An Interview with Queen Fyora about Team Faerieland

     Interviewer: Thank you for letting us conduct this interview with you despite your busy schedule, Your Majesty.

     Fyora: It's my pleasure. And please, you can just call me Fyora.

     Interviewer: Got it, Fyora. There are only a few days left before the start of the Altador Cup. Are you excited for it?

     Fyora: I sure am! Faerie City is decorated with so many posters and banners of Team Faerieland, so I'm constantly reminded of it. (chuckles)

     Interview: I guess the citizens must be really excited too! Lately, there's been a lot of buzz surrounding Team Faerieland. They've participated in every Altador Cup since its inception but have yet to lift the trophy. However, many Neopians predict that this is their year to win. How do you think they will perform?

     Fyora: It's unfortunate that the team hasn't been able to achieve a podium finish, although they were very close to doing so twice. They take every match as a lesson learned though and always come back from it better and stronger. I can personally vouch that the players have been working really hard all year, both individually and as a team. I'm sure they're all prepared to give their best performance this year.

     Interviewer: Except for Kakoni Worrill, the other players are all females. In fact, Team Faerieland has the most female players out of any team. Is it just a coincidence or a deliberate decision to have more female representation?

     Fyora: It isn't intentional, as far as I know. Perhaps it could be due to the fact that Faerieland has a higher female population in general. Having said that, the team selection process solely takes into account the talents and abilities of those who attend the tryouts. I guess it means that our females are equally as capable, if not better. Regardless, it's great to hear that our players are a source of inspiration for some fans out there.

     Interviewer: Rooting for girl power! I think Delma Harrence, Ciona Brown, Valtonous Rea and Whimsi Dia definitely make up the dream team. Speaking of which, Whimsi is a relatively new member of Team Faerieland, having only played in two Altador Cups prior to this. How well did she adjust to the team when she was first selected to represent Faerieland and vice versa? Has anything changed since then?

     Fyora: Team Faerieland has seen frequent changes to its roster since the early days, so the older players are able to adapt to different situations fairly quickly by this point. Kakoni is very supportive as a captain and has helped Whimsi feel welcomed to the team by guiding her through her first few training sessions. There's also a strong sense of camaraderie among the others; they've offered heaps of advice and shared their experiences with her, including the player whom she replaced as left forward.

     Interviewer: Do you mean Elbin Kroe?

     Fyora: That's right. He went so far as to attend practice for a few weeks after his retirement just so he could share his tips and tricks with Whimsi. She probably learned a lot from him, considering some of the moves she'd used in the past matches were similar to his.

     Interviewer: That's some serious dedication from Elbin. It's no wonder the team has amassed a huge fanbase! Their unyielding passion and determination must be why the crowd loves them. Still, they probably would've faced some challenges as they get accustomed to playing with a different member, right? Did the lineup changes affect the team's performance in general?

     Fyora: Honestly, I think it did a little. A new addition to the team brings a whole new dynamic to the table and opens up many opportunities for improvisation. However, it probably requires many hours of practice and strategy meetings to develop the same coordination and mindset that they've had before. It also takes time for them to get used to one another's playstyles. Not to mention, luck plays a huge factor in these tournaments as well. Sometimes, the players may be in tip-top condition but a gust of wind could interrupt their momentum, which might impact them unfavourably for the rest of the match.

     Interviewer: Indeed, luck and momentum are incredibly important in sports. Several Neopians have speculated that luck rarely graces Team Faerieland because of the rumour that a Faerie had cursed the team to be unable to win the Altador Cup until at least Y30. Is this true?

     Fyora: I assure you, if there was any truth to the rumour, I would personally look into it. There's no evidence to suggest such a thing for now though, and I have very high hopes for our beloved athletes.

     Interviewer: That's a relief. Is there anything the spectators should watch out for this year for Team Faerieland?

     Fyora: I was able to oversee a couple of their practice sessions, and I think that both their attack and defence have improved tremendously. Kakoni is much more vocal and confident as a leader now, which helps boost team morale. Besides that, the players have also been working on some new strategies which take advantage of their great passing skills, making up for some of the areas that they're lacking in. Of course, they put in a lot of time and effort to train their weaknesses as well, so there will be less weak spots for the opposing teams to target. I believe the spectators will be in for many surprises this year, so they should keep their eyes peeled for all of Team Faerieland's matches.

     Interviewer: I can't wait to see what fantastic plays they'll show us this year! In your opinion, which team will be the biggest challenge for Team Faerieland?

     Fyora: Hmm, that's a difficult question. All the teams have their own strengths and all the players take the sport very seriously. If I really have to pick one nonetheless, I'd say Team Darigan Citadel is a force to be reckoned with. They've been consistent with their outstanding plays on the court and I'm sure this year will be no exception.

     Interviewer: I really hope that it'll be a match worth remembering should the two teams face each other. On a side note, Fyora, and I'm sure many Neopians are wondering about this too besides me, but do you play Yooyuball?

     Fyora: I can't say I play it frequently but I did try out a game with the team. Of course, I'm nowhere near as athletic or agile as them, so I shot some goals instead. I managed to score a few times but I think that's because Valtonous went easy on me. (chuckles) The Faerie and Darigan Yooyuballs are surprisingly hard to play with though. I didn't expect them to be so unpredictable. I'm often surprised by how easily the players are able to work out the balls' trajectories and be ready to throw or catch them at any moment.

     Interviewer: Their focus and reaction speed has to be incredible. I've played a few games of Yooyuball myself and struggled with those balls too, so I know it isn't an easy feat.

     Fyora: Perhaps some curveballs are needed to make it fun and competitive. No pun intended, by the way. (chuckles)

     Interviewer: That was a good one. (laughs) Before we end this interview, do you have any words of encouragement for the team?

     Fyora: Wins and losses are part of the game. You win some, you lose some, but what matters, in the end, is that you walk through all of it regardless with hope in your heart and dreams in your eyes. The only one who can tell you that you can't do it is you and you don't necessarily need to listen. So, when you're in the arena, just forget everything else and give it all you've got. It's better to regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances that were never taken. This goes to all the players out there, not just Team Faerieland, and I wish everyone the best of luck!

     Interviewer: And that's a wrap! Thank you so much again for your time, Fyora.