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Fencing with Foils

 
This week will see the Esferiad Fencing competition with the foil. Earler, we discussed some of the important points about fencing in general. Let's go into the details of fencing with a foil.

What is a foil? Well in fencing, a foil is one of the three swords we use (see our previous article).
The foil itself has a rectangular shaped steel blade as opposed to the epee’s triangular silhouette. The blade, like all other blades in fencing, is extremely flexible in order to prevent harming your opponent, or the blade. 
The maximum length of the blade is 90cm. With the tip of the blade covered by an electric button, and a pommel at the bottom, the maximum blade for the entire sword in itself is 110cm.
Where the blade meets the handle there is a guard, meant to protect the hand from the opposing sword. The guard on the foil is a lot flatter than the epee, but still circular. It’s like a small dome surrounding the hand. 
The handle of the blade can be either a classic french grip or pistol grip. The french grip is a grip shaped like the grip on a hammer, but it’s not held like a hammer. This grip is more classical, however a lot of fencers prefer the pistol grip (named for its resemblance to a pistol).
On electric swords, the tip of the blade is covered by a button, connected through the blade and into a socket in the hand guard. This socket is connected to a wire that runs through the fencer’s clothing, and to a light or a buzzer, which is activated when the button is touched.
On non-electric swords, which are used for practice, there’s no electricity, or button. Just a plane rubber tip, covering the point of the blade.

With a high demand for accuracy and good form, foil fencing is about as classy as fencing could get. And with a need for good form, there also comes a need for knowledge of the rules. As complex as they may be.
In addition to the normal rules in fencing, foil has its own specifications to certain parts of the rule book.
The goal in any fencing match is to touch your sword to your opponent’s target area. In foil fencing, the goal is to thrust the tip of your sword directly onto your opponent’s target area, which includes the torso, back, abdomen and crotch.


To win, a player must get 15 points, or have the most points after 3 rounds. However, if the final bout ends in a tie, a priority minute is set.
The priority minute is a one minute bout, where one fencer is given “priority” by the judges. This “priority” determines which fencer wins the bout, if neither player scores a point within the minute.

In foil, as well as sabre fencing, there is a rule implemented called “right of way”, or “priority. A lot of people are confused by this rule, but it’s not as complex as most people make it out to be.
In order to understand this rule, we need to figure out what it’s for. The right of way was made to enforce aggressive fencing, with good form, from each fencer. 
During a fencing bout, the fencer who is playing more aggressively, or with better form, is given the right of way.
The player with the right of way, is given a point if both fencers make a touch simultaneously. Simple as that.
However, the right of way can be taken if the defensive fencer successfully parries an attack, But will be given back to the other fencer, if they don’t follow up with an attack. This is what makes the parry and riposte so important.
This rule does not exist in epee, because if each player touches at the same time, they both get a point.
Let's discuss one of the moves often utitilzed by Saint Mark fencing, and perfected by Prince Marcarius.
His Serene Highness' fléche has three steps to it. Firstly, he starts by pointing his blade up so that his opponent’s blade is also up (in case it isn’t already there). The point of doing this is to uncover his opponent’s bottom target. Secondly, he feints on the bottom target by moving his entire forearm downward (moving his entire forearm is critical because that’s what makes the feint visible to the opponent). In other words, making his move look very apparent is key because that’s what makes his opponent fall for his feint. Thirdly, he finishes on sixth (or up), which is the line he uncovered in the first two steps. When done right, these three steps can make his indirect flèche unstoppable.
 
Credit: adapted from https://fencingprodigy.com/what-is-a-foil/ 

Tupmonia Close to Glory?
Nine days in and Tupmonia has yet to see any medals yet. Now being eliminated from several sports Tupmonia looks to find glory in the several other sports that remain. 
In the Hammer Throw Tupmonia didn't put on any special show. Mark Silver place 16th, while Ben Roiman and Adin Fogi placed towards the bottom of the rankings. 
In Lightweight Boxing, Tupmonia is off to a hot start. Joseph Niyazov, a famed boxer with a staggering record of 33-2 in the Tupmonia Boxing Association (TBA) beat out Bria Eaton (UAD) with a final score of 9-7. On the other hand, John Piklo took a beating from Osgar Froste (NIU) and lost 13-2. 
Joseph Niyazov dominated in round 3 against Crystal Newport (UAD) and won 12-1. Tomorrow, Joseph Niyazov will face off with Rachel Cordina (TCM) in the semi-finals. 
In Freestyle Wrestling, Tupmonia nearly saw their first medal of the II Esferiad. Yehud Farca beat Barnett Hiwot (BLB) 3-1 in the Repechage match. However, Farca lost in the Bronze Medal Match against Ulysses Yang Schmidt (GIO) with a final score of 3-1. Yehud Farca reportedly suffered and injury towards the end of the match and he will undergo an MRI in the coming days. 
Tupmonia took losses in Indoor Volleyball, Field Hockey, and Football to conclude the day nine results. 
Tupmonia seems to get closer to a medal with each passing day. Hopefully Tupmonia will see their first medal soon enough. 

HEADLINES–DAY EIGHT
- Orandia places sixth in the swimming team all-around, with 21 points.
- Celeste Blanc places 41st in the gymnastics floor exercise qualifiers, with a score of 14.125.
- Lisa Zenik places 17th in the semifinals, with a score of 14.300. 
- Jules Beaufils places eighth in the finals, with a score of 13.150.
- Roméo Azaïs, with a score of 16.175 in the finals, breaks the previous Esferic record and wins Orandia a bronze medal.
- The Orandian water polo team loses 7-9 to Fujai, along with their spot in the semifinal.
- The Orandian indoor volleyball team wins against Hertfordshire and Jammbo, placing them third in their group.
 
COMMENTARY
"I'm Lex Lascar, live at the Esferiad, bringing you some good news and some bad news. First piece of good news: Roméo Azaïs has earned us yet another bronze for his stunning floor routine. Let's check it out."
[A clip from Roméo's routine plays, set to upbeat, classical music. The studio audience cheers.]
"Incredible! Second piece of good news: Martin Garness is alive and well. According to the doctors at Kharventhin Teaching Hospital, his rotator cuff is fixable, and he'll be back in the pool well before the next Esferiad. And now for the less-than-good news, Orandia: our dear water polo team played their last game of the event today, losing to Cambria in the quarterfinals. As someone who's been watching them since the very start of the Esferiad, I am going to miss them. Let's take a look back at how far they've come in these past eight days."
[A slideshow plays, showing one photo after another of the Orandian water polo team in action, listing every win and loss along the way. It ends with a photo of the entire team posing for the camera, with big smiles on their faces, the person in the center holding a water polo ball. The image fades back to Lex, who is imitating one of the poses.]
"Lots and lots of memories there. I hope the team has had fun being here. I know I certainly have. Now, after the break, we'll hear from Roméo himself about his shiny new medal!"
 
LOOKING AHEAD–DAY NINE
- Match day four for the Orandian indoor volleyball team.
- Orandia's four gymnasts perform on the balance beam.

"Another Silver, sir!" Clarkson beamed.
"Yes, and it was a lot of fun competing, Clarkson," answered Prince Marcarius with a smile. "I only wish Saint Mark had been doing better this Esferiad. Only one Gold so far is a little disappointing ... especially when several of our top competitors are bested by contestants who hadn't shown the skill to do so in the past. It has been a few months since some of them have competed, though. I know they couldn't have been working harder than our athletes in the meantime, but perhaps they have just hit upon the right strategies. Chance and the Fates, Luck if you will ... all of that comes into play. No matter, though. We still have a team of which I am quite proud."
"Quite so, sir."
"What do you think about Standish's suggestion to invite all of the Esferiad competitors to the Gala this year?"
"Well, it seems to me that that would be a bit unfair to Saint Mark's own athletes, sir. They should be able to enjoy one night focused on our appreciation of their contributions without sharing the lime light as it were."
"That was my thought too, Clarkson. It would raise more money, but the event has a two-fold purpose, and we must not lose sight of that. Perhaps we'll develop a different opportunity to socialize with the other nations' teams."
"Yes, sir."

Kasper Petrovikan to take leadership of Komity
The popular sportsman Kasper Petrovikan, Brother of Mpitarika and head of Komity Kassakira Petrovikan, is due to take over responsibilities of the Blue Bubble Esferiad Komity after this year's games. This stems from the notice the Komity shared yesterday, with Kassakira commenting to Glenpa News: "I think the Komity needs an athlete to run things, who understands both business and sports. There is no one I trust more than my brother to manage things for next year's games."
The 24-year-old has managed to win silver in the Archery of the games this year, and has been quoted that his sister has been his biggest supporter since the beginning of his sporting journey. Since the event, he has been working with the presenters of Glenpavia Sports Network's Summer Esferiad channel, offering insight and knowledge on this year's athletes.
Just yesterday, the BBEK published a notice about the athletes' performance at the start of the games in that athletes are performing to the best of their ability, and that luck was also on their side in the medal sweep. This was also submitted with published 2nd drug tests of the athletes. At the current moment in time, Blue Bubble is second in the medal standings with a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. This is just behind leader Giovanniland who has 32 medals: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.

Kasper Petrovikan to take leadership of Komity
The popular sportsman Kasper Petrovikan, Brother of Mpitarika and head of Komity Kassakira Petrovikan, is due to take over responsibilities of the Blue Bubble Esferiad Komity after this year's games. This stems from the notice the Komity shared yesterday, with Kassakira commenting to Glenpa News: "I think the Komity needs an athlete to run things, who understands both business and sports. There is no one I trust more than my brother to manage things for next year's games."
The 24-year-old has managed to win silver in the Archery of the games this year, and has been quoted that his sister has been his biggest supporter since the beginning of his sporting journey. Since the event, he has been working with the presenters of Glenpavia Sports Network's Summer Esferiad channel, offering insight and knowledge on this year's athletes.
Just yesterday, the BBEK published a notice about the athletes' performance at the start of the games in that athletes are performing to the best of their ability, and that luck was also on their side in the medal sweep. This was also submitted with published 2nd drug tests of the athletes. At the current moment in time, Blue Bubble is second in the medal standings with a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. This is just behind leader Giovanniland who has 32 medals: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.

Kasper Petrovikan to take leadership of Komity
The popular sportsman Kasper Petrovikan, Brother of Mpitarika and head of Komity Kassakira Petrovikan, is due to take over responsibilities of the Blue Bubble Esferiad Komity after this year's games. This stems from the notice the Komity shared yesterday, with Kassakira commenting to Glenpa News: "I think the Komity needs an athlete to run things, who understands both business and sports. There is no one I trust more than my brother to manage things for next year's games."
The 24-year-old has managed to win silver in the Archery of the games this year, and has been quoted that his sister has been his biggest supporter since the beginning of his sporting journey. Since the event, he has been working with the presenters of Glenpavia Sports Network's Summer Esferiad channel, offering insight and knowledge on this year's athletes.
Just yesterday, the BBEK published a notice about the athletes' performance at the start of the games in that athletes are performing to the best of their ability, and that luck was also on their side in the medal sweep. This was also submitted with published 2nd drug tests of the athletes. At the current moment in time, Blue Bubble is second in the medal standings with a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. This is just behind leader Giovanniland who has 32 medals: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.

Kasper Petrovikan to take leadership of Komity
The popular sportsman Kasper Petrovikan, Brother of Mpitarika and head of Komity Kassakira Petrovikan, is due to take over responsibilities of the Blue Bubble Esferiad Komity after this year's games. This stems from the notice the Komity shared yesterday, with Kassakira commenting to Glenpa News: "I think the Komity needs an athlete to run things, who understands both business and sports. There is no one I trust more than my brother to manage things for next year's games."
The 24-year-old has managed to win silver in the Archery of the games this year, and has been quoted that his sister has been his biggest supporter since the beginning of his sporting journey. Since the event, he has been working with the presenters of Glenpavia Sports Network's Summer Esferiad channel, offering insight and knowledge on this year's athletes.
Just yesterday, the BBEK published a notice about the athletes' performance at the start of the games in that athletes are performing to the best of their ability, and that luck was also on their side in the medal sweep. This was also submitted with published 2nd drug tests of the athletes. At the current moment in time, Blue Bubble is second in the medal standings with a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. This is just behind leader Giovanniland who has 32 medals: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.

Kasper Petrovikan to take leadership of Komity
The popular sportsman Kasper Petrovikan, Brother of Mpitarika and head of Komity Kassakira Petrovikan, is due to take over responsibilities of the Blue Bubble Esferiad Komity after this year's games. This stems from the notice the Komity shared yesterday, with Kassakira commenting to Glenpa News: "I think the Komity needs an athlete to run things, who understands both business and sports. There is no one I trust more than my brother to manage things for next year's games."
The 24-year-old has managed to win silver in the Archery of the games this year, and has been quoted that his sister has been his biggest supporter since the beginning of his sporting journey. Since the event, he has been working with the presenters of Glenpavia Sports Network's Summer Esferiad channel, offering insight and knowledge on this year's athletes.
Just yesterday, the BBEK published a notice about the athletes' performance at the start of the games in that athletes are performing to the best of their ability, and that luck was also on their side in the medal sweep. This was also submitted with published 2nd drug tests of the athletes. At the current moment in time, Blue Bubble is second in the medal standings with a total of 31 medals: 9 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. This is just behind leader Giovanniland who has 32 medals: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.

Swimming Team All-Around Rank Pts 1 94 Giovanniland (GIO) - Gold 2 56 Blue Bubble (BLB) - Silver 3 41 Santo-Dominius (SDS) - Bronze 4 39 Niuebasria (NIU) 5 36 Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) 6 21 Orandia (ORA) 7 18 Fujai (FJA) 8 17 Larxia (LXA) 9 17 Saint Mark (SMK) 10 13 Cambria (TCM) 11 7 Arifiyyah (ARF) 12 4 Dalimbar (DAL) 4 Dilber (DIL) Teams were ranked by Finals finishes across Swimming events, 10 pts to 1st, 9 pts to 2nd, 8 pts to 3rd, etc. Gymnastics Floor Exercise Qualifying 1 Solange Souza Kandray (GIO) 15.875 - Q 2 Romeo Saramay Mateus (GIO) 15.600 - Q 3 Norton Page (UAD) 15.500 - Q 4 Roméo Azaïs (ORA) 15.475 - Q 5 Niko Balodis (HEJ) 15.300 - Q 6 Isaias Delchiaro-Varenbert (GIO) 15.275 - Q Kylie Irving (LXA) 15.275 - Q 8 Ellie Tinkler (TCM) 15.250 - Q 9 Karipos Buchert (NIU) 15.225 - Q 10 Aki Shima (BLB) 15.200 - Q 11 Klaus Cirulis (HEJ) 15.150 - Q 12 Cooper Kinsleye (NIU) 15.050 - Q 13 Case Boone (TCM) 15.025 - Q 14 Rebecca Tinkler (TCM) 14.925 - Q Trym Ringstad (FJA) 14.925 - Q 16 Eutharic Andriani (NIU) 14.875 - Q 17 Habeeb Harun (ARF) 14.850 - Q 18 Lisa Zenik (ORA) 14.825 - Q Luciano Annabelle-Taspein (GIO) 14.825 - Q Vivien Sampaio (NIU) 14.825 - Q 21 Jules Beaufils (ORA) 14.600 - Q 22 Marcelin Castilla (DAL) 14.550 - Q Vara aliteralchild (DIL) 14.550 - Q 24 Babajide Ito (BLB) 14.475 Imran Akiyama (BLB) 14.475 - Q (coin toss) James Jordan (LXA) 14.475 Michael Attinson (LXA) 14.475 28 Kristian Bevan (TCM) 14.450 Nhung Okafor (BLB) 14.450 30 Porter Browne (UAD) 14.400 Silvana Mantovani (GIO) 14.400 32 Yuuta Satou (BLB) 14.375 33 Maeghan Blackwood (UAD) 14.350 34 Bork (DIL) 14.325 Siti Safiyyah (ARF) 14.325 36 Brunella Silje (DAL) 14.300 37 Adelaida Kerry (UAD) 14.250 38 Amit Aldegund (DIL) 14.200 39 Ivette Blanchet (DAL) 14.175 40 Bjørn Skretting (FJA) 14.150 41 Bort (DIL) 14.125 Céleste Blanc (ORA) 14.125 43 Nile Whitlock (TCM) 14.100 44 Darell Donalds (UAD) 14.000 45 Dany Olander (DAL) 13.975 46 Hilde Barre (DAL) 13.925 47 Chris Ostapenko (HEJ) 13.800 48 Futo Matvijchuk (HEJ) 13.750 49 Borko (DIL) 13.725 50 Yngve Myhre (FJA) 13.675 51 Seren Harri (NIU) 13.625 Valentina Fossum (FJA) 13.625 53 Kristian Ringstad (FJA) 13.450 54 Jimena Jimenez (LXA) 12.400 Semifinal 1 Roméo Azaïs (ORA) 16.525 - Q - New Esferic record! 2 Klaus Cirulis (HEJ) 16.375 - Q - Broke previous record 3 Karipos Buchert (NIU) 15.875 - Q 4 Eutharic Andriani (NIU) 15.750 - Q 5 Trym Ringstad (FJA) 15.600 - Q 6 Jules Beaufils (ORA) 15.450 - Q 7 Isaias Delchiaro-Varenbert (GIO) 15.425 - Q Luciano Annabelle-Taspein (GIO) 15.425 - Q 9 Vivien Sampaio (NIU) 15.400 10 Cooper Kinsleye (NIU) 15.200 Romeo Saramay Mateus (GIO) 15.200 12 Imran Akiyama (BLB) 14.825 13 Ellie Tinkler (TCM) 14.425 Marcelin Castilla (DAL) 14.425 15 Vara aliteralchild (DIL) 14.375 16 Case Boone (TCM) 14.350 17 Lisa Zenik (ORA) 14.300 18 Habeeb Harun (ARF) 14.275 19 Aki Shima (BLB) 14.225 Solange Souza Kandray (GIO) 14.225 21 Kylie Irving (LXA) 14.000 22 Rebecca Tinkler (TCM) 13.875 23 Norton Page (UAD) 13.850 24 Niko Balodis (HEJ) 12.375 Final 1 Eutharic Andriani (NIU) 16.350 - Gold - Broke previous record 2 Karipos Buchert (NIU) 16.250 - Silver - Broke previous record 3 Roméo Azaïs (ORA) 16.175 - Bronze - Broke previous record 4 Isaias Delchiaro-Varenbert (GIO) 15.375 5 Luciano Annabelle-Taspein (GIO) 15.275 6 Klaus Cirulis (HEJ) 15.025 7 Trym Ringstad (FJA) 14.250 8 Jules Beaufils (ORA) 13.150 Karate Kata Stage 1 Round of 16 Della Vancee (NIU) - bye Leo Campo (DAL) def. by Lisa Lazarenko (HEJ) Abe Yama (BLB) def. Kara Lee (LXA) Gunni Gough (NIU) def. by Nikolai Landsem (FJA) Taki Nishi (BLB) def. Fabricio Sala (UAD) Kumi Mura (BLB) def. by Gustav Wellington (SMK) Godascalc Grec (NIU) def. JC Florence (LXA) Eden Myroshnychenko (HEJ) def. by Ollie Kassman (TCM) Quarterfinal Lisa Lazarenko (HEJ) def. Della Vancee (NIU) Nikolai Landsem (FJA) def. by Abe Yama (BLB) Gustav Wellington (SMK) def. Taki Nishi (BLB) Godascalc Grec (NIU) def. by Ollie Kassman (TCM) Tomorrow: Semifinal, Final Lisa Larazenko (HEJ) vs Abe Yama (BLB) Gustav Wellington (SMK) vs Ollie Kassman (TCM) Freestyle Wrestling Stage 1 Round of 32 Yehud Farca - bye Vicky Webster (TCM) 0–3 Oswin Whittlee (NIU) Lou Beverly (UAD) 3–1 Isabele Kidd (DAL) Sonny Tiler (TCM) 1–3 Gilmar Opheryk-Sousa (GIO) Pavlina Kaube (DAL) 4–0 Emil Ullestad (FJA) Takumi Furman (HEJ) 0–3 Shirley Koymcarrill (GIO) Kane (DIL) 1–3 Lucy Lazarenko (HEJ) Barnett Hiwot (BLB) 3–0 Heike Mathers (DAL) Ray Gold (TUP) 3–1 John Loser (SMK) Azim Bibo (TUP) 0–3 Jake Jackson (LXA) The Undertaker (DIL) 3–1 Alard Sala (NIU) Ulysses Yang Schmidt (GIO) 3–1 Kano Abiodun (BLB) John Cena (DIL) 1–3 Percy Winner (SMK) Gerhardt Wurst (SMK) 1–3 Rita Kahina (BLB) Florentino Luis (LXA) 3–0 Tilde Stangeland (FJA) Iestyn Perry (NIU) 3–0 Alejandro Gomez (LXA) Round of 16 Lou Beverly (UAD) 1–3 Yehud Farca (TUP) Pavlina Kaube (DAL) 0–3 Gilmar Opheryk-Sousa (GIO) Lucy Lazarenko (HEJ) 1–3 Shirley Koymcarrill (GIO) Ray Gold (TUP) 1–4 Barnett Hiwot (BLB) The Undertaker (DIL) 1–3 Jake Jackson (LXA) Ulysses Yang Schmidt (GIO) 3–1 Percy Winner (SMK) Rita Kahina (BLB) 1–3 Florentino Luis (LXA) Iestyn Perry (NIU) 3–1 Oswin Whittlee (NIU) Quarterfinal Gilmar Opheryk-Sousa (GIO) 3–0 Yehud Farca (TUP) Shirley Koymcarrill (GIO) 3–1 Barnett Hiwot (BLB) Jake Jackson (LXA) 1–3 Ulysses Yang Schmidt (GIO) Florentino Luis (LXA) 3–1 Iestyn Perry (NIU) Tomorrow: Semifinal, Repechage, Final Gilmar Opheryk-Sousa (GIO) vs Shirley Koymcarrill (GIO) Ulysses Yang Schmidt (GIO) vs Florentino Luis (LXA) Fencing Individual Épée Stage 2 Semifinal Glenn Woods (NIU) 15–3 Rakel Dahl (FJA) Marcarius Halohin (SMK) 14–13 Hailie Walmsleye (NIU) Bronze Medal Match Rakel Dahl (FJA) 14–11 Hailie Walmsleye (NIU) Gold Medal Match Glenn Woods (NIU) 15–10 Marcarius Halohin (SMK) Bronze: Rakel Dahl (FJA) Silver: Marcarius Halohin (SMK) Gold: Glenn Woods (NIU) Baseball Final Bronze Medal Game Cambria (TCM) 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 - Bronze Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 Gold Medal Game Giovanniland (GIO) 0 0 1 2 0 4 1 0 0 8 - Silver Nieubasria (NIU) 0 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 X 10 - Gold Beach Volleyball Final Bronze Medal Match Frisk Dachev/Robert Spïdwagen (HEJ) 21 10 15 - Bronze Tor Uthus/Ådne Dyrnes (FJA) 13 21 7 Gold Medal Match Olukayode Pinho/Imaculada Ventura (BLB) 21 11 15 - Gold Alexandre Elysthin-Zhao/Elisabeth Sanchez (GIO) 17 21 13 - Silver Water Polo Quarterfinal Nieubasria (NIU) 6–10 Giovanniland (GIO) Larxia (LXA) 10–7 Blue Bubble (BLB) Cambria (TCM) 9–7 Orandia (ORA) Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) 11–8 Teralyon (TLN) Tomorrow: Semifinal Giovanniland (GIO) vs Larxia (LXA) Cambria (TCM) vs Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) Basketball Quarterfinal Giovanniland (GIO) 83–67 Arifiyyah (ARF) Nieubasria (NIU) 80–76 Larxia (LXA) Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) 75–60 Dilber (DIL) Cambria (TCM) 83–56 Fuentana (FNT) Tomorrow: Semifinal Giovanniland (GIO) vs Nieubasria (NIU) Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) vs Cambria (TCM) Handball MD4 Group A Giovanniland (GIO) 29–22 Dalimbar (DAL) Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 United Adaikes 2 2 0 0 61 46 +15 6 2 Giovanniland 3 2 0 1 80 73 +7 6 3 Dalimbar 3 0 0 3 65 87 −22 0 Group B Fujai (FJA) 24–23 Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Larxia 2 2 0 0 58 50 +8 6 2 Fujai 3 2 0 1 78 74 +4 6 3 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 3 0 0 3 69 81 −12 0 Group C Tupmonia (TUP) 24–27 Nieubasria (NIU) Group C Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Nieubasria 3 3 0 0 90 77 +13 9 2 Cambria 2 1 0 1 52 58 −6 3 3 Tupmonia 3 0 0 3 85 92 −7 0 Lacrosse MD4 Group A Giovanniland (GIO) 9–8 Dalimbar (DAL) Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Dalimbar 3 2 0 1 36 24 +12 6 2 Giovanniland 3 2 0 1 28 22 +6 6 3 United Adaikes 2 0 0 2 10 28 −18 0 Group B Dilber (DIL) 4–12 Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 3 3 0 0 40 23 +17 9 2 Larxia 2 1 0 1 14 13 +1 3 3 Dilber 3 0 0 3 22 40 −18 0 Group C Nieubasria (NIU) 9–5 Fujai (FJA) Group C Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Nieubasria 3 3 0 0 40 20 +20 9 2 Cambria 2 1 0 1 26 21 +5 3 3 Fujai 3 0 0 3 18 43 −25 0 Indoor Volleyball MD3 Group A Blue Bubble (BLB) 23 25 25 25 United Adaikes (UAD) 25 19 16 20 Group A Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts 1 Blue Bubble 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6 2 United Adaikes 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 3 3 Dalimbar 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0 Group B Larxia (LXA) 21 12 22 Giovanniland (GIO) 25 25 25 Fhaengshia (FHA) 21 17 25 25 16 Tupmonia (TUP) 25 25 22 18 14 Group B Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts 1 Giovanniland 3 3 0 0 9 0 +9 9 2 Larxia 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6 3 Fhaengshia 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 3 4 Tupmonia 3 0 0 3 3 9 −6 0 Group C Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) 18 18 20 Orandia (ORA) 25 25 25 Nieubasria (NIU) 22 23 25 25 15 Fujai (FJA) 25 25 17 15 9 Group C Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts 1 Fujai 3 2 0 1 8 5 +3 6 2 Nieubasria 3 2 0 1 8 7 +1 6 3 Orandia 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3 4 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 3 1 0 2 4 8 −4 3 Field Hockey MD2 Group A Tupmonia (TUP) 0–2 Dalimbar (DAL) Nieubasria (NIU) 2–4 Cambria (TCM) Giovanniland (GIO) 0–3 Arifiyyah (ARF) Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Cambria 2 2 0 0 7 2 +5 6 2 Arifiyyah 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 3 3 Nieubasria 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 3 4 Dalimbar 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1 3 5 Giovanniland 2 1 0 1 3 5 −2 3 6 Tupmonia 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3 0 Group B United Adaikes (UAD) 1–4 Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) Larxia (LXA) 1–1 Fujai (FJA) Blue Bubble (BLB) 4–4 Fhaengshia (FHA) Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Blue Bubble 2 1 1 0 9 6 +3 4 2 Larxia 2 1 1 0 6 4 +2 4 3 Fujai 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 4 4 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 3 5 Fhaengshia 2 0 1 1 7 9 −2 1 6 United Adaikes 2 0 0 2 3 9 −6 0 Football MD2 Group A United Adaikes (UAD) 0–2 Fujai (FJA) Giovanniland (GIO) 2–0 Arifiyyah (ARF) Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Fujai 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 6 2 Giovanniland 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 3 Arifiyyah 2 1 0 1 1 2 −1 3 4 Tupmonia 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 5 United Adaikes 2 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0 Group B Dalimbar (DAL) 2–1 Fuentana (FNT) Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Dalimbar 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 2 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Larxia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 4 Fuentana 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0 Group C Cambria (TCM) 1–0 Dilber (DIL) Group C Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Nieubasria 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3 2 Cambria 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 3 Dilber 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0 4 Fhaengshia 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0 Rugby Sevens MD2 Group A Nieubasria (NIU) 26–14 Dalimbar (DAL) Giovanniland (GIO) 12–26 Cambria (TCM) Group A Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts 1 Cambria 2 2 0 0 47 31 +16 6 2 Nieubasria 2 1 0 1 45 35 +10 3 3 Fhaengshia 1 0 1 0 19 19 0 1 4 Dalimbar 2 0 1 1 33 45 −12 1 5 Giovanniland 1 0 0 1 12 26 −14 0 Group B United Adaikes (UAD) 10–25 Hertfordshire & Jammbo (HEJ) Blue Bubble (BLB) 21–17 Fujai (FJA) Group B Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts 1 Larxia 1 1 0 0 33 19 +14 3 2 Blue Bubble 1 1 0 0 21 17 +4 3 3 Hertfordshire & Jammbo 2 1 0 1 44 43 +1 3 4 United Adaikes 2 1 0 1 36 39 −3 3 5 Fujai 2 0 0 2 31 47 −16 0


Medal finals today: 5 Medals awarded today: 15 Medals awarded to date: 141 Records broken/tied: 1 Sorted by Gold Trigram Gold Silver Bronze Total GIO 12 10 10 32 BLB 9 14 8 31 NIU 9 9 4 22 HEJ 7 3 5 15 TCM 4 3 2 9 LXA 2 5 7 SMK 1 5 5 11 SDS 1 1 2 4 FJA 1 1 1 3 ORA 1 4 5 TLN 1 1 UAD 1 1 DAL 0 ARF 0 DIL 0 FHA 0 FNT 0 NAG 0 TUP 0 Sorted by Total Trigram Gold Silver Bronze Total GIO 12 10 10 32 BLB 9 14 8 31 NIU 9 9 4 22 HEJ 7 3 5 15 SMK 1 5 5 11 TCM 4 3 2 9 LXA 2 5 7 ORA 1 4 5 SDS 1 1 2 4 FJA 1 1 1 3 TLN 1 1 UAD 1 1 DAL 0 ARF 0 DIL 0 FHA 0 FNT 0 NAG 0 TUP 0  

Events announcement:
The Swimming, Track, and Field Individual All-Around events have been cancelled due to technical reasons—our hope for these was to reward those athletes who do extremely well across multiple events, but due to the nature of randomness in scorination, we haven't been seeing enough athletes show up in the finals of events to make the individual all-around work as intended. For example, of 50+ finals positions for swimming events, only two athletes made their way to the finals of more than one event.
Gymnastics Individual All-Around is calculated differently, so it will continue ahead as planned. Team All-Around events will also continue as planned, ranking delegations according to their positions in all events in the relevant discipline.

Jak: Well, all, I have to take a moment.
James nods solemnly
Jak: We are a nation of low expectations, we understand it's our first games.
James: but here we are.
Jak: here we are. End of day one.
James: top of the leaderboard, baby! Oh, yeah!
James punches the air as Jak wipes a tear from his eye
Jak: I know it's early but oh all above, beyond, and within this is just great to see
James: absolutely wonderful
Jak: absolutely.
They take a moment to get themselves together then grin at the camera
Jak: To look into today, and for the rest of the games, we have Kasper Petrovikan as our inside on the other side. Hello!
Kasper: Hello! Thanks for the opportunity. I can't wait to share my opinions on sports I don't know about
Jak: thank our supervisor! 
They all laugh
James: so let's start with you. That silver win. 
Kasper giggles into a sigh, grinning as he holds it up
Kasper: this one? 
Jak: that's the one! What happened when you realised that you'd be on the medal table?
Kasper: my heart stopped, all I could think was that my sister was right there like right behind me in the seating area. She is a very private person, but like I felt that pride, that love. So, taking a look at her, and have her almost jumping to hug me. Ugh, She's my biggest supporter, no matter what political thing is happening, she is there for my competitions. It's a lot. This is a lot. I'm glad I got silver and that Jana got bronze.
Jak: You really just love to see it, honestly. Everyone is proud of you both.
James: You know who else I am proud of, the pistol team.
Kasper: Oh my god, yes! All 3 metals. Such a power play.
Jak: and a new world record!
Kasper: Kass is back in Blue Bubble now, so she is celebrating with them or something. I don't know.
James, trying not to laugh: What do you mean you don't know?
Kasper: I'm the fun sibling, she is all like blah blah diplomatic relations
Jak tries not to laugh
Kasper: I shouldn't say that on TV, should I? MOVING ON, the rest of the sports for today?
James: Decent. Like, we came forth in some... but shame about the sailing, honestly.
Jak: I was hoping we would do better with that, but... at least we expected the baseball.
Kasper: I actually love our baseball team, they won't take this as a sore loss.
James: Very true. Shall we look at tomorrow's events?
Jak: Fab Idea, do the thing Kasper!
Kasper: So Tomorrow is still going to be fun - 3 m Springboard Dive, we have Vasilyev and Patel. I am expecting them to be comfortable - nothing special from them.
Then the 1500 m Freestyle Swim, we have Marritt and Line again - Line came 4th today, and Marritt did not get past the heats. I am hoping for some claw back, but I am not holding out there. Now, Sailing Windsurfing, I had some High Hopes for Gawa and Ichimo, but after today's result - I am just unsure. 10 m Air Rifle, I am wishing for a decent score from those 3, but They aren't as strong as today's team. Maybe a 3rd place will do. I like the sound of that. We have two in the Tennis Singles, I am not expecting record breakers with them, just a clean performance. Oh yeah, you must watch the Taekwondo Finals, looks to be Blue Bubble VS Hertfordshire knockout if I can read correctly- I am confident in them, they did wonderful today. We will also be in tomorrow's Water Polo and Beach Volleyball events - again, a bronze will be nice. Overall, I predict some slight rain and maybe a rainbow or two - average all round, with one or two medals if we have the push.
James: Thank you, Kasper, for your thoughts. Now over to our highlights of the day!

"Congratulations on your Equestrian Team Silver, sir," Clarkson said while pouring the prince a brandy.
"Thank you, Clarkson. I guess I shouldn't be so down on myself for this year's Esferiad. Although we had several more Golds last year, we did earn more medals overall ... and there are still a couple of opportunities. I'm also glad that we were able to connect with a few of the other leaders. I'm excited about the Sultan's electric train proposal. This should be a boon to trade and tourism on Aura."
"Quite so, sir. Did you want me to invite the athletes' families to the Saint Mark Team Gala as you did last year, sir?"
"Yes, of course. They deserve the time to receive their nation's lauds and if it raises even half of what it did for the Special Esferiad as it did last year, it'll be wonderful."
"Quite so, sir."

Introduction to Hier
   Hier is the official constitutional forum through which Jurisdicted subjects organize and petition the Prince on legislative, regulatory, and constitutional matters. The Hier is a unicameral institution and its members are those which are chosen to represent Jurisdictory Subjects, Juridical Trade Companies, and other Juridical Colleges of Nieubasria. 
   Historically, a Hier was a deliberative body of local Trades Masters and guild leaders called by nobles to confer on a specific issue or set of challenges. This continues today in a generalized manner, as the Prince calls Hier on “matters general to the ministry of the Estates”. 
   Hier is led by the Estates-Minister of Hier, appointed by the Prince as the executive officer of the duties of governance which are encompassed in Hier. The Estates-Minister of Hier is traditionally The Hierminister, typically the leader of the party/coalition with the plurality of seats in Hier. The daily business of Hier is conducted by the Dean, which enforces procedural rules and order in the House. 
   The members of Hier are referred to as “Delegates'' of their riding or College. There are currently approximately 480 Delegates. Riding Delegates to Hier often represent a political party, whereas a majority of College Delegates sit as crossbench or independent members. Elections of Riding Delegates are conducted by First-Past-the-Post voting. College Delegates are selected by the various Colleges or Professional Organizations which accredits members as Jurisdictors, either by election or appointment - these members have a full vote in the Hier and have served as Ministers or Privy Counsellors. 
   Hier has through tradition become a voice in the executive governance of Nieubasria by checking and questioning the actions of Estates-Ministers. By providing high-profile attention to an issue through Question Days or regular business, Hierministers (and by extension, Jurisdictors as a whole) can increasingly influence the decisions of previously inscrutable Estates-Ministers. 

The 'Our Hier' Learning Series is jointly produced by the Hierminister of the Business and the Hier Research Services for the purpose of public education. Learn more about this program at ourhier.gov.nb.
_________________________________________________


 

Dazano, Lavanda Prima, Giovanniland—12:30 PM International Atomic Time, 30th October 1421
"Today's lunch tastes really delicious," said Angela to her husband Matteo. "Thank you for making this rice with seafood, we haven't had one in a while."
"No problem", answered Matteo. "How's the Esferiad going, by the way? I haven't got enough time to check it due to all my teaching work since we travelled to Quorivo two days ago.
"It's going really nice for Giovanniland," noted the younger son Flavio. "The nation earned 6 medals in day 5, we're now tied with Glenpavia for gold medals."
"And today looks promising so far," added the older son Augusto. "We've already won 89-54 against Larxia in basketball and three sets to zero against Tupmonia in volleyball."
"Awesome," thought Martin. "You know, I wish we had some time this weekend to watch some more games," he added.
"Same, but my friend Abrelio invited me and Augusto to his Halloween party and we really didn't want to miss that," remarked Joachim.
"That's entirely fair, no worries," said Angela. "I can take care of driving you to and from his house later. Do you both have the costumes ready?", she asked.
The two brothers excitedly confirmed in unison. Some silence then happened as the family continued to have lunch.
Suddenly the silence was broken. "I've just thought, why don't we travel to Quorivo and possibly also Kharventhin next weekend? We could even watch the closing ceremony," proposed Joachim.
"And the final match of football!", added his older brother. "Although that's in Quorivo, so we'd have to watch it earlier and then go to Kharventhin." 
"What do you all think of traveling to Quorivo on Friday, staying two nights there and of course watch some events during the weekend, and then going to Kharventhin for the closing ceremony before returning to Dazano?", said Angela.
"I like the idea!", Martin replied before further adding, "I say, let's wait a bit until choosing the specific events we'll watch, so hopefully we spectate ones with Giovannilandian participation." 
"Of course," Angela replied. Saying to her two children, "we'll book a room at a good Quoriv hotel while you two are in the Halloween party."
Everyone else agreed. The lunch continued without other major topics, with the two children excited about both the party and the upcoming travel to Quoriv.
Benavedia, Spandorto, Giovanniland—16:00 PM International Atomic Time, 30th October 1421
"Dad, I've finished my school homework for Monday," said the 12-year-old Aulo. "Can we watch some Esferiad games?"
"Of course," his father Lorentio answered. "Let's see what the TV is showing right now," added his mother Barbara.
"We're eight minutes in at the 10000m run! Lanino Hanyan from Glenpavia first, Martyn Giles from Cambria second, and Anastasio Fernando-Vittoriani from Giovanniland third!", said the narrator Urbano Sallotio, head reporter of the Giovannilandian Esferiad Report's press corps at Quoriv.
"It seems Marko Kambraya is almost at the podium," said Barbara. "He achieved a silver medal at the last Esferiad, let's hope he performs like that or even better this time."
"Anastasio also competed before," added Lorentio. "He was 20th place in the same event at the Saint-Josalyn Esferiad, seeing him at 3rd is very nice."
Five minutes later, the narrator told everyone watching: "Giovannilandian runner Marko Kambraya has just taken third place, Anastasio is now fourth. Will both able to secure a medal?", she added.
"I do hope that happens," thought Aulo. "Marko is very close to the Cambrian runner currently in second place too."
"Halfway through the 10 kilometer route, and Marko has taken second place! And that's just as Anastasio takes third, 2nd to 4th places are really close to each other! What an exciting competition!", Alice continued, and the family cheered as they closely watched.
The same positions at the podium continued for most of the run, although Marko was catching up to the Glenpavian runner then in first place. With three minutes left, the narrator noted: "Lanino and Marko are neck and neck, let's see who will get the gold medal!" 
"Go Giovanniland!", cheered Aulo.
"And Giovanniland now controls 1st and 3rd places, as well as Ivone in 7th and Tiberio in 8th!", the narrator said with happiness. 
"They are really close..." commented Barbara.
"I think it's less than one minute left, let's hope for the best result!", said Lorentio.
Soon the narrator Alice exclaimed: "And Marko Kambraya from Giovanniland is the winner with 27 minutes and 6.9 seconds!" Eight seconds later, "Lanino Hanyan from Glenpavia arrives in 2nd place eight seconds later— and Anastasio Fernando-Vittoriani from Giovanniland is third place, four seconds after Lanino!"
The family again cheered, as the narrator then announced the names of the other athletes not in the podium as they arrived. They happily sang the Giovannilandian anthem in the medal ceremony soon after, although they soon went to do other things so they couldn't watch any other events.

The Bauhaus Novel - Conversation Street - Episode 7: Autismo van Meeting

Well this is awkward. Not only has Mecislavs gone to the arenas to check up on the athletes (how's that for connecting with our people?) but Clarkov has blatantly refused to come on if it means he is on his own. Then again, even if Adaikesian President Luke Salazar miraculously got the 17-year-old, nearly 18-year-old, Prime Minister to open up, Jammbonevych Furutani is still the same shy cinnamon roll of a boy that Hertfordshire & Jammbo elected back in 1419. Bet he wasn't expecting that when it happened.
It took ages for Clarkov to finally start feeling comfortable, but once Salazar prized him open specifically with talk about the autistic acceptance scene in Hertfordshire & Jammbo he slowly began to warm up to the United Adaikes President, who promised to send an elite team of personality specialists & the like to see just how the number one country for autism acceptance & general neurodivergence acceptance does things. Clarkov takes immense pride in being autistic, amplified due to the time he was relentlessly bullied in secondary school for being autistic, so Luke pressed the right buttons there.
Now, don't tell him, but we've rummaged through Clarkov's special occasions drawer of online pictures that he looks at when he wishes to either calm down or enjoy himself. We do not apologize for the potential weirdness in these whatsoever, but think of it this way - not even Tsar Mečislavs is allowed to look through them. He is very private.

Online pictures we found in Clarkov's special occasions drawer - pictures of athletes, fanfics of athletes, AB/DL, age regression, fan-made drawings of athletes, memes, etc. were found - he hopes to be able to do these himself one day. Creators are unknown. Except for picture 6, the athletes themselves took that.
So with Clarkson, Hammond & May still not back after their frankly doomed protest, we thought we'd catch up on something and give you all a ranking of how our athletes performed day by day, starting with Day 1 below. Best to worst, from top to bottom based on position and how much they punched above their weight. Enjoy and an early goodbye before the late goodbye.
 
Day 1 - Athlete Rankings

1st = Vekar Griķis - Event: Individual Taekwondo - Expected Stage: First Round | Current Stage: Semi-Finals - Net Position: 1.25th | Net Expected Position Gain: +8.75 | ("The Aurans can fight back! Well, I don't like that!")

2nd = Rantaro Antonenko - Event: Individual Equestrian Dressage - Expected Overall Position: 11th | Actual Overall Position: 1st - Net Position: 0.53rd | Net Expected Position Gain: +5.26 | (NEW ESFERIAD RECORD HOLDER) | ("Kill without being caught, and then survive the trial... sounds eerily similar to the real world.")

3rd = Diavolo Kucherenko - Event: One-Person Dinghy Sailing - Expected Overall Position: 19th | Actual Overall Position: 4th - Net Position: 1.43rd | Net Expected Position Gain: +5.36 | ("I must crush my fear! Now is the time... I must overcome it right now! That is what it means to live!")

4th = Franziska van Kirilova - Event: One-Person Dinghy Sailing - Expected Overall Position: 28th | Actual Overall Position: 7th - Net Position: 2.50th | Net Expected Position Gain: +7.50 | ("Tsk, tsk, tsk. Mr. Phoenix Rait. I grow tired of the foolish foolery of the foolish fools of this foolish country...")

5th = Frisk Dachev + Robert Spïďwagen - Event: Beach Volleyball - Expected Overall Position: 8th | Actual Overall Position: 2nd - Net Position: 2.50th | Net Expected Position Gain: +7.50 | ("Your face seems to be asking "Who's this?", so let me introduce myself! I'm the meddling Spïďwagen!")

6th = Doppio Kostov - Event: 200m Freestyle Swimming - Expected Overall Position: 50th | Actual Overall Position: 16th - Net Position: 3.20th | Net Expected Position Gain: +6.80 | ("Roger that. Following your orders [Diavolo's] is my reason for living as well.")

7th = Josuke Honcharuk - Event: 200m Freestyle Swimming - Expected Overall Position: 5th | Actual Overall Position: 7th - Net Position: 1.40th | Net Expected Position Gain: -0.40 | ("Who the hell am I?")

8th = Ringo Romanyuk - Event: 10m Air Pistol Shooting - Expected Overall Position: 50th | Actual Overall Position: 16th - Net Position: 1.90th | Net Expected Position Gain: +2.86 | ("Welcome...to a real man's world...")

9th = Yukari Yaremenko - Event: 10m Air Pistol Shooting - Expected Overall Position: 16th | Actual Overall Position: 6th - Net Position: 2.86th | Net Expected Position Gain: +4.76 | ("That's too bad. I don't, since my tea's scent doesn't fade. Ever.")

10th = Patrick Manev - Event: Individual Archery - Expected Overall Position: 3rd | Actual Overall Position: 6th - Net Position: 1.67th | Net Expected Position Gain: -0.83 | ("Witness the power... of GUILT!")

11th = Phoenix Rait - Event: Individual Archery - Expected Overall Position: 6th | Actual Overall Position: 7th - Net Position: 1.94th | Net Expected Position Gain: -0.27 | ("But who do you fight for? How hard must you fight...? That's the true measure of what human life is worth.")

12th = Hertfordshire & Jammbo Artistic Swimming Team - Event: Artistic Swimming - Expected Overall Position: 9th | Actual Overall Position: 4th - Net Position: 3.33rd | Net Expected Position Gain: +4.16

13th = Isaac Myroshnychenko - Event: 200m Freestyle Swimming - Expected Overall Position: 49th | Actual Overall Position: 31st - Net Position: 6.20th | Net Expected Position Gain: +3.60

14th = Naho Sotirova - Event: Individual Taekwondo - Expected Stage: Semi-Finals | Current Stage: Semi-Finals - Net Position: 2.50th | Net Expected Position Gain: -1.88 | ("Happiness and unhappiness are linked. Whenever one attempts to gain good fortune with little effort, there is always a risk.")

15th = Klug Nankov - Event: Individual Equestrian Dressage - Expected Overall Position: 18th | Actual Overall Position: 12th - Net Position: 6.32nd | Net Expected Position Gain: +3.16 | ("I won't hold back.")

16th = Hertfordia Baseball - Event: Baseball - Expected Overall Position: 1st | Actual Overall Position: 10th - Net Position: 8.33rd | Net Expected Position Gain: -7.50

17th = Hertfordshire & Jammbo Water Polo Team - Event: Water Polo - Expected Overall Position: 8th | Actual Overall Position: 12th - Net Position: 10th | Net Expected Position Gain: -3.33
Dio Burluka: You thought this report would be by the HNJEK, but it was me Dio! Oh and Faust is here too.
Faust Ḩarełeudeiem: I'm only here because you told me that this was what I had to do, that it was my mission.
Dio Burluka: Frankly after winning gold the way we did, we deserve to be able to do this.
Faust Ḩarełeudeiem: Not sure who really cares but alright. Either way, the past, present and future are all held in my hands. This time, I will show you the future, the brilliant future that will be born, thanks to my hosting efforts aided by the greatest partner in existence, Twisted Tempo.
Dio Burluka: There you go again with that Tempo thing. We know it exists.
Faust Ḩarełeudeiem: Some say that he knows 2 facts about the JoJo's and both of them are wrong, and that because Naho Sotirova rigged a phone vote, her mentor Kou now owns the rugby trophy I won... and all the players. All we know is, she likes that man to a fault.
Dio Burluka: Faust, that was my job!
Faust Ḩarełeudeiem: Need me to show you that Rugby World Cup I trophy?
Dio Burluka: At least I, Dio, can keep hold of what is mine.
Day 6 Event Schedule (Done Already
Events/Ívents Athletes/Àølīts 4 x 200m Medley Relay Swimming Volodymyr Zelenskyy + Horatio Niedra + Lazarus Myroshnychenko + Kokichi Osis 10,000m Track Lockdown Melngailis, Douglas Mednis, Shirou Fomenko Field Shot Put Shinji Ivanyuk, Yoshikage Kramlis Equestrian Team Jumping Jolyne Cishisheva + Miko Tymchuk Coxless Fours Rowing Robert Cherganski + Mark Kronbergs + Mikhail Faustinov + Reimu Hadjieva Tennis Doubles Finals Dio Burluka + Faust Ḩarełeudeiem Baseball Quarter-Finals Hertfordia Baseball Beach Volleyball Quarter-Finals Frisk Dachev + Robert Spïďwagen Water Polo Matchday 6 Hertfordshire & Jammbo Water Polo Team Basketball Matchday 6 Hertfordia Basketball Handball Matchday 2 Hertfordia Handball Federation Lacrosse Matchday 2 Hertfordia Lacrosse Indoor Volleyball Matchday 1 Hertfordia Volleyball Federation Day 7 Event Schedule (Coming Up)
Events/Ívents Athletes/Àølīts 10km Marathon Swimming Goomo Sachev, Athena Cālīte 110m Hurdles Track John Tinchev, Bello Jēkabsons, Miles Endziņš Field Discus Throw Quote HT, Franklin Chaban Coxed Eights Rowing Hertfordshire & Jammbo Rowing Team Individual Fencing Epée Stage 1 Kyle Hadjiivanov, Naomi Niedra Baseball Semi-Finals Hertfordia Baseball Beach Volleyball Semi-Finals Frisk Dachev + Robert Spïďwagen Water Polo Matchday 7 Hertfordshire & Jammbo Water Polo Team Basketball Matchday 7 Hertfordia Basketball Handball Matchday 3 Hertfordia Handball Federation Lacrosse Matchday 3 Hertfordia Lacrosse Indoor Volleyball Matchday 2 Hertfordia Volleyball Federation Field Hockey Matchday 1 Hertfordia-Jammbo Hockey Football Matchday 1 Hertfordshire & Jammbo Football Federation Rugby Sevens Matchday 1 Hertfordshire & Jammbo Rugby Union  

More stuff from Jammbonevych Furutani's special occasions drawer! Hah! This covert assault on the Prime Minister's privacy proves that I, Dio, should reign supreme over The Bauhaus Novel. Also, we wonder when Clarkson and the other two will return. The second picture really should be the HNJEK's spirit animal or something along that calibre.
 
         

HEADLINES–DAY SIX
- The Orandian relay swimmers have done it! After disappointing individual rounds, swimmers Maiken Morstad, Sigrun Skyberg, Tove Rud, and Axelle Reverdin win bronze in the 4x200 meter relay. Great job, ladies!
- The Orandian water polo team loses in a close 9-8 match with Blue Bubble.
- The Orandian basketball team loses 96-77 to Cambria.
- Jane Offerdahl and Evelyn Asplund lose the beach volleyball quarterfinals to Fujai, 19/19-21/21.
- Revekah Serbanescu comes in fourth in shot put, breaking the previous Esferic record along with her medal-winning counterparts with a throw of 20.97 meters.
- Manuel Voinea makes a throw of 19.23 meters, not enough to get him into the final.
- In the 10,000-meter run, Pascaline Duclos comes in fifth, with a time of 27:29.67. Lou Ardouin clocks in at 28:09.97.
COMMENTARY

From left: swimmers Maiken Morstad, Sigrun Skyberg, Tove Rud, and Axelle Reverdin celebrate their bronze-medal win.
 
LOOKING AHEAD–DAY SEVEN
- The Orandian basketball and water polo teams face their seventh match day, the last before quarterfinals.
- The Orandian indoor volleyball team faces their second match day.
- Orandia's coxed eights rowing team, led by coxwain Ernest Dahl, takes to the water.
- The 110-meter hurdles event takes place, with athletes Nic Manole and Thea Heim. 
- The discus throw, featuring Amanda Riis and the legendary Lars Sandvik, takes place.
- The 10-kilometer marathon swim also happens tomorrow, athletes Liv Sorby and Martin Garness making a splash.

Giovannilandian Esferiad Report - 6th Day
9 Gold - 6 Silver - 8 Bronze
Good morning Giovanniland! I am Karlo Nakamura-Edrense, the host of the Giovannilandian Esferiad Report. And firstly, I am glad to tell you all that Giovanniland is now ranked FIRST PLACE for gold medals in the Esferiad! Four medals were gained today, bringing the total to twenty-three, and in this report I'll of course talk about the events that brought us these medals and the others that happened today.
Firstly, the events in Kharventhin! The quarterfinals of Beach Volleyball happened, and the Giovannilandian athletes Alessander Elessiano-Savora & Elisabetta Santi won against Morghan Victor & Estelle Montaigne from Nieubasria. They will now meet known opponents in the semifinals, namely Frisk Dachev & Robert Spïdwagen from Hertfordshire and Jammbo. Giovanniland also fared well in Matchday 1 of Indoor Volleyball, with a strong win in all sets against Tupmonia, while it had a bye in the Matchday 6 of Water Polo.
Those were all events with Giovannilandian participation in Kharventhin, but there were a lot more in Quorivo. In the Quarterfinals of Baseball, Giovanniland achieved a strong 6-2 win against Fuentana, and will now face Cambria in the semifinals. The Giovannilandian Basketball team won 89-54 against Larxia and now stands in first place in its group with twelve points, a strong showing that should hopefully continue in the upcoming knockout stage. Meanwhile, Giovanniland had byes in Handball and Lacrosse. The Equestrian Jumping team, however, did not fare well and finished in 7th place out of 10 nations competing. 
In the Grand Esferic Stadium, two athletic events happened. The 10000 m Run featured Marko Kambraya, Anastasio Fernando-Vittoriani, Ivone Sanquartina, and Tiberio Nyima Quartilio, and they finished 1st, 3rd, 7th and 8th respectively. This was a very good performance from the Giovannilandian runners, earning two medals for the nation.
Meanwhile, in the Shot Put, Quirino Anario, Amanda Karventino Valli, and Rullo Aquamena-Santi all performed well both in the qualifiers and in the final. Amanda won a gold medal and established a new Esferic record, while Rullo and Querino achieved 6th and 7th places respectively. Finally, the knockout stage of Tennis Doubles saw Saulo Urydesi Afraniano & Gustavo Quintana Oralino earn a silver medal after losing to Dio Burluka & Faust Hareleudeiem.
Following this retrospective, it's now time to talk about future events! Firstly, the events happening in Kharventhin:
10 km Marathon Swim featuring Giovanni Amdo-Gyasso, Lavinia Prospero, and Sara Urbana-Amorio;
Semifinals of Beach Volleyball featuring Alessander Elessiano-Savora & Elisabetta Santi;
Matchday 2 of Indoor Volleyball and Matchday 7 of Water Polo (team events);
Furthermore, the Rowing Coxed Eights and Fencing Épée Individual events will also happen, but Giovanniland will not participate. Meanwhile, the events in Quorivo will be:
Semifinals of Baseball, Matchday 7 of Basketball, Matchday 3 of Handball, Matchday 3 of Lacrosse, Matchday 1 of Field Hockey, Matchday 1 of Football, and Matchday 1 of Rugby Sevens (team events);
110 m Hurdles featuring Barbara Gaudina, Ernesto Arboreto Amorante, Diogo Kollega, and Kyro Velsio-Sousa;
Discus Throw featuring Alkione Quernio-Velanio, Klara Rasenno Rosa, and Rosangela Abrenti;
Those are the events that will happen during the seventh day of Esferic events—and anyone can watch them on the channels 201 to 210! Members of our monthly subscription can also check recordings if unable to watch live. That is all for today, and see you tomorrow for the next report!

The show cuts to Jak and James, sitting on the sofa
 James: And here we are, with the Mpitarika Kassakira Petrovikan
Kassakira walks on, waving and smiling, before taking a seat.

James: How are you?
Kassakira: I am fine, thank you
Jak: and why are you here today?
Kassakira: Firstly, to let you two know you can continue your normal schedule and predictions a-
Jak hits a button, and a loud bang is heard. Balloons and streamers come down as the presenters cheer, along with what sounds like the rest of the production team. Kassakira looks at it all, startled.
Kassakira: I wish you had told me you were going to do that
Jak: well there is a big red button, what else you think that was?
Kassakira: I really didn't want to think of the possibilities... how long did it take you two to do this?
James: the whole of yesterday. We were out of breath by the end of it.
Kassakira smiles: Well, the other news is that the Komity will release a notice about the athletes tomorrow. No one was suspecting Blue Bubble to be top of the leaderboard for almost the whole week, until today actually, so I and the Komity wanted to address some concerns before any rumours started to crop up.
James nods: So, tomorrow we will be back to our normal acts, and with our normal co-host, Kasper. By the way, what was he doing yesterday?
Kassakira: Oh, that is so classified, even I don't know. May I do the quick run over of today?
Jak: Of course
Kassakira: Well today was a small medal show, but I like to think it is great that we are still winning medals - the momentum is great. Lanino Hanyan won silver in the 10,000m run, and Ivani Haskan won Bronze in the Shot Put. Our Rowing Coxless Fours Team won Silver as well, well done all four of you on your teamwork there. On the look-out for tomorrow, we have the 10 km Marathon Swim, 110 m Hurdles, and Discus Throw to be expected middle of the table and no medals, the Rowing Coxed Eights should be close to a repeat today when looking at the forecast. Fencing Épée Individual Stage 1 should be fun, a full team. I will be watching in person, and I wish the guys well on that, although a bronze is what is predicted that could be possible there, please try and win that for us! For ongoing multiday events, tomorrow we have the Semifinal Beach Volleyball and day 7 of Water Polo, along with day 2 of Indoor Volleyball, congrats on today's wins for all 3 of those. New multiday events tomorrow for us are the Field Hockey and the Rugby Sevens. I wish them luck too.
James: what a wonderful insight, thank you for that and for joining!
Kassakira: You're welcome!
The camera cuts to highlights of the day.

The show cuts to Jak and James, sitting on the sofa
 James: And here we are, with the Mpitarika Kassakira Petrovikan
Kassakira walks on, waving and smiling, before taking a seat.

James: How are you?
Kassakira: I am fine, thank you
Jak: and why are you here today?
Kassakira: Firstly, to let you two know you can continue your normal schedule and predictions a-
Jak hits a button, and a loud bang is heard. Balloons and streamers come down as the presenters cheer, along with what sounds like the rest of the production team. Kassakira looks at it all, startled.
Kassakira: I wish you had told me you were going to do that
Jak: well there is a big red button, what else you think that was?
Kassakira: I really didn't want to think of the possibilities... how long did it take you two to do this?
James: the whole of yesterday. We were out of breath by the end of it.
Kassakira smiles: Well, the other news is that the Komity will release a notice about the athletes tomorrow. No one was suspecting Blue Bubble to be top of the leaderboard for almost the whole week, until today actually, so I and the Komity wanted to address some concerns before any rumours started to crop up.
James nods: So, tomorrow we will be back to our normal acts, and with our normal co-host, Kasper. By the way, what was he doing yesterday?
Kassakira: Oh, that is so classified, even I don't know. May I do the quick run over of today?
Jak: Of course
Kassakira: Well today was a small medal show, but I like to think it is great that we are still winning medals - the momentum is great. Lanino Hanyan won silver in the 10,000m run, and Ivani Haskan won Bronze in the Shot Put. Our Rowing Coxless Fours Team won Silver as well, well done all four of you on your teamwork there. On the look-out for tomorrow, we have the 10 km Marathon Swim, 110 m Hurdles, and Discus Throw to be expected middle of the table and no medals, the Rowing Coxed Eights should be close to a repeat today when looking at the forecast. Fencing Épée Individual Stage 1 should be fun, a full team. I will be watching in person, and I wish the guys well on that, although a bronze is what is predicted that could be possible there, please try and win that for us! For ongoing multiday events, tomorrow we have the Semifinal Beach Volleyball and day 7 of Water Polo, along with day 2 of Indoor Volleyball, congrats on today's wins for all 3 of those. New multiday events tomorrow for us are the Field Hockey and the Rugby Sevens. I wish them luck too.
James: what a wonderful insight, thank you for that and for joining!
Kassakira: You're welcome!
The camera cuts to highlights of the day.

The show cuts to Jak and James, sitting on the sofa
 James: And here we are, with the Mpitarika Kassakira Petrovikan
Kassakira walks on, waving and smiling, before taking a seat.

James: How are you?
Kassakira: I am fine, thank you
Jak: and why are you here today?
Kassakira: Firstly, to let you two know you can continue your normal schedule and predictions a-
Jak hits a button, and a loud bang is heard. Balloons and streamers come down as the presenters cheer, along with what sounds like the rest of the production team. Kassakira looks at it all, startled.
Kassakira: I wish you had told me you were going to do that
Jak: well there is a big red button, what else you think that was?
Kassakira: I really didn't want to think of the possibilities... how long did it take you two to do this?
James: the whole of yesterday. We were out of breath by the end of it.
Kassakira smiles: Well, the other news is that the Komity will release a notice about the athletes tomorrow. No one was suspecting Blue Bubble to be top of the leaderboard for almost the whole week, until today actually, so I and the Komity wanted to address some concerns before any rumours started to crop up.
James nods: So, tomorrow we will be back to our normal acts, and with our normal co-host, Kasper. By the way, what was he doing yesterday?
Kassakira: Oh, that is so classified, even I don't know. May I do the quick run over of today?
Jak: Of course
Kassakira: Well today was a small medal show, but I like to think it is great that we are still winning medals - the momentum is great. Lanino Hanyan won silver in the 10,000m run, and Ivani Haskan won Bronze in the Shot Put. Our Rowing Coxless Fours Team won Silver as well, well done all four of you on your teamwork there. On the look-out for tomorrow, we have the 10 km Marathon Swim, 110 m Hurdles, and Discus Throw to be expected middle of the table and no medals, the Rowing Coxed Eights should be close to a repeat today when looking at the forecast. Fencing Épée Individual Stage 1 should be fun, a full team. I will be watching in person, and I wish the guys well on that, although a bronze is what is predicted that could be possible there, please try and win that for us! For ongoing multiday events, tomorrow we have the Semifinal Beach Volleyball and day 7 of Water Polo, along with day 2 of Indoor Volleyball, congrats on today's wins for all 3 of those. New multiday events tomorrow for us are the Field Hockey and the Rugby Sevens. I wish them luck too.
James: what a wonderful insight, thank you for that and for joining!
Kassakira: You're welcome!
The camera cuts to highlights of the day.

The evening of the Heads of State Meeting at Duchy Estate
Main Conference Hall, The Fiovana
Kharventhin, Blue Bubble
"First and foremost, I want to thank Vikki for organizing this abrupt press conference with you all," President Luke Salazar started, looking at Vikki Boatwright, his Press Secretary, after the meeting with the heads of state hours ago.
"I'd like to apologize if I arrived late," Salazar continued. "There were just so many interesting and intriguing points that the world leaders present there discussed in that meeting. I want to share some with you as the President of the United Adaikes. I also believe that some points there don’t need to see the light of the day here in the beautiful country of Blue Bubble. I'll be delighted to accept questions."
Salazar points to one of the reporters, raising their hands. “Mister President, this is just the Second Esferiad, the first for the country, but the main question was how did Blue Bubble invite you? And if you have talked with the other leaders about this one, how did you all find the way and time to come here for what the international press calls the ‘Esferiad Summit’?”
“When we submitted our reply to the International Federation of National Sporting Organizations that we will be participating in the Second Esferiad, there was already chatter about having a world leaders’ meeting in whoever gets selected to host the Esferiad in the spirit of sportsmanship and how we can introduce more sports competitions and increase participation in these competitions. When I received the invitation, I told Mel [Gaspar, the Vice President] and Jed [Gill, Red Palace Chief of Staff] that I want to be here in Kharventhin.” Salazar selects another reporter.
“What was the nature of the meeting, sir? Was it very formal? Were there specific halls that a head of state enters to talk with a specific head of state?”
Salazar laughed before answering, “No. Though, of course, we had to dress formally for the occasion as we were meeting other heads of state, yet the conversation was casual. Slightly official, but casual. We were in the main hall of the Duchy Estate. The first I approached was the host, the Mpitarika, but maybe because nearly everyone was there to greet her, I didn’t have the chance to congratulate her on hosting the event and the Esferiad as well. I also tried to talk with King Giovanni VI, but he was also talking with someone else. So I looked around, and there I saw who I think will be my best friend in all the leaders of the world, the Prime Minister of Hertfordshire and Jammbo.”
After being selected by Salazar, a reporter asked, “Will there be a trade deal with the Andolian country, Mister President?”
“Not really, no. We can shoot for the future, but not at the moment. But I got Clarkov to talk. He's famous for being so tight-lipped, even in his country, but we got to talk about things. Though I noticed his startled face when I started to talk to him, I was just very grateful that he slowly opened up. One of the most interesting things that we talked about was the scope of autism acceptance in their country. I love the programs their government has for persons with autism. I will be surely talking to the Social Services Cluster in my Cabinet when I get back to the United Adaikes. After we can have resolutions, I will be sending a team to Hertfordshire and Jammbo, composed of experts in personality and development, benchmark on their programs to guide us on how we can also develop programs for these excellent members in our society.”
Another reporter asked, “How were the other world leaders, Mister President?”
“I get to join in dinner the Sultan of Arifiyyah and his wife. They are a lovely couple. I think it’s with the Sultan that I have talked more about sports than anyone in the Estate. Though, I have also talke about sports briefly with Clarkov, it was definitely more with the Sultan. I promised him we could have a yearly international friendly game or games of whatever sport they want. The first on the list will be football, but that would be after Esferiad because our first game in football in Giovanniland will be against each other. I told him that I’d be in the VIP box during that game and that I’d be expecting his presence there. Okay, last two. You,” pointing to another reporter.
“Have you talked to everyone, sir?”
“Oh, no. That is one thing that I have regretted during the meeting. As I told you earlier, I haven’t had the chance to talk with the Mpitarika and the King of Giovanniland. I’d also have loved the opportunity if I had the chance to talk with Prince Marcarius and the Queen of Orandia. I heard King James of Larxia was advancing a sciences organization. I’ll send my Secretary of Science and Technology to Larxia to talk with them about that. The young Goldberg is also an interesting gal. I hope to bump with her or have Anne [Duncan, Secretary of Foreign Affairs] talk about the relationship of the Federal Republic and Santos-Dominius. And lastly, you.” pointing to a reporter near the back.
“Mister President, we have heard that Gladwyn Bird is with you here in Kharventhin. A source has also disclosed that she was in the UAD One with you, leaving the plane as part of the presidential staff and that she was your companion in the Duchy Estate. Any confirmation about your rumored girlfriend, sir?”
Luke just smiled and said, “Thank you for coming, everyone! Have a good night. Vikki?” urging the Press Secretary to take over before leaving for his suite on the top floor of The Fiovana.

FOOTBALL MD1 PRE MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE  

National Head coach,Ong Kim Liau is at the Press room,with Orangutan Rangers Captain,Muhammad Nazhim.
"Okay,first question?".  "Hello sir, I'm Razif from Olympic Council of Arifiyyah. So you will facing the United Adaikes FA,can you share to us a few progress about the team?"
Ong Kim Liau: Well yes,the boys had already started training a few weeks before coming here. Day by day, I see the chemistry between the players getting built up, their skills getting better. A week before Esferiad, we had a friendly with Arifiyyah Professional League All-Stars, and we won 6-0. From there I already judge all the players. I'm sure they can win this match. Next?
"I'm Magnolia from Bernama tv,just a short question,What is your target in this Esferiad, considering this is their first time performing on the Esferiad stage."
Ong Kim Liau: Erm yes,for sure our maximum target is winning the gold,be the champ. And the minimum is to qualify for the quarterfinals. But I am confident that this team will be able to challenge for gold, silver or bronze medals. If you look at our performance at the world cup as well, it's great. This is almost same like the world cup, the only difference is that there will be 3 teams that will get prizes, and I am confident and hope that Arifiyyah is one of the 3 countries.
"I have a question for HRH Muhammad Nazhim,as a captain,how do you see the performance and relation between your teammates now ?"
Muhammad Nazhim: For me,day by day they're doing and getting better and better. The team bonding camp before we come here really helping. They become closer like siblings. And i want to say we will do our best for first matchday. 
"Next questions? If not I guess that's all for now. We'll meet again after the match. Thank you everyone."
 

Arifiyyah Football Team during last preparation before facing United Adaikes