Saint Mark

A joint post of Saint Mark and Zoran
 

 
A panel of the mahogany wall slid down, revealing a screen. Averton, the young footman attending Prince Marcarius on the Red & Gold, the private train of the Royal Household, checked the settings and then handed the remote to Clarkson, who handed it to the prince.
“Her Majesty will join momentarily, Your Highness. Shall I pour some more tea?”
“Yes, thank you, Clarkson.”
Queen Adsila appeared on the screen sitting behind her desk, her face cold and stoic.
“I take it that this isn’t one of your social calls, what is it that you wish to discuss, Marcarius?”
The prince admired the sheen of her long, wavy black hair, and how it emphasized her perfect cheekbones. “Ugh. there I go again. My mind stops working whenever I’m around her. This is business. I must focus.”
“Sadly, no, Adsila. I wish this were a social call. I would like to discuss your position on this land-grabbing bill that has just been passed in your legislature. As you know, many of our most prominent Houses have maintained estates in Zoran for centuries. Surely your lawmakers know that we pay significant taxes on these properties that do much to help support the local economies?”
The queen lets out a low chuckle,
“‘Land-grabbing,’ what an ironic phrase to use. I understand the concerns of your Houses but if you crack open a history book, you will find that many of those estates were gained through either forced resettlement, coercive treaties, and or aggression from Markan forces during the colonial era,” she says in a mirthless tone, “We have…tolerated the presence of the Houses within Zoran for a period of time but that has still left a foul taste in the mouths of the many Zoranians. The bill has passed the Council with near absolute majority on both sides of the political spectrum and frankly, it is a bill that could put my position at risk should I veto it.”
“In most cases, those properties were acquired over a millennium ago, and in all cases many centuries ago. What is this really about, Adsila? Why now? I thought our nations cooperated very nicely at the Maritime Conference last month, with each of us very happy with the Sea of the Wild Cry Protocols.”
“I do not decide the bills that are introduced into the Council. I can propose bills but this bill came from the Council itself,” she says as she shuffles a few papers on her desk, “the ancestral memory of the Zoranian people runs deep, Marcarius. Zoranian has generational trauma from it and holds deep grudges against the Markans for the colonial period. I understand your confusion but it is a cultural difference that I cannot do much about besides try to promote cooperation between our two people, which is what I am trying to do when it comes to drafting my reasoning for rejecting the Blood Alone Act. But, when it comes to the bill that seizes the property of the Houses, I have some troubling documents that I believe you may want to see from our recent delve into Corporate documents.”
“Of course, I’ll look at them. Another concern of mine is that this will through cold water on anyone from Saint Mark wanting to invest in Zoran. Why sink money into projects that could potentially be torn away from you? It sets a bad precedent.”
“Well, all I can say to that is be shrewd in your business dealings. Nationalization and seizure of property is nothing new in the world. Zoran is not the first to do it and it will certainly not be the last country to do it. But, like many things, actions come with consequences…even if those consequences do not come immediately.”
“While I understand you’re referring to the actions of my ancestors and the current-day consequences, what is more relevant is the consequences of this bill, should it become law, to the Zoran economy. I would hope that there are some in your government who might see that upon more cool reflection.”
“We have considered it, and when I say ‘we’ I mean my ministers and I, and while we do see the potential risks from Markan investors, Markans are not the only groups investing in Zoran. You are competing with Giovannilandians, the Astorrians, Overthinkers, various Nuran nations, etc. We might take a hit, yes, but nothing devastating.”
“Adsila, we are not talking in front of audiences right now. This is a private conversation between the two of us. You know that I know this already, and you know that this is not a sound move, either politically or economically. It’s pure theater for the masses. Again, just between us, why and why now?”
“There are actions that go beyond politics and economics, sometimes it is about doing the right thing. When it comes to the people who still mourn what we refer to as ‘The Age of Death,’ this is one of the best ways to get people to move on from those times. If you topple the figure that people look at to think of those times with hatred, soon they will look forward instead of back.”
Prince Marcarius sighed, realizing he would never understand a people who hold such a long grudge.
“Very well, Adsila. I see how your people are looking at this. In the best interests of both of our nations, perhaps Saint Mark can do something to help soothe the feelings of your people? I guess they have already forgotten the aid we provided in the recent civil disturbance.”
“We have had much patience and leniency with the Markans, we have not forgotten the kindness shown to us but there comes a time when patience runs out. At best I can see if I can get the Council to offer financial compensation to the Houses affected by this act but to veto it would be out of the question.”

“I see. Well, that is something to consider. I appreciate your taking the time to discuss this with me. I think I understand the position of your lawmakers better now, although I very much disagree with it. May we form a joint commission to try to come up with a solution that is palatable to both nations and that seeks to preserve our good relationship?”
“I shall see what I can do, but knowing the lawmakers it would be hard to get them to cooperate. In case this does not work with them, prepare to try and herd the Houses of your nation like cats.”
The prince blinked. Herd the Houses like cats? It must be something Zoranian that doesn’t quite translate.
“I appreciate your efforts. Our counterparts will keep the other informed throughout the process. My best wishes to you for your team’s success in the games!”
“Best of luck to your team as well. But do take a look at the documents that my intelligence director will send you, the evidence is damning enough to warrant an investigation. I have stayed my hand in terms of sending my intelligence officers over to investigate due to our trust in your ability to deal with it yourselves.”
“Absolutely. I will look into it even before we arrive in Ryxtylopia. Again, my best.”
 

A joint post of Saint Mark and Zoran
 

 
A panel of the mahogany wall slid down, revealing a screen. Averton, the young footman attending Prince Marcarius on the Red & Gold, the private train of the Royal Household, checked the settings and then handed the remote to Clarkson, who handed it to the prince.
“Her Majesty will join momentarily, Your Highness. Shall I pour some more tea?”
“Yes, thank you, Clarkson.”
Queen Adsila appeared on the screen sitting behind her desk, her face cold and stoic.
“I take it that this isn’t one of your social calls, what is it that you wish to discuss, Marcarius?”
The prince admired the sheen of her long, wavy black hair, and how it emphasized her perfect cheekbones. “Ugh. there I go again. My mind stops working whenever I’m around her. This is business. I must focus.”
“Sadly, no, Adsila. I wish this were a social call. I would like to discuss your position on this land-grabbing bill that has just been passed in your legislature. As you know, many of our most prominent Houses have maintained estates in Zoran for centuries. Surely your lawmakers know that we pay significant taxes on these properties that do much to help support the local economies?”
The queen lets out a low chuckle,
“‘Land-grabbing,’ what an ironic phrase to use. I understand the concerns of your Houses but if you crack open a history book, you will find that many of those estates were gained through either forced resettlement, coercive treaties, and or aggression from Markan forces during the colonial era,” she says in a mirthless tone, “We have…tolerated the presence of the Houses within Zoran for a period of time but that has still left a foul taste in the mouths of the many Zoranians. The bill has passed the Council with near absolute majority on both sides of the political spectrum and frankly, it is a bill that could put my position at risk should I veto it.”
“In most cases, those properties were acquired over a millennium ago, and in all cases many centuries ago. What is this really about, Adsila? Why now? I thought our nations cooperated very nicely at the Maritime Conference last month, with each of us very happy with the Sea of the Wild Cry Protocols.”
“I do not decide the bills that are introduced into the Council. I can propose bills but this bill came from the Council itself,” she says as she shuffles a few papers on her desk, “the ancestral memory of the Zoranian people runs deep, Marcarius. Zoranian has generational trauma from it and holds deep grudges against the Markans for the colonial period. I understand your confusion but it is a cultural difference that I cannot do much about besides try to promote cooperation between our two people, which is what I am trying to do when it comes to drafting my reasoning for rejecting the Blood Alone Act. But, when it comes to the bill that seizes the property of the Houses, I have some troubling documents that I believe you may want to see from our recent delve into Corporate documents.”
“Of course, I’ll look at them. Another concern of mine is that this will through cold water on anyone from Saint Mark wanting to invest in Zoran. Why sink money into projects that could potentially be torn away from you? It sets a bad precedent.”
“Well, all I can say to that is be shrewd in your business dealings. Nationalization and seizure of property is nothing new in the world. Zoran is not the first to do it and it will certainly not be the last country to do it. But, like many things, actions come with consequences…even if those consequences do not come immediately.”
“While I understand you’re referring to the actions of my ancestors and the current-day consequences, what is more relevant is the consequences of this bill, should it become law, to the Zoran economy. I would hope that there are some in your government who might see that upon more cool reflection.”
“We have considered it, and when I say ‘we’ I mean my ministers and I, and while we do see the potential risks from Markan investors, Markans are not the only groups investing in Zoran. You are competing with Giovannilandians, the Astorrians, Overthinkers, various Nuran nations, etc. We might take a hit, yes, but nothing devastating.”
“Adsila, we are not talking in front of audiences right now. This is a private conversation between the two of us. You know that I know this already, and you know that this is not a sound move, either politically or economically. It’s pure theater for the masses. Again, just between us, why and why now?”
“There are actions that go beyond politics and economics, sometimes it is about doing the right thing. When it comes to the people who still mourn what we refer to as ‘The Age of Death,’ this is one of the best ways to get people to move on from those times. If you topple the figure that people look at to think of those times with hatred, soon they will look forward instead of back.”
Prince Marcarius sighed, realizing he would never understand a people who hold such a long grudge.
“Very well, Adsila. I see how your people are looking at this. In the best interests of both of our nations, perhaps Saint Mark can do something to help soothe the feelings of your people? I guess they have already forgotten the aid we provided in the recent civil disturbance.”
“We have had much patience and leniency with the Markans, we have not forgotten the kindness shown to us but there comes a time when patience runs out. At best I can see if I can get the Council to offer financial compensation to the Houses affected by this act but to veto it would be out of the question.”

“I see. Well, that is something to consider. I appreciate your taking the time to discuss this with me. I think I understand the position of your lawmakers better now, although I very much disagree with it. May we form a joint commission to try to come up with a solution that is palatable to both nations and that seeks to preserve our good relationship?”
“I shall see what I can do, but knowing the lawmakers it would be hard to get them to cooperate. In case this does not work with them, prepare to try and herd the Houses of your nation like cats.”
The prince blinked. Herd the Houses like cats? It must be something Zoranian that doesn’t quite translate.
“I appreciate your efforts. Our counterparts will keep the other informed throughout the process. My best wishes to you for your team’s success in the games!”
“Best of luck to your team as well. But do take a look at the documents that my intelligence director will send you, the evidence is damning enough to warrant an investigation. I have stayed my hand in terms of sending my intelligence officers over to investigate due to our trust in your ability to deal with it yourselves.”
“Absolutely. I will look into it even before we arrive in Ryxtylopia. Again, my best.”
 

A joint post of Saint Mark and Zoran
 

 
A panel of the mahogany wall slid down, revealing a screen. Averton, the young footman attending Prince Marcarius on the Red & Gold, the private train of the Royal Household, checked the settings and then handed the remote to Clarkson, who handed it to the prince.
“Her Majesty will join momentarily, Your Highness. Shall I pour some more tea?”
“Yes, thank you, Clarkson.”
Queen Adsila appeared on the screen sitting behind her desk, her face cold and stoic.
“I take it that this isn’t one of your social calls, what is it that you wish to discuss, Marcarius?”
The prince admired the sheen of her long, wavy black hair, and how it emphasized her perfect cheekbones. “Ugh. there I go again. My mind stops working whenever I’m around her. This is business. I must focus.”
“Sadly, no, Adsila. I wish this were a social call. I would like to discuss your position on this land-grabbing bill that has just been passed in your legislature. As you know, many of our most prominent Houses have maintained estates in Zoran for centuries. Surely your lawmakers know that we pay significant taxes on these properties that do much to help support the local economies?”
The queen lets out a low chuckle,
“‘Land-grabbing,’ what an ironic phrase to use. I understand the concerns of your Houses but if you crack open a history book, you will find that many of those estates were gained through either forced resettlement, coercive treaties, and or aggression from Markan forces during the colonial era,” she says in a mirthless tone, “We have…tolerated the presence of the Houses within Zoran for a period of time but that has still left a foul taste in the mouths of the many Zoranians. The bill has passed the Council with near absolute majority on both sides of the political spectrum and frankly, it is a bill that could put my position at risk should I veto it.”
“In most cases, those properties were acquired over a millennium ago, and in all cases many centuries ago. What is this really about, Adsila? Why now? I thought our nations cooperated very nicely at the Maritime Conference last month, with each of us very happy with the Sea of the Wild Cry Protocols.”
“I do not decide the bills that are introduced into the Council. I can propose bills but this bill came from the Council itself,” she says as she shuffles a few papers on her desk, “the ancestral memory of the Zoranian people runs deep, Marcarius. Zoranian has generational trauma from it and holds deep grudges against the Markans for the colonial period. I understand your confusion but it is a cultural difference that I cannot do much about besides try to promote cooperation between our two people, which is what I am trying to do when it comes to drafting my reasoning for rejecting the Blood Alone Act. But, when it comes to the bill that seizes the property of the Houses, I have some troubling documents that I believe you may want to see from our recent delve into Corporate documents.”
“Of course, I’ll look at them. Another concern of mine is that this will through cold water on anyone from Saint Mark wanting to invest in Zoran. Why sink money into projects that could potentially be torn away from you? It sets a bad precedent.”
“Well, all I can say to that is be shrewd in your business dealings. Nationalization and seizure of property is nothing new in the world. Zoran is not the first to do it and it will certainly not be the last country to do it. But, like many things, actions come with consequences…even if those consequences do not come immediately.”
“While I understand you’re referring to the actions of my ancestors and the current-day consequences, what is more relevant is the consequences of this bill, should it become law, to the Zoran economy. I would hope that there are some in your government who might see that upon more cool reflection.”
“We have considered it, and when I say ‘we’ I mean my ministers and I, and while we do see the potential risks from Markan investors, Markans are not the only groups investing in Zoran. You are competing with Giovannilandians, the Astorrians, Overthinkers, various Nuran nations, etc. We might take a hit, yes, but nothing devastating.”
“Adsila, we are not talking in front of audiences right now. This is a private conversation between the two of us. You know that I know this already, and you know that this is not a sound move, either politically or economically. It’s pure theater for the masses. Again, just between us, why and why now?”
“There are actions that go beyond politics and economics, sometimes it is about doing the right thing. When it comes to the people who still mourn what we refer to as ‘The Age of Death,’ this is one of the best ways to get people to move on from those times. If you topple the figure that people look at to think of those times with hatred, soon they will look forward instead of back.”
Prince Marcarius sighed, realizing he would never understand a people who hold such a long grudge.
“Very well, Adsila. I see how your people are looking at this. In the best interests of both of our nations, perhaps Saint Mark can do something to help soothe the feelings of your people? I guess they have already forgotten the aid we provided in the recent civil disturbance.”
“We have had much patience and leniency with the Markans, we have not forgotten the kindness shown to us but there comes a time when patience runs out. At best I can see if I can get the Council to offer financial compensation to the Houses affected by this act but to veto it would be out of the question.”

“I see. Well, that is something to consider. I appreciate your taking the time to discuss this with me. I think I understand the position of your lawmakers better now, although I very much disagree with it. May we form a joint commission to try to come up with a solution that is palatable to both nations and that seeks to preserve our good relationship?”
“I shall see what I can do, but knowing the lawmakers it would be hard to get them to cooperate. In case this does not work with them, prepare to try and herd the Houses of your nation like cats.”
The prince blinked. Herd the Houses like cats? It must be something Zoranian that doesn’t quite translate.
“I appreciate your efforts. Our counterparts will keep the other informed throughout the process. My best wishes to you for your team’s success in the games!”
“Best of luck to your team as well. But do take a look at the documents that my intelligence director will send you, the evidence is damning enough to warrant an investigation. I have stayed my hand in terms of sending my intelligence officers over to investigate due to our trust in your ability to deal with it yourselves.”
“Absolutely. I will look into it even before we arrive in Ryxtylopia. Again, my best.”
 

A joint post of Saint Mark and Zoran
 

 
A panel of the mahogany wall slid down, revealing a screen. Averton, the young footman attending Prince Marcarius on the Red & Gold, the private train of the Royal Household, checked the settings and then handed the remote to Clarkson, who handed it to the prince.
“Her Majesty will join momentarily, Your Highness. Shall I pour some more tea?”
“Yes, thank you, Clarkson.”
Queen Adsila appeared on the screen sitting behind her desk, her face cold and stoic.
“I take it that this isn’t one of your social calls, what is it that you wish to discuss, Marcarius?”
The prince admired the sheen of her long, wavy black hair, and how it emphasized her perfect cheekbones. “Ugh. there I go again. My mind stops working whenever I’m around her. This is business. I must focus.”
“Sadly, no, Adsila. I wish this were a social call. I would like to discuss your position on this land-grabbing bill that has just been passed in your legislature. As you know, many of our most prominent Houses have maintained estates in Zoran for centuries. Surely your lawmakers know that we pay significant taxes on these properties that do much to help support the local economies?”
The queen lets out a low chuckle,
“‘Land-grabbing,’ what an ironic phrase to use. I understand the concerns of your Houses but if you crack open a history book, you will find that many of those estates were gained through either forced resettlement, coercive treaties, and or aggression from Markan forces during the colonial era,” she says in a mirthless tone, “We have…tolerated the presence of the Houses within Zoran for a period of time but that has still left a foul taste in the mouths of the many Zoranians. The bill has passed the Council with near absolute majority on both sides of the political spectrum and frankly, it is a bill that could put my position at risk should I veto it.”
“In most cases, those properties were acquired over a millennium ago, and in all cases many centuries ago. What is this really about, Adsila? Why now? I thought our nations cooperated very nicely at the Maritime Conference last month, with each of us very happy with the Sea of the Wild Cry Protocols.”
“I do not decide the bills that are introduced into the Council. I can propose bills but this bill came from the Council itself,” she says as she shuffles a few papers on her desk, “the ancestral memory of the Zoranian people runs deep, Marcarius. Zoranian has generational trauma from it and holds deep grudges against the Markans for the colonial period. I understand your confusion but it is a cultural difference that I cannot do much about besides try to promote cooperation between our two people, which is what I am trying to do when it comes to drafting my reasoning for rejecting the Blood Alone Act. But, when it comes to the bill that seizes the property of the Houses, I have some troubling documents that I believe you may want to see from our recent delve into Corporate documents.”
“Of course, I’ll look at them. Another concern of mine is that this will through cold water on anyone from Saint Mark wanting to invest in Zoran. Why sink money into projects that could potentially be torn away from you? It sets a bad precedent.”
“Well, all I can say to that is be shrewd in your business dealings. Nationalization and seizure of property is nothing new in the world. Zoran is not the first to do it and it will certainly not be the last country to do it. But, like many things, actions come with consequences…even if those consequences do not come immediately.”
“While I understand you’re referring to the actions of my ancestors and the current-day consequences, what is more relevant is the consequences of this bill, should it become law, to the Zoran economy. I would hope that there are some in your government who might see that upon more cool reflection.”
“We have considered it, and when I say ‘we’ I mean my ministers and I, and while we do see the potential risks from Markan investors, Markans are not the only groups investing in Zoran. You are competing with Giovannilandians, the Astorrians, Overthinkers, various Nuran nations, etc. We might take a hit, yes, but nothing devastating.”
“Adsila, we are not talking in front of audiences right now. This is a private conversation between the two of us. You know that I know this already, and you know that this is not a sound move, either politically or economically. It’s pure theater for the masses. Again, just between us, why and why now?”
“There are actions that go beyond politics and economics, sometimes it is about doing the right thing. When it comes to the people who still mourn what we refer to as ‘The Age of Death,’ this is one of the best ways to get people to move on from those times. If you topple the figure that people look at to think of those times with hatred, soon they will look forward instead of back.”
Prince Marcarius sighed, realizing he would never understand a people who hold such a long grudge.
“Very well, Adsila. I see how your people are looking at this. In the best interests of both of our nations, perhaps Saint Mark can do something to help soothe the feelings of your people? I guess they have already forgotten the aid we provided in the recent civil disturbance.”
“We have had much patience and leniency with the Markans, we have not forgotten the kindness shown to us but there comes a time when patience runs out. At best I can see if I can get the Council to offer financial compensation to the Houses affected by this act but to veto it would be out of the question.”

“I see. Well, that is something to consider. I appreciate your taking the time to discuss this with me. I think I understand the position of your lawmakers better now, although I very much disagree with it. May we form a joint commission to try to come up with a solution that is palatable to both nations and that seeks to preserve our good relationship?”
“I shall see what I can do, but knowing the lawmakers it would be hard to get them to cooperate. In case this does not work with them, prepare to try and herd the Houses of your nation like cats.”
The prince blinked. Herd the Houses like cats? It must be something Zoranian that doesn’t quite translate.
“I appreciate your efforts. Our counterparts will keep the other informed throughout the process. My best wishes to you for your team’s success in the games!”
“Best of luck to your team as well. But do take a look at the documents that my intelligence director will send you, the evidence is damning enough to warrant an investigation. I have stayed my hand in terms of sending my intelligence officers over to investigate due to our trust in your ability to deal with it yourselves.”
“Absolutely. I will look into it even before we arrive in Ryxtylopia. Again, my best.”
 

"Mr. President," National Security Adviser Marian Proudfoot broke the silence when Red Palace Chief of Staff Jed Gill asked if there were no more topics to be discussed after finishing the last item presented in Other Matters as discussed at the start of the meeting.
It was the time of the month when Luke Salazar, the President of the Federal Republic, had his Cabinet Cluster Meeting.
"Not now, Marian," Gill interjected.
Salazar only had to look at the far left of the table where Proudfoot was seated and to Gill at the right of Vice President Mel Gaspar (the VP is sitting next to the President's right side) and back to Proudfoot, which urged the former to speak.
She cleared her throat before continuing.
"Mr. President, it is the National Security Council's Secretariat's opinion that we should be eagerly monitoring the 'civil unrest' in Ryxtylopia with the Football World Cup happening."
Salazar looked to his left, where the Military Affairs Secretary Carlo Charlton was sitting, and started, "Foreign Affairs is under your cluster, right?"
"Yes, Mr. President," Charlton replied. Salazar nodded upwards, urging him to talk.
"Ah, yes, Mr. President," Charlton continued, "it was discussed in our previous meeting in the Security, Justice, and Peace Cluster early this month, but the members decided not to apprise you yet unless we have an actual action plan that we can present to you. Right now, we're just implementing need-to-act protocols only."
"I want the facts on my table in an hour, Carl," Salazar instructed Charlton before facing Proudfoot again, "you should also give me a briefer from your perspective, Marian. Though what do you recommend?"
"Our assets in Ryxtylopia will continue monitoring the riots. If something worsens, I call Carlo and initiate the plan depending on where our players are by the time our plan commences. I have already submitted my recommendations on what to do when they are not playing any matches with contingencies when they are in the hotel or if one or two players or staff are not with the team, when they are transiting to or from the game, or when they are currently playing," Proudfoot replied.
"Are the recommendations plausible?" Salazar asked Charlton.
"We can work around the plans, Sir," Charlton replied.
"Very good. Current logistics?" Salazar asked again.
"A platoon of inactive graduates of the Executive Protection Course not detailed in the Presidential Security Service is currently in Ryxtylopia providing cover, Mr. President," Charlton replied. "They are equipped with only our military-issue handgun with four extra clips in their presence at all times. Their operational command and control are under the Headquarters and Headquarters Services Battalion, under Major John Read, of the Adaikesian brigade we sent to the Matixarrati Base. Once we receive confirmation from Marian, two platoons will push towards urban Ryxtylopia and implement the necessary action plan."
"Mr. President," Gill interrupted, "is the plan more of an overkill? The presence of a foreign military alone, not only in any urban area, but what if they are playing in Ryxenia?"
"Well, we hope that the riots do not escalate," Proudfoot raised her voice a little.
"I'll talk to Edyuardó [Etsañó, the Ryxtylopian President]," Salazar raised his index finger and massaged his temples, "but the Union needs to know about this."
"I'll talk to Anne [Duncan, the Adaikesian Foreign Affairs Secretary], Luke," Gaspar inserted, "We'll let her talk to her counterparts in Teralyon and Cambria."

Hello Giovanniland—I am Numerio Dellio-Oliverde, the new host of the Giovannilandian Sports Report and of its special football edition! This programs aims to keep the people of Giovanniland informed of the latest happenings of the 3rd World Cup of Football, and we'll be covering the results of the first two matches played by our football team and how they went.
Matchday 1 - Giovanniland 1-0 Teralyon (Halftime: 0-0)
Goals: Gustavo Zapata (67')
For our first game of the 3rd World Cup, our side played against the Teralyian team, and it was a fierce match with good performance from both teams! For the entirety of the match it was an open game with chances for both Giovanniland and Teralyon, though during the first half no goal happened. Giovannilandian players such as the striker trio of Gustavo Zapata, Klementina de Abreo-Florino, and Matteo Ventomar assisted each other in several attempts—including one by Matteo that hit one of the goalposts and made thousands of viewers nearly scream 'goal!' until realizing they would have to save it for later. 
During the second half, coach Hettor Ottavio-Linare decided to switch to a different formation, and it worked perfectly! The midfield players Gabriella Orfeo and Giustiniano Nottua-Glabrio rose to the spotlight during this half, and it was the team work started by them that allowed the team captain and star striker Gustavo Zapata to finally send the ball to the net past the Teralyian goalkeeper. The Giovannilandian crowd in Istadio Raquivas cheered, and the game continued just as lively as the atmosphere in the stadium was at the time. In fact, there was a little confusion between players of the two teams in the middle of the 2nd half, slightly after the goal, but all went well until the end and the Esquadra Nationale held their advantage to earn its first 3 points.
Matchday 2 - Sekiya 2-0 Giovanniland (Halftime: 0-0)
In a rematch of the previous World Cup, the teams of Giovanniland and Sekiya once more were drawn into Group B (the same can be said for Cambria as well, which will be Giovanniland's Matchday 3 opponent). Last time, Giovanniland won 4-1 against the Nuran team, but unfortunately this time it was a different story. An improved and very defensive Sekiyan team was enough to stop any attempts from Giovanniland of scoring throughout the first half, although there were good attempts to score by striker Matteo Ventomar and also midfielder Giovanni-Pietro Lamontana, who replaced Giustiniano Nottua-Glabrio because of an injury.
In the start of the second half, both defenses continued very solid and the scoring attempts from both sides also continued. Unfortunately, the lack of Giustiniano hampered coordination in the midfield, so that the Giovannilandians attacks were not as effective as in the previous match. In one of these attempts, a failure in the defensive area meant that a deadly counterattack from Sekiya came through, led by their center forward Sūn Tíng who scored their first goal at the 75th minute.
Although Giovanniland tried some last-minute ways of turning the tables, all that came in the dying minutes of the match was another Sekiyan goal from their attacking midfielder Chén Huá, at minute 84. Captain Gustavo Zapata commented that the opponents' performance was very impressive and respected the Sekiyan team. He also hopes that Augusto can recover from his injury and come back after this match for the duel with Cambria.
In Group B, Cambria has been leading the group with six points, first defeating Peourouin in an electric 4-3 match and now winning against fellow Polari team United Adaikes 2-0. Then, there are four teams with three points! The Sekiyans and Teralyians are tied in second place with one win and one loss each, both having recovered from losses in the first matchday, while us and the Adaikesians have gone in the opposite direction and share the fourth place. Last but not least, the Peouroun team sits at last in the group without any points, although there's still time for them to reverse the course and shine in upcoming matches! 
All in all, two very interesting matchdays—and soon, we'll have a special interview with our young striker Matteo Ventomar and his experiences in international football so far! Stay tuned for that and for further matchday reports coming soon.

Zona, almost a century prior...
Sometimes – times like this perfect dawn, for instance – it amused Frei rem Gofain to play a private game. The game was called "pretend there isn’t a war on."
It was relatively easy in some respects. It was quiet, and the night chill was giving way to a still cool as sunrise came up over the city. From where he sat, he could see the wide bay, hazy in the morning mist, and the sea beyond it, blue-grey, glittering. The city of Zona itself – a mix of modern construction, low-rise homes, and ancient steeples – was peaceful and quiet, huddled on the wide headland in a quaint, antiquated manner, as it had done for twenty-nine centuries. Sea birds wheeled overhead, which spoiled it slightly, because he envied them their wings and their freedom, but still, at these times, it was easy to play the game.
Zona was not Gofain's birth-town (he’d been delivered, a silent, uncomplaining infant, forty two years earlier in Zhuna Ra on the far side of the Gulf of Golden Fronds), but he had, unilaterally, adopted it. It was smaller than Zhuna Ra, prettier, a littoral town that understood the mechanisms of the sea and, with its universities and its many schools, was famous as a seat of learning. It was older than most others too. The old town quarter had been standing for two hundred years when the first plucky Azten began sinking their sharp teeth into the banks of the sacred river to raise Ior Aria. Zona, dear old Zona, was one of the oldest cities in the infinite empire.
Gofain had adopted Zona partly because of its distinguished past, mostly because he’d been stationed there for six years. He’d come to know it well: its eating houses, its coastal pavilions and piers, its libraries and museums. It was the place he’d always longed to return to every time he snapped the canopy shut and waved the fitters away. And it was the place he always had come back to.
Even the last time.
"You there! Driver!"
The voice broke through his thoughts. He sat up in the worn leather seat of the cargo transport and looked out. Lord Silan, the Order of Ordinance dispatcher, was coming over towards him, three aides wobbling along in his wake like novice wingmen. Silan’s long robes fluttered out behind him and his boots were raising dust from the dry earth. His voice was pitched high, like the seabirds’ calls. Gofain didn’t like SIlan much. His game was ruined now. The dispatcher's call had made him drop his eyeline to take in the ground and the airfield. And no one could pretend there wasn’t a war when they saw that.
Gofain opened his cab door and climbed down to meet the dispatcher. He’d been up waiting since five, sipping coffee from a flask and munching on a coil of local bread.
"Lord," he said, saluting. He didn’t have to. The unctuous man had no military rank, but old habits, like Gofain himself, died hard. Dispatcher Silan had a clipboard in his hands. He looked up and down Gofain, and the grubby transport behind him.
"Driver Gofain, F. R.? Vehicle 143?"
"As you well know, Lord," said Gofain.
Silan made a check in one of the boxes on his sheet. "Fuelled and roadworthy?"
Gofain nodded. "As of 05.00. I was issued coupons for forty litres of II-grade, and I filled up at the depot before I came on duty."
Silan checked another box. "Do you have the receipt?"
Gofain produced the paper slip from his coat pocket, smoothed it flat, and handed it to the dispatcher.
Silan studied it. "Forty point zero-three litres, driver?"
Gofain shrugged. "The nozzle guns aren’t really accurate, Lord. I stopped it when it wound over forty, but the last few drops–"
"You should take care to be more accurate," Silan said flatly. One of his aides nodded.
"Have you ever fuelled a vehicle from the depot tanks, Lord?" Gofain said lightly.
"Of course not!"
"Well, if you had, you might know how tricky it is to get the wind exact."
"Don’t you blame me for your inaccuracies, driver!" Silan sputtered. "Essential resources such as fuel must be managed and rationed to the millilitre! That is the task of the Holy Order of Ordinance! There’s a war on, don’t you realise?"
"I had heard…"
Silan ignored him and looked at the nodding aide. "What’s zero-three of a litre II-grade at base cost?"
The aide made a quick calculation in his head. "Rounding down, ten and a half claria, Lord."
"Round up. And deduct it from the next paycheck of driver Gofain, F. R."
"So recorded, Lord."
Silan turned back to Gofain. "Transportation run. Personnel. Pick up within thirty minutes from the Hotel Royale in–"
"I know where it is."
"Good. Convey them to the dispersal point at MAB South. Do you understand? Fine. Then sign here."
As he signed his name, his stiffened fingers struggling with the pencil, Gofain asked: "Are they fliers? Fliers from the East at last?"
Silan huffed. "Not for me to say. There’s a war on."
"You think I don’t know that, Lord?" Gofain asked.
As he took back the clipboard and the pen, Silan looked up at Gofain's face and made eye contact for the first time. What he saw made him shudder.
"Carry on, driver," he said, and hurried away.
Gofain climbed up into his battered transport and turned the engine over. Blue-black smoke coughed and spurted from the exhaust. Lifting the brake, he rolled the truck down the gentle slope of the hardpan and drove off along the field circuit trackway, following the chain link fence.
The game was certainly ruined now. No pretending any more. Here were fuel tankers, smeared with black waste, armoured hangars, repair sheds reverberating with the noise of tools, lines of coils on their trolleys, munitions trains parked and empty on verges of swishing grass. And airstrips. Cracked concrete looking like psoriatic skin in the early light, with four-engine bombers sulking on their hardstands, props like sabre-blades raised in threat, hook-winged dive-bombers under tarps, fitters and armourers working around them. Beyond the strips, facing the sea, lay the long runway and the Firebirds, stretched out and vaguely glinting in the rising sun. Five Firebirds sat idle at the head of the roads. Dark blue with grey undersides, they were tiny, one-man planes with stubby wings and tails, their engine cowling stripped, their nose guns muzzled. They looked squat, leaden.
But Gofain knew how they felt to fly. He knew how they ran down those runways, throttles right back, engines farting and popping as they fired to velocity. The bellydropping jink as they cleared the ground and lifted up into the blue, raw and throbbing. The cold smell of the cockpit. The reek of rubber and steel, fuel, nitrous. The feel of being aloft, alive…
Gold above, how he missed it.
At the gate, beside the staked revets and the heavy fences, he pulled over to let a munitions convoy roll in. He glanced up into the driving mirror and, for a moment, saw himself.
More than anything, more than even the airfield full of prepping warplanes, the sight of himself reminded Frei rem Gofain that his cherished game was only pretend.
There was, inescapably, a war on.

The trio were meant to be flying across the Darkesian Sea in their military plane towards Saint Mark to circumvent it. Problem was, May was flying...
R. Hammond: While we could be thundering past Giovanniland, James is making our lives a misery... again.
[Clarkson looks down to what's below them.]
J. Clarkson: Er... we can't be at Ryxtylopia already, right?
R. Hammond: James, why can I see a nation?
J. May: Er, because I went in the wrong direction mate. I didn't tell you this, I made a route towards the Andolian Territories of Giovanniland and have had to go along through there a bit and we'll head up toward-
R. Hammond: H- I'm sorry? We, on a route towards Saint Mark, have flown into Andoliavilla?
J. May: Yeah mate. Sorry.
R. Hammond: So you've made us get lost in this farm prop as well as slower.
J. Clarkson: That is the face of a Hammond who knows that all the pre-flight checks in the world can't compensate for being stuck in an airborne tumble dryer with Esferos' slowest man at the controls. Also it's Andoliaville.
R. Hammond: No, Andoliavilla.
J. May: Officially it's called the Andolian Territories of Giovanniland, but they call it Giovandolia so that's what its name is.
J. Clarkson: James, we're not from Giovanniland, we're from Hertfordshire-Jammbo. We call it Endeuliyevil or Entestiprazye and that translates to Andoliaville.
R. Hammond: I maintain your wrongness on this.
J. May: I was being correct.
J. Clarkson: Pfft, whatever.
R. Hammond: No you weren't.
J. May: And anyway, it's a colony. They ought to leave this continent.
R. Hammond: Has James been swapped for a Varanian?
J. Clarkson: He's not a Varanian, but he is an old lady.
J. May: I'm a what? No sorry, I missed that.
R. Hammond: I mean... I knew he was from the 10th century, but really?
J. Clarkson: He's always been an old lady, he was born an old lady. Congratulations Mrs. May, it's an old lady!
[Hammond laughs into the air, May is confused.]
J. Clarkson: Anyway, back to the main topic, we're lost.
J. May: No we're not. I think.
R. Hammond: Whichever way you cut it, this is the wrong way.
J. Clarkson: Hang on a second. We're flying in a plane from the Armed Forces.
R. Hammond: Yeah.
J. Clarkson: I hope the Giovannilandians don't send a welcome party.
R. Hammond: How are you doing?
J. Clarkson: Yeah, I'm fine. How about you?
R. Hammond: We're going the wrong way, we've veered off west into Andoliavilla and are flying over it right now. So that's a no.
J. Clarkson: A route imposed by James' inability to use a map.
R. Hammond: We have to fly over every town. There's a place called Giovenoria that could be a bit tricky for us. Ugh...
[Hammond puts his head in his hands in despair. Clarkson adjusts the camera through which Hertfordians and Jammbonians (and Hertmerians) back home are watching them.]
J. Clarkson: So if you've just started watching us, an update on our trip for you. We're behind schedule... by miles.
[The plane continues to fly through Giovanniland and out onto the Darkesian Sea where it has to divert heavily to avoid encroaching onto any more countries. It's passing along the coast of Dilber when Hammond pipes up again when he tries to eat his lunch.]
R. Hammond: James. I've got no fork.
J. May: Yeah, it's not allowed on the flight.
R. Hammond: Well it's just as well 'cause if I had any cutlery right now it'd be sticking out your neck!
J. Clarkson: Richard.
R. Hammond: Yeah?
J. Clarkson: I found these sheets. Do you think I should show this to the audience?
R. Hammond: I don't see why not.
 
Style: +1.7 RP permissions If my opponent RPs first, they may... Injure my players: yes Assign my players yellow cards: no Assign my players red cards: no Godmod injuries: no Godmod scoring: no Godmod other events: no A sheet with what was seemingly useful drivel on there. But the trio had figured out that this must have been important otherwise it wouldn't be in the plane with them. It looked like some kind of permission slip.
J. Clarkson: Certainly, the roster of The Genesis is more of an engineering triumph than James' plane...
R. Hammond: We've got no bloody forks.
J. May: Stop whinging about the ruddy in-flight food, man.
R. Hammond: Fuck's sake...
J. May: And don't jig about, 'cause we're climbing. We're struggling a bit here.
R. Hammond: I am not jiggling!
J. May: Yeah, but Jeremy is.
R. Hammond:  How rubbish is this thing if I can't even lift a chocolate bar to my face without us crashing into a mountain of drugs or Quiyakaso?!
J. Clarkson: I know what will cheer you up, Richard. Let's talk about a car made back home, the Buralati Chirkov. More specifically, the special "Legends of the Snow" version that was made in honour of the Hertfordshire & Jammbo cricket team that won the T20 World Cup. You know, even though there are these huge cooling guts and the engine has no cover at all, that thing has 11 radiators. 4 to cool the engine itself, 3 for the intercoolers, 1 to do the axle oil, 1 to do the engine oil and 2 to cool the hydraulic fluid used to raise it's rear spoiler. ...It's got more radiators than my house!
R. Hammond: ...That was made in Hertfordshire & Jammbo?
J. Clarkson: I know it seems absurd but I promise you, it's not as far fetched as it seems. Most of our land is untouched countryside with mountain ranges, lakes, a lot of snow and miles of quiet straight roads. It's the sort of country a hypercar could unleash everything it has in, providing the roads aren't too covered in ice or frost.

The Buralati Chirkov that Clarkson was talking about. It has a quad-turbo W16 engine that produces 1,578bhp and goes to a top speed of 305m/h. It's the fastest car that Hertfordshire & Jammbo has managed thus far. It's named after legendary Hertmerian racing driver Lui Chirkov. He is believed to be living at Hestmere in Overthinkers, but this has yet to be proven.
R. Hammond: That is just... wow. Incredible.
J. Clarkson: You know what else is incredible?
R. Hammond: What?
J. Clarkson: James looks like he's preparing another lump of disappointment.
J. May: Hammond? Clarkson? We have to stop for fuel.
R. Hammond: Well, why didn't you put more in?
J. May: Well I filled it up. That's as much as it takes.
R. Hammond: So we've got to pull over for petrol?
J. May: Are you, er, are you familiar with the basic principles of flight?
R. Hammond: No.
J. May: One of the problems we have is because the plane is heavily loaded is that we need, essentially, more lift so we have to fly with the wings at a slightly higher angle...
R. Hammond: Oh god...
J. Clarkson: I'm nodding off.
[May continues his lecture, which takes so long that by the time he had finished, they were flying over their destination. Not that May was aware of this.]
J. Clarkson: Guys?
J. May: Yeah?
J. Clarkson: We're here. Look.
[Hammond and May look out of the windscreen and window respectively to see Ryxenia coming into view.]
J. May: Guess we don't need to stop for fuel after all. Just need to re-fill when we land.
J. Clarkson: Or whatever it is that flying fridge-freezers run on.
R. Hammond: I'm starting to think James' plane plan wasn't as lightning fast as I'd first imagined.
J. May: Remind me to tell the person who refuels our planes to stop being such a Fujansk trade unionist and get on with it.
J. Clarkson: Oh! Before we go, viewers, I want to show you this. It's the roster of The Mafia, otherwise known as The Genesis. I'd have shown this to you earlier but, well, you know...
[Clarkson uses his head to gesture to May.]
 
 
 
 
J. May: "Wait a minute. Why did Petersburg edit her profile to have horns?" | Esmeralda P.: "I don't have to disclose that." | R. Hammond: "The thing about having a deaf-mute captain is that no one besides us lot know what we're planning. Unless you happen to have complete knowledge of sign language."
J. Clarkson: Can I just point out that the first match of Hertfordshire & Jammbo has finished already? We drew 0-0 with Saint Mark.
J. May: Has it? How's that happened?
J. Clarkson: Maybe it has to do with the fact that your pre-flight checks and sense of direction have caused us to be catastrophically late?
J. May: Oh cock...
The trio and their plane finally landed in a field nearby Ryxenia, from which Clarkson and Hammond got into a Buralati Chirkov that the HAJFF had shipped to Ryxtylopia for them. May meanwhile chose to get on the team coach - named "The Ragnarök" - where he received a verbal hammering from assistant manager Tess on the way to Saltavacha.
                                  
| 𐑣𐑸'𐑘𐑱 𐑛𐑰 𐑤𐑨𐑛𐑟! (Ha'wei Di Ladz!) |
| Ha'way The Lads! |
| Придъ'няпредванеи На Младеч! (Pride'napredvanei Na Mladezh!) |
 

In the darkened entrance tunnel, moments before the match...
"Nelson, mate, turkey for Thanksgiving? It's like watching paint dry. Bland, dry, and utterly forgettable," Nelson quipped, his words sharp and to the point. His dark eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he leaned against the tunnel wall.
Christian shot back with a grin, his quick-witted retort hanging in the air like a challenge. "Nelson, you've got it all wrong, sunshine. Thanksgiving is about tradition, and turkey is the undisputed heavyweight champ of the holiday table. Versatility, my friend! You can roast it, fry it, smoke it – it's the triple threat of festive fowl."
The banter continued, a rapid-fire exchange echoing the patter and rhythms of a Ray Gitchie film.
"Versatility? It's a damn bird, Christian, not a Recuecian Army knife. I'd rather have a tradition of enjoying my meal. How 'bout we spice it up with some chili or throw in some jerk chicken for a real celebration?" Nelson countered.
But Christian, leaning in with a conspiratorial air, explained the beauty of a well-cooked turkey like a seasoned football coach detailing a winning strategy. "Nelson, you're missing the point, my man. Thanksgiving is about coming together, sharing a meal that screams 'Braya. Turkey embodies that spirit, and it's like a culinary handshake with history."
Nelson chuckled, his grin widening. "'Braya, huh? I'd rather be shaking hands with a plate full of flavor. Our Adaikian brothers got it right with their hearty stews and savory pies. Now, that's a celebration on a plate."
"Fair play, Nelson, but when you're savoring your exotic feast, just remember the warm embrace of a perfectly roasted turkey. It's a classic, like a vintage scotch or a well-placed penalty kick," Christian remarked with a knowing grin.
Nelson, smirking in response, shot back, "Classic, huh? I'll stick to being a maverick in the culinary arena. Let's just hope our performance on the pitch today is more exciting than this banter."

With a nod of mutual respect, the players exchanged a competitive glance before heading towards the pitch, leaving their Thanksgiving meal debate hanging in the air like the prelude to a high-stakes match.

Teralyon Suffers Narrow Defeat to Giovanniland in Thrilling World Cup Clash
By Anja Suremic, Teralyon Sports Analyst
ISTADIO RAQUIVAS, RYXTYLOPIA — In a heart-stopping showdown at Istadio Raquivas, Teralyon's national football team faced a bitter 1-0 defeat against Giovanniland during the 3rd World Cup hosted in Ryxtylopia. The tension in the air was palpable as both teams fought valiantly on the pitch, but ultimately, it was Giovanniland who emerged victorious, leaving Teralyon supporters disheartened but proud of their team's efforts.
The lone goal of the match was netted by Giovanniland's star striker in the 67th minute, breaking the deadlock and sealing Teralyon's fate. The resilient defense on both sides and the exceptional goalkeeping made it a nail-biting contest until the final whistle echoed through Istadio Raquivas.
Teralyon's coach, Isabella Mirovic, expressed her disappointment but commended the team's performance. "It was a tough match, and we gave it our all. Giovanniland played exceptionally well, and we'll learn from this experience and come back stronger," she stated during the post-match press conference.
As Teralyon licks its wounds from the defeat, speculation is rife among sports analysts and passionate fans in Tarajevo regarding the team's upcoming crucial match against Peourouin at Istadio Gral. Tavara Diparti. The anticipation is heightened as Teralyon aims to bounce back and secure a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Renowned sports analyst, Pero Javic, believes that Teralyon has the talent to overcome the setback against Giovanniland. "The team exhibited great skill and coordination despite the loss. With a few adjustments, they can certainly turn the tables in the upcoming match against Peourouin," Rodriguez commented on a popular sports talk show.
Regular sports enthusiasts from Tarajevo echoed Javic's sentiments, expressing confidence in the team's ability to regroup and deliver a stellar performance against Peourouin. Social media platforms were abuzz with discussions, with fans sharing their predictions and rallying behind the national team.
"Go Teralyon!! Our teams shown resilience before, and I'm confident they'll make us proud against Peourouin," said Sofia Karadzic, a fervent supporter from Tarajevo.
The clash against Peourouin at Istadio Gral. Tavara Diparti is now a do-or-die situation for Teralyon. The nation holds its breath as the team prepares to face another formidable opponent in the quest for World Cup glory. Only time will tell if Teralyon can rise above adversity and secure a triumphant comeback on the global stage.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teralyon's 7th Naval Fleet Reinforces Security Commitment in the Mille-Mer Sea
By Davor Dalmatia, Teralyon Defense Correspondent
STARI DOMA NAVAL BASE, TERALYON — In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing regional security and fortifying alliances, Teralyon has deployed its formidable 7th Naval Fleet from the Stari Doma Naval Base to the Mille-Mer Sea. The deployment, conducted in collaboration with allied nations Cambria and United Adaikes, underscores Teralyon's unwavering commitment to maintaining stability in the vital maritime region.
The Mille-Mer Sea, a key nexus of international trade routes, has witnessed increased geopolitical tensions in recent months. In response to emerging challenges, Teralyon's 7th Naval Fleet, equipped with state-of-the-art naval assets and personnel trained for diverse maritime operations, is poised to contribute significantly to the region's security architecture.
Rear Admiral Elena Petrovic, the commander of the 7th Naval Fleet, emphasized the importance of the deployment during a press briefing at Stari Doma Naval Base. "Our mission is clear: to safeguard the maritime interests of Teralyon and our allies, promote stability in the Mille-Mer Sea, and ensure the free flow of commerce through these vital waters," she stated.
The Teralyon 7th Naval Fleet's deployment has garnered positive responses from regional leaders and defense analysts. Analyst Sofia Milosevic noted, "The strategic positioning of Teralyon's naval assets, combined with collaborative efforts with allies, enhances the overall maritime security architecture in the Mille-Mer Sea. This proactive approach sends a powerful message of deterrence to potential disruptors in the region."
As the 7th Naval Fleet sets sail to patrol the Mille-Mer Sea, the international community will be closely watching the collaborative efforts of Teralyon, Cambria, and United Adaikes to maintain peace and stability in this critical maritime expanse. The joint commitment to security reflects the shared values and determination of these allied nations to safeguard the prosperity and well-being of the region.

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

"Her Majesty will not be attending the games, sir. The protests in Zoran surrounding the bill require her attention. She would be pleased to make herself available for a video conference, however. Your schedule could be adjusted to accommodate that while you travel to Ryxtylopia, sir."
"Very good, Clarkson. Please set that up. With regard to the journey, has Lady Kornica accepted our invitation to travel with us or will she seek her own way?
"Yes, sir. Sir Karl's mother was pleased to accept your invitation. She will board the train in Halomarch."
"Splendid. Thank you, Clarkson."

[OOC Context Note: Broadcast the day before Match Day 1.]

Melanie: From SPOT Studios in the heart of Cangham, we bring you the inaugural Football World Cup Preview, presented by Ping AI. I’m Melanie Soft, and I’m joined today by my colleague Weston Hall.
Weston: Greetings!
Melanie: Over the next two hours, we’re going to be breaking down the minutiae of the third Football World Cup in Ryxtylopia, and how your very own Overthinkers National Team is preparing. But first, let’s start with the basics. Weston, many of our viewers may be new to the World Cup, how would you explain the tournament in simple terms?
Weston: It really is quite simple, Melanie. Twenty-four teams of gladiators have entered the arena seeking the title and international glory. These teams are comprised of the mightiest champions of the countries they respectively represent. In the interest of narrative, these teams must prove themselves against each other in a series of matches before entering the yet-more-competitive knockout stage.
Weston: To prove themselves thus, teams have been assigned to four groups, each more or less evenly matched in skill to one another, but representing a wide range of skill within each group. Teams shall earn favor with the lords of the tourney by winning matches against their group, or a lesser amount of favor by tying. After each team has tested themselves against every other team in the group, the four teams most favored shall enter into the knockout stage.
[Melanie is smiling at the camera, but the pain behind her eyes is obvious.]
Weston: In the knockout stage, the stakes become higher. Each of these battles becomes a do-or-die situation for our gladiators. The victors live to fight another day, the losers will board a plane back home. We proceed from sixteen to eight, then to four, then finally to the last two teams remaining, who shall fight to claim the World Cup trophy.
Melanie: Great! Now, let’s introduce you to what teams are playing. We start with Group A, which includes Overthinkers.
[Graphic of Group A teams appears onscreen.]
Melanie: Notably, this group includes the hosts, Ryxtylopia, but also includes Larxia, one of the top 5 ranked teams in international play. Besides Larxia, the teams in this group are all either unranked or within 5 ranks of one another, meaning that at least on paper, anything can happen in this group.
Weston: Truly, this field was designed to give all a sporting chance, all the better for Overthinkers to improve upon their showing in the last World Cup.
Melanie: For the sake of brevity, I agree.
[Melanie runs through the remaining groups, with occasional interjections by Weston. Notably, Weston is thrilled by the uncertainty over whether Sasha of the Dalimbari team is a bear.]
Melanie: Now, before we go to break, we’ve asked our “special analyst” some questions in advance and gotten some prognostications. Let’s hear from our sponsor, Ping AI. Hey Ping, given the teams listed, who will win the World Cup?
Ping: Saint Mark.
Melanie: Interesting! Can you elaborate?
Ping: Because I said so.
Melanie: Great! We’ll be right back after the break to introduce you fully to your Overthinkers National Team.
[ad break]
[Coming out of the ad break, a hype video plays. Generic rock song plays as highlights and photos of OT players flash on screen, introducing each member of the starting lineup. It then ends with the Football World Cup graphic.]
Melanie: And we’re back with the Football World Cup Preview, presented by Ping AI. We’re taking a look now at our starting lineup.
[A graphic of the full team roster appears on screen.]
Melanie: Eight of last year’s starting eleven return this year, and two of last year’s reserves are starters this year. Altogether, there’s seven players making their World Cup debut, including Jeri M. Anders, who landed a starting role at forward.
Melanie: To truly get to know these players, let’s talk to someone who has been on the world stage with many of them before. We’re joined in the studio by Ian Reid, who is missing this World Cup due to injury. Ian, I know you’d rather be in Ryx with the team, but welcome to the studio.
Ian: Pleasure’s all mine, Melanie.
Melanie: So you’ve seen our roster for this year. Anything that immediately catches your eye here?
Ian: I said after our elimination last year that we had all the ingredients for success, but we weren’t prepared to execute. Seeing so many of the same people here, now with World Cup experience, I can only imagine we’re ready to grind.
Ian: I’ll call out Max Hamilton, here, my replacement. He was a reserve last year, got some play time in, but since then he’s really stepped up his game. He would have given me a run for the starting job even if I were healthy. I think he’s every bit as good as Elle and Ryan in the backfield.
Ian: Jeri, too. Even younger than Lukas and fully earned that starting job next to him. I spend some time at Highland this year and really liked what I saw from her and from that whole program. We’ve got some great younger players coming out of these smaller clubs that can only go up from here.
Weston: The youths also stir the hearts of the nation, displaying some spectacular showmanship on the field that deviates from the team’s normal, reserved strategy.
Ian: Yeah, and I’m torn on that, frankly. These younger players try to be flashy, they try to be heroes, and seeing Lukas go off last year only inflated their egos. This is Coach Luigi’s team, he wants you to defend the ball and score safely. Hopefully he can temper some of that recklessness.
Melanie: While the starters have a lot of experience, the reserves are majority newcomers to international play. What do you make of that?
Ian: They’re new to international play, but they’re not new to football. Petra and Stephen have three rings between them. Joy played for a long time at West and is accustomed to the rise and grind that this team plays. If they can shake off the nerves early, they’ll be just fine.
Melanie: Love it. Thanks for joining us today, Ian, and hope you can get back to the pitch soon.
Ian: Myself and my doctors have differing opinions on that. Cheers.
Melanie: Before we go to break, we have another question for our sponsor, Ping AI. Hey Ping, who will be the Overthinkers team MVP this World Cup?
Ping: Chris Peterson.
Melanie: Chris isn’t playing this year.
Ping: Chris Peterson.
Melanie: O-kay, stay tuned. After the break, we got a moment with the Overthinking team after they touched down in Ryxenia.
[ad break]
Weston: Welcome back, dear viewers, to the Football World Cup Preview, presented by the incomparable Ping AI. We’d lose our jobs if we actually used this product at SPOT, but that’s our problem, not yours.
Melanie: Ahem. Yes. Earlier this week, the Overthinkers National Team departed from Cangham International Airport and arrived in Ryxenia, the capital of Ryxtylopia. Once the team got through customs, we caught up with them in transit to their lodgings. Let’s hear now from field correspondent Emily Corral.
Emily [voiceover as B-roll plays]: The Overthinkers National Team has arrived in Ryxenia for the third Football World Cup. The city is warm and vibrant, and the streets are lined with football fans, thrilled to have an event of this significance on their home turf.
[Half of a protest sign comes into frame before the scene abruptly changes.]
Emily [now on-camera]: We’ve gotten exclusive access to the team bus as the team travels to one of Ryxenia’s finest hotels. I’m here standing next to Ray Chang, one of the veterans of this team. Ray, how was your trip?
Ray: It was just fine. We all thought the plane ride was shorter than expected, and when we got off, we were surrounded by some of the finest architecture we had ever seen. Like, completely blown away by how beautiful and grandiose everything was. But it turned out we had actually landed in Saint Mark. Our plane had an instrument issue that needed fixing. So by the time we got here to Ryxenia it was…
[Ambassador von Edelgard peeks out from the seat back behind Ray.]
Ray: ...also pretty great. You can tell there’s a lot of money in this place.
[von Edelgard recedes.]
Emily: I see. We now have Coach Wendell Luigi right here. Coach, how is the team feeling after the trip?
Coach: They’re ready to roll. It was a pretty smooth trip, despite the interruption. We’re all super locked in and ready to get practicing.
Emily: Now Coach, we haven’t had a chance to talk to you since Lucille Lyons resigned from the team at the last minute and then dropped off the map. Has there been any impact from that on the team?
Coach: I can’t speak from the players, they’re each dealing in their own way. All I have to say on the matter that’s fit for TV is, you picked a fine time to leave us, Lucille. But we were able to get George called up to fill her slot. The kid’s ecstatic—you can tell it’s a dream come true for him. I want to focus on the positivity of that.
Emily: Understood. You guys are playing Alchera in the first match. Are there any particular strategies you have for them?
Coach: Not particularly. They’re a solid team, we’re about evenly matched from what I saw last year. We will go out there and play our game, and make them play our game too. And we’ll adjust from there.
Emily: Larxia is far and away the strongest team in Group A. Do they give you any concern?
Coach: We only have to worry about them once before the knockouts. We’ll try our hardest, but we’re giving our all in every game.
Emily: Thanks for your time, Coach.
[Cut back to studio.]
Melanie: Thanks, Emily. Now, one more question for our sponsor, Ping AI. Ping, what World Cup team has the potential to be a dark horse this year?
Ping: Kalmach.
Melanie: Good call! Why is that?
Ping: Because I said so.
[ad break]

 

Results of the 1st Match Day of the Group Stage
Group A Ryxtylopia 1–1 Kalmach Larxia 1–1 Rivalfiume Overthinkers 1–0 Alchera (NPC) Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Overthinkers 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 2 Kalmach 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Larxia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Rivalfiume 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Ryxtylopia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 6 Alchera (NPC) 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 Group B Cambria 4–3 Peourouin United Adaikes 1–0 Sekiya Giovanniland 1–0 Teralyon Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Cambria 1 1 0 0 4 3 +1 3 2 Giovanniland 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 United Adaikes 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 4 Peourouin 1 0 0 1 3 4 −1 0 5 Sekiya 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 Teralyon 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 Group C Nieubasria 4–0 Ionia Fujai 1–0 Candelu Hertfordshire and Jammbo 0–0 Saint Mark Group C Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Nieubasria 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 2 Fujai 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 3 Hertfordshire and Jammbo 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Saint Mark 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 Candelu 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 6 Ionia 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0 Group D Arifiyyah 1–0 Aukera Dalimbar 1–0 Pedandria Zoran 2–1 Libterraria (NPC) Group D Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Zoran 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 2 Arifiyyah 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 Dalimbar 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 4 Libterraria (NPC) 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 5 Aukera 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 Pedandria 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0

The Big Day - Fire n’ Fireworks
 
As police cars stood outside and the checkpoints near the Rivalda calmed down from the wave of laser pointers collected, the ceremony finally began at 12:00, with important figures taking place at one of the boxes in the center part of one of the sides of the stadium.
The president of the FRF: Hildo Gailavéz stepped up to give a brief speech to a crowd, both Ryxtylopians foreigners and the press.
“I welcome everybody to Ryxtylopia, were me and the FRF, in cooperation with the government are proud to announce that after our bid for the III World Cup of Football was accepted we’re happy to receive you all here.”
Gailavéz slightly adjusts his tie.
“Its of the greatest honors for me the FRF and Ryxtylopia to host this tournament, and the intense work and investments have paid off, we are confident of our nation’s ability to host this tournament and i as well as all the people here hope that this tournament will be remembered as one of the best in the edition for decades to come.”
Gailavéz steps down as the crowd start applauding, in time for the president Edyuardo, to step up; a complicated man for sure, wanting to protect the average ryxtylopian whilst selling out the country’s labor, helping big business and allowing foreigners to set up a military presence in Ryxtylopia.
Edyuardo started his brief speech to oficially mark the start of the tournament, before the first match between Ryxtylopia and Kalmach would happen in a few hours.
The crowd applauds him.
“Thank you, thank you, like my fellow compatriot said i'm very proud that my country will get to host this tournament.”
Edyuardo pauses for a moment as he read the speech, just as the cameras focused on him to see a green dot, on his face, a laser had gotten through, however this laser was only able to stay focused on his face for less than half a minute as security forces off camera quickly apprehended to perpetrator and took them away.
“And now with this, im proud to announce, this 17th of November, of the year 1423 the World Cup of Football in Ryxtylopia, to mark the third edition of the tournament has now officially started!”
 

 
The crowd applauds and cheers, as bags of balloons are released; the president stays in place as a speaker announces:
“Now with accord with the law, we will honor the president of the nation, and all ryxtylopian citizens by playing the national anthem of the Ryxtylopian Federation, followed by the cultural tournament.”
The Ryxtylopian national anthem starts playing, most stood respectfully but a group in the crowd whistled and booed during the ordeal, while it wasn’t too loud, it was audible making it sort of an akward moment, for the duration of the anthem.
But soon after the anthem stopped, music started playing as the cultural exposition started, with traditional ryxtylopian music playing as dancers went to the pitch to give a brief cultural exposition.
This lasted about an hour before it ended, the president gave one final remark:
“And I give a cordial welcome to all the foreigners that have decided to travel here to watch the tournament. I and the rest of the ministers hope that you will have a great time here and this will be one of the best tournaments in the history of world football.”
The crowds cheered and some booed in the corner as the president stepped down, the fireworks were scheduled after the match with kalmach later in the day, for now he took another route into his limo waiting outside, since with about 4 hours left before the match, he needed to discuss things with Gilchabó, the two parted off from the stadium at 1:14 p.m. 
 

Mussa was startled by a sudden noise and opened one of his eyes. As he turned the lights on, the faint whirring of a lightbulb echoed throughout the room.
How long had he slept since he got back to the hotel room? Mussa quickly looked left and right, as if the walls could answer his question. The last days of training had been very demanding, and the long flight had not been kind to him, as he still had to recover fully.
He slowly got out of his bed and looked out of the window. Ryxenia’s bright city lights cut through the dark sky, as if they were a sea of artificial stars. Mussa had never traveled so far away in his life. He was used to living in his native town, small even by fluvian standards. Instead, the Ryxtylopian Capital seemed to stretch endlessly, and he struggled to visualize the sheer size of it. “A single city that contains almost all citizens of Rivalfiume,” he thought to himself. 
But Mussa’s thoughts were cut short by a faint siren noise, as several police lights briefly lit up the distant city streets, painting them bright blue. Mussa followed the police lights with his eyes, until they disappeared behind a large building. It seemed like a lot of police was required. He didn't think too much of it.

"Besides, it's such a huge city..."

Mussa admired the city landscape one more time before turning to his bed. “Sleeping will help me recover and stay sharp for the oncoming matches.” he thought, before shutting off the lights.

Giovannilandian National Football Team
Esquadra Nationale Giovanniterrana Pedesfere
Background:
Football, called pedesfera in Giovannese (from 'pede' meaning foot and 'sfera' meaning ball or sphere), is one of the most popular sports in the nation, alongside other common sports such as volleyball, rugby, and chess. Giovanniland has several notable teams competing in the nation's upper leagues that get millions of fans every year, such as the Bellatori Violeti (Warriors), the Quire Quorivane (Spears), the Arare Andoliavillesi (Macaws) and the Gavie Giovanniane (Hawks). These and other teams make up the Prima Liga with a total of 20 participants, the four highest getting the chance to play international tournaments while the four lowest are relegated to the Sekunda Liga, which has a similar system of promotions to the Prima Liga and relegations to the Tertia Liga.
Style mod: +2
Stadium: Arena Abrentana, Giovannia
Manager: Teresa Albavetta
Coach: Hettor Ottavio-Linare
Starting XI:
Name Age Position Home City Sergio Pradobeno-Turri 26 Goalkeeper Andoliavilla Tiberio Nyima-Zutrino 21 Center Back Uryde Manuella Giakobo 28 Center Back Porto Violeto Onofrio Kalvente-Amafini 24 Left Outside Back Nenofre Vittoria Oriastella 25 Right Outside Back Islamagna Lorentio Santo-Ferrari 29 Defending Midfield Annavilla Gabriella Orfeo 27 Center Midfield Amorante Giustiniano Nottua-Glabrio 21 Attacking Midfield Abrentopole Gustavo Zapata (C) 22 Striker Giovannia Klementina de Abreo-Florino 23 Striker Quorivo Matteo Ventomar 21 Striker Andoliavilla Reserve Players:
Name Age Position Home City Mariano Aqualta Voluseno 23 Goalkeeper Lunoddo Amanda Savora 27 Goalkeeper Abrentopole Sandra Persona-Fonti 20 Center Back Karlopole Valentino Rustikellio 25 Center Back Bayabella Margerita Desnia Aristo 23 Center Back Villaflori Teodoro Sonserina 21 Center Back Kastellavando Giuno Linare-Talisio 26 Left Outside Back Flaviopole Gioseppe Offerio-Apustio 27 Left Outside Back Annavilla Tadeo Gyasso 23 Right Outside Back Giovannia Sergio Feragi Faustiano 24 Right Outside Back Porto Violeto Erasmo Vedio-Sabidio 30 Defending Midfield Vinikiana Liana Arboreto Amorante 25 Defending Midfield Dazano Nikolo Veranio 27 Center Midfield Gioseppole Mara Erdene-Aruna 19 Center Midfield Potestana Giovanni-Pietro Lamontana 21 Attacking Midfield Portovini Hortensia Purparbone 24 Attacking Midfield Uryde Mariana Lavandula-Savora 28 Striker Porto Violeto Tarutio Lukulli 19 Striker Giovannia Aurelio Duvina 21 Striker Karlopole Emilia Artena-Lurtone 25 Striker Ferdira Terentio Ugyeno 23 Striker Nova Lavanda Giordana Gavio-Akronio 22 Striker Salvoregno Jerseys:

If my opponent RPs first, they may...
Injure my players: no
Assign my players yellow cards: yes
Assign my players red cards: yes
Godmod injuries: no
Godmod scoring: no
Godmod other events: no

The players get settled in for a long flight all the way to the Northern Auran nation of Ryxtylopia, where 24 deserving teams will fight it out for the Grand Prize, the Football World Cup trophy.
The star-studded team of the Andolian juggernaut, Larxia, ranked 4th in the World of Football, has had quite the history with the trophy. They came so close to winning it all in the 1st World Cup, but narrowly missed out on the greatest honour in the world of football, denied by Nieubasria. The 2nd time-around, Larxia once again made it to the quarterfinals. Another heartbreaking moment for Larxia in the history of Football World Cup.
This time the players look prepared to get it all for our nation, they have gone there as a unit stronger than ever before. The bonding and brotherhood of the team has been higher than ever before. The players have quite literally fought for each other, with every team-mate rallying behind the most influential and inspirational captain in the history of Larxian football. He has been one of the greatest ambassadors of Larxian football across Esferos.
There was a slight concern regarding the World Cup being hosted by Ryxtylopia, due to the nation's history of the oppression of the poor. Several influential figures cited the mistreatment of citizens as a Human Rights issue. This had the football fans in Larxia divided. Some believed that the Larxian nation must uphold the standards of Human Rights and boycott the tournament being held in the Auran nation, while others believed that this was an internal issue of Ryxtylopia, that must not be interfered with. To clear any speculations of Larxia participating in the tournament, the FFL President, Mr. Nahuel Garcia, made a clear statement that the FFL will be sending a delegation to Ryxtylopia for the upcoming Football World Cup. He also highlighted the importance of separating sport and politics in his public statement.

WORLD FOOTBALL IS BACK!
After nearly two weeks of training camp in the capital, the Orangutan Rangers squad is expected to prepare for the third edition of the Esferos World Cup that will take place in Ryxtylopia. "The national squad has shown excellent performance in the last edition, and this year, we have the opportunity to bring the Cup home to our home. It is my hope and that of all Arifians that all the players will play hard for the country," said youth and sports minister Dato Isma. His Majesty Sultan Arif has also agreed to sponsor two planes for the supporters.
 
Reporter: Good day everyone! I, Ahmad Maslan, Arifiyyah's Times sports reporter reporting from Ryxtylopia. I am now with the manager of the Arifiyyah FA team, Mr. Mikel Artery. So sir, what is your reaction to the teams you will face?
 Manager: We never underestimate any team through the ranking, and we expect a challenge from all teams. We will also give our best to bring home the championship in this edition.
Reporter: Next we have our team captain,HRH Muhammad Nazhim, what are your comments for this edition of the world cup? 
Captain: Yes, we are always ready and looking ahead. We are here fighting to carry the trust and hope of millions of Arifians. Taking this opportunity, I would also like to thank the host for providing the best facilities for us to practice. 
Reporter: Thank you. So, that's it for now, let's back to the studio.
 

ARIFIYYAH WILL FACING AUKERA IN THE 1ST MATCHDAY OF GROUP D

THE SQUAD ARRIVED AT THE RYX AIRPORT

MUHAMMAD NAZHIM (MIDDLE) WITH  AMAR KHALID(RIGHT) AND SYAMER(LEFT) AT THE TRAINING CAMP
 

As I sit in the bustling Tarajeva international airport, eagerly awaiting my flight to Ryxtylopia, the anticipation for the upcoming Third World Cup is palpable. The vibrant energy of football enthusiasts, draped in jerseys representing nations from across the globe, fills the air.
Ryxtylopia, a nation known for its rich cultural tapestry and warm hospitality, is set to host the world's premier football event for the first time. As a local journalist from Teralyon, I find myself on the cusp of a unique and exciting experience, ready to witness the beautiful game unfold in a new and exotic setting.
The journey to Ryxtylopia promises more than just the thrill of football. The host country has spared no effort in creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for fans and players alike. From the majestic stadiums nestled against the backdrop of Ryxtylopia's stunning landscapes to the carefully curated cultural events, the Third World Cup is shaping up to be a celebration of unity and diversity.
Local Ryxtylopian cuisine, a delightful fusion of flavors, awaits visitors, promising a gastronomic journey that mirrors the diversity of the participating nations. As I prepare for my flight, I can't help but imagine the roar of the crowds, the dramatic goals, and the shared moments of joy that will undoubtedly define this World Cup.
The tournament holds great significance for Ryxtylopia, not only as a sporting spectacle but also as an opportunity to showcase its warmth and hospitality to the world. The enthusiasm of the local population is infectious, with communities coming together to celebrate the spirit of football and extend a warm welcome to visitors from every corner of the globe.
As the plane taxis down the runway, I carry with me the excitement of a Teralyon journalist fortunate enough to witness history unfold in Ryxtylopia. The Third World Cup is not just about goals and victories; it's a testament to the power of sport to transcend borders and bring people together. Here's to a tournament that promises unforgettable moments and leaves a lasting imprint on the hearts of football fans worldwide.