Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal on server Legacy #5 brought to you by our journalists, is here! Remember to vote for your favorite article at the end! ☕

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL!

2/ ULTRAS AND HOOLS - THE WORLD FROM A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE!

3/ GOODBYE OR SEE YOU SOON REDBULL FIGHTERS?

4/ THE END OF CC'S "HEGEMONY"? - THE END OF UNRELIABLE "ARTICLES"

5/ COMMON INTERESTS!

6/ LET 'S TALK ABOUT TACTICS!

7/ CARDS GAMES TACTICS: MASTERING DUELS 

8/ CARDS - PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE - OVERTIME

9/ OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE EURO 2024 TOURNAMENT

10/ WHICH RESOURCES ARE THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT?

NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL!

Hello players! Fábio Muri brings you another interesting article.

This week we will discuss the continental club competitions in world football:

🔸Copa Libertadores da América

🔸Copa Sudamericana

🔸Europa League Qualifiers

🔸Champions League Qualifiers

COPA LIBERTADORES DA AMÉRICA 2024:

Quarterfinals: September 18-25

Semifinals: October 23-30

Final: November 30 (in Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Quarterfinals Matchups:

Probable dates: first leg 17/18 and second leg 25/26 September

Round 1:

Fluminense (Brazil) x Atlético MG (Brazil)

Colo Colo (Chile) x River Plate (Argentina)

Round 2:

Botafogo (Brazil) x São Paulo (Brazil)

Flamengo (Brazil) x Peñarol (Uruguay)

COPA SUDAMERICANA:

Quarterfinals Finals: September 18 and 25

Semi-finals: October 23 and 30

Finals: November 23 (in Asunción, Paraguay)

Quarter-finals matchups:

Probable dates: first leg 17/18 and second leg 25/26 September

Fortaleza (Brazil) x Corinthians (Brazil)

Athletico PR (Brazil) x Racing (Argentina)

Lanús (Argentina) x Independiente Medellín (Colombia)

Libertad (Paraguay) x Cruzeiro (Brazil)

Recopa Sudamericana 2024:

🔸First leg - February 21 (2025)

🔸 Second leg - February 28 (2025)

EUROPA LEAGUE - FINAL PHASE QUALIFYING:

Starting in the 2024/25 edition, the 36 clubs will face a "league" format, with each team playing eight matches – half as home team, half as away team.

The participants will be divided into four different pots. Each team will face two teams from each pot.

The four pots will be divided based on the UEFA rankings, with only the current champion of the tournament going to Pot 1, considered the strongest based on sporting merit. At the end of the first phase, the eight best-placed teams will go directly to the round of 16, while the 9th to 24th teams will play a playoff to determine the remaining eight spots for the second phase of the competition.

Second leg matches - Thursday 29 September:

Petrocub v Ludogorets (0-4)

Elfsborg v Molde (1-0)

APOEL v Rigas FS (1-2)

Anderlecht v Dinamo Minsk (1-0)

Ajax v Jagiellonia Białystok (4-1)

Besiktas v FC Lugano (3-3)

FCSB v LASK (1-1)

Hearts v Plzen (0-1)

Bačka Topola v M. Tel Aviv (0-3)

Shamrock Rovers v PAOK (0-4)

Borac v Ferencvaros (0-0)

Rapid Vienna v SC Braga (1-2)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - FINAL PHASE QUALIFYING:

From the 2024/25 edition, the 36 clubs will face a 'league' format, with each team playing eight matches – half as home team, half as away team.

The participants will be divided into four different pots. Each team will face two teams from each pot.

At the end of this initial phase, the eight best-placed teams will have a direct spot in the round of 16 – the knockout format will be the same as the current one, with home and away matches and a single final on neutral ground.

The clubs that finish between 9th and 24th place will go to a playoff, also with home and away matches (9th to 16th will face 17th to 24th with the advantage of deciding at home).

Whoever makes it through the playoffs will go to the round of 16.

Second leg

August 27:

🔸Galatasaray vs Young Boys (2-3)

🔸Sparta Prague vs Malmö (2-0)

🔸RB Salzburg vs Dynamo Kyiv (2-0)

August 28:

🔸Qarabag vs Dinamo Zagreb (0-3)

🔸Red Star vs Bodo/Glimt (1-2)

🔸Slovan Bratislava vs Midtjylland (1-1)

🔸Slavia Praha vs LOSC (0-2)

CONFERENCE LEAGUE:

The Conference is a continental club football competition organized by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), and is the third most prestigious in Europe. The 2024/25 edition will be the fourth edition of the tournament, starting in the 2021/22 season.

CALENDAR:

🔸Play-offs: 22 and 29 August 2024

🔸Group stage: 3 October 2024 to 19 December 2024

🔸Round of 32: 13 and 20 February 2025

🔸Round of 16: 6 and 13 March 2025

🔸Quarter-finals: 10 and 17 April 2025

🔸Semi-finals: 1 and 8 May 2025

🔸Final: 28 May 2025

Like the Champions League, the group stage will have 36 participants.

The 36 clubs will be divided into six pots; each team will face an opponent from each pot (alternating between home and away).

Let's see how this new phase of the European club championships will be.

And you, player, did you like the changes?

Big hug and see you on the new server!

Author: Fábio Muri

ULTRAS AND HOOLS - THE WORLD FROM A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE!

        ULTRAS AND HOOLS - THE WORLD FROM A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE!

In the Polish community, it's hard to find someone who doesn't know who hooligans are. While the Polish language doesn't have a specific definition for "ultras," it is closely related to the term "hooligan." Ultras, without exception, are hostile toward the media and politics. They harbor the greatest hatred for members of the Platforma Obywatelska, employees of Gazeta Wyborcza, and the TVN television network. The most significant conflict with TVN is among the fans of Legia Warsaw, which stems from the fact that the owner of this station, the ITI Group, was also the owner of Legia Warsaw at one time. Ultras openly admit their support for certain political groups.

Delving further into how to correctly define ultras, one can come across opinions suggesting that they are the most devoted and passionate fans. These are supporters for whom the colors of their beloved club mean a great deal. It costs them a lot of sacrifices to attend every match and cheer for their team. Besides supporting the team, they also engage in charitable activities for the benefit of their club. In addition to loud cheering that lasts throughout the entire match, they enhance the event by using pyrotechnics. Although pyrotechnics are natural within their community, they are strictly prohibited by law. They break the laws set by the Mass Events Safety Act, which bans the possession of pyrotechnics and dangerous objects during a match. The actions of the ultras, therefore, are illegal. Despite the strict prohibition on pyrotechnics, they are still used at many matches. One might think that breaking the law would result in severe punishment, but the penalties are, in fact, quite lenient. A good example is the penalty imposed by the League Commission on Legia Warsaw, which was fined 50,000 PLN for having to suspend a match due to the use of flares in a game against Górnik Zabrze.

Calculating the cost, the "Żyleta" stand, the hooligan section at the Warsaw stadium, has about 8,000 seats. The average ticket price for this section is at least 30 PLN, which totals almost 240,000 PLN. From the club's perspective, punishing fans is pointless. They don't want to risk much larger losses associated with losing their fan base. As a result, ultras feel untouchable. Dominik Morgała accurately listed the behaviors that hooligans exhibit during matches:

🔸obscene chants,

🔸racism and anti-Semitism,

🔸clashes with security and police,

🔸attacks on other groups of hooligans,

🔸pyrotechnics,

🔸desecration of opponent's colors.

In today's world, clashes between hooligans and the police are not as common as they were in the 1990s. Such incidents are more likely to occur in lower league stadiums, where infrastructure and match security are much weaker than in the top stadiums in the country. The biggest issue that most venues struggle with is the smuggling of pyrotechnics into stadiums. Security usually checks hands and legs, but many people are cleverer and hide the items in their crotches. Pyrotechnics are also often smuggled in with large banners. Security at stadiums is usually powerless and helpless because any attempt to intervene will be met with a much larger group of attackers. Fascist sentiments typically surface in various chants that insult rivals, for example, by calling them Jews. The burning of rival club colors relates, of course, to enemies. The colors of foes are captured in fights or stolen from storage rooms. This is a display of strength by a group and a lack of respect for the opponent. All of these situations describe the behaviors of ultras.

The line between ultras and hooligans is very thin. In Poland, the term "hooligan" is not well known. When it comes to fights in stadiums, it's hard not to associate this with their group since they are considered the most combative fans—strong, fierce, and solely focused on beating the enemy. Although they are brutal in their actions, the fights, or "ustawki," are very well organized. Ustawki have their own rules: no police, no media, the groups agree on the number of participants, and the rules for the fight. These rules typically include a ban on using any tools and not beating those who are down. The term "ustawka" itself originates from the fan groups. Ustawki were created as a way to avoid the increasingly organized police. It's difficult to find something that explains this well, but Dr. Tomasz Sahaj came close by comparing ustawki to "ancient knightley duels." In this way, he accurately conveyed the fact that both knights and hooligans hold each other in great respect. Despite the goal of fighting with bare fists, ustawki are not as drastic due to the rules established by group leaders. Nowadays, little is heard about ustawki because only participants know about them. As mentioned earlier, hooligans have their own rules, and one of them is that they do not attack ordinary fans.

All of this can be classified as stadium hooliganism. So what is the difference between these two groups? There is only one main difference. Both groups display aggression, but ultras do so in the stadium or its vicinity, while hooligans carry out these actions everywhere, even on far-off match trips. Although there are few differences between them, they have a lot in common. Above all, they are always loyal to their club and support it wherever it plays.

Thank you in advance for reading my article! If you like this topic or have an idea about what I can write, feel free to leave your suggestion in the comments. Cheers!

Author: Kiero DS

GOODBYE OR SEE YOU SOON REDBULL FIGHTERS?

Hello players! Fábio Muri in the area with another interesting article.

In football, it is not uncommon for clubs to close their doors due to financial issues, and these situations also occur with traditional teams that have won important titles and then go into decline, fall into obscurity, end up bankrupt and need to be refunded.

Some examples of well-known clubs in Europe that have gone bankrupt are Glasgow Rangers (Scotland), Parma (Italy), Bordeaux (France) and Schalke 04 (Germany).

Glasgow Rangers, with its 139 years of history, having won 113 official titles (a world record), the most important being the European Cup Winners' Cup (1972), declared bankruptcy in 2012 after being unable to pay a debt to the tax authorities in the order of 26 million euros. The new Rangers had to change their name to The Rangers FC and were automatically relegated to the fourth division of the Italian league in the 2012-13 season.

In Italy, in 2015, Parma, an Italian football club whose peak was the European Cup Winners' Cup (1993) and two UEFA Cups (1995 and 1999), was declared bankrupt by the local court due to a debt of 115 million euros. The club was relegated directly to Serie D, and all of its players left the club.

Bordeaux from France, which has been national champion six times in 1950, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1999 and 2009, declared bankruptcy in July 2024 after being relegated to the third division by the French League (LFP). The club abandoned its professional status and all of its players had their contracts terminated, leaving them free on the market. In addition, the club's training center was also closed.

In February 2024, Schalke 04, one of the most traditional clubs in Germany, was at risk of bankruptcy due to debts of 165 million euros (R$ 882.7 million) and is unlikely to be able to obtain the necessary license to play in the third division if it is relegated again due to its insolvent financial health.

Within the Football Team universe, the Redbull Fighters, which seems to have ended its trajectory. The team of president Szwagier and assistant coach sppedy, lost 16 players from its squad and will certainly be inactive in the Super League. Without a squad, its matches are likely to end in defeat by WO, unless there is a drastic change in the current scenario.

The traditional team was very successful, having played 22 seasons in the game, going through server mergers. Won the following titles:

🔸Two-time Super League champion (seasons 17 and 18)

🔸Champion of the Champions Tournament (season 17)

🔸Champion of the European Tournament (season 14)

🔸Four-time English National Cup champion (seasons 4, 5, 6 and 13)

🔸Three-time English National League 1 champion (seasons 4, 5 and 13)

Statistics:

🔸1015 wins

🔸75 draws

🔸235 losses

🔸Goals scored 5927

🔸Goals conceded 1521

🔸Yellow cards 325

🔸Red cards 10

🔸Best team of the week (seasons 18 and 19)

And you, player, do you know of any other cases of clubs that went bankrupt?

See you next time

Author: Fábio Muri

THE END OF CC'S "HEGEMONY"? - THE END OF UNRELIABLE "ARTICLES"

This week, the final part of the "Platinum Card" series will not be published (those interested in this series, please check back next week) due to the article from last week, which included a few jabs directed at me. Therefore, I would like to address the accusations made against me and CocaCabana, with which I still have some connections through established relationships.

My "colleague" THE END IS SOON, previously known as Dawid Rychlewski (I might have mistaken the name, and if so, I apologize), is currently not known to me as the account was purchased by Tsubasa players, so I will refer to him as Soon.

In the first few paragraphs, he highlights how Public Enemies, in the current week, jumped ahead of CC in the rankings. He attributes this to the merger with TA (keep this in mind as the article develops) but rightly notes that this jump is only due to the TTT bonus.

Things get interesting further on. Using the phrase "Looking at the rankings, we might think that these are two equal teams," he suggests that the teams are not actually equal, and the standings are misleading. Then, he contradicts himself by showing the match records (2:2) and a goal difference of 15:14 in favor of PE, clearly indicating that the matches were evenly matched and decided by small details. So, in this case, the ranking does reflect reality, despite Soon's skepticism.

Next, he points out that the current league standings favor PE by 43 goals, but he supports this difference with faulty conclusions, highlighting matches where CC played defensively. Anyone who plays FT knows that it’s easier to score when you have more strikers (that’s why people like to switch to a 334 ultra-offensive formation at the end of matches). It was clear from the beginning that CC, with only one striker, would not win the league by goal difference. It’s also easy to see that they almost didn’t need that goal difference—one draw in a close match with PE would have sufficed.

The following paragraphs are a display of pure hypocrisy or perhaps more accurately, moral relativism (the belief that moral values, norms, and judgments are relative and change in different times and societies). Personally, I believe it’s a form of disease that spreads within the FT community, paired with envy, where a typical "Joe" envies all the successes of his "neighbor" and demands proof for everything he considers fraudulent.

Now, let’s move on to the "hegemony of CC." Soon attacks CC's position with assumptions. He uses the phrase "if PE doesn't stumble, they will become the new champions." He himself points out that CC is still the champion, and losing the championship will be possible "if PE doesn't stumble." Of course, it's clear that the championship is basically decided, but I just want to highlight another situation where the author presents a thesis as a revealed truth, only to later undermine his own argument.

The arguments he presents to justify the title of the article are laughable, but if I left them unanswered, he (or someone from his club) would probably point them out to me. CC dominated the server in its early phase, then again during the first comeback, followed by the DS era, after which CC once again started winning everything. The fact that it was only two seasons doesn’t matter. No one could compete with them.

The part about "modern tactical solutions" is equally amusing. If you win everything you want, you focus on individual rewards. I also played for medals when I led a club, in a less invasive way, but on a similar principle. Every club focuses on individual rewards. For example, a goalkeeper who is highly ranked isn't fielded in a losing match to avoid ruining their stats, you play with one striker, or rotate players to ensure the right people score from set pieces. Anyone who led a club in a fairly normal way did exactly the same, just with different methods. This can't be compared to the RS matches where they intentionally lost to TE; now, they're just playing for medals.

Finally, Soon throws in a few fancy words (perhaps he was short on characters for his article, or maybe he wanted to appear smarter than he is), creating a sort of tautology, and ends the article with a "rumor" about a merger between CC and a Russian club. Whether it's true or not (I personally haven't heard anything like that), he initially points out how PE can compete with CC through mergers. Here, however, his perspective changes once again; initially, he has no issue with the TA and PE merger, but later tries to attack CC, now the moral defender, attempting to expose their alleged duplicity and willingness to win at all costs, with the following quote: "However, are they ready to abandon their trusted players, as was the case with the DS-RS merger, and climb one spot in the rankings? Will the desire to win pixels be more important than the bond between the players in the club?" Regarding the abandonment of trusted players, how many times has TA done this? With each merger, fewer and fewer original players remained (at one point, there was only one). Now, due to the merger with PE, TA once again stands on the brink, searching for another merger to survive, but those who left don't care. Soon made good points, but he mixed up the clubs. As a representative and long-time player of DS, I can say that I left consciously, I have nothing to do with Kamyk or Enpi (as another Tsubasa player likes to accuse me), I haven't had any contact with them for a very long time, and the return of CC in place of DS was not seen by us as a betrayal. We DS players gave our all, but there came a time when it was necessary to "leave the stage undefeated," and leave the remaining players, thanks to whom we achieved something most can only dream of, with a free hand. We still form a close-knit group, and the change of name and a few players hasn't affected our long-standing friendships.

I hope I have cleared up all the inaccuracies in Soon's article. I invite you to next week's final installment of the "Platinum Card" series, and while I'm at it, to the previous articles in this series as well. One Tsubasa player accused me of sycophancy. In the dictionary, a sycophant is defined as "a person who flatters someone in a higher position to gain their favor," so "dear colleague," you are using the wrong term, probably driven by envy, like your colleague Soon. I gain no benefit from these articles. I've played for a long time, met many people, and simply wanted to acknowledge the dedication of some in the game we all play.

Author: Bestia

COMMON INTERESTS!

In the previous edition of "Common Interests," I talked about the importance of the season pass that the game has just introduced. Not specifically because of what it offers, which is undoubtedly significant and beneficial for everyone, but I was referring exclusively to the fact that it can be purchased with credits and what this means for players who have never spent real money on the game. Actions like these deserve significant celebrations.

This week, I want to talk about the lack of interest and abandonment I see in teams that once were important and competed at a high level across various servers in the game. And I'm not talking about those spectacular teams full of stars that are unlikely to be abandoned; I mean those teams that have had some relevance, that once won a national cup or a first-division tournament.

Today, I see many teams abandoned, with half of their players no longer logging in. I now understand why three servers have possibly been merged: of all the registered teams and players, only about a third were truly active. It's clear that with the server merger, the fact that a person might have more than one account has been covered up. Although no one will ever admit it or report it, it was well-known that this happened - I’ve been told as much.

But now, we’ll find a lot of teams full of stars that, as the seasons pass, albeit slowly, will be left abandoned due to inactivity. Many teams will likely disappear, and I estimate that in about 5 or 6 seasons, those of us who aren't superstars in this game and simply play for the love of the game will start to see things become just a little bit more balanced in the first divisions. Not all of them, but possibly a few specific ones where, with patience, you might be able to build a team in a country not overrun with stars and attempt to win.

In the meantime, we’ll have to endure the disappearance of inactive players and teams, and slowly, different mergers will begin to form. It won't happen in one, two, or three seasons, but progress will gradually be made.

It's true that there are active players who are so low in OVR that even six seasons might not be enough for them to beat the bots, but one day, that will also change. The time for the weaker players to celebrate will come; the time will come when the meaning of the server mergers is understood and enjoyed.

When that third of each server converges into a solid server, those who were low in the first division but active will lead the second divisions, and the strong teams in the first division will create competitive and exciting first divisions, where maybe 10 or 15 teams are of similar level, all active and fighting every match of the season to come out on top.

I repeat, that moment is still far off - perhaps I won’t see it myself because I'm among the weakest - but surely, mergers will be formed, and we’ll be able to participate in well-built, strong teams that might require the support, help, and advice of those who were better in another server but might not be competitive in this one.

THE JOKER

LET 'S TALK ABOUT TACTICS!

This week on Let's Talk About Tactics we have the chance to talk about different tactical systems that have been used by legendary coaches throughout the decades and we can find them in this wonderful online FootballTeam Game!

Diego “El Cholo” Simeone: 4-1-4-1 (Atletico Madrid)

Soccer is more than just a sport; it’s a blend of strategy, skill, and passion that has captivated millions worldwide. Over the years, we’ve seen various tactics come and go, each defining the success of top-tier teams. Among these strategies, one of the most intriguing is the 4-1-4-1 formation. This approach, balancing rock-solid defence with dynamic attacking options, has been employed by many renowned coaches. However, perhaps no one has mastered it quite like Diego Simeone, whose influence has left a lasting mark on European and global soccer.

A Balanced and Dynamic Tactic

The 4-1-4-1 isn’t just a set of numbers on a lineup sheet; it’s a philosophy that seeks to strike the perfect balance between solid defending and smart attacking. Picture a well-organised backline with four steadfast defenders. Just ahead of them, a defensive midfielder acts as the team’s anchor, shielding the central areas and breaking up opposition attacks. But this player’s role isn’t just about defence; they’re also expected to be a masterful distributor of the ball, capable of sparking counterattacks in the blink of an eye.

Further up the field, four midfielders move in a delicate dance between offence and defence, adapting to what the game demands at any given moment. These players need not only to be disciplined but also agile and creative. They are tasked with pressing the opponent, maintaining possession under pressure, and driving into the opponent’s box with intent. Finally, a lone striker leads the charge, constantly searching for opportunities to strike and score.

This system provides a balance that allows teams to protect their own goal while still creating chances to score. The key lies in the versatility and tactical intelligence of the players, who must not only understand their individual roles but also work together to keep the team cohesive.

El Cholo: The Mastermind of the 4-1-4-1

Diego Simeone is a coach respected and admired across the soccer world. He has left a profound impact on the sport through his masterful use of the 4-1-4-1 formation. His ability to adapt this setup to different situations and opponents has been pivotal to the success of the teams he has led. Under his guidance, Atlético Madrid has experienced an era of triumphs, establishing itself as one of the most formidable clubs in Europe.

One of the most exciting chapters in Simeone’s career was when he took the reins at Atlético Madrid, a top-tier club going through a tough period. Under his leadership, the team not only regained its form but became a true powerhouse, competing fiercely in both domestic and international competitions. The 4-1-4-1 tactic was central to this resurgence, enabling Atlético to maintain a rock-solid defence while playing vibrant, attacking soccer. This formation has been key in winning major titles like La Liga and the UEFA Europa League, and has propelled Atlético to UEFA Champions League finals, where they’ve gone toe-to-toe with the giants of European soccer.

Simeone has expertly brought out the best in his players through this formation, tweaking his approach to meet the needs of each match. His meticulous preparation and his ability to motivate his squad have made his team known for its intensity, discipline, and unwavering winning mentality. This mindset and style have given rise to what’s known as "Cholismo," a philosophy that emphasises unity, determination, and a relentless will to win.

Impact on the Online Community and Modern Soccer

Simeone’s success with the 4-1-4-1 hasn’t just been admired in the real world; it’s also made waves in the online gaming community, especially in soccer simulators like FIFA and Football Manager. In these virtual worlds, players have adopted and adapted the 4-1-4-1, inspired by Simeone’s triumphs. Online communities, where millions of soccer fans and gamers gather to share their experiences, have seen this tactic become increasingly popular.

In these forums, blogs, and social media platforms, players don’t just replicate Simeone’s strategies; they experiment with new ways to optimise the 4-1-4-1 for their own teams. Discussions and analyses about how to effectively implement this tactic in different scenarios are common, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of it. Thanks to Simeone, the 4-1-4-1 has earned a special place in these spaces, becoming a favourite formation for those looking to emulate his success in virtual teams.

Simeone’s legacy has also had a lasting impact on how other coaches approach their tactics. Many have adopted elements of the 4-1-4-1, tailoring it to fit their own squads. This tactic has proven particularly effective in leagues where physical intensity and tactical organisation are key. As a result, Simeone’s influence extends far beyond Atlético Madrid, shaping the tactical evolution of soccer as a whole.

The Enduring Legacy of Simeone

The 4-1-4-1 tactic, under Diego Simeone’s guidance, has proven to be one of the most effective and adaptable in modern soccer. Its ability to blend solid defence with versatile attacking play has enabled top-tier teams to reach new heights and compete at the highest level in Europe. Moreover, its impact has gone beyond the pitch, influencing how the online community approaches soccer simulators and setting a tactical standard that has been emulated and studied by coaches worldwide.

Diego Simeone’s legacy, and his implementation of the 4-1-4-1, continues to inspire not only coaches and players but also all those who appreciate the tactical beauty of soccer. His meticulous approach, his skill in motivating his team, and his ability to adapt the tactic to different situations have ensured that his name will be remembered alongside the great strategists of the sport. Simeone’s influence on modern soccer is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to shape the game for many years to come.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EDITION

THE JOKER

CARDS GAMES TACTICS: MASTERING DUELS 

Cards duels have captivated players with their blend of strategy and chance. In an 11-tour game where the best cards often win rounds, understanding the tactics can make the difference between victory and defeat. Here, we explore three effective strategies: Power House, Excel Master, and Big Brain.

1/ Power House: The Strength of the Best Cards

The Power House strategy is straightforward yet effective: build a deck with the strongest possible cards. This tactic relies on sheer card strength to dominate your opponent. Here’s how to implement it:

🔹Card Selection: Focus on acquiring high-value cards with strong abilities. Research the top-performing cards and prioritize them during deck-building.

🔹Balance: While having powerful cards is essential, ensure you maintain a balanced deck. A mix of every skill card can help you adapt to various situations. Remember that you can get 6x Pressing so even if you have the best possible FULL Off card you can lose without balance. 

🔹Timing: Use your best cards strategically. Don’t play them all at once! Instead, reserve them for crucial rounds where their impact can swing the game in your favor.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

🔹 Easy to play

🔹 The highest win rate

🔹 Hard to counter

Cons:

🔸 Very hard to implement

🔸 Not beginner friendly

🔸 Need thousands of resources (packs & fame points)

The Power House approach is particularly effective against new players and people with weaker cards; you have to understand that this tactic is reserved for high resource players.

2/ Excel Master: Information is Power

The Excel Master strategy emphasizes gathering intelligence about your opponents’ decks. Understanding what your opponent has can significantly influence your decisions:

🔹Observation: Pay attention to the cards your opponent plays. Take notes on card powers, gather all the information which you could. 

🔹Deck Analysis: If possible, analyze your opponent's deck at the beginning of the game, understand where you have advantage and where you must stop. There will be a lot of times when at the start you are aware of your limitations but in the end you will get what you expect!

🔹 Bluffing: Use misinformation to your advantage. If you suspect your opponent is observing your deck, consider playing weaker cards early on to mislead them about your true strength.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

🔹Not hard to play

🔹High win rate

Cons:

🔸Need dedication

🔸Easy to counter by strong deck

🔸Need to play few times versus same opponent to gather information

The Excel Master tactic requires good analytical skills and keen observation. While it may take more effort than simply playing strong cards, the insights gained can provide a significant edge in critical rounds.

3/ Big Brain: Smart Card Placement

The Big Head strategy revolves around playing smart and choosing when and where to deploy your best cards. This tactic is about maximizing your chances of winning rounds without exhausting your resources:

🔹 Round Management: Not every round requires your strongest cards. Assess the situation and determine when it’s necessary to play your best cards versus when you can afford to play weaker ones.

🔹 Positional Play: Consider the layout of the game. Some positions may offer advantages or disadvantages based on your opponent’s cards. Play your best cards in positions where they can have the most impact.

🔹 Psychological Warfare: Keep your opponent guessing. By varying your playstyle and not always revealing your strongest cards, you can create uncertainty and force them into making mistakes.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

🔹No need for high resources

🔹Improving win rate

Cons:

🔸Only for Big Brain players

🔸Not working against strong deck and Excel Master

🔸Need to think all the time and be 2 steps before enemy

🔸Hard to play if have poor deck 

The Big Head approach requires strategic thinking and foresight. By being selective about your card placement, you can control the flow of the game and maintain an advantage over your opponent.

Conclusion

In Card Duels employing a combination of these tactics can significantly enhance your chances of winning. The Power House strategy ensures your deck is formidable, while the Excel Master approach provides valuable insights into your opponent’s strategy. Finally, the Big Head tactic allows you to play mindfully, maximizing the effectiveness of your cards. By mastering these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to outsmart your opponents and secure victory in the competitive world of card dueling.

Author: Messive

CARDS - PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE - OVERTIME

Hello, this is Matushevsky!

Two weeks ago I wrote the “final part” of the article on opening tabs. However, when opening the packs (490 packs), the probability of getting a golden card decreased twice compared to previous analyses, so I decided to do an overtime to verify whether I was simply unlucky or whether the chance of drawing a golden card was actually reduced. I have the following number of packages to open:

1. PL v1 - 88 packs

2. PL v2 - 166 packs

3. Global - 106 pieces

In total, we have 360 ​​packs to open. So there will be 1,800 cards. What is the probability of hitting gold? Let's see: the initial state on PL v1, in brackets the number of cards that have arrived, then the final state:

1. Gray - 919 (+212) = 1131

2. Blue - 623 (+150) = 773

3. Green - 161 (+54) = 215

4. Red - 54 (+18) = 72

5. Gold - 21 (+6) = 27

Time for a PL v2 account, open:

1. Gray - 1156 (+416) = 1572

2. Blue - 798 (+280) = 1078

3. Green - 188 (+96) = 284

4. Red - 67 (+29) = 96

5. Gold - 27 (+9) = 36

And it's time for Global:

1. Gray - 719 (+253) = 972

2. Blue - 564 (+192) = 756

3. Green - 128 (+57) = 185

4. Red - 57 (+22) = 79

5. Gold - 23 (+6) = 29

In total we hit the following cards. First the number of cards, then the probability of hitting in brackets:

1. Gray - 881 - 49.95%

2. Blue - 622 - 34.56%

3. Green - 207 - 11.50%

4. Red - 69 - 3.83%

5. Złoty - 21 - 1.17%

So in subsequent draws I got red and gold cards with the following probabilities:

1. Red - 47 (2.98%), 36 (2.58%), 81 (3.31%), 69 (3.83%) - in total I got 233 red cards out of 7225 possible, which gives a probability of 3.22% .

2. Gold - 21 (1.33%), 17 (1.21%), 16 (0.65%), 21 (1.17%) - in total I got 75 gold cards out of 7225 possible, which gives a probability of 1.04% .

To sum up and end the series of opening packs of cards - sometimes you can get better, sometimes worse, but the probability of getting a gold card is about 1% and a red card 3 - 3.5%, it is constant and we simply have more or less luck. 

Finally, I will calculate how often a red and gold card should be awarded statistically. The gold should appear once per 100 cards, i.e. once per 20 packs, and the red 3 - 3.5 times per 100 packs, so one more or less per 30 cards, which gives one red on average every 6 packs.

Author: Matushevsky

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE EURO 2024 TOURNAMENT

Hi, in this article we will finally sum up the EURO 2024 tournament. We will look at the surprises (the successful and the unsuccessful ones) of the winners, those who failed and many other issues. I invite you to read the article carefully and refer to it in the comments or to me in a private message. I also ask that after reading the articles you choose the best and vote for it under the paper. Without prolonging, I invite you.

This year's European Championships were undoubtedly one of the most exciting tournaments in years. I cannot recall such an exciting and evenly matched tournament for years. It was not clear until the last minute which team would emerge victorious. At this tournament we had a huge difference to EURO 2020 (which, for obvious reasons, was held in 2021 but the name was not changed in the end) and the Olympic Games 2020. That tournament was also held a year later for the same reason, but the name remained as it was. Presumably this is simply a matter of marketing considerations). The tournament was a surprise tournament, where we actually had 1 dark horse, Ukraine, which reached the semi-finals. Many people were betting on Turkey at the time, but they disappointed everyone by dropping out after a terrible blunder in the group stage. At this year's championships, teams such as Georgia, Switzerland and Turkey showed themselves to be very good. Overall, the biggest surprise of the tournament for me remains Switzerland. They sensationally beat Italy in ⅛ of the finals and only lost to eventual finalist England in the quarter-finals. Who knows what would have happened if Manuel Akanji (Switzerland) had scored a penalty kick and Switzerland would have won the match and maybe the semi-final and then the final?

Turkey, who disappointed in 2021, now showed themselves to be excellent. Undoubtedly, they caused quite a surprise by getting out of the group and then beating the Austrian team, which was predicted by the vast majority of experts to cause a really big surprise. However, this did not happen. I think they were disappointed.

Let us now turn to the Germans. They were predicted by a lot of people to win. In the end, they fell in the quarter-finals against the eventual winner Spain. I think it was a match between the best teams of the tournament. This should have been the final, but unfortunately the ladder of the tournament turned out to be rough and we got such a match already in the quarter-finals. The match was incredibly interesting and exciting. There were twists and turns, sensations, incomprehensible decisions by the referee and many other situations. It was undoubtedly one of the best matches of the entire tournament. We had a controversy in it. In my opinion, Real Madrid and German national team legend, world champion Toni Kross should have been punished with a second yellow card after a foul on Pedri. However, this did not happen. It didn't change much, though, because Spain still won the entire match and then the tournament.

The final match was dominated by the Spanish team. However, Cole Palmer, who appeared on the pitch, turned the match around. It seemed that way, because in the final minutes Spain once again took the lead and never looked back.

To sum up the whole tournament I can rate it 8/10. I found it very interesting and I am satisfied with the way it went. I didn't give it a higher rating because, in my opinion, it lacked a certain atmosphere that German stadiums simply don't have. But I still enjoyed it very much because the matches were very interesting.

Thank you for reading the article. I hope you enjoyed it.

Author: GiGsOn

WHICH RESOURCES ARE THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT?

One afternoon, as I sat in my favourite armchair with my laptop on my lap, I began to reflect on the game. I got caught up in one thought in particular - the infinity of which resource would make me develop the most. After a moment's reflection, I decided to write this article in which I will find out which resources in FootballTeam are really the most important: Energy, Golden Balls, Euros or Credits. 

First of all, it started to occur to me how important Energy is. Without it, I cannot train the players or fire up the style of play in matches. Nevertheless, the main purpose of Energy is to train and work for which I can earn Euros, which I talk about in the next section.

Another resource was the Euros. As we all know very well euros are useful, even necessary when we want to train. Without the euro, we will not do a single workout. Just like the rest without energy, but we'll talk about that in a moment.

The Golden Balls are more of a long-term goal for us. They are useful in the later stages of the game (when we upgrade gold, platinum, diamond and historical sets. Sometimes it also happens that we upgrade green or red sets. However, I think this is rare.

Finally, there were Credits - the currency of the game. We can buy all other resources with it, which can be used for almost anything. We can use them in the market with other players, but we can also do it in the market given to us by the game in the Shop tab.

I decided that I would do this in the form of a ranking, so I invite you to this summary. 

Choosing the least useful resource was not difficult. 

4 Euros

The euro is undoubtedly the least useful resource for one simple reason, we can only use it for training. We cannot even convert it into energy or anything else. Of course, it is very much needed but it undoubtedly has nothing to do with the first or even the second item. Alternatively, we can also use it to create items in the manufactory, although it is not a permanent component of the things we create in the manufactory. I rate the usefulness of this resource at 6/10 because it can be created from other resources - energy. They are also needed to improve clothes and this is also an important point. I would rank them higher than gold balls, however, Euros are very easily available.

3 Golden balls

I would give gold balls the number 3 spot in this ranking, why? We can upgrade clothes with them. This is their main function. Although they are also needed in the manufactory and we can exchange them for fragments. They have fewer functions than Euros and are arguably less needed, so why do I give them higher than Euros? Because of availability or rather lack of it. They are very difficult to find and are needed in large quantities, which is why I give them higher marks than Euros.

2 Energy

Energy is ranked second because it plays a key role in many aspects of activity. Firstly, energy is essential for training, which is the basis of the FootballTeam game. We can also convert energy into euros which is also essential for training in FootballTeam. So having infinite energy I could train indefinitely. Energy is not the main resource needed in the manufactory, but it is nevertheless needed for the creation of, for example, drinks that allow you to fire an engagement of 33% in a match without the cost of energy.

1 Credits

Credits are the payment method in this game. They are undoubtedly the most important. Without them you can't do much. If I could have infinity of one resource I would undoubtedly choose credits. Credits provide an infinite possibility of development because we can use them to buy things in the player market and in the shop that the game gives us. If I had an infinity of credits I could develop infinitely. Therefore - credits are the most important and best resource.

Author: GiGsOn