NationStates Jolt Archive

Díenstad Cup No. 1

[OOC: All out of character comments should be directed to the out of character thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=565764).]

Welcome to the first ever Díenstad Cup; a regional football tournament, pitting each national team against each other until only the best team is left standing. From an original number of twenty-six teams (one of the nations in the region, who would make twenty-seven, is a pirate group, and as an illegal organization are not considered a country) only one will be left, although sixteen will pass to the finals. The victor will be able to go to the World Cup (see Nationstates forum) with another notch underneath his belt, while the losers will have the hope of winning the next edition.

Only teams in the region of Greater Díenstad are eligible to partake in the competition. This year, every nation is being represented. As the region grows, so will the competition. Those who wish to partake in the next tournament may do so by joining the region and waiting.

Participating Nations [listed in alphabetical order][26]:
Adaptus Astrates
Allanche
Castilla y Belmonte
Cazelia
Christopher Thompson
CommunismRevisited-
Corbournne (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14017071&postcount=9)
Fillosankiavo (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14007835&postcount=6)
Greal (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14011639&postcount=7)
Hailandkill
Illyan
Independent Hitmen (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14015482&postcount=8)
Indras
Jagada
Lame Bums
Latraniva
Macabees, The (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14003088&postcount=2)
Offshore Bankers
Opulentia-Tellus
PeoplesFreedom, The
Scodson
Southern Hexagon
Stevid
Tadjikistan
Tir
Yanitaria (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14006329&postcount=5)

How will groups be drawn?
Since there is no existing ranking, yet (a ranking will be devised after the end of this tournament for the purpose of future tournaments), the groups will created from the above listing but drawing names out of a hat. Known role-playing nations (those who have said that they will role-play) will be placed in one hat, and the rest in another hat, and so that way each group has at least one role-player. For now, there will be five groups (four of five, and one of six). While four groups will have a bi-day for each team, the fifth group's team will play every day. The top three of each group will pass to the next level, except the last group, which will have the top four pass to the finals - for a total of sixteen teams (round of sixteen -> quarterfinals -> semifinals -> final).

Groups
Group A
Yanitaria
Corbournne
Tadjikistan
Cazelia
Stevid

Group B
Castilla y Belmonte
Communism Revisited-
Christopher Thompson
Offshore Bankers
The Peoples Freedom

Group C
Hailandkill
Southern Hexagon
Tir
Scodson
Independent Hitmen

Group D
Jagada
Indras
Allanche
Opulentia-Tellus
The Macabees

Group E
Lame Bums
Adaptes Astrates
Illyan
Greal
Fillosankiavo
Latraniva

Matchdays for Group A - D
qualifying MD01 [1x2; 3x4]
qualifying MD02 [1x3; 5x2]
qualifying MD03 [1x5; 2x4]
qualifying MD04 [1x4; 5x3]
qualifying MD05 [3x2; 4x5]
qualifying MD06 [2x1; 4x3]
qualifying MD07 [3x1; 2x5]
qualifying MD08 [5x1; 4x2]
qualifying MD09 [4x1; 3x5]
qualifying MD10 [2x3; 5x4]

Matchdays for Group E
qualifying MD01 [1x4; 2x3; 6x5]
qualifying MD02 [1x3; 2x5; 6x4]
qualifying MD03 [4x2; 5x3; 6x1]
qualifying MD04 [3x4; 5x1; 6x2]
qualifying MD05 [4x5; 1x2; 6x3]
qualifying MD06 [4x1; 3x2; 5x6]
qualifying MD07 [3x1; 5x2; 4x6]
qualifying MD08 [2x4; 3x5; 1x6]
qualifying MD09 [4x3; 1x5; 2x6]
qualifying MD10 [5x4; 2x1; 3x6]

Quarterfinals will be done by draw, as well.

How to do rosters
If you look at this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=562621) thread, you'll see dozens of rosters for the NationStates World Cup ... base it off these. :) Role-playing before the first match day will count towards the first match.

Golden-Whites Roster

Modifier +1

In the event my opponent posts an RP first, they may:

Select my scorers — No
Give out yellow cards to my players — Yes
Give out red cards to my players — No
RP injuries to my players — No
Godmod injuries — No
Godmod scoring events — Yes
Godmod other events — No

Management
Coach: Darivan Varrios [Yafor2; coach of Chelmar FC in the LIDYT]
Defensive Technicians: Georg Talin & Forsún Tíel
Offensive Technicians: Lysander Kalk & Yonas Fíern
Head Physician: Nas´liern Coth

Goalkeepers
#1 Díenar V'har
#25 Luk Lestár

Defenders
#36 Nestor Yíer
#7 Lión Gertal
#18 Jonas Terch
#45 Klins Ter'hav
#77 Gíerd Hen
#27 Daví Nat
#26 Fortún Díabalis
#12 Tíengard Ursal

Wingers
#4 Frederík Nastel
#33 Tíengard Balánt
#22 Gerard Daví
#45 Krak Lent
#67 Samuel Gíod

Central Midfielders
#13 Norton Galastíel
#9 Tor Vanderhak
#12 Golet Níer
#21 Sorton Ferd
#17 Lamí Davíer
#37 Baldwin Cavi'ter
#48 Lok Díelnok

Strikers
#2 Mika d'Angíel [Captain]
#3 Ferst Guerp
#5 Lisander Zerch
#6 Tíer Num
#8 Gal Wíersbra

Kits [Home/Away] by Ediraf
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/Macabees/TGTHome4.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/Macabees/TGTAway4.jpg

{tag}

GROUPS
[OOC:
1. Starting next week, there will be two match days per week. One on Wenesday and one on Saturday. You have time to post rosters and RP before Wenesday, and then RP between match days.
2. Ignore my style modifier. I won't be using style modifiers until I figure out how they work.
3. These groups were pulled out of a hat.
]


Group A GP W D L GF GA PTS
Yanitaria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Corbournne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tadjikistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cazelia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stevid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



Group B GP W D L GF GA PTS
Castilla y Belmonte 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Communism Revisited- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Christopher Thompson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Offshore Bankers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
The Peoples Freedom 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



Group C GP W D L GF GA PTS
Hailandkill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Southern Hexagon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tir 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scodson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Independent Hitmen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



Group D GP W D L GF GA PTS
Jagada 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Indras 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Allanche 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Opulentia-Tellus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
The Macabees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0




Group E GP W D L GF GA PTS
Lame Bums 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adaptes Astrates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Illyan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Greal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fillosankiavo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Latraniva 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Formation: 4-3-3

Style Modifier: +1

Coach: Fabrice Calderé
* Former team captain
* Former Assistant Coach of the FC Skyberg
* Masters degree in Kinesthesiology
* Speaks Fluent Spanish

Assistant Coach: Élodie Courau
* Former Yanitarian Women's League Champion
* Likes to push her team as far as possible
* Has Anger Issues

Security staff: Michel deVanves
* Former Royal Army NCO
* Teaches Yanitarian Military Pankration as a part time job, and to team

Official YNW reporters
* Lili Olivier

GK (27) - Marcel Depardieu: Large, former Royal Army Regular.
GK (21) - Alain Delon
GK (24) - César Bouvier

DEF (25) - Frederick von Marx: Prussian descent.
DEF (22) - Louis de Brugge
DEF (24) - Erik Svensen
DEF (21) - Jean Duvauchelle
DEF (26) - Bjørn Foss
DEF (26) - Knut Pedersen
DEF (28) - René Marvingt

MID (23) - Emile de Bettencourt
MID (26) - Leif Nilsen
MID (25) - Diego Baeza: Spanish-Safehavenite descent
MID (27) - Espen Nordvik: Vice Captain, Media Darling
MID (29) - Pierre Durand
MID (25) - Claude Martin
MID (24) - Henrik Grindheim

STR (21) - Jørgen Mikkelsen
STR (23) - Nicolas Soult
STR (27) - Sigurd Dahl: Team Captain
STR (22) - Simen Rasmussen
STR (21) - Henri Trochu

RP Permissions
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y (with in reason)
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players N
Godmod Other Events N

for Fillosankiavo

Modifier -1

In the event my opponent posts an RP first, they may:

Select my scorers — Yes
Give out yellow cards to my players — Yes
Give out red cards to my players — No
RP injuries to my players — Yes
Godmod injuries — No
Godmod scoring events — Yes
Godmod other events — No

Management:
Head Coach: Antony Chalmers
Offensive Coordinators: Harry DeBourdeille & Geraldo Cuthel
Defensive Coordinators: Hann-Jing Cairns & Callum Belluschi
Team Physician: Ari Barclay

Goalkeepers:
#17 Macky Burt
#32 Chochuschuvio Bauer

Defenders:
#7 Kian Donaldson
#98 Jacob Bennett
#56 Charles Henderson
#4 Alex Brown
#3 Benjamin Evans
#12 Genjo Boss
#24 Fortun Bamanian
#50 Chochmo Arnot

Wingers:
#23 Leo Brown
#9 Jason Chang
#67 Kuckunniwi Blyth
#66 Karoly Arnot
#45 Ewing Hendry

Center Midfielders:
#13 Carson Cheah
#42 Cruz Coventry
#30 Iago Basile
#10 Aron Boss
#70 Destry Brunner
#60 Brent Cassar
#19 James Bruce

Strikers:
#20 Jamison Blackwood [CAPTAIN]
#76 Darien Hanski
#89 Jamie Balázs
#68 Jag Cuthbert
#21 Cameron Balogh

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/th_Grealflag56-1.jpg
Greal announces its Díenstad Cup Squad

Style Modifier: +2

Sasha Stadium (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/olympic-stadium.jpg?t=1218671185)
Attendance: 150,000

Home Kit (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/GrlHome4.jpg?t=1217507061)
Away Kit (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/GrlAway455.jpg?t=1217507095)

Team Formation
4-2-2-3


# 1 GK Raul Grunt
# 2 DEF Henry Watson
# 3 DEF Richard Turner
# 4 DEF Mecca Oma
# 5 DEF Sam Hardy
# 6 MID Howard Anderson
# 7 MID Jack Lincoln
# 8 MID Francis Volodislav
# 9 FOR Michael Istoma
# 10 FOR Ross Trent (Captain)
# 11 FOR Qin Lang


# 12 GK Ivan Wilson
# 13 DEF Kash Fraser
# 14 DEF Edward (Eddie) Towner
# 15 DEF Fred Murrow
# 16 DEF Shia Adamson
# 17 MID Adam Fan
# 18 MID James Peters
# 19 MID Tony Soaps
# 20 MID Paul Turton
# 21 FOR Oliver Dickens
# 22 FOR Eko Tasser
# 23 GK Dennis Willows


If my opponent posts first, he/she may:

Choose my scorers?: Yes
Yellow card my players?: Yes
Red card my players?: No
Injure my players?: Yes (I'll determine the severity)
Godmode injuries?: No
Godmode scoring events?: No
Godmode other events?: No


http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/GrlHome4.jpg
Home Kit

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/GrlAway455.jpg
Away Kit

If my opponent posts first, he/she may:

Choose my scorers?: Yes
Yellow card my players?: Yes
Red card my players?: No
Injure my players?: Yes (I'll determine the severity)
Godmode injuries?: No
Godmode scoring events?: No
Godmode other events?: No

Modifier +3


Independent Hitmen Football Association announces Dienstad Cup Squad

Squad reads as follows:

Manager: Fernando De Matteo

Coaches: Ashley Flowers (Attacking), Jenson Hamilton (Attacking), David Leonard (Defence), Jimmy Howerd (Defence), Penny Smith (Fitness), Lindsay O'Leary (Physio), Dave Humphries (Physio), Rachel Cohen (Physio), Tim Hopkins (Physio)

Goalkeepers
#1 Jonny Flowers
#27 Pepe La Rue
#33 Bill Johnson (recovering from hamstring injury)

Defenders:
#4 Ledley Garay (DC)
#5 Chris Cox (DC)
#2 Yeye Tobe (WBL)
#3 Dara Hammond (WBR)
#15 Mike Parque (DCR)
#16 Ezequiel King-Rylands (DC)
#31 Bailyn Rogers (DLRC)

Midfielders:
#6 Lucas Beale (DMF)
#7(c) Matt Fernandez (AMF)
#8 Hernan Joquierez (LMF)
#9 Simmy Anderson (RMF)
#22 Joaquin Fernandez (AMF LRC)
#25 Martin Crescent (DM, MRC)
#26 Edward Brent (AMF)
#28 Christian Davies (LMF)

Strikers:
#10 Gerry Fraiser
#11 Boris Cain
#12 David Bailey
#14 Tommy Pout


Team News:

Shock news comes with the inclusion of Tommy Pout in the squad. Fernando De Matteo obviously believes that the 19 year old can provide a measure of pace to the firepower of current centre forwards Gerry Fraiser and Boris Cain. Along with the expected selection of Pepe La Rue as reserve goalkeeper, De Matteo gambles on the fitness of veteran Bill Hopkins to add experience to the young squad.

Matt Fernandez retains the captaincy. The 24year old J City playmaker makes his first tournament just days after helping J United lift the domestic cup. His feared pace, stamina and freekicks will add to the squad that he withdrew from due to the domestic cup final and missed the 1-1 draw over an all-star team from Russian Forces.

Fernando De Matteo has stuck with his normal backroom staff, only bringing onboard Rachel Cohen whoom he worked with at FC Gillen during the 2005-6 season. The prowess of brothers Matt and Joaquin Fernandez has been exploited by attacking coach Hamilton at J United and De Matteo will be looking to use the brothers pairing if he decides to start both in the opening fixture.

No idea what modifiers are, feel free to explain them to me.

In the event my opponent posts an RP first, they may:

Select my scorers — Yes
Give out yellow cards to my players — Yes
Give out red cards to my players — No
RP injuries to my players — Yes
Godmod injuries — No
Godmod scoring events — Yes
Godmod other events — No

Les Tricoleurs - Coach Bernard Kouchner

GK Alexandre Pigeon 22
GK Joseph Derrien 22
D Thierry Melin 30
D Bruno Lebourgeois 27
D Robert Barrere 27
D Isaac Lutz 27
D Ansel Carles 26
D Olivier Maison 26
MF Jérémy Gazel 29
MF Yoann Frau 29
MF Alain Bricout 28
MF Jacques Meìté 27
MF André Villechalane 23
MF Roy Studer 21
F Guillaume Chassagne 30
F David Fremont 27
F Beaufort De Neef 26
F Brys Deroo

Match Day #1

[OOC: Remember that role-playing will increase your chances of winning considerably.]

Group A

Yanitaria 1-2 Corbournne
Tadjikistan 2-1 Cazelia


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Tadjikistan 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
2 Corbournne 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
3 Stevid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Yanitaria 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Cazelia 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0


Group B

Castilla y Belmonte 2-1 Communism Revisited-
Christopher Thompson 0-2 Offshore Bankers


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Offshore Bankers 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
2 Castilla y Belmonte 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
3 The Peoples Freedom 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Communism Revisited- 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Christopher Thompson 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0


Group C

Hailandkill 1-3 Southern Hexagon
Tir 2-3 Scodson


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Southern Hexagon 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
2 Scodson 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
3 Independent Hitmen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Tir 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0
5 Hailandkill 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0


Group D

Jagada 3-0 Indras
Allanche 0-3 Opulentia-Tellus


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Opulentia-Tellus 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
2 Jagada 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
3 The Macabees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Indras 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
5 Allanche 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0


Group E

Lame Bums 0-3 Greal
Adaptes Astrates 1-0 Illyan
Latraniva 1-2 Fillosankiavo


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Greal 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
2 Fillosankiavo 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
3 Adaptes Astrates 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
4 Latraniva 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Illyan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
6 Lame Bums 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0

OOC: Again, I apologise for not getting the team sheet up but seeing as I didn't play today I've gotten away with it. I really want it up tomorrow so fingers crossed i'll have it completed by then.

Greal 3-0 Lame Bums

The team did its best today. Howard Anderson scored twice, and Michal Istoma scored once. Lame Bums did its best, but the Greal team used its experience from the World Cup and Baptism of Fire against its less experienced rival. Ross Trent remarked on Sasha Television News that he has never seen a better Greal team.

In the first ten minutes, Michael Istoma managed to score after evading various Lame Bums team members.

On the thirty-fourth minute, Anderson scored.

On the forty-seventh minute, he scored again.

Next opponent would be Latraniva who was defeated by Fillosankiavo.

Team News:

At the pre-match conference, Captain Matt Fernandez stated his desire to push the team forward. Fernandez, 24, has enjoyed good form throughout the domestic season and now seeks to transform that to the international stage. He has been named in the starting XI for the match against current Group C leaders Southern Hexagon, who beat HailandKill 3-1 in their opening fixture.

Matt has been named in central midfield alongside his brother Joaquin as coach Fernando De Matteo sticks with the 4-1-4-1 formation. Gerry Fraiser starts up front with a full strength team named to give the Angels a winning start.

Golden-Whites Look Forward to First Match Day

Tomorrow, the Macabee National Football Team – fresh from their double tournament spree of World Cup 42 and Cup of Harmony 34 – will play Indras (quite ironic) in their first chance to secure points in the Díenstad Cup. Indras is already reeling from an early defeat, at the hands of Jagada, after losing three goals to none. The Macabee players have learned never to underestimate an opponent, especially one craving for a victory to make up for an earlier loss. Nevertheless, it’s clear that the more experienced team are the Golden-Whites, who have gained much training from the past two World Cups they’ve partaken in (at least one World Cup was missed due to the War of Golden Succession) and the past two Cups of Harmony, even if they have not fared too well in any of these except this last Cup of Harmony (and, there are rumors that the Second Empire will bid to co-host Cup of Harmony 35). In any case, tomorrow’s game will be crucial for the passage into the round of sixteen (the top three of the first four groups will pass, and the top four of the last group will pass) – an early victory is always imperative, given that it can make or break a team’s morale. To this end, the players have been training all day, preparing for tomorrow’s showdown. Although, all agree that Indras is the least of their worries – both Jagada’s and Opulentia-Tellus’ team have shown great propensity for winning. Group D will not be a “walk in the park”, no matter how much experience the Macabee National Football Team has.

Nevertheless, the team enters the stage with much talent, especially given that the majority of the players have recently received international contracts, adding to their base of knowledge and increasing their morale platform. This sudden success has been considered the key to improving the performance of the team during the World Cup and Cup of Harmony, and the team is currently 54th in the world (pending improvements as due by the Cup of Harmony performance). The team’s top goal scorer, Mika D’Angíel, promises to continue making a presence and driving the ball home. His cooperation with several midfielders and wingers has been considered vital towards the team’s ability to create game-winning plays whilst in the game. This type of innovation is only found in experienced teams, and it will offer the Golden-Whites a substantial advantage both in the group stage and during the knock-out stage. The team’s defense has also improved since its return to the world stage, although it may not be as good as other team’s – regardless, the eight-man dual-layer wall that the team tends to opt for on the defensive (normally the team plays with a 4-5-1 formation) allows two men remaining on the offensive, in different distances, and eight men to guarantee a good defense. This type of strategy has allowed for quick counterattacks, while reducing the chances of the counterattack being stopped in the middle of the field due to a bad long-pass. Hopefully, this formation and strategy will be able to garner the team three points in the group stage.

Unfortunately, the current political situation in Indras has played a role in the inability for the national team to improve. The lack of money and the lack of spirit have chained the team to poor performance, illustrated by their heavy defeat at the hands of Jagada – a team which is not known for their football. Tomorrow’s match may be a chance for their players to persuade their government that they are a worthy investment, and perhaps catalyze some sort of improvement within the team and the country’s football association. Otherwise, the chances that Indras will not only not pass this group stage, but not win any future football tournament, remain equally as dim. Their defeat on Wenesday was perhaps only mirrored by Hailandkill’s loss to Southern Hexagon, which is not as surprising, given the lack of enthusiasm in the former’s country for the sport. In any case, a defeat at the hands of The Macabees could not only mean another round without gaining points, but the death of the chance of improving themselves as a team for a very long time (unless there is a major change within the government and the association back home, independent of the results of the Díenstad Cup). Besides, any win, or any good performance by any of their players may lead to a foreign contract, which could do much for the national football team – any foreign investment will allow the team to improve. World football is not really a match between skill, as much as it is a match between who can put down the most money.

Unfortunately, the team’s players do not seem to confident themselves. One of the strikers said during a press release in their country, the other day, “We’ll be lucky if we manage a draw. But, should we draw the results could be drastic for the Macabee team, given that it would frustrate their attempts to equal themselves to the leading teams in the group, at this stage. It could also severely hamper their chances of making it to the round of sixteen.”

On the other hand, Macabee coach Varrios (a Yaforite) said, “I am confident that we will make it to the round of sixteen. It would be unthinkable for a team like ours to lose this early in the competition.”

Upon being asked what would happen if his team were to be knocked out, regardless of the stage, the Yaforite manager said, “Good. This will catalyze interest in the sport within our region and make it much more competitive. We will come back in the next year and try again. If we were to come into the sport and sweep aside the resistance then we are doing nothing for the sport, and playing for the money and the glory is worthless unless you have people who are genuinely interested in what you are doing. Besides, none of these teams are pushovers. Many have already proven their value.”

Tomorrow’s results will prove to be quite interesting.

[OOC: Rped a minor injury to a random player on Corbournne, at the expense of my enforcer being kicked out of the game.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/UNDComrade/Yanitaria/YNW.png

La Yanitarie defeated by Corbournnian National Team in First Game!
The Stade de Yanitarie
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/UNDComrade/Yanitaria/Stade_de_Yanitarie.jpg
© Yanitarian News Wire

Ingershall, Oppland Province, Yanitaria - The Yanitarian National Team, locally known by it's french nickname "La Yanitarie", faced up against their friendly rivals across the border in Corbournne, at Le Stade de Yanitarie, losing by only a single point. The day had started mostly cloudy, with the weather improving towards the end of the night, a bad omen as the Yanitarian side of the crowd grew silent as the match ended.

The national heartbreak was almost palpable, broken only in the intense moments when the crowd burst into crazed cheers as the young Jørgen Mikkelsen (21) scored the only goal of the night for Yanitaria, or when the veteran Marcel Depardieu (27), a former soldier, blocked by the slightest degree a goal. However, as Vice-Captain Espen Nordvik put it, "Sometimes even the most determined teams lose. The Corbournnians put up a great game, no doubt about it.

That is not to say that the Yanitarians did not play entirely fairly. Simen Rasmussen (22), the team's enforcer, early on earned himself a red card for violent conduct. Although the Yanitarian National Team is said to unofficially condone the use of limited violence, up to the point of serious injury, it was a Yanitarian referee who called the foul, citing the minor injury to the opposing player, and an unwillingness to permit violent behavior, especially on the part of his own nation's team.

Rasmussen objected to the decision, but team coach Fabrice Calderé calmed things down with the irate player before sending him to the bench. Later, insiders report that the coach dressed down his player for such an obvious rule violation, and even threatened to throw him off the team unless he started obeying the rules. Indeed, tensions were high beteween Calderé and his assistant coach, Élodie Courau, who supported Rasmussen.

Hopefully this division will not mark a decline in the team's standing, as the Dienstad Cup continues.

Copyright 2008 Yanitarian News Wire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.YNW.gov.ya/articles/ (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=551560)
© 2008 Yanitarian News Wire

Match Day #2

[OOC: Remember that role-playing will increase your chances of winning considerably.]

Group A

Yanitaria 0-1 Tadjikistan
Stevid 1-1 Corbournne


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Tadjikistan 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
2 Corbournne 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
3 Stevid 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
4 Cazelia 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
5 Yanitaria 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0


Group B

Castilla y Belmonte 1-1 Christopher Thompson
The Peoples Freedom 1-3 Communism Revisited-


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Castilla y Belmonte 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
2 Offshore Bankers 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
3 Communism Revisited- 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 3
4 Christopher Thompson 1 0 1 0 1 3 -2 1
5 The Peoples Freedom 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0


Group C

Hailandkill 2-0 Tir
Independent Hitmen 0-3 Southern Hexagon


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Southern Hexagon 2 2 0 0 6 1 5 6
2 Scodson 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
3 Hailandkill 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
4 Tir 2 0 0 2 2 5 -3 0
5 Independent Hitmen 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0


Group D

Jagada 0-2 Allanche
The Macabees 0-0 Indras


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Opulentia-Tellus 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
2 Jagada 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
3 Allanche 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
4 The Macabees 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
5 Indras 2 0 1 1 0 3 -3 1


Group E

Lame Bums 3-0 Illyan
Adaptes Astrates 2-1 Fillosankiavo
Latraniva 1-0 Greal


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Adaptes Astrates 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
2 Greal 2 1 0 1 3 1 2 3
3 Lame Bums 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
4 Fillosankiavo 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
5 Latraniva 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
6 Illyan 2 0 0 2 0 4 -4 0

OOC: Meh, short and not very well written.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/UNDComrade/Yanitaria/YNW.png

Yanitarian National Team Desperate For Victory
César Bouvier during a training match
http://www.soccer-training-guide.com/images/soccer-goalie.jpg
© Yanitarian News Wire

Tadjikistan - The Yanitarian crowd honestly couldn't be anymore distraught. In the first two games, La Yanitarie has lost by one point, earning a place as the lowest ranking team in their group. The team itself, however, seemed disappointed, but not defeated. Team Captain, Sigurd Dahl (27), personally patted his friend and comrade, Jørgen Mikkelsen (21) on the back, consoling him over the fact that his last minute shot was blocked, which would have tied the game.

Mikkelsen later, speaking to the press in general, was quoted as saying "I did my best, but obviously it wasn't good enough. We played a good game, but we lost. That just means that we have to fight harder during a match against Stevid. We will do better next time, I hope."

However, fans and spectators are not so hopeful, as the team would find out. Upon arriving back to Yanitaria, they were greated by their bus, as usual. However, most unusually, the van was covered in graffiti, with toilette paper streaming out of broken windows. The bus's lavatory was rendered completely unusable, as a fire had been started in the toilette basin, and the sink contained an unknown liquid. Authorities have apprehended the vandals, however, and they await trial. Vice-Captain, Espen Nordvik (27), has asked that the vandals simply pay for the repairs, saying that he understands that the people of Yanitaria are upset.

The next match, against Stevid's national team, should take place next wensday. Hopefully our team can pull off a spectacular win.

Copyright 2008 Yanitarian News Wire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.YNW.gov.ya/articles/ (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=551560)
© 2008 Yanitarian News Wire

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

Training Camp, Cannes, Province Royale, Yanitaria

"Get your ass out there!" shrieked Élodie Courau, the teams assistant coach as she pushed Rasmussen out into the field. "How do you expect to win if you don't properly position yourself on the field!?" She punctuated the sentace with a swift kick in the large enforcer's direction, missing him by a wide margin. A cool breeze blew her bangs out of her face, allowing the entire team to see the apparent anger on her face. The smell of alcohol was heavy on her clothes, and it was quite apparent to Fabrice that his assistant had been drinking again. He knew that she was a skilled coach, but disappointment had, in recent years, driven her to drink. As her friend, he was willing to overlook this flaw, as well as the dramatic sexual trysts it often lead her to have with various players. She wasn't incompetent, but she would soon have to be replaced before a major scandal occurred. After all, it simply wouldn't do for one of the married team members to have to deal with a divorce in the first match ups of the cup.

Not at all.

"Simen, Marcel, bring her in. She's had enough. But I am keeping an eye on the clock, don't delay," said Fabrice, tapping his watch. The two large players took their assistant couch by the arms, and hauled her off the field. Espen and Sigurd came back off the field, and approached their coach, disappointment clear.

"Don't have much of a chance if we don't get a win soon. Our morale is shit." Espen combed his fingers through his hair as he said this. Sigurd nodded in agreement, not adding anything.

Frabrice sighed, and wondered if it was best to air his concerns. He decided for it, knowing that delaying the inevitable would simply make it worse. "I want to cut Élodie. Her drinking is going too far."

Sigurd frowned, before giving his agreement. "Sad, but it had to happen."

"No, c'mon, she is a great coach!" interjected Espen.

"We all know that," said Fabrice, cutting off his player's argument, "but it is costing the team. If we can start winning matches, she may stop drinking, and we'll keep her on, get her into rehab or something. Otherwise, she is out." The finality in his tone ended the discussion. The next game would decide the fate of the assistant coach.

Latraniva 1-0 Greal

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/grealsoccergoalie.jpg
Goalkeeper Raul Grunt of Greal makes an attempt to stop the ball from scoring. Despite this successful block, Greal still lost.

SASHA, GREAL - Greal played Latraniva on Match Day two of Díenstad Cup in one of the toughest matches ever played by Greal's still new international team. Latraniva, though newer, had tough defenders, and prevented Greal from getting close, while their forward teams managed to goal once. Their second attempt was foiled by Goalkeeper Raul Grunt. The game ended with Latraniva in the lead, 1-0. Despite this loss, Greal remains second ranked of the group, tied with four other teams. Today, the tie will presumably be broken.

Greal will play top ranked team of the group, Adaptes Astrates. Team Captain Ross Trent said yesterday that Greal will need to be cautious and aggressive in order to win today's match.

Wasteful Hitmen go bottom of Group C

On a breezy evening at the J City International Sports Stadium home fans were left disappointed by a lacklustre showing from the national team. A 0-3 loss to the visitors from Southern Hexagon leaves the Hitmen rooted to the bottom of the group after just one game.


The tone of the game was set in the third minute when Simmy Anderson’s cross found the head of lone striker Gerry Fraiser, the big man slotting the ball into the net only to be ruled offside. A host of other scoring opportunities were also wasted by the Gillen Gliders star, 22. Several long drives from just inside the penalty area were turned away by the fantastic Hexagon goalkeeper or were blasted agonizingly close to the posts by the Hitmano attack. Defender Ledley Garay had a chance to take the lead for his team after twenty minutes, but his poor header was punched clear by the opposition goalkeeper and allowed a counterattack that lead to the first Hexagon goal.


In the second half Matt Fernandez rifled two trademark shots in from outside the box but although on target neither managed to penetrate the Hexagon defence. With frustration growing in the Hitman team Yeye Tobe committed a cynical foul just outside the box, earning himself a yellow card and a direct free kick which the Hexagon attack duly converted into their second goal.


With the defence clearly lacking, Fernando De Matteo removed Tobe for Bailyn Rogers and Mike Parque replaced Dara Hammond on the right. Two minutes later the ineffective Hernan Joquierez was removed for Christian Davies. The 25year old left midfielder provided darting runs and some good crosses, but again the hitmano forwards failed to capitalise on their superior possession. The Hexagon third goal came from a well worked move in the 79th minute and effectively halted any chances of a Hitmano fightback. Joaquin Fernandez came close to a consolation goal two minutes from time but was denied by the crossbar.


In the post game press conference Fernando De Matteo praised the Hexagon players for the manner of their victory and offered some thoughts on his own side.


“Well we were wasteful in the attacking phase. We gave away possession in the final third and allowed the opposition to dictate the speed of play there. The Hexagon defence was fantastic and they really managed to hold firm. What chances we had we didn’t take or were wasted. At the back we were flimsy, I think that (Lucas) Beale had a good game holding the midfield but the opposition managed to penetrate our flanks too much when our wingbacks pushed forward. There are positives to be taken from the game though, (Christian) Davies had a positive start to his international career the young guy had some good runs and we’ve really seen his crossing improve this past year and it showed tonight.”


Captain Matt Fernandez was less than happy with the teams performance but also drew some positives from the game.


“Well when we really got going we proved that we could penetrate the defence, especially down the middle. All the lads gave it their all and it was a clean game aside from a dubious card towards the end. Its frustrating for us to be bottom of the group, but we’ve got our next match midweek back here against Tir and we’ll come back stronger and looking for the win.”


“Thanks Matt, whats the atmosphere like in the dressing room now? Several players will no doubt we unhappy with their performance, already the early edition newspapers are pushing for a change to the starting lineup for the next game.”


“Well you know thats up to the boss to decide. Everyone is capable and wants to play and we’ll see what happens in training over the next few days as to who is picked.”

[OOC: I scorinated thrice to figure out how to best serve those who RPd, and I got these scores. I will increase the RP bonus next match day, probably, by increasing your "points" by 20 instead of by 15 for each "RP point" you get [so, you are graded from 1 to 4; if you get a 2 you get 2 x 15/20, and that's put into the xml file].]

Group A
Yanitaria 0-0 Stevid
Corbournne 0-1 Cazelia


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Tadjikistan 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
2 Corbournne 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
3 Cazelia 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
4 Stevid 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
5 Yanitaria 3 0 1 2 1 3 -2 1


Group B
Castilla y Belmonte 2-2 The Peoples Freedom
Communism Revisited- 1-1 Offshore Bankers


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Castilla y Belmonte 3 1 2 0 5 4 1 5
2 Offshore Bankers 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4
3 Communism Revisited- 3 1 1 1 5 4 1 4
4 The Peoples Freedom 2 0 1 1 3 5 -2 1
5 Christopher Thompson 1 0 1 0 1 3 -2 1


Group C
Hailandkill 2-3 Independent Hitmen
Southern Hexagon 0-1 Scodson


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Southern Hexagon 3 2 0 1 6 2 4 6
2 Scodson 2 2 0 0 4 2 2 6
3 Hailandkill 3 1 0 2 5 5 0 3
4 Independent Hitmen 2 1 0 1 3 5 -2 3
5 Tir 2 0 0 2 2 5 -3 0


Group D
Jagada 3-4 The Macabees
Indras 1-2 Opulentia-Tellus


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Opulentia-Tellus 2 2 0 0 5 1 4 6
2 The Macabees 2 1 1 0 4 3 1 4
3 Jagada 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3
4 Allanche 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
5 Indras 3 0 1 2 1 5 -4 1


Group E
Greal 1-1 Adaptes Astrates
Fillosankiavo 1-0 Illyan
Latraniva 2-1 Lame Bums


Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Adaptes Astrates 3 2 1 0 4 2 2 7
2 Latraniva 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6
3 Fillosankiavo 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6
4 Greal 3 1 1 1 4 2 2 4
5 Lame Bums 3 1 0 2 4 5 -1 3
6 Illyan 3 0 0 3 0 5 -5 0

Greal 1-1 Adaptes Astrates

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/mitig_traf_cong/images/seahawks_stadium.jpg
The Greal National Soccer Team Stadium.

SASHA, GREAL - In a Díenstad Cup match yesterday, Greal played top ranked Adaptes Astrates, ending the game in a tie. Adaptes Astrates was a tough team and scored in the first half of the game. For the second half, they seemed unable to score another goal, and Howard Anderson managed to get past the defenders and score once for Greal. The rest of the game continued with a tie, and ended with 1-1. The Díenstad Cup so far has brought Greal one win, one tie, one loss. Ross Trent said he was very pleased with his teams performance, and says that there is a good chance that Greal may snatch the Díenstad Cup. Next opponent Greal will face is Illyan.

STEVID STILL UNBEATEN- BUT STILL NO WINS

A nil-nil draw to Yanitiria means Stevid slips to 4th in the group without a single defeat but likewise without a single win. The team fought bravely in the first fixture, getting on the scoresheet in the process, while against Yanitaria the two teams cancelled each other out.

The Stevidian Football Assosiation remain confident that the national team will progress through the group stages and have issued a statement to back-up their claims.

"The National team is made up of the best quality players in Stevid's footballing divisions. Their is no shortage of brilliance and nothing to say we can't even win the cup. However the draws, no matter how disappionting, are a sign of consistency and both teams were tight ones. We firmly believe that victories will come and the the national team will do the country proud.

Hitmen scrape win over HK

HailandKill 2 - 3 Independent Hitmen

A thrilling game left the home team bemoaning a lack of predatory instinct in its attackers. The Hitmen were on the backfoot for the majority of the game and had to come from behind after a Fernando De Matteo half time team talk.

Trailing 2-0 at the break after a pair of fantastic HK goals, the Hitmen re-emerged from the tunnel to a rapturous reception from their travelling fans. A perfect corner kick found Ezequiel King who headed the ball into the back of the net on the 51 minute mark and a new energy swept through the team.

The introduction of Tommy Pout after an hour injected pace into the attack, the striker twice breaking free and being denied by the keeper before a perfectly timed strike found the bottom right of the HK net. With defender Yeye lucky to escape with a yellow card the Hitmen goalkeeper was forced into a magnificent save from the freekick and the resulting counter-attack by Joaquin Fernandez threatened the opposing keeper. On the 90th minute the HK defence managed to clear a corner, only for the ball to fall to Matt Fernandez who slotted the ball into the top left corner from 30 yards out.

The Captain was happy to win the game for the team and his trademark strike has put the pressure on the Hitmen strikers to start delivering. With two group games gone the Hitmen find themselves positioned fourth with 3 points from a possible 6. They will need to win their next game to keep up the momentum and ensure qualification to the next round.

Corbournnian National Team Loses for First Time in Dienstad Cup

In a 0-1 decision against Cazelia, Corbournne lost for the first time in the Dienstad Cup. Goalkeeper Alexandre Pigeon turned in a spotless performance until the eighty-eighth minute, when the ball rolled between his legs on a routine pass, resulting in an own goal credited to defender Thierry Melin. He was furious with himself after the event, and visibly shaken after Corbournne fell to 1-1-1 in the Dienstad Cup. He declined to be interviewed.

It was not a good night for the Corbournnian forwards; Beaufort De Neef was thrown out of the game with a second yellow card in the seventy-sixth minute, and Brys Deroo received a red card in the eighty-ninth minute, immediately following the own goal upon the Corbournnian national team. To add injury to insult, Guillaume Chassagne was carted off the field in twenty-ninth minute as a result of an accidental blow to the head dealt to him by a Cazelian national player. He has since been hospitalized for a concussion, but he is expected to be able to play in the next matchup for Corbournne against #1 Tadjikstan.

Fillosankiavo #3 in Group E of Dienstad Cup

Ŝinkandata, Fillosankiavo - Following a disappointing 1-0 loss against Adaptes Astrates, the Fillosankiavan national football team followed up by pulling off a 1-0 win against Illyan. This placed the team in the third spot of Group E, trailing Latraniva and Adaptes Astrates.

Head coach Antony Chalmers spoke to reporters after the game.

"Well, we didn't really expect to go undefeated, so that loss to A-A wasn't really a surprise. However, our offense rallied tonight and we managed to win. It was hard fought, but our boys did a good job. I expect them to do the same thing next game."

There was a hint of bad news though, as Winger Jason Chang, #9, was taken off the field after injuring his leg. He is expected to recover but will be out for the next game.