Can the Faroes qualify?

[Fry Crayola]

As a challenge, I've been playing my career as a Faroese striker. Club football is as you would expect, but internationally things are very different.

Frankly, we suck. We've finished bottom of every qualifying campaign so far and are lucky if we ever get a sniff of a win. 9-0 defeats are not unheard of - and that's against Finland. One time I even took a dramatic 4-1 lead over Turkey and ran out 8-4 losers. Despite me being worth £40m, we're hopeless.

But that was before this campaign for the 2012 European Championships. Our group did not make for easy reading - France, Russia, Ukraine, Croatia and Lithuania stand in our way. Defeat is inevitable.

We began with a game at the Stade de France, and for once put up a fine fight. 1-0 down with ten minutes to go, we win a penalty kick. I step up... and disaster! Saved! 1-0 the final score, and it's business as usual.

But then things change. Our next game is a home game to the Ukraine and I don't feel that we're going to do any damage until I check out their lineup. Their midfield and attack are strong (albeit without Shevchenko) but their defence is poor. We're talking Faroese style poor. No pace, no ability. If I get the ball in the final third, I can and will create chances.

And how! We race into a fantastic lead and storm the match. I leave the pitch in a shattered state with the score at 7-2 to us, with 15 minutes to go, and we end up 8-3 winners. Eight-three! Phenomenal!

In early January we faced Russia at home, but things were looking difficult. They were strong all over the park and with myself as the only threat, chances of a win were slim until I shot us into a 1-0 lead with a low drive, and then hit a second just after half time. All I had to do was hold on, make sure that Russia don't get a sniff as I run the length of the field time and time again to get back and defend. They get a lucky goal thanks to a poor clearance from the keeper, but from the restart I get a break and restore the cushion. 3-1 it finishes, we've six points from three games and sit second in the table.

Can we do it? Can we qualify for the European Championships and give me a taste of big time football (CL notwithstanding, where I cruelly missed the final through injury and had to settle for a runner up medal).

I'll keep that progress updated here.

[Ace]

Exciting, keep us informed. :)

[statto]

Come on Faeroes :) I might change my nationality to Faeroese as Montserrat isn't exactly in the qualifying rounds right about now.

How about international friendlies?

[Fry Crayola]

Early March, and our next game is a trip to Croatia. On paper they're very similar to Russia so it's not going to be an easy game, but it's also not going to be impossible.

We have the better of the first half, I go close with a few half chances but nothing really to challenge the goalkeeper. Croatia are limited severely in possession, and the half ends with the scores at 0-0. Good. Not great, but an away point is always useful.

The second half starts poorly. 5 minutes in we find ourselves 1-0 down as a great Croatian break up the pitch ends with a smashed shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner. Just before the hour it's 2-0, the same striker knocking in the rebound following a goalmouth scramble. As we're shooting down the pitch - traditionally my poorer side - things do not look good.

Immediately the Faroes hit back, with me winning a penalty with some nifty footwork in the box. I toy with the idea of a small chipped shot but settle for the goalkeeper's right hand side. He goes the wrong way and we're back in the game with half an hour to go. From kick off we win the ball and hare down the pitch, creating significant space in the box to fire a shot past the helpless keeper. Two goals in five minutes and we're level!

Not to settle for a goal, we continue attacking and win yet another penalty. Same place, same result, my 6th international hat trick giving me 35 goals in 25 caps. We press forward for a fourth to kill the game, but foul after Croatian foul leaves me battered and bruised, and I leave the pitch with 8 minutes on the clock. My replacement fires the resulting free kick narrowly wide as I watch from the technical area, reluctant to leave behind the action. Croatia pile forward and a last minute strike whizzes across the face of the goal and skims the crossbar on the far corner. Our goalie launches the ball forward, the referee blows his whistle and it's all over. Three consecutive wins, let's have a look elsewhere.

Lithuania 0-1 Ukraine. Not something to worry about - Ukraine's weak defence means I don't consider them a threat. We'll get them in the return match. It's in our hands.

Russia 0-0 France. Excellent, the French drop points and at the same time we're moving clearer of Russia. With the 7 best second placed sides qualifying, finishing in the top two should be enough to qualify for the first time ever.

The table then, after four games:



France 4 - 0 10
Faroes 14 - 7 9
Russia 5 - 5 7
Croatia 6 - 7 6
Ukraine 6 - 12 3
Lithuania 2 - 6 0


Next up, Lithuania at home while France face the Ukraine away. Could this be when the Faroes climb to the summit?

I opened the scoring against France, running the ball in on three minutes after the goalie got his fingertips to it.

Just a crying shame it was at the wrong end. We were nowhere in the first half, going swiftly 2-0 down and under sustained pressure N'Dri scored his second as we approached half time. I hit a free kick narrowly wide, but looked resigned to defeat.

The second half was a breath of fresh air. We first hit back through Olsen, I wasn't involved much. Then I took charge, getting the ball, running at the French defence, dodging one way then the other and sliding the ball into the bottom corner. Four times. What a comeback.

Faroe Islands 5 (Olsen 53; Crayola 65, 73, 77, 84)
France 3 (Crayola 3 og; N'Dri 8, 39)

Top of the table, four games to go. Are we going to the European Championships?

I do apologise profusely for the lack of updates, I didn't play for quite some time.

Anyhow, like I said, next up was Lithuania. The season had just been completed with HB Torshavn's reserve side (featuring yours truly) taking the title with an amazing 100 points from 36 games and a goal difference of +229. All eyes were on me in the game against the bottom side, who certainly weren't defensive pushovers like Ukraine.

Or were they? Goals goals goals galore as I hit five and set up av Flotum for one himself. The crowd cheered with every touch and gave me a roaring send off when I left the field on the hour mark after being cruelly hauled down.

France took yet another 1-0 win, this time over the Ukraine, whilst Croatia and Russia played out a 2-2 draw leaving the Faroese on 12 points, four points clear of Russia in 3rd and keeping in touch with France at the top of the table.

[AfterDeath]

Woah, this is great! I love these suspenseful NSS stories, they're quite lifelike! Keep it going! :D *munches popcorn*

[Soha]

amazing!!! 5 GOALS opposite France. it's interesting. congratulations Crayola. with striker like you- sure!

[Fry Crayola]

I've played more games - I'll update in a short while (tomorrow night at the latest).

However, I do want to say that I've just transferred to Bolton Wanderers. Strangely, this is actually my first time playing in a top league - my previous clubs being Queens University Belfast (NI), HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Celtic (Scotland) and then HB's reserve side who I fancied taking the double with.

I'm still kicking arse, trying to drag Bolton up the table although CL qualification looks like a pipe dream with only seven games remaining, and about 15 points in it. I just want to say that it's proving to be a right cracker when playing consistently against talented opposition and having team mates who are capable of performing without you.

Much, much better this way.

Although I doubt I'll score 250 goals this season. Sniff..

[Soha]

how old is your player now?? nice ambitions... :D

[Fry Crayola]

I'm only 24.

So, there have been two games since the France match. Ukraine, if you remember, have an awful defence. Tragic, really. I felt a tinge of guilt as I slotted home yet another goal as the Faroes ran out 12-1 winners in Kiev.

Later, we faced Russia, a game which would really determine our place in the final 16. If we won, our points tally would surely be enough to qualify as one of the best second placed teams. With much difficulty, we took a 4-2 victory and rode off into the sunset.

[Laahustaja]

What difficulty level is your game in? Go FAROES!:clap:

[Fry Crayola]

It's on Professional difficulty. I like it that way - World Class seems too artificial for me, by reducing your attributes to make it harder. I'm not a fan of that kind of difficulty setting.

Professional is the game as it was designed, and it's very good that way.

Our final game of the qualification campaign was against Lithuania. With qualification assured, it was a matter of topping the group and going into the European Championships in good form. After a long, gruelling season that saw me hit 34 goals in 11 games for Bolton Wanderers, the Lithuania game dragged on. I could score goals and we kept the lead throughout, but the Lithuanians refused to lie down. The final score of 6-4 was a fair reflection on a s****py, open game.

Qualification! The European Championships beckon!

[Soha]

in which season/month you have been selected to national team??

[Fry Crayola]

Can't exactly remember - I'm 24 now. I'd say it was the first season though, the Faroes are shockingly poor so it doesn't take much to break into the team.

[Kanebhoy]

This encouraged me to start a n ew game and in there first game I was selected but On Pro I only had 30% energy so I wasnt played but still thats shocking.

[Fry Crayola]

I've got a new strike partner!

My club, Bolton Wanderers, have had a new youth prospect break into the first team this season. He's a rather talented Faroese striker who is now my partner for both club and country.

Excellent!

[Soha]

faroese attack in premiership... lol :D

[Kanebhoy]

what is his name in it Fry?

[szenti]

its a regen probably

[AfterDeath]

Heh, well, I wish my club had such ambition. They keep playing me alongside Wayne Rooney one match, and Ruud van Nistelrooy the next. Rooney's good but a bit of a goalstealer - I should be the only one to score for my team. :D

[Soha]

i have the same in my arsenal- once with reyes, next time with henry. there isnt situation which they cant miss... the same leo mesii in barcelona. my best mate from attack was Ludovic Giuly and... Edmilson (when attackers couldnt play) but his heading was amazing.

Fry Crayola, after what time you played 1st international match?? because i've just started as Guinea Bissau (rating: 0) player and wanted to know

[Mad2Ad]

Early on in your first season depending on how you play in the league

[Soha]

i played in Guinea Bissau national team after my 1st (!) match in season... my selection prospects are good from that time :D

[statto]

I got Montserrat to the round of 16, then lost to the Czech Republic 4-3. Our defense stunk, so I ran around too much so they subbed me out. the game then went into extra time and we came out on the losing end... me sitting Beckham-style on the bench

[Soha]

i already must train much before WC qualifications. i'm still not enough good to lead my team to win (as CM). in african cup qualifications:
away- Nigeria 1:6 (subbed when 1:3)
home- Congo 2:3 (subbed when 2:1)
away- Uganda 2:0 :D (subbed when 2:0)
home- Mali 1:5 (subbed when 1:2)
it's really hard to run all the time as CM- without stopping... and now waiting for revenges :)

[Diogo669]

come on you people!
i play for andorra as a right midfielder and i won a 2 world cups!!!!!!

what is the difficulty
New star soccer its a very easy game!!

[Soha]

i play on expert and this is my second season, so now it isnt easy. but WC 2010/2014 and all later will be surely my :D

[Zack_21]

My,my..... It was such an easy thing to win the World Cup!:dance:

[Soha]

yeah ;] i even dont remember when lose match last time :o

[Fry Crayola]

Funny how this should return, I only started playing again last week. We're sitting pretty for qualification for our first World Cup, having just beaten Germany 4-1.

[Statlex]

wow really great writing =]
anyway great job with Faroes :P
oh and btw i'm new here.