Alduria Division Draft

[Jean Brown]

With the ninth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Carrillo Fury choose... JEAN-ALAIN FOUCAULT

And here is our first goalkeeper of the draft, and what a stopper he is. Foucault, 28, was the highlight of his position when the list of players was announced, having been Alexandria's first choice for a number of years and in his prime. After spells with Baudrix Bears and Alain Wolves in his homeland, he joined Asga Bears in Caputia, and was also the Caputian number one in their run to the final of EMU 2018. Arguably a brave choice by the Fury to not go with an outfielder straight away, but this man would have been in high demand either way.

Altus FC are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the tenth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Altus FC choose... GAIZKA INTXAUSTI

The 30-year-old right-back is something of an unknown property despite his age, but has shown patches of brilliance over his varied career. A regular squad member for Alexandria from 2012 onward, he found himself down the international pecking order most of the time. His main success has come at domestic levels, firstly with Franciscania Athletic in his home nation and then with Caputia's Garrak Athletic, where he played on the opposite flank to Ulrich Olson.

Aldurian Navy FC are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the eleventh pick of the Alduria Division draft, Aldurian Navy FC choose... LUCIEN GRAF

One of the eldest players in the draft, but by no means past his best, Lucien Graf is renowned for his scoring abilities. The 31-year-old has six World Cup goals to his name, having spent most of his career playing second fiddle to the legendary Florent Lassana-Traoré, and scored a memorable hat-trick from the bench against Hammish Monovia in 2013's group stages. Having stuck with the Wolves franchise from their shift from Alexandrian Alain to Caputian Maynor, Graf will have some considerable expertise to offer his Navy teammates.

Pirates FC are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the twelfth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Pirates FC choose... MICHEL SIMONEAUX

A run of former Alexandrians has followed the successive Hamlanders picked, it seems, and another player famed for his toughness is chosen. Central defender Simoneaux, 30, is arguably the most unlucky player in the draft, having seen his playing career overlap with fellow powerhouses Ibrahima Diarra and the early-picked Montraneau. As a result, Simoneaux's international appearances have been limited, though at Olympique Créçois in his homeland and Olympique Morfaga in Caputia, he has certainly shown his value on the domestic scene.

Tudela Stampede are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the thirteenth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Tudela Stampede choose... MARIUS HENRY

The 24-year-old midfielder is notably less experienced than many of the players who have been picked before him, but he was a player of some prospect back in Hamland, and he'll hope this move will get his career back on track. After being the joint-youngest player in the victorious Hammish 2015 World Cup squad, he scored against Tellia in the 2017 edition, but received no call-ups for Caputia after a stop-start spell at Guul County, the successor side to Guul Wanderers. Age is at least on his side, as are the Stampede fans.

Ahvaz United FC are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the fourteenth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Ahvaz United FC choose... OMAR MEEKS

A former teammate of the man just picked, Meeks' career is not too dissimilar either. At 21, he was a passenger in the Hamland squad that won the 2015 World Cup, but now 25, he has struggled to make an impact to catch the eye of either the Caputian - or Aldurian, so far - selectors. A skilful attacking midfielder by trade, the Ahvaz supporters should enjoy his talent as he aims to reach his potential. Keep an eye out for his older brother Justin who is also in this draft.

Punisher FC are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the fifteenth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Punisher FC choose... TIM ADOSSI

Most pundits' expectations were that no goalkeepers would go in the first round, but here's our second one already. Adossi, 28, was Caputia's second choice in EMU 2018; a role the Hamlander is more than familiar with throughout his career so far. Despite consistent performances with Kilbay Rangers, Adossi always found himself behind Rodney MacLeod for Hamland; and reasonably so, with MacLeod recognised as one of Micras' best-ever shot stoppers. He'll be hoping his performances with Punisher will be the boost he needs to take Alduria's number one jersey from Foucault.

Valenciana United are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

With the sixteenth pick of the Alduria Division draft, Valenciana United choose... DAMIÁN SALA

While a number of clubs have gone with potential in their picks, Valenciana go with experience. A cheer goes up from the Alexandrian groupings in the audience as one of their darlings from the 2009 World Cup takes the final first round place. Now 32, Sala was key to Alexandria winning their only World Cup title in 2009, scoring twice on the road to victory. He ended his Alexandrian career in 2015 with five goals at the highest level, and last lined-up for Kilbay City in Caputia, following a long spell at AS Ibelin back home. The only Alexandrian World Cup winner in the draft can expect to be welcomed like a king at his new club, whose fan base is overwhelmingly of Alexandrian origins.

That concludes the first round of the draft. The second round will commence later. No teams are now on the clock...

[Jean Brown]

In the second round of the Alduria Division draft, the teams choose...

Valenciana United: Estanislao Hernández
Valenciana draft the first Valencian in the shape of the 30-year-old goalkeeper who received call-ups for both World Cup and EMU Championship squads. Previously played for Trévoux Knights and Knights O'Groppa.

Punisher FC: Ernest Mandiola
29-year-old Hamland-born striker who received regular call-ups for tournament squads but featured little. Featured for Ad & Tkir United and Stade Tkir, scored the equaliser in the final 2013 Hammish Nations' Cup match to seal the title.

Ahvaz United FC: Justin Meeks
Former Tly Hibernian and Tly Hearts forward, 28, who last featured in a tournament squad in 2014. Will link-up with younger brother Omar, whom Ahvaz drafted in the first round.

Tudela Stampede: Roderick Hood
Versatile defender who made a number of EMU Championship squads for Hamland, including 2012 when they won the competition. Played for New Kirrie Thistle and Imperial New Kirrie.

Pirates FC: Ellin Moliksen
One of only two players to score a World Cup goal for Taeland - against Birgeshir in 2014 - and the first ethnic Tae drafted. A talented midfielder who, at 25, has plenty of seasons left in him, and will be hoping for more success than he saw with Guul Wanderers and Guul County.

Aldurian Navy FC: Juan Martínez
Don't be fooled by his name, this one is a native Hamlander. A fresh 24-year-old who played for Kilbay Rangers and Kilbay City - with two loan spells away from the former - but the midfielder has yet to receive any international call-ups.

Altus FC: Aítor Canarias García
Not to be mistaken for Aítor Canarias Domínguez, a fellow Aldurian playing in the Florian league, this 27-year-old striker received a surprise call-up for Alexandria's World Cup squad in 2015. Last played for Maynor Wolves after starting off at Alain Wolves.

Carrillo Fury: Mario Espinoza
Another native Alexandrian who featured in their 2015 World Cup side, as well as 2017's. Espinoza, 27, can play across the midfield. Began his career at San Martín Conquistadors and later moved to Guul County.

Fontainebleau Union FC: Enoch Aguiar
Started at Garrak FC before signing for Garrak Athletic, the 31-year-old is another who can boast international winner's medals with Hamland. A defensive midfielder kept out of the starting eleven by namesake Enoch Martin, he was in both the EMU 2012 and World Cup 2013 champion squads.

Aldurian Army FC: Tim McKearn
An Asga Nomads player who went on to represent Asga Bears in Caputia. Featured in two Hammish squads - EMUs 2011 and 2013 - the first as a teenager; the defender is now 26.

Gramercy Titans: Danilo Lopes
The goalkeeper, 28, was included in Alexandria's last two World Cup squads as a back-up. Played for San Martín Conquistadors and Guul County, both as a first choice, and will certainly reprise that role at Gramercy.

Susa Buccaneers FC: Roberto Silva
An attack-minded midfielder whose promising youth career was curtailed somewhat by injury. Starred in the 2008 Under-21 World Cup but never received a senior Alexandrian call-up. On the books of Olympique Crécy and Morfaga Olympique in the past, now 27 and free from niggles.

Behaurnais Tigers: Mike Lake
Another 27-year-old, the midfielder was a squad player in EMUs 2013 and 2014 for Hamland after some good form with Ad & Tkir United. Played for Stade Tkir in Caputia.

Piriya FC: Eric Campbell
Another Hamland-born striker, but with no international experience due to the superior form of the aforementioned players. Formerly of the Asga Nomads and Asga Bears, and once had a loan spell in Craitland too, the 28-year-old found the net in the one-off FAC Premier Cup.

Imperial FC: Lionel Mysler
Three World Cup call-ups for Hamland but minimal game time. Started playing with giants Morfaga North Rangers but moved to Tly Hibernian for more chances, and last featured for Tly Hearts. The pacy striker is still only 25, however.

Punta Santiago FC: Oriol Andreu
Former Valencians bookend this round, with the 28-year-old defender joining the capital team. A starter in the 2015 World Cup - where the team reached the knock-out rounds - and EMU 2016 finals, the former Trévoux Knights man last played for Knights O'Groppa in Caputia. 

[Jean Brown]

In the third round of the Alduria Division draft, the teams choose...

Punta Santiago FC: Fabien Villeneuve
Alexandrian-born goalkeeper, 29, who played for the Jaguars franchises in Joya City and then Judah in Caputia. Under-21 international in 2008, but no senior caps to his name.

Imperial FC: Alan Moore
Like first-rounder Adossi, Moore's international influence was limited substantially by the consistent form of Rodney MacLeod, though was in the squads for every Hammish tournament victory. Now 31, the 'keeper's experience includes spells at a very successful Morfaga North Rangers and then Morfaga Olympique.

Piriya FC: Oit Trejov
The youngest player in the draft at just 23, the striker last played for Judah Jaguars after a spell at Maccabi Judah. Was included in Taeland's 2014 World Cup squad as a reserve player.

Behaurnais Tigers: David Große
Despite being just 31, the defender is one of the few current players whose international experience stretches back to the origins of football on Micras. A starter for Monovia at just 18 in 2006's inaugural World Cup, he was eligible for Hammish Monovia but was never called-up. Played for Real Loredo in Alexandria and Real Porapa in Caputia.

Susa Buccaneers FC: Gil Zeimoto
Born in Taeland but represented Hamland internationally, and featured in their 2012 World Cup squad. A 29-year-old goalkeeper whose career has seen him play for Ad & Tkir United and Stade Tkir in his hometown.

Gramercy Titans: Jérôme Koné
Younger brother of now-retired defender Didier, who featured for Alexandria's full team. The 29-year-old forward has not received any senior call-ups but did play for the Under-21 side in 2008. A handy striking option for Olympique Créçois and Morfaga Olympique in seasons past; his winner helped the latter to the FAC Premier Cup final.

Aldurian Army FC: Milos Husserl
The first Hammish Monovian-native player taken in this draft. Central midfielder fond of a robust challenge, his competitiveness will fit well with his military-aligned teammates. The 27-year-old previously played for Guul Wanderers and Guul County.

Fontainebleau Union FC: Alex Gomze
A clever striker, 29, who fell foul of his native Taeland's insistence on playing with just one up front, missing out on playing more due to the quality of Tim Turner. Called-up for two World Cups and three EMU finals, in the 2014 edition of which he scored a group-stage penalty. Formerly of Ersoy Pirates and Real Porapa.

Carrillo Fury: Tximista Erentxun
The 28-year-old centre-back earned a starting role in Valencia's final two tournament appearances, helping them out of the group stage in the 2015 World Cup. A Trévoux Knights and Knights O'Groppa alumnus.

Altus FC: Martin Trachisi
Another whose senior career hasn't lived up to a promising youth display. A 2008 Under-21 starter for Alexandria, the 28-year-old right-back has featured for Franciscania Athletic and then Garrak Athletic, but has no full caps.

Aldurian Navy FC: Aaron Mor
A persistent back-up goalkeeper throughout both his club and international career. Deputised for Hamlet O'Groppa United in Hamland and Knights O'Groppa in Caputia, and was Taeland's second choice in all their tournament finals squads. Now aged 30, he will be relishing an expectant number one role.

Pirates FC: Frank Saunier
A central defender, 30, whose domestic form with Ad & Tkir United and Stade Tkir, though solid, had not earned him any call-ups for Hamland or Caputia. Spent a loan spell in Craitland earlier in his career.

Tudela Stampede: Gordon Mooreland
Was included in Taeland's 2014 World Cup squad, as a third-choice goalkeeper, at just aged 20 despite minimal appearances for Maccabi Judah. The 25-year-old was most recently part of Judah Jaguars' setup.

Ahvaz United FC: Perdaf Ellikon
A wide midfielder, aged 24, whose career overlapped with last pick Mooreland's. Played with Judah Jaguars after starting off with Maccabi Judah, and was included in the Taes' 2014 World Cup squad at just 19.

Punisher FC: Gurak Troblinsk
Taeland seems to be the flavour of the third round, as another who featured in their 2014 World Cup campaign as a teenager is taken. A central midfielder, 24, who has club experience with New Kirrie Thistle and Imperial New Kirrie.

Valenciana United: Josep María López
Whoever heads Valenciana certainly understands their fans, with a second former Valencia international being picked to join the roster. The 29-year-old defender, who featured for Trévoux Knights and Knights O'Groppa in the past, was in the squads for World Cup 2015 and EMU 2016.