Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Luthori was the host of the T20 Cricket World Cup this year, and while, nominally, all nations were favourite to win the tournament, some were more favourite than others. Bringing together Luthori, Mordusia, Tropica, Saridan, Vascania, Malivia, Vorona and Beluzia in the so-called “Final 8”, it was clear from the start that Mordusia’s “Golden Generation”, Vascania’s solid collective and reigning world champions and Malivia’s clear winning streak in the last few years made them the favourite.

Luthori placed itself as an outsider; sport commentators complained during the tournament that the Luthorian side was the “weakest” that they “had ever seen in their lifetime” - a non-negligeable blow to the already 18-time world champions’ morale. However, the Luthorian national cricket team made good on that promise of an outsider, as they were faced against Beluzia, their neighbor, in an intense match at the Empress Katherine Cricket Stadium in Alchester. In a close match, the Luthorians successfully beat the Beluzians in the relatively close score of 187 to 177 – with the Duke of Alchester present on the stadium to celebrate Luthorian success at the tournament.

What came up as “shocking” in this World Cup was the surprise defeat of clear favourite of Malivia out of the quarterfinals – following a relative clear from Tropican players, who paid tribute to the Malivian team by carrying out a “fair and difficult” game by performing a haka following their victory. Tropica won the match decisively, winning 274-202 against Malivia and moving to the semifinals against Mordusia, who won against Saridan 321-215.

In the semifinals, Luthori found itself facing Vascania, who secured a difficult victory against Vorona, only winning 221-198 against the upstart Dovani nation. On the other hand, Mordusia found itself against Tropica. 

The semifinals seemed like the reaffirmation of the so-called “old order” of cricket – as Luthori once found itself in the “Final 4”, alongside the three other dominant teams in the sport – at least traditionally, even though Tropica came here as an outsider and beat Saridan, another great nation in this sport.

Emperor William XI was present at the Roland, Fort William, assisting to the Luthorian national team’s first confrontation in a while against Vascania in a single-elimination tournament. While the match started well for Luthori, with the Artanian nation taking the lead against the current world champions, unfortunately for the Chardon, the Vascanians ultimately successfully claimed a victory, winning 210-201 against a defeated Luthorian side that was still acclaimed by the stadium. 

In Mordusia’s side, their match against Tropica went more smoothly than first expected, with the Mordusians claiming victory 294-220 against the island nation south of Temania.

Luthori was set to play the third-place match against Tropica after their defeat, even then Joe Layward’s men unfortunately lost the match, 231-200, settling in an unfortunate fourth place, while Tropica comforted itself with 3rd place. The emperor was absent from the match, instead being represented by the Prince of Orange – as per protocol, the bronze medals were handed over to the Tropican team by His Imperial Highness, alongside Tropican and World Cricket officials who were present.

The Prince of Orange, alongside the Duke of Alchester, a life-long cricket enthusiast later praised the Luthorian team’s performance, telling reporters that they “fought like lions” and “should be proud of what they’ve achieved here,” the Duke, the Emperor’s younger brother added that “nobody expected them to reach the semifinals, and yet they did [...] of course, it’s disappointing to not go all the way, but it’s a young squad, they have time to improve themselves, next time it’ll be ours, I believe it.”

The big final was held in Fort William, once again in the Hershen Roland International Stadium, the Emperor was present, both in his capacity as monarch of Luthori, but also as Mordusian monarch, coming to cheer and support the Mordusians.

As per tradition when the final is played in Luthori and a member of the imperial family is present, the imperial/royal anthem, God Save the King was played throughout the stadium alongside both national anthems before the match started, with the monarch remarked to have sung Mordusia’s national anthem before the match started alongside the public.

The match was, for its part, very entertaining. Both teams fought valiantly but, at the end, there can be one winner and that winner was Vascania, who by winning in a very close match by merely 12 runs (221-209) successfully defended its title against all odds and once-again were crowned Cricket World Champions, having won their first T20 World Cup in 5366, making it their 8th world champion title.

Vascanian team capitain, Raghubir Kokraya was granted the trophy by Emperor William XI who personally congratulated him for his team’s victory, Kokraya was also awarded the title of “Player of the Match” due to his very important impact during the game. 

The King was later spotted alongside Mordusian players in their dressing room, addressing them and extending his congratulations to the Mordusians for having “fought all the way to the final”. Of course, he addressed their disappointment at losing the final, stating it was merely a “minor setback in the grand scheme of things,” expressing his belief that Mordusia would win the next T20 World Cup in 7 years.

When asked about the difference with his brother’s address, he stated teasingly to our journalists, that “we do, actually have a different personality and different opinion on sports and team’s chances at winning a tournament [...] don’t tell this, but I’ve bet with him over Mordusia’s victory in the next World Cup, so there’s no way in hell that I’m giving him a way to get back at me!”

The next world cup organiser is expected to be announced in 2 years.