[Groot Gouda]

Football Decision today!

The tension in Gouda City is rising around the Groot Gouda Stadium today. The fans of Adam Island and the Isles of Koster have taken over the capital and are preparing themselves for the big match which starts in 6 hours. After that, we will know who wins the IDU Football Cup.

As a recap, a summary of each team:
Adam Island started of with a 5-0 victory over Grosseschnauzer in Group B, already proving themselves championship material. But their victorious feelings didn't last long, after they went down by 1-3 against Lloegr-Cymru. In the final group round the Islanders managed to scrape the last necessary point to go to the next round as the best number 3. In that round, they met hitherto unbeaten Mikitivity. Showing fresh spirit, the Mikitivians were swept aside with 1-3. Into the semi's, the Lawtonians were defeated by the same number. Adam Island positioned itself as favourite for the cup with these last two matches.

Isles of Koster started in Group C. Groot Gouda was beaten first, but then two matches in a row were lost against Wondervolle and Lawtonia. On goal difference the team struggled into the quarter finals. They met DataGenesis, and in the most exciting match of the tournament Isles of Koster needed the extra time to decide the match to their advantage. The semi's brought them Wondervolle, one of the teams tipped as potential winner. Both teams tried hard, but after the smoke had gone Isles of Koster was on 2-1 which they didn't give away. Their road to the final hasn't been as glorious as Adam Island, but at times the team proved to be able to do their job and keep the last lines shut.

Stats:
Adam Island
Matches won: 3
Matches lost: 1
Matches drawn: 1
Goals scored: 14
Goals against: 7

Isles of Koster
Matches won: 3
Matches lost: 2
Matches drawn: 0
Goals scored: 10
Goals received: 9

If this was a league without a knock-out system, the top 3 today would be:
1. Adam Island (10pts, +7)
2. Mikitivity (9pts, +5)
3. Wondervolle (9pts, +3)

Isles of Koster would be ranked 5th at 9pts, +1. The worst performing team was Grosseschnauzer's, scoring just one goal and receiving 12, not winning a single match.

[Groot Gouda]

ISLES OF KOSTER WINS CUP
Adam Island gives game away in dying seconds

Adam Island vs. Isles of Koster: 2 - 3

In an incredible match in the Groot Gouda Stadium, overlooked by the leaders of various IDU nations and 70.000 spectators, football of the highest level was displayed. The two teams didn't sit back and wait, but fought for every inch of the field. The result was a game that could go either way, and many were already preparing for extra time. Adam Island had opened the score in the first half, soon followed by Isles of Koster's equalizer. In between, many chances were created but not transformed into goals.

The second half saw the same amount of action, leaving many people on the edge of their seats and both nations nervous about the ending. Again, Adam Island took the lead, which they managed to hold for a long time. in the 80th minute however, Isles of Koster scored and brought both teams back on 2-2. Most people thought it would stay this way, until deep in the added time, the winning goal was scored by Isles of Koster. By the time the match was resumed, the playing time was over and Isles of Koster could come up the stage and collect the cup from president Michel of Groot Gouda.

[Isles of Koster]

As the Isles of Koster’s head of state, I really shouldn’t be screaming out in joy, but what the heck: YAAAAYYY!!!
I’ve followed the cup closely since the start, calculating the chances of my team and noting the results in the other matches. I could only dream to see our national team win the first IDU football championships. This truly is a great day for all us football-crazed Kosterians.

The last to sign up for the championships, the Isles of Koster team arrived to Groot Gouda filled with confidence and beat the host in the first match in Groot Gouda Stadium (3-1). But perhaps the victory made the team a bit arrogant, since they lost the two next matches against Wondervolle (2-3) and Lawtonia (0-2). Both matches were held at the Eastmeadow Stadium and superstitious football fans said there stadium was cursed. However they were soon proved wrong. Being the last team to go to the knock-out rounds (with a lousy goal difference of -1) the Kosterians managed to beat DataGenesis at the Eastmeadow Stadium in maybe the most exciting game in the tournament. After 2-2, it wasn’t until well into the extra time that the Isles of Koster scored that last important goal that sensationally brought them to the semi finals! There, the Kosterians were to face Wondervolle at the Eastmeadow Stadium again. If the team were arrogant last time they played against Wondervolle, they had now learnt to respect their opponent and this time around, they beat them by 2-1. The Isles of Koster was in the final, something which most Kosterians didn’t see coming even in their wildest imaginations! Adam Island, the other finalist, proved to be a tough opponent. However, the Kosterians had studied the Islanders gamestyle and it was that knowledge that finally lead the Isles of Koster to victory at Groot Gouda Stadium. Now the team can raise the silver cup with the wonderful IDU scales engraved on it, thank president Michel of Groot Gouda for a great job arranging the championships, enjoy the spectators - beyond themselves with excitement and lastly go home to the Isles of Koster and be received as heroes…


Really, great work Groot Gouda! Your country arranged a kick-ass tournament!

[Antrium]

Congratulations, The Isles of Koster!

Does this mean the next championships (if there will be another) will be in Isles of Koster?

[Groot Gouda]

That's not how it works with football championships, usually. You're meant to offer gifts, prostitutes and possibly even cash to the commission of the Football Association who decide where the tournament is held next.

Perhaps we can find a better arrangement though. Just wait who wants to organize a tournament next. It does involve quite some organisation though, and you need to be online on match days to calculate scores.

But first: the interregional championships. Looking forward to that. I suggest the 4 semi-finalists will partake on behalf of the IDU, and if we can find 3 other regions that are willing to submit 4 teams we've got 4 groups which works easiest. (best 2 of each continue to quarter finals , etc).

And congratulations to Isles of Koster for winning!
:pisang:
:wave:

[Antrium]

Groot GoudaSep 14 2005, 04:34 PM That's not how it works with football championships, usually. You're meant to offer gifts, prostitutes and possibly even cash to the commission of the Football Association who decide where the tournament is held next.
[/quote]
Ah, yes, of course

[Malabra]

Congratulations from Malabra and HRM King Michael II to the nation of the Isles of Koster! Both teams were good competitiors I'm sure!

[DataGenesis]

*Offers the leaders of Groot Gouda many prostitutes*

LOL

[Adam Island]

Many thanks to Groot Gouda, we came within only one goal. Since I lived in Salt Lake from the 1980s to 2004, I think I'm the residential expert on bribing officials to host international athletic competitions. Everyone related to the IDU FC board members has already been given full scholarships and our army of prostitutes infilitrated Groot Gouda months ago.

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In the final match of the IDU Championship, Adam Island faced Isles of Koster for the crown in Groot Gouda Stadium. With 70,000 fans, including dignitaries from nations across the region watching on, AIS spared no effort. Each team got off over a dozen shots, but it was the ones that went in that counted.

Forward Petter Holmberg scored his 8th career international goal to put the Islanders up 1-0 in the 20th minute. Koster was quick to answer, tying the game just minutes later with a header just past Mikael Berggren. Action continued at a frantic pace, with a Holmberg shot bouncing off the post at 35 minutes.

Adam Island started strong in the second half, with midfielder Adelaide Haakenson taking the lead in the 48th minute. Adam Island flags were flown proudly, and the confetti was prepared across the Republic for the street parties watching the game on televisions by millions. Berggren kept the Koster shots away until the 80th minute, when he let one slide past him on the right when he had run up too far on the left.

Both teams started to play with the expectation of extra time, but the Isles of Koster found a hole in the AIS defense and put another goal through at the beginning of injury time. Adam Island had no chance to come back, and the underdog Isles of Koster won the silver cup of the IDU Football Championship.

Not all the news is bad however- Adam Island will be one of the four IDU teams to participate in the Inter-regional Football Championships currently being organized.