2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
FIXTURES
Play-off round
July 29th
PO1: Sanama v Craitland*
PO2: Nouvelle Alexandrie v Meckelnburgh*
July 30th
PO3: Tellia v Floria*
PO4: Vegno v Tiana*
Quarter-finals
August 3rd
QF1: Mercury v Winner Play-off 3*
QF2: Phinbella v Winner Play-off 4*
August 4th
QF3: Senya v Winner Play-off 1*
QF4: Calbion v Winner Play-off 2*
Semi-finals
August 8th
SF1: Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 4*
August 9th
SF2: Winner Quarter-final 2 v Winner Quarter-final 3*
Third-place play-off
August 12th
Loser Semi-final 1 v Loser Semi-final 2
Final
August 13th
Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
Play-off round
July 29th
PO1: Sanama v Craitland*
PO2: Nouvelle Alexandrie v Meckelnburgh*
July 30th
PO3: Tellia v Floria*
PO4: Vegno v Tiana*
Quarter-finals
August 3rd
QF1: Mercury v Winner Play-off 3*
QF2: Phinbella v Winner Play-off 4*
August 4th
QF3: Senya v Winner Play-off 1*
QF4: Calbion v Winner Play-off 2*
Semi-finals
August 8th
SF1: Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 4*
August 9th
SF2: Winner Quarter-final 2 v Winner Quarter-final 3*
Third-place play-off
August 12th
Loser Semi-final 1 v Loser Semi-final 2
Final
August 13th
Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 29th July*
Play-off round
Sanama vs. Craitland
Play-off round
Sanama vs. Craitland
Nouvelle Alexandrie vs. Meckelnburgh
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 30th July*
Play-off round
Tellia vs. Floria
Play-off round
Tellia vs. Floria
Vegno vs. Tiana
Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
THE INDISPENSABLE
by R. Martellini
Can a single man change the fate of a national team? Probably yes, if his name is Anthony Boretto. Five goals in five games, two decisive braces, a 'must-have' player - according to Fortunato Bongiovanni, who coached him both in his first club, the first Bonfire Cup-winning Sancrus, and in this surprising national team. 'We cannot hide, Anthony is indispensable for us,' Bongiovanni admitted in the mixed zone. 'He has characteristics that go perfectly with our style of play, besides being a great professional.' To a specific question, namely whether the Cormorants' coach considered Boretto to be one of the best strikers around, there was a firm answer: 'he is and he is proving it.' Hard to blame him.
Impossible not to focus the analysis of the match on number 10, deus ex machina of this play-off. First goal four minutes from the start: back heel pass from Tosi to Mannino, who in turn passed it to the forward. Precise and powerful left-footer, Diodati doesn't reach it, 1-0. In the 26th minute, the star of the match received the ball from an invention by Vassena, the skipper who again showed his class today. Boretto changed foot, forced to shoot with his right, but the result was the same: goal, 2-0. Almost a mathematical rule, a sentence in the penalty area.
Tiana did what it could, but the defence this time was more attentive and conceded little: only a shot by the irreducible Tardelli that hit the post and the subsequent shot by D'Aquila made the Azzurri tremble. In the end, Malvicino kept the clean sheet and the Cormorants breathed a sigh of relief. Test passed in the best possible way. 'To be among the best eight teams in the world is a goal beyond our wildest expectations. The boys know that, but they believe they can do even better. They have confidence, they have become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. The locker room is united and we are all rowing in the same direction,' Bongiovanni said. 'We do not set ourselves targets. We sail by sight, but in a good way... and since we like the sea so much, we hope to sail some more!'
'I am happy for the brace, but above all for winning and qualifying for the quarter-finals,' said man-of-the-match Boretto. And on rumours of a possible move to the prestigious Super League champions Northcliff United, the runner-up scorer of the World Cup does not give journalists any joy. 'At the moment I am 100 per cent focused on this competition, I will not comment on transfer market news. It would not be respectful to my teammates and our fans.' No confirmation, no denial, and for some that might be enough.
Whether it will be Stonehall or Northcliff, for now it matters little to the Vegnese fans. If they can still enjoy at least one more World Cup match, the credit is also - and above all - due to Anthony Boretto.
(source: L'Eco Sportivo, Common Tongue online version)
by R. Martellini
Can a single man change the fate of a national team? Probably yes, if his name is Anthony Boretto. Five goals in five games, two decisive braces, a 'must-have' player - according to Fortunato Bongiovanni, who coached him both in his first club, the first Bonfire Cup-winning Sancrus, and in this surprising national team. 'We cannot hide, Anthony is indispensable for us,' Bongiovanni admitted in the mixed zone. 'He has characteristics that go perfectly with our style of play, besides being a great professional.' To a specific question, namely whether the Cormorants' coach considered Boretto to be one of the best strikers around, there was a firm answer: 'he is and he is proving it.' Hard to blame him.
Impossible not to focus the analysis of the match on number 10, deus ex machina of this play-off. First goal four minutes from the start: back heel pass from Tosi to Mannino, who in turn passed it to the forward. Precise and powerful left-footer, Diodati doesn't reach it, 1-0. In the 26th minute, the star of the match received the ball from an invention by Vassena, the skipper who again showed his class today. Boretto changed foot, forced to shoot with his right, but the result was the same: goal, 2-0. Almost a mathematical rule, a sentence in the penalty area.
Tiana did what it could, but the defence this time was more attentive and conceded little: only a shot by the irreducible Tardelli that hit the post and the subsequent shot by D'Aquila made the Azzurri tremble. In the end, Malvicino kept the clean sheet and the Cormorants breathed a sigh of relief. Test passed in the best possible way. 'To be among the best eight teams in the world is a goal beyond our wildest expectations. The boys know that, but they believe they can do even better. They have confidence, they have become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. The locker room is united and we are all rowing in the same direction,' Bongiovanni said. 'We do not set ourselves targets. We sail by sight, but in a good way... and since we like the sea so much, we hope to sail some more!'
'I am happy for the brace, but above all for winning and qualifying for the quarter-finals,' said man-of-the-match Boretto. And on rumours of a possible move to the prestigious Super League champions Northcliff United, the runner-up scorer of the World Cup does not give journalists any joy. 'At the moment I am 100 per cent focused on this competition, I will not comment on transfer market news. It would not be respectful to my teammates and our fans.' No confirmation, no denial, and for some that might be enough.
Whether it will be Stonehall or Northcliff, for now it matters little to the Vegnese fans. If they can still enjoy at least one more World Cup match, the credit is also - and above all - due to Anthony Boretto.
(source: L'Eco Sportivo, Common Tongue online version)
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
FIXTURES
Quarter-finals
August 3rd
QF1: Mercury v Floria*
QF2: Phinbella v Vegno*
August 4th
QF3: Senya v Craitland*
QF4: Calbion v Nouvelle Alexandrie*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
Quarter-finals
August 3rd
QF1: Mercury v Floria*
QF2: Phinbella v Vegno*
August 4th
QF3: Senya v Craitland*
QF4: Calbion v Nouvelle Alexandrie*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 3rd August*
Quarter-finals
Mercury vs. Floria
Quarter-finals
Mercury vs. Floria
Phinbella vs. Vegno
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 4th August*
Quarter-finals
Senya vs. Craitland
Quarter-finals
Senya vs. Craitland
Calbion vs. Nouvelle Alexandrie
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
FIXTURES
Semi-finals
August 8th
SF1: Mercury v Calbion*
August 9th
SF2: Phinbella v Senya*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
Semi-finals
August 8th
SF1: Mercury v Calbion*
August 9th
SF2: Phinbella v Senya*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
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Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
FIXTURES
Third-place play-off
August 12th
Mercury v Phinbella
Final
August 13th
Calbion v Senya*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
Third-place play-off
August 12th
Mercury v Phinbella
Final
August 13th
Calbion v Senya*
* - Match scheduled for full broadcast. Schedule may be subject to change.
Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*played 12th August 2023*
Mercury and Phinbella faced off against each other in the match that nobody really wants to play in to try and battle out for the bronze medal at this tournament. For Mercury this game presented an opportunity to salvage pride after a shock elimination by Calbion in the semis, whilst Phinbella were keen to round off a memorable and ground-breaking tournament for them by securing a first ever medal at a major tournament.Spoiler!
Both sides made changes going into the match, with Mercury making 11 changes from the side that started the semi-final against Calbion, with a chance for some of the squad's rotation players to prove their case for future internationals, whilst Phinbella recalled Champions-League finalist keeper Gopal Kumar, alongside Izzanie Murad and Gōenji Axel Shūya, who were brought into the starting XI after Wednesday's drubbing at the hands of Senya.
Mercury's much changed team saw them on the back foot early on. Axel Shūya in particular was eager to show what his side had been missing in his absence, and within the opening two minutes shifted the ball past his man on the edge of the box, before drilling a low effort which Callum Bailey did well to tip round the post. But Mercurians switched off from the resulting corner, with Helouise Hanekom running in unmarked at the near post to put Phinbella into the lead. Mercury weren't to fall into the traps of apathy, however, and once they started to get possession of the ball, they did look a threat, and without the threat of elimination, looked creative, with Zachariah Stoker in particular looking a threat. The best of Mercury's chances fell to Kate Wressle, but the Mercury City striker could only poke the ball narrowly over the crossbar after a particularly menacing Stoker delivery. However, whilst Mercury did look dangerous going forwards, they were found wanting in defence, and when Frosty Flynn pinged a ball over the top for Izraiwan Marɂdzukiɂ to chase, Harvey Greene was well behind his man, and as he clamoured to get back, he inadvertently bundled over his man, resulting in the referee awarding Phinbella a penalty. Marɂdzukiɂ's spot kick was powerful and to the left, but Bailey guessed correctly, but he could only push the ball back out into the pack, and Mat Phineas Flynn reacted quickest to thump the rebound into the top left corner and double his nation's advantage. Mercury weren't going to roll over though, and came back at their opponents, with Wressle hitting the crossbar from a header, before Kumar was forced into a spectacular save to tip Fred Mullins' long range effort over the crossbar.
When the second half came, despite the scoreline, the hosts looked the more threatening, and within 30 seconds of the re-start, they had the ball in the back of the net, however Wressle's run was made too early and the assistant referee correctly raised his flag to signify offside. Mercury though weren't rolling over, and just eight minutes after the restart found themselves a goal back in spectacular fashion, with 35-year-old Stephen Rydberg winding back the years by picking the ball up centrally, rolling his man, creating himself some shooting room on the edge of the 'D', and smashing a piledriver into the top right corner to put his side back into the running. This managed to spur Phinbella back into life, and almost immediately they came close to restoring their two goal advantage, with Mat Victór Valèntich Flynn running in at the back post to poke a cross against the post. The second half produced a backwards and forwards game, with both sides threatening, however too often the final ball was lacking. Midway through the second half though, a goal was found, and it fell for the host nation, with Kate Wressle holding up the ball on the edge of the box, before offloading it to Dylan Fletcher who was ran wide by the defence, only to chip the ball back to Wressle, who slid the ball across the face of goal for Jack Partridge to tap home unmarked. Mercury were now back into it, yet however, this was once again a signal for Phinbella to spring back into life, and once again it was Mat Victór Valèntich Flynn threatening, first rifling a low effort the clipped the post on its way wide, before forcing the keeper into a double save. But yet again, the game was to peter out, and at the end of the 90 minutes, the sides were yet to be seperated.
With the game heading into an extra time period probably neither side wanted, Mercury threw on their captain, Joe Foxon, to try and find a winner, and midway through the first period, he did just that with the ball breaking kindly out to him just inside the penalty area, with the Cherry Trees man curling a low effort into the bottom right corner to complete the comeback and put his side back into the lead. Mercury could've made it four, but Foxon failed to make a good connection with the ball after Wressle squared the ball back across the penalty area for him, with Kirino Gabi Ranmaru able to get back and clear by the time Foxon had sorted out his feet. By half time in extra time, it looked like the game was set, but there was to be yet another twist.
Just moments after the restart, Phinbella hit the crossbar with an ambitious 30 yard volley from substitute Ri Kae-hwan bouncing back into play, only for Mercury to clear the ball out wide. However, from the resulting throw-in, Phinbella delivered a great cross which Mat Victór Valèntich Flynn was able to run in and meet with his head at the near-post for the equaliser, getting a goal that he deserved given his effort in the match. With the game running out though, tiredness from both camps became obvious, and in the end, both sides seemed to settle for penalties.
This marathon of a match would be settled by a sprint, and Mercury were to take first, with captain Joe Foxon smashing his penalty right into the top-left, however Izraiwan Marɂdzukiɂ was denied with a fine save. Wressle converted for 2-0, before Ri pulled it back to 2-1. Partridge made it 3-1, before Mat Phineas Flynn skied his penalty over the crossbar to give Mercury the chance to win it, however Stephen Rydberg's lame attempt was easily saved by Kumar, ensured the shoot out went on. Mat Victór Valèntich Flynn and Hanekom both followed up their goals in the game with converted penalties, either side of Zachariah Stoker hitting the crossbar, to ensure the game went to sudden death. With a series of missed and scored penalties, the shoot=-out went down to the goalkeepers, with Bailey's weak attempt at a panenka being easily saved by Kumar, before the Adiwira stopper smashed his penalty to the right, sending his opposite number the wrong way and securing a bronze medal for Phinbella.
Re: 2023 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
SENYA HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY - BUT UNDERESTIMATE CALBION AT YOUR PERIL
Senya's national team stand on the brink of history. Only three nations, Craitland, Hamland and Tellia have held aloft football's most coveted trophy twice; the FMF World Cup. Craitland's quadruple is still the stuff of legend, even twelve years on from their last title, whilst names such as Freddie Gaärsen and Eric Heinhorn are still remembered as being amongst the greatest to play the game.
But it's not just about being remembered as great players. Craitland's triumphs between 2007 and 2011 was a distinctive time that shaped Micrasian football. Craitland helped enable a footballing revolution across Micras. Home to the planet's first professional league, coupled with the CÓNECT academy, Craitland's off field investments brought a standard of professionalism that was to be copied by its contemporaries in Alexandria, Passas and Tellia.
And just as Craitland brought about a footballing revolution, over the past 11 years, so has Senya. The influence and visibility of the ultras group Naldas in the stands and the relationship between spectators and the teams they support has been moulded by Senya. The colour, passion and dedication of the ultras group, a movement that was birthed by Tellia, has gone on to be developed in Senya, into a more organised and invigorated movement, and now whether one is watching in Benacia, Eura or Apollonia, the ultras movement has penetrated all corners of Micras. Many have credited the success and spread of the movement to the Senyan fanbase, and the Naldas more specifically.
Furthermore, Senya's domestic league, the Top League, along with the Mercurian Premier League, have challenged League 1's long held hegemony. No longer do the World's best players head to League 1, as bigger prizes abroad now mean the world's elite clubs have to fight harder. It was ultimately a Senyan idea for a global Champions' League, and although Senyan clubs haven't dominated that realm, Senya's top quality domestic structure has provided an increased competition with other leagues at the top of the global game.
Going back to the team, this is one for whom winning has become the norm. With three Copa Apollonia titles and one World Cup trophy to their name already, Senya are already one of Micras' most successful sides. And these trophies have not come easy either. They've been ran close and had many great battles with other top teams down the years, with Craitland, Mercury, Gerenia, Tellia, and more recently Floria, giving the Greens some more than testing games down the years. The squad is listed with household names, notably the so-called "super six" of Alesandrœ Danetskë, Aleks Mëa, Jan Maytek, Markœ Minyorletsken, Ƨinkœ Zvet and captain Barnaby Hands, who all featured in Senya's inaugural match back in 2012, and have been mainstays of the tournament ever since.
But Senyan football hasn't always been this rosy. Many in Senya view the side's misfortunes in the Group Stage of the 2018 Copa Apollonia as the catalyst for this current success. Having suffered the ignamony of losing the World Cup final to Tellia on home soil in 2017, Senya started that tournament as one of the favourites, however a 2-0 defeat to neighbours Jingdao, before drawing 0-0 with Stormark, two poor results against the group's supposed weakest sides. A winner take all clash with arch-rivals Gerenia was set up for the final group game. However, this was an era when Gerenia were tipped as World Champions in waiting. They were viewed by many as the best team in the World, and, with many Senyan fans fearing that they would be dumped out of the tournament, had enough. The team were chased down the tunnel at full time by fans, before their hotel was surrounded by angry supporters that evening. With players taking refuge in the basement of the hotel, fearing a break in, manager Draco Sanchez resigned from the job, before fleeing the hotel, and eventually taking on a job in Floria. Players were only informed of his disappearance in the morning. Step forward the super six, who rallied the rest of the team in for an impromptu meeting in the hotel room of Jan Maytek, where they agreed to continue onwards, with Hands convincing then assistant manager David Morter to become the team's full time coach. Morter, accepted, and, despite death threats, Senya prevailed 2-0 against Gerenia, progressing through, before defeating Floria and Stormark to claim the title. Morter stayed on after the tournament, and to this day, the group site this as what helped them take that extra step.
"For sure, it was a horrible time. But it really forged us into champions" Jan Maytek later revealed. "Myself, Aleks, Barnaby and Alesandrœ just played cards all night in my hotel room, and then at like 2 am Markœ and Ƨinkœ came and we just had a chat. Like, we didn't care if the fans killed us, we even said they would be right to do so. And we played that game against Gerenia like our lives depended on it. And ever since then, I think we knew what it meant to be a champion. Not just that you have to be technically and strategically brilliant, but you have to play with that hunger, desire and energy like it's your last match all the time".
Once again, Senya's determination has marched them through a tournament when others have faltered. Whilst Floria and Craitland struggled in their groups, Senya put thirteen goals past their group stage opponents, before edging past Craitland on penalties. A 3-0 battering of a very good Phinbella team in the semis was yet another statement.
"We don't fear having our backs up against the wall. We don't fear having the ball, we don't fear not having it. We are adaptable, we can play a multitude of ways and we can pick defences apart by trying new things. We are not a one-trick pony" said Morter after the Craitland game.
But while fans in Senya are already picturing the image of Barnaby Hands holding the trophy aloft on Sunday, a word of warning.
Calbion are no push overs.
"They're a quality team" warned Minyorletsken in the pre-game press conference. "They have some World class players and they've beaten some big teams on the way here".
Certainly, Calbion's journey here has been impressive. After a sloppy 2-1 defeat to Vegno on the opening day, Calbion have bounced back in style, beating Floria 2-0 to respond, before defeating the Hexarchy 2-0 and battering the UGB 6-1. A penalty win over Nouvelle Alexandrie secured them a first ever spot in the semi-finals, before their shock win over Mercury sent them to the final. "They've beaten Alexandria, Floria and Mercury to get here. And not just beaten them, looked comfortable against them" warned Morter. They should not be underestimated. This will be a hard game to win, and if we are to win, we will need to play at our very best".
But whilst the Senyan players are putting in the graft on the training pitch, many Senyan fans in Mercury are making their last preperations of their own. Naldas have rented out a warehouse on the edge of the city to create their tifo for the final, and the Senyan end of the stadium, where it is expected that roughly 30,000 Senyan fans will be housed, and the Naldas have been busy to secure and make enough flags to dish out to them all on matchday. "We want our end to be a sea of colour that will give our players courage" said one anonymous ultra.
There is no animosity from the fans, however. "This isn't a rivalry game, this is, for us, a chance to show what it is to be Senyan on a World stage. Win or lose, this is our platform".
The mood is also set at home. Across the country, from the bustling streets of Svorgas to the serene countryside, every house, every outbuilding, every office and every pub is plastered in Senyan flags. Anyone who isn't lucky enough to be at the game in Mercury will be tuning in. Already, most pubs are opening their gardens for big public viewing screens, and several domestic football clubs are opening up their stadiums for fans to watch the games together.
And sure as hell, when the Senyan national anthem plays on Sunday, a whole nation will sing along, expecting history. Afterall, these are the games where legends are made.