Proudly Liliya watched as the majority of the students followed her directions, as she counted off the teams and then watched them get together and discuss their strategic providences. She listened from between the two huddled groups as they each gave out their pros and cons as players. Some, such as those from the United States, were not quite as practised playing the broomsport as those from Europe and Asia, with the exception of some of the Koldovstoretz students whose experience with Quidditch ranged from "it's not as fun as Deveritch" to "I've barely even heard of this." Predictably, the Hogwarts and Durmstrang students talked a good game and were probably quite skilled to have been so invested in this opportunity here in Brasil; also predictably, the Mahoutokoro students were more silent and less boastful, but had a look of keen observation as they looked at not only their teammates but also across the field at the other huddle. Liliya had never been to the Japanese school but knew that they studied flying, Quidditch, and other broomsports with a grave discipline.
She waited politely for about eight minutes, long enough for every flier there to go around at least once and for some mild conversation as well. "All right then!" she finally clapped her hands and rubbed them together with gleeful anticipation at seeing all the young athletes gearing up for the match. "Stars, on me please! Wings, meet at the other end of the pitch, and choose your starting players."
Mounting her broom with one foot lazily, she floated over to the Stars goalposts and observed the half throng following her. "Right then. As I heard some of your talents, I have some good ideas for team play here which I'd like you all to demonstrate to the Wings team. We'll switch two players every three plays, all right?" Watching as most of them nodded assent and some stared blankly at her, she went on by choosing her starting lineup. "
@Miss Aysoy," she began, "right Chaser." She selected her left and rear Chasers, left and right Beaters, an American girl for the Keeper and a Chinese boy for the Seeker.
"Now, I don't want to get too technical, so here is the basic idea behind the playstyle I would like you all to attempt for this set of drives," she used her wand and summoned a clipboard from where she had left it on the ground at the base of the centre goal. "Quick passes between all three chasers, weaving motion by the Beaters between them all, and you should all gradually veer as a group toward the left goalpost, narrowing as you approach. But then, and Miss Aysoy this will be at your discretion, when
you have the Quaffle and are a very short distance from the goals, you will veer anywhere except right, and then abruptly throw it through the right-hand hoop. I am relying on the strong arm you mentioned," she smiled at the Turkish girl.
"Does everyone understand?" Seeing another round of nods, she gave the children a thumbs-up and then flew alone to the centre of the pitch. "Come to the centre circle! Get yourselves ready!" she yelled, and once she was ringed by the players, she kicked open the box and let the Bludgers and Snitch fly out. Then she picked up the Quaffle, eyed both centre Chasers calmly, and tossed it straight up into the air. The game was on!
