NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: First Qazox and all others Milchama would actually be spelled מלחמה and means war in Hebrew. I just don't bother with the Hebrew script often.

IC:

"Woooooooooooooooooooooo! We qualified!"

"Yep"

"Well we also have to play in the World Cup"

"Hmmm... Good point"

"Yeh and how did we do in that part?"

"We drew"

"That's good"

"Yep"

"3-3 with Krytenia"

"You know in our first World Cup qualification game ever we lost to them 4-0"

"Whoa we've improved a lot"

"Yeh"

Arad Nobody Lives Here Does Anything Post-Picayune-Land-Country-Hadashot-Achronot-Today-Yesterday

Sports Section

Milchama Fans Lower Expectations

The biggest un and under reported story of the World Cup so far has been the gradual lowering of expectations of Milchama fans when it comes to our team. While most times we expect victory in all games and aren't satisfied unless we won 3-0 and even then we could have scored more, our arrogance is becoming less and less.

Now people are happy we drew Krytenia, before we would get upset. Especially since we were up 3-1 after the first half, now we made the World Cup and people are happy.

The problem is obvious, the MFA, they have become, lazy, incompetent and just plain strange in picking squads. They need to get back to basics. Get a new coach and pick the best 16 players in Milchama. GODDAMNIT DO YOUR WORK MFA STOP SUCKING!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it from here.

http://www.biezanow.net/~dominik/TVLovun/tvlovunsport-football.gif

First match failed

Lovisa lost in first match in final with Bostopia 1-3.

everything was wrong sayd Kasperczak a lovisan coach. We was so scary on field. But Bostopia is a good team.Now we know what we doing wrong and in next match will be 100% better and we win. Dont forget that we are in 4th place in last Cup, why we cant win this time! sayd lovisan capitan Georg Lunz.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/Krytenia/thsdNEWS.png

Three The Hard Way
by Rami Niblick in El Arapucera

NOBODY expected the World Cup Finals to be an easy task, and this tie proved the point. And a point was the reward for a battling second half display as the Aces fought from three-one down to draw three-all with Milchama.

Krytenia are on a lot of teams' "hate lists" after the inflammatory rantings of maverick television personality Stephen Deletraz, and perhaps this is part of what motivated the Warriors in the first half. Milchama were all over their opponents, as first Marc Floren, then Dunston Copperlee, put the ball past Juan Garcia. The Krytenian defence in the first twenty minutes were conspicuous only by their apparent absence, and Rob Zelic must have felt particularly disappointed by his lacklustre defensive work.

A breakaway goal, against the run of play, by Darren Scotland gave Krytenia a bit of hope, but Milchama restored the two-goal advantage just four minutes later through a screaming Belmowitz volley, and only a kind offside flag prevented Krytenia from going into the break four-one down.

Never mind the hairdryer, Adam Toivonen must have given his men the wind-tunnel treatment at half-time. Krytenia played like a band of possessed men, but Milchama defended in a way that Krytenia couldn't, and it took a moment of sheer class from David Wolverton to break the Warriors' defence, as he beat three men before lashing the ball past Clay Finton. The equaliser came almost at the death, again with Wolverton as the orchestrator, this time finding young substitute Uriel Kennedy, and the third-generation international nodded home to euphoric scenes.

The Aces will be looking for a somewhat less coronary match as they take on Vephrall next. Krytenia came off the best twice in qualifying, can the Miecemen make it third time lucky, or will it be history repeating?

Krytenia - 3
Scotland 31
Wolverton 69
Kennedy 89

Milchama - 3
Floren 10
Copperlee 17
Belmowitz 35

SCORERS:
D. Scotland - 10
C. Smith - 6
S. Bond - 2
U. Kennedy - 2
J. Austin - 1
G. Navarro - 1
G. Moon - 1
D. Wolverton - 2

FR1: A v NET - D 3-3 (Scotland, Smith, Bond)
FR2: H v SRZ - D 0-0
MD1: A v DCK - W 2-0 (Scotland 2)
MD2: A v LEC - D 1-1 (Wolverton)
MD3: H v EPO - W 2-0 (Scotland, Smith)
MD4: A v QMB - W 2-1 (Scotland, Austin)
MD5: H v JEY - D 0-0
MD6: A v VPH - W 1-0 (Smith)
MD7: H v ARC - L 0-1
FR3: H v SEC - L 1-2 (Kennedy)
MD8: H v DCK - D 2-2 (Smith, Navarro)
MD9: H v LEC - W 2-1 (Scotland, Bond)
MD10: A v EPO - D 0-0
MD11: H v QMB - W 1-0 (Smith)
MD12: A v JEY - D 2-2 (Scotland, Moon)
MD13: H v VPH - W 3-1 (Scotland 2, Smith)
MD14: A v ARC - L 0-3
FR4: A v SRZ - D 1-1 (Smith)
R1MD1: N v MIL - D 3-3 (Scotland, Wolverton, Kennedy)
R1MD2: N v VPH
R1MD3: N v QAZ

Coach Pappas responds to loss by naming fresh starting XI

Paris Sisinis and Hyakinthos Bion have been the only two players retained for Peisandros' second crack at WC finals football. Infact those two have been named vice-captain and captain, respectively. Three players make their debuts too, 16yr old goalkeeper Ektor Athanasiadis, defender Midas Georgiou and Apollodoros Notara.

It is the most inexperienced side possible and Pappas is hoping raw determination can work wonders over the tried and true.

The side can be seen here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14359820&postcount=55)

Jeruselem Government News

Former World Cup coach Moany in hospital

World Cup coach for 42 and 43, Monique Alexander is hospital today after a car crash. Rock throwing hooligans swashed her front window which caused Moany to swerve into a tree on the side of the road. After admiring their handywork, the hooligans ran off. The former pornstar, World Cup player and captain as well as coach isn't exactly very young these days. She's over 70 years old and suffered extensive injuries.

Doctors said she is in stable situation but has suffered a new back injury. When news filtered, fans of Moany hit web sites to vent their anger at the incident. Most wanted to do bad things to the hooligans responsible. Moany's best friend Dazza Dallas was saddened at the incident and said it could happen to anyone but could have been worse.

Daughter Ricci visited her mother after work. Qazian and current World Cup coach Ryan Greenly was sad at the event since Moany could become his mother-in-law. Princess Jacinta Sasha Dallas visited as Dazza Dallas is in Newmanistan on some work for the Jeruselem FA there.

Police are hunting for the hooligans responsible and won't be meek about catching their quarry. There didn't disclose what measures they'd use but they said they were guaranteed to get a result. Police discounted mechanical failure, bad weather or driver error for the crash. They said the rock thrower got overeager and used brick instead explaining why Moany swerved as she tried avoid the brick.

The World Cup 44 team vowed to play their best for their ex-coach and current coach. Jeru FC coach, the good Count, also said his team will do their best for Moany. Moany is expected to be in hospital for quite a while and now can't work. Her web site got flooded with well wishers and some non-well wishers as well. Moany had requested people don't send presents or gifts, she just wants time to get over the accident.

One youth who was spotted in the area at the time has been detained for questioning. He fell under suspicion when youtube videos of him being the "Da Masta Rocka Throwa" were found. Police suspect he's part of a bigger gang of hooligans.

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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VICTORIOUS START IN THE WORLD CUP

The World Cup has started. Being one of the best countries of the world in football, Cafundéu has a big responsibility: battle for the World Cup title. And the start was inside Group E, in Kura-Pelland. The Monopolists need to get the qualification for the knockout stage to avoid an embarrassment, and to keep the title dream alive. And the start satisfied the supporters: a 2x0 win over Jaseuyeon, with a solid performance of the Cafundelense players. With this victory, now Cafundéu already has three points inside the group, but there are two more games to be played, against Kelseek and Yafor 2, a complicated team to play against.

THE FIRST HALF: Nefasto prepared the Cafundelense team with a strategy different than the one used in the last games. Instead of focusing the plays on the centre of the field, he ordered Augusto César and Rossi to attack using the wings, with Renildo and Cícero giving them assistance. The new tactics surprised the opponents, which weren’t expecting this different attitude, and left the wings without enough protection. In a dangerous play, Renildo crossed the ball to the area and Hubert appeared to head it. Unfortunately, the goalkeeper was fast enough to make a wonderful save and send the ball for a corner kick. In the beginning of the game, Cafundéu was attacking more, but unable to find a real good opportunity to score a goal.

David Nefasto’s strategy seemed to be well-planned, but the Monopolists were having some difficulties to adapt themselves too. There were many missed passes, especially from the centre to the wings of the field. Jaseuyeon tried to take advantage of these missed passes to start counterattacks, but Silveira was simply perfect as defensive midfielder and stopped them. After the middle of the half, Cafundéu seemed to be more adapted to the new playing style, and was dangerous. In one chance, Augusto César invaded the area and passed to Marossi, who shot. The ball hit the post. In the last minutes of the first half, Jaseuyeon nearly scored, but Kardec was in the right place to block the shot.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Augusto César’s goal): “Good contrrrrrrol of the ball by Silveirrrrrra, Nice pass to Marrrrrossi in the midfield... he is heavily marked, maybe therrrrre werrrrrre some special instrrrrrructions about this… OH, MY! What a drrrrrribble… OH, MY! What a foul! Violence without limits herrrrre! Looks like Túlio wants a fight, the rrrrrreferrrrrre stops the confusion… rrrrrread carrrrrrd to the Jaseuyeon defender! Well, Augusto César will take this frrrrree kick… the shot… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! The rrrrreplay is being prrrrreparrrrred for us! Augusto César, number eight! Now it is Cafundéu one, Jaseuyeon zerrrrro! After worrrrrrking a whole day, passing by some strrrrressful situations, therrrre is nothing better than drrrrrrinking some Do Rrrrriacho Cachaça! The trrrrrue cachaça!”

THE SECOND HALF: as usual, Nefasto didn’t make changes during halftime. After all, if the coach usually doesn’t make changes even when the team is playing badly, why make changes when the team seems so close to scoring. Some supporters could answer: close, but the team didn’t score. Yes, that situation started to worry the team. A good performance, but no goals scored. After ten minutes without good goalscoring chances, David decided to put Túlio in Rossi’s place. The change itself didn’t make much impact, but Nefasto’s face when he called Túlio had: he was furious. That was what the players needed, some extra motivation to battle for the goal, as they seemed a bit relaxed at that time.

In two plays, the Monopolists showed their dominance of the game. In the first, Cícero crossed the ball to the area, Túlio headed it to the middle of the area and Alves appeared to shoot… but the ball hit the bar. In the second, Silveira passed the ball to Marossi, who nutmegged a defender who, furious, shot Marossi’s right knee. Túlio threatened the defender, and a fight nearly started. The referee was able to stop the confusion and showed the red card to the defender. Augusto César took the free kick, a perfect one, and the ball went directly to the net. With the goal, the Cafundelense players controlled their anxiety, and could play even better.

Nefasto then prepared substitutions to defend the team, as he noticed that, as the Cafundelense midfield was doing a good job in controlling the ball, there was no danger of a strong pressure of Jaseuyeon in the final minutes, and that Cafundéu could defend without fear of losing the game dominance. So, Fabinho and Jules entered in the game. Jaseuyeon even tried to attack to draw the game, but they could shot only twice at Kardec’s goal, without danger. Instead, it was Cafundéu that scored, even with the defensive attitude. Jules tackled an opponent and passed the ball to Alves who, near the entrance of the area, dribbled an opponent and shot to the goal.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Alves’s goal): “Cafundéu now waiting for the end of the game, keeping this victorrrrry in the firrrrrst game of this Worrrrrld Cup… our opponents trrrrry to attack, but… look at this, Jules took the ball, it can be the counterrrrrattack that will define this game! He advances with the ball, Jaseuyeon’s defence is open, excellent pass to Alves, the attacker cuts inside, drrrrrribbles the last defender, shoots to score… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Come see this rrrrreplay with me! Alves, number seven! Now the rrrrresult is Cafundéu two, Jaseuyeon zerrrrro! The Cafundelense goverrrrrnment is worrrrrrking to imprrrrrrove the economy of the countrrrrry! Supporrrrrrt us, invest in Cafundéu! This is the message of Head Counselor Said Al-Jasseb to all the Cafundelenses!”

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS: a win. That’s what all the Cafundelenses were wanting and expecting after the ninety minutes of this game. So, the members of the National Team are sure satisfied with the start of the World Cup for them. After the game, the coach David Nefasto talked with the reporters, and said: “Three points were our goal today, and we conquered them. This is the beginning of our World Cup campaign, and this team will fight hard to make it a success!” Alves, who scored the second goal of the Monopolists in the game, said: “We had the control of the game, but the first half was somewhat difficult because we couldn’t score goals. Fortunately, in the second half we could find the breaches to win this game, and that was what we wanted.”

Also, I talked with the worldwide famous television presenter and commentator Breno Gavião. We all know that he passed nearly a month in a hospital in Lasft, and now is in Kura-Pelland to commentate the World Cup. With a new face (and when I say new, it is really new!), he told me: “It is grrrrrreat to be back to my job. I love to comment football games… I’m glad that the Cafundelense people gave so much support to me.” On other news, I heard that the honorary president of the CCFM’s health situation isn’t good. Due to his old age, it is difficult for him to fight against the lung cancer, but we are hoping for his recovery.


CAFUNDÉU 2x0 JASEUYEON

Place: Greens Park, Prangren.
Attendance: still being checked by the officials.
Time: 17:30 Cafundelense time (20:30 local time).
Climate: clear, 24ºC.
Referee: Georg Leorcziwkz (Lovisa).
Assistants: Alexander Bakorov and Vladmir Karmoneev (Myedvedeya).
POTM: Silveira (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Cícero, Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Rossi (Túlio 55'), Augusto César and Marossi (Jules 68'); Alves and Hubert (Fabinho 74').
Coach: David Nefasto.

JASEUYEON: it seems that the person that knows this line-up is the worst nightmare of Capitalizt SLANI.

Goal:CAF: Augusto César 61' , Alves 77'.

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

Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Cotuba, Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Carlos Gaetán (Aguazul).

WC goalscorers (proper):

1- Augusto César, Alves

A tale is told of what happened in the Archregimancy locker room after the disastrous matchday 1 loss to Kosovoe in World Cup 44.

Fr. Innocent turned to Fr. Anthony the coach, and proclaimed "Father, we despair! Losing so badly to the weakest team in the group is not how we anticipated starting our World Cup campaign! Tell, us, what must we do?"

Fr. Anthony replied "Harken unto me, my son. Behold, there went out a team to play in a mighty tournament: And it came to pass, as they played, in some matches they played badly, and the opposition came and devoured them up. And some matches were played on stony ground, where there was not much earth; and immediately a match sprang up, despite the lack of earth: But when the sun was up, the players were scorched; and the match withered away and ended in a draw. Yet other matches were played on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth pleasing results whereby our squad scores three or four, or even five goals. He that has ears to hear, let him hear."

Those that listened were confused. And when the squad was alone, the starting eleven asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of my training techniques: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

And he said unto them, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The players are inspired by the word. And these are they who play badly; but when they have played, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts when they were upon the field of play. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they are playing, immediately play with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended, and the match stutters to a draw. And these are they which play on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, and score many goals against the heathen opposition."

And the squad were amazed, and vowed to play better in the next match, despite the quality of the Bazalonian squad and the presence of a vibrant minority canonical Orthodox church within the latter nation.

Two-nil. Two-nil. Two-effing-nil. Juan Tzimisces stood there in disbelief, still not comprehending how those whores from Jeruselem had so comprehensively outplayed his lads.

The chastity belt nightmares had clearly been a mistake - he'd told Simeone that they called it the 'Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies' for a reason, but then they'd both agreed with the oneirologists that attempting to undermine the voracious sexual appetites of their opponents had been the way forward.

What none of them had appreciated was that the Jeruselemites may be promiscuous whores, but they weren't nymphomaniacs. They rutted like lemmings because they wanted to, not because they were psychologically compelled to.

What particularly disappointed Juan, though, was that this was the match they simply had to get a result in. Yes, he expected to beat Peisandros, but with the all-conquering Valanorans still to play, he'd been hoping for at least a draw against the sex-obsessed Israelites.

Now he and Simeone had to convince the team to thump Peisandros by as many as possible, and then pray for a draw against the Elves.

Juan respected the Valanorans. Of all the teams he'd seen in the long history of the World Cup since World Cup 1, they were one of the strongest he'd ever seen. They weren't a team that was going to be easily distracted by something as trivial as their worst nightmare.

What was their worst nightmare, anyway? Never winning the World Cup again? Suddenly being transformed into Starblaydi dwarves? Laborious Hawk breaking a leg? He'd find out soon enough.

In the meantime, he understood that the State Bureau of Imperial Security were offering to help catch the rock-throwing hooligans who'd injured former Jeruselem coach Monique Alexander by infiltrating the dreams of every single person in Candelaria and Marquez. Juan wasn't quite convinced that was a good idea - too active an intervention in mundy reality might get the mundies worked up, especially if they ever came to realise just how powerful oneirology was. Still, wasn't his decision, was it? He was just a football legend.

Why aren't you coaching Starblaydia?

"Because they didn't ask me," Simeone replied.

You coached them before, the voice insisted.

"I did." It was true, after all, and not something that could, should or would ever be denied.

You won with them. The Four Nations Invitational, the fourteenth Under Twenty-One World Cup. Two tournaments, two titles.

"Yes," Simeone replied, "I was lucky to have good players, good teams."

So why aren't you coaching Starblaydia's good players? Good teams?

"Because," Simeone repeated, "they never asked me."

The voice changed tack. And why are you coaching the Holy Empire?

"Because they asked me."

But you're not a Frostican. It was almost inferred an insult.

"No, but they asked me."

Your head is Starblaydi.

"Yes."

Your heart is Starblaydi.

"Yes."

Your soul is Starblaydi.

"Yes." Was this actually leading anywhere? Simeone was determined to give this endless line of questioning a point, or to find out something about the voice itself.

Not Frostican?

"No."

Silence. Simeone strained for a response, but none was forthcoming. Had the voice gone, or was it simply contemplating the answer? Simeone had yet to discover quite who or what was behind the voice, if anything. His theory was that it was spill-over from the nightmares that the team were inflicting on all the other 'mundies' that The Holy Empire were playing. He was still a mundy, after all. How mundane, something from Ordinary Reality. Either that, or he was actually going insane. Was it possible, as someone technically dead, to do that? Simeone dismissed the thought from his mind, he wasn't going to travel down that particular path of thoughts again.

Why aren't you coaching Starblaydia?

"Oh, for crying out loud," Simeone yelled, "must I put up with this interminable line of questioning?"

Yes. Why aren't you coaching Starblaydia?

"Because they never asked me." Simeone spat out the reply for the umpteenth time.

Why did they not ask you? A new question. Finally.

"Because I..." He didn't have an immediate answer for that, or did he? He nearly answered it straight away, in his anger. He thought things over for a minute. The voice, evidently, was a patient entity, given the number of questions that had been asked, a seemingly eternal line of the same words, over and over again, but this was new. He mulled it over. The voice waited. "Because," he began, his words almost failing him, "because they think I am dead."

The voice evidently considered this. Why do they think that you are dead?

"Because I am!" Simeone screamed back, to shut the voice up.

Are you, indeed? It seemed amused.

"..." he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. There were no words for that. Was he? Wasn't he? What was going on? "Now look here," he said with renewed determination, "who the hell are you?"

No answer was forthcoming, no matter how loud he yelled. The voice had got what it wanted, most likely, or given what it had wanted to give. Simeone thought about that for a good while longer.

Demot Daily ~ Rise of the Druids

With the revelation that the Dynamo plan to be a cohost for the next edition of the World Cup, suddenly the building of three super stadiums during the past two years make quite a load of sense. It is likely that the DFA President, the legend of David Masteron, commisioned their building as a way to woo votes for the country, providing the would be host with four stadia with a capacity of 70,000. It is not known how long the DFA have been planning on making this bid to be hosts, or how long they have been working with the SLANI federation to make the idea a reality. What we do know is that the country now houses some of the finest stadia in the world(s), one of the most popular clubs (Likewell Kirk), and has a national team that is second in only to Valanora. From both a marketing and playing perspective, there has never been a greater time in the footballing history of the country, and the outlook has it only getting better.

With the few established youth academies the nation has, a flow of talented and knowledgable young players is being established. Already several of the recent graduates from the Academies have been selected as part of next months' AOCAF competition. While not attracting the elite of the footballing community, the DPL has risen to be a credable league that has shown well enough in the international competitions. Despite its' recent flame out in the latest TQCC, Likewell Kirk is indeed one of the most popular, but also one of the best clubs in the world. The Ad'hani Jake Holmes and a handful of Vanorians have played for the club's colors.

When you consider all this, and then the rise (or second) of the national team, then one must wonder how far our star can go. Valanora continues to be heads and shoulders above the rest of the world, that much is certain, but who is the best of the rest? I know the rankings have us as that team, following our run in the knockouts last tournament, but that can be as much of a fluke as our first run into the Final. I need not remind you of the poor decade of results that followed that run into losing out to Az-cz in World Cup 37. The only way to legitamize our standing as the best of the remaining nations is to put on a repeat performance. Then, and only then, if we have a rematch with the Vanorians in the Final, can our standing be true. Champions is a fleeting thought, but on any given matchday, even the craziest of results can come true.

Article by Samantha Triden

“…ack again to Lopulalan, under pressure from Labrie, finds the pass to Cohen… Pauses, and crosses… But too far for Spooner, finds only Evans, and Richard Flahavan can control that…”

“Not going anywhere fast this game, is it?”

“No, it’s got to be said, second half much the same as the first, on this evidence… Too tentative, ultimately, just prodding at each other still… As Jacobs attempts to play in Jones, but it’s cut out by Silva de Aviz, and back to Adekunde… And not particularly high in quality really, either. Not a match to be a credit to the World Cup just yet, but there’s still time…”

“And the atmosphere as well, John, you can tell from the crowd…”

“They sense this isn’t quite what one would hope for, no… Great big roar, of course, when the Candelariasian team emerged for the start of the second period, but it’s a bit of a morgue in here at the moment, which is quite a shame, considering. A lot of El din locals here… Kortsarian’s just receiving treatment for that nasty clash of heads with Darryl O’Sullivan; you’re not missing anything… Quite a few kids, in on cheapy tickets, but even they’re getting pretty flat now…”

“So the question is, are Dannat or Cal going to go all out here, stick another man up front, or…? ‘Cos as it stands, this is nil-nil, isn’t it?”

“Well yeah… As the game gets back underway here, bit of head tennis… Yes, but the fact that Dancougar have equalised now, down in Arrigo, does that change things at all? Barely ten minutes left to play in both matches, bit more here for the injury time, but… You’d think Dancougar should, by rights, go on and win that game against the Bear’s Arms…”

“Sure, I mean, all credit to the newcomers, but they’re a pub team, basically…”

“Possibly literally, with a name like that, John. Certainly would be a major upset if the results stayed the sa… This might be promising for Ad’ihan, Jacobs to Yaaaaang… Just wide! Sbaïz not truly troubled there, you have to say… And hasn’t been all afternoon. So fresh legs, you’d say? Lawrence Amey’s been warming up for a fair while, Spooner already on for Smith, but not really made that much of an impa– OH!”

“Ghah!”

“Come on!”

“That’s got to be a red, surely!”

“Hrruu-gar!”

“…as Fábio Luís Miykazashi Schneider calls Masters over… I think this is just going t’be a yellow, y’NO! He’s off!”

“Yerr!”

“Arruruh!”

“Good call, ref! Marjory, any fear of me steak and kidney? Thanks luv…”

“Well, that certainly changes the complexion of the game… And the crowd responding to it, urging the home side on… Got to bring on Amey now, surely; have a run at them?”

“You’d say so… But he’s got to give Dionísio a chance with this free-kick, you’d say.”

“Yup… Could be him, could be Cohen, both lining up… And it’s going to be DionísIOOOOOOOO MADEIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*cough*rra*caff* Lob*HEM!*os…”

“GWON!”

“Gediiin!”

“Hrrur-aarh!”

“Yeah, you said it, Jeff!”

“…uperb free-kick there, makes it look simple… And one-nil to the Big Blues! Questions about Danny Evans’ positioning, there, perhaps?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t say so, John, not much he could’ve done about that… The Marbles faithful loving the Catedral City ‘keeper being thoroughly outfoxed, though!”

“Absolutely… As Dionísio does make way after all, his job’s done… Amey’s on, I think Zec’s being readied there… Real uphill struggle for Ad’ihan now, and with Dancougar still drawing this is a pretty decent start all-round for C&M if it stays like this… Not what we were really expecting, to tell the truth, but welcome… As O’Brien just clears up from Yang, Ad’ihan totally outnumbered in the centre now…”

“I reckon,” one of the Seven Frosty Pheasants’ most loyal denizens mused, in between sips of his pint of mild (so mild that it was, in fact, grapefruit juice), “that if we keep Dionísio fit, we’ve got every chance of going really quite far… All the way, I reckon!”

His companion shrugged. “You reckon, Jan? We’re what, twenty-second in the world? Not a chance…”

“Bazalonia made the final from that position a couple o’ years back. Said so in the Periodico this morning. Doesn’t sound like we’ve got much to fear from Dancougar, either… Nah, you mark my words, Connor, that Dionísio is going t’lead us to proper glory before he retires…”

Connor shrugged again. “Still dunt think it’s proper…” he mumbled.

Jan rolled his eyes. “What, ‘cos he’s Cafundelar… Cafundes… from Cafundéu?* C’mon lad, move into the twenty-first century! He’s a citizen here, proper Candelariasian hero now. As if you’re not three-quarters Sorthern!”

“Oh, that’s different… That’d be like saying you frogs** ain’t proper Candelariasians either. But you’ve got t’have limits, surely… I don’t mind telling you, here and now, Dionísio or no Dionísio, there’s way too many of his sort here in Arrigo. It’s even worse in the ‘ispannyphone bits, an’ all! Too many bloody foreigners by ‘arf.” He paused, and turned sheepishly to the third man on their table. “Present company excepted, of course…”

“Urraburr…”

“Mm, spot on, Jeff,” Jan nodded, “You need to wise up yourself, Con! Get with the times. We ain’t gonna win owt without these newcomers… Long as there ain’t too many of ‘em, all in one place, eroding the indigenous culture…” He paused thoughtfully, as a Hispanic family wandered into the pub and took their place at a nearby table. “Eroding our culture, anyway…”

“Would that be our indigenous Nethertopian culture or indigenous Northlandish culture?” Connor grinned.

Jan coughed, aware that the tables had turned a little. “All I’m saying is… ‘Ang on, you were the one complaining about bloody Dionísio!”

“Ahh, the dark underbelly of prejoodis of the sort-of-Anglo Marquezian exposed,” the Northlandish Candelariasian smiled, finishing off the last drops of his prune juice.

“Uurra-rrur!”

“Succinctly put as ever, Jeff,” Jan sighed. “Better get another round in, I guess…”

“Hhrruhurra.”

“Bless ya, lad. Another grapefruit juice for me. And he’ll have another prune juice, on account of his louisa giles…”

The old friends watched as the huge, hairy bear of a man – christened ‘Jeff’ as of this lunchtime for want on anything more suitable – pushed his chair back and padded off towards the bar.

“Seems like a pleasant fellow,” Jan said, before grimacing while a late Jake Holmes effort curled just round Joel Sbaïz’s left post.

Connor nodded. “Aye. I still say though, life would be a darn sight easier if all these Squornshelan refugees would just hurry up and learn English…”

“Yeah. Could be worse, though. Could’ve been them furry buggers playin’ Dancougar. Now they’re just weird…”


*It took a good ten years for the nation to fully get ‘Candelariasian’ round its collective chops, back in the day.

**Nethertopians, especially recent migrants to the Candelarias. The terms was originally used by the British to refer to the Dutch, though was unknown in C&M until relatively recently, suggesting that the English-speaking population have simply taken to referring to their nearest foreign neighbours as ‘frogs’ on general principal.


***


Plip… Plip… Plip… Krck-Ptum… Plip… Plip…

…onzoff, good strong run past Marra-Urra o Redwood, still a possibility for a Dancougan winner here… Easily scooped up by o Barrdenn, they really are holding their own here, and Smith would be justly proud of his me… wo… b… charges, here, on their World Cup debut, a really memorable start from the newcomers from Bairsarm here in Arrigo… Rather a sparse crowd to enjoy it, sadly, but whatchagonnado? SunDaughter now, for… y’know… for her team. Yes. Er, wide on the left, not long left to play…

“One day…”

“One doi, Mr Wroight?”

“Do call me Quintin, old friend…”

“As you wish, Mr Wroight.

“One day, it shall be different… I met one once, you know… In Columbia…”

“So you said, Mr Wroight. Yesterday. Day before that. Day before that. Day befo–”

“My apologies for boring you. Little more than four minutes in the individual pursuit, but it changed everything…”

“Is that the one where you hang about on the curvey-uppy bit for half an hour…?”

“No. It’s the one where you both go round in circles for four kilometres in the vain hope of catching the other fellow. Ha… Sounds so silly when you say it like that. So small. But it’s a special day! They’re on telly… In front of millions!”

“Nahhh, shouldn’t think so, Mr Wroight! Everyone’s watching the C&M game, in’t it? Might do the highlights a bit, but… Thought you’d be too, t’be honest. Went to a lot of trouble getting you a telly in yer cell…”

“I know. And I appreciate it. But I thought I should lend my support to Rarrns’ people. He did change my life, after all.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Made it significantly worse, when you think about it, but still… I owe him, in a strange way. Because it won’t always be like this…”

“Prolly not. Be a damn shame if everything stayed the same, wouldn’t it? Damn queer, if you ask me, though. Growin’ yer hair all long like that an’ prancin’ about like a big animal… Got mental issues if you ask me, cultural heritage or not…”

“No-one asked you. Why would they? You’re just the comedy jailer, and not a particularly good one at that…”

“I does me best, Mr Wroight.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But you don’t know anything of the world, old friend, not really. But it won’t always be that way…”

“Yeah,” the jailer sighed, “So you says… Lots. Er. D’you want this nourishing gruel or not?”

“We stand on the edge of history, my friend. Gruel, nourishing or otherwise, is the least of my concerns…”

“Yeah, only, I put pine nuts in it all special…”

“Ooh!”

Cut Off (historically named La Coupe) is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The population was 5,635 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. Cut Off's ZIP code is 70345, the Area Code is 985 and local telephone prefixes are 325, 632, 693.

More pertinently, this is the MD2 RP cut-off for groups E to H. And these here would be the scores (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14428327&postcount=22).

The cut-off for groups A to D will take place at approximately 1800 UTC, due to Stuff. Both MD3 cut-offs will take place at approximately 1720 hours on Saturday, accuracy fans.

(from the ‘Sports’ section of ‘The Bear Necessities’…)


When asked whether she was surprised at the Belles managing to hold Dancougar’s team to a 1-1 draw, team captain Marra SunDaughter replied_
“No, not at all, although a draw was probably the best result that we could realistically have hoped for in that game and the ‘Black Wings’ might have been able to defeat us if they’d pushed harder during the final ten minutes or so. They were only ranked a couple of places above Cafundeu, and we managed a draw in one of our two matches against that team during the qualifiers — even if the other one of those games was a rather heavy defeat — after all.
I’ll tell you one thing that I think really helped, though, and that was our post-qualifiers ‘friendly’ against the Treemen of Dariusville: having to play against opponents who were so much bigger and stronger than us, but so much less manoeuvrable too, gave us a much better understanding of how our Human rivals in this tournament are likely to feel when playing against us and hopefully an extra insight into how they’re likely to play because of that…”

(OOC: Congratulations to Dancougar! As far as I’m concerned, your report on our match captured the Bears’ style perfecctly and set the standard by which any other descriptions of matches by Humans against the Bears should be measured…)


And how do you rate the Belles' chance at progressing beyond this stage of the contest, Marra? After all, according to the WCC's tables they are the lowest-rated team in their group...

"Lowest-rated? So What! If we can hold the highest-rated team to a draw, as we've just done, then we can certainly hope to beat either of the other teams if we apply ourselves and the spirits don't turn against us. Ad'ihan is rated no more highly than Yafor 2 was when we played against them twice in the qualifiers, and we won one of those games, and our hosts' team is in the same general range of ratings as Jeru FC and Prux, so considering the results that we managed against those teams why shouldn't we be able to beat that one? Okay, so the team from Ad'ihan really have to win their game against us to stay in the competition, and will probably play with extra determination because of that, but we've got a lot to prove too!
The real fun is going to come when we play our hosts' team. I mean, their government has kept on telling them that Humans are the only sapient beings around, so how are they going to react when they get out on the pitch and face us? Arri says that he's going to include Verrina Serrnarra's-daughter in our opening line-up for that match, too, in place of Ulga West-Walker, to increase the obviously non-human nature of our team... Will they keep on believing the lies, and try playing against us in the same way that they'd play against an all-Human team? Will they be so confused that they can't play properly? Will they realise the truth, and walk off of the field as a protest against their leaders' lies? Hr'rrm, or I suppose they might realise the truth but manage to channel their anger into extra determination to win instead... Anyway, them we really want to beat, fair and square, to send a message to their whole nation!
Two wins might be a bit much to hope for, but one win and another draw should get us through -- I think -- and even a win and a loss might do it if the win was by a wide enough margin and the results of the other teams matches against each other balanced-out right...

That's your cut-off, folks!

Scores are there! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14428567&postcount=23[/url)

OOC: After LE's had a go (along with Paci and Baz previously, that I know of), I thought I'd have a bash at a bit of radio. Yey for Garageband and a built-in mic on the iMac. Ignoring the sloppy journalism in Group B from when KP still had Starblaydia Qualified and Bazalonia Eliminated, here's me doing a lil 4 minute radio show type thing. If it's any good, I might do some more. *shrug*

Note, this is a 3.7MB mp3 file, and the quality is, well, you decide.

Some Starblaydi Student Radio (http://www.simonbrady.com/radio/Matchday%202.mp3)

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: 2-0 vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: 0-2 @ [???] Sarzonia (@ Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium - 88,920, Woodstock)
MD3: 5-0 vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: 2-0 @ [54] Liventia (@ Colonial Stadium, Orean)
MD5: 2-0 vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: 1-0 @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea)
MD7: 3-0 vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: 1-4 @ Sorthern Northland (@ somewhere new and special, but I haven't a clue...)
MD8: @ 4-0 [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street - 85,000, Moorcroft)
MD9: 2-0 vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD10: 3-0 @ [76] Dariusville (@ Humphra Ignhorium - 2,000, some forest in Dariusville)
MD11: 3-1 vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD12: 5-1 @ [1] Valanora (@ Hatire Memorial - 60,000, Capri)
MD13: 2-1 vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000, Pyeongyang)
MD14: 3-1 @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ worse than in a beer bottle)
PQ: 6-2 @ Your Worst Nightmare (@ Your Nightmare's House)
World Cup 44 - Group C
MD1: vs 2-0 [31] Septentrionia (@ La Escalera Naranja, Onwere)
MD2: 0-0 vs [9] Capitalizt SLANI (@ The Marble Ground, El din)
MD3: vs [21] Sorthern Northland (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)



MBC World Cup Special Report
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/news.png

BuyAGoal.com Runs Out of Money - No Goals in Han-SLANI fight

EL DIN - Recent stock reports from BuyAGoal.com says that they ran out of money (i.e. gold) to purchase a goal for the Han-SLANI encounter. As a result, no goals were expected, and everyone started lining up for a 0-0 draw just minutes before the match began. And whatdoyaknow? A 0-0 draw, and the average guy gets ahead with about 1 penny's worth more per $10 purchase. The establishment came out ahead only because this wonderful revelation, and nonetheless, the Han are still on top. Thanks to Septentrionia's 2-0 win over the Sortherners, the Han have but to draw or win and progress to the Second Round. I repeat - the Han have but to draw or win to progress to the Second Round.

Why do I thus remark? Usually, when the Han go into a tight battle, recent history tends to favor the Han beating the odds and winning what was needed. WC43: that 4-0 trumping over Septentrionia put the Han, not only on to the next round but on top of the group. WC39: a win over Tynelia put the Han also on top of the group and into the Second Round. WC39Q too: A last match win against Ulzaxid put the Han into the World Cup for the first time. Of course, when there is no pressure on the Han, then things tend not to go our way. You don't need me to say that twice, but I will: when there is no pressure on the Han, then things tend not to go our way. Why say that? Well... to remind whoever is out there that we're under pressure, especially Ioshido. Not progressing to the Second Round means that Ioshido Toki will be looking for another team to manage (although plenty of local clubs are already queuing for dibs on the guy). Not progressing to the Second Round means another long wait just to get back to here, like that wonderful Sisyphus myth. Of course, one does wonder what happens when that stone does get stuck at the top of the hill - does he knock it over just to do something for the heck of it?

Anyway, getting way too philosophical. The Han and the SLANI battled pretty much for naught and managed to get naught from the game. Kim Daeeui had a number of chances, but Jeong Jihun's late second half strike was by far the best opportunity that the Han had to score, except the goalkeeper knocked the ball out the post and out for a corner kick (which the Han proceeded to completely squander). So the Han and the SLANI battled out a 0-0 draw; you don't need me to say that again.


=== === ===

The referee blew the whistle. The match began as it should have started. Kim Shinyok took the ball, passed back to Shin Hongdo. #10 dashed up right through the lines, took a shot on goal, and everyone immediately gasped. Yang just barely got his hands to the ball, and stopped it mid-air. The ball landed squat in front of him. The gasps quickly turned to cheers from the crowd; oh, that was a sound that none of them had heard in a very long time. Pak was elated to hear it. Yang was probably more elated.

"That was great, Yang!!!" Pak yelled from the line.

Yang took his time with the ball and gave it a good kick up the field, hoping to reach Kim somewhere near the back line. Unfortunately, the ball went a little too far back, and the defenders caught the ball, passing it straight up to #10 once again. It took three successive tackles to pull out the ball from #10, and though Bae was the one to catch the ball surprisingly, the referee pulled it back for a foul. He went over to Bae quickly, as if to hand out a card, but luckily it was only some words. Bae gave a nod and went back to watch his fellow teammates make a wall. #10 stood behind the ball as he always did, and made a driving punt into the wall. Apparently, someone got knocked in the wrong spot, and #10 simply dribbled around them. Bae again managed to catch the ball (and not the man), punting the ball up the field to Kim (lonely standing up there). Fresh on his feet, Kim dribbled up and dove past two defenders before he made the shot; a glancing shot just over the crossbar.

"Kim's doing pretty well for the start," Pak remarked. Gang patted him on the back, hoping to catch his attention. He wasn't sporting a very optimistic face.

"Pak, why aren't you out there?" he asked. Doubtless, it was the question that everyone wanted to ask.

"Do I need to be out there?" Pak replied, turning back to the game.

"Everyone knows you're better than Bae Cheolgwan."

"Better?" Pak retorted. "Explain how I'm better."

"You're the better defender," Yi Jongchoe said. "Everyone knows that. You're faster, you run harder, you dribble better, your kick is longer, and you can tackle just about anyone. Why aren't you out there, facing off with #10?"

Pak smiled. "Is that football though?"

"What is?"

"Is #10 the only person on that team?" Pak asked, pointing towards the other side. "Is he the only one we have to worry about?"

"No. But he's the best one on their side. And you're the best one who can stop him."

"I'm not the best one to stop him," Pak said. "No Chansu does a better job at that then I do. I play with him better than anyone else, but that's not the game we're playing, are we?"

"Is this about what happened in the last game?"

"What happened in the last game?"

"Bae said that you were playing too many tricks."

"That I was."

"But aren't tricks good?"

"Good?" Pak paused for just a short while. He felt like a lecture was coming about him, but he felt no reason to stop himself. "Tricks are good. But playing the game is better. If a trick helps you get down the field, it's good. But I've never seen a trick that's helped me get down the pitch, past a defender or even score a goal. Tactics - that's a good trick. Strategy - that's another good trick. But tricks? Just moving the ball with your feet? If you're that good, why are you here?"

"Because no one wants you?"

"Nah. We're here to have fun. Tricks is not fun. Tricks is good, but not fun."

"This is confusing me. You mean you don't like to do tricks? You don't like juggling the ball around on your forehead?"

"That's all nice, but if I can't get that ball in the back of the net, what's the point of it? Tricks is one game; football is another. I'm here because I want to play football."

"But you're on the bench. You're not playing football."

"I am. I'm cheering on our team. Don't you want to play?"

The others nodded and came up to the edge of the line, where the game was still proceeding. "This is a beautiful game, you guys," Pak then said. "Let's make them proud."

(ooc1: if any legal people who have anything to do with Katy Perry don't want me using a clip of her #1 single to start off my RP, I'm more than willing to make it up to her when I see her in concert in Birmingham in June. Yes, I have tickets, what of it?)

http://www.bostopia.net/emperorbostonrp1.wma

*Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl*

“Hello, I'm Emperor Boston, and I'll be bringing you World Cup 44 Review LIVE from Kura-Pelland after the news, at 1 o'clock.

Prime Minister Alan Sentor of the Bostopian National Party has today brought forward legislation designed to clamp down on “social-networking sites” following information from the security services of a terrorist threat emanating from groups which have been set up on various sites. The PM said in a speech to the Isles Parliament that if Government were given a chance to monitor the activities of these websites, the threat to the Home Isles would decrease drastically. BNP members are said to be in favour of the measures, and the measures are set to become law within the next few days.

Mrs. Tibbles' cat has today again been rescued from a tree in Squigg, Port Flamerty State. Eyewitness reports again claim that the cat had been placed in the tree by reporters looking for a good news story, though these claims are yet to be verified.

In Rugball's Division 1, Norteaton R.C. are currently leading on 47 points at the midway stage, with Irringvale R.C. trailing them on 41 points, though they have a game in hand after their match versus Veterraining R.C. was called off after it was deemed there was too much snow on the pitch for the game to be played.

And now, World Cup 44 Review.

Bostopia are sitting pretty at the top of Group F, following a 1 – 0 win over Wentland courtesy of a Peter Furst goal in the 49th minute. Furst, of Henrikstad FC, headed the ball into the back of the net from a free kick taken by Daniel Griff, awarded after a cynical foul on Kimi Svettbard to the right of the penalty area. That was Furst's first goal of the tournament, after Plecnik secured two goals and Gronfeld one in the three – one win over Lovisa.

Bostopia, currently on six points, are trailed by Lovisa and Jeru F.C. both on three points, but Lovisa have the advantage in head-to-head matches, after their earlier 6 – 0 drubbing of Jeru F.C.

In group E, no team that Bostopia could potentially face in the first knock-out round has yet been identified, as Cafundéu are on 6 points, with Yafor 2 and Kelssek on three points each and Jaseuyeon on none, leaving all teams in the mix for heading into the knockout rounds.

And now, the classified results.

Group A:

Valanora 2 – 2 The Holy Empire
Peisandros 2 – 1 Jeruselem

Group B:

Starblaydia 3 – 1 Kosovoe
Bazalonia 0 – 2 The Archregimancy

Group C:

Daehanjeiguk 0 – 0 Capitalizt SLANI
Septentrionia 2 – 0 Sorthern Northland

Group D:

Dancougar 0 – 0 Candelaria And Marquez
Bears Armed 0 – 2 Ad'ihan

Group E:

Cafundéu 2 – 0 Yafor 2
Jaseuyeon 1 – 3 Kelssek

Group F:

Bostopia 1 – 0 Wentland
Lovisa 6 – 0 Jeru F.C.

Group G:

Vephrall 4 – 1 Krytenia
Qazox 3 – 5 Milchama

Group H:

Demot 2 – 1 Tynelia
Taeshan 0 – 0 Kura-Pelland.

(ooc2: I'm fully aware I said "with all the MD2 games left" in the post-classified bit, I blame the Budweiser and not being bothered to go back and do it all again after at least a half-dozen previous attempts)

OOC: After LE's had a go (along with Paci and Baz previously, that I know of), I thought I'd have a bash at a bit of radio. Yey for Garageband and a built-in mic on the iMac. Ignoring the sloppy journalism in Group B from when KP still had Starblaydia Qualified and Bazalonia Eliminated, here's me doing a lil 4 minute radio show type thing. If it's any good, I might do some more. *shrug*

Note, this is a 3.7MB mp3 file, and the quality is, well, you decide.

Some Starblaydi Student Radio (http://www.simonbrady.com/radio/Matchday%202.mp3)

OOC: My only problem with the broadcast is the music sometimes drowns out your voice.

OOC: The tune that inspired this? Find it here. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ1hBNQHprk&feature=related)

DARREN SCOTLAND - THE THEME
OOC: With apologies to Swansea City fans. And the Scots.

The World Cup Finals are on their way
With all the teams off to KP
But brace yourself, 'cause on every screen
There'll be "In-ger-land" and his team
But wait, hey, there's hope at hand...

'Cause we all support
Scotland (wha?)
Scotland (who?)
Darren Scotland (oh aye...)

So come on Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh
Darren Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh

The Cyan Army are on the go
With the Krytie legend we all know
It's Scotland, oh-whoa-oh-oh

We'll want to rip our ears off come July
The Men in Mauve will try and bleed it dry
Three World Cups, Di Bradini
Just enough to send you silly
Luckily we have hope in one man...

'Cause we all support
Scotland (wha?)
Scotland (who?)
Darren Scotland (oh aye...)

So come on Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh
Darren Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh

The Cyan Army are on the go
With the Krytie legend we all know
It's Scotland, oh-whoa-oh-oh

SPOKEN: "And here's Valruncion - oh, and he's been dispossessed!
He's been dispossessed by Scotland!
He's gone past , he's nutmegged Avathar - oh and he's scored!!!"

Scotland (wha?)
Scotland (who?)
Darren Scotland (oh aye...)

So come on Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh
Darren Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh

The Cyan Army are on the go
With the Krytie legend we all know
It's Scotland, oh-whoa-oh-oh

So come on Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh
Darren Scotland, Scotland, whoa-oh-oh

The Cyan Army are on the go
With the Krytie legend we all know
It's Scotland, oh-whoa-oh-oh

QSPN.COM World Cup 44 Coverage

SAME SONG, SAME VERSE, SAME RESULT

You would think qualifying for ten consecutive World Cups would at least give any team an advantage, correct? Unless that team is Qazox. For the 9th time in the past 40 years, Qazox will once again spend only a week in a host country after a 3-5 loss to Milchama. The Warriors scored the first 5 goals in just 28 minutes, forcing Raul de Olivares to pull Natalie Dansen after the 5th goal. Dansen, who gave birth to a daughter just over 4 months ago, has now given up 12 goals in just over 215 minutes of playing time since returning to the roster, all in losing results. Once Jack Reed, who played brillantly at times filling in for Dansen during the qualifiers, kept the Pheonix in the match, as Jason Erca, Benjamin Ernst, and Michelle de Barre each netted goals over the next 37 minutes (in minutes, 42', 45+2' and 55', respectively), to cut the lead to 5-3, but the early damage was done. Now with just the Krytenia match remaining, de Olivares has stated that Reed will start that match, and is sending Dansen back to Qazox.

Milchama's Avi Belmowitz and Marc J. Floren each scored twice in the opening rout, scoring in the 7th (Floren), 11th (Belmowitz), 14th (Belmowitz), and 20th (Floren) minutes. The final Warror goal, in the 28th minute came of the foot of Dunston Copperlee.

So what now? 40 years ago, Qazox had just reached the World Cup for the 3rd time ever and finally looked like they were going to be contenders for the Cup for a long time. Now? They are almost a laughingstock, a paper tiger, a team that is good enough to get to the Cup, but not good enough to win one. For 72 years Qazox has fought to win the Cup, but except for one trip to the quarterfinals, 12 years ago, they've flamed out in the opening round every time. The Pheonix will return again in 4 years to try again, but just how much more dissapointment will the fans, the team and the federation take before they finally give up hope?

Dancougar News!!
Ikashita anoko wa... goalless draw.

Mediocre play and a familiar situation: Guess what, sports fans? The Dancougar Black Wings are once again in a position where they have to beat Ad'ihan or they're going home. A scoreless draw against their gracious hosts from Candelara and Marquez - on Green Island, though, a scheduling quirk that has the organizers scratching their heads as much as the fans - has the Wings at two points heading into their final match against three-point Ad'ihan. C&M lead the group with four, keeping hope alive for Bears Armed, who sit bottom with one.

"I think you're seeing a lot of players step up at the right time," said coach Solomon Bilbao, who still can't find any offense despite announcing a switch to slightly more aggressive tactics before the tournament. "Everyone in the group has played very well and there's not a lot between us in terms of talent and spirit. But," he added, "we have to find our rhythm. We're not playing Dancougar football right now."

If you take a close look at the team that's only scored one goal in two matches after averaging about two and a half in qualifying, the question becomes... what kind of football are they playing, then? Rather than playing the role of a defending semifinalist, they were unceremoniously stripped of their identity by attack-minded Bears Armed. They should have recovered against Candelaria and Marquez in the first-ever meeting between the two. Some of the players have met before in the TakilQuip and Globe Cups, and their relative humanity when compared to their ursine opposition from the first match would make you think that the Wings would be more confident in establishing and executing a gameplan.

Somewhat, but not quite.

Something was still missing. It might have been the weakened roster as a result of heavy fatigue from the opening match. No, it wasn't that weak. That's just an excuse, right? Lyle Dylandy was still on the field, along with Alexei Voronzoff, Dan Potts, and Shishio Jinguuji. Those four alone accounted for over half of Dancougar's qualifying round offense. Counting Voronzoff's goal against the Bear Belles, all four have five goals to their name in this cycle. That kind of balance should have led to plenty of chances. Potts managed to hit the post within twenty minutes and Dylandy was getting his free kicks into the danger zone. So where was the problem?

"We weren't able to finish anything," noted Dylandy after the match. "We were able to get forward, but everything we did in that last third was coming up short. Like, we couldn't hit that last pass."

Let's talk, first, about the neutralization of Shishio Jinguuji. The lanky forward has scored a lot of goals with his head, and chances are that he's where Dylandy is looking on those set pieces. Enter Enrique Silva de Aviz, the C&M central defender with height to match. Jinguuji is used to having a head over the rest of the defense, but today was not that day. De Aviz's presence canceled Jinguuji's aerial effectiveness and therefore forced the Wings to try something else with their set pieces. No one was ready to step up and the finishes were just poor. Shigekazu Hayashi did his best Jinguuji impression on a 53rd-minute outswinger and sent it about ten yards wide of goal.

Hayashi was a bizarre choice to replace Kevin Underwood in the middle; despite being a solid midfielder at Aiken City United, he's in no way equivalent to the scrappy team captain. Underwood's passing was sorely missed, so any attacks that had to develop through the middle of the field were a bit sluggish and off-pace. That forced the Wings to try to work more on the outside through Dylandy and Dwayne Landro, but that made it easier for the C&M defense to close down the angles. With their rhythm off, the Wings were unable to generate enough scoring chances and didn't take advantage of the ones they had.

"They closed down our passing lanes very well," said Potts. "I couldn't find any way to get open. They were following our attacks the entire way and killing them off right at the end. The number three was very good." He's referring to the strongly-named God’s Power Adekunde, the left back who showed off his improved defensive awareness by single-handedly closing down several Black Wing attacks. They may as well call him Margeret's Power.

If nothing else, the defense was a bright spot. Joseph Cecilia was the other player making his debut in the tournament proper, and although he looked a little shaky at first, he eventually settled into his role and played much better than Hayashi. Tom Smith was the danger man for C&M and often found himself with Cecilia and Landro shadowing him closely, and while he did test Yuji Watanabe, the big man in goal was equal to the task. Musashi Yamada was solid in the middle; he didn't try anything fancy and was effective in clearing the ball. But he could be criticized for just blasting it wherever was handy. The Wings were unable to generate any counterattacks that way.

So if you look at it this way, the Wings weren't able to recover their identity after all. The offense is sputtering and the defense is playing effective, yet panicked, football. Bilbao's got one last chance to get it right, and Ad'ihan are awaiting their chance at revenge. They'll advance for sure with a win and could manage with a draw as long as they get help.

STARTING XI: Watanabe; Berber, Yamada, Leeds; Dylandy, Voronzoff, Underwood, Landro, McNespy; Potts, Furuya
SUBSTITUTES: Brengle; Yukikaze, Samrov; Midorikawa, Ingram; Jinguuji, Dennin

Military faction rebels in Helmut: Citizens in the state of Helmut woke up this morning to find themselves in the middle of a coup. Reports suggest that at roughly 8:00 local time last night, a simultaneous action by commanders from at least five Helmut bases seized control of the state's largest cities, including the capital, Schlieffen. A statement released by their leader, Stephen Rotlicht, declared that the state was under their control and was just the beginning of their action.

"We are not attempting to break away from the Kingdom," said Rotlicht in a prepared statement. "Rather, this is the first state to be relieved of the corrupt governance of the king." Rotlicht went on to present classified documents describing a recent action against an unknown army in western Dancougar that had been disguised as a training exercise. "The military created a disaster which the government had us secretly clean up to hide its own involvement. I cannot in good conscience serve such a government, and the men who have joined me feel the same."

The documents detailed the awakening of a demon army that was resting inside Mount Fujiko. They suggest that it was summoned by Colonel Leopold Brandenstein of the Nordhausen base in northwestern Helmut to create an excuse to build up the military, which would then be used to enforce more restrictive laws on the public. "It was to be an excuse my the government to increase its power in the name of security," said Rotlicht. The rollout of a new weapon, the DV-3 Rhinemaiden, was revealed and later confirmed by Yuki City. Rotlicht also claimed that the prince and princess were directly involved in the operation. The king's office would only confirm that the two were scheduled to travel to Mount Kaguya Proving Grounds for trials involving the DV-3.

The rebellion has not gained much traction. Initial public opinion has not swayed in the rebels' favor and military commanders in the other states have declared loyalty to King Daniel and are prepared to retake Helmut by force. They claim that the separatist faction has fabricated charges against the government. "The king's office will release documents which indicate the Desugaia state government hired an outside agency to investigate the strange happenings at Mount Fujiko prior to the purported conspiracy," said an official spokesperson for the government. "We believe that Rotlicht has created his own justification for the rebellion."

The rebel force consists of about two brigades armed with tanks, helicopter gunships, and land-based Lancer mecha. Emergency mobilization of forces in neighboring Lunarossa, Gilderome, and Desugaia was underway as of this morning and the royalists expect to outnumber the rebels at least five to one. A demand for the rebels' unconditional surrender was issued at 10:00 AM Schlieffen time with a hard deadline set for 4:00 PM.

Stadler absent from national team: Karen Stadler, a reserve forward on the Dancougar national team competing at World Cup 44 in Candelaria and Marquez, has taken a leave of absence from the team according to the FA.

"Miss Stadler will not be on the bench for the match against Ad'ihan," said an FA spokesperson earlier today. "We have lodged an appeal with the World Cup board to allow an extra player to be brought in as a replacement, and for the time being will compete with a 22-man roster."

Solomon Bilbao had no answers when asked the reason for her departure. "Obviously we're worried about what's going on back home, but the best thing we can do for the people right now is take their mind off of what's happening in Helmut," he said. "So we are focused on Ad'ihan."

Stadler is rumored to be a childhood friend of rebel leader Stephen Rotlicht, and it is theorized that she may be used as an envoy for negotiations.

Jeruselem Government News

Rock throwing gang rounded up, leader shot after pulling a gun

A group of unruly hooligans was rounded up by police after being seen throwing stones at parked cars. Some of them tried bigger objects like bricks. The special anti-hooligan squad swooped and tried to apprehend the entire gang as usual ran into a defiant mob of youngsters. The leader tried to escape and pulled out a gun, firing a few shots at the police. Jeruselem police don't shoot people in the knees to stop them, they go for head shots. The leader went down with a .223 in the head.

It was revealed later the same gang were around the area where Moany was hit with a brick. None of the gang have admitted to throwing the almost fatal brick but they all said blamed their now dead leader. Police are not taking the statements at face value and are further investigating the matter. They will charged with damaging property, vandalism and public nuisance.

Meanwhile Moany's diagnosis for her back is not good. New recent fractures have been found and that will restrict her movements and sporting activity. It means no more poledancing but then at her age, she'd would have stopped that by now. It wasn't a great day for the Jeruselemite football in general with SN, Jeruselem, Jeru FC and Qazox all losing.

After Peisandros' shock victory

I couldn't believe it. We won. We beat the world number twelve. The boys were over the moon, so much happiness in the changing room and fair enough. I had something nagging in my mind thought. I couldn't enjoy it completely. I knew they would be waiting. I knew they would be waiting, for me. What was I meant to do?

Ryan: Well, that was a shocker of a day.
Marie: We lost, Jeru FC got destroyed, Qazox lost, and even the stupid drunks lost.
Ryan: I don't what's worse.
Marie: And we now have to beat the World Champs!

Ryan: Well, the Holy Empire did hold them to a draw.
Marie: Yes, that is good but we rarely beat them ourselves.
Ryan: It could be worse, Lovisa beat Jeru FC 6-0. That could have been us.
Marie: Sorry about Qazox there.

Ryan: Oh that's OK, we're never made the quarter finals and never will.
Marie: I suppose a draw is good with the Elves it is?
Ryan: If the Holy Empire or that other team wins, no much use.
Marie: So it's win at all costs.

Ryan: Yes, and I'm predicting Qazox to win their game when it's too late.
Marie: Jeru FC needs a win too.
Ryan: Yes, after getting smashed 6-0 you'd think they can't.
Marie: And then SN needs to win too.

Ryan: So all the teams need a win.
Marie: Like that's going to happen.
Ryan: It happened on match day 1.
Marie: And then they all lost on match day 2.

Ryan: Anything can happen.
Marie: You look depressed.
Ryan: It's Qazox, I don't understand why we fail so badly in finals.
Marie: We don't help Qazox much beating you guys.

Ryan: In general, we suck in finals.
Marie: Well, we'll have to put in a special effort I guess.
Ryan: Maybe ask Elune for help.
Marie: Maybe we can ask that Goddesss of Destruction for help too.

Ryan: Qazox is hopeless. I don't know what we can do make the quarters, apart from switching the Jeruselem and Qazox team.
Marie: It's not easy make the quarters, even for us.
Ryan: But you have made the final itself.
Marie: Should be beat the Elves, it's going to send a strong signal to everyone.

Ryan: All or nothing.
Marie: It's come down to that.
Ryan: At least they caught Moany's attackers.
Marie: They'll be no Royal pardon for them. I say feed them to the vultures after the Lions have their go at them.

Ryan: That sounds like what Romans did to Christians.
Marie: No mercy I say. Send a message.
Ryan: Good thing you're not in charge of Jeruselem.
Marie: Well, no Elf is getting in my way when it comes to winning the next game.

Ryan: I don't want a dirty game Marie.
Marie: Don't worry. I'll keep it clean ... sort of.
Ryan: And no chopping off heads like your sister did.
Marie: I'm ready for a fight, with anyone. Oi, when you going get married?

Ryan: Err, I don't hurry these things. Ricci is a nice girl but she's indecisive ... maybe too indecisive.
Marie: If she's won't marry you, I'm sure there's a queue right now.
Ryan: Who's in front of this queue then?
Marie: Who do you think?

Ryan: I know you like me.

The Jeru FC coach was trying to cheer up his troops after getting routed 5-0 by Lovisa. It was rather pointless berating his team for getting trashed as they knew they were well beaten ...

"OK team that was the worst game we've had all cup. There's no point saying what went wrong, which was basically everything. Team, there's one more game still. No point thinking about this one. We have lost a battle but we haven't lost the war. All we need to do is win the next game. It's really simple, to win. We lost this one but we can learn from it. People don't expect us to win. Look if Jeruselem can lose to one of the worst team in the finals, it means we can win too. No team is invulnerable! Every team can lose and they can also win. we are kids and a bunch of kids beat Jeruselem. So we can beat them! Let's forget about this game, losing 6-0 is like losing 1-0 since we lost. OK kids, let's just concentrate on the last game. If we lose, it's OK. People look down on us because we're Jeru FC but let's show them Jeru FC is not just another football team. We made it here to the finals, let's make the best of it. Kenavt should be here but are not because we are here. That's all that counts."

"Goddamnit, we just had to get into a position to advance to the next round after I'd finished packing, eh?" Mark Tupper said fustratedly, gesturing at the neatly assembled luggage in his hotel room, packed on the assumption of another group stage exit.

---INTERMISSION FOR HAIKU---

Hope of progressing
Maybe to be dashed again
Emotional mess

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

Paul Clifton, the captain, looked at his feet and shuffled uncomfortably. "Sorry, coach. We tried to win the first game, really, we did."

"I'm going to cancel my dental checkup now. You guys had better progress to the next round, cause the next available date is in March. March, for God's sake. Tell that to the boys. If my teeth rot you will be personally responsible."

"Yes, coach."

(from the 'Sports' section of 'The Bear Necessities'...)


BELLES BEWILDERED AND BEATEN

Bears Armed 0 - 2 Ad'ihan

Disappointing news from the World Cup, where the Belles -- playing at the site that has been designated as their 'home' one for this contest -- lost the second of their three 'group stage' games.
Their opponents were yet another team that, like those of both the Blouman Empire and IseeRussiafrommyhouse in the qualifiers, chose to keep the names and backgrounds of their players a secret: Honestly, what are they trying to hide? The two things that the Belles did know against the "Ad'iwhats" is that they were ranked at 14th in the worlds after the qualifying stage ended and that -- having lost their first match in the Cup proper -- they absolutely needed to win this match in order to stay in contention for progress to the next round.
Our girls weren't over-awed by facing such a highly-rated team, of course, especially not after having held the third highest-rated team to a draw in their own previous match, and played with both determination and skill. The Belles held possession of the ball for most of the time during the early & middle stages of this game, despite the confusing nature of the opposition's anonymity, but were unfortunately unable to get any of their few shots that were 'on goal' past Ad'ihan's goalkeeper. It looked as though this was going to be yet another drawn result, right up until the 85th minute of regular time when one of the Ad'ihanese(?) defenders succesfully took the ball away from Karramasar Sarra and he and two more of his colleagues then relayed it to their main striker who was on the edge of our girls' penalty area... and he shot at goal from there, sending the ball on a high, curved path that led Charra o Barrdenn to think it was going to go safely wide although in fact it then slid just past the top of the right-hand post and into the net behind her for the first goal of the game.
The Ad'ihanners' second goal came as even more of a surprise than their first: The Belles had managed to get the ball down to near their opponent's goal, again, and fired three shots 'on goal' that were all saved... and after the third of those shots, with just seconds left to play, the Ad'ihan goalkeeper took a long shot with his goal-kick and -- helped by an unpredictably strong gust of wind -- actually scored directly, in a single shot, all of the way from his own goal-line!
Now that's class, as even the Belles admitted.

So, where does this result leave the Belles' hope of further progression in the Cup?
In fact, the current distribution of points within their group has such a narrow spread that the third and final pair of matches will be needed to determine which two teams go onwards, and which two go home, with one team from each game falling into each of those two categories:
If the Belles win their third game, against the hosts' team, then both of those sides will be on 4 points and, of course, the Bears will have the better 'head-to-head' factor and consequently should continue in the Cup... but if the Belles lose, or even draw, then it's the hosts' team (on either 7 or 5 points) that will do so.
Meanwhile, in the group's other game, either Dancougar's 'Black Wings' or Ad'ihan's un-named team will go forwards if they win, with 5 or 6 points respectively, whilst a draw would also see Ad'ihan triumph (on 4 points vs. 3).
The most complex situation will arise if the Belles win their game but the other match is a draw: In that case there would be three teams all tied at 4 points (with Dancougar, on 3 points, automatically losing out), and 'head-to-head' would be useless as a determining factor because it would be a "claws-paper-stone" situation (B beat C, C beat A, A beat B...) so the decision would then depend on goal-differences and the precise score from the Belles' game would therefore matter a lot.


(Full story inside, on page S-3; World Cup round-up on pages S-5 to S-7...)

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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YAFOR 2 DEFEATED - CAFUNDÉU KEEP BRILLIANT FORM

Cafundéu’s campaign after the World Cup title continues, and seems promising, after the Monopolists defeated the biggest opponents of the group, Yafor 2, by the result of 2x0. Practically the whole country stopped to see this game, losing probably millions due to this mass obsession for the National Team. The supporters were anxious to see if the team would be able to defeat Yafor 2 after two draws in the qualifying stage. But the game wasn’t important just because of the opponent’s level: it was also important to rate the performances of the Cafundelense team, to see if the players really have the ability to fight for the World Cup title. And they didn’t disappoint, leaving the country hopeful in a great campaign.

THE FIRST HALF: the supporters were clearly tense before the game, as they considered it a vital one for the team’s objectives. Yafor 2 played with a cautious style, defending well and expecting to surprise the Monopolists in some counterattacks. Cafundéu continued using an offensive style, and attacking through the wings as in the first game. There were some good chances for both teams, but no one really made the supporters nearly shout “goal”. After the twentieth minute, Yafor 2’s coach decided to change tactics: wanting the victory, he abandoned the cautious style and decided to attack more. Although we can’t say what would happen if he didn’t do that, this decision surely changed the game’s fate.

Oronar’s new orders seemed to have a positive effect in the Golden Wolves in the first minutes. Valinal received the ball near the entrance of the area and shot. Kardec jumped to make the save, and the ball still hit the post before Titov’s clearance. But the initial pressure of Yafor 2 gave space to Cafundéu’s lethal attacks, which decided the game. First, Renildo received the ball in the left wing, exchanged passes with Augusto César and entered inside the area. He shot, the goalkeeper Sidan saved, Alves shot the rebound, Sidan saved again, but Renildo appeared to shoot for the second time and, this time, the ball went into the net. Minutes after, Zé Sho took a corner kick and Hubert jumped more than the Yaforite defenders, scoring the second goal of the game with a header, ending the first half with a 2x0 result for Cafundéu.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Renildo’s goal): “And the ball is in the midfield, Zé Sho fights harrrrrd to get it, makes a shorrrrrt pass to Rrrrrenildo in the left side of the field. He contrrrrrrrols the ball, makes an one-two with Augusto César, rrrrreceives it back alrrrrready inside the arrrrrea, shoots… Sidan saves! Alves takes the ball, he is going to scorrrrre… SIDAN AGAIN! The ball goes back to Rrrrrrrenildo… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! A rrrrreplay that has to be seen! Rrrrrenildo, number six! Now the rrrrresult is Cafundéu one, Yafor two zerrrrro! This Summer, you must enjoy the beach without worrrrries… stay prrrrrotected, use Calorrrrrão sunscrrrrreen!”

THE SECOND HALF: the two goals scored in the first half put Cafundéu in a very comfortable position when both teams returned to play the second part of the game. No changes were made in Cafundéu, but Yafor 2’s coach made one substitution and, when the game returned to be played, it became clear that Oronar returned to his counterattacks strategy, focusing in long passes and crossings. Nefasto balanced the Monopolists’ tactics a bit more, wanting the team to hold more the ball, using only short passes and slow moves to go to the attack. And, with these short passes, Cafundéu nearly scored again. Augusto César passed the ball to Marossi who, after dribbling a player, passed to Alves. The attacker shot, the ball hit Kariid and was going to enter inside the goal, but Sidan made a good save.

Time was passing, and Yafor 2 made more substitutions to try to react in the game, hoping at least for a draw. When the clock reached the thirty minutes mark, their plays started to be desperate. Noticing this, Nefasto just ordered the team to press the Yaforite players, and they started to miss a lot of passes. This even led to a counterattack by the Monopolists, but, in the end, Danilo Sampa took too long to shoot and lost the ball. Soon after, Ilsinha suffered a heavy foul by João Carlos and left the field to avoid risking an injury, while João Carlos was sent off with a second yellow. After that, both teams had 10 players inside the field, but few more chances were created, with the best one being a long ranged shot by Dariegan. The game ended with Cafundéu’s victory.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Hubert’s goal): “Silveirrrrrra holding the ball in the entrrrrrance of the arrrrrea, Rrrrrrrenildo appearrrrrrs again as an option, he is appearrrrring in everrrrry play. Silveirrrrrra shoots… it hits a defender, it’s a corrrrrrner. Zé Sho going to take it, ball to the arrrrrea… Accurrrrrrsas to head it… no, he missed, it’s Huberrrrt who will head it… it’s in… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Come on, it is time for another rrrrreplay! The goalscorrrrrrer is Huberrrrrt, number nine! Cafundéu is now with two, Yafor two with zerrrrro! Televisions, DVD playerrrrrrs, electrrrrronic equipments in generrrrral only with ChipesMil, the thirrrrrd best electrrrrronics seller of Cafundéu!”

NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE GAME: the referees from Cafundéu are becoming news during this World Cup. Two of them were called to whistle in the competition: Fábio Luís Miykazashi Schneider and Bruno Batista, and their performances are already being discussed in the foreign media, although with different approaches. Fábio Luís Schneider was the referee of the game between Candelaria And Marquez and Ad’ihan, and seemed pretty strict in the game, sending off one player of Ad’ihan, being helped in this play by his assistant Gustavo Cunha Barreto. Some experts praised his performance, saying that his courage to make such a decision (to send off a player in a close game) is a talent that few referees have nowadays.

But the other referee wasn’t lucky. In the game between Vephrall and Qazox, Bruno Batista is the main character of the controversy raised by members of Qazox’s team. After the four minutes of injury time planned by him expired, Bruno whistled and ended the game, with a 2x1 victory for Vephrall. Seconds after, the ball entered in Vephrall’s goals, and the Qazox players commemorated, but the game had already ended. They complained, and the discussion became large, with both sides being defended by different people. Batista commented: “I have the authority to end the game when I want to. When I whistled, the game ended, and the result was two to one for Vephrall. The ball entered in the net just after the game was ended, so of course the goal wasn’t valid. That’s what I think, and I hope the committee continues using me in this World Cup.”

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS: the victory wasn’t enough to guarantee Cafundéu in the next stage of the World Cup, but of course qualification for the knockout round seems much closer now. With two wins in two games, the members of the team are delighted. Coach David Nefasto said: “This is team is playing a football of excellent quality, they are of world class level. They can keep these performances, I’m sure of this, and with them Cafundéu can fight for the title!” Midfielder Marossi said: “We were expecting a difficult game today, but hopefully we were able to overcome this challenge. Now we need to assure the qualification, and after that we can think about the knockout round… and maybe to make an unforgettable campaign.”


CAFUNDÉU 2x0 YAFOR 2

Place: Lake Branagh Arena, Porterbridge.
Attendance: the lazy officials are still having problems with this... we assume there were some 50,000 to 60,000 there.
Time: 17:30 Cafundelense time (20:30 local time).
Climate: cloudy, 16ºC.
Referee: Carlos Gaetán (Aguazul).
Assistants: Sebástian Isidro (Aguazul) and Giannis Laegros (Peisandros).
POTM: Renildo (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Cotuba (Igor 59'), Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Marossi (Fabinho 68'); Alves (Danilo Sampa 77') and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

YAFOR 2: Sidan; Varanias, Kariid, Riegan and Accursas; Juhan, Kiranar (Bahsir 68'), Otavias (J'dankor 45'), Valinal (Danilo Silva 64') and Ilsinha (left the field at 81'); Dariegan.
Coach: Rúmil Oronar.

Goal:CAF: Renildo 30' , Hubert 43'.

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Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Cícero, Renildo, Titov and Luizão; Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Avini Bracken (Dancougar).

WC goalscorers (proper):

1- Augusto César, Alves, Renildo, Hubert

"Bloody hell, who turned off the sun eh? How are we supposed to play in the dark?" the frustated and concerned voice of Jamichel Totez proposed.

Little did the side know that this was not a natural dark, this was nothing like the dark that one would find in an unlit room at night or outside. This was absolute darkness, the kind of dark where you don't see anything beyond the outline of your of nose. It's the type of dark that the forsaken drow civilization lived and thrived in, the type of darkness that they could summon with their innate magical powers. Only one player knew of this type of darkness, only one of them had ever encountered it, that was Amarian Tinehtelë. He had stumbled through the undercity as a child, and had enountered a drow patrol party. They nearly kidnapped him, but as fate would have it, a group a lycans appeared and distracted the patrol long enough for him to retrace his steps and escape back to the surface. SInce then, he has avoided all places with poor lighting and staying inside after nine in the evening. This however, this was bringing back the memories of that awful expierence for the keeper, and crippling his mental defences to the point where he was on the breaking point.

Not only could the players not see, but the darkness was actually a huge globe of darkness that was encompassing the entire stadium, making it impossible for the fans and satelites providing transmissions to see either. Among the confusion, Laborious Hawk was trying to settle his teammates down and find everyone, so that they could discuss what they might do to progress with the match. That's when a whistle sounded, and despite the current conditions, the referee had started the match. Despite his best efforts to try and coordinate something resembling a resistance against the Holy Empire attack, who seemed unaffected by the darkness, they swept through the side like a hot knife through butter, and were able to tap it in to an empty net as Amarian had crawled behind the net and was rocking back and forth. Upon the restart, it was a repeat of the first goal, and the Champions were quickly down two to nil, and looked like they were about to be completely routed.

"Forget about Amarian, something is clearly screwing with his head. Totez, you need to take up his vacated spot. I know you played some keeper as a youth, and well, your build is more up to the task than any of us. We'll need to use our hearing, as whatever this darkness is, it clearly is not dissapating anytime soon."

With their captain shouting out the orders to them, and knowing that if they didn't pick up their play soon they would be facing a must win situation in the last matchday. Despite their advantage, the Holy Empire was unable to pentrate the side again and towards the end of the match, the Marauders were forming attacks of their own. Using their hearing to anticipate the incoming tackles of the oppisition and the direction of their teammates, Espy va Drake was able to connect with Razov in the eighty-first to half the deficit. Still playing with just ten men as poor Amarian was still rocking back and forth behind the Holy Empire's goal, Anárion decided to take a major risk. He brought off Hocn and sent on Fresco, in a last ditch attempt to see if luck could strike twice. Laborious Hawk would prove the manuver a calculated and magnificent risk, as his volley from the top of the area on a lob from Fresco in the eighty-ninth minute blasted in under the crossbar and somehow brought the champions back to level terms. Totez would then make a dynamite save just seconds before the final whistle, and the champions had escaped with a point, leaving them only needing a draw to advance.

At the same time in Albrecht

A group of eight elves were using the distraction of the matches to infiltrate the capital, with the exiled Rodiel leading the way, all in the search of Sam.

http://www.biezanow.net/~dominik/TVLovun/tvlovunsport-football.gif

Crashing Jeru FC

Lovisa crashing Jeru FC 6-0 in second match in the Final.

This match was excellent and completely different like first. Lovisa can still winning and show us in this match. It was no excuse for Jeru FC, but its not finnish now we waiting for last match with Wentland witch we must win if we thinking about next round, so GoGo Loviki.

2200 Kaguya (2300 Schlieffen)

The door to the briefing room slid open. Sure enough, all the pilots were gathered, unharmed. Simms strode in with a few staff members and Tetsuya, and the door closed behind him. "What's going on?" asked Joe. "We tried to contact the CIC and the lines were out, so Tetsuya said he'd go."

"The support troops from Nordhausen have taken over the base," Simms replied grimly. The room went quiet. Tetsuya handed one of the machine guns he'd grabbed to Daniel and motioned for him to stand guard by the door. "They said their leader was going to speak."

Sure enough, the emergency communications came on, flooding the rooms and empty corridors. "Attention, Mount Kaguya personnel! We have taken control of this facility, and you, like the rest of this country, are about to hear our leader. Listen carefully!"

A familiar voice entered the broadcast. "Good evening, citizens of Dancougar. Change is upon us, and you are all invited to take part in the dawn of a new era. My name is Stephen Rotlicht, and right now, Helmut's largest cities and military bases are under our control."

"He said his name was...!" Simms spat.

"We are not attempting to break away from the Kingdom," Stephen continued. "Rather, this is the first state to be relieved of the corrupt governance of the king. Our battle for liberation, however, can only continue through your assistance. Surely you have felt the cold hand of the king in your daily lives, and that grip only grows tighter with time. The increased presence of foreigners as a result of the king's policies have only further strained our freedom to live by our own strength. Citizens, today I ask you to deny the world he has created, and if you must be convinced, I will present proof that the government has conspired against you!"

Tetsuya did his best to contain his rage as Stephen outlined the claims. "He used us to justify his war," he said at the end. He held the machine gun tighter. "So that's how those bastards want to play this game."

"Wait, Tetsuya, we need a plan," Jun said quickly. The last thing they all needed was for Tetsuya to run off on his own and do something stupid. "Look, there's not that many of them, so all we need to do is take the armory. If we do that, the staff here outnumber his men."

"Fair enough," Tetsuya replied. Stephen's speech had faded into background noise as he made an impassioned plea for those who believed him to step forward and fight. "Then we have to get the truth out." He put his hand on Daniel's shoulder. "You can do that, right?"

"I figure we have less than a day to swing public opinion decisively," Daniel said. "And I suspect father will rally support before morning. If we want to be a part of the counterattack, then we have to do as Jun suggests."

A few of the pilots were still carrying their sidearms, so it was just a matter now of making a silent approach. They figured that the occupational troops were spread very thin, and sure enough, they made it to the armory entrance to find only two posted guards. They didn't seem to be aware that their comrades at the CIC had been knocked out.

"They're not friendlies, your highness, even if they are ours," Tetsuya said. His face was rigid as he prepared to round the corner and take aim. "Can you kill them?" The prince released the safety in response. Tetsuya smiled and the two charged into the open, catching the guards by surprise. A few quick shots and they were down. "They might have heard us, get moving!" Tetsuya ordered. They all rushed down the corridor to get inside before help arrived. Simms slid his keycard into the reader and entered the passcode.

"How many guys did we take in, anyway?" asked Daniel.

"I think we rescued about ten, maybe twelve," simms responded once they were safely inside. "Two are in medical, so in all that's six down. There's no telling where the other ones are."

"I'd guess they're in the hanger," Daniel replied. "They still had some Lancers left, right? They might be planning an ambush for my sister's team."

"Some of us will go to the CIC and warn them, then," said Simms as the team armed itself. "The rest of you try to take back the hanger, but avoid combat if the Lancers are there."

"If they laid a single finger on my Rhinemaiden, I won't forgive them," hissed Samantha, grabbing a pair of grenades and clipping them to her belt.

The teams parted ways. Simms took his staff as well as Joe and Inoue to the CIC while the other pilots made for the hanger. They encountered no resistance along the way and attempted to hail Erica's team. He feared for the worst, since they'd gone straight to Nordhausen earlier, so he was relieved to hear the princess respond. "Princess, have you heard anything out of Nordhausen?"

"They attacked us!" Erica replied. "Just what's going on?"

Simms explained the situation. Upon hearing the name of the enemy leader, Russ grabbed his mic. "Wait, you said his name was Rotlicht?" Simms confirmed it. "Damn... conniving little bastard! That guy... you remember the Zero case? This is him, this is the guy! We absolutely have to control this now. He can spin anything."

"Unbelievable, I thought he was in custody," Simms murmured.

"I bet Brandenstein had something to do with this," Russ continued. "That guy left a bad taste in my mouth whenever I was around him. And you're saying they've occupied parts of the base? Don't worry, we'll take out those Lancers."

In the hanger, Tetsuya glanced inside and saw two gunmen holding the engineering staff at gunpoint. No sign of the Lancers. The Rhinemaidens and charred Dancougar were just sitting there. He signaled to the others and they rushed in. Again, the soldiers were caught by surprise and were quickly neutralized.

On the surface, the Lancer pilots were getting worried as they lost communication with one of the groups inside. Then another. Then another. Their alarms blared as three new signals came into range. "What, it's an enemy? Fighters?" They checked the scope. The three enemies were breaking off and making their approach. Then... they vanished from radar! They blinked; did they imagine it.

Machine gun fire from just over the horizon as the three Rhinemaidens of Freya team came in low in GUARDIAN mode. The Lancers were down in a flash. "You're right, we slipped right under them!" exclaimed Peter.

**********

2300 Kaguya (2400 Schlieffen)

"So that's the situation." Simms sat in the CIC with several of the state's other base commanders on the video screens in front of him. The engineers were busy restoring the three Lancers which had been damaged by Freya team and the base returned to order. "Do we know how many have turned?"

"It seems like they're alone in this," one of the others responded. "Turns out, nobody's buying it. Public's mostly oblivious at this point, and as far as I know, everyone out here is with the king."

"Come morning, we'll have a better sense of where allegiances lie," Simms mused, placing his hand on his chin.

"Which is exactly why we need to be ready to counter right away," another commander said. "This is why we plan to strike Nordhausen before the king presents his demand for surrender."

"Are we in a position to mobilize that quickly?" asked Simms.

"We can get it done," came the reply. "The east coast will be awake in five or six hours, so ideally, we strike around that time. That's just enough time to get ground forces and tanks out there, since we still have the light rail as far as the border. Can you scramble some ground mechs to soften them up?"

"We have six DV-3 and can probably manage three DAM-15 in that time," Simms answered. "And the pilots are all excellent. Just name the time."

**********

1030 Schlieffen

Stephen finished his address from the governor's desk. Well, used to be. He'd set up his headquarters in the government district of Schlieffen and currently occupied the governor's office in the main assembly building. The king had given him around six hours to surrender or face annihilation. He wasn't concerned. As news of the rebellion spread, more and more people would come to his side. Wouldn't they?

He was concerned that more of the military hadn't joined with him even though his staff was working around the clock to find conversions. He left the office and went to the main hall where everyone was arrayed at their computers and phones. One of his aides walked up. "They're starting to jam our lines," he said. "We can't get out."

"How many have come over?" Stephen asked, disregarding the issue.

The aide looked at the floor. "None. They've all declared loyalty to the king."

"What? How's that possible?" Stephen sputtered.

"The media is making it look like you're blaming the military as much as the government for being corrupt, which isn't buying you any friends," the aide replied.

"That's not what I'm saying, though!" Stephen yelled.

"But if you look at the Dancougar News!!..."

"Damn the Dancougar News!!, it's garbage!" Stephen stormed out of the hall and the aide followed. "What, what else is there?"

"We lost contact with Nordhausen two hours ago," the aide said with a bit of a tremble. "They say they're going to..." Stephen raced back to his quarters and turned on the television. There were the prince and princess standing at Nordhausen, with several mechs visible in the background. The six variable fighters were there, and three Lancers with their right shoudlers painted red stood in front of those. If they took the base, that means...

"Citizens of Dancougar, approximately two hours ago, a joint operation between miltary bases in Desugaia and southwestern Gilderome was launched to retake Nordhausen base from rebel forces." Daniel spoke clearly and Erica stood nearby. Both had changed into fresh ceremonial uniforms so they looked as sharp as when they first arrived at Kaguya. "You may be concerned about statements made by the rebel leaders overnight and again this morning, so I wish to clarify my position in all this, as well as my sister's, while addressing and rebuking the claims brought against the royal government."

"How could Nordhausen have fallen so easily?" Stephen demanded.

"We received word of a pinpoint strike by a small mech team and after that all contact was cut off," the aide replied. "We think the DV-3 variable fighters were able to approach at low altitute to avoid our radar."

That wasn't the main problem. He knew the prince had his hands on his research involving the demon army as well as documents that summarized Brandenstein's plans, which he had modified. Once those were out, any hope of winning more allies was shot. "... and these documents which outline the chemical makeup of the enemy demons as well as a communication protocol which indicates that Nordhausen was in constant contact with the enemy. Our first and only concern, as the prince and princess of this nation, was to rally the troops closest to the mountain and counterattack to prevent any damage to civilian areas nearby..."

"Word is that the city is being surrounded by troops while they said for our decision on the surrender," the aide said.

Stephen turned away from the television in disgust. "We can do it even if it's just us," he scowled. "We'll proceed with the Schlieffen defense plan. Have our troops begin to garrison buildings and place tanks at strategic intersections. Nobody gets in or out without me knowing."

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/foreign.png

On Behalf of His Imperial Majesty, the Yeongmu Emperor:

The Academy of Foreign Affairs would like to apologize to the following countries for failing to recognize the countries in advance to a number of events, but nonetheless hopes that this belated recognition ceremony may be taken as a humble acceptance of the Academy's fault at failing to provide legitimate administrative names to our international friends.


United Islands of Ad'ihan: 啊第漢島嶼聯邦|아제한도서연방
Prime Ministerialship of Bazalonia: 半蔗論那聯邦|반자륜나연방
Republic of Candelaria And Marquez: 干圖和馬憩共和國|간도와말게공화국
Kingdom of Dancougar: 團句佳王國|단구가왕국
The Unified Democratic Republic of Kura-Pelland: 骨喇幣蘭島統一民主共和國|골라폐란도민주공화국
Insular Republic of Septentrionia: 世等最尼島嶼共和國|세등최니도서공화국
Commonwealth of Vephrall: 陪番路聯邦|배파로연방
Grand Democratic Duchy of Yafor 2: 椰葡２大公國|야포2민주대공국


As always, recognition does not mean that your country now exists in line with the Han's material universe, but more so that our recordskeepers may have a name by which you may be officially recognized in our books, and it is generally considered the first step (although practical use says it's not) to more extensive foreign relations. We hope for continued relations among our peoples.

Han Seungsu
韓昇洙伯

edit: apologies if I screwed up your Han name; if you're not on my master list (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528461) and you feel that you should, talk to me there.

OOC: I'm really not going to have time to finish off that RP idea I was having, so we'll leave that for the next tournament!

Alexander Pappas has unsurprisingly made no changes to the rookie side that overcame Jeruselem for their next game against The Holy Empire. Debutants Sophos Persakis and Apollodoros Notara were the goal scorers, who played with such passion it's a wonder they weren't played earlier in the tournament. The game game against The Holy Empire is for a spot in the second round to join Valanora. Peisandros again come in as massive underdogs, but they surely must be a chance after such a good victory last outing. Watch this space.

Making Headway
Starblaydia almost perfect

Though it wasn't a win to rival the great nine-nil annihilation that Starblaydia inflicted on Kosovoe in the 23rd AOCAF Cup thirteen years ago (can it really be that long? - Ed.), the three-one victory over Kosovoe moved Starblaydia into a nearly unassailable lead in Group D. When added to the win over Bazalonia, Starblaydia are sitting pretty on top of the Group, with Bazalonia all but eliminated.

It was Valrauncion who was the star of this particular show, netting two goals as well as being involved in the play for the third from Lotar Kaii'n. If you let him, the Elf will surely boast of his better than a goal every two games ratio (eight goals in fifteen games, including friendlies) during this campaign, but don't discount the young FC Farça striker who's record of six goals in eleven games stands right alongside Valrauncion's. Indeed, captain Diamontii Di Bradini's five in eighteen looks positively poor, though she is joint-third for this campaign with winger Yuri Vegachenko, who has a similar tally. As any great striker (bar Valrauncion) will tell you, it's not about scoring goals for yourself - nice as that is - it's about the team winning. This has become Diamontii's mantra since taking the captaincy, mindful that the strikeforce is a partnership, not just a solo effort. It is a nice balance that Starblaydia have up front: one striker making the team count for everything, will the other appears to be all for self. It's led Starblaydia - so very nearly - all the way to the last sixteen of the forty-fourth World Cup, and could well lead them even further.

Four has always been an important number in Starblaydi culture, often considered as the 'national' lucky number, rather than seven, ten, thirteen, twenty-three, one-hundred and thirty-seven, one-hundred and ninety-three, six-hundred and sixty-six, or whatever. Will World Cup forty-four give Starblaydia their fourth title? There are four matches remaining to see if that will come... about.

Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to say 'forth'.

Final score from New Sausages Arena:
Starblaydia 3 - 1 Kosovoe
(Valrauncion 13 & 41, Kaii'n 73) - (Hiroshima 51)

The Albrecht Herald Online ~ Your World Cup 44 Paper>Sport>WC44
Not bad…
By Mack Hession

The eager green shoots of success in the Elgin Dannat era are yet to burst into sturdy trees laden with fruitful results and the juicy berries of world-class performances, but that may simply serve to ward off those who would defile the sanctity of the footballing forest by taking an early axe to Elgin’s burgeoning oak. It requires time to grow before the fruits of his labours may be harvested, and performances such as these – just enough, but no more – are enough to dilute expectations and the likelihood of future sniping. The Big Blues are playing at home (sort of), following the shock victory in the Vahala Invitational Thingy, the team are sitting pretty at the top of Group D and could still qualify for the second round with defeat against the supposedly weakest team in the group… and yet the nationwide anticipation of glory remains modest at best.

One goal in two matches’ll do that. And it’s almost like Dannat planned it that way. He truly is an evil genius after all…

The Dancougans, despite being the visitors to a Marlow Park adorned with ‘Green Island Welcomes C&M!’ banners and the like (this is not a good month to be an Outlien separatist), were justly favourites for the three points, given their recent international pedigree. Soloman Bilbao’s side may be one of the least recognisable of the elite global nations to Candelariasian eyes, with no Dancougans past or present having plied their trade in the CMSC, and the two nations never having met at international sport, never mind football; but, in this globalized theatre of the modern age, the Black Wings brought few surprises. What proper watcher of the world game isn’t aware of the first XIs of Cafundó do Juta or Clube Imperial, or the success of Yuki City Athletic?

Not that a single member of Bilbao’s preferred team was drawn from the Globe Cup champions, with the Dancougans instead strewn far and wide – some known as opponents, with Joel Sbaïz keeping a clean sheet for Chelmar against Kevin Underwood’s Hadaris the last time they met in the LIDYT, others as team-mates, with Kazuki Midorikawa and Aaron Kortsarian close compatriots at the Praça Maior.

And then there was Connor Mengucci and Lyle Dylandy. By all accounts, the Petardos S/A midfielders – who, together with Laborious Hawk, form as useful a midfield three as you could ever hope to find – have not been entirely enamoured with each other’s company of recent times; something which may attest to the Bilionários early last Champions’ Cup exit. The C&M captain was certainly unafraid to put in regular meaty challenges against his more naturally gifted opponent, restricting Dylandy to distant set-piece deliveries only – potentially deadly enough, on Dancougar’s day, but consistently dealt with by Enrique Silva de Aviz and cleared away by Eric O’Brien.

And that was the story of C&M’s match, and of any Dannat team – one where every player knows his job, and that of his direct opponents, and yet who is allowed to foster those little sparks of imagination that would combined to murder a lesser squad. Though Dancougar easily led the way in terms of possession and openings created, this was altogether a better Candelariasian display than in El din; and a nil-one victory to the visitors, though always plausible, seldom seemed a deeply threatening reality. C&M had their opportunities too, especially late on when Dancougar’s nerves became increasingly frayed and extra men were pressed forward – only then were Kortsarian and Niv Cohen able to break free and release telling crosses to Tom Smith.

The only wholeheartedly Anglo player in the Big Blues XI (and he’s not even a C&M citizen, as a Zapata native – yay for unity and inclusiveness and the exploitation of the deprived offspring of recent immigrants!), Smith almost gave the Candelariasian an eighty-fifth minute winner to lift the Marlow Park roof (and it wouldn’t take much, looking at it… that thing’s going to cause someone a mischief one of these days), but Yuji Watanabe acrobatically and observantly caught the Arrigo Portuguese forward’s volley – perhaps helped by the odd tip from Clube Imperial manager Javier Sanchez, a man not altogether chuffed, so they say, with missing out on the national team job.

Instead, it was left to God’s Power Adekunde to be the Big Blues’ hero and keep the undefeated record alive. Belatedly established as an untouchable in Dannat’s team, and well on the way to becoming the most capped Candelariasian left-back of all time; the former Indies and PoC colossus expertly removed the ball from Dan Potts’ feet in the ninetieth minute, when the Port Royal striker seemed destined to score: merely the last of numerous such occasions for C&M’s man-of-the-match, with father Imomotimi, mother Kathryn, brothers Barry, David and Zachary, and sisters Comfort, Hosanna and Virtue, cheering him on from the stands.

There wasn’t much room for anyone else up their, granted, but those who did squeeze into Marlow Park could carry aware memories of a less than inspiring game, and an extremely valuable C&M performance. Which is, one suspects, just the way Elgin Dannat wants it.

World Cup 44 Group D Match
@ Marlow Park, Zapata

Candelaria And Marquez 0

Dancougar 0

Connor Mengucci had worked under plenty of managers in his time – Jaon van Deene (who?) first at Candelaria-Allemali, then Giles Walton, Jay Zabojnik, then Javier Sanchez, Júlio Mercegues, Júlio Vargas, and with the Blues, Small and Big alike, there had been Lloyd Donnelly, Adam Williamson, Kris Healy… but no-one, to paraphrase the girls of St. Winifred’s, was quite like Elgin.

The pundits all said that he was externally taciturn by choice, handing out a few glib quotes post-match and leaving his genius, and inspirational speech-making, for the dressing room. It wasn’t remotely true, and it said something about the level of respect that Elgin Dannat had engendered in his Caires City players that no-one had blown the whistle, even those who had ended up discarded or sold to rival clubs. The mystique lived on and grew, game by game, unnerving opposition players and supporters – and managers – alike. “It’s Elgin Dannt, innit? The one who doesn’t say much, but wins basically everything… That’s got to be worry, hasn’t it?”

But he didn’t say much, not even in the dressing room. No inspirational speeches to summon up the sinews, stiffen the blood, etcetera – Donnelly had tried that, back in the day, and had left the national team of a hardly patriotic country increasingly nonplussed. Nor was Dannat one for fancy tactics – no one up, one off, one in the hole; no whiteboard with arrows pointing all over the place, just the chosen XI for the next match, with Tom Ely adding extra strength to the midfield and Abdul Ibadulla on the bench, and that was all. Instead, quiet little Dannat – he always seemed little, somehow, despite bearing enough blubber around the waist for a dozen members of the squad – relied simply on his vast scouting network.

None of the squad had ever seen any members of this clandestine agency, mind you. Instead, a couple of days before every game, they were handed a sheet – or two, or ten – revealing every facet of their direct opponents’ play. Their strengths and weaknesses, their reactions to any number of obscure but eminently re-creatable moments within a match, their inside leg measurement, what they had for tea last Thursday… Connor seldom read it all in full, few of them did, instead relying on the CD of subliminal messages that always came with it. He’d play it the night before a game, and it always seemed to work – it always had, for pretty much every member of the squad and every Errant Knight for the past few years. They’d wake up every pre-match morning trusting fully that their natural instincts had been topped up with Dannat’s wisdom, and that their brains would now know instinctively how to deal with their direct opponents.

And they were completely right, but for entirely the wrong reason.

But today – today seemed a little different, Connor thought. Dannat had handed out the blank CDs and identical sheets of meangingless Bensroomese babble as normal, but now stood in the centre of Massinger Valley’s gym, shuffling awkwardly. He coughed, and looked at his feet.

“Boys… Some of you are young,” he said, eventually. “Austin, Joe, Lawrie, Nic, Diego, David… You don’t know too much about the world. And that’s a good thing. You’re lucky. I wish… I wish you could stay like that a little longer, I really do. I know ignorance is never a virtue, but we’re all ignorant, every one of us, every hu… every person who’s ever lived, we’re all… dumb. It’s just a matter of degrees… And there are worse things in the world than to be like you.

“It’s just… I know you’ve had a talk, about certain things, with that lass from the Home Office, at one point or another. But I bet it glazed over your heads a bit, didn’t it? I don’t blame you… It’s a lot to take in. And the thing is – yeah, some of you went to the Vahala tournament, but we were pretty cosseted out there, y’know? And none of you took the same trip or two to Starblaydia that most of our young players do, what with the last Di Bradini Cup being here, an’ all. And yeah, you’ve heard things, haven’t you? Perhaps your club team-mates have said something, or even some of the older members of this squad, stuff that’s made you wonder? Wonder whether maybe you need to make a space in your head to accept certain facts about the world that seem… implausible. And maybe you wonder if they’re all pulling your leg, that this is all tartan paint, left-handed screwdrivers? Because the idea that just about everything you know is basically wrong? That’s not a pretty thought, is it?

“But lads… I can’t send you out there tomorrow without you knowing what you’re facing. I need to tell you why their nicknamed the ‘Bears’. And lads? I need you not to scream…”

***

“But… And I want to stress this; they’re not going to eat you! I know it’s scary, just because they’re big furry buggers who happen to be…”

“Sentient bears,” Diego Fernando Pappas offered quietly.

“Mm. Just because of that, you have nothing extra to worry about. Okay?”

“Nothing to fear but fur itself, eh?”

“Yes… Quite so, Austin. Um. Boys,” he continued, turning to Abdul Ibadulla and Gwynfardd Lopulalan, “Perhaps you could just take Joe for a little walk. It’s probably your… time, an’ everything, isn’t it? And it’ll do him good to get out into the fresh air…”

The pair nodded, gently took an unresisting Joe Rodríguez by an arm each, and led him out into the sun and towards the little chalet on the edge of Green Island Zapata Football Club’s training facilities.

The El din Marbles defender blinked and allowed his eyes to dart around, as though ascertaining anew that everything he had seen an hour earlier was still there, and still real.

“Where are we going?” he asked dreamily, after a while.

“Just a little place… For a bit of privacy,” Abdul sighed.

“What for…?”

“The Asr.” He caught Joe’s blank expression. “Afternoon daily prayers.”

“Oh. What does that involve, then?”

“Er. Bowing a lot. Reciting the first chapter of the Koran four times, bit of the Tashahhud… Only we’re probably a bit early, ‘cos I’m buggered if the length of that tree’s shadow equals the length of itself plus the length of what it shadow was at lunchtime…”

“So I reckon we can dawdle a bit,” Gwynfardd added, kindly.

“And you do this umpteen times a day?”

“Five. More or less. Depending on stuff.”

“Why?”

“Yeah,” Abdul replied quietly, “You wonder that, sometimes, on days like this. Other times, when you’ve just heard something like all that… it all seems like the only thing you possible can do, under the circumstances. Only thing that makes any sense…”

“But… I mean, you play abroad! Do they take this sort of stuff as a matter of course over there? Are we the only ones kept in the dark?!”

“You don’t know the half of it, Joe…”

“But you could speak out! Tell people the truth! If every other country in the world can co–”

“Worlds.”

“W… Really? Anyway, you could… I mean, this is…!”

“Yeah. We all think like that for a bit, Joe. But the threat of waking up dead in a ditch is always a concern, and blowing the whistle on a nation-shattering conspiracy doesn’t buy you baby bentleys…”

“Yeah, chin up, Joe. Put it to the back of yer mind, just for now… Come on, we’ll teach you a bit of the ol’ Sura Al-Fati…ha…”

Gwynfardd trailed off as he pushed open the door of the chalet. A worryingly pretty young man sat at the other end of the room, with his legs crossed and eyes shut. He opened them slowly, as the three players stared.

“Mr Mc O’Neil?” Abdul whispered. You couldn’t mistake those eyes.

“Indeed. Were you aware, my young friends, that this cabin had been designated by the Green Island management as for the exclusive usage of elves?”

“Er… No. We don’t have any GIZ players in the squad, sorry. Um. What are you doing here, then?”

Sam Mc O’Neil smiled sweetly. “Breaking the rules, I suppose, Mr Lopulalan. After a fashion. But, having thought about the conundrum for quite some time now, I’d say that rules,” he continued, taking a breath as the door behind the footballers slammed suddenly shut, “are there to be broken. Wouldn’t you?”

And that's your Matchday Three CUTOFF for Groups A-D. Scores (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14436057&postcount=25)

A little note on Kura-Pellandi stadia, btw (I have pretty pics of most of them, but I've revised them, and spent more time on C&Ms than my own...) - mostly for Cafundéu.

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

Greens Park, Prangren: capacity 61,336. A single-tier green bowl with executive boxes and an elaborate glass roof above.

St Margaret's Stadium, Marthley: capacity 41,093. A modern stadium with an old-fashioned look, and a church visible from behind one stand, St Margaret's Church. Popular with numerologists.

Lake Branagh Arena, Porterbridge: capacity 75,432. A dramatic stadium with three tiers of seats topped by a glass roof. One corner is left exposed with just one small block of seats, and views are afforded towards the city and lake; the main stand has executive boxes and there is a large hole in the glass roof for light. There are also massive floodlights at each corner.

The PurplePlex, Wulting: capacity 42,524. The oldest and second-smallest stadium being used here, features one very tall two-tier stand with three-tier executive boxes built over a main road. The rest is a modest single tier bowl, in purple as you can guess.

Brickleyplace, Murley: capacity 46,720. A retro-look brick stadium with a modern twist in the form of a dramatic glass roof over the main three-tier stand. The rest is two-tiered with a concrete roof. Looks a bit dated but incredibly atmospheric.

Estadio Tallua, el Arapucera: capacity 43,010. Expanded temporarily for WC use, this stadium is notable for having a hotel behind one of the goals. Otherwise it's a generic modern bowl aside from temporary uncovered seats opposite the hotel.

Shanvley Stadium, Trilan: capacity 96,536. A four-tier behemoth with a dramatic semi-transparent roof, known locally as 'The Big Top'. Also features a large video cube. Effectively replaced the White Hope Stadium, scene of a terrorist attack some years ago.

Barkham Park Stadium, Parwood: capacity 72,600. A two-tier glass-roof bowl with a curious metallic 'strut' pattern and equally unusual floodlights on top fo the roof.

And, slightly later (chiz, curses, etc.), this is the MD3 cut-off for groups E to H. Scores (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14436056&postcount=24).

VELASTROS: Is there any fear, perhaps, that you might get injured? Given, of course, your unique situation.
ILSINHA: With all due respect, I doubt that other teams will attack me more physically just because I'm female.
SMITHES: I think he's referring to your build and position, Ilsinha.
ILSINHA: Oh. I would still give the same response - I doubt Jacqueline Maitland or Dazza Dallas were especially attacked by other teams due to their importance.
VELASTROS: You are an attacking midfielder, and thus the linchpin of the side, Ilsinha.
ILSINHA: I'll take an injury like any other player. I don't know why it matters so much in my case.

Prior to the Cafundelense game

"They're especially dangerous. Watch the wings." Iktam leans just behind me, pointing towards the sides of the fields. "They're well-coached and they know that, because of our formation, they can bring more players up than usual. Cafundeu tends to have a lot of creativity in their team, so one can see what they'll do." I nod. So far, through the World Cup, there's still a bit of a distance between the rest of the players and me. It is almost as if I'm on their team, but I'm really not - the rift is very clear, at least to me. Most of the players, like Vorin or Lhatis are very cordial and Lhatis in particular tells me everything that I need to know, but it's almost as if there's still a bit of a difference between me and everybody else that everyone sees, but no one comments on.

I think part of the problem is that so much about a team is the locker room, the dressing room, the place where the coach comes up to everyone and gives the talk about the importance of the game. Here, that really doesn't exist, except artificially. Instead of changing in a room surrounded by my teammates, talking about the other players, and possible strategies against this or that left back, I'm alone, quickly changing, then waiting until all the boys have changed before I can go into their locker room for the team talk. I can feel their stares on my back, as if they do not want me here, but in that standard politeness that masks everything in our culture, they say nothing. That's almost worse than the alternative.

It's a problem with Yaforite culture more than anything. When you have a situation regarding another person, you never actually talk directly to them, for fear of offending them. It's stupid. All it does is exacerbate problems or, in this case, expose a problem that, sometime, will be exacerbated on the field itself. Sometime soon. My teammates pass to me and stuff (I mean, we're on the same team, and when you're out there, it doesn't matter what's under the jersey as much as what's on the front of it), but I can tell that there's a bit of a mental block for some of them. Nothing against them, of course. They're nice guys. The whole thing just seems so...faked. As if someone was trying to manufacture my presence on the team. I guess I can chalk that one down to a disinterest in change.

I really think that part of the problem is this Jakallan obsession with separation of the genders. Why I can't we all just, I don't know, ignore that whole thing for a little while? I mean, we're all teammates first, and men and women second. Or something like that. Anyway, Iktam Velastros has begun to, well, take me under his wing. He's one of the greatest strikers in Yaforite history. It's really flattering. But, anyway, he's been working with me regarding recognizing the opposition. I've never faced a lot of these players, which is a bit of a disadvantage on my part. As a result, I'm really working as hard as I can to make up for discrepancy.

"That means the entire offense will be based around me, then?" I'm relatively used to it. In the Zydrakos Dome, for example, there's a huge commercial of mine for some some hair product (http://blogimages.flashedcoder.com/images/bollywoodinsight.com/260415080201.jpg) just to the right of the scoreboard. Every time you look, you see it. It makes opposing teams realize just who they have to go after to shoot down the offense. Having opposing offenses trying to knock me down is nothing wrong. "Even more than usual, actually. If you have a good game, we win. If you have a bad game, we lose. It's as simple as that." That's the other thing that Iktam is great about. He doesn't disguise his words or hide. He's blunt, and it really helps me develop.

"You'll have to go at them, then, Ilsinha. You'll have to take on their big defensive midfielders. You ready for that?" I roll my eyes at him. I'm always ready.

Eightieth Minute, Game vs. Cafundeu

"Left, left!" We're down, two to zero. I can tell now that the game is slipping out of our grasp. Basically everything that Iktam said prior to the game is coming true. The Cafundelense began by pressing us both into the middle and the side, and were essentially dominating ball possession. Thanks to the fact that we're, well, Yaforite, we managed to cut all of that down. Until about the thirtieth and fortieth and somewhere else in there minutes. I don't really look at the scoreboards during the game, to see the time (even if my picture is right underneath it). Anyway, Cafundeu scored a couple right after we became more offensive. Our manager's made a few more substitutions, and we've become more offensive.

We're getting more desperate, though, and the Cafundelense are becoming more aggressive. Danilo has the ball just to my right, and pushing forward, I yell for him to give it up to his left. He's half Cafundelense, but I think that the pass that he sends somewhat in my direction is just badly-aimed, not something malicious (not that I would ever say anything like that about my teammates). I stare stunned as one of the Cafundelense defenders grabs the ball from just in front of me and sends it forward to the Danilo on the other side (Danilo Sampa, that is). I read his shirt as he runs - João Carlos. He already has one yellow card for a trip on Vorin Dariegan (and Silvanis J'dankor got a yellow for retaliation), so he's been active.

Danilo Sampa gives it back to him, and I decide to play some rough football of my own, as I cut to my left and slam my shoulder into his. The ball sprays to the right and Silveira picks it up. To my right, João Carlos stares up at me. It's clear in his eyes that he wants payback. He gets it soon enough.

Sampa coughs up the ball and we start a counterattack - Varanias to Bahsir to Juhan. Mosada brings the ball up, shakes off the challenge from Fabinho, and then hands it up to me. I take it to the right, faking, cutting, and then moving forward. It's only Alex and the goal, ahead of me, I accelerate and...I find myself on the ground. João Carlos is above me, the ball is off to the side, and there is a roaring pain in and on my right leg. There's no blood or anything, but a sort of shooting pain, slicing through my muscles. It's as if some kind of blade is eating me on the inside, without any sort of physical reminder on the outside of my body, but I can still feel the pain in my leg. This cannot be happening! I need to play in this World Cup! I can't give up my dream because of my leg!

Vorin is the first to me. "Are you okay?" His whisper is tinged with fear - though a fear of losing me or losing the game, I'm not sure. "Okay, I just need to get up..." I grab his arm, trying to pull myself up. It doesn't work. Lhatis is the next to the scene, and he immediately gestures for a stretcher from the sideline. "I don't need it!" I try to shout, but the pain has robbed my voice of its edge, and what comes out is a feeble whine. "I can still walk! I just need to start walking soon, just help me up..." Lhatis shakes his head. "Don't be silly, Ilsinha. I could see even from back there that you can't walk. Get off the field. We can lose a game. We can't lose our starting attacking midfielder." The stretcher arrives and a pair of emergency medics help raise me onto the stretcher. The world around me swims, as the pain overwhelms even my eyes. I don't feel lachrymose! Why am I crying?

Somewhere in the haze I hear the voice of Turkarin Varanias. "Why is she going off? Why can't she just play through the pain?" Lhatis admonishes him, or something. I can barely see through the haze of tears and pain. I can barely feel anything below my waste. I can barely feel...

[OOC: Intended to have this up before the matchday was scored. I'll have the second part up either later today or tomorrow, once I post in Sarz's thread, where I promised to post, and reneged on said promise.]

Archregimancy Assimilated
Religion is irrelevant as Starblaydia eject Monks

We are Starblaydia. You will remove your shooting boots, and escort us to Shanvley Stadium. If you attempt to intervene, we will score one more than you. Resistance is futile.

Starblaydia's run to a fourth World Championship continued in Albrecht as they defeated The Archregimancy by three goals to one. Similar to the mid-qualifying exhibition match for the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy where Starblaydia won 4-2, it was the team in white and purple who were on top for the majority of play, but there was never a time when you could discount the Dreamed Realm side from getting back into the match.

Starblaydia opened the scoring with Ricky England's free kick. The midfielder hasn't scored so far during the qualifiers, but he did net in both Mike Sarzo Memorial matches, including a brace against The Archregimancy. Though not a prolific goal scorer, he has won eighty-six caps for his nation and this was his fifteenth goal for his country, meaning he enters the fabled Rapaii 15 club, for Starblaydia's greatest predators. Fellow wide man Yuri Vegachenko also entered this club of Starblaydi talent during the exhibition match against Valanora, while striker Lotar Kaii'n is two-thirds of the way there. Striker Valrauncion may just be the quickest to fifteen, as he has nine goals already in his fledgling career, started at the grand old age of 2,794. Immortality obviously has it's perks.

Taking those names together, though, tells you about Starblaydi society and the rise pf Starblaydi football in general. England, Vegachenko, Kaii'n and Valrauncion. To that you should probably add Petropoulos, Samba and Bazrimar, as well as names of the recent past like Nakamura. Only then will you have the soul of Starblaydia's side, one that is a melting pot of many different cultures. Though in modern times it appears that Starblaydia are simply swallowing up smaller, neighbouring nations and taking any old surname that comes from a nation that can play a bit of football.

Whether it's the ethnic Jhanna-Siderians, Britannicans, Nemyans, Aquilianans, Dwarfs, Elves, Han, Orthodox or half a dozen other cultures (a quick look at the Coat of Arms of Starblaydia (http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Coat_of_Arms_of_Starblaydia) will show a little bit of quite how complex the nation's history is), there's a representation of every bit of Starblaydi society in the national team. The eagle's wings are all-embracing, all-protecting and all-empowering.

And all-conquering.

It's no surprise that Starblaydia have been crowned champions of the world three times in the past, most recently twelve years ago in World Cup 41. As a nation, never mind a football team, they take the best of each person, each people, and it becomes a part of Starblaydia itself. The big purple machine rolls ever on and on, since their debut in World Cup 15's qualifiers the side has constantly evolved, adapted and improved at every opportunity. The average Starblaydi believes that the grass is always greener on their side of the fence, that Starblaydia is the best - whether in the short or long term. Are Starblaydia better than, for instance, Valanora at the moment? We'd argue yes. Are they better than Rejistania and Bedistan? Of course, we'd say, we still exist.

Whether it's confidence or arrogance, self-belief or self-illusion, Starblaydia will have to try hard to not look beyond the Second Round match against debutants Peisandros. Take things one game at a time, they say, don't think about either the co-hosts or the UCS in the last eight, concentrate on the next game, not the one after, otherwise you might never make it. Perhaps that was what befell Jeruselem and, to a lesser extent, Valanora, the desire to look to the match after the 84th-ranked side in the world, Baptism of Fire Runners-Up Peisandros.

Starblaydia came second in their Baptism of Fire and promptly got nowhere near qualification for their first World Cup. They got to the Quarter-Finals in their second, hosted the third and then won the title at their fourth attempt. Is is all after, of course, having won two World Cups and spent over a decade in the sporting wilderness without a single match to play. Peisandros have already progressed further than they had ever dreamed was possible, further than most people would have believed remotely doable: out-qualifying Terreiro de Ogum, Green Wombat and Secristan to make it, sensationally, to the World Cup, before getting out of a group that includes the best team the world has ever seen, along with the whores and the nightmares.

The last sixteen of the World Cup is not the territory that Peisandros, in the state that they are in, should be playing. Quite how they have got here, though, is anyone's guess. In their next match, they will face the three-time World Champions for a place in the last eight of the World Cup. It may be a generation before they get to this stage again, while for Starblaydia this marks the fifth time in the last six Cups that they have reached the last sixteen. Lex Panarii's side will be looking to show the world just how the Top Ten play, how to finish the lesser sides of this world off. Peisandros have surely started their international journey with a bang, but this adventure will end with a whimper.

Besides, as Panos Petropoulos demonstrates, Starblaydia have already incorporated the Greeks.

Final score from Solidarity Stadium:
Starblaydia 3 - 1 The Archregimancy
(England 33, Fëanáro 73, Soronúmë 79) - (Innocent 42)

1400 Schlieffen

"Good to see you, your highness." Daniel disembarked from his Lancer and greeting the military commanders arrayed near the outskirts of the occupied city. They were roughly ten miles from the city center, and the front line was just two miles to the east. Jun and Tetsuya formed up on either side. In the hours between retaking Kaguya and defeating Nordhausen, engineers had repaired the enemy's Lancers so the Beast Machine pilots could take part in the battle, although Joe'd had to stay back at the base. To differentiate from the enemy, the team had the right shoulders of their units painted red.

Angel and Freya teams also landed nearby. Erica now joined the prince in being briefed on the situation, while the other pilots took a much-needed rest.

"The other cities have been surrounded, and two of them have already surrendered" the officer told them. "There was action near the Lunarossa border last night and we kept them from entering Lakeport. So we have a strong column advancing west from there and they've encountered minimal resistance."

"That's good, so if we're able to crush them here, the whole thing ought to fall apart," Daniel said. "Has there been any contact with Rotlicht?"

"We've cut off most of their communications and he hasn't made any efforts to contact us," the officer replied. "After you spoke this morning, it seems like most of his support has fallen apart." The officer smiled as he looked at the map of troop positions. "He's a dead man walking."

"He still has two hours to decide," Daniel said. "I don't see how he can possibly defend his position against the entire country."

"Urban warfare is not pretty, your highness," the officer replied, "and it's likely that most city residents are essentially hostages. The best strategy is to cut off the head." He pointed at the assembly hall in the government district. "Troops began infiltrating the sewer system almost two hours ago. As soon as the cease-fire ends, they'll be able to attack the enemy leadership directly."

**********

1530 Schlieffen

A black car approached from the government side of the line. The rebels watched it crawl toward their own checkpoint, which had been completely silent for hours. The men on both sides were tense because they were aware of the time. With half an hour to go for Stephen to surrender, fighting was imminent.

Two men with machine guns stepped in front of the car, which slowed to a halt. The driver rolled down the window. "Gentlemen, I've been instructed by his majesty's government to take peace envoy to your commander." The guards took a peek at the passenger in the back. The woman was dressed smartly in a suit a knee-length skirt, and her red hair had been combed neatly to full length. Her face looked a bit familiar, but they couldn't quite place it.

"Orders are no one gets in the city," the soldier replied gruffly.

The driver smiled. "Why don't you let her speak to your commander from here, then?" he asked. "Let him decide. This is a special case, after all."

The soldier figured it couldn't hurt, so he whipped out a radio. Once he'd been patched through to headquarters, he handed it to the driver, who passed it to the woman. She spoke softly. "Stephen? It's me... they asked me to talk to you. Yes. No. All right, then."

The radio was passed back to the guard, who listened for Stephen's response. He nodded and waved for a jeep to be driven over. "We'll take her only," he said. The driver was about to protest, but the woman just opened the door and got out. She walked over to the jeep without saying a word and without displaying any apprehension. The guard's jaw dropped as she climbed inside the vehicle. "K-karen... Stadler?"

**********

1545 Schlieffen

"If the king thinks he's going to sway me by sending you, he's really incapable," Stephen muttered. Karen had entered the governor's office and he motioned for his aides to leave. The two were left alone. The city was eerily silent as the minutes ticked away. There were fifteen minutes left until the deadline.

"He asked me personally," Karen replied. "He had me flown back from Candelaria just to ask me if I would talk to you." She rested her hands on her lap. "You said the military needed you when we met back then... was this what you meant? Were you planning this the whole time?"

"Even when I was Zero, this was always the plan!" Stephen shot back. Karen sat up with a start. "You know, it was the king's idea to open up the country through football. It was an informal environment for establishing contact with other nations. Fine. Policy through football, they called it. And now look at us. We send our best players overseas and stunt our own growth when our clubs buy foreigners. What happens when football becomes the rule, not the exception? Where does it stop, Karen?"

"That's ridiculous!" Karen replied. "To start a war over something so selfish!"

"When we stop worrying about our own strength and instead hope that foreign development leads to success in foreign environments, we lose sight of what it really means to be Dancougaran," Stephen continued. "Look at the team now. It's completely lost its identity. Did it have one to begin with? Not one of our making!"

"And what about the team that made the semifinal, did it have a homebrewed identity?" Karen challenged. "Whether they play in Yuki City or Lasft, or anywhere else. Our strength is still our own! And if we're not the strongest, we work to become stronger by whatever means. You're only going to turn this country inside out!"

"We must be stronger by our means!" Stephen shouted.

"You don't understand at all!" Karen yelled back. Tears were starting to run down her face. "You don't, you don't; you're not you!"

"I've only ever been me," Stephen said. "I've always believed this country was wrong to open up even a little. Now, then... sit there quietly and witness my miracle."

And then, the doors burst open.

Soldiers entered the room with water dripping off their uniforms and an ungodly stench clinging to them.

Stephen reached for his gun. But he couldn't beat five of them to theirs. "Secure the envoy!" Gunfire. A shriek. And a gurgled cry as Stephen hit the floor with Karen looking on in horror.

**********

1630 Schlieffen

"Why haven't wear heard anything from the boss? We need orders!"

"Just shoot back! Otherwise they'll... aaaugh!"

Government troops had already penetrated deeply into the rebel-held city. Rebel officers found themselves unable to communicate with Stephen or the other chief commanders, so all of their movements were completely disorganized. Lines moved up and fell back on their own initiative, opening up gaps in bizarre places. Men raced through to secure a path for the tanks, and came under fire. Taking cover, they shot back, and this went on for about five minutes until they realized it was their own force. They'd run so far behind enemy lines that another team which had overtaken a rebel position thought they were a second defense line.

On the west side of the city, the team from Kaguya was sending enemy troops scattering. In GUARDIAN mode, Angel and Freya teams had superior mobility inside the confines of the city. They could duck around buildings easily and push forward at high speed. The Lancer team, informally dubbed the Red Shoulders, proved that even these machines could be effective in the hands of the right pilots.

And when the government announced that Rotlicht was dead... well, that didn't help the rebel cause, either.

===========================================

Dancougar News!!
At least the Steelers are going to win next week.

Cup run ends in dismal third draw: If the Black Wings were ever to be treated seriously as a world football power, this was the kind of game they had to win. After two decidedly subpar performances that lacked any offensive creativity, the team had to pull out a victory on the final day to keep their title hopes alive. Good teams can step up at a time like that.

This is apparently not one of them.

A World Cup that began with such promise now has people calling for Solomon Bilbao's head.

A team that never found any rhythm after arriving in Candelaria and Marquez is deservedly leaving after a 1-1 draw with Ad'ihan saw them finish with only three points.

Ad'ihan went up in the first half and frustrated the Dancougar attack, limiting them to only two shots in the first 45 minutes. They picked up the pace in the second with the introduction of Shishio Jinguuji into a 3-4-3, but it took until the 76th for Dan Potts' equalizer. In a frantic dash to the finish, the Wings had a goal disallowed for offside and then nearly gave up the winner to a well-hit free kick.

The team which looked so good in qualifying seemed to run out of steam down the stretch and made it appear that everything was all right by thumping Qazox in the final group match. But once the team reached the World Cup proper, it became apparent that the team had indeed lost its way. Too old? Too haughty? Whatever excuses are made, it does not hide the fact that the defense was the only unit that lived up to expectations.

Rebels surrender after heavy casualties: Government forces announced the rebellion in Helmut over this afternoon when rebel leaders surrendered after heavy fighting in and around the capital, Schlieffen. Rebel leader Stephen Rotlicht was among the roughly 400 enemies killed, to go along with 1000 wounded, while the military said around 150 royalists were killed and close to 400 wounded.

"The king sent a peace envoy half an hour before the deadline in an attempt to prevent fighting from breaking out," said a spokeperson from the king's office. "She was received by Rotlicht and held as a hostage before being rescued by special forces."

Damage to the city is expected to hover close to $600 million and emergency aide is already being delivered to civilians. The government has confirmed 44 civilian deaths and expects that number to climb, with hundreds wounded.

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: 2-0 vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: 0-2 @ [???] Sarzonia (@ Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium - 88,920, Woodstock)
MD3: 5-0 vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: 2-0 @ [54] Liventia (@ Colonial Stadium, Orean)
MD5: 2-0 vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: 1-0 @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea)
MD7: 3-0 vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: 1-4 @ Sorthern Northland (@ somewhere new and special, but I haven't a clue...)
MD8: @ 4-0 [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street - 85,000, Moorcroft)
MD9: 2-0 vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD10: 3-0 @ [76] Dariusville (@ Humphra Ignhorium - 2,000, some forest in Dariusville)
MD11: 3-1 vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD12: 5-1 @ [1] Valanora (@ Hatire Memorial - 60,000, Capri)
MD13: 2-1 vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000, Pyeongyang)
MD14: 3-1 @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ worse than in a beer bottle)
PQ: 6-2 @ Your Worst Nightmare (@ Your Nightmare's House)
World Cup 44 - Group C
MD1: vs 2-0 [31] Septentrionia (@ La Escalera Naranja, Onwere)
MD2: 0-0 vs [9] Capitalizt SLANI (@ The Marble Ground, El din)
MD3: 1-1 vs [21] Sorthern Northland (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
R16: vs [14] Ad'ihan (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)



MBC World Cup Special Report
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/news.png

History Does Repeat Itself! 1-1 Draw to Sorthern Northland puts Han to WC39 R16 rematch

ARRIGO - Well, who says history doesn't repeat itself? In a Group Stage rematch between the Han and Sorthern Northland, the two sides again came out with a 1-1 draw. And for qualification, it was enough. Depending on whom you view is the weaker team between C&M and Ad'ihan, the fact that the SLANI beat the Septentrionians helped keep the Han in the first position. And that pick pits Ad'ihan against the Han in what may be a WC39 Second Round rematch. Of course, we'll be hoping that it isn't, because that means a rather long-winded trip back home; Ad'ihan, in the last encounter soundly beat the Han 3-1. There is little comfort for the Han, who have yet to win against Ad'ihan in any match (the last match was a WC42Q home match, played to a 1-1 draw). And of course, if history doesn't repeat itself, we'll be hoping still that it doesn't repeat itself in a likely quarterfinal encounter with Valanora (who now have the task of dispatching Kosovoe). oh, by golly, we'll be praying our pants off to hope (in vain) that Kosovoe will beat Valanora, but regardless, they will be hoping to dispatch the Han in for their 7th consecutive appearance in the Semifinals. The Han do have some cause for comfort; Ioshido Toki has beaten the #1 side at home in the recent qualifiers, but the return voyage was a horrifying 5-1 thrashing, not to mention the only other WC encounter was a 3-0 sack at WC42 in the Quarterfinals.

Perhaps it's better now to think about how the Han played another dull and uninteresting 1-1 draw to the Sortherners, rather than getting too hyper about the oncoming probability of another Second Round exit. Incidentally, it was the same Lee Wayside who scored the opening shot, and Kim Daeeui who scored the finishing shot. It wasn't as close as their last encounter, with both goals coming in the first half; but the fact that the same two people who scored in the first WC encounter is troubling to me. The fact that the same two people also play in C&M (Wayside at Port of Clotaire; Kim at Albrecht) is even more troubling to me. Thank goodness the referee wasn't the same guy, and there weren't any cards issued to anyone. And the game ended with a simple, boring, non-alcoholic 1-1 draw. Of course, the only tangible difference between this occasion and the last was that Sorthern Northland also reached the Second Round, which might bode well for the Han wanting to beat history.

Speaking of beating history, both Kosovoe and Peisandros managed some big upsets by reaching the Second Round on their first try (especially Peisandros, who managed to catch 6 points in a Group that included Valanora, the Holy Empire, and Jeruselem). Both hosts qualified for the Second Round, a only the second time in the last 4 cups (WC43 was the other occasion). Dancougar was the only team in the top 10 not to reach the Second Round, the lowest ranked team in the Second Round is ranked 46th in the world, Cafundeu is the only team not to concede any goals in the Group Stage, and Bazalonia is the only team not to have scored any goals in any of their matches. Oy, all of these numbers are giving me a headache...

So if you're not in C&M, cheering on the Han to beat Ad'ihan, then you better be turning on your TVs, radios, or whatever - this is going to be big (win,loss,rout,joy,humiliation,sacrilege; take your pick).

The Road to the Final Match
Group C
R16 vs Ad'ihan
QTF vs Valanora/Kosovoe
SMF vs Cafundeu/Lovisa or Milchama/Kura-Pelland
Final vs Starblaydia/Peisandros or Candelaria And Marquez/Capitalizt SLANI [or] Bostopia/Yafor 2 or Demot/Vephrall


=== === ===

Pak was wondering where all of this time was heading. 10 minutes into the second half, and neither side had a goal. For the Thunder, it was understandable; for #10, it was not. Somehow, defense was keeping him contained and without any serious incidents. Even though #10 was dominating possession, Yang was keeping the ball out, and the defenders were keeping him out of killing range. Still, a 0-0 draw was not going to be enough to keep the team alive. They needed a goal, and Kim was having as much trouble dealing with the Pearls' defense.

"Do you think we've got any chance to win?" Gang asked him.

"I think we can win this game," Pak said.

"We haven't scored a goal yet," Yi replied.

"Hey guys," Pak said, turning back to them. "We're still in this game. They haven't scored, we haven't scored. We're still as much in this game as they are. So stop being so pessimistic. We're still alive."

"Bae is struggling out there," Yi Yongyong noted. "He's getting tired."

"I'll let him stay out there until the next throw-in or whatever. He's doing great out there."

"What's he doing that so spectacular?" Gang asked. "He's made a few good stops on the ball, but you can tell that he's really stretching himself a lot just to keep up with #10. Why can't you see that we need you out there?"

"We don't need me out there," Pak said. "We're doing fine."

Just as he said that, botth Bae and #10 went head-to-head for a ball, collapsing on the ground. Immediately, the referee blew his whistle (conveniently as the ball fell over the line). Pak waited at the line to see if Bae would stand up again, but after it was apparent that he would not, he rushed across the field to Bae. #10 was on his feet, slightly knocked out of his mind but still walking fine. Bae was lying on the ground with his eyes shut, and Pak immediately knelt beside him, feeling for a pulse. Pulse; breathing? Breathing; why wasn't he getting up?

"Captain," the referee called. "Is he alright?"

"I don't know," Pak replied. "He's alive."

"Will he able to stand in the next few minutes, or will he need some medical attention?"

"I'm not sure at the moment..."

The referee went to the sidelines, talking to one of his linesmen. Pak stayed by him, as a crowd of Pearls and Thunder players huddled nearby. Pak signalled to the bench for some water, and Yi Yongyong came over immediately with a bottle. As he came, Bae moaned and started moving.

"Bae!" Pak yelled. "Can you hear me?"

Bae didn't respond.

"Bae Cheolgwan! Can you hear me?"

"I can hear you perfectly fine," Bae replied, almost comically. "Man, I have a headache..."

"Do you know where you are?"

"Stop yelling," Bae said. "Goodness, this bed is cold..."

"Bae, you're not in bed," Pak said, taking the water from Yi's hand.

"Bed?"

The referee came back just in time to see that Bae was moving. "Is he alright?"

"Why are so many people in our room?"

"Bae! You're not in a room! You're on a football field. You've been knocked out. Do you remember anything?"

"I've got a bad headache... must have drunk too much soju last night..."

"Captain, if he's not in critical condition, he needs to get off the field so we can continue play."

"He'll be alright," Pak said, trying to assure the referee that it wasn't necessary yet.

"I don't think your player can continue to play. Even if he does manage to move on his own, he's in no condition to continue playing with the threat of another concussion. Please take him off. You're welcome to make a substitution for him as well, since the ball is yours on the throw."

Substitution... maybe now was the time to come back and play against that nemesis.

=== === ===

Oh holy %$#^ %$#^ %$#^ %$#^... I spent way too much time doing this %$#^... (http://www.youshare.com/hannie/9e9c74399d24b38b.mp3.html)

Click above for MBC International News

(you may want to turn up the volume a little)

http://www.bostopia.net/emperorbostonrp2.wma

CKY – 96 Quite Bitter Beings

“Hello again, I'm Emperor Boston in Brickleyplace, Murley, Kura-Pelland, host of Bostopia's 4 all draw with Jeru F.C., and where Bostopia will play Yafor II in the last 16 of the 44th World Cup. But first, as always, before we get onto World Cup Review, with the time almost 1 o'clock in the Afternoon, the news.

Alan Sentor's measures against Groups on Social Networking websites has passed by 564 votes for, and only 27 against. The votes against came from the Fenton National Party and the Teriff National Party. The Social Networking Websites Act 2006 has now been amended to include what powers the Police Forces and other various institutions have when it comes to monitoring those who create or join groups on Social Networking websites. Mr. Sentor told me earlier today that this would help clamp down on anyone who joins or creates groups that could threaten the National Security of Bostopia. The Bostopian National Party has widely applauded the move.

Mrs. Tibbles' cat has today again been rescued from a tree in Squigg, Port Flamerty State. Eyewitness reports again claim that the cat had been placed in the tree by reporters looking for a good news story, though these claims are yet to be verified.

In domestic sports news, Bostopia's latest Formula 1 season has finished, with Gary Nearfield taking the chequered flag at the Sennaton Raceway. His Derring Racing team-mate, Harry Ranport finished the race in second place, with main title contender, Kyle Lithrington only managing fifth place, and finishing the season 8 points adrift in the drivers' championship. Derring Racing picked up the Constructors Title in the penultimate round, finishing in first at the new Fort Boston Circuit. The Fort Boston Circuit still remains controversial due to it's final turn being banked 7 degrees, and then it's first turn being banked 12 degrees after the start-finish straight. Safety campaigners and other assorted do-gooders have said such banking is ridiculous, but with their being only one crash as the first corner, the track designer has said he feels he has won that battle.

And now, onto World Cup 44 Review!

Tonight, I'm going to fielding questions that our listeners have sent in. I'd like to make it clear that not all questions were readable, and we do have more than 10 listeners.

7 - So, Mr. Boston, have you ever thought of going to the Landau Institute for some months to end your psychological fears... er, I mean... that
fear... you know what I am talking about, don't you? So, don't you think a treatment could be helpful?"

from Mariana Vale Roxo, Neblina, Estresse Intenso

6 - Mr. Boston, are you going to pay all the taxes that you left unpaid here in Cafundéu during your stay at the Astari airport? Don't forget that the "foreign plane landing tax" and the "using sitting object for sleeping tax" have high interest rates, so I'd like you to pay them." from Counselor-Minister of Taxes Godofredo Britadeira, Cafundó do Juta, Cafundéu

9 - Will Charlie Ducky-Chuck come back to live with me if I ask him for forgiveness for sleeping with his goat?

Jimmy Jim-Bob - Duddlesworth, Geece:

4 - A/S/L Jess, Corcaigh, Sorthern Northland

5 - Can I have my ball back please? Jack, 9, Windlesham, Sorthern Northland

8 I have always found it strange that the word 'toboggan' can be used as a noun, i.e. a wooden sled upon which one toboggans, and as a verb, as in the act of
using a toboggan. This unnecessarily weirds language. I, for one, have always championed the view that the verb form should be 'boggan,' clarifying that the
object in question is something one uses 'to boggan.' As someone with ample experience in this field, I would like your opinion on the matter.

Yours,
P. Maliseet
Port Vigilence, Masato, Dancougar

1 - Would you please return out statues? President Kirsty McDonnell, from Beningrad, Sorthern Northland

3 - Ou este la poutine? Gaétan, Finistère, Sorthern Northland

2 - Do you have any plans to construct a car powered by marajana? Or an energy drink made from magic mushrooms? John, from Little Clotaire, Sorthern Northland

10 - "Emperor, if you may tell us, what is your favorite kind of tank? What tends to go inside of said favorite tank? Would said favorite tank be big or small? Would said favorite tank act as a reflection upon you?"
G. K. W. M. Wilson
from Kaltar, Yafor II

(Follow by Classified Results)

[OOC: Damn, this is contagious, apparently.]

News Radio 1130 "The Buzz" (VMSP-AM, Misedos) - Sports with Chezlot Nastadgus (http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gth681k/ns/vephrall/wc44groupstage.mp3)

Transcript:

Taking a look around at the world of sports, we'll start across the rivers in Kura-Pelland. Last day of the group stage of World Cup 44, time to separate the good from the great.

Starting in Group E, Kelssek and Jaseuyeon are good, but Cafundéu and Yafor 2 are great, and it showed with them each picking up three-goal wins and moving on to the sixteen.

And wow, what a game in Group F. Four goals for the Whores' Army and they still couldn't win. A hot offense and a cold defense leads Bostopia to the four-all draw, but it ends up being enough for them to win the group, Lovisa following in second after a win over Wentland.

Parker Law's white and gold already through to the next round after that long awaited beatdown of Krytenia, but they needed a win over Milchama to secure first place in the group. Facing the Warriors, obviously goals would be scored. Unfortunately they were mostly Milchama's. Three for them, one for us, and the World Cup's more militant set of Jews finish at the top of the group on seven points. So that left Qazox and the Kryties playing for pride, and you can imagine neither one very satisfied with a draw.

And likewise in Group H, Valanora's little brother already into the next round facing the hosts. Tynelia already eliminated, up against a Taeshan team in need of a fair bit of luck. Since they drew with K-P making head-to-head a non-issue, they needed themselves and Demot to both win by large margins. Demot did get a win, but only two-one, so Taeshan was gonna need something special. But they couldn't manage to score, though neither did Tynelia so at least they hang on to third place, for what that's worth. Kura-Pelland advance to the second round.

We had an opportunity for a classic Vircais derby in the second round, with Vephrall coming out of Group G and our neighbors in H, but thanks to us both losing, we both finished second in our respective groups, so it's not happening. At least not yet.

The matches that *are* happening in K-P in the second round, though: Cafundéu and Lovisa in "el A", the Arrows hosting the ever-dangerous Milchama at the PurplePlex in Wulting, Bostopia faces Yafor 2 in Murley, and the white and gold are off to St. Margaret's Stadium in Marthley to face Demot, unfortunately. We'll probably need plenty of help from St. Margaret for that one.

Of course, let's not forget, that was only half the action. What's going on over in C&M doesn't really affect us unless we reach the final, technically, but that's actually where most of the interesting stories were going into the final matchday, with strong teams like Jeruselem and Dancougar in danger of not going through. Even the mighty Valanora were holding their breath a bit.

But it was status quo in Group A, both matches ending 1-1, so the Elves do indeed go through, along with Peisandros. Yes, Peisandros in, Jeruselem and the Holy Empire out.

Group B, the Purple People Eaters finish off a perfect group stage with a win over the Archregimancy and progress to the next round along with...Kosovoe, interestingly.

Anyway, Group C looks slightly more normal. The Fighting Sortherners - er, sorry, the college basketball report is later - anyway, Sorthern Northland needed a win over the Han to go through, didn't get it, 1-1, finish bottom of the group. Meanwhile, the SLANI Capitalizts defeated the 1093 isles to book a place in the next round alongside the Han.

Moving on to Group D, hosts C&M facing Bears Armed. I wonder what sort of ridiculous explanations and technological measures they needed to try to cover that one up. At any rate, a 3-1 win for the hosts and they finish top of Group D. Dancougar and Ad'ihan, classic win-and-you're-in scenario. Neither one won, actually, so Ad'ihan go through on four points to the Black Wings' three, but at least Dancougar can boast being undefeated in this World Cup. They drew all three matches, though I don't figure that'll be much solace.

Anyway, second round matchups: Valanora and Kosovoe in Caires, seems like quite the mismatch, the battle of the Hans at Estadio Arrigo Nacional, home to Portuguese, Peisandros will try to contain the Starblaydis in Albrecht, and a sigh of relief for the home team as they face an all-human SLANI squad. Well, at least they look human. I'm not really sure if they have hearts or anything, though. That match taking place in Zapata, Green Island playing host to a large number of C&M's matches for some reason.

And now we'll just do a quick recap of all those scores, as well as all the domestic action here in Vephrall.

[WC scores, followed by VTF/VKF scores, then a few college basketball scores just for the hell of it]

QSPN.COM World Cup 44 Coverage

Drawing conclusions

A- Qazox needs to be more consistent. An almost-perfect Qualifying campaign means nothing if the team can't keep it up in the Cup itself.

B- Qazox needs to improve. Improve what? Its mid-field play or the strategy used. Qazox has used the 3-1-3-3 for the past 3 Cups now, and it hasn't done anything. Maybe a swtich to a 3-4-3, a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2 is in order?

C- Qazox needs improvement on defense. The sweeper position is usually used by teams that have 4 great defenders and the sweeper is usually the best defender of the 4. Qazox has only 1 'great' defender, Wesley Teahen. Once again, maybe more defenders are needed.

D- The extreme attacking style of the past few cups isn't working. While this tactic has produced some of Qazox' best goal differentials and goals scored, in the Cup itself, unless you have 4 great attackers (and Qazox only has 2 1/2..), it doesn't work.

E- Consistency within the team. On average, a Pheonix player is around for 3 or 4 cups, and usually is a starter for 1 or 2. This means lots of turnover in the lineup, less consistency from Cup-to-Cup, and overall less of a 'National team' and more like an club-team who goes after every FA.

F- A better National League and more international players. The QFL used to produce Qazox' best players. But since the demise of that league, the quality of play on the national team has suffered, as many players were banned from playing for foreign teams. Now that the restrictions have been loosened and the NEWQFL is about to launch, perhaps the quality of play will improve.

G- LUCK. We just need more luck. How we get better luck? that maybe the only question we don't have an answer for.

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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MAGNIFICENT WIN PUTS CAFUNDÉU IN THE NEXT ROUND

The World Cup’s group stage has finished, and Cafundéu ended this part of the competition with a perfect record. This good form surprised many experts, who weren’t expecting such good performances after Cafundéu’s below average campaign in the qualifiers. Now, the supporters are extremely confident that the team is able to compete for the World Cup title. As in the last two games, the Monopolists were great in the attack and perfect in the defence, guaranteeing this way a brilliant 3x0 victory over Kelssek, which still had qualification hopes. The only difference in this game is that the Cafundelenses were able to take the lead still in the beginning of the game, securing it before the middle of the first half with a second goal. Now, Cafundéu faces Lovisa in the oitavas (second round), and the supporters expect another good victory.

THE FIRST HALF: Cafundéu’s attitude at the beginning of the game was explosive. Kelssek, which needed the win to qualify, did the kickoff, with Sinclair dominating the ball. Suddenly, Silveira surprised the attacker and tackled him, making a fast pass to Marossi. The midfielder held the ball for nearly ten seconds and then crossed it to the area, where Alves won the battle for the ball against a defender. He dribbled him with style and then shoot to the goal, sending the ball in the right corner of the net. A beautiful and surprising goal, still in the first minute of the game (the Globo Multimedia broadcast’s clock marked the time passed as 00:37 at the moment of the goal). The fast goal had a huge impact in the morale of both sides: while the Cafundelenses commemorated the good start and seemed ready to score more, Kelssek’s job became difficult, and the players lost some confidence.

Cafundéu keep with the strong pressure over Kelssek’s defence, and the team had more good opportunities to score. In the fifth minute, Renildo crossed to the area and Tremblay headed, sending the ball to outside the area. There, Augusto César appeared and shot with strength, obligating Zherdek to make a wonderful save. But Kelssek wasn’t able to hold much longer. Hubert received the ball in the offensive area, looked at the area and made an excellent through pass to Alves who, after the goalkeeper left the goal to try to block him, had just to touch the ball to send it to the goal, scoring again for Cafundéu. In the remaining of the first half, Cafundéu continued playing better, and had some changes, but Kelssek seemed to recover from the blow and could stop the Monopolists’ threatening attacks, holding the 2x0 result until the end of the first half.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Alves’s first goal): “Everrrrrything prrrrrreparrrrrred for the game to starrrrrrt. The rrrrreferrrrree whistles… the game begins! World Cup forrrrrty-four, only in Globo Multimedia! Cafundéu against Kelssek, thirrrrrd matchday of Grrrrrroup E! Silveirrrrrra in a good firrrrrst parrrrrrticipation, easily tackles Sinclair, makes a long pass to Marrrrrrossi, who faces an opponent. Stops, challenges the defender, makes a crrrrrrossing… Alves won the ball, the defender appearrrrrs in frrrrront of him… grrrrrreat drrrrrribble, look at the chance… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Faster than lighting bolt! We must rrrrreplay this! Alves, number seven! Cafundéu now with one, Kelssek with zerrrrro! Your hair looks ugly, nothing makes it better? Starrrrrt using Cabelão shampoo, can make any hair look beautiful!”

THE SECOND HALF: the thousands of Cafundelense supporters that made the trip to Kura-Pelland to see the game were certainly satisfied with the team’s performance, and with the game’s current result at the end of the first half. When the second half started, it wasn’t a secret that Kelssek would have an offensive strategy, to try to conquer a better result. Unfortunately for them, Yafor 2 was also winning, so they had to win too. Cafundéu, with the advantage of the result, controlled the game pace, sometimes getting to the attacking area. Kelssek had some offensive chances, but most of them stopped in the defence, while others stopped in Kardec. The Cafundelense supporters started to shout “olé”, something that gave even more motivation to the Monopolists, who were enjoying the game.

Just after the clock reached the mark of thirty minutes of the second half, a curious situation happened in the game. The referee from Dancougar, Alvini Bracken, stopped the game… to go to the bathroom. That’s why he looked so strange in the ten minutes before this happening. The players took this opportunity to receive direct orders from the coach, and to drink some water (although they could drink the water that came from the sky since the 33rd minute of the first half). The referee returned, clearly embarrassed, and ordered the game to resume. With the rain getting stronger, it became difficult for both teams to make good plays. But Cafundéu found space for a last goal. Augusto César took a corner, Alves headed, it hit a defender, and Danilo Sampa shot the rebound to score. Losing the game by 3x0, the supporters from Kelssek started to leave the stadium, as there wasn’t need to be under the rain to watch their team losing. When Bracken whistled the end of the game, the Cafundelenses could commemorate the qualification.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Danilo Sampa’s goal): “Silveirrrrrra with the ball in the midfield, the rrrrrrain is now so strrrrrrong that sometimes we can’t see the playerrrrrrs. He decides to shoot… Zherrrrrrdek sent if for a corrrrrrner, although I think this save wasn’t needed, the ball was going wide. Anyway, it’s now Augusto César with the ball, to take the corrrrrner kick! Sends the ball to the arrrrrrrea, Alves with a header… on the defender, the defender slips, Danilo Sampa takes the ball, shoots… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Come on rrrrrreplay, appear so we can see you! Danilo Sampa, number eighteen! Now the rrrrresult is Cafundéu thrrrrree, Kelssek zerrrrro! A healthy life starts with healthy products! So, when choosing a drink, choose Frrrrrutrrrrransgênico juice, the healthiest of Cafundéu! This one you can trrrrrust!”

NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE GAME: the Cafundelense league “duels” continue. In some National Teams, players from different team play together, while in some games there are players who have to play against a team mate of the league. One of the most clear examples of this duel was the game between Dancougar and Candelaria And Marquez. And, of course, we can forget the games of Valanora. Globo Multimedia showed these games, and the supporters were able to see their favourite players (although we hope that their favourite players are the Cafundelense players…). Even the honorary president of the CCFM, who is in the hospital in critical state, sent a note to the media commenting about how much he likes to see the CCFM league players playing in different nations.

But the most interesting news after the game between Cafundéu and Kelssek was about the referee’s decision to stop the game just to go to the bathroom. We asked the two Cafundelenses that are participating in this World Cup to comment about this situation. Fábio Luís Schneider said: “I think he did wrong. He should have gone to the bathroom during halftime. He couldn’t stop the game for that. It’s a shame. The referee must help, controlling the game and applying the rules, while what he did was exactly the opposite.” Bruno Batista has a different opinion: “Well, if he was really in need to go to the bathroom, of course he did right, although he should have called the fourth referee to whistle in his place. I assume that it is nearly impossible to work under these conditions… you know, nature is stronger!”

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS: three games, three victories. Nine goals scored, none suffered. Cafundéu, of course, currently has the best defence of the competition, and a good attack too. So, the members of the team are surely confident that Cafundéu can keep improving in the next games. The coach David Nefasto said: “This time we were able to get the lead still early in the game, so we could play without worries. We are playing really well, I’m happy to say this. No goals suffered… yes, this team is doing a good job. Our aim is only one now: keep this good job to conquer the cup.” Goalkeeper Kardec said: “It’s good to be an undefeated keeper so far… but it’s not only because of my, as of course my team mates helped to make us the best defence of the competition so far.”


CAFUNDÉU 3x0 KELSSEK

Place: Lake Branagh Arena, Porterbridge.
Attendance: after the WC organizators replaced all the officials responisible for checking the games' attendances, we received an info of 75,430, with two people losing their tickets in a small hole before the game.
Time: 11:00 Cafundelense time (16:00 local time).
Climate: rainy, 11ºC.
Referee: Avini Bracken (Dancougar).
Assistants: Hideo Kazari (Dancougar) and Jun Gaman (Jaseuyeon).
POTM: Alves (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Cícero, Renildo, Titov and Luizão; Silveira, Zé Sho (Jules 76'), Augusto César and Marossi (Túlio 63'); Alves and Hubert (Danilo Sampa 70').
Coach: David Nefasto.

KELSSEK: Zherdek; Avant, Gobrynin, Dubois and Tremblay; Colwyn, Regehr, Fletcher (Couture 72') and Arsenault (Salthill 55'); Sinclair and Crawford (Cournoyer 45').
Coach: he has a cold and couldn't come to the stadium.

Goal:CAF: Alves 0'/11' , Danilo Sampa 79'.

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

Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Cícero, Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Rossi, Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Song Yongdae (Daehanjeiguk).

WC goalscorers (proper):

3- Alves
1- Augusto César, Renildo, Hubert, Danilo Sampa

AN EXAMPLE OF TWO BEATEN DOWN MILCHAMA FANS:

"We made octafinals"

"Yeh, so now we lose to Valanora right?"

"No we play Kura-Pelland not Valanora"

"Wait we made octafinals and we're not playing Valanora?"

"That is right"

"That's so strange. When's the last time we did that?"

"A long time ago"

"Too long"

"Yes too long"

"Are we going to lose anyway?"

"Yep"

"Great"

"Yep"

"I love cheese"

"Me too"

"Let's eat cheese"

"Not now, I just ate meat"

"Fine, how about later?"

"Sure"

AN EXAMPLE OF A PESSIMISTIC NEWSPAPER COLUMN:

So now we have actually made octafinals. This is much better then last time's awful group stage finish. And more importantly we don't play Valanora meaning that we could actually win. Of course we will find a way to blow it, because that's what Milchama has done. Ever since we lost to SLANI in World Cup 39 we have been behind the 8 ball. Something like three straight octafinal losses followed by a not breaking performance. That is just awful. Really really bad. Go Cubs!

Anyway I expect nothing less this time, expect an early lead followed by a rather pathetic display of blowing it.

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

Pessimism in Milchama, A Problem.

That is all.

Representing your country… there were few greater honours. Austin Neal knew that as well as anyone, and the swell of pride when he was named in the starting eleven was genuine. Granted, the choice was essentially through default – Gwynfardd Lopulalan, Elgin Dannat’s preferred right back, was hugging his knees in Marlow Park’s home dressing room right now, and in no fit state to start a game of this magnitude – but lining up for the national anthem, wearing the ol’ blue-and-green, in front of the watching millions… it didn’t get much better than that.

Literally. Austin was a long way from coming to terms with the fact that Marra-Urra o Redwood, the left winger and his primary opponent this afternoon, was a bear, but for the moment that was the least of his concerns. She – and that was a whole other issue as well – was simply bloody good, and appeared to be taking immense enjoyment in skinning him alive. He’d already stood helplessly and let her pass into the box to score the equaliser and, as it stood, a second goal for the visitors was a grim inevitability. And, most likely, it was going to be his fault.

The pre-game Ulek, or Raiigar, or whatever it had been – all the slightly camp war dances of national football teams merged rather into one these days – had been unnerving enough, but Austin had found that the drumming was worse… the bears were playing to a beat, each pass and run and flick played to a pre-written routine kept in time by the visiting supporters. The Candelariasians could merely run about to keep warm, and helplessly watch the ursine gameplan unfold.

“So beware, say a prayer, if you get in our way, over there… Over, we’ll push you over, and we aren’t just Humans with a lot of hair!”

“Isn’t anyone going to shut them up?” Austin heard Niv Cohen hiss at Connor Mengucci.

“Would you volunteer for that job?”

“You heard the gaffer though… they’re not going to eat anyone! The World Cup Committee would never sanction their entry if that was going to be the case!”

“Explain the blancmanges, then!”

“Oh yeah…”

“NIV! BEAR!”

“Eh?”

Austin and Connor winced as the Albrecht Turkish midfielder turned too late and went down, crumpled by Urra SunBlessed. The bear put up an apologetic paw, as the referee whistled, glanced furtively at the two relevant parties, and gave Cohen a yellow for impeding the progress of an opponent while the C&M stalwart was stretchered off.

The following indirect free-kick eventually found its way back to Joel Sbaïz, who punted it upfield as quickly as possible. You couldn’t blame the lad. Beorra o Bardenn was bearing down on him, and the goalkeeper was enduring unpleasant Bokito-based flashbacks. The ball sailed across to the opposing box, where Tom Smith shrugged and leaped as best he could, while Borrinna o HighPeaks did the same.

Whereupon the Arrigo Portuguese forward learnt a useful fact. Light-medium brown bears can’t jump.

***

There was a collective cheer in the offices of TTO’s The Football Show as Tom Ely thumped in C&M’s third from thirty yards to pretty much draw a line under the hopes of the visitors and hand the hosts an unlikely an unlikely first place in Group D.

Julian cracked his knuckles and launched forwards to cut up the moment for the evening’s highlight package, when a heavy paw impeded his own right hand’s progress. He looked up.

“Yeah, Ian?”

“No point doing that, is there, eh? We ain’t got the rights to show that game. Nah, concentrate on the Han versus the Sortherners, yeah? Everyone’s gonna want t’see that!”

“Everyone said it was a really dull game, sir…”

“Be that as it may, they’re two of our largest ethno-socio-cultural communities. The audience figures’ll be massive. Put that game on first, then the SLANI, ‘cos that’s who we’ll be playing next, by the looks of it. And then… Demot, if you like. Everyone likes to see Kura-Pelland being beaten. And that four-all, that must’ve been a game and a half…”

“Yeah, but… Ian, I’m sure we’ve got the rights to the Bears Armed game! We paid a bucket for ‘em! TV1 were livid!”

“Then we’ll just say Cúchulainn’s got the game! I dunno… We’ll think of something. But we’re not putting those goals out, Julian. Orders from above. Sorry.”

“Millions of people will’ve seen ‘em already, though… live. I mea–”

The station controller of TTO lunged towards the array of buttons and jabbed at one, sending the nearest camera flying towards the still-chanting visiting supporters.

“…aren’t just ‘Humans with a lot of hair’!”

“You really want to make the situation any worse, Jules? We’re all screwed at it is… Let’s not have any more people see this game than is strictly necessary, eh?”

“But,” Julian implored wretchedly, “I just don’t understand! They’re just hairy… weird humans, aren’t they? What’s so bad about everyon–”

Ian hotched down to meet the young man at eye-level, and dropped his voice to the merest of whispers. “Lad… You’re awfully young. You don’t know much about the world, and honestly – I wish you could stay that way. I wish I didn’t have to do this, but… There’s some stuff you really ought to know…”

***

President Morton stared out of the Square Room’s window, while a panoply of Premiers, Prime Ministers and Presidents watched her back alongside a small collection of nervous junior ministers and Debbies.

The view from 12 Robinson Street didn’t exactly offer a world-class panorama of the Candelariasian capital, being primarily focussed on 13 Robinson Street which was, by tradition, usually inhabited by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He too was in his office across the street, and chose this moment to swivel cheerfully to face the head of state. He flicked her the finger, she stuck her tongue out at him.

Upon such moments was the relationship between the President and the leader of her Conservative coalition partners based. She considered it a great comfort in these difficult times.

“And they were quite certain it was Mc O’Neil?” she asked the room in general, turning around.

“Very,” a Debbie confirmed emphatically, “although they couldn’t say exactly how they knew that. He looked different, apparently. Much younger. But still unquestionably himself.”

“Fine… What I’m having a little trouble grasping, Debbie, is wh–”

“Snezhana, Madam President…”

“…is what Mc O’Neil actually threatened to do, Sn… Debbie.”

“Um… It’s not so much what he said, Mrs President, as the way he said it. There was grinning and giggling and vague references to ‘changing everything’. The three players in question were most perturbed, Elgin Dannat said. He had to let them all off the Bears Armed match, they were as white as a sheet, he said.”

“And given that they’re Punjabi, Hispanic and Indonesian-Bettia-Candelariasian respectively, that really doesn’t bode well, ma’am,” the Junior Minister for the Outlying Islands commentated dryly. “And I’m afraid the Green Island authorities have informed us that they have no idea of Mc O’Neil’s current location. In his current… altered state, he really could be a loose cannon. Er. I’d also like to raise, at this point, the fact that the bear-based rumours are getting a little hot. We’ve got half the country’s security services dumped in Zapata – that part that isn’t doing their level best to separate Eesseffians from the natives, up in Caires – but there’s been an awful lot of contact between the two sets of supporters, I’m afraid. Local radio on the island has been covering events as well, in the last couple of hours…”

The President caught his tone. “Issuing fierce denials, I trust?”

“Ye-es… But that’s rather the point. They’re having to issue denials. They can’t just brush this off with a laugh and expect people to buy it. It’s not working. You know what Green Island’s like, it’s a law unto itself… There’ve been open rumours there about one thing and another for a while now, but this situation is proving awfully tricky…”

“Let’s not sugar-coat things, Robert. Are we in trouble here?”

The MP grimaced. “Yes. Not to put too fine a point on it. People are starting to demand answers, and they’re being shown on television doing so. The internet’s on fire, ma’am. The rest of the country’s behaving itself, but there’s some furious eyebrow-raising going on up north, what with all the Vanorians, and the rather specific solar eclipse the other day. And then, y’know… explaining the Starblaydia versus Archregimancy game has tested Remedial Teaching somewhat. Most of their agents, and the Minister herself, are on the ground in Albrecht… a little damage limitation, if you will. But people are drinking with the… er… former denizens of Cockbill Street, there’s quaffing going on, loose lips…”

“I think I get the picture,” the President nodded. And thank God this place doesn’t come with an excellent view of the city, she added to herself.

“The point is, ma’am,” the junior minister continued, as the rest of the room stared stubbornly at their feet, “we can cope with whatever happens after the World Cup. We’ve planned for that, or the M.O.R.T. has, at any rate. But if something… big, happens, now, or nowabouts… there’s going to be trouble. Particularly on Green Island.”

“Our parasitic colony…” Morton muttered.

“Sorry, ma’am?”

“It doesn’t matter. Shut it off.”

There was a pause as Robert Clitheroe MP and Snezhana glanced at each other.

“Eh?” one of them ventured.

“Green Island. Shut it off. We can ferry the bea… the players and supporters from C&M’s last opponents out of there tonight, take them by sea to Nethertopia, if needs be. They can take the flight to Mikitivity or somewhere from there. The SLANI supporters will no doubt be able to bribe their way in for the last sixteen match whatever we do, so they’re hardly worth worrying about. Otherwise I want no-one entering Green Island, and no-one leaving it. Bring and trawlers and whatnot back to C&M ports, we’ll say there’s a storm a-coming, or something… And take down the internet over there while you’re at it, as well.”

“Wow… Beating the Bostopian National Party at their own game now…”

“Just do it, Robert.”

“Prime Minister Lawrence isn’t going to like this…”

“Russell Lawrence is no longer a concern. I want him removed from office, and I don’t care how! I’m sick and tired of his pathetic little administration thinking they can thumb their noses at us! This is too damn important to leave them playing at government in their poxy little islet while their integrity of this country crumbles around them! Assume control of Green Island, Robert, and I want it on lockdown for as long as it takes!”

“Ma’am…! Are we enacting regime change?”

“Green Island is still theoretically under our jurisdiction, so no,” another Debbie volunteered cheerfully, “I think this would count as crushing the democratic will of the people, though.”

“And does anyone actually have a problem with that?” the President asked calmly.

“I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we’re right behind you, ma’am,” Robert said, “and, as a fringe benefit, if Mc O’Neil’s still on the island he won’t be able to get anywhere unless he fancies swimming.”

“But if he’s not,” the Junior Minister for Citizenship & Immigration said quietly, “would it be worth our time involving outside help in tracking him down?”

“Gina…?”

“The M.O.R.T. took in two individuals this morning.” She glanced at her notes. “A… Simon Bokor-Owusu, a med student at Albrecht Uni, and David O’Sullivan, training to be an accountant. Also known as Masta Monkey Smuggla and Mista Buddha Ballz. Um. They claim to be acquaintances of Mc O’Neil, and to have recently discussed that very relationship with a small group of ‘freaky, pointy-eared dickheads’, who seemed most interested in locating said individual. We have them tracked, they’re in Albrecht… We’ve no idea if they’re official representatives of Lord Raynor or not, but either way our best chance of finding and stopping Mc O’Neil is surely via other elves.”

Another awkward pause followed, as some particularly junior ministers at the back of the room disseminated this information. The Mildly Junior Minister for Citizenship & Immigration swore in colourful Nord-Brutlandese under her breath.

“Um… Sorry, did you say ‘elves’?” one asked.

The President put her head in her hands. “Robert,” she muffled, “enact Operation: Enduring Stupidity in Green Island. Gina, make sure those elves are followed. And boys,” she continued, turning to the very junior ministers with a sigh, “some of you are young… You don’t know anything about the world, not really, and I wish you could stay like that a little longer, I really do. But…”

Rodiel Isilivanthor and the seven Dark Bow agents that she had somehow won the loyalty from continued to scour the city. They had asked a few pesky little folk if they had any idea of where their target was, but they either had no information or were too stoned to be taken seriously. It had all gone terribly wrong for Rodiel, and all so quickly that it simply scared her at how carelessly she had been living in the past centuries. She was on top of the world just a few months before, now she was a renegade with the unique distinction of becoming the first Vanorian who is wanted dead rather than alive by their government. That was the price of treason against the Commonwealth, death in the worst form imaginable, an excution would have been a better end. Yet it was not to be, as these seven Dark Bows had seen the reason in her actions, and had then agreed to help her finish the job, so as to prove Tobias and his lackeys wrong.

Every step she and her fellows now took was a precarious one, for although the locals did not like Vanorians in the least, nor did their government, they would be quick to alert anyone of their presence. If that happened, then it would only be a matter of time before either Tobias' forces would be upon her, or this nation's own little secret police. The fools believed that their operation was uncompromised, they would learn the truth soon enough, but only if Rodiel managed to find her target. That was proving quite the difficult task, and she was lamenting not putting a tracker in Sam before she returned him back to this backwards country.

"Rodiel, we're picking up a lot of radio traffic." one of the agents called to her from inside an empty building that had set up as a headquarters. "We can't make it all out because of the static, but it seems like something is either happening or about to happen in Zapata. Isn't that where those two stoners said that our target was located?"

That evil and twisted grin that had been missing in the past weeks crawled back onto Rodiel's face. Things were begining to turn around for her, if indeed those sources had been correct. There were still a few elves in Zapata, those that had no idea of her situation and would all too willingly help her in her cause.

"That it was. Me, Habrisgalad, Cereannen, Sadron, and Ceredasion will head to the island to follow up on the those stoners information. If what they said is true, then we will have little trouble in finding and capturing our target. I want you, Draugron, and Lairdorien to stay here in Albrecht and continue your search of the city, and monitoring of our "friends" in high places. If any new information pops up, I want to be the first to know. Remember, we are not doing this for ourselves or this pitiful country, we are doing this for the entire world, and failure is not an option. Tobias' believes that our national team, as great as they are, are the greatest symbol and representation of the Vanorian people. We will show him that it is the people themselves that are the best symbol, and that his people can still do great things when they are called upon."

Iauron nodded to Rodiel and thought about the implications if they somehow managed to succeed. It would be a whole new world, this country would be completed rocked to it's core, and would likely reach out for assistance. Who would be there to grab ahold of that arm and bring it back up to safety? Why it would be none other than the very country that these people had grown up learning to hate and despise. For that, Iauron was willing to risk life and limb assisting the renegade. For that, he would pay the ultimate price if it was called upon him to do such. Little did he know, just a few hundred miles away, the Vanorian national team was doing a much better job of opening the eyes of the natives, and in a less destructive manner. If they could only once again reach the Final, then their mission would be a success, but first a date with destiny and Kosovoe was to be had...

"Double-you Tee Eff", "Oh Em Gee" and "Roh full" as Peisandros makes second round

Surprises all round it seems. Who would have expected the first-timers to make it so far? Well, no one. Absolutely and utterly no one. This is not quite the way things work in World Cup football -- Peisandros have gone well against the grain.

There are still no expectations. They shouldn't have gotten through their pool where they got through ahead of three higher ranked teams. Then on to the World Cup proper where they finished above Jeruselem and The Holy Empire, beating the former. What a run, but surely it's over with the last 16 tie against Starblaydia. The three-time World Champions are a fantastic side and the Sandrians should be over-the-moon with a top 16 finish.

Where the Peisandros football team are ranked after this tournament will be very interesting. They went from 86 before the tournament, to 46 after qualifying and who knows how high it will reach now? Top 40? Top 30? Undoubtedly the statisticians will work their wonders and we will keep a close eye on where they end up.

Again, Pappas has refused to change a winning formula and stuck with the same bunch of players for the second round game.

News coming from Peisandros is that the Government is in the early stages of preparing a parade through Olympia. The public have really gotten behind in the team and employers have had to come to grips with people turning up late and still somewhat drunk after another Peisandros achievement.

In other news, the PFA is also in talks with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Sports. It is believed this is an attempt to get more young people playing football so that the Sandrian football legacy can be continued for years to come.

Stay tuned!


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


Hotel in Albrecht

Costa awoke in the night to the sound of the dripping tap. Since having not played in a few days, he wasn't tired as much. He had far more energy. Leaping out of bed he went to the bathroom to turn the bastard off. Tomorrow was the big game for the boys. Alex had said he would be on the bench and to be ready, but chances are he wouldn't get any minutes. As he stood in the bathroom he looked in the mirror at the 23yr old face looking back. He felt closer to 40 and the tattoos down his left arm and back had generations of stories. How did he get to be here? What actions, events, lead to such a moment in time?

Infact those 23yr old eyes had seen things most wouldn't in a lifetime. His older brother Dorian escaped much of the hardship the younger twins went through. He was sent to live with an aunty months before they were conceived and because of this, was never quite able to relate to them. The twins were born in to an abusive environment. Their father was an active member in local gangs and would routinely beat their mother. He was also a drug addict -- not an ideal male role model. He was murdered when the boys were five. They did not attend the funeral.

Their mother had maintained herself amazingly well considering how she was treated. She worked hard and managed to earn enough to keep the boys in day-care. However after a few years of trying to survive without her husbands drug money, things turned for the worse. When they should have started post-primary at nine, the money ran dry. Mother decided to try and follow father's footsteps and turned to pushing drugs. She gave up caring for the boys and while here was still a roof over their head, that was where the luxuries ended. Costa and George ended up on the streets.

They were inseparable. Nine year old boys exploring the great city of Olympia. Every morning they would wake up before their mother so they could escape the anger and hangovers. With the rising sun they would run through the slums, down to the beach, around the coast to the suburbs, all through the city. Every day there was something new to explore and new people to meet. They weren't the only young people spending their lives hiding away from dangerous parents or some other problem. Jessihca with her rich parents who wagged school every day. Tony with his one leg and no place to call home. Serrip with his weed and cheeky grin. They certainly were an interesting group to look at.

After about six months of doing very little good and causing some grief, they paid a visit to Jessi who had started going to school for a few days a week and this is where football came in to the Theotokis' life....

OOC: to late to finish now! Will do so tomorrow regardless of result.

Demot Daily ~ Hello Again

After a putting the icing on the cake of a marvelous group stage, where the Dynamo were among only three nations to take all nine points, they get to get requainted with regional foes Vephrall. If you remember, these two nations met in the Quarterfinals of the last World Cup, the one that the Vephrese were hosting. The Dynamo then went on to oust the hosts on the way to their way into the Final match. That was two years and and twenty fixtures ago, back it is still a pain in the neck for the Vephrese media. Despite a relatively good showing by their side, including some vindication in the demolition of Krytenia, the Vephrese media seems quite pessimistic about their chances to pull the upset. I don't know if we should take this as a compliment to the stature that the national team has been able to garner or if this is some sort of mind games, trying to lure the team in a false sence of entitlement of securness in their progression. We all know that managers and friends of managers will resort to anything to give their side the supposed edge in these affairs.

Julius Rotherwell is one of the players that will undoubtedly be unphased if this is some sort of mind game being played. The striker has showed that he is a world class finisher and that any club would do well to have them as part of their strike force. Considering his age, and the fact he has at least one, if not two more World Cups left, I suspect he will be the rock that anchors the Dynamo through this run in the knockout stage and for the next few years. That is a comforting thought, to have one of the best strikers in the world being the driving force behind your side as it will likely be enduring a transition to a new guard of players.

In other matches, Valanora looks to keep up its' famous run of making it to at least the Quarterfinals in every Cup since Thirty-three. They will face the most unexpected oppenents of Kosovoe, who snuck into the knockouts without flash or flair. The might of the Champions has been somewhat supressed by many squads during this tournament, but all of that can be thrown away in these win or go home situations. The Marauders will cruise to an easy victory. In that "Battle of the Hans", that being Ad'ihan and Daehanjeiguk, things look to be perfectly level. While one could argue that the Han empire has a better overall squad, I think that the Ad'hani side has the better manager, and they will escape with a narrow victory.

If there was ever a major mismatch in this first knockout round, it is definately the fixture that pits Starblaydia against the debutants of Peisandros. Not only is it their first trip to this stage of the tournament, but it is their first World Cup, ever! I am not doubting the heart of the new boys, but Starblaydia are a side that even teams like Valanora and ourselves are hard pressed to defeat. The Purple Menance rolls, but Peisandros puts up a good accord for themselves. The last match in Candelaria and Marquez pits the cohosts against the SLANI federation. Yes our potential cohosts go up against the current guardians of the tournament. The home field advantage gives the Big Blues just enough to get by and into the Quarters.

Moving back to Kura-Pelland, the hosts get to take on Milchama. The Jewish nation that seems overly pessimistic really just sleepwalks through the tournaments these days, and being at home really just gives a huge advantage to sides. Kura-Pelland makes it that both hosts make it into the last eight. In a match that is closer than it appears, Lovisa will be taking on Cafundéu. If you were to go on reputation, then the Cafundelense would be booking their trip right away into the next round. We all know however that matches are won on the trip, not by how well known you and your exploits are. Still, Lovisa's surprise accent to the top of footballing power is put to a harsh halt. That leaves the least appealing match in the final sixteen, that being Bostopia against Yafor 2. Bostopia still seems obsessed with Dancougar knocking them out in "the cup they were supposed to win", which obviously means that they are not preparing for their current oppenent. The Golden Wolves win in penalties after a scoreless draw.

Article by Rich Baker

CUTOFF for teams based in the Candelarias. Scores (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14443032&postcount=26)

Cal will "press for goals"

Arrigo, CANDELARIA AND MARQUEZ (RAI Sport)— Ad’ihani manager Devida Cal has promised fans a goalfest in the team's upcoming World Cup 44 second round match against Daehanjeiguk.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Cal said that while Daehanjeiguk, whom Ad’ihan have never lost to in three attempts, were a tough opponent and a threat, he fully expected his team to outscore the Hans.

"I'm a student of the 'score one more than you' school, at least when it comes to matches like these. We'll be going out to win and we'll definitely press for goals. I will be very surprised if we fail to score more than they do, really, and you can't win matches if you don't score more than your opponents.

"If they score one, we'll score at least two. It's a simple task but we won't be taking them lightly. They're going to be difficult to break down but we have history on our side, two wins and a draw. But as we saw with the Dancougar game history isn't always the judge of everything.

"Make no mistake, we will win this game, we will make the quarterfinals. It's been far too long since Ad’ihan has done so."

The two teams met at the same stage during World Cup 39, incidentally the last time Ad’ihan made the quarterfinals of a World Cup. That time, Ad’ihan won 3-1 with a hat-trick from Lenny Fowler, before they were dumped out by Capitalizt SLANI 3-2 in the last eight.

OOC: You've got to be kidding me. That cutoff sucks. I'd already hit submit :(

Aaaand, either side of a somewhat unfortunate Ad'ihani sandwhich, this is the cut-off for the Kura-Pellandi half of the last sixteen.

Numbers and dashes and stuff! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14443043&postcount=27)

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: 2-0 vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: 0-2 @ [???] Sarzonia (@ Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium - 88,920, Woodstock)
MD3: 5-0 vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: 2-0 @ [54] Liventia (@ Colonial Stadium, Orean)
MD5: 2-0 vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: 1-0 @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea)
MD7: 3-0 vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: 1-4 @ Sorthern Northland (@ somewhere new and special, but I haven't a clue...)
MD8: @ 4-0 [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street - 85,000, Moorcroft)
MD9: 2-0 vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD10: 3-0 @ [76] Dariusville (@ Humphra Ignhorium - 2,000, some forest in Dariusville)
MD11: 3-1 vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD12: 5-1 @ [1] Valanora (@ Hatire Memorial - 60,000, Capri)
MD13: 2-1 vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000, Pyeongyang)
MD14: 3-1 @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ worse than in a beer bottle)
PQ: 6-2 @ Your Worst Nightmare (@ Your Nightmare's House)
World Cup 44 - Group C
MD1: vs 2-0 [31] Septentrionia (@ La Escalera Naranja, Onwere)
MD2: 0-0 vs [9] Capitalizt SLANI (@ The Marble Ground, El din)
MD3: 1-1 vs [21] Sorthern Northland (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
R16: vs 2-0 [14] Ad'ihan (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
QTF: vs [1] Valanora (@ New Sausages Arena, Allemali)



MBC World Cup Special Report
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/news.png

Han on Top in Battle of the Hans - Head to Quarterfinals Against Valanora

ARRIGO - FINALLY!!! We're not going to be playing a match in Marquez! Not that I hate Marquez or even the Marquezians, but it gets unnerving hearing people speak a language that should be familiar to you and it's not. I can speak Engrish, but not Spanish... Nonetheless, I can say that a number of the fans were happy though, and I think the Marquezians may have found new friends among members of the Jonam residency. But our first visit to Candelaria in the World Cup may be a very short one if the Han don't manage a similar upset over the Vanorians as what happened at Cha Beomgeun Memorial Stadium. Indeed - the Han may have sporty players in the CMSC, but the Vanorians (Eeseffians, as they say... *shudders*).

But the game in Arrigo... it was surprisingly tense. In a broadcast that was aired sometime before/during/after the match (I still don't know where to place it), the Ad'ihani manager noted that his side would "score more goals" than the Han. And what else could he say? This was history in the making. If the Han beat the Ad'ihanis, it would be their first time ever, even through the World Cup Qualifying matches. And the game seemed to start that way. After squandering the opening kick-off, Holmes took the ball and made a dashing attempt at goal, were it not for Kim Jongguk's heroics for leaping in the air, dashing the exact opposite direction as the ball relative to the goal, and the ball bouncing off the top of the cross bar. Oy... this was going to be a painful match if Kim Jongguk was going to be making the wrong calls so early in the match. As it happened, Kim had a little speck in his eye that distorted his vision, so he could be excused for almost letting it go 1-0 for Ad'ihan (but thankfully, the goalposts held up). But the pressure didn't evaporate as it should have. The Han were tired. All of the players starting started in the Group Stage and there were few substitutions. Kim Daeeui, when he shot on goal, was off-target. The Ad'ihanis were also playing a more deadly style of midfield battle (no, they weren't killing people, but they could pick the ball with one foot tied to their hands and hobbling around like crippled folk). Thankfully, Kim Jongguk was better in the goal and the Han defense managed to hold up against 8 shot attempts (compared to the Han's 3 attempts).

Ioshido was a bit irate. He was noted for his unusual interval press conference with a random reporter, uttering one line: "We need more spirit out there." And I agree. Spirit. Young spirit, I'll add. And that's just what he did. Song Jongguk came off, and on came Pak Yongho; Kim Daeeui came off, and on came Jeong Jihun. The second half began admirably, and there was a noticeable difference in the team's play against the Ad'ihanis. It wasn't a big difference, but Kim Jongguk was making fewer saves and he looked like he might have recuperated there. Midfield, on the other hand, turned into a massive skirmish whenever the ball passed its vaunted halls of verdure ribbons. Ioshido hesitated at making another substitution - Yi Yeongpyo for An Yeonghak - but soon after, the Han gave the Ad'ihani goalkeeper his first real challenge of the match. Literally running off the pitch down the right flank, An Yeonghak ran up with a blitz on the Ad'ihani defense, and dove on the oncoming cross for a neat header into the net. 68th minute, and the Han were up 1-0.

There are few times that the Han catch the hearts of a foreign crowd. The first time was in Cafundéu, where the Han rallied for 1-0 win over the Holy Empire. But as soon as An Yeonghak (playing for the Jonam club, mind you - he speaks fluent Spanish) scored that goal, fans - Han and Marquezian alike - rose up in adulation. And what a morale booster that shot turned out to be. 8 minutes later, Pak Gyuseon took the ball up for their second shot on goal, with Evans knocking the ball out for a corner kick. An Yeonghak took the corner, with a daft An Pilrip volley to follow the ball up and into the net - well, almost into the net, except the ball hit the goalpost (again) and went flying into the air, in the opposite direction. Kim Yongji had the ball at a largely undefended midfield and send the ball flying up into the net. And yes, the ball went into the net, did not hit the goalpost, Evans did not knock it outside for another corner kick. It was 2-0 and the crowd went wild.

Unfortunately, despite attempts on both sides, the score remained 2-0 for the remainder of the match, and I'd imagine that the fans there got theirr money's worth. Ad'ihani captain Jones had the best chance late in the match to break the deadlock, with two shots in succession coming off Kim Jongguk (who normally pats the ball out for a corner kick). But luckily, Kim Jongguk had accurate hands and managed to keep Jones's shots contained. And for manager Devida Cal, it would be a good talk home, explaining why the team, whose mandate was to score more goals than the Han, ended up scoring none.

But my condolences to the Ad'ihanis. They are a quality team, much like any team in the Second Round (except maybe the stunning starlings of Peisandros and Kosovoe...). They're one of the teams that makes the World Cup an especially challenging tournament. I remind the viewers/readers/listeners/gossipers/people who somehow come across this information that the Ad'ihanis started the match on full speed and were it not for a bit of luck that helped keep the Han in the race, this match may have had a different outcome.

But as it is, the Han have won, make due their second appearance in the Quarterfinals. And Ioshido Toki will have his own demons to slay, going against the top side in the tournament, and favorites currently to reach the Final. Following the match, the media were able to meet with Ioshido, as he gave his first public press conference of the entire season:


吉田土岐: At this moment, I would like to thank the fans for their support. I would also invite the fans to refrain from throwing potatoes at me if we lose to the Vanorians. Oddly, it was first against the Vanorians that I had a potato thrown at me, and I recall being rather upset with the incident. However, I am reminded at the same time that we are here for the fans. The team has performed with great confidence because of the players that are out there now, a legacy from my predecessor. I have tried my best to continue this legacy, and many of the newer players in this place have grown in the confidence that has been the experience of the elder players, the coaching staff, and the fans themselves.

With that perspective in mind, I am considerably grateful for the positive support that the team has received. I am grateful for the hospitality that we have received in Candelaria And Marquez, particularly among the Marquezian residents and citizens. We might not be the best performing team in the world, but in a results driven business, we have made the results count when they needed to count. I'm hoping for further success in Allemali, where we will face the Vanorian national team for the third time in as many matches. I aim to win against Valanora. I aim to replicate our success against them back at home. Doubtless, they will be anxious themselves not to succumb to the same misfortune as befell them at our abode, but as this is not their home either, we have as much a chance as they do to win. Experience and tactics will determine the winner.

I am aware of the criticisms that I have received over my tenure these past few seasons, and I am hoping that our next match against Valanora will allay the fears. I hope that fans will put aside their differences with me and team, and instead choose national unity over thoughts. When weathering the storm, it is best not to walk out in the midst of calamity, but to stand strong together. I am certain that with the fans behind us we can defeat the Vanorian team, and we can reach the Semifinals. After that, anything is possible.

I thank you for your time, and I wish for Heaven's blessings.


It is worth noting that the Vanorians come into this Quarterfinal clash just coming out from a 4-0 RAWRSHTOMP over Kosovoe. Despite a tough time in Group A, the Vanorians also qualified on top of their group, with a 4-0 whopping over Peisandros, a drab 2-2 against the Holy Empire, and another drab 1-1 against Jeruselem. Whatever tactics that Ioshido has planned, he's got to consider the fact that their defense has been more leaky than the Han defense (of course, the last time we said that, they won 4-1 - *ugh*). And we'll hope that he does the right thing for the match.

In other World Cup action, Starblaydia played a close but thrilling 1-0 match against Peisandros, to put an end to their star-studded wonder journey through the World Cup. Starblaydia will have their opportunity to continue their own star-studded (no pun intended) wonder journey against the SLANI, who similarly dispatched the hosts Candelaria And Marquez 3-1. In Kura-Pelland, Cafundéu beat Lovisa with a solid 2-0 margin, remaining the only team with an absolutely perfect winning record and conceding no goals thusfar. Milchama played the other hosts into extra time, scoring the winning goal and putting their prospects for a return to the Semifinals at an ever closer reach. Of course, they'll hope for good luck to score their first goal against the Cafundelense defense. Bostopia and Yafor II managed a strange Second Round encounter, with regulation putting the two sides at 1-1 and extra time sending them up at 2-2. Fortunately, there's penalty-kicks when those aren't enough, and Bostopia won that encounter 4-2. They will confront Vephrall, who ended Demot's chances for another chance at the Final with a close 3-2 margin. Here's your Quarterfinal matches:

Valanora --- Daehanjeiguk
Starblaydia --- Capitalizt SLANI
Cafundéu --- Milchama
Bostopia --- Vephrall

And here's your last chance to see the Han play the Vanorians for the season. Because if we play them again, there's something %$#^ wrong with this system.

The Road to the Final Match
Group C
R16 vs Ad'ihan
QTF vs Valanora
SMF vs Cafundéu/Milchama
Final vs Starblaydia/Capitalizt SLANI or Bostopia/Vephrall


=== === ===

There was a good applause when Bae took his seat at the bench. Pak hoped that it was applause for Bae, since he was the one who really needed it. Handling #10 for 60 some odd minutes, taking a direct head knock, and waking up from a concussion and walking on his own two feet; pretty admirable for a chap who wasn't a very good footy player. But Bae did have his strengths. For one, he knew how to play the game, which is always a good bonus. Pak, himself, learned to play on the field. He'd never taken much to learning the rules - except the ones that were essential to the game.

And now he was playing on the field. 20 minutes at least to go. Just play the man.

Wait... play the ball. Not the man. Play the ball, not the man; play the ball, not the man. Play the ball, not the man; play the ball, not the man. Play the man, not the ball; play the man, not the ball. Play the...

Well %$#^ that then...

Pak received the ball off the throw-in and #10 was already there huffing down his back. Pak didn't want to get into a playing game with him, and so opted for a simple pass back to Yang, who punted the ball upfield to Kim Shinyok. It worked. Well, duh it worked. It's supposed to work like that; it's called football - chuk-gu (ooc: chukgu, which is "football" in Korean). But this childish exercise helped Pak avoided confronting #10 in those even more childish tricks contests, instead playing a simple game of football. Yes, you didn't need tricks to play good football; you just need a good team of 10+ friends willing to play a game. And in no time, Pak found himself playing just as naturally as he would on any other occasion. #10 was just another player. And more importantly, the Thunder were holding the ball more efficiently.

Yes - this is football.

Time for an attack. Pak whistled, as he held the ball. #10 was charging him like normal. And even he started to tire, which made this game much easier for Pak. He passed out wide to No Chansu. Immediately, Pak started moving up the field while #10 chased the ball. No passed out wide to Yim, who also started to run up the field. #10 chased the ball as the Thunder moved into position. It was how they normally played football; the team moving in unison. Yim crossed early to Wang Suncheol, who softened the ball's approach. Shin Hongdo called for the ball, and Wang set the ball out just right for a lob into the box, where Kim Shinyok headed the ball.

The announcer was quite ready to call it a goal, but the goalkeeper managed put a hand to it. "Corner Kick!" he called instead. Oh, it would have been more gratifying to call a goal, but Pak was content with a corner kick. At least the ball was staying on that side of the field. Pak checked his watch - 10 minutes to go. Plenty of time for a goal...

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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IN THE QUARTERFINALS… AGAIN

Once again, Cafundéu is in the quarterfinals stage of the World Cup. The Monopolists have reached this point of the competition many other times, but the challenge is still the same: can Cafundéu finally get past this phase of the cup? In Kura-Pelland, the team will have another chance, against Milchama. In the oitavas-de-final (Second Round) game, against Lovisa, the Cafundelenses once again had a solid and efficient performance, winning the game by the result of 2x0, with one goal scored in each of the halves. And, another time, the team didn’t suffer a single goal, holding the outstanding title as the only country that still haven’t suffered goals in this World Cup. Playing football in such a quality level, the supporters are surely confident that the team can continue not suffering goals, and keep the search for the World Cup title. Now there is no doubt that the team is capable of this, but there are still three more games to be played.

THE FIRST HALF: it’s no secret that Lovisa is capable of performing the biggest surprises. So, even being the favourites in this game, the Cafundelenses were concentrated in the game to avoid a negative result. The coach David Nefasto seemed to like the way that the team was playing, using the wings well and sometimes making some good individual plays with its talented midfielders. The defence, even with the team being an offensive one, was perfect, and didn’t suffer a single goal, thanks to the good tempo of the defenders and the ferocity of the defensive midfielder Silveira. Lovisa tried to make the first shot at the goal, with Baecker running dangerously towards Cafundéu’s area, but Silveira appeared in the right moment to stop his attempt. In the next attack, the Monopolists had a shot, a long ranged one with Augusto César, but the ball went over the bar.

In the first minutes, the game was balanced, with Lovisa playing better than expected, even having some goalscoring chances. Cafundéu was playing well too, and the game was a very enjoyable one, with the supporters from both countries worried with their teams. But, slowly, Cafundéu’s midfield could control the ball possession, and this was the first step for the Monopolists’ victory. The second was the first goal. The game still didn’t have a team that was performing better than the other, when Augusto César, running with the ball, invaded the area and, when the goalkeeper left the goal to challenge him, passed to the middle, where Alves was ready to shoot, and to score another goal for Cafundéu. This goal was definitive to make the Cafundelenses improve even more in the game, and hold the result until the end of the first half, and to return to the second half motivated to win the game, which happened.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Alves’s goal): “Augusto César with the ball, holding it in the midfield, Sandler challenges him… good rrrrrrun, beats the opponent, he keeps rrrrrruning with the ball to the attack… invades the arrrrrrea, beats another opponent with speed, he can scorrrrre the goal… makes a pass, Alves appearrrrrrs… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Let’s go, let’s go to see the rrrrreplay! Alves, number seven! Cafundéu takes the lead in the scorrrrrrreline, with one goal, against zerrrrrro of Lovisa! Your bank needs to tell you always the trrrrrruth… even the trrrrrruth that they arrrrrre going to steal parrrrrt of your money! So, come to the Banco Econômico, the only bank that is completely sincerrrrrre with you, the one that will treat your money like if it was its!”

THE SECOND HALF: when the referee from Daehanjeiguk whistled, and the second half started, Lovisa immediately ran to the attack, looking for the goal. Lunz reached close to the area in one chance, and could score, but Rossi stopped him in the right moment with a foul. Unfortunately, he received a yellow card, and will miss the next game. The balance seemed to continue in the second half, but this feeling didn’t last much time. The Monopolists were really willing to control this game, and worked hard to keep the possession and stopping all Lovisa’s chances. Before the twentieth minute, it became clear that it would be really difficult for Lovisa to react in the game. And, minutes after the thirtieth, it became nearly impossible, as Moreux tripped Hubert inside the area, and the referee saw the penalty. Augusto César took it perfectly and Cafundéu raised its lead.

Although at that time Cafundéu’s victory was almost certain, the team had another objective to fulfil: to avoid suffering a goal, maintaining the invincible defence. So, Nefasto made substitutions in the team, and the defenders received orders to mark the opponents even harder, as the team’s focus was now in the defence. Things were going well, until the forty-second minute of the second half, when Cícero was obligated to make a foul near the area. He didn’t receive a card, but anyway Marossi was furious with the referee’s call, and complained. The referee seemed to understand him, and they talked for nearly two minutes (nobody else understood what they talked about). When Lunz took the free kick, Marossi made a good save just centimetres before the area’s entrance. But he isn’t the goalkeeper, so he was sent off for his deliberate ball handling. But, in the end, Cafundéu could keep the clean sheet, and win the game.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Augusto César’s goal): “Marrrrrossi with the ball, he has alrrrrready drrrrrribbled one opponent, makes a pass to Alves, rrrrrreceives it back near the entrrrrrrrance the arrrrrrea. Faces Vilgoor… drrrrribbles him! Enterrrrrrs the arrrrrrea, shoots… Sieverrrrrrs saves! Now Hubert is with the rrrrrrebound, will scorrrrre… that must be a penalty! The defender trrrrripped him inside the arrrrrea, the rrrrreferrrrree agrrrrrees and marks the penalty! Yellow carrrrrd to the player, Augusto César takes the ball. Places it on the marrrrrrk, goes to shoot… stops, the goalkeeper falls, he shoots now… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! The rrrrreplay was alrrrrready done, let’s check it! Augusto César, number eight! Now Cafundéu two, Lovisa zerrrrro! The biggest department storrrrre of the countrrrrry… the biggest varrrrrriety… the biggest number of customerrrrrs, the biggest rrrrrrange of brrrrrands… the smallest prrrrrices. That’s Lojas Titã, go to the one closer to you!”

NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE GAME: so, now Cafundéu is in the quarterfinals stage of the World Cup. And it became a common issue in the everyday conversations of the Cafundelenses: can Cafundéu win the game against Milchama? The Monopolists’ records in quarterfinals aren’t good: losses against Zwangzug, Zwangzug again, Bostopia and Valanora. But the difference is that this time the team’s campaign in the World Cup so far is much better, with a perfect record. More than that, the team is the only one that still hasn’t suffered a goal! Most supporters are now very confident that the team can keep this excellent form in both attack and defence, and defeat Milchama to past through the quarterfinals of a World Cup!

Other news involving Cafundéu are many: the elections for Head Counsellor, delayed for a whole year due to the financial crisis which involved Banco Econômico’s Septentrionia branch, will end soon, with Said Al-Jasseb and Fortaleza disputing the second round. Also, the health condition of the honorary president of the CCFM is still delicate, as the lung cancer seems to be stronger than the treatments. And, at last, the end of the Cafundelense league, which happened just before the World Cup, and the beginning of The Scout’s searches for new players, which will start after the competition. The supporters start to dream about their teams’ future players. But, before we return to the domestic football world, we must win this World Cup!

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS: even the media now is praising Cafundéu’s National Team. Four wins, nine goals scored, none suffered, a perfect record for a team in excellent form. With the team in the quarterfinals, the coach David Nefasto is surely happy, and told the reporters: “In this game, the team was efficient, lethal, strong in defence, with will to fight and confidence between the players. What more can I ask? We just have to continue with these performances and the World Cup title can be ours!” The best player of the game, the midfielder Augusto César, commented: “We are in a quarterfinal again. We can’t get used to just reach this stage and stop right after. We need to get past this, to go after a bigger target. We have proved that we are a good team, now we must conquer something to enter in the history.”


CAFUNDÉU 2x0 LOVISA

Place: Estadio Tallua, el Arapucera.
Attendance: 46,734 people (some celebrities were allowed to enter the stadium even after its official capacity was filled).
Time: 12:30 Cafundelense time (17:30 local time).
Climate: clear, 31ºC.
Referee: Song Yongdae (Daehanjeiguk).
Assistants: Pak Byeongjuk (Daehanjeiguk) and Sarah Kingston (Milchama).
POTM: Augusto César (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Cícero (Igor 76’), Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Rossi (Jules 83’), Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert (Zé Sho 70’).
Coach: David Nefasto.

LOVISA: Sievers; Vilgoor, Hartwig and Moreux; Sandler (Biel 67’), Tamme, Meehan (Valderrama 60’) and Indgaard; Lunz, Franke (Cirillo 45’) and Baecker.
Coach: Henryk Kasperczak

Goal:CAF: Alves 32’ , Augusto César 59’.

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

Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Cícero, Cotuba, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho, Renildo and Augusto César; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Athor Daenmaarar (Valanora).

WC goalscorers (proper):

4- Alves
2- Augusto César
1- Renildo, Hubert, Danilo Sampa

To Connor’s mind, there was rather too much in the way of hugging going on. He’d lived in Lasft for years, first at América and then Petardos, and was entirely used to Latin displays of post-goal affection, but all this cuddling and… yes… kissing now, good God, offended something deep in his Candelariasian soul. Now what was it?

Ah yes. The fact that they’d scored a second goal in injury time to put themselves into quarter-finals at C&M’s expense. The big bullies.

By the time the legion of Sonoma Center Panthers defenders had trotted over to join in the groping, the Capitalizt fans had stopped applauding politely – Connor didn’t attempt to understand their political system, but had gathered that sport-based patriotism didn’t come especially easy when your leading World Cup power was not, in point of fact, a country – and were waiting impatiently for the final final whistle, when they could get out of this ghastly Soviet hellhole and hurry on to Onwere, which surely had to be better, the poor fools.

It wasn’t fair, that was the point. Connor himself was fairly used to outplaying Panthers or Yuba United or Qidade Savana players, but this had been a new experience for most of his team-mates. Three or four had been on the team that had held the SLANI in the World Cup 43 group stages, but on that occasion they’d merely been clinging on by their fingernails. This time, here, in Zapata, they’d been better. You could see the relief on the Capitalizts’ faces – half an hour ago, they hadn’t expected to take it into extra-time, never mind go and win the game. No, the Candelariasians had done their country proud, but that just made it worse. Losing five-one to Zwangzug was one thing, or deservedly being crunched by a bunch of silent gnomes, but they’d done so well here, on almost-home-turf… It made yeh sick…

Diego Fernando Pappas promptly was, before being substituted in favour of David Spooner. C&M had three forwards on the pitch, and Gwynfardd Lopulalan was knocking one final long-ball up towards them, but the game was clearly lost. Ha Mi-mi merely collected the ball and passed it smugly back to the goalkeeper, as the Big Blues front three shrugged at each other sadly.

Losing to someone called Ha Mi-mi. That stuck in the craw the most.

Connor was just wondering vaguely what a craw actually was, when the referee blew the whistle on the match and another unnecessary period of fondling began in the opposite box. Abdul Ibadulla – his opener seemed so long ago – and Eric O’Brien nearby sagged to their knees, but Connor was an old hand at World Cup exits. He remained upright, and listened.

The crowd were booing. Not all of them, not even all the home supporters, and it was sporadic, a clump here, an individual there. But Connor thought it odd all the same. They’re Candelariasians, after all – not C&M folk most of them, technically speaking, but this was hardly the typical reaction to a fine national team performance. Merely making the World Cup was supposed to be enough for their little archipelago, for heaven’s sake! Any result was a good result. There were occasions when you booed the national team, but this surely wasn’t one of them.

But the booing and whistling was growing louder. There was clapping too, but it was rhythmic, threatening. Chants were growing, but Connor couldn’t make them out, the Zapata accents not helping matters. And above it all, there was a song – discordant, erratic, a song that everyone knew the words to, but none had previously allowed to defile their lips. And it was angry, and penetrating, and, if you will, mad as hell and not about to take it any more.

“So beware, say a prayer, if you get in our way, over there… Over, we’ll push you over, ‘cos they aren’t just Humans with a lot of hair?!”

***

Candelaria And Marquez wasn’t used to throngs. Sure, it was pretty tightly packed on the east coast of Candelaria, especially in the capital, but there was still enough Albrecht, and not quite enough Albrechters, to ensure that everyone generally had breathing room, if they wanted it. Candelaria And Marquez wasn’t especially keen on crowds, outside of a sporting context. Crowds were unpredictable.

But then, this wasn’t Candelaria And Marquez, was it? It never had been, not really. Not in the constitution of the second Republic. And not in the minds, and even less in the hearts, of the people of Green Island. Oh sure, there might’ve been little in the way of practical differences between your average Zapatan and Allemalian, or Bovite, or Cairese… but when did practicality matter at times like these?

It was raining, but Queen’s Street was still packed, and that was ominous. A ‘Green Island Welcomes C&M!’ banner lay discarded in the street following a game but ultimately fruitless attempt to burn it, and was trampled further into the cobbles by each passing foot. The port of Zapata lay silent, and the city had a new noise – the pitter-patter of little stones bouncing off the windows of the Prime Minister’s official residence. The Prime Minister wasn’t home, of course. That was rather the point.

The crowd wasn’t used to this sort of thing, and was still milling about uncertainly, but a chant of “What do we want?! The Truth!! When do we want it?! As soon as a legitimate figure of authority turns up!!” was picking up pace. Several members of the throng spotted a local radio journalist taking shelter from the elements beneath one of those small trees in wire mesh pots that tend to colonise the high streets of minor cities, and ambled towards him.

“Oi!”

“Um?”

“We all know you’re in on all this, y’know! Y’have t’be! You’re all… er…”

“Complicit?”

“Complicit, yeah!” A middle-aged man wagged a shaking finger at him. “And I’m not even angry, because I don’t mind telling you, an’ anyone else who’s going t’listen to what’s on your little recordy box; I’m too bloody scared to be angry! I don’t know what the fuck’s going on, but we are going t’find out! Tonight! We’re not bloody Candelarians, and we’re not bloody Marquezians, arright! We asked the wrong questions, did we, so they went and got rid of our government?! Well fuck it, mate! Because this is it, this is the end! Here and now, here in Green Island, we’re finding out the truth!”

“What… What makes you think there is a grand ‘truth’ to find out, sir?”

“We know they’re fucking bears!” another man screamed, his bottom lip quivering. “It just doesn’t work anymore! We all know we get lied to, all the freakin’ time, we’ve all got rellies or friends who’ve got rellies, livin’ overseas! We all hear stuff, don’t we?!” There was a general murmur of agreement. “An’ we just ferret it away, pretend we never heard it! ‘Cos it’s just so stupid, isn’t it, what these foreigners believe, in all these fucking weird countries? I mean, we’re the Candelarias, ain’t we, and we might not have much but at least we’ve got a proper handle on reality, right? But they’re fucking bears, we can all see they’re fucking bears! Even the Prime Minister could see they’re fuc–”

“Sorry, could you…?”

“Yeah, soz. Even Russell Lawrence knows they’re bloody bears, an’ he said so, and so did that O’ McNeil, not on telly, but to us, to the people, face to bloody face! And now look what’s happened, where are they?!”

“I’m… not really…”

“Exactly! We don’t know! Shot, or stuck in some prison, or exiled, or whatever, just like all the other bloody thousands!”

“But… Those are just stories…”

“BUT THEY’RE TRUE! They’re all bloody true, we know they’re bloody true! Just like we all know that those pointy-eared bastards aren’t normal, just like we know that all those dwarfs from Starblaydia and Az-cz an’ all the rest ain’t normal. Or the Holy bloody Empire! Or dead men appearing in the middle of football matches! Or camels or robots or beans!”

“Nothing odd about camels or robots or beans…”

“But there is, you fool! We all know there is! We all know what happened back on 12/5 wasn’t just bombs! We all know that no-one talks about Gordon Bay enough! We’ve all seen freaky shit, and WE’VE ALL SEEN THE FUCKING GOBLINS!” The man paused, and took several deep breaths. “And the bears. We’ve all seen the bears. And we’ve all heard the foreigners talkin’ when they think none of us idiots are listening. And we all know something’s… up. And yeah… and yeah, maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe all those explanations they give about the camels and robots and beans… maybe that’s all normal. Maybe whenever we’ve playing Starblaydia or whatever, and the telly pictures are all weird, or never come through at all… I mean, it’s not as though any of us talk about it, do we? ‘Cos we’re all scared shitless of looking stupid! But it’s everything together, isn’t it, all the little things? And the bears. And the fact that, when we started wondering aloud, the government in Albrecht suddenly finds a reason to remove our government. An’ the fact that… the fact that… We know. Somethin’ ain’t right…”

For the first time, the journalist noticed the long, dully-glinting crowbar in the man’s hands.

“…An’ I don’t care what happens… I’m tired of it all. I want answers. And I ain’t leaving here ‘till I get ‘em…”

***

“…and upon the full and proper study of the available evidence, it is – perhaps, and tentatively – time to conclude, that the beings who represent the nation of Bears Armed are not human, but are in fact a distinct species previously unknown to this nation. This is not a cause for panic… Rather, this is a glorious new day in the history of Candelaria And Marquez, one in whi–”

“Madam President!”

Robyn Morton sighed, and turned around. “Just seeing what it would be like, Jenny.”

“Best not to even think about it, President. You never know who might be listening…”

“Anyone who matters? Here?”

The Minister for Remedial Teaching had to concede the point. Here in the Device Room, deep in the Ministry, the politicians’ only companions were the Device’s two or three timeworn attendants, who were no harm to anyone. No member of the public could possibly tread here and, more to the point, Ministry legend had it that this was the one place on the islands that even They could not go, nor even listen in on. Jenny had never plucked up the courage to test that theory however, and she expected she wasn’t the first. As government posts went, this one was risky at the best of times, but a joke’s a joke, and all that.

The pair watched the Device spinning gently on its plinth for a while, before the President broke the silence. “So, where are the Vanorians, then?”

“Ah…”

“Ah? Ah doesn’t sound positive. Don’t tell me you’ve lost them?!”

“They’ve faded away somewhat. There are bloody loads of them on Candelaria, it’s easy enough to misplace half a dozen…”

“We have no idea what they’re up to, Jenny, or indeed where Mc O’Neil is! At a time like this, the last thing we need –”

“I’m well aware of that. I’ll send the flying monkeys, shall I?”

“I thought they got lost during the Osborn administration?”

“I was being facetious. We’ll find them before they do any harm, I promise you. Frankly, we’ve got bigger problems that a handful of rogue elves…”

“Oh, God… Please don’t tell me the Green Island situation has escalated…”

“A large mob has gathered outside the government offices along Queen’s Street. There’s a certain amount of stone-throwing, but our plants suggest it could get a hell of a lot worse rather quickly. They’re demanding answers…”

“What to?”

“Everything. Bears are just the beginning. We’ve even heard mention of the E word, alongside references to 12/5 and the Events leading up to it, and various missing persons… Some even seem to think they’re television pictures from certain international football matches have been tampered with, over the years…”

“Christ… But… Jenny, we examine this sort of stuff all the time! Your ministry does, anyway. The bears I can understand, but every study I’ve ever seen suggests that the overwhelming majority of the Candelariasian public are still completely in the dark. They don’t even have vague suspicions, most of them! Is it us? Or you? Have we failed miserably to live up to the standard of every previous government since… forever?”

“I don’t think so,” the minister replied coldly. “Clearly events have progressed on Green Island to an unforeseen degree. We’ll deal with it, we always have. There have been outbreaks of sanity like this before, and we’ve always managed to contain it. On this occasion however, I’d recommend a short, sharp response. Given the current mood, I’d say we’re in danger losing our grip on the island altogether, unless we give them something else other than bears to think about…”

“Could we move C&M’s quarter-final game to Zapata, then? As a token of the mainlands’ appreciation for the national team’s welcome there?”

“We could if they hadn’t been knocked out… Two goals in extra time. Sorry.”

“Arse. I had a tenner riding on a one-nil…”

“Mrs President… I… I think we should shoot them.”

Morton blinked. “Jenny?”

“Besides removing from play some of the real troublemakers – and our guys can be seriously accurate, when they want to be – this would certainly give the islanders something new to think about. Bears would very quickly dribble from their minds when the bodies start being carried out.”

“Jen… Aside from the obvious, surely that would merely raise the general populace’s increasing hatred of us?”

“Probably. But they’d be far too cowed to do anything practical, like overthrow us, or something, and if we make sure we cultivate a conflicting picture of events, and express our profoundest grief and pledge to uncover the true cause of this horrific etcetera… Robyn, these people know the difference between hake, cod and pollock with their hands tied behind their back, but they’re otherwise none too bright. Let’s give them something else to overload their brains with.”

“I… I can’t… I couldn’t possibly…!”

“You won’t get the blame. If anything, we can easily construe it that the protesters effectively brought it upon themselves, that our guards were merely acting in self-defence. At this rate, that might end up being the truth. Look… I don’t want to hurry you, but we need a decision, President…”

“History won’t exactly judge me kindly, will it?”

“Who knows? But how far are we going to let this go, hm? Until it’s infected Candelaria And Marquez as well? Until we’re forced to confirm everything these ridiculous people think they know? How do you want to be remembered, Mrs President? As the first head of state since McManus to order the slaughter of her own people, or as the one who presided over the wholesale destruction of her centuries-old nation?”

“I… Do what you want, Jenny. You’re the ‘Minister’, after all. It’s your call. It always has been.”

“Thank you. I’ll pass on your orders, then?”

“Just go…”

Morton turned her back and listened to the dying sound of Harris’ heels on the floor. Aware of the presence of the Device’s attendants, but uncaring all the same, she sank to her knees, clutching the polished stone dangling from her necklace. Just the merest shard of Time Dilation Device, but enough to stop her facing the same fate as the nation’s sportsmen and journalists and whoever else – enough to keep her in the presidency for what would seem like forty years or more, and in many ways would be. And, for the first time in years, perhaps not since they’d buried Alice, or maybe even longer than that, Robyn Morton sobbed deeply and truly.

Laughing eyes watched her in the gloom. Miles away, Kim Yongji scored to lift the Arrigo crowd to their feet. And in Zapata, the first shots rang out.

B3TA – Birmingham

http://www.bostopia.net/emperorbostonrp3.wma

Crikey! Didn't mean to play that. I'm Emperor Boston, and with the time at 1 o'clock, it's time for the news, live from Murley, Kura-Pelland.

Our top story tonight – animal activists are today protesting outside the Isles Parliament, trying to claim equality for animals. They say that not only are the remaining animal testing practices not yet outlawed cruel, animals are treated as second class citizens in Bostopia. They believe that animals should be given better rights in Bostopia, such as freedom to roam and freedom to graze. In order to comply with any legislation that is, frankly, not likely to happen, the next news story will be read out in cow.

*collection of moo-ing noises*

Onto sports now. The Fort Boston Raceway, after it's inaugural race, is to be given a makeover. After complaints from a collection of safety-obsessed maniacs and other assorted do-gooders, the track designer has unveiled plans to make the track quicker, with more banked corners toward the end of the circuit. Gilles Villeneuve Straight will now end with a right-hand turn, instead of the banked left-hander, Damon Hill. The right hand turn, named Raikkonen will lead to a short straight, at the end of which will be a banked left hand turn – named Hamilton - a practical 180 degree corner leading onto what was where part of the Oval circuit stood. The track then continues round to the right, passing the new pit-lane entrance, before rejoining the old track where Damon Hill corner once finished, at Senna Straight.

http://www.bostopia.net/fortbostoncircuitandovalracewayold.PNG
http://www.bostopia.net/fortbostoncircuitnew.png

While the names have absolutely no meaning to anyone, there are rumours that some nations with known contacts with the fantasy “Real World” will recognise most if not all of them.

And now – World Cup Football Review!

Bostopia look forward to a Quarter Final matchup with Vephrall at the Barkham Road Stadium in Parwood, following a win on penalties against Yafor II. The game finished 1 – 1 after an equaliser from Yafor II with 14 minutes to go, in a match Bostopia should have put away a lot sooner. Their early goal in Extra Time would have seen fans forgive them if Yafor II hadn't equalised in the dying moments, after a rare lapse of concentration from the back line let their striker slip through the offside trap and find himself one on one with the keeper, who had the unenviable task of defending anything but a barn door from a banjo.

However, Adder did a much better job in the penalty shoot-out, winning 4 – 2, with Yafor II's third and fourth penalty kicks being saved.

Demot meanwhile were put out by underdogs Vephrall in a five-goal epic in St Margaret's Stadium, Marthley. This shows that Bostopia cannot be at all complacent facing any nation in the World Cup if they are to go on to win the tournament. That Yafor II didn't manage to score more against us in some cases amounted to luck, and we cannot rely on the lottery of the penalty shoot-out to win again.

And now, the classified results, followed by the Quarter Final fixtures.

1-0 loss ends dreamy run for Peisandros

The football Gods were not quite with Peisandros today as the fantastic Starblaydia rolled through to the quarter-finals. However the young Sandrians were not embarrassed, infact far from it. They put up a great fight and showed why they made it so far, finally going down 1-0. Perhaps the occasion got to the boys as some succumbed to pre-game nerves like never before. There can be no excuses though and nor need there be. This team has done marvellously and no one can take their top 16 finish away from them.

Unsurprisingly, critics of the national team and coach have gone in to hiding. Most notably Nicola Diamandi di Samarina -- whose scathing attack on the team lead to a turn of form which secured their qualification. Since that ridiculous article, she has gone in to hiding and for good reason too. The Peisandros Daily was overwhelmed with letters and emails relating to the column and over 90% were negative, even death threats were included. We can also at this time confirm that the PFA has contacted the Peisandros Daily in response to publishing the column and we are awaiting to hear more. It could be that a formal apology be published in the near future.

Reaction from the game was mixed in the Peisandros team. The immediate feelings were disappointment that the run had ended. As is always the case in close games, both teams had a chance to win it and this added to the disappointed -- they could have gone one step further. However these feelings were quickly forgotten as the realisation of a top 16 finish sunk in. The chanting begun. The beers were opened. And then, most importantly, the dancing. If anything, the winners Starblaydia were probably a bit confused by the losing team making so much noise. But it was a happy time. The curtain had closed on a great performance. The question now, is when will there be an encore?

Valanora Times
One Down, Three To Go

It's an awfully poor and arrogant way to look at the state of things, but following the blowout win in the Round of Sixteen against Kosovoe, there really is little left to be said about the state of affairs for Vanorian football. It's like a well oiled machine that continiously spits out the product that it was created for, while every now and again needing to be maintained after a momentary halt in production. Like every good machine, our products often are first class and in high demand, though that could be aruged by some of our rivals. Regardless, the flawlessness in the victory over Kosovoe showed the glimpse of total domination that we have had over the footballing world for the past fourteen years, or seven tournaments for those on a different time scaler. That dominance has been missing for long portions of this campaign, with only two other instances where it could really be seen, the five to one drubbing of the Han Empire in Capri, and then another four to nil white washing of Peisandros in the opening match of the cup Proper. It is interesting to note that all three of these victories in which have been near flawless have had the Marauders be victorious by four goals. Perhaps this is a sign that our fourth championship is preordaned by the Gods, or more likely, just a highly unusual coincedence that is a result of the forces known as chance and luck.

I have watched these Marauders since their first ever international match against Audioslavia those forty-two years before. Forty-two years is not so long of a time in measured in the lifespan of an elf, but the progress and achievement that the entire footballing community has had here in the country over that time has been nothing short of miraculous. Before then, no one would have even thought of ever discovering a player with the unique talents and abilities that Laborious Hawk has, or the creative flair of Espy va Drake. We would have never known Calla Soler, as Inaki Soler would have never left Vilita to become the national team manager and stayed in the country after his retirement. Scott Soldarian would be just another member of the Soldarian family who happened to enjoy playing a bit of footy. The stories could go on and on, but the lesson is that football has not only united a country when the divisions amongst the cities was at it's highest, but is has also given a group of individuals a method through which they have been able to enrich their lives. Any sort of vessel that provides a fashion of making what is good in ths world all the more possible is something that is to be eternally celebrated and revered. That is something as elves, we will be able to do, long past when these people whom we compete against are no more, nor their countries exist.

The Han Empire believe themselves to be our equals, or better, through all media reports that are coming out of their country. The Starblaydi themselves think that they have risen above us in the totem pole of world powers. These are strong and worthy adveseries who have all the right in the world to make whatever claims they desire. Starblaydia earned that claim through their brilliant group stage performances, while the Han already have defeated us once in this campaign. Good on them, for the entire world deserves to have their pride and their heroes. Everyone in the world should be allowed a drink from the sweet waters that is ultimate victory. The fruits of your labor should be great, glorious, and so rewarding that you are left in a state of utter bliss. I say to them, have your boasts and your history, but when it all matters, it comes down to eleven players against eleven players on a football pitch, where only luck, skill, and a handful of randomness will be the true measuring stick of who is the greater among us.

The Han we face next here in the quarterfinal round, the round that soo often has been the bane of our existance. It is true that whenever we have qualified for the latter stages of the Cup, we have always made this round at the very least. Yet soo often, espicially in our early years, we would get our hopes soo high when we would make this stage, only to see an upset send us back into the waiting arms of heartbreak. With three championships in tow, one would think it would be hard for the Vanorians to be considered the underdog in the fixture, but make no mistake, they are the underdog. The Han have been nigh impossible to pentrate, giving up but a single goal in their previous four matches combined. The good news is, they are only averaging a single goal per match during the run, which should we be able to sneak a goal in, would make our chances of a victory quite high. Make no mistake, they will be our most difficult challange if we are to win another championship right now, as they are just cocky and foolish enough not to be intimidated by our pedigree. It will be a battle to see if either the exuberance and sometimes insanity of the Han is more potent than the cold, calculating manuvers of our Vanorian contingent.

If ours is the side that emerges as the victor, then all signs point to a rematch in the semifinals with none other than the Purple Peril of Starblaydia. It could be said that the Marauders and the powerhouse from Atlantian Oceania are becoming more than just budding rivals, but have indeed developed a full blown rivalry, one that always promises something exciting. Our first ever meeting was in the World Cup 39 Quarterfinals, the first tournament that we hosted. The Starblaydi were just recently back from their hiatus in football, due to a massive war in the AO, and were not even expected to qualifying, much less get to the last eight. That's when, playing on our home soil, we handed them their worst loss in their history, getting seven past their shellshocked keeper. The rivalry would really start to heat up in World Cup 41, when the sides then met in the semifinals, with our side coming off their first championship, and looking good to repeat. That's when they pulled a rabbit out of their hat and struck us down in an extra time thriller, ending four to three. Even soo recent as to just before the start of the group stages did the two sides meet, becoming the first ever "friendly" to be held at Artani in Mar Sara. For vast portions of the match, the Starblaydi were in control of the game and looked like they were going to run our deserved winners, but Soldarian managed to pip their chances with an injury time goal. What a dream semi-final it would be for the nuetrals, even a better match had it occured in the Final, a match that would and may still yet, add another heated affair in the rivalry. For now, all eyes are on the Han and their chance to stop the flight of the dragon. Let us see what their hearts are made of.

Valanora 4
Laborious Hawk (3)
Calla Soler (29)
Anti Fresco (71, 73)

Kosovoe 0

Article by Ron Santapa

Valrauncion To The Resuce
Late, late show sends Starblaydia through

We, as Starblaydi fans, would like to act as though the result was never in doubt. Of course Peisandros would be dispatched by the title-chasing Starblaydia side, of course the Sandrians would try and put up a good fight, but of course they'll get their arses kicked in the end. Well, were it not for a Valrauncion header just seconds before the end of normal time, Starblaydia wouldn't have made it so easily.

Completely unheard of even two years ago, the Sandrian national team emulated Starblaydia's achievement before World Cup 38 by finishing second in the Baptism of Fire. This is enough to warrant attention from any decent observer, but it was their Qualification run that really drew the attention. Ranked 84th in the world, Peisandros made it to the World Cup itself on their first attempt and had even made it out of the Group Stage. Starblaydia never did anything like that, though when they did qualify for the world cup for the first time (both pre- and post-hiatus) they finished in the Quarter-Finals.

That record was looking ominous as a team of Peisandros' obvious quality mighthave been able to equal Starblaydia's achievements in their first qualification by getting to the last eight. If they hadn't have played Starblaydia, perhaps, they might even be there now. As it was, the men and women in white and purple left it until almost the very last moment to end the Sandrian dreams of glory. The Elven striker Valrauncion, who has been the subject of many a poor close-up camera angle in this Cup - mostly of his feet, chest or back, almost never his face - headed home a Ricky England cross just as the referee was checking his watch to see if there was to be any added time.

It had been coming, of course, and Peisandros should really have counted themselves lucky that they'd held a team of Starblaydia's magnitude. It was desperate defending, yes, but it had to be as shot after shot was fired toward the Sandrian goal. Neutrals hoped - prayed - that it would stay this way, or even to have the great Starblaydia humbled at the feet of the newcomers, but it wasn't to be, not this time. Heartbreak for every Sandrian in the stadium and watching or listening at home, but they knew it should have happened. It had to. It didn't stop them being disappointed, though, after an hour and a half of bravery not often seen in the Second Round.

Starblaydia may need to look at the Sandrian performance and take a few lessons, as they may be sorely needed against the Capitalizt SLANI side, who meet the white and purples in the last eight. This group of players, this team, this nation in fact, just needs to win three more matches here and they will be gods. SLANI. Valanora. Cafundéu. That might be the order Starblaydia will need to defeat to prove they are the best on the planet, the best of all time, the best right this minute. Self-belief is one thing but proof is another, something that Valrauncion never requires, as he has confidence in abundance; his tenth goal in seventeen appearances, already an incredible record.

Though Valrauncion himself, along with some of the other Elves, were bemused at the sound of Sandrian fans cheering at the final whistle, it was quickly explained to them that, whatever the outcome of this match, Peisandros had already won. They were celebrating like they had won the World Cup, which the Elves didn't understand. They were celebrating something much more than that, though. Amidst everything that will be said, written or thought about this match, one thing is undeniable.

Peisandros have arrived.

Final Score from Solidarity Stadium:
Starblaydia 1 - 0 Peisandros
(Valrauncion 90) - (None)

"So these old school geezers have been doing quite well"

"Yeh we made the Quarterfinals for the first time since World Cup 39"

"I'm not sure if that's true, I mean yeh we struggled in the 40s but only the last 3 cups did we really suck"

"Meh, it seems that long and that's what's important"

"True"

"So then we haven't made the quarterfinals since World Cup 39 because it seems that long since we last made the quarterfinals"

"Speaking of which how has Milchama done in the World Cup proper"

"I have no idea, I know all the times we didn't qualify"

"Well it is our 20th cup"

"It is! Man we've been in this for far too long"

"Agreed anyways let's see how we did in every single World Cup up till this one"

"Ok!"

"Well let's start at the beginning"

"That's a good place to start"

"I know! Anyway so the first World Cup we actually participated in was World Cup 23"

"Awful one that, we lost all our games except for 3 and finished in last place in our group"

"World Cup 24 we actually realized we were in this World Cup thing and did much better"

"Yep we finished midtable in our group and lost in outrounds in the Cup of Harmony"

"World Cup 25 we did a little better in the CoH and finished 5th in our qualifying group"

"Then we had the disaster that was World Cup 26"

"Yeh worse then World Cup 25 in the qualifiers, 6-3 to Rordia, RORDIA! Anyway we hosted the CoH and did alright there"

"World Cup 27 the epic cup"

"Yeh still one of the most famous calls in Milchama history"

"Rintell forward, he beats one Hypocria defender, two defenders!, three defenders! There's Flinters sprinting wide he passes to Flinters. Flinters takes it one touch shoots... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL Milchama up 1-0! World Cup here we come!"

"What a great game."

"Yep pity we were DFL at the tournament proper though"

"Whatever man qualifying was sick"

"That it was"

"Then World Cup 28 we shocked the world"

"Yeh we got to octafinals, my god what a run that was"

"How did we do it?"

"I have no idea"

"Do you think anyone is still listening to us?"

"Only hard core Milchama fans"

"Well then let's continue for their sakes"

"Alright"

"World Cup 29 we also shocked the world"

"Though in a bad way"

"True, too true"

"Didn't even qualify"

"Damn!"

"Yep"

"At least we won the Cup of Harmony"

"Yeh that sorta made it up but not really"

"Well at least we qualified again in World Cup 30"

"Well we've qualified in every cup since World Cup 30"

"Yeh, though this cup we came mighty close to not qualifying"

"That was nuts, man what a second half"

"Anyway we finished last in our group in 30"

"Qualifying was the big deal then anyway, after the 29 debacle"

"Remember that ridiculous winning streak"

"You mean like the one we are on now"

"Yep"

"Great stuff"

"Yep"

"World Cup 31 was excellent"

"Yeh our second appearance in outrounds and our first quarterfinal appearance"

"That was sick"

"Bloody Fairbanks"

"Good thing he's dead"

"Yep"

"World Cup 32 was fun"

"The only time we ever hosted"

"And after our debacle hosting, the only time we ever will host"

"True, who built those stadiums anyways?"

"Jews"

"You just can't trust them can you?"

"Nope"

"Well we lost in octas"

"That was disappointing"

"That it was, in front of the home fans and everything"

"Didn't really matter though, it was a good time"

"Yep"

"World Cup 33"

"Disaster"

"Better left forgotten"

"Lost to two up and coming teams, Az-cz and Demot"

"Third place"

"Bleh"

"World Cup 34"

"MARGARET!"

"FINALS!"

"You know we really suck in the final round of the World Cup"

"Yeh we do, 4-1 loss to Ariddia that was bad"

"But we had no business getting there so still a huge success"

"Oh absolutely"

"World Cup 35 meant another quarterfinal appearance for the proud Warriors"

"This is our elitist time"

"It really is, anything less than outrounds is considered failure, it's such high expectations"

"Well we tend to meet them"

"That we do"

"So that's good"

"Hi everybody still left listening"

"We send our eternal love to the two of you"

"World Cup 36"

"Bad"

"We just didn't have that killer instinct"

"3 straight draws"

"What the hell?"

"Great question"

"World Cup 37 now"

"Our first perfect group stage"

"Yeh and then we lost in octas"

"Damn Turtles"

"Damnit"

"Hey let's count now"

"Ok"

"So that's 10 World Cup's qualified for"

"1 finals appearance"

"2 quarterfinals appearances"

"3 octafinals appearances"

"6 times breaking"

"That's quite bad"

"Yeh it is"

"Ok onto World Cup 38"

"Another time in the quarterfinals"

"Another loss to Squornshelous"

"You know we tend to lose to them a lot"

"Yeh them and Oliverry"

"And Az-cz"

"And Valanora"

"And SLANI"

"We lose a lot"

"Yes we do"

"Anyway World Cup 39 was great"

"That it was"

"Finals again"

"Another loss, somehow worse then the first time"

"5-0 loss"

"You know that brings our time aggregate in finals to 1 goal for and 9 against"

"Clearly we need to get over, just happy to be there syndrome"

"Yeh"

"Well World Cup 40 now"

"Octafinals!"

"Sel Appa! Again!"

"We lose to them a lot too"

"Yeh"

"So yeh the last time we made the quarterfinals was World Cup 39"

"Shit"

"Yeh man, for serious"

"Anyway recent history is World Cup 41 and 42 loss in octas to Valanora and didn't even break in World Cup 43"

"So all time Milchama World Cup record"

"21 cups competed in, 20 actually caring about"

"16 times qualified"

"2 times in the finals"

"2 times in the semifinals"

"6 times in the quarterfinals"

"12 times in octafinals/broken"

"1 time still left to be decided"

"Come on you Warriors!"

"Go Milchama Go!"

"We will win!"

"Come on you Warriors!"

Now this, see, this is a cut-off for Cafundéu, Milchama, Bostopia and Vephrall, see?

Whereas, due to unforseen Stuff, the cut-off for Valanora, Daehanjeiguk, Starblaydia and the Capitalizt SLANI will occur at around 1900 UTC, or a little less than two hours from the posting of this cut-off, wot isn't the other cut-off.

See?

Results from Kura-Pelland, then (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14452025&postcount=28).

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: 2-0 vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: 0-2 @ [???] Sarzonia (@ Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium - 88,920, Woodstock)
MD3: 5-0 vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: 2-0 @ [54] Liventia (@ Colonial Stadium, Orean)
MD5: 2-0 vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: 1-0 @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea)
MD7: 3-0 vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: 1-4 @ Sorthern Northland (@ somewhere new and special, but I haven't a clue...)
MD8: @ 4-0 [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street - 85,000, Moorcroft)
MD9: 2-0 vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD10: 3-0 @ [76] Dariusville (@ Humphra Ignhorium - 2,000, some forest in Dariusville)
MD11: 3-1 vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD12: 5-1 @ [1] Valanora (@ Hatire Memorial - 60,000, Capri)
MD13: 2-1 vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000, Pyeongyang)
MD14: 3-1 @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ worse than in a beer bottle)
PQ: 6-2 @ Your Worst Nightmare (@ Your Nightmare's House)
World Cup 44 - Group C
MD1: vs 2-0 [31] Septentrionia (@ La Escalera Naranja, Onwere)
MD2: 0-0 vs [9] Capitalizt SLANI (@ The Marble Ground, El din)
MD3: 1-1 vs [21] Sorthern Northland (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
R16: vs 2-0 [14] Ad'ihan (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
QTF: vs [1] Valanora (@ New Sausages Arena, Allemali)



MBC World Cup Special Report
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/news.png

Game Delayed On Account of Weather

ALLEMALI - It's bloody freezing cold, and the game's been delayed on account of the weather. It started like any other day, and like any other day, there were looming clouds on the horizon. Looming clouds of death and destruction. Yes, the odds are all against the Han, and the Vanorian press has just come out with a report suggesting that their "cold, calculating" side would prevail against the "exuberance and sometime insanity" of the Han. Excuse me? Insane? Who do these people think we are? Nut cases gone loose? Rapid dogs set free without a leash? Granted, we're a little crazy at times, but insane? My friends, this is what we call spirit. Yes, calculations are good and all, but they're not good and all enough. You need spirit, that incalculable human essence that makes victory and defeat all the more worthwhile, because without spirit, it's just two teams and a ball.

And there's one thing that kills spirit more than anything, it's the freaking, frigid, %$#^ cold. And this weather isn't doing anything to help out with the spirit aspect. Those looming clouds brought with them an odd sense of impending doom, and when it started to rain, it was almost confirmed. Then it began to snow. Snow - the immortal enemy of the Han, nevermind those odd folks in the Northern Provinces who manage to live without seeing the sun for months at a time; snow is what kills the Han. It's too cold to go outside, and you'd like to play in that feathery white stuff, but once you go in summer shorts and bare hands, you retreat back to your indoor sauna fortress and blast the shower on extra hot water. It's cold, and I'm standing in the stands with my body hardly protected from the elements; if you're out here, you need at least three layers to be not cold. And then a couple extra to be comfortably warm (not to say you'll be the fattest sitting duck in the crowd). Nonetheless, the fans have showed up in full force for the oncoming battle. And they're shivering. But they're here for spirit, and by golly, let's hope some spirit melts this ice.

As for the delay, yeah, the snow got on the field. And reading the recent weather reports, we're all left wondering just how this freak storm suddenly and almost inexplicably appeared and dumped its icy contents upon the land. I tried asking some of the locals, but they were all too stupified from watching the bears play footy (some of them think that they're human, but when presented with the evidence summarily break down into tears and start sucking their thumbs, as if their world is crumbling all about them). And so the snow filled the field. I'd gather that at least 5 cm fell on that field, making the lines impossible to see and more importantly, the ground too soft to play upon. The officials called for a 2 hour delay while they got crew working on the task.

At that instant, a bunch of singing beans came out of the tunnel and started clearing the snow and ice. They little mini-tractors to help them of course, but of all things in Candelaria And Marquez, of a country that can't handle bears playing football, the fans started cheering when the beans came out and started clearing the field. Some started cheering "Frijoles!" and I wondered if I was still in Candelaria And Marquez. Some people in the crowd started to sing along with the beans while they worked. I can say that if the Vanorian fans weren't stupified, the Han fans certainly were.

And now we're watching those beans happily sing and clear field as more snow continues to fall. At the rate that they're working, it probably will be two hours before the field is cleared. Oddly enough, I've read reports that the other C&M matches were also delayed by two hours, although I can't say for certain whether the weather was responsible for those incidents as well. But nonetheless, I did get our lovely Quarterfinal results in from Kura-Pelland. Bostopia managed to slaughter Vephrall with a 4-1 margin, while Cafundeu conceded their first three goals of the tournament against Milchama, but failed to concede the win, taking the spoils 4-3. However, unlike what was presented in our World Cup schedule, the winner of this match will not be facing Cafundeu, as it seems that they will be facing Bostopia in the Semi-final in Kura-Pelland. So, the Han may be facing either Starblaydia or Capitalizt SLANI in the Semifinal. If they win this one... and given the snow, that might be a very big "if".

Oh well... I'm guessing there aren't too many fans in Candelaria hoping that the Han beat the Vanorians anyway. After all, if the Candelarisians can't handle bears but can handle beans, there is some logic to say that they'll handle elves over Han.

And that's your delayed cut-off, folks!

SCORES! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14452352#post14452352)

“Bloody good thing we’ve got these Eesseff-Daehanjeiguk half-n-half scarves, innit?”

“Yeah… Brrr.”

“Aye. Brrr. You reckon I should ask that yellow bloke for a cadge of his bovril?”

“Nah. Leave him be. Not often his type get the opportunity to experience the benefits of spending time in a proper democracy, is it? Bet they’re lovin’ it.”

“Apart from the shooting of innocent civilians.”

“Apart from the… aye. But we don’t know the full story there. I’m reserving judgement, meself. Besides, herself says there’s going to be a full and thorough public inquiry.”

“Yeah. She wouldn’t have one of them if the government had anything to hide, would she?”

“Quite so.”

“They could probably do without the snow as well, all these visiting Han.”

“Yeah. Surprising, really. They didn’t say it was going t’snow today. Not really what you expect, this time of year.”

“Technically, though not noted for its snowfall, both the major islands experience some snowfall each winter, though its intensity varies with south Marquez recording the least snow and with north-east Candelaria more prone.”

“Really?”

“Said so on our wiki.”

“Yeah… Well, that’s weathermen for you.”

“Mm. Colin?”

“Yeah?”

“What… What are they?”

“Undersoil heating.”

“Eh?”

“Undersoil heating. Pretty duh rigger at a modern stadium like this.”

“Yeah, only… Technically, they’re not actually under the soil. Also, they have spades.”

“Very modern undersoil heating.”

“And some of them have miniature ploughs.”

“…on the bike go round and round, round and round, round and round…”

“Yeah… Alright, so they’re beans. What of it? They’ve been around for a while now. Who knows what technological advancements they’ve made in these foreign lands wot accidentally dropped them over us t’other year? Hell, this might be what they’re actually for!”

“Thought they were supposed to be children’s educational toys?”

“That, and snow… clearer… uppers. Multi-use. Very modern.”

“…all day long! The wheels on the bike…”

“SING SOMETHING DIFFERENT! What? Look, if they’re going t’be here, they might as well…”

“…I’m a little snowflake, look at me! No other snowflake is just like me! I am so unique, as you can see! And just as special as I can be!”

“Now look what you’ve done!”

“Sorry…”

“…owed last night, it snowed last night; the sky bears had a pillow fight! Tore up all the clouds in sight, tossed down all the feathers white! Oh it snowed last night, it snowed…”

“Yeah, that’s got a bit more zip to it…”

“We could… Start a chant?”

“‘Where were you when it was warm!?’”

“I was thinking… ahem… IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT, IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT… Come on, everyone… THE SKY BEARS HAD A PILLOW FIGHT! TORE UP ALL TH–”

“’Scuse me?”

“Yeah? Who’re you?”

“Um… You couldn’t just sign this, could you?”

“Er… Wossit…?”

“Just confirms that you don’t actually think the bears, of any variety, sky or otherwise, were involved in a pillow fight, nor that they had the intellectual capacity to do so? Or even exist. Please.”

“Er…?”

“Look mate, I’ve got forty-six thousand, two-hundred and six other people to do, and my missus is having an affair with the milkman… Fer God’s sake just sign it, aright? We’re on our arses here.”

“Um… Fine. There. Colin?”

“Yup…”

“And there…? Thanks. Ooh, nice cursive script.”

“Bless you. Er. Bye then!”

“What an odd man…”

“Yeah.”

“…uilt a little snowman, he had a carrot nose, along came a bunny, and what d’you suppose? The hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch, ate the snowman’s nose, nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!”

“Quite dark, that one.”

“Aye.”

The Footballing Fantastic Four
Valanora, Bostopia, Cafundéu & Starblaydia

They're the world's number one, four, five and six nations - thanks to the elimination of Demot and Dancougar - and they'll most likely be the top four nations in the world at the conclusion of this World Cup. They are the last four nations who can win the forty-fourth World Cup and, though two of them would have their hands on the trophy for the first time, the other two are looking to have their names engraved on it for the fourth time. The four teams are:

Valanora, who need no introduction, but as I have column inches to fill, we'll say it all again. Three-time world champions. The best team in the world, the defending champions for the second successive tournament, who have won three titles in four cups and are looking for a totally unique three championships in a row. Brazilico couldn't do it, Rejistania couldn't do it, Bedistan couldn't do it, Az-cz couldn't do it, then Bettia and Ariddia couldn't manage it between fighting each other. Valanora might be able to do it, but they have to get through Starblaydia before they can try. They are, quite simply, the best team in the world and when they play at their best they are football personified - but they're not at their best quite yet.

Starblaydia are three-time World Champions, most recently in World Cup 41, and hold the distinction of being the team that stopped Valanora from taking what would have been four titles in a row, with a fifth on the cards. Their original peak was when the world was young and the World Cups were numbered in the late 20s. They have come back to the globe's favourite sport with a bang, however, rocketing back up to the top ten with a speed unheard of in the modern game - they are the lowest-ranked of the remaining nations.

Bostopia have silently made their way up the rankings, not threatening the great powers of the game but grinding out excellent group-topping qualifying campaigns that garner little public attention, but bring the team to their peak. Once the second-best nation in the world thanks to their appearance in the World Cup 42 Semi-Final, Bostopia are the dark horses and silent assassins who have snuck in to the top five when nobody was looking - they're looking now, though.

Cafundéu are one of the financial centres of the footballing world as their national game has immeasurably improved from its fledgling organisation by drafting in as many foreign players as humanly possible. Passion and play are their buzzwords for success but they have not made it past the last eight stage yet in their solid set of runs to the knockouts. The red and black are great on their day - but are they too busy thinking of marketing potential when they should focus on the glory?

Starblaydia have made it through to the Semi-Final thanks to a three-one victory over the side from the Unified Capitalizt States' side, from the Capitalizt SLANI association. Starblaydia and SLANI last met in the final of World Cup 41 where, of course, Starblaydia emerged victorious thanks to Lubii's last-minute winner. SLANI were certainly out to avenge that defeat but Starblaydia had the measure of their Capitalizt opponents from the outset.

It was her fastest goal ever in a Starblaydia shirt, with the game just less than two minutes old, when the captain Diamontii Di Bradini slotted the ball low and to the left of Ángel Wynn in the SLANI net. Diamontii was a fresh-faced twenty year-old when she lifted the trophy in Lex Panarii's first international team, but now she is thirty-two, captain of her country and in her last tournament for Starblaydia, barring a place in the next AOCAF Cup squad. With her forty-second goal for her country she now sits joint-seventh on the all-time goalscorers list for Starblaydia with Kaza Matranga. One more will give her the seventh position all to herself, while a secondaddition to her tally will leave her level with both Dwarven striker Zhorin Tumunzahar a certain ancestor of hers, one Simeone Di Bradini.

Though Capitalizt SLANI equalised after half an hour thanks to Jerome Meadows' blistering shot from the edge of the penalty area, Starblaydia still had the edge and always looked to be the next side to score the goal. It took, however, until after half time for Starblaydia to take the lead again. It came from a free kick which Ricky England laid off to the onrushing midfielder Fëanáro, who blasted it past the wall and into the net. With ten minutes to go, substitute Panos Petropoulos made it three and put the game beyond the Captializts with a header from a Valrauncion pass.

Starblaydia versus Valanora is the juiciest tie in this World Cup, without doubt, a match that the neutral would wish for as the final itself. Starblaydia had the edge in a 2-2 draw post-qualifying, Starblaydia had the edge in World Cup 41's Semi-Final, but Valanora handed out a record-making kicking to Starblaydia in World Cup 39. It might be the greatest match in this tournament and it may decide where the title belongs at the end of the Cup. Or, of course, it mght take so much out of the participants that it will had Bostopia and Cafundéu the first and third places (or third and first places, respectively) on a plate.

The winner of this match should win the title, but first we don't know who will win the match. Only time will tell who will emerge victorious.

Final score from La Escalera Naranja:
Starblaydia 3 - 1 Capitalizt SLANI
(D. Di Bradini 2, Fëanáro 66, Petropoulos 79) - (Meadows 35)

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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OH MY GOD, COULD YOU TAKE EASIER WITH MY HEART NEXT TIME?
(OR: MONOPOLISTS MAKE CAFUNDELENSES SUFFER BEFORE WINNING)
(OR: CAFUNDÉU TAKES NARROW VICTORY IN AMAZING GAME)

Finally! Finally Cafundéu defeated the quarterfinals ghost and is in the semifinal stage of the World Cup. And, for a historical day like this, a game that will go to history. The game against Milchama was one of the most disputed, if not the most, of this World Cup so far, and the supporters from both teams experienced moments of extremely happiness, frustration, and worry. Cafundéu had an explosive start, and could create a good lead at the end of the first half. But in the second, Milchama made a spectacular reaction, and took the lead, holding the victory for seven minutes, before the Monopolists, after the disappointing second half start, reacted again, to take the victory! The Cafundelense supporters, at the end of the game, could commemorate, but before that they had moments of tension to test their hearts in a way that an electrocardiogram couldn’t do. And we were there, in Kura-Pelland, during this wonderful game, together with Breno Gavião and Globo Multimedia, to bring you all the details.

THE FIRST HALF: the climate in the stadium before the game was already of party, with the supporters from both countries singing and shouting, both to motivate their players and to provoke the opponents. The police even had to act minutes before the kick off to stop two groups of supporters from starting a fight. When the game started, the fight went to the field, with both teams battling for the ball possession fiercely. Goal chances were created, and missed, one after another, and both teams seemed really motivated to win the game. The first good chance was created by Milchama, with Belmowitz running in the midfield and passing the ball to Faren, who shot, obligating Kardec to make a great save. Cafundéu replied with a good exchange of passes between Augusto César and Alves, which ended with Augusto César shooting, and Mergle clearing the danger over the line. Soon the noise of the supporters stopped, as they were impressed by the offensive strength from both teams.

But, once again when the game looked equal, Cafundéu took advantage of the individual talent of its players to score the first goal of the game. Renildo (today playing as midfielder) ran from the left side of the field and passed the ball to Augusto César, who went to the middle of the field, dribbled defender Chase Mergle (who, by the way, played in Cafundéu before retiring!), invaded the area, dribbled the goalkeeper and entered inside the goal together with the ball, putting Cafundéu in the lead. For minutes, the Monopolists had to resist from a strong pressure made by the Milchama legends, before scoring the second goal in a really fast counterattack. Titov took the ball in the defence, made the pass to Zé Sho, who made a good pass to Hubert. Milchama’s defence wasn’t well organized, and Hubert found free space to run to the area and shoot. After Cafundéu’s second goal, Milchama seemed to slow down, and the first half ended with a good 2x0 advantage for the Monopolists. Good, but not impossible to be reverted.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Augusto César’s goal): “Ball to Rrrrrenildo in the left wing, he has some space, but Thompson seems rrrrready to prrrrress him… looks for options, Augusto comes to rrrrreceive, the pass goes to him, he rrrrruns towarrrrrds the arrrrrrea… good drrrrribble over Merrrrrgle, he has only the goalkeeper in frrrrront of him… and he drrrrribbles him! Keeps rrrrrunning with the ball… he enterrrrred inside the goal… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Let’s see this rrrrreplay, let’s see this rrrrreplay again! Augusto César, number eight! Now Cafundéu one, Milchama zerrrrro! Your baby deserrrrrrves to play and enjoy his activities with hygiene and safety… so, he or she should wear the new Bebê Feliz diaperrrrrs! Bebê Feliz diaperrrrrs, the diaperrrrs of the happiest babies… even the baby celebrrrrrrities use it!”

THE SECOND HALF: the second half, or at least its beginning, presented an entirely different situation for the Cafundelenses. After scoring twice in the first half, the Monopolists started suffering goals. The first happened just two minutes after the kick off. Milchama only returned to the field with ten players, and they started to pass the ball, slowly reaching the attack. Suddenly, Timmons crossed the ball to the area, and the eleventh player – Marc J. Floren – appeared. First, his hand came from under the ground, appearing in Cafundéu’s area. Just after, the whole Marc J. Floren rose from the ground, like a zombie raised from the grave (but we were playing against Milchama, not Prux). He jumped in the right time to head the ball and score the goal. Surprised by Milchama’s recovery in the second half, Cafundéu didn’t even have time to reply, as Milchama scored the second goal soon after. It all started when Cícero tripped Belmowitz inside the area. Penalty seen by the Vanorian referee.

But Marc J. Floren decided to score the goal in a different way. Rather than just taking the penalty kick, he decided to first pass the ball from the penalty spot to Belmowitz who invaded the area. Kardec tried to stop him, but the attacker lobbed the Cafundelense keeper, and Marc J. Floren kicked the ball with a bicycle kick to score. With the draw, Milchama continued attacking, while Cafundéu looked to recover the good performance of the first half. For many minutes, both teams looked for chances to score another goal, and, after a long wait, Milchama scored the third. Kilinin dribbled Túlio and passed the ball to Marc J. Floren. The attacker was alone against three defenders, but found a way to invade the area to score: first he exchanged passes with the referee (the referee didn’t kick the ball on purpose, we think), and after that he exchanged passes with a turtle who invaded the field before shooting to score the goal. Yes, weird things happen when we are playing against Milchama…

It seemed the end for Cafundéu, as the team, after a good first half, saw all the advantage conquered in the first forty-five minutes end suddenly. Not only the team suffered the first three goals in this World Cup campaign, but also was losing – again – a quarterfinals game. But the coach David Nefasto started to shout to the players that there was still time, trying to motivate them. And it worked. Ten minutes before the end of the game, Silveira tackled Kilinin in the midfield, ran to the attack and, when it seemed that the defenders were going to press him, he shot with all his strength. The ball went directly to the goal, a beautiful goal by the midfielder. With the goal, Cafundéu was back in the game, and sending the game for the extra time. But that wasn’t enough for the Monopolists. The team wanted revenge against Milchama for suffering three goals in just one game after four games without suffering any goals. And, near the beginning of the injury time, Augusto César did an excellent through pass to Alves, who dribbled Milckey (leaving him on the ground) and shot to score the goal of the victory, which sent Cafundéu to the semifinals.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Silveira’s goal): “Milchama continues with the ball possession, what happened with Cafundéu! Thrrrrreee unbelievable goals by Marrrrrrc J. Florrrrrrren, and Milchama arrrrrre now winning the game! But we have at least morrrrrre ten minutes to get at least the drrrrraw. Merrrrrgle to Kilinin, she attempts a drrrrribble… loses the ball! Silveirrrrra with it, rrrrrruns to the attack, shoots frrrrrom a long dist… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Oh my God, I have to see this rrrrreplay! Silveirrrrra, number five! Now the rrrrresult is Cafundéu thrrrrree, Milchama thrrrrree! Find the things that you need for the best prrrrrrices, on the interrrrrnet! Access rrrrright now www.iwanttobuysomethingforrrrrrrmethatisnt... let me brrrrreath... now continuing... somuchexpensivetomefrrrrromtheinterrrrrnet.com.cf and check this marrrrrrvelous worrrrrrld of interrrrrnet commerrrrrrrce! We have prrrrrromotions frrrrrrom sites which you can trrrrrrust and others that you shouldn’t trrrrrust!”

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS/OTHER NEWS: this game nearly killed me! And I bet most Cafundelenses felt the same way! I wonder if Breno Gavião’s heart resisted his time… well, as he finished the broadcast, I think it did (how sad… er, I mean, how sad what happened last time, don’t you think?). Well, we talked with the coach after the game, and Nefasto was happy to answer us, saying: “We are in the semis! I bet many of you, of the press, didn’t believe that this could happen, but we are here! And note my words, this is only the beginning… or maybe the middle… errr, almost the end, I think. Well, what I mean is that we don’t want to stop in the semifinals, we want more! The title is our objective, and we can win it if we play our best! You’ll see the Monopolists lifting the trophy!” After answering the media, Nefasto left the stadium to commemorate the good victory with his players, and to start preparing the team for the next game, against Bostopia. After all, Cafundéu is now one of the four teams that still can win the World Cup, and they’ll work for it.

Silveira, who scored the goal that gave the team confidence to go after the victory (the third goal), told us: “We had an excellent start, it seemed that this game would be like the others. We held the result, didn’t suffer goals… but, in the second half, some strange things happened… this Milchama team must be an alien one, their goals were absurd! But, fortunately, I was able to shot well and score, and that goal put us back in the game, we fought for the victory and got that. Now is just win the semi and the final to win the World Cup, and I think we are more than capable to do this.” On other news, this time we’ll still focus in the World Cup, commenting about the other games of this stage. Bostopia, which will face Cafundéu, defeated Vephrall with a good 4x1 result. It will be a difficult game for the Monopolists, but both teams seem to be in the same level now. The other semi-final will be Starblaydia against current champions Valanora, and we can surely expect another top quality game.


CAFUNDÉU 4x3 MILCHAMA

Place: Greens Park, Prangren.
Attendance: 61,336 people (now it seems no out of common things happened about the attendance… well, this time the out of common things happened inside the field).
Time: 15:30 Cafundelense time (20:30 local time).
Climate: cloudy, 19ºC.
Referee: Athor Daenmaarar (Valanora).
Assistants: Seril Gaellunis and Kalneri Bossa (Valanora).
POTM: Augusto César (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Cícero, Cotuba (Túlio 67’), Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho (Fabinho 74’), Renildo and Augusto César; Alves and Hubert (Danilo Sampa 78’).
Coach: David Nefasto.

MILCHAMA: Finton; Thompson, Mergle and Milckey; Kilinin (Lonnen 86’), Timmons and Flinters (Rintell 3’); Copperlee (Joseph 45’), Belmowitz, Floren and Faren.
Coach: Jamie Smith’s ghost.

Goal:CAF: Augusto César 20’ , Hubert 31’ , Silveira 80’ , Alves 88’.
MIL: Marc J. Floren 46’/52’/73’.

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Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Igor, Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Marlus Frost (Capitalizt SLANI).

WC goalscorers (proper):

5- Alves
3- Augusto César
2- Hubert
1- Renildo, Danilo Sampa, Silveira

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: 2-0 vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: 0-2 @ [???] Sarzonia (@ Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium - 88,920, Woodstock)
MD3: 5-0 vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: 2-0 @ [54] Liventia (@ Colonial Stadium, Orean)
MD5: 2-0 vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: 1-0 @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea)
MD7: 3-0 vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: 1-4 @ Sorthern Northland (@ somewhere new and special, but I haven't a clue...)
MD8: @ 4-0 [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street - 85,000, Moorcroft)
MD9: 2-0 vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD10: 3-0 @ [76] Dariusville (@ Humphra Ignhorium - 2,000, some forest in Dariusville)
MD11: 3-1 vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD12: 5-1 @ [1] Valanora (@ Hatire Memorial - 60,000, Capri)
MD13: 2-1 vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000, Pyeongyang)
MD14: 3-1 @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ worse than in a beer bottle)
PQ: 6-2 @ Your Worst Nightmare (@ Your Nightmare's House)
World Cup 44 - Group C
MD1: vs 2-0 [31] Septentrionia (@ La Escalera Naranja, Onwere)
MD2: 0-0 vs [9] Capitalizt SLANI (@ The Marble Ground, El din)
MD3: 1-1 vs [21] Sorthern Northland (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
R16: vs 2-0 [14] Ad'ihan (@ Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)
QTF: 1-1 (2-2 AET, 1-4 PK) vs [1] Valanora (@ New Sausages Arena, Allemali)



MBC World Cup Special Report
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/daehanjeiguk/news.png

Han Given Penalty, Han Go Home

ALLEMALI - And so the World Cup comes to an end, but not after some 120 minutes of footballing. And since I'm getting ready to get out of the country, I'll make this a quick synopsis.

The match started after the delay, when the beans all managed to clean up the field all nice and the snow stopped falling. And the players started playing. Clearly Ioshido managed to bring the players up to some par, as they made fewer mistakes against the Vanorians, and while both teams started conceding shots too early, the Vanorians struck first, within 20 minutes. Rather than recoil into a defensive ball, Ioshido continued to press the players for more goals (and I mean that literally, more goals, as if "0" counts as a goal...). Anyway, the Han didn't need to wait long, and Kim Daeeui managed to make a sublime strike from outside the box. No, it did not hit the crossbar; no, it did not go off the goalkeeper's hands. It went in, neatly into the opposite top corner. And when the two teams went in for the break, it was still 1-1. And when the two sides went in after full time, it was still 1-1. Lacking a time machine, the two sides needed 30 more minutes to play, where Baek Jihun managed to draw first blood in the 93rd minute. It was supposed to be the game winning goal, but just as time was running out, the Vanorians pulled one back and the game went into PKs.

Now, historically, the Han suck at PKs. In fact, they hardly ever win PKs; only in their first years, the team was a model PK team. Nowadays, they suck. I think it was after Kim Yongdae died (see Casari bombings in WC40Q) when they started to suck at PKs. Because not only do the goalkeepers not keep the ball out, the strikers also fail to make it in. And with a margin 4-1, they failed to get past the Vanorians in the final hurdle. Of course, it was cold, I remind you, and the immortal enemy of the Han is the cold. So not bad for Ioshido - qualified, reached quarterfinal, but still no graduation.

And now we'll be hoping that Cha Beomgeun's earlier prediction may hold true for the next time. And until the next time, these kids will be going back to their domestic clubs. Hopefully, we do not play Valanora next season.


=== === ===

Pak Seongil looked at the empty net as the match ended. Another draw. This time, 0-0. It was the end of the dream run. And all they needed was one goal. Just one goal. One goal for many more in the future. He shrugged his shoulders, getting up off the pitch as the players retired. Pak glanced over to the "executive" box, where the bosses were settled. It was a draw, so there was nothing that they could do about anything. No money. He then turned his gaze to the team bench, where the whole lot turned a downtrodden face. Even Bae was back to his senses, and his face wasn't the most enthusiastic. Pak would have to tell them all that this was their last game. Perhaps ever.

But it was fun while they still did have a team. Maybe sometime in the future, they would have another opportunity.

The training session had gone well, he'd thought. There was renewed confidence that they could, again, defeat Valanora and move on to the Final itself. The humans and dwarves who played in the Vahala Invitational knew they had been within ten seconds of beating Valanora on their home ground and also knew that they could do it again. Leandro Perheira, who knew more about the Marauders than most, flicked the switch on the kettle in his Candelariasian hotel room and re-boiled the appliance, that was already full of near-boiling hot water, that had just clicked off a few minutes before. He dropped his Starblaydi-brand bag of Tapro Tea into the cup - Leandro was not one to lower himself to the Candelarisian standards of so-called 'tea' - and waited for it to finish boiling. As the water bubbled away happily in the kettle, reaching the requisite hundred degrees, he thought he heard a knock at his door. The kettle, thankfully, wasn't a particularly noisy one, but the knock had been especially delicate. He turned his head towards the door, frowning a little as he strained to hear more. A few moments later the kettle clicked off and the tapping came again. Faint, delicate and polite, it could only be one thing.

"Just a moment," he called, deciding to fill his cup first before going over to the door. The smell of percolating tea was something good to fill a room with, he figured. He went over to the door and opened it, "ah, I wondered which one of you it'd be," he said happily, "I didn't expect all of you. Come in, please."

The seven elves, looking as if they'd all spent the day at a health spa for cleansing, pampering and preening instead of a few hours hard graft on the training pitch, filed in to his hotel room. They waited for each other to say the first word, while Leandro dropped his tea bag into the bin and added his preferred amount of milk to the cup. Stirring it gently to get a nice, even colour, he tapped the spoon five times on the rim of the cup and then placed it in the sink with a delicate metal clatter. Lifting his cup, he turned to the Elves, who appreciated that his small ritual required completing before they could speak. It would be the same if their positions were reversed, of course.

"We are concerned," Valrauncion said, his arms folded in front of him, suggesting that everyone else was concerned, "about the match with the Wanderers."

"How so?" Leandro asked, beginning the verbal dance. Elves would not openly admit to being fearful about something, even to their highly-successful 'liason' coach.

"For two thousand years," Dacil Taniquentar, the goalkeeper and eldest of the group, continued, "we have watched you humans, but these descendants of the Sácëdaltorë, the original seven Elves who-"

"Tree-seekers," Soronúmë interjected, correctly, as it was not a word that Leandro was aware of the meaning of. The winger looked across at Dacil, who nodded and continued.

"This Valanora, they are a powerful nation," Dacil began again, "the descendants of the seven have created a proud and war-torn history for themselves but now, instead of violence, they turn their warlike energies to sport."

"It's different to the Elenmacilnóre," Ázëwyn Fëanáro said, "who's competitve drive is one born of self-improvement, rather than victory itself." She smiled. "We can relate to you, which is why we play. Their motives aren't something we've come to terms with."

Leandro thought about this for a few moments, taking his first sips of the steadily cooling tea. "You've played them already," he said, reminding them of the post-Qualifying match in the Hatire Memorial, "and didn't have any qualms about that one."

"That was an 'exhibition' match, I believe you called it," Dacil said, "it had no value as a test of strengths, despite the best available team been picked for us both."

"No," Leandro disagreed, shaking his head gently, "it wasn't valueless."

"A friendly duel," Ázëwyn offered up, "sparring. Practice."

"It was," the former World Cup-winning captain explained, "yes, a little like sparring. Tell me, when was the last time your people went to war?"

"I made war for the last time in our history," Dacil said sternly, "when your people were still learning how to make fire without setting themselves alight in the process. That aspect of our culture is long gone."

"Yet," Leandro countered, a little taken aback at the insult, "you still have Rangers, Sentinels, bows, swords and shields? Yánataurë echos with the sound of sparring swords, does it not?"

"That is correct," Dacil said, wondering where the ambush was.

"You know who the best Elf with a blade is," Leandro went on, "without the shedding of a single drop of blood. Spectators can marvel at the swordplay and wonder at what a real battle would be like, and who would win it?"

"Yes..." Dacil agreed with more than a little apprehension, knowing the enemy was around her somewhere.

"Then the Semi-Final is the battle itself," Leandro pointed at Dacil to emphasis his speech, "you have sparred with the opponent, been the better man and thanks only to a late and lucky counter-strike, he and we emerged with honour intact. They are out to prove they are the best the world has ever seen by taking a third consecutive title, to smash all opponents and clear the field of opposition to prove they are the best."

"That is what we don't understand about them," Daeron Avathar said, "killing the opponent."

"What do you think Starblaydi are driven by?" Leandro asked. A difficult question, as he was asking them to decipher what he was driven by. "Why do my people have the desire to defeat everyone else at this game."

Silence.

"Humans," Leandro said, "and these Sácëdaltorë, evidently, are driven by the desire to be the best. To strive, compete, test and measure themselves. I've read - translations - of your ancient texts. Your people were already created as perfect beings of love, song and laughter. Humans have an innate desire to try and reach for the stars, but that's where you've been playing for all eternity."

Contemplative silence.

"We must prove," Valrauncion said, "that we deserve to play amongst the stars. Human and Dwarf and Sácëdaltorë are trying to reach our pedestal, where we all know we belong."

He evidently knew precisely where he thought he belonged, Leandro thought, which was not really so bad for the young - in elven terms - striker. Now he'd just realised that he needed to prove it to something other than his own ego; an entire people, a nation. Whether Elenmacilnóre or Starblaydia, the Elves had found a new-found understanding of the world around them, along with a resolve to make it better through their deeds.

That was what Starblaydia was all about, was it not? Not so different from any other country, but laid down in its own distinct way.

Fides, Gloria, Sanguis.

Honour. Glory. Blood.

Valanora Times
Of Dragons and Lions

On the eve of what might be the defining moment of the Valanora national team, I think it is best to sit and reflect for awhile. This upcoming match against the Starblaydi is just a passing moment in the long web of time. Though we will undoubtedly see our representative’s spill out their souls into putting forth the very best effort in order to achieve victory, it is only a single stitch in the tapestry of life. We elves have born witness to the magical and often confusing nature of life itself, having been able to watch silently as each new species rose and fell. Though we differ in sorts to the different variations of elvenkind that roam this and many other worlds, we have all been the silent guardians of life. I can remember when all the world itself was still green, it was a beautiful emerald marble that had been crafted by the very hands of the lords in the Vahala. Life was free to roam and experiment however and whenever it choose to, and it choose often to experiment. The sea was a feared entity, still believed to be under the control of some water deity that needed libations in order to have safe travel. The stars themselves danced against the darkness of the night, and we could easily paint the picture of our heroes placed in that great artwork. That was the time of great enjoyment, where the idea of civilization and the troubles of the next age were only a distant dream of the troubled minded.

Let us flow through the fabric of time and remember Elune and the band she belonged to. They had come from somewhere far in the west where the lands were undying and the idea of evil did not exist. There were told by the makers of the Vahala to search the world for a specific tree, for they were to found a civilization that was to change the world in the millennia to come. The choice was easy for the seven, as their own creators had charged them with the task, and despite the separation from their family and friends, they did as the creators instructed them. Faith without questioning that is something that humans have strived for the longest time to achieve with their own religions. They would find their tree, the exact image that the creators, who were working through a prophet, had described in their instruction to leave from the undying lands and with it, the first seeds of change were made. As it is now well known, they made the mistake in eating from this most pure of trees, and thus their immortality was stolen away, bar for Elune.

Ah for Elune, for soo long she has been the basis of our civilization's religion and way. What is Elune really? Even though we know she existed and can see exploits of her divinity all around us, I think we forget what she stood for. Elune at the time of the nomadic search for the White Tree was but a child by our standard, still full of youthful exuberance and purity. Her actions then could be considered not holy, but done out of ignorance. It is not the train of thought that I subscribe to, as I believe Elune is more of a metaphor of what life should be like. You should be curious but not intrusive, fun-loving but not careless, obedient but upright, strong yet delicate. While we have tried living in her footsteps in each and every day of our lives, we must realize that we are each our own and will readily live in the way that we are naturally inclined to do so. This is not to say that we should not continue to follow in the choices made by Elune, emulate her actions and attitudes, but realize that we will likely never achieve that sort of perfection.

Then there is the dark period, where I believe that we lost the idea of what it meant to be of elvenkind. Where we went from not what was right, but did what we thought we must in order to survive and thrive. While not entirely a horrible thing in itself, it did indirectly result in an increase in violence through our strain, even more so with those in the north who constantly were at war with invading armies of humans or of the orcs, trolls, and other evil creatures. We lost the idea of perfection and became something subtly different than our ancestors in the undying lands. It is through this alteration that I believe is the cause in our inability to relate to the elves we would later meet in Dorian and Sonja, and now these that have emerged in Starblaydia. For better or worse, the change enabled us to grow stronger to the point in where our will was made dominant and enforced through whatever means were required. This unfortunately reflects badly as it entirely negated the first 10,000 years in which we lived in peace, still quite the same as those we had left behind.

It is not until the Raynors took control of the country that we were able to shake from this history of violence we had created. It is quite the strange and ironic thing that they would be the family in which would guide us back to a more peaceful existence, as they openly had used strife and conflict in order to raise their stature. Let us not forget either that the Raynor family was originally drow, our cousins who have never once shown any care for the holiness of life. Though there has been war and conflicts while they have run the country, these occurrences are few and far between, while also usually the result of some foreign power. Apart from the Rosemary uprising and the Tides of Darkness, peace has been with our country since 19,865, 149 years of peace and tranquility. That is a legacy that one would surely desire, and something that we should have had for the entirety of our existence.

So we come once again to the present, to the match between us and Starblaydia in two days time. While it will be built up as a match against two powers vying for world and historical dominance over a sport, it will also be a clash between to different set of ideas. Perhaps with the reemergence of their elves, we will be able to once again find that connection with the undying lands, become perfected again. It will be a noble undertaking if it indeed comes to pass, one that may redefine the very fabric of who we are as a society. For me, and I suspect for many of the oldest of our kind, it is a chance that I am sure we are willing to take. Let the candlelight burn bright as the eyes of the dragon look into the heart of the lion, and when we wake in the morning, which of them shall still be alive?

Article by Bathalus Mahrieci

Ryan: So who are you supporting in the final Marie?
Marie: Nether of them.
Ryan: You have to pick one team, both can't lose.
Marie: Well, I'd have to pick the Elves then.

Ryan: You don't like the Purple Menace do you?
Marie: No
Ryan: Oh well, I think the Purple Menace will win.
Marie: I'd prefer the Elves even if they locked my sister Kate.

Ryan: I guess that's that.
Marie: Oi, I heard Ricci moved out to take care of her mother.
Ryan: Yes, she's moved out.
Marie: Still dating then?

Ryan: I think it's all going too fall apart. I mean, we aren't going to be spending anytime together really.
Marie: What'd she say about breaking up?
Ryan: She actually said I could go find someone else with more time for me. We'd be friends but I think we don't spend enough time together.
Marie: Well, I have lots of time!

Ryan: I know ...
Marie: So is the break-up official.
Ryan: Actually, I don't think it took off so it's not big loss. I think we just needed more time together but me being a football coach doesn't allow that.
Marie: So just friends as such.

Ryan: I guess so
Marie: So ... what about ...
Ryan: You.
Marie: Yes, we know each other well. We spend a lot of time together!

Ryan: I don't know.
Marie: I'm not saying no. I won't allow it.
Ryan: I suppose so. I mean, people think we're dating. I think Ricci knows about your intentions so I think she won't mind either.
Marie: So, dinner ... 7 PM Sunday?

Ryan: You're quick.
Marie: I act fast, no time for indecision!
Ryan: Ricci was a bit indecisive. You seem the opposite.
Marie: Is that good then?

Ryan: I like it actually. I know where one stands even if it's wrong.
Marie: Yes or no, man!
Ryan: Yes then.
Marie: Good good, it will be worthwhile.

Ryan: Who's going to tell Ricci?
Marie: I'll do that. Anyway, she knows I'll pounce on my prey.
Ryan: I feel sorry for her.
Marie: She loves her Mum like I do.

Dazza: Hey, what's going on here? Something's up.
Ryan: Oh, Marie's being ... well ... like you.
Dazza: She'll take care of you. Don't worry! We don't do things in halves.
Ryan: That's the problem.

Cut off for Starblaydia-Valanora! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14458928&postcount=30)

Aaaand the cut-off for Cafundéu-Bostopia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14458936&postcount=31)!

Valanora Times
To Become Whole

In a match that lived up to its' billing, one can not be trully dissapointed about the eventual loss by the Marauders. The match itself was a complete oppisite of the meeting between the two nations at the Hatire Memorial just last month. This time it was the Marauders who dominated possession and the flow of the game for the nearly the entire game, and just a simple miskick on a clearance kept the teams from going to extra time. In a day and age where the difference between the elite teams is soo minute that it is difficult to distinguish between the absolute best team in the world, it comes down to a miskick. It is now time to reflect and ponder the meaning of the loss and how it will affect us in the future. There is still a third place playoff to consider, but I imagine that it will be the second side that gets the call in that one, much like in World Cup 41. I wonder what sort of lies that the C&M government is trying to create after the entire squad took off their tops after Razov's goal to reveal undershirts with the words "Never Toss an Elf" written on it.

However, this is a time for reflection, and perhaps a time for change.

Valanora 1
Ikles Razov (31)

Starblaydia 2
Diamontii Di Bradini (74)
Hizzen Hocn O.G. (89)

OLHO NO LANCE! - YOUR SPORTS MAGAZINE
Partner of Globo Multimedia

WORLD CUP 44 – full coverage
Written by Sílvio Ruiz with comments by Breno Gavião (from TV coverage)

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A WHOLE COUNTRY STOPS – CAFUNDÉU IN THE FINAL!
(MONOPOLISTS WIN IN THE SEMIS AFTER AN EXCITING GAME AGAINST BOSTOPIA)

And the moment dreamed by all the Cafundelenses is coming closer now: the Monopolists winning a World Cup title. The team commanded by the coach David Nefasto continued its wonderful campaign in the competition by defeating Bostopia in the semi-final game in Kura-Pelland. Although the game between Valanora and Starblaydia was much more commented and covered by the media, probably the other semi-final game, Bostopia against Cafundéu, was much more exciting for the fans, in number of goal opportunities created and in beautiful moves. But, different than in the other semi-final, Cafundéu could conquer the victory with more calm than Starblaydia. The game wasn’t easy, and Bostopia seemed ready to repeat the WC42 victory over the Monopolists, but they failed to control their anxiety, and the two penalty kicks awarded for Cafundéu defined their loss. Now the Cafundelenses have only one game left, the final against Starblaydia, in this World Cup. They have a whole country (and probably some supporters outside it) supporting them, and surely will be ready for the challenge.

THE FIRST HALF: the stadium was filled. The grass, perfectly prepared for the game. The referee, trained and experienced to not do badly. When both teams entered in the stadium for the game, the reception came from thousands of fans in the stands, and no one could distinguish exactly if the noise came mostly from the Bostopia fans or the Cafundelense ones. When the game started, the red (Bostopia’s shirt) and yellow (Cafundéu’s shirt) colours got mixed in the field, disputing for the ball. Bostopia started better in the game, and the first good chances of the game were for them. In one, Plecnik received a pass from Griff, dribbled João Carlos and shot, forcing Kardec to save with just one finger, a marvellous save. Still before the middle of the first half, Bostopia kept the pressure, and the Monopolists found extreme difficulties to attack. Bostopia returned to threaten Cafundéu with Loewe, who headed the ball after a corner kick. The ball hit the bar.

After suffering from consecutive attacks for many minutes, Cafundéu finally found some space to attack. The first chance came in a confusing and curious play started by Igor. The full-back received the ball and tried to pass it, but it hit the referee’s legs. Fortunately, Silveira got the ball, and sent it to Marossi in the attack. The midfielder tripped on the ball, and fell on the ground. When Newkey tried to clear the danger with a shot, the ball hit Marossi (who was trying to stand up) in the face. Marossi then kept the ball with him, dribbled Newkey and shot to the goal, but Adder saved easily. Although the chance was missed, it was the start of Cafundéu’s time to press the opponent. And this pressure resulted in the first goal of the game. Augusto César crossed the ball to Hubert, who tried to dribble Adder, but was fouled by him. Penalty kick for Cafundéu marked by the Capitalizt SLANI referee. Augusto César was going to take it, but Alves asked to shoot in his place. So, Alves took the penalty… and scored. This was the only goal of the first half.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 1 (Alves’s first goal): “Augusto César holding the ball in the left side of the field, has some good options inside the arrrrrrea, goes for the crrrrrossing… Huberrrrrrt contrrrrrrols the ball, alone inside the arrrrrrea, attempts a drrrrribble over the goalkeeper, the ball passes… but not his leg, Adder clearrrrrrly hit him! And the rrrrrreferrrrrree agrrrrrees! It’s a penalty for Cafundéu! It seems that is Alves who will take it, not Augusto César. So Alves rrrrrruns to the ball, shoots… look at the goal, look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! A simple rrrrreplay this time, but enjoyable to watch! Alves, number seven! Now it’s Cafundéu one, Bostopia zerrrrro! You never know when you’ll need some medical assistance… you can get sick, have a serious emergence, or maybe you’ll just want to do some exams to check your health condition… in these times, a health insurrrrrrrance is essential. So, if this is so imporrrrrrtant, you should have the best available! And the best is Agorrrrrrra Saúde, the top health insurrrrrrance plan of the rrrrrregion!”

THE SECOND HALF: Bostopia’s coach Graham Partland made two substitutions during halftime, to see if his team could transform the loss in a win in the last half. Cafundéu, instead, maintained the same team and strategies, hoping to at least hold the result until the end of the game. And Partland was happy to see that his team answered well to his choices. Still in the first minutes of the second half, Kanper made an efficient pass to Svettbard, who invaded the area with speed and shot the ball to score. The ball hit both posts before entering in the net. The goal gave some extra motivation to Bostopia, and for some minutes the team seemed close to score the second, but Cafundéu’s defence, who has been having an excellent World Cup, performed well to stop them. And, to make things better for the Monopolists, the team took the lead back. With a long ranged pass, Zé Sho found Hubert in a good position. The Ranca Toco attacker, then, dribbled a defender and this time didn’t want to dribble the goalkeeper, shooting with strength right after invading the area, scoring the goal.

Cafundéu’s second goal put Bostopia in a pretty bad situation in the game: with approximately twenty minutes remaining for the end of the game, the team had to score at least one goal to avoid losing the semi-final game. But the problem for them was that Cafundéu’s defence was doing a great job. Five minutes passed after the goal, and the coach Graham Partland made a desperate move. With only one substitution remaining, he decided to put himself in the game. David Nefasto went on the opposite way, making conservative substitutions, in order to hold the victory. Partland seemed to be a decent player, passing the ball well, with good vision and positioning. Unfortunately for him, Bostopia’s chances of scoring the goal decreased after the defender Mauer was sent off after a violent foul on Zé Sho. With one extra player in the game, and thirteen minutes until the end of the game, Cafundéu had the game under control, passing the ball and waiting for time to pass.

Bostopia’s chances were extremely limited: just some counterattacks started after missing passes from Cafundelense players, but didn’t last long. The Monopolists also could find some chances, with long ranged passes and shots. One by Silveira even hit the bar. But the play that really killed the game was a well-thought one. Jules controlled the ball in the midfield and made the pass to Marossi, who waited for Jules to pass though him and retrieved the pass. Then, the midfielder passed to Renildo in the left wing, who crossed back to Marossi who was close to the entrance of the area. Finally, Marossi passed to Hubert who was inside the area, ready to score. But, again, he was stopped with a foul. The coach/player Partland appeared jumping at his direction and performing a very famous wrestling move, which sent Hubert to the ground. The referee Frost gave Partland only a yellow, and marked the penalty. The midfielder Griff, who is very fair and doesn’t like injustices, complained with the referee that his coach (and team mate) deserved the red card. Frost, furious for having his authority questioned, showed Griff the red card. Alves took this penalty too, and scored.

BRENO GAVIÃO’S MOMENT 2 (Alves’s second goal): “Ball with Charrrrrrles Jules in the midfield, passes to Marrrrrrossi and rrrrrruns to the attack to rrrrrreceive the ball back… nice move. Now it’s Jules again with the ball, makes a pass to the wing, dirrrrrrectly to Rrrrrenildo. He stops the ball, looks at the arrrrrrea, crrrrrrosses… Marrrrrrossi rrrrrreceives it… WHAT A PASS to Hubert! He must scorrrrrre… WHAT? Parrrrrrtland trrrrrried to kill Hubert now, it’s a penalty! Just a yellow to Parrrrrrtland, Grrrrrriff goes to complain… that his team mate deserrrrrrved the rrrrrrred? How strrrrrrange! Instead, it is him who rrrrrrreceives the rrrrrrred carrrrrrrrd! Situation solved now, Alves to take the penalty, shoots… look at the goal, look at the goal, look at the goal… (two minutes of “look at the goal” after) look at the goal! GOOOOOOOOOOAL! For Cafundéu! Rrrrrrreplay this now! Alves, number seven! Cafundéu thrrrrree, Bostopia one! Want a toothbrrrrrrush that rrrrrreally protects your teeth and feels good? You simply have to trrrrrry Garrrrrrgalhada, the toothbrrrrrush that makes your teeth shine!”

JORGE LANG’S INTERVIEWS/OTHER NEWS: and the victory against Bostopia came, putting Cafundéu into the final of the World Cup! The whole country watched the game today, and surely everyone will be watching the final, hoping for a victory of the Monopolists… we hope they win as, after all, as people will be watching the final, they won’t be working, and the companies will lose a lot of money… at least they should be compensated with the title and the marketing opportunities that come with it. Well, but it isn’t to comment about this that I’m here, I’m here to interview the coach and players. As ever, the coach was the first to talk, and Nefasto said: “This victory, and all the others, are result of our hard work. We were, since the beginning, confident that we can win the World Cup title. Now there is only one game left, against Starblaydia. It will be a challenge, just like this game was difficult too. I guess our team had the same quality of Bostopia, and has the same quality of Starblaydia too, the title can go either way. I hope it goes to our way, of course!”

Hero of the game, Hubert scored one of the goals, and suffered the two penalties which led to the other goals. He was very happy with the result of his team, but a bit scared because of the foul that led to the second penalty. First, he commented about the match: “We won! This is simply amazing, we are in the World Cup final! I have to commemorate, give me a drink…” Then he controlled himself: “Er… I mean… there is still one game left, we can’t get too anxious… we can commemorate after the game, if we have reasons for this, which I think we will have.” Last, he commented about Partland’s foul: “That man is crazy, he didn’t try to stop me from scoring, he really tried to kill me! It still hurts, and I can’t believe the referee showed him just a yellow! In the end, he lost the game, so let this be his punishment for being so violent.


CAFUNDÉU 3x1 BOSTOPIA

Place: Lake Branagh Stadium, Porterbridge.
Attendance: 75,432 people (all tickets sold).
Time: 16:45 Cafundelense time (21:45 local time).
Climate: cloudy, 15ºC.
Referee: Marlus Frost (Capitalizt SLANI).
Assistants: Brett Davies and Gill Morales (both from Candelaria And Marquez).
POTM: Hubert (Cafundéu).

CAFUNDÉU: Kardec; Igor (Rossi 76’), Renildo, Titov and João Carlos; Silveira, Zé Sho (Fabinho 80’), Augusto César (Jules 68’) and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

BOSTOPIA: Adder; Furst, Newkey, Mauer and Redmond; Kanper, Sadler (Common 45’), Loewe and Griff; Plecnik (Partland 71’) and Gronfeld (Svettbard 45’).
Coach: Graham Partland.

Goal:CAF: Alves 29’/83’ , Hubert 68’.
BOS: Svettbard 51’.

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Line-up for the next game: Kardec; Cícero, Renildo, Titov and Luizão; Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Marossi; Alves and Hubert.
Coach: David Nefasto.

Referee: Fr. Luke the Fair One (The Archregimancy).

WC goalscorers (proper):

7- Alves
3- Augusto César, Hubert
1- Renildo, Danilo Sampa, Silveira

One in a Trilan!
Starblaydia in the Final

It was described variously as 'the shank seen across the world', 'the immaculate deflection', and 'my mother couldn't have managed that bad a kick', but the end result was that Soronúmë's shot, the mis-kicked attempted clearance by Hizzen Hocn - and the rippling of the back of the net that followed - tipped this game in Starblaydia's favour at almost the very last moment. With the few seconds remaining in the second half, Valanora's driven, but deflated, players simply could not get through the Starblaydi defence in time to threaten an Injury-time equaliser.

Though two of the last three meetings between these sides have been one-sided affairs, this match hearkened back to the great Semi-Final of World Cup 41 where Extra Time had been required to separate these two excellent sides. Back then, too, Valanora were the defending champions, facing a weaker side in the Starblaydi underdogs in their Last Four match-up. Back then, it had required the Starblaydi captain - Leandro Perheira - to separate the teams, but this time the Starblaydi captain - Diamontii Di Bradini - had a slightly different role to play.

For all the passion with which Starblaydia performed their Raiigar, even the Elves seemed to be really getting into it, Valanora were simply too good. There is a reason, you know, why they're the number-one ranked team in the world but there also must be a reason why the only thing that has stopped them from shooting for five world titles in a row is Lex Panarii's Starblaydia side - twice. Of course, other teams have defeated the Vanorians in the last twenty years and the Marauders also have their fair share of wins over Starblaydia, but in terms of the World Cup itself, no-one bar Starblaydia has managed to knock them out of contention in a generation.

Early signs pointed to just how much Valanora wanted a famous third straight win as Calla Soler grazed the top of the crossbar with a rising shot that certainly had Taniquentar worried in the Starblaydi goal, flinging himself full stretch at the incoming ball. Things didn't get much better as first Peter Movalinen and then Louisa Logan were called upon to make some last-ditch blocks and tackles in order to prevent clear-cut Vanorian opportunities. With all this in the first ten minutes, many pundits wondered if Starblaydia could survive the onslaught, one of vengeance for World Cup41's Semi-Fina, evidently.

Valanora kept pressing and pressing, with Starblaydia trying desperately to soak up the pressure. Valrauncion had barely had a kick, while Starblaydia's four-man midfield were being run ragged, overwhelmed by the five players of Valanora. The game swiftly became a valiant defence by nine Starblaydi outfielders, while Valrauncion prowled up and down the halfway line, vainly waiting for some sort of counter-attack opportunity that rarely came. When he did manage to get a hold of the ball, he was left with no support and found himself losing out almost instantly to Titenburg and Minyatur.

Not a boring game, by any means, but one team was doing all the attacking, with the other attempting a crash-course of a masterclass in defending. A defensive bedrock has always been one of Starblaydia's strengths - they're not a side that concedes many goals, after all - and it was being tested to the full. Louisa Logan, for instance, has the unique distinction of having played in every single one of Starblaydia's Qualifying, Friendly and Finals matches in this campaign, a massive twenty-three games, and one could see why on the evidence of this match. That was for naught, however, when Ikles Razov broke through Starblaydia's line of defence, taking the ball wide and the firing home a low shot across the face of goal. It had taken more than half an hour, but Valanora were finally ahead and wanted more.

At the re-start, Starblaydia found themselves in possession at the half-way line with their opponents at least ten yards away - a novel experience for the match so far. It allowed them to have useful possession in the Vanorian half for what was really the first time in the match, though Fëanáro ended up shooting well wide of the mark. Valanora tried to keep their momentum going but against a Starblaydi side who were redoublig their efforts, the rest of the half was a series of half-chances and opportunities not seized upon. Half time must have brought one of those incredible Panarii speeches, it simply must have, because when he does one of those, he usually makes some crucial and outlandish substitution to save the match and win the game for Starblaydia. This one, too, was pretty outlandish, to say the least.

Off came the eleven Number Ten, Valrauncion. Off came the Elven Number Eight, Ázëwyn Fëanáro. Two of Starblaydia's best players removed and replaced by the defensive midfield tiger, Panos Petropoulos, and the Elven stiker-come-winger, Soronúmë. It was a rather odd decision that left most Starblaydi fans wondering what Panarii was smoking, or what he had up his sleeve that they hadn't seen in the previous twenty years. The answer was simple: give the Vanorians something to think about with a heart of steel in a Starblaydi midfield that matched the Marauders man for man. Then, using the pace of Vegachenko and Soronúmë, open up on the counter attack with Di Bradini as the target. Starblaydia had switched to a 4-5-1 from their usual 4-4-2 Diamond, a formation that had been used before to moderate success in the 42nd World Cup, making the last sixteen in their title defence. There was no magic formula, however, as after a few minutes of Starblaydi domination the Marauders shifted around their own formation slightly, countering Panarii's moves. It worked to some degree, but slowly Starblaydia's teeth began to show.

Vegachenko forced a corner from which Samba headed straight at the goalie, while at the other end Soldarian forced a top-drawer save from Taniquentar to keep the score down to one. For half an hour the game swung back and forth, until the fat kid of inevitability came to play on the see-saw of fate, on the edge of the footballing playground of majesty: and Starblaydia equalised. Ricky England's free kick out wide on the right-hand side was flicked on by the head of Rashid Mus'haf, with Diamontii Di Bradini there at the back post to guide the ball into the net. Fifteen minutes remained, now this game was anybody's.

In a match between these two teams, you'd expect a wonder-goal of Hall of Fame proportions, one to be viewed and reviewed half a billion times on the video sharing sites, one to make fans stand up and say 'That's why we support that team!'. Unfortunately, there was something that would be reviewed half a billion times, but it was not a wonder-goal, it was a calamitous mis-kick. Starblaydia were in possession and Soronúmë had it out wide on the left, having switched sides with Yuri Vegachenko. Forward he came, with Jamichel Totez backing off, not wanting to give away a free-kick in the last minute in a similar situation to how Starblaydia had scored earlier. Knocking the ball inside, the Elven winger unleashed a fierce shot, low towards the near post. Replays showed that it was on-target, at least, but Tinehtelë was firmly behind it. Behind it, that was, until Hizzen Hocn threw himself in front of it and took a hasty swipe with his left foot in an attempt to clear it. A mis-kick of global proportions followed, diverting the ball high towards the top corner of the far post. Despite Tinehtelë's quick reactions and athleticism, there was simply nothing he could do about the massive deflection. For what seemed like an age, the ball sailed ponderously through the air - viewers at home were mostly deceived by the main TV angle, unable to determine the exact flight-path of the ball - but those in the stadium knew what was coming. Though Tinehtelë, to his credit, nearly got to it, it was too far for him. The ball dropped into the net and the Starblaydi fans only stopped their celebrations to look up and watch the clock in the Albrecht stadium tick over to 90.00 minutes. There was only injury time remaining, but there would be no way back for Valanora. Starblaydia had won it - stolen it, even - but they didn't care. They were going to the World Cup Final.

Final score from Solidarity Stadium:
Valanora 1 - 2 Starblaydia
(Razov 31) - (D. Di Bradini 74, Soronúmë 89)

I could point out that the term cut-off identifies a state of negligible electrical conduction which is proper of several types of electronic components when a control parameter (which usually is a well defined voltage or electric current, but could also be an incident light intensity or a magnetic field), is lowered or increased past a value called conduction threshold or simply threshold.

Can't be arsed, though. Instead, this is just the cut-off for the third-place play-off. *Yawns*

Score (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14461869&postcount=32).

FOLHA DA CAPITAL
O jornal no lugar certo na hora certa da notícia

Edição de Domingo - Ano 218 - Caderno I - Preço: V$3,00
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THE WC44 MONOPOLISTS: THE TEAM

This team is already in the history of football. In the beginning, the supporters were confident in the team's quality. But the first games were disappointing to the supporters, who started to worry if Cafundéu would qualify to the World Cup. In the end of the qualifying stage, Cafundéu started a streak of consecutive victories. When the World Cup started, the Monopolists compensated the supporters' suffering in the qualifiers, and continued with the winning streak, which still lasts.

So, let's take a look on the 23 players that put Cafundéu in this stage of the World Cup, and can bring the title to the country. First, the starters:

GK - #1 - Kardec: one of the biggest responsibles for the excellent state of the Cafundelense defence in this World Cup, Kardec has been saving Cafundéu with his saves, and can surely make the difference in the World Cup final. The Petardos S/A goalkeeper was never challenged by the NT's substitutes, and is a key player for David Nefasto.

DR - #4 - Cícero: the right-back didn't shine in the competition, but had solid performances. Unfortunately, he is somewhat violent, and earned many cards during the competition. Due to the right side being weaker than the left side in the Cafundelense team, Cícero didn't participate too much.

DL - #6 - Renildo: the defender who became a key piece in the Monopolists' attack. With his speed and his crossing ability, the Petardos S/A winger is the king of assistances of the team, attacking well and without making mistakes. Renildo fits well in Cafundéu's left wing with Augusto César, and was even able to score some goals, becoming a fan favourite inside the National Team.

DC - #2 - Titov: captain of the team, Titov is the most solid player of the team. It is difficult to remember a mistake that the defender from Squornshelous made. So, he rightfully earns the title of leader of the team, and his emotional strength and focus on the game will surely be helpful in the last game.

DC - #3 - Luizão: returns now to the team to play in the final, but was left in the bench for most of the World Cup. Nefasto had difficulties in choosing Titov's partner in the defence, and Luizão's mistakes in the qualifiers cost him the starting position. But due to João Carlos's latest violent attitudes, Luizão will earn another chance in the starting eleven, and in the final game.

DM - #5 - Silveira: everyone knew, even before the competition started, that the A.F.F. midfielder would play a major part in Cafundéu's strategy. When the defence started to impress, Silveira was part of this success, stopping many attacks from opponent teams before they reached the area. Also, his long ranged shots scared many goalkeepers, and will continue being a precious weapon in the World Cup final. Also, Silveira is the vice-captain of the team.

RM - #11 - Zé Sho: the son hopes to follow the steps of the father. Zé Sho had many irregular performances with the red-black shirt in this World Cup, but kept the starting position of the team. His father and coach in Atlético Jutense Ke Sho won World Cups when he was a player. Can Zé Sho do the same? Quality he has for this.

LM - #8 - Augusto César: the pressure was over him. After all, he is considered the best player of Cafundéu, a midfielder that can defend pretty well and can threaten the strongest defences with assists, individual plays and set pieces. In this cup, Augusto César wasn't the star of Cafundéu, playing at the same level of other key players of the team. But this isn't because he played badly, but because the others performed very well too, working as a team. In the final, the individual talent of Augusto César can be vital for a positive result.

AM - #10 - Marossi: "promoted" last cup from an option in the midfield to creative centre of the team, Marossi had many ups and downs during the qualifying stage and the World Cup itself. An important player in some moments, to a player that can make bad decisions (as handballing in a World Cup game, like he did). In the final, the Ranca Toco playmaker will have to control his anxiety and overconfidence to play at his best.

ST - #7 - Alves: the young striker has been really amazing in this World Cup. Top goalscorer of the team (but thanks to Augusto César letting him take penalty kicks), Alves seems to ever appear in the right place in the right moment to score a goal. His goal instinct was never so good as it is now, and his form is perfect right now. Many people comment that he is unable to repeat the good performances for the NT in Dunboor FC, but the NT is the most important, so we're glad that he performs better here! If he keeps the good performances of the last games, can be the hero of the World Cup title.

ST - #9 - Hubert: the whole world knows that Hubert isn't the kind of striker that makes wonders with the ball, amazing individual plays with consecutive dribbles and beautiful moves. He scores goals. That is his job, and he does that pretty well. Danilo Sampa tried to threaten him, but he played very well in this World Cup, so David Nefasto simply couldn't take him off the starting eleven. Hubert is a natural goalscorer... maybe he will score the goal of the title?

Now a look at the substitutes:

GK - #12 - Júlio Sampa: starter in the previous World Cup, Júlio Sampa watched the whole World Cup from the bench. He is a good keeper, but this is Kardec's cup.

GK - #22 - Lazlo Salathiël: with his team relegated from the domestic league, Salathiël is not in the best form. He didn't play a single game in the entire Cafundelense campaign, but at least appears in the team photos.

DR - #14 - Igor: before the beginning of the World Cup campaign, the comments that Igor was the worst of the 23 players spread in Cafundéu. Even not being a world class player, Igor played in the World Cup, and played well, in an efficient way, shutting up the critics.

DL - #16 - Cotuba: with his performances in the World Cup campaign, Cotuba proved that he is a promising players. Surprisingly, his team got relegated in the Cafundelense league (Khalmar-Tijhus, with 3 NT players, a surprise). But that wasn't Cotuba's fault. This versatile player showed this when playing for the National Team, being a good alternative for both Renildo or Cícero.

DC - #13 - João Carlos: the Cafundó do Juta defender played most games in this World Cup as a starter, and did well. But some of his attitudes were seem as violent and unnecessary, as the foul over Ilsinha or his yellow in the last game against Bostopia. As Luizão has the same characteristics of him, he went to the bench.

DC - #20 - Datena: didn't play in the World Cup, although showed signs of having good potential. Probably won't have a chance in the World Cup final too.

DM - #15 - Fabinho: before the World Cup, the Central United midfielder was clearly one of the first options of the coach David Nefasto in the bench. A fast, but tough defensive midfielder, could enter after one of the starting defensive midfielders got tired. Played many games, with average performances. Lately, Nefasto is using Jules more as a first-choice substitute for the position of defensive midfielder.

RM - #19 - Rossi: in one of the biggest disputes for a starting position in the team (probably second behind Luizão x João Carlos), Rossi was able to play many games as a starter, sending the more known player Zé Sho to the bench. The América midfielder wasn't able to make spectacular performances, and couldn't guarantee the starting position, but is a good option in the bench.

LM - #21 - Jules: playing more as a defensive midfielder or neutral midfielder, Jules is one of the preferred (if not the most) substitution options of the coach David Nefasto. Intelligent and good passer, Jules is excellent in controlling the possession and, of course, a result. Is probably the most underrated player of the team, having an enormous potential. He played nearly all games of this World Cup, ever coming from the bench, and had good performances.

AM - #17 - Túlio: Cafundéu's midfield is surely the best sector of the team, and due to this Túlio wasn't able to get a starting position. As David Nefasto likes the player, he was able to enter in many games as an option when the team needed to attack more (usually Zé Sho or Silveira left in this situation). Alternated good and bad moments, and in many games didn't do anything useful, so it's not clear if he'll play in the final.

ST - #18 - Danilo Sampa: after being the lone striker of the team in World Cup 43, the Petardos S/A striker went to the bench in this World Cup, thanks to the good performances (before the qualifiers) of Alves and Hubert. But Danilo Sampa is still a very respected player, and surely will enter if the team needs to change an attacker or more attacking strength. He is dangerous in the air, so Nefasto can use him if he feels that Starblaydia doesn't defend well in aerial balls.

ST - #23 - Nando: talented supporting attacker, Nando probably won't have a chance to play in the final, as Danilo would surely be chosen instead if an attacker is needed. But Nando could play several games in the qualifying stage and did well.


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

NEW NATION STATES WORLD CUP GAME RELEASED
CafCreations announces new development after two World Cups

CafCreations, the same company that developed the worldwide famous games "World Cup Manager 36" and "World Cup Manager 42", released their most recent game, which is expected to exceed the success of the previous NS-football related games. This game isn't like the others, as this time the players control the whole team, playing like in any other football game, instead of just coaching the team. To not abandon the roots of the NSWC games, the player can only coach the team if he wants to, watching the game and making changes depending on the result.

The NationStates World Football game counts with 48 nations of the NS-world, all with recent data of players, coaches and kits. Abilities depend on the country's KPB rankings after the World Cup 44 qualifying. The nations chosen to enter in this game were the better ranked ones, but ones that have an intense activity in world football - this means only countries that had public rosters in the last two World Cups, although this rules changes a bit in the lower-ranked nations. Due to this, we can note the absences of Tynelia and Jaseuyeon.

The creators of the game commented about their happiness when they saw the game finished. One of them said: "We worked in this for some days... I mean, months... and it consumed us a good amount of hours... I mean, weeks of work. We really enjoyed this." The fact that the NS countries are placed in a category called "Edited Custom Teams" confused many players, while the other categories are filled with teams from an unknown alternate reality. "The players will have their sanity tested in this game, as they can play with teams from another universe," said doctor from the Landau Institute Arnaldo Viana. The game is already available for download in the whole world.

(OOC: this is my latest NSWC version of a known game. As with the previous games, I just got a game that has an easy-to-use editing tool inside the own game and used it to edit the teams that I could edit into countries from the NS-World. Not a complex work, just using a simple in-game editor, and I enjoy doing this. This time, I used Sensible World of Soccer 96-97 (an abandonware football game for DOS) and changed the 48 editable teams, transforming them into 48 NSWC countries.

In order to play this game, you simply have to download the file in the link below. It'll already contain everything you need. To run the game, carry the "SWS_!!" (iirc, this is the filename) executable file and "put it into" the dosbox program, which is called "windosbox" in the folder. After that, the game will open, and you can press ALT+enter to change to full screen, and CTRL+F8 to change the frameskip. Most functions of the game work using only the CTRL key, including shooting/passing/tackling. The NS-Teams are in the team category of "Edited Custom Teams". Screenshots can be seen in the link below, as the download link for the file too. I hope everyone enjoys this.)

Screenshots of the game:

Teams' screen: 48 NS-nations available (http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4514/swosnswc1aw7.png)
Team formation and line-up screen (Cafundéu) (http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5249/swosnswc2of6.png)
Match preview screen: Cafundéu x Starblaydia example (http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1791/swosnswc3ur3.png)
Match screenshot: Valanora x Vephrall (http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2914/swosnswc4jv0.png)
Cup screen ("World Cup" with 24 countries) (http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3006/swosnswc5jg0.png)
Edit Mode screen (Cafundéu) (http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9693/swosnswc6yw4.png)
Match screenshot: Ad'ihan x Septentrionia (http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7683/swosnswc7io8.png)
Match screenshot: Kura-Pelland x Bostopia (http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8704/swosnswc8kj7.png)
Team formation and line-up screen (Daehanjeiguk) (http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/2995/swosnswc9iq9.png)
Match preview screen: Dancougar x Candelaria And Marquez (http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9601/swosnswc0sr4.png)

Link to the game dowload! (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10d1ae28864a4c5c75a4fc82078ae6c8e04e75f6e8ebb871)

OOC: Cafundéu, do you need to have a PC to play the game? Or can you play it on a Mac?

Somewhere in Jhanna, Starblaydia's capital...

"Stop playing on that bloody computer!"

"Five more minutes, Dad," came the reply from upstairs. It didn't matter which child it was, really, as every one across the planet would be trying the same get-out, "we're just finishing this game."

The agents, loitering expertly in the hallway, looked at each other. Even in the Starblayde household, which was really the Praetoran Palace in the heart of Jhanna, the three children of Lord-Protector Tiberius Starblayde required a hand-picked security detail - just in case anything went wrong. It was a little bit too Tom Clancyesque for Tiberius, but he knew it was a necessity. All manner of people wanted to get rid of the Starblaydes' hold on Starblaydia - strangely enough - but thankfully there were more who wanted them to stay precisely where they were. The latter group benefited from being highly trained, motivated and funded, as Tiberius was in the business of rewarding his servants.

The two agents who were guarding Curzon and Julius, his sons, didn't really have the power, through either orders or peer pressure, to get the boys to do what their father wanted, or what was best for them. Which was usually the same thing.

"Get your backsides downstairs," he called from the bottom of the stairs, "right now!"

"Two more minutes!" That was Jools.

There was no reply forthcoming from their father, who began a slow march up the stairs. The agents looked at each other with a neutral glance that could have meant anything to outsiders, but to each other meant 'Uh-oh'. The national leader's, more importantly father's, footsteps came pup the stairs. Every child in the world knew the sound of each of their parents coming up the stairs to their room, an inexorable, inevitable sounds that get coser and closer, and no matter how frantically you press the buttons, the game won't go any faster, until they're there in the doorway, with a face like thunder.

"What are you two playing?" Tiberius said - trying a different tack to usual.

"Sensi World Soccer," said Jools, he younger of the two, as if his father should have known just from the buttons they were pressing on their controllers.

"The World Cup forty-four edition," Curzon confirmed, elaborating for Tiberius. Curzon was the eldest and the very image of his dad.

"Who are you playing as," Tiberius asked, taking a seat on the bed beside Jools, "and who's winning?"

"We're playing what we'll own in the future," Jools said, matter-of-factly.

"You can't both be Starblaydia," Tiberius said, "surely? That'd be weird, to have Mus'haf and Fëanáro tackling each other in midfield only to pass it to Mus'haf or Fëanáro."

"I'm Starblaydia," Curzon said, which made Tiberius smile, "he's Krytenia."

"Krytenia?" Tiberius frowned, but no elaboration was forthcoming, probably because Jools was desperately trying to close down a spirited Starblaydi attack through the middle from Valrauncion and Vegachenko. "Why are you playing as Krytenia?"

"Because," Jools replied, through a frown of concentration to not give away a penalty, "Mum says I'll have Krytenia when I'm older, only I'll get to call it West Starblaydia, like it used to be. We learned that in history, too."

Tiberius sighed. The two agents shot each other another outwardly neutral-looking glance. She'd been telling Jools, in particular, stories again. Curzon had the better sense not to be taken in by them, of tales of a Game of Thrones that they would be playing in the future. Jools, however, would listened with wide eyes and receptive ears. Quite what Lexus, his middle child and a girl sandwiched between these two boys, made of it was anyone's guess. Always kept her feelings to herself, Lexii did. Now was not the time, though, to lecture them on the perils of playing with nation states, as they wouldn't listen anyway.

"Goal!" Curzon cried, "Valrrrrrrrrrauncion, three to two with only seconds rrrrrrremaining!" He'd evidently been watching Cafundelense commentary channels again.

"Oooh," Tiberius said with a chuckle, "the Krytie defence carved open and Garcia was nowhere. Come on, you two, let's go. You can play this on the plane to Kura-Pelland, right?"

"Of course", Jools said, "we've got another copy there."

"Come on," Tiberius stood up, "grab your scarves and let's go. Your mother is already there with Lexii. Are we going to win?"

"Yes!" they both cried at once.

"Excellent," he smiled at his children, "should be a good match."

*****

Somewhere on a different plane of existence...

"Should be a good match," Juan said with a smile. He'd planned this for weeks, getting through all the appropriate red tape, just to surprise his friend. "think your boys can do it?"

"Hope so," Simeone said, as they walked through the streets of Alasdairopolis, "either of them can win it, but you know who I'm rooting for."

"Yeah," Juan said, "those red and black kits are ace, aren't they?"

It provoked the right reaction, at least, a genuine smile on the face of the Starblaydi legend. Walking through the streets of the golden domed and bejeweled capital of the Holy Empire was a joy in itself, with perfection everywhere you looked: like a dream, in fact.

"I like this pub's atmosphere," Simeone said as they neared their destination, "just the right sort of place to watch a great game on whatever your equivalent of television is."

"It's still distant-seeing, Simeone," Juan said, "and 'a rose by any other name', of course."

"True, true," Simeone replied. Things were getting easier for him in the Dreamed Realm, particularly now the nightmares had been well and truly eliminated, "but nothing quite compares to actually being there, like the last couple of times."

"Here we are then," Juan said, a little grandiosely, opening the door, "after you, Mister Under-Twenty-one World Cup, himself"

"Oh, quiet you," Simeone said as he stepped past, "you know that the SFA like to cling to..."

"Something grand?" Juan finished the sentence for him.

Before them was the inside of the Shanvley Stadium. Kura-Pelland's most extravagant and extreme stadium, slowly filling with people. A private box with an exclusive view, with all the delights that the real world could offer a pair of World Cup legends. Simeone whirled around, looking behind him to see the portal between the Dreamed Realm and the real world that had been hidden inside the doorframe of the Alasdairopolis tavern. Thinking he'd stepped into the pub, he'd actually stepped straight into the VIP box.

"You..." was all Simeone managed to say.

"I thought you could do with a dose of your real world," Juan said, "to top you up a little."

"There was no better way you could have done it," Simeone said, clasping Juan by the shoulder, "you don't half treat us Mundies well."

"No worries," Juan shrugged with a smile, "I think that Lord-Protector fellow of yours is in the box next door, there's even an adjoining door.

"Ah, fantastic."

*****

In the bowels of the Shanvley Stadium...

"Ah, fantastic," Saffi said, standing on her seat on the team bus and pointing out of the window, "Candelariasian media."

"They are nothing to be bothered by," Valrauncion said, having slipped his headphones off, "after all, we do not exist to them."

"Ah know," Saffi replied, grabbing one of her massively-long braids and waving the tip like a pen, "Ah had tae sign that thing wot said Ah were just vertically challenged, like, nae an actual axe-weildin', mithril-hoardin', ale-swillin' Dwarf wot ah really am."

"Mine said something about a convention costume," Ázëwyn Fëanáro said, "I didn't read it all, but then someone made a funny sign at me and told me to 'live long and prosper'. I think it was a human attempt at flirting."

This brought general laughter from the team bus as, even by an Elven definition, Ázëwyn was what is known as 'smoking hot'. Most men who had their wits about them attempted to flirt, but those without wits tended to blush and giggle without saying very much - which if they did tended to be something dumb. She was used to it, however.

"At least we're in Kura-Pelland," Diamontii Di Bradini said, "and there are less of those men in suits with the sunglasses and disclaimer forms."

"But in Candelaria'n'Marquez we'd won six matches on t'bounce," Saffi said, "an it's a wee bit different here."

"I think the word you're after, Saf," Lotar Kaii'n piped up, "is UN! DE! FEATED! SIX-OH-OH!"

His cry brought various chants of 'Un-de-feated', 'Six-oh-oh' and a rather patriotic spontaneous rendition of 'Star-blade-yer', which made for great TV pictures as smiling, happy, chanting players stepped off the extravagant, enormous white bus - with appropriate patriotic purple graphics - and into the heart of the stadium. It beat the usual shots of serious, focused, headphone-wearing footballers in suits getting off their bus any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Waiting until all his players were off with their gear - they'd often left stuff behind before and the teacher in him wouldn't put it past one of his 'students' to leave their kit on the bus - Lex Panarii smiled. Whatever happened in the upcoming match, good or ill, this team had formed a bond, united a nation and really put the pride back into the Starblaydi shirt. He was not the first Starblaydi manager to take his team to two separate World Cup Finals, Khim Azanulbizarn had, after all, finished first, second and third in his time as Starblaydia's manager. The fifty-nine year-old wondered how many more he could take his team to. Though he wasn't exactly leading them on their training runs any more, Lex still had at least two or three more Cups in him, if they'd have him. Then there was always Leandro, or even Jaime, or Bazrador to take over after him. He made his move off the bus, patting the driver on the shoulder as he went past.

"Thanks, mate," he said, ever the polite Starblaydi to thank the bus driver.

"No probs," the driver replied, "good luck, sir."

Lex stopped in his tracks on the steps, turned and smiled.

"Thank-you."

And so, without further ado, we bring to you... the 44th World Cup Final (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14464622&postcount=33)!

Campeone! Campeone! Ole, Ole, Ole!
Starblaydia win incredible shootout in Kura-Pelland

We've gone through this before, remember? Well, perhaps not as the last time Starblaydia went to sudden death in a penalty shootout for the World Cup itself, it was 2026. It is now, of course, 2090, and anyone with memories of David Bedford's "Got your number" save will have been using their free pensioner's bus pass for at least the last half a dozen years. But no, this nail-biter, nerve-wracker and knee-trembler was one for the current generation: none of this namby-pamby nil-nil After Extra Time nonsense, this match was between two straight 4-4-2s with loads of attacking potential.

Pure white faced red and black,the Youngworld against Atlantian Oceania. Monopolists versus a motley collection of sans nicknamed Humans, Dwarves and Elves. At least it was ediraf playing ediraf, so they would win no matter what the outcome - they'd even hedged their bets, producing both 'Starblaydia' and 'Cafundéu' World Cup 44 Champions' t-shirts to give out to whichever the winning team was.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm1/Starblayde/nswiki/Diamontii.jpg
Diamontii Di Bradini (r) celebrates winning the World Cup with Louisa Logan (l).

For the fourth time in history, 'Starblaydia Triumphant' rang out in the World Cup Final, followed by that of Cafundéu for the first time. Then, for the second time in twelve years, the Raiigar was performed on the grandest stage of all. An ancient tribal war-dance, performed with passion and venom, led by Diamontii Di Bradini's piercing cries. The flashbulbs were going mad, the crowd were cheering, the Final could begin. Titov won the coin toss, choosing which end he wanted to attack first, before handshakes were exchanged between the two captains and, checking that the enormous global audience was in place, the referee began the match.

A nervous, cagey opening began, with both teams feeling each other out. Matches between these two often bring hatfuls of goals, as the 4-3 scoreline in the Vanorian-held Vahala Invitational was evidence of, and no-one wanted to concede one quite yet. Despite some good shots early on, both Taniquentar and Kardec were more than equal to them, the match slowly degraded into a protracted midfield battle. Possession was won and lost, with Mus'haf and England battling mostly with Silveira and Zé Sho to try and get a hold of the match, but the two teams were evenly matched. With barely a cigarette paper to fit between them in the KPB world rankings at 5th and 6th, this was no surprise. What was a surprise, however, was the goal.

With the ball bobbling around in midfield, it came back to Movalinen, who booted it down the field. Though Silveira deflected it, it came to Fëanáro to flicked it, first time, over the defence. No-one was expecting it, it seemed, except Valrauncion, who had ghosted past the usually close attentions of Luizão to break into the penalty area. The ball bounced once and Valrauncion hit it on the half volley, straight into the back of the net. Kardec could only pound the grass in frustration, his defence had left him completely open, allowing the first good chance of the match to gift a goal to Starblaydia. Valrauncion merely extended his arms like the saviour he knew he was, before being mobbed by his team-mates.

Back to the starting positions as both teams again felt each other out. Would Starblaydia press for a quick second or would Cafundéu come storming back into it? Neither team was ready to concede the second goal, despite Marossi hitting the outside of the post and Kardec being forced to smother a run by Di Bradini. Half time came and went, and still Starblaydia were leading, perhaps it wasn't so difficult after all?

One goal leads, however, are never something to project a victory from. Especially not in World Cup Finals. Cafundéu's Alves held off the aerial challenge of Samba and chested the ball down to his feet. Not waiting for a moment, he back-heeled the ball towards the Starblaydi goal, with Hubert and Logan in a straight foot race for the ball, with Taniquentar coming from the other direction. Hubert got there first and lifted it over the onrushing Elven goalie with the deftest of flicks. He sprinted away to salute the crowd in celebration, while Logan smashed the ball into the roof of the net in frustration.

The Cafundelense collective tail was up and they came at Starblaydia with renewed purpose, taking a lead of their own just five minutes later. A poor clearance from Avathar landed directly at the feet of Silveira, who took one stride and blasted the ball with the outside of his right boot. It curled wickedly in towards the goal and Taniquentar's dive was, ultimately, in vain as the ball skidded low and fast and straight into the bottom corner. It had taken just five minutes for Starblaydia's slender lead to be completely blown apart and turned right back on them, with less than twenty minutes to play.

Though Cafundéu had the momentum, Starblaydia needed their goal more. As much as the Monopolists came at them, Starblaydia's lions threw them back and went on the offensive as Di Bradini fired over and Vegachenko shot wide. The wide midfielder was soon exhausted and replaced by the flying winger Soronúmë, while Mus'haf eventually found himself in tears after needing to be substituted when he came off worst in a 50/50 challenge with Cícero. Panos Petropoulos came on for him in a straight swap. With two minutes to go, Titov unnecessarily hauled down Di Bradini on the left-hand corner of the area and Starblaydia had a free kick. It wasn't thought to be their last attempt on goal, but it would be the last guaranteed opportunity to get a ball into the box.

Ricky England stood over it, looking for movement in the box. Di Bradini was up, Valrauncion was up, Samba and Logan were up. Fëanáro was loitering, as was Soronúmë. England took his customary step forward and hit a high ball into the penalty area. Defenders leapt up, attackers flung themselves towards it, Kardec waved a hand at it, but nobody touched it. Nothing touched the ball until it landed just over the line, bouncing up high into the net before nestling down into the corner. It was 2-2 and Starblaydi fans were going crazy while Cafundelense faces wondered who was most to blame.

Two minutes later, the not-quite Final Whistle sounded. Normal time was over and Extra time would soon begin. Again the teams re-started and played it safe; to lose a goal now would be devastating and set your team up for half an hour of stress and pain in addition to the pressure that Extra Time could bring. The pressure was starting to show as Valrauncion and Luizão squared up to each other following a collision between the two players. Both received yellow cards but it was the Elf who held a grudge, committing an almost-immediate foul on Luizão that could have resulted in a second yellow card within thirty seconds, but there was nothing more Valrauncion would get to do as the fiery striker was taken off in place of, surprisingly, Romeo Oscar. Starblaydi fans in the stadium and watching on television were screaming for Lotar Kaii'n to come on and complete a Farça strike partnership, but the striker remained firmly in his seat, wrapped up in his tracksuit, as Oscar took to the field in place of Valrauncion. Whether it was a minor injury that was keeping him out of the match or, more likely, Panarii not wanting the simmering tension to bubble over into a fight caused by Kaii'n's temper, Starblaydia had to be content with the Number 23's appearance.

Oscar is famed for his solo running wonder goals, but the Cafundelenses obviously knew this as well, marking him tightly and denying the space he needed to get up to full speed. One hundred and five minutes of the World Cup Final had been and gone and, after a five-minute break, the last fifteen would commence. Beyond that? Penalties.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm1/Starblayde/nswiki/Samba.jpg
Nei Samba takes the winning penalty for Starblaydia

Final score from Shanvley Stadium (96,500):
Starblaydia 3 - 3 Cafundéu (AET, FT:2-2)
(Valrauncion 26, England 88, D. Di Bradini 114) - (Hubert 67, Silveira 72 & 119)

Starblaydia win 7-6 on penalty kicks
(Cafundéu: César, Túlio, Hubert, Silveira, Titov, Renildo, Danilo Sampa, Jules, Zé Sho, Kardec)
(Starblaydia: Di Bradini, Oscar, Fëanáro, England, Soronúmë, Movalinen, Avathar, Taniquentar, Petropoulos, Samba)

BRENO - “Time for the penalty shootout herrrrrre in the Worrrrrrld Cup final, dirrrrrrectly frrrrrrrom Kurrrrrrra-Pelland. Although higher rrrrranked in football, the Monopolists werrrrrren’t seem as the favourrrrrites beforrrrrre the game, with most supporrrrrterrrrrrs believing that rrrrrreaching the final was alrrrrrready a marrrrrrvelous rrrrrresult for the team. But now we want morrrrrre. The title is possible, is close to us. In the firrrrrrst half, Cafundéu faced many prrrrrrroblems, and sufferrrrrred a goal. The team rrrrrreacted well in the second half, with Huberrrrrrt and Silveirrrrrrra giving the team the lead, but England scorrrrred to send the game to extrrrrra time.”

BRENO - “On extrrrrrrra time, Starrrrrrblaydia scorrrrred the goal that was considerrrrrred the goal of the title, but Silveirrrrrrra scorrrrrred just before the final whistle to put both teams in this penalty shootout. And herrrrrre we arrrrrrre, back frrrrrrrom the commerrrrrrcial brrrrrreak. Our rrrrreporrrrrterrrrrs arrrrre on the field to discover who will take the penalties for each National Team. Jorrrrrre Lang is with the Cafundelense coach, David Nefasto. And with the Starrrrrblaydia coach, Lex Panarrrrrrii, is the rrrrrreporrrrrter Carrrrrlos Leme. To you, César!”

LANG – “Nefasto has ten players available to use, as Luizão was sent off in the second half of extra time due to the fight with Soronúmë. Between the eleven who started the game, Cícero, Marossi and Alves were substituted. He has the goalkeeper Kardec; defenders Renildo and Titov… this is curious, as Cafundéu played defensively after the second goal, still with four defenders. When the team suffered the second goal, Nefasto took Cícero off to put Jules. And, with Luizão’s red card, the team remained with only two defenders. The midfielders available are Jules, Silveira, Zé Sho, Augusto César and Túlio; and the attackers are Hubert and Danilo Sampa.”

LEME – “In Starblaydia’s side, eleven players available, although the Cafundelense fans are still complaining the fact that Soronúmë wasn’t sent off. One of them will have to be taken off by Panarii before the shootout begins. Mus’haf, Vegachenko and Valrauncion were all substituted during the game. And the available players are: Taniquentar in the goal; Movalinen, Avathar, Logan and Samba in the defence; the midfielders are England, Fëanáro, Petropoulos and the target of one of the game’s main controversies Soronúmë. Two attackers, being those Di Bradini and Oscar, close the list.”

LEME – “Wait, Panarii has just released the list, let’s take a look on it: Di Bradini first, Oscar second, Fëanáro third, England fourth and Soronúmë fifth. Panarii will remove the defender Logan from the penalty shootout to even the number of players.”

LANG – “Cafundéu defined too. Nefasto showed us the list: Augusto César first. Second will be Túlio, with Hubert third, Silveira fourth and Titov fifth.”

(time passage – penalty kicks commented by Breno Gavião)

Cafundéu 1 (Augusto César) - “Cafundéu starrrrrts with the shootout… Augusto César to the ball, he is the official penalty taker of the team. He is excellent in set pieces. Taniquentar is rrrrready, the monk-rrrrreferrrrree whistles… Augusto shoots… Goal for Cafundéu! He rrrrrran to the ball, stopped rrrrrright beforrrrrre the ball faking a shot. Taniquentar fell to the rrrrrright side, and the midfielder just had to shoot to the left!”

Starblaydia 1 (Di Bradini) - “Di Brrrrrradini puts the ball on the penalty marrrrrrrk… Karrrrrdec alrrrrready positioned, seems focused. Di Brrrrradini shoots… Goal for Starrrrrrblaydia! Excellent penalty, Di Brrrrrradini shot in the upper right corrrrrrner, no chance for Karrrrrrdec!"

Cafundéu 2 (Túlio) – “Prrrrrrobably the best penalty taker of the Cafundelense team, although not the official one. Túlio looks at the goalkeeper, brrrrrreaths deeply… rrrrruns to the ball, stops to fake a shot too, like Augusto César! Taniquentar stays in his position, Túlio then shoots… wide! Túlio shot the ball to the rrrrrright side, Taniquentar went to the rrrrright side, and the ball went wide, close to the post! Firrrrrst missed penalty!”

Starblaydia 2 (Oscar) – “Starrrrrrblaydia to take the second penalty, with Ka’iin. He entered in the firrrrrrst half of the extrrrrrra time in Valrrrrrauncion’s place, to put a rrrrrrested player in the game, but didn’t do much. Now he has an opporrrrrrtunity to help his nation. Oscar goes to shoot, shoots… And it’s a goal for Starrrrrrblaydia! Oscar shoots with strrrrrength, in the rrrrright side of the goal!”

Cafundéu 3 (Hubert) – “He scorrrrrred the firrrrrrst goal of Cafundéu in the game, was the top goalscorrrrrer of the Cafundelense league. Huberrrrrrrt will take this penalty. He apprrrrrroaches the ball, talks to it. Takes some distance, rrrrrruns, shoots… Taniquenar! The goalkeeper saves Huberrrrrt’s strrrrrrong shot, the Cafundelenses get desperrrrrrate!”

Starblaydia 3 (Fëanáro) – “Fëanáro is the one to take the thirrrrrd penalty. A shorrrrrt distance between her and the ball, will have to hit well in the ball to score, she must have a lot of technique for this… look at the shot… Karrrrrrdec! Karrrrrdec saves! A verrrry bad shot by Fëanáro, the worrrrrrst so far! She can’t believe she did so badly! The ball went weak, dirrrrectly into Karrrrrdec’s hands!”

Cafundéu 4 (Silveira) – “Two against one to Starrrrrrrblaydia, Cafundéu behind, has to rrrrrreact if it wants to win the Worrrrrrld Cup. Silveirrrrrra is next. After this game, no matter which is the rrrrresult, he will be known as the “King of Long-Ranged Shots”, thanks to his two goals in this game which put both teams in this penalty shootout. I expect a strrrrrrrong shot, the distance is big… he rrrrrruns to the ball with full speed, shoots… Goal for Cafundéu! A verrrrrry strrrrrrong shot in the middle of the goal, Taniquentar jumped to the left!"

Starblaydia 4 (England) – “Arrrrrguably the best player of Starrrrrrblaydia today in the game, although I think generrrrrally Silveirrrrrra was better. England seems extrrrrrremely calm before taking the penalty, Karrrrrdec anxious, jumps over the line. England walks to the ball, rrrrrruns a bit, shoots… and it’s a goal for Starrrrrblaydia! A weak, but accurrrrrate shot by England, and Starrrrrrblaydia keeps the advantage!”

Cafundéu 5 (Titov) – “And the captain of Cafundéu gets prrrrreparrrrred to take his penalty… frrrrrrom Squorrrrrrnshelous to Cafundéu, to lead this team to this final, Titov will shoot… I expect a strrrrrong shot too. He shoots… Taniquentar! The goalkeeper saved! Starrrrrblaydia won the Worrrrrld Cup!

“Wait, Father Luke the Fair One is saying something… the penalty will be taken again! Taniquentar left the goal beforrrrrre the whistle to make the save! He was alrrrrready commemorrrrrating! Taniquentar trrrrries to discuss, but who can discuss with a monk frrrrrom The Arrrrrchrrrrregimancy? Titov takes the ball, this time takes a smaller distance to the ball, shoots… Goal for Cafundéu! Low in the rrrrright side, Taniquentar jumped to the left!”

Starblaydia 5 (Soronúmë) – “The one that shouldn’t be herrrrrre… the one that punched and kicked Luizão durrrrring their fight, but the monk considerrrrred that Luizão was the one that starrrrted the mess with an unvoluntarrrrrry… well, at least we believe it was… hit with his elbow in the elf’s face. Karrrrrdec wants rrrrrrevenge, it’s clear in his eyes. Sorrrrrronúmë prrrreparrrrres, shoots… Kardec saves again! Excellent save, jumped high in the rrrrrright side of the goal!”

“The players of Starrrrrblaydia starrrrrt to complain, claiming that Karrrrrdec left the goal beforrrrrre the whistle, just like Taniquentar! Father Luke ignorrrrres them, and the shootout will continue!”

Cafundéu 6 (Renildo) – “Number six to take the sixth penalty kick for Cafundéu… it’s Rrrrrrenildo, then. Yes, that’s rrrrrright, Rrrrrrenildo will take it. He is good, we can be confident in a goal. Rrrrrenildo takes some distance, fakes a shot, but still a bit far frrrrom the ball, Taniquentar doesn’t move… Rrrrrrenildo rrrrruns again… stops beforrrre the ball again, this time Taniquentar jumps to the left, Rrrrrrenido shoots to the goal! Goal for Cafundéu! Smarrrrrt move by Rrrrrenildo!”

Starblaydia 6 (Movalinen) – “Accorrrrrding to the player numberrrrrrs, it is Movalinen who will take the next penalty kick. Karrrrrdec has alrrrrready saved two, if he saves this one Cafundéu wins. The Starrrrrrblaydi player rrrrrruns to the ball, shoots with strrrrrength… and it’s a goal for Starrrrrblaydia! Strrrrrong shot in the rrrrright side, although close to the middle of the goal! Karrrrrdec didn’t rrrrreach the ball!”

Cafundéu 7 (Danilo Sampa) – “Lang just warrrrrrns me that is Danilo Sampa who will take the next penalty! The Petarrrrrrdos S/A attacker has the rrrrrresponsibility to shoot well. Kisses the ball, talks to it, puts it on the spot… the ball seems to be a girrrrrlfrrrrrriend to him. Closes his eyes, takes the ball again with his hands, prrrrrays something, puts the ball back… Taniquentar looks tired for waiting Danilo to end his rrrrritual. The rrrrreferrrrree asks him to shoot. Danilo takes distance, shoots… Goal for Cafundéu! In the rrrrright, perrrrrfect shot!”

Starblaydia 7 (Avathar) – “Avathar is the chosen one by Panarrrrrrii to take the next penalty kick, and he has to scorrrrrre. Ooops, he stepped over his left boot’s own shoelace, falling onto the ground! What a strrrrrrange moment for such a comic moment! He stands up, most playerrrrrs arrrrre laughing, the monk-rrrrreferrrrree stays serrrrrene. Avathar prrrrreparrrrres to shoot, Karrrrrdec seems to be still laughing, the player shoots… and goal for Starrrrrblaydia! A good shot, the ones that laughed at him now arrrrre quiet… although his team mates continue to mock him.”

Cafundéu 8 (Jules) – “And it is Charrrrrrles Jules to the ball now. No rrrrrituals beforrrrre taking the penalty, he just walks away frrrrrom the ball after putting it in the place. Seems verrrry calm, or too nerrrrrvous to demonstrrrrrate an emotion. He shoots… it hit the post! The ball hit the post in Jules’s attempt! Now Starrrrrblaydia has a big chance!”

Starblaydia 8 (Taniquentar) – “The goalkeeper leaves the goal to be the attacker now. Yes, we have alrrrrready rrrrrreached this point of the penalty shootout. Although nowadays it seems that therrrrrre arrrrre many goalkeeper-goalscorrrrrerrrrrrs, this isn’t the case. Goalkeeper against goalkeeper, Taniquentar against Karrrrrdec, he shoots… wide, over the bar! He trrrrried to send the ball in the rrrrrright side of the goal, but the ball went wide!”

“Wait, Father Luke the Fair One whistles, and orrrrrrderrrrrs the penalty to be taken again! It is the second time he does it, and in a Worrrrrld Cup final! Karrrrrdec got prrrrrecipitated and didn’t wait the whistle. So Taniquentar has another chance. He shoots… and over the bar again! He misses his second chance, Karrrrrrdec commemorrrrrates! Again over the bar, although this time he trrrrried to shot to the left side!”

Cafundéu 9 (Zé Sho) – “José Sho to take the penalty now. He is not a good penalty takes, we all know this following the Cafundelense league. But he played really well today, fought for everrrry ball, must be motivated to win a title like his father did. Taniquentar seems to be a bit shaken after missing his penalty, Zé Sho takes distance, shoots with all his strrrrength… it goes wide! He missed!”

“But wait, the rrrrreferrrrree is doing that again! Another time the Starrrrrblaydi goalkeeper committed an infrrrrrraction and the penalty will be taken again! Zé Sho is rrrrrelieved. I must say, this monk is too strrrrrrict, he follows the rrrrrrules without question! I never saw this happening in a Worrrrrld Cup final! So Zé Sho will shoot again, once again it seems a strrrrrrong shot… Taniquentar hits the ball… but it isn’t enough! Goal for Cafundéu! The goalkeeper even jumped to the corrrrrrect side, but couldn’t save!”

Starblaydia 9 (Petropoulos) – “Ninth penalty kick for Starrrrrblaydia, rrrrrresult is currrrrently six to five for Cafundéu. Petrrrrrropoulos needs to scorrrrre to continue with the penalties. Karrrrrdec doesn’t move to not warrrrrrn the rrrrreferrrrree, who has alrrrrready prrrrroven that he isn’t afrrrrraid to make the penalties be rrrrrepeated. Petrrrropoulos shoots… Goal for Starrrrrblaydia. Accurrrrrate shot to the left side!”

Cafundéu 10 (Kardec) – “Look at the situation now. It is Karrrrrdec who will take the penalty kick, Cafundéu has no other option. The goalkeeperrrrrrs arrrrrre facing each other again, last time Taniquentar missed twice, let’s see if Karrrrrdec can scorrrrre. He doesn’t seem too familiar with shooting the ball, takes a big distance… he can get tirrrrred beforrrrre even shooting the ball with this distance. He shoots… oh, my God, that was wide! Far wide frrrrrrom the goal! The Cafundelense playerrrrrrs look to Father Luke to see if the penalty will be rrrrrrepeated, but it won’t.”

Starblaydia 10 (Samba) – “The last option for Starrrrrrblaydia too, Samba will take this penalty kick. If he misses, Cafundéu will starrrrrt it over, prrrrrobably with Augusto César. Everrrryone quiet in the stadium, Samba takes an averrrrrage distance, we can’t prrrrredict if the shot will be strrrrrong or weak. He goes to shoot… and it’s a goal! The goal that gives the title to Starrrrrrblaydia! Karrrrrdec stays in the goal, clearrrrrly frrrrrustrrrrrated, while the Starrrrrblaydi commemorate!”

“Starrrrrblaydia wins its fourrrrrth title, while Cafundéu will have to wait for at least the next edition of the cup to win it. Now, Starrrrrblaydia goes to the second position in the rrrrrankings, and Cafundéu will be thirrrrrd. Valanorrrrrra’s huge advantage falls drrrrramatically!”

Penalty shootouts:
Cafundéu - 6: OXXOOOOXOX (Scored: Augusto César; Silveira, Titov, Renildo, Danilo Sampa and Zé Sho. Missed: Túlio, Hubert, Jules and Kardec)

Starblaydia - 7: OOXOXOOXOO (Scored: Di Bradini, Oscar, England, Movalinen, Avathar, Petropoulos and Samba. Missed: Fëanáro, Soronúmë and Taniquentar)