FMF World Cup 2008 Update for the uninformed

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

On Saturday, the draws were made for the group stages of this years World Cup, leaving some particularly exciting match-ups to look forward to.

Group A: Amokolia, Passas, Interland, Stormark

This group brings only one nation from last years World Cup, Passas, who finished third, and are likely to top their group again this time around. They shouldn't count out the other three teams, though, and must be ready for a good challenge from the strong Stormark and Amokolia squads. Interland, while able to field a good team, may not be able to compete with the rest.

Qualifier recap: Stormark 4W-2D-0L (AEFA), Passas 9W-1D-0L (EMUFA), Interland 6W-2D-2L (EMUFA), Amokolia automatically qualifies as host

Prediction: 1st: Passas, 2nd: Stormark, 3rd: Amokolia, 4th: Interland

Group B: Toketi, Alexandria, Batavia, New South Vietnam

In last year's World Cup, both Toketi and Alexandria finished atop their groups in the first round. Alexandria was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the reigning champions, Cräiteland, and Toketi fell in the finals match to the same nation. Neither Batavia nor NSV participated in the last World Cup, so their on shows so far have been in qualifiers, where both proved to be serious international competitors.

Qualifier recap: Toketi 5W-1D-0L (AEFA), Alexandria automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Batavia upset Beaugium in qualifying match (WMFA), New South Vietnam 8W-0D-2L and beat Ocia in qualifying match (EMUFA)

Prediction: 1st: Toketi, 2nd: Batavia, 3rd: Alexandria, 4th: New South Vietnam

Group C: Cräiteland, Hurmu, Shireroth, United Empire

This draw was a disaster for Shireroth and the United Empire. Cräiteland, the returning champions, are favorites to take the World Cup again, and Hurmu, 4th Place last year, crushed their group in qualifiers with a +12 goal diffnce. This is the first appearance for Shireroth and the United Empire, and, unfortunately, they will probably not be able to field the skill needed to topple the two much more experienced teams. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE! THEY DON'T HAVE A DEMON TREE GOD!

Qualifier recap: Cräiteland automatically qualifies as last years champions (EMUFA), Hurmu 6W-0D-0L (AEFA), Shireroth 1W-1L v Istvanistan with +2GD and beat Mania in qualifying match (WMFA), United Empire 5W-1D-0L (AEFA)

Prediction: 1st: Cräiteland, 2nd: Hurmu, 3rd: Shireroth, 4th: United Empire

Group D: Kavalos, Hamland, Nova England, Bobalania

A comparatively weak group, although it is given that none of these teams participated in last years World Cup. Kavalos is untested, since it was unnecessary to hold qualifiers for the CTFA. Bobalania edged out New Vaduz for a spot in the World Cup, but wasn't spectacular in qualifiers. Nova England and Hamland both topped their groups is fantastic form.

Qualifier recap: Kavalos automatically qualifies due to little interest in CTFA (CTFA), Hamland 10W-0D-0L (EMUFA), Nova England 9W-0D-1L (EMUFA), Bobalania 5W-2D-3L and beat New Vaduz in qualifying match (EMUFA)

Prediction: 1st: Hamland, 2nd: Nova England, 3rd: Kavalos, 4th: Bobalania

[Jess]

Lets Go Amokolia!!!!



Hey...im in a good mood, Shirerithians pay half price tickets!

[hypatias mom]

Corey--Sounds eiting!! Go, Shireroth!

Jess--I really like the coat of ams for Amokolia. And thanks for the discount tickets.

[Prodigy Almighty]

WOO! GO TOKETI!

AND GO SHIREROTH! I'm so glad those two are in different groups, though it would KILL me if it came down to those two in the finals...

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Shireroth got shafted by the draw. Cräiteland and Hurmu are good teams....

[Jess]

I was the one that drew that...sorry. :P

[Malliki]

Could someone post a link to where all this is happening please??

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Official FMF World Cup 2008 Thread

Toketi got a draw in it's first match against NSV...We blew a 2-0 lead in the last 10 minutes and had control 71% of the match...

[Craitman]

Just thought I'd come and wish Shireroth luck against us (we better not draw 3-3 again :P)...

[Craitman]

Hurmu 0-1 Shireroth
Didinho's first-half free-kick was enough to seal another 1-0 victory for Shireroth, and to guarantee them a spot in the quarter-finals at the first time of asking.

The Passas-based defender hit his set piece hard and low around the wall and inside Loresen's right post to make Hurmu need a good performance and a little bit of luck in the last two games of this group to reach the quarter-finals.

The game was fairly evenly-matched, with Hurmu actually getting more possession, but also conceding more fouls (one of which resulted in Didinho's fateful strike).

Scorers
28' - Didinho (IRS)

Bookings
Av Silmahamnum (HUR)
Gamst-Pedersen (HUR)
Vorgensen (HUR)

Other result:
Craitland 3-0 United Empire