World Gridiron Cup IV

[Sargun II]

[center][font="Garamond"][size="7"][color="#8b0000"]World Gridiron Cup IV[/color][/size][/font]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/gridiron.png[/img]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/elphotoshopo.png[/img]
[/center][center]
[u]Matches[/u]

[i]Day One[/i]
Sarnunga Saints - Belfast Giants ... FEDEX FIELD
Boise Eagles - Alvonian Colberts ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Crimson Lions - Monte Carlo CDC ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Arctica Lemurs - Athens Archers ... SANFORD STADIUM
San Juan Cougars - Rhodean Knights ... FEDEX FIELD
Amarna Cornhuskers - Labradorean Tigers ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Xinyan Rangers - Sioux Falls Bison ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Union of Island Nations Celts - Igloolik Polar Bears ... SANFORD STADIUM

[i]Day Two[/i]
Sarnunga Saints - Boise Eagles ... FEDEX FIELD
Belfast Giants - Alvonian Colberts ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Crimson Lions - Arctica Lemurs ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Monte Carlo CDC - Athens Archers ... SANFORD STADIUM
San Juna Cougars - Amarna Cornhuskers ... FEDEX FIELD
Rhodean Knights - Labradorean Tigers ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Xinyan Rangers - Union of Island Nations Celts ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Sioux Falls Bison - Igloolik Polar Bears ... SANFORD STADIUM

[i]Day Three[/i]
Sarnunga Saints - Alvonian Colberts ... FEDEX FIELD
Belfast Giants - Boise Eagles ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Crimson Lions - Athens Archers ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Monte Carlo CDC - Arctica Lemurs ... SANFORD STADIUM
San Juan Cougars - Labradorean Tigers ... FEDEX FIELD
Rhodean Knights - Amarna Cornhuskers ... RALPH WILSON STADIUM
Xinyan Rangers - Igloolik Polar Bears ... BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM
Sioux Falls Bison - Union of Island Nations Celts ... SANFORD STADIUM

[i]Day Four[/i]
1st Place D1 v. 2nd Place D4 ... BEAVER STADIUM
1st Place D2 v. 2nd Place D3 ... LANE STADIUM
1st Place D3 v. 2nd Place D2 ... BEAVER STADIUM
1st Place D4 v. 2nd Place D1 ... LANE STADIUM

[i]Day Five[/i]
First Game Winner v. Third Game Winner ... BEAVER STADIUM
Second Game Winner v. Fourth Game Winner ... BEAVER STADIUM
First Game Loser v. Third Game Loser ... LANE STADIUM
Second Game Loser v. Fourth Game Loser ... LANE STADIUM

[i]Day Six[/i]
Fifth Game Winner v. Sixth Game Winner ... NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM
Seventh Game Loser v. Eigth Game Loser... RFK STADIUM [/center]

Edited December 19, 2010 by Sargun

[Sargun II]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/gridironday1.png[/img]

[b]Sarnunga Saints 31[/b] - 6 Belfast Giants
The Saints came into this the heavy favorites against the Belfast Giants, and, after a troublesome first quarter, dominated the Giants as expected. The Giants had two great kick returns but pressure from the Saints' defense forced the Giants into two field goals. It wasn't until midway through the second quarter that the Saints scored, but when they did, they scored hard. Nick Montana put himself in the Tournament MVP race with four touchdowns from 37, 9, 11, and 14 yards. The Saints put on a passing clinic with 442 yards, including a 82-yarder from their own 3 yard line to set up the only field goal of the game. The Giants left Fedex Field with their great start and high spirits tempered against an experienced team.

[b]Boise Eagles 42[/b] - 38 Alvonian Colberts
In a game slightly delayed because of a rowdy Colberts fan sprinting onto the field, the Eagles came off with a game and a win with a score closer than the game actually was. The Eagles, like the Saints early, soared through the air, this time with 330 yards. Their running game dominated with 140 yards as well, and their defense only gave up two touchdowns. However, two freak interceptions by Marcellus Michaels - one off a tip, one off a drop - were returned for touchdowns and the Colberts used a touchdown return to keep the game close. The Eagles, however, came away with a well-deserved win.

Crimson Lions 14 - [b]21 Monte Carlo CDC[/b]
In the upset game of the week, the Crimson Lions found themselves facing an extremely tough defense, unexpected from the CDC. Wes Mantooth was shut down, throwing for only 120 yards and an interception, but Man Darino had a similar game, with 190 yards and a touchdown. The running game was prevalent but also slow, and the game was tied 7-7 at the end of the half. Michael Caboose seemed to give the Lions tie game with a fumble return for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, but the CDC's only complete offensive drive of the game ended with a 6-yard run with :23 left in the game to give the CDC an upset win. The Crimson Lions, still favorites for the tournament, need much better offensive play the next two games to qualify for the playoffs.

[b]Arctica Lemurs 17[/b] - 3 Athens Archers
The Arctica Lemurs took care of business against the Athens Arches in a game that featured 20 points in the first quarter and none in the rest of the game. Lance Moreau directed a smothering defense that held the Archers to a total of 109 yards and came up with three turnovers and a 4th down rejection. The Lemurs had an explosive running game but it didn't result in many points. Both teams came out looking average, with the Lemurs' defense taking advantage of the Archers' mistakes.

[b]San Juan Cougars 22[/b] - 21 Rhodean Knights
The only overtime game this year was won in a thrilling series by the San Juan Cougars. The Rhodean Knights missed two field goal changes in the fourth quarter and had abysmal special teams play the game throughout. Once going into overtime, both the Knights and the Cougars scored on touchdowns and then both were rejected the next series. Finally, the Knights scored and seemed to hold the Cougars to downs and win the game. Chevy Iglais, however, scrambled for two yards on 4th and 2 and threw a touhchdown and then a two-point conversion to seal the game against the Knights.

[b]Amarna Cornhuskers 28[/b] - 9 Labradorean Tigers
The abysmally ugly uniforms of the Cornhuskers might have worked against the Tigers, who seemed to throw away from the Cornhuskers and subsequently their own teammates the entire game. A record 42 incompletions were thrown by the Tigers, with 9 completions, but their running game was just as incompetent, with only 32 yards. The Cornhuskers defense set records with 89 yards allowed, although their special teams play and some penalties resulted in three Labradorean field goals. Expect the Cornhuskers to go places.

Xinyan Rangers 14 - [b]27 Sioux Falls Bison[/b]
In a relatively boring game, the Sioux Falls Bison came away with a shoddy victory. Both teams put up relatively equal stats, except the Bison stuffed the Rangers in the end zone to keep it 21-14 late in the game. The Bison scored later on the most exciting play of the game, a 44-yard pass from Lootah, but missed the extra point.

Union of Island Nations Celts 12 - [b]14 Igloolik Polar Bears[/b]
This game featured three passing touchdowns that ended in "HE! CAN! GO! ALL! THE! WAY! TOUCHDOOOOOOOOOOWN", but was abysmally... abysmal otherwise. Each quarterback passed for two touchdowns, but the Celts inexplicably decided to go for two on both of them and came away emptyhanded. The Polar Bears were content to kick an extra point on both and those were the extra points that sealed the victory.

[Michael McBride]

Shocked and saddened can be the only words used to describe the fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium following the loss for the home team. Tickets had sold out within minutes for all three of the Crimson Lions' games, and now they faced the prospect of each of their next two games being must-wins for the team to advance to the playoffs at home.

[Shatner]

All across the Confederation, football fans have turned into Bison fans. The reigning Confederation Bowl champions were selected to represent the entire country, pulling off a win against firt ranked division rivals the Rangers. Lootah said that his team "will be looking to ride the momentum to the next game and hopefully pull out a win."

[AironthFlamewing]

Joyous parties of jubilation have broken out all across the United Kingdom of Idaho-Montana at the result of the Eagles victory over the Colberts.
OOC: my QB's name is Pharcellus

[Lestari]

Though disappointed by our loss to the Sioux Falls Bison, the Xinyan Rangers will not allow this defeat to drag us down. In the game against UIN Celts, we will play harder and more aggressively.

[Californian]

Shocked and elated can be the only words used to describe the fans in Monaco. Citizens openly took to the streets in celebration waving Monagasque flags and littering the streets with confetti. The Monaco Card Dealers and Caek organization even organized an event to give away free cakes to the public in honor of the victory.

Frankly, the team manager was the most surprised out of everyone. He had been trying to keep it a secret that he had just scrambled a team together three days before the tournament. Two of the players were beggars who lived outside of his house, two were ten-year old girls, a few were blind amputees, and the remainder where death row prisoners who would be executed should they lose a game.

Edited December 20, 2010 by Californian

[The Disco Commandant]

OOC: LOL at the name Man Darino. That made this funky DJ lul a little bit

IC: Funky Republics rejoiced as the Gridiron Team makes it's first appearance on the international scene in grand style...and a victory

[Sargun II]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/gridironday2.png[/img]

[b]Sarnunga Saints 31[/b] - 17 Boise Eagles
In one of the most anticipated matchups of the day, the Boise Eagles fell flat in their upset bid against the Sarnunga Saints at Fedex Field. Nick Montana threw for three more touchdowns to put him firmly in the early MVP race, while Pharcellus Michaels came away empty-handed after another set of bad interceptions. Michaels ended the game with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but the interceptions were on drives of potential. The Eagles are in good position to qualify with the playoffs by defeating the Alvonian Colberts next week; the Saints have secured a spot, but a sweep of their division would firmly establish them as the elite in the tournament.

[b]Belfast Giants 21[/b] - 17 Alvonian Colberts
The Belfast Giants helped their slim playoffs hopes with a tough-fought victory over the now-extinguised Alvonian Colberts. The Giants struggled offensively and defensively to the Colberts, who led long drives, but always responded with a counter-punch of their own. The Colberts fell short on a game-saving drive near the end and are playing only for pride.

[b]Crimson Lions 35[/b] - 17 Arctica Lemurs
In the third game where the losing team scored 17 points, the Crimson Lions - with the backing of a rowdy Ben Hill Griffin Stadium full past capacity, causing the Lemurs to commit three false starts and two delay of game penalties - dismantled the Arctica Lemurs with five scoring drives of at least seven minutes long. They finished the game on a high note, stoping a 17-point run by the Lemurs with a touchdown to put the game firmly out of reach with 3:16 remaining. The Lions need to win their next game to qualify but will go up against a Athens Archers team that...

[b]Monte Carlo CDC 14[/b] - 3 Athens Archers
...didn't perform well at all. The Archers were full of mistakes, turning the ball over six times. The CDC performed average against the Archers, showing how mortal they were and how perhaps their victory against the Lions was a fluke. The CDC struggled to move the ball and Monte Carlo came away with a win that could have gone the Archers' way if it weren't for the turnovers.

San Juan Cougars 14 - [b]24 Amarna Cornhuskers[/b]
With 1:14 remaining, the Cornhuskers kicked a 42-yard field goal to put the game away against a ferocious San Juan Cougar comeback attempt. The Cornhuskers' defense kept the Cougars to 75 yards in the air and 42 yards running before letting up two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. The seven-point lead looked tenuous and the Cougars were on the verge of scoring again before the Cornhuskers' defense came through once more, stuffing a pitch for a loss on fourth down. Jack Russell leads the defensive MVP candidacy with four successful recovered fumbles, three forced fumbles, and an interception through two games. The Cougars are still in playoff contention, although...

[b]Rhodean Knights 28[/b] - Labradorean Tigers 14
...the Rhodean Knights came away with a well-earned victory against the Labradorean Tigers. After a heartbreaking loss to San Juna, the Knights rebounded with a thorough defensive pounding of the Tigers, who scored only twice on nine drives. The Knights are also still in playoff contention, but must have the Cougars lose to the Tigers and win against the Cornhuskers to advance, which seems unlikely.

Xinyan Rangers 16 - [b]48 Union of Island Nations Celts[/b]
In a game where both teams needed a win to stay in playoff contention, the Celts put a vicious beating on the Xinyan Rangers and ran away with a 32-point victory. The Celts' quarterback, Owen Wilson, threw five touchdowns in the victory and was pulled in the fourth quarter to rest him for the extremely dramatic matchup next game against...

Sioux Falls Bison 0 - [b]24 Igloolik Polar Bears[/b]
...the Sioux Falls Bison, who were shut out by the Polar Bears in a brilliantly-played defensive matchup at Sanford Stadium. The Bears defense led to all three touchdowns, while simultaneously holding the Bison to 104 total yards and a net loss in the running game. Igloolik advanced to the playoffs with the victory, but the Bison will have to defeat the Celts next game in order to advance. Neither team is particularly whole, with mistakes evident in both games, but the Celts have the potential to defeat the Bison and advance with two wins.

[Baskan]

[b]Des Moines Register News Update:[/b]

Massive amounts of fans crowded the streets all over the country as the Cornhuskers pulled off another astonishing victory in their first appearance in the Gridiron Cup. Sports stores all around Amarna were selling out for Cornhusker sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, foam fingers, and other various sports memorabilia. Inside reporters said the coach and players refused to give any statements and the spokesman of the team said, "They won't want all this news and outside pressure affecting their game. They only want to play because they enjoy the game. News reporters shouldn't interfere with that and they should just let them be." These comments coming of course after the 24-14 win over the San Juan Cougars and making it their second straight win in the tournament. Of course they still have a tough challenge up ahead as the teams get tougher and tougher, but their mentality is right on track. Let's see how our home team fairs in the next days.

[Lestari]

"You gotta be !@#$@#$ kidding me." - Unnamed Xinyan Ranger

[King Timmy]

Back in Belfast the celebrations went on all night! There were many a people in no fit state for work the next day, but no-one really minded.

All their team had to do was beat the Boise Eagles to reach the playoffs, which as newcomers to the tournament would be more than enough for their fans to celebrate like they had already won it.

They are the underdogs, but they will give it their all in the next game. After all, anything can happen.

[Fizzydog]

The loss to Armana was a disgrace. Labradorean citizens watching the game were known to have "fits of rage" and there were many broken TVs.

[Sargun II]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/gridironday3.png[/img]

[b]Sarnunga Saints 24[/b] - 16 Alvonian Colberts
The Sarnunga Saints easily swept their division with a handy win over the Colberts, who kept it close in all of their games. The Saints advance to the playoffs as the heavy favorites in the tournament, while the Colberts go home with the title "best 0-3 team in the tournament".

[b]Belfast Giants 31[/b] - 24 Boise Eagles
In a do-or-die matchup, neither team was able to put the game away decisively in any quarter. Each team fought tit-for-tat in a high-profile matchup of high-flying offenses and high-risk, high-reward defenses. The game came down to the final seconds, when the Eagles let loose a 48-yard pass... from the Giants' 49 yard line. One yard away from victory, time ran out and the Giants advance as the number two seed in their division.

[b]Crimson Lions 35[/b] - 14 Athens Archers
The Crimson Lions capped a must-win game with their most complete performance of the day. The Archers walked away after arguably the most disappointing performance by any team in the tournament - expected to fight viciously for a playoff spot but instead walking away with nothing. The home favorite Lions will have the advantage with the crowd as the playoff-bound teams are decided later tonight.

Monte Carlo CDC 17 - [b]21 Arctica Lemurs[/b]
The Arctica Lemurs, playing after the Crimson Lions, were fighting for their playoff lives. The CDC had already won two games and was looking to put away a struggling Lemurs team - and started off by taking 17 consecutive points. The Lemurs looked like they were going to leave the tournament 1-2, but instead pulled three touchdowns out of the hat to finish the division 2-1. The CDC, Crimson Lions, and Lemurs each ended their series 2-1 and the two who advance will be announced later tonight.

[b]San Juan Cougars 14[/b] - 12 Labradorean Tigers
The cougars clinched a playoff spot with their victory over the hapless Tigers.

Rhodean Knights 0 - [b]23 Amarna Cornhuskers[/b]
The Cornhuskers put away the Rhodean Knights so easily it was unnerving. The upstart Cornhuskers scored on three touchdowns and got the first safety of the tournament in a complete domination of the Rhodean Knights. The Cornhuskers' opponents averaged less than 8 points a game during their run.

Xinyan Rangers 25 - [b]27 Igloolik Polar Bears[/b]
The Polar Bears' defense looked a lot less mortal this time, but they won their third game in a row and put away a tough-fought game with a field goal with 00:00 remaining.

[b]Sioux Falls Bison 14[/b] - 9 Union of Island Nations Celts
In the upset game of the week, the Celts were denied on three fourth down opportunities and missed two field goals. The denied points would have put this game at 15-14, but in the end it came down to the Bison defense jumping back from a poor performance the previous week and the offense not giving up after being shut out. The Celts, after shooting for 48, scored no touchdowns this came and came away utterly disappointed.

[The Disco Commandant]

[i][color="#0000FF"][size="5"]Viva San Juan! Cougars Advance to Playoffs![/size][/color][/i]

*picture skewed*
[i]Cougar's Quarterback Chevy Iglais making a 20 yard pass that was then run in for a touchdown[/i]


Funky Republican fans enjoy a fantastic sporting day as the San Juan Cougars advance to the Playoffs in the World Gridiron Cup. It has been a momentuous day for Cougar's fans everywhere; for the sons who watch the game with their Dads, to the bar owners making a killing off the fans, and to families all over the Funky Republic who support their nation's team.

~snippet from Funky Republican Global News, Sports Life section

edit: naw

Edited December 22, 2010 by The Disco Commandant

[Sargun II]

[b]Playoff Implications for Division II[/b]

Crimson Lions : 2-1
Monte Carlo CDC : 2-1
Arctica Lemurs : 2-1

Crimson Lions beat the Lemurs, who beat the CDC, who beat the Lions.

Lions Offense: 14 + 35 + 35 = 84
CDC Offense: 21 + 14 + 17 = 52
Lemurs Offense: 17 + 17 + 21 = 55
Lions Defense: 21 + 17 + 14 = 52
CDC Defense: 14 + 3 + 21 = 48
Lemurs Defense: 3 + 35 + 17 = 55

Lions: 84 - 52 = 32
CDC: 52 - 48 = 4
Lemurs: 55 - 55 = 0

The Crimson Lions and Monte Carlo CDC will advance to the playoffs.

[Sargun II]

[img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sargun_Peaceheart/CNRP/Gridiron%20Tournament/gridironday4.png[/img]
[b]Sarnunga Saints 25[/b] - 16 Sioux Falls Bison
A full-to-capacity Beaver Stadium was rocking and showing why 100,000 screaming fans can make any team flinch - specifically, the Sioux Falls Bison. Six times the Bison were called for false start or delay of game penalties, something the experienced Saints were capable of shrugging off. The Saints, up by seven, scored a touchdown late and went for a two-point conversion and successfully converted. The Bison returned the kickoff for a touchdown just moments later, but failed on their own two-point conversion and took a nine-point deficit. The Saints ran the clock down after that and got a well-earned rest for their next game, which will be against either the Monte Carlo CDC or Amarna Cornhuskers.

[b]Crimson Lions 35[/b] - 14 San Juan Cougars
In the third-most opposing stadium to play in in all of North America, the Crimson Lions thrived and beat back a good start from the San Juan Cougars to earn a spot in the semifinals. Wes Mantooth showed up Nick Montana with a five-touchdown, 388-yard game against the Cougars, who were helpless against the onslaught after the first quarter. The two teams are led by their all-star quarterbacks, who are both in fierce contention for the Most Valuable Player award. Rodrik Tellez, meanwhile, was seen arguing with his coach - the player was successful on several audible calls, but the coach wanted him to stick to the schemes. Whether either one was right nobody knows, but the Cougars were blown out. The Crimson Lions go on to face the Belfast Giants or Igloolik Polar Bears.

[b]Amarna Cornhuskers 24[/b] - 0 Monte Carlo CDC
Giant-slayers no more. The utterly mortal Monte Carlo CDC met their match against the absolutely dominating Amarna Cornhuskers, who have their own player in MVP contention with Jack Russell, a man who made the CDC's rusher noticeably flinch on a tackle early in the game. Three turnovers and a stop on downs were all the CDC could muster, while the Cornhuskers' offense took advantage of small field position to put away three touchdowns and a field goal. The Cornhuskers will go to Beaver Stadium once more to face the Sarnunga Saints - a battle of perfect offense versus perfect defense.

Igloolik Polar Bears 17 - [b]42 Belfast Giants[/b]
In the only #2-seed victory of the day, the Belfast Giants rocked Lane Stadium with a supremely balanced offensive, defensive, and special teams game. The Giants returned a punt for a touchdown, an interception, a pass, and a rush for touchdowns as well. The Polar Bears fought tooth and nail every step of the way, but turnovers and special teams doomed their otherwise great offensive game. The Giants will go face-to-face with the home team Crimson Lions, resurgent after an early loss.

[Markus Wilding]

Colberts Coach: "Wow, we suck!"

[Baskan]

[size="5"][u][b]Des Moines Register Update Special: Amarna Cornhuskers[/b][/u][/size]


[img]http://www.cbsnews.com/i/tim//2010/06/18/es_lakersriots_618_480x360.jpg[/img]


This was the scene as fans heard that their hometown team, The Amarna Cornhuskers, are going to face the Sarnunga Saints in the next round of the World Gridiron Cup IV. Thankfully, no one has been hurt so far during the cheering throughout Amarna. Even though the Cornhuskers haven't even made it to the finals yet, the fans celebrated all over the country as they're one step closer. The Amarna Cornhuskers, led by defensive beast Jack Russell, are the underdogs in the tournament in which they have never participated before. Even the government members were celebrating this evening as roars of cheering can be heard all over the country. They face the offense monsters, Sarnunga Saints, who have been walking over all their opponents with ease during this tournament. This will be a game for the history books, folks. The Perfect Offense of the Saints faces the Unstoppable Defense of the Cornhuskers. While the Saints hold the most experience in this tournament, the Cornhuskers have a whole country behind them. We still have reports that the coach of the Cornhuskers is not letting the players watch any news reports or even TV, so the pressure doesn't amount on the team. We'll have to wait and see if the hometown heroes, led by the dominant Jack Russell, can pull off another stunning victory.

[Shatner]

After a thrilling must-have victory to secure a spot in the playoff round, the Bison fell to the number one seeded Saints.

"We pounded one out there at the end to get us to the playoffs, but you know, when you're playing an explosive team like the Saints, it becomes a little tougher to contain the offense. I think our defense played well and our offense and special teams put up a good effort, it's just at the end of the day, we came up short, halted by a few costly mistakes on our part. I'm disappointed, but I think we showed the world that we can contend and compete at the international level. If we had hit that 2-point conversion, we would have only been a touchdown away, which I think really says something considering the opposing team and this being our first year in the tournament. Next time, we will come out and we will look to fight our way further into the playoffs"

-Dallas Holland, MLB for the Sioux Falls Bison

[Michael McBride]

[img]http://content7.flixster.com/photo/11/82/04/11820405_gal.jpg[/img]
Wes Mantooth

"We do what we have to do to win. This is a total team effort at the moment. The O Line is giving me the time to throw the ball, the receivers are getting open and catching it, and Caboose, man, that defense has been lights out. So yeah, I'm comfortable with our chances. We're scoring five touchdowns a game to the opponent's two. That's pretty good odds for a win. We'll keep working hard and we'll bring this championship home for our fans, and they'll get to see us win it too."

[King Timmy]

Celebrations were happening all across Maine, everyone was getting behind their team to cheer them on.

It was such an achievement for the new team, they were ecstatic to have gotten this far alone. Even if they got beaten in the next round they would leave with their heads held high.

Across Maine, screens were put up in city centres so people could get together and cheer their team on.

[Vedran]

The Lemurs are disappointed at losing the chance to go into the playoffs, but they are happy that they got as far as they did, being an American football team in a country where the sport is about as popular as non-American football in America.