Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal #39 brought to you by our journalists, is here! 📖⚽

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ FOOTBALL QUIZ

2/ WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL OLYMPUS - PART 1

3/ REQUIEM FOR THE FALLEN: THE ELITE DIVISIONS' DESCENT IN FOOTBALL TEAM

4/ INTERESTING, QUITE CHEAP WAYS TO GET A LOT OF RESOURCES AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER RESOURCES #2

5/ FOOTBALLTEAM OR MAY DAY?

6/ "KIERO DS - FROM PLAYER TO MODERATOR. MY PATH IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALLTEAM AND FOOTBALL"

7/ IF I COULD BE AN ADMIN FOR A DAY…

8/ REFEREE CONTROVERSIES THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MANAGER #10

FOOTBALL QUIZ

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

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - Poruś

10,000 ⚡ Energy - KrysH & Egzorcyzmy na kocie

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

100 Keys 🔑 Premium - Kyuzo

10,000 ⚡ Energy - Skowy & XAHTEP

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'll select the winners on Thursday at 8 p.m. Let's start!

Classic:

1/ Name and surname of the player:

A Spanish footballer who played as a defender for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. He was born on 2nd February 1987 in Barcelona and is a product of Barcelona's football academy, La Masia.

He made his debut for the Barcelona first team in the 2008/09 season and quickly became a key player in the team. With Barcelona, ​​he won nine La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and three UEFA Champions League titles. He was named in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2011 and the FIFA Team of the Year in 2012. He is considered one of the best defenders in the world.

He made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2009 and has since played over 100 matches. He was a member of the teams that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

He is known for his aggressive defending and heading skills. He is also a good playmaker and often initiated Barcelona's attacks.

He was married to singer Shakira, with whom they have two children.

2/ Name and Surname of the coach:

A Spanish coach and former footballer who played as a defender. He is currently the coach of the Spanish national team.

He began his football career at Athletic Bilbao, where he went through all the junior levels. In 1978, he made his debut in the club's reserves, Bilbao Athletic, and in 1981 he was included in the first team. He spent six seasons at Athletic Bilbao.

In 1987, he moved to Sevilla, where he played for three seasons. He then returned to Athletic, from where he left in the 93/94 season and joined Deportivo Alaves. He ended his football career a season later.

After ending his football career, he began working as a coach. In 2005-2006, he managed the Athletic Bilbao reserves. In 2012, he became the coach of the Spanish U-19 national team, which he managed for some years. During this time, he won the European Championship title with them (in 2015).

In 2023, he took over as the coach of the Spanish national team, with which he is associated to this day. He has been on the coaching bench, in this role for 21 matches and has a points per match coefficient of 2.62.

3/ Full Team name:

English football club based in Birmingham. It was founded in 1874 and is one of the oldest football clubs in the world.

The club was founded in March 1874 by members of the "Villa Cross Wesleyan" chapel in Aston, a district of Birmingham. Initially, the club played cricket, but in 1876 it also began playing football. In 1888, the club was one of the founders of The Football League, the world's first football league.

The club is one of the most successful clubs in England. It has won seven English league titles, seven FA Cups and five English League Cups. It also reached the European Cup in 1982. The club has played its home games at Villa Park since 1897. The stadium is the 10th largest football stadium in England and has a capacity of 42,657. The club is owned by American billionaire Wes Edens. The club's manager is Unai Emery, who has pulled the club out of trouble and finished 4th in the Premier League in the 2023-2024 season, 14 points behind third-placed Liverpool.

Legacy:

1/ Full Stadium name:

A football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It is the home stadium of Real Madrid and also the venue for the Spanish national team. The stadium was opened in 1947 and has been rebuilt and expanded several times since. The first stadium on the site of the current one was built in 1924 and was called Estadio Chamartín. This stadium was too small for Real Madrid's needs, so in 1944 the club began building a new stadium.

The stadium was opened on December 14, 1947. The first match was played between Real Madrid and Portuguese Os Belenenses, with Real Madrid winning 3-1. In the early years of the stadium's existence, its capacity was around 75,000. The stadium was rebuilt and expanded several times. The first major reconstruction took place in 1954, when a second tier of stands was added. In 1982, before the World Cup in Spain, the stadium was rebuilt and expanded again.

A third tier of stands was added and the stadium capacity was increased to over 100,000. The current stadium has a capacity of 81,044. It is one of the largest football stadiums in Europe. The stadium is equipped with modern facilities such as a heated pitch, a public address system and LED scoreboards.

The stadium has hosted numerous major football events, including four European Cup/Champions League finals. The stadium also hosted the 1982 World Cup final.

2/ Player Name and Surname:

A German footballer who plays as a holding forward for Bayern Munich and the German national team. He was born on 13 September 1989 in Weilheim in Oberbayern. He began his football career at the age of 12, joining the Bayern Munich academy. He quickly rose through the youth ranks and made his debut for the first team in 2009.

The player became a key player for Bayern Munich, winning numerous titles, including 12 Bundesliga championships, 6 German Cups and 2 UEFA Champions Leagues. He is known for his versatility, goalscoring skills and assisting his teammates. He made his debut for the German national team in 2010. With the national team, he won the World Cup in 2014 and the bronze medal in 2010. He is one of the most decorated German footballers in history.

3/ Name and surname of the player:

A Belgian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester City. He was born on June 28, 1991 in Drongen, Belgium. He began his football career at the age of 6 at the KVV Drongen club. In 2005, he joined the Genk youth academy. He made his debut in the first team in 2009. He spent three seasons at Genk, in which he played 85 matches and scored 14 goals. In 2012, he was bought by Chelsea for 8 million euros. In his first season at his new club, he failed to earn a place in the starting line-up. The following season, he was loaned to Werder Bremen.He played 34 matches and scored 10 goals for the German club.

After returning to Chelsea, he still couldn't fight for a place in the first team. In 2014, he was sold to Wolfsburg for 22 million euros. He played two seasons in the German club, in which he played 71 matches and scored 20 goals. In 2015, he was bought by Manchester City for 76 million euros. In the English club, he became one of the best footballers in the world.

He played over 300 matches for Manchester City and scored over 100 goals. During his career, he won many trophies, including: the English Championship, the Champions League, the Player of the Year (England and Germany). He is considered one of the best footballers in the world. He is a great playmaker, has excellent vision of the field and technical skills. He is also very effective in the attack, can score goals and assist shots of his teammates. He is also a very intelligent player who reads the game perfectly. He played 106 matches for the Belgian national team and scored 25 goals. He was named to the FIFA Team of the Year in 2019. In 2021, he was named to the UEFA Team of the Year. In the same year, he came second in the Ballon d'Or poll.

Author: Wylewinho

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL OLYMPUS - PART 1

Greetings, virtual community thirsty for emotion and, of course, a good tactical showdown! This week, the column ascends to the pixelated heavens to salute the new inhabitants of the top tier of the Football Team Game. After a season worthy of internet epics, where the dedication of the management bordered on obsession and the virtual sweat of the players soaked every byte of the server, behold the chosen ones, ready to prove that the paradise of the first division is not exclusive to veterans. Let the drums roll (virtually, of course!), because ascension is a rite of passage, a digital baptism of fire that forges new legends and rekindles dormant rivalries.

Poland:

In the chilly and strategic Polish League 2A, two new fortunate ones emerge from the fog of the second division: the suggestively elitist AK Elite Team and the powerful PATRON. They should set about building digital walls and fortifying their virtual defenses, because maintaining the castle in the elite, with the veterans hungry for points, will be no easy task. The pressure will be relentless, each match a pitched battle for every pixel of territory.

In League 2B, the Polish Olympus gains two new temples: the suggestively explosive Na Wietrznej Bombie and the mysterious Белая Стрела (White Arrow). They arrive with airs of those who have found the pot of gold at the end of the virtual rainbow, but the journey in the first division will require more than luck – it will demand sharp strategy and nerves of steel.

England:

In the land of the Queen (and memes), League 2A welcomes two new subjects of the elite: the politically incorrect South Park and the cohesive Team Spirit. May the force (and the acid humour) be with them, because the virtual Premier League forgives no errors, and adapting to the frantic pace will be crucial for their survival.

Meanwhile, in League 2B, virtual globalisation reaches the top: the passionate Argentines of River Plate CA (will their hermano passion infect virtual Albion with their fervent chants and bewildering dribbles?) and the resilient Ukrainians of Slava Ukraine rise with the grit of those who have overcome virtual storms, ready to show the world their fierce and tactically astute football.

Italy:

In the sunny (virtually) Italian League 2A, F C Manchester City (will their pizza have more virtual "cash" to hire the best talents?) and the curious As Kukuryki leave the second division behind, with a "ciao bella" full of ambition and the promise to stir up virtual calcio.

In League 2B, the Russian mafia of ФК Феникс and the wild beasts of FC Red Dragons have unearthed their virtual scudetti and arrive in the first division with a thirst for victory (and perhaps a good virtual red wine to celebrate each triumph), ready to ignite the pitches with their offensive and relentless football.

Spain:

Directly from the (virtual, obviously) film sets of Spanish League 2A, the cinematic Los Angeles Clickers docks in the elite, accompanied by the menacing robots THE DECEPTICONS. May the force (and strategic transformation) be with them in the fight for the virtual Sun, where every point gained will be a crucial frame for the success of their "production."

Meanwhile, in League 2B, virtual Catalonia celebrates the rise of the iconic FC Bаrcelona with their virtual "tiki-taka" alongside the legendary and grumpy  Evil Leprechauns. Beware of the four-leaf clovers (and the virtual kicks that can come from where you least expect!).

Welcome to the Virtual Olympus - part 2

And the epic tale of the glorified winners of the Football Team Game continues, now venturing into the firmament of four more national leagues! Prepare your virtual scrolls, for the list of new digital monarchs expands.

Germany:

"Auf wiedersehen" second division! In German League 2A, virtual beer and sauerkraut welcome  FC Springfield from Homer with their innovative tactics and the sober Londoners from Red Bull London who will approach their work with extreme organization.

In 2B, rivalry transcends borders (virtual ones, of course): the Polish Zks Stal Rzeszów and their Russian "rivals" Работнички reach the top, promising duels that will be at the very least... curious and perhaps even a bit confusing for the virtual commentators.

France:

"Bienvenue" to French League 2A for the enigmatic СЛАВЯНЕ and the powerful FCK ROTOR. May "vitesse" and "force" be with them in the search for a prominent place in the competitive virtual Ligue 1.

In League 2B, the Siberian Сибиряки who intend to freeze their opponents, and the Japanese fans of Tsubasa from Nankatsu SC, are the new members of the elite. "Magnifique", but adapting to virtual "champagne football" will be a trial by fire.

Turkey:

In Turkish League 2A, the passionate porteños of Argentinos River Plate (another River in the virtual elite, is virtual Argentina dominating the world?) and FC Roux say "adiós" to the second division with the air of a virtual lawman, ready to impose order in the first division.

Meanwhile, in League 2B, the fierce Basques of Athletic Bilbao (the strength of virtual tradition and the passion of their online fans!) and the enigmatic Ganja Mafia (do they plant virtual talent on their servers?) disembark in first class with much expectation and the promise to shake up the Turkish scene.

Russia:

The brave ones emerging from the chilly Russian League 2A are the imposing Empire and the speedy SZCZYT (Peak). May they reach the virtual summit and show the strength of Russian football.

To conclude this glorious batch of newcomers to the elite, Russian League 2B welcomes the fast Краснодар and the relentless runners of Indianápolis DC (do they run faster with the ball than without it?).

A virtual round of applause and best wishes for much success (and survival!) to all the new members of the Football Team Game elite! May the next season be epic, full of emotions (and few "lags" that could spoil the spectacle!). The first division awaits them with unprecedented challenges and the promise of memorable duels. Let the games begin!

Author: Fábio Muri

REQUIEM FOR THE FALLEN: THE ELITE DIVISIONS' DESCENT IN FOOTBALL TEAM

Greetings, Football Team community. With the gravity this moment demands, we don our virtual mourning attire and descend into the somber depths of Season 75, where the silent tears of the relegated echo across the virtual pitches. We chronicle the downfall that expelled them from the elite and the arduous path that awaits them in their odyssey to reclaim their place at the summit. Prepare your hearts for this journey of suffering and hope.

Poland:

In the once-glittering Polish first division, the knell of misfortune tolled with a mournful clang, and four virtual souls began their sorrowful procession towards the second division's abyss. The formerly festive "Born to Drink," who perhaps became intoxicated not with glory but with the illusion of easy triumph, the historic Englishmen of Manchester United F C, giants now staggering and seeking to rediscover their path amidst the fog of desolation, the enigmatic Russians of Ordabasy Shymkent, whose strategy, like a map lost in the virtual steppes, left them adrift, and the melancholy Laburte, whose once-intense brilliance was dimmed by the overwhelming weight of fierce competition. The farewell to the Polish elite resonates like the bitter aftertaste of a once-celebratory vodka. 

England:

In the majestic English first division, a stage for legends, the fall resembled a dizzying plunge from the heights of Big Ben, a symbol of solidity crumbling amidst chaos. The once-promising Russian club, FC Sura, stung by the venom of the "Dream Snake II," succumbed to the fragility of their defenses and the ruthless cunning of their rivals. The tenacious Polish team, ŚLĄSK WROCŁAW 2023, who's fighting spirit, once compared to the bravery of Warsaw's warriors, proved insufficient to avoid the treacherous abyss of the second division. And the fearsome "DeVilS United" once the very personification of terror for opposing defenses, now haunted by their own internal demons, which sabotaged their ascent to the virtual Olympus. The virtual Premier League, with its characteristic British reserve, bids farewell with a laconic "cheerio" laden with irony and inevitability. 

Italy:

In the sun-drenched yet unforgiving Italian first division, where the art of defense was elevated to near-divine status, the fall descended like a virtual tsunami, sweeping away the Brazilians of Atlânticos FT, whose armada, once as promising as the caravels that braved oceans, was undone by the treacherous waves of defeat; the once-mighty "Golden Army," now weakened and stripped of its golden days, like a Roman empire in ruins; the striving Polish team of Wilcza Barkowa, whose sharp claws could not cling to the elite's solidity; and the absentminded Eagles FC II, whose wings, once adorned with the promise of a majestic flight, proved too fragile to sustain their ambition in the unforgiving firmament of virtual Serie A. A melancholy "addio". 

Spain:

In the passionate and vibrant Spanish first division, where Guardiola's "tiki-taka" revolutionized the game and stars like Cruyff and Maradona enchanted the world, the "hasta la vista" echoed as a cruel twist of fate, a forced farewell to the spectacle that is Spanish football. Departing from the elite are the tenacious KS 27 Golkowice, the enigmatic VIKOMP OST, the once-fearsome Gladiatorzy IMPERIUM, whose virtual swords lost their edge in the relentless battle, and the mighty Зенит Санкт-петербург Zenit Saint Petersburg, whose northern brilliance, once as promising as their city's white nights, was extinguished under the harsh Spanish sun. The league of stars bows in a farewell laden with resignation, like a wounded bullfighter leaving the arena. 

Germany:

At the historic virtual Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity and overcoming, defeat marched with heavy and implacable steps, carrying towards the second division the striving SANTASTIC F C., the tenacious Niebieskie Chachary II, whose blue grit, once compared to the determination of the Ruhr miners, was not enough to triumph, the combative FKS PGE Stal Mielec, whose virtual steel could not withstand the overwhelming pressure of the Bundesliga, and the resilient Leśnik Płazów, whose virtual forest, once an impenetrable refuge, did not protect them from the relentless fury of the fall. A bitter "tschüss," like the final sip of a once-celebratory beer, hangs in the Germanic air, a harbinger of dark time.

France:

In the land where Zinedine Zidane orchestrated the national team with mastery and Olympique de Marseille ascended to European glory, not even the delicious virtual croissants, a symbol of sweetness and celebration, could appease the bitterness of relegation in the competitive French league. The tenacious FC Avangard Kursk, the strategic Mayaply IV, the disciplined RONINS, whose loyalty and discipline were not enough to prevent the descent, and the vibrant  Движ Париж, whose incessant movement did not lead them to salvation in the virtual Eden of French football. A sorrowful "au revoir," like the melancholy melody of an accordion on a rainy afternoon in Paris, echoes across the virtual French fields.

Turkey:

At the crossroads between East and West, where the passion for football intertwines with the rich history and culture of Istanbul, not even the stunning beauty of ancient virtual Constantinople could prevent the fateful descent towards the second division of the once-mighty РБ Лейпциг, the passionate Napoli Azzurri, the combative G D Chaves, and the resilient Novigrad. The virtual Bosphorus, a witness to countless battles and conquests, mourns the departure of its illustrious visitors, like a sultan bidding farewell to a foreign emissary.

Russia:

From the imposing virtual Kremlin, center of power and glory, to the cold and unforgiving vastness of the Siberian second division, they proceed with heads bowed, like exiles in their own land: the daring CANNABIS CLUB, the once-promising Gold Boys, the tenacious Belarus team, and the striving Odra Wodzisław Śląski. The virtual winter, as merciless as the General Winter that plagued Napoleon's troops, announces itself as harsh and relentless for these unfortunate ones, testing their resilience and their capacity for adaptation. 

And now, shrouded in the melancholy of the fall, how will these virtual clubs rally?

And you, a player who wears the shirt of one of these relegated teams, carrying the weight of virtual dishonor on your shoulders? What has this relentless season taught you? Do words of hope and resilience grace your lips, or does only the bitter silence of defeat echo in your pixels? Share your unique perspective with us in the comments.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Until next week.

Author: Fábio Muri

INTERESTING, QUITE CHEAP WAYS TO GET A LOT OF RESOURCES AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER RESOURCES #2

Hey! Kyrunio here, in today's article I'm continuing the series I started a week ago about new tasks to complete. There are still a few tasks that are worth doing due to their low cost and high rewards. Let's get to the point.

Today I'll focus on a few variants of one task that is cheap to complete and can be done at any time. This is a task called "Tier up" in the "Items" category. It involves exchanging items of a given rarity for a higher tier. This task is divided into a general part (which counts exchanges of items of each tier), and side parts that count each rarity separately. It is more expensive to complete than the tasks described in the previous article, but here you can lose less by having more luck in exchanges.

First option:

Make 25 exchanges (gray → blue)

Methods and costs of completing the task:

Opening packages (free)

Buying items on the Market (around 1000 Credits)

Rewards:

30,000 Energy

20,000 Golden Balls

Second option:

Make 25 exchanges (blue → green)

Methods and costs of completing the task:

Opening packages (free)

Buying items on the Market (around 1000 Credits)

(price of gray and blue items is identical)

Rewards:

30,000 Energy

20,000 Golden Balls

Third option:

Make 15 exchanges (green → red)

Methods and costs of completing the task:

Opening packages (free)

Buying items on the Market (around 1150 Credits)

Rewards:

45,000 Energy

additionally: option to return Credits if you are lucky and exchange unlocked items

Fourth option:

Make 5 exchanges (red → gold)

Methods and costs of completing the task:

Opening packages (free)

Buying items on the Market (around 2100 Credits)

Rewards:

30,000 Energy

20,000 Golden Balls

In addition, when completing each of these tasks, the main task is completed. In total, by doing the above-mentioned variants, we will exchange items 70 times, which gives us rewards of the following order:

1 Legendary Card

1 Epic Card

25 Energy Packs

2 Card Packs

15,000 Golden Balls

This gives us a total of over 75,000 Golden Balls and about 160,000 Energy (including Energy Packs) plus other rewards.

There is also a very simple task, for the completion of which it is impossible to precisely estimate the amount of resources spent. This is a task also found in the "Items" category, it is called "From Zero to Hero". It consists of gaining a given percentage in augmentation, so everything depends on luck, and when you get a 150% bonus on a random item, you will receive a total of 50,000 Energy.

There are also a number of tasks available, for the completion of which you do not have to spend resources at all. These are a number of tasks that you will complete by simply actively playing. They consist of selling cards that drop from Card Packs for Fame Points. Simplicity in itself, and you can get really big amounts of Energy for it at the start. These tasks are located in the "Cards" tab and are called "Path to Fame (tier)"

The last tasks that I will mention today and probably in the series under the banner of "cheap ways to get resources" are the usual opening of packs from Bronze to Platinum using a Premium Key. These tasks are located in the "Packs" category, are called "Key (Pack Tier)"

That's all from me for today, I encourage you to read the articles submitted by other journalists and evaluate my article. Until next time!

Author: Kyrunio

FOOTBALLTEAM OR MAY DAY?

Dear readers!

I have been sharing with you some casual articles that I believe are also very necessary so that in life we ​​are guided not only by patterns often imposed from above by peers, co-workers or other types of life companions, but it is worth giving my point of view on certain topics from time to time. I am Andrzejek, and in this edition of Sports Journal I decided to share with you what is really important in life.

Regardless of whether, as in the title, you spend May Day with our beloved game FootballTeam at home, by the fire or grill, or even perhaps in a completely different place, or you decide to totally chill out and put the game aside, it is definitely worth using this time in such a way as to get the most out of it. Personally, I really value my free time because I don't have much of it on a daily basis. On weekends like May Day I try to devote this time to my loved ones, i.e. family and closest friends. How does this relate to FootballTeam, after all it's just a browser game? Many of you will probably think, and at this point you can really be surprised because if I had to answer the question why I play it, my answer would be the people.

It is the players who build the whole atmosphere and they are the foundation of why you want to log into FootballTeam on days like this, weekends like the May weekend. We want to share what happened with us, what we did, where we were because we can safely say that these virtual friendships can turn into real friendships. It is true that I personally have never gotten close enough to someone to see them in the real world, but through FootballTeam I have several, I can safely say, good friends who have helped me many times in various life situations and of course it was not one-sided help!

I also know of cases where players met not only for alcohol (there is no football without alcohol), but also for joint match trips or integration.

Of course, a close bond with someone from a browser game does not have to mean that you have to meet someone to have a good opinion of them. Here, a very good example is the discord platform, where the FootballTeam game has its server (you are welcome). This is mainly where the entire life of FootballTeam takes place and I often get the impression when I look there (now less and less often) that for many people it is a break from real life, but there are also cases of people who, in my opinion, get too involved and lack relaxation. It is worth noting that this is just a browser game and it has no reflection in private life and should not be translated into relationships with other people. Very often you can see how people are disappointed with various changes as if it depended on their life, but it does not!

What can you do in FootballTeam during the May weekend? Of course, training! It is the most important and there is no doubt about it, but if we do not have too many resources, it is worth thinking about collecting as much as possible because at the time of publication of my article, club games are taking place. I won't go into detail about what they are, simply by clicking HERE you will be taken to the appropriate article, the publication and content of which are the responsibility of the administration. Resources can be acquired in various ways using the possibilities available in the game, and the best and fastest option will be to use the amazing packages for your player's OVR level!

And how did you spend the May Day weekend, did you train or grill?

Author: Andrzejek

"KIERO DS - FROM PLAYER TO MODERATOR. MY PATH IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALLTEAM AND FOOTBALL"

Reading the latest article by my friend Andrzejek, I came up with the idea of ​​introducing myself in the world of Footballteam. This is something I haven't done before, so I thought it would be worth introducing myself to people who only know me by my nickname Kiero.

My name is Dawid, in the FootballTeam game known as Kiero DS. I have been associated with this virtual world for years, but apart from the game I also have vast experience in the real world of football. Mławianka Mława, my football club, is my passion and something I simply love. I am the club director and security manager, where I take care of the smooth functioning of the team, the organization of matches and ensuring safety during sports events.

From the very beginning, FootballTeam attracted me with its dynamics and diversity. Each match is a new challenge that requires strategic thinking and quick decisions. As Kiero DS, I spent hundreds of hours on the pitch, fighting for the best results and learning how to improve my game. Over time, I realized that FootballTeam is more than just a game – it’s a place where every player can develop and improve their character.

In FootballTeam, I’m also a chat moderator and a journalist in the newspaper, which gives me the opportunity to be part of this community. I love sharing my knowledge and experience, helping new players and passing on valuable advice. What drives me is the cooperation and exchange of experiences – both with players on the pitch and with those who share a passion for the game.

As a player with a lot of experience, I also have the opportunity to actively participate in the development of FootballTeam. Thanks to my close contact with the game’s creators, I can provide them with suggestions and feedback that help improve the game. I always want to make FootballTeam even better, more engaging and satisfying for all players. My involvement in the development of the game is another way I can contribute to improving the experience of all players.

Over the years, being involved in the game’s community has allowed me to make many valuable contacts. In Dream State I met players like Dumateusz, Bestia, Matt Agustin, Adi Tygrys, Andrzejek and Hobbit, who are still my friends. Then I had the opportunity to play in the Wizard team, where I met great people like Dawid, Krywko, Bułka and Prezes. It's these shared moments on the pitch, these emotions and laughter that build bonds that last even outside the game.

FootballTeam is more than just a game for me. It's a place where I can not only compete, but also help other players, share my passion and knowledge and influence the development of the game itself. As Kiero DS, I try to be an active member of the community who not only enjoys the game, but also gets involved in helping others and developing the FootballTeam. It's an addictive game that brings together football enthusiasts from all over the world, and I'm glad I can be a part of it.

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

 IF I COULD BE AN ADMIN FOR A DAY…

The immortal Kayah wondered what she would do if she were a man for just one day. Among the suggestions were Superman or Bogusław Linda. Among my thoughts, I wonder what I would do if I were the admin of FootballTeam.

I have a few observations. I will focus on the things that bother me – as a player. It is a known fact that such changes would not be possible to implement in 24 hours, maybe they are hopeless and only I consider them good.

Let's try to diagnose a few problems of FootballTeam. The community can be divided into several types: sponsors (no offense), old hands, active, expiring or beginners. The problem with such a cross-section of the community is that every loss of a player from – let's say – the top500 is a pebble moving the mountain.

The TOP15 team loses a midfielder who doesn't want to play anymore. He doesn't log in as often, doesn't start up for matches, loses his chemistry and as a result is an unplayable account. There is a gap that is very difficult to fill, because there will be few such midfielders at the TOP15 level. If no one can be brought in as a replacement, the striker will leave, who will not get enough balls to fight for a medal in the league. He will go somewhere else. As a result, the team's morale drops, the club crumbles - some ambitious will look for a place elsewhere, some will end up playing because they only logged in out of habit.

Maybe there wouldn't be such a problem if the transfer market wasn't cemented. In my opinion, at a certain level it is very difficult to get players for the team - I say this from the perspective of a top 40 team fighting for 2-3 individual medals in the league. If only the role of clubs increased in some way...

I think the administration has noticed this problem, as evidenced by the level of club expansion and the opportunities available at a given level of development. The problem is that such a "bonus" is the possibility of making a historical item, which is still unattainable for many players due to the costs.

I see room for development especially in the matter of contracts. Currently, they are at a ridiculous level, inadequate to the training costs incurred by players. I perfectly understand that you can earn extra euros by working to burn off energy and buy energy packages for training. Making clubs able to compete with each other, sometimes offering players star contracts, will be a step towards unblocking the market.

The second idea would be to move away from the realistic football league system and introduce divisions. Currently, at the beginning of the season, we know what the results will be after a month of struggle. The division system would make more matches "on the edge", for something. Imagine a league of 10 teams, where each has a chance to beat each other. What would count would be development over the course of the season, scythe strategies, and distribution of forces.

Another idea, although probably utopian to implement, would be to introduce games not for 11 players, but for 6 players. With the same number of active users, there would be twice as many clubs, which would mean greater rivalry. Of course, this would require coming up with a new formula, perhaps a new server (but admins are very good at this). After all, that's what server mergers were for - to increase rivalry. If it weren't for that, there probably wouldn't be a FootballTeam. I simply dream of a game that I remember from my early days - I enjoyed every won match, promotion from the 4th league to the 1st, fighting for cups, transfer offers from stronger clubs. I think that more people would be happy to return to such a FootballTeam.

I invite and encourage you to comment (which almost never happens) on how you see FootballTeam's problems. Perhaps some brainstorming could lead to changes that would improve the game that each of us logs into. 

Author: PanEgo 

REFEREE CONTROVERSIES THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MANAGER #10

Hello, this is Kiero DS. 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, as controversies arise.

Supporting or blocking hand? Analysis of two seemingly similar situations:

When watching football matches, we often come across situations that at first glance look very similar, but end with completely different decisions by the referees. Recently, my attention was drawn to two incidents from PKO BP Ekstraklasa matches, in which the ball hit the defender's hand. Despite the similar nature of the events, in one case the referee did not whistle a foul, and in the other he awarded a penalty kick. So I decided to analyze both cases in detail, based on the current "Football Rules" and their official interpretation.

Situation 1: Górnik Zabrze - Raków Częstochowa (9th minute of the match):

In this action, the Górnik striker feints and plays the ball from a very close distance. The Raków defender, trying to block this play, makes a slide tackle, during which his left hand supports the falling body. The ball hits this hand, which is positioned perpendicular to the pitch and - importantly - is in a natural position resulting from the mechanics of the player's movement. According to the current interpretation of the rules, this is a classic example of the so-called supporting hand. IFAB clearly specifies that: "contact of the ball with the hand is permitted if the hand is used to support the body during a fall or slide tackle, is in a natural position and does not cause an unnatural enlargement of the body". In this case, the hand does not provide any unnatural advantage, does not increase the outline of the body, and its position is typical for this type of defensive intervention. Therefore, I consider the referee's decision to continue play without reaction to be completely correct.

Situation 2: Pogoń Szczecin – Raków Częstochowa (77th minute of the match):

In this situation, the Pogoń striker takes a shot from the penalty area. The Raków defender, a few meters away, tries to block the shot. During the intervention, the ball hits his outstretched hand, which is significantly outside the natural outline of the body. The hand is parallel to the pitch, does not serve as support, and its position results from a movement aimed at blocking the ball's flight path. Here we are dealing with the so-called blocking hand/arm, a situation in which the hand is consciously used to increase the defensive area, and contact with the ball is expected or predictable. According to the regulations: "a player commits an offence if his hand or arm is in an unnatural position, enlarges the silhouette in an unnatural way and blocks the ball heading towards the goal". In my opinion, this case perfectly fits the definition of a hand offence. The defender consciously spreads his hands, trying to block the shot, and thus increases the chance of stopping the ball in an illegal way. A penalty kick is the only right decision in this situation.

Key differences – context and movement mechanics:

Both situations have a common denominator – contact of the ball with the defender's hand. But the devil is in the details. The difference is made by:

For me, two factors are key: whether the hand is a natural element of movement, and whether it gives the player an unfair advantage. If the answer to the latter question is "yes", then we are dealing with an infringement.

Conclusions:

Analysing these two cases, I appreciate even more how precise the decisions of referees must be and how important it is to have a good knowledge of the context of the situation. The rules of football are not black and white – they require interpretation, understanding of the dynamics of movement, and experience. What looks like a simple hand-to-ball contact to the viewer can have a completely different meaning when we consider all the circumstances. That is why it is so important not to judge a situation in isolation from the details. In football – as in life – context is everything.

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

Author: Kiero DS