#5 Representing Your Nation - Printable Version

#5 Representing Your Nation - Printable Version

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- holy.sheesh - 2023-01-30

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1377' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Elmis</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=26887' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>CPT 4</a> There is no denying that being called to the national team is indeed a honor for any football player. Elmis was not an exception. Though it seems like feelings are not all rainbow and sunshines. First off, Latvia really needed some more young goalkeepers. One of their main options, Ozols being constantly injured and Šteinbors being old and inconsistent. So Tukums' native is coming right to the rescue. Moreso, the team is slowly starting to show signs of life after being a constant source of disappointment for the last 5-6 years. More young guns coming in (one of them, Krollis actually signed a deal with a Serie A team!). The results slowly starting to come in as well. Elmis is definitely not in hopeless position as it could've been in early/mid 10's. However, there is one thing that was really bugging him from the start. He is the only Latvian player available from SSL. There are some more Latvian agents, but they chose non Latvians as their clients instead. A bit of a shame. Things were a bit awkward for Elmis when he arrived to the team's camp for the first time. Lots of unknown personalities for him to get along from the start. Kudos to him for not being a hard head and being a good student. Perhaps he learnt having more calm approach does help his game. Look at his stats in S7 comparing to S6. You know. Anyways, the atmosphere in team is pretty nice and Elmis does contribute to this in a positive manner. The team is soon to start the EURO 2024 qualification and looks like Elmis is ready to challenge more experienced Šteinbors for the starting goalkeeper position. Their first game is set in March 28 on road against Wales. Sounds strong, but without Bale? Does this mean the coach will risk and put Elmis in right away? There is still time to impress so perhaps Cairo City will have another player who is playing for the national team. And even if this is not happening now, there is still games to play. Like against Armenia - might be a fitting enough opponent for starters. One thing is for sure - Elmis' journey in the Latvia national team has just begun. And he has all the chances to become the legend of his team by the end of it. APPROVED

- SteveAiva - 2023-01-31

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=745' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'> Player Profile </a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=28288' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'> CPT#4 </a> As a professional football player, there's no greater honor than being called up to represent your country on the international stage. That's why I was over the moon when I found out that I had been selected to join the Greek national team. The last few years, you can say that the Greek national team has been very disappointing. Going from Euro 2004 winners, to losing to Faroe Islands some years ago, it definitely shouts like a time for change. And Leo's performances haven't let him go unnoticed, especially after the summer training with some Greek legends. With Vangelis Pavlidis and Tasos Douvikas being on the brink of their stardom, Leonidas couldn't help but get startled that he was also called up. "What is gonna be my role then?" the Greek in Paris asked to himself. Nevertheless, it still was an incredible experience to be able to train and play with all these guys that I was only thinking I could watch from the TV and I'm learning so much from them every day. It feels amazing to be representing Greece on the world stage. The thought of pulling on the national team jersey and stepping out onto the pitch in front of thousands of fans is both exhilarating and humbling. I've always been proud of my heritage and I'm honored to have the opportunity to show the world what Greek football is all about. Ever since I was a young boy kicking a ball around in the streets, I've dreamed of playing for Greece. I've worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and it's a surreal feeling to finally see my dream becoming a reality. That of course wouldn't be possible without the support of my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me along the way. But enough day dreaming... I've made it this far with my hard work and I shall continue to do so to keep this status and solidify my position in the Greek national team for the future. This is only the beginning and the chances are all in my favour. And who knows, when it's all said and done, I might be in the Greek national team history books. But now, work is all I've gotta put. Work and confidence... APPROVED

- MN_Moosey - 2023-02-16

<a href='http://sslforums.com/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=32173' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>CPT #4</a> <a href='http://sslforums.com/index.php?showtopic=391' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Player page</a> Jokull is a fortunate individual in this league. He gets to play with another of his countrymen every matchday in his goalkeeper Gunnarson. Iceland is not a large nation by any stretch and has an even smaller professional football community. Iceland getting into international play is the toughest task. There are so many power house nations out there that being selected to play in some of the world's biggest games is truly an honor. Jokull finding out his country made an international tournament would be a moment of a lifetime. He remembers the famous run that Iceland made in the European Championship some years ago. It was a huge moment for the small island nation to show they belong on the world stage. Getting that call soon after the announcement that the nation had made it, Jokull couldn’t help himself. He was elated to be representing his country for the world to see. Not many have seen him play in the SSL for Catalunya let alone in person. He is one of the best defenders in the league so now more eyes will be on him than ever. Maybe he might be appreciated for his hard work protecting the net. He is also very lucky to be working with the goal keeper he knows the most. They know each others habits and styles. Jokull stepped into the locker room for the first time. He couldn't help but just look around and take in the moment. His fellow countrymen welcomed him in and introduced themselves. He got to meet some of his idols growing up including his now manager, Arnar Vidarsson. Shaking hands with his manager, he made his way over to his assigned locker and just stood there for a second. There was his name emblazoned upon the bright blue kit hanging in the center of his locker. This is the moment every kid dreams of. APPROVED

- jeffie43 - 2023-02-25

<a href='http://sslforums.com/index.php?showtopic=1388' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Player Page</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&st=30&#entry32577' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #4</a> The Canadian men's national soccer team has recently seen a massive growth in popularity following their first time qualifying for the Men's World Cup in nearly 40 years (They had not made the tournament since the 1986 World Cup). With so many quality young players developing from the nation, there is a lot of potential to be discovered and things are only going to get better with the addition of the Canadian Premier League. Jeffrey LaVert was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1999 and quickly rose through the ranks and became well-known across the country as a potential star in the making at Striker. He was a very speedy striker who was capable of having a niche of being able to toe the offside line and usually getting open where his strong finishing ability helped him net many goals. LaVert came through the ranks and really made a name for himself during his time at the Erin Mills Football Club. His coaching there helped him realize the player he wanted to become and really influenced his hard work and never give up attitude on plays. It was this same attitude that has really helped the Canadian Men's National Team thrive even in poor conditions where the team was never considered to be upto par or be of equal strength in comparison to. With LaVert finally getting called up, its this same mentality he's excited to play with alongside many notable Canadian soccer stars like Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan Osorio and Tajon Buchanan while also feeling a significant sense of awe and inspiration as he had grew up watching them represent the country. This moment has been a dream come true for the young striker and he is excited to showcase his abilities on the international stage. LaVert feels extremely excited to be provided the opprtunity to represent his country and proud to do so, but at the same time he can't help but feel nervous as it is his biggest opportunity yet. APPROVED

- marco999 - 2023-03-27

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=35738' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #4</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=35738' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Player Page</a> Pierre Houde has just been called up to the Canadian National Soccer Team. It really feels like a dream come true, but why does a young Canadian, surrounded by hockey players chose to dedicate his life to soccer when it wasn't really popular during his upbringing ? The dream of being a professional soccer player seems almost impossible for a Canadian kid, but with hard work and determination, Pierre decided that anything was possible. There aren't any big clubs in Canada and the pro league isn't really a top flight even if they pretend to be one. As with most players, Pierre fell in love in the game during in childhood. Whereas most kids like to play on offense to score goals, Pierre was the exact opposite, he prefered to play at the back. He enjoyed tackling and taking the ball off the opponent. Pierre had anger issues in his youth and he took it all out on opposing players. Most kids's interest in soccer diminishes when they get older, but Pierre's passion only got stronger. He got offers to play oversees and he took the difficult decision to leave his family and go and that's where his life completely changed. He got rid of the anger issues thanks to a coach and Europe and focused on his game. He joined Cairo City in the prestigious Simulation Soccer League, believed to be the most prestigious team in the whole world, but his rookie season in the desert was a wake up call for him. He decided to focus on his game to become the best center back in the world and some say he might get there soon enough. This national team call is the culmination of a life's work and Pierre is really happy about it. Most people would feel nervous when they take the pitch while representing their country, but Pierre isn't nervous on the pitch anymore and perhaps he never was, as it feels like a second home to him. APPROVED

- Renomitsu - 2023-03-31

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=224&view=findpost&p=10094' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #1</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=423&view=findpost&p=22020' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #2</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=983&view=findpost&p=29744' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #3</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=34988' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT #4</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1448' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Sydney Ramirez Player Page</a> It’s no secret: Colombia, a soccer-happy nation with plenty of hopefuls and local leagues, is woefully underrepresented in the Simulation Soccer League. The primary play of significance for the entire country is defender/midfielder Sydney Ramirez, a longtime stalwart for Athenai FC. While the team has been beleaguered (in some ways), tantalizingly always in the top half of the league but never winning the cup nor the league itself, one consistent aspect of its defensive line since Season 4 has been Ramirez. It’s been something of a point of pride and shame both for Colombia. A few players have come and gone – most promisingly S5 midfielder Aureliano Buendia, who joined a couple of weeks after Mauricio Babilonia. The former of the two was the first Colombian after Sydney Ramirez to hit 500 TPE (currently at 501). So, interestingly, Ramirez finds herself as the lone representative for her entire country. For better or for worse, she’s been lumped in to a broader team based on recent discussions to represent several countries as a collective for those that are chronically under-represented. She feels ambivalent about the whole ordeal – glad to represent her country, humbled to have been selected, but unsure as to Colombia would benefit from a single representative of this conglomerate multinational team. Sydney obviously plans on playing her best and doing her country well, but was hoping to play with some players of her own nationality despite the most famous players in her country’s history having moved on from football. Overall, she feels this is nonetheless an opportunity. If she plays well, she hopes to inspire plenty of young men and women who would eventually fill out a Colombian team several seasons from now. It’s a chance to play, weirdly, a little closer to home as a representative of a regular season Greek team, with some of these international meetings being played in the States and larger Latin American countries. [319] APPROVED

- trella - 2023-04-04

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1391&view=findpost&p=9864' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>S4 Wesley Stains</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?act=ST&f=73&t=1287&hl=&view=findpost&p=26688' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>CPT #4</a> Soccer is the biggest sport in the world with the best international tournaments. Representing your nation on the pitch is the greatest honor a soccer player can receive. Stepping into his prime, Wesley Stains, is finally getting the opportunity to represent the United States, playing on the national team. Stains has been training his entire life for this moment, ever since he was just a kid in Corpus Christi playing pickup in the street. Today is the day he finally shows everyone back home that he made it. Today is the day he gets to make his loved ones proud and prove his doubters wrong. On the way to his first practice with the national team, Stains was nervous, but tried to have confidence to play his best. When he stepped onto the pitch, he saw some superstars in the league. Guys like K Clamence, George Costanza, and Mike Rup. Feeling a little intimidated, Stains was relieved to see former teammate Powdered Toastman stretching off on his own. Stains and Toastman caught up after not seeing each other for a while and this helped Stains loosen up before training started. The training went well for Stains as he made an impression on his coaches. His well-rounded style would help to connect USA's strong defensive line and goalkeeping to their attackers like Clamence and Dogwood Maple. Despite having a good training, Stains still has a lot to prove if he wants to be a true starter on team USA. His performance in S8 with Cairo City was disappointing and he will need to prove some people wrong in the upcoming season with Catalunya to truly be considered a lock for the starting eleven. Until then, Stains will keep his head down, and stay on the grind as he always has. He has never been the flashiest player or been the center of praise, but he has always found ways to impact the game and he will continue to do so. 329 words APPROVED

- Socc - 2023-04-07

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=32512' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>CPT4</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=2215' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Player Page S5</a> I'm not sure which feeling was weirder. Getting the call that I was heading to play a series of friendlies for France for the first time, or the feeling of introducing myself to my teammates and actually getting to know them. Of course, there was the other trouble. Picking the team I would represent, and all the eligibility paperwork that went with it, was a nightmare to deal with. But I went with my birth nation of France. It wasn't hard to see a team of heroes you watch on TV as a kid when you walk into that dressing room. Nor could I have also seen them as rivals I'd faced off against in the past - Anivierre, Mathieu, Pelletier, Gourcuff, and Guillaume-Olivier Aubuchon-Touchette - the GOAT. All players I'd seen in the SSL as opponents, now my teammates. Then there's walking out there next to my opponents - my debut was against an African All-Stars team. My teammates Yeboah and Youre both players I'd be looking to best, along with bitter rivals who played in the blue and gold of Hollywood. It's hard after spending so long training with a club to not see it as that, but that's the beauty of international competition. It pairs players up in a regional sense, and means you have to set alliances and some differences aside to function as one cohesive unit, because you have to play for the badge on the front. Once out there, though, it felt easily to let the feelings go and just play my natural game. Go up and down the field, attempting to win those battles on the flanks to prevent the monstrous headers coming through, and then flicking my own crosses in to attempt to provide my own support play. Playing for Les Bleus was an unforgettable experience, no matter what the result was. Because it made me feel proud about playing football. APPROVED

- tomtommen - 2023-04-08

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&view=findpost&p=35098' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Career PT#4</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1985' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Tom Pedersen, update page</a> When Tom Pedersen made his debut for the national team of his beloved Norway there were tears and moisture all over the place. He didn’t really believe he would be good enough to pay for Norway. Especially when Norway through times have been very good at left defender. Famous players like John Arne Riise and Stig Inge Bjørnebye have played at that position. And usually Norway plays a traditional 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Which isn’t that suited for Tom Pedersen offensive wingback playstyle. But when he gets called upon Tom Pedersen will play wherever the gaffer wants him to play. He’d be happy to be left sausage cooker in the National arena’s hot dog stand as well if that's what Norway needs from him. But back to the day of his debut. He was called upon by national coach Ståle Solbakken as replacement for Birger Meling who had a knock versus Spain in the World Cup qualification. So his first match was away against Georgia. Tom Pedersen was put in as left defender and did ok especially in the first half. Norway was in a one goal lead after Alexander Sørloth struck a sweet longshot down in the right corner. Then right after half time Ståle Solbakken decided to make some tactical changes and took off Tom Pedersen. Tom Pedersen received cheerful applause when substituted by those Norwegians that had followed the team to Batumi Arena. After that change the Norwegian team fell apart and Georgia started dominating the game. And attack wave after attack wave came against the Norwegian defense. After 60 minutes Georges Mikautadze leveled the game with a fine goal. After that the game was swinging back and forth until the referee signaled for the last time. Both teams had their chances, but no one grabbed the opportunity. Tom Pedersen just hopes this wasn’t his last chance at the national team, but Birger Meling is probably back in the next game versus Scotland at Ullevål stadium. A proud Tom Pedersen is always ready for Norway. Words: 337 APPROVED

- _Blitz_ - 2023-04-08

<a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1410' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Thomas Llewellyn - Player Page</a> <a href='https://simsoccer.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=1287&st=30&#entry31947' rel='nofollow noopener' target='_blank'>Previous Activity</a> When he was a rookie, if anyone had asked Tom Llewellyn if he wanted to play on the international stage for Team USA, he'd have said "Of course! Yes! Where do I sign up?! Do I sign up?!". His mother had been a huge part of Team USA in her own career, and he'd gotten into soccer with dreams of red, white, and blue, and a jersey of his own. Now, it's a bit more complicated. His last season in Accra, while better than before after some time at home and a change in management, was not spectacular. Not the liability that he's been, after all of the work done to clean up his game and bring it up to a level that is still a work in progress but has done a lot to shake the malcontent with him amongst Accra fans. If only it could do so much for Tom. When the call came, he thought it was a prank, perhaps the latest creation from draft classmate and OG Accra teammate Rizzo Rigamarole, or perhaps fellow American from S4, David Doug. After all, there's 48 players in the SSL who declare themselves Americans, 29 who are considered eligible for international play. Going by pure player rating, Thomas Llewellyn is 25th even if he's 20th by skill level. Why would he get the starting squad nod for Team USA when they could be leaving younger, more talented, more hopeful players out? Who would take Yellow Card Tom over Kjell Holmberg or alongside Pork Tenderloin, Adam Knight, Matthew Mayhem, or Mike Rup on the back line? Who would put Thomas Llewellyn on a roster to support living legends like George Costanza, Scott Sterling, or K Clamence? But, yes. Of course he'll play for Team USA. It's a dream come true. Now to just keep it from turning into a nightmare. (307 Words, Ready for Grading) APPROVED