2026-02-02, 11:08 AM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2026-02-02, 11:09 AM by TooDear. Edited 2 times in total.)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
The Semifinals. The last game before the "big" one. Though for East Europe, every game was big. Unlike the World Cup, or other such tournaments, there is no seeding in the WSFC, every round is fully random. Which is why here East Europe find themselves with a familiar sight, Central Europe. The one they couldn't beat in the group has come back to stop them from reaching the finale. If East Europe can get revenge here, then maybe, just maybe, they can win it all. Central Europe have been brilliant all tournament, having not even needed to shift their tactic. Though in the Quarterfinal, their game against Central America was much closer than anyone expected. Still, despite the trouble, they won and advanced. Now the European teams face each other again, both eager to prove something.
First Half
Not a single chance was created before drama would strike in the 7th minute. Kupinas would be pushed down by Walker in Central Europe's box after an East Europe throw in. The ref would call it despite the protests from Central European players and fans. Predrag, who hadn't yet scored a goal this tournament (if we don't count the Asia penalty shoot-out), would step up to take it. Calm and collected breaths, steady legs, top right corner. There was never a chance in hell Satoshi could get to it. 1-0 East Europe.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! In the 10th minute Kupinas would again find himself inside Central Europe's box after a successful counter attack from Central Europe's throw in. This time he'd be brought down by Millwall and a second penalty would be given. Just like last time, the ball would be given to Predrag Dobrić, their captain, to hit it true. Bottom left corner this time, sending Satoshi the completely wrong direction. Easy 2-0.
Just three minutes later, Central Europe would answer. After another throw in, the ball would be recycled and passed over to the right. Gaisberg would run with it then pass it to Clarke. Clarke was in the box but was robbed of possession by Sukzuki. Luckly for C.E. Gaisberg stayed with the play and was able to collect the ball again. He then sent it to an unmarked Klose who turned and shot it into the East Europe net. 2-1
And yet nothing would happen for the rest of the half. Central Europe was definitely the better team but they just couldn't get a second. Eastern Europe had other chances as well, but were currently only ahead because of those two penalties. Despite that explosive start with 3 goals in the first 13 minutes, this game would have to be decided in the second half.
Second Half
For East Europe, Leah Slothinson would be replaced by Bread Lasso while for Central Europe, Clara Schmidt, Erik Beermann and Devon Wagner would come in for Day Walker, Capybara Chevalier and Hans Grudnar.
Guys, gals and non-binary pals. It might seem like there weren't many chances in this game, but the truth is quite the opposite. There were many, many chances for both sides. In fact, both of these teams had 2 goals be disallowed for being offside. It is just that in these highlights I focus on events that change the score-line. For a proper understanding of this game I highly suggest you watch the game. I say all of this to inform you that our next change only comes in the 84th minute. After 70 minutes of trying to break down Eastern Europe, Central Europe finally get their equalizer. A throw in from Schmidt would be sent to Wagner. Wagner would pass it to Millwall. Millwall to Gaisberg. Gaisberg to Kunicki who saw an unmarked and running Wagner. Wagner would take a touch and line up for a shot outside the box but he'd be tackled cleanly and lose possession. The ball would fall back to Beermann who'd pass it back to Schmidt. Schmidt would once again find Wagner who had already recovered and was determined to make that shot. Wagner would immediately turn with the shot as he blasted it towards Mobek, but instead he'd catch Smalls' ankle and the ball would completely change direction. Going into the near post instead but scoring regarless. 2-2
Heartbreak. 88th minute. After a full game of back and forth, Eden Empire IV would be brought down in Central Europe's box after a free kick. A third penalty for East Europe. Just a few minutes before the end of the game. Predrag had to score this. East Europe had to score this. It was 2-2, if he just makes it 3-2 they win and go to the final. Who cares if it's a hattrick of penalties. JUTS MAKE THE SHOT. Predrag steppes up to score a third goal after 2 had already been disallowed by VAR. First one was top right, second one was bottom left. Third one TOP RIGHT AGAIN. But...this time Satoshi guessed correctly. Saved. Extra time.
Extra Time
Dreams are often beautiful, sometimes strange and even frightening. But the one common thing is that they all end. We all have to wake up. And on this day it was East Europe's time to wake up. In the 100th minute of the game. After everything the boys from the East gave to get themselves up to this point, they just couldn't cross the finish line. It was a step too far. A throw in from Clarke to Gaisberg. Back to Clarke who puts in a fantastic cross to Kunicki at the near post. Eastern Europe was just too tired. The wear and tear of playing against teams better than them 5 times back to back to back to back to back finally showed. 2-3 game.
Wrap up
What can I say about this tournament for East Europe? Was it a great or terrible one? I can't tell honestly. Even now as I write this I feel...odd. On one hand, we were the 3rd worst team going into this tournament and we ended up in the top 4, one penalty kick away from the final where maybe, just maybe we could have one it. But that was always going to be unlikely. We SHOULD have dropped out in the group stage. Eurasia, Central Europe and Norden were all better, but we almost topped it. We SHOULD have lost to Asia but we pulled through with the brilliance of Mobek. And even in the semis against C.E. we SHOULD have lost and yet it came down to a single penalty kick. And it was me that couldn't score it. Even if I get that 3rd, we likely get destroyed in the Final against Pyrenees. But time and again we showed that we would always define what SHOULD happen. I guess I hopped it would last just one more game.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by A.C. Romana and East Europe.
Part 2
Part 3
The Semifinals. The last game before the "big" one. Though for East Europe, every game was big. Unlike the World Cup, or other such tournaments, there is no seeding in the WSFC, every round is fully random. Which is why here East Europe find themselves with a familiar sight, Central Europe. The one they couldn't beat in the group has come back to stop them from reaching the finale. If East Europe can get revenge here, then maybe, just maybe, they can win it all. Central Europe have been brilliant all tournament, having not even needed to shift their tactic. Though in the Quarterfinal, their game against Central America was much closer than anyone expected. Still, despite the trouble, they won and advanced. Now the European teams face each other again, both eager to prove something.
First Half
Not a single chance was created before drama would strike in the 7th minute. Kupinas would be pushed down by Walker in Central Europe's box after an East Europe throw in. The ref would call it despite the protests from Central European players and fans. Predrag, who hadn't yet scored a goal this tournament (if we don't count the Asia penalty shoot-out), would step up to take it. Calm and collected breaths, steady legs, top right corner. There was never a chance in hell Satoshi could get to it. 1-0 East Europe.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! In the 10th minute Kupinas would again find himself inside Central Europe's box after a successful counter attack from Central Europe's throw in. This time he'd be brought down by Millwall and a second penalty would be given. Just like last time, the ball would be given to Predrag Dobrić, their captain, to hit it true. Bottom left corner this time, sending Satoshi the completely wrong direction. Easy 2-0.
Just three minutes later, Central Europe would answer. After another throw in, the ball would be recycled and passed over to the right. Gaisberg would run with it then pass it to Clarke. Clarke was in the box but was robbed of possession by Sukzuki. Luckly for C.E. Gaisberg stayed with the play and was able to collect the ball again. He then sent it to an unmarked Klose who turned and shot it into the East Europe net. 2-1
And yet nothing would happen for the rest of the half. Central Europe was definitely the better team but they just couldn't get a second. Eastern Europe had other chances as well, but were currently only ahead because of those two penalties. Despite that explosive start with 3 goals in the first 13 minutes, this game would have to be decided in the second half.
Second Half
For East Europe, Leah Slothinson would be replaced by Bread Lasso while for Central Europe, Clara Schmidt, Erik Beermann and Devon Wagner would come in for Day Walker, Capybara Chevalier and Hans Grudnar.
Guys, gals and non-binary pals. It might seem like there weren't many chances in this game, but the truth is quite the opposite. There were many, many chances for both sides. In fact, both of these teams had 2 goals be disallowed for being offside. It is just that in these highlights I focus on events that change the score-line. For a proper understanding of this game I highly suggest you watch the game. I say all of this to inform you that our next change only comes in the 84th minute. After 70 minutes of trying to break down Eastern Europe, Central Europe finally get their equalizer. A throw in from Schmidt would be sent to Wagner. Wagner would pass it to Millwall. Millwall to Gaisberg. Gaisberg to Kunicki who saw an unmarked and running Wagner. Wagner would take a touch and line up for a shot outside the box but he'd be tackled cleanly and lose possession. The ball would fall back to Beermann who'd pass it back to Schmidt. Schmidt would once again find Wagner who had already recovered and was determined to make that shot. Wagner would immediately turn with the shot as he blasted it towards Mobek, but instead he'd catch Smalls' ankle and the ball would completely change direction. Going into the near post instead but scoring regarless. 2-2
Heartbreak. 88th minute. After a full game of back and forth, Eden Empire IV would be brought down in Central Europe's box after a free kick. A third penalty for East Europe. Just a few minutes before the end of the game. Predrag had to score this. East Europe had to score this. It was 2-2, if he just makes it 3-2 they win and go to the final. Who cares if it's a hattrick of penalties. JUTS MAKE THE SHOT. Predrag steppes up to score a third goal after 2 had already been disallowed by VAR. First one was top right, second one was bottom left. Third one TOP RIGHT AGAIN. But...this time Satoshi guessed correctly. Saved. Extra time.
Extra Time
Dreams are often beautiful, sometimes strange and even frightening. But the one common thing is that they all end. We all have to wake up. And on this day it was East Europe's time to wake up. In the 100th minute of the game. After everything the boys from the East gave to get themselves up to this point, they just couldn't cross the finish line. It was a step too far. A throw in from Clarke to Gaisberg. Back to Clarke who puts in a fantastic cross to Kunicki at the near post. Eastern Europe was just too tired. The wear and tear of playing against teams better than them 5 times back to back to back to back to back finally showed. 2-3 game.
Wrap up
What can I say about this tournament for East Europe? Was it a great or terrible one? I can't tell honestly. Even now as I write this I feel...odd. On one hand, we were the 3rd worst team going into this tournament and we ended up in the top 4, one penalty kick away from the final where maybe, just maybe we could have one it. But that was always going to be unlikely. We SHOULD have dropped out in the group stage. Eurasia, Central Europe and Norden were all better, but we almost topped it. We SHOULD have lost to Asia but we pulled through with the brilliance of Mobek. And even in the semis against C.E. we SHOULD have lost and yet it came down to a single penalty kick. And it was me that couldn't score it. Even if I get that 3rd, we likely get destroyed in the Final against Pyrenees. But time and again we showed that we would always define what SHOULD happen. I guess I hopped it would last just one more game.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by A.C. Romana and East Europe.
![[Image: GmuKJta.png]](https://i.imgur.com/GmuKJta.png)
