losers with the same punishment


Group Globo Multimedia
Bushdome 0–0 Docky
Secristan 3–2 Valetaland
Chutnusak 0–2 Cassadaigua

Group GM P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Cassadaigua 5 4 0 1 10 5 +5 12 Q
2 Secristan 5 3 1 1 9 5 +4 10 Q
3 Bushdome 5 2 2 1 9 6 +3 8 Q
4 Docky 5 2 1 2 6 9 −3 7 E
5 Valetaland 5 2 0 3 10 10 0 6 E
6 Chutnusak 5 0 0 5 3 12 −9 0 E


Group Banco Econômico
Colbourne 0–0 Maestro L Pavarotti
Urna Eletrônica 4–1 Mantwenic
Tanah Tinggi 2–2 Myedvedeya

Group BE P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Myedvedeya 5 3 2 0 11 4 +7 11 Q
2 Urna Eletrônica 5 3 1 1 8 4 +4 10 Q
3 Tanah Tinggi 5 1 3 1 7 8 −1 6 E
4 Colbourne 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 5 E
5 Mantwenic 5 1 2 2 7 10 −3 5 E
6 Maestro L Pavarotti 5 0 2 3 4 10 −6 2 E


Landau Institute/Canabrava Cachaça Group
Thoughts of Randomness 2–0 Deceased Writers Guild
Tortuga y Hispaniola 1–1 Kjomasasopia
Vlaskin 0–1 Maimeiras

Institute Group P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Thoughts of Randomness 5 5 0 0 11 3 +8 15 Q
2 Kjomasasopia 5 2 2 1 8 5 +3 8 Q
3 Tortuga y Hispaniola 5 1 3 1 6 4 +2 6 Q
4 Deceased Writers Guild 5 1 2 2 4 6 −2 5 E
5 Maimeiras 5 1 1 3 2 9 −7 4 E
6 Vlaskin 5 0 2 3 3 7 −4 2 E

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

Quarterfinals draw

The CCFM charges the following costs:
Cost for being eliminated: V$11111
Cost for qualifying as a 3rd placed: V$7500
Cost for qualifying as a 2nd placed: V$5000
Cost for qualifying as a 1st placed: V$3000
Chutnusak's extra cost for being worst team: V$1093
Teams eliminated in the Institute will work there for 1 month

Notes about the draw:
- Third placed teams faced first placed teams
- Teams must play opponents from different groups
- Apart from that, no other limitations

So, the games will be:

Thoughts of Randomness x Urna Eletrônica
Secristan x Kjomasasopia
Cassadaigua x Tortuga y Hispaniola
Myedvedeya x Bushdome

In Cafundéu:
QF1: Thoughts of Randomness x Urna Eletrônica - Arena América, Abadia
QF2: Secristan x Kjomasasopia - Maracatuzão, Dunboor

In Estresse Intenso/Landau Institute:
QF3: Cassadaigua x Tortuga y Hispaniola - Clube de Campo Associação Escritorial, Acropolis
QF4: Myedvedeya x Bushdome - Sector Sigma Competitions Area, Landau Institute

Semifinals:
SF1: QF1 x QF2 - Estádio Rei Albieri Van Tocco, Cafundó do Juta
SF2: QF3 x QF4 - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo

Third Place Game will be in Sector Delta Sporting Field, Landau Institute
Final will be in Obelisco Monumental, Lasft

Myedvedeya 2-2 Tanah Tinggi

Reserves Keep Undefeated Streak Alive, Vorotaev Scores 2

Myedvedeya's Reserve team faced Tanah Tinggi today in the final match of group Banco Econômico, playing them to a 2-2 draw. Myedvedeya was already assured qualification before the match, and now go into the quarterfinal stage with a record of 3-2-0, and a goal differential of +7.

In the first half, Myedvedeya's reserves struggled to find rhythm, failing to string passes together, and failing to build any sort of attack on Tanah Tinggi's goal. The first goal of the match was scored in the Twenty-Second, by Tanah Tinggi's Left Midfielder. In the Thirty-Fourth, Tanah Tinggi doubled their lead, scoring a gorgeous goal off a free kick. The Myedvedeyans still had no attacking rhythm, and the half finished with the reserves down 2-0.

The second half showcased 19-year-old Aloyoshenka Vorotaev's potential as a driving force for the team. In the Fifty-Eighth, he singlehandedly dribbled past all four defenders, before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper for Myedvedeya's first. Kostya Mazipov nearly scored a second in the Sixty-Ninth, but missed the goal by about a foot. In the Seventy-Third, Vorotaev drew Myedvedeya even, drilling a one-timer into the upper-right corner from thirty yards out, and drawing a huge round of applause from nearly all fans attending. Vorotaev now has Seven goals in five matches at this tournament, and is a prime contender for the Golden Boot Award.

"Winning the golden boot would be nice, but my main concern is to help the team to win the tournament. I have been on a hot streak in this tournament, and I am thrilled that it has helped my country to this undefeated record."- Aloyoshenka Vorotaev

Vorotaev's streak has put him in the public eye, earning him many appearances on Myedvedeyan television and in Myedvedeyan publications. He has become a national hero, and has gone from a 19-year-old nobody soccer player to a household name in his country. He has recently signed an impressive contract with Cafundelense club América, and will begin playing for them in the second half of this year's Cafundelense season.

SCORING:

Myedvedeya Tanah Tinggi
A.Vorotaev- '58, '73 ????? '22, '34

Myedvedeya's Quarterfinal match is against Bushdome, who have fought their way to a 2-2-1 record in the extremely difficult group Globo Multimedia. Myedvedeya expects an excellent match.

ohhhhhhhhhhhh,
we are from the kj and o,
where the mountains meet the sea!
its a land where men play football,
and we strive for victory!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see(you'll see!)
oh, we are from the kj and o, and we strive for victory!

oooooh,
today we played Tortuga, what a champion side they were!
we both were torn and tattered as we batlled to a draw!
yes, we represent our land because we are the best you'll see (you'll see!)
WE ARE FROM THE KJ AND O, AN WE STRIVE FOR VICTORY!!!!!

KJO 1 Dr TyH 1
GOALS:
KJO: Islwyn (25th)
TyH: ???? (??th)

total goals:
O'Finnigan: 4
Islwyn: 3
Jessup: 1


QUALIFIERS!!!!

AND NOW, AN OPEN MESSAGE TO SECRISTAN!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
FA YNA DRA FYNNEUNC VNUS DRA ECMYHTC!
FA RYJA VUIKRD SYHO PYDDMAC PAVUNA DREC!
FA GHUF FA FEMM PAYD OUI, FRO AJAH CRUF IB!
FA FEMM TACDNUO OUI, YHT YMM FRU VILG FEDR IC!
KJO! MASA! SOPIANU!
CDNEGAVUNLA! FYNNEUNC!

Pronounced: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
FEAH AENAH DE-RAAH FEAENNEAYOON-KU FUNOO-SEE DE-RAAH EAY-KUMAE-HA-TE-KU!
FEAH RAAE-JAEAH FUOOEE-KUK-RA-DE SEEAE-HAOH PEAE-DE-DEMAH-KU PEAH-FUOONAH DE-RAEAY-KU!
FEAH GE-HAOO-FE FEAH FEEAYMM PEAHAE-DE OHOOEE, FE-RAOH AH-JAEAH-HA KU-RAOO-FE EE-BAE!
FEAH FEEAYMM TEAH-KU-DENOOOH OHOOEE, AE-HA-TE AEMM FE-RAOO FUEE-LU-GE FEEAY-DE-RA EE-KU!
KJO! MASA! SOPIANU!
KU-DENEAY-GEAH-FUOON-LUAH! FEAENNEAYOON-KU!"
TRANSLATED MEANS:

WE ARE THE WARRIORS FROM THE ISLANDS!
WE HAVE FOUGHT MANY BATTLES BEFORE THIS!
WE KNOW WE WILL BEAT YOU, WHY EVEN SHOW UP!
WE WILL DESTROY YOU, AND ALL WHO STAND BEFORE US!
KJO! MASA! SOPIANU!
STRIKEFORCE! WARRIORS!

WALKER & ROGAN CASHING IN

After scoring just one goal in their last two games, the Millionaires spent a ton of time practicing the basics of passing and finishing. Something needed to turn around, and it needed to happen against Valetaland, because if they lost this one, then it was possible going into the match that they would be on the outside looking in once the knockouts began. While other nations have players in the running for the coveted Golden Boot trophy, there really is not a Millionaire who is a threat to the likes of Aloyoshenka Vorotaev and Courtney Ferguson because Secristan has the undisputed best 1-2 combination in the Baptism of Fire. That would be Kevin Walker and James Rogan, who now have a combined eight goals between them, with each of them having four apiece. In addition, Rogan has assists on all four Walker goals while Walker has assists on three of the four Rogan goals. These two have been a thing of beauty to watch, if you have been able to watch them on the pay-per-view telecasts. Last night it was Rogan netting two, in the 20th and 49th minutes, while Walker got his in the 54th. At the time, it put Secristan up by the score of three-nil. They got a little sloppy in a brief stretch as Valetaland scored goals in the 70th and 75th minutes, but the second goal was more of a wake up call, and the Millionaires tightened up defensively and made sure that there opponents would not get a point out of the match. Thanks to this finish and a Bushdome draw with Docky, Secristan finishes second in the group and will meet up with Kjomasasopia in the next round. The Secristan Department of Sports is confident that the team can advance to the next level. The game will be available for 59R per half, or just 105R for the entire match. Additionally, the SDOS has another fascinating offer to lay out on the table. You can commit right now to purchasing all the games in knockouts, including ones that Secristan is not involved in, for just 400R. This really is one of the best offers we have seen issued by the SDOS, and we advise you to take advantage of it. Should Secristan make the final, you know that the rates will be set very highly for that, so this is a good risk-reward opportunity for our fans. If Secristan were to lose to Kjomasasopia, or in the semifinals, there are no refunds for the knockout package as you will still have access to those games.

James Rogan and Kevin Walker are also cashing in as the two both signed a deal with a leading lunch food company in which in two separate advertising campaigns, they will be go together like “peanut butter and jelly”, or “macaroni and cheese”. While some smaller offers have been out there, this is the first major endorsement deal in which Secristani players have signed that will start earning them a return on their initial investment. So far we have heard of a few players from other nations earning transfer offers, and we should it let it be known that Secristani players would be elated to play elsewhere in an environment where they would actually get compensated for playing for a team rather then needing to pay a team owner to represent the team. Secristani players can be purchased directly, as since they are not under a binding contract with their domestic clubs and are paying for the privilege of playing, a transfer fee is not necessary. Contacting the player individually and offering them a contract is all that’s needed.

Courtney’s Space

I hope you all enjoyed our game against Chutnusak! It was great to finally get back to playing soccer and not worry about the silliness that we saw against Secristan. The two goals that I scored were the only goals of the game, but that does not mean that nobody else did anything to get this win. Rachel Terry made some nice saves, especially early in the match. Our back end also did a superb job in making sure that we held on to the clean sheet. Give them their due credit. All my goals in the 33rd and 43rd minutes did was ensure that we’d have points on the board as well. This brings my individual total now to six, one behind Vorotaev of Myedvedeya, not that I’m counting. Okay, I guess you get to the point now where the competitive fire that’s always burned inside you as an athlete starts to take over and you begin to notice something like that. I want it never to come at the expense of the team. For it is as a team that we won the Group Globo Multimedia title. Our record was pretty impressive, winning four of the five matches. We came to Cafundeu not knowing how we would stack up against the competition. With every game, our confidence has grown, and now we can see the potential of a title in sight. Winning the Baptism of Fire is a special accomplishment because you only get one opportunity to do it. If you fail to qualify for the World Cup, you can come back four years later and try again. If you qualify for the World Cup, and don’t win, again you can come back. Same goes for the Cup of Harmony. Same goes for the other sports that have accomplished tournaments. Not the Baptism of Fire. It’s in its 30th edition, and you have one chance. You can never come back. We can do this. So can Myedvedeya, Secristan, Thoughts of Randomness, Kjomasasopia, or Bushdome, or even Urna Eletronica. Next up we need to make sure Tortuga y Hispaniola does not have such an opportunity. We’ll be the favorite on paper, but we realize this is a team that has only lost once, just like us. We’ll take them very seriously.

I’m getting closer to a decision on the Tenderville United situation. Jessica Keeley is going to Newmanistan’s Southport team and Kirsten Logan is also going there to play for Olympia. I am very happy for them and I guess that means I won’t be the first person to sign an overseas deal, but that’s ok. It helps me with my decision. Opening my e-mail bag, I found 723 responses to my dilemma, many of which were wishing me well. Here are a few of them that I chose to display in the blog:

“Courtney, you have always been a hero of mine. The Tenderville United situation is a great chance for you and I don’t think that you should pass it up.”
Breanna, Blue Mountain

Thank you, Breanna. It’s a great opportunity, I agree.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching your games, but I have to admit that I am also a fan of the great soccer leagues of the world. For there to be a Cassadaigan presence in Nethertopia and possibly Candelaria and Marquez, it would make me much more interested in those teams.”
Lisa, Albion

Thanks Lisa. That’s a perspective that in the beginning I really hadn’t thought a lot about, and is something that many people wrote to me on. That would make it a bigger honor.

“Go be a traitor, Courtney. Go for the big money. We were all excited about you and what you were doing for our country, and now you’re just going to go run off.”
Disappointed in Bennington

I had to post this because there are several messages like it in my inbox, and this was probably one of the nicer ones with this theme, believe it or not, in that it didn’t have a bunch of expletives thrown in. I understand this feeling, and it is why I am debating on whether or not I should go. I hate that people will look at me as a traitor, but then I get mails like this next one.

“Courtney, as a die-hard Westhaven fan, I’ve always hated you. In the Baptism of Fire, it’s been fun actually being able to cheer for you and the other players who play for teams I hate. If you go to Tenderville, it will not only make things easier for Westhaven to win a championship, but it should make the same people who are rooting for you now in Cassadaigua, who were going to hate you once again when our league started, all like you. Not just like you, but support you. Go for it, and if you do, I will do something I never thought I would do. I will purchase a Courtney Ferguson jersey. A Tenderville United one, of course.”
Lindsay, Westhaven

Thanks Lindsay, I loved the mails like this that I got. It’s terrific to know that I would have the whole country rooting for me, and not just fans of Bennington. I’ll miss the rivalries that we had with teams, like your Westhaven, but I know that they will still exist. They were there before me and they would be there after me. Westhaven fans wearing a jersey of mine, now that’s something that’s real cool.

“I say don’t do it. This is just your first offer. There may be a bigger club then Tenderville United looking at you.”
Ashley, Bennington

This really made me think. Maybe there is. I have to say though that I’ve always been the type of person that was loyal to the one that made the first offer, or took a chance on me first, rather then the ones who came in after the fact. The Tenderville offer is the only one I have at the moment, and I am likely to choose them over any other offer if I were to get one.

And one more, not really about the Tenderville situation, but I have to add it!

“Just a quick message, as you seem to be my closest competitor for the Golden Boot. Congratulations on your club offer, Good luck with your campaign, and may the best scorer win.”
Aloyoshenka Vorotaev, Myedvedeya.

Thanks, Aloyoshenka. Congratulations on your offer too! I guess we’re both feeling this Golden Boot momentum now with our games last night! I wish you and your teammates the best. If not us, I hope its you guys.

Well this space now has record length I think so I will stop here. Hopefully my next will come after a win over Tortuga y Hispaniola.

Docky's draw with Bushdome was a good result but not good enough as they missed out on qualification to the next round by one point

Bushdome Times

Qualified! But just...
After a boring 0-0 draw with Docky Bushdome, was put into third place in the group table. But luckily enough for us, that still lets us progress through to the next round of the compotion. After an excellent start from the Bushdome camp, things seem to have gone down hill for them since then. With (at one point) the Bushdome boys being top of the table, but since then we slipped down to second, then we stooped down to a boring thrid place. But we still qualified, and our next match is against Myedvedeya. Myedvedeya came top of their group and look like though opponents, so lets hope we can recreate some of the excellence from the start of the tournament and crush the opposition. As now it is the knock out stages there is still everything to play for.

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Bushdome (Estresse Intenso)

Myedvedeya's Kamchatka Grizzly Bears return to Estresse Intenso tonight, for the knockout rounds of the Baptism of Fire. We have fought our way to a 3-2-0 record in the group stages, and won group Banco Econômico comfortably. As such, we are a favorite in this tournament, and the pressure is on not to lose in our first win-or-go-home match.

Bushdome is a skilled team, although they finished third in their group, with a record of 2-2-1, they could still be a challenge for our boys. Even so, Myedvedeya is the favorite in this match, and a loss would not be an acceptable outcome for the fans or the press.

Prince Vassili Sergyevitch Bagration, coach of the Myedvedeyan side, had this to say:
Our boys are rested, we've played fantastic soccer the whole cup through, and we haven't lost yet. If we keep playing the way we did in the group stage, we can overcome this team to make it into the semifinals. Our midfield is doing a beautiful job of creating space, and Vorotaev, as you know, is playing absolutely out of his mind right now. I don't think there's a team in this tournament we can't beat under these conditions.

Bagration will play Myedvedeya's standard starting lineup for the match today, after they were all rested (with the exception of Vorotaev) during yesterday's fixture with Tanah Tinggi.

As such, the lineup will be:

#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky

Myedvedeya will take the pitch in their home uniforms, http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myedvedeyahomeca6.png

With the Tsar's blessing, we go to fight for a semifinal berth.

for more sports news, visitwww.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Myedvedeyan Football Special Report
Myedvedeyan Presence Increases Overseas

In the past few weeks, since Myedvedeya has begun playing Football at the international level, many of our finest players have received club offers from overseas. Traveling to other lands, to play against some of the best competition in the world, will have huge positive impacts on Myedvedeyan football as a whole. Novy Moskva News is proud to bring you a summary of Myedvedeyan overseas transfers to this date.

Goalkeeper Boris Bykovsky: Left International of Moskva for a $17 million deal with the Pocono City Capitals of Newmanistan's first division.

Striker Aloyoshenka Vorotaev: Left Cossack United for Svalkovlosk FC, then was purchased again, and will travel to Cafundeu's first division, where he will try his trade for established side América.

Midfielder Nikolai Dolohov: Left International of Moskva for a $6 Million contract with Tundra Falls of Newmanistan.

Midfielder Jov Mikhaiylichenko: Left Air Force FC for a $4 Million contract with Newmanistan's Dover City.

Midfielder Aleksander Markov: Was signed before the founding of the Myedvedeyan premiership to Daenam of Daehanjeiguk.

Striker Nikolai Karpolsky: Was signed before the founding of the Myedvedeyan Premiership to Manju of Daehanjeiguk.

Defender Ivan Blevsky: Was signed before the founding of the Myedvedeyan Premiership to Wunnam of Daehanjeiguk.

We wish these Myedvedeyan players luck both in the Baptism of Fire, and in their respective international leagues. May they bring glory to Myedvedeya wherever they play.

Quarterfinals Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Velog Automobiles (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
The CCFM charges the following costs:
Fee for winning on 90 minutes: V$500
Fee for winning on extra time: V$600
Fee for winning on penalties: V$750
Fee for losing on penalties: V$1250
Fee for losing on extra time: V$1500
Fee for losing on 90 minutes: V$2000
Fee for scoring 0 goals (not counting penalties): V$1000
Each goal scored (not counting penalties) decreases the fee above (only it) by: V$200
The basic fee for playing a knockout round game in Cafundéu is: V$5000
In Estresse Intenso, losers will have to work in the Landau Institute for a full week, having to sleep in a patients' bedroom



Thoughts of Randomness 1-1 Urna Eletrônica (1-3 AET)

Secristan 3-0 Kjomasasopia

Cassadaigua 2-1 Tortuga y Hispaniola

Myedvedeya 1-1 Bushdome (2-2 AET; 4-3 PKs)



Next Games:

In Cafundéu:
Urna Eletrônica x Secristan - Estádio Rei Albieri Van Tocco, Cafundó do Juta

In Estresse Intenso:
Cassadaigua x Myedvedeya - Aterro Sanitário, Limbo

Myedvedeya 1-1 (2-2 AET, 4-3 PK) Bushdome
Myedvedeya Comes Back Twice, Wins Semifinal Berth


Myedvedeya's International Football Squad faced Bushdome today, in what was assuredly their hardest, and possibly best match of the tournament. The Kamchatka Grizzly Bears won the match 4-3 in penalties, after a 1-1 regulation score, and a 2-2 overtime score.

The first half began slowly, with both teams scouting each other out on the field, as they had not met before in competition. Myedvedeya's attack was as pressing as usual, but the strong defense of Bushdome kept them decidedly away from the net. Myedvedeya's side could not seem to gain any ground on Bushdome, nor could Bushdome push the ball past the strong Myedvedeyan midfield. Finally, in the Thirty-Sixth, Bushdome broke through. Striker Hanson drove the ball past Myedvedeyan keeper Boris Bykovsky from just past the penalty mark, putting Bushdome ahead. Try as they might, Myedvedeya could not find the net, and the first half ended with Bushdome up 1-0.

In the second half, the Myedvedeyan attack grew progressively more frantic, as they struggled for the goal that would keep them alive in this Baptism of Fire tournament. Three shots caromed off posts, and, as the Eightieth minute approached, it seemed as though Myedvedeya's run was at an end. Not so. In the Eighty-Fifth minute, striker Aleksander Rozhdestvensky, who has taken a backseat in terms of media attention to Aloyoshenka Vorotaev over the course of this cup, proceeded to show why we should not leave him out of the equation. Taking a pass from the right back, Maksim Korotkaiev, Rozhdestvensky took the ball to midfield, looked to pass to Nikolai Dolohov, and decided to take it for himself. Rozhdestvensky proceeded to charge through the entire defense like a champion bull through the picadors. One defender was felled with a lightning-quick stepover, the next from pure strength and momentum, a third was embarrassed with a nutmeg, and the keeper himself came out for the ball, and was made a fool as Rozhdestvensky flipped the ball over his head, leapt over his sliding form, and tapped the ball into the now open net for the equalizer. The Myedvedeyan fans went completely wild, filling the arena with patriotic cheers and songs. The second half ended with the score level, 1-1.

In the first period of overtime, nothing much was accomplished by either team. Both were too worried and fatigued to string an attack together, and no clear chances were created in this period. One significant event, however, was the sending-off of Myedvedeyan defender Karolek Preminin, for a violent tackle on Striker Hamil of Bushdome. Myedvedeya were now down to ten men, and already fatigued from 90+ minutes of soccer.

The second period of overtime, in contrast, was brutal and exciting. Three yellow card were awarded in quick succession to start the period, two to Bushdome and one to Myedvedeya's Ivan Romasko. Soon after these incidents, Bushdome began to assert their presence in the Myedvedeyan box once again. In the One Hundred Sixteenth, Hamil blasted a shot from the edge of the area. Bykovsky dove, but the ball hit Ivan Mizin's foot, and bounced in the other direction, straight up in the air. Hanson proceeded to head the ball on goal, and it caromed off the crossbar, straight down towards the ground. The ball took a single bounce, and hit the recovering Bykovsky in the back of the head, flying to the left, and landing directly on the foot of Hanson, who tapped it in from a foot outside the goal. 2-1 Bushdome. Myedvedeya once again seemed finished. This time, Vorotaev would be their savior. In a last-ditch play reminiscent of Turkey VS Croatia (Euro 2008), Bykovsky smashed a punt to the edge of the Bushdome 18, in the One Hundred-Twenty First minute of play. Vorotaev chested the ball down, and fired a volley with his right foot. The ball sailed into the area, over the keeper's outstretched hand, and into the net. Myedvedeya had tied it. The match would continue into penalty kicks.

Myedvedeya were to be the second team to take a penalty.

Bushdome's First shot was taken by Hamil, whose nerves got the better of him as he smashed the ball a good 20 feet above the crossbar.


Bushdome: O
Myedvedeya:

The first Myedvedeyan penalty was to be taken by Rozhdestvensky, who placed his shot low and to the left, beating the keeper entirely.


Bushdome: O
Myedvedeya: X

Bushdome's second shot went to Midfielder Moreis, who smashed a driven shot into the upper right corner, straight past the diving Bykovksy.


Bushdome: O X
Myedvedeya: X

The KGB would entrust their second penalty to Captain Nikolai Dolohov, who faked right, and chipped the ball cheekily down the empty middle of the goal for a second straight completed penalty.


Bushdome: O X
Myedvedeya: X X

Bushdome's Third shot was taken by Striker Hanson, and was placed low and to the right for a second goal.


Bushdome: O X X
Myedvedeya: X X

Myedvedeya's third time was not the charm, as Aleksander Markov hit the crossbar with his attempt.


Bushdome: O X X
Myedvedeya: X X O

Bushdome could not maintain the even score, however, as Defender Kirkbride's effort was stopped low and to the left by Bykovsky.


Bushdome: O X X O
Myedvedeya: X X O

Myedvedeya's Fourth was golden, as Vassili Pencherjevsky, brought on in the first period of overtime, finished high and left for a 3-2 lead.


Bushdome: O X X O
Myedvedeya: X X O X

Bushdome kept themselves alive on their fifth penalty, with a stunning effort by Midfielder Poynts to draw them even at 3-3.


Bushdome: O X X O X
Myedvedeya: X X O X

Myedvedeya's fifth penalty, for a semifinal berth, was to be taken by none other than Vorotaev. Vorotaev calmly approached the ball, and calmly struck a rocket into the upper right corner, sealing Myedvedeya's remarkable victory.


Bushdome: O X X O X (3)
Myedvedeya: X X O X X (4)

Myedvedeya's Coach was not available for comment after the match, as he and the players were busy celebrating the victory.

Tomorrow, Myedvedeya will face Cassadaigua in their semifinal, in what promises to be a fantastic match.

for more baptism of fire news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

".................................................................................................... ..................
ok everyone, back on the boat." said Shayne, as the team slumped off the bus after the game. and as the strikeforce left for home, they left knewing great things would happen for this young squad, who they will stick with for the next year.

SEC 3 d KJO 0

SECRISTAN DESTROYS KJO

Kjomasasopia supporters came out with this chant that involved something to the effect of destroying Secristan. We couldn’t make out all the words exactly to this, because all jingling of coins in jars from the Secristani fans for the flood of goals that the Millionaires were scoring against them were drowning out the chant. It was 3-nil victory for our heroes, and the game was as one-sided as you would gather from that kind of final. It didn’t take long, as Secristan scored in the first minute of the game! Curtis Coleman delivered a perfect pass to James Rogan, who after Dwayne Matthews fell in his attempt to cover him, had an uncontested free run on goal. Indigo Lochliann barely finished stretching before he was face to face with Rogan who roofed the shot, officially just 42 seconds into the game. The quick opening had a major effect on the morale of both teams, and on their supporters in the stands. Secristan carried the play and after scoring a 2nd goal in the 17th minute off the foot of Coleman, this game was well in hand. Kjomasasopia played like a beaten team for the rest of the first half, and the Millionaires were more then happy to run off the clock. Kjo did come out very well to start the second half, but goalkeeper Michael Rossiter responded to all challenges. When Kevin Walker scored in the 59th minute, the game was all but over. It wasn’t just the wealth that outclassed Kjomasasopia on this night, experience also played an important role as the Millionaires are a veteran group while the opponents brought a bunch of kids to Cafundeu. Goodbye, Kjomasasopia.

The Millionaires advance now to the semifinals, creating an interesting matchup between Money and Politicians. That will be fun! Normally, any politician would be easily susceptible to the power of money, and perhaps there will be a few bribes on the field towards the Urna Eletronica folks. Give them credit though, as they just knocked off the previously perfect Thoughts of Randomness. We thought the Randomness team was overrated all along as they benefitted from being in a very poor group. The best three teams in the Baptism of Fire are where they belong right now, in the semifinals. The Politicians are the team looking to continue a surprising run. The game will be available for 79R per half and 155R for the entire game. We will also televise the other semifinal between Myedvedeya and Cassadaigua for a rate of 49R per half or 95R for the game. Don’t you wish you purchased the entire knockout package now if you didn’t already? A lot of people were wise enough to take advantage of that offer.

^ "how dare you disrespect our national squad, you rich p****s! a bunch of kids, F*** off mate, its called the NEXT BIG THING. youll see, and when we kick your a** next time around, youll be very sorry"

Shayne Boags, Strikeforce Coach, After viewing the previous post.

Courtney’s Space

We are on to the semifinals! The Baptism of Fire has been great for us, but now it is all about going for the title. There are four teams left, and we are one of them. Who will emerge from this pack to achieve glory as a Baptism of Fire champion? Our semifinal contest against Myedvedeya will be a true challenge. That is a side that has all the makings of championship team. They get results, they can play well with the lead, and they can be resilient in grinding out a close game as they did against Bushdome. They can beat you in many different ways, and unlike the arrogant Millionaires of Secristan or the Politicians of Urna Eletronica, they seem to be a generally likeable bunch. That’s the reason why I said in my last blog that I hope they win it if it can’t be us. After what happened between us and Secristan, that’s definitely a team that I could not root for. We played well against Tortuga y Hispaniola, and even though I did not score in the game, it was just as satisfying seeing my teammates put it in the back of the net. Erika Cottrell got our first tally in the 31st minute and Kirsten Logan scored in the 57th. Benito de Soto scored for them in the 78th to make it closer, but we played well at the end to make sure we would win the match.

I can see it now: Vorotaev vs Ferguson. The media likes to hype up individual battles like this, but I am certain that Aloyoshenka and I would be the first two people to tell you that the Golden Boot implications mean absolutely nothing here. It’s all about our teams, and I think you have seen both us and Myedvedeya put on some great team displays during the tournament. I’m excited about this game not only because it is for a berth in the final, but also because I know we will be treated to excellent soccer. There is a lot on the line, for sure. Oh, and yes, both sides are surely motivated to win to avoid having work in the Landau Institute for a week and sleeping in a patient’s bedroom. Something tells me that the loser will get the most crazy patients too!

BIG MONEY, POLITICIANS, AND TAX COLLECTORS

The three essential, and most would say, evil, parts of life will be descending in Cafundo do Juta tonight. There must be a big election, right? Actually, they come together to play soccer in a semifinal of the Baptism of Fire. The tax collectors would be your neutral Cafundeu fans at the game as well as the overwhelming presence that they have all around the arena. The Politicians, that would be Urna Eletronica. And we don’t have to tell you who big money is. Normally, when money and politicians get together, the money always wins as politicians find themselves slaves to those with big pockets, doing whatever they say. Politicians call them lobbyists, so essentially that is what our Millionaires will be. Lobbying for a Secristan victory and berth into the final. Like any good lobbyist, you can expect the financial offers to be all over the place during the game, and we would expect that many of these men will give in. Fernando Collor and Silvio Santos look like two very easy targets, as well as Paulo Maluf. These players look as though they would give in easily and take some precious campaign funding over their desire to win a semifinal game. After all, they’ve done enough for their country. They’ve played well and got their homeland to the semifinal. That alone will look good on election day, so it may be in their best interest to just get to this point, and take the money. If all this goes according to plan, then the Millionaires should be on their way to the final to take on either Myedvedeya or Cassadaigua. A Myedvedeya contest would be interesting as it would pair the only two winners of the International Basketball Championships up against each other. Of course, a showdown with Cassadaigua would present an interesting replay of the events we saw back when they met in the group stage.

In other news, we apparently made Shayne Boags of Kjomasasopia a little upset by calling his team a group of kids, and we really can’t figure out why. It is customary for journalists to refer to a young team, with teenagers, and players just starting their career as “kids”, whether they are going to be the next championship dynasty or a bunch of losers. We’ve ticked people off before and knew it, but this one we don’t feel like we did anything to cause such a reaction. Mr. Boags perhaps just needed to vent about something after the loss.

GAMETIME APPROACHING

Not too long now, the game between Cassadaigua and Myedvedeya will be taking place to determine who will go to the final against either arrogant millionaires or corrupt politicians. Well, maybe we shouldn’t say they are all corrupt as we are sure there are some good ones out there, but it’s tough to give any of them the benefit of the doubt. So while things will have an interest theme there, things are a lot more traditional here. The Dagans and the Bears are all about playing the best soccer they possibly can and have so far been very successful. No one wants to hear about how good a semifinal appearance would have been, and no one wants to be in that 3rd place game, except maybe for all of the teams that have already been eliminated. Right now it is all about the Dagans and the Bears. The teams have very similar styles of play. They have one top goal scorer and at the same time surround that scorer with the necessary contributing parts that can produce goals as well. Myedvedeya is a tactical team, very responsible in their positioning and they move the ball real well and with confidence. Cassadaigua will need to be patiently aggressive, and the battles in the midfield will be very important to win. When the Bears get you to slip up, they do a good job in capitalizing on their chance. The Dagans will need to be ready for this, and so far, they have done a good job with that. If you throw out the loss to Bushdome, they to have shown good patience. Cassadaigua may be a little more aggressive in looking to create chances, especially early in this game. Whoever scores first in this game will play a big role in the outcome. Even though both teams have come from behind victories and have done well when they have fallen behind, scoring the first goal will allow that team to be more comfortable and relaxed with playing a patient style during the game. This is a game that is going to come down to tactical excellence and execution, and should be entertaining for all fans watching it.

Also this morning, Courtney Ferguson formally signed her contract with Tenderville United. If you have been reading her blog, which has been very popular over the Baptism of Fire, you were aware that she had been contemplating this offer for a little while now. We are happy for Courtney and know that this is a great chance for her. Her news is not the only transfer news though as Michelle Fuller became the fourth Dagan to be transferred out of the country as she signed a deal with Dancougar’s Stoneridge United. This is a strong team in one of the world’s top league, and it is always nice to see your defenders getting recognition, too. We want to congratulate both Courtney and Michelle on these offers and wish them the best on their new teams. Surely, these teams are picking up a new international fanbase for themselves and we wish them the best in their respective leagues.

Myedvedeya Pregame
Myedvedeya VS Cassadaigua

Myedvedeya's International Football squad will take the field today in a semifinal matchup against the all-female squad of Cassadaigua. Myedvedeya and Cassadaigua have been two of the best teams in the tournament so far, and many believe that the winner of the tournament will come out of this semifinal. The Myedvedeyans have just come off a tough shootout victory against Bushdome, a team which defeated Cassadaigua in the group stage. The Dagans beat Tortuga y Hispaniola by the score of 2-1, earning them a spot in this game. Myedvedeya are still undefeated in this tournament, with only two more wins to go to become the holders of the Baptism of Fire trophy.

"We see in the Dagans a tough opponent" said forward Aloyoshenka Vorotaev. "We have not faced them, but they finished on top of a very difficult group, and have played admirable football through the entire championship. We expect a tough, attacking match, and feel that the speed and offensiveness of the two teams will make for a very exiting game. Cassadaigua is a good team, but we strongly feel that no team in this tournament is unbeatable for us, especially in the form we have been playing in so far.

Myedvedeya's team have fought tough opponents, and they have ground their way through tough matches, but this is expected to be the toughest of all.

Prince Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration, Coach of the Myedvedeyan Squad, will be playing the standard Myedvedeyan lineup of:

#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky

With the Blessing of the Tsar, we will win a place in the finals tonight.

for more sports news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Semifinals Results

This matchday is sponsored by: Cacete Segurança (security systems - which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
The CCFM charges the same costs of the Quarterfinals.
In Estresse Intenso, losers will have to work in the Landau Institute for a full week, having to sleep in a patients' bedroom



Urna Eletrônica 1-1 Secristan (1-1 AET; 4-5 PKs)

Cassadaigua 1-3 Myedvedeya



Next Games:

3rd Place Game (tomorrow):
Urna Eletrônica x Cassadaigua - Sector Delta Sporting Field, inside the Landau Institute

Final (Thursday):
Secristan x Myedvedeya - Obelisco Monumental, Lasft

Myedvedeya 3-1 Cassadaigua
Myedvedeya Earn a Finals Berth with Skillful Performance

The Kamchatka Grizzly Bears faced Cassadaigua today in the semifinal round of the Baptism of Fire, trying for the chance to become the latest holders of the prestigious trophy. Both of these teams had played fantastic football all tournament, and the match was expected to be thrilling, well-played, and high-scoring. It fulfilled all of these expectations and more. The passes were crisp, the play was fast, and the goals were plentiful.

The first half began explosively, with both sides having opportunities on goal within the first ten minutes. In the Seventh, Courtney Ferguson stopped the heart of every Myedvedeyan in the stadium, firing a rocket that keeper Boris Bykovsky barely reached, managing to tip it over the bar. Myedvedeya struck right back though, in the Eleventh, as Aleksander Rozhdestvensky charged towards the box, only to be tripped by a Dagan defender. Aloyoshenka Vorotaev lined up the free kick, and scored his ninth of the cup. The goal energized the Myedvedeyans, who began to step up the attack to new levels. Cassadaigua, to their credit, stuck right with the Myedvedeyans, and hit back as hard as the KGB hit them. In the Twenty-Eighth, Courtney Ferguson fired another shot, this time beating Bykovsky low and to the right for the equalizer. The remainder of the half did not contain any scoring, and the teams went to their coaches with the score level at 1-1.

The second half began slowly, with no real attacks for the first fifteen minutes. The score remained tied as the match reached the Seventy-Fifth, and the game was growing more frantic on both sides. In the Eighty-First, Grigor Ulyanov charged past two defenders, and fired a cannon of a cross, which seemed to zero in on the head of defender Maksim Korotkaiev. Korotkaiev calmly headed the ball into the back of the net, earning a deafening roar from the Myedvedeyan supporters. Two minutes later, Myedvedeya insured their victory, as Aloyoshenka Vorotaev was given a flick-on by Nikolai Dolohov, which he proceeded to bury, giving him ten goals in this tournament to date. The Match ended with this score, 3-1, and massive celebration from Myedvedeyan supporters.

"I am happy to have reached ten goals" Said Aloyoshenka Vorotaev, as teammate Ivan Mizin dumped a full bottle of vodka over Vorotaev's head, "But what really matters is that we won the game. I would rather not score once for a champion team that be leading scorer for a third-place one."

"I'd like to congratulate the Dagans on a fantastic game" Stated defender Ivan Romasko "They are a great squad, and I wish them luck against Urna Eletrônica in the third place match".


Myedvedeya will spend the next two days preparing for the finals, which will be played in Cafundeu, against Secristan. Myedvedeya and Secristan are the only ever champions of the International Basketball Championships, and word is that the Myedvedeyan Champion team will be attending the finals to cheer on the footballers.

Scoring:
Myedvedeya Cassadaigua

A.Vorotaev '11, '83 Ferguson '28
M.Korotkaiev '81

Myedvedeya's Bear of the Match Poll
A.Vorotaev- 76%
N.Dolohov- 20%
A.Rozhdestvensky- 4%


for more BoF news, log on to www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

Courtney’s Space

We’ve come to the end of the road in the Baptism of Fire. The Bears of Myedvedeya defeated us thanks to having gotten two goals in the final ten minutes. Yeah, that’s a tough way to lose. We still have one more game to play, a third place game against Urna Eletronica, and I’m sure that we’ll go out there and play hard to try and win it, but let’s face it, we came here to be playing in the final, not the third place game. I think if you told us at the beginning of the tournament, when we were just an unknown nation on the list of countries that signed up for the Baptism of Fire that would be heading to Cafundeu, that we would finish 3rd or 4th, that we would take it. We came here as a complete unknown. Myedvedeya and Secristan already had nation recognition in international sports by virtue of each having one a basketball championship. Those nations knew what it would take to win a title because they had done so already and it was surely passed on to their soccer teams. For us to have hung right in there with them is something to be proud of. Four of us, myself included, are now going to get the chance to play in major international leagues, and while it was never our intention to leave Cassadaigua, this is an opportunity that presented itself because of our play in Cafundeu. Give me a month or two to be proud of it though. Because right now, it stings. You don’t get this close then look for moral victories. We saw the championship, it was within our reach, and we collapsed in the final ten minutes of this match. The fans will see a good final between the Bears and Millionaires. Originally I said I would root for Myedvedeya, but I can’t lie, it’s tough to root for the team that just knocked you out. But then I remember how those arrogant Secristanis are and I come to my senses. I do hope the Bears win.

You may have heard that I signed a deal with Tenderville United, making it official. After pondering it, and hearing your responses, I decided that this was the best option for me. I look forward to helping them get promoted. I’ll have one more blog, and that will be at the end of the third place game, then that will be it for the Baptism of Fire. Then will come World Cup qualifying. Historically, that doesn’t go well for nations in our position.

BIG MONEY, POLITICIANS, AND TAX COLLECTORS
...In other news, we apparently made Shayne Boags of Kjomasasopia a little upset by calling his team a group of kids, and we really can’t figure out why. It is customary for journalists to refer to a young team, with teenagers, and players just starting their career as “kids”, whether they are going to be the next championship dynasty or a bunch of losers. We’ve ticked people off before and knew it, but this one we don’t feel like we did anything to cause such a reaction. Mr. Boags perhaps just needed to vent about something after the loss.

the term "kids" refers to, at the oldest, 14 year olds. the correct term is "young adults", except for ONE PLAYER* of the whole squad. and to call a relatively sucessful group of athletes "a bunch of kids" after you flog them shows massive disrespect to our efforts during this tournament, and show signs that your squad are terrible sports and a poor winners. i bid good day to you, sir.

*may i also note that that ONE PLAYER was our highest goalscorer, and would've scored more if he didnt break his leg.


id also like to note that we are not attending world cup qualifiers this year. the current squad will be trained up for the next world cup, playing in any tournaments available.

HEADING TO THE FINAL

It wasn’t easy. In fact, this game was much tougher then expected, as Urna Eletronica proved to be a very game opponent, and not just a bunch of politicians doing this for publicity for the next election. Since our Millionaires seemed to misjudge their intentions in thinking that they would only care about money and they could essentially, purchase, this victory, the team was very flat and unprepared for the opening of the match. Every time they tried to engage one of these men with a monetary offer to finance their next campaign, they were brushed aside as they focused on the game at hand. The first was therefore dominated by Urna Eletronica in every way imaginable, with them holding a 75-25 possession advantage over the half. There was nothing the Millionaires could do to stop them from getting chances. However, thanks to the superhuman efforts of goalkeeper Michael Rossiter, the Politicians were unable to score any more then the goal tallied by Mario Covas in the 29th minute. A Covas shot earlier in the 20th minute struck the crossbar and bounce out, and in the 37th minute, Covas appeared to hit Silvio Santos with a nice pass, but Santos was a stride offside. Other then that, the story of the first half was Rossiter. The trend continued for most of the second half too, but around the 55th minute, the Millionaires seemed to get their act together again, and possession seemed to get more even. It took a while before they could really test keeper Ulysses Guimaraes, but in the 80th minute, the goal finally game, delivered by Kevin Walker off of an assist from, who do you think? James Rogan, of course. The goal demoralized the Politicians like news becoming public at the last minute of candidate’s affair with their secretary. Full time and extra time passed without a ton of incidents, and soon the game was off to penalty kicks.

Silivo Santos.... GOAL
James Rogan... GOAL
Mario Covas.... GOAL
Kevin Walker.... GOAL
Lula.... GOAL
Stephen Alexander.... GOAL
Fernando Collor... GOAL
Blake Pitchford..... GOAL
Leonel Brizola.... SAVE!!! A goalkeeper finally makes a save. Now, for the win......
Curtis Coleman.... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!

And with that, the Millionaires win and get set to take on Myedvedeya. The two teams that were set as the favorites going in by the Secristan Department of Gambling have disposed of the competition and are prepared for what should be a fantastic Baptism of Fire championship. Both teams know how to win a title, as each have won in the International Basketball Championships. No truth to the rumor about the International Basketball Championships becoming a feeder tournament for the Baptism of Fire. Or is there?

Myedvedeyans Take Well-Deserved Rest, Watch Third-Place Match
Urna Eletrônica VS Cassadaigua


The two losers of the semifinals will face each other today in the third-place match of the Baptism of Fire cup. Urna Eletrônica, Myedvedeya's group rival, were defeated by Secristan on penalty kicks in the semifinal. Cassadaigua, winners of group Globo Multimedia, were beaten by the Kamchatka Grizzly Bears themselves, 3-1, on two goals by phenom Aloyoshenka Vorotaev.

The Myedvedeyans will be cheering on Cassadaigua in this match, as we believe that they are one of the best teams in the tournament, and deserve to hold a trophy of some kind, even if it isn't first place. Urna Eletrônica have gone without press releases for a long time, and we have no insight into their players, their play style, or really anything about them. For these reasons, Myedvedeya says: Go Cassadaigua, we'll be watching you guys, and to Secristan, We're ready for a match of epic proportions.

for more BoF news, log on to www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

3rd Place Game Result

This matchday is sponsored by: Duramais Batteries (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
Landau Institute rules:
Winner team can leave the Institute anytime after the game
Losers must stay in the Institute and work with the patients for a whole month
They'll have to sleep in a patients room
If any players or staff members become crazy during their stay, they'll have to be treated in the Institute
After that, they can leave, still in time to play for the WC qualifiers
The CCFM cannot charge any fees for this game, as it is in the Landau Institute, in Estresse Intenso



Urna Eletrônica 2-0 Cassadaigua



Next Game:

Final:
Secristan x Myedvedeya - Obelisco Monumental, Lasft

(OOC: I have RL stuff to do all of tomorrow, so I'm posting tomorrow's finals pregame now)

Myedvedeya Finals Pregame

Myedvedeya VS Secristan (Cafundeu)

Tomorrow, Myedvedeya's International Football team takes on Secristan, in what should be an interesting battle for many reasons. Myedvedeya and Secristan are the only two countries to win the International Basketball Championships. During the Second International Basketball Championships, won by Myedvedeya, Secristani casinos picked Myedvedeya as the surprise breakout team of the tournament before a single match was played. In this tournament, Myedvedeya and Secristan were named as the two favorites to win the Baptsim of Fire. Now, they are meeting in the finals.

Myedvedeya's fluid, quick passing and tight defense have won them a spot in the finals. In the group stage, Myedvedeya went undefeated, winning three and drawing two to win group Banco Economico. The Secristanis finished second in group Globo Multimedia, behind Cassadaigua, who Myedvedeya defeated in the semifinals. Myedvedeya defeated Bushdome on penalties in the Quarterfinals, While Secristan rolled to a victory over Kjomasasopia. In the Semis, Myedvedeya defeated Cassadaigua by the score of 3-1, while Secristan took their turn to struggle on penalties, beating Urna Eletrônica 5-4 in the shootout.

The two teams have both looked spectacular, and tomorrow's match should be a thriller. Now, Novy Moskva News Presents: Myedvedeya, Road to the Finals

Group Stage:

Myedvedeya 4-1 Maestro L Pavarotti

-Myedvedeya destroyed this weak team, who ended up on the bottom of the group. Aloyoshenka Vorotaev opened his international career with a hat-trick.

Myedvedeya 3-1 Mantwenic

-Mantwenic had drawn Myedvedeya 2-2 at the Oxen Cup, and Myedvedeya were nervous about this matchup. They came out, and played a fantastic match, trouncing their rivals in this 3-1 victory.

Myedvedeya 2-0 Colbourne

-Vorotaev added another, and Ivan Mizin finished once as Myedvedeya soundly defeated another opponent.

Myedvedeya 0-0 Urna Eletrônica

-Myedvedeya assure themselves a spot in the elimination stages with this draw against the second-placed team in their group.

Myedvedeya 2-2 Tanah Tinggi

-Myedvedeya's reserves keep the undefeated streak alive, with Vorotaev scoring two.

Quarterfinals:

Myedvedeya 1-1 (2-2 AET, 4-3 PK) Bushdome

-In our closest match of the tournament, Myedvedeya and Bushdome battled for a long, hard 120 minutes before Myedvedeya's superior penalty-taking skills allowed them to gain a semifinal berth.

Semifinals:

Myedvedeya 3-1 Cassadaigua

-Myedvedeya were back on form in this match, defeating the group Globo Multimedia champions by scoring twice in the last ten minutes.


Myedvedeya's lineup for the finals will be the standard staring eleven, and as such will be:

#28 Vorotaev #9 Rozhdestvensky

#8 Barabanschikov #4 Markov #13(C) Dolohov #7 Ulyanov

#5 Romasko #3 Preminin #27 Mizin #10 Korotkaiev

#1 Bykovsky

With the Blessing of the Tsar, we go to win the championship tomorrow.

for more sports news, visit www.novymoskva.mye/WC43

BAPTISM OF FIRE 30- FINAL PREVIEW

It’s that critical boardroom meeting where you lay out plans for your big business acquisition. Another company is wishing to make the same acquisition. It will be you or it will be them and while the loser might get some nice recognition, it’s the winner that will see the gigantic profit. This is why the Millionaires came to Cafundeu. It’s why the bid to be part of the team and why they’ve paid the taxes and tipped the tax collectors. The chance to achieve greatness, to no longer live in the shadow of our regional neighbor Newmanistan and hear them bragging about how they’ve won a Baptism of Fire and we haven’t. This is the time to get serious. You don’t get wealthy as our players have without knowing when playtime and goof around time is over and when serious time begins. The nation feels it. It’s time to make that big acquisition of one coveted Baptism of Fire Trophy.

We’ve seen what our competition has put out there but now it’s time for our own preview.

Introduction: First, let’s make no mistake about it. The most deserving teams are in the Baptism of Fire championship game. We got introduced to some new nations that put out a valiant effort to get here. But when the list of participating nations was finalized, there were two nations that simply stood out as the favorites because they’ve already won a major competition. Basketball isn’t the only sport either that these two nations had participated in before this. They met in World Bowl III, and in the World Lacrosse Championships II. It had all the looks of two freight trains ready to roll over their competition before there was a collision in the final. It wasn’t easy, and both nations fought off some valiant Cinderellas, but that get together is here. It is now. It is time. Secristan. Myedvedeya. Let’s get in on.

How they got here:
Myedvedeya: Group: (def. Maestro L Pavarotti, 4-1; def. Mantwenic, 3-1; def. Colbourne, 2-0, draw Urna Eletronica 0-0, draw Tanah Tinggi 2-2); QF: def. Bushdome 2-1 on PK; SF: def. Cassadaigua, 3-1.

Secristan: Group: (draw Bushdome, 2-2; def. Docky, 3-0; def Chutnusak, 1-0; lost to Cassadaigua, 1-0; def. Valetaland, 3-2); QF: def. Kjomasasopia, 3-0; SF: def. Urna Eletronica 2-1 on PK.

Key Players:
Myedvedeya: Aloyoshenka Vorotaev has been the leading goal scorer for the Baptism of Fire, and seems to have the Golden Boot wrapped up going into the match. He is playing very well right now, and absolutely must be contained. Unlike some teams that have one great scorer, Myedvedeya does have pretty good balance so you cannot just key in on Vorotaev, or else the others will pick up the slack. Captain Nikolai Dolohov has had a great tournament himself, and thrives on setting up Vorotaev or their other offensive forces. Because a lot of the focus goes on their offense, the play of Boris Bykovsky and his defense has gone under the radar a little bit. They have been stingy, and should be expected to be on top form.

Secristan: James Rogan and Kevin Walker (aka “Macaroni and Cheese”) have been the most prolific goal scoring duo in the tournament. They have complimented each other so well, and the only reason one of them is not in contention with Vorotaev for the Golden Boot is because the goals have been pretty evenly split between them, with the other earning an assist on all but two of them. Midfielder Curtis Coleman also has had a terrific tournament, and is probably the Secristani player that's under the radar. Michael Rossiter has given the Millionaires great goalkeeping, and should also be on a top form.


Advantage, Secristan?: The blistering speed of Rogan may cause serious matchup problems for Myedvedeya as they seem to have a more physical defense, with the exception of Ivan Romasko who is a quick one. However, Romasko often likes to be on the attack, and that will really come back to haunt them if he gets caught up field and Rogan gets behind him. James eats physical defenders for lunch because of his speed and skill, and knowing he’s got the Cheese to pass it too, these bigger defenders when trying to compensate, may be out of position for a perfectly placed pass to Walker. This isn’t a case of Secristan needing to do something different for this game, because it’s what they’ve done all tournament.

How Myedvedeya will compensate: Coach Vladimir Sergyevitch Bagration will have to make Romasko remember he is a defender all game long and tell him to stay back and avoid the upfield rushes. It could be an easy solution, as long as Romasko complies and the team can adjust to not have the usual dimension that Romasko would provide them. Normally his speed would allow him to catch up when he gets caught upfield. That’s not going to work against Rogan.


Advantage, Myedvedeya?: The Myedvedeyan national team is a group of players, that for the most part, have spent a lot of time playing together and thus have a lot of chemistry with one another. They are a tactically precise group, and do a good job of waiting for their opportunities, and then finishing them when they find them. Although the Millionaires have had good results thus far, this is definitely the toughest team that they have faced, and they will need to be patient themselves, and wait to exploit their own favorable matchup.

How Secristan will compensate: The Millionaires can’t claim to have the same kind of team chemistry, but they have played together long enough now to be able to feel comfortable with one another. Coach Kendall should have the team working as a nice cohesive unit. He’s no Bagration, but he no tactical dummy himself.

What to look for:
– Many basketball references during the commentary, by both nations.
– Mispronounced Myedvedeyan names. Hey, we’ll try our best!
– A game with plenty of passion. Both teams know what’s at stake.
– A loud crowd all game. Both sides will be bringing plenty of fans.
– A closer result then the 4-0 final score in the Baptism of Fire 29 championship.

Myedvedeya, plase beat secristan!
Methinks we are not the only one who has an issue with this countries squad!

Landau Institute rules:
Winner team can leave the Institute anytime after the game
Losers must stay in the Institute and work with the patients for a whole month
They'll have to sleep in a patients room
If any players or staff members become crazy during their stay, they'll have to be treated in the Institute
After that, they can leave, still in time to play for the WC qualifiers
The CCFM cannot charge any fees for this game, as it is in the Landau Institute, in Estresse Intenso[/I]

The Nethertopian Football Organisation would like to protest against the one month work there. This would mean that Tenderville United would miss Courtney Ferguson for yet another month, while the CMSC season has started already. This goes for all those internationals, playing with their retrospective clubs.

We also think it's a bit harsh, such a punishment.

^we agree. "Landau Insitute can blow 1 months work out its own arse, we have a world cup to qualify for." Shayne Boags

Courtney’s Space

What a great time we had in Cafundeu! We didn’t win the third place game, as you know, but that’s all over with now. The Baptism of Fire has reached it’s conclusion for us and now we are in flight and heading back to Cassadaigua. You see, that deal with the Landau Institute? We’re getting them on a technicality. They simply said, prior to the game, that the loser had to work in the Landau Institute for a certain period of time. It was after the fact that we were told that we had to say. We’ve discussed this with many well known lawyers in Cassadaigua, and they have all told us that as long as one day, we go back, they have no legal ground to stand on. We have been advised that we can legally hold them to what was told to us before the game, and not after the game was over, which is when the clause came in that we must stay after the game. This could be seen as controversial in Cafundeu, and they will probably challenge this decision. What is binding according to our lawyers is what was told to us before the game, and they cannot change the rules after that. Well, maybe you can in Cafundeu, in which case there would have to be a legal process of some sort which would take a while. So, we figure that we’ll find a time in the off-season later this year when there is nothing going on to serve our time, and then the case would have to be dropped if they chose to pursue it or else they would have another court battle! Legally, that would be within a reasonable period of time, we have been advised. Now, we can prepare for the World Cup qualification and return to our domestic teams. For four of us, this will send us to a completely new country. I will spend a couple days in Cassadaigua to say goodbye to my friends and family and pack up my things before heading out to Nethertopia to play for Tenderville United. I am very excited about going there and hope to be able to make this adjustment very smoothly.

It’s done. There is a final tomorrow, but none of could be bothered to watch it live, because it would be too depressing. Plus, we figured we should bolt out of town quickly if we’re going to escape! I can’t wait to try to qualify for the World Cup. Coach said we are going to go with a complete defensive system, which makes sense when you are the underdog.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate every hit on my website. From the Baptism of Fire, this Courtney Ferguson saying, goodbye!

SOMETHING TO PROVE

Secristan feels as though they have something to prove in this upcoming game. While many of these players have locked in endorsement deals, they are feeling slighted by the international community by the lack of contract offers that have come their way. This was another reason that many of these highly talented athletes decided to bid for a spot on the national team. They were intrigued by the fact that in other countries, you actually get compensated to play for a team rather then to have to pay the team to participate. That is all water under the bridge right now. Myedvedeya and even Cassadaigua have seen players sign deals, but the Secristanis are not good enough to generate any interest. It’s bulletin board material. As soon as you walk into the team locker room there are articles about the Myedvedeyans, especially their goalkeeper Boris Bykovsky, who is going to be playing on the banks of the Penthoria River in Pocono City when he is done here. Michael Rossiter, the goalkeeper of the Millionaires agrees that this is a motivational tool, “Of course, we were looking to do more then generate endorsement deals for ourselves. We are well conditioned professional athletes, and we feel as though our performance has been good to generate outside interest. For some reason, we are not desired.”

Why exactly has this team that has reached the Baptism of Fire final full of players that are not desired? We asked noted Secristani sports psychologist Branden Davis for his opinion. “What I see is that the players who play for Secristan are seen as being in it only for the money and could possibly be looked at as being a negative influence in the locker room.” This seems a little unfair. After all, many athletes around the world are only it for the money and realize that the better they play the more money they get. How else do you explain things like athletes always having a career year in the final year of their contract, and then struggling after the land the big raise. “It is a little bit unfair, yes. When watching Secristan play out there, they seem just as motivated to go out there and win. There is also the bit about them being very arrogant, as some of their actions while they have been in Cafundeu could be seen as offensive to less financially successful. What the people who are being offended need to understand is that they are just having fun in one of the few ways that they know how. I’m sure there are many teams out there that would take on a player who may be a little stuck up, as they call it, if it meant they could win more games.” He concludes by saying, “We see many contradictory statements in press releases making it sound like Secristan is just so different and so out of touch with the modern sports world in how they prioritize things like money. How we talk about things like revenue generation, marketing, and demographics so very often. How we prioritize the money we receive from advertisers over televising the actual sporting event. My word to people who think we’re out of touch, is to take a look at the sports world in your own country. Is this not the trend there? The people who are out of touch with sports are the people who think these things aren’t prioritized over fans. We rest our case.”

So when the final gets going tomorrow look for passion on both sides. The players know what’s at stake, and they aren’t as far fetched as the team of all perfect role model athletes. In fact, the latter is the far fetched ideal. We’ll be there, ready to play hard, win the trophy, and enjoy the riches that follow.

^^ i think noone has offered your players contracts because you are all total wankers. maybe if your squad didnt have such an obnoxious name as "the millionaires", you might gain the respect of other nations.


just sayin'

SDOS HAPPY WITH PERFORMANCE

The Secristan Department of Sports couldn’t be happier with the team’s performance during the Baptism of Fire, noting that soccer interest has picked up tremendously throughout the country. Some fans are even getting into the classic “this is real football, not that Gridiron stuff” debate that seems to happen everytime someone utters the word “soccer” to an international “football” fan. Chairman George Hawkins of the Secristan Department of Grammar and Usage points out that, “The electronic mails that are sent to me have had a predominant theme of no longer wanting to call this sport soccer. They feel that we need to adjust to the rest of the world and call it football; and thereby referring to the football we are more used to as Gridiron. This is something that I have never seen before and it is all because of the Baptism of Fire.” His grammar was just too perfect during his statement. Anyway, the Secristan Department of Sports gave us statement courtesy of Representative Katie Simpson, and we wish to share that with you as well. “Viewership of the Baptism of Fire has been where we hoped it would be. We were afraid that it might start slowly, but it really didn’t. There had been optimism that we could do well, and the fans were curious. They know what the World Cup is all about, and they wanted to see how we could too. This then became a fun team for our people to root for that were able to purchase the pay-per-view telecasts. Many fans took advantage of the special packages that we offered, and through them we experienced a very high amount of revenue that was approximately 6% over our projections. We expect to generate a lot more revenue from the final, and hopefully from Baptism of Fire championship merchandise.”

The final can be purchased for 99R per half, of 195R for the entire game, making those who did not purchase the “entire knockout” package for 400R at the beginning out the second round surely wish they had now. Because demand is high for this game, we need to remind people out there that attempting to steal the signal of a pay-per-view game is Attempted Freeloading, which is a serious offense, punishable by a 15-20 year prison sentence with an jail accommodation fee charged to the estate of 100R per month. You may recall that prior to the championship series won by our beloved Millionaires in the first International Basketball Championship, the SDOS stated that they would give back the monies in which the players bid for the privilege of representing the country in order to provide that extra bit of motivation. That is not completely going to happen here, but the SDOS has announced that the players will receive 50% of their bid back if they win the game. There's nothing like an additional monetary incentive for our players!

Also, a quick note to tell our fans out there that bidding has begun for stadium owners around the country to determine which stadium will host our World Cup 43 home qualifying games. The auction will be over in less then 24 hours, and we should be able to announce the winner during the telecast of the Final.

After the whole discussion about Cassadaigua's punishment for losing the third place game in the Landau Institute, the players and staff members of the team were called to the screen room (the room with a giant television) just to talk with the Institute president. Everyone stood in front of the television, waiting for the video to start. Instead, a group of doctors (how do we know they were all doctors? Well, in Landau Institute, if you're wearing white, it's probably because you are a doctor) entered in the room.

One of them was Professor Letícia Sabin, the current president of the Landau Institute. Besides her, other two important members of the Institute administration: vice-president Professor Mário Hermann and football issues director Doctor Pedro Cruz Souza. She seemed sad, but willing to talk. Wanting to see the Cassadaigua team members in the Institute, she talked with them:

L - "Good day for all of you. My name is Letícia..."

M - "Professor Letícia Sabin, she means."

L - "Well, that works too. I am the president of the Landau Institute, and the one responsible for organizing the Baptism of Fire games in Estresse Intenso."

P - "For you that think that the CCFM does everything, you should know that we of the Institute, working together with the AEEI, do half of the job."

L - "Yes, you're right. But I don't want to talk about my responsibilities in the Baptism of Fire organization today, or about the advantages of this country or this medical institution and the disadvantages of that horrible place that is Cafundéu. During the last days I've seen many things on the newspapers, mainly about your stay in the Institute."

P - "Yes, many countries are talking about this."

L - "I also noticed that you seem angry with our decision to keep you here in the Institute with us so you can work with the patients in the following month."

M - "You just don't realize what you want to abandon!"

L - "I'll reach to this point soon, Mário. Before everything, I am disappointed and furious with the fact that the name of the country this Institute is located is being ignored! This is ridiculous, and offensive! Yes, that's offensive for us to be considered part of Cafundéu! We are part of Estresse Intenso, which is an independent country, with no links with the Cafundelenses!"

P - "We are rivals of the Cafundelenses, we simply can't stand be considered part of them!"

L - "I know that the fact that the Baptism of Fire received more media attention in the Cafundéu side could confuse you, but you seem to completely forget that Estresse Intenso is hosting it. And we, the Landau Institute, are inside Estresse Intenso, not Cafundéu. It would be a nightmare for us to be part of that horrible country, with no respect for their citizens. Here, we care for the people, we want to see them in peace and happy, money has no place inside the Institute. I really hope to not see this place being related with Cafundéu anymore. This is offensive."

M - "So, basically, we'll explain to you: half of the games of the Baptism of Fire were in Cafundéu, the other half being in Estresse Intenso. Half of the games in Estresse Intenso were played in the Landau Institute. So, the Landau Institute is located in Estresse Intenso. We have nothing in common with Cafundéu, and we want justice in this. This place is in Estresse Intenso. The third place game was here, in the Landau Institute. So, please refer to this place as part of Estresse Intenso or just as the Landau Institute."

P - "Yes. The Institute and the government of Estresse Intenso are enemies of Cafundéu's government. We got our independence years ago. We hate their life style, their love for money, and their form of government. We only accepted to host the Baptism of Fire with them to try to overcome this hate and to participate in a sports event again."

L - "Okay, okay, I think we've said enough about this issue. You must all know now that the Landau Institute isn't in Cafundéu and that we have no relations with them or the CCFM. Now to the other issue."

M - "Which is your work here."

L - "Yes, that's it. We were so disappointed when we heard that you don't want to stay here, that you want to return immediately. We weren't expecting such a reaction."

M - "Yes, you just don't know the opportunity that you're wasting right now, an unique chance!"

P - "Is this because some of you will now play abroad? Is just because of their pressure?"

L - "Let's calm down. I think that, before everything, we should explain them their situation. You played here the third place game, and lost. So, we obligated you to stay here and work with the patients to compensate the fact that you used our rooms and football fields to participate in this competition. The food was ours, the clothes, the water."

M - "We were glad and honoured to receive you in our Institute."

L - "But, instead of accepting to help us, you decided to contact a lawyer to avoid this task. You started to work in finding ways to simply leave the Institute. That's so sad."

P - "If this was Cafundéu, you'd drown in costs, fees and taxes right now... you wouldn't be able to afford bringing this case to the court."

L - "But, as we are in the Landau Institute, things work differently. We, the doctors, are the law here. Our decision usually is the final one. But, if you want so much to leave, we can change our mind. Your lawyers can't do anything, but I can. If you want, you can leave. But..."

M - "I don't think the best thing for you is to leave."

P - "Yes, do you really want to simply leave the Institute?"

L - "...the Landau Institute has many things to offer to the guests. Although what we asked you to do was considered a punishment, we don't see this as something bad."

M - "Far from it. I love my work."

L - "But they wouldn't do your work, Mário. They would work like voluntaries with the patients, helping them with their diary routine, to keep them sane, healthy and happy."

M - "This isn't a common work. It's something that is really good for the society..."

P - "The Institute society, at least."

L - "Yes. Working here with our patients is an unique opportunity to learn more about them, about their difficulties, their situation. Share experiences with them, hear their stories. Don't act like if you were Cafundelenses. Care about them, do not abandon them. They need help. This place is an excellent place for treatment, but they also need company."

M - "Letícia seems sentimental, but she is right. Here you'd learn to understand their difficulties and to offer them help."

L - "It's a chance to have good experiences, to develop your human attitudes."

P - "And don't forget to tell them about the other things we can offer too."

L - Which things?"

P - "The training rooms! The football fields! The medical department! The university! The... the... the... the... the swimming pool!"

L - "You're right, Pedro! As you've just played your first international competition here, I think you'd benefit a lot staying in the Landau Institute. Here is an excellent place to develop your football skills. We have football fields that are in perfect conditions, as they are forbidden for patients and supporters. You wouldn't find fields like ours in other place of the world! Also, we have many training rooms, made during our participation in the World Cup. These rooms can analyze the abilities of the players, so they can focus more on improving the areas that they need the most. Our equipment has a very efficient and modern technology and, although it isn't much used, it is still in good conditions!"

M - "And you can also use our medical facilities. As a medical institution, the Landau Institute can offer you all the necessary treatment for your injured players, from physiotherapy to surgeries. And, of course, we can give your players all the necessary support for them to avoid injuries. Our doctors are really efficient, and you can find here any specialty doctor... and I'm not exaggerating, you can find people from any specialty: from cardiologists and psychologists to gastroenterologists, gynaecologists and otorhinolaryngologists. Your players can be in top form here!"

L - "So, that's all. Please reconsider, stay with us, ignore the pressure from other countries. We have much to offer, and we have already offered you a lot. If you want to leave, do it. You are free. But I think that you wouldn't be able to return here if you decide to leave this way."

P - "Yes, she is right. You wouldn't be welcome here, sorry. Not because of us, no, we respect your decision. But many other doctors would be furious with you, so unfortunately you wouldn't return if you decide to simply leave the Institute before helping the patients."

M - "Not that this is something important, as we don't send a team for the World Cup."

L - "But when we send..."

M and P - "What?"

L - "...did I say when we send? I mean, this won't happen, Terreiro de Ogum made an agreement with us... well, maybe this can happen, I admit... soon."

M - "I can't believe this!"

P - "This can... really... happen?"

The three start to discuss between themselves. A man with a gold robe enters in the room, with a floating (and big) ball in his hand. His name is Gaspar Aecalyopheno, the apprentice of the (now dead) The Machine creator Pascal Caelaphyluso.

G - "Maybe sooner than you expect, my friends. Give us two cups, maybe."

L - "We don't have a proper coach, and the doctors don't seem motivated to play."

G - "Our next coach can give them the motivation, as he is special."

P - "Who?"

Gaspar points at the floating ball.

G - "Him. Pascal."

L - "This is a ball."

G - "This is Pascal, Letícia. This ball has his memory."

Final

This matchday is sponsored by: Bacharel Bank (which isn't paying any fees for the participating teams)
The CCFM charges the following costs:
Fee for winning on 90 minutes: V$2000
Fee for losing on 90 minutes: V$5000
Fee for scoring 0 goals: V$3000
Each goal scored decreases the fee above (only it) by: V$500
The basic fee for playing the final in Cafundéu is: V$10000



Secristan 1-2 Myedvedeya



Myedvedeya wins the 30th Baptism of Fire!!!

Courtney’s Space

Alright, well I thought I had written my final Baptism of Fire blog, but there’s been a lot of e-mail that has come in from fellow Dagans as well as others that are little upset with the way that we left Estresse Intenso. It was also pointed out that I incorrectly referred to it as Cafundeu. That, I strongly apologize for. The Baptism of Fire moved along so fast it seemed like we were playing like, every day. Since we played all our group games in Cafundeu, it was a slip up in my forgetting Estresse Intenso was a separate country. I really apologize for that, I know I would hate it if someone called Cassadaigua by another country’s name.

We weren’t afraid of the Landau Institute or the sick patients that are admitted there. In fact, originally I thought that it could be an interesting life experience to help them out as you could learn so much from them. But to require us to stay immediately after playing in an exhausting tournament and right before we begin on a journey, we felt crossed the line between giving us an opportunity to help the patients and be supportive of them into being ordered to do it as if it was a jail sentence. We did intend in on coming back, but qualifying for the World Cup is a serious thing. Also, on a personal level, my contract with Tenderville United required me to go there immediately after the Baptism of Fire. I can’t be in two places at once. Tenderville United represents my future, and I must be loyal to them. It saddens me to hear the stories of disappointed sick patients. I have a heart, all of us too. But the patients need to be looking at the people the run the Institute, for having our time be a jail sentence instead of something we could all benefit from.

We were going to go back, but have now been told that it wouldn’t be a good idea. If there is a way we could compromise another way in which we can help.

Congratulations to Myedvedeya on winning the Baptism of Fire!

SDOS THRILLED WITH RESULT

Secristan did not win the Baptism of Fire Championship, but the Secristan Department of Sports was thrilled with the result nonetheless because the Millionaires played in the maximum amount of games, thus generating domestic fan interest to the full extent. This meant a very high level of pay-per-view purchases. It also means the SDOS does not need to refund the players 50% of their original bid price to play for the team. They placed this condition with pride hoping that the team would win. However by reaching the final and generating revenue from the telecast and not having to refund the players likely means that the SDOS was going to profit more from a loss to Myedvedeya, then they would a win. And that's exactly what happened.

The players and fans are not as excited. They wanted to win just as much as the Myedveyans, but should be happy with how far they got. There were sixteen other nations that would have loved to be in the Baptism of Fire final. More good news is that four Secristani players have received contract offers to play overseas. Looks like we got that respect after all.

For a comprehensive report on just how the team lost and details about the actual game, go to the Secristan Department of Sports website, or just wait for a Myedvedeyan press release.

well, i think everyone here can agree the better team won.
More good news is that four Secristani players have received contract offers to play overseas. Looks like we got that respect after all.


contracts don't equate to respect. a player could be the biggest wanker on the pitch, but if they get they job done, they get paid. your squad are still wankers, contracts or not.

Myedvedeya Win 30th Baptism of Fire

Myedvedeya made history today, winning the 30th edition of the Baptism of fire. Aloyoshenka Vorotaev netted yet another goal, securing the golden boot, and Rozhdestvensky added one in the 64th. Secristan pulled one back, but could not edge the Bears as they became the latest nation to win this great tournament.

(OOC: This is very short and undetailed because I just went from NYC-Moscow-NYC in less than 72 hours, and am as such tired and jetlagged beyond human imagination. Will be back on form for WC qualifying.)

well, i think everyone here can agree the better team won.


contracts don't equate to respect. a player could be the biggest wanker on the pitch, but if they get they job done, they get paid. your squad are still wankers, contracts or not.

(OOC: Please, could you stop being such a bad loser and move on with your life/nation/whatever we're doing? Thank you.)

^^please, can you mind your own business? and btw the issue is over. it ended when the tournament did.