Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal #23 brought to you by our journalists, is here! 📖⚽

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ FOOTBALL QUIZ

2/ NON-OLYMPIC GAMES

3/ STATISTICS OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE 2024/25 SEASON

4/ HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY

5/ FORСA ITALIA

6/ FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO VIRTUAL DRIBBLING

7/ BORAT SHIFTS THE BLAME!

FOOTBALL QUIZ

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

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - Carlos Moura

10,000 ⚡ Energy - Gruzin Kałmanawardze & Tonio

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. Let's get started!

1/ Player's name and surname

Born on March 25, 2000 in London(Camberwell), he is one of the most promising young English players. His career, full of breakthrough moments, has made him one of the most sought-after young players in Europe.

He began his footballing adventure in the academies of Watford and Manchester City, where he quickly gained a reputation as an exceptional talent. Despite playing in the youth teams of the "Citizens", he decided to make a bold move, moving to German Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

This decision turned out to be a bull's eye - he quickly became one of the key players of the team, scoring both goals and assists. In the 2018/2019 season, he recorded 12 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga, which earned him the title of one of the best young wingers in the world.

In parallel with his club successes, his adventure with the English national team also began. He made his debut in 2018, and his brilliant international performances quickly made him a key player in Gareth Southgate's team, especially in the qualifying for the European Championship 2020.

After three years at Dortmund, he moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 for around €85 million. Although his start at his new club was not easy, he quickly gained the coach's trust and became one of the cornerstones of the "Red Devils'" attack.

His style of play is a combination of technique, speed and creativity. He has an excellent feel for space on the pitch, is able to surprise goalkeepers with precise shots and create goal-scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. As a versatile player who can play on the wing or as an attacking midfielder, he is one of the most valuable players in Europe.

In 2025, at the age of 24, he remains one of the top players with a promising future. His further career, both at Chelsea and with the England national team, will certainly be watched by the entire football world.

2/ Manager's name and surname

The Portuguese, born on July 12, 1977 in Lisbon, is a coach who, despite the lack of major titles, has managed to gain recognition in European football. His coaching career began at Estoril Praia, where he quickly promoted the team to the Primeira Liga. 

His offensive style of play, combined with a solid defensive organization, attracted the attention of bigger clubs. 

In 2015, he took over Sporting CP, where he won the Portuguese championship runner-up and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.

After working in Portugal, he moved to the Premier League, taking over Watford and then Everton, where, despite initial successes, the team did not live up to expectations. 

In 2021, he took over as coach at Fulham FC, where he works to this day.

As a coach, he focuses on offensive football, intense pressing and a balance between attack and defense, developing young players and striving for dominance in the game.

Author: Wylewinho

NON-OLYMPIC GAMES

The year 2025 traditionally began with the Sports Champions Gala, an annual plebiscite in which fans choose the best athlete of the previous 12 months. As it seems like tradition, there were some surprises, because the winner was Aleksandra Mirosław - a representative of sports climbing.

Many people did not believe it, many people agreed, and as you can guess, it was decided by the Olympic gold medal that the athlete brought back from Paris. You could say that it was the Olympics and the result from them determined who ultimately became the best athlete in Poland, without division into categories.

And what does this have to do with FootballTeam? Nothing really, but I decided to make an introduction to the main topic of this article, namely the GAMES, but the ones we have in our favorite browser game.

Interclub Games in FootballTeam are still a fresh topic, even though we have probably had 6 such competitions. The idea of the Games itself seems to be an interesting idea, especially when it was decided that not only the leader wins, but also more teams that have achieved a required amount of training.

Many clubs regularly participate in them, some only tried to take on the challenge in December, when it was easier to get 6 million training during the still ongoing Christmas event. However, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that last week we witnessed another fight between clubs, in the form of New Year's Games. And this is where the first voices of dissatisfaction appeared due to the lack of prior information, due to the increased threshold to 9 million and due to the frequency of this type of activity.

So the main question is why were the Games held in such short intervals? Why have the rewards and thresholds between them also changed dramatically? The event itself, of course, helped many teams achieve both goals, but I'm curious how you see and rate it. Therefore, we will do a small survey regarding this activity.

In the comments under the Journal, justify your choices and perhaps suggest new ideas for the games and prizes that we can win. Perhaps this will prompt the administration to make some changes or adjustments.

My opinion about the Games is that they definitely make more sense when the event is ongoing and each team has additional amenities for winning prizes. The Games, which usually occurred right after the event, limited many clubs due to the void in resources that we had just used to develop our character.

Moreover, the Games in other areas of the game would be an interesting idea. I'm not saying that they should be as regular as the ones in training, but for example, once a year games in bettor or cards could add some extra flavor to these modules and encourage weaker clubs to participate, which often don't have enough resources to even reach the 6 million training in an event.

It is known that the Games are mainly an idea aimed at encouraging players to gain resources in the game, but something new always arouses more interest than something that we have quite often.

Author: Carlos Moura 

STATISTICS OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE 2024/25 SEASON

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! The first half of the football season 2024/25 has come to an end. Therefore, it will be interesting to analyze the statistics. Specifically, let's find out which teams have the best attack and which have the worst defense based on the statistics from the first half of the season.

Best Attack

1/ Barcelona

Flick has assembled one of the strongest attacking groups:

• He has revitalized Lewandowski, who is now comfortably leading the scoring race.

• He relies on the individuality of Yamal and his interactions with Koundé on the wing.

• Raphinha, with his work rate and immense motivation, leaves little chance for the opponent.

• Olmo delivers risky and incisive passes.

Barcelona has already scored over 3 goals in a match 13 times, with three Barcelona players currently in the top 3 of La Liga for the goal + assist system.

Right now, despite a slight decline, Barcelona remains the most efficient team.

Statistics:

Goals: 51

xG: 50.25

Shots: 16.8

Shots on target: 6.6

2. Bayern Munchen

Kompany's arrival has revitalized the team and made it more attack-oriented.
Now Bayern performs better in positional play but struggles on counterattacks.
Two players have made a huge contribution to the results:

• Kane, who has already recorded 14 goals and 5 assists in 13 matches.

• Musiala, with 9 goals and 2 assists in 12 matches.
  I should also note that newcomer Olise has integrated well into the team, with 5 goals and 5 assists.

Statistics:

Goals - 47
xG - 40.80
Shots - 19.3
Shots on target - 7.9

3. PSG

Dembélé and Barcola have become the main beneficiaries of Mbappé's departure, both excelling in assists and goals. Barcola has already recorded 10 goals and 2 assists, while Dembélé has 8 goals and 4 assists.

There are also two standout players:

• Hakimi, whose attacking runs are always very dangerous. He has recorded 2 goals and 5 assists.

• Neves has started the season very well and has proven to be a top creator (currently 2 goals and 6 assists).

Statistics:

Goals: 44

xG: 49.35

Shots: 19

Shots on target: 8.9

Worst Defense

1. Tottenham Spurs

Tottenham's problems primarily stem from their style of play. Postecoglou is a dogmatist who emphasizes aggressive football, regardless of the opponent. His teams are focused on scoring more than they concede.

The situation has been worsened by an epidemic of injuries, particularly in the defensive line. After key defensive players Romero and Van de Ven were sidelined, the team's defensive play became much less reliable.

Statistics:

Goals conceded: 25

xGA: 30.42

Opponent's shots: 12.6

2. Manchester City

Manchester City is in a deep crisis, primarily caused by a series of injuries.

First, Rodri, who has a huge impact on the quality of defense and counter-attack prevention, was sidelined. Then almost all the defenders, including Dias, followed suit. 

Additionally, the remaining players have shown a noticeable decline in physical form, as seen in Walker and Guardiola. Pep has struggled to find balance after Rodri's injury, making the team highly vulnerable to counter-attacks.

Weakness in pressing and gaps between lines also contribute to the goals conceded.

Statistics:

Goals conceded: 25

xGA: 28.51

Opponent shots: 9.3

3. Manchester United

Manchester United is another team that has faced injuries, which has seriously impacted their defense. The season for newcomer Yoro started with an injury, and Martínez also went down early in the season, while nearly all other defenders (except perhaps Evans) have been unavailable at some point.

Additionally, the team has undergone several coaching changes, which has inevitably affected their results. Currently, Amorim is forced to implement significant rotation, but due to a packed schedule and limited training sessions, he has not yet managed to establish a cohesive 

playing style.

Only Onana is saving Manchester United from conceding goals; he has been crucial throughout the season.

Statistics:

Goals conceded: 22

xGA: 27.98

Opponent shots: 11

Author: Zidane

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY

January is that special month in the football calendar: a true "happy birthday" on a global scale! Clubs from all over the world celebrate their birthdays, from the oldest and most storied to the newest ones that are already conquering their space. It's like a big fan party, full of emotion and passion for the most beloved sport in the world! Stars like Pelé in memoriam and Messi blow out their candles, but it's also the month in which big clubs celebrate another year of life.

South America

Let's start with South America, where football is pure passion. São Paulo Futebol Clube, founded on January 25, was born in the heart of the capital of São Paulo, at a time of great cultural effervescence. 

The Tricolor, as it is affectionately known, quickly became a symbol of identity for the city. Throughout its history, São Paulo has won several titles, 6 national titles, 3 Libertadores, 1 Copa Conmebol, 1 Copa Sulamericana, but its greatest glory in football was winning the three-time world championship, an unprecedented feat for a Brazilian club.

Founded on January 1, 1905, in the historic Montserrat neighborhood, located in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Club Atlético Independiente, from Argentina, is a club that has won many victories throughout its history, although its current phase is not the best. It is the greatest champion of the Copa Libertadores de América, with seven titles won between 1964 and 1984 and also has two world titles under its belt. Congratulations to the “King of Cups”.

North and Central America

In Mexico, the party is big for Club América, founded on January 12, 1916. With many trophies on its shelf and a passionate fan base, the club dominates the scene in Liga MX and CONCACAF. There are goals, titles and plenty of celebration for the fans!

Europe

In Europe, January is also a month of celebration. The Spanish Real Betis Balompié, founded on January 12, 1907, shines with its passionate fans and titles such as the Copa del Rey.

In France, Olympique Lyonnais, founded on January 3, 1950, celebrated many anniversaries by winning everything it could in the 2000s. And we can't forget the success of the women's team, which is putting on a show in Europe!

In Turkey, Fenerbahçe SK, also founded on January 3, 1907, celebrates its history full of titles and rivalries that make Turkish football a spectacle in itself.

Africa

In Egypt, Al-Ahly SC is the most famous team celebrating its birthday in January. Founded on January 24, 1907, the "Club of the Century" in Africa has an enviable trophy cabinet and a fan base that is pure love.

Asia

In Japan, Cerezo Osaka, founded on January 1, 1957, starts the year with a party. The club is traditional and beloved, with loyal fans who make a point of celebrating its history.

In South Korea, Incheon United FC, founded on January 22, 2003, is an example of the growth of Asian football, showing that the passion for the sport is only growing on the continent.

Oceania

In Oceania, Wellington Phoenix, from New Zealand, is the highlight of January. Representing the region in the Australian A-League, the club is young, but already carries the responsibility of putting Oceanian football on the global map.

May 2025 bring good fortune to these teams, and may the gods and goddesses of football reserve many titles for all.

Have a good week, and see you next time!

Author: Fábio Muri

FORСA ITALIA

Hello, welcome, welcome to edition #23 of the FootballTeam Journal. This note is dedicated to a new gaming team: FORСA ITALIA, founded on 15/10/2024. when a group of friends from the city of LIMA founded the Club. 

The club’s name held little mystery, as a group of friends from Italy came together to create it. ITALIA represented their roots in this proud country, while FORCA symbolized unity and strength, rallying behind the spirit of Italy. FORСA ITALY.

Just a day after its founding, the club’s name was officially registered, and the first Directive Committee was approved, thanks to the efforts of GONSA and his assistant JHR11. This committee took charge of the club’s reorganization, and it would remain a central meeting point for the club’s leadership.

With the club’s foundation solidified, the team adopted its first jersey: white with red stripes on the sleeves, marking the beginning of its legacy.

They currently have 19 out of 20 players, with an overall OVR of 583. Their key players include central defender PAPA WARPA (628 OVR), midfielder SOMPE (596 OVR), and striker DODO (868 OVR), among others.

FORCA ITALIA claimed their first cup in Season 2, winning the 2nd League of Italy. They are now in the 1st Italian Division, having completed 30 matches in Season 3 with 13 wins, 2 draws, and 15 losses, earning 41 points.

It won’t be long before they regroup and become one of the top teams in the league, competing for major achievements. Strengthening their squad, they’re surely aiming for higher divisions and more league success.

Their current lineup follows a 3-5-1-1 tactical formation:

This is just the beginning for this new team… FORCA ITALIA. What will their goals be? Are they ready to conquer the legendary treble?

As time goes on, you’ll see why they were formed and how they continue to grow stronger with each passing season. Stay tuned for the next edition to follow their journey and watch as they strive for greatness.

Author: BUFALO FUNES (ID 1183)

FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO VIRTUAL DRIBBLING

It is very likely that sports journalism began in Ancient Greece, as the Olympic Games, held in the city of Olympia in honor of Zeus, were widely publicized among the Greeks and adjacent people year after year and the winners were immortalized in prose and verse.

But let's talk about football, from the times when the newspaper was the only screen and the leather ball was kicked on clay fields, to the present day, when virtual reality puts us on the pitch and the news travels faster than a free kick, the history of sports journalism is a true soap opera of passions, rivalries and lots of ball rolling.

The First Passes

In the early days, reports of games were shorter than a poorly taken penalty. The newspapers, with their small print and yellowed paper, brought the news succinctly, like a telegram from another time. But the passion of the readers was already making itself felt. Those were the times when people discussed the validity of a goal with their neighbors, and the journalist's opinion was law. 

The first specialized periodicals appeared in the mid-19th century.

The Field (1853): One of the oldest sports periodicals, focusing on hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports.

Les Sports (1854): A French society newspaper that devoted space to news about various sporting activities.

Le Sport nautique (1860): Focused on water sports.

The Sportsman (1865): A British newspaper dedicated to covering a wide range of sports.

Radio and its voice

With the advent of radio, football gained a voice. Commentators transformed games into real soap operas, with their passionate and vibrant descriptions. Fans could now follow everything in real time, even without being at the stadium. Henry Blythe Thornhill Wakelam is credited with making the first radio broadcast of a football match in 1927, during a match between Arsenal and Sheffield United in England.

Television brings the show

Television brought football into the home. Vibrant colors, slow-motion replays and unusual angles revolutionized the way people watched games. From then on, football became a true audiovisual spectacle, complete with epic soundtracks and special effects. The 1970 World Cup, broadcast across the entire planet, was a milestone, with Pelé and the Brazilian national team enchanting the world.

The Digital Age in the Palm of Your Hand

The internet and smartphones have transformed real-time sports journalism. News, videos, statistics and debates are available at the click of a button. Fans can follow their favorite teams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on various platforms, websites and apps.

Games and Virtual Football

Online football games and video games allow us to experience the excitement of the sport in a unique way. We create our own teams, control our favorite players and even compete in online championships with friends from all over the world. 

Among them is our beloved Football Team Game, which has been captivating fans for decades. Alongside it, our dedicated journalists bring life to the FootballTeam Sports Journal, a weekly publication released every Wednesday. This journal is a source of information, knowledge, and culture, enriching the daily lives of players and brightening up their football journey with every edition.

link: https://footballteamgame.com/pl/news/jornal-esportivo-22

Importance in the Fight for Equality

The history of sports journalism is not just about goals and titles. It is also a history of fighting for equality and inclusion. Women, for example, face several barriers to conquer their space in the world of sport. Today, more and more women occupy prominent positions in sports newsrooms and work as commentators and reporters.

The fight against racism is also an important mark in the history of sports journalism. The media has a fundamental role in promoting diversity and reporting cases of discrimination.

The Future of Sports Journalism

The future of sports journalism is promising. With the advancement of technology, virtual reality and artificial intelligence promise to revolutionize the way we consume sports. Have you ever imagined watching a football game with virtual reality glasses, feeling like you were inside the stadium?

And you, what is your story with football and sports journalism? Share with us in the comments!

Author: Fábio Muri

BORAT SHIFTS THE BLAME!

Good day, dear readers of the sports magazine!

About a year ago, I prepared an article briefly covering the updates that came into effect at the end of December. Unfortunately, for certain reasons, the magazine, along with this article, was not published, so today, I would like to discuss one of the updates that I found most interesting: the Module introducing the ability to officially announce a "beefs" with a club.

The essence of the module is that it allows you to choose a key opponent for your team once a season, enabling your team to use maximum engagement without losing health and providing a 20% bonus to trained skills for the entire club in a match against this key rival.

While using free maximum engagement during the era of crafting drinks (not to mention tasks and card collections) is of low importance, the 20% bonus can have a significant impact, not only in a specific match but also on the overall standings of the championship.

Regarding a specific match, our club has already tested this in practice against both a stronger opponent and a weaker one that designated us as their key rival. Both matches ended in favor of the weaker opponent, but with the bonus, indicating a relatively high effectiveness of this module.

You might ask, how does winning once and losing once affect the final standings? Let me explain. Before the start of the championship, we received a proposal from Team X, along with another club (totaling three teams), to influence the final standings in the European competition zone by designating one of the higher-ranked teams (3rd-4th place) as a rival, which would significantly reduce the number of points earned by that team. Ultimately, this could potentially lead to their exit from the European competition zone, even though they should ideally occupy that position without breaking a sweat.

Yes, you might say, who cares about the fuss over 6th place, but who can stop such a maneuver with teams ranked 2nd to 5th against the hegemonic champion? Such a scenario could lead to a change of champion. This situation resembles reality, where many teams in the Russian football championship specifically prepare for matches against Spartak, remembering its past achievements during its dominant period. 

Now the team is quite different, but players from other teams grew up watching Spartak's matches, and for many, it feels like a personal match of a lifetime. Conversely, when Spartak plays, it’s just another regular match for them. Often, a more motivated opponent poses significant challenges to the multiple champions and the most popular club in the country.

Now imagine the chaos that could ensue if the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th teams clash against the 1st, while lower-ranked teams also form coalitions against them.

Initially, I believe this module will be applied locally and, at best, will affect one or two positions. However, imagine that over time, the scheme I described could unfold, bringing a new level of competition to the championships and renewed interest in the game.

Don’t make a mistake in your choice!

Author: Борат