Anastasiania at the Tyrellian Ylompics

Anastasiania are sending a squad of 374 athletes to the Tyrellian Ylompic Games, despite the diminutive size of the nation. This is partly due to the high sport participation in the country and partly due to the desire to send "everyone with a chance of finishing in the top forty" as Olympic Committee Chairwoman Lisa Ormsby stated when she announced the squad. The flag bearer will be cycling star Minna Hartskog.

Medals

				Total
Anastasiania (ANS?)	0	0	0	0

Delegation & results

Cycling

Women's Road Race: Minna Hartskog, Sarah Rapid, May Brown Men's Road Race: Kevin Harris, Ken Lunny Women's Time Trial: Minna Hartskog, May Brown Men's Time Trial: Kevin Harris, Ken Lunny Men's 1000m Time Trial: Maia Lehkosuo, Ricardo Olivares, Joan Moore Women's 500m Time Trial: Warren Rushton, Erik Åhlland Men's Keirin: Erik Åhlland Men's Madison: Morten Irgren/Seamus Pearce Men's Individual Pursuit: Noel Coe, Daniel Crutchley Women's Individual Pursuit: Alexandra Nuttall, Zoe Harris Men's Team Sprint: Rune Claesson/Erik Åhlland/Esa Niskanen Women's Points Race: Jean Levy Men's Points Race: Mark Kinsella, Philip Wainwright Men's Sprint: Erik Åhlland, Esa Niskanen Women's Sprint: Runa Trankvist Men's Team Pursuit: Noel Coe/Daniel Crutchley/Jani Ryti Women's Cross Country: Ella Järvensivu, Lina Gripenhall Men's Cross Country: James Caiger, Danny Lagord

Hartskog has been named as a favourite both in road race and time trial, while Lunny is in with a genuine chance in the time trial after finishing second in the final time trial of the Tour of Spruitland, behind Walter Kippel. Anastasianians are very keen on the cycling sport, and have seen a number of talents rise through the ranks in recent years.

Swimming

Men 50m Freestyle: Liam Benson, Seymour Conrad Women 50m Freestyle: Edith Downey, Kelly Garner, Sandra Clarke Men 100m Backstroke: Ashley Byerley, Andre Göransson, Seymour Conrad Men 100m Breaststroke: Dexter McCammon, Sven Ejeborg Men 100m Butterfly: Seymour Conrad, Paul Miller Men 100m Freestyle: Seymour Conrad, Liam Benson, Mitch Gadsby Women 100m Backstroke: Heather McDonnell, Jill Bolland, Sandra Clarke Women 100m Breaststroke: Barbara Wolf, Tamara Gower, Kay Evans Women 100m Butterfly: Anna Utterström, Therese Karlsson Women 100m Freestyle: Kelly Garner, Carole Neville, Maj Vikhaga Men 200m Backstroke: Stuart Shea, Andre Göransson Men 200m Breaststroke: Peter Bolan, Sven Ejeborg Men 200m Butterfly: Jens Jacobsson, Paul Miller Men 200m Freestyle: Billy Houghton, Mitch Gadsby, Stuart Shea Women 200m Backstroke: Nora Falk, Andrea Carter, Jill Bolland Women 200m Breaststroke: Tamara Gower, Eve Carn Women 200m Butterfly: Nora Falk, Anna Utterström Women 200m Freestyle: Carole Neville, Maj Vikhaga Men 400m Freestyle: Billy Houghton Women 400m Freestyle: Chandra Hawkes, Nancy Hatchard Men 400m Ind. Medley: Paul Miller, Stuart Shea Women 400m Ind. Medley: Nora Falk Men 4x100m Freestyle: Seymour Conrad/Liam Benson/Mitch Gadsby/Kevin Ready Women 4x100m Freestyle: Marja Rantanen/Carole Neville/Maj Vikhaga/Kelly Garner Men 4x100m Medley: Ashley Byerley/Sven Ejeborg/Seymour Conrad/Liam Benson Women 4x100m Medley: Heather McDonnell/Kay Evans/Therese Karlsson/Carole Neville Women 800m Freestyle: Philippa Jacobi Men 1500m Freestyle: Steven Harvey

Anastasianian media believes that the best gold chances lie with Bolland in the women's 100m backstroke, Utterström in the women's 100m butterfly, Falk in the women's 200m butterfly and Shea in the men's 400m medley.

Gymnastics

Men's Gymnastics Qualifying: Aleksis Vartio, Allen Huntly, Mattias Stjärnbeck Women's Gymnastics Qualifying: Susanna Silvererberg, Aimee Portsmouth, Tara Stockton, Johanna Hannula Men's Trampoline: Rolf Jacobsson, Robert Varish Women's Trampoline: Petria Sorely, Mary Pearce

A rather large gymnastics squad are, however, not believing in any chance of a medal.

Athletics

Men's 100m: Craig Cleverley, Hermann Andren Women's 100m: Cathrin Relander Men's 200m: Craig Cleverley, Jon Harewood, Hermann Andren Women's 200m: Anna Råberg Men's 400m: Miikka Pasanen Men's 800m: Miikka Pasanen Men's 1500m: Jonas Svensson Women's 1500m: Terrie Duncum, Kate Crowhurst Women's 5000m: Sarah Tindall Women's 10000m: Sarah Tindall Men's 50km Walk: Tuomas Soininen Women's 100m Hurdles: Ida Larsson Men's 110m Hurdles: Adam Råberg Men's 3000m Steeplechase: Richard Bowles Men's 4x100m Relay: Craig Cleverley/Hermann Andren/Adam Råberg/Jon Harewood Men's Long Jump: Ainsley Livermore Women's Long Jump: Cathrin Relander Men's High Jump: Alexander Sarfve, Jim Oldman Women's Shot Put: Gwen Mainey Men's Decathlon: Ken Beckford, Benjamin Downing Women's Heptathlon: Hillary Saville

Alexander Sarfve won the Anastasianian championship by clearing 2.35 on the third attempt, and will be among the champion candidates in Tyrellia. So will Gwen Mainey, whose shot put personal best is a respectable 19.11 meters.

Rowing

Men's Single Sculls: Sune Björmark Men's Double Sculls: Erkki Vanhanen/Pekka Tuomalainen Women's Double Sculls: Wendy Milner/Rachel Adams Men's Quadruple Sculls: Sune Björmark/Erkki Vanhanen/Pekka Tuomalainen/Ian Richmond

Vanhanen and Tuomalainen are probably in with the best chance of a medal, but rowing is a low-profile sport in Anastasiania.

Sailing

Men's Mistral: Pontus Karlsson Laser: Kevin Swales Men's 470: Simon Alvbåge Women's 470: Jane Towse/Eve Seddon Yngling: Lina Olsson/Ann-Cathrin Forsblom/Carolina Gouran

Alvbåge have somehow managed to be cited as a medal favourite before the Games, mainly owing to his row of five Anastasianian championships, the only sailor to have managed this.

Shooting

Men's 10m Air Rifle: Peter Nolan, Lee Wheat Women's 20m Pistol: Chandra Hollis Men's Skeet: Brian Butcher Women's Skeet: Louisa Unsworth

Hardly any favourites among the five who turn up in shooting events, as gun shooting is a rather novel events to the Streetian part of the population and many among the Svenska and Suomen communities are opposed to guns due to history.

Archery

Men's Team: Brian Whittingham/Rickard Eriksson/Jesper Daniels Women's Team: Myra Eckstein/Moa Hagman/Amy Bone Men's: Brian Whittingham, Rickard Eriksson, Jesper Daniels Women's: Myra Eckstein, Moa Hagman, Amy Bone

Six archers are sent to Tyrellia, but neither of them are expected to challenge for medals.

Triathlon

Men's: Jacob Prutton, Billy Hyron, Marcus Ring Women's: Matilda Nilsson

Matilda Nilsson has won her last eight triathlon races, including a win in a race held in Sike kali, Rejistania.

Fencing

Women's Epee Individual: Gwen Taylor, Lucy Yorke, Dorothy Blewitt Women's Epee Team: Angela Brook, Gwen Taylor, Dorothy Blewitt, Diane Nahal, Jane Pettersson, Lucy Yorke, Rhianna Taylor, Marlene Smedman, Emily Nicholl Men's Foil Individual: Brian Hockenhull, James Pilgrim Women's Foil Individual: Angra Churms, Rachel van der Merwe

The Anastasianian Olympic Committee refused to comment when they were asked where they found nine women who could wield an epee - or, indeed, what an epee was.

Pentathlon

Men's: Ivan Rowlands, Matthew Bannister Women's: Kari Eldershaw

Canoeing/Kayaking

Women's Single Slalom Kayak: Sandra Fennbäck, Tindra Lundström Men's FC-1 1000m: David Lidholm Women's FC-1 1000m: Nathalie Lidholm Men's FC-2 1000m: Matt Elliot, David Lidholm Men's FK-1 500m: Walter Hatch Women's FK-1 500m: Tiina Lehtinen Men's FK-1 1000m: Casper Pettersson Women's FK-2 500m: Tiina Lehtinen/Ida Jönsson Men's FK-4 1000m: George Stevens/Daniel Sjöberg/Dexter Wotton/Walter Hatch

The K-4 with Stevens, Sjöberg, Wotton and Hatch has put out some very good times in recent training sessions, but they are the only favourites and it will be the only race for these guys - bar Hatch, who is also turning out in the K-1 500 metres and is slated to be the sprinter of the side. He has been known to tire in the late stages of races.

Diving

Men's 3m Springboard: Karl Hemsley, Lars Malmqvist, Göte Leidholt Women's 3m Springboard: Tuulikki Ahtisaari Women's 10m Platform: Imogen McCabrey Men's 3m Sync. Springboard: Karl Hemsley/Keith Standing Women's Sync. 10m Platform: Emilie Jernstig/Imogen McCabrey

Nine divers will represent Anastasiania, with Tuulikki Ahtisaari the best on paper; however, her best international placing is a seventh place at a meet in Starblaydia.

Weightlifting

Men's Lightweight: Jyrki Leppistö, Tony Innes Men's Middleweight: Ryan Hunt Women's Heavyweight: Eva Zachrisson

Wrestling

Men's GR Heavyweight: Steve Marriner Women's FR Middleweight: Abigail Jervis, Danielle Foley Men's FR Heavyweight: Carl Bradford

Taekwondo

Women's Lightweight: Cecilia Westerberg Women's Middleweight: Hanna Rincon (WC) Men's Heavyweight: Leif Otterborg

Rincon is the only one of the combat athletes to have any serious chance of a medal; the four-time Anastasianian champion was also champion of FIFA last year, but has struggled with injuries before the tournament.

Judo

Women's Middleweight: Carita Lilliewall, Faye Arben Women's Heavyweight: Nora Nyman Men's Lightweight: Per-Olof Greisz Men's Middleweight: Peter Svahn

Syncronized Swimming

Women's Duet Sync. Swimming: Sue Symon/Dora Stanford

Equestrian

Individual Jumping: Johanna Rosenqvist, horse: Vikegård

A symbolic participation of one athlete and her horse; however, Rosenqvist has made a name for herself in the world of equestrianism.

Badminton

Men's Singles: Dominic Wilde, Adam Lindbäck Women's Singles: Annett Linder, Helen Vanzan, Gina Dean Men's Doubles: Dominic Wilde/Adam Lindbäck Women's Doubles: Annett Linder/Gina Dean, Helen Vanzan/Cecilia Grahame Mixed Doubles: Dominic Wilde/Helen Vanzan

Dominic Wilde will have a busy two weeks, with participation in three events. However, it is likely he will be eliminated early in the men's singles, and can thus concentrate on the doubles events.

Tennis

Men's Singles: Gavin Crouch, Maurice McDonald, Warren Mayers Women's Singles: Liina Malvalehto, Johanna Månsson, Emilie Sundgren Men's Doubles: Gavin Crouch/Phil Fletcher Women's Doubles: Liina Malvalehto/Emilie Sundgren

Liina Malvalehto is probably the most promising tennis talent Anastasiania will ever see; the 20-year-old has an almost complete array of shots and is a medal candidate both in singles and doubles (with Sundgren, who often puts out her best performances in doubles games).

Table Tennis

Men's Singles: Geoff Mirfin, Jeff Frecklington, Olle Thorstensson Women's Singles: Sara Schelin, Victoria Naysmith Men's Doubles: Geoff Mirfin/Jeff Frecklington, Olle Thorstensson/Fran Staff Women's Doubles: Sara Schelin/Victoria Naysmith

Mirfin is another title challenger; the 28-year-old has won three Anastasianian titles and two FIFA titles, but the question is whether he has the stamina to win all games at the gruelling Ylompic schedule.

Baseball

Pitchers (15):

2 Scott Rumbold 5 David Murgatroyd 9 Mats Oskarsson 12 Ben Eastwood 15 Ottar Aske 17 Andy Mellish 23 Brett Johnston 28 Harvey Gurnell 30 Herman Stockton 32 Burt Hunter 33 Petteri Hirvilahti 48 Joe Clarke 56 Martin Prescott 61 Esko Verhelä 67 Tino Nilsson

Catchers (3):

16 Clyde Jeffrey 41 Allan Bell 62 Craig Herscott

Infielders (10):

3 Gustav Hansson 4 Magnus Lannersjö 6 Matthew Howe 8 Konsta Komulainen 14 Thomas Thydahl 21 Jarkko Jokinen 26 Robbie Luttrell 27 Daniel Pike 31 Jason Cruickshank 46 Stefan Birgersson

Outfielders (8):

7 Esa Salparanta 10 Johan Forsander 11 Chris Gale 20 Juuso Salparanta 22 Craig Nicholas 38 Scott Harvey 42 Jonathan Tressider 54 Steven Day

Baseball is a new sport in the Street, imported mostly from forays into Atlantian Oceanian nations such as Casari and Bedistan. The Anastasianian side is not expected to do well, but Murgatroyd throws a mean curveball and Jokinen is a hard hitter in the local pesäpallo league, where he plays for Väänäkoski.

Basketball

Women's

Guards:

3 Lina Gottander 19 Tora Rahmbrant

Forwards:

12 Outi Ihalainen 16 Susan Molloy 37 Britta Läfvensten 43 Carol Moore 50 Jayne Alston

Centers:

22 Andrea Strandin 40 Tuulikki Ilola 55 Minna Hannila

Basketball is just as new as baseball, but again, there are some talents. 19-year-old Minna Hannila is probably the best, and there are rumours she will play in Sarzonian leagues next season. However, the players are all amateurs, and they are not expected to do well.

Football

Men's

Keepers (3):

1 Michael Leahy, 22, FC Allenby 16 Jason Kimes, 20, Gardwick Albion 25 Darren Lacey, 18, Nudsby Wanderers

Defenders (9):

2 Kari Hokkanen, 19, Heino, left back/central defender 3 Kalervo Kottila, 21, Ärvo, right back/winger 4 Oliver Dyren, 20, FC Köksberg, central defender, captain 5 Sam Brookfield, 18, Wickham, central defender 13 Kevin Wells, 22, Ordwich, left back 17 Mark Hudson, 19, Hittlesham AFC, right back 18 Kuisma Olasmaa, 20, Riihikoski, right back 22 Neil Davis, 18, Bambury United, central defender 24 Jonny Larsson, 21, Björntorp, central defender

Midfielders (8):

6 Maurice Mowat, 21, FC Köksberg, central midfielder 8 Turkka Kivelä, 19, Liitojärvi, central midfielder/right winger 9 Bengt Henriksson, 28, Sveaborg, right winger 11 Michael Breen, 21, Bambury United, left winger 15 Paul Briggs, 22, Gardwick Albion, attacking midfielder 19 Jay Donoghue, 19, Tamton, central midfielder/left winger 21 Esko Oksanen, 20, Väänäkoski, left winger 22 Glenn Olsson, 21, SK Älgborg, central midfielder

Attackers (6):

7 Phil Blain, 26, Ribbersback City, forward 10 Richard Munday, 22, Maimsville Athletic, striker 12 Luke Thomas, 21, IFK Fuglängen, forward 14 Jens Strandin, 20, FK Jönsbro, striker 20 Aarto Eskelinen, 22, Määtelinna, striker 23 Thomas Faga, 22, Chadwick FC, striker

The Under-23 team from Anastasiania contains many future stars, with Aarto Eskelinen and Oliver Dyren having captaincy experience from their domestic sides. However, football in Anastasiania is underdeveloped compared to many other countries, and it will take time to come to the top.

Women's

Keepers (3):

1 Marjo Harju, 27, Määtelinna 13 Elaine Marsh, 30, Teybridge Athletic 20 Kayla Hayward, 22, Tamton

Defenders (8):

2 Sanna Kuitunen, 19, Lynnyvaara, left back 4 Julia Henriksson, 26, SK Älgborg, central defender 5 Olivia Hebert, 28, Shotterbury AFC, right back 14 Clara Moss, 24, Chadwick FC, right back/central defender 16 Rebecca Portsmouth, 27, Ufford United, central defender 18 Tiffany Monk, 33, Wootton, full back, captain 21 Sofia Viilo, 23, Vaaranta, central defender/left back 24 Julia Blombom, 25, FK Jönsbro, left back

Midfielders (8):

3 Liz Leach, 27, Riversbrook FC, defensive midfielder 6 Alanna Gardner, 32, Hittlesham AFC, central midfielder 7 Cathie Buchanan, 29, Bunbury City, attacking midfielder 8 Andrea Rönnholt, 24, Uppfors, right winger 11 Katri Anttila, 20, Väänäkoski, left winger 17 Emmi Taivalsalo, 22, Ellissi, winger 22 Mia Randall, 30, Igglesham, central midfielder/right winger 25 Suzie Williams, 26, Ruscal FC, central midfielder

Attackers (7):

9 Jayne Draper, 23, Ribbersback City, forward 10 Sandra Webster, 26, Ufford United, striker 12 Marie Bengtsson, 25, Andval, striker 15 Siri Nordblad, 30, Rammskog FK, forward 19 Hannah Keeney, 29, Obchurch United, striker 23 Ilta Tuulari, 27, Tuunu, forward 26 Helga Paulsson, 22, Vingbäcken, striker

Tiffany Monk captains the side, who are expected to do better than the men in their first outing in international football; Monk has also captained Wootton to three domestic titles. Other stars include Marie Bengtsson, who scored nine goals for Andval in the recent All-Nation League season, and Andrea Rönnholt of Uppfors.

Handball

Handball is somewhat of a national obsession in Anastasiania, and the teams are expected to fight it out with Rejistania and Kelse for the medals.

Men's Team

Mynttinen and Hanskki have been national heroes ever since Anastasiania eked out a 27–25 win over Rejistania in the last FIFA cup final, when Mynttinen made a brilliant pass to Hanskki who scored the deciding goal with but seconds to spare. Still, Rejistania have plenty of FIFA handball titles stored in their cupboard, and it will be a formidable challenge.

Goalkeepers (3):

1 Hans Persson, 28, Köksberg 12 Mattias Ångkvist, 22, Oxberga 16 Einar Ångbratt, 24, Petersfors

Outfielders (13):

2 Kari Mynttinen, 34, Ryykkökoski, left back 3 Marko Ikäheimonen, 28, Siirivaara, left winger 4 Sven Björking, 27, Jönsbro, playmaker 5 Joel Wahlbom, 24, Oxberga, line player 6 Åke Wahlkvist, 30, Hasstorn, right back 7 Per Cronlind, 22, Linddalen, right winger 8 Kari Pulkkinen, 26, Vaaranta, line player 9 Stefan Sörensson, 27, Ringvallen, playmaker 10 Pekka Lehkosuo, 28, Suukkonlinna, left back 11 Aukusti Hanskki, 33, Nelmanen Pallo, left winger 13 Anders Fogelbratt, 32, Vingbäcken, left back 14 Roger Hellmar, 23, Storkalk, right back 15 Mats Matsson, 18, Fuglängen, right winger

Women's Team

The women's team are yet to beat Rejistania in international matches, though Ingrid Kvarnland has said that she will not retire until she's beaten the Rejistanians. Meanwhile, the team also includes some young Suomen talent in Koskela, Koivu and Anttalainen, but overall the women are ranked with slightly lower gold chances than the men. Nevertheless, most will be disappointed if the women don't reach the final.

Goalkeepers (3):

1 Sara Sunding, 22, Olsö 12 Anna Helena Birgersson, 26, Uddingsvall 16 Jenni Nissilä, 32, Kauppi

Outfielders (13):

2 Therese Persson, 28, Linddalen, left back 3 Minna Koskela, 19, Launavaara, right back 4 Selma Koivu, 22, Väänäkoski, right winger 5 Andrine Ståhler, 26, Krakshamn, playmaker 6 Ronja Klinthult, 29, Spårvik, line player 7 Veena Marjakangas, 33, Typpy, left winger 8 Tuija Klinga, 28, Rännmilli, right back 9 Minna Jaakkola, 31, Uutivuora, left winger 10 Ulla Håkansson, 28, Älgborg, line player 11 Annemari Viilo, 30, Lukkovuora, playmaker 13 Ingrid Kvarnland, 36, Farneborg, left back 14 Jeanette Killwald, 32, Järvtuna, right winger 15 Jenna Anttalainen, 18, Ellissi, right back

Volleyball

Men's Team

1 Scott Muller (libero) 3 Antero Hurme 4 Torbjörn Kjelldahl 5 Tapio Aapro 6 Darren Milton 7 Bruce Dara 8 Dean Lennon 9 Måns Kihlstrand 10 Matti Pesonen 11 Olle Andersson 12 Manu Seppälä 13 Alex Chambers

A mediocre team in world terms, with Bruce Dara and Dean Lennon as the stars.

Women's Team

1 Maria Karlsson (libero) 3 Diana Longhurst 4 Charlotte Armstrong 5 Mary Rosen 6 Ada Edwards 7 Bea Åhngård 8 Lotta Hartskog 9 Moa Norrbo 10 Michelle Hatchard 11 Tara Dawson 12 Lori Wallis 13 Ingrid Åkesson

The women's team recently celebrated a famous five-set win over Starblaydia, but still lack in consistency, and behind the first line-up the talent is lacking.

Women's Beach Volleyball

Jeanie Paterson and Beatrice Langman won a model competition, and got sent to the Ylompics as a bonus. However, the TV coverage is set to have men across Anastasiania drool.

Demonstration Events

Cricket

Men's

A fourteen-man team with the best players from the Streetian leagues has been selected; talent varies wildly, however, with Fleetwood-Smythe securing 48 wickets at an average of 14.41 last season, while Jimmy Loye (739 runs @ 28.19 and 8 wickets @ 37.28) seems to have been selected on the grounds that "he's a part time bowler who doesn't throw".

Adam Schofield, Crantonshire, opening batsman Robin Warwick, Tamtonshire, opening batsman/part time off spin Martin Wilshire, Baytshire, specialist batsman Liam Dodson, Gardshire, specialist batsman Rob Feeney, Crantonshire, specialist batsman/part time medium pace Sean Scholar, Tey, wicket-keeper Jimmy Loye, Rontonshire, specialist batsman/part time off spin Olly Gibb, Rontonshire, new ball fast bowler/capable batsman Harold Smith, Achumshire, new ball fast bowler Ben Wickersham, Baytshire, leg spinner Roderick Fleetwood-Smythe, Tey, fast bowler --- Sam Watson, Crantonshire, specialist batsman Brad Meehan, Urwichshire, wicket-keeper Nigel Cunningham, Derwickshire, left arm orthodox bowler

Women's

The women's team has also got some well known stars, with all-rounder Ina Sutcliffe the greatest; however, Amy Woolthorp and Elizabeth Green have been criticised for lack of pace to be considered on the international stage. However, with only four nations having selected sides thus far, this may be one of the easier medals to come by at the Ylompics.

Charlotte Peters, Tey, opening batter Julianne Hurst, Tey, specialist batter Betty Thompson, Crantonshire, specialist batter/part time medium pace Rachel Hawkes, Gardshire, specialist batter/part time left arm orthodox Charlotte Towns, Baytshire, wicket-keeper Ina Sutcliffe, Gardshire, new ball fast bowler Marcia Bullock, Achumshire, part time off spin bowler Amy Woolthorp, Baytshire, medium pace bowler Elizabeth Green, Tey, medium pace bowler Jane Anderson, Rontonshire, leg spinner Lisa Green, Crantonshire, medium pace bowler --- Joan Champion, Stredshire, wicket-keeper Cathy Parker, Gardshire, all-rounder, off spin bowler Christine Fredericks, Crantonshire, medium pace bowler