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[Albion] NSC Fantasy Albion World Cup- SEMI FINAL 1: Spain vs Africa

Semi Final 1- Spain vs Africa

  • Spain

    Votes: 17 45.9%
  • Africa

    Votes: 20 54.1%

  • Total voters
    37
  • Poll closed .


stewart12

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2019
1,920
Welcome to the Semi Finals of this soon to be prestigious tournament. Crowds are flocking to Withdean Stadium for what promises to be a raucous 2 days of fantasy football

The Quarter Final Results were as follows:

Spain 27-6 France & Belgium
Americas A 32-1 Wales
Ireland 21-2 Scotland
Africa 15-9 Rest of Europe A

The two semi finals will be played today, they are:

Spain vs Africa
Americas A vs Ireland


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. In the Quarter Finals Spain's experience and discipline shone through as they easily dispatched a chaotic France & Belgium side.

(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


Africa- Managed by Adam El Abd (player manager)

These guys have the potential to be the real neutrals favourites. There is an abundance of talent here with flair, pace and some glorious physiques. Coach El-Abd has caused some controversy by calling up former Swedish international Rami Shaaban with his justification being "his name sounds African" which he said glaring at the tournaments administrators, topless and flexing his muscles. They decided to allow it. Absolutely breezed through the first round without much effort at all. Survived the toughest Quarter Final tie, beating an exceptional Rest of Europe A side in a close encounter.


GK: Rami Shaaban- Played 6 games for Brighton in 2005 having been previously considered a replacement for David Seaman at Arsenal. Played for African team Sweden 16 times including at the 2006 World Cup

RB: Tariq Lamptey- Impossibly quick pint sized right back who played for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup
CB: Adam El-Abd- Brighton born hard as nail wind up merchant played 300 times for Brighton and 7 times for the Egyptian national side
CB: Leon Balogun- Only really known for 1 goal and did very little else. Played for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup
LB: Gaeten Bong- Popular Left Back and a key member of the Championship promotion side

CM: Enock Mwepu- Was on course to become an real fans favourite at the club before his untimely retirement
CM: Yves Bissouma- Survived an inconsistent start to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League
CM: Carlos Baleba- Has made a great start at the club and could well be the elusive Caicedo replacement

FW: Simon Adingra- Speed and skill merchant who has also made a strong start at the club
FW: Lloyd Owusu- Was an ageing journeyman striker by the time he arrived at Brighton on loan from Cheltenham Town (wtf). His 7 goals in 14 games and lethal partnership with Gary Hart (wtf) helped keep the club up whilst raising the roof on a constant basis
FW: Kazenga LuaLua- After 3 loan spells at Brighton, Lualua signed permanently in 2011 and went on to play 127 games. Capable of beating his man again again and again and possessing a rocket shot, the Congolese winger was a real crowd favourite. Has somehow never been capped by DR Congo.

Subs: Adam Chicksen, Mustapha Carayol, Ade Akinbiyi, David Adekola, Abdul Razak, Emeka Ifejiagwa, Percey Tau
 




stewart12

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2019
1,920
They've kept Kazenga back for this, swapping him out for Percey Tau. It's Adam El-Abd's barmy army all the way for me

The Spanish midfield won't be able to cope with the physicality of Africa's three behemoths
 


Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
32,468
Brighton
Africa - midfield would absolutely dominate.
 


Hamilton

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 7, 2003
12,953
Brighton
Agree. Looked at the midfield and thought they would probably be too much, even with Vicente in the team.

Then I looked at the Africa back four and thought they may be weaker than the Spanish attack.

So, went for Spain.
 


stewart12

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2019
1,920
Agree. Looked at the midfield and thought they would probably be too much, even with Vicente in the team.

Then I looked at the Africa back four and thought they may be weaker than the Spanish attack.

So, went for Spain.
you could argue that Oscar Garcia is more tactically astute than Adam El-Abd also
 






stewart12

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2019
1,920
this one is MUCH closer than I thought it would be
 


Garry Nelson's Left Foot

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
13,527
tokyo
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.

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






CM: Enock Mwepu- Was on course to become an real fans favourite at the club before his untimely retirement
CM: Yves Bissouma- Survived an inconsistent start to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League
CM: Carlos Baleba- Has made a great start at the club and could well be the elusive Caicedo replacement
Not even the strongest midfield in the match.

Tough match up none the less. Spain will be better drilled and have the vicente/Fati combo which is a handfull for anyone. Africa will be looser in formation/tactics but will be beasts and wind up merchants(in the mold of their manager...) all over the pitch.

Could be a 1-0 Spain win. Could be a 3-1 Africa win with the pace, power and flair of Africa overwhelming Garcia's spain. Could go to penalities.

I'm plumping for Africa. Just.
 




Kalimantan Gull

Well-known member
Aug 13, 2003
13,438
Central Borneo / the Lizard
Africa would slam this. Spain have four full backs in defence, and Fati aside their attack consists of a past-his-best Vicente and some lower-league fodder. Bissouma, Mwepu and Baleba would grab hold of this match and not let go.
 


stewart12

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2019
1,920
as good as Orlandi, Lopez and Vicente were for us, they all played for us in the championship. Baleba, Bissouma and Mwepu are/were all top half premier league performers. Better still there is balance there- Bissouma can sit and protect the back 4 (maybe even man mark Vicente), Baleba can rampage around and Mwepu can create

In the Spanish midfield there is a LOT of creativity but not much steel or defensive capabilities. Especially with a bit of a makeshift back 4 they could be in trouble
 


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