NationStates Jolt Archive

http://oglethorpia.free-host.com/images/beddy_wc8_logo.gif

World Cup 8 - Hosted by Oglethorpia and Bedistan

WC8 Team Rosters (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74439)
WC8 Scores (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75471)
NSWCC Website (http://nswcc.tripod.com/)

Semifinal Fixtures

Haraki (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=haraki) vs. Liverpool England (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=liverpool_england)
Holmes Stadium - Columbia, Federal District, Bedistan
http://bellsouthpwp.net/h/a/harleyt_1387/holmes_stadium.jpg http://bellsouthpwp.net/h/a/harleyt_1387/holmes_stadium2.jpg

Europa Brittania (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=europa_brittania) vs. Bedistan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=bedistan)
James Oglethorpe National Stadium - Midshire, Oglethorpia
http://oglethorpia.free-host.com/stadiums/Oglethorpe_145,000.jpg

World Cup 8 Related Topics

World Cup 8 Signup (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66328)
Signup thread - signups closed, for reference.

World Cup 8 Team Rosters (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74439)
Team rosters of [some of] the participating nations in the Cup.

Qualifying Fixtures

Matchday 1
1 vs 6
2 vs 5
3 vs 4

Matchday 2
5 vs 1
4 vs 2
6 vs 3

Matchday 3
1 vs 4
2 vs 3
5 vs 6

Matchday 4
3 vs 1
6 vs 2
5 vs 4

Matchday 5
1 vs 2
3 vs 5
4 vs 6

Matchday 6
6 vs 1
5 vs 2
4 vs 3

Matchday 7
1 vs 5
2 vs 4
3 vs 6

Matchday 8
4 vs 1
3 vs 2
6 vs 5

Matchday 9
1 vs 3
2 vs 6
4 vs 5

Matchday 10
2 vs 1
5 vs 3
6 vs 4

what should i post for very experienced players who have never played in a WC, like all of mine??

*it is night in the hobo camp down by the railroad bridge. several fires are going, and we are interested in this one in particular. several familiar faces are sitting around it. here's the ex-minister of athletics, olympics and alcoholic beverages, with an old newspaper in one hand and a "38 special" in the other, and a beat up top hat on his head. next to him sits margaret, roasting a hot dog on a stick, and wearing a tattered midnight blue hooded robe. to her left is eileen dover, rolled up in an old sleeping bag, and sipping coffee from a tin cup she's holding in hands covered with gloves that no longer have all their fingers. next to eileen is ben dover, bent over a pot of beans, dishing them out into four dissimilar old bowls.*

- Margaret, it says here you won an award after World Cup 7. "Eternal Patience."
- You've read that paper every day for the past two years. Yes, it still says I won the Eternal Patience Award.
- Well, whatever for?
- He will never understand, Margaret, but we all know why.
- Eileen, I've told you - just ignore it when they get going.
- Just finish cooking the beans, Ben.
- They're done. Here's yours, Eileen. And yours, and here's yours, Margaret.
- She got more than me.
- Shut up! Here.

*Margaret spoons some beans from her bowl into the ex-ministers bowl*

- So what did they award you?
- Oh, for the love of Mike! Here it comes again. Eileen, keep out of it this time.
- What else is there to do, Ben?
- He's a flippin' lunatic, that's all. Just leave him be.
- Well, Margaret, what did they award you?
- I've told you again and again - they awarded me The Eternal Patience Award. It's an award. There is no prize. No trophy. No money. No medal.
- So, what good is it?
- What good are you?
- Don't be rude, Margaret.
- Look, the money didn't come from the award. The money came from umpiring the final game between Errinundera and Spaam. And it's been gone for a long time.
- But I just don't see the point of an award that doesnt' award you anything.
- There are a lot of people who just don't see the point of you.
- You're being rude again.
- You're lucky that's all that's happening. Get a new newspaper with new news, will ya?
- Don't hit him again, Margaret. It doesn't do any good. He just whines for a while, and then starts up again.
- Eileen, will you please stay out of it?
- Ben - shut up.
- You're being rude, Eileen.
- Is that the last of the beans?
----------------------
OOC: Needed a "bump" - thought I might as well make it at least moderately interesting :wink:

Just so you know, we're working out the group draws as I speak. They'll be posted sometime tonight. Thanks to TnUI for the updated rank table ;)

np

I'll probably upload the full rankings to the website before I go to bed.

EDIT: Done (http://nswcc.tripod.com/archive/rank7.html)

Scuttlebutt - Evening Edition

Eeesys Ease Delayed Aging
Sten, Snub Nose 38

At a press conference today The Academy of Science announced a break through in extended experimentation into Errinunderian Engineered Evisceratomatos. The Academy has been testing the tasty twice tweeked tomato for some time as part of the continued work between Scientists in Snub Nose 38, Tanah Burung, and Errinundera on the Errinunderian Engineered Evisceratomato, also known as "EEE" or "Eeesy". The original Evisceratomato was developed by Tanah Burung. Errinundera took the process farther, developing the EEE which has none of the negative aspects of the original, and has added to and amplified its good points.

"You all remember," said Albert Onestone, Chair of the Academy, "That when the Oglethorpian Football Side of the 1900's was brought forward in time, the Academy of Science announced that after a time the players could expect to begin to age rapidly, until their physical age caught up with them in real time. We did not know, however, how long it would be until this began."

"Today," he went on, "We can announce that, as long as the 1901 Oglethorpian side players continue to eat EEEs the process of accelerated aging will not begin."

It seems that the EEE has another beneficial effect. It was not noticed before, because it only seems to happen to a person or animal who has been brought forward in time. In addition to the EEE experiments, the Academy of Science has been conducting experiments on traveling forward in time using well cared for primates. Since EEEs are so tasty, they have been a part of the diet of these time travelers. What the Academy discovered is that eating the EEEs delays the onset of the accelerated aging process. The Academy believes that as long as the 1901 Oglethorpian side players eat their Eeesys, they will continue to age at normal rates - but once they stop, if they have not been returned to their own true place in the space-time continuum, the accelerated aging will begin.

Are you gonna create a seperate scores page like Lemmy did for WC7?

And if teams who took part in WC7 and got a ranking but have ceased to exist or did not signup for WC8 lose their ranking do all those below them move up one spot?

Are you gonna create a seperate scores page like Lemmy did for WC7?

Yes.

And if teams who took part in WC7 and got a ranking but have ceased to exist or did not signup for WC8 lose their ranking do all those below them move up one spot?

No rankings have been changed this time; these are the exact same rankings assigned at the end of WC7.

The Qualifying Groups

Group 1
Errinundera (1)
Runaway Moose (4)
Pavesia (39)
Mezitzia (72)
Coffee Cup
Endray-Island

Group 2
Svecia (2)
Halfassedstates [8]
LordSquall (42)
Bardai (80)
Jekonuam
Simba Polo

Group 3
Snub Nose 38 (10)
Giant Zucchini (21)
West Ariddia (57)
Eauz (85)
WNA
Male 18

Group 4
Audioslavia (13)
Quohog (26)
Demonic Beings (47)
Voyger
BlackEagle Corporation
Sycoes

Group 5
Squornshelous (12)
Europa Britannia (31)
Alasdair I Frosticus (60)
Rave Shentavo (103)
Ineptia
Agnosticium

Group 6
One Red Dot (16)
Oddslavo (35)
The Weegies [68]
Dead Man (107)
1900s Oglethorpia
Chronos Prime

Group 7
The Belmore Family (15)
Tanah Burung (27)
Jacktazea (50)
Keyshona
Jadonopolos
Zinkoland

Group 8
Total n Utter Insanity (19)
Timway (31)
Antaeus Rising (53)
Northern Kings [108]
New Pavesia
Neolithica

Group 9
Dennisov [18]
Gesamtkuntswerk [38]
Nikea (71)
Australian Marsupials (127)
The Dragonian Empire
Defari

Group 10
Dark Outcasts (11)
Ravenspire (29)
Bullonien (65)
Alhana Catherine (87)
Memeplex
Anti-Nazis

Group 11
Busby (14)
The Lowland Clans (34)
God Squad (62)
Hellfish
Parthenon
Slops Pit

Group 12
Akbarland (17)
Kingsford (30)
Commerce Heights (54)
Warnocks Wizards
East Spaam
Nadaskor

Group 13
Arridia (6)
Lemmitania (20)
Sazland (67)
Kaze Progressa (82)
Zeronia
N S A

Group 14
Pure Evil (9)
Liverpool England [28]
Gilmeecia (46)
Hell Bovines
Consumer Engineering
Yentrofinova

Group 15
Spaam (3)
Haraki (22)
Aquilla (45)
Sliponia (74)
Carasek
Jangle Jangle Ridge

Are you gonna create a seperate scores page like Lemmy did for WC7?

And if teams who took part in WC7 and got a ranking but have ceased to exist or did not signup for WC8 lose their ranking do all those below them move up one spot?

1. Yes, we will have a seperate scores thread linked from the first post of the World Cup 8 topic.

2. No, if you were ranked 22nd, and 3 people in front of you did not take place in World Cup 8, your ranking will not become 19. Bedistan and I have agreed on this because your team should not suddenly become better just because some nations did not take part in World Cup 8.

Scuttlebutt - Evening Edition

Eeesys Ease Delayed Aging
Sten, Snub Nose 38

At a press conference today The Academy of Science announced a break through in extended experimentation into Errinunderian Engineered Evisceratomatos. The Academy has been testing the tasty twice tweeked tomato for some time as part of the continued work between Scientists in Snub Nose 38, Tanah Burung, and Errinundera on the Errinunderian Engineered Evisceratomato, also known as "EEE" or "Eeesy". The original Evisceratomato was developed by Tanah Burung. Errinundera took the process farther, developing the EEE which has none of the negative aspects of the original, and has added to and amplified its good points.

"You all remember," said Albert Onestone, Chair of the Academy, "That when the Oglethorpian Football Side of the 1900's was brought forward in time, the Academy of Science announced that after a time the players could expect to begin to age rapidly, until their physical age caught up with them in real time. We did not know, however, how long it would be until this began."

"Today," he went on, "We can announce that, as long as the 1901 Oglethorpian side players continue to eat EEEs the process of accelerated aging will not begin."

It seems that the EEE has another beneficial effect. It was not noticed before, because it only seems to happen to a person or animal who has been brought forward in time. In addition to the EEE experiments, the Academy of Science has been conducting experiments on traveling forward in time using well cared for primates. Since EEEs are so tasty, they have been a part of the diet of these time travelers. What the Academy discovered is that eating the EEEs delays the onset of the accelerated aging process. The Academy believes that as long as the 1901 Oglethorpian side players eat their Eeesys, they will continue to age at normal rates - but once they stop, if they have not been returned to their own true place in the space-time continuum, the accelerated aging will begin.

"This is most excellent news. Though I can't say we've told the 1901-players that they're aging at superfast rates. Also, Oglethorpia's been bioengineering trees and crops, and have produced a crop that produces an evisceratomato 40% larger than a normal one. However, this one also explodes in the face of Snub Nose citizens. Perhaps if some were sent over to Errinunderian scientists, they could produce a 40% larger eviceratomato that doesn't explode in SN38 citizen's faces and stop paranormal aging processes all at the same time."

"Ah, the wonders of science. We must arrange for a lifetime shipment of evisceratomatos now."

Phillip Neuman
Association of Fútbol

World Cup 8 Qualifying: THE HEARTLAND

Ineptia:

Group 5
Squornshelous (12)
Europa Britannia (31)
Alasdair I Frosticus (60)
Rave Shentavo (103)
Ineptia
Agnosticium

Oddslavo:

Group 6
One Red Dot (16)
Oddslavo (35)
The Weegies [68]
Dead Man (107)
1900s Oglethorpia
Chronos Prime

Dennisov AND Gesamtkuntswerk:

Group 9
Dennisov [18]
Gesamtkuntswerk [38]
Nikea (71)
Australian Marsupials (127)
The Dragonian Empire
Defari

East Spaam:

Group 12
Akbarland (17)
Kingsford (30)
Commerce Heights (54)
Warnocks Wizards
East Spaam
Nadaskor

Liverpool England:

Group 14
Pure Evil (9)
Liverpool England [28]
Gilmeecia (46)
Hell Bovines
Consumer Engineering
Yentrofinova

Spaam:

Group 15
Spaam (3)
Haraki (22)
Aquilla (45)
Sliponia (74)
Carasek
Jangle Jangle Ridge

Qualifying Fixtures

Matchday 1
1 vs 6
2 vs 5
3 vs 4

Matchday 2
5 vs 1
4 vs 2
6 vs 3

Matchday 3
1 vs 4
2 vs 3
5 vs 6

Matchday 4
3 vs 1
6 vs 2
5 vs 4

Matchday 5
1 vs 2
3 vs 5
4 vs 6

Matchday 6
6 vs 1
5 vs 2
4 vs 3

Matchday 7
1 vs 5
2 vs 4
3 vs 6

Matchday 8
4 vs 1
3 vs 2
6 vs 5

Matchday 9
1 vs 3
2 vs 6
4 vs 5

Matchday 10
2 vs 1
5 vs 3
6 vs 4


Qualifying matches will be played in the nation's respective stadiums, alternating between home and away. For example, matchday 1 being a home game, matchday 2 being played away, etc. etc.

The Midsire Gazette

1901 National Team fixtures finalized
Oglethorpian 1901 National Team schedule finalized and released

[code:1:60b229689d]
Matchday
1. 1901 Oglethorpia at Oddslavo (35)
2. One Red Dot (16) at 1901 Oglethorpia
3. 1901 Oglethorpia at Chronos Prime
4. Dead Man (107) at 1901 Oglethorpia
5. 1901 Oglethorpia at The Weegies (68)
6. Oddslavo (35) at 1901 Oglethorpia
7. 1901 Oglethorpia at One Red Dot (16)
8. Chronos Prime at 1901 Oglethorpia
9. 1901 Oglethorpia at Dead Man (107)
10. The Weegies (68) at 1901 Oglethorpia

[/code:1:60b229689d]

Liverpool England Fixtures

Matchday 1
2 vs 5 (Consumer Engineering [unranked])
Matchday 2
2 vs 4 (Hell Bovines [unranked])
Matchday 3
2 vs 3 (Gilmeecia [ranked 46th])
Matchday 4
2 vs 6 (Yentrofinova [unranked])
Matchday 5
1 vs 2 (Pure Evil [ranked 9th])
Matchday 6
5 vs 2 (Consumer Engineering)
Matchday 7
4 vs 2 (Hell Bovines)
Matchday 8
3 vs 2 (Gilmeecia)
Matchday 9
6 vs 2 (Yentrofina)
Matchday 10
2 vs 1 (Pure Evil)

Group 3 Stats and next Matchs

Entire contents of this post moved 1st post on page 14 :roll:

I'm an experienced RPer and player but this is my first WC so any help would be good! :wink:

I'm an experienced RPer and player but this is my first WC so any help would be good! :wink:
just RP your matches, like give commentary or news updates. and, technically, this isnt WC8 yet, its just qualifying.

Ah, not as bad a group as last year - we were up against both The Belmore Family and Quohog. Which wasn't pretty.

Group 6
One Red Dot (16)
Oddslavo (35)
The Weegies [68]
Dead Man (107)
1900s Oglethorpia
Chronos Prime

Matches:
The Weegies [68] vs Dead Man (107)
The Weegies [68] vs Chronos Prime
Oddslavo (35) vs The Weegies [68]
One Red Dot (16) vs The Weegies [68]
The Weegies [68] vs 1900s Oglethorpia
Dead Man (107) vs The Weegies [68]
Chronos Prime vs The Weegies [68]
The Weegies [68] vs Oddslavo (35)
The Weegies [68] vs One Red Dot (16)
1900s Oglethorpia vs The Weegies [68]

<<Introduction Music Plays>>

GB: Hi, I'm Gabe Banners. Since World Cup 3, I've brought you consistant coverage of Kingsford's progress. Though the co host has changed, from Dan Reeves to Slippy Whitewash, and many others, the great and consistant coverage has always been there. This year, we're looking forward to bringing you the best coverage yet, with our new World Cup News Team!

TF: That's right Gabe. Hi, I'm Ty Flyer. I played keeper for Kingsford during world cups 4 and 5, as well as for Kingsford City up until two years ago on my retirement.

CM: And I'm Carter Magnum, coach for the Toryo Wolfpack. Being one of the newest teams in the Kingsford Football Association, we've had a rough start, but came out strong, winning the United Southern Football League and the Uppurmaen Order just last year.

BH: Last but not least, I'm Brian Hopewell, author of the most accurate sports prediction column in Kingsford, running in 11 local newspapers and 3 national news papers, I've successfully picked 8 out of the last 10 KFA winners, and 3 our of the last 5 WCC World Cup Champions.

GB: It's good to have you guys all here. Carter, how do you think the team will do?

CM: Well, I do have a bias, obviously, but I think we'll make it out of the group stages this year. Granted we probably won't have perfect qualifying like we did last time, but we should have close to it. It's odd, but we seem to always have good years when our rank drops, as opposed to rising.

BH: I totally agree, just look at the stats! World Cup 3: 42nd. World Cup 4: 24th. World Cup 5: 51st. World Cup 6: 11th. World Cup 7: 30th.

GB: Ty, you've played alongside John Thompson. Do you think he'll live up to his nickname, Mr. Wall?

TF: Gabe, John's a great guy. He only let in 4 goals in WC7, which is a new Kingsford Record. The team altogether let in 8, but John attended his Sister's wedding during the Malundar Game. I think, depending on how far we go, he'll let in 10 goals, max for qualifying, 5 goals max, for group stages.

GB: One last thing before we go. Carter, what do you think of the new uniforms?

CM: Well, it's Coach Hall's choice. I'm glad to see a break in the traditional Kingsford Purple and into the Yellow. It'll certainly show our livelyness on the field, hopefully it has some sort of magic advantage.

GB: That's all the time we have for today. Until then, I'm Gabe Banners, and this is The Athletic Review!

The Qualifying Groups

Group 1
Errinundera (1)
Runaway Moose (4)
Pavesia (39)
Mezitzia (72)
Coffee Cup
Endray-Island

Group 2
Svecia (2)
Halfassedstates [8]
LordSquall (42)
Bardai (80)
Jekonuam
Simba Polo

Group 3
Snub Nose 38 (10)
Giant Zucchini (21)
West Ariddia (57)
Eauz (85)
WNA
Male 18

Group 4
Audioslavia (13)
Quohog (26)
Demonic Beings (47)
Voyger
BlackEagle Corporation
Sycoes

Group 5
Squornshelous (12)
Europa Britannia (31)
Alasdair I Frosticus (60)
Rave Shentavo (103)
Ineptia
Agnosticium

Group 6
One Red Dot (16)
Oddslavo (35)
The Weegies [68]
Dead Man (107)
1900s Oglethorpia
Chronos Prime

Group 7
The Belmore Family (15)
Tanah Burung (27)
Jacktazea (50)
Keyshona
Jadonopolos
Zinkoland

Group 8
Total n Utter Insanity (19)
Timway (31)
Antaeus Rising (53)
Northern Kings [108]
New Pavesia
Neolithica

Group 9
Dennisov [18]
Gesamtkuntswerk [38]
Nikea (71)
Australian Marsupials (127)
The Dragonian Empire
Defari

Group 10
Dark Outcasts (11)
Ravenspire (29)
Bullonien (65)
Alhana Catherine (87)
Memeplex
Anti-Nazis

Group 11
Busby (14)
The Lowland Clans (34)
God Squad (62)
Hellfish
Parthenon
Slops Pit

Group 12
Akbarland (17)
Kingsford (30)
Commerce Heights (54)
Warnocks Wizards
East Spaam
Nadaskor

Group 13
Arridia (6)
Lemmitania (20)
Sazland (67)
Kaze Progressa (82)
Zeronia
N S A

Group 14
Pure Evil (9)
Liverpool England [28]
Gilmeecia (46)
Hell Bovines
Consumer Engineering
Yentrofinova

Group 15
Spaam (3)
Haraki (22)
Aquilla (45)
Sliponia (74)
Carasek
Jangle Jangle Ridge

<<LESports News Network>>

Josh Hinar: So, Decaltré Jomans here with me, predictions, Decaltré?
DJ: Well Josh... Group One - winners of the last tournament Errinundera cannot fall at this stage. Also, Runaway Moose - ranked fourth. This is the toughest group to progress from four the other four teams. Group 2, runners-up Svecia and Halfassedstates are likely to qualify - another difficult group. In Group 3, Snub Nose 38 - ranked tenth, are likely to make it through, but we can expect West Ariddia to try and mount a challenge against Giant Zucchini. GZ will make it through however. Group Four - Audioslavia and Quohog - I can't see anyone mounting a challenge. Group Five, we can expect Europa Brittania to go through, and we're expecting - I'm expecting - Ineptia or Rave Shentavo to try and get a second-place finish, like Oddslavo tried previous time round in Group 15, maintaining second position only to lose out on the last day to God Squad. Group Six, like I was just saying, Oddslavo look good, as do sixteenth-ranked One Red Dot. Group Seven's easy to predict as well, the top two ranks are also expected to go through. Group Eight, Total and Utter Insanity definitely are sure to be progressing, and Timway can also make it in. Grorup Nine, Dennisov and Gesamtkuntswerk, Group -------

JH: Wait, Decaltré, sorry to cut you off. But so far, all your predictions, or most of them, are the top two seeds?

DJ: Yes, that is correct.

JH: We'll go for a commercial, we'll be right back.

I'm an experienced RPer and player but this is my first WC so any help would be good! :wink:
just RP your matches, like give commentary or news updates. and, technically, this isnt WC8 yet, its just qualifying.

Well, what if I don't qualify?

Either I'm confused or something doesn't add up in the matchups. If the first team listed is the home team on odd matchdays and the away team on even matchdays, one hosts six both times ("1 vs 6" on day one and "6 vs 1" on day six) and hosts 2 both times (on day 5 and on day 10)... and other matchups aren't right-- In Ogle's example, on day 7, 1900's Ogle should be hosting ORD, etc.

Ogle/Bed, can you check those fixtures?

Then... You aren't in it any more. Plain and simple.

I'm an experienced RPer and player but this is my first WC so any help would be good! :wink:
just RP your matches, like give commentary or news updates. and, technically, this isnt WC8 yet, its just qualifying.

Well, what if I don't qualify?
Most of the action (matches, rping, antics, etc) takes place during the qualifying. Jump in, RP, have fun. If you don't qualify, read what's going on, post if you have something interesting, and soon enough it will be the next WC. Watch for WC9 sign-ups (usually TnUI will start a post to sign up for the next cup just after the qualifiers start).

There are 92 sides involved during qualifying (90 + 2 hosts), and only 32 make it to the Cup (2 from each group, and the 2 hosts). Most of us didn't make it the first, or maybe even the second or third, time to the actual cup tournament.

Either I'm confused or something doesn't add up in the matchups. If the first team listed is the home team on odd matchdays and the away team on even matchdays, one hosts six both times ("1 vs 6" on day one and "6 vs 1" on day six) and hosts 2 both times (on day 5 and on day 10)... and other matchups aren't right-- In Ogle's example, on day 7, 1900's Ogle should be hosting ORD, etc.

Ogle/Bed, can you check those fixtures?

How about - The first time two sides meet, the lower number is the home team, and the second time they meet, the higher number is the home team?

Either I'm confused or something doesn't add up in the matchups. If the first team listed is the home team on odd matchdays and the away team on even matchdays, one hosts six both times ("1 vs 6" on day one and "6 vs 1" on day six) and hosts 2 both times (on day 5 and on day 10)... and other matchups aren't right-- In Ogle's example, on day 7, 1900's Ogle should be hosting ORD, etc.

Ogle/Bed, can you check those fixtures?

How about - The first time two sides meet, the lower number is the home team, and the second time they meet, the higher number is the home team?

A good idea.

@#$_@#)(*&%#! dup post!!

@#$_@#)(*&%#! dup post!!

(OOC Note: As with all of my RPs, all words spoken are in Nikean, and this is the translated version, basically what the subtitles would say for non-Nikean speakers)

<<The television screen in Nikean homes is blessed with scenes of various football scenes, goals being scored, great saves, all faded into national flags of various countries. The words "Yentereleth Terestbeki" (Nikean for 'World Cup Report') appear at the end of the series of scenes

<<Two men are seated at a modern desk, while a wall with images of football players in various plays is behind them, these images are faded into the red of the wall. Plasma flat-screen are behind both men as they are seated at either end of the table which is shaped like the top of a trapezoid, only straightened out. The man on the left is somewhat plain looking, dressed in a standard suit ensemble. The man on the right is bigger, and rounded out somewhat. He wears a SF Queldas golf shirt.>>

Limentel: Welcome football fans, after 4 years, the World Cup Report has returned to bring comprehensive coverage of Nikea's attempt to reach World Cup glory. I'm Isterin Limentel, along with Rakemin Aseriuene, and this is the Preview Show for World Cup Eight, which is being held in Oglethorpia and Bedistan.

Aseriuene: Yes, we can only hope that this year's World Cup will be as exciting as the last, which saw Errinundera win the final in penalties against the nation of Spaam. It should be exciting, and there are a number of newer teams in the qualifying rounds that we will be able to get a look at.

Limentel: Speaking of those qualifying rounds, Nikea must get past them to advance to the World Cup stage of the competition, but it will not be easy. Let's take a look at the qualifying group.

<<The screen changes to a table of the group.>>

[code:1:c6f85ba388]
Group 9

Dennisov (18)
Gesamtkuntswerk (38)
Nikea (71)
Australian Marsupials (127)
The Dragonian Empire
Defari
[/code:1:c6f85ba388]

Aseriuene: Not an easy group by any means, but Nikea got off pretty easy compared to some of the other groups. While there are two strong, established sides in the group, the three remaining teams are unproven on the international stage. As well, Nikea was not grouped with any top 15 team, something that cannot be said of teams in a number of the other groups.

Limentel: That is true, but there will be a very tough road ahead if the Pandas want to qualify out of this group. Dennisov is a great team, as well as Gesamtkuntswerk, so life will not be easy in Group 9. Anyway, let's take a look at the schedule for Nikea...

<<Screen changes to a schedule:

[code:1:c6f85ba388]
Group 9

Nikea v. Australian Marsupials
Nikea v. Defari
Gesamtkuntswerk v. Nikea
Dennisov v. Nikea
Nikea v. The Dragonian Empire
Australian Marsupials v. Nikea
Defari v. Nikea
Nikea v. Gesamtkuntswerk
Nikea v. Dennisov
The Dragonian Empire v. Nikea
[/code:1:c6f85ba388]
>>

Limentel: Well, that's the schedule, and we have joining us from Solarin Stadium here in Queldas Resterin Terestel, the manager in the international side. Welcome.

Terestel: Thanks, glad to be here.

Limentel: First, what are your thoughts on the group that your side has drawn?

Terestel: Well, I'm rather pleased actually. We didn't draw a huge name in our group, unlike a couple of the other groups, and we went from an unknown side in the our first World Cup to 71st in the world. We also have a number of unknown teams in our group, without any international experience.

Limentel: Any major concerns?

Terestel: Dennisov and Gesamtkuntswerk will be difficult, there's no doubt about that. I'm also slightly worried about the lower ranked teams, as they will be anxious to prove themselves and might catch a higher team off guard, so that's something to watch out for.

Aseriuene: Resterin, tomorrow you have a match at home to Australian Marsupials. Do you have any thoughts prior to this game?

Terestel: The guys are definitely looking forward to it. I've told them to get plenty of rest and take it easy tonight, but I'm sure that they'll all be quite excited for tomorrow. I'm not quite sure what to expect from the visitors, they haven't played any big games, but I'm sure that they will be a tough opponent nonetheless.

Limentel: Thanks for your time here tonight, Resterin.

Terestel: No problem.

Limentel: Well, that is all we have for tonight. Be sure to join us tomorrow at 11:30 am for the pre-kick off show, kickoff is at 1pm at Solarin Stadium. For Rakemin Aseriuene, I'm Isterin Limentel, saying goodnight.

<<LESNN>>
JH: Before we continue, let's look at Liverpool England's WC8 Qualifying team roster. Just to note, a # sign means the player participated in both WC6 and 7.
Mark Hearne#
Phillipousis Hert#
Abel Davhere#
Port Jomas#
Lough Langley#
Hern Locklin#
D.D. Hamark#
Flip Dog#
Caddy Cannon#^ (captain)
Andrew Winter#
Lucas van Germ #
Paul Oliver Dussis #
Howard Christopher
Freddy van Ållstrom

DJ: Yes, let's get on with it. Group Ten... Dark Outcasts and Ravenspire, Group 11 Lowland Clans infront of Busby. Group twelve, Kingsford and Commerce Heights, Group 13, Ariddia and Lemmitania, Group 14, Pure Evil and Liverpool England and Group 15 we could see Spaam and Aquilla.

JH: The likely line-up for the Consumer Engineering match is.....

[code:1:239c0d807a]
---------------------Hearne--------------------
---Hert----Davhere----Jomas----Langley---------
---------------Locklin--Hamark-----------------
--Cannon (c)------------------------Winter-----
------------Dussis--------Christopher----------

BENCH:
"Flip Dog" Chusto
van Germ
van Ållstrom[/code:1:239c0d807a]

Either I'm confused or something doesn't add up in the matchups. If the first team listed is the home team on odd matchdays and the away team on even matchdays, one hosts six both times ("1 vs 6" on day one and "6 vs 1" on day six) and hosts 2 both times (on day 5 and on day 10)... and other matchups aren't right-- In Ogle's example, on day 7, 1900's Ogle should be hosting ORD, etc.

Ogle/Bed, can you check those fixtures?

To my knowledge, the first team listed is always the home team, which would completely eliminate that problem. ;)

I was thinking that you'd either play the first game home or away, and alternate after that. No matter if you played the first game at home or away, you'd end up playing that team at their home stadium and at your own anyways.

The Arkham Herald

Oglethorpian legislation introduced concerning 1901 and modern World Cup teams
Oglethorpian government tackles the issue of the 1901 National Team brought through time to present day

The Oglethorpian Parliament voted 73 to 27 in favor of a bill that bans the trading of players from the 1901 National Team to the modern World Cup team, or vice versa. "This is intended to maintain the integrity of the international game," commented Association of Fútbol President Phillip Neuman. "Technically, having the 1901 National Team here in the present-day means that we have two national teams competing in the World Cup. It's only fair to the other competitors that these two teams can do no player-trading between them."

Giant Zucchini finds itself in Group 3, second only to 10th seed Snub Nose 38. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "We will definitely be looking for a good qualifying ahead. We had a better than decent qualifying the last time, and if we can keep it up, I'm sure we can mount a serious challenge this year."

Group 1
Errinundera (1)
Runaway Moose (4)
Pavesia (39)
Mezitzia (72)
Coffee Cup
Endray-Island


YES! WONDERFUL! Our first match and it's already against the world champion! :D
This group is the best thing that could happen to us. We love challenges like that...

Kaze Progressa have been drawn in a tough group for WC8 qualifying. Drawn against WC7's breakout side Arridia and the established legends Lemmitania, nobody outside the country has given them a prayer. But the manager Chares Catrar insists 'nothing is impossible... we hope to at the very least gain respect among the other nations and push for third place.'

World Cup 9 (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75434)

TnUI has pointed out that having each team play 5 home games followed by 5 away games (or vice versa) is a bit unrealistic, and after a brief discussion, I have to agree. Therefore, if Oglethorpia doesn't mind, I'm altering the qualifying fixtures slightly:

Matchday 1
1 vs 6
2 vs 5
3 vs 4

Matchday 2
5 vs 1
4 vs 2
6 vs 3

Matchday 3
1 vs 4
2 vs 3
5 vs 6

Matchday 4
3 vs 1
6 vs 2
5 vs 4

Matchday 5
1 vs 2
3 vs 5
4 vs 6

Matchday 6
6 vs 1
5 vs 2
4 vs 3

Matchday 7
1 vs 5
2 vs 4
3 vs 6

Matchday 8
4 vs 1
3 vs 2
6 vs 5

Matchday 9
1 vs 3
2 vs 6
4 vs 5

Matchday 10
2 vs 1
5 vs 3
6 vs 4

Basically, I just switched days 2 and 7, as well as switching days 4 and 9.

Scuttlebutt - Morning Edition

Venue Announced for Qualifiers
Sten, Snub Nose 38

The Acting Minister of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages today confirmed that all World Cup 8 Qualifying Matches played in Snub Nose 38 will be played in the Snub Nose 38 National Stadium, "38 Special". The stadium is just a few kilometers north of our capital city, Sten. Recently completed renovations have increased the seating capacity from 38,500 to 45,000. The east and north parking lots have been expanded, and an additional parking lot added on the west. Locker room facilities have been improved and enlarged, and the benches for the teams now have clear plexiglas covers. Lighting has been added to allow for night matches, and concession stands doubled. An additional 8 meter by 20 meter large TV screen has been added so that the stadium now has one on the north end of the pitch, and one on the south end.

"We're looking forward to hosting the 5 World Cup 8 qualifiers that will be held here in Snub Nose 38," said the Acting Minister, "This will be top quality international football at it's best, and we can't wait for the matches to begin."

"We're ready," commented a spokesperson for the Snub Nose 38 Hooligan Cheerleaders.

Here is an excerpt from a recent palantiri broadcast on WW1:

Bazgash: “Hello my name is Bazgash the Sly and with me is Warnocks Wizards national team manager Ufwurz the Furious. Before we begin the interview, let’s look ahead to the qualifying schedule. Warnocks Wizards have been drawn in Group 12 for qualifying. Here is the full schedule:

Matchday 1
Commerce Heights (54) v. Warnocks Wizards
Matchday 2
Warnocks Wizards v. Kingsford (30)
Matchday 3
Akbarland (17) v. Warnocks Wizards
Matchday 4
East Spaam v. Warnocks Wizards
Matchday 5
Warnocks Wizards v. Nadaskor
Matchday 6
Warnocks Wizards v. Commerce Heights (54)
Matchday 7
Kingsford (30) v. Warnocks Wizards
Matchday 8
Warnocks Wizards v. Akbarland (17)
Matchday 9
Warnocks Wizards v. East Spaam
Matchday 10
Nadaskor v. Warnocks Wizards

Bazgash: Welcome to the program Ufwurz. Would you like to comment on the draw?

Ufwurz: No, I wouldn’t, but I will anyway. The organisers have done us little favour in scheduling three of our first four matches away. And we play the three ranked teams immediately. We couldn’t have a more difficult start. If you could find a positive, this should “blood” the lads from the start of qualifying.

Bazgash: It’s interesting you should mention this–how will you compensate for the team’s lack of international experience, especially given your first three matches against the seeded sides?

Ufwurz: There’s no substitute for experience of course, but we’ll try our best to harry and press the opposition. We may not have international experience, but our lads are amongst the fittest in the world. The Wars of the Rings have toughened us up. We will hope to use this to our advantage.

Bazgash: Will this play in to the style you hope to employ in the opening matches?

Ufwurz: Yes, we will press and press and press, hoping to exploit mistakes and score quickly from the counterattack. On the whole, we stress strength down the middle, and quick passing and movement from the flanks and up front.

Bazgash: How are the team’s preparations going?

Ufwurz: We are training in a variety of climates, elevations, and surfaces in an attempt to be prepared for all possibilities. I’ve taken the lads to the Dead Marshes where we’ve worked on stamina and short passing. We’ve trained in the mines of Moria to improve strength and teamwork. We’ve run and chased the horses of the Rohirrim to work on pace. We’ve also visited the tower of Orthanc and consulted with Saruman II on the mental approach to the game.

Bazgash: I’ve noticed most of the team come from Champions League debutantes New Orthanc United. Would you like to comment on the team selection?

Ufwurz: Most of the squad come from our top two professional sides, New Orthanc United and Boromir Blades. It’s important especially in an internationally inexperienced side as ours to use the club side experience and familiarity to your advantage. That said, The One Ring Premiership is improving all the time and I will be able to draw from a larger pool of players in the future.

Bazgash: Thank you for joining us today, Ufwurz, and I’m sure I speak for all the citizens of the Empire in wishing you the best in attempting to qualify for the World Cup. Any final thoughts?

Ufwurz: Only this, we’ve been cultivating a never say die attitude in the side. We will be difficult to beat. Go on you red & white wizards!

Bedistan's corrections have been edited into my post right below his on the first page.

Matchday 1 results have been posted. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1654213#1654213)

Off to a Good Start

The Outcasts plight for the world cup trophy began to day with a good start by winning the first match 2-1. Lets just hope it continues.

Applause all round for the Demonic Beings on and off the pitch as they recorded a fantastic 3-0 win in thier second world cup. The team aim to qualify this year, but the bookies are looking doubtful - however the team are confident enough

OOC: Linkz0rs!!!!!1!11111!11!!!!!oen

1901 National Team Roster (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1624877#1624877)
Tables After Matchday 1 (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1654716#1654716)

The Arkham Herald

1901 National Team loses to team from Oddslavo
Oglethorpia's time-traveling 1901 National Team falls to Oddslavo 2-1

Oglethorpia's 1901 National Team took to the pitch for the first time in a century against a Oddslavo team ranked 35th in the world. Oglethorpia's star striker Phillipe would score Oglethorpia a goal in the 31st minute, putting the 1901-side up one-nil over Oddslavo. Just before the half, however Oddslavo would score the equalizer, the score one-one going into the second half. Oglethorpia's keeper Harold MacKaye had successfully stopped two-more drives in the second half, before Oddslavo crossed one down some 20 yards and and it was headed in past MacKaye putting Oglethorpia down one goal.

George Silva would perhaps make Oglethorpia's most promising drive to attempt to bring the score back to 2-2 in the 65th minute, before a foul was called in the goalie box. However he would soon be given a yellow for diving and would get no free kick, Oglethorpia failing to score any more goals in the regular duration of the game. The 1901 National side left the field opening modern-World Cup play with a defeat in Oddslavo's home turf. Said striker George Silva: "I did not think it was a dive at all, but I guess that's where me and the referee disagreed."

Coach Marvin Jones was fairly upbeat about the defeat. "Our team's rusty. I mean, we were brought forward 100 years through time, so it's going to take us awhile to fall into our playing groove." The team will be sticking to the 3-2-5 formation despite the loss at Oddslavo. The 1901-side's next match is against One Red Dot, at home in beautiful Kuruma Stadium in Oglethorpia City. Here's how the group tables shake down after the conclusion of matchday one.

[code:1:7faa2c5e17]
Group 6 P W D L F A GD Pts
Dead Man (107) 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Chronos Prime 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
Oddslavo (35) 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
1900s Oglethorpia 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
One Red Dot (16) 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
The Weegies (68) 1 0 0 0 0 2 -2 0

[/code:1:7faa2c5e17]

Oglethorpia's 1901 National Team sits in 4th place in group 6, the team from One Red Dot the victim of an upset against newcomer Chronos Prime. Will One Red Dot come back against Oglethorpia's 1901-side? We'll tell you in next week's World Cup coverage.

Weegies Star Sport Report - Weegies Fans Angry After Shock Home Defeat.

The Weegies 0 - Dead Man 2

Normally Weegies fans are very sympathetic to new managers settling in to the job of national coach. But it seems this is not the case for James Mackintyre, replacing James Mackenzie, as his honeymoon period is over before it has even begun after leaving out normal shot-stopper Tommy Devopoulous for uncapped Ken Johnston.

A spokesman for the Weegies Supporters Association had this to say:

"We feel that a grave mistake was made replacing Tommy for the inexperienced Johnston. Experimentation is all very well and good in friendlies, but not in the World Cup. It's sheer madness. Plus, today the players didn't look as fired up as they were under Mackenzie. One more awful mistake like this, and we'll lose all faith in Mackintyre, and lobby to bring back Mackenzie."

"I can experiment to find the perfect team whenever I damn well please." said an angry Mackintyre. "Just because the WSA still have dreams about Mackenzie doesn't make him fantastic. Remember, we didn't get through last time. So why is he so revered? This was a shock result, yes. But nothing we can't recover from."

It was an unusually poor performance from The Weegies. Perhaps the not being the underdogs gives them a too-inflated opinion of themselves. A scrappy goal was given away in the 12th minute by the bad man marking of the central defenders McMenamin and Hussain letting the two Dead Man strikers run riot in the penalty area, and forcing the ball past an unconvincing goalie. Few chances were created by the Weegies side, and the thoughts of a comeback were shattered in the 86th minute by a fine, curling freekick from the edge of the penalty area.

Team:
Johnston, Ken (GK)
Black, John (DL)
McMenamin, Harry (DC)
Hussain, Lemar (DC)
Stewart, Ian (DR)
Cameron, Alistair (ML)
Kincaid, Fred (MC)
Johnston, Colin (MC)
De Bruis, Peter (MR)
Stampson, Dave (SC)
Smith, Jamie (SC)

Timway has once again (for the third consecutive qualification, I believe) been drawn into the same group as TnUI. This is a great misfortune for TnUI, as Timway's luck against them is sure to change this time around. Otherwise, group eight looks like a pushover, as Timway and TnUI should easily advance through to cup proper.

The Qualifying Groups

Group 8

[code:1:3768a41ee6]
Total n Utter Insanity (19)
Timway (31)
Antaeus Rising (53)
Northern Kings (108)
New Pavesia
Neolithica

[/code:1:3768a41ee6]

Timway has once again (for the third consecutive qualification, I believe) been drawn into the same group as TnUI. This is a great misfortune for TnUI, as Timway's luck against them is sure to change this time around. Otherwise, group eight looks like a pushover, as Timway and TnUI should easily advance through to cup proper.

Your past history with TnUI wasn't a factor in selecting that group, by the way.

The Belmore Family and Friends
The Qualifying Groups


Group 1
Errinundera (1)
Runaway Moose (4)
Pavesia (39)
Mezitzia (72)
Coffee Cup
Endray-Island

Ahhhh.... Coffee Cup, playing against 4 seeds, no chance.


Group 4
Audioslavia (13)
Quohog (26)
Demonic Beings (47)
Voyger
BlackEagle Corporation
Sycoes

Good luck Voyger


Group 7
The Belmore Family (15)
Tanah Burung (27)
Jacktazea (50)
Keyshona
Jadonopolos
Zinkoland

This group is graced with my precence.Yeh, go Belmore


Group 11
Busby (14)
The Lowland Clans (34)
God Squad (62)
Hellfish
Parthenon
Slops Pit

Both Hellfish and God Squd, what a lucky group.


Group 13
Arridia (6)
Lemmitania (20)
Sazland (67)
Kaze Progressa (82)
Zeronia
N S A

Sazland has a small chance. Best of luck.

Belmore's macthes
Zinkoland HOME 1-1
Jadonopolos AWAY
Keyshona HOME
Jacktazea (50) AWAY
Tanah Burung (27) HOME
Zinkoland AWAY
Jadonopolos HOME
Keyshona AWAY
Jacktazea (50) HOME
Tanah Burung (27) AWAY

Ufwurz Furious with Wizards Debut

Warnocks Wizards go down 4-1 in World Cup Opener

From our news services...

Warnocks Wizards inaugural world cup qualifying campaign got off to a rocky start on Saturday as the Wizards were handedly defeated 4-1 at Commerce Heights. The Wizards began the game in the worst possible circumstances, slotting home an own goal from the opening kickoff. Midfielder Krumsnak the Sneaky's opening kickoff had too much guile for his teammates and rocketed past his own keeper, Globtakh the Meek, on 2 seconds.The scoreline was nearly doubled just two minutes later when the Meek Wizards goalkeeper failed to collect a cross. Manager Uzwurz the Furious, fuming on the sidelines, immediately subbed Globtakh the keeper and brought on New Orthanc United's Ishhak the Smasher. Of the substitution, manager Ufwurz was overheard mumbling about Globtakh the Meek being too meek on crosses. The lead was doubled on 16 minutes when midfielder Akhklash the Paunch failed to pick up Commerce's overlapping fullback, who cooly tapped in a cross from the right. The Wizards conceded a third just before halftime when defender Mausnik the Cleaver cruelly brought down Commerce's number 9 in the box. Mausnik was lucky to remain on the pitch as the penalty was easily converted. The Wizards slunk to halftime, trailing 3-0.

Manager Ufwurz the Furious had some choice words for his charges at halftime; his polite discussion to his troops was clearly heard by the rest of the stadium. The Wizards began the second half brightly, with Ghazghash the Sleazy and Ishklash the Pug-nose going close. However, the tie became further green fruit-shaped with the Wizards conceding a fourth on 58 minutes. Commerce's number 8 finished off an excellent build up of play. The Wizards finally had something to celebrate on 74 minutes after substitute striker Globdreg the Destroyer's punishing volley from 25 yards out. The Wizards finished the game with some fine passing moves, largely created by midfielder Ghazghash the Sleazy. In the end, however, the Wizards will be rueing their early mistakes and look forward to hosting Kingsford on matchday two at New Orthanc United's imposing ground, the Tower.

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

Brittania off to winning ways.


Brittania kicked off their World Cup VIII qualifying bid by defeating Ineptia 2-1 this afternoon at New Providence Park In front of almost seventy thousand fans.

Goals from Derek Lionel and a converted penalty by Noel Huntly wrapped up the points for the Home team, who had taken the unusual step of resting key players such as Zurich & Winter ahead of their vital tie against others within group five.


FINAL SCORE:

Europa Brittania 2 Ineptia 1
Lionel 23
Huntly [Pen] 60


[OOC: This is the last WC that will feature my current team, laziness had prevented me forming another, but I shall at this compeititions conclusion, becuase as we all know, I won't win it....not for the lack of attempts. {eight in counting} Also Im interested to see how many teams in my group actually Rp or even post anything about their matches. I can't remember the last time I was member of a group containing more than two other teams that regularly posted anything.... :s]

*****ASPN WORLD CUP 8 SPECIAL REPORT*****

*the strains of the aspn theme, a little to loud and clearly not suited to sports, can be heard. we see the wc8 logo, transparent, on the screen. through it we see, in quick succession, four goals being scored, two magnificent saves, a corner kick, and a beautiful tackle. the scene changes to the aspn studios, where our reporter is seated behind the sports desk. behind him on the wall are a snub nose 38 hooligan jersey, and a male 18 jersey.*

Qualifying matches for World Cup 8 started for the Snub Nose 38 International Football side, “The Hooligans”, today. The Hooligans first opponent were the side from Male 18. This was a home match for the Hooligans, at 38 Special Stadium, in front of a sell out crowd of 45,000. The Hooligans are once again hosting world class football right here at home.

*we see the east gate at 38 special stadium, just below a huge bas-relief hooligan logo. thousands of festive fans are funneling through into the match. the crowd is a mix of the hooligan home colors and the male 18 away colors. we hear conga drums already. inside, it’s a see of little banners, signs, balloons, various noise makers, and all that makes up the festivities surrounding a football match.*

After the national anthems of both sides were played, the match got underway. The Male 18 side held the Hooligans scoreless for the first half, and were held scoreless in turn. The play was excellent, and exciting, but neither side was able to finish.

*a male 18 player’s shot from about 12 yards out is punched away by the hooligan keeper, pancake. knuckles, the hooligan captain, takes a shot from 25 yards out. it heads directly for the near post, upper corner – but is snatched out of the air by the male 18 keeper.*

At the half the scoreboard read “0 – 0”

*we see the scoreboard, which reads…what did you expect? of course it reads 0 – 0. we just told you that’s what it read. come on, work with me here, people.*

The Snub Nose 38 Hooligan Cheerleaders provided half time entertainment as only they can.

*the hooligan cheerleaders rush onto the field. a hush falls over the crowd, as they all take a moment to dig through their things to find the appropriate implements. the cheerleaders form up in a giant “38” shape, and begin cheering*

“Snub Nose 38, Hip Hip Horray!!
Hooligans, Hooligans, take it away!!
The Hooligans’ll beat cha, today is their day!!
Male 18 whosiwhatzis – mail them away!!
Male 18 BOO!! Male 18 BOO!! Male…”

*the air is filled with flying vegetation – all extremely ripe, and all aimed (extremely well, we might add) directly at the hooligan cheerleaders by male 18 and snub nose 38 fans. tomatos, eeesys, cucumbers, celery, radishes, a couple of watermelons, two very large pumpkins, a selection of egg-plants, a chicken, two small goats, and an actual kitchen sink. all of it descends on the hooligan cheerleaders – who become covered in what looks like a nice stew, duck (yes, there was a duck in there too), and run for cover. world cup football is back in snub nose 38*

The Sheriff of Remington County issued the Hooligan Cheerleaders a warning against further inciteful behavior. If history tells us anything, it tells us the warning will be ignored.

The Second half began much as the first, but in the 53rd minute Knuckles was able to put one in the net. He’d brought the ball from midfield through several Male 18 defenders, and had passed it off to Neanderthal – who held possession for a moment, then set Knuckles up perfectly for a dead-on shot from 12 yards directly in front of goal, almost right on the penalty spot. The Male 18 keeper was caught a little off his line, made a valiant dive for the ball, but never really had a chance.

*we see knuckles’ goal. it’s as described above. the hooligans break out in celebration.*

Male 18 brought it back even 6 minutes later with this goal.

*a male 18 midfielder lofts the ball over two hooligan defenders, where it comes down directly in the path of a male 18 striker dead in his run. the striker volleys the ball before it touches the ground, and it’s in the net before the hooligan keeper pancake can reach it.*

So it was 1 – 1 , and so it stayed until the 88th minute, when a penalty kick was awarded to the Hooligans for a hand ball in the area. The Male 18 keeper dove to his left as Knuckles but the ball to the keepers right.

*we see the penalty called, and the male 18 manager yelling at the referee, who ignores it. the ball is spotted. knuckles moves it a bit. the keeper dances back and forth on his line. knuckles approaches the ball, and shoots. the keeper goes left, the ball goes right, the scoreline goes to 2 –1*

And that was the final: MALE 18 1 – SNUB NOSE 38 HOOLIGANS 2

*****THIS HAS BEEN AN ASPN WORLD CUP 8 SPECIAL REPORT*****

FIRST DOUBLE POST OF THE CUP!

FIRST TRIPLE POST OF THE CUP!

FIRST QUADRUPLE POST OF THE CUP!

[OOC: This is the last WC that will feature my current team, laziness had prevented me forming another, but I shall at this compeititions conclusion, becuase as we all know, I won't win it....not for the lack of attempts. {eight in counting} Also Im interested to see how many teams in my group actually Rp or even post anything about their matches. I can't remember the last time I was member of a group containing more than two other teams that regularly posted anything.... :s]

Tell me about it.

If I could make a group of 100% good RPers, I would, but that wouldn't be fair to the World Cup or the quality of the matches.

Alas, that's why the first round is fun, most of the good teams have good RPers.

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Nikea Opens World Cup Qualifying Bid With Win
Defeats Australian Marsupials 2-1
by Markenin Markenel

QUELDAS(NP) - Fans were treated to a delightful football matchup this afternoon at Solarin Stadium, as the home side pulled off a 2 goals to 1 victory over the 127th ranked Australian Marsupials side.

The controlled the match from the getgo, getting many chances in the opening minutes, with little success. That all changed in the 25th minute as Kesterin Irisiuene slotted a shot into the far left corner, putting the Pandas up 1-0. The second half was also controlled by Nikea, and in the 73rd minute, Kerenin Keresiuene smashed a free-kick offering just outside the box into the top right corner, past the outstretched Marsupials keeper, making it 2-0. The Marsupials scored a late consolation goal in the 88th minute, but that did not dampen the spirits of the 63,000 Nikean football fans at Solarin Stadium, as the final whistle blew mere moments later, ending the match in Nikea's favour.

Nikean manager Resterin Terestel was pleased with his team's performance. "We played a solid match," he said at the post game conference. "We got a smashing effort from each player, and the substitutes we brought on throughout the match impressed me as well. I was a little unhappy by the lapse at the end, but with a little work that won't happen again."

Team captain Keresiuene was also happy with his team's game. "We played as a team, and that's something that is one of the most important things for a team like ours to do."

Nikea now sits tied for second in the Group 9 table after the first day. Gesamtkuntswerk sits atop the table having scored a 2-0 victory over the unranked Dragonian Empire, and Dennisov defeated unranked Defari 1-0. Nikea's next match is on the road at Defari, a team which caused the 18th ranked Dennisov side a fair amount of trouble today.

The largest surprise of the day came from Group 2, where unranked Simba Polo took 2nd ranked Svecia to a 4-4 draw.

[code:1:8bc487264e]

Nikea 2
(Irisiuene 25, Keresiuene 73)
v.
Australian Marsupials 1
(<player> 88)
[/code:1:8bc487264e]

KM: ...authorities say the false pope can be recognized by his foul language and high-top sneakers. Meanwhile, in sports, it's once again time for the World Cup, and as qualifying matches begin, anticipation is running high. With me to discuss the first game is Michael Black. Mike?

MB: Thank you, Kath. As many of our viewers will remember, the previous World Cup was arguably Ravenspire's best outing ever, at least as far as qualifying was concerned. Unfortunately, the breakout of war, and the military callup of several players, resulted in a squad bereft of its strongest players, which was eliminated in the first round of the Cup proper. Fans hope that this year will be a different story. With the exception of midfielder April Schauer, who was replaced by the Fal Dara Scorpions' Michael Matthew Maule, the Ravens' roster is unchanged.

KM: That's including football legend Zhen Sui-Ling, whose retirement has been predicted for years. It seems she's still going strong, despite her age. Some have speculated that she's employing anti-agathics.

MB: But while Sui-Ling still captures the hearts of fans, it's foxgirl Kaede Kitsuki who has emerged as the offensive power driving the team, and this first game was no exception. She's come a long way since debuting in World Cup 5.

KM: Kitsuki Stadium in Sargard, completed just last year, was packed to capacity for today's event, despite the chill and overcast weather, which was somewhat abnormal for the region.

MB: The Ravens spent much of the first half on defense, and they're apparently as skilled as ever there. It wasn't until almost thirty minutes in that we saw the first real offensive mounted by the crimson and black. Onscreen, you'll see Arawn Frost heading down one side of the field. Closer to the middle is Amara Akizuki, and that player who's mostly cut-off from the screen is Kaede Kitsuki, as we'll see in a moment... Arawn passes inward to Amara, and here come the Memeplex defenders... and Amara passes to Kaede, who shoots... and it's in, right in the upper left corner of the net.

KM: Kaede's improved a great deal technically since her debut, and she and Amara have been working more closely as a team with every passing Cup.

MB: That's no surprise, Kath. By the way, I hear that they've finally set a wedding date, after an engagement of nearly five years' length.

KM: I'm sure all the fans are wishing them well. Onscreen, we've got a clip of the second goal, ten minutes into the second half of the game, again scored by Kaede off a pass from Amara -- looks like a goalkeeper error, there.

MB: And finishing off a stunning start, Kaede completes the hat trick late in the game, off a pass from Sui-Ling. A solid victory, especially for a team not known for its scoring.

KM: The Ravens have landed at the top of their group, thanks to goal differential. We'll see whether they're able to maintain that position as we follow them through the qualifiers. In other sports news, the Fal Dara tennis tournament enters semifinals...

Kathryn Malley and Michael Black, reporting for RNN

Final score: Ravenspire 3 - Memeplex 0
Goals: Kaede Kitsuki (32, 54, 87)

The Midshire Gazette

Mike White claims identity theft!
Mike White, Oglethorpian football commentator of 19 years claims identify theft from Ravenspire commentator Michael Black

Mike White, Oglethorpian football commentator of 19 years (4 prior to commentating World Cup 4 with Junior Garcia (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=606425#606425)) claims that Ravenspiran television figurehead Michael Black has stolen his identity. "I've been doing football commentary for 19 years, and i've never heard of this Michael Black fellow. The similarities are obvious. His name is Mike, as is mine. And his last name is; well-, uh, they're clearly associated with one another," White said concerning the issue.

Mike White has commented everything from World Cup 4 (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=584314#584314) to Giant Evil Spider Football matches (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1626104#1626104) with new co-host Murray Witcombe of Tripoli, Southern Oglethorpia. When asked if Mike White knew that Michael Black of Ravenspire also covered Ravenspire's bid in World Cup 4 hosted by Brazillico, he was quoted as saying "oh, yeah, right. Well, you know. It's all the same that he's imitating me."

OOC: No hard feelings, Ravenspire :wink:

OOC: *laughs* No worries. It's hilarious. Gives me something to work with. Kind of funny that I'd have an off-field rivalry before an on-field one this Cup, though. 8)

The Tripoli Times

Oglethorpians everywhere ask: where did Zombimeecia go?
Oglethorpian football fans across the nation ask in unison: where did the Zombimeecia football side go?

Oglethorpian football fans across the nation are bewildered at the absense of the much loved football-side from Gilmeecia's rotting-underground and cemeteries. "Man, i'd just like to know, like, where those one dudes went. Y'know, they were like smelly, and they kinda groaned, like, like this, man. 'Uhhhnnn...uhhhnnnhhnnn...flesh...uhnnnnn...' Y'know, man? Those guys were pretty cool, man," said a local hippy/football fan waiting in line for tickets to the ORD-1901 Oglethorpia game at Kuruma Stadium. Here's the Zombimeecia side as it appeared in World Cup 6.

Necropolis City Muertus Rotticus

G Dead Joe
D Gutshot Earl
D Rotting Arthur
D "Maggot" Mike McKinley
M Ol' One-Arm
M Headless Andrew Scott
M Vince "Somebody stole my damn kidneys!" Vicuna (captain)
M Broke-leg Bill
F Leadfoot Lew
F Ol' No-Arm
F Consumptive Sam

Undertown Bane of the Living

G "The Braincruncher"
D Braineater Rex
D "Grey Matter" George Grey
D "The Brainnosher"
M Erich "The Brainster" von Snell
M Toothless old Brainmasher
M "Brainchomping" Brian
F "Ye Olde Braininator"
F "Sugarbrains" (captain)
F Bruce "The Brainlicker"
F Braaains! Braaaains!


Live from Necropolis City, this is the late Ben Grossman for Undead Radio Network. Tonight, Necopolis City take on rivals Undertown in an A-league matchup sure to be the game of the month. With me to call tonight's game is your favorite dead commentator, Shel Bramley. Say hello to the nice people, Shel.

Oglethorpian football fans are considering petitioning for the reappearance of a Zombimeecia national team to appear in World Cup 9. "That would be like, soooo cool, man. I'd totally like, go watch them play, man," said the same local hippy/football fan waiting in line for tickets to the ORD-1901 Oglethorpia game at Kuruma Stadium. We'll cover the progress of the 1901 National Team against ORD after the game's played in two weeks.

OOC: *laughs* No worries. It's hilarious. Gives me something to work with. Kind of funny that I'd have an off-field rivalry before an on-field one this Cup, though. 8)

OOC: Heh. Funny thing is, I don't think I ever noticed it until this World Cup, even though you've had him since World Cup 4 (my first.).

MATCHDAY ONE
LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 1 CONSUMER ENGINEERING 0

-LE LOSE CAPTAIN CANNON TO SUSPENSION

OREAN, LIVERPOOL ENGLAND-- Liverpool England have played their first game of the World Cup 8 Qualifying, defeating unranked Consumer Engineering 1-0. As Pure Evil drew 1-1 with Yentrofina and Hell Bovines launcehed a shock attack on 46th-ranked Gilmeecia, Liverpool England are second in the group to them, who won 3-1. However, Liverpool England will have to play their next match without Captain Caddy Cannon, who went in for a two-foosted tackle on a Consumer Engineering player, earning himself an automatic red-card. The Liverpool England FA are trying to appeal the ban, saying that it "was not a harsh, [nor an] intentional tackle, [it definitely] was not worth [a] red [card], a booking would [have sufficed]."
MEANWHILE ELSEWHERE IN THE HEARTLAND'S MATCHES
Group 5: Europa Brittania 2 Ineptia 1
Group 6: Oddslavo (Liverpool England Empire) 2 1900s Oglethorpia 1
Group 9: Dennisov 1 Defari 0, Gesamtkuntswerk 2 Dragonian Emp 0
Group 12: Kingsford 0 East Spaam 0
Group 14: Liverpool England 1 Consumer Engineering 0
Group 15: Spaam 2 Jangle Jangle Ridge 1

Press Secretary Gig Milkerson: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Oppressed People of Gilmeecia.

President Louis Gilsterson: Okay, settle down, settle down. Now, did you all see the game just now? The Kickfooters game, I mean, in the World Cup? ‘Cause I’ve been on sedatives for the past two hours, and I don't know if I was hallucinating or what. Can somebody tell me if I actually just saw the Kickfooters playing against a bunch of cows? Is that what happened?

Coach Bi Kikere: That’s what happened, Mr. President.

Pres: Okay, well, at least that’s sorta good. I mean, I’m not losing my mind, anyway. Can anyone explain that to me? I mean, what kind of yahoo fields a team of cows in the World Cup?

Coach: Hell Bovines is a nation of anthropomorphic cows, Mr. President.

Pres: Well, that’s the weirdest damn thing I’ve ever heard in my entire freaking life.

Coach: Is it?

Pres: Without a doubt. Okay. So the Kickfooters just played a bunch of cows. Who won?

Coach: The cows.

Pres: The COWS?! Are you shitting me?!

Coach: I shit you not, Mr. President.

Pres: Ned, is she shitting me?

Foreign Minister Ned Itchlesby: She ain’t shittin’ you, Lou.

Pres: So the Kickfooters got beat by cows. What’re the cows ranked?

Coach: They’re not ranked, sir.

Pres: Okay. Okay. So you’re telling me the Gilmeecia Kickfooters, 46th-ranked team in the entire freaking world, just got beat by a bunch of unranked cows? Is that what you’re telling me?

Coach: In a nutshell.

Pres: Are you shitting me?

Coach: No, sir.

Pres: Is she shitting me, Ned? Tell me she’s shitting me.

Ned: She ain’t shittin’ you, Lou. Those cows are unranked. It says so right here on the press release.

Pres: What... the... hell?

Coach: It happens.

Pres: Not in Gilmeecia it doesn’t!

Coach: You know what? I’d think, if it was going to happen anywhere, Gilmeecia’d be the place.

Pres: This is unacceptable!

Coach: Yeah, well, losing the opener doesn’t sit well with me either, you know.

Pres: You’re being pretty damn gracious about it.

Coach: Did you see the look on the players’ faces when they took the field?

Pres: I sure as hell did. I was there. Until halftime. I left at halftime. Couldn’t take it anymore. Cows running around on their hind feet kicking footballs. It was like a Gary Larson cartoon.

Coach: Well if you saw it, then you know those poor sods were about as freaked out as a poor sod can get.

Pres: Yeah well, so was I.

Coach: I tried to prepare them. I spent all week, since I found out we’d drawn Hell Bovines in our group, trying to prepare the squad for this. Told ‘em, ‘Hell Bovines are cows. We’re going to be playing against cows.’ McPhee laughed so hard milk came out his nose, and he wasn’t even drinking milk. ‘I’m serious,’ I said. ‘We’re going up against anthropomorphic cows.’ I think I shouldn’t have used that word. It made their eyes glaze over and I had to start hitting them in the head with rocks again. I haven’t had to do that for months.

Pres: They were in top form. I’ve been at the practices. The Kickfooters were ready to kick ass. I was even thinking of renaming the team the ‘Kickassers.’ And now look at ‘em. Beat by cows. That’s just not right.

Coach: To be fair, they played pretty well.

Pres: Did they? I couldn’t really focus on the game. The entire first half, all I could think was, ‘Holy cow. Holy cow cow cow.’

Coach: Did you notice the score?

Pres: At the half? It was one-all, I think.

Coach: That’s right. We were playing them very evenly, considering that our kids were totally freaked out. I’d especially like to commend Gilgabody Gilmooster for blocking six shots in the first half, and four more in the second. He actually turned in a very good performance. And good job to Gilgo Gobbins, who scored our lone goal at the thirty-six minute mark. Gilgo made a great recovery, considering that when he first took the pitch, he spent five minutes standing stock-still, screaming, ‘Cows! Cows! Cows!’ And he didn’t even stop when I bashed him in the head with a rock. I tell you, he’s got a skull of steel.

Pres: So what was the final score?

Coach: Three one.

Pres: Three one. We lost three one to cows. Man oh man, that’s humiliating.

Coach: Well, Hell Bovines are very advanced. They’re not just cows, they’re, like, ubercows.

Pres: Ubercows. What’s this world coming to? Next they’ll have us playing dire-FIFA spiders.

Coach: Actually, there is a team of dire-FIFA spiders playing now.

Pres: Holy crap! Are they in our group, too?

Coach: They’re not in the Cup. They’re too big; they won’t be allowed into the World Cup. They’re playing in a Giant Spider league or something.

Pres: You’re telling me there’s a Giant Spider football league?

Coach: From what I hear, the games are very entertaining.

Pres: Egad.

Coach: Indeed.

Pres: Well, I guess we might as well try a few questions from the field. I can see Gillian’s about ready to have an aneurysm over there.

GG: Gillian Gilquest, Gilmeecian Mail and Telegraph. Mr. President, what are the teams’ chances with two first-teamers out for the next match?

Pres: What, now? What’s this? Coach, what the hell is she talking about? She’s finally gone crazy in the head, right?

Coach: Uhhh, no. Unfortunately, Mr. President, it’s true. We’ll be down two of our regulars against Yentrofinova.

Pres: What, did a bunch of people die?

Coach: No one died.

Pres: ‘Cause we’ve had people die during games before. That one against Brazillico, when my cousin Moola-- What?! What’re you poking me for, Ned?

Foreign Min: You’re forgettin’, Lou.

Pres: I’m forgetting what?

FM: You’re forgettin’, Moola died after the game. Remember? He turned up in that dumpster...?

Pres: Oh, yeah. OHHH, yeah. That’s right. Thanks for reminding me, Ned. Yeah, nobody’s ever died during a Kickfooters game. And that still holds, I take it?

Coach: That still holds.

Pres: Okay. So I’m waitin’ for you to tell me what happened. Something happened in the second half, while I was sedated, is that right?

Coach: Yeah. Something did sort of happen.

Pres: So what happened? You’re not going to tell me? Ned, you know what happened?

FM: I couldn’t understand anything I saw today, Lou.

Pres: Somebody tell me what happened. Gillian, you know. Tell me.

GG: Rose Krantzengil and Moe Guildenstern were red-carded--

Pres: What!? What the hell for?

GG: I was about to tell you, sir--

Coach: Look. They made a simple mistake. You know, they’re good kids at heart. But they’re not too bright. They’re Gilmeecians, you can’t expect them to--

Pres: Just tell me what freaking happened!

Coach: Okay. At eighty-three minutes, Rose, I don’t know what got into her, but she went a little nuts.

Pres: What’d she do?

Coach: She attacked Ron Goldenspot with a knife and fork.

Pres: You’re shitting me.

Coach: I shit you not.

Pres: Ned, is she shitting me?

FM: I dunno, Lou. I wasn’t really following the action.

Pres: She attacked one of the cows?

Coach: With a knife and fork.

Pres: Okay. Okay. You know, in a crazy kind of way, I can see how that might happen. And that’s a red-card penalty, is it?

Coach: Oh, hell yes.

Pres: Huh. And what happened to Moe, then?

Coach: Eighty-ninth minute. Same thing.

Pres: What, Rose ran back on the field and attacked this Goldenspot again?

Coach: No, Moe attacked him. With a knife and fork.

Pres: You know what? I feel a little ill. So what was it about this Goldenspot cow, anyway?

Coach: I guess he just looked tasty.

Pres: So then Moe got red-carded too. And now they’re both out for the next game.

Coach: That’s right.

Pres: Well, if we lose the next game as a result, I don’t mind telling you, I’m gonna be pissed.

Coach: I’m surprised you’re not pissed that we lost this game as a result.

Pres: Waitaminute. You mean when these jokers attacked the cows, it cost us the game?

Coach: Well, the Hell Bovines scored their second and third goals on the penalty kicks.

Pres: Krantzengil and Guildenstern are dead!

Coach: I hope you don’t mean that literally. Because if you have them killed, it’ll severely hinder our chances the rest of the tournament.

Pres: Somebody get me another sedative. Right now!

Press Sec: Thank you ladies and gentlemen, this now concludes the press conference.

Oglethorpian football fans are considering petitioning for the reappearance of a Zombimeecia national team to appear in World Cup 9.

Why no Zombimeecia side in World Cup? Maybe this why:

Ben: You’re absolutely right! Sixteen minutes into the match, no one’s moved, so the refs are taking drastic measures. They’re doing something with the ball... oh my! They’re rubbing it with brains! For crying out-- look at the players! Every one of them is going into crazed brainlust attack mode! I wouldn’t want to be that ball-- or the ref, if he doesn’t drop it pretty quick. Okay, he’s tossed it onto the pitch, and the game is finally under way!

Shel: Brains! Braaains!

Ben: It’s true, you can smell it even up here... arrgh... and it smells sooo goood. Sweet sweet brains. Players on field are fighting for ball now... fans rushing down from stands, following sweet sweet scent of sweet sweet brains. Only journalistic integrity keeps me from joining the fray. Shel... Shel? Where Shel? Shel on field! Big fight, everybody want ball... Everybody want brain! Everybody... Me want brainball too! Arrrgh! Brains! Arrrrgh...

But Zombimeecia honored Oglethorpian hippy remember its loathsome existence. Maybe we come back and eat your sweet, sweet braaaains...

Akbarland have slumped to a disastrous 5-2 defeat at the hands of complete unknowns and suspected whipping boys Nadaskor. Heads are sure to roll for this.

Akbarland 2 (Samin Akbar 35, Hamid Kabir 62) Nadaskor 5

Lemm/DA/Zombie/Gil: I'm so glad Hell Bovines is in your group, that was funny as always :wink:

Lemm/DA/Zombie/Gil: I'm so glad Hell Bovines is in your group, that was funny as always :wink:
I hope I can try to win against them - they have already surprised me by winning.

Lemm/DA/Zombie/Gil: I'm so glad Hell Bovines is in your group, that was funny as always :wink:
I hope I can try to win against them - they have already surprised me by winning.

We'll see how they hold up :wink:

oocly, Ogle/Bedi, when you update the site, LE's three letter acronym is LEN, not LIV.

I hope I can try to win against them - they have already surprised me by winning.

If Liverpool England and Hell Bovines collide at quantum velocity, you know what you get? cow liver, of course

And I have to say, I could not have dreamed up a better setup than the Kickfooters losing to Hell Bovines in the Bovines' first WC match.

Cow liver, of course!
lol

oocly, Ogle/Bedi, when you update the site, LE's three letter acronym is LEN, not LIV.

I'll tell Beddy when I see him on AIM again.

Gil/Lemm/DA/Zombie: Definitely :wink: Kickfooters, heheh.

LIVERPOOL ENGLAND MATCHDAY 2 PREVIEW: HELL BOVINES

(ooc, wow, so coincidental)
Liverpool England are preparing for their next match to be played in the run-up to the World Cup's eighth edition, with a match against first-timers Hell Bovines, who have already defeated 46th-ranked Gilmeecia. When coach Jim Whites heard about the Gilmeecian lost, he was quoted as saying "What the fuck! Hell Bovines? A tough test..." Liverpool England, who will play their matches at different stadiums around the Empire, will play Matchday 2 in Barkeda, Oddslavo. Oddslavo, also part of the competition, is a part of the Empire. Recently, there has been a "breakaway" but Liverpool England's Government has insisted on playing the match there.

OOC for you people who want to be in WC9 but havent signed up here's the link once again... http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75434&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40

The Qualifying Groups

Group 1
Errinundera (1)
Runaway Moose (4)
Pavesia (39)
Mezitzia (72)
Coffee Cup
Endray-Island



:shock:
Why do we have to be so good!?

"Well, we all feel reassured," player Andrei Karel admitted after the team's 3-0 victory over NSA. "The first match is very important psychologically."

"Now we're just going to try and keep it up a little longer than we did last time..." fellow player Luc N'tula added. In the previous Cup, Ariddia was defeated after a string of 13 matches with no defeat, and failed to make it to the quarter-finals.


Goals:
Ford (19th)
Ford (40th)
Nyevich (69th)

NEWSFLASH:

A makeshift Giant Zucchini team fell at home to WNA, Plaat letting in the only goal deep in stoppage time in the second half. Giant Zucchini lost a large majority of its first-team players to the domestic league, which is weeks away from finishing. Regulars such as Kerrnigit, Oog and Urk were rested and were seen at points in the Giant Zucchini National Stadium. Zurk proved to be a solid defender once again, while Xcavabar hit the post with a fierce volley which could have given the Zucchinis the lead. Shtaan also had his chance, but his thunderbolt from just outside the area flew past the near post. The second half provided its fair share of chances, the best from second half substitute Furtermachtermorgstrasluwecragnavonchelsenntungkshvaghugtihetesprishtengckshnoff. He found himself in space early on, but his chip over the keeper cleared the crossbar as well. Finally, Faard gave WNA the win, his pass well intercepted by a WNA striker, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "We made the mistake of underestimating them. In the end, we paid for our mistake, losing our first match in qualifying. However, we should strike back in the next match, when the domestic league is over and we have our first team back at our disposal."


Final score:

Giant Zucchini - 0

WNA - 1

Final score:

Giant Zucchini - 0

WNA - 1 Bad luck Giant Zucchini (Geez, memo to self, never have a joke.)

Errinundera 5 Endray-Island 2 (National Downfal Stadium, First Creek Falls)
Err Goals: longipesp 2 (11, 74), sorais (2), joyhilla (49), nyleptha (82)
leighm medal: longipesp 3, codith 2, adealbata 1

F: longipesp (c), nyleptha, sorais
MF: adealbata, codith, melanoxylona, balicia
D: pomaderrisa, scaroline, snapier (dvc)
GK: regnanse (vc)
Sub: joyhilla, sbrunswick

Fixture:
Errinundera v Endray-Island (National Downfall Stadium, First Creek Falls)
Coffee Cup v Errinundera
Errinundera v Mezitzia (Frosty Hollow, Rooty Break)
Pavesia v Errinundera
Errinundera v Runaway Moose (Bonang Cricket Ground, Bonang)
Endray-Island v Errinundera
Errinundera v Coffee Cup (The Coliseum, McKillops Bridge)
Mezitzia v Errinundera
Errinundera v Pavesia (The Cavern, Mount Ellery)
Runaway Moose v Errinundera

[code:1:22f1b41e14]
Group 1 P W D L GF GA GD Ps
Errinundera 1 1 0 0 5 2 +3 3
Runaway Moose 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
Mezitzia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Pavesia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Endray-Island 1 0 0 1 2 3 -3 0
Coffee Cup 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
[/code:1:22f1b41e14]

Final score:

Giant Zucchini - 0

WNA - 1 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

...and you wonder why Spaam started taking the piss out of you.

oocly, Ogle/Bedi, when you update the site, LE's three letter acronym is LEN, not LIV.

I'll tell Beddy when I see him on AIM again.

Not necessary; I got it. ;)

Also, I went ahead and changed Male 18 from MAL to MLE, because I keep thinking "Malundar" when I see MAL, even though they're not playing.

BTW, for those wondering, I randomly chose which matches would be on there, and I'll probably do the same each day.

And for those newer folk who may be wondering what the heck we're talking about, the site is located here: http://nswcc.tripod.com

...
Pres: Krantzengil and Guildenstern are dead!...


8) lol. my bachelors is in theater. it was too funny when i read your roster for wc7, but this...i take my figurative hat off.

If Liverpool England and Hell Bovines collide at quantum velocity, you know what you get? cow liver, of course


Not mad cow disease?

*we are in the offices of the acting minister of athletics, olympics, and alcoholic beverages. the acting minister is pacing rapidly around the office, hands clasped behind his back, bi-focals gripped in his teeth by one temple. trying to follow him is his secretary, beverly, who keeps tripping over his heels each time he turns. beverly has her note pad and pencil, with two spare pencils stuck in her hair. the acting minister looks unhappy. beverly looks confused.*

- Without some help, we're going to lose!

*the acting minister's bi-focals fall to the floor as soon as he speaks. he bends down to pick them up. beverly bends down to pick them up. there is a loud "bonk". the acting minister places his bi-focals in his pocket. he and beverly continue, both rubbing their forheads*

- Sir, I'm not very good at this stenography thing. Could you go a little slower?
- Just keep up, Bev. Have we had any luck?
- Well...they did win their first match.
- Not that - with the search. Have they turned up anything?
- Oh...well, I spoke to the Minister of Super Secret Sleuthery's Secretary Sally on Saturday, Sir. Sally says she saw Super Secret Sleuthery spooks speaking with someone named Sam...
- Pick another letter.
- Pick another letter? What...
- You've used up "S". Pick another letter. Who was this Sam, and how does he figure into the search.
- Sorry, Sir. Sam seems to...oh, another letter - um...
- Just spit it out, woman!
- He's her agent. He had heard from her within the hour. He seemed hopeful, however. He had heard her conditions,,,
- I didn't really mean to pick another letter. What I really meant, Bev, was - try to speak normally. What conditions?
- What?
- Conditions.
- What conditions?
- Her conditions.
- She's well, thank you.
- Beverly - try to pay attention. You said she had conditions. I asked you what those conditions were. You lost track of the conversation again.
- Oh...well, Sally heard Sam tell the Super Secret Sleuthery spooks that it was a package deal, or nothing.
- What package?
- The deal.
- What deal?
- The package.
- What?
- Her conditions
- Bev.
- Yes, Sir?
- Using a sentence of more than 2 words, please tell me...what the bloody 'ell you're talkin about!
- Well, bottom line, Sir, seems to be that Margaret won't come back unless we bring him back too.
- But she despises him! She loaths him! She thinks he's a complete idiot!
- Apparently she has a better opinion of him than of you, sir.
- But...look, Bev, have they tried the bribery route?
- Margaret won't accept the bribe, sir.
- Not Margaret. The Republic of WNA. I mean, their motto is "Everyone has a price. Even Us!"
- Oh...yes...well, it seems that doesn't apply to sporting events, sir.
- Gag! Choke! Wheeze! We have to have Margaret's sacrificial supplication of the random number gods! We can't chance chance.
- Sir, the Ministry of Super Secret Sleuthery says the solution seems so simple...
- No more "S"s!
- They think we could have him as a figurehead, you know, and have a "man behind the throne" kind of thing. Margaret agreed with that.
- But then I have to pretend to be his flippin' deputy.
- Um...not you, sir. Margaret won't stand for it.
- Not me...
- Not you.
- But, then...
- You would become the Second Assistant Acting Deputy Substitute for the Temporary Vice Aide to the Secretary of the Minister.
- ...
- It's a done deal, sir.
- ...
- The moving men will be here in an hour. Our new office is down in the sub basement, two floors below the boiler room.
- ...

*we leave quietly, so as not to disturb the new second assistant acting deputy substitute for the temporary vice aide to the secretary of the minister.*

After receiving word of the above exchange, BSTV football commentator of thirteen years Sam Murphy vehemently denied having any involvement in Snub Nose 38 ministerial affairs.

"Margaret? I don't know anybody named Margaret. And what does it matter? Even if I did, how would you know it's the same Margaret? There are probably millions, if not billions of Margarets in the world. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go call Mar...er, Molly."

;)

*we're back at the hobo camp down by the railroad bridge. the ex-minister is rolled up in a tattered blanket, sleeping - a "38 special" still grasped in his hand, broken down top hat on his head. eileen dover is also asleep, in her ratty sleeping bag. ben dover is leaning against a tree, back halfway round to the fire, reading a paperback novel by firelight. margaret is fiddleing with something. at first we can't make out what, but then we realize it's a cell phone.*

- Flippin' thing! What is the international code for Bedistan?

*without looking up from his book, ben gives margaret the code. as she's about to dial, it rings. margaret answers it.*

- Sam?... Sam?
- ****** :D
- Hi, Murph. How's it goin'?
- ****** :P
- They bought it?! Listen, thanks...
- ************** :roll:
- Yeah, we're back in. We owe ya one, Sammy.
- ********** 8)
- Well, I appreciate it, but if ya ever need anything, Murph, just holler.
- ******* :wink:

*margaret turns off her cell phone. then - *

YAHOO!!!!

- What in the name of...!!
- Urmph - Huh!!
- Wazzat...!
- WE'RE BACK!!
- Back where, Margaret dear?
- Exactly, Eileen. What are you on about, Margaret.
- ...slurp, slurp.
- We're in! Back in the Ministry of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages. He's the Minister again.
- But...
- You and Eileen are gonna be Consultants to the Hooligans Manager, Ben.
- How...
- Sam Murphy helped me set it up. They're afraid to go through the Cup without sacrificial supplication of the random number gods. Sam told 'em he knew where I was, and acted as our agent. They didn't want him back as Minister, but they agreed once we hit on his being a figurehead, and having a 'man behind the throne' thing goin' on.
- So, who's the man behind the throne?
- Who has it always been?

OOC: Sorry for the delay in posting. :oops:
Gilmeecia: your post was damn funny :lol:

IC:

The Bovine Herald
National Team wins 3 to 1

Yesterday, our national team, The Bovine Milkers, won 3 to 1 against Gilmeecia, in an exciting match with lots of action.
2 of the 3 hell bovinian goals were made by Ron Goldenspots (by penalty kicks) and the other one was made by Andrés Thunderhorns from Revolution Team.
The winning was quite a surprise for the Gilmeecians, which were surprised by the agility that our team showed. Many of the players started laughing when they saw our hillariously-looking team entering the field, but after the match ended, they couldn't believe to have lost. The president of Gilmeecian was shocked when he heard the news.
But we have to admit that we wouldn't have won if it hadn't been for the 2 penalties we were given, caused by 2 incidents of this match. Apparently, 2 Gilmeecian players, Rose Krantzengil and Moe Guildenstern, literally tried to eat Ron Goldenspot with knives and forks. Fortunately, they were red-carded for this barbaric attitude and they won't be able to participate in their team next match. In the following press conference, Rose Krantzengil declared: ''Whoa, men, y'know. I was playing there and I saw the cow, y'know men. You have to understand me,men. I hadn't had breakfast that morning and the cow looked so damn tasty. Come on! Anybody would have done the same in that situation. Anyway, since when do cows play football? They have to give us milk and meat, not a football match.. This declarations were loathed by a group of hell bovines from the association ''Meat Eating Is Evil" (M.E.I.E.), who tried to attack the female Gilmeecian player. Two of the bovines were arrested for 1 week, but one of them managed to give the female human player a punch on the nose.
Another incident occured at the end of the match, when an Oglethorpian football fan tried to milk Nestor Starcow. According to witnesses, while doing this, he was shouting: "Look momma, I'm milking a cow on TV". The stadium security tried to arrest him, but he was too fast for them.
Despite this regretfull incidents, this was a match that showed some of the bravery of our players, teach an important lesson about not underestimating anybody and was an important victory for our team.
Tomorrow, we will be fighting against Liverpool England, in what will surely be a tough match.

...
Pres: Krantzengil and Guildenstern are dead!...


8) lol. my bachelors is in theater. it was too funny when i read your roster for wc7, but this...i take my figurative hat off.

I've been waiting over a month for the opportunity to use that one. :wink:

Final score:

Giant Zucchini - 0

WNA - 1 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

...and you wonder why Spaam started taking the piss out of you.

Much my own thoughts on the matter. A simple "Congrats, WNA" would have sufficed. TBF, the sort of celebration you've been engaging in would result in a yellow card if it took place on the football field (see the FIFA laws of the game).

If you really want to host the Cup, you might try showing a positive spirit of sportsmanship. No one wants a host who can't be gracious.

Final score:

Giant Zucchini - 0

WNA - 1 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

...and you wonder why Spaam started taking the piss out of you.

Much my own thoughts on the matter. A simple "Congrats, WNA" would have sufficed. TBF, the sort of celebration you've been engaging in would result in a yellow card if it took place on the football field (see the FIFA laws of the game).

If you really want to host the Cup, you might try showing a positive spirit of sportsmanship. No one wants a host who can't be gracious.
Geez, I wasn't trying to be rude and GZ would know that.

Geez, I wasn't trying to be rude

Be that as it may, that stuff doesn't sit well with people.

No one wants a host who can't be gracious.

Damn, I guess I won't be hosting again.

Fútbol Wrapup: World Cup Qualifying

Murray Witcombe: Hey fútbol fans, the World Cup is already in full swing with matchday 1 of qualifying already down, and we're here to bring you the highlights. But unfortunately, Mike White couldn't be here today since he's fighting a identity theft lawsuit-

Guy Picciotto: A near identify-theft lawsuit.

Murray: Yes, and that's Guy Picciotto, World Cup team coach-

Guy: Modern World Cup team coach.

Murray: Right, filling in for Mike White. Guy, what are your initial thoughts on matchday 1?

Guy: Well, formula 2.61 is working pretty well.

Murray: [Wispering] Sssh. You could unravel the whole system by mentioning that.

Guy: [Also wispering] Oh, right. Forgive me.

Murray: Forgiven.

Camera Man #1: We're still on.

Murray: Any other impressions, Guy?

Guy: Group 2 was boring. All ties throughout, goal difference the only factor that gives group 2 definitive standings.

Murray: Aye. Surprising for Svecia, 2nd in the world to tie with Simba Polo.

Guy: There's 9 games left, i'm sure they're going to plow through group 2; as is Halfassed.

Murray: Hey, we're on network television.

Guy: I know.

Murray: That means 'keep it clean.'

Guy: No, that's the nation's name.

Murray: Oh, my mistake. Carry on.

Guy: Rightio. For group 2, my picks would be Svecia and Halfassedstates.

Murray: How about the side from Hell's Bovines?

Guy: They'll need ample protection from the hungry Gilmeecia players the next time those squads meet on the pitch. I saw that game. It was funny and disturbing at the same time.

Murray: Right, goal difference has played to Hell's Bovines' advantage putting them above 28th ranked Liverpool.

Guy: The 1901 Oglethorpian National side...they're playing in One Red Dot today.

Murray: Aye.

Guy: [Looks at camera, Murray, then at the camera again]

Murray: Am I supposed to say something?

Guy: That's the idea.

Murray: Oh, well...they better win their next game.

Guy: We'd hope. All i've got going on is training with the modern squad.

Murray: That was a horrible topic transition.

Guy: Eh. I'm rooting for the 1901-side as much as anyone, but i'm more concerned with getting the modern-WC squad ready for the first round. As you know, Oglethorpia has failed miserably in the first round; only once out of four cups has Oglethorpia made it into the second round, only to be defeated by Total n Utter Insanity.

Murray: Oh yes, Oglethorpia's always been poor at winning the games that count in the first round.

Guy: You see the importance.

Murray: Will you be sticking with the 4-2-4?

Guy: I'm considering the 4-3-3, and leaving the 3-4-3 as a last resort. We'll definitely be exploring our options and will have a choice made by the time we enter the first round.

Murray: This is your first year of coaching. Anything different about the World Cup-play than club play in the Northern Premier League?

Guy: Well, we've got the best players from all the good clubs; Oglethorpia City FC, we've got two of their players, three from Tripoli FC, very promising kids they've just signed and Danny Bolton looks better this year than last.

Murray: Right. Well, we're wishing you the best of luck in the Cup.

Guy: We'll be giving it our all out there.

Murray: For stand-in Guy Picciotto and World Cup coach, i'm Murray Witcombe; good night, folks.

Guy: Isn't it 10:18 AM?

Murray: Meh.

Matchday 2 qualifying results have been posted. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1663536#1663536)

Bedistan will be doing the code-tables shortly.

Can't find the World Cup 8 topic? No problem! Just search for ZIOTAH!

That's a great codename to search for, and turn up the WC8 topic.

Brittania fight out all square.

Brittania ended their game against Rave Shentavo all square at one apiece.

Shentavo took the lead through a corner in the fourteenth minute, with slack defending allowing a bullet header to be sent past Reeves and into the net to make it one nil.

Brittania looked shaky throughout the first have, and the opposition had many chances to double their lead, with a free kick crashing off the inside left post with Mark Reeves well beaten.


Brittania earned a point with four minutes left to play, a Wicked McHilton free kick curling round the wall and into the net though the Shentavo Keeper managed to get a hand to the ball it proved unstoppable.

FINAL SCORE

Europa Brittania 1 Rave Shentavo 1
McHilton 87

1901 National Team Roster (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1624877#1624877)
One Red Dot Team Roster (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1645852#1645852)

The Seabrough Post

1901 National squad falls to the bottom of Group 6
1901 National Team loses second game in a row

Oglethorpia's 1901 National squad faced One Red Dot today, with ORD playing on their home pitch. ORD would take charge of the game early on, striker Gary Whiteman would be awarded a corner and Francis Dursley subsequently headed it in past Harold MacKaye, putting One Red Dot up 1-nil on 1900s Oglethorpia in the 25th minute. The 1901 National Team would strike back in the 41st after George Silva was awarded a penalty kick on what many thought to be a blatant dive. Silva would play it to Phillipe who scored it on a downed Matthews.

That would be the 1901 squad's only goal. Not even 10 minutes into the second half, Dursley would kick in a 30 yard cross from midfielder Perry Radford. After that One Red Dot's defense truely clamped down on any and all 1901 National Team drives. 1900s Oglethorpia would not score the equalizer and One Red Dot would defeat them 2-1 at home. "We're not scoring when it counts, and the offense quits when we need goals the most. The fullbacks aren't doing a good job with helping MacKaye in goal, either," commented coach Marvin Jones.

1900s Oglethorpia - 1
Silva 41
One Red Dot - 2
Dursley 25, 52

Ravens' Streak Continues
Defeat Alhana Catherine

Ravenspire's international football team continued their strong start today, defeating Cup veterans Alhana Catherine by a 3-1 margin. While lacking the excitement generated by the previous match's hat trick by Kaede Kitsuki, the game once again showcased what seems to be an increasing focus on offense by the Ravenspire side. Early attacks led to an initial goal by football legend Zhen Sui-Ling, though Alhana Catherine equalized the score before the half.

The second half of the game was equally dynamic; the Catherines' keeper successfully defended against six attacks before striker Amara Akizuki managed to score a goal on a pass from Kaede Kitsuki. The final goal came not long after, when Arawn Frost was awarded a corner, and Kaede successfully headed the ball past the keeper.

The strong showing was, however, not enough to maintain the Ravens' lead in the face of a 5-0 rout by the group's top seeds Dark Outcasts. Nevertheless, Amara states, "We're very pleased. Traditionally, we rarely score more than two goals per match, so having two games like this in a row is a definite improvement."

Goals: Zhen Sui-Ling 16, Amara Akizuki 77, Kaede Kitsuki 81

RNN Commentator Countersues Oglethorpian Announcer

Michael Black, a fixture at RNN Sports for over two decades, today announced his intent to countersue Oglethorpia's Mike White for identity theft and misrepresentation of identity. "I'm normally a pretty laid-back guy," the televid persona said when asked for comment, "but take a look at what's going on here. This 'Mike White' -- if that is his real name -- is claiming I'm copying him? Clearly, it's the other way around. I mean, how many people have ever heard of this 'Oglethorpia' place? No doubt it's another of these little upstart countries looking to make a quick mark for itself by stirring up some controversy. Normally, I'd say live and let live, but this guy is trying to ride my coattails." Informed that Oglethorpia has been a participant in the World Cup since WC4, and that White has a long record as a commentator, Black said, "Well, there you go. Everyone knows Ravenspire joined back in the third World Cup."

Black's lawyer added, "I haven't seen a case this clear-cut in a long time. It's plain black and white."

Initial Qualifier Results Startle Bookies

The gambling industry has been rocked by several unexpected results early in the qualifying matches of the World Cup. One bookie, who requested anonymity, notes, "Svecia, a draw? They're number two in the world. And the Zucchini haven't been doing so well, either -- I lost a bundle on that one."

The largest surprise so far, though, is Nadaskor, currently riding at the top of group 12. This team of newcomers, in their first world cup, have managed to defeat 17th-ranked Akbarland and draw against 54th-ranked Commerce Heights. "Yeah, we had to revise some of our odds after that first win," another source states. "Nobody knew what to expect from them. It should get easier to call the matches now, though."

RNN Commentator Countersues Oglethorpian Announcer

Michael Black, a fixture at RNN Sports for over two decades, today announced his intent to countersue Oglethorpia's Mike White for identity theft and misrepresentation of identity. "I'm normally a pretty laid-back guy," the televid persona said when asked for comment, "but take a look at what's going on here. This 'Mike White' -- if that is his real name -- is claiming I'm copying him? Clearly, it's the other way around. I mean, how many people have ever heard of this 'Oglethorpia' place? No doubt it's another of these little upstart countries looking to make a quick mark for itself by stirring up some controversy. Normally, I'd say live and let live, but this guy is trying to ride my coattails." Informed that Oglethorpia has been a participant in the World Cup since WC4, and that White has a long record as a commentator, Black said, "Well, there you go. Everyone knows Ravenspire joined back in the third World Cup."

Black's lawyer added, "I haven't seen a case this clear-cut in a long time. It's plain black and white."

The Midshire Gazette

Black-White contreversy heats up
Black sues White back, Gazette reaches White-representatives concerning Black

A couple of days ago, we reported Mike White's identify theft lawsuit concerning Ravenspiran RNN Sportscaster Michael Black. Yesterday Michael Black announced his intention to countersue Mike White for identity theft and misrepresentation of identity. White-representatives were reached concerning the White-Black case, and said that "this issue cannot be resolved solely in money, though if that were part of it, we wouldn't mind one bit. It is an issue of misrepresentation. People will think they're watching the esteemed Mike White when it's really that Ravenspiran sportscaster Michael Black. Honestly, it's confusing."

Mike White also had similar statements. "It wouldn't be such a big issue if he and I had different first names. Since we do share the same first name, I'd be willing to concede for him to change his name to Cletus or Jimbo or something." When told that Mr. White could only make concessions regarding himself, he said "oh, right. Well, he can still do that if he wants to." White's lawyer has made no mention of any other charges besides identity theft in the White-Black case. More as it comes.

[code:1:a8c12b799c]
Group 7 P W D L F A GD Pts
Tanah Burung (27) 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 4
The Belmore Family (15) 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 4
Jacktazea (50) 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
Zinkoland 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
Jadonopolos 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1
Keyshona 2 0 1 1 1 4 -3 1
Belmore are looking good to qualify easily.[/code:1:a8c12b799c]

[code:1:a8c12b799c]
Group 11 P W D L F A GD Pts
God Squad (62) 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
Slops Pit 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3
The Lowland Clans (34) 2 0 2 0 4 4 0 2
Parthenon 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
Busby (14) 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
Hellfish 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
[/code:1:a8c12b799c]
As are good friends God Squad

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Nikean National Team Beaten
Fall to Defari 2-1
by Markenin Markenel

DEFARI(NP) - The Nikean national side followed their impressive 2-1 victory yesterday afternoon with what a showing that Nikean manager Resterin Terestel called "a bloody nightmare".

After such an impressive showing in their last match, expectations were high for the Pandas to roll over unranked Defari with relative ease, yet that was not the case. Disaster struck early, as Defari slotted a shot past keeper Jesterin Resteritel in the 3rd minute. Another strike had the home side up 2-0 at the half. Nikea got a goal in the 53rd minute, thanks to a fabulous effort by Jerin Istertel, who ended a brilliant run down the centre-left with a left footed blast into the low corner, but the Nikean offensive attack was shut down after that, giving Defari their first ever international victory.

Terestel was not pleased. "It was a bloody nightmare," he said, obviously angry at the post-match conference. "We did absolutely nothing right, it was a mess out there. Apart from the clinic Jerin put on early in the 2nd half, we had no life, no spark. You would think that the players would want to take advantage of this game to get a foothold in the group, with two tough matches coming up, but that was apparently not the case."

Regarding the next match in Gesamtkuntswerk, Terestel was sure that his players would be in top form. "They better be in the best bloody shape of their lives, or it will be a very long ride back to Queldas for the match following that, I guarentee it."

In other group 9 action, Dennisov looked powerful after their performance against Defari, earning a 5-1 away victory in the Dragonian Empire, and Nikea's next opponent Gesamtkuntswerk were shocked by the Australian Marsupials 2-0. The shocks continued as top ranked side and defending World Cup champions Errinundera were held to just a 0-0 draw with unranked Coffee Cup.

[code:1:017f1f9bed]
Defari 2 (<player> 3, <player> 24)
v.
Nikea 1 (Istertel 53)
[/code:1:017f1f9bed]

Ok, now I'm really confused! When do i have a match and how do I know?!

Matches are generated every day. You can find the match results in the scores thread (there's a link to it in the first post of this thread).

Don't get me wrong I play soccer and I watch it and I'm a huge fan but I'm not a stats person! So how exactly does the code work?

Don't get me wrong I play soccer and I watch it and I'm a huge fan but I'm not a stats person! So how exactly does the code work?

Are you sure you want to know?

yes I'm sure!

Well the random number gods work their magic based on your ranking, which is from previous World Cups, and some other stats. At the end you have a result which is posted in the scores thread.

I know but I meant how do I interpret the results? *know what I'm saying?*

OOC: Keyshona, just look for the name highlighted in orange.

Click here for WC8 matchday 1 & 2 scores. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75471&highlight=Keyshona)

The results are things as simple as "Oglethorpia 2 Total n Utter Insanity 4," but with different teams and scores.

Get it?

I mean like where it syas my nation and then P W L GD and what ever

a little help!

I mean like where it syas my nation and then P W L GD and what ever

Those are the group standings with Goals For, Goals Against, Games Played, Win - Draw - Loss Record, Points and Goal Difference.

The order it in goes

Played
Win
Draw
Loss
Goals For
Goals Against
Goal Difference
Points

Commerce Heights World Cup Team Experiencing Early Success
NADASKOR - After the Bulldogs' (1-1-0) 4-1 win over Warnocks Wizards (0-0-2) yesterday, the team traveled to Nadaskor (1-1-0) for their second Cup qualifier match full of confidence. The Nadaskor team, although new to the Cup, had shown their ability with a 5-2 win over #17 Akbarland (0-1-1) yesterday. After 45 minutes of play, the score was 1-0 Nadaskor, and the Bulldogs had not had any luck getting the ball near the goal. They fought hard in the second half, getting their first goal at the 56-minute mark. They slipped a second one through in the 79th minute, but Nadaskor's 88th-minute goal ended the game with a 2-2 tie. Nadaskor and Commerce Heights are now at the top of Group 12, tied not only in points but also in goal differential. Nadaskor, however, has scored 1 more goal than CH, and therefore leads the group standings.

[code:1:6d1cfdaa34]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Nadaskor 2 1 1 0 7 4 +3 4
Commerce Heights (54) 2 1 1 0 6 3 +3 4
Kingsford (30) 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 4
East Spaam 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
Akbarland (17) 2 0 1 1 3 6 -3 1
Warnocks Wizards 2 0 0 2 3 8 -5 0[/code:1:6d1cfdaa34]

Commerce Heights Schedule:
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland
Day 5: vs East Spaam
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards
Day 7: vs Nadaskor
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam

Fútbol Wrapup: World Cup Qualifying

Mike White: Hey everyone, qualifying matchday 2's said and done, and we're here to bring you today's highlights and group overviews. With me's cohost Murray Witcombe and World Cup-team coach Guy Piccitto.

Guy Picciotto: Modern World Cup-team coach.

Mike: Yeah, great to have you here today.

Murray Witcombe: Aye.

Mike: So, let's start off with group one. True to form, the two seeded teams are on top of the group, though Errinundera drew with newcomer Coffee Cup today.

Guy: A shocker there, #1 in the world drawing with an unseeded team.

Murray: I'm sure the next time Errinundera's team rolls around they'll be fully prepared to crush the Coffee Cup underfoot.

Mike: Runaway Moose-

Murray: Where? Where is it?

Guy: Let him finish.

Mike: Riiight. Okay, Runaway Moose and Errinundera seem poised to come out of group 1 well ontop. Now, group two was all-even after matchday one, goal difference being the only thing that gives the group standings.

Guy: Well, these early games aren't good to go by at all. Qualifying is a far cry from the first round; lose a couple of games in qualifying and your chances of qualification are still quite high. Then when you're talking about the first round, one loss and a draw, and suddenly you've got tons of pressure on yourself.

Murray: Ray Krusen will attest to that.

Guy: Ray's a nice guy. The rankings played him though, and that's why he lost his job. Less teams, or goal difference; whatever it was, the AF decided 23rd in the world was too low and that he was doing a bad job.

Mike: Well, Ray's got the position with the Dire-FIFA Spider team, so good luck to him with that. [Clears throat] Now, group three. Snub's 2-0-0 and looks to keep it that way.

Murray: Yep, i'm going with Snub and GZ. Giant Zucchini will pull through when it counts and get into the Cup.

Guy: Agreed. GZ came in against 13th ranked Oglethorpia in World Cup 7 and proceeded to beat them 2-nil, at that time 33rd in the world.

Mike: Group four - I have to say that I like Quohog and Audioslavia. The seeded teams have got the advantage here.

Guy: Anything can happen, though.

Mike: Yeah, but Audioslavia's squad is undoubtedly going to win at least four games, and probably earn enough points to secure that 2nd, or 1st spot in the group.

Murray: Five, i'm talking about current rankings. Europa Britannia and Sqournshelous.

Guy: What a tough name to say. Anyways, Sqourn's a good team, and it won't surprise me if they go undefeated through qualifying. Of course, that's what Kingsford did, then rolled into the first round and had their ass handed to them.

Mike: Hey now, we've got younger viewers tuning into the show.

Guy: At 3:00 AM in the morning?

Mike: ...uh, yes. Group six - 1900s Oglethorpia isn't making anything happen.

Murray: No, no they aren't. The next game is a 'get-your-act-together-or-go-home' situation. If they don't manage to draw, well, then they'll have to play absolutely fantastic the next seven games after tomorrow's match.

Guy: I heard someone say something about them falling into their groove and then beginning to play up to par with the other teams in group six. I'm saying, they better get into that groove tomorrow or end up playing the next seven games like friendlies, games that will make no difference.

Murray: We'd have a veritable disaster on our hands if the 1901 National Team fell into a groove.

Guy: No.

Murray: But-

Guy: No.

Mike: We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of group eight.

Murray: 'Color' is not in your job description. You are not a 'color-commentator.' Anyways, for group eight, well, Timway's taken charge and TnUI's sitting in the background.

Guy: It's going to be easier on everyone in the first round if Total n Utter Insanity stays in fourth, behind Timway and the others. Though i'd say if TnUI faced the modern-Oglethorpian Cup squad, this would be the closest game since the WC5 and WC7 matches they have faced off in, with Oglethorpia 23rd and TnUI at 19th.

Mike: Well, now it's time for an inconviniently placed commercial break. Back in a few, folks.

"Man, I'm getting too old for this," Ranjit Khan was heard muttering after the team struggled to achieve a 4-3 victory over Zeronia. Both teams stayed neck to neck until the 77th minute, when Yte Nyussun scored the seventh and last goal of the game.

ARIDDIA
Nyussun (11th)
Ford (36th)
Tomson (60th)
Nyussun (77th)

Live from Kaze Progressa, where “Kay is for Kaze,” this is Glick Masterson for the Lemmitanian Radio Network. Today, your Lemmitania Lemmings face the eighty-second-ranked Progressinauts in the second qualifying match of World Cup eight. We’re thirty minutes from game time, and joining me in the booth are Grant Rockson and the Dean of Lemmitanian sports, Clem Gilson!

Grant: Thank you, Glick.

Clem: Likewise. Love that title, by the way.

Grant: Bugger off.

Glick: The Lemmings are coming off an impressive three-nothing opening win over Zeronia in Lemmington, and hoping to continue that magic against a Progressinaut side that didn’t fare too well in its first foray into international play in World Cup seven.

Clem: What’re you glowering about, Grant? You miss your title?

Grant: Wot ti’le? I’ve never ’ad a ti’le, ’ave I?

Clem: Heh heh. You know what? Maybe we could fix you up with a title, too.

Grant: Loik wot? Or do I even wanna ask?

Clem: I don’t know. How about, the “Voice of the Lemmings?”

Grant: Double bugger off.

Clem: Heh. I mean, technically I’m still the Voice of the Lemmings, and Dean of sports as well. But I’m not really using the Voice of the Lemmings much these days, and I’d be willing to part with it... for a price.

Grant: Double plus bugger off. An’ stay off.

Glick: As much as I’d love to see this bickering go on all day, I’d really like to put a stop to it. So how about if we leave all talk of titles for another time and focus on the big sporting event instead?

Clem: That’s a novel idea.

Grant: Yeh, let’s talk sports. Seems that’s all I’m paid to do these days.

Clem: As opposed to when?

Grant: Wot?

Clem: That’s all you’re paid to do these days as opposed to when?

Grant: Never. I’ve never been paid to do nothin’ but call sporting events. Right?

Glick: Right.

Clem: Right. Heh heh.

Grant: Stop with the heh hehs before I stop ‘em for you!

Clem: Right, ‘cause being fifteen years my junior, you can probably put the smackdown on me.

Grant: I could lick you if I was fifteen years your senior!

Clem: Heh.

Grant: That’s it--

Glick: Calm down, Grant. Drop it. Clem’s just teasing you.

Grant: ‘e’s been teasin’ me for four years an’ I’m about fed up with it!

Clem: I’m sorry, Grant. You’re just such an easy target. And by the way, that business about never getting paid to do anything but call sporting events...

Grant: Wot?

Clem: Just, everybody knows that’s bull, that’s all.

Grant: Oh yeh? Does everybody wanna see me tax records?

Clem: Come off it. Everybody remembers the scandal over Gil’s will.

Grant: There was no scandal! The man wrote a will. Glick found it. It was notarized, all fair an’ legal. If you remember the scandal, you’ll remember that.

Clem: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And Gil left the bulk of his estate to Grant Rockson, whose birth certificate hadn’t even dried yet.

Grant: Wot’re you implying?

Glick: Don’t ask him that.

Clem: I’m implying nothing.

Grant: You’re claiming I ain’t a real person? Wotta you think, I just walked out of the Lemmington ‘ellmouth?

Clem: Not with that accent.

Grant: I ‘ave no bloomin’ accent!

Clem: You just keep saying that and it’ll gain the ring of truth.

Glick: So how ‘bout those Lemmings? Goals by Maelstrom, Mellon, and Brickberry in the opener, and a cool dozen saves by Joe Lally. An auspicious debut for the new keeper.

Grant: I don’t like all the implications you’re making, Clem.

Clem: Implications? I don’t make implications. I don’t need any stinking implications.

Grant: They sound like implications to me.

Clem: The implications are plentiful, my friend. But I’m not making them. They’re just hanging in the air around you like a cloud of gnats on a gnu.

Grant: Oh yeh?!

Clem: You remember what happened when 60 Lemminutes launched an investigation into your “experience” at the Lemvoola School of Broadcasting?

Grant: Don’t bring that up.

Clem: Let’s take a little trip back in time four years.

Glick: Let’s not.

Clem: World Cup seven was just wrapping up. I’d say the dirt over Gil’s grave was still fresh, but as we all know, there wasn’t any body to bury.

Grant: So wot?

Clem: The nation of Lemmitania was in turmoil. Was Gil dead? Was it all some sort of a scam, as Lemmy Lemster implied? Mooba Brawligan was calling for your arrest.

Grant: Don’t remind me.

Clem: Four nights a week, Vin Lemsmus’ callers had only one topic they wanted to discuss: what really happened to Gil?

Grant: ‘e died in a freak accident. Poor man.

Clem: And of course, the mysterious Grant Rockson, with the impossibly perfect good looks, was at the center of the controversy.

Grant: Thanks for the compliment, but not for the controversy.

Clem: 60 Lemminutes, Lemmitania’s longest-running news journal television program, decided to investigate. Who was this Grant Rockson, anyway? What would his professors and classmates at LSB have to say about the enigmatic “protegé” of the late Dean of sports?

Glick: No one wants to hear this.

Grant: Least of all me.

Clem: So off they went to Lemvoola, and what do you think they found?

Grant: Wotever it was, I know you’re gonna yak about it.

Clem: Lo and behold, the school had no records of a “Grant Rockson” ever attending.

Grant: They’d misplaced ‘em.

Clem: Do you want to tell the rest of the story?

Grant: No.

Glick: How about if no one dredges up these bad memories, Clem?

Clem: So 60 Lemminutes broadacast their report, and national opinion turned against you. It was a dark hour for Grant Rockson.

Grant: It sure as ‘ell was.

Clem: And then, oddly enough, a week later, your records turned up. Someone in the records office found them behind a filing cabinet.

Grant: It oftens ‘appens.

Clem: 60 Lemminutes did a quick follow-up story, LRN decided not to fire you after all, Monday Night Rugby decided to hire you on as Gil’s replacement.

Grant: Wot’s your point?

Clem: Then, a week after that, Gil’s “Last Will and Testament” turned up. And it named three beneficiaries. One: Gil’s “protegé,” Grant Rockson. To the tune of ninety percent of Gil’s holdings. Including his house, his car, and his clothes, which just happen to fit Rockson like they were tailored for him.

Grant: Wot of it?

Clem: Two: Gil’s widely-acknowledged protegé, Glick Masterson, to the tune of five percent of Gil’s holdings.

Glick: There’s nothing suspicious about that.

Clem: Not if Gil’s dead. And three: The Lemvoola School of Broadcasting, to the tune of five percent of Gil’s holdings. Or roughly two million lemmings.

Grant: Oh, so that’s wot this is all about. All these years you’ve been snipin’ at me Clem, and now, finally at long last, the truth comes out. The real reason you’ve spent four years givin’ me a ‘ard time is because you’re upset Gil forgot to write you into ‘is will, is that it?

Clem: Well, that was rather short-sighted of him. But that’s not the reason.

Grant: No? Wull, wot’s the reason, then?

Clem: For crying out loud, Grant. You’re not fooling anyone! Everybody knows that you’re--

Glick: Look, the ref’s bringing the captains to midfield for the cointoss!

Grant: Wot!? I’m wot Clem?

Glick: For crying out loud, don’t ask him that! Keep your crazy theories to yourself, Clem!

Clem: You know what, Glick?

Glick: What?!

Clem: Maybe I’m wrong.

Glick: ...huh?

Clem: It would have taken a pretty sharp mind to have pulled it off.

Glick: ...yeah.

Grant: It would ‘ave taken a pretty sharp mind to ‘ave pulled wot off, Clem? Out wit’ it!

Clem: And something tells me he ain’t sharp enough.

Glick: ...true.

Grant: Something tells you ’oo ain’t sharp enough for wot, Clem?

Clem: So maybe I’m wrong.

Glick: ...maybe.

Grant: Maybe you’re wrong about wot?! Glick, wot’s ‘e mebbe wrong about, for crying out loud?

Clem: You see what I mean?

Glick: Maybe.

Grant: Would you two stop talkin’ in code an’ tell me wot the ‘ell you’re on about?

Glick: No.

Clem: I mean, he’s begging me to spill the--

Glick: Yeah. Whatever. So Grant’s no genius.

Grant: The ‘ell you say!

Clem: And of course, neither was Gil.

Grant: The ‘ell you say!

Glick: Great. So you’ve given up on this crazy notion that Gil-- that Gil pulled some scam.

Clem: I didn’t say that. I just said maybe I was wrong thinking that he masterminded it.

Glick: You know what? I don’t care. Neither does anyone else. Look: the game’s started. Helen Mellon has possession, passing to Lemmy "Atom" Meisterbrau.

Clem: So I’m developing a new theory. Maybe the whole thing was masterminded by someone else. Maybe someone smarter than he looks. Maybe someone smart enough to--

Glick: Lemmy Atom passes to Maelstrom, and she falls back. Kay DeKuyper lunges for the ball, and Malestrom sends it to Brickberry.

Clem: Maybe someone smart enough to get out of Gi--

Glick: Brickberry in some traffic, moving toward the top of the field. Tackle by Jay Caper, it’s loose, and Maeltrom there, heading it to Mellon. Mellon toward the left side, and passes to Lumpster.

Clem: You’re not going to let me finish, are you?

Glick: Not if I can help it.

Grant: I’m completely lost, Clem. Can you please explain it all to me?

Glick: Not on the air, he can’t.

Clem: All right, all right. Just go ahead and call the game, Glick.

Glick: You know what? I’m the anchor. You two are the commentators. You call the game.

Clem: Man. I’d think you’d take the opportunity to shut me up.

Glick: There are limits to how much of your work I’m gonna let you make me do.

Clem: Fair enough. Grant, call the game for a while.

Grant: Wot?

Clem: The game. Call it.

Grant: All right, then. Um... ‘eads.

Clem: Huh?

Grant: ‘eads.

Clem: What are you talking about?

Grant: You said, ‘Call it,’ an’ I’m callin’ it. ‘eads.

Clem: It’s not a cointoss, it’s a football game. Call the action!

Grant: ‘oo, me?

Clem: Yeah, you!

Grant: But I’m the color man! I can’t call the action as it ‘appens. I can only add colorful comments regarding things wot ‘ave already ‘appened. That’s wot I do.

Clem: Look: Lana Maelstrom has the ball.

Grant: Oh. The great Lana Maelstrom. Wot wonderful ball control she exhibits. You know, she’s the Lemmitanian Football League all-time leading scorer.

Glick: She’s fourth.

Grant: Oh, no, no, no. She’s the best.

Clem: Well, she’s not the all-time leading scorer. She’s the all-time fourth-leading scorer.

Grant: The ‘ell you say!

Clem: What, you’re gonna argue about it? Look at your press book! It’s says so right there.

Grant: Wull, anyroad, she’s passed it to somebody, so now you ‘ave to talk, Clem.

Clem: It’s Lemmy Atom with the ball-- and a nice tackle by DeKuyper, and May Capon comes away with the ball for Kaze Progressa. So the Progressinauts go on the attack for the first time.

Grant: ‘oo are they attacking?

Clem: I know you didn’t just ask that. The Lemmings’ defense stood tough during the opener. Lally looked great in his first international start. He’s coming off back-to-back years as the top goaltender in A-league play.

Grant: You know wot I just noticed, Clem?

Clem: What?

Grant: Mick Chang’s slinkin’ around down there.

Clem: No, that’s Mick Nichols. You might be able to distinguish them by the fact that Mick Chang hasn’t played football in twelve years.

Grant: Not on the field, Clem. I know Mick’s retired. On the sideline. See ‘im? He’s stalkin’ aroun’ like a giant cat about to pounce.

Clem: Are you talking about Mick Mickelson?

Grant: Quantum Mick, yeh. Right there. Wot’s ‘e doin’ ‘ere? Starin’ at the players. It’s creepy.

Clem: He’s the Lemmings coach, now.

Grant: Wot! You mean Coach Lemster’s gone? Wot ‘appened to im?

Clem: He retired after the last Cup. He is seventy-five years old, you know.

Grant: I ‘ad no idea. ‘ow old’s Quantum Mick?

Clem: Which one?

Grant: The one on the field. Mick Chang.

Clem: The one on the field’s Mick Mickelson. And, as color man, I think it should be your job to tell us his age.

Grant: ‘ow am I gonna find out somethin’ like that?

Clem: I don’t know. Maybe look in the press book.

Grant: I notice you’re not calling the game much these days, Clem.

Clem: And I notice you’re not providing much color commentary, Grant.

Grant: Wull, I think I’m sayin’ plenty.

Clem: Not about the game.

Grant: Oh yeh? ‘oo discovered that Mick Chang’s coachin’ the Lemmings, now that poor old Lemster died, huh, Clem? ‘oo?

Clem: It’s not much of a discovery, considering that I knew Mick Mickelson is coaching the Lemmings. Hell, you might be the only person in Lemmitania who didn’t know it, Grant.

Grant: Technically, I’m not in Lemmitania. This ‘ere’s Brazillico.

Clem: Kaze Progressa! We’re nowhere near Brazillico! Brazillico doesn’t even play international football anymore!

Grant: Wotever, they both ‘ave “Z’s” in ‘em. Me point is that of the two of us, I’m the only one ‘oo pointed out Mick’s presence. So it seems to me that I’ve made the one important comment so far.

Glick: I noticed that the game had started. I’d say that’s the most important discovery so far.

Grant: Never! The game was bound to start. There’s nothin’ special about that.

Glick: If I hadn’t pointed out that it had started, you and Clem would still be arguing about-- well, still arguing.

Grant: We’re still arguin’ any’ow! So wot good was your “discovery” anyway, Glick?

Glick: You know, Grant, Clem’s right about Mick Mickelson. You really didn’t discover anything that you shouldn’t have already known.

Grant: Oh yeh? Well, I didn’t know. And considerin’ neither of you mentioned it before I did, I can only assume that you di’n’t know either!

Glick: We didn’t need to mention it. Of course, if either of you had thought to do the rosters, it might have been mentioned then.

Clem: Well, guess what? While you two were arguing just now, I made an even more important discovery than either of yours.

Glick: What?

Grant: Wot could possibly be more important than the return of Mick Chang?

Glick: Mick Mickelson!

Clem: Helen Mellon just scored the first goal of the match.

Grant: So wot?

Clem: Oh, shut up. Lemmings up one nothing at the fifteen minute mark.


<OOC>I'm outta energy.
Final: Lemmitania 2 (Mellon 15, Meisterbrau 55)
Kaze Progressa 0
</OOC>

LIVERPOOL ENGLAND EMPIRE UPDATE ON WC8 QUALIFYING: BOTH ODDSLAVO AND LIVERPOOL ENGLAND TOP RESPECTIVE GROUPS WITH SIX POINTS AND A GD OF +2

LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 1 (PAUL DUSSIS 9TH PEN)
HELL BOVINES 0

Liverpool England, playing without captain Caddy Cannon out due to suspension, won 1-0 at home to put them top of Group Fourteen. Facing Hell Bovines, unranked leader after Day One, the squad went into the match knowing a win was needed to put them on top of the group - even if top-ranked Pure Evil (9th) won their match, Liverpool England would be leadin gby two points. Hell Bovines were a tough bunch, the only goal coming from the penalty spot after nine minutes after Howard Christopher, the 17 year old, got brought down by the last defender, reducing Hell Bovines to ten men. As normal penalty taker Cannon was out, Paul Oliver Dussis - the twenty-five year old playing in his third World Cup - took the spot kick and blasted it over the bar. However, the Lemmitanian referee had noticed that the Hell Bovines 'keeper had come off his line early, and re-awarded the kick, which was converted by Dussis for the only goal of the match. FT score, Hell Bovines 0, Liverpool England 1.

Errinundera's captain, longipesp, this evening congratulated Coffee Cup on their splendid performance. "I remember our first year as an unranked side when we played the reigning champions Dennisov and held them to a draw. How proud we were. Two Cups later and we became the reigning champions. One (Coffee) Cup after that and we're the dregs again. Lets hope this is an omen for Coffee Cup. It would be marvellous to see this young side become a football giant."

Coffee Cup 0 Errinundera 0
leighm medal: delegatensise 3, snapier 2, codith

F: holopetaluse, longipesp (c), joyhilla
MF: adealbata, balicia, codith, sflinders
D: sbrunswick, scaroline, snapier (dvc)
GK: regnanse (vc)
Sub: melanoxylona, brunswickr

[code:1:feb0636b67]
Group 1 P W D L GF GA GD Ps
Runaway Moose 2 2 0 0 5 0 +5 6
Errinundera 2 1 1 0 5 2 +3 4
Pavesia 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 4
Mezitzia 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
Coffee Cup 2 0 1 1 0 3 -3 0
Endray-Island 2 0 0 2 3 7 -4 0
[/code:1:feb0636b67]

Consumer Engineering are without any points after two rounds of qualifying in their first campaign in World Cup football. However we have scored our first goal.

We estimate that this goal has cost us 450 million credit cards so far. This estimate is based on advertising, ground, team outlays and other expenses incurred over the last four years. The more goals we can score in the remainder of the qualifying matches, the better the bottom line will look.

I remind shareholders that entering the World Cup has always been a long-term objective. Our analysis of the history of the cup is that a national team only becomes profitable in their third World Cup attempt.

I would also like to stress intangible and indirect benefits. Football supporters are exemplary consumers. Furthermore, it take the unemployed's minds of the decrease in welfare payments in real terms.

Already support for the national competition, Consumer Engineering World Series, is blossoming. Our subsidiary company, World Series Football Ltd is likely to make a small profit. Next season, we confidently expect television rights and other incomings to boost our earnings significantly.

Michael Z. Yeahyeahyeah.
Economic advisor
Consumer Engineering World Cup Enterprises Ltd

NEWSFLASH:

The Zucchinis provided scant atonement for their loss to WNA with a 1-0 win over Eauz. With most of the first team out again, the Zucchinis had to settle for a weakened side once again. This time, Zonk scored the winner, a header from a Ppakkaddumm corner, early on in the second half. From then, neither side could produce anything special and the Zucchinis had to settle for a narrow win. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "I am still not happy with the performance of my squad. But I believe we will improve once the first team is available again."

Tanah Burung opened its Group 7 qualifying campaign with high hopes. The top seed in the group is The Belmore Family, a perennial powerhouse in the qualifying rounds and a team that has improved with each outing. After that, however, the Crocodiles are widely tipped to advance in the second spot.

World Cup 7 was the worst performance ever for the Crocodiles. However, incoming coach Ab Francisco has made no changes at all to the starting line-up. (WC7 coach Guntur Ruak recently departed to coach Tanah Tarantula in the Giant Evil Spider Football League.)

"It was the curse, I tell you, the curse," Francisco said of the dismal showing in WC7. Tanah Burung played its group matches in both WC6 and WC7 in Lemmitania National Stadium in Lemmington.

According to the Department of Cursology of Lovefest University, Lemmington is situated atop a mound of corpses, which is on top of a negative-energy generator, which is on top of an old Indian burial ground, which is on top of the ruins of a lost city of Evil Power, which is on top of a particularly nasty hellmouth. The Church of the Holy Planes of Energy believes that Tanah Burung's football performance depands on the location they are playing in. The best showing ever for the Crocodiles was in the Dreamed Realm Beyond, a place of positive energy where they finished in second place in World Cup 2. Lemmington is a pole of Evil Energy, and all other cities in the world exist somewhere in between, with varying amounts of Good and Evil Energy.

"In fact," Coach Francisco said, "the team brought some evil energy home with them from Lemmington, and we think that's why we only managed a draw in our opener against Jadanopolos at Tiga Burung Stadium. But don't worry, the city has been sealed off and a team of several thousand sooth sayers is chanting the evil energies away."

Match one result:
Tanah Burung 0 Jadanopolos 0
(no scorers)

Once again, the Crocodiles boarded their blimp the Flying Cassowary to begin a road trip through Group 7, consisting entirely of countries they have never played before. The first stop was Keyshona, a promising newcomer to international footballer located in the Deutscher Fussball Bund. Not knowing any German, the Crocodiles were apprehensive, but that passed when they discovered they were able to pass off their money for the far stronger Keyshona currency. Apparently, many local shopkeepers mistook the "babbles" they carried for Keyshona "bubbles." And their merchandise was already on board the blimp before police arrived.

Before the match, the Crocodiles were treated to a multi-faith prayer session in the locker room led by Hilario Soares, auxiliary Bishop of Burung-yang-membuat-dunia, which also included representatives of at least 12 other churches, faith communities and cults. "Just covering all the bases," said coach Ab Francisco. "Who am i to say we shouldn't appease the Giant Sky Pixie of Limerick? In fact, i'd better do that now. There was a young man from the city / Who said 'that old Pixie is shitty' / Then the Pixie came down / and said with a frown / 'Tis smiting your getting, my pretty!"

Whether it was the prayers or their own skills, the Crocodiles came out attacking. This is a team that has traditionally played a defensive and tightly-focussed territorial style, but that was nowhere in evidence today. Captain Rosa Bibere abandoned her position on defence to spend much of the match in the Kayshona half of the pitch, and the rest of the Crocodiles followed suit. That gave them an early lead with a header from David Cavaco in the 15th minute, and they never looked back. A valiant effort from Keyshona was enough to get one goal back, but the day belonged to Tanah Burung. Goal of the game went to Canabe Livit, who scored on a rocket of a shot off her left foot from well back that touched the upper crossbar and dropped into the net.

"We were on today, a great performance," Francisco said. "But don't underestimate Keyshona. They're committed to football and they look to me like a team to be reckoned with in the future, once they get some experience under their belts."

Keyshona 1 Tanah Burung 4
(Cavaco 15, 37, Livit 56, Bibere 70)

I'm going to school in ten minutes.

Bedistan's on the East coast, so when he does scores for tonight, it'll be 3 hours later before I can do tables to accompany them.

So we're talking 3:00 PM EST, 12:00 AM PST posting of scores and 6:00 PM EST, 3:00 AM PST posting of tables.

Just for everyone's general consumption and informing-ness.

occ: that'll be about 8pm GMT yeah? :D

IC:
'Game of the Day' theme fades
Gary Luniker: Hello again folks, welcome to our first report on the qualifying rounds of WC8. Once again Alun Hansun is here with me to talk through things so far.

AH: Hello folks.

GL: Well first up, lets have a quick look at the group Halfassed has been drawn in for qualifing.
[code:1:1b6e10e1d8]
Group 2
Svecia (2)
Halfassedstates [8]
LordSquall (42)
Bardai (80)
Jekonuam
Simba Polo.[/code:1:1b6e10e1d8]
GL: Well there's one obvious topic of discussion

AH: Yeah Gary, where the (beep) is Jekonuam and Simba Polo?

GL: Yea, how did we get drawn in the same group as th..... What? .... What are you on about? Jekonuam is in Nederland and Simbe Polo is on the back of a porpoise or something like that. Anyway Back to the main subject, number 2 seeds Svecia who are in our group!

AH: What? .. How the (beep) did that happen? I thought all the top seeds got a group each?

GL: Not this time!

AH: Ah (beep)

GL: 'whispers' cut that out would you
'in normal voice' It should make things a bit more interesting, especially if LordSquall can continue their improvement in the last two cups and take points off the so called big two

AH: whos that then?

GL: The big-two? It's Svecia and ourselves in the group.

AH: No no - i know that. Who's LordSquall?

GL: Eh - how can you not know that, they've been in the last two cups. You not pay any attention?

AH: Oh - must have missed them - sorry!

GL: Anyway, the draw for the games has left Halfassed playing Svecia away in game 5 and at home in game 10. Could be a grandstand finish to the group!

AH: Why?

GL: 'sighs heavily' Forget it! Anyway the first two games have already been played, with Halfassed starting the campaign at home to Jekonuam.
The game was played at The Commonwealth Stadium. Unfortunatly, Halfassedstates got off to a poor start in the campaign once again.

{shows highlights of the match}
Halfassed went two goals down in the first 25 mins and were booed off the pitch at half-time.
Robertson and Wallace were subbed at the break, Wallace went off with a stretched hamstring, while Robertson had been at fault for both the goals and it was a surprise he finished the first 45. Hunt and Milton replaced them.
Amazing, the Jekonuam side held their advantage until 8 mins from time, when Bundy finally lost his man and drew the covering defender, before slipping the ball to Crewgar who blasted it home.
A minute into stopage time, Halfassed's blushes were saved by the unlikly source of Joe King, who joined the attack and somehow got on the end of a long clearance by O'Malley and thumped the ball first time into the net.
Final Score Halfassed 2 - Jekonuam 2
{end of highlights}

GL: Not the greatest start for the team!

AH: True, but still better than the last time, and the lads showed a lot of (beeps) to rescue the point.

GL: 'sighs again' I suppose the other good thing was that Simba Polo scored 4 against Svecia.

AH: (beeply beep) they did?

GL: Yea - Svecia scored 4 as well though, but it was only a point they got as well!

AH: Yeah - I suppose the other game finished in a draw and everyone still has the same points!

GL: Yep - 1-1 and everyone had a point, but we already played game 2.

AH: OH - must have missed that as well - see it was my birthday and i took a few days off to get bevvyed!!

GL: Yessss. We had noticed! Anyway - game 2 saw Halfassed travel to Bardai
{Highlights}
Halfassed where up for this one and came out all guns blazin'. After 15 mins they were 2up. A lovely run by Bundy down the right was spotted by Ree King, and his ball landed right in the run of the winger, who hammered the first time shot into the far corner of the net.
The second was a simple corner routine, Bundy whipped the ball in and Joe King headed home his second in two games.
Just before half time, Bundy got his second and Halfassed third when he cut inside and played a neat 1-2 with Wallace. The return ball left Bundy 1-on-1 and he cooly sloted the ball home.
The second half saw more of the same from Bundy who was single-handedly destroying the opposition. A pinpoint cross from him saw Hope head home the 4th, and the 5th came from a similar Bundy cross, although this time it was Crewgar who arrived at the back post to claim the goal.
With 5 mins left, Bundy got his hat-trick as a Ree King free-kick hit the wall and spun off to the right, where Bundy was standing all alone with the goal open. The tap-in sealed the victory and a wonderful night for Bundy.
{end highlights}

GL: A great result for Halfassed, although you have to feel for the Bardai team who got caught in the backlash after the poor Halfassed start.

AH: Yep, some clinical finishing for a change for our boys. Usually they manage to (beeps) up most of the chances!

GL: We'll see how they get on tomorrow against LordSquall.

AH: We'll whip their sorry (beeps)

GL: 'whispers through clenched teeth' will you shut-up

AH: eh what was that

GL: Sorry, I was just saying will you shut the program - I need to go
'gets up and legs it out the door'

AH: wtf?

AH: soab!!

AH: emm, well thanks for joining us folks seeya soon.
'gets up just as quickly and legs it after Gary yelling a few "friendly" terms!!'

OOC: Sorry....got to make this quick, have a school project to rush...

ORD Sees Mixed Results in Qualifying Run

ORD sees itself in a slump on the first day. Losing. Not only losing, but losing on home ground. But not only losing on home ground, but losing on home ground to an unseeded team. Yes, we should applaud Chronos Prime's 2-1 victory against ORD, but such a disappointment was too much for the team and the whole nation too bear.

However, bad news aside as ORD, on the second day, recovered from their defeat and turned their home ground bad luck against them towards 1900s Oglethorpia, defeating them also 2-1. What a coincedence!! Francis DURSLEY gave ORD the victory with two goals at the 25th and 52nd minute. Leaving 1900s Oglethorpia remaining at the bottom of the table with their two losses.

Lets look at the Group 6 Qualifying Tables:
[code:1:30643a0e9d]Group 6 (Day 2) P W D L F A GD Pts
Oddslavo (35) 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 6
Dead Man (107) 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 3
One Red Dot (16) 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
The Weegies (68) 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Chronos Prime 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
1900s Oglethorpia 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0[/code:1:30643a0e9d]

Right now, ORD lies on third place with our next match against 107th seed Dead Man. If we win, we are one step closer to a qualifying spot , of course provided we maintain it. The match promises to be a victory after their major morale 2-3 loss against Oddslavo today.

We now bring you the team that will bring the nation and the international sports community the Red Dot Sports Update.

Fann Atik, Red Dot Womens' Soccer Commentator and now her 5th time commentating on the World Cup.
Stu Dyogai, our very own studio presentor at Channel 15, sitting at the news desk for 18 years and delivering the sports news to you.
Stan Inn, our on-site journalist, bringing the match from the stadium, to you right at home.
And our new addition to the team: Anna Lizst, our sports statistician who has finally decided to show her face to the camera after hiding away in her little office during the duration of the filming of the show.

I remind shareholders that entering the World Cup has always been a long-term objective. ... etc.

Very creative. Keep it up.

According to the Department of Cursology of Lovefest University, Lemmington is situated atop a mound of corpses, which is on top of a negative-energy generator, which is on top of an old Indian burial ground, which is on top of the ruins of a lost city of Evil Power, which is on top of a particularly nasty hellmouth.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Oppressed Peoples of Gilmeecia.

President Louis Gilsterson: Thank you. My fellow Gilmeecians, lords and ladies of the domestic and imported press, I come before you today to address an issue that’s very close to the heart of all right-thinking Gilmeecians. I’m speaking, of course, about the Lemmington Hellmouth. Reliable rumor has it that the Hellmouth is real. Very real. Yes, yes, settle down. Quiet, please.

Now, we in Gilmeecia know all about crazy supernatural shit, having dealt with everything from alleged zombie attacks to a near-miss with those dire-FIFA spiders. And I think I can speak for every Gilmeecian when I say, “Thanks to our longstanding land claims against the New Lemstyl Governacy, we own the Lemmington Hellmouth.” And we want it. Now.

That’s right, people. I’m staking our claim. Litigation has been filed this very afternoon by advocates in the Foreign Ministry, calling for Lemmitania to, one: seal off the Hellmouth until further notice (we don’t want any of our demons sneaking out); two: make arrangements to transport said Hellmouth to Gilmeecia, where the damn thing belongs; and three: pay us reparations for all the negative energy they’ve used up by leaving the tap open, as it were, allowing all that crap to leak out of the Hellmouth. Since they didn’t have the foresight to seal the thing up years ago.

Now, everybody knows about the long-term bad feeling between Lemmitania and Gilmeecia. I’ve been under, and continue to be under, court order not to discuss the case, which has been raging in higher courts than you can imagine for nigh-on twenty years, now. But lemme just say this: if Peat Lemming thinks he can discover a Hellmouth under Lemmington and keep it to himself—when he knows damn well who rightfully owns the corpse-soaked ground beneath that blighted city—he’s got another think coming. Gilmeecia will have its day. And its Hellmouth. No questions.

Ufwurz Still Fuming after Loss to Kingsford

Manager & Defender Sent from the Field in 4-2 Home Defeat

From our news services...

The Tower, New Orthanc–Despite an impressive showing by striker Ishklash the Pug-nose, the Warnocks Wizards national team fell to their second defeat in two games of World Cup Qualifying, 4-2 at New Orthanc United’s ground, The Tower. Manager Ufwurz the Furious utilised the same lineup he used in the Wizards first match. The Red and White Wizards began the game brightly and nearly took the lead on two minutes after a nice buildup of play orchestrated by midfielders Bagdreg the Mauler and Ghazghash the Sleazy. The bright opening paid off in the twelfth minute after Akhklash the Paunch’s mazy run was laid off by Gabdul the Looter for the onrushing Ishklash the Pug-nose, who struck a fierce volley for the opening strike that gave the Wizards a 1-0 lead. The already rowdy home crowd of 32,153 went berserk in celebration of their first lead of the tournament. Their glee would only intensify as striker Ishklash scored his second on 36 minutes. After combing nicely with strike partner Gabdul the Looter, the Pug-nosed one turned his marker inside out, and cooly walked past the keeper to double the lead for the Red and White Wizards. Seemingly on their way to a 2-0 halftime lead, the Wizards defense made their first grave mistake of the night, and would it prove costly. Just as he did in their first match of qualifying, defender Mausnik the Cleaver viciously fouled an opponent in the penalty area. However, unlike his first match where he escaped with a verbal warning, defender Mausnik was sent from the field and Kingsford were awarded a penalty. The penalty was easily despatched, and
the Wizards left the field at halftime leading 2-1.

The extra man advantage would prove vital for the experienced Kingsford side, and they would press home the advantage with three second half goals. The only spark of life the Red and White Wizards showed in the second half was provided by manager Ufwurz the Furious. Slightly disappointed that his side weren’t awarded a penalty after an apparent foul on substitute striker Ashmazh the Tough in the box, manager Ufwurz calmly strolled onto the field and gave the referee a scholarly reminding of the rules of the game. The referee was having none of the persuasive speech and coaxed Ufwurz into watching the rest of the match from the stadium seats. Manager Ufwurz may be receiving a pleasant phone call from FIFA in the near future. Assistants Gutkrut the Wretched and Bazzag the Wicked took over from Ufwurz, but were unable to turn the tide of the match. The match ended Warnocks Wizards 2, Kingsford 4.

The Red and White Wizards next match in Group 12 of World Cup Qualifying is away at top-seeded Akbarland.

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

The government of Lemmitania refutes all claims by the government of the unrecognized nation of "Gilmeecia" to any Lemmitanian lands or properties.

First and foremost, there is no hellmouth under Lemmington. This is a vicious rumor started by the government of Tanah Burung to explain away the poor performance of its football team in the last two World Cups. Hellmouths do not exist, and if they did, they'd be confined to places like Christofi. So the populace of Lemmington has no need to panic or otherwise behave in an unruly manner.

Second, and of near-equal importance, it continues to be the contention of the government of Lemmitania that any and all claims made by the pissant "nation" of "Gilmeecia" are specious and not to be credited with a modicum of sense. Gilmeecians-- whether they are cro-magnons as some have asserted, or fully-evolved but stupid humans-- should not be allowed into courts of law, let alone be allowed to introduce litigation. It's like letting dogs sue their owners for feeding them dog food.

That is all we have to say on the matter. We would thank Mr. Gilsterson to keep his assinine opinions to himself in the future.

Peat Lemming
Governor-general
The Borderlands of Lemmitania

As expected, Kaze Progressa were unable to take anything from the Lemmings, losing 2-0. May Capon, making only his second appearance in international football after impressing for Quarua Mountain last season, proved the best at resisting the star-studded hosts, though Faiwe Irafma, darling of local rivals Quarua Lakeside, came close to scoring late on when a curling free-kick was deflected past the post off the head of Winston SaLem. Irafma also had a 20-yard volley well saved by Joe Lally earlier on.

Manager Chares Catrar says 'performances of that level against weaker sides than Lemmitania will almost certainly produce results, and if we raise our game we can still shake up the qualifying. We will realistically only qualify if everyone else cancels each other out with draws, but we can still get into the thick of this group.'

OOC: Sorry, wasn't aware I was logged in as Daksbe. This is in the name of Gesamtkuntswerk.

The Gesamtkuntswerk Sturms are once again showing both strength and weakness in the opening of the season. The first game against The Dragonian Empire was a rout, showing superb strategies and a firm grip over ball control. In that game, each half resulted in one goal scored, though the second proved to be a very unfortunate period, when Trazom and Nipoch were both taken out of the game for injuries. Though they've been slated to have suffered no permanent damage, their absence in game two against Austrailians Marsupials was very evident, with the Sturms yielding two goals and bagging none of their own. New team manager Celtiv went on record to say, "These past two games were unfortunate, costing us some of our better players. The team is working hard filling the gap, but they will soon come to the field yet again." Sturm supporters, both from within the Heartland and without, are eagerly looking forward to the games to come, as World Cup 8 promises to be another exciting example of international Football.

Matchday 3 results have been posted in the scores thread.

Borough City, DEFARI-Thousands of Defarians pour into the streets following back to back victories, the most recent against dear allies The Dragonian Empire. Graffitti and murals praising the "Conquering Lions" of Defari cover all the boroughs and subways. Radios blaring reggae, soca, and hip hop music and tapes of the broadcasts of the game make New Brooklyn seem as if it Rio De Janero during Carnival

Goal Scorers
Kingsley(2)
Marley
O'Brien
Vincetoro

TIMWAY CRUISES PAST ANTAEUS RISING

Timway continued their domination of Group 8 with a 4-0 trouncing of 53rd seeded Antaeus Rising. The match was over nearly before it began, with forward Robert Basso scoring only three minutes in. The onslaught continued, with goals by Steven Turner and Ben Mendelson also coming in the first half. Goalkeeper and captain Anton Carlsson earned his first clean sheet of the Cup. Robert Basso closed the scoring with a goal in the 51st minute off a nifty bender from just outside the box. Timway Head Coach Pablo Rolla: "I could not be happier with the way my team has performed thus far. Our offense has put up 10 goals in three games, while our defense has only given up three, two of them coming after the game was already decided. We just need to shore up our play in the back a little bit, but it is nothing at all to be concerned about."

Timway 4 (Basso 3, 51, Turner 16, Mendelson 38. Clean Sheet: Carlsson)
Antaeus Rising 0

Cumulative Stats for Qualification:
Basso 5
Turner 2
Mendelson 1
Johnson 1
Alexander 1

Timway's earlier victories over New Pavesia (3-1) and Northern Kings (3-2) combine with this one to place the Tigers in third place overall, behind powers Squornshelous and Dennisov.

OOC: the team roster should be up shortly on the rosters thread

*slaps Timway*

I think I'll probably only RP if I make it to the finals.

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Pandas Back in Top Form
Smash Gesamtkuntswerk 3-1
by Markenin Markenel

GESAMTKUNTSWERK(NP) - The Nikean national football side are once again back to the promising form it showed in their first match, as they soundly stole a 3-1 away victory against the 38th ranked Gesamtkuntswerk earlier today.

The match started slow, however, as the Pandas looked as though they would carry their terrible performance against Defari into the next match, going down in the 15th minute with an excellent strike from the Sturms forward, beating Resteriel to the low right side. Things began to go the Pandas way, however, as midfielder Yureskin Yaskalaitel flipped a lob over the Sturm keeper, who was too far out of his net, in the 33rd minute.

In the second half, Nikea took control. Keresin Keresiuene took a pass from Kerstel, and made no mistake in placing the shot in the top right corner, past the outstretched Gesamtkuntswerk keeper, in the 50th minute. Akitomo Sakai, who came on for Turennin Mortethel, put the game out of reach in the 67th minute with a shot that fooled the Sturm keeper low in the middle. When the final whistle went, Nikea walked out of Gesamtkuntswerk with 3 points.

Manager Terestel was pleased. "We played an excellent match today," he said at the post-game conference. "I am very pleased with the performance of our lads. We had a bit of a slow start, but we really gained some much needed momentum for our next match."

Along with the victory was some unfortunate news. Perin the Panda, the Nikean team's mascot, was forced off the field as disgruntled Gesamtkuntswerk fans began to throw beer bottles at him. While Perin suffered no injuries, he did admit to being a sad, sad panda afterward.

Nikea's next match is at Solarin Stadium in Queldas, as Nikea takes on group leaders Dennisov, who have been a powerhouse as of late, being one of the top teams overall in qualifying. Terestel hopes that the momentum gained through today's victory will equate to a good result in the next match.

In other group 9 action, Defari continued to surprise with a 3-2 victory over the Dragonian Empire, who are quickly falling out of contention. Dennisov continued their excellent play with a 4-1 drubbing, at home, of the Australian Marsupials.

[code:1:a6b1f43506]
Gesamtkuntswerk 1 (<player> 15)
v.
Nikea 3 (Yaskalaitel 33, Keresiuene 50, Sakai 67)
[/code:1:a6b1f43506]

Matchday 3 scores have been posted.

Matchday 3 SCORES. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1675112#1675112)
Matchday 3 TABLES. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1676290#1676290)

Search Keyword: ZIOTAH

Just search for ZIOTAH and this topic will pop right up :wink:

The Key City Times


Keyshona Ties The Belmore Family in 3rd WC8 Match


-Thomas McGowan- Associated Press

Today the Keyshona national team playing as the away team against The Belmore Family tied with a score of 0-0. The game was for lack of better words, excellent. Both teams showed excellent sportsmanship and played a clean game for the most part. One yellow card was given to Keyshona player, Jakob Chandler for tripping. The Belmore Family was putting on a spectacular show also. The fans were cheering the whole time the game was very popular with the fans today. There was 10,000+ people in attendance today. Keyshona led the game in shots with a total of 11 shots on target, The Belmore Family had 10 shots on goal. The Belmore Family is still one of the top teams in Group 7 and it looks as if the match will not hurt them.
This game brings the Keyshona record to 0-1-2. Hopefully we will see better things from our team this World Cup!!!!

Other info-
Keyshona MAN OF THE MATCH- Oliver Johnston (Goal keeper)

Weegies Star Sport Report - Fans Regain Confidence In Mackintyre After Good Away Results.

Coming soon... While I get all the stats needed.

After a disappointing loss to Jacktazea, Tanah Burung sits third in Group 7 behind Jacktazea and The Belmore Family. "Those are all hockey teams," scoffed fan Bruce Bere in a Monty-Pythonesque fake Australian accent. "Ach, spit." The brightest spot on a bad day was Canabe Livit, who scored the Crocodiles' only goal.

Bishop Soares of the team's religious advisers has performed a second exorcism on Tiga Burung Stadium, but just for safety, the next home match will be played in the mountains at Matebian. The loss is being blamed on the players hearing a broadcast by Lemmitania Governor-General Peat Lemming, speaking directly from Lemmington, epicentre of evil. Radio signals from Lemmitania are being jammed for the duration of qualifiers.

"If there are no hellmouths," said Bishop Soares, "what's that monster about to eat the Governor-General?"

Final score:
Tanah Burung 1 Jacktazea 3
(Livit 41)

Once again, Squornshelous is doing bad things to it's opponents in the qualifiers, winning 4-0, 4-1, and 2-1 in it's first three games. Here's hoping we can go the distance this time.

Commerce Heights Bulldogs Slip Past Kingsford
KINGSFORD - Disappointed at the 2-2 tie with Nadaskor (2-1-0) yesterday, the #54 Bulldogs (2-1-0) felt that they needed to beat #30 Kingsford (1-1-1) on the road to prove their ability. The game remained a stalemate for the entire first half and much of the second half, but Billy Quigley managed to kick the ball past Kingsford goalkeeper John Thompson in the 72nd minute to put the only goal of the game on the scoreboard. Kingsford came very close to scoring on several occasions, however, CH goalkeeper Dirk Vojtilo was able to stop the ball each time.
#54 Commerce Heights 1 (Quigley 72)
#30 Kingsford 0 - FT
[code:1:ad59300dcc]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Nadaskor 3 2 1 0 10 5 +5 7
Commerce Heights (54) 3 2 1 0 7 3 +4 7
Kingsford (30) 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
Akbarland (17) 3 1 1 1 4 6 -2 4
East Spaam 3 0 2 1 2 4 -2 2
Warnocks Wizards 3 0 0 3 3 9 -6 0[/code:1:ad59300dcc]
Commerce Heights Schedule:
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford – W 1-0
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland
Day 5: vs East Spaam
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards
Day 7: vs Nadaskor
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam

Preview: #17 Akbarland @ #54 Commerce Heights
Commerce Heights: 2-1-0, 1-0-0 home
Akbarland: 1-1-1, 0-1-0 away
Offense: CH 2.3 goals per game (average opp. defense: 1.9 gpg), Akbarland 1.3 gpg (avg. opp. defense: 2.0 gpg)
Defense: CH 1 gpg (avg. opp. offense: 1.9 gpg), Akbarland 1.3 gpg (avg. opp. offense 1.7 gpg)
Avg. Opp. Rank CH 110, Akbarland 150
[I didn't intentionally set up these statistics to show that CH has played better opponents and still done better than Akbarland... :P ]
Note that these statistics only include WC8 qualifier games and not any previous games played by either team.

Fútbol Wrapup: World Cup Qualifying

Murray Witcombe: Hey everyone, we're here with another edition of Fútbol Wrapup. Last time, Guy and Mike took so damn long that they cut us off before we could finish our group predictions, so I think we'll end up axing that idea.

Guy Picciotto: Damn.

Murray: Anyways, with me are Mike White and Guy Picciotto, relatively-free with the World Cup going on and all due to Oglethorpia's automatic qualifying.

Guy: I was out on the pitch yesterday with the guys training.

Mike: I've got to say, Manuel looks to be an outstanding goalie.

Guy: From an outstanding club. Tripoli FC has some very, very promising players, with Javier, Tomas and Manuel on the World Cup-squad this year.

Murray: Oh yeah, they were great last season.

Mike: Overall standings didn't show for it, with Tripoli FC missing the Midshire Cup by only a couple of points. Arkham United would go on to face Oglethorpia City FC for the Cup, only to lose.

Guy: The guys played hard that game. Though after the Cup, i've still got the same squad, so i'm ready to try to take Arkham United back to the Midshire Cup and go for the win.

OOC: Guy Picciotto is the coach of Arkham United, which lost the "championship" Midshire Cup against Oglethorpia City FC.

Murray: Seabrough United wasn't high in the standings, but they produced Oglethorpia's valued WC-striker Danny Bolton.

Guy: Two hat-tricks last year in qualifying, though a bit of a clumsy striker at times.

Mike: Danny Bolton's attracted plenty of negative attention for his 'lack of balance.' Of course, the modern striker's going to need to draw some free kicks, and if he's good, penalty kicks.

Guy: George Silva of the 1901-side exhibited perfect use of a dive in the Chronos Prime game. I'm surprised none of the refs called Silva on the dive. He did get the penalty kick though, and that was Oglethorpia's first goal.

Murray: Fine transition.

Guy: I try.

Murray: Yes. So how about that local sports team? Namely, the 1901 National Team match against newcomer Chronos Prime?

Mike: 14th minute, Silva with the penalty kick, then a header in the 39th.

Guy: Phillipe of Tripoli FC 100 years past is also a fine striker.

Murray: Better than Bolton?

Guy: I couldn't tell you anything other than 'it's-very-close.' Phillipe scored a fantastic goal off a solo drive in the 46th.

Mike: What a way to open the second half, letting Phillipe in going solo right into the goalie's box.

Guy: Heheh, poor goalie.

Mike: Then Walter MacKaye finished the job. A beautiful zinger in the top-right of the goal from outside the box.

Guy: Onside too. He's had a bit of trouble with offsides goals; three in only a couple of games, if I remember.

Mike: Well, we're wishing the best of luck to the 1901-side with their first win in three games. They're 1-0-2 with seven games left to play, and we hope they qualify into the first round. For Murray Witcombe and coach Guy Picciotto, i'm Mike White. See ya later folks.

Akbarland have finally recorded their first victory in qualifying with a streaky 1-0 victory over unseeded Warnock Wizards. However this victory still leaves the team in only fourth place in the group. The team plans to go to high flying Commerce Heights for the next match and show them exactly why we are ranked 37 places ahead of them.

Akbarland 1(Samin Akbar 49) Warnock Wizard 0

Where are you guy getting the results and group results from?

Commerce Heights, your reckoning will come :twisted:

KM: ...very unlike today's match at Bullonia, which resulted in the hardest-fought match of the qualifiers yet. The Ravens' offense proved unable to get the ball past Bullonia's defense through the entire first half, and not, as it's been in the past, for lack of trying.

MB: Yes, they played a very solid defense, Kath. Fortunately, our boys and girls did no less.

KM: Speaking of defense, Mike, how's the lawsuit coming?

MB: Well, apparently we're having trouble locating this 'White' fellow in Oglethorpia to serve papers. And it turns out that being from another nation adds a whole other layer of complexity to the case. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is, I'm in the right, and I believe my day in court will show that. Provided we ever track down Mr. White, if he exists.

KM: He broadcast an hour ago, Mike.

MB: That doesn't prove anything. You can fake all sorts of things, these days. Why, even back when I was in college, we had a student registered in my class who turned out not to exist.

KM: Really?

MB: Yeah. The bastard ended up with the highest GPA, too.

KM: How the--

MB: So you can see it's not an unreasonable hypothesis. I mean, if you were selling cola, and you wanted to mislead part of the market, you might name it "Pipsi," right?

KM: But presumably the cola itself would actually exist.

MB: Well, you could just peel off the labels, and put on new ones.

KM: I don't believe we're having this conversation.

MB: But it exists! So, there, you see my point. Now, like I was saying, if he exists, we'll find him.

KM: Maybe you should try the Field Hockey World Cup. Oglethorpia is in Ravenspire's group in that competition, you know.

MB: You don't say.

KM: Yes. Along with--

MB: Now that's going too far. He's following me from football into field hockey!

KM: Actually, I'm pretty sure--

MB: Stalking, that's what it is.

KM: But Oglethorpia is--

MB: Not another word. We'll see what this so-called "Mike" has to say about this.

KM: ...I give up. Can we get back to football now?

MB: Absolutely. You know, unlike some Mike-come-latelies, I have a long, long record of football commentary.

KM: ...Right. So, in the second half against Bullonia, we saw the only goal of the match.

MB: That's right. Amara Akizuki was awarded a penalty kick on a roughing call after a defender collided with her, and as you can see onscreen, she clipped it into the net off the keeper's fingertips. A very close one, there; and a well-fought match by the Bullonian side.

KM: The victory, in conjunction with Dark Outcasts' loss, puts Ravenspire back at the top of group 10. There's now a bit more margin in case of a catastrophe, but there are still many games to go before qualifiers are complete.

MB: Here's hoping for another undefeated qualifying run, Kath.

KM: Hear, hear.

Kathryn Malley and Michael Black, reporting for RNN

Goals: Amara Akizuki (75)

FIRST LIVERPOOL ENGLAND HAT-TRICK OF QUALIFYING: LE 3 GILMEECIA 2 (DUSSIS 4TH, 39TH, 86TH); 17-YR-OLD HOWARD CHRISTOPHER SCORES OWN GOAL (CHRISTOPHER OG 1ST)

Liverpool England won their third WC8 Qualifying match but had to overcome a shock Gilmeecia goal in the first minute. Forward Howard Christopher, playing in defensive midfield, attempted a pass-back to the goal keeper which failed - giving Gilmeecia, a territory of Lemmitania, the lead. However, Paul Dussis scored Liverpool England's first WC8 hat-trick: his reply to the own goal on 4 minutes, a wonderfully executed shot after a corner from Doug Hamark found its way out of the box to him. Gilmeecia then replied after another two minutes taking a two-one lead, but Dussis scored a beautiful solo effort on 39 minutes to bring Liverpool England back into the game. When the match neared its end, Liverpool England fans started leaving the stadium, only to rush back in to see Dussis claim his third goal, the match ball and the game winner for Liverpool England. Full Time Score
Liverpool England 3 (Paul Oliver Dussis 4th/39th/86th)
Gilmeecia 2 (Howard Christopher og 1st, player 6th)

Where are you guy getting the results and group results from?

PE: See below. The blue lines are links to a thread where Ogly & Beddy are posting results. They put the links in this thread a couple of times.

Matchday 3 scores have been posted.

Matchday 3 SCORES. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1675112#1675112)
Matchday 3 TABLES. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1676290#1676290)

Search Keyword: ZIOTAH

Just search for ZIOTAH and this topic will pop right up :wink:

thanx.

In other news. PE have tied 1-1

Scuttlebutt - Morning Edition

Ministry Announces New Minister
Sten, Snub Nose 38

The new Second Assistant Acting Deputy Substitute for the Temporary Vice Aide to the Secretary of the Minister of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages announced today that the Ministry has been successful in convincing the previous Minister of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages to accept that position again.

When questioned as to why, as Acting Minister, he himself had not been appointed as Minister, an aide named Bruno the Knife replied, "He ain't got nuttin' to say about dat."

When another reporter asked, "If the previous Minister was let go because...", Bruno the Knife's assistant, Paulie the Weasel, replied, "You gonna shut up, or I'm gonna shut ya up."

It was also announced that an aide to the new Minister, someone known only as "Margaret", had been retained by the Ministry. There was some oblique reference to certain services that only this Margaret could adequately perform for the Ministry. Asked what services these were, the Second Assistant Acting Deputy Substitute for the Temporary Vice Aide to the Secretary of the Minister opened his mouth as if to reply - and paused. Paulie the Weasel had something in his right hand which he pressed to the Second Assistant Acting Deputy Substitute for the Temporary Vice Aide to the Secretary of the Ministers' back, as if to encourage him. But he seemed to find no appropriate words. After a short, awkward moment, Bruno the Knife said, "You'se guys - whatcha wanna axe stuff like dat for? Dis is a nice meetin', an' you'se are gonna mess it up witcha stupid questions."

The press conference ended soon after that.

Hooligans On Top of Group
Eauz

The Snub Nose 38 Hooligans remain on top of Group 3 in Qualifiers for World Cup 8. After a 4-1 win over WNA (Team Captain Knuckles scored twice, Malicious and Neanderthal had one goal each), the Hooligans lost one to Eauz 1-0. This puts there record a 2-0-1 with seven qualifying matches to go. The Hooligans Manager, Justin Case, has had the assistance recently of two consultants hired by the Ministry of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages – Ben Dover, who used to be the Hooligans manager, and his wife Eileen Dover, who once served as the Defensive Coach for the team.
[code:1:48398f6ffc]
# Side P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Snub Nose 38 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6
2 Giant Zucchini 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
5 WNA 3 2 0 1 4 5 -1 6
3 West Ariddia 3 1 0 2 5 6 -1 3
6 Male 18 3 1 0 2 4 5 -1 3
4 Eauz 3 1 0 2 2 3 -1 3[/code:1:48398f6ffc]
The Hooligans’ Results so far
Matchday 1 - Snub Nose 38 2, Male 18 1
Matchday 2 - WNA 1, Snub Nose 38 4
Matchday 3 - Snub Nose 38 0, Eauz 1

Matchday 4 Match-ups
West Arridia vs Snub Nose 38 @ West Arridia
Male 18 vs Giant Zucchini @ Male 18
WNA vs Eauz @ WNA

In a related story, the Snub Nose 38 Hooligan Cheerleaders once again spent the night in jail – this time in the custody of local authorities in Eauz – as a result of an incident during half time of the Eauz-Snub Nose 38 match. The usual charges of inciting to riot, slander, lewd public behavior, airborne vegetation, and possession of a goat without a license, have been filed.

Prodigal Moose Returns
Sten, Snub Nose 38

The Academy of Science published a paper yesterday in which they document the return of the Runaway Moose. It seems the prodigal moose had traveled south for the summer. Recent sightings spurred the Academy into investigating the phenomena, and they have confirmed that the Runaway Moose has returned.

NEWSFLASH:

Giant Zucchini defeated West Arridia in a 3-2 thriller to put the Zucchinis back on track in second place. The Zucchinis welcomed Urk and Kerrnigit back to the squad as Marauding had played their last match of the season two days ago. The Zucchinis still await Oog and Phoot, who only finish their season tomorrow. The makeshift Zucchini defense was punished early on as Martin fed a dangerous ball past the defense into the box for Jiri Bane, who beat the offside trap and duly flicked the ball over the outstretched hands of Plaat 14 minutes into the game. However, the Zucchinis fought back bravely, and Urk scored his first on the half-hour mark when Quale's backpass to Ruisseau was intercepted by an onrushing Urk who chipped the ball over a charging Mayantar. Mayantar's afternoon got worse, however, when his error led to the Zucchinis taking the lead three minutes before the break as he fumbled a harmless cross to concede a corner. Kerrnigit's ball in eventually dropped for Shtaan and his shot hit Mayantar's body before falling at the feet of Urk, who scored his and Giant Zucchini's second goal. Six minutes into the second half, West Arridia equalised when Sealane was fouled in the box by Faard. Georg Bane easily converted the penalty, blasting the ball into the inside post, while Plaat got the angles all wrong, falling in the wrong direction. It needed a moment of magic to seal the points and it came courtesy of Urk after 83 minutes. Collecting a throw-out from Plaat on the left touchline just inside his own half, the striker evaded Robert Tall's tackle and then ran unchallenged the rest of the way to the edge of the West Ariddian box before curling the ball into the bottom far corner. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "I must say I am pleased with the result. Our defense could do with some work, but that should be fixed when the Prehistoric boys return. Already the attack is much better now with Urk and Kerrnigit back. However, we know that it is a long qualifying, and we must not be complacent now. We now just hope that we will be able to sustain this "string" of good results."

Damn how can i lose to a rank 87 team?

ahhhhhh....poop

Sowhatsville News (Back page)

Halfassed goal glut continues

Halfassedstates football team continued their WC8 qualification quest yesterday in the capital Whogivesa. A crowd of 45,203 turned up at the City of Whogivesa Stadium to see Halfassed take on the 42nd seeds LordSquall.
After seeing 10 goals in Halfassed first two games, the crowd was expecting action, and boy did they get it!

Just 8 minutes in, and Halfassed continued where they had left off against Bardai, with Crewgar opening the scoring after a neat through ball from Ward. 20mins later however, the home crowd was stunned into silence as a trip by Robertson gave LordSquall the chance to equalise from the penalty spot. Despite O'Malley guessing right, the ball nestled in the bottom corner and we were all square.

Just before half-time, things got worse for the home side, as a harmless looking through ball was missed by Robertson, and as the LordSquall striker went to go past, Robertson pulled him down. The professional foul would probably have got the defender a straight red, but the second yellow was enough to send him off and leave Halfassed a man down for the rest of the game. Luckily though, the free-kick chance was wasted and Halfassed made it to the break level.

Ree King was subbed at half-time, Sir James opting to stregthen the defence bringing on Hunt at the back and going to a 3-3-3 formation. The game changing moment came in the 55th minute. A LordSquall corner was cleared upfield by Hunt, Hope held it up and then fed Wallace whose shot just beat the keeper and finished in the bottom corner of the net.
The goal gave Halfassed a new belief and Wallace scored again on 62 minutes when he got on the end of a Thumb cross and volleyed it home.

LordSquall got back into the game with a well taken goal ten minutes for the end, but any chance they had of gaining a point evaporated in the 84th minute when Al Bundy broke down the right and whipped in a brilliant cross that Crewgar got to first and struck home with aplom.

Final score: Halfassedstates 4 LordSquall 2.

Gilmeecia, a territory of Lemmitania

Ladies and genltemen, the President of the Oppressed Peoples of Gilmeecia.

President Louis Gilsterson: Okay, people, settle down. Now we all know why I called this press conference today. All you press monkeys, listen up: I want this message to go out to the foreign newswires, to make sure they hear this in Liverpool England.

Now, it was stated in a press release by the Liverpudlian government yesterday that Gilmeecia is, and I quote, "a territory" of Lemmitania. I don't need to tell any Gilmeecians, or for that matter, Lemmitanians, that those are fighting words.

Gilmeecia is a free nation-- and when I say free, I mean sovereign, not free from oppression-- with no ties of any kind whatsoever to the Borderland of Lemmitania. Aside from having a pending lawsuit against them over the Hellmouth they stole from us, we have no interaction with them at all.

We all know Liverpool England likes to go around annexing other countries, but Gilmeecia is 100% free-- in the sense of sovereign-- and not beholden to anybody. And don't you forget it! So if the Liverpudlian king, or whatever they have, wants to climb out of his pool of liver and come down here and fight me man to man, I'm only too happy to accomodate him.

That's all. No questions.

A secret conference in the ruins of Grouphug Agricultural College. Present are Mau Kiri Rai, the people's representative for territorial defence & sports, and Bi Ar Dee, creator of the Evisceratomato.

MKR: So the Hooligans are bound for the shores of babble, to visit our neighbours in Eauz. What news of the Evisceratomato?

BAD: Snub Nosie scientists got together with the Errinundrians and created a variant that can feed even more, tastes even better, and can even be used to extend life.

MKR: But it still goes rotten when in the presence of a Snub Nose 38 citizen and splatters on impact, right?

BAD: No longer.

MKR: Well, that's unacceptable. We have to get the Evisceratomato to a Hooligans game despite this ban they've imposed. I'll get i touch with the government of Eauz right away. Perhaps some Evisceratomatoes can be smuggled into their country. At least, we can get them well and truly pelted when they get to Eauz.

BAD: I'll start production right away.

Warnocks Wizards Come up Short Again

Despite Brave Display at Top-Seeded Akbarland, Wizards fall to 0-3

With suspended manager Ufwurz the Furious watching from the stands, the Red and White Wizards fell to their third straight defeat, 1-0 away to top-seeded Akbarland. Joint caretaker managers Gutkrut the Wretched and Bazzag the Wicked made three changes to the starting lineup: wing back Ufdush the Nasty made his World Qualifying debut, replacing the suspended Mausnik the Cleaver; Ishhak the Smasher came in for the injured Globtakh the Meek in goal; and target man Globdreg the Destroyer was handed a starting spot in place of struggling Gabdul the Looter. The Wizards lined up in a counterattacking 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to limit the goal scoring opportunities of the highly ranked Akbarland attack. As a result, much of the match was played in midfield with Krumsnak the Sneaky proving particularly adept at breaking up much of the attacking buildup of the home side. On the rare occasion the Akbarland attack penetrated into their attacking third, the Wizards defense stood strong, with captain Shagrukh the Strongclaw having his most effective game in the middle of the Wizards defense. Ishklash the Pug-nose, often operating on the wings instead of his usual place up front, nearly opened the scoring for the Wizards on 41 minutes, but his shot from 18 yards landed just wide of the post. The first half ended Akbarland 0, Warnocks Wizards 0.

The opening stages of the second half offered more of the same until the home side opened the scoring on 49 minutes with an impressive goal from Akbarland’s star Samin Akbar. Shortly thereafter, the Red and White Wizards brought on striker Mersnik the Cruel for his World Cup debut. After a few good runs, however, the final result was always going to favour the skilled Akbarland side. In the end it ended Akbarland 1, Warnocks Wizards 0. (Suspended) Manager Ufwurz the Furious was pleased with his side’s display and should be encouraged by the ever improving performances of his players.

Warnocks Wizards: Ishhak the Smasher, Grimbrug the Basher, Shagrukh the Strongclaw (c), Ghazukh the Burner, Ufdush the Nasty, Krumsnak the Sneaky, Bagdreg the Mauler, Akhklash the Paunch, Ghazghash the Sleazy, Ishklash the Pug-nose, Globdreg the Destroyer (Mersnik the Cruel 62).

Unused substitutes: Krumsnik the Paunch, Akhburz the Straggler, Durbret the Choker, Ashmazh the Tough.

The Red and White Wizards next match is away at East Spaam.

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

*we are in the gardens of winchester park in the snub nose 38 capital of sten. the minister of super secret sleuthery, the mininster of athletics, olympics, and alcoholics and margaret are strolling down a stone path between plantings.*

- My agents haven't been able to get any real facts, though. It's all speculation.
- But we need details. Don't we need details, Margaret?
- Ignore him - he never really has a clue. What exactly do we know?
- We've been able to determine that Evisceratomatos are involved.
- Those are sooooo tasty!
- No, loon, he's NOT talking about Eeesys. These are the banned ones.
- Our man in Tanah Burung found out about a meeting between Mau Kiri Rai and Bi Ar Dee, but couldn't get a bug planted in time. He knows the meeting took place, but not what they dealt with.
- Anything else?
- Just this, Margaret - one agent in Petergu says she heard rumors about something big planned in Eauz.
- So?
- Petergu, Eauz and Tanah Burung are all in the babble region.
- Can we get ice cream?
- Is he always like this?
- It's been worse since loosing his ministry the second time. But, it's never been good.

From the Daily Kangaroo:

WHO CARES WE'RE FIFTH?

Kaze Progressa secured their greatest result in international football since their famous 5-3 defeat of DePaul last night with a stunning 2-2 draw away to Ariddia, ranked fifth in the world.

Faiwe Irafma silenced the home crowd with a tenth-minute opener after bursting past Jon Quinez before Samuel Wood bought him down; the resultant penalty deflected off the hand of David al-Jibai into the roof of the net.

Ariddia's response was all-out attack, with captain Ranjit Khan pushing forward to just behind the front two. It left them exposed at times but al-Jibai made several good saves and Ekazen Waulino missed a good chance from the edge of the penalty area, slamming the ball just over the crossbar. The inevitable equaliser came six minutes before half-time, Khan dancing past Jaruna Jaff before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard shot low into the corner.

Khan ensured Ariddia took an unlikely lead into the interval with a header from a corner in first-half injury time. Some visiting fans claimed he elbowed Eauam MacKazie in the process of rising for the ball but a decision of such inclarity was always likely to go against the visitors.

Kaze Progressa pushed forward in numbers in the second half, aping their hosts, and created chances for both Irafma and Waulino, only for al-Jibai to continually deny them.

The arrival of Fayu Owa from the substitutes bench twenty minutes from the end proved the inspiration it so often does though, and Owa hit the post with a free-kick within two minutes of arriving. It looked as though the match was dead when the resultant counter-attack led to Khan running clean through on goal but he somehow missed from ten yards.

From then on, the unlikely result was on, and with nine minutes left an exchange of passes between Owa and Irafma led to the latter having a virtually open goal to face, owing to a piece of Owa trickery putting al-Jibai off balance. Irafma took full advantage, placing the ball firmly into the largely unguarded net to leave the crowd silent but for the jubilant visiting fans.

They nearly took a shock victory too, but Owa was judged to have dived in the penalty area when bought down by Wood in injury time despite the incident looking suspiciously similar to when Wood bought down Irafma for the earlier penalty.

Manager Chares Catrar said 'We might've been robbed with the late penalty, but both the penalties were pretty much 50-50 decisions and I think the second one went against us because there might've been a riot if it had been given, especially if Irafma had put it away. Seriously, if we're complaining about not beating the fifth best team in the world in their own backyard then we need one hell of an ego check. I'm delighted for the players and if they play like this every week, I am positive we can still cause further excitement in our group at the very least.'

Commerce Heights, your reckoning will come :twisted:
We'll see about that... :P

Commerce Heights-Akbarland Game Delayed
2 Meters of Rain Blamed
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - Although a 6:00 PM [OOC: GMT, since Paripana is in the Iberian Basin] start to the WC qualifier between #54 CH (2-1-0) and #17 Akbarland (1-1-1), the recent fall of 2 meters of rain on Maxisoft Stadium will delay kickoff indefinitely. The field and stadium is expected to be dry at about 8:00, though an earlier or later time is possible. Watch PariMedia Sports - an official co-sponsor of World Cup 8 - for updates.

Commerce Heights-Akbarland Game Delayed
2 Meters of Rain Blamed
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - Although a 6:00 PM [OOC: GMT, since Paripana is in the Iberian Basin] start to the WC qualifier between #54 CH (2-1-0) and #17 Akbarland (1-1-1), the recent fall of 2 meters of rain on Maxisoft Stadium will delay kickoff indefinitely. The field and stadium is expected to be dry at about 8:00, though an earlier or later time is possible. Watch PariMedia Sports - an official co-sponsor of World Cup 8 - for updates.

The Bedistan Association of Meterology (BAM), while unable to determine the cause of this massive rainfall upon our southwestern neighbors, predicts that the remaining water within Maxisoft Stadium will likely be cleared up earlier than expected, perhaps even in the next half hour. ;)

[OOC: Oglethorpia's generating today's results, and I believe he gets in in about 15-30 minutes, so you can probably expect results in the next hour. We're switching duties each day, so I'll be generating matchday 5 results, and so on.]

We're switching duties each day, so I'll be generating matchday 5 results, and so on.
OOC: I know that. Had I not known that, I would have nagged you about it on MSNM. :P

Brittania resumes winning ways/

EB achieved its first win of the qualification, and World Cup VIII Itself. Defeating Fausticus 1-0 thanks to a trademark goal from striker Andrew Zurich.

In a match that had everything from missed penalties to sendings off EB rode the storm to come out winners, putting them already strongly in second place.

FINAL SCORE

Europa Brittania 1 Fausticus 0
Zurich 11

[Cannon S/O 77]

Europa Brittania 1 Fausticus 0
Zurich 11

[Cannon S/O 77]

[OOC: Which reminds me: I noticed last night that Alasdair I Frosticus is now an ex-nation. I guess that's another WCC member gone. :(]

[OOC: Oglethorpia's generating today's results, and I believe he gets in in about 15-30 minutes, so you can probably expect results in the next hour. We're switching duties each day, so I'll be generating matchday 5 results, and so on.]

Bedistan's right, he posted at 5:30 PM NS time and the scores were posted by me at 5:46 PM NS time.

So, without further ado...

Matchday 4 qualifying results have been posted. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1684597#1684597)

Squornshelous once again celebrates a victory, however close. We have emerged the winners in a tough 3-2 game against Alasdair I Frosticus.

This victory puts us into the much anticipated Squorn-EB game with no draws or losses, what we feel is a highly favorable position.

Akbarland Inches Away From Defeating Commerce Heights
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - Dirk Vojtilo was barely able to hold back a last-minute goal from #17 Akbarland (1-2-1) that would have given #54 Commerce Heights (2-2-0) its first loss of the Cup. Instead, the score remained tied at 1, leaving Manhattanite and Akbarlandi fans alike disappointed.
(54) Commerce Heights 1 (McCormick 39)
(17) Akbarland 1 - FT
Since Nadaskor (2-1-1), previously at the top of the group, lost to #30 Kingsford (2-1-1), Commerce Heights now leads Group 12:
[code:1:bb97f65dbb]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Commerce Heights (54) 4 2 2 0 8 4 +4 8
Nadaskor 4 2 1 1 10 6 +4 7
Kingsford (30) 4 2 1 1 5 3 +2 7
Akbarland (17) 4 1 2 1 4 6 -2 5
East Spaam 4 0 3 1 2 4 -2 3
Warnocks Wizards 4 0 1 3 3 9 -6 1[/code:1:bb97f65dbb]
Talks of World Cup plans are frequently heard on the streets of Commerce Heights City, even though the Bulldogs aren't anywhere near clinching a spot yet. Loyal fans from Naquada Falls are petitioning for the government to provide a shuttlebus service to the site of CH's Round 1 WC games (if they make it) - which many are hoping will be Unity Stadium in the International City (OOC: map of Commerce Heights area here (http://members.lycos.co.uk/mayorefficiency/chmap110.png)).
Commerce Heights Schedule
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford – W 1-0
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland – T 1-1
Day 5: vs East Spaam
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards
Day 7: vs Nadaskor
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam
Commerce Heights Statistics
[code:1:bb97f65dbb] Overall WC7 WC8
Games Played 14 10 4
Wins 5 3 2
Draws 5 3 2
Losses 4 4 0
Avg. Opp. Rank 69.5 62.6 86.8
Highest Opp. Rank 17 18 17
Highest Def. Opp. Rank 18 18 30
Avg. Offense 1.6 1.5 2.0 gpg
Avg. Defense 1.6 1.8 1.0 gpg
Goal Differential +1 -3 +4[/code:1:bb97f65dbb]
EDIT: Changed the overall avg. opp. rank in the statistics table. 47.1 didn't seem to make much sense. ;)

Brittania win once more, anticipation for group decider builds...

Defeating Agno 2-0 this evening, EB ensured that they continue undefeated within Group V, with all eyes turning however to the vital game against Squornshelous.

Danny McHilton has recovered from the ankle knock that kept him out of the tie against Agno, and should be able to resume his midfield duties.

On the matter of Agno, both David Winters and Derek Lionel [filling in for the injured Andrew Zurich] were on the scoresheet.

Andrew Zurich faces a race against the clock to be fit for the tie against Squornshelous.

The Bovine Herald
Real possibilities of classification

After the defeat 1-0 against Liverpool England, the national team's hopes are high again. Our team won 2-0 against Consumer Engineering in a match full of emotion. The goals were made by Ron Goldenspot, our superstar, and by Benny Grassmoker. The match was played in a very friendly atmosfere, except for some agressive comments from the Consumer Engineerian fans, like for example: ''I ate your mother, you f*cking cow" or "Come on, beat those horrible walking steaks".
Also, Andrés Thunderhorn was accidentaly injured in the 2nd part of the match as he broke a hoove. For this incident, he won't be able to play in the next two matchs.
Anyway, hopes are very high among the national team, as we are seconds on the qualifing table, sharing this position with Yentrofinova.
Nurm Spottedball, coach of the team, said: "We are really very satisfied of our performance. We've been doing a great job for a team that is participating in its first cup and we have showed that bovines can be as good players as humans. The fact that we have spots and produce milk doesn't mean we can't play football."
Anyway, a rough path awaits for the team, but now we know that at least we got chances to win.

Cosmo Penbovine, special journalist of the World Cup 8

Keyshona Gets First Win of WC8

Randall Gerard--
The Keyshona Futbol Informer

Keyshona played through the rainy weather today and beat Jadonopolos. The end score was Keyshona 5, Jadonopolos 2. Keyshona started off slow but caught up in the middle of the first half. In the first half both Keyshona and Jadonopolos scored twice and in the last half the Keyshona team scored 3 times! Keyshona team members recieved 3 yellow cards total while Jadonopolos recieved 2 yellow cards. Hopefully we can see more wins from Keyshona!!!!

Heaven is no more!

The monks that dreamed the holy realm of Alasdair I Frosticus into existence must have been napping. Or their concentration was broken by some evil force. For the Realm has ceased to exist. Flags are at half-mast through our country, and we worry over what the future will bring, now that the universe has lost its positive pole.

Some of that positive energy must have come our way as it dispersed: the Crocodiles won 2-1 at Zinkoland. Coupled with Jacktazea's loss to The Belmore Family, we now stand second in our qualifying group on goal difference.

Zinkoland 1 Tanah Burung 2
(Livit 35, van Esterik 61)

Wow. I am on a lossless streak. My only tie seems to be with my best ally. (JJR)

Wow. I am on a lossless streak. My only tie seems to be with my best ally. (JJR)

The Sheffingham Post

Curse of the Cup strikes again!
Alasdair I Frosticus "ceases to exist" in the words of the Information Bureau - has the curse of the Cup struck again?

Today, the Information Bureau released a statement nothing the 'ceasing-of-existance' of the nation of Alasdair I Frosticus. Said Minister of Information Paul Baker: "In laymans terms, it means the people, the government and the land all magically disappeared off the face of the Earth. One more nation that has joined Al Quds in 'non-existing-ness.'" Miskatonic University Professor Martin Bickford has offered grief-conseling concerning the loss of one of the World Cup's older nations.

"Those old nations are dropping like flies. Altamira and Caras Sidh, both two notable World Cup nations completely absent from WC8. Brazillico no longer on the international scene, Alasdair I Frosticus the latest of the 'old-skool' World Cup team ranks that have 'ceased-to-exist' as those government dudes put it," Professor Bickford said. A shrine in Sheffingham to the nation of Alasdair I Frosticus has sprung up, though the government has made no statements concerning the intention to lower-flags to half mast.

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Pandas Lose at Home
Shutout 2-0 by Dennisov
by Markenin Markenel

QUELDAS(NP) - Nikea fell to 2-0-2 today with a 2-0 loss at home to Dennisov.

While a defeat, the Pandas did not play a particularly bad game. The mistakes were few, and by the end of the match, Nikea was defeated by the overwhelming skill of their opponent, not due to their own lackluster effort as was the case in Defari.

The first goal of the match came 47 minutes in, as a Dennisov midfield skillfully placed a free kick past Renteritel. Following a tough defensive battle, where the Dennisov keepr kept many Nikean chances out of his net. Dennisov sealed the deal with a goal in the 71st minute that left the Nikean keeper well out of position.

Manager Terestel was nonetheless satisfied with the performance of his side. "We played a good match," he remarked. "We didn't play outstanding, and we needed to be outstanding to beat Dennisov, but we played rather well, and I'm sure with today's performance we would have won against any other side in our group."

Nikea's next match is a short trip up the road to Miserias and Miserias Stadium, where the Pandas will take on the Dragonian Empire. In other group 9 action today, Gesamtkuntswerk retook second place based on goals for with a 4-2 victory over Defari, while The Dragonian Empire scored their first win with a 2-0 over Australian Marsupials.

[code:1:ecd91750fb]
Nikea 0
v.
Dennisov 2 (<player> 47, <player> 71)
[/code:1:ecd91750fb]

LIVERPOOL ENGLAND LOSES FOR FIRST TIME BUT REMAINS IN TOP SPOT IN GROUP 14 WITH THREE MEN SENT OFF, ODDSLAVO REGAIN TOP SPOT IN GROUP 6 AFTER WIN.

FULL MATCH REPORT
Yentrofina 2 (player 64th, 87th, sent off 89th)
Liverpool England 0 (Dussis sent off 89th, Cannon sent off 89th, Christopher sent off 89th)

Liverpool England last night lost for the first time in Qualifying for World Cup 8, losing 2-0 to unseeded Yentrofina, in a night of upsets around the world including Total n Utter Insanity losing 4-1 to an unranked squad. Four players, including LE's captain Caddy Cannon, youngster Howard Christopher and striker Paul Dussis, and Yentrofina's goalscorer, were sent off in the 89th minute for a brawl. The LEIFC (our FA) have appealed against the one-match bans for Cannon and Christopher, and the five-match suspension slapped on Dussis. Yentrofina's goalscorer was banned for two matches. Said coach Jim Whites after the news: "We have lost Paul for the remainder of qualifying [for World Cup 8 except the last game], of course I'm angry! The (bleep)ing referee (bleep)ing cost us the (bleep)ing game with the three reds! Paul and Caddy were innocent! Okay, so maybe Howard's tackle which started the mess deserved the sending off, but four [red] cards - including [one for] the other team - in a minute is just (bleeply-bleep) crazy!" The words have been censored by "bleep".

DENNISOV RETAINS 100% RECORD

After 4 games in this year's WorldCup, the Dennish footballers have kept their 100% record alive with a 2-0 victory over Nikea.

While the previous two games were quite offensive, this one was, like the very first one, a game of concentration, tactics and waiting for the few mistakes.
The very first mistake didn't come until the second half, when Mike Bossy was allowed to take a free kick. The ball sailed into the net out of reach of J. Renteritel, Nikea's goal tender.

Both teams went back to their defensive styles. Dennisov apparently happy to defend with Cheevers keeping the balls out of their net.

With less than 20 minutes to go, Joseph Richard sealed it by outplaying the Nikean goalkeeper, scoring quite easily in the exposed goal.

Game 1.
Dennisov - Defari 1-0
---Dionne 53rd min. (pen) : 1-0

Game 2.
The Dragonian Empire - Dennisov 1-5
---Dionne 3rd min. : 0-1
---The Dragonian Empire 10th min. : 1-1
---Dionne 38th min. (pen) : 1-2
---Richard 51st min. : 1-3
---Dionne 70th min. (pen) : 1-4
---Abel 88th min. : 1-5

Game 3.
Dennisov - Australian Marsupials 4-1
---Australian Marsupials 24th min. : 0-1
---Bossy 44th min. : 1-1
---Orr 47th min. : 2-1
---Dionne 50th min. (pen) : 3-1
---Mikita 81st min. : 4-1

Game 4.
Nikea - Dennisov 0-2
---Bossy 47th min. : 0-1
---Richard 71st min. : 0-2

Marcel Dionne : 5 goals
Joseph Richard : 2 goals
Mike Bossy : 2 goals

This is the Stock market report brought to you by Snugly Bums Ltd, the nation's # 1 marketer of nappies. I'm Cash Converter.

(Stuff about industrials, all-ordinaries, futures markets, oil prices, gold prices, cross-rates, really really angry rates, fuggin pissed right off rates, profit reporting seasons, consumer price index, consumer confidence index, consumer pliability index, consumer income index, consumer spending index, consumer consumption index, consumer tuberculosis index, etc etc.)

The share price in Consumer Engineering World Cup Enterprises Ltd continued to slide today following the national team's fourth straight loss in four games. Analysts believe that the falls would have been greater but for the team's 2nd goal of the series, against Yentrofinova. In late trading CEWCEL shares were going for 21 credit cards. This compares with the original sale price 4 years ago of 50 credit cards and the high of 87 credit cards on the eve of the first qualifying match.

Company spokesperson, Will Gedtbatter, said that the performance of the company was still within expectations. "Shareholders need not be concerned. Our research has shown that there are plenty of gullible consumers out there who will finance this operaton handsomely. Our original prospectus made it clear that the revenue stream would not be positive until WC9."

CEWCEL's bottom line is being propped up by it's subsidiary World Series Football Ltd which owns the national domestic league. Despite stiff competition from the Consumer Engineering Australian Football Rules League Ltd, the WSFL is making healthy profits and is expanding rapidly. Gedtbatter: "It took a couple of years for WSFL to get its legs. CEWCEL will be no different."

(More boring stuff about shares that is of no interest to football consumers.)

NEWSFLASH:

Giant Zucchini has garnered yet another win, this time against minnows Male 18. Head Coach Mr Hurr once again put out a reserve side, reserving the first team for the big one up next against 10th seed Snub Nose 38. Nevertheless, the Zucchinis once again proved their character, defending manicly for most of the match. They went ahead from a Narf corner converted into the net by the strong head of Atlantis FC's Xcavabar late on in the first half, and never looked back. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "Today's match is pleasing, and is the confidence booster we need for the big one coming up. I just hope we can continue this run through qualifying, and not mess up like we did 8 years ago."

FIRST WIN AND HAT-TRICK OF QUALIFYING: MEMEPLEX 3 ALHANA KATHERINE 2 (ANDY POSTMODERNISM 4TH, 39TH, 86TH); 17-YR-OLD SIDDHARTHA GATES SCORES OWN GOAL (GATES OG 1ST)

The Memeplex Repligrams won their first ever international match but had to overcome a shock Alhana Catherine goal in the first minute. Siddhartha Gates, playing in defensive midfield, attempted a pass-back to the goal keeper which failed - giving Alhana Catherine the lead. However, Andy Postmodernism scored Memeplex's first ever hat-trick: his reply to the own goal came on 4 minutes, a wonderfully executed shot after a corner from Lucy Catholic Church found its way out of the box to him. Alhana Catherine then replied after another two minutes taking a two-one lead, but Postmodernism scored a beautiful solo effort on 39 minutes to bring Memeplex back into the game. When the match neared its end, Memeplex fans started leaving the stadium, only to rush back in to see Postmodernism claim his third goal, the match ball and the game winner for Memeplex.

Full Time Score Memeplex 3 (Andy Postmodernism 4th/39th/86th) Alhana Cahterine 2 (Siddhartha Gates og 1st, someone else 6th)

Errinundera 2 Mezitzia 0 (The Cavern, Mount Ellery)
goals: sorais 2 (12, 51)
leighm medal: sorais 3, sedinburgh 2, codith 1

F: longipesp (c), nyleptha, sorais
MF: adealbata, codith, melanoxylona, sgrant
D: pomaderrisa, sasquatchd, snapier (dvc)
GK: sedinburgh
Sub: joyhilla, scaroline

[code:1:828bb78e4f]
Group 1 P W D L GF GA GD Ps
Errinundera 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 7
Pavesia 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7
Runaway Moose 3 2 0 1 6 2 +4 6
Coffee Cup 3 1 1 1 1 3 -2 4
Mezitzia 3 0 1 2 1 5 -4 1
Endray-Island 3 0 0 3 3 8 -5 0
[/code:1:828bb78e4f]

Pavesia 2 Errinundera 1
goal: longipesp (51)
leighm medal: adealbata 3, longipesp 2, dalrympleanae 1

F: longipesp (c), nyleptha, sorais
MF: adealbata, codith, melanoxylona, dalrympleanae
D: pomaderrisa, scaroline, snapier (dvc)
GK: sedinburgh
Sub: joyhilla, brunswickr

[code:1:b33647a4ba]
Group 1 P W D L GF GA GD Ps
Pavesia 4 3 1 0 7 4 +3 10
Runaway Moose 4 3 0 1 8 2 +6 9
Errinundera 4 2 1 1 8 4 +4 7
Coffee Cup 4 2 1 1 2 3 -1 7
Mezitzia 4 0 1 3 1 6 -5 1
Endray-Island 4 0 0 4 3 10 -7 0
[/code:1:b33647a4ba]

'slaves top after four games

Despite a disapointing loss to some dudes, Audioslavia are currently on top of group 4 on 9 points, ahead of Quohog and a load of other teams. This reporter needs to smoke a bud. g'nite bitches.

Matchday 5 results have been posted. Link to the scores thread is in the first post of this thread.

Errinundera 1 Runaway Moose 1 (Bonang Cricket Ground, Bonang)
goal: longipesp (9)
leighm medal: melanoxlyona 3, dalrympleanae 2, longipesp 1

F: acmenas, longipesp (c), sorais
MF: adealbata, codith, melanoxylona, dalrympleanae
D: pomaderrisa, brunswickr, snapier (dvc)
GK: regnanse (vc)
Sub: joyhilla, sbrunswick

[code:1:4eb53517c9]
Group 1 P W D L GF GA GD Ps
Pavesia 5 4 1 0 11 6 +5 13
Runaway Moose 5 3 1 1 9 3 +6 10
Errinundera 5 2 2 1 9 5 +4 8
Coffee Cup 5 2 1 2 4 7 -3 7
Mezitzia 5 1 1 3 4 8 -4 4
Endray-Island 5 0 0 5 5 13 -8 0
[/code:1:4eb53517c9]

Endray-Island fires coach!

After having lost 5 times in 5 matches, which has been very disappointing to our fans, coach Manulito Costa has to go.
The new one is called "Hank van de Doll" and with him everything will be much better!!!
At least this is what the people in Endray-Island hope and he prognoses: "I suppose that we can get 15 points in the following 5 mathches."
To fulfill this may become quite difficult as the teams they have to play against are the same that beat them in the past...

Endray-Island vs Errinundera (X-el arena)
Pavesia vs Endray-Island
Endray-Island vs Coffee Cup (Playboys Santa Cruz stadium)
Runaway Moose vs Endray Island
Endray-Island vs Mezitzia (X-el arena)

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Nikea Takes Second Place
Pandas win while Gesamtkuntswerk, Defari lose
by Markenin Markenel

MISERIAS(NP) - Like a continuous cycle, Nikea once again rebounded from a loss to grab a victory, this time against the Dragonian Empire.

Play started well for the home side, as shots came from all directions, from the likes of Jerin Istertel, Turennin Mortethel, Kerin Irisiuene, and Keresin Keresiuene. None could put the ball in the back of the net, as the combined power of the Dragonian keeper and just plain bad luck conspired against the Pandas.

The 32nd minute proved successful for Nikea, as right centre midfielder Turennin Mortethel launched a one-timed pass from Keresiuene past the Dragonian keeper, putting Nikea up 1-0. Barely four minutes later, Mortethel struck again from the spot as he was dragged down by a Dragonian defender inside the box. His shot was carefully placed, straight down the middle, just under the bar.

The defence took over the show in the second half, as the five midfielders, combined with the defensive trio of Istel, Entel, and Strekiov, held the Dragonian Empire shotless throughout the second half. I&I got in a few unspectacular scoring chances, and when the final whistle blew, Nikea had reclaimed second place with a 2-0 victory.

Nikean manager Resterin Terestel was all smiles after the match. "I think that in this match more than any other, we proved that we can play very strongly in both the offensive and defensive disciplines, and I hope that we can move into the second half of qualifying on a bit of a roll and try to get as large a hold as possible on second, before we travel to Dennisov."

Dennisov continued to roll over the group's competition, winning 2-1 at home to Gesamtkuntswerk. The other team tied for second with Nikea, Defari, was smashed on the road by Australian Marsupials, leaving Nikea 3 points ahead of Defari and Gesamtkuntswerk. Nikea travels to Australian Marsupials next, and hopes to increase their lead.

[code:1:63826d4f7e]
Nikea 2 (Mortethel 32, 36)
v.
The Dragonian Empire 0
[/code:1:63826d4f7e]

Commerce Heights Sends East Spaam To Bottom of Group
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - With the recent hopes of Commerce Heights qualification in the World Cup, a record crowd of 63,183 were packed into Maxisoft Stadium to watch East Spaam (0-3-2) lose to the #54 Bulldogs (3-2-0) in a fairly slow game. The score remained 0-0 for almost the entire first half, until Kevin Decker broke the silence with a 44th-minute goal. Shortly after halftime, East Spaam came back with a goal in the 51st minute, and the winning goal was finally picked up by Quigley in the 71st minute. East Spaam was unable to recover, and Commerce Heights won again.
(54) Commerce Heights 2 (Decker 44, Quigley 71)
(NR) East Spaam 1 - FT
Since Warnocks Wizards (1-1-3) got their first win against Nadaskor (2-1-2) today, and #30 Kingsford (3-1-1), whose only loss so far was to Commerce Heights, defeated #17 Akbarland (1-2-2), the group now looks much different:
[code:1:dac505d817]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Commerce Heights (54) 5 3 2 0 10 5 +5 11
Kingsford (30) 5 3 1 1 7 3 +4 10
Nadaskor 5 2 1 2 10 8 +2 7
Akbarland (17) 5 1 2 2 4 8 -4 5
Warnocks Wizards 5 1 1 3 5 9 -4 4
East Spaam 5 0 3 2 3 6 -3 3[/code:1:dac505d817]
Commerce Heights Schedule
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford – W 1-0
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland – T 1-1
Day 5: vs East Spaam – W 2-1
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards
Day 7: vs Nadaskor
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam
Statistics
[code:1:dac505d817] Overall WC7 WC8
Games Played 15 10 5
Wins 6 3 3
Draws 5 3 2
Losses 4 4 0
Avg. Opp. Rank 74.9 62.6 99.4
Highest Opp. Rank 17 18 17
Highest Def. Opp. Rank 18 18 30
Avg. Offense 1.7 1.5 2.0 gpg
Avg. Defense 1.5 1.8 1.0 gpg
Goal Differential +2 -3 +5[/code:1:dac505d817]

MB: ...Could be. In any event, the 4-2 win is a strong start for the field hockey team; let's hope they can sustain it. Meanwhile, let's take a look at the football World Cup...

KM: Right. As our viewers are aware, our coverage of the previous game was interrupted by breaking news, so first, a brief recap of the Ravens' match against Anti-Nazis.

MB: The Antis put up a surprisingly strong defense for an unknown side, Kath, holding the match scoreless through the entire first half. They slipped only once, right at the start of the second half, when Zhen Sui-Ling managed to get in close and clear of their defenders. And if I may say so, it's good to see once again that Sui-Ling still possesses the technical excellence that made her the star of earlier teams.

KM: That goal would be the only one scored in the match. Well-played on the Anti-Nazis' part. As for tonight's game, it marked the first time in the qualifiers the Ravens did not win.

MB: They continue undefeated, however, since their match -- against group top seeds Dark Outcasts -- resulted in a draw. The Ravens went a little more on the offense than usual, perhaps hoping for one of the upset victories that marked the team's performances in past Cups.

KM: That almost cost them the match, though. They managed to score one goal early on, but Dark Outcasts quickly equalized it, and right before the half a foul on the part of Fox Lee not only gave them a penalty kick, which they successfully converted, but earned a red card, leaving Ravenspire down a player for the second half.

MB: Right. That's when we saw the switch back to more defense-oriented play. Much of the second half was focused on staving off the Outcasts' offenses. And I'll say this: even though Autumn Mistmarch did allow two goals this game, her worst performance of the qualifiers on paper, she really showed her skill in those first twenty or twenty-five minutes of the second half. Not one of the attacks got through.

KM: Fortunately for the Ravens. As it was, only a lucky shot by Kaede Kitsuki late in the half managed to even out the score once again. I doubt the opportunity would have come twice.

MB: Meanwhile, though the team had hoped to widen its margin, halfway through qualifying Ravenspire does remain at the top of its group.

Goals:
vs. Anti-Nazis: Zhen Sui-Ling (48 )
vs. Dark Outcasts: Amara Akizuki (10), Kaede Kitsuki (82)

Kathryn Malley and Michael Black, reporting for RNN

(OOC: Edit to get rid of smiley.)

Matchday 5 qualfiying tables posted. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1696142#1696142)

The Bovine Herald
A Big Loss For Our National Team

Classifying now seems to be a difficult dream. The Cow Milkers, our national team lost a very important match against Yentrofinova. The team of cows couldn't manage to score a single goal, while yentrofinovians scored 2. One of the two goals was made by a confused hell bovinian defender, Sebastos Cuernavaca, at the beginning of the game. Sebastos confessed that the reason of his confusion was that he had smoked a 'grass cigar' before the match. (for those that don't know, a grass cigar is an hallucinogenous type of drug legal in the grand duchy).This incident caused a lot of laughter among the enemy team, but, luckily, Sebastos' team partners understood him and excused him for his terrible mistake. The cup authorities, however, weren't so comprehensive, and decided to disqualify Sebastos from the world cup. From now on, he won't be able to play and he will be replaced with young (at least for hell bovinian standards) Caligula Haymaster.
The second goal was scored at the beginning of the second term, by a Yentrofinovian attacker.
Our coach stated that: "This was an important match. We were in second place and now we are in fourth place. Our chances for qualifying are now smaller. However, we will make our best effort to see our team in. Also, I beg everyone to excuse Sebastos. He is a good cow, a bit disorganised, but good at heart."
The team's chances to classificate are narrower, but there's still hope and we know that nothing is lost as long as we have our hope intact.

Cornelio Del Rancho, special journalist at the world cup 8.

The Sheffingham Post

1901 National Team rebounds from Dead Man-match
Oglethorpia's 1901-side comes back to defeat the Weegies

Oglethorpia's 1901 National Team faced off with Dead Man a couple of weeks ago; Dead Man thouroughly whipped the 1901-squad, 6-2. George Silva's diving skills would earn them a penalty kick making the score 1-3, but even after Phillipe's second goal the 1901 National Team was still down four goals. Facing off with the Weegies this week, Oglethorpia proceeded to come back with a 3-1 victory. It was the Weegies that would strike first in the 23rd minute. George Silva would head in a cross from midfielder Raymond Clark to score equalizer in the 36th minute.

The game would go into the half all even at 1-1, though Phillipe of Tripoli FC would strike right as second half play began, the 1901 squad up one goal in the 47th. Charles Smith would close out the 3-1 victory in the 81st off of a cross from the left-side of the field from Silva with a small kick past the Weegie's goalie, Smith's first goal in the World Cup. Said coach Marvin Jones: "After a defeat like that, down four goals only a little into the second half, it's great to come back with a victory. Let's just hope the squad gets some more wins where it counts to give us a chance to get into the first round of the Cup." We're wishing coach Marvin Jones and the 1901 National Team the best.

Well:

Aquilla wins 5-1 (good)
Yentrofinova wins 2-0 (good)
Commerce Heights wins 2-1 (bad)

I think I have a decent shot at qualifying.

Warnocks Wizards Grind out a Result at East Spaam

National Team Gains first World Cup Qualifying Point

From our news services

Matchday 4, East Spaam–Manager Ufwurz the Furious, serving the second of a three match ban for entering the pitch on matchday two, was pleased with his side winning its first point of world cup qualifying after tonight’s 0-0 draw with fellow newcomers East Spaam. Lining up in the same 4-5-1 formation that proved successful at Akbarland, the Red and White Wizards made only one change to the starting lineup: defender Mausnik the Cleaver returned from suspension and replaced wing back Ufdush the Nasty in the Wizards back four. The first half was played fairly evenly with the Wizards best chances falling to lone striker Globdreg the Destroyer and defender Ghazukh the Burner. On both occasions, the East Spaam keeper rose like a salmon to make a couple of excellent saves. The second half saw the home side on the ascendency, but once again Captain Shagrukh the Strongclaw dealt impressively with the few clear chances the East Spaam strikeforce had. In the end a draw was a fair result, and the Wizards celebrated their first clean sheet. Manager Ufwurz, breaking his self-imposed post match silence, spoke to the press and had this to say: “I was proud of the lads tonight. We’ve had to deal with a lot of adversity in opening our first qualifying group with three of our first four games on the road. We’ve battled and I’ve seen a clear improvement over each match. We now play four of the next five matches at home and there is still all to play for. Perhaps I should stay in the stands and let Gutkrut and Bazzag manage things on their own!”

Warnocks Wizards: Ishhak the Smasher, Grimbrug the Basher, Mausnik the Cruel, Shagrukh the Strongclaw (c), Ghazukh the Burner, Krumsnak the Sneaky (Gromdul the Gasher 78), Bagdreg the Mauler, Akhklash the Paunch, Ghazghash the Sleazy, Ishklash the Pug-nose, Globdreg the Destroyer (Ashmazh the Tough 78).

Unused substitutes: Krumsnik the Paunch, Akhburz the Straggler, Mersnik the Cruel.

The Red and White Wizards next match in Group 12 is home against surprise package Nadaskor. The game will be played at New Orthanc United’s The Tower.

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

Ufwurz the Furious Jubilant after Convincing Victory at The Tower

Warnocks Wizards Make History, Defeat Nadaskor 2-0

From our news services...

Matchday 5, The Tower, New Orthanc–Warnocks Wizards made history last night, winning their first ever World Cup Qualifying match 2-0 over Nadaskor. Returning home after two good performances and only one goal allowed, the Red and White Wizards took to the field in an attacking 4-3-1-2 formation. Target man Globdreg the Destroyer dropped to the bench, not because of poor play, but to allow the fleet Gabdul the Looter to return to the side in the more attacking formation. Manager Ufwurz the Furious, serving his final match suspension for interfering with play on matchday 2, watched intently from the stands and could only look on in admiration at a side that is slowly gaining in experience and confidence. The midfield was particularly effective with its quick passing and the strikers’ energetic moves off of the ball were opening up the Nadaskor defense. Midfielder Ghazghash the Sleazy was at the center of much of the Wizards play. It was only fitting that he would open the scoring on 34 minutes. Striker Ishklash the Pug-nose, whose reputation has grown in leaps and bounds over the Wizards first four matches, was fouled 25 yards out from goal setting up a free kick. The Sleazy one duly curled one around the wall and into the top corner of the net, setting the capacity crowd of 32,152 into raptures. The Wizards rode the high of the crowd to halftime, leading 1-0.

The second half continued with the smooth play of the Red and White Wizards midfield. The tie was settled beyond all doubt in the 56th minute. Ghazghash laid the ball off nicely for sickly/silky winger Akhklash the Paunch to run on to. After a mazy run that Radagast the Brown would be proud of, Akhklash sent a pinpoint perfect cross onto the boot of Gabdul the Looter, who cooly dispatched the second goal of the night. After a brief pitch invasion by the over-exuberant home crowd, play was restored and goalkeeper Ishhak the Smasher was forced to make a diving save on a ball that was ticketed towards the corner. After that scare, Krumsnak the Sneaky settled his teammates down and the Wizards walked to a historic victory. Manager Ufwurz the Furious praised his players after the match but noted that the concessions in the stands must improve for Warnocks Wizards to be taken seriously. The chocolate Balrogs in particular were a little on the stale side.

Warnocks Wizards: Ishhak the Smasher, Grimbrug the Basher, Mausnik the Cruel, Shagrukh the Strongclaw (c), Ghazukh the Burner, Krumsnak the Sneaky, Bagdreg the Mauler (Durbret the Choker 69), Akhklash the Paunch, Ghazghash the Sleazy, Gabdul the Looter, Ishklash the Pug-nose (Globdreg the Destroyer 83).

Unused substitutes: Globtakh the Meek, Ufdush the Nasty, Mersnik the Cruel.

The Red and White Wizards next match in Group 12 is home against group leaders Commerce Heights. The game, which is already a sell out, will be played at New Orthanc United’s The Tower.

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

The game, which is already a sell out, will be played at New Orthanc United’s The Tower.
I assume that means that the traditional sea of red and blue from Commerce Heights is coming? What's the capacity of that stadium, anyway? :P

Well:

Aquilla wins 5-1 (good)
Yentrofinova wins 2-0 (good)
Commerce Heights wins 2-1 (bad)

I think I have a decent shot at qualifying.
We can restart that war.
If we meet in the Cup, I'll be very interested in seeing the number of yellow and red cards due to hostility between the Aquillan and Manhattanite players... ;)

he he.

But I'm technicaly Isolationist now. So the war has been put on hold.

he he.

But I'm technicaly Isolationist now. So the war has been put on hold.
That doesn't mean that Dextremmika can't send troops. Remember, it's still there, and you can't kick it out without joining the UN. :P

[quote=Warnocks Wizards]The game, which is already a sell out, will be played at New Orthanc United’s The Tower.
I assume that means that the traditional sea of red and blue from Commerce Heights is coming? What's the capacity of that stadium, anyway? :P

Capacity is 32,153 unless our manager is suspended. Then it's 32,152. Visitors are traditionally seated in the Old Uruk'Hai Mine Stand, located beneath The Tower. With the aid of very tall ladders, visiting fans may be able to see the feet of the players.

Svecia takes sole control of Group 2 with a 3-0 victory over the Halfassedstates. Keepr Matt Fijts and the Svecian defense continue to keep the net clear while the powerful offense has destroyed nearly every keeper that comes to play against them. Svecia and Halfassedstates look to be the runaway winners and runners up of Group 2.

The Pure Evil team ranked (9) seen to be keeping up there long tradition of poor Qualification rounds with a 3-1 Lose to Liverpool England.

OOC: This is really annoying, I go 1000times better as a unranked team than i do ranked and it happens ALL the time.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Oppressed Peoples of Gilmeecia.

President Louis Gilsterson: My fellow Gilmeecians, members of the international press-monkey guild, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Kickfooters have returned to their kickassing ways. With a two-one victory over the football-loss production units of Consumer Engineering, we're up to third place in our group, a point behind that brand-new team from Yentrofinova, and frankly, they're headed for a fall. No way they're gonna keep up the pace much longer, and the Kickfooters'll be ready to charge into qualifying position when they fall. I'm just giddy as hell about it. So lemme bring Coach Kikere up here, and I'll let her do some gloating too.

Coach Bi Kikere: Thank you, Mr. President. We're all very pleased with the squad's performance so far. The opening loss to unranked Hell Bovines was unfortunate, but understandable, and I'm sure the team will fare better the next time we face them. I'm delighted that we beat Pure Evil; that's the first time the Kickfooters have ever defeated a top-ten team. So, as Presient Gilsterson said, I think we're in great form with an excellent chance to qualify.

For the second half of qualifying, we'll be working on improving the defense, which has been notably inconsistent so far. In each of our losses, Gilmooster has surrendered three goals, though he's done a fine job in the other three matches. Offensively, the squad is first in the group, and I'd like to take the opportunity to recognize all of our scorers so far: Gobbins with four, Cargill and Moostergil with two each, and Gilderbecke with one.

Pres: Great work by all the kids. Okay now, we'll field a couple of questions. Gillian?

GG: Gillian Gilquest, Gilmeecian Mail and News. Mr. President, what's the status of the Hellmouth?

Pres: Status? No status that I know of. It's there, we want it. It there something I don't know?

GG: The Lemmitanian government denies its existence.

Pres: Well, that's bullcrap. Everybody knows there's a Hellmouth. Tanah Burung scientists have seen it. Ain't that right, Coach?

Coach: I have no idea.

Pres: They don't share that stuff with the football team, huh?

Coach: I haven't been affiliated with the Crocodiles for eight years.

Pres: Oh, right. Well, those guys at Lovebeetle State College of the Arts have been studying hellmouths for years, and they certified the Lemmington Hellmouth as a 100% grade-A prime demon-spewer. So it's there, and it's real. And soon, if all goes well in court, it'll be here. So get ready, Gilmeecia. It's gonna be great. Blintz?

BM: Blintz Mitersaw,People's Gilmeecian Nightly. Sir, that doesn't sound all that great to my readers.

Pres: What's wrong with them?

BM: People don't wnt demons running loose in the streets.

Pres: Who said anything about demons running loose in the streets? You think we're gonna waste the demons by letting them run loose in the streets?

BM: So you have a plan for controlling the demons?

Pres: Controlling them? Not as such.

BM: But they're not going to be allowed to run loose in the streets?

Pres: Absolutely not.

GG: Sir, if they're not going to be running loose in the streets, and they're not going to be controlled, as such, exactly what is the demon situation going to be once the Hellmouth is transported to Gilmeecia?

Pres: Sorry, Gillian, that's classified. Look, people, no more questions. Sheesh.

FIRST WIN AND HAT-TRICK OF QUALIFYING: MEMEPLEX 3 ALHANA KATHERINE 2 (ANDY POSTMODERNISM 4TH, 39TH, 86TH); 17-YR-OLD SIDDHARTHA GATES SCORES OWN GOAL (GATES OG 1ST)

The Memeplex Repligrams won their first ever international match but had to overcome a shock Alhana Catherine goal in the first minute. Siddhartha Gates, playing in defensive midfield, attempted a pass-back to the goal keeper which failed - giving Alhana Catherine the lead. However, Andy Postmodernism scored Memeplex's first ever hat-trick: his reply to the own goal came on 4 minutes, a wonderfully executed shot after a corner from Lucy Catholic Church found its way out of the box to him. Alhana Catherine then replied after another two minutes taking a two-one lead, but Postmodernism scored a beautiful solo effort on 39 minutes to bring Memeplex back into the game. When the match neared its end, Memeplex fans started leaving the stadium, only to rush back in to see Postmodernism claim his third goal, the match ball and the game winner for Memeplex.

Full Time Score Memeplex 3 (Andy Postmodernism 4th/39th/86th) Alhana Cahterine 2 (Siddhartha Gates og 1st, someone else 6th)
OOC: ic post to come. it would be better if you n00bs DID NOT copy the others', in this case my, posts!

ooc: (Dussis 4th, 39th, 86th)? 17-yr-old own goal, first minute?!!!! :evil: :x

IC:
MATCH REPORT, LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 3 PURE EVIL 1
CANNON'S BAN REMOVED, DUSSIS' BAN LOWERED TO TWO GAMES.
(WILL MAKE THIS QUICK, GOTTA RUSH)

Liverpool England have stayed top of Group 14 with a 2-point lead over unranked Yentrofina, while Oddslavo stretch Group 6 lead to 4 points.

DENNISOV 5 out of 5

The last game in the first of Qualifying resulted in yet another win. This time the fellow nation from the Heartlands, Gesamtkuntswerk.
Though the score suggests a tightly fought game, until the 80th minute, the Dennisov team was well in control of every aspect of the game.

With 2 goals by Marcel Dionne, Dennisov dominated the playing field. The team now has a 6-point lead over the number two and looks destined for a place in the WorldCup proper.

Game 5.
Dennisov - Gesamtkuntswerk 2-1
---Dionne 37th min. : 1-0
---Dionne 42nd min. : 2-0
---Gesamtkuntswerk 79th min. : 2-1

NEWSFLASH:

The much awaited Clash of the Titans with Wierdly Named Players ended in a 1-1 draw between Snub Nose 38 and Giant Zucchini. Giant Zucchini had their entire squad at hand, and so did Snub Nose, and both sides expected this to be one tough fight. Knuckles had a great early chance to put the home side in front, but he fired his fifth-minute shot well wide of the post from 10 yards. Two minutes later Knuckles was causing more trouble in the Zucchinis’ penalty area, and this time he set up the opening goal. He expertly beat a defender before laying the ball into the path of Malicious, who steered the ball into the net from close range. Snub Nose 38 were playing some superb attacking football at this point, and almost doubled their advantage in the 21st minute. Neanderthal picked out Malicious with a superb through ball, which the midfielder drove wide of the post. Giant Zucchini finally mustered an attack seven minutes later. Poom threaded the ball into the path of Phoot's run, but Snub Nose's goalkeeper Pancake gathered the ball just as Phoot was about to shoot. Urk equalised just before the break, blasting his shot into the top corner from 12 yards away. The second half was uneventful, and both sides seemed pretty content to settle for a draw. Head Coach Mr Hurr, "I think we played with character today. I just hope the team uses this as a springboard to greater heights, not just in qualifying but also in the World Cup proper, if we qualify."

Final score:

Snub Nose 38 - 1
Malicious (7)

Giant Zucchini - 1
Urk (44)

OOC: GZ - i like it! "Clash of the Titans with Wierdly Named Players".

Those complaining about scores/results: Enough, already. It's a game of chance, folks - and regardless of rank, it's still possible to lose. If rank was the only thing that mattered, this really would be boring. You would always beat those you outrank, and never beat those who outrank you. In that case, why bother? We will all have runs of good luck, and runs of bad luck. RP it anyway you like, but please stop complaining when ya lose. :wink:

OOC: GZ - i like it! "Clash of the Titans with Wierdly Named Players".

Those complaining about scores/results: Enough, already. It's a game of chance, folks - and regardless of rank, it's still possible to lose. If rank was the only thing that mattered, this really would be boring. You would always beat those you outrank, and never beat those who outrank you. In that case, why bother? We will all have runs of good luck, and runs of bad luck. RP it anyway you like, but please stop complaining when ya lose. :wink:

what about if your ranked the highest in your group and top 10 in world but still somehow manage to be bottom of the group after 1/2 of the matches have been played? And what about if it happens to you EVERY single worldcup?

PE: It's still just a game. Believe me, it'll be more fun if you stop worrying about whether you win or lose, and go back to developing RP reasons (funny or serious) about why the results came out the way the did.

(at this point, sn38 wishes to apologize for lack of rps lately. having a hard time finding the time right now - hope to do better soon)

The game, which is already a sell out, will be played at New Orthanc United’s The Tower.
I assume that means that the traditional sea of red and blue from Commerce Heights is coming? What's the capacity of that stadium, anyway? :P

Capacity is 32,153 unless our manager is suspended. Then it's 32,152. Visitors are traditionally seated in the Old Uruk'Hai Mine Stand, located beneath The Tower. With the aid of very tall ladders, visiting fans may be able to see the feet of the players.
Well, maybe our government will give a refund to everybody who purchased a ticket. Then PariMedia Sports will use its armada of news helicopters to broadcast the game throughout Paripana. We might also bring a few skywriting planes along. ;)
(We at least let your fans sit in some of the 50-odd thousand seats of Maxisoft Stadium... :roll: )

The Crocodiles faced their toughest challenge of the qualifiers when they went up against The Belmore Family, top seed in Group 7. Coach Ab Francisco pronounced himself "thrilled to pieces" to come out of the match witha 2-2 draw. That result, coupled with another win by Jacktazea, means the suprising but silent Jacktazeans are first in the group, with TBF in second and Tanah Burung struggling to catch up. The other teams are not yet eliminated, but sit well back in the group.

Final result:
Tanah Burung 2 The Belmore Family 2
(Syahrir 36, Cavaco 54)

The Crocodiles faced their toughest challenge of the qualifiers when they went up against The Belmore Family, top seed in Group 7. Coach Ab Francisco pronounced himself "thrilled to pieces" to come out of the match witha 2-2 draw. That result, coupled with another win by Jacktazea, means the suprising but silent Jacktazeans are first in the group, with TBF in second and Tanah Burung struggling to catch up. The other teams are not yet eliminated, but sit well back in the group.

Final result:
Tanah Burung 2 The Belmore Family 2
(Syahrir 36, Cavaco 54)
Yeh, go Belmore

The Freedom Papers - Evening Edition

The Free Land of One Red Dot Slides to Third after Oddslavo Claim Victory

RANGOON, ONE RED DOT - The ORD National Team lost 0-2 to Oddslavo at the age old Queen Tracy Royal Stadium. Oddslavo ruined ORD's 3-day winning streak when the Oddslavian strikers kicked two goals pass Stanley MATTHEWS at the 29th and 58th minute.

The pass three wins against 1900s Oglethorpia, Dead Man and The Weegies had put ORD second to Oddslavo, but the day of reckoning came and the team just couldn't claim another victory. However, despite the loss on the 5th day, halfway through the qualifiers, Head Coach Alvin Ker told the press in a post-match press conference that "this setback is just a small obstacle in our way. However, when we meet them again, we promise to put up a good match worth fighting for. The situation at the moment might look quite bad, but we can make up for it in the days ahead."

The NationStates World Cup VIII Group 6 Qualifying Rounds Score Table:
[code:1:da5549374e]Group 6 (Day 5) P W D L F A GD Pts
Oddslavo (35) 5 4 1 0 10 5 +5 13
Dead Man (107) 5 3 0 2 13 9 +4 9
One Red Dot (16) 5 3 0 2 9 7 +2 9
1900s Oglethorpia 5 2 0 3 11 12 -1 6
The Weegies (68) 5 1 1 3 7 10 -3 4
Chronos Prime 5 1 0 4 4 11 -7 3[/code:1:da5549374e]

One Red Dot Day 6 to Day 10 Fixtures
Chronos Prime v One Red Dot (16) @ Chronos Prime
One Red Dot (16) v 1900s Oglethorpia @ Chisai’nihon Stadium
Dead Man (107) v One Red Dot (16) @ Dead Man
One Red Dot (16) v The Weegies [68] @ Royal Red Dot National Stadium
Oddslavo (35) v One Red Dot (16) @ Oddslavo

From the Daily Kangaroo:

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER

Kaze Progressa took a long-awaited 3-2 victory in a vital match against NSA courtesy of a dramatic 87th-minute winner from young defender Aeuwal Maurto from a corner.

It was a perfect goal in semantic terms, regardless of the technical perfection involved - something that was not entirely lacking, it must be stressed. It was scored three minutes from the end of normal time, by the man in the number 3 shirt, winning his third cap after 33 games for his club Jauranians who finished third in the Progressair League Premier Division, and was the third Progressan goal of the game in a match attended by 40,003 people (the official capacity is 40,000, but three midgets sneaked into the ground dressed as mascots). Furthermore, the result leaves the national side third in their group at the halfway stage of qualifying.

Manager Chares Catrar, following a run of three draws from four games, opted for a more attacking style, delighting the fans by picking creative midfielder and traditional sub Fayu Owa from the start to play behind a three-man attack spearheaded by the legendary Faiwe Irafma. It paid almost immediate dividends when a brilliant exchange of passes between Owa and Irafma led to the latter facing nobody but the goalkeeper, who seemed unwilling as much as unable to stop a blasted effort into the roof of the net. The goal was clocked at three minutes, three seconds - a fact largely forgotten until the final goal.

NSA fought back quickly and equalised on 33 minutes when Maurto bought down a midfielder (shirt number 3) on a mazy run after he beat MacKazie and Garjeno. NSA's #11 put away the penalty. And six minutes after the break #11 put away a second from 20 yards.

Kaze Progressa tried everything to equalise but were constantly denied by some superb goalkeeping, not to mention the woodwork which Owa hit three times and Irafma once. Luck finally went with them with thirteen minutes to go when Owa hit the bar and the ball fell straight to Irafma, who instinctively volleyed home his second of the match.

Owa hit the woodwork again with six minutes left, the underside of the crossbar, and Irafma appeared to have scored the winner but was adjudged to have pushed a substitute defender - #33 - on his way to the loose ball. Finally, the miracle occured with three minutes left.

Catrar was 'delighted' to have pulled off a win at last. He said 'this could not have come at a better time, and leaves us in a position where we could realistically qualify if we can defeat either or both of the top two - and given how close we were to beating Ariddia on their ground, who knows what could happen at home? And if we can hold Lemmitania when we head over there, we can really consider ourselves candidates.'

When are the next results going to be posted?

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER

Hello person from the uk.

Commerce Heights Breaks Draw Streak Against Warnocks Wizards
WARNOCKS WIZARDS - Goalkeeper Dirk Vojtilo managed to stop all balls going into the Commerce Heights goal today at The Tower, preventing the much-anticpated upset of #54 Commerce Heights (4-2-0) by Warnocks Wizards (1-1-4). Jerry Cahalane's 16th-minute goal all but silenced the sellout home crowd of 32,152, and left the Paripanans that stayed home for the game excited with the possibility of breaking the pattern of wins and draws that Commerce Heights had pulled off. Those that made the trip to Warnocks Wizards were unhappy with the view from the Old Uruk'Hai Mine Stand, where the fans of the visiting team are traditionally seated. They are looking forward to tomorrow's home game against Nadaskor (2-1-3), which tied CH 2-2 in their earlier encounter.
(54) Commerce Heights 1 (Cahalane 16)
(NR) Warnocks Wizards 0 - FT
#17 Akbarland (2-2-2) and #30 Kingsford (4-1-1) also won their matches, and neither Nadaskor nor East Spaam (1-1-4) was able to score a goal. The group now stands as follows:
[code:1:5ddf6d0b78]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Commerce Heights (54) 6 4 2 0 11 5 +6 14
Kingsford (30) 6 4 1 1 9 3 +6 13
Akbarland (17) 6 2 2 2 5 8 -3 8
Nadaskor 6 2 1 3 10 9 +1 7
Warnocks Wizards 6 1 1 4 5 10 -5 4
East Spaam 6 0 3 3 3 8 -5 3[/code:1:5ddf6d0b78]
Commerce Heights and Kingsford are clearly quite close to qualifying, as the next team is 5 points away from Kingsford. Akbarland and Nadaskor also have a chance, but Warnocks Wizards and East Spaam are now all but eliminated.
Commerce Heights Schedule
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford – W 1-0
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland – T 1-1
Day 5: vs East Spaam – W 2-1
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards – W 1-0
Day 7: vs Nadaskor
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam
Statistics
[code:1:5ddf6d0b78] Overall WC7 WC8
Games Played 16 10 6
Wins 7 3 4
Draws 5 3 2
Losses 4 4 0
Avg. Opp. Rank 79.6 62.6 107.8
Highest Opp. Rank 17 18 17
Highest Def. Opp. Rank 18 18 30
Avg. Offense 1.6 1.5 1.8 gpg
Avg. Defense 1.4 1.8 0.8 gpg[/code:1:5ddf6d0b78]

Queldas Hikari - Rul Isio Nesuntel A Seserim

Nikea Increases Hold on Second
Nikea only victors in Group 9 play
by Markenin Markenel

AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS(NP) - Nikea now has a five point hold on second place, after defeating an Australian Marsupials side that proved a tough task at home for the Pandas.

The match started off back and forth, as the action proved exciting for the Australian Marsupial fans. The first half was largely a defensive affair, with both sides playing smashing defense. Aleksei Strekiov, the son of Russian immigrants to Nikea, made the defensive play of the Nikean qualifying attempt as he slid along the goal line and knocked the ball out towards the sidelines, causing most of the Australian Marsupial fans to groan in disappointment, but something that caused Nikean mascot Perin the Panda to celebrate wildly along the sidelines. A very grateful Jeserin Renteritel congratulated Strekiov on an excellent play.

The second half provided all the goals. Early on, Nikean centre midfielder and captain Keresin Keresiuene notched a tally for the Pandas as he slammed a rebound home past the Marsupial keeper. The Marsupials soon responded, with a mark of their own off a header from a corner kick. The score remained tied until the 80th minute, when Keresiuene received a pass from Yurin Yaskalaitel, and shoved the ball into the top left corner. The Marsupials pressed, but the Nikean defence held, and the Pandas walked out of Australian Marsupials with a 2-1 victory.

"It was an excellent match," Strekiov told reporters following the victory. "Our defence played sound, and Keri had two very nice goals, so I thought everything went well."

Manager Terestel agreed. "It was a pretty exciting match," he said. "Both sides played very well. I'm sure if I wasn't managing I would have enjoyed it a lot more," he said with a laugh.

The victory puts Nikea 5 points ahead of third place Gesamtkuntswerk in group 9, with 4 games remaining. The next two matches will be crucial for the Pandas, as Defari visits at Markeno Bridge in Straedias, following which the Pandas host Gesamtkuntswerk in Interien Field for Nikea's final home match of the qualifying round.

In other group 9 action, Dennisov's winning streak was sidelined after a 1-1 draw with Defari, and Gesamtkuntswerk drew 1-1 with The Dragonian Empire, a result which may prove crucial when qualifying completes. Dennisov leads the group with 16 points, followed by Nikea with 12, and Gesamtkuntswerk and Defari each have 7. While the Australian Marsupials can still steal a spot with some luck, it is almost a certainty that the Dragonian Empire will not be making the trip to Bedistan and Oglethorpia.

[code:1:12f58c8bcf]
Australian Marsupials 1 (<player> 54)
v.
Nikea 2 (Keresiuene 50, 82)
[/code:1:12f58c8bcf]

Match Summary:
Nikea (71) v. Australian Marsupials (127) W 2-1
Defari v. Nikea (71) L 1-2
Gesamtkuntswerk (38] v. Nikea (71) W 3-1
Nikea (71) v. Dennisov (18] L 0-2
Nikea (71) v. The Dragonian Empire W 2-0
Australian Marsupials (127) v. Nikea (71) W 2-1
Nikea (71) v. Defari
Nikea (71) v. Gesamtkuntswerk (38]
Dennisov (18] v. Nikea (71)
The Dragonian Empire v. Nikea (71)

Scuttlebutt - Evening Edition

Hooligan Cheerleaders Deported - Again
Male 18 aspn wire

The Snub Nose 38 Hooligan Cheerleaders were deported today by the government of Male 18. The squad was escorted by Male 18 police to the airport, and herded onto a plane chartered by the Snub Nose 38 Ministry of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages. At their hearing on charges of disturbing the peace, inciting to riot, slander, malicious mischief, loitering, operating a musical instrument without a license, and possession of a goat without a permit, the Presiding Judge decreed they be deported, and prohibited from ever entering Male 18 again.

"They have defamed every team that the Snub Nose 38 Hooligans have ever played against," said the Prosecuting Attorney, "Why, in their last four matches these 'cheerleaders' were heard to hurl the following insults."

"Eauz - get the claws, we'll tear 'em limb from limb
Boo, Hiss, their lightbulbs seem quite dim"

"West Arridia? We'll get ridaya.
Boo!! Hey, what didaya
think - you'd win?"

"Giant Zucchini...A flippin' vegetable?
We don't need no flippin' vegetables!"

"Male 18, Boo!! Mail yourselves away!
The Hooligans'll teach you how to really play!"

The Defense Attorney attempted to excuse the antics of the Hooligan Cheerleaders, but every time she tried to speak, she was bombarded with over ripe vegetables. She objected, but the Presiding Judge decided to allow it. This did not sit well with the Defense.

In the end, the Cheerleaders were hauled away in their customary manacles, shouting insults and being deluged with whatever spoiled vegetables had not been hurled at the Defense Attorney.

An appeal was lodged on behalf of the Hooligan Cheerleaders, prompting the Presiding Judge to note that there is nothing appealing about them.

Hooligans Still On Top
Sten, Snub Nose 38

The Snub Nose 38 International Football side remains at the top of Group 3 after 6 of 10 qualifying matches have been played. The Hooligans have won 4, tied 1 and lost 1. Their only loss came to Eauz, in the 3rd match, and it came right here at home in "38 Special" Stadium. They've drawn with Giant Zucchini, also a home match. Oddly, in what on the field would be called "against the run of play", the Hooligans have won all 3 away matches played so far, but only 1 of 3 home matches.

"It's just an odd coincidence." Justin Case, Team Manager, said, "The lads are a bit abashed that they've let the home crowd down. Next up is a home match against WNA, and they intend to give it their all."

"He means they're gonna win," said Ben Dover, Management Consultant.

Printed below for Hooligan fans is the table for Group 3, as well as results and some upcoming match information. For home match tickets, call the Ministry of Athletics, Olympics, and Alcoholic Beverages and ask for Beverly. For away matches, tickets can be purchased through Snubitron, or from scalpers in front of "38 Special" Stadium.
[code:1:3b6dbc8d1b]
# Side P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Snub Nose 38 6 4 1 1 11 5 +6 13
2 Giant Zucchini 6 3 1 2 7 6 +1 10
5 WNA 6 3 1 2 8 9 -1 10
4 Eauz 6 3 0 3 12 11 +1 9
3 West Ariddia 6 2 1 3 11 12 -1 7
6 Male 18 6 1 0 5 7 13 -6 3[/code:1:3b6dbc8d1b]
[code:1:3b6dbc8d1b]Matchday 1 Matchday 2
Snub Nose 38 2 Male 18 1 WNA 1 Snub Nose 38 4
Giant Zucchini 0 WNA 1 Eauz 0 Giant Zucchini 1
West Ariddia 2 Eauz 1 Male 18 2 West Ariddia 1

Matchday 3 Matchday 4

Snub Nose 38 0 Eauz 1 West Ariddia 0 SN38 1
Giant Zucchini 3 West Ariddia 2 Male 18 0 Giant Zucchini 1
WNA 2 Male 18 1 WNA 1 Eauz 2

Matchday 5 Matchday 6

Snub Nose 38 1 Giant Zucchini 1 Male 18 1 Snub Nose 38 3
West Ariddia 1 WNA 1 WNA 2 Giant Zucchini 1
Eauz 4 Male 18 2 Eauz 4 West Ariddia 5[/code:1:3b6dbc8d1b]
Matchday 8
4 vs 1 Eauz vs Snub Nose 38 @ Eauz
3 vs 2 West Arridia vs Giant Zucchini @ West Arridia
6 vs 5 Male 18 vs WNA @ Male 18

Matchday 9
1 vs 3 Snub Nose 38 vs West Arridia @ Snub Nose 38
2 vs 6 Giant Zucchini vs Male 18 @ Giant Zucchini
4 vs 5 Eauz vs WNA @ Eauz

Matchday 10
2 vs 1 Giant Zucchini vs Snub Nose 38 @ Giant Zucchini
5 vs 3 WNA vs West Arridia @ WNA
6 vs 4 Male 18 vs Eauz @ Male 18

Warnocks Wizards Chance of Qualifying for the World Cup Blowing in the Wind?

Manager Ufwurz the Furious Ejected & Dejected at Controversial 1-0 Loss to Commerce Heights

From our news services...

Matchday 6, The Tower, New Orthanc–Home field advantage is meant to be just that, an advantage to the home team. However, after the events of last night’s first half, Manager Ufwurz the Furious must be wondering whether there is such a thing. Returning to the sidelines after serving a three-match ban for entering the field of play in matchday two, Manager Ufwurz led out an unchanged side to face Group 12 leaders Commerce Heights. On his way to the dugout just prior to the match, the Manager noticed the strange swirling winds engulfing The Tower. An armada of helicopters, nominally representing an entity called PariMedia Sports, were hovering over the pitch to broadcast the match to the citizens of Commerce Heights. Apparently the televising set-up run by Warnocks Wizards palantiri station WW1 was not good enough for the visiting federation who approved of the helicopter flyover. As a result, the first half of the match was engulfed by swirling winds that not even the late, great Saruman could create. Goalkeeper Ishhak the Smasher was having a nightmare trying to deal with high balls. The winds led directly to the only goal of the match in the 16th minute when a long ball pass, seemingly about to be controlled by defender Shagrukh the Strongclaw, made a ninety degree turn and took off, landing on the foot of Commerce Heights striker Jerry Cahalane, who was unmarked in the box. He coolly finished the chance and put the visitors up 1-0. The sell out crowd of 32,152 was dumbfounded. Manager Ufwurz the Furious leapt to his feet and immediately protested the goal, gesturing wildly to the referee about the helicopters directly influencing play. The referee would have none of it and sent off Ufwurz. The Furious one was escorted from the pitch by FIFA representatives and was seated in his now familiar seat in the stands. The goal was incredibly allowed to stand and play resumed despite the continued influence of the CH helicopter fleet. The Red and White Wizards continued to have problems dealing with the height of the visitors and the flight of the ball, but, fortunately the score remained 1-0 until halftime.

The spectators were treated to an unusual display of entertainment at halftime. Disgusted with the effect of the PariMedia Sports fleet, Warnocks Wizards football federation president Globmazh the Mean summoned a flock of Gwaihiri (Great Eagles) to disperse the helicopter fleet by guanifying their television cameras. As a result the eagles relieved themselves on the copters cameras (with only a few droppings landing on the pitch), rendering their purpose at The Tower moot. The PariMedia Sports fleet duly dispersed and the second half could resume without outside influence. Home field advantaged restored, the Red and White Wizards controlled play in the second half, but could not break down the excellent Commerce Heights defense. Manager Ufwurz the Furious undoubtedly faces a new suspension because of his sending off, but who could blame him. The controversial match ended Warnocks Wizards 0, Commerce Heights 1.

Warnocks Wizards: Ishhak the Smasher, Grimbrug the Basher, Mausnik the Cruel, Shagrukh the Strongclaw (c), Ghazukh the Burner, Krumsnak the Sneaky, Bagdreg the Mauler (Durbret the Choker 71), Akhklash the Paunch, Ghazghash the Sleazy (Globdreg the Destroyer 74), Gabdul the Looter, Ishklash the Pug-nose.

Unused substitutes: Globtakh the Meek, Ufdush the Nasty, Mersnik the Cruel.

The Red and White Wizards next match in Group 12 is away against ranked Kingsford (30).

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>

Congratulations :D

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>

Congratulations Lemm! :D

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER

Hello person from the uk.

What the heck are you foreigners talking about?

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOST AGAIN!!!!!! :( :( :( :x :evil: :evil: :( :cry:

Actually, for an unranked team you're doing pretty well. 5 points in six matches isn't half bad.

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>
Congratulations, Lemmy! Have a figurative cigar.

Kickfooters get their Bovenge

Gillian Gilquest staff writer

In World Cup qualifying action today, the Kickfooters cow-handled those devilish hoofers from Hell Bovines. Travelling into dreaded Milker territory, where everybody and their uncle is a freaky upright-walking cow, the bold Kickfooters hunkered down and played solid football for ninety minutes, coming away with a three-two win.

Putting the smackdown on Cow goalie Murk Bullmaster was Gilgo Gobbins, rising star in the football universe. Gobbins pocketed them in the 27th, 55th, and 70th minutes, achieving the first hat trick in Kickfooters history. After the game, President Lou Gilsterson had Gilgo bronzed.

Milkmaster star Ron Goldenspots was held scoreless, with speculation running rampant that he was just a tad intimidated by the dual attempts by Kickfooter defenders to devour him in the first meeting between these two teams. Said Coach Bi Kikere, "Well, it's got to be on his mind. I mean, you hate to see a great player performing below his best because he's afraid of being eaten by your players. If I really believed that was the case, I'd have sat Krantzengil and Guildenstern. But I think Goldenspots knows that deep in their hearts, Rose and Moe would never really eat him. They were just playing a hideously sick joke. With the runing after him with knives and forks. Yeah, that's all it was. A joke."

Joke or not, this reporter thinks Ron Goldenspots looks absolutely delicious. And if that sounds like a sexual innuendo, it's meant to. Sick as that may be, you have to admit: he's the sexiest football-playing cow there is.

Perhaps more important, however, is the fact that the win moves Gilmeecia into second place in the Groups 14 standings. With four matches to go, the Kickfooters now find themselves in position to qualify. Whether they will be able to maintain this position despite upcoming matches against 28th-ranked Liverpool England and 9th-ranked Pure Evil remains to be seen. Said Coach Kikere, "It certainly won't be easy. But we now control our own destiny. It took nine matches before this squad got four wins in World Cup Seven. To be at 4-0-2 just shows how hard these kids have worked the last four years to improve their game."

Indeed, Coach. Indeed.

Putting the smackdown on Cow goalie Murk Bullmaster was Gilgo Gobbins, rising star in the football universe. Gobbins pocketed them in the 27th, 55th, and 70th minutes, achieving the first hat trick in Kickfooters history. After the game, President Lou Gilsterson had Gilgo bronzed.

LOL! Oh man, Gilmeecia's so offbeat :wink:

The Consumer Engineering World Cup Enterprises Ltd share price fell by almost 10% to a new low of 19 credit cards following yet another loss.

OOC: ic post to come. it would be better if you n00bs DID NOT copy the others', in this case my, posts!

The government of Memeplex refutes all claims by the government of the unrecognized nation of "Liverpool England".

It is the contention of the government of Memeplex that any and all claims made by the pissant "nation" of "Liverpool England" are specious and not to be credited with a modicum of sense.

That is all we have to say on the matter. We would thank Liverpuddle Englanders to keep their assinine opinions to themselves in the future.

Dupuy Lechat
Biggest idea
The Allied States of Memeplex

[OOC: I'm surprised at the response of the nation-trading state of Liverpool England. Had they done their homework on the concept of memeplexes and the status of the nation of Memeplex they may have realized 1) that a sort of homage was being paid, ie adaptive texts are replicated; and 2) the nation of Memeplex is not the newbie that its age and number of posts suggests.

In short: you missed the joke.]

Warnocks Wizards Chance of Qualifying for the World Cup Blowing in the Wind?

Manager Ufwurz the Furious Ejected & Dejected at Controversial 1-0 Loss to Commerce Heights

From our news services...

Matchday 6, The Tower, New Orthanc–Home field advantage is meant to be just that, an advantage to the home team. However, after the events of last night’s first half, Manager Ufwurz the Furious must be wondering whether there is such a thing. Returning to the sidelines after serving a three-match ban for entering the field of play in matchday two, Manager Ufwurz led out an unchanged side to face Group 12 leaders Commerce Heights. On his way to the dugout just prior to the match, the Manager noticed the strange swirling winds engulfing The Tower. An armada of helicopters, nominally representing an entity called PariMedia Sports, were hovering over the pitch to broadcast the match to the citizens of Commerce Heights. Apparently the televising set-up run by Warnocks Wizards palantiri station WW1 was not good enough for the visiting federation who approved of the helicopter flyover. As a result, the first half of the match was engulfed by swirling winds that not even the late, great Saruman could create. Goalkeeper Ishhak the Smasher was having a nightmare trying to deal with high balls. The winds led directly to the only goal of the match in the 16th minute when a long ball pass, seemingly about to be controlled by defender Shagrukh the Strongclaw, made a ninety degree turn and took off, landing on the foot of Commerce Heights striker Jerry Cahalane, who was unmarked in the box. He coolly finished the chance and put the visitors up 1-0. The sell out crowd of 32,152 was dumbfounded. Manager Ufwurz the Furious leapt to his feet and immediately protested the goal, gesturing wildly to the referee about the helicopters directly influencing play. The referee would have none of it and sent off Ufwurz. The Furious one was escorted from the pitch by FIFA representatives and was seated in his now familiar seat in the stands. The goal was incredibly allowed to stand and play resumed despite the continued influence of the CH helicopter fleet. The Red and White Wizards continued to have problems dealing with the height of the visitors and the flight of the ball, but, fortunately the score remained 1-0 until halftime.

The spectators were treated to an unusual display of entertainment at halftime. Disgusted with the effect of the PariMedia Sports fleet, Warnocks Wizards football federation president Globmazh the Mean summoned a flock of Gwaihiri (Great Eagles) to disperse the helicopter fleet by guanifying their television cameras. As a result the eagles relieved themselves on the copters cameras (with only a few droppings landing on the pitch), rendering their purpose at The Tower moot. The PariMedia Sports fleet duly dispersed and the second half could resume without outside influence. Home field advantaged restored, the Red and White Wizards controlled play in the second half, but could not break down the excellent Commerce Heights defense. Manager Ufwurz the Furious undoubtedly faces a new suspension because of his sending off, but who could blame him. The controversial match ended Warnocks Wizards 0, Commerce Heights 1.

Warnocks Wizards: Ishhak the Smasher, Grimbrug the Basher, Mausnik the Cruel, Shagrukh the Strongclaw (c), Ghazukh the Burner, Krumsnak the Sneaky, Bagdreg the Mauler (Durbret the Choker 71), Akhklash the Paunch, Ghazghash the Sleazy (Globdreg the Destroyer 74), Gabdul the Looter, Ishklash the Pug-nose.

Unused substitutes: Globtakh the Meek, Ufdush the Nasty, Mersnik the Cruel.

The Red and White Wizards next match in Group 12 is away against ranked Kingsford (30).

Bazgash the Sly, reporting for WW1
(A couple of notes about the helicopter situation:
1. PariMedia is named PariMedia because it's an entity spanning much of Paripana, not just Commerce Heights. ;)
2. In the second half, the helicopters were still there, however, they moved to help avoid the unusual wind patterns that plagued the first half. One of the computer simulations in the aerodynamics lab at the University of New Manhattan at Commerce Heights must have hiccuped. The Commerce Heights government has officially apologized for any inconvenience this may have caused to the Warnocks Wizards team. The camera lenses were automatically cleaned by the helicopter's systems - that's how we provide such excellent coverage on rainy days. :P )
Commerce Heights Bulldogs "Surprised" At Effect Of Helicopters On Warnocks Wizards Match
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - After an intense match at Warnocks Wizards, ending in a 1-0 win for the Bulldogs, the team was finally able to get some rest. PariMedia reporters were able to speak to some members of the team after the match. Jerry Cahalane, who scored the only goal of the match, said that he was 'shocked' that the ball went in the goal after he inadvertently kicked it. One of the UNMCH engineers who was working in the aerodynamics lab while PariMedia was doing its calculations, came up with a possible reason for the error. "The shape of The Tower is unlike any stadium we've played in before...making an accurate calculation of appropriate helicopter flying patterns might have taken days to do correctly. However, the error was not in any way intentional, and we did not take any shortcuts in our calculations. If you'll excuse me, I should be programming skywriting patterns for the planes to be used at the CH-Nadaskor match." The engineer then winked and left. CH goalkeeper Dirk Vojtilo, who received a minor bruise from a flying ball caused by the helicopters, was unable to comment on the match, and is expected to be absent from the Nadaskor game tomorrow.

Over 10,000 CupPass Tickets For CH World Cup 9 Games Sold - Buy Yours Today! Only $1,000 For The Qualifiers* And The Cup!
*Excludes any games played at Warnocks Wizards.

The Freedom Papers - Afternoon Edition

ORD Pays Back Debut Loss

The ORD team showed that they couldn't be messed with in a opening match with Chronos Prime at Chronos Prime when the team gave Chronos Prime a 1-2 loss, the exact same score which they had given ORD in the Royal Red Dot National Stadium 5 matchdays ago.

Gary Whiteman scored the first goal of the match at the 23rd minute, but it was only minutes later at the 29th minute when Chronos Prime struck back, bringing the score to a 1-1 tie. The first half then went on with shots that went wide and over.

The second half breathed new life into the ORD players as the strikers became pumped on the aggression. Nagasen Hashiei broke the tie at the 76th minute, and the remaining 14 minutes was not enough for a tired Chronos Prime to make a comeback or ORD to increase the goal difference.

The final score was 2 (Whiteman [23rd], Hashiei [76th]) - 1 ( <Chronos Prime Striker Name insert here> [29th])

World Cup VIII Group 6 Qualifying Round Day 6:
[code:1:e1f352a6be]Group 6 (Day 6) P W D L F A GD Pts
Oddslavo (35) 6 5 1 0 14 6 +8 16
One Red Dot (16) 6 4 0 2 11 8 +3 12
Dead Man (107) 6 3 1 2 14 10 +4 10
1900s Oglethorpia 6 2 0 4 12 16 -4 6
The Weegies (68) 6 1 2 3 8 11 -3 5
Chronos Prime 6 1 0 5 5 13 -8 3[/code:1:e1f352a6be]

ORD now returns to second place after Dead Man earned themselves a draw against The Weegies. Oddslavo remains at the top after being undefeated for 6 matches in a row. If Chronos Prime loses their next match against Dead Man tomorrow, they'll be relegated.

Tickets for the match against 1900s Oglethorpia at our very own Chisai'nihon Stadium is selling at a mere discounted price of Dt 5,295,286.64 (US$560). Residents of the Imperial State of Chisai'nihon get a further discount at Dt 4,538,817.12 (US$480).

Match Fixtures for ORD (Day 7 ~ 10)
One Red Dot (16) v 1900s Oglethorpia @ Chisai’nihon Stadium
Dead Man (107) v One Red Dot (16) @ Dead Man
One Red Dot (16) v The Weegies [68] @ Royal Red Dot National Stadium
Oddslavo (35) v One Red Dot (16) @ Oddslavo

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>

The Dennisov leaders offer you and your family:

http://trustingingod.com/BOTTLE%20GIRL%20BEAR.jpg

the bear is afteral the national animal of dennisov

Congratulations, Lemmitania! Short, simple and sweet.

Table update
[code:1:557a070d08]
Q/E Pos Group 6 P W D L F A GD Pts
--- 1st Oddslavo (35) 6 5 1 0 14 6 +8 16
--- 2nd One Red Dot (16) 6 4 0 2 11 8 +3 12
--- 3rd Dead Man (107) 6 3 1 2 14 10 +4 10
--- 4th 1900s Oglethorpia 6 2 0 4 12 16 -4 6
--- 5th The Weegies (68) 6 1 2 3 8 11 -3 5
ELN 6th Chronos Prime 6 1 0 5 5 13 -8 3 *

Q/E Pos Group 14 P W D L F A GD Pts
--- 1st Liverpool England (28) 6 5 0 1 10 5 +5 15
--- 2nd Gilmeecia (46) 6 4 0 2 13 11 +2 12
--- 3rd Yentrofinova 6 3 1 2 8 6 +2 10
--- 4th Pure Evil (9) 6 2 2 2 8 8 0 8
--- 5th Hell Bovines 6 2 1 3 7 7 0 7
ELN 6th Consumer Engineering 6 0 0 6 3 12 -9 0 *

*Mathematical chance of qualifying but unlikely to qualify

Teams with perfect record so far:
Group 1 P W D L F A GD Pts
Pavesia (39) 6 4 2 0 11 6 +5 14

Group 2 P W D L F A GD Pts
Svecia (2) 6 5 1 0 17 7 +10 16

Group 5 P W D L F A GD Pts
Squornshelous (12) 6 5 1 0 16 6 +10 16

Group 6 P W D L F A GD Pts
Oddslavo (35) 6 5 1 0 14 6 +8 16

Group 9 P W D L F A GD Pts
Dennisov (18) 6 5 1 0 15 4 +11 16

Group 10 P W D L F A GD Pts
Ravenspire (29) 6 5 1 0 13 3 +10 16

Group 11 P W D L F A GD Pts
The Lowland Clans (34) 6 4 2 0 14 5 +9 14

Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Commerce Heights (54) 6 4 2 0 11 5 +6 14
[/code:1:557a070d08]

Congratualtions Lemm :D



*note to all - will try and get back into the rp'ing soon - works hectic @ the mo. :cry: *

I liked Commerce Heights' idea, so i decided to look up my own statistics. These, of course, include both qualifying and cup proper.

Statistics
[code:1:f8dd32a949] Overall WC6 WC7 WC8
Games Played 33 14 13 6
Wins 15 5 6 4
Draws 7 4 2 1
Losses 11 5 5 1
Goals For 72 26 30 16
Goals Against 65 31 25 9
Avg. Offense 2.18 1.86 2.31 2.67 gpg
Avg. Defense 1.97 2.21 1.92 1.50 gpg
Ranking Pre-Cup - 100 46 31[/code:1:f8dd32a949]

<OOC>Announcement

Today at 1:30 pm, the newest member of the Lemmitania clan came into the world. Eleanor Belle, weight 8 lbs 8 oz, and her mother, are doing fine and resting comfortably. For those keeping score, this makes 2 Lemmitanian children.

I may not by posting much for the next few days...
</OOC>

1,000 congratulations. May your children never have to live in Gilmeecia. (And may they soon be free of Bushmeecia too!)

DAILY CROCODILE

Tanah Burung is having a very poor qualifying round, and as usual, that means the knives are out for the coach. The Crocs only managed a 1-1 draw with Jadanapolos. Sicne The Belmore Family also drew its match, they kept pace in the fight for second place, but Jacktazea is now the surprise leader in Group 7. That is especially suprising for a team with no sports broadcasting faciltiies of any kind, which has somehow still managed excellent results in both football and field hockey World Cups.

With qualification in doubt, there are questions over the future of coach Ab Francisco, the hero of Tanah Burung's run in World Cup 2 and now the power on the sidelines. Although authorities insist they are standing behind the former star striker, he is certain to be fired if Tanah Burung misses the Cup for the first time ever, and some specululate that his future depends on the results of the next match against Keyshona. A national day of prayer has been declared in hopes of boosting the results.

If Francisco is axed, he will be the third straight Tanah Burung coach to be dismissed, following Bi Kikere (now coach of Gilmeecia) and Guntur Ruak (now coaching Tanah Tarantula in the Giant Evil Spider Football league).

Final result
Jadanapolos 1 Tanah Burung 1
(Livit 67)

Better than the best!

Big party in Endray-Island! After the glorious victory over world champion Errinundera, millions of people were dancing and singing in the streets. Coach Hank van the doll, who already has shown in his first match that hiring him was a good decision, in an interview after the match: "We had been waiting so long for this day! Finally we have shown that we are able to beat anyone! This victory was deserved such as the wild party tonight will be..."

Endray-Island 3 Errinundera 2
[Diesel 34, Lommer 39+58]

Matchday 7 scores have been posted.

GROUP 6: ODDSLAVO QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP 8 PROPER WITH THREE MATCHES TO SPARE, GROUP 14: LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 2 HELL BOVINES 1 - TEAM NEED ANOTHER WIN TO QUALIFY

[code:1:dc5543fcc1]
Q/E Pos Group 6 P W D L Pts
QLF 1st Oddslavo (35) 7 6 1 0 19
--- 2nd One Red Dot (16) 7 5 0 2 15
--- 3rd Dead Man (107) 7 3 1 3 10
--- 4th The Weegies (68) 7 2 2 3 8
--- 5th 1900s Oglethorpia 7 2 0 5 6
ELN 6th Chronos Prime 7 1 0 6 3

1900s OGLETHORPIA NEED THREE WINS + 3 ORD LOSSES + AT LEAST 2 DEAD MAN LOSSES TO QUALIFY

Q/E Pos Group 14 P W D L Pts
--- 1st Liverpool England (28) 7 6 0 1 18
--- 2nd Gilmeecia (46) 7 5 0 2 15
--- 3rd Pure Evil (9) 7 3 2 2 11
--- 4th Yentrofinova 7 3 1 3 10
--- 5th Hell Bovines 7 2 1 4 7
ELN 6th Consumer Engineering 7 0 0 7 0 - WORST RECORD
[/code:1:dc5543fcc1]

Actually, Oddslavo isn't quite in yet. If Oddslavo manage to lose their final three matches AND Dead Man win all of their final three matches, the two teams would be tied in points, and the team with the highest GD would move on (assuming One Red Dot accumulates at least five points in their last three games). :P But yeah, for all practical purposes, they're in. ;)

As the tables are not yet up...

[code:1:9549e7ce12]Group 13 P W D L F A GD Pts
Lemmitania (20) 7 6 0 1 17 3 +14 18
Ariddia (6) 7 5 1 1 17 10 +7 16
Sazland (67) 7 2 2 3 7 9 -2 8
Kaze Progressa (82) 7 1 4 2 7 10 -3 7
N S A 7 2 0 5 9 15 -6 6
Zeronia 7 1 1 5 8 18 -10 4

Group 14 P W D L F A GD Pts
Liverpool England (28) 7 6 0 1 12 6 +6 18
Gilmeecia (46) 7 5 0 2 15 12 +3 15
Pure Evil (9) 7 3 2 2 10 9 1 11
Yentrofinova 7 3 1 3 9 8 +1 10
Hell Bovines 7 2 1 4 8 9 -1 7
Consumer Engineering 7 0 0 7 4 14 -10 0
[/code:1:9549e7ce12]

Actually, Oddslavo isn't quite in yet. If Oddslavo manage to lose their final three matches AND Dead Man win all of their final three matches, the two teams would be tied in points, and the team with the highest GD would move on (assuming One Red Dot accumulates at least five points in their last three games). :P But yeah, for all practical purposes, they're in. ;)
I know that, I knew it when I posted that - Oddslavo's GD is too strong in Group 6, I have to say.

Commerce Heights To End Qualifiers With Winning Streak?
COMMERCE HEIGHTS, CH - After a rather uneventful match at Maxisoft Stadium against unranked Nadaskor (2-1-4), the #54 Bulldogs (5-2-0) are making final preperations for tomorrow's duel with #30 Kingsford (5-1-1). The Bulldogs managed to pull off a 1-0 upset victory at Kingsford in their previous encounter, but Commerce Heights is much better than the 1-1-0 team that took the field for their first match of the Cup against a ranked opponent.
(54) Commerce Heights 2 (Romanowski 21, Kauker 65)
(UR) Nadaskor 0 - FT
[OOC: Yes, CH was doing well enough at the 65-minute mark that Kauker, with no previous experience, was in the game at forward. :P ]
Kingsford and #17 Akbarland (3-2-2) also won today against Warnocks Wizards and East Spaam (both scores were 2-1). This puts Group 12 as follows:
[code:1:45f8ce5338]Group 12 P W D L F A GD Pts
Commerce Heights (54) 7 5 2 0 13 5 +8 17
Kingsford (30) 7 5 1 1 11 4 +7 16
Akbarland (17) 7 3 2 2 7 9 -2 11
Nadaskor 7 2 1 4 10 11 -1 7
Warnocks Wizards** 7 1 1 5 6 12 -6 4
East Spaam** 7 0 3 4 4 10 -6 3
*qualified
**unable to qualify[/code:1:45f8ce5338]
Most dedicated Commerce Heights fans already have tickets for the Akbarland game, which is seen by most people as CH's only remaining chance to lose before the Cup begins.
Commerce Heights Schedule
Day 1: vs Warnocks Wizards – W 4-1
Day 2: at Nadaskor – T 2-2
Day 3: at #30 Kingsford – W 1-0
Day 4: vs #17 Akbarland – T 1-1
Day 5: vs East Spaam – W 2-1
Day 6: at Warnocks Wizards – W 1-0
Day 7: vs Nadaskor – W 2-0
Day 8: vs #30 Kingsford
Day 9: at #17 Akbarland
Day 10: at East Spaam
Statistics
[code:1:45f8ce5338] Overall WC7 WC8
Games Played 17 10 7
Wins 8 3 5
Draws 5 3 2
Losses 4 4 0
Avg. Opp. Rank 83.7 62.6 113.8
Highest Opp. Rank 17 18 17
Highest Def. Opp. Rank 18 18 30
Avg. Offense 1.6 1.5 1.9 gpg
Avg. Defense 1.4 1.8 0.7 gpg
Goal Differential +5 -3 +8[/code:1:45f8ce5338]
I liked Commerce Heights' idea, so i decided to look up my own statistics.
Yay! Someone finally stole my idea! :)

Recap, WC8 only (will look up WCs 6 and 7 soon)

[code:1:10233ca672] WC8
Games Played 7
Wins 6
Draws 0
Losses 1
Highest Opp. Rank 9
Highest Def. Opp. Rank 9
Ranking Pre-Cup 28[/code:1:10233ca672]

Keyshona Team Snags Another Win!!!!

Bob DeMore--
The Liberty Press


-- The Keyshona team snagged another win today!!!! The Keyshona Fussball Bund scored 3 times against highly ranked team Tanah Burung who only scored twice. This win greatly boosted moral among the tema members. This was evident as they swaggered off the field humming the Keyshona National Anthem. The Keyshona team had 12 shots on goal while Tanah Burung had 15 shots on target. The Keyshona team recieved 1 yellow card (total) and Tanah Burung had 1 Red Card . Analysts believe that the Red Card is what hurt the Tanah Burung team the most and might've caused thier loss in the end. Come on Keyshona lets see another win!!!! [Coverage of the Game will be on KSC at 8pm KCT and 7:30 PM KWT.]

Table for Group 3

[code:1:0f303f097f]
# Side P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Snub Nose 38 7 5 1 1 13 6 +7 16
2 Giant Zucchini 7 4 1 2 9 6 +3 13
3 West Ariddia 7 3 1 3 14 14 0 10
5 WNA 7 3 1 3 9 11 -2 10
4 Eauz 7 3 0 4 12 13 -1 9
6*Male 18 7 1 0 6 9 16 -7 3

* - eliminated[/code:1:0f303f097f]