retired_workingmom77

100th post \o/

October/November/December 2010

With the season entering it's final stage thankfully relegation was at the back of our minds as we continued to try and maintain and hopefully improve our lower mid table position. However our chances of a respectable mid table finish were dealt a huge amount of damage as we opened October with two narrow defeats. The first of which was down to a very dubious penalty decision at the Parque Antartica against Palmeiras. I honestly felt that it wasn't a penalty but against my opinion the penalty was given and Jonathan duly stuck it in the back of the net. Despite dominating the rest of the game in search for an equaliser we went down to the narrowest of defeats. We could have no complaints about our next defeat as we were outplayed by the champions Corinthians who exacted their revenge on us, that said there was again only one goal in it. It was a well worked team goal by Corinthians and our defence was punished for taking too high a line. In the end it was the 17 year old youngster Santos that completed the move and I have to say what a great young prospect he looks, just one part of Corinthians impressive youth setup.

The next game was one we were expected to win against soon to be relegated Ponte Preta, but the Sao Paulo side were desperately trying to cling onto survival and former Feyernoord winger Gerson Magrao's goal gave them the lead. In the end it took a late Diego Morais equaliser to salvage a point as we continued to slide down the table. At last we got what was in my eyes a positive result although it was not the full three points. At home to Santos was a daunting prospect especially after we had humiliated them in the previous game in their own backyard. They looked impressive as Samuel opened the scoring for 1-0 but once again they were easily overpowered at the back and Wellington and Juliano exploited this to give us a 2-1 lead. Defensive frailties were not exclusive to the Santos team as we foolishly let Carlinhos in for the equaliser to make it 2-2. A fantastic 30 yard drive from Joao Paulo gave us the lead again but late on Carlinhos completed a brace and rescued a point to end a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Next up unfortunately we were dealt a thrashing by Atletico Paranaense, Fagner Galvao's tap in after a Gimenez's penalty was saved the only consolation in a 4-1 defeat. Cleiton Xavier, Mozart and Schumacher on target for Paranaense who were looking to pip Fluminense to the title, also Corinthians were coming on the scene but it may be too little too late for the reigning champions. After that humiliating defeat came a wonderful victory. Sport Recife had really shown us up in the last meeting between us and the players didn't need me to remind them of that and they duly responded. Two Juliano free kicks were unfortunately cancelled out by Giuseppe and Gustavo as we entered the break level at 2-2. In the second half however we showed why we were in the division. A brace from Wellington and another trademark hit from Joao Paulo gave us a memorable 5-2 win.

Next was another game that we should have won against relegation certainties Parana. Despite mathematically in with a shout of survival it was beginning to look impossible for Parana and we showed their frailties up in the first half as Wellington and Pablo Correa grounded out a 2-0 lead. But once again we let it slip and two late goals from Paulinho Macaiba and promising winger Moises rescued a point for Parana. Moises is definately a player we will be looking out for in the future should he wish to return to the First Division.

That game was followed sadly by another defeat this time to São Paulo, but it was an exciting game to watch. São Paulo took the lead through Roger but were soon pegged back as Wellington scored the equaliser. São Paulo were to increase their lead before half time as Roger got his second and Diego Tardelli got the first of what was to become a hat trick. Tardelli got his second not long after the break but two quick goals from Wellington and Whoshington made it 4-3 and set up an exciting finish at Morumbi. Despite our best efforts, Tardelli wrapped up the hat trick and a 5-3 win.

That defeat was sadly followed by another two losses, Fagner Galvao scoring as we went down to vitoria 3-1 and Wellington notching up another goal as we went battling down to a 2-1 defeat against Bahia. Our optimistic approach to the last three months was not becoming a reality and we slipped to 16th, our lowest position throughout the whole of the campaign.

But there was a final flourish as goals from Wellington, Whoshington and Juliano gave us an important 3-1 win against tough outfit São Caetano. This was followed by a 4-0 trouncing of Coritiba, goals coming from Clecio, Wellington and Whoshington. We had a little slip up against Botafogo and Juan Guillermo Pinzon scored a late equaliser as we had to settle for a 2-2 draw. We finished the season in perfect style with a win against Copa Libertadores champions Mineiro. A Wellington hat trick cancelling out goals from Ralfe and Andre. With that victory we ended up finishing in 15th place a great acheivement all round.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Palmeiras 0-1 TV A First DivisionCorinthians 0-1 TV H First DivisionPonte Preta 1-1 A First Division Diego MoraisSantos 3-3 H First Division Juliano, Joao Paulo, WellingtonA. Paranaense 1-4 TV A First Division GalvãoSport Recife 5-2 H First Division Juliano(2), Joao Paulo, Wellington(2)Parana 2-2 H First Division Whoshington, CorreaSão Paulo 3-5 A First Division Whoshington, Wellington(2)Vitoria 1-3 TV A First Division GalvãoBahia 1-2 TV A First Division WellingtonSão Caetano 3-1 H First Division Juliano, Whoshington, WellingtonCoritiba 4-0 H First Division Clecio, Wellington, Whoshington(2)Botafogo 2-2 A First Division Wellington, PinzonAtletico Mineiro 3-2 A First Division Wellington(3)************************************* ************************************************** ************************************************** ***</pre>
First Division Final Standings 2010
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ================================================== ================================================== ========================================Brazilian First Division 2010============================================== ================================================== ============================================Pos. Team P W D L F A G.D Pts.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. C Corinthians 38 22 10 6 71 36 +35 76 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Fluminense 38 22 7 9 73 52 +21 733. Atletico Paranaense 38 21 10 7 75 42 +33 734. Palmeiras 38 18 11 9 62 44 +18 65 5. Flamengo 38 17 6 15 64 60 +4 576. São Caetano 38 17 5 16 69 67 +2 567. Bahia 38 15 11 12 48 44 +4 568. Vitoria 38 16 6 16 64 61 +3 549. Santos 38 13 13 12 65 56 +9 5210. Gremio 38 13 13 12 73 72 +1 5211. São Paulo 38 14 8 16 70 64 +6 5012. Internacional 38 13 11 14 51 51 0 5013. Sport Recife 38 14 7 17 62 76 -14 4914. Atletico Mineiro 38 12 12 14 51 53 -2 4815. HERMANN AICHINGER 38 12 11 15 69 73 -4 4716. Cruzeiro 38 13 7 18 53 71 -18 4617. Botafogo 38 10 14 14 45 54 -9 4418. Coritiba 38 10 12 16 50 63 -7 42--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19. R Ponte Preta 38 6 12 20 32 65 -33 3020. R Parana 38 5 8 25 47 90 -43 23================================================ ================================================== ==========================================</pre>

2010 League Information

First Division

Champions
Corinthians

Runners Up
Fluminense

Relegated
Ponte Preta
Parana

Top Scorer
30- Samuel (Santos)

Second Division

Champions
Vasco

Runners Up
Portuguesa

Relegated
Botafogo(PB)
Treze

Top Scorer
20- Anderson (Vasco)

Third Division

Champions
CRAC

Promoted
Itabuna

Top Scorer
17- Danilo Nascif (Itabuna)

retired_workingmom77

retired_milla0225

Congrats on 100 posts Xenon. I do like to see stories develop, and this one continues to be as enthraling as ever.

retired_workingmom77

Thanks a lot chesterfan, it's still as enjoyable to write as ever

On a cold December morning, Wolfgang received a message from the NPD. It detailed the location of the scheduled meeting and frankly Wolfgang was more than surprised by the message. He called Sam and within an hour his manager was entering his office, the season was now over and Sam looked disgruntled at being distracted from his holiday almost as though he had forgotten about the situation. As he entered Wolfgang's office, his chairman flung an envelope across his desk. Sam retrieved the letter from inside the envelope, before he read it he couldn't help noticing what looked like two airline tickets. Ignoring them and moving on to the letter, he read with as much surprise as Wolfgang had done. This didn't sound like the NPD they both knew.

We finally have arranged a time and place for our meeting, apologies we have not contacted you sooner but we wanted to sort out a few things to make your trip more enjoyable. We wish to extend an invitation to you, to visit our new club. We will lay on corporate hospitality and it will be the perfect place to resolve our differences. Our new club are a lot higher profile than a South American club such as yours. So please find enclosed to first class tickets from São Paulo to Munich. From there you will be driven to the stadium where you can enjoy the local derby that is due to take place and we can sort things out for good.

Sam looked up from the letter at Wolfgang, who looked fairly amused.

"We're going to Munich"

***

Upon arrival in Munich, they were picked up in a limousine and driven to the stadium. Sam was expecting some lower league side from the Munich suburbs but to his surprise they arrived at the Allianz Arena the home of Munich's two premier sides. As they arrived at the huge stadium they were greeted and directed to a corporate box, given champagne, cigars, anything they wanted. They were still sat enjoying the delights of corporate hospitality when the match between 1860 Munich and FC Bayern kicked off, still no-one from the NPD had met them. Finally around ten minutes into the match a rotundly built man entered, his two bodyguards waiting at the door. He could only be the Vice President who had invited them here, this so called Gunther. He shook both of their hands and sat down.

"Apologies for being late, I hope you are both well. Are you enjoying yourselves?"

"This is all very generous of you, so which of these clubs is yours then?" asked Wolfgang.

"We hold majority shares in 1860 Munich, somehow I don't think we have the resources to own a club such as FC Bayern"

"Where did the money come from?"

"We have been lucky to welcome some new party members with bottomless wallets, we hope the revenue from the club generates a huge election campaign from which we eill take control of the country, but of course you knew our aims all along."

Sam spoke for the first time.

"So, what do you want?"

"Honestly, to set your minds at rest. Helmut was an out of control leader, he got us bogged down in a power struggle with Heinrich in the middle of nowhere in Brazil, no offence. The recent attempts on your life, orders came from Helmut's cell not from myself. Now I'm in control, we are moving forward rather than backwards and we think its best that we end all this animoscity. As a gesture of good will we are offering to fund the stadium expansion for your club, but we ask that you consider something in return."

"What?"

"Come and manage 1860 Munich, you are obviously a telented manager and you don't want to spend all your career in Brazil"

"Thanks for the offer, but I really am happy at the club and I don't want to be associated with anyone from your organisation to be honest"

"That's fine, I will still contact you over the stadium expansion later on. Please enjoy the match and hospitality, I will leave you in peace"

With that he got up and left, Sam and Wolfgang drank the bar dry and began to plan the rest of the night in the Bavarian city, which invloved visits to all the major beer halls and clubs in town. FC Bayern romped to a 3-0 win, ironically all the scorers were Brazilian, Fred, Evandro Roncatto and Juan all scoring. As they walked out Wolfgang laughed.

"After that performance it looks as though they could do with a manager like you"

retired_workingmom77

Santa Catarina State Round-Up 2011

After having a disappointing state campaign last season, we were out to win the tournament this season. It would be difficult though, the players were still tired from last season and we had Barbosa, Juliano, Juan Pinzon and Pablo Correa competing in the South American Under 20 Championships. We had a very easy opener against new boys Carlos Renaux, Wellington the pick of the scorers as he netted four. Fagner Galvao was also on the score sheet, as were Whoshington and Joao Paulo. Those goals plus an own goal from Fernando gave us a thumping 8-0 opening win. Next was a home match against Guarani de Palhoca, who had luckily escaped relegation last season. A Joilson own goal set us on our way but we couldn't seem to add to our lead after that. It took until Diego Carvalho's sending off for the floodgates to open and Wellington, Whoshington, Galvao, Joao Paulo and Matheus were all on target in a 9-0 win.

With Barbosa playing for Brazil Under 20’s and with us yet to find a replacement for the São Paulo bound Paulo Cerqueira we approached our next game with Criciuma without a first team keeper. Reserve keeper Ricardo was drafted in to replace Barbosa and with several injuries in addition to the players on international duty, confidence was low against a side that were renowned for punching above their weight. It was a humiliation in the end, two divisions separated us from Criciuma but despite this they pulled off a comfortable 3-0 win. Gugu, Sandro and a penalty from Adriano Sella firing Criciuma to top of the group, Avai also winning left us in third and with work to do.

Whoshington scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Marcilio Dias, a game that the home fans were expecting a landslide win. They were left frustrated as our build up to the season continued on a sour note, also the goalkeeper problem remained. It wouldn’t get much better for us as we slipped to a 1-0 defeat in our next match against Avai, Marquinhos netting in another unexpected victory.

News that our youngsters had completed their international duty and were back to face Carlos Renaux. Pablo Correa had picked up a winners medal with Argentina but had also picked up an injury that would sideline him until the start of the league season. A full strength team hit Carlos Renaux for seven, Wellington, Whoshington, Para and two great free kicks from Juliano completing the demolition.

Revenge was had against Criciuma but it wasn’t entirely convincing as goals from Juliano and Fagner Galvao wrapped up a 2-0 win and put us back in a qualification position. This was followed by a 3-0 win against Marcilio Dias and a magnificent hat trick from Juliano, two of the goals from free kicks. Unfortunately he picked up an injury and Moises deputised for him in the next match against minnows Guarani de Palhoca, unbelievably we were held to a 2-2 draw. Moises and Whoshington both had their goals cancelled out as Guarani de Palhoca fought to avoid relegation.

We finished the group stage with a 4-2 win at home to Avai., who took the lead before Whoshington and Wellington swung the advantage our way. Avai equalised but Colombian winger Juan Guillermo Pinzon netted twice to seal the points and passage to the Semi’s as we somewhat frustratingly came runners up in the group
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ================================================== ================================================== ====Brazilian Santa Catarina State Championship Group 1 - 2011============================================== ================================================== ========Pos. Team P W D L F A G.D Pts.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Q Criciuma 10 8 1 1 26 4 +22 252. Q Hermann Aichinger 10 7 1 2 36 8 +28 22--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Avai 10 6 1 3 21 9 +12 194. Marcilio Dias 10 3 3 4 8 12 -4 125. Guarani de Palhoca 10 1 1 8 9 28 -19 4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. R Carlos Renaux 10 1 1 8 5 44 -39 4================================================= ================================================== =====</pre>

Semi Final Draw
Hermann Aichinger vs. Figueirense
Joinville vs. Criciuma

Our third successive Semi Final and in honesty it was more of a shambles than last year. Figueirense had a point to prove and with our huge catalogue of injuries they ripped us apart in the first leg. At one point it was 1-1 after Whoshington had equalised Figueirense early opener. Para then was sent off and from there we were demolished as Figueirense cruised to a 4-1 win, Ze Carlos, William and former CAHA old boy Adriano poignantly sealing the win.

We needed to respond in the return leg but in all honesty the upcoming league season was on everyones minds as a despondant display saw us crumble and lose 2-0, 6-1 on aggregate. Hopefully our form would improve in the league season, it seemed to me that the players just couldn't be bothered with this competetion.

Final

Criciuma beat Figueirense on penalties after a goal-less second leg.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Carlos Renaux 8-0 A Santa Catarina João Paulo, Galvão, Whoshington, Wellington(4)Guarani de Palhoca 9-0 H Santa Catarina Matheus, João Paulo, Galvão(2), Whoshington(2), Wellington(2)Criciuma 0-3 A Santa Catarina Marcilio Dias 1-0 H TV Santa Catarina WhoshingtonAvai 0-1 A Santa CatarinaCarlos Renaux 7-0 H Santa Catarina Para(2), Juliano(2), Whoshington(2), WellingtonCriciuma 2-0 H Santa Catarina Juliano, GalvãoMarcilio Dias 3-0 A Santa Catarina Juliano(3)Guarani de Palhoca 2-2 A TV Santa Catarina Moises, WhoshingtonAvai 4-2 H Santa Catarina Whoshington, Wellington, Pinzon(2)Figueirense 1-4 A TV Santa Catarina WhoshingtonFigueirense 0-2 H TV Santa Catarina ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************</pre>

retired_workingmom77

Such a humiliating failure in a competetion they should have easily won, was very hard for the Hermann Aichinger faithful to accept and there was a lot of bad feeling around the club. Sam had just celebrated an amazing 6 years at the club, which had to be some kind of record around these parts. The disappointment from the state championship was soon forgotten when the fans remembered that their English manager had taken them from the depths and established them in the top flight of Brazilian football. Competing on the South American stage was the next step and Sam knew it would not be long until CAHA would be making their debut appearance in tournaments like the Copa Libertadores.

The fans would have something extra to cheer about as the long planned stadium expansion went into action and architects were sent over from Bavaria to plan the whole thing. Construction started soon after the state championship had ended. Sam turned up to pay a visit to the site as part of a media piece for the club website. He was given a flourescent builders jacket and a rather comical looking bright red hard hat with the club's logo emblazoned on the front. Wolfgang was already there overseeing the construction, there certainly was a lot to oversee. Sam had never seen a workforce this big.

"This is all a bit much isn't it?" he asked, motioning towards the multitude of workers scurrying around the site.

"All hands on deck, we want this finished by September"

"So what exactly are they doing?"

"Well, first they are modernising the existing part. New seating, accessibilty and all those kind of things. Then each stand is getting a new tier, each seating 3,750. So by the end of it we will have a modern 18,000 all seater stadium. They are saying early September for completion, do you know what home game we have for that sort of time"

"I'm not sure but I think it may be São Paulo, that should be a barrel of laughs, opening the stadium to the side that seems to be the only one to thrash us for fun on a regular basis."

"Anyway I'll catch up with you later, you better do that thing for the website"

Sam made his way over to where he was to have his picture taken. The website had insisted that two players accompany him in the photo, begrudgingly Sam managed to drag Juliano and Pablo Correa, two of the more popular players off the training pitch for the publicity shot. They took the picture and one of the photographers insisted that Pablo should climb up one of the scaffolds having his picture taken with a better view of the construction site in the backdrop. The little Argentinian was more than happy to have yet another picture of him in the website, but the scaffold was fairly treacherous and Sam was less than enthusiastic as he lambasted the photographer.

"No way, if he breaks leg, you'll find yourself up a certain creek without a paddle!"

retired_workingmom77

May 2011

The start of the new season saw us entertain newly promoted Portuguesa at home. I had been surprised that Portuguesa had finished runners up to Vasco, they had always been a good side but one that regularly under-acheived. Losing their star player Celsinho to Belgian side Club Brugge was a huge blow but they certainly responded well and gained promotion fairly comfortably. Barbosa, Pinzon and Correa were still on international duty and we were forced to bring in Guarani keeper Caio on an emergency loan signing. We started well as Wellington reached a huge landmark on the half hour, his 100th league goal for the club coming impressively at the start of only his 4th season at the club. It was after that that things started to go a bit wrong for us, Portuguesa started to play well and soon equalised through right back Schneider. We didn't panic but maybe we should have done as in the second half, Portuguesa took a shock lead. Ricardo Costa heading home for 2-1. We had become accustomed to come-backs on home soil and today was no different, Wellington restored the scoreline to 2-2 and it looked as though we would have to settle for a draw until Clecio headed in from a corner in stoppage time. 3-2 and an opening day win.

Unfortunately we then had to take our understrength side to face São Paulo side that were currently odds on to de-throne Corinthians as champions. Their front-line was frankly more than intimidating and we shown the extent of their ability as Roger netted a sublime hat-trick. That combined with a goal from Tardelli and one from former Shakhtar and Internacional forward Fernandinho completed a 5-0 win for São Paulo. It was the first real thrashing we had received and it was destructive to team morale.

We found in our next game that the best remedy after being hit for five was to go and score five yourself. Coritiba found out the hard way as they were on the receiving end of a Whoshington hat-trick plus one each from Joao Paulo and Wellington. To their credit they managed to grab two consolation goals through Michael and Francismar but it was our day as we won 5-2.

Next came Atletico Paranaense who had narrowly missed out on the title last season as both they and Fluminense were burgled by Corinthians. All the goals came in the last 10 minutes as we were reduced to 10 men and were trying to slavage something from the game. A penalty apiece set up a nervous finish as both sides looked for a winner. On this occasion it was to be Paranaense's day as Rodriguinho netted the winner as the game ended 2-1.

Pablo Correa made his return from an injury picked up playing for Agentina Under 20's and scored a fantastic goal against São Caetano. it wasn't enough to win the game as a long range drive from Schmoller shared the points, ending it 1-1. Two wins, two losses and a draw was a solid enough start to the game. Little did we know that over the course of the season it would get a lot better.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Portuguesa 3-2 H TV First Division Wellington(2), ClecioSão Paulo 0-5 A First Division Coritiba 5-2 H First Division Whoshington(3), Wellington, João PauloAtletico Paranaense 1-2 A First Division GimenezSão Caetano 1-1 H TV First Division Correa******************************************** ************************************************** **********************************************</pre>

retired_workingmom77

June 2011

It had been a fairly solid start to the season, but I was eager to see more from a team that I knew could compete among the best in this league. Their potential was largely ignored by the media and even after a great 15th place finish in our first season, plus some of the most talented youngsters, our chances of surviving another season were not rated highly. It was ludicrous when I knew this team could be pushing for continental competition places. We started June with a visit to Atletico Mineiro, our games with the Belo Horizonte side always were lively and this one was no exception. Mineiro were a dangerous side and with the combined strike force of Rafael Lopes and the promising young forward Marco Aurelio we would have to be defensively on top of our game to get anything out of it. It was us that took the lead, in form striker and fan hero Wellington splitting the Mineiro defence apart and bagging a great goal. We were unable to enjoy the 1-0 lead for long as Mineiro hit back on the counter attack and Marco Aurelio headed in an equaliser. It rapidly started to go downhill for us as Rafael Lopes netted a brace in the space of ten minutes and all of a sudden we were 3-1 down. Just before the break Lucas Rocha scored his first goal for the club and he volleyed direct from a Juliano corner to pull it back to 3-2. It was an inspired fight back from the team in the second half as not long into it, Wellington managed to grab an equaliser. The momentum was now with us as Wellington went on to put us into the lead, completing a hat trick with what would prove to be the winning goal. We won 4-3 in the end.

Next up were Flamengo, who were looking very good so far this season. That said, we still managed to continue our good form against the Rio side. A fairly comfortable display with two goals from Whoshington and one from João Paulo set up a 3-0 lead. Bruno Mezenga grabbed a late consolation but we cruised to a 3-1 victory. Our final game of June was against Gremio. There was only one goal in it, a well taken penalty by Juan Guillermo Pinzon who just this week has been attracting attention from both Marseille and Lyon. Three wins from three a great result for us as we climbed to 4th in the table.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Atletico Mineiro 4-3 A TV First Division Wellington(3), RochaFlamengo 3-1 H First Division João Paulo, Whoshington(2)Gremio 1-0 A TV First Division Pinzon******************************************** ************************************************** **********************************************</pre>

retired_pimpim

Well done mate a good read :thup:

retired_workingmom77

Thanks taylor

Somewhere in Eastern Russia............

The sun began to rise over a lonely and desolate village in one of the most remote parts of Russia. The warm rays enveloped the tiny settlement, penetrating the heavy clouds that had hung ominously over the turbulent night. The villagers were mostly agricultural workers yet on this fine morning, a stranger was in their midst. He was a tall and powerful looking man, most probably ex-armed forces. He strode along the small lane, attracting the gazes of the locals. He was clearly a man of immense wealth, a crisp designer suit, expensive jewellry all betrayed his obvious affluence. He made his way deep into the tiny village and walked towards a small building that was not unlike its neighbouring structures, small and shabby yet fairly cheerful and cosy. He unlocked the front door and went inside, moving into the main room of the building he found two men waiting for him. They both glared at him with an expectant look in their eyes. The newcomer removed his jacket, sat himself down and proceeded to light an expensive looking Cuban cigar. He finally broke silence.

"Comrades, we have a mark"

One of the men sat at the table immediately showed his eagerness.

"Who is it and when do we leave?"

"Patience Nikolai, this order comes from the top. Bigger than anything we have done before and a bigger paycheck at the end of it. Despite the client's undoubted importance, the mark or should I say marks are fairly low profile this should be an easy hit. We should be able to complete the job with just the three of us."

"So there is more than one target, Vladimir?"

The other man asked.

"That is correct Sergey, tomorrow we leave for São Paulo and from there we travel to a region called Santa Catarina, apparantly this is were the targets are. Over the next few weeks we will begin observations, but we will strike when the time is right and when we get the order. This could take time."

Sergey laughed.

"Sun, sea, sand and women. This reminds me of our time in Cuba"

"Need I be reminded of your lucky posting? While you were sunning yourself in Cuba, I was in a foxhole in Chechnya with the Spetsnaz. Plus I hear this part of the country can get pretty cold, so don't get too excited".

Vladimir proceed to pour three small shots of the local Vodka into three shot glasses. He offered them to Sergey and Nikolai, preparing to make a toast.

"So we are to go into battle once more brothers. To Brazil!"

They raised their glasses and gulped down the fiery spirit.