Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal #31 brought to you by our journalists, is here! 📖⚽

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ FOOTBALL QUIZ

2/ THE MOST INTERESTING MATCHES OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SEASON 74 #1

3/ ACHIEVEMENTS OF “CLASSIC” PLAYERS #6

4/ NATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS

5/ THE YELLOW AND BLACK CHARM: THE HISTORY OF NAC BREDA

6/ REFEREE CONTROVERSIES THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MANAGER #3

FOOTBALL QUIZ

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

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - Andrezinho

10,000 ⚡ Energy - Bzykacz69 & nobody

(two people answered correctly)

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:

One of the most promising young players in modern football. He was born on September 5, 2001 in London (Ealing), and his sports career is an example of talent, determination and hard work. The player, of Nigerian origin, has been associated with the Arsenal club from an early age, where he developed his skills and gained experience. He began his adventure with football at the Arsenal academy in 2018. From the very first days at the club, he stood out from his peers. His technical skills, speed and ability to play in different positions on the pitch attracted the attention of coaches.

He made his debut for Arsenal’s first team in 2019, which was a huge achievement for such a young player. Over the following seasons, he became a key player, regularly scoring goals and assists. He quickly gained recognition not only at Arsenal but also with the England national team. His style of play, based on speed and technique, made him a fan favourite.

Euro 2020: He was part of the England team that reached the final. His performances at the tournament contributed to his growing popularity. He is able to change the pace of the game in a flash, making him difficult for defenders to stop. His dribbling ability and precise passing are of a high standard, allowing him to work effectively with other players.

From the perspective of his current achievements, his future seems very promising. His talent and determination could lead him to even greater successes for both club and country.

He is a player who will surely surprise the world of football many more times. His career, full of successes and challenges, is an inspiration to many young athletes. With every match, he proves that hard work and passion for football can lead to great achievements.

Author: Wylewinho

THE MOST INTERESTING MATCHES OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SEASON 74 #1

Hey! This is Kyrunio, today we'll be taking a closer look at the most interesting matches that took place in the first week of the 74 season. So let's get down to business.

Today I'll be taking a closer look at two matches that I'll present below:

The first match I'll be focusing on took place on Saturday, March 1st at 8:30 PM as part of the European Tournament, between BAVOVNA and RedBull Fighters.

The players took to the pitch, the favorite in this match was unknown, the teams are more or less at the same skill level. The home team was the most active, it's worth noting that both teams didn't play with full squads. In the 9th minute of the match, Parmigiano Reggiano, the strongest point of the visiting team, put his team in the lead after a through ball by D R 3 N.

9 minutes later, the same player again converted a through ball, this time from Fiszu, into a goal. The home team managed to make contact with their opponents very quickly. szybki 30 threw in a corner kick, and Enzo Fernández 8 converted it into a goal. Nobody knew at that moment that this was just the beginning of the home team's renovation. The guests, certain that they would win the match, took their best player off the pitch, and that's when serious problems began for them.

A minute after he left, szybki 30 assisted again, the goal was also scored from a corner kick, this time by Слава Нації, who left the pitch a minute after the goal. The home team made a good substitution, Lothar Matthaus appeared on the pitch, who a few minutes later assisted Enzo Fernández 8 from a corner kick, for whom it was already the second goal in this match. The exciting match ended with the result 3:2.

The second match I will discuss took place on Thursday, March 6 at 1:05 PM in the National Cup. Kasztelan Team hosted FC EAGLES at their home stadium.

The match started quite calmly, only in the 30th minute of the match the synergy of Grzals0n and hesoyam helped the hosts score the opening goal. They did not celebrate it for long, because MARADONA showed off a precise shot from 15 meters after a pass from Ragnar den Skæggede Bersærker.

The hosts did not lose their momentum after conceding a goal. They needed only 5 minutes to take the lead again, hesoyam scored again after a pass from Grzals0n. 9 minutes later, after the break, Ragnar den Skæggede Bersærker assisted again. This time he threw the ball to the near post, where Legrottaglie was, who converted this wonderful pass into a goal.

After the goal, the players did not slow down the pace of the game, everyone fought for the victory. An ugly foul by Hesoyam caused a free kick, which was flawlessly executed by Ragnar den Skæggede Bersærker, who at that moment was the hero of the match. However, the match did not end there, the injured player of the guests weakened them to such an extent that they conceded two more goals in the last quarter of an hour. In the 78th minute of the match, Anlimited500 passed a heel pass to Kurinox, who quickly converted this pass into a goal.

In the last minute of regular time, Legrottaglie fouled an opponent in front of his penalty area, we have a free kick. Bizonio, who had been fouled a moment earlier, approached him, who scored a goal with a strong technical shot near the right post, sealing the victory for the hosts. The match ended with a score of 4:3. The home team's victory did not allow them to advance to the next round of the National Cup, they lost their first match in the two-legged series with a score of 1:5, which gives a score of 5-8 in favor of FC EAGLES in the two-legged series.

On this note, we will end today's summary of interesting matches on the FootballTeam pitches! See you there!

Author: Kyrunio

ACHIEVEMENTS OF “CLASSIC” PLAYERS #6

Dear Readers,

I would like to warmly welcome you to the next issue of such a wonderful thing in the world of FootballTeam, which is Sports Journal, our beloved newspaper! I am Andrzejek, and the topic I have prepared for you will not be different from the previous ones, because the series I am currently continuing will consist of ten articles on this topic, and what next? It's a secret! Without further ado, let's start 🙂

Izzee

This basic player of the Broski Wolfpack FC team usually plays his matches as a goalkeeper and if I am not mistaken, he is the first goalkeeper in our ranking! Izzee has been in the current team for a relatively short time, because in previous seasons we could admire his interventions in teams such as Memento Mori and Nankatsu SC, and it was in the latter team that his career developed the most. Does a goalkeeper at his level have any goals or assists? In real football such things sometimes happen, but not this time. So let's move on to the interventions and goals conceded in the career of this player:

League: Interventions/Goals conceded 117/154 in100 matches

CT/ET: Interventions/Goals conceded 14/20 in 14 matches
LC: Interventions/Goals conceded 10/15 in 11 matches

Friendlies: Interventions/Goals conceded 80/106 in 102 matches

which gives a total of 221 interventions and 295 goals conceded in 227 matches. Will there be medals for individual achievements in Izzee's career? Absolutely! The first-league goalkeeper was awarded a medal twice for the second and third best goalkeeper in the English first league.

Will the club cabinet of such a player be empty? Nothing could be further from the truth, playing for as many as three clubs, Izzee couldn't afford something like this:

Broski Wolfpack FC

Italian National Cup

Nanktasu SC

eighth place in SuperLeague

first place in 1 English League

third place in 1 English League

Memento Mori

third place in 1 Spanish League

Rinkiari

Let's go ahead, since goalkeepers have been overlooked so much, it's time for another one, and that is Rinkiari, the mainstay of the Huragan Młyny team - a team that is having a really good season. This player is no different from his predecessor, he is even better in one of the statistics, and that is the number of clubs in his career. There's no point in listing everyone, because that's not what this series is about. It's worth noting that despite several clubs in history, all the trophies won are with the current team. Let's check out Rinkiari's stats:

League: Interventions/Goals conceded 79/68 in 99 matches

CT/ET: Interventions/Goals conceded 14/16 in 8 matches

LC: Interventions/Goals conceded 16/14 in 19 matches

Friendlies: Interventions/Goals conceded 43/72 in 92 matches

which gives a total of 152 interventions and 170 goals conceded in 218 matches.

Medals, because such distinctions can also be found in this player's career, are: 

2x 1st best goalkeeper in the German league

1x 2nd best goalkeeper in the German league

As for cups for club achievements:

• 1x German National Cup

• 2x third place in the Top Club Week

• 2x first place in the German league

• 1x second place in the German league

GodVali

The third and last goalkeeper on our list is GodVali, the basic player of the Izba Wytrzeźwień team, who is responsible for standing between the two posts (joke). You may recognize him not only from the game, but also from the activity on the FootballTeam discord, to which I cordially invite those who have not joined us yet!

Does the main goalkeeper of the popular Byk z Pampeluny team look good in terms of statistics? Let's check it out!

League: Interventions/Goals conceded 109/146 in 83 matches
CT/ET: Interventions/Goals conceded 25/24 in 18 matches
LC: Interventions/Goals conceded 3/0 in 10 matches
Friendlies: Interventions/Goals conceded 30/24 in 118 matches

Which gives a total of 167 interventions and 194 conceded goals in 229 matches. As for individual awards, unfortunately, GodVali's career does not include any medals.

Fortunately, when playing in a team like Izba Wytrzeźwień, it is certain that the club's trophies will be bursting at the seams, but is it really? Let's check!

• 2x German National Cup
• third place in the Top Club Week
• eighth place in the Super League
• first place in the German league
• 2x second place in the German league

That would be it! Thank you very much and see you next time!

Author: Andrzejek

NATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS

Welcome to the latest edition of the FootballTeam Sports Journal! This time, we’re celebrating the NATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS across four leagues. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!

🏆 ENGLISH CUP

In the English Cup final, RESPECT (1857 OVR) faced Tulersi (991 OVR) in what turned out to be a dominant performance. The home team RESPECT cruised to an 8-0 victory, with Spartajke stealing the spotlight by scoring five goals!

Match Stats:
🔹 Possession: 58.51% vs. 41.49%
🔹 Shots on goal: 15 vs. 0
🔹 Tackles: 4 vs. 10
🔹 Fouls: 0 vs. 1

This marks RESPECT's first-ever NATIONAL CUP title—CONGRATULATIONS, CHAMPIONS!

🏆 SPANISH CUP

The Spanish Cup final was an absolute thriller—arguably the most exciting of all the National Cup finals!

Drużyna Bez Dopingu (3278 OVR at match time) vs. COSA NOSTRA (4092 OVR). The visitors took the lead early, but the teams exchanged goals until the final whistle, ending in a 4-4 draw after 90 minutes.

Then came extra time... and in the 121st minute, Qlawy delivered the final blow, sealing a 5-4 victory for COSA NOSTRA!

Match Stats:
🔹 Possession: 45.53% vs. 54.47%
🔹 Shots on goal: 5 vs. 10
🔹 Saves: 2 vs. 0
🔹 Tackles: 8 vs. 0
🔹 Fouls: 1 vs. 4
🔹 Yellow cards: 1 vs. 3

With this victory, COSA NOSTRA becomes back-to-back SPANISH NATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS—WELL DONE!

🏆 GERMAN CUP

A closely contested final saw LIONHEART (2371 OVR) take on Huragan Mlyny (2752 OVR).

The match was intense, with both teams tied 2-2 at halftime. However, in the 76th minute, MMX found the net, securing a 3-2 win for LIONHEART!

Match Stats:
🔹 Possession: 45.74% vs. 54.26%
🔹 Shots on goal: 5 vs. 5
🔹 Tackles: 5 vs. 4

A historic moment for LIONHEART as they claim their first-ever NATIONAL CUP title! WELL DESERVED, CHAMPIONS!

🏆 ITALIAN CUP

There was no doubt about the favorites in this final—Broski Wolfpack FC was aiming for a historic third consecutive title!

Their opponent, FORZA ITALIA (863 OVR), faced an uphill battle against the powerhouse Broski Wolfpack FC (2751 OVR). As expected, the visitors dominated, winning 6-0 with Herlock Sholmes leading the charge, scoring an incredible five goals!

With this triumph, Broski Wolfpack FC are now THREE-TIME ITALIAN CUP CHAMPIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

See you in the next championship and CONGRATULATIONS to the champions. CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM AND ENJOY THAT CUP IN THE SHOWCASE. See you in the next edition of the sports newspaper, all the best

Author: BÚFALO FUNES (ID 1183)

THE YELLOW AND BLACK CHARM: THE HISTORY OF NAC BREDA

Greetings, players! This week, we will learn about the fascinating history of a team that also has its representation in our beloved game: NAC BREDA.

In the heart of the province of North Brabant, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the unconditional passion for football pulsates, wearing the yellow and black colors. NAC Breda, a club with more than a century of history, is much more than just a sports team: it is a true symbol of tradition, perseverance and unity for its fans, who carry it in their hearts with unparalleled fervor.

A Historic Birth

On September 19, 1912, the city of Breda was the scene of an event that would change the destiny of local football. Two traditional clubs joined forces to form what we know today as NAC Breda. NOAD (Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten) and ADVENDO (Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning) joined forces, creating a new identity for Breda football. The club’s name, which can be considered a real challenge to the language, reflects the fusion of these two teams and the unconditional love for the sport that has always united its members.

The Golden Decade

The 1970s represented the peak of NAC BREDA’s fortunes. In 1974, the club achieved one of its greatest glory days when it won its first and only title in the KNVB Cup, the top club competition in the Netherlands. In the final, the team defeated giants Ajax in a historic match that will forever be etched in the fans’ memories. This victory not only earned the club the coveted trophy, but also secured a place in the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, a monumental feat that elevated NAC Breda’s name to the international stage.

Historical Rivalry

The derby against Willem II from Tilburg is one of the most exciting and thrilling games in Dutch football. Known as "Breda versus Tilburg", this clash is much more than just a sporting match; it reflects the historical rivalry between two neighboring cities that breathe football and carry an immense passion for the sport. Each duel between these two teams is a spectacle, with intense disputes on and off the field, eagerly awaited by fans from both cities.

The Rat that Conquered Hearts

The team's mascot, a rat, may seem a bit unusual at first glance, but it carries a deep symbolism for the club and its fans. Affectionately nicknamed "De Ratten" (The Rats), the mascot represents the tenacity and perseverance that characterize the team. He is always present at games and events, being an icon adored by fans, who celebrate his figure with affection and dedication. The mouse has become a symbol of NAC Breda's unbreakable spirit, which never lets itself be beaten, no matter the adversity.

NAC Breda in Football Team

Within the Football Team universe, NAC BREDA.is chaired by Revy and has the expertise of a strong coaching team, consisting of Nonna Makarov and MeK, and a squad of 18 players. The club entered the game in the 45th season and currently occupies the 234th position in the overall ranking. Despite its recent trajectory in the game, NAC Breda has already achieved a great feat: the title of the Italian 3D League, won in the 49th season.

This season, the team remains unbeaten in the 3B League Spanish, with 6 wins in 6 games, but occupies the third place due to the goal difference. Among the team's great highlights are top scorer Ikanek, with an impressive 20 goals, talented midfielders  Kucharczyk18 and Oscaro Tureck, defender Sakurajima Mai, and goalkeeper Revy, whose performances have been essential to the team's success.

The team is expected to fight for promotion to the second division and perhaps the title.

Do you play for NAC BREDA? Do you support the team? Comment.

Thanks for reading and see you next week.

Author: Fábio Muri

REFEREE CONTROVERSIES THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MANAGER #3

Hello, Kiero DS here. Due to the numerous controversial situations involving football referees, I have decided to create a new series, where I will analyze these situations step by step. This series will appear relatively regularly, along with the emerging controversies. The next situation that we will take on board is the match of the 22nd round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa Raków Częstochowa - Górnik Zabrze.

In the 85th minute of the match Raków Częstochowa - Górnik Zabrze, there were two controversial situations that required detailed referee analysis. The first concerned a potential foul by the goalkeeper on a Raków striker, the second - a possible handball by a Górnik defender. Let's take a closer look at them in light of the rules of the game of football.

GOALKEEPER FOUL?

The situation began with a quick counterattack by the hosts. Raków's striker with number 20 received a perpendicular pass and dynamically ran into the penalty area. At a key moment, he passed the ball to a better positioned teammate, and a moment later there was contact with the intervening Górnik goalkeeper.

In such cases, it is crucial to determine whether an infringement occurred and, if so, whether it had an impact on the further course of the action. According to the regulations, in order for contact to be considered a foul, it must meet certain criteria. The goalkeeper's attack was dynamic, frontal and made with his legs directed towards the opponent. In the final phase of the intervention, the goalkeeper's studs ended up between the attacker's legs, which caused him to fall. Although the attacker had passed the ball earlier, the intensity of the goalkeeper's attack could have qualified it as reckless, and therefore - an infringement resulting in a penalty kick.

According to the regulations, a reckless attack is one in which the player acts without due caution, exposing the opponent to the risk of injury. In this case, it can be considered that the Górnik goalkeeper attacked with excessive force, making no attempt to avoid contact. Therefore, the optimal decision of the referee would be to award a penalty kick and punish the goalkeeper with a yellow card.

HAND PLAY OR NOT?

When the Raków striker with number 15 took a shot at an empty goal, the ball hit the hand of the Górnik defender. The question arises - was it an infringement? According to the current regulations, handball is considered illegal if the player deliberately touches the ball with his hand or if the hand is in an unnatural position and increases the outline of the body.

In this situation, the defender clearly tried to block the shot, which may suggest an attempt to intervene with his hand. However, analysis shows that his hands were integrated with his torso and did not increase the surface area of ​​his body. If the ball had not hit his hand, it would have bounced off his chest, which means that there was no infringement. The referee's decision not to award a penalty kick was therefore correct.

SUMMARY:

To sum up, the referees made a mistake by not awarding a penalty kick after the Górnik goalkeeper's intervention. The attack met the criteria for recklessness, and in such situations, according to the regulations, a foul should have been whistled and an individual penalty should have been imposed. In turn, the decision not to award a penalty for the defender's alleged hand was correct, because his hands did not enlarge the outline of his body and did not change the trajectory of the ball in an illegal manner.

This situation shows how complicated and multidimensional refereeing decisions are. The key is to apply appropriate criteria for assessing offenses and consistently comply with the regulations, which was not fully implemented in this situation.

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

Best regards!

Author: Kiero DS