Jack Fulham
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Alright Dan, looking forward to update, I think you should of changed team as it is an "Eastern European Adventure"
Dan's east european adventure
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Pompey_Dan
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After much deliberation and soul searching Dan Lake has decided to stay on as manager at U Cluj and reject the approaches from Slovan Liberic and Brno. The two Czech first divison clubs had both turned to Lake to help them escape relegation, but it seemed the bonds he has grown with U Cluj are strong... for now!
Speaking to the media Lake said “I’d like to thank Slovan Liberic and Brno for their interest in me, but feel I must reject both offers. I have had a fantastic 18 months here at Clujana and believe that the job isn’t yet finished. It’s true that I want to be successful and test my skills against the best teams in continental competition, and I hope that opportunity will arise with U Cluj, otherwise I will only move on when the time is right to do so.”
Sources close to Lake hinted that the Romanian League’s status compared to that of the Czech League was a key factor in his decision, “He knows that there are 2 Champions League spots up for grabs here in Romania and only 1 in the Czech League. He has a better chance of improving his reputation here but I’m sure he will move on, and soon!”
Lake’s first job since reaffirming his position was to prepare his team for the visit of current champions Steaua Bucharest.
won 1-0 v Steaua Bucharest
CFM Universitatea Cluj-Napoca recorded their first win in the Liga I for four games, in the most unlikely of circumstances. U Cluj lined up in a rigid 4-4-2 formation and set about the task of disrupting their opponents game and hitting them on the counter attack. The plan brought dividends in the 77th minute when Australian striker Michael Baird scored from the simplest of moves. Goalkeeper Sebastian Hutan kicked the ball long, Flavius Bad rose high to head the ball in front of Baird and, one on one with the keeper, he finished coolly.
lost 2-3 v Gloria Bartista
It looked like both teams would go into halftime all square when, in injury time, Fabian Teuşan slipped to allow winger David Tyavkase through to score with a well timed finish. U Cluj's equaliser came through Michael Baird as he tucked away a penalty on 58 minutes. Striker Flavius Băd then put the home side in front 4 minutes later as he snuck in on the far post to slot home Charles Taylor’s cross. Striker Cristian Tudor then equalised for Gloria Bistriţa in the 77th minute with a powerful effort from the edge of the area, and Ciprian Petre then clinched a late winner for the away side on 90 minutes with a close range header. Based on the second half performance the final result did not flatter Gloria Bartista who deserved the win.
drew 1-1 v CFR Cluj (7th Round of the Romanian Cup)
For the third year running the two Cluj-Napoca teams would meet in the cup, CFR Cluj had won both encounters previously and gone on to lift the cup each time. Whilst most U Cluj fans clung to the dream that this year’s match up would end differently, there was no mistaking who the media favoured.
CFR Cluj lived up to expectations when they opened the scoring after just 6 minutes, Yssouf Kone turned the U Cluj captain Zsolt Szilagyi inside out before smashing the ball home from 12 yards.
The game was a surprisingly even affair though and U Cluj were well organized, in fact so well organized that their equaliser after 71 minutes didn’t really come as a surprise. Eduard Stancioiu made a finger tip save to deny Flavius Bad but substitute Gabriel Machado was on hand to bundle the ball home.
Unfortunately, the game was interrupted several times over as coins, mobile phones and other objects were thrown onto the pitch. And it wasn’t just the fans in angry mood either, in the 90 minutes a total of 10 yellow cards and 1 red were shown. Gabriel Machado turned from hero to villain when he was sent off in the 79th minute. At the end of extra time neither team had scored and so the game had to be decided on penalties.
at 5-4 to U Cluj, Cabrera kicking for CFR
Marian Aliuta, Rares Soporan, Charles Taylor, Bogdan Ungurusan and Szilagyi all scored for U Cluj, whilst Rade Veljovic, Bogdan Mara, Kone and Christian Panin had beaten the keeper for CFR Cluj. All eyes now were on Nelson Cabrera as he stepped up to keep CFR Cluj in the game...
He did it! 5-5
Into sudden death and first Adrien Ionescu scored for U Cluj, then Dario Flores equalised. Flavius Bad tucked his shot away and Emil Dica kept CFR Cluj in the game with his spot kick. So far nobody had missed their penalty, next up was Rares Stan who had been a recent target for criticism from the fans and media. He walked up to the spot and...
He scored! 8-7 to U Cluj
Could Gabriel Musan now keep CFR Cluj in the running?...
Hits the post! U Cluj win 8-7 on penalties!
The U Cluj fans went ballistic, they had just seen their team beat their biggest rivals in the cup and they loved every minute of it!
Next up would be the ever dangerous Dinamo Bucharest.
---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------
Thought about it Jack... but I want a bigger move really, gonna stick with U Cluj and look around as there is plenty of scope, after all I have got another 8 east european countries loaded up!
Cheers Cuddles, hope you're enjoying the story... just trying to mix up the detail a little to make it more interesting to follow.
Speaking to the media Lake said “I’d like to thank Slovan Liberic and Brno for their interest in me, but feel I must reject both offers. I have had a fantastic 18 months here at Clujana and believe that the job isn’t yet finished. It’s true that I want to be successful and test my skills against the best teams in continental competition, and I hope that opportunity will arise with U Cluj, otherwise I will only move on when the time is right to do so.”
Sources close to Lake hinted that the Romanian League’s status compared to that of the Czech League was a key factor in his decision, “He knows that there are 2 Champions League spots up for grabs here in Romania and only 1 in the Czech League. He has a better chance of improving his reputation here but I’m sure he will move on, and soon!”
Lake’s first job since reaffirming his position was to prepare his team for the visit of current champions Steaua Bucharest.
won 1-0 v Steaua Bucharest
CFM Universitatea Cluj-Napoca recorded their first win in the Liga I for four games, in the most unlikely of circumstances. U Cluj lined up in a rigid 4-4-2 formation and set about the task of disrupting their opponents game and hitting them on the counter attack. The plan brought dividends in the 77th minute when Australian striker Michael Baird scored from the simplest of moves. Goalkeeper Sebastian Hutan kicked the ball long, Flavius Bad rose high to head the ball in front of Baird and, one on one with the keeper, he finished coolly.
lost 2-3 v Gloria Bartista
It looked like both teams would go into halftime all square when, in injury time, Fabian Teuşan slipped to allow winger David Tyavkase through to score with a well timed finish. U Cluj's equaliser came through Michael Baird as he tucked away a penalty on 58 minutes. Striker Flavius Băd then put the home side in front 4 minutes later as he snuck in on the far post to slot home Charles Taylor’s cross. Striker Cristian Tudor then equalised for Gloria Bistriţa in the 77th minute with a powerful effort from the edge of the area, and Ciprian Petre then clinched a late winner for the away side on 90 minutes with a close range header. Based on the second half performance the final result did not flatter Gloria Bartista who deserved the win.
drew 1-1 v CFR Cluj (7th Round of the Romanian Cup)
For the third year running the two Cluj-Napoca teams would meet in the cup, CFR Cluj had won both encounters previously and gone on to lift the cup each time. Whilst most U Cluj fans clung to the dream that this year’s match up would end differently, there was no mistaking who the media favoured.
CFR Cluj lived up to expectations when they opened the scoring after just 6 minutes, Yssouf Kone turned the U Cluj captain Zsolt Szilagyi inside out before smashing the ball home from 12 yards.
The game was a surprisingly even affair though and U Cluj were well organized, in fact so well organized that their equaliser after 71 minutes didn’t really come as a surprise. Eduard Stancioiu made a finger tip save to deny Flavius Bad but substitute Gabriel Machado was on hand to bundle the ball home.
Unfortunately, the game was interrupted several times over as coins, mobile phones and other objects were thrown onto the pitch. And it wasn’t just the fans in angry mood either, in the 90 minutes a total of 10 yellow cards and 1 red were shown. Gabriel Machado turned from hero to villain when he was sent off in the 79th minute. At the end of extra time neither team had scored and so the game had to be decided on penalties.
at 5-4 to U Cluj, Cabrera kicking for CFR
Marian Aliuta, Rares Soporan, Charles Taylor, Bogdan Ungurusan and Szilagyi all scored for U Cluj, whilst Rade Veljovic, Bogdan Mara, Kone and Christian Panin had beaten the keeper for CFR Cluj. All eyes now were on Nelson Cabrera as he stepped up to keep CFR Cluj in the game...
He did it! 5-5
Into sudden death and first Adrien Ionescu scored for U Cluj, then Dario Flores equalised. Flavius Bad tucked his shot away and Emil Dica kept CFR Cluj in the game with his spot kick. So far nobody had missed their penalty, next up was Rares Stan who had been a recent target for criticism from the fans and media. He walked up to the spot and...
He scored! 8-7 to U Cluj
Could Gabriel Musan now keep CFR Cluj in the running?...
Hits the post! U Cluj win 8-7 on penalties!
The U Cluj fans went ballistic, they had just seen their team beat their biggest rivals in the cup and they loved every minute of it!
Next up would be the ever dangerous Dinamo Bucharest.
---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------
Thought about it Jack... but I want a bigger move really, gonna stick with U Cluj and look around as there is plenty of scope, after all I have got another 8 east european countries loaded up!
Cheers Cuddles, hope you're enjoying the story... just trying to mix up the detail a little to make it more interesting to follow.
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Jack Fulham
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Yes as is Czeck Republic, I meant as in Adventure going to many different clubs in Eastern Europe and then getting a job at a top one like CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Kiev or Zenit St Petersberg
Pompey_Dan
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That's exactly the idea Jack, just reckon I can get a better move if I wait a short while... just hope I don't get proved wrong! :S
Jack Fulham
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I'm sure you will Dan, keep the faith
Pompey_Dan
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Pompey_Dan
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After the excitement of their penalty shoot out against CFR Cluj getting back to business in the league was surely going to be an anti-climax for the U Cluj players and fans.
drew 1-1 v FC Vaslui
Striker Dawid Nowak gave FC Vaslui the lead with a powerful effort from the edge of the area in the 27th minute and was a livewire throughout the game. Aussie striker Michael Baird then equalised for U Cluj after 33 minutes with a placed shot from close range. FC Vaslui hit the back of the net in injury time but rightly saw their effort chalked off for a foul on keeper Sebastian Hutan.
drew 1-1v International
This match pitted two relegation rivals against each other and with neither team wanting to lose to the other, the outcome was somewhat inevitable. Both goals came in the second half, Flavius Băd scored for U Cluj on 67 minutes and then, straight from the restart, Claudiu Voiculeţ equalised for Internaţional.
won 1-0 v Rapid Bucharest
A historic win for U Cluj as another team from the capital left Clujana empty handed. On 17 minutes Charles Taylor whipped a corner in and Rapid full-back Ionuţ Stancu turned the ball into his own net. Rapid Bucharest threatened to score several times throughout the match but through a combination of dogged defending and luck, U Cluj hung on to claim all three points. Until this game Rapid were the only unbeaten team in Liga I.
lost 0-2 v CFR Cluj
Revenge was on the cards as the underdogs of CFM Universitatea Cluj-Napoca succumbed to a 2 - 0 defeat at Constantin Rădulescu. After being dumped from the Romanian Cup by their neighbours, CFR Cluj approached this match in determined mood and took control from the first minute. CFR Cluj captain Bogdan Mara gave his team the lead with a screamer from 20 yards in the 24th minute, and brazilian Vieirinha finally rounded off their victory on 81 minutes with a well placed shot under Sebastian Hutan.
won 1-0 v Dinamo Bucharest (QF of the Romanian Cup)
Even the most optimistic U Cluj fan expected to see their team leave the cup at the quarter final stage. Having already beaten the Bucharest sides of Steaua and Rapid at Clujana in the league this season was a third win really out of the question though?
Adrian Ionescu had a fine game in U Cluj's 1 - 0 cup victory over Dinamo Buc. but it was a tight match that could really have gone either way. The central midfielder bagged the only goal of the game late on to round off his performance by scoring a curling banana shot from the edge of the area. Ionescu worked tirelessly and put in an impressive performance for U Cluj, his goal will have been the icing on the cake. He and his team are worthy semi-finalists.
drew 1-1 v FC Vaslui
Striker Dawid Nowak gave FC Vaslui the lead with a powerful effort from the edge of the area in the 27th minute and was a livewire throughout the game. Aussie striker Michael Baird then equalised for U Cluj after 33 minutes with a placed shot from close range. FC Vaslui hit the back of the net in injury time but rightly saw their effort chalked off for a foul on keeper Sebastian Hutan.
drew 1-1v International
This match pitted two relegation rivals against each other and with neither team wanting to lose to the other, the outcome was somewhat inevitable. Both goals came in the second half, Flavius Băd scored for U Cluj on 67 minutes and then, straight from the restart, Claudiu Voiculeţ equalised for Internaţional.
won 1-0 v Rapid Bucharest
A historic win for U Cluj as another team from the capital left Clujana empty handed. On 17 minutes Charles Taylor whipped a corner in and Rapid full-back Ionuţ Stancu turned the ball into his own net. Rapid Bucharest threatened to score several times throughout the match but through a combination of dogged defending and luck, U Cluj hung on to claim all three points. Until this game Rapid were the only unbeaten team in Liga I.
lost 0-2 v CFR Cluj
Revenge was on the cards as the underdogs of CFM Universitatea Cluj-Napoca succumbed to a 2 - 0 defeat at Constantin Rădulescu. After being dumped from the Romanian Cup by their neighbours, CFR Cluj approached this match in determined mood and took control from the first minute. CFR Cluj captain Bogdan Mara gave his team the lead with a screamer from 20 yards in the 24th minute, and brazilian Vieirinha finally rounded off their victory on 81 minutes with a well placed shot under Sebastian Hutan.
won 1-0 v Dinamo Bucharest (QF of the Romanian Cup)
Even the most optimistic U Cluj fan expected to see their team leave the cup at the quarter final stage. Having already beaten the Bucharest sides of Steaua and Rapid at Clujana in the league this season was a third win really out of the question though?
Adrian Ionescu had a fine game in U Cluj's 1 - 0 cup victory over Dinamo Buc. but it was a tight match that could really have gone either way. The central midfielder bagged the only goal of the game late on to round off his performance by scoring a curling banana shot from the edge of the area. Ionescu worked tirelessly and put in an impressive performance for U Cluj, his goal will have been the icing on the cake. He and his team are worthy semi-finalists.
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Jack Fulham
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Looks like a cup run is on the cards Danny Boy, certainly knocking out the big boys
Pompey_Dan
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Hope so Jack, although I'm a bit worried by our poor league form... especially since it seems there are point deductions in Romania for not reaching certain points tallies by the end of the season (Poli Iasi had 6pts deducted this season after getting relegated on 19pts last year...harsh!)
Thanks for your support buddy.
Thanks for your support buddy.
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Pompey_Dan
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Thanks Frankie. TBH it's my first attempt at a story, but I'm really enjoying doing it and it's good to get positive feedback.
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Pompey_Dan
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With the winter break fast approaching U Cluj found themselves in 12th position just 6 pts above the relegation places. Whilst their league results had been a mixed bag, U Cluj have found themselves looking forward to an unexpected semi-final game in the Romanian Cup.
drew 1-1 v Unirea Craiova
Another largely disappointing play from U Cluj, who went behind to Brazilian midfielder Eric's goal in the first minute. U Cluj's equaliser came courtsey of a deflected Flavius Băd shot on 82 minutes.
After the game against Craiova U Cluj manager Dan Lake expressed concern at his team's inability to take control in matches. "We've become hard to beat, but don't create enough chances at the other end," said a subdued Lake, "I want the team to gamble a little more and trust in their own ability. They need to know that I intend to make changes, if we are going to survive in this league then we need more than grit and a bit of luck!"
True to his word Lake ditched the cautious 4-4-2 and started the game against Gaz Metan with a more attack minded 4-3-1-2. Winger Rares Stan and striker Michael Baird were both dropped to the bench, whilst youngster Andrei Voican and former Romanian international Marian Aliuta were promoted to the starting line up.
won 3-0 v Gaz Metan
The changes brought immediate success, U Cluj were unrecognisable as they played with attacking thrust. Andrei Voican seized on an error by Florin Lazăr after just 10 minutes to score with a well timed finish. Voican was lively throughout the match, he shows a lot of promise and he'd do well to study his striking partner. Flavius Băd grabbed a brace on 68 and 79 minutes to complete the scoring for U Cluj in a game that was unbelieveably one-sided.
The U Cluj players celebrate their first goal in the 3-0 win
drew 1-1v Dinamo Bucharest
The same line up nearly caused an upset in Bucharest. The away side could have had a penalty early in the game when Fabian Teuşan was bundled over in the box, but finally took the lead when experienced midfielder Marian Aliutã scored a placed shot on 77 minutes. But, with the title race hotting up, Dinamo were playing for more than just pride. Dinamo captain Marius Niculae equalised after 81 minutes when he was played clean through and scored with a placed shot. In the post match press conference a bouyant Lake said "everyone associated with this team can be very proud of that performance today."
won 6-1 v FC Otelul
Three games ago Dan Lake bemoaned his team's inability to score goals, today he was dancing along the touchline as they put six past FC Oţelul Galaţi away from home. Midfielder Charles Taylor got U Cluj off to a flyer by scoring a well executed finish inside the first 3 minutes, scorer then turned to creator as his whipped in freekick caused panic and Adrian Ionescu samashed home the loose ball on 6 minutes. U Cluj's talsmanic captain Zsolt Szilagyi then made it three with a mighty header from a Taylor corner. Centre-half Cristian Sabou, a product of U Cluj's youth academy, added to the lead after the break, before Samoel Cojoc pulled one back for Oţelul on 55 minutes.
With two minutes of the game to go the FC Otelul players appeared to give up, Marian Aliutã and substitute Michael Baird took advantage to further underline their team's domiance with goals in the 89th and 90th minutes respectively.
The win lifted the Sepcile Rosii to the heady heights of 8th place and was agreat way to sign off for the winter break. Some might point out that the team are just six points off a potential UEFA cup slot, but Dan Lake will be happier that he is eight points clear of the drop zone.
drew 1-1 v Unirea Craiova
Another largely disappointing play from U Cluj, who went behind to Brazilian midfielder Eric's goal in the first minute. U Cluj's equaliser came courtsey of a deflected Flavius Băd shot on 82 minutes.
After the game against Craiova U Cluj manager Dan Lake expressed concern at his team's inability to take control in matches. "We've become hard to beat, but don't create enough chances at the other end," said a subdued Lake, "I want the team to gamble a little more and trust in their own ability. They need to know that I intend to make changes, if we are going to survive in this league then we need more than grit and a bit of luck!"
True to his word Lake ditched the cautious 4-4-2 and started the game against Gaz Metan with a more attack minded 4-3-1-2. Winger Rares Stan and striker Michael Baird were both dropped to the bench, whilst youngster Andrei Voican and former Romanian international Marian Aliuta were promoted to the starting line up.
won 3-0 v Gaz Metan
The changes brought immediate success, U Cluj were unrecognisable as they played with attacking thrust. Andrei Voican seized on an error by Florin Lazăr after just 10 minutes to score with a well timed finish. Voican was lively throughout the match, he shows a lot of promise and he'd do well to study his striking partner. Flavius Băd grabbed a brace on 68 and 79 minutes to complete the scoring for U Cluj in a game that was unbelieveably one-sided.
The U Cluj players celebrate their first goal in the 3-0 win
drew 1-1v Dinamo Bucharest
The same line up nearly caused an upset in Bucharest. The away side could have had a penalty early in the game when Fabian Teuşan was bundled over in the box, but finally took the lead when experienced midfielder Marian Aliutã scored a placed shot on 77 minutes. But, with the title race hotting up, Dinamo were playing for more than just pride. Dinamo captain Marius Niculae equalised after 81 minutes when he was played clean through and scored with a placed shot. In the post match press conference a bouyant Lake said "everyone associated with this team can be very proud of that performance today."
won 6-1 v FC Otelul
Three games ago Dan Lake bemoaned his team's inability to score goals, today he was dancing along the touchline as they put six past FC Oţelul Galaţi away from home. Midfielder Charles Taylor got U Cluj off to a flyer by scoring a well executed finish inside the first 3 minutes, scorer then turned to creator as his whipped in freekick caused panic and Adrian Ionescu samashed home the loose ball on 6 minutes. U Cluj's talsmanic captain Zsolt Szilagyi then made it three with a mighty header from a Taylor corner. Centre-half Cristian Sabou, a product of U Cluj's youth academy, added to the lead after the break, before Samoel Cojoc pulled one back for Oţelul on 55 minutes.
With two minutes of the game to go the FC Otelul players appeared to give up, Marian Aliutã and substitute Michael Baird took advantage to further underline their team's domiance with goals in the 89th and 90th minutes respectively.
The win lifted the Sepcile Rosii to the heady heights of 8th place and was agreat way to sign off for the winter break. Some might point out that the team are just six points off a potential UEFA cup slot, but Dan Lake will be happier that he is eight points clear of the drop zone.
Jack Fulham
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Wow, your having a fantastic season, Dinamo Bucharest seem to really struggle against you, hopefully you can keep your "Attacking thrust" after the winter break
Pompey_Dan
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Wow, your having a fantastic season, Dinamo Bucharest seem to really struggle against you, hopefully you can keep your "Attacking thrust" after the winter break
Thanks Jack, like the thread says I am looking down the table rather than up!
Just wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to the creator of the tactics I have just started using. I wanted to change things away from the more cautious 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-2 tactics that I had used up to now as I felt that, in this league, attack would be the best form of defence. I knew that Bad, Baird and Voican had goals in them but I needed to unlock that potential, so I tried out a tactic I had downloaded from FM Base previously and that had proved successful for me. As you can see it provided a dramatic change in fortune for my U Cluj team (3-0,1-1,6-1 and the draw came against a top side!).
So many thanks to StuartCarey and, for anyone reading, check out his tactic: click here
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TeddyBearChelsea
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How do you make your stories so interesting? God, for a moment I thought this was real! You're doing amazingly well, and that tactics change was amazing! Keep it up, and, (dunno if you're interested) after 10 games in Slovenia Second division, I'm 1st =)
Woodstok1987
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Hey Dan.
Loving the story so far, and good choice in staying at the club and not leaving. Still thinking that you can take this club further up the league, Europe a possibility? Think so. But good luck.
Hoping im getting FM for xmas and gonna start a similar story, possibly in the lower leagues of Spain; possibly with Ejido.
Loving the story so far, and good choice in staying at the club and not leaving. Still thinking that you can take this club further up the league, Europe a possibility? Think so. But good luck.
Hoping im getting FM for xmas and gonna start a similar story, possibly in the lower leagues of Spain; possibly with Ejido.
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