[Albion] NSC Fantasy Albion World Cup Quarter Final 1- Spain vs France & Belgium

[stewart12]

Here is our first quarter final.


Spain- Managed by Oscar Garcia

A side bursting at the seems with talent with possibly the strongest midfield in the competition. Expect possession, possession and more possession. Options upfront are limited but buoyed by the late call up of Ansu Fati. A lack of options from the bench could cost them further into the competition. Spain progressed from a tough group eventually overcoming a talented Rest of Europe A side with a whopping 32 points.

(4-3-3)
GK: Robert Sanchez- Moody, laid back and always has a clanger in the post. But he is undoubtedly a talented keeper, played 87 times for Brighton before slithering off to Chelsea like a snake and has two Spain caps.

RB: Martin Montoya- signed to much fanfare, this former Barcelona right back didn't quite hit the heights expected of him. Is the only former Catalan international in Albion history, earning 6 caps for the rogue state
CB: Bruno- Before slithering off to Chelsea like a snake, this bearded defender was a bona fide club legend. Former captain and coach, he played 225 times for Brighton before retiring.
CB: Inigo Calderon- One of the most popular players in Albion history, this all action defender with magnificent hair captured the hearts of all Albion fans in his 6 year spell at the club.
LB: Marc Cucurella- Before slithering off to Chelsea like a snake, this ludicrously haired defender was extremely popular in his 1 season at the club, winning the coveted player of the year award.

CM: Andrea Orlandi- This absolutely beautiful midfielder was hugely popular in his injury ravaged spell at Brighton. He still managed to play 49 games for the club.
CM: David Lopez- This absolute munter kept his beauty for his feet. Technically gifted, slow midfielder with a penchant for penalties and free kicks.
CM: Vicente- Injury ravaged mysterious wizard

FW: Ansu Fati- Hugely gifted wonderkid who is having a lovely old time at the club on loan from Barcelona
FW: Adrian Colunga- Frustrating technical forward who often flattered to deceive. Struggled with the physical side of the game
FW: Fran Sandaza- Equine striker who both looked and played like a horse. Was somehow not that bad despite appearing to possess no talent at all

Subs: Johnny Dixon, David Rodriguez, Jack Harper

vs

France & Belgium- Managed by Anthony Knockaert (player manager)

These guys managed to get through the first round despite constant internal tensions. Tactical, emotional and psychological indiscipline could be their downfall but there is a lot of talent in this squad. Can they pull it together enough to progress?

GK: Florent Chaigneau- French lothario goalkeeper played just 3 games for Brighton in the 2005-06 season.

DF: Romain Vincelot- Handsome versatile defender who was probably under utilised in his short stay at the club, playing just 15 games in two seasons.
DF: Georges Santos- Absolutely colossal centre back who didn't do a huge amount in his 11 games at Brighton. Actually played 4 games for the Cape Verde national team (why did I think he was French?!)
DF: Sebastien Pocognoli- Handsome Belgian left back best known for a stunning free kick in his loan spell in the 2016-17 season, has 13 Belgian caps to his name

CM: Alexis Bertin- Hard as nails rabid defensive midfielder only had a short spell in 2007, playing 16 games for Brighton

RW: Anthony Knockaert- Mercurial temperamental winger who played a colossal part in Brighton's promotion to the premier league. Absolute genius on his day
RW: Sebastien Carole- Skilful, pacey winger who couldn't cross to save his life. Had FOUR spells at Brighton with diminishing returns each time.
RW: Davide Martot- Quite rubbish right winger who played 26 games for Brighton on loan from Le Havre
LW: Alexandre Frutos- The only hard working player in this team, this pacey left winger who enjoyed a 2 year spell at Withdean, playing 45 games
LW: Leandro Trossard- Mercurial temperamental winger who was either absolutely unbelievable or anonymous

CF: Neal Maupay- Loved last minute goals and winding up opposition fans

Subs: None

 

[stewart12]

I want the chaos to continue

France & Belgium all the way

 

[MattBackHome]

Sorry but that Spain squad is so lacking in any properly combative spine, that they'd get rolled over by the sheer joie de vivre and va va voom of the FrancoFlems. Bruno and Calde's spirited leadership would only get them so far, and I can see Montoya seeing red after lashing out at Maupay, who has spent the last 60 minutes winding him up like a clock. Also Bobby Sanchez would have at least 3 howlers.

FraBel win and BTTS.

 

[stewart12]

Spain dominate possession and F&B hit them on the break in the last minute, a fantastic counter attack featuring all 5 wingers before Maupay stabs it in and runs round the entire Withdean running track completely naked taunting the Spanish fans

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Knocky leaving Cucurella on his arse at will, means that so many chances comes Sandaza's way that he eventually scores one. Spain Absolutely dominate the forst half an hour. Inexplicably Bruno decides to up and leave a third of the way through leaving everyone looking bewildered, France seize on the opportunity and Trossard fires them into 2-1 half time lead.

It stays like that until Lopez fires in a late free kick, to take the game to a penalty shoot out. The France side, heavy on wingers make light work of slotting past the unimposing Sanchez who looks as likely to save one as he is to get a standing ovation from the north stand on his next trip to the Amex. Spain eventually miss and France take the game, but wait, the referee has visibly become so besotted with the sheer beauty of Andrea Orlandi, that he controversially decides to award the game to Spain. David Coleman in the commentary box, tells us that this is "quite remarkable"

 

[stewart12]

Knocky leaving Cucurella on his arse at will, means that so many chances comes Sandaza's way that he eventually scores one. Spain Absolutely dominate the forst half an hour. Inexplicably Bruno decides to up and leave a third of the way through leaving everyone looking bewildered, France seize on the opportunity and Trossard fires them into 2-1 half time lead.

It stays like that until Lopez fires in a late free kick, to take the game to a penalty shoot out. The France side, heavy on wingers make light work of slotting past the unimposing Sanchez who looks as likely to save one as he is to get a standing ovation from the north stand on his next trip to the Amex. Spain eventually miss and France take the game, but wait, the referee has visibly become so besotted with the sheer beauty of Andrea Orlandi, that he controversially decides to award the game to Spain. David Coleman in the commentary box, tells us that this is "quite remarkable"

all of this is actually quite a likely scenario

 

[Austrian Gull]

The only thing stopping Le French Flair is Georges Santos holding a long grudge against one of the Iberians and trying to end his career with a waist-high lunge (see "the Battle of Bramall Lane").

 

[Mellotron]

Comfortable win for the Spaniards - yet to be really tested.

 

[stewart12]

Spain to bring Johnny Dixon on for 10 minutes at the end once the jobs done, Holly Vallance in the crowds is absolutely beside herself