Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal #47 brought to you by our journalists, is here! 📖⚽

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ FOOTBALL QUIZ

2/ RECOGNIZING THE GAME'S JOURNALISTS

3/ THE TOP FORWARDS OF THE FOOTBALLTEAM CLASSIC SERVER

4/ RUSSIAN DOMESTIC CUP FINAL

5/ NEW REWARDS!

6/ BORAT’S TAKE ON THE NEW SERVER!

7/ MŁAWIANKA MŁAWA – 2024/2025 SEASON. 
RETENTION THAT TASTES LIKE SUCCESS.

FOOTBALL QUIZ

👑 The winners of the last edition are: (Classic)

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - Luser

10,000 ⚡ Energy - Tony Dalton & Kvazi

Hello! I'm here with another part of the football quiz series. Of course, there are prizes in the form of 100 Keys 🔑 Premium for the first person to answer correctly and 10,000 ⚡ Energy for two random people with the correct answer. I will select the winners on Thursday at 8 p.m. Let's start!

1/ Name and surname of the player:

He was born on November 29, 1969 in Steenbergen, Netherlands. Measuring 193 centimeters tall, he impressed with his physical condition and excellent finishing. He started his career at RBC Roosendaal, from where he moved to NAC Breda, where he gained a reputation as a goal-scoring striker. His next stops were Celtic Glasgow, Nottingham Forest, Benfica, Vitesse, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Fenerbahçe and a return to NAC and Feyenoord. In total, he played 551 matches in his club career, scoring as many as 335 goals.

The peak of his career came with his appearances at Feyenoord, with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 2002. In the final match against Borussia Dortmund, he scored two goals, becoming the hero of the match. He was famous for his incredible efficiency in free kicks – he struck the ball with enormous power and precision, which made him one of the best specialists in this field in the world.

He made his debut for the Dutch national team in 1994. By 2004, he had played in 46 matches and scored 14 goals. He participated in the 1998 World Cup and two editions of the European Championship – in 2000 and 2004, winning a bronze medal with the team each time. After ending his sports career, he began working as a television pundit.

Author: Wylewinho

RECOGNIZING THE GAME'S JOURNALISTS

Hello community!

Let's talk a little about the importance of narratives in the sports world, especially written publications.

Sports journalism has its roots in the 19th century, with the emergence of the first newspapers that included sections dedicated to sports. The popularity of sports and the development of major events, such as the Olympics and the World Cup, boosted the growth of this area.

In this journey, we delve into the essence of sports journalism, an art that goes far beyond reporting scores and statistics. It is the noble mission of translating the adrenaline of a last-minute goal, the anguish of an unexpected defeat, and the glory of a title won with sweat and tears. 

It is the link that connects the fan to their passion, transforming mere events into epic narratives, worthy of being told and retold for generations. Sports journalism is, in itself, a guardian of history. Think of the great moments in football: the "Maracanazo," the "Hand of God," the "Miracle of Istanbul." They wouldn't be so vivid in our memory without the words that immortalized them, without the voice of the commentators who made us cheer, without the analyses that unraveled the genius behind each play. 

It is the pen (or the keyboard) that gives life to the ball, that transforms the field into a stage for heroes and villains, for dramas and comedies. It is the pleasure of researching, reliving old games, understanding the tactics that revolutionized the sport, and sharing this richness with those who love the game as much as we do.

From Real Pitch to Vibrant Pixel: The Magic of the Game:

Whether on the real pitch, where the smell of grass and the sound of the crowd send shivers down your spine, or on the virtual fields of games like Football Team, the emotion is universal. Describing a football match is a symphony of words: the pre-game tension, the opening whistle that echoes like a call to battle, the explosion of joy from a goal, the agony of a mistake. 

In the online world, this description gains a new layer: the strategy behind the clicks, the dedication of players who manage their clubs pixel by pixel, the camaraderie (and rivalries) that emerge in virtual communities. It is the art of making the reader feel the sweat, the tactics, and the passion, even if it all happens in a digital universe.

The Pleasure of Writing: More Than News, Emotion:

And for those who write, sports journalism is a privilege. It is the opportunity to transform passion into a profession, to give voice to the feelings that sport evokes. It is the challenge of finding the right word, the perfect metaphor, the ideal rhythm so that every sentence is a goal, a spectacular save, a dribble that leaves the opponent on the ground. 

There is an indescribable pleasure in seeing a story take shape, in knowing that your words can inspire, inform, and, above all, connect people through the emotion of the game. It is the certainty that, at the end of each text, we deliver not just news, but a piece of the sport's soul, wrapped in words that pulsate with life.

In this spirit, I want to pay a special tribute and congratulate my colleagues who, with the same passion, dedicate themselves to weaving the narratives of Football Team: Wylewinho, Gruby Tymek,DaVoS, Poruś PanEgo, Andrzejek, Kyrunio, Gonsa, Mr Messive, Kiero DS, BÚFALO FUNES, EL PULPO, Борат, Zidane and Gruby Tymek. With their interesting texts, full of valuable data, information, and opinions, they add immense value to the game. (Don't they deserve a raise for the excellent work done? Or, perhaps, an exclusive collection of player cards? Just a suggestion!)

May passion continue to guide us, on real and virtual pitches, and may the stories of sport never cease to be told with the emotion and impact they deserve.

See you next week…

Author: Fábio Muri

THE TOP FORWARDS OF THE FOOTBALLTEAM CLASSIC SERVER

Hello everyone, welcome to issue #47 of the FootballTeam newspaper. We started a few weeks ago with the top goalkeepers, then with the center backs and midfielders of the CLASSIC server, and now it's time for the final installment... THE FORWARDS. 

Making a list of the FootballTeam TOP is quite subjective, as there have been so many dominators over the nine seasons of the game on the Classic server, and there has always been debate about who has been the best.

The world of football has had stars in all positions, but those who score goals and excel in the offensive end of their teams have always taken the spotlight. Forwards have always been the special players and, on many occasions, the most important on the best teams in history.

When ranking and evaluating the best center forwards in FootballTeam, we take into account several factors for each player. The scoring aspect is key, although there are more. There are forwards who contribute much more than goals to their team, making their teammates play, assisting and opening up spaces in opposing defenses, defensive or offensive work... 

There are a huge number of forwards of all possible styles who have managed to leave their mark on this beautiful sport. It's very difficult to put together a Top 3 in this position because players with enough credentials to make this list are always left out. Here's a review:

1. KAZU, from Black Stars

This brilliant player from Black Stars is having a truly impressive campaign with the team coached by Łokitoki Goryloki. While his characteristics are quite offensive, the team's tactics allow this player to be completely incisive in attack.

Since his debut on 10/8/2024 with BLACK STARS, he has played 543 matches, scored 1,430 goals, and has been a beast of a player. This offensive midfielder and his trophies: five SL champion cups, two First Place League First Division cups, two top 1 medals for best SL striker, two top 2 medals in SL; top 1 in the League and top 2 in the league. He justifies this by also being TOP 1 in the forward ranking; and top 2 in the overall ranking with his 36,785 OVR.

2. MAJOR, the Black Stars beast.

MAJOR, with 18,898 OVR, is in second place on this list (and also in the TOP 18 overall), which isn't really surprising, as he refuses to rest on his laurels. His energy, tenacity that tests the limits of his lungs, and agile ball recovery make him indispensable to the BLACK STARS cause, where he plays in a defensive role. 

He also forms a good partnership with KAZU, who won the last English Premier League championship with the team. His stats: 403 matches played, 616 goals, and 18 assists. In leagues, he has five first-place finishes in SL, one first-division championship, and one second-place finish in the first division.

3. GRUDOS, the 7more7 legend.

Where do we start with this FORWARD? This world-class player's talent is beyond question; He's been the model midfielder for so long, being a fundamental base for 7more7's best plays. Ranked top 19 overall and with 18,474 OVR, this superstar (who debuted on 10/07/2024 for Wolves United and then joined 7more7 on 10/12/2024) is in a class of his own. He has 447 points, 38 assists, and 1,054 goals. 

He has four SL runner-up trophies, one SL third-place trophies, two First Division champion trophies, and one First Division runner-up trophies. He also earned a SL best striker medal, two SL top-three striker medals, and a First Division best striker medal.

What do you think? As always, we like to ask. Do you agree with this list? Yes, we know there are some missing names, but we have to limit ourselves to three players, and these are the ones we think should be included. Or do you think some names should be added or removed? Remember, this football thing is a matter of taste. Goal hug!

Author: Búfalo Funes (id 1183)

RUSSIAN DOMESTIC CUP FINAL

Hello, Football Team community, where the passion for virtual football reaches stratospheric levels and every final is an epic in itself!

This week, our spotlights turn to the grand stage of the Russian Domestic Cup Finalissima, in Season 77. A confrontation that promised sparks, sharp strategies, and, of course, the consecration of a new champion. Let's delve into the overview of the teams that dared to dream of the trophy, their individual and collective highlights, and, finally, relive the crucial moments of the match that stopped the server.

Trajectories and Tactics Towards Glory

КРАСНОЕ И БЕЛОЕ: The Underdog's Ascent (57th Ranking)

Let's start with КРАСНОЕ И БЕЛОЕ, a name that evokes duality and passion, worthy of a Russian classic. This team, which until the eve of the decision held seventh place in the Russian first division, accumulating 40 points, with 64 goals scored and 48 conceded, reached the final, defying projections. 

Far from being one of the favorites, КРАСНОЕ И БЕЛОЕ built its Cup campaign with remarkable resilience. Their journey to the finalissima was paved by consistent victories in home and away matches against strong opponents such as ndianápolis DC, СК РОТОР, National Team, Go Complain, and the surprising KS Koniecpol Górnik. 

With an impressive record of 9 wins and only 1 draw in the Cup, the team almost always plays in a 3-1-5-1 system, seeking midfield dominance, a tactic that resembles the great maestros of real football, who control the pace of the game. They arrive at the decision with the excitement of those who have exceeded expectations, ready to write their name in history.

FC MISIACZKI: The Goal Machine and the Quest for Consecration (43rd Ranking)

On the other side of the virtual pitch, we have FC MISIACZKI, currently in fifth place in the Russian first division. With 50 points in the league, a devastating attack that has already found the net 79 times, and a solid defense that has conceded only 36 goals, FC MISIACZKI reaches the final with the aura of a born competitor. 

Their Cup trajectory was impeccable: they overcame FC Lord7, SZCZYT II, Fiery Phoenix, LECH POZNAŃ WLKP, and FC Pamir, winning everything in both home and away matches. A campaign that demonstrates not only offensive power but also noteworthy defensive consistency. Like their opponent, FC MISIACZKI also adopts the 3-1-5-1 formation, dictating play and seeking to involve the opponent with quick passes and constant movement, a philosophy that harks back to the "artistic football" we so love.

The Grand Decision

The referee's initial whistle set the tone: an intensely disputed match, a true tactical chess game. The game proved to be extremely tight, with very few real scoring chances, turning the first half into a tense 0-0.

Upon returning for the second half, the coaches made their substitutions, looking for the play that would break the deadlock. The tension was palpable until, in the 61st minute, the visitors did not waste their clearest scoring opportunity and found the back of the net. The crowd erupted in the stadium, witnessing the play that would clinch the title.

The decisive play was narrated with the precision of a masterstroke: "Oldschool Skyline carries the ball for 20 meters and accelerates towards the box. He fakes out the goalkeeper with a dummy shot and shoots. You simply cannot give him space!" A moment of pure genius that sealed the fate of the Cup.

In the final statistics, the irony of football: the home team, despite having created more opportunities (2 against 1), saw their dream of the title slip away due to a single, fatal goal. 

Reflecting on the lack of precision in missed chances, the Brazilian coach Muricy Ramalho has a famous saying: "The ball punishes."

And you, player, what did you think of this final? Was your prediction confirmed? Do you play for any of these teams and have a story to tell about this epic journey? Leave your opinion in the comments, and let's debate the future of the Russian Domestic Cup together!

Author: Fábio Muri

NEW REWARDS!

A New Era of Rewards: Credits at Your Fingertips!

Hello Managers! Prepare yourselves for the most exciting season in the history of our league! From now on, every goal, every victory and every promotion will take on a new dimension, becoming the key to unprecedented benefits. We are proud to announce a revolution in the reward system that will make the fight for trophies more fierce and profitable than ever before. Forget about modest bonuses - the time of real financial harvest is coming for the most ambitious and successful managers!

A Huge Prize Pool Awaits!

Just look at the amounts! The prize pool for this season is an impressive 2,856,011 Credits and, most importantly, this amount is growing every day! This is not a one-off event, but a permanent element that will reward your commitment and hard work, creating a stable foundation for the development of your clubs.

Note that the starting guaranteed pool is a whopping 1,000,000 credits, which provides a solid base right from the start. What's more, 50% of the Credits taken as a commission from the Market go straight to the pool. This means that the more transfer transactions and player sales, the greater the potential profits for you! Every well-thought-out purchase or sale not only strengthens your team, but also directly contributes to the growth of the total prize pool, creating a self-propelling mechanism of prosperity. This is a synergy that makes your activity on the market a key element of the overall success of the league and your wallets. 

Where Are the Biggest Profits Awaiting? Fully Developed Rewards System:

Super League - Kingdom of Wealth: Fight for Absolute Domination:

This is the creme de la creme! As much as 60% of the entire pool goes to the 8 teams that manage to advance to the Super League! This is no small feat – we are talking about 1,713,347 Credits that await those who prove their absolute dominance on the domestic stage. The promotion to the Super League alone is worth a fortune, which makes the competition for a place in the elite extremely lucrative.

Entering the Super League is not only prestige and the opportunity to compete with the best – it is, above all, a huge cash injection that can change the face of your club.

Champions Tournament – ​​Managers' League: European Dreams and Serious Money:

For those who dream of European cups and want to test themselves on the international stage, the Champions Tournament offers 30% of the pool, or 856,674 Credits, which will be distributed among the 8 teams that advance from the group.

The mere fact of advancing from the group is already a huge financial success, regardless of the further fate in the tournament. This makes the group matches take on additional importance – every victory, every draw, every point, brings you closer to a significant prize.

Domestic Cup – Victory Royale: Quick Cash Injection:

Let’s not forget about the domestic competitions! The Domestic Cup rewards the winner with 10% of the prize pool, which currently amounts to 285,558 Credits for the top 8 teams. This is a chance for a quick cash injection that can be crucial to the club’s budget, especially for those who are not yet aspiring to the Super League or the Champions Tournament. Don’t underestimate this tournament, because it can bring you solid profits and become a springboard to greater success.

Worth the effort! The key to Club Development:

To sum up, the reward system this season is a real breakthrough. Never before has competition been so generously rewarded, and every path to success comes with real financial benefits. Whether you’re aiming for the Super League, conquering Europe in the Champions Tournament, or dominating your home turf in the Domestic Cup, you have a real chance to earn huge amounts of Credits.

These Credits are not just numbers – they are an investment in the development of your clubs, a chance to acquire better players, improve training and stadium infrastructure, or rise to a higher organizational level. Every manager who dreams of success should make the most of this opportunity.

A New Era Begins!:

A new era begins. An era in which your commitment, strategic thinking and skills are rewarded like never before. Time to get out on the pitch, show your mastery and collect all those credits! May this season be full of victories, glory and financial success!

Are you up for the challenge? Good luck in your fight for glory and fortune!

Author: DaVoS

BORAT’S TAKE ON THE NEW SERVER!

Hey there, fellow readers of Sport Journal!

With the first season on the freshly launched ROYAL server now behind us, it's a good time to take a quick look ahead to season two - and try to gauge the value of the upcoming rewards.

Of course, I'm not talking about the standard season placement rewards (as far as I understand, those haven't changed), but the real reason most of us came to try out this new server - credits.

Before I started crunching numbers (yes, I had already begun writing this article), I decided to go over the rules for how credits are distributed… and I must admit, I was a bit surprised - pleasantly, in fact.
First, I thought the reward pool from the first season - which would be used to fund the second - had already been finalized. Turns out I was wrong.
Second, I assumed that part of the pool had already been handed out to players from the Superleague teams. Again - not the case.

As it turns out, the pool will only be distributed at the very end of season two, meaning no one has received any credits yet. Even better - the pool will be made up of accumulated funds from both seasons!

Now, it's quite likely that the market hype we saw in season one will settle down a bit, and we probably won't see the same explosive growth in the credit pool again (although I wouldn’t be so sure just yet).
Still, some level of additional funding is expected.

Even if we assume the boost is minimal - or that there’s none at all - based on current figures, Superleague players would each receive 11,250 credits (1,800,000 ÷ 160). Not bad at all for a starting bonus!

As for the top eight in the International Champions Tournament, their reward would come out to 5,385 credits (860,000 ÷ 160), which is also quite respectable.

And again, it’s safe to assume these amounts will increase by at least 30% over the season.

Cup winners would get less - 1,800 credits, which seems fair enough considering the prestige and scale of the tournament.

In my opinion, though, there's one group that’s even worse off - the players of teams that finished 3rd or 4th in the league.
They made it into the European Tournament, but missed out on both the Domestic Cup and Champions Tournament, meaning they get no credits at all.

Some of those teams that were in contention for 3rd or 4th actually deliberately aimed for 5th place or lower, just to have a shot at winning a cup and earning those credit rewards.
That’s why I believe the European Tournament teams should also be included in the credit distribution!

This is something that really needs to be addressed. It’s not just about handing out rewards to as many players as possible - it’s a matter of fair play.
And I can’t really blame the players and teams that are trying to game the system - we all want to win, and we all want to be rewarded.

We all remember how teams and players used to go out of their way to avoid qualifying for the old Superleague  format, and how punishments were introduced to stop that kind of behavior.
Some might disagree with me, but back then I thought the penalties were justified.
Now, however, there’s a clear opportunity to fix the gap - and avoid the need for any punishments at all.

While we’re at it, it might also make sense to increase the base credit pool by the amount needed to cover rewards for European Tournament teams.
I don’t think we’re talking about huge numbers here - just something in between the Champions Tournament and Domestic Cup levels.

Hopefully, this suggestion won’t go unnoticed!

Author: Borat

MŁAWIANKA MŁAWA – 2024/2025 SEASON. 

RETENTION THAT TASTES LIKE SUCCESS.

The past season was a huge challenge for all of us. As the director of MKS Mławianka Mława and a person who has been involved in the life of this club for years – both from the organizational, sports and simple human passion side – I can say one thing today: we made it. After a difficult autumn round, many nervous weeks and bold decisions, we managed to stay in the 3rd league, group I.

And although we took 11th place in the table, for me – and for anyone who knows the backstage – this is one of the greatest successes of recent years.

The autumn that hurt:

I will not hide it – the autumn round was exceptionally difficult for us. The lack of stable results, unlucky injuries and a number of difficult matches meant that we spent the winter in the relegation zone. 

Everyday work with the team, organizing matches, talking to fans and partners – all of this was filled with uncertainty. But we never lacked faith. We didn't give up, because Mławianka is more than a club. It's a community. It's history. It's people who don't give up.

A change that changed the team:

During the winter break, we put everything on one card. We hired coach Dominik Bednarczyk - a man who not only knows the realities of this league, but can reach the players and breathe new energy into them. And today I can say with full conviction: it was a decision that saved our season.

Dominik quickly put the team in order, changed the players' approach and - most importantly - restored their faith. From the beginning of the spring round, we were one of the best scoring teams. We started playing boldly, consistently, with determination, which still impresses me today. This team - the same one that was teetering on the edge in the fall - showed character and quality in the spring.

44 points that matter more than numbers:

We ended the season with 44 points, in 11th place in the table. In 34 matches, we won 12 times, drew 8 times and had to admit the superiority of our rivals 14 times. But it's not just numbers. These points are the result of a huge amount of work by people - players, staff, volunteers, coaches, activists, sponsors. And my personal, daily commitment - often after hours, on the phone, during matches, in organizing everything that is not visible from the stands.

Working with passion - not for applause:

I have worked at this club for years with the conviction that passion and dedication are more important than titles. I am not a "show-off" director. What I do, I do from the heart - volunteering, but with full commitment. Organizing matches, contacts with the media, marketing, promotional activities, technical matters, safety - all this happens every day, because I know that if I let up, someone might lack this energy.

Mławianka is my place. Our club. Our business.

A club with a future, despite its locality:

Mława is not Warsaw. We don't have a big budget, a stadium with VIPs and big contracts. But we have something more important - identity and ambition. We conduct modern marketing activities, we are active in social media, we cooperate with local companies and we show that a small club can operate professionally.

All this would not be possible without the people who carry Mławianka in their hearts. I would like to thank everyone - fans, coaches, sponsors, players and people who are with us every day. Special thanks to coach Bednarczyk - he was the face of our spring transformation.

Moving on:

We close the 2024/2025 season with our heads held high. New goals, new challenges and even more work lie ahead of us. But I know that with a team like this - both on and off the pitch - we can fight for more. Mławianka Mława is over a hundred years of history, but also the future that we are currently creating.

Thank you for reading my article! If you like this type of content or have ideas for more topics I should write about, leave your suggestions in the comments. Best regards!

Author: Kiero DS