MD1 of Löwenburg (IAC 26)
In Emprijaal, Fortensthegr - PreMatch
Dulle looks up. A shadow looms over him and his chilled drink. He grumbles softly; he can't even find peace in this quiet little spot. But when he recognizes the face, a grin lights up his own; he quickly straightens up and offers a loud slap on the back and a hug in greeting. "Itzel! Well, how's it going?" His burly counterpart is beaming, too. "Hey Dulle, long time no see." Dulle snorts. "Yeah, well, the season hasn't been over for that long," he says in a friendly tone, both of them thinking back to the first half of the current football season. Dulle, the Vorsänger (chant leader or capo) for the "Die Legion" ultra group of Legio Löwenburg, had actually been in touch with Itzel just last week. Itzel is a loyal member of the leadership core and, at the same time, an icon within the somewhat... more "athletic" faction (the hooligans). Even though things aren't going well for Legio right now...
Dulle looks around. As expected, the weather in Emprijaal is... just so-so. It feels just like home. A thick layer of clouds covers the sky, yet it is pleasantly warm. Back in Löwenburg, in the southern hemisphere. it is the dead of winter and completely snowed in. Here, at least, the weather is pleasantly warm. Warm enough, in fact, to make a visit to the Suberaqua water park worthwhile. "How was the flight?" asks the third member of the group. It’s Alina, Dulle’s girlfriend. But Dulle isn't really listening to the answer anymore.
It’s nice just to be abroad again. On Valsora, Löwenburg is far too isolated, so it’s all the better to get out and explore more of the multiverse, especially for an event of such historic significance. After 19 years, the confederated entities have finally pulled themselves together to assemble a national team, spurred on by the LFA. Naturally, players from Legio are involved too, even though they certainly aren't impressing anyone on the domestic front right now. Many Löwenburgers have seized this opportunity, and the current winter break, to take part in the international matches of IAC 26. Löwenburg is, after all, a nation of football fanatics, but any internal rivalries will be set aside for the time being. Who knows, they might even run into rival ultras from the King's Team. But on the international stage, a sort of truce prevails for now. National pride comes first!
It’s going to be a tough challenge, though. Löwenburg is playing as the "away team" at Empironstadt Stadium, a massive arena. Not quite as big as their home ground, the Ostkampfarena, but still huge. And they’re up against a strong side, the 25th-ranked team in the IAC, in fact: The Golden Harp. A very interesting name. For Löwenburg, especially after their recent friendlies, this is a major fixture. No matter how much Itzel and Dulle grumble about it, the lineup hasn't changed at all so far, though the tactical approach has. One just has to hope the defense holds firm.
Großlöwenburg
(4-2-3-1)
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[9]
Ludwig v. d. Linden
(Johannes Anton Lab.)
[10]
Vincze v. Tibor
(Martin Balderu)
[15] [11]
Johannes Franzisk. Georg Christopher
(Jan Alcove) (Ludwig Western-Ho.)
[6] [18]
Willi Zanzokavic Stefan Ziegler
(Samuel v. Lerida-B.) (Norbert Wilhelm-Mar.)
[2] [3] [21] [17]
Moritz Heiß Victor v. Meine Harold v. W. Niklas Weise
(E. Ballester) (R. Dominik) (F. v. Singen) (L. v. Lautern)
[1]
Ingen-Liechtenstein
(Philipp von Glauben.)
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In the stadium
'1 The ball rolls. A packed Empironstadt Stadium, a golden wall of interested Löwenburgish fans. The first important and professional international match after 19 years and 5 new testmatches. And hopefully the beginning of something better.
'2 The match starts off heatedly. The Golden Harp with an aggressive and self-assured play style, the Löwenburg team uncertain and with an incredible defensive playstyle. Victor von Meine blocks a shoot outside of the box. Both teams reassure themselves.
'7 The Golden Harp continues their attack, but bites on granite for now.
'9 For the first time in the match, Löwenburg themselves start a quick counter attack. Liechtenstein has the ball safe, throwing it far to the work-horses of Niklas Weise. Weise surges to the outside of the box and brings Christopher in the far right corner. Christopher swipes right, pulls the ball back and brings it well to delayed Stefan Ziegler, who shoots the ball far above the opposing goal. Still, a first try is a first try.
'13 The Golden Harp stays unmoved, continuing their aggressive play style, trying to play out their superior team and player complexes.
'18 Clever foul called by Meine. Löwenburg with a quick free kick.
'20 And immediately manage to roll in another chance. This time through Ludwig von den Linden. Great double passing with Ziegler, lets him close to the 16 metres box, but the goal only shoots close left near the post. Shaking his head, Ludwig has his first proper chance
'24 But as quick as Löwenburg tried to attack, they already find themselves boxed in again.
'29 Dangerously boxed in. 5 minutes and almost no ball contact. The Golden Harp tries it from the left side, surging in and shooting ... but Liechtenstein is there grabbing the ball from the air. Phew.
'35 The match started to slow for the moment, interrupted by fouls and well ... dives by Löwenburg. Highest priority: not letting The Golden Harp build up momentum
'41 Only the Golden Harp continues to play, but always interrupted. Löwenburg with only two shots the entire game so far ...
'42 The Golden Harp once again surges in from the left of the field, takign a glance and shot ... and phew, Liechtenstein only barely manages to touch the ball above the crossbar.
'46 The Golden Harp prepares for a corner kick. The balls flys and flys but is easily thrown out of the penalty area by defender Heiß. Before a counter can be initiated though, the ball falls into possession of the Golden Harp. The half-time whistle is blown.
Not a bad first half. The Golden Harp running against Löwenburgs bulwark, not being able to penetrate it yet. Löwenburgs storm so far almost invisible, but being able to annoyingly punctuate into danger zones.
'47 The ball rolls once more.
'51 This time, Löwenburgs takes on the first initiative. Letting The Golden Harp slowly but surely play themselves tired, Ludwig von den Linden once again penetrates the defending line, but his shot flies far above the goal once more.
'52 Löwenburg players gather around the referee, seemingly having seen the goalkeeper still touch the ball. A corner kick is indeed awarded.
'53 The ball flies in well and high, but above the heads of the Löwenburg players. It goes directly back into defense.
'55 And well so, because the explosive attack of the Golden Harp starts to attack. But is intervened by Heiß on the right side.
'61 Once again, the match starts to slow down.
'63 The Golden Harp still has more possession.
'71 But the longer the match goes in this trench war, the power seems to come to Löwenburg. The ball stays more often in our ranks.
'72 Until the typical Löwenburg moves in again. From the center the ball is played to the sides, those play themselves free, bring the ball in the middle ... and noone is there to convert it. The ball flies out of the box again.
'76 And it immediately goes into counter again. The opposing player walks the ball out of the sideline though.
'78 The opponent starts to switch their players, but Löwenburg remains adamant. With not having changed the lineup in a single of the previous five matches, all now have the condition to play long enough. Especially such a war of attrition, that usually goes in favour of Löwenburg. As the Golden Harp tiredly runs against the defensive wall.
'81 Unfortunately, that is demanding from our players as well. Löwenburg now only plays to bring the draw over time, not to actually attack themselves.
'89 And so for the last few minutes, the opponents just continue to run against the defensive wall. For a last time, von Meine shoots the goal far and high away ... pfiit, pfiit. The match is over! Löwenburg gathered a draw!