"Is everything ready?"

"Yes. We are prepared."

"Cue the transition"


"Alright, three, two, one.. Cue!"

---

---

The livestream ended, and with it, the promo was posted for all to see. Kicking off the hype for the FWC 2019

Name	Trigramme	Men	Women
The Peocracy of Huawan	PEH	X	X
Republic of Bzerneleg	BZE	X	X
Valkyrian Republic	VAL	X	X
Commonwealth of Rebeltopia	REB	X	X
Kingdom of Sedunn	SED	X	X
Trasunneria	TRS	X	X
Gi-Land	GIL	X	X
Snolland	SNO	X	X
The Imperial Federation of Frost	IFF	X	X
Republic of Reizen	RIM	X	X
United States of Reizen	RDC	X	X
Voodoo People's Republic of Bruuma	BRM	X	X
Estado Libre Asociado of Puerto Pollo	PPO	X	X
People's Republic of Kai-Fa	KFA	X	X
Fi-Hami	FIH	X	X
Fauderland	FAU	X	X
Sorbkraia	SOR	X	X
Hazelbrust	HZB	X	X
Republic of Ubesii	UBI	X	X
Tanisian Autonomous Republic	TAN	X	X
Tekarai	TKR	X	X
Imperium of Pax Dracon	PXD	X	X
Tribekistan	TRI	X	X
Poleande	POL	X	X

"The FWC 2019 kicks off to a massive start, with over 24 countries in attendance, making it the largest football event in the history of the region. As an agreement between The Peony and The Konig, the women's tournament shall be held in Huawan, and the men's tournament shall be held, on a separate date, in Gi-Land. This tournament also marked a debut of several states, and especially with the insurgence of Reizen states, the RIM and the RDC, also joining for the FWC."

"With tensions in the Reizen peninsula, the kidnappings of heads of state, and political scandal spreading like wildfire, nothing could relieve the tension except good-old football. Now who do you think would be the main contender in this fight?"

"Well Huawan has provided a strong base to win, being last year's champion going to defend their title. We also see some potential in Sedunn and Rebeltopia, as well as Ubesii and Pax Dracon. There are also several noteworthy newcomers, with Fi-Hami's mixed football games, they may pose better strength against their opponents. Otherwise, this game's outcome is everyone's win, and its almost as if it's due to diceroll!"

"It takes true skill to win the FWC, true skill indeed. Now a performance by TSP-FWC musicians. First off, we have Huawan's very own contribution to the list, the famed clarity, La Soleil!



"Next we have Richard Martin of Valkyria, singing this year's theme song "The Cup of Life"."



"Strong and powerful stuff! Now up next we have Bruuman singer to present this year's song for the 2019 FWC. Amare Mosi with "Wavin' Flag"!"



"What a really empowering song. Now next we have Gi-Land's very own sweetheart. Elena Zeiss with the FWC song, "Satallite"!"



"Finally, our final performance for the FWC Theme songs. "Rising Hope" by Huawan's pop virtuoso, LiXa!"

---

Sound theme of the Women's FWC 2019 Huawan:




As the show ended, the sounds of drums rung throughout the stadium. Peonic performers came out of the area, lion dancers came out with various colorful lion constumes. Climbing up obstacles and doing acrobatics for everyone to see.


As the drums continued, lines of people holding up sticks to prop up a long dragon came out. Spinning around and made sure the dragon moved around in agility and poise. Then came out the Wushu swordsmen, and the fireworks blew to the sky. It was a spectacle, and apparent that the Peocracy used this opportunity wisely.


The Peonic fans cheered as they took out their banners, cheering loudly for a magnificent sight unfolding in front of their eyes. The first event of such sizes that ever happened behind the borders of Huawan, and one that is certainly noteworthy. The people cheered loudly for their homeland, Huawan.


As the performance finished and everyone was in position. The Peonic head of state walked from the entry with a tiny group of guards guarding her. As lion dancers accompany her and wushu warriors bowing as she passed them.

She got on the stage, and the sound continued albeit in lower volume. It was time to give her speech.

---

"Friends, neighbors and everyone! Assalamualaikum, Ni Hao!" The crowd cheered as she gave her signature greeting, "welcome to Huawan, I hope for you a nice stay and a nice experience in our beautiful country. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to host the women's FWC in 2019, and we will surely make this an epic match. One to be remembered for years to come! Enjoy your time and our hospitality, may the best team win!"

The crowd cheered once more, with the games in session, then came the draws.

"I want to stream this pep talk to all of FiHami, because the national team isn't just here, waiting for the games to start. It isn't just me, or Ahi, or Kioka, or Mel. It is the law enforcement, the Empress, you guys watching this livestream... all 300,000 of you! WOW!"

Kory pauses for a moment, beaming widely.

"We are also the massive amounts of chanting almost everyone is doing throughout the streets. The baker making bread. The mothers and fathers working together to raise their children. The children busy learning and growing, having fun amongst each other."

Ahi Fiorsk, 21, on the Women's team, takes over, smiling wide.

"Since, like, forever, we have been oppressed, beaten, orphaned, widowed, abandoned, stripped of every human right we have... even killed. For being who we are. We were called 'the dirty jungle children' and 'ugly natives'. My village was killed years ago. I was forced to watch as imperial soldiers tore my mother's limbs off..."

Ahi trailed off, seemingly very disturbed. After a brief flashback, she looked back at the camera, very serious.

"FiHami's own Empress Phoenix the un- er... Finix the Holy, was the only survivor from her own village. So many other people share horror stories over the years. So many of our family members were killed cruelly. Yet we resisted. We followed Lenuah first, then Finix after Lenuah's capture and decaptitation."

Tracey Holmes, 24, Women's Goalie, piped in, with a different beat.

"AND WE OVERCAME THESE HORRORS! WE PERSONALLY BURNED THE EVIL EMPEROR'S BODY ALIVE! AND NOW WE SOAR AS A NATION! WE SOAR AS NATIVE FINIXIANS!!! WE RISE ABOVE THE PAST AND BURN BRIGHTLY FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE! WE ARE FREE!!! WE ARE FIHAMI!!! WE ARE HANI!!!"

In the quiet after Tracey's segment, Andrew Gillum, 19, began chanting "Fri, fri, fri Hani", as low as he could, gradually getting louder. Kory began banging on a small hollowed-out palm tree drum. More and more from the Men's team joined in as their chants grew louder. The Women's team gradually joined in, more palm drums were banged on as the chanting grew louder and louder, until it seemingly rivaled a jet engine in decibals.

The teams only stopped when someone angrily banged on the hotel door, shouting for them to "SHUT UP!!!".

"Welp, guess not everyone enjoys some good ol' chanting. Good night FiHami! And remember, no matter if we outright lose on the first game, we are still FiHami. We are united. And we will have had a BLAST!!! Seriously, I hope they let us tour this place before leaving the cere-"

Miki Fushimi (MF): Such a spectacular performance by the Peonic players in the first match of the group. With a complete destruction of the RDC defense positioning on the field, they completely controlled the field. With a score of 5 - 0 over their Reizen counterparts, the Peonic team has successfully safeguarded a strong position in the group standings. If the Peonic team are able to maintain their standing in the next match, an advancement to the knockouts is clear.

Frank Lucca (FL): We must not forget a strong and nail biting performance between the Tanisians and the Sorbkraians, both teams have certainly provided a strong defensive position in the field. However, we see in the match that the Tanisian and the Sorbkraians have indeed have a great position for defense, however with such an evenly matched defense, they are unable to break through the enemy lines, and are forced to be satisfied with a draw.

MF: Mr. Lucca, what are your thoughts on the Bzerneleg - Fi-Hami match?


FL: It is certainly an impressive performance for the newcomers, Bzerneleg certainly provided a good offensive, however there is credit due to Tracey Holmes, the goalkeeper for the FiHami. Her performance as goalkeeper have certainly saved the team in the first half of the match, and provided enough momentum for the others to end with a 0-2 score for FiHami.


MF: There is credit to their unique training, mixed training and coordination with the male team has certainly made them benefit from the physical training. Enough to provide an overpowering offensive.

FL: The Trassunerian-Fauderlandian match was also an interesting match.

MF: Many analysts saw a Trassunerian defeat possible, their intensive training in polar environments made them immune to it, but also provide a massive liability in performing under warmer climates. However it is certainly a surprise when they took a last minute lead against newcomer Fauderland.

FL: The efforts of Trassuneria and FiHami certainly placed them in a strong position against the other countries in their group. If Bzerneleg and Fauderland were to get through to the knockout stage, a victory in the upcoming match is something that needs to happen.

FL: It was a stunning performance by newcomers, RIM against Valkyria in the Royal Stadium. A passionate and nearly militaristic coordination managed to control the field against the Valkyrians.

MF: Certainly, it is reported that the footballers from the RIM are former combatants and athletes in Reizen. They are certainly quite coordinated enough to possess the ball from the Valkyrians. The Valkyrians certainly amounted an impressive start in the game, however it simply was not enough to end the match.

FL: What would be your take on the Hazebrust and Snolland match?

MF: I have to say they performed rather brilliantly, and with such an amazing strategy from both parties as well. However we see that they are so evenly matched in the their match, there was difficulty in seeing a weak link in the opponent's position

FL: I agree, if both of the teams were to secure a position in the knockouts. They must attempt to take larger risks in the field.

FL: There was certainly tension in the first match of group D. Between FWC co-host country Gi-Land and Pax Dracon. The match was an all out battle to possess the field, with both teams trying to claw into the other's defenses.

MF: Coming to the end of the second half time, it would seem like a draw. However, a surprise shot by number 16 managed to gain Pax Dracon a one score lead. This was enough to infuriate the Gi-Lanndian team, with the goalkeeper leaving his post and give a helping hand.

FL: Sometimes football matches would have the goalkeeper initiate a more forward and active position on the field. However, it is a certainly risky gamble, and upon a sneak attack by the forward, number 31, their fate was sealed.

MF: The final score by Pax Dracon came unchallenged, and ended the match with them in a comfortable position for advancing. If Gi-Land were to provide a strong performance like last year, they must go back to the drawing board and formulate a new strategy.

FL: There is also an interesting match between Tribekistan and Kai Fa. Both newcomers and from the similar football region, but it is certainly thought provoking on what gave them the edge over their opponents today.

MF: Some people mentioned a better coordination against Kai Fa players, and aggression by Kai Fa players to try to steamroll Tribekistan early on proved futile.

FL: This is what we see as the Catennacio, a football strategy that was once a thing of the past. It's characterized by tough man-to-man marking, and an extra defender behind the defense called the sweeper. The sweeper would come around and double-team any attacker doing well. In addition to a complete delegation of the field, Tribekistan managed to wear down Kai-Fa players and attack a scattered position unimpeded. Clearing them for a comfortable position to advance.

MF: Rebeltopia and Bruuma, such a nerve-wrecking match where both are so evenly matched. Possession was quite balanced with a strong defensive position by Rebeltopia.

FL: Both Rebeltopia and Bruuma seemed to be lacking a fast striker on the field, and while it is certainly a neat match, neither were able to penetrate each other's defenses. They can only be satisfied with a draw in the end.

MF: What interests me is their technique is certainly on par, and perhaps we could see greater results in future bouts. Nevertheless, the two newcomers in the Women's FWC have certainly given the crowd something to cheer on in the next phase.

FL: We also see a certainly exciting match between Sedunn and Tekarai today. Sedunn used the first half time to set a field for everyone of the team that won second last year. They certainly placed pressure on the Tekarai team.

MF: Indeed, their coordination and possession was certainly neat enough to merit a great performance. The Tekarai mounted such a great defense, but with the Sedunnic team setting a large pressure on the field, they wore their foes greatly. It took a long shot to score in the match.

FL: While Sedunn won this bout, we see many analysts expecting more of their performance as the second winners last year. While they are given a comfortable lead against other countries in their group, it certainly isn't a time for them to relax.

FL: Group F is perhaps an interesting field to be discussed

MF: Indeed, group F are playing in Zhan, in particular the Asahi Winter Sports Complex. It is known that the Winter Complex is a brutal place to play football, as higher altitudes and constant freezing temperatures make it difficult to perform in the match.

FL: The Frost Federation certainly took this to their advantage, great adaptability to cold climates gave them a proper edge against newcomer Poleande. It is also fantastic to see their coordination, and a hattrick by number 14 certainly took the cake in the bout.

MF: If the Frost Federation are as prepared in this climate-locked stadium, then they are truly a force to be reckoned with in the championships.

FL: Meanwhile, Ubesii and Puerto Pollo certainly fought greatly. However we see that climate and temperature have massive effects on a football athlete's performance, as such those from Puerto Pollo, who were excellent in tropical climates, receive a great liability in the cold.

MF: Ubesiians are much more capable of withstanding colder temperatures, and although both teams are severely dampened, Ubesii managed to gain an edge over their competitors.

FL: Puerto Pollo must gain a plan and fast. Their competitors are one to be feared of.