Good discussion and catch up is what I recommended Marcus. Maybe listen to the love guru jandal next time Marcus! Great victory though, not all awkward in Canada, very well taken waiting for the sprint. I always enjoy his attacking spirit but he's turning into a smarter and still aggressive racer and I love to see it!
+1 Baroudeur
+1 Mountain
+1 Downhill
+1 Resistance
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
@All: Thank you so much for the nominations for One-Rider Story of the Year and Story Writer of the Year. I'm an old veteran at this point, but the recognition is always inspiring. I appreciate everyone who takes the time out of their busy days to read what I have to say. It's truly a privilege.
You guys jump started my IRL sports journalism career.
So, again, Thank You!
As you have probably noticed, this story has been quiet for a few months. September through May is always crazy busy for me in IRL. The last thing I want to do after writing all day for my job is to write some more on PCMDaily, sadly. Just like last year (when this same hiatus happened), I want to say that I do want to get back into this story when my job lightens up again. Sorry for the lengthy delay.
Marcus Diamond still has a lot of story left to tell. Be back soon!
Hours turned to days, as head coach Roy Hendriksen wanted to go through all his notes and film before deciding on an opening day Starting XI. After what seemed like months in my mind just second guessing if I had done enough, I finally got the text: "Congrats, you are starting Friday. Let's see what you can do."
Game on. The start of a new chapter with Helmond Sport.
Match Day #1 vs. Jong Ajax (0-0-0)
August 6, 2021
The reserve team for the well-known Dutch club Ajax.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 3, Jong Ajax 1
Summary: The home supporters in Helmond barely had time to learn the name of its newest British signing before it was being chanted throughout Lavans Stadion. "Marcus Diamond... Marcus Diamond... Marcus Diamond."
A new fan favourite emerged in the 6th minute, scoring the opening goal of the season — albeit stealing the shot away from one of his teammates, Arne Naudts, who was also making his debut with the club.
Naudts did notch his first goal later in the first half to regain Helmond's lead at 2-1. An 86th minute goal by Furhgill Zeldenrust sealed a season-opening win for Helmond.
Rating: 8.5 - After the game, Arne wasn't too pleased I "stole" his goal. Oh, well. The crowd still loved it and it earned me Man of the Match honors despite picking up a stupid yellow card in the second half. As long as we are winning, I think we can keep the peace in the locker room.
Player of Game: Marcus Diamond, Helmond Sport (8.5)
Match Day #2 at FC Dordrecht (1-0-0)
August 13, 2021
Dordrecht wasn't had a winning season since 2014.
Spoiler
FC Dordrecht 2, Helmond Sport 1
Summary: Heartbreak in the 91st minute. Dordrecht steals a win on a back post header by Anthony Biekman. A draw was probably deserved, but the home crowd urged Dordrecht to victory.
Rating: 6.7 - Made some key passes but nothing special. Tough loss.
Player of Game: Lance Duijvestign, FC Dordrecht (8.3)
Match Day #3 vs. Almere City (1-1-0)
August 21, 2021
Another bottom feeder, Almere has finished 19th the last two seasons.
Spoiler
Almere City 2, Helmond Sport 1
Summary: Lavans Stadion is getting used to early goals. Nassim Amaarouk scores in the 2nd minute, but Almere City gets back-to-back second-half goals separated by three minutes to earn the come from behind win.
Rating: 6.6 - Poor performance, no excuses.
Player of Game: Arsenio Valpoort, Almere City (8.4)
Match Day #4 vs. FC Emmen (0-2-1)
August 23, 2021
Only one goal in three games for FC Emmen so far.
Spoiler
FC Emmen 4, Helmond Sport 1
Summary: FC Emmen made a mockery of Helmond Sport's defense. Helmond Sport couldn't even score under its own power and got its lone goal through an own goal. Many fans didn't even stick around to that point, as they left early to get out of the rain and/or to stop watching awful football.
Rating: 5.8 - Arguably the worst game of my career. I made so many mistakes that it probably looked like FC Emmen paid me to help them. Fatigue played a factor, but that's a lame excuse. I have to be a lot better.
Player of Game: Gregory Nelson, FC Emmen (9.2)
Match Day #5 at MVV (1-3-0)
August 28, 2021
Tensions in the locker room on the rise after three straight defeats.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 1, MVV 1
Summary: Helmond Sport holds on for a draw. MVV dominated throughout but couldn't finish in the final third. Lots of questions left to be answered with this Helmond side just five games into the season.
Rating: 6.6 - It's not just me struggling, it's the whole team. This isn't what I envisioned when I decided to sign here.
Player of Game: Jason Bourdouxhe, Helmond Sport (8.1)
League Standings (5/38 Games Played)
Calendar
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Debut Goal: Along with training ground upgrade points, one stat locked attribute will be lifted thanks to Diamond's debut goal with the club. Whichever stat locked attribute is voted for the most will be unlocked.
A few locked attributes I'd like to see lifted but I have to go to passing. Can be swayed though if anyone thinks otherwise.
Not the best of starts to the season, the opening game aside. Hilarious stolen goal though
+2 Vision
+1 Flair
+2 Technique
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Not many races left with EvoPro before joining the SEG Racing Academy next season. I have learned a lot here and have grown stronger. The best thing I can do to show my appreciation to the program is to continue giving 110%.
Six race days ahead in August to pedal through.
Race Day #36 at Hansa Bygg Kalmar RR
August 4, 2021
Two years ago, I secured an 8th. Now, I'm the top favourite.
Spoiler
Summary: The morning breakaway is squeezed back with 20kms to go, right before the final two cobble sectors.
Five riders find a gap off the front thanks to the cobbles: Hugo Houle, Sergey Shilov, Nikolai Trusov and Lionel Taminiaux and Marcus Diamond. The remaining peloton is quick to keep them in their sightings. Can't let this group get away.
Once the peloton reels them, Diamond puts in an aggressive attack. He is going for solo glory with 12kms to go. Surely this is too far out, or maybe he knows something we don't. Either way, the crowd is loving it. The pre-race favourite isn't playing any games. Catch him if you can.
Too ambitious for his own good. Diamond caught with 6kms to go.
It was sunny all day, but now in the final kilometers the clouds have opened up for a brief rainstorm. Just what the riders wanted.
Diamond is somehow still leading the peloton as they come up on one kilometer to go. He is surely out of gas, but there isn't a lot of room to make a pass as they head back into the city centre.
Heroic effort by Diamond to still compete for the win, but Jan-Willem Van Schip will take the victory for Team TomTom.
Second place goes to Lionel Taminiaux — no not the one riding for EvoPro Racing, but his same named cousin on the AGO-Aqua Service roster (database bug but let's have some fun with it).
Result: 4th - Was too antsy. Could have easily won if I was just a little more patient. My bad.
Summary: History has been made! It took a team effort, but all the newspapers tomorrow will be showing the smiling face of Alex Vogel. Coming up to the line, the EvoPro Racing squad knew they had done it and peeled off one-by-one until Vogel found herself leading the TTT unit to the finish line. What a moment.
Her first official victory in the sport. Vogel did have a win voided three years ago since she rode under a false identity (under the guise of a man). But, this one can't be taken away.
Although, critics will argue it doesn't really count because it was a TTT.
Result: 1st - I was the last guy on the team to pull before Vogel brought us to the line. The look on her face was priceless. She deserved it. Can't wait to see her in yellow tomorrow. The cycling world couldn't have asked for a better ambassador to break down gender barriers in the sport.
1
EvoPro Racing
20'35
2
Bahrain - Merida
+ 10
3
Team Fortuneo - Samsic
+ 21
4
Polska Travel
s.t.
5
Trevigiani Phonix - Hemus 1896
+ 32
Stage 2:
Spoiler
Summary: In a field of 132 cyclists, one woman stands above the rest. An iconic moment for the sport. But, this isn't a gimmick. Alex Vogel doesn't want to just prance around in yellow. She has ambitions to hold onto it for the rest of the tour, and has a strong enough team to do so.
Breakaway swept up, the sprinters are being geared up by Liam Bertazzo with 1km to go. Vogel is in this lead group, as expected.
The one sprinter Vogel didn't want to see win finds a way. Sacha Modolo nips Nikias Arndt on the line. Those 10 bonus seconds will give the Italian the yellow jersey. Marcus Diamond nearly stole it back for EvoPro, but just missed out on bonus seconds by finishing fourth.
Result: 4th, 2nd GC - Inches away from wearing my first yellow jersey. But, I got two more days to make my move.
1
Sacha Modolo
Bahrain - Merida
4h19'28
2
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
s.t.
3
Edward Planckaert
Vital Concept Cycling Club
s.t.
4
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
5
Sonny Colbrelli
Bahrain - Merida
s.t.
General Classification
1
Sacha Modolo
Bahrain - Merida
4h40'02
2
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
3
Alex Vogel
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
4
Lionel Taminiaux
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
5
Kanstantsin Siutsou
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
Stage 3:
Spoiler
Summary: We pick up the action with 31kms to go. The riders hit the cobbled sector for the first of three times up the Sternberk hill.
Before the cameras were rolling today, there was a significant crash in the first 20kms. Most of the favorites got held up, but didn't take long for the peloton to regroup and reel in the BOTD.
No action the first time up. But, here we go. Rafal Majka hits the accelerator with 1km to the top of the second circuit. On his wheel are Jhonatan Narvaez, Sergey Cherkasov and Marcus Diamond.
Narvaez going for glory at the start of the third and final circuit.
Diamond tries to keep up, but gets stuck behind a lapped rider — at least that was his excuse after the race, it was fairly obvious he didn't have the legs to match. Narvaez, the Ecuador RR champion, was gone.
Fun fact, these two will be teammates at the SEG Racing Academy next season.
A group of six chasers tried to nail back Narvaez, but they ran out of time. They did however cut Narvaez's time advantage down to an 11-second gap. So, the new yellow jersey wearer going into the final stage will come from the chase group.
Result: 5th, 1st GC - Traded the white jersey for my first yellow. I don't think I could have rode this stage any better, so to get rewarded like this feels incredible. Can't let up though.
One stage to go to bring this home for the EvoPro crew. Got to do it for Alex. She protected me all day and gave up her GC chances.
1
Jhonatan Narvaez
My Bike Stevens
4h55'58
2
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
+ 11
3
Tejay Van Garderen
Meridiana Kamen Team
s.t.
4
Sergey Chernetskiy
Meridiana Kamen Team
s.t.
5
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
9h36'11
2
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
+ 20
3
Jhonatan Narvaez
My Bike Stevens
+ 24
4
Nikolay Cherkasov
Rosneft
+ 32
5
Rafał Majka
T-Mobile
+ 39
Stage 4:
Spoiler
Summary: Keep the race together for a bunch sprint and Marcus Diamond will win his first stage race of his career. Diamond knows this and is leading the peloton over the final hill with 5kms to go.
The 21-year-old isn't showing much interest in saving energy for the sprint finish, he is making sure nobody can get away with a late attack.
Diamond's efforts pay off.
Sprint finish goes to Sacha Modolo for his second stage win of the tour. And the yellow jersey will stay on Diamond's shoulders.
Result: 6th, 1st GC, 1st Youth - I don't even know what to say.
This is what it's all about. I've been chasing after this feeling my whole life and, now that I got a taste of it, I don't want to stop. What's up next?
1
Sacha Modolo
Bahrain - Merida
3h52'54
2
Rui Oliveira
Torku Sekerspor
s.t.
3
Frederik Rodenberg
Amore & Vita - Prodir
s.t.
4
Laurent Pichon
Team Fortuneo - Samsic
s.t.
5
Clément Venturini
Israel Cycling Academy
s.t.
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
13h29'05
2
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
+ 20
3
Jhonatan Narvaez
My Bike Stevens
+ 24
4
Nikolay Cherkasov
Rosneft
+ 32
5
Rafał Majka
T-Mobile
+ 39
Race Day #41 at Croatia-Slovenia
August 26, 2021
Still riding a high after what happened two weeks ago.
Spoiler
Summary: A bizarre sight with 35kms to go. Marcus Diamond is getting his own bottles after his teammates failed to supply their captain with enough nutrients.
Or, hold up, maybe Diamond wants some last-minute instructions on how to tackle this final climb? He certainly doesn't look too concerned with having to drop back this late into the race.
We can now confirm it was a radio problem with Diamond. He has ripped the radio out and is now throwing everything he has at this final climb.
The youngster has to be feeling great, coming off a win and now seeing his name plastered all over the road. This two-sport athlete is starting to grow quite a fan base.
Diamond's massive attack leaves only two cyclists next to him with 1km to go: Jhojan Garcia and Metkel Eyob.
Garcia, 23, powers away for his fourth win of his young career.
Result: 2nd - Without a radio, I just rode on gut instincts. Hearing spectators chant my name was pretty cool. I even signed a few autographs after the race.
Some of my teammates are already telling me to not get sucked into the fame and notoriety. But, my "big ego" could get used to this.
1
Jhojan Garcia
Manzana Postobon Team
5h13'33
2
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
+ 16
3
Metkel Eyob
Minsk Cycling Club
s.t.
4
Jaka Primozic
La Plage Le Club
+ 35
5
Matvei Mamykin
Rosneft
+ 43
Calendar
Spoiler
Date
Race
Winner
1-Aug
PostNord Danmark Rundt
Rauf Guliev
1-Aug
Volta a Portugal
Lucas Arauco
4-Aug
Hansa Bygg Kalmar Road Race
Jan-Willem Van Schip
4-Aug
Tour de Pologne
Wout Poels
4-Aug
Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian
Egan Arley Bernal
5-Aug
La Poly Normande
Edward Planckaert
6-Aug
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
Pierre-Roger Latour
7-Aug
Vuelta a Burgos
Ivan Sosa
9-Aug
Czech Cycling Tour
Marcus Diamond
11-Aug
KOGA Slag om Norg
Maxime Farazijn
13-Aug
BinckBank Tour
Mike Teunissen
15-Aug
Tour du Limousin - Nouvelle Aquitaine
Artem Nych
16-Aug
Arctic Race of Norway
Warren Barguil
16-Aug
Colorado Pro Classic
Primož Roglič
19-Aug
EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg
Fernando Gaviria
21-Aug
Baltic Chain Tour
Anders Skaarseth
21-Aug
GP Stad Zottegem
Jasper De Buyst
22-Aug
Arnhem-Veenendaal Classic
Geraint Thomas
23-Aug
Deutschland Tour
Tejay Van Garderen
25-Aug
Vuelta a España
25-Aug
Omloop Mandel-Leie-Schelde
Orluis Aular
25-Aug
Bretagne Classic-Ouest France
Marc Sarreau
26-Aug
Ronde van Midden Nederland
Wim Kleiman
26-Aug
Croatia-Slovenia
Jhojan Garcia
29-Aug
Druivenkoers - Overijse
Jimmy Duquennoy
1-Sep
Brussels Cycling Classic
2-Sep
OVO Energy Tour of Britain
2-Sep
Schaal Sels
2-Sep
Circuit de Fourmies
5-Sep
Tour of South Bohemia
7-Sep
GP Cycliste de Québec
8-Sep
De Kustpijl
9-Sep
Chrono Champenois
9-Sep
Tour du Doubs
Marcus Diamond In
9-Sep
Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
12-Sep
Grand Prix de Wallonie
14-Sep
Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen
15-Sep
Coppa Agostoni
15-Sep
Primus Classic
16-Sep
GP Jef Scherens - Rondom Leuven
16-Sep
Coppa Bernocchi
16-Sep
Int. RAIFFEISEN Grand Prix
18-Sep
GP Industria e Commercio di Prato
18-Sep
Giro della Toscana
20-Sep
Coppa Sabatini
21-Sep
Omloop van de Westhoek
22-Sep
Memorial Marco Pantani
22-Sep
Tour de l'Eurométropole
23-Sep
Gooikse Pijl
Marcus Diamond In
23-Sep
Grand Prix d'Isberques
23-Sep
Trofeo Matteotti
26-Sep
World Championships ITT
*Pending Invite*
27-Sep
Famenne Ardennes Classic
30-Sep
World Championships
*Pending Invite*
Evaluation
Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades
Share the Wealth?: After an impressive month, Marcus Diamond is being pressured by his teammates to split a portion of his winnings.
(Option A) Split the small prize pool evenly. Keep the peace at the Team HQ by obeying an unwritten cycling tradition.
(Option B) Keep the money. I'm leaving in a couple months anyways. I'll use the extra cash to buy better training equipment for the offseason.
Wow, Marcus looking super strong, what a month! First GC win is amazing as was Alex in yellow. Great time in Slovenia too, pure power! Option A
+2 MO
+1 FTR
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Football, the beautiful game. Well, not so much here in Helmond. They say you can't win the title in August, but you can surely lose it. That's looking like the case here after starting 1-3-1. Maybe we can turn it around?
Match Day #6 at Sparta (2-0-3)
September 3, 2021
Five games in and Sparta has yet to be dealt a defeat.
Spoiler
Sparta 4, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: Embarrassing showing from Helmond Sport. They should be thankful this one was one the road, otherwise their home supporters would have probably booed them off the pitch.
Hat trick for Youri de Winter, his first three goals of the season.
Rating: 6.7 - The head coach didn't even bother entering the locker room after this one. This was one of those games where you just look in the mirror and ask yourself what the hell just happened. We have to be better.
Player of Game: Youri de Winter, Sparta (9.7)
Match Day #7 vs. SC Cambuur (2-2-2)
September 10, 2021
Going on five games without a win, spirits are low at the moment.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 3, SC Cambuur 3
Summary: From 2-up to 3-2 down, Helmond Sports salvages a roller coaster of a game with an 88th minute equalizer by Nassim Amaarouk. SC Cambuur scored all three of its goals in the 75th minute or later.
Rating: 7.3 - Scored our second goal with a well-timed run. I got to show off my speed a little bit, or the defender was just napping.
Player of Game: Osayamen Osawe, SC Cambuur (8.8)
Match Day #8 vs. Jong PSV (2-3-2)
September 17, 2021
Defense needs improvement, 17 goals allowed is the most in the league.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 0, Jong PSV 0
Summary: Helmond Sport survives a late red card to earn a 0-0 tie.
Rating: 6.4 - At least we didn't give up a goal for a change.
Player of Game: Vito Wormgoor, Jong PSV (7.4)
KNVB Beker at FC Eindhoven
September 21, 2021
First Round: The Dutch Cup starts against a strong Jupiler League side.
Spoiler
FC Eindhoven 1, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: Helmond Sport left its scoring boots at home again. A 43rd minute winner by Souffian Elkarouani puts an end to a rather boring affair.
Rating: 6.5 - Subbed off in the 80th minute since I wasn't making an impact.
Player of Game: Tibeau Swinnen, FC Eindhoven (8.4)
Match Day #9 at FC Eindhoven (5-3-0)
September 24, 2021
The league rematch from the cup loss three days later.
Spoiler
FC Eindhoven 3, Helmond Sport
Summary: Helmond Sport can't find the back of the net for a third straight game. It's getting comical now. They outshot FC Eindhoven 12-7 (3-3 on target) but give up two more goals to Souffian Elkarouani and knock in an own goal for good measure.
Rating: 6.4 - Subbed off at halftime. Head coach Roy Hendriksen trying to make a statement to the rest of the team. "Don't show up to play, you won't play." I'm not sure benching one of your best players is the way to go about it. I didn't sign up for this. But, who am I to complain? I haven't done anything these past three games.
Player of Game: Souffian Elkarouani, FC Eindhoven (8.8)
League Standings (9/38 Games Played)
Calendar
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Locks: A forgettable month will cost Marcus Diamond with two stat locks. Any attribute that doesn't receive at least a 2.0 upgrade is subjected to being locked.
Leading up to the World Championships at the end of the month, I was contacted by The Guardian for a phone interview. Fairly standard stuff. Happy to talk about making the Great Britain road race squad for a second season year in a row.
Although, one question did get me thinking...
"Marcus, I don't mean to be blunt, but why stick with football if the cycling career is really starting to take off? Wouldn't it be easier to put all your effort into one sport and go all-in?"
Before answering, I looked around my living room. Memorabilia everywhere.
"It's a fair question. But, as a kid I always dreamed of signing a contract with a top flight football club. I went to Tottenham games as a kid and visualized myself on the pitch with the likes of Heurelho Gomes and Gareth Bale. I still believe I can fulfill those childhood dreams, and maybe... just maybe bring a World Cup back to England one day. If not, I always got this cycling thing to fall back on."
Race Day #42 at Tour du Doubs
September 9, 2021
Bumpy course around the outskirts of the Jura Mountains.
Spoiler
Summary: Casual, stress-free day in the saddle for the peloton. No one seems that worried about the six-man breakaway up the road.
The front runners are in their sights going up the final incline. Watch out for the vegetation! That's a disaster waiting to happen, but looks like Marcus Diamond has pedaled through without a problem. He is sticking to Anthony Turgis' wheel like glue.
Matej Mohoric, the Slovenia national RR champion, has joined Diamond and Turgis in the pursuit of the morning breakaway. Who will take the most risks in a tricky downhill section to catch them and go for the win?
Mohoric! Diamond did his best to keep up but Mohoric maneuvered his bike with precision to keep the Brit behind him.
Result: 2nd - Mohoric left no gaps to pass on the downhill and found that extra kick to beat me to the line. Fair play. I'll take a second.
Summary: Survival of the fittest. Coen Vermeltfoort survives.
Result: 18th - Bad race day form and missed the most decisive split with about 25kms to go. Spent a bulk of the final kilometers playing catch up. Not a fun way to race. Even on a bad day, I should be getting a top 10.
Summary: This late into the season, a 269km hilly endurance race is a harsh punishment. But that's what we have here today in the fight for the rainbow jersey around lovely Florence, Italy.
Four brave riders try their luck in the morning breakaway:
Ruben Zepuntke (LKT Team Brandenburg) hasn't lived up to his potential. The 28-year-old is still searching for a signature win.
Matthias Brandle (UAE Team Emirates) hasn't won anything since 2016 when he became a double national champion in Austria.
Gino Mader (Astana) is being called the next Fabian Cancellara. The Swiss TT machine placed second the WC ITT race a few days ago.
Amaro Manuel Antunes (Polsak Travel) won the Gran Premio Catta di Lugano early this season. Back in 2008 as a youngster, he was a double national junior champion in the road race and time trial.
Oh no! A massive crash in the peloton on the third descent which leads to the finish line. Surely some big names involved. It happened near the front and has wiped out a chunk of the field. Some badly bruised bodies.
Looking through the torn up rider numbers, who got caught up in this devastating crash. And we have got the official number, 35 cyclists went down including the likes of Kwiatkowski, Teuns, Diamond, Vanendert, Formolo, Aru, Cort Nielsen, Nieve, Moser, Calmejane, I. Izagirre, Matthews, Stussi, Van Avermaet, Martin, Gallopin, McCarthy, Thomas and Froome.
Tough break for the host Italy, Belgium, France, Australia and Great Britain.
And news now that Chris Froome and Michael Matthews have abandoned the race.
Everyone else quickly makes it back into the peloton before the descent is over and the climb starts again. Plenty of scrapped up jerseys and bloody elbows.
With 100kms to go, four mid-race attackers have found a gap in front of the peloton: Sutterlin, Gogi, G. Izagirre and Shirshov. The peloton is about 40 seconds back with the morning breakaway 2 minutes ahead.
G. Izagirre is the last to surrender out of that group. The peloton is moving, despite being slashed down to 46 cyclists heading into the fifth climb to with 77kms remaining. Only the strong men will last today. Or, perhaps, the peloton is pushing too hard and will eventually explode to allow a chase group to pick up the pieces.
The breakaway is caught with 58kms to go. The peloton is down to 31 cyclists.
Diamond and Fuglsang can't hang on. They're dropped with 53kms to go. The peloton in front of them is slowly disintegrating with 25 riders remaining.
The peloton has realized they have been going to hard. Diamond and Fuglsang yo-yo their way back into the main group. Still 48kms to go. How any of these guys still have the legs left to pedal is beyond me. It's been an extremely fast race.
Diamond is thrown off the back again. It doesn't look like he has the willpower left to get back this time, however. 42kms to go. He will get some assistance though, as Brandle is dropped soon after and joins Diamond.
It's go time for the favourites. Attack up front with 26kms to go on the penultimate climb. Formolo leads the charge, followed by Alaphilippe and Kwiatkowski.
Over the top, it's Kwiatkowski, who was involved and that morning crash, and Valgren going clear from everybody else. The gap isn't much however, 15 to 20 seconds.
The two leaders get caught by a group of five with 1.2kms to go. But, runner-up from a season ago, Kwiatkowski saved enough energy to win the sprint for the rainbow jersey over 2020 Olympic Gold medalist Julian Alaphilippe.
Result: 47th - One spot better than last year. Improvement! Luckily I found a nice spot of green grass to crash on early in the race. The hard part was working my way back up the field. Wasted a lot of energy doing that. I'm also nowhere near peak form so I'm not too upset about finishing nine-plus minutes behind Kwiatkowski.
1
Michał Kwiatkowski
Astana Pro Team
7h21'25
2
Julian Alaphilippe
The Guardian
s.t.
3
Maximilian Schachmann
Quick-Step Floors
s.t.
4
Daniel Martin
UAE Team Emirates
s.t.
5
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
Calendar
Spoiler
Date
Race
Winner
1-Sep
Brussels Cycling Classic
Jasper De Buyst
2-Sep
OVO Energy Tour of Britain
Nikias Arndt
2-Sep
Schaal Sels
Julien Simon
2-Sep
Circuit de Fourmies
Sondre Holst Enger
5-Sep
Tour of South Bohemia
Tommy Delesie
7-Sep
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
Stephane Beeckman
8-Sep
De Kustpijl
Aksel Nömmela
9-Sep
Chrono Champenois
Rauf Guliev
9-Sep
Tour du Doubs
Matej Mohoric
9-Sep
Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
Michel Ries
12-Sep
Grand Prix de Wallonie
Michael Woods
14-Sep
Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen
Zdenek Stybar
15-Sep
Coppa Agostoni - Giro delle Brianze
Ivan Sosa
15-Sep
Primus Classic
Zdenek Stybar
16-Sep
GP Jef Scherens - Rondom Leuven
Jasper De Buyst
16-Sep
Coppa Bernocchi
Caleb Ewan
16-Sep
Int. RAIFFEISEN GP
Segundo Dolorier
18-Sep
GP Industria e Commercio di Prato
Pieter Serry
18-Sep
Giro della Toscana
Keegan Swirbul
20-Sep
Coppa Sabatini
Gorka Izagirre
21-Sep
Omloop van de Westhoek
Tjeu Orie
22-Sep
Memorial Marco Pantani
Giulio Ciccone
22-Sep
Tour de l'Eurométropole
Alvaro Hodeg
23-Sep
Gooikse Pijl
Coen Vermeltfoort
23-Sep
GP d'Isberques - Pas-de-Calais
Rudy Barbier
23-Sep
Trofeo Matteotti
Carlos Verona
26-Sep
World Championships ITT
Ryan Mullen
27-Sep
Famenne Ardennes Classic
Guillaume Martin
30-Sep
World Championships
Michał Kwiatkowski
2-Oct
Binche - Chimay - Binche
3-Oct
Sparkassen Münsterland Giro
4-Oct
Paris - Bourges
Marcus Diamond In
6-Oct
Tour de Vendée
6-Oct
Giro dell'Emilia
7-Oct
Paris - Tours
7-Oct
Gran Premio Bruno Bhegelli
9-Oct
Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey
9-Oct
Tre Valli Varesine
10-Oct
Milano - Torino
11-Oct
Gran Piemonte
13-Oct
Il Lombardia
13-Oct
Tacx Pro Classic
14-Oct
Chrono des Nations
16-Oct
Gree-Tour of Guangxi
21-Oct
Japan Cup Cycle Road Race
Marcus Diamond In
Evaluation
Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades
Press Time?: After doing The Guardian interview, other media outlets are trying to get a hold of Marcus Diamond for stories in their publications. Should Diamond take the time to do more interviews?
(Option A) Yes. More publicity can only raise my popularity.
(Option B) No. I'd rather avoid media attention and that pressure.
Surely this can't get any worse. Helmond Sport hasn't won a game since the season-opener on August 6th. That's a winless streak of nine games. Placing us firmly in the relegation conversation. Time to turn things around... please.
Match Day #10 at NAC (6-2-1)
October 1, 2021
A chance to keep the winless streak from hitting double-digits.
Spoiler
NAC 1, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: Outworked, outplayed, but only a one-goal defeat. A step in the right direction for the Helmond Sport defense. However, the offense hasn't scored a goal in four games. That's a slight problem.
Rating: 6.4 - Man-marked the whole match in front of 13,000-plus spectators. I believe that's the largest crowd I've ever played in front of and I did absolutely nothing. Disheartening to say the least.
Player of Game: Gianluca Nijholt, NAC (7.6)
Match Day #11 at Jong AZ (2-5-3)
October 8, 2021
From a rocking atmosphere last game to 280 fans in the stands.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 3, Jong AZ 0
Summary: Rejoice the drought is over! Jordy Thomassen scores his first two goals of the season and Giovanni Hiwat adds another to lift Helmond Sport to an extremely rare lopsided victory.
Rating: 8.2 - Amazing how individual match day rating skyrocket when you play well as a team. We needed this win badly.
Player of Game: Giovanni Hiwat, Helmond Sport (9.2)
Match Day #12 vs. Achilles '29 (1-4-6)
October 15, 2021
Surprisingly, a team that has had a worse start to the year than us.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 2, Achilles '29 1
Summary: Card happy referee Martin Perez unloaded seven yellow cards and a 39th minute red card to Achilles 29' fullback Derwin Martina. Despite that, Helmond Sport narrowly hung on for a 2-1 win with both goals coming from Furhgill Zeldenrust.
Rating: 8.3 - Played in a low-driven cross from the end line that found Zeldenrust for a quality finish around the keeper for his second goal of the game.
Player of Game: Furhgill Zeldenrust, Helmond Sport (9.1)
Match Day #13 at Go Ahead Eagles (6-2-4)
October 22, 2021
Momentum found, now let's put it to the test against a high-caliber team.
Spoiler
Go Ahead Eagles 2, Helmond Sport 1
Summary: Helmond Sport won the possession battle and equaled Go Ahead Eagles in shots, but 20-year Norwegian Finn Thorsby notched a brace. Helmond Sport deserved at least a draw for their efforts. A solid showing.
Rating: 7.0 - Did almost everything we needed to but still lost. We can't let this result change our approach or get us down going into the next match.
Player of Game: Finn Thorsby, Go Ahead Eagles (8.8)
Match Day #14 vs. Fortuna Sittard (6-4-3)
October 29, 2021
Middle of the pack side that have started to slip in recent weeks.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 2, Fortuna Sittard 1
Summary: Arne Naudts delivered an opening-goal screamer from outside the box, then was helped off with a concussion in the final minutes of the game. Not ideal, but another win for Helmond Sport.
Rating: 7.7 - Picked up a non-deserved assist off a free kick that pinballed off a couple of players and found its way to Furhgill Zeldenrust. Hey, I'll take it.
Player of Game: Arne Naudts, Helmond Sport (8.3)
League Standings (14/38 Games Played)
Calendar
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Locks (Resolved): Leadership and free kick taking are locked.
National Team Call-Up?: Recently appointed Nigeria head coach Jay-Jay Okocha reached out to Marcus Diamond to offer him a starting spot in Nigeria's final World Cup qualifying game against South Africa.
"I'm willing to take the chance on you kid," Okocha said over the phone. "We have an open spot at CAM for you if you want it. I know this is a big decision, but we would be honored to have you represent Nigeria on the national stage. We believe you have the potential to be something special and help us reach that next level."
Nigeria enters the final game of World Cup qualifying with everything on the line. A win, or possibly a draw, gets them back to the World Cup for a fourth straight appearance — a club record.
"If we win this game," Okocha continued. "I can guarantee you a spot on the 2022 World Cup roster. This is your chance to shine on a big stage."
More info about Nigeria: The Flying Eagles have never advanced past the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Currently ranked 41st in the world.
(Option A) Yes, let's do it. Lock in Diamond's first national cap with Nigeria, the birthplace of his grandfather, and represent the Flying Eagles.
(Option B) Turn down the offer. Hold out for the chance to represent No. 3-nationally ranked England in the future. A childhood dream that is starting to look unlikely with 25-year-old Dele Alli controlling the midfield and a lack of call ups to represent England's youth sides. Diamond could also possibly play for 23rd ranked Scotland if he so desired as well, but it certainly wouldn't be at next year's World Cup.
Steadily improving form for Marcus and Helmond on the football side of things, but hopefully they can climb the table a bit more.
+2 Flair
+3 Vision
Really really interesting dilemma with Nigeria. Huge opportunity to play for a decent national team (any national team at all is very cool too), but from what I remember Marcus has always really dreamed of England right? Plus having Scotland as another, higher-ranked fallback is a pro for Option B. Might go for Option A for now but might change.
For the cycling dilemma (guess it's too late for stats), I think Option B is fine for now.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
For the football I would go for Option B, Marcus has always been very keen on England and 21 seems a little early to commit to another nation and give up on that dream.
Then for the cycling I'd say Option B aswell, probably best to avoid that media pressure for now, I don't think he needs the distraction of the media circus right now.
Going for Option A to join the Nigeria national team because I need to break this tie and I would like to see Marcus Diamond play some international football.
After waiting a couple of days in deciding whether or not to talk with reporters, I quickly found out they had moved on to another breaking news cycling story. My time in the spotlight was up, while Alex Vogel made her way into the headlines.
Due to consistent revenue shortfalls and disputes against the eligibility of transgender cyclists, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced the abandonment of the Women's World Tour for the foreseeable future.
All women and transgender cyclists will now race in the modified men's circuit, which will simply become a co-ed division called the UCI World Tour. This decision comes with the introduction and inclusion of new technology to the sport.
All cyclists at the beginning of the year and prior to the start of the Tour de France will send in Power Meter Metrics (PMM) across various terrains in a controlled training environment to set an average low baseline PMM score for each gender.
The baseline PMMs will be balanced out via synchronized motors on everyone's bike before each race. This technology will allow men, female and transgender cyclists to compete on an even playing field. That said, the best athletes who can produce power over the baseline set for their gender will rise to top.
I know Alex is ecstatic with the change. She was able to hang with the boys before, but now with a power surge, the sky truly is the limit. Having more female friends to ride with is also a nice bonus for her... and me.
Before embarking on this new era of cycling, time to finish out my journey with EvoPro Racing. My final month wearing this sexy green jersey.
Race Day #45 at Paris-Bourges
October 4, 2021
More bumps. Not my favourite, but I can tolerate.
Spoiler
Summary: Rain halfway through the stage causes multiple crashes. It's a mess. This will only help the six-man breakaway up front.
Too much chaos for a depleted peloton to handle. Breakaway man Samuel Leroux wins his first professional race.
Result: 9th - Missed the crashes, but was order not to attack with teammate Adam Blythe up in the breakaway. They got caught with less than 2kms remaining, but Leroux managed to sneak away prior to the catch to fool the peloton and grab the win.
1
Samuel Leroux
Team Fortuneo - Samsic
4h36'58
2
Lilian Calmejane
Movistar Team
+ 20
3
Jan Bakelants
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
Carlos Barbero
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Romain Hardy
Direct Energie
s.t.
Race Day #46 at Japan Cup
October 21, 2021
Last race of the season, and with EvoPro Racing.
Spoiler
Summary: A pretty boring race until the end when an official's car got in the way of the bunch sprint to the line. Luckily nobody got hurt.
Result: 20th - Bad form at the end of the season.
1
Aleksander Vlasov
Rosneft
4h34'35
2
Tadej Pogacar
Amazon
s.t.
3
Tobias Foss
Joker Icopal
s.t.
4
José Israel Jornet
Team Vorarlberg Santic
s.t.
5
Dries Van Gestel
Burgos - BH
s.t.
Calendar
Spoiler
Date
Race
Winner
2-Oct
Binche - Chimay - Binche
Dylan Groenewegen
3-Oct
Sparkassen Münsterland Giro
Titte Van Laer
4-Oct
Paris - Bourges
Samuel Leroux
6-Oct
Tour de Vendée
Christophe Laporte
6-Oct
Giro dell'Emilia
Pello Bilbao
7-Oct
Paris - Tours
Arnaud Démare
7-Oct
Gran Premio Bruno Bhegelli
Edward Ravasi
9-Oct
Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey
Stephane Beeckman
9-Oct
Tre Valli Varesine
Giulio Ciccone
10-Oct
Milano - Torino
Simon Yates
11-Oct
Gran Piemonte
Damien Howson
13-Oct
Il Lombardia
David Gaudu
13-Oct
Tacx Pro Classic
Coen Vermeltfoort
14-Oct
Chrono des Nations
Tony Martin
16-Oct
Gree-Tour of Guangxi
Hermann Pernsteiner
21-Oct
Japan Cup Cycle Road Race
Aleksander Vlasov
Evaluation
*To be updated in the upcoming 2021 Season Review post.*
R&R: No training ride this month. Start of the offseason.
Woah, crazy changes in the cycling world Looking forward to seeing AVV especially in the new mixed peloton though
Ian Superstar wrote:
Going for Option A to join the Nigeria national team because I need to break this tie and I would like to see Marcus Diamond play some international football.
Bring back The Two of Us
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
I hung up the phone. I was overjoyed and kind of sad at the same time. I couldn't stop thinking about what my dad would have said if he was still alive. I think he would have been proud. I didn't plan for this to happen, but it feels right.
I accepted Jay-Jay Okocha's offer to represent the Nigeria national team.
My childhood dream of playing for England was exactly that, a dream. I can't afford to wait around for a better opportunity to come along. Seize the chances you are given. That's what I plan to do with a berth in the World Cup on the line.
But first, a club tune-up game with Helmond Sport.
Match Day #15 at De Graafschap (10-3-2)
November 5, 2021
On the road against the league leaders. This can't end well.
Spoiler
De Graafschap 3, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: A goal in the first minute set the tone and Helmond Sport couldn't recover, despite narrowly holding more possession throughout the contest. A result that doesn't surprise anyone.
Rating: 6.7 - Not the type of warm-up game I wanted.
Player of Game: Anthony van den Hurk, De Graafschap (9.0)
World Cup Qualifier Match #6 vs. South Africa
November 12, 2021
First international appearance for Marcus Diamond with Nigeria.
Spoiler
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. from Abuja Stadium
Pregame: A perfect evening for a crucial showdown between African rivals Nigeria and South Africa.
Let's set the stage before the ball gets rolling in front of 53,000-plus spectators. A win for either team clinches a spot at the 2022 World Cup in China. A draw would open the door for Algeria, getting ready to play simultaneously with our coverage in Gabon.
Everything to play for on the final day of the competition.
We are looking forward to the drama on the field. But you can't ignore the craziness of what has happened off the field for Nigeria leading into this crucial match.
The Flying Eagles made a rash decision to fire head coach Paul Aigbogun after a 2-1 friendly loss to DR Congo a month ago. Aigbogun had only been with the team for three months and helped them get to this point.
Alas, Nigeria saw the opportunity to bring in national icon Jay-Jay Okocha and took it. Time will tell if this was the right move or not.
Okocha has brought in a few new faces into the lineup. It will be interesting to see how they get on. Most notably Marcus Diamond, a British import making his debut on a massive stage. No pressure kid.
On the other side of the pitch, South Africa went 0-3 at the African Cup of Nations tournament early this summer but beat Gabon and Algeria in World Cup Qualifiers to regain morale.
Summary: Enough chatter, the opening whistle has been blown.
3' / The Flying Eagles have started strong and won't allow South Africa to even touch the ball. Constant pressure.
5' /GOAL! Marcus Diamond to Joel Obi to Kingsley Madu to Alex Iwobi for a wonderfully worked goal. The 25-year-old Arsenal winger with his eighth international goal. It's a dream start for the Flying Eagles.
16' / Nigeria is playing counter football at its finest.
17' / We have reports that Gabon, yes, Gabon has scored against Algeria. Frederic Bulot has Gabon leading 1-0.
34' / And now Gabon has scored against themselves... Own goal ties up the other match that won't have any significance if Nigeria or South Africa can pull out a win.
34' /GOAL! The scenes. I don't believe my own eyes. Marcus Diamond has scored on his debut! You can't write a script any better. He brings down Iwobi's cross with a touch of class and toe bashes the ball into the back of the net, 2-0. The crowd is going ballistic.
Jay-Jay Okocha, who has been questioned all week about bringing in a relatively unknown foreigner into the squad, now looks like a genius.
45' / We have reached halftime. Complete dominance by Nigeria. Two goals and held South Africa to one shot on target. Do you keep pushing for more or go defensive and shut up shop?
Gabon and Algeria remain tied at 1-1.
53' / Nigeria has pulled back offensively. They are happy up 2-0.
66' / Nigeria winger Moses Simon is taken off with a twisted ankle.
70' / South Africa loses a player to injury as well. 19-year-old left back Sinethemba Qalanto goes down with a groin injury.
81' / The first booking of the game. Yellow card to South Africa's Eric Mathoho. South Africa is running out of time and patience.
88' /GOAL! A near post upper-90 finish for Percy Tau. South Africa is right back in when all seemed lost.
90' / Six minutes of stoppage time announced.
93' / A controversial penalty has been called... for Algeria. Sofiane Hanni slots it and the final whistle goes soon after. Algeria escapes with a 2-1 win over Gabon. Everyone's attention now turns to the final minutes in Nigeria, where a draw would see Algeria sneak through to the World Cup.
95' / All out press from South Africa. Tau sails a shot over the goal.
96' / The final whistle. Nigeria is going to the World Cup!
The game-winning goal belongs to Marcus Diamond on his debut.
Nigeria 2, South Africa 1
Rating: 7.1 - I'm speechless. What a game. What a moment scoring my first international goal. It hasn't even hit me yet that I will be playing in the World Cup next year. This is the best early birthday present ever.
Player of Game: Alex Iwobi, Nigeria (7.9)
Match Day #17 vs. Telstar (5-8-3)
November 19, 2021
Helmond Sport drew 1-1 with FC Den Bosch while I was with Nigeria.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 2, Telstar 0
Summary: Marcus Diamond needed five minutes to turn international glory into club success. A quick counter attack sees Arne Naudts head down a cross right into Diamond's path. It would have been harder to miss. Helmond Sport added a second goal in the second half and held out for a shutout.
Rating: 7.3 - Found my scoring boots.
Player of Game: Giovanni Hiwat, Helmond Sport (7.5)
Match Day #18 vs. RKC (4-7-6)
November 26, 2021
Another year older. Happy belated birthday to me.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 3, RKC 2
Summary: Three goals in the first 37 minutes for Helmond Sport, include another tap-in for Marcus Diamond. Despite a downpour and RKC scoring first, Helmond Sport continues to climb the league table.
Rating: 8.6 - Goal No. 4 for the club and my third goal in the last three weeks. Not sure what has gotten into me, but I like it.
Player of Game: Furhgill Zeldenrust, Helmond Sport (9.0)
Match Day #19 at Jung Utrecht (5-13-0)
November 29, 2021
Only three days rest, but Jung Utrecht is at the bottom of the table.
Spoiler
Jung Utrecht 4, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: Fatigued or not, Helmond Sport gets absolutely embarrassed. Jong Utrecht thrashes Helmond 4-0 and outshoots them 23-4 (12-3 shots on target). Find somewhere to hide after a showing like this.
Rating: 6.1 - Honestly, I don't know what the manager was thinking. A lot of guys with tired legs, myself include, played for no reason. This beat down is on the head coach, not us. You can tell him I said that.
Player of Game: Rayan El Azrak, Jung Utrecht (9.2)
League Standings (19/38 Games Played)
Calendar
Club
International
The World Cup draw doesn't happen until next month, but there is another big international competition coming up in January: the African Championship of Nations. That group draw happened this month.
Given my performance against South Africa, I've already been invited to compete. There will also be two friendlies against Madagascar (Jan. 5) and England (Jan. 8) before the tournament. I would give anything to be in the starting XI to square off against England. That would be incredible.
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Lock Lifted: Due to an exceptional month, Marcus Diamond will see one stat lock lifted. Whichever locked attribute receives the most votes gets restored. A tie will be decided by a random generator.
World Cup Draw: Predictions for one of the biggest events in sports are well underway. Who will end up in the Group of Death? Who gets the easy path to the quarterfinals? Can Croatia repeat? Will China bribe the organizers to get an easy group after taking over hosting duties from Qatar, who failed to be prepared in time? Here are the pots:
Correctly pick who ends up in Nigeria's group to earn perks in the future. The more teams you get right, the more perks you will receive.
What a crazy awesome month, just brilliant. We're going to the World Cup
Tough choice for the locked stat as there's a fair few I'd like to see unlocked, but I'll toss a vote to... Anticipation. Happy with that, Long Shots, Finishing or Composure though. Not sure
+2 Flair
+1 Natural Fitness
+2 Off the Ball
Group pick:
Argentina
France
Nigeria
USA
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing