The 44th NationStates World Cup: RP Thread

[Peisandros]

The Peisandros Daily
Sandrian team not likely to qualify; changes needed - Nicola Diamandi di Samarina

With just one point from their last three outings, it has become clear that Peisandros are really going to struggle to qualify for the football World Cup. While they still sit, surprisingly, in third place, the team from Green Wombat look far more likely to proceed to the World Cup. For Peisandros, the best they can probably hope for is a Cup of Harmony berth, but even that could be unlikely, given the lowly ranking they possess and lack of international experience. However that decision will be left to the hosts. Personally, I do not believe the Peisandros team has done enough to warrant being invited to such a prestigious tournament.

The problem, I believe, lies in the management and leadership of the team; namely coach Alexander Pappas and captain Urias Halkias. There is plenty of talent in the squad, infact the board of selectors have done a fantastic job. But the talent is being mishandled, misguided and generally poorly led.

Firstly coach Alexander Pappas. Since receiving the job for Peisandros' first taste of international football before the Oxen Cup, he has done little to further the teams best interests or develop and nurture the abundance of talent available to him. Indeed there was a good run in the Baptism of Fire, but I think that can be put down to the aforementioned raw talent. The players were pretty lucky in many of the games too and were playing terrible teams. No, I believe that Alexander Pappas has been detrimental to football in Peisandros.

A competent coach would have been able to guide the team to a tournament victory there and I've spoken to players who were disappointed with how they were handled. From an anonymous player:

"Yeah, it was pretty disappointing to be honest. He wasn't very clear with us, half of the time we didn't know when training was or what the plans were for the game. I mean, it could have been a lot better."

Statements like these show how little faith the players have in their coach and should send alarm bells ringing to the Peisandros Football Association. His days at coach should be numbered, but there is a slight problem. There are no outstanding coaches in Peisandros. Finding a replacement could be a tricky operation, but it would probably be worth it. Pappas has had his chance and has failed -- especially if Peisandros don't qualify for the World Cup or Cup of Harmony.

Then there is the current captain of the team, Halkias. A player who wouldn't be missed in the starting eleven, he probably got the nod just because his father is a legend of Peisandros sport. Unfortunately for us, he is a terrible leader who lacks the respect of some senior club members in Peisandros. As one captain of a top league team said:

"I still don't know why he was selected as vice-captain of the early internationals, let alone captain for the World Cup campaign. He does a pretty average job as Olympia FC captain. They aren't exactly a great team and team unity over there isn't that special. Maybe the board of selectors don't know about it or they didn't do enough research, I'm not sure. There are probably four or five better captains going around the top league."

Statements like these are shared around the top tier of club players, but none of the current international players would comment on Halkias as a captain. I believe that, as with Pappas, his time is limited. If the Sandrians can not start winning some games and play some entertaining football, then the board of selectors will come to realise they need a better leader of men. The current negative style of football which is being employed by the team, is turning fans away. While the stadium was full for the last home game, it was mainly because Sandrians came to see Tynelia; a slick and well run football team. What were they rewarded with? A dull nil all draw brought about by Peisandros attempting to get as many players behind the ball as possible.

Changes should be eminent in these two roles, but it seems that many in our fair country are ignorant of how far these two have plunged Peisandros football in to disrepair. I can tell you now though citizens, I, as a distinguished football journalist, recognise the danger we are in and propose vast changes after the World Cup qualifying is over.

[Dancougar]

Dancougar News!!
WOOOOOOO PITT NUMBER ONE YAYAYAYA oh wait, I didn't go there, so I don't care.

Metro cards can't buy Operata a break: Operata are literally building from the ground up, and last night, the Wings showed them that there's more work to be done before they can join the surface dwellers of Urna Electronica in the qualification zone. The 3-0 road result restored some order in group six on a day when leaders Qazox were shocked by Akbarabad. For Dancougar, it was an important win to restore some lost confidence and reignite the offense.

"We needed to hit the ground running and get some of that luster back," said Dan Potts, who figures to be stretching his body to the limit now that Port Royal is entering the TakilQuip Champions' Cup against Septentrionian side Revolution FC. But he shook off any mention of fatigue during the pre-game warm-up. "I've got juice. I know what I'm capable of. I'm going to do what I can whenever I'm on the field."

The Wings were more prepared, as teams are starting to learn that by challenging Dancougar in the midfield early, they can unsettle the lineup and create space for more players to go forward. Operata, though, looked completely outclassed. The Wings moved the ball around well early but were patient in their build-up. Rather than force passes inside, they were content to knock the ball around the perimeter and just maintain possession. Potts took a crack in the 7th minute that forced Heitor Vila Madalena into action, and Alexei Voronzoff followed in the 10th with a low shot that slipped through the defense and nearly caught the 'keeper off guard.

Before we get too into the game, let's talk about the venue. Operata is a series of tubes, and you can't play football in there because if you've got football players streaming through that subway, what happens to your own personal subway? It gets delayed. Officials had to find a large, wide open space for the two somewhere in the city of Caixa Dois. It turned out to be an underground warehouse connected to the subway lines by service tunnels, and the few fans who made the trip from Dancougar had a hell of a time figuring out the fare system and navigating through the doodie water and poo gas. (I prefer the term 'crud vapors.' -Ed)

Voronzoff got the opening goal in the 12th minute after the Wings finally found some space at the top of the box. Dylandy lashed a shot into the box, which bounced off a defender. Madalena dove in the direction of the shot and was caught out of position when the deflection occurred, giving Voronzoff a wide-open look. He rushed onto the ball and corralled it, poking home from ten yards out to give the Wings a 1-0 lead. They kept up the pace and made it 2-0 through Shiro Furuya just six minutes later. Operata were completely on the back heel and the Wings were able to hack away until Furuya got two free steps into the box, letting him size up a shot which he placed just between the post and the diving Madalena.

"We needed to show the rest of the group we're still a threat," said Furuya, who scored his fourth goal of qualifying. It's one of his best international campaigns, which he attributes to getting more playing time from Solomon Bilbao than he has in years past. "We have a lot of guys who are willing and able to contribute."

Operata managed a single shot in the first half, and it was a cracker. Mário Barra Funda got a good look in the 25th minute after running onto a through ball with a step on Brad Leeds. He put everything he had into the shot, which flew straight at Watanabe before bending late for the near post. Watanabe just reacted in time to punch it wide, much to the chagrin of the Operatans in attendance. Leeds shook it off and went back to business. The Wings prevented Operata from penetrating the final third for the remainder of the half, and before the break, upped the lead to 3-0. Kazuki Midorikawa got his first goal of qualifiers after Dan Potts drew three defenders to set up a back-heel to the midfielder.

The Wings turned down the tempo in the second half and drew whistles from the crowd for just playing keep-away. A few more shots came and went, with Potts coming close to getting number four when he hit the post in the 66th. But the jubilant mood on the Dancougar bench was more than worth the trip. Two straight losses had let some nagging doubts creep in from within and without, but at ten points clear with five games remaining, the Wings seem to be back in the driver's seat.

Group six day in review: A huge shock in Qazox! The Phoenix, eight wins from eight games and averaging a healthy three goals per game, were stunned by Akbarabad, which packed the defense in a 0-0 draw. Superb play by goalkeeper Aminul Islam kept the home team out of the net. Elsewhere, Rennidan and Kelssek picked up important victories. For Kelssek, it kept them just two points behind Dancougar and maintained an eight-point cushion of Rennidan, who will need a monumental run to salvage a disappointing campaign.

Few changes for Kelssek: Solomon Bilbao knows the Wings need this win. All of a sudden, the massive gap between the top two and the rest of group six isn't there. In its place, a margin so slim that the next game is enough to completely change the group six power structure. Kelssek were beaten comfortably at home 3-1 the last time these two teams met, but the momentum may have shifted as the teams go into the final stretch.

Fans in Yuki City will see essentially the same lineup which beat Operata tonight, with the only chance being the rotation of Shishio Jinguuji in for Shiro Furuya. Dan Potts will finally get his shot against Port Royal teammate and Kelssek defender Alexandre Tremblay, and he won't be satisfied without a goal. Bilbao won't be satisfied without the points.

STARTING XI: Watanabe; Berber, Leeds, Yukikaze; Dylandy, Voronzoff, Underwood, Midorikawa, Landro; Jinguuji, Potts
SUBSTITUTES: Brengle; Yamada, Carter; Klingensmith, Hayashi; Furuya, Stadler

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

Clang, clang... clang clang. The mechs advanced in a single line across the rocky plain leading up to Mount Fujiko. The fighting had destroyed a lot of forest on the eastern slope, which gave the commandos less cover. But they were all bouncing behind the Lancers in jeeps towing both men and explosives. At the head of the jeep group were Brandenstein and Stephen. Stephen looked up and saw the Rhinemaidens also advancing slowly, having pulled into GUARDIAN mode for hovering flight. Behind them all was the Dancougar.

"We'll be in their line of fire in two minutes!" radioed Inoue. "As soon as we confirm Gray Sister, fan out according to your mission plan. Dancougar will cover the jeeps until the treeline."

"We're finally going to finish this," Tetsuya said. His tone was stone cold. "Hey, Prince Daniel, can we use that thing you mentioned earlier?"

"We didn't have time to test it fully, but I wouldn't doubt the professor," Daniel responded. "He's got a knack for coming through in tight spots like this."

"Glad to hear it," Tetsuya replied.

"Your highness, I..." Jun began. When he'd first arrived, all she could remember was being happy to see him. Her spirits had been raised and she felt like she had more energy. But the fighting had put a serious damper on that. He'd been working so hard to become a productive pilot that he'd hardly been paying her any attention. "When we get back... when the battle ends, there's something I want to say to you."

Daniel smiled. He could hear her voice quivering a bit, as if uncertain or afraid. "Then you'll have my undivided attention," he replied. Tetsuya rolled his eyes and Joe stifled a knowing laugh. Daniel got on his radio and dialed up his sister. "Erica, remember what we've taught you. Your team is there to help you. Be the leader we all know you can be."

"Roger that," she replied. "You heard him, Freya team, look alive!"

There was an explosion at the top of the mountain. A stream of demons burst forth, flying up in a spiral to a chorus of thunder. "NOW!" yelled Tetsuya. On his signal, the Lancers divided into four teams of four and fanned out. The two Rhinemaiden teams in the sky converted back into fighter mode and charged in. And the Dancougar now took its position ahead of the jeeps and let them forward, fully expecting the final titan to show itself. "Come on, you bastard, we know you're in there!" he yelled.

As if on cue, a pillar of fire rose from the summit and took a humanoid form. From deep within the mountain, there was a booming, hearty laugh. "Our strongest titan, Kravshera!" The monster started to descend. Wherever it stepped, flames shot up. What remained of the forest was starting to catch fire.

"All right, Colonel, here's where we drop you off!" radioed Daniel. "The opening is north of here. We'll lead the fire titan south according to plan."

"Good hunting, sire!" Brandenstein replied. With all the chaos around them, the jeeps were able to rumble forward unmolested and undiscovered. He smiled as he looked down as his briefcase. Yes... according to plan. It helps that everyone in this is so damn predictable!

"The Dancou Burn won't work against him," said Joe.

"Damn, and that was going to be my opener!" laughed Tetsuya. "Let's see how solid this guy is. Lasers!" Turrets on the body opened up and burst forth with rapid fire. The beams crashed into the titan and it threw its hands up as a shield, but it continued to progress forward. "Not bad! All right, then... LIGHT COME FORTH!" He drew his unit's energy blade and waited the few seconds it took to form. He held it back and prepared to make a swipe.

"Huh, that's weird..." Joe said, watching his monitors. "Hey, Tetsuya, we're not getting the same kind of power!"

"Maybe we didn't recharge after all?" asked Daniel.

"All the more reason to end this sooner!" cried Tetsuya. "DAN~COU~KEN!" He slashed... and the titan caught his sword. "What?!" The Dancougar was forced backwards as the beast pushed against the blade. It then held its hands up to its head and started to form a fireball in midair.

"He's going to take out the guys behind us!" yelled Jun.

"Like hell he is!" Daniel replied with confidence. "Tetsuya!"

The titan fired. Dancougar brought the left arm up and took a defensive stance. "Are you crazy, that's not going to..." Jun threw her hands up over her console as the light from the fireball grew brighter and brighter. Closer and closer. The left arm glowed and a visible field formed directly on front of the unit.

"DAN~COU~BREAKER!!!" Tetsuya shouted. The fireball crashed into the field and the arm buckled back, but only for a second. The machine dug into the ground as the fireball wedged itself into the field, but it started to dissipate as the energy faded. With a final shout, Tetsuya pushed forward and sent the fireball right back at the titan. With a cry, the monster was struck and a huge explosion sent out a shockwave that temporarily halted fighting all over the mountain.

[Newmanistan]

The team has arrived in Tundra Falls, where they are greeted in the airport by former World Cup team members Tony Borsinger and Kevin Lewis. (Borsinger is the captain of the Tundra Falls Mariners while Lewis is a retired Mariner).

Borsinger: Hey guys, welcome back to Tundra Falls.

Carson: Hello Tony, Kevin; always nice to see you two.

Lewis: Yeah, great job against Quintessence of Dust, and congratulations, Jeremy!

McAllister: Thanks!

Lewis: So how many of those 100 did I assist on?

McAllister: Haha, quite a few I would imagine!

Borsinger: We are here for a reason though, coach.

Carson: What would that be?

Borsinger: Well it’s the match now against the Holy Empire. Their dreamed realm still promises to deliver the Worst Nightmare to you. Now, I heard that you guys had some strange dreams while you were there earlier.

Carson: Uhm, how did you know that?

Borsinger: (in an eerie kind of voice): I know, coach. I just know.

Carson: Ok, then what’s up?

Borsinger: (whispering): Come.... come with me, we must go to the Proving Grounds at once!

Brooker: Fine, but do you have to use that voice to add effect?

Borsinger: Yes, yes I do. Ok, it just gets me in the mood. Don’t knock it, this is serious.

(The team buses it to the Proving Grounds, where Borsinger leads them into the home locker room of the football field. The locker room has candles lit all over)

Vilardi: Oh boy, another one of these.

Drummond: Shhhhh.....

Borsinger: I must have your attention. The spirits...... the spirits of Tundra Falls are angry. Very, very angry.

McAllister: Why?

Borsinger: There are several reasons. But right now they are very angry because they are being tested. And challenged by another supernatural force that is also trying to occupy their territory.

Brooker: The Holy Empire, right?

Borsinger: Yessssss.... The Dreamed Realm. It is here. It is trying to curse you, it is trying to give you bad dreams, nightmares, your worst nightmare. The spirits will not have that. They are trying to protect you. But it is a clash. And they do not like that. They tell me of a presence. The presence of a man who knows us...... but is conspiring against us. The Dreamed Realm doesn’t like it. Not at all. They aren’t used to this kind of spiritual challenge.

Carson: Ok, so what can we do about this.

Borsinger: We will make a sacrifice to our spirits. I have chosen this. I have been told that there is symbolism in this.

McAllister: Your Di Bradini Cup 4 championship ring? Why?

Borsinger: I ask all of us that have this ring. To throw it into the fire as I preach to the spirits of the great Tundra Falls.

McAllister: Why though? And can I still keep my trophy?

Borsinger: There is a feeling of a Di Bradini presence working against us. Conspiring against us but most importantly, against the spirits. We must make this sacrifice to give the our spirits the strength to overcome those working for the Dreamed Realm. We will “REVERSE THE CURSE”, we will beat them at their own game, and the spirits of Tundra Falls will give the Dreamed Realm their worst nightmare.

Carson: You say reverse the curse. Is that the Di Bradini Curse I was haunted about?

Borsinger: Wait? You’ve been told of the Di Bradini Curse?

Carson: When we were in the Dreamed Realm.

Borsinger: Then it is alive and it is greater then I thought. The importance is greater now to show that we value the spirits of the great Tundra Falls more then Di Bradini. In doing so, we will have our own supernatural presence, one that will ensure us that no other source can curse us, because we have our spirits at our back. Now, place the rings into the fire and profess your loyalty to the spirits and against the Curse of Di Bradini.

(McAllister, Drummond, Brooker, Kusler, Hennis, Parnett, and Carson remove their rings, toss them into the fire and offer a statement of encouragement to the spirits).

Borsinger: Mighty spirits of Tundra Falls, accept these gifts as our symbol of support to you and against the powers which are trying to challenge you and give nightmares to these players. Ensure that they will not fall victim to such nightmare, and let those from the Dreamed Realm know that they have no power on these sacred grounds of Tundra Falls. Let it be a feeling in which they have never experienced before, a rejection of their desires. Let it be, in fact, their worst nightmare. Doing so shall make their team weak. Let them know that in your house, you rule. With these sacrifices provided by the players, rid them of any curse that may or may not have been placed on them. And now, one more thing.....

(Borsinger takes a voodoo doll of Empress Jessica and tosses it into the fire).

Borsinger: Let this be a symbol of the team’s rejection of the Empress’ decision to cut ties of the national football team. We thank Samseong for stepping aboard, but if the Empress was working in collaboration with those who wish to curse this team, then this cannot be tolerated. The Empress has angered the country and I know has also angered you. But do not take it out on these men and women. For they are on your side. And finally, do not punish coach Carson for his failure to name me or any Tundra Falls player to the World Cup side. It was done in the best interest of the team. Let them see glory. Guide them to a glorious victory on your turf, working with Margaret if you need too, for if nothing else to show those of the Dreamed Realm, that any powers that they have do not exist on these hallowed, sacred grounds. Amen.

Team: Amen.

McAllister: Wow, I feel better now.

Brooker: Yeah me too.

Vilardi: Can we put the fire out now?

Borsinger: Yes, yes you may.

[Secristan]

SDOS TO MAKE CUP OF HARMONY PLANS

Another loss. We were supposed to win these home games. That was the plan. It begs the question, why do we make plans to begin with? The Secristan Department of Sports doesn’t know, and since you can’t blame the referees this time for a very poor performance against Euro Federations, more plans are going to be made. These will be for the Cup of Harmony. Much of the fan interest has gone away now that the Millionaires are not likely to qualify. We only say not likely because it is, technically, not official yet though it is inevitability. This has been a terrible World Cup for the SDOS. The road loaded schedule at the beginning meant that fans would already know the probable fate of the team before the home games started, and when that fate is what it is now, the average bid price per seat is really going to plummet. Plummet nearly to the point where maybe even some beggars could get in.

Kate Simpson says that the Secristan Department of Sports may respond in a harsh manner when it comes to Cup of Harmony, “Last time we allowed our World Cup roster to continue to play in the Cup of Harmony however that will not be the case this time. If they want to be back, they will have to place another bid. We have to try and recover these losses that we endured somehow. This will also create a chance for other people to perhaps play in the Cup of Harmony.” It is customary for Cup of Harmony rosters to be made up of the teams World Cup qualifying team, but not unprecedented for there to be a makeover which the SDOS is proposing may just occur. This 1-4-4 record is a huge disappointment. But at least we are not 0-2-7 like Myedvedeya. The SDOS put together this list of the records of Baptism of Fire 30 teams in their second go-around:

Urna Eletronica: 5-1-3
Docky: 4-3-2
Chutnusak: 4-0-5
Cassadaigua: 2-4-3
Secristan: 1-4-4
Myedvedeya: 0-2-7

The finalists are at the bottom. Go figure.

[Sorthern Northland]

The Sorthern Observer

Lewis Graham: “Fans can win SLANI game”

It's a cold and bitter day, on the banks on the Thames. Cold enough for the river to have been covered with a thin sheet of ice, the grass in Kingsmeadow is rock solid, and about ten minutes upstream is Scours Lane, home of Sorthern Third Division team, Reading Town. It is here that for the quarter of an hour I've been waiting. Waiting for Lewis Graham, Reading Town's star player and newly capped Sorthern hour. Eventually he arrives, some twenty minutes late. He apologises profoundly and explains that his car failed to start due to the cold leaving him to get the bus. That them broke down leaving him to walk the rest of the way.

It seems somewhat matching of his career that he arrives late. He is now 26 and has only just made his international début, and still finds himself playing in the lower reaches of the Sorthern Football League. He laughs when I mentions this, and agrees saying, “Yeah, in a way suppose that journey could be a metaphor for my career so far. Hopefully it won't be so bad getting home.” Graham was by all accounts a controversial selection for the national team, already in his mid-twenties and never having played higher than the Third Division, some considered it to be a sign that Merginn Moffat was trying to make sure that Sorthern Northland didn't qualify for the World Cup. Did he ever get a feeling of the fans being against him? “No, not at all. I don't think the fans ever had any problem with me, I think the problem was that a unheard of Third Division player had been called up instead of someone like Jon Andrews. I'm sure me being the player in question wasn't the problem. I mean I was as surprised as anyone, and had it been another Third Division player instead of me, I'd have been saying, hold on, what's going on here? But if you get the opportunity to play for your country you aren't going to say no, are you and I feel I've shown my worth over the last few games.”

Six goals in his last five matches for Sorthern Northland including a last minute equaliser again Kenavt have certainly proved handy recently. “It took a while to actually get a game, but once I did, I hit the ground running and haven't looked back.” As good as he's been, he can count himself very lucky to have played those games as he explains, “I played against Googlewoop because of Lee Waywide being under arrest at the time, then the next two games were friendlies with the manager experimenting a bit, and [Giṓrgos] Karyōtákīs of course broke his leg in one of those. Lee's our captain so if he's available he's nearly always going to start so it's down to me and Ham Hyi-San to battle it out for the other place, and when you're up against someone of his quality you have to be good to get the nod over him. Also I've had a lot of luck getting into the team, and I know that a bit of bad luck could get me out so I'm just taking every chance a can as best I can.”

Given that he has taken his chance at international level so well, it's almost a given that there will be transfer speculation about him, with a number of First Division scouts said to keeping an eye on him, does he then see international games as a chance to earn a move to a big club? “I'm not too bothered about all that speculation to be honest, I'm happy at Reading Town and if I stay here, then that's great. If a bigger club comes in for me and it's a good deal for everyone then I think I'd take it. After all everyone wants to play as high as the can and in I get the chance to prove myself in the top flight I'd like to take that. But getting a transfer up their isn't a big concern for me really, doing as well for Reading Town and Sorthern Northland as I can is my priority, with the game against Capitalizt SLANI being my main concern at this moment in time.”

The SLANI game is one being touted in the media as the key to qualification for the World Cup, but one that Sorthern Northland has little chance in, I ask Lewis if he agrees. “Well it's a key game, yeah, they all are now. Every game is a cup final for us now, but I wouldn't say we have little chance against SLANI. They're the favourites for sure, but we're at home and we'll have the Sorthern fans behind us. People often speak of the crowd being like a twelfth man. For us they aren't. They're a twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth man. That is a huge advantage to have, and they could well be the difference in us beating or not beating SLANI, so I urge everyone going to get behind us, the fans really could be the difference.”

And our chances of qualifying for the World Cup?

“I think we'll get there, we're not in the best position at the moment, but if we get wins over Jeru FC and Deep South Sopia then I'm sure we'll qualify.”

[Starblaydia]

Originally Posted by Elves Security Forces

Dear Sir(s)/Madam(s)

I have come across the blueprints of a major engineering challange, and despite the specificity that the plans come with, I have yet to find an engineering team that wishes to try to accomplish the task. The task being, create a space elevator that services the space station in orbit directly above the metropolis of Monaven. If you decide to take up this enourmous challange, and succeed, you and your team will be handsomely paid and rewarded for the accomplishment. Money is no issue, so you would be allowed to have as large or as small as a team as you desired.

Sincerely,
Tobias Raynor

It was a long night's drinking session, something during which many exciting ideas can come. Mostly this session was a wake for the mournful dirge of a draw to Draistania. Starblaydia were fourth in the Group Seven table, out of the Qualifying zone. If things didn't perk up and finished like that, they would have to be faced with a top-ten team playing in the Cup of Losers. This they contemplated, as well as how hot Saffi Mehzubontin was.

The were Dwarves, after all.

"'Ere, 'ere!" one of them yelled, stumbling in and waving a piece of paper above his head, "You'll never guess what's on this paper!"

"Then Ah'm nay playing," said a sad looking blue-bearded fellow in the corner, nursing a mug of ale.

"Hot nude pics o'Saffi?" said a more excited-looking dark-haired Dwarf.

"No, Bozza," the first one said, jabbing his finger at the words printed on the page, "it's from some posh foreign elf layin' down a challenge!"

"'Cos if I'll never guess," the blue-bearded one continued, "then there's nay point in playin'."

"What sorta challenge?" Bozza said, obviously disappointed.

The first Dwarf explained. By 'explaining', he of course read out the e-mail, repeating a few of the sentences for effect as he went. A space elevator. A thirty-six thousand kilometre-long rope from grass to the stars - geosynchronous orbit, to be precise - designed to carry men and materials from earth to the heavens. An incredible piece of advanced high-quality engineering. It would be the ultimate expression of Dwarven engineering superiority - if they could pull it off. That it was for a well-known elf made it doubly enticing. The room went suddenly very quiet.

"Ah'd have preferred nekkid pics," Bozza said.

"Ye will have real nekkid lassies if we can pull this one off," the first Dwarf yelled, "just think of t'prestige, t'money, t'jewels, t'legacy fer our descendants!"

"T'lasses!" Bozza's eyes went wide. A space elevator might end up looking fairly phallic, after all. Perhaps that would bring them in.

"The right bloody headache from workin' w'all them pointy eared, skinny, beardless longshank Elves," Bluebeard said, the last word coming out as a curse, "Ah would have guessed 'Space Elevator' on mah third go, besides."

"Let's bloody do it!" the first yelled, raising his newly-filled mug of ale to the prospect.

"Aye!" they cheered as one.

...


"Does anybody know anything aboot Engineering?" Bozza said.

"Dunnae be so daft," Bluebeard said, "we're t'Runic guild, what do we ken of buildin' stuff?"

"Ah'll ask the Engineerin' Union when Ah'm not hungover tomorra," the first Dwarf said. And he would be.

[Kura-Pelland]

And CUT! Take ten!

[Sarzonia]

Minutes after the Sarzonian national team finished a disappointing 2:2 draw in front of 78,914 at Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium in Woodstock, angry supporters pelted the field with whatever they could find.

After all, Sarzonia (3-4-3, 13 points, fourth place Group 2) took a 2:0 lead a two-goal effort by forward Reese Nichols. West Zirconia's defence focused all its attention on fellow striker Matt Lynch, leaving Nichols wide open for a 23rd minute tally. Lynch drew a penalty in the box after a hard foul, which led to Nichols burying a penalty kick in the 56th minute.

After that, the Newmanistani referee sent defender Spencer Hicks off in the 72nd minute for what he described as an aggressive tackle. Forced to play a man down after making its three substitutions, Sarzonia tried to play nine players behind the ball in an effort to steal the three points, but West Zirconia scored twice.

The second goal was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, however. The referee signalled a controversial handball on Lynch, who argued that he didn't attempt to play the ball. Fortunately for Lynch, he wasn't booked, but the ensuing free kick made the Stars feel as though they had two standings points and a more favourable position in the race for the third World Cup qualifying slot stolen from them.

When Woodstock Police arrived with full riot gear, the crowd dispersed, but Incorporated Football Federation Chairman Dave Wilson indicated his intent to file a formal protest.

"We believe the Newmanistani official showed serious errors in judgment," he said. "Errors that suggest prejudice against the Stars."

Manager Brian Wilson gave only a curt handshake to West Zirconia coach Roy Hazell after the match.

"They did not deserve the [standings] point," Brian Wilson said. "I made it clear to him when I saw him at midfield after the match."

Sarzonia's next match is a home fixture against world No. 34 Taeshan. The Stars played to a 1:1 draw away in the previous meeting. No doubt, however, that Sarzonia play with additional motivation for the Taeshan match.

"We would be playing that match with a sense of urgency regardless," Lynch said. "Now? We're going to be playing with a lot more fire under our [tails]."

[Rymeria]

Win, loss or draw, it wouldn't have mattered to Rymerian Soccer Association President Scooter Boscoe. The fact that Rymeria lost a rare actual home result to Peisandros 2-0 at National Stadium in Rymeria City mattered not a bit.

After Rymerian Coach Chris Hannan sounded off about the Cup of Harmony without consulting with him, he decided Hannan had to go. He looked at the job description for national team coach two, three times. He typed a few keystrokes in the e-mail software.

A secretary walked in and noticed what he was doing.

"Scooter," she asked. "What are you doing?"

"I'm advertising for a new national team coach."

"Don't we already have one?"

"We're going to replace him."

"Why?"

"He hasn't gotten the results we want."

"Scooter," she said. "We don't exactly have all the pieces of a World Cup championship-caliber team here. He's doing the best he can."

"We need to replace him," Boscoe repeated. "That's that."

"Haven't you at least talked to him?"

"I don't need to do that shit," Boscoe said. "Besides, he already knows I'm not happy with him."

"Look, if you're going to replace someone, you need to tell him you're going to replace him. Not let him find out when he sees his job being advertised from underneath him."

"Get the hell out of my office," Boscoe snapped. "It's my decision and we need to replace him."

A few more keystrokes later, the advertisement for the Rymerian national team job hit the appropriate job markets.

"The Rymerian Soccer Association is searching for the right man, woman or sentient ursine to lead its national team to prominence. If you're the one we seek, send over your resume and a list of three references. Previous national team coaching experience preferred. Salary is $50,000 NSD."

[OOC: Yes, the Rymerian national team coaching job is open. Yes, Hannan hasn't been fired yet. It's not something I'd ever do IRL, but this is a dramatization of what happened to me at my last job. If you have a coach who's willing to take a job out from under Hannan, feel free to TG me at this account. As for the salary, I'm trying to come up with the equivalent of $25,000 USD in today's dollars. It's what I got paid at my previous job until I somehow wrangled a $3,000 raise.]

[Koseli Cumhuriyetler]

Koseli Cumhuriyetler 2 Bazalonia 2
Qualification in Reach... Just

The Win would have been nice, and perhaps justified, but it wasn't to be for the Turks who lie in 4th place 8 points behind 3rd. The Turks must win every game left just to stand any realistic chance of qualifying.

The Bazalonians took a 2-0 lead into half time, twice cutting through the Turks defense, and powering past the helpless Orhan between the sticks, who despite conceding the 2 early goals can take some heart from the number of essential saves he made during the first half denying Bazalonia no less than 8 times during the half. The one chance the Turks got fell to Oktay who's shot was held by the keeper.

The Turks once again showed why they can't be underestimated and managed to pull a goal back in the 48th minute via a Serkan Turkmen free kick that crept in under the crossbar. The Bazalonians almost wrapped up the game on 68 minute, Orhan once again coming to the rescue. Then the Turks got the equalizer in the 89th minute, Gokhan Smashing it in off the post. The Turks had the chance to win, but Sinan buckled under the pressure and saw his one on one shot hit the bar.

[The Bostopian Empire]

“The venue that will be used to host The Bostopian Empire's home game versus Bostopia has finally been announced. The game is absolutely must-win for the Empire, who are seven points off Yafalonia and Bazor 2 in third place. The B.E.F.A. announced that the game would be played in the unusual location of Emperor Boston's back garden.”

A collection groan went up over the Empire and the Home Isles. His back garden? Of course, the traders in Fort Boston were happy, it was practically another home game for Bostopia, but football fans were unified in thinking it was an utter sham.

A sizeable minority of them decided for themselves they would find out who was behind turning their beloved sport into a farce; and they would make that person pay with their career.

[Bears Armed]

OOC: ARRGH! I've missed the RP cut-off again! Not being able to post until after work, and then having to work late, is not fun...
So, here's a post about some events that actually happened before today's games: I put enough work into this that discarding it simply wasn't on, and presumably it will still count towards the RP bonus for tomorrow -- when, unfortunately, I'll almost certainly be unable to log-on at all -- anyway...)

________________________________________________________


Within a large ‘Hall’ in ‘Council Groves’, the capital city of Bears Armed, the ‘High Council of Clans’ — that nation’s government — is currently in session. The room is lit by four large [and electrified] chandeliers that hang in a line from cross-members under the ‘hammer-beam’ roof, as well as by the last rays of daylight as these enter through the many windows. Wooden-panelled are the walls, with many designs cunningly carved and inlaid into them, and wooden too is the floor. A dais at one end of this chamber supports a long table, behind which a row of seven Ursines and one ‘Harr’Aynau’ humanoid are seated facing out into the room’s centre, whilst to either side of this platform there stand four stalwart drummers behind brass kettle-drums.
The people sitting at that table are the leading members of the High Council, as one might expect from their seats having thus been positioned, and I shall introduce them to you now_
At the left-hand end of the line, from their own viewpoint, sits a male Ursine who seems to be of middling years and whose fur is basically medium-brown in colour but also has some hints of a dark red in its composition. He wears fine robes, and a collar of golden chains from which a large pendant in the form of a silver ring hangs down over his chest, and holds a wooden gavel. This is Ammabar o BerryGlades, who is the current ‘Chairbear of the High Council’ and thus the nation’s leader… in as far as any nation whose people are as individualistic as the Bears can be said to have one…
Immediately to his right sits another male, noticeably taller than Ammabar (who isn’t exactly short, by human standards, himself), who has fur of a darker brown. He also wears fine robes, and a collar of golden chains, but the silver pendant that hangs in front of his chest is an image of a ‘wild boar’. This is Beorran o Redwood, who is ‘Chairbear of the Committee for Pig’ (a position, mainly responsible for handling relationships between the nation’s constituent Clans & other primary bodies, that lacks an exact equivalent in any RL government with whose workings I’m at all familiar…).
Next in place along that line we see a female Ursine of a fairly medium size, silvery-furred, and wearing grey robes that are trimmed with feathers. She has a similar collar to the others, but the pendant involved is an image of an owl. This is Marra GreyBear, ‘Chairbear of the Committee for Owl’, whose department of the government deals with Justice and also with those aspects of Education that are handled centrally.
Beyond her sits a male Ursine, somewhat smaller than medium in size but medium-brown in colouring, who is dressed only in a loin-cloth and a pair of golden-furred “bunny ears”. The image hanging form the golden collar that he wears takes the form of a rabbit, and this is Harran o Strongpaw who is ‘Chairbear of the Committee for Rabbit’ and heads the government department that handles finance and the economy.
Then comes the only non-Ursine in that group, the Harr’aynau whom I mentioned before. He’s a male, quite large as humans go but still a bit smaller than average on the Ursine scale, with red hair (including sideburns, a beard & a moustache), and is wearing armour that’s made from black leather with orange stripes painted-on. His pendant takes the form of a leaping tiger, and this is Arrawan Rangh’har who is Deputy Chairbear of the ‘Committee for Tiger’ (which is the country’s Defence Ministry).
To the right of him sits another female Ursine, relatively short but not particularly lightly-built, with black fur. The pendant that she wears represents two animals of a kind that are actually unknown in Bears Armed, except as legends, which many people elsewhere would recognise as being a mother-&-child pair of Kangaroos: This person is Beorra oBerrum, ‘Chairbear of the Committee for The Strangers’, who is essentially this nation’s ‘Foreign Minister’.
After that, dressed in grey overalls and with a pendant in the form of a donkey, is a black-furred Ursine male who is also fairly short & fairly heavily-built. This is Twarra Array-Ben, Chairbear of the ‘Committee for Donkey’ which is the department that manages public transport & public works.
And finally, dressed in robes and with a pendant in the form of a point-upwards triangle, there is another male Ursine — a quite elderly-looking one — of the brown-furred & relatively tall variety. This is Marro-Siggurr o SeaBear, who is both ‘Deputy Chairbear of the High Council’ and — as the senior representative present for all of the ‘Northlands’ clans & free septs — ‘First Voice of The North’.

Sixteen other tables, with sets of chairs around them, have been placed along the room’s longer pair of sides: They are all arranged at an angle to the walls, so that the people seated at each of them can look equally well either across their table at each other or along its long axis towards the ‘high table’ on the dais. Nearly two hundred people, most but not all of whom are Ursines, are either seated at those tables or wandering around to talk with each other.
Ammabar o BerryGlades raps his gavel on the table in an obvious attempt at getting everybody else’s attention. However most of the conversations that were already in progress around the room continue unabated… After waiting about fifteen seconds he gestures to the group of kettle-drummers who are standing at his end of the dais and these — joined promptly by their colleagues at the other end — all begin to strike a series of notes their tympani, in unison, getting louder and louder… The conversations die away then and, at another gesture from Ammabar, the drummers also become silent.

“Good,” he says. “Now that I have your attention, a matter of considerable importance has been brought before this Council. I call upon Arrion o PoleStar, First Voice for the ‘Silver-of-Night’ Clan, to speak”.

An elderly-looking Ursine with silvery-grey fur, who is wearing a leather costume onto which various bones, patches of fur & tufts of feathers have been sewn (and who has a small drum, similarly decorated, slung at his left hip), rises to his feet at a table just in front of the dais and turns to face the majority of the other people present.
“Abomination!” he cries out. “The organisers of this international ‘Soccer’ contest in which our nation has entered a team intend to send a group of ‘Zombies’, the Walking Dead, here to[/i] Council Groves in the guise of a sports team! Sacrilege! Uncleanliness! This suggestion is intolerable! They must be STOPPED!”
Many of the council’s other members respond quickly to this challenge, expressing their opinion on the matter without waiting to have their right to speak formally ‘recognised’ by the Chairbear, in a hubbub of voices. Ammabar waits for a little while, until Marra GreyBear has finished sorting through the place-marks that were in a large book on the table in front of her and nodded to indicate that she’s ready to make her point, and then signals to the drummers again.
Once a state of [near] silence has been restored once more, Ammabar passes his gavel down the table to Marra: She raps it once on the table, rises to her feet, and speaks simply but to the point _
“Under the law against ‘Most Dreadful Crimes’ that was passed in the fifth year of King Garrathor’s reign, and that has never been repealed, to knowingly assist the entry of the Walking Dead into the territories of Bears Armed is a capital offence: The penalty assigned is decapitation, burning and an unmarked grave, without discretion of court . This ‘football match’ therefore can NOT go ahead as planned.”
There is turmoil again, as those who see the Zombies as ‘blasphemous abominations’ disagree loudly with those who see the sporting event as more important than such an old law and are calling for it to be scrapped. After a while, another of the Ursines who are seated at the ‘top table’ — Beorra o Berrum, this time — is given a chance to address the whole Council without being shouted-down.
“I agree that allowing Zombies into our land cannot seriously be considered, but if we drop out of the Cup now then it will have a bad effect on other nations’ opinions of us. I have consulted the legal experts, and apparently there is actually no rule within the laws governing these ‘World Cup’ competitions to say that ‘home’ games MUST be played at the sites that are really the usual stadiums for the teams involved. Obviously we don’t want to let our opponents Prux host this game in their capital city, on top of the one that our team has already played -- and lost -- there, but if the Council is agreeable then I will ask our allies in the surrounding region whether any of them is willing to make a football ground available for us to play and host this match at.”
The arguments last for about an hour longer, and the drummers have to be called into action to restore order twice more during this period, but eventually Beorra is given permission to try her suggested solution to the problem.

To: Chairman, National Soccer Association, Prux.
(CC: World Cup Committee)


Hrarroom!

We apologise for the lateness of this notification but it turns out that, for legal reasons, our national Soccer team’s ‘home’ game against the team from Prux in the current series of World Cup qualifying matches, cannot actually be played at our ‘home’ ground after all.
Fortunately we have managed to secure the use of a suitable alternative venue for this event, namely “Lawyers’ Stadium” which is located in Elise City in the nation of ‘The Amazing Race’. This city and country are within the same region as Bears Armed, which is the ‘International Democratic Union’, and visitors from outside of this region — whether they’re coming from Prux or from anywhere else — should still fly into Mikitivity and then continue onwards either by local air services or by rail from there in basically the same way (although, of course, in a different direction) as they would for getting to our own usual ground. Apparently most of The Amazing Race’s population is shortly to depart on a major migration, so facilities in Elise City will be rather more limited than would be the case at some other times of the year, and so — although the stadium’s theoretical capacity is some four or five times larger than that of Plumtrees Park — the maximum number of visiting fans that will we able to accommodate is still only fifteen thousand.


Beorran White,
Clerk to the Governing Committee,
Bears Armed Association for Soccer.

Thousands of Ursines (and smaller numbers from some of Bears Armed’s other peoples) are arriving in Elsie City, not only to watch the match but also to provide all of the necessary staff for Lawyers’ Stadium itself and to assist those of the locals who will still be working in the hotels, transport services, and so on…
And, in a quiet park that is situated very near to the football ground, a group of shabears and their assistants — with some of the Sun Clan’s elite ‘bodyguard’ specialists for their protection — are busy preparing for another ritual that is intended to reduce the zombies’ effectiveness…

And overhead, large flocks of Chromatic Crows (a species of [non-sapient] corvine that is endemic to most parts of the ‘IDU’ region) are gathering…


________________________________________________

OOC postscript: 4-2! And now we're in the group's top three teams, although admittedly only by the closest of margins... Yay! Obviously the ritual worked...

[Daehanjeiguk]

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

MBC World Cup Special Report

Trees Fallen, Han Progress to Qualify

HUMPHRA IGNHORIUM - Let this be a mindful reminder to you to avoid letting your cat jump on your typewriter, especially since some editors don't know when you're telling a joke or not. Whatever the case, I've brought my laptop along and left the cat at home; unfortunately, the rat decided to tag along.

Regardless, on about football, the Han got all three points, and have thus qualified for the World Cup when neither West Zirconia, nor Sarzonia, nor Taeshan could escape with all three points. Taeshan failed to overcome a resurgent Vanorian side, while West Zirconia and Sarzonia battled to a 2-2 draw. The prospects now put the Han at the very least with 27 points - and with 25 being threshold cut-off now for qualification, the Han can lose every single match from now on (not that we'd encourage them to do so...) and still qualify. Fitting such as it was that the Han grabbed all 3 points with a 3 goal lead. The trees of Dariusville were again slow but painstakingly powerful (and I mean the painstaking part literally). But the Han showed youthful agility in the midst of playing the trees. And of course, playing in a forest, the lines were hard to distinguish at times, as well as who was on the opposition. Nonetheless,the goals were not so terribly hidden in the shrubbery that the strikers couldn't find it. Jeong Jihun started for Kim Daeeui, who was still recovering from that tackle in the Sarzonia match (the medical experts say that he's still fit to play, just some minor aches resulting from the crash); and on his start, Jeong Jihun got two goals in the 20th and 21st minutes. The small but loyal visiting crowd were probably expecting a rout at that point, but the trees started to play defensively, handling the ball with their tree branches. Ioshido Toki appealed to the referee, calling the handling as text-book "handling"; but the referee disagreed - they weren't using "hands" so to speak (of course it gets tricky with these almost non-anthropomorphic lifeforms; what about the species that don't have hands?). It didn't help the trees much though. Kim Jongguk was still on top form as he gave up nothing. In fact, he's going on 8 for 9 matches so far with a clean sheet.


=== === ===

To Brian Carson, Head Coach, and Distinguished Members of the Newmanistanian National Football Team:

We are pleased to hear that you and the members of the team have agreed to this deal. We are certain that with Samseong in your support, that the Newmanistanian National Team can continue its competitive form in the World Cup. While we cannot guarantee success or failure, we do wish for your team the very best in the final stages of World Cup Qualifying.

We do have plans for the team and as a base of operations, we will be immediately looking to build a new Samseong Operations Center, from which we hopefully can help improve Samseong's market share in Newmanistan, as well as prepare for the next World Cup. As a part of our investment projects to be prepared in the interim, the Office of Football Affairs will be sending a team to survey the National Team at your next home match against Milchama, once permission from the AFA (Academy of Foreign Affairs) and your government is cleared.

We sincerely hope that Newmanistan excels on the field.

Samseong - Office of Football Affairs


=== === ===

Pak Seongil cautiously entered the office. "Sir, you asked for me."

"Ah, Pak. That was a good game," Jang remarked. "Please have a seat."

The odd sound of electricians at work (whatever sound that might be) continued in the background as Pak closed the behind him and entered into Jang Yeongmin's office. It was awfully polished and clean, compared to the rest of the facility. Board regulations required that the human resources office be readily available to all workers within a reasonable distance; and though the reasonable distance was indeed reasonable, the psychological distance remained something on the order of parsecs. Pak felt almost in an alien world in Jang's office, as Jang tried (seemingly painfully) to keep a good smile. He closed his laptop and held his hands on his desk, giving Pak his full attention.

"Sir, you wanted to see me about something," Pak said. They both knew what this was about.

"We went to Ulsan the other day, and you played a match against the Ulsan Great Pearls. I was there, and you played a great game. A great game. No doubt about it."

"Yes, sir."

"But you didn't win." Those words struck Pak deeply. Of course, they hadn't won. They almost won, but then again, they almost lost. Where was his place to decide who won and who lost? Indeed, not winning felt like losing, even after the sort of opening that they all received. Pak had the hardest time dealing with the draw. Not only did he have the responsibility of dealing with the players, to keep them cheerful and lively; he also had the responsibility to deal with the management who gave him the money to do stuff like that. And the condition of continuing the money was a win - not a draw, a win.

"It was your first match away from Daejeon in over a year, and I think my predecessor was most displeased with your efforts in the last adventure." That last adventure was a 49-2 rout in Hanseong, against an amateur side that really belonged in the professional leagues - except there was no space left in the professional leagues to host them... So they were left beating up the "other" amateur teams until space did arrive. And notably, the team lost their captain (he committed suicide), their money, and almost their team. Pak Seongil was the one who saved the team from total annihilation, kept some of the older players around, brought on some younger players, all on his own budget. And they had had some considerable success in Daejeon. This adventure in Ulsan was to get money from the Board once more. Surprisingly, it was Jang Yeongmin who asked for it - not surprisingly, he claimed that the investment was worth it "for the workers' morale." Just another guy in a suit who wanted to keep his workers happy, while they eeked an existence beneath the shoes of some hot-show business entrepreneur.

"I'll be honest, Pak," Jang then said. "I'm not a footy fan. I don't really like the sport. I just watch it because nearly everyone in the company is completely possessed with it. Heck, the company sponsors football teams. But it's not in my place to disagree with them. And I'm not going to disagree with them on many things. I don't footy, doesn't mean that other can't like it either. If everyone liked the things that I liked, this world would be pretty boring. I mean, look at my office. It's drab. Boring. But peaceful. I like it. Not many people would like it, but it's my office, and I am to please when I can. And so, when I'm not in my office, I see you and your co-workers on that field, and I still can't understand what you guys feel, why you enjoy the thrills - whatever they may be - of that sport. But I know one thing - it makes you happy. And the one thing that I've learned is that whatever makes people happy makes me happy. I got to my job by finding the things that my workers enjoy and indulging them with it. Of course, within the limits of the law and the regulations. Sex is enjoyable, but I'm not going to start bringing in ladies for the men, and chaps for the women; football, I can do.

"And so, I talked to the Board yesterday, after that match in Ulsan. I told them that you played admirably. I told them that Kim (Shinyok) got two goals, and you got one yourself. They congratulated you. I also mentioned that Yang (Manchun) was an excellent goalkeeper, and that he deserves the spot. They congratulated him as well. When they asked me for the result, I told them that you didn't lose the match. They asked if you won; I said that you drew the match 3-3. I then proceeded to explain that the opposition was of a great quality and that the team was playing against a hostile crowd and hostile players." Jang paused for a little while, brushing his hair lightly as he reclined in his chair. "They weren't impressed with the draw, and to be honest, neither was I. But for two different reasons. I knew that you and the team worked as a unit, and that as a whole unit, you enjoyed yourselves. The Board, without the opportunity to see this, was more considered with the result. They explained to me - 'In war, you have but one result. Though many men will die, and land turned fallow, and countries ruined, the result is what history recommends. That Goguryeo stood valiantly to the armies of the Su and Dang Dynasties is lost to history because they fell to Shilla. And Shilla now bears the honors of victory for defeated the kingdom that stood against all of the world.'

"I can concede that point. But then I demand an explanation for why Goryeo was the dynasty that General Yi (Seonggyei) conquered instead of the Shilla. And why Goryeo took the name of the Goguryeo kingdom instead of Su, Dang, or even Shilla. The Board could not answer me of these. I asked further about Goryeo university, and why Pyeongyang - despite its reduced favor - continues to serve as the seat of historical glamour compared to Hanseong. That though Goguryeo lost to Shilla, that they withstood the armies of the Su and the Dang nonetheless. Was not their struggle admirable, that even the modern Han military analysts hail their victories as critical and defining of strategy?"

With that, Jang pulled out a envelope from his jacket, with a signed statement from the Board Executives. Pak took the letter, opened it slowly, and once opened, began to read the letter. He nearly was flabbergasted. "The Board has only agreed to this term under great duress," Jang explained. "I said that given the opportunity, Daejeon would beat Ulsan at home."

"You mean...?"

"That means you will face Ulsan Great Pearls in Daejeon. I've already called the Pearls, and they've agreed to a rematch. It will come later this month; I'll pass you the full details after your shift." Pak stood up, almost ready to jump up and down in joy. But Jang was still stern and serious. "I cannot stress the importance of a win, Pak," he said. "You can't just draw this time. The Board wants a win, and the team will have to deliver. Because just like Goguryeo, though they fought valiantly against the Su and Dang, if they fall to Shilla, history will have little else to say of Goguryeo."

Pak clearly understood the allegory. He nodded and thanked Jang for his time. And even as he left the office, the burden of another game came upon him even more heavily this time. But not even burden could shake his unshakable joy as he returned to work. It was a blessing from Heaven - a second chance.

[Bostopia]

ooc: Dancougar: Sorry I'm going from something you said ooc in an RP, but inspiration is inspiration!

www.gamingbostopia.bp

Details Of Field Marshal Denfeld's Combat Tank Simulator Leaked In Dancougar!

A scandal of the highest proportions has erupted in MoDGames, following the leak of some information on Combat Tank Simulator. News has spread fast across message boards around Dancougar that entering a special code onto the title screen of C.T.S. unlocks a bonus game, Emperor Boston's Household Toboggan Simulator – which itself now features bonus levels, including one where the objective is to bowl over as many Dancougar players as possible while navigating the track.

MoDGames have released these details reluctantly, but only to combat any rumours that will arise.

[Taeshan]

Purple Knights Lose To Valanora

Yesterday the Knights welcomed the Valanoran team to there capital city of Atlantea, were the Elves decided to pillage the city and rape the women children. Well, not exactly, but they defeated the soccer team 2-0 taking a 6-0 agregate score after the two games between the squads. No one expected us to even give up much of a fight against them, and after the game was over everyone was right.

As expected the Elves walked in, scored and walked out. The game held at the Atlantea Colliseum, as are all the more important game according to the Taeshan Soccer Federation, was never even close and the Knights spent most of it running around, and chasing the more skilled Vanorian team members around. At the end the Knights just walked of the field and went home. No one really cared as most people were watching the basketball game across the street on the jumbotraun. Anyways we lost.

Next the Knights will take on the Sarzonia Stars. They were the team most were seeing on the jumbotraun beating up our basketball team. The Stars and the Knights played to a 1-1 tie in there first meeting in Sarzonia, and the fans were thus enraged due to the underestimated skills of the Sarzonian team. Hopefully in the next game they can at least make it feel important to the team members.