The team had gathered once again in their hotel suite, but this time, the energy was different. After their grueling match against South Korea, there was a quiet tension in the air. The players were tired, their bodies and minds worn down from the tournament's relentless pace. Yet, the looming presence of their next opponents—Europe—left no room for complacency.
Ye Xiu was seated at the desk, staring at his laptop screen. His fingers hovered over the keys, as if hesitating. He glanced over at his teammates, who were scattered around the room. Tang Rou sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through her phone. Sun Xiang stood by the window, arms crossed, gazing out at the twilight settling over Zurich. Huang Shaotian, surprisingly quiet, was lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Chen Guo, always the team's emotional barometer, was sitting at the table, trying to break the silence. "We've been doing great," she said. "But we all need to rest before tomorrow."
Ye Xiu nodded but didn't turn away from his screen. "We've been doing well, but Europe's team is different from what we've faced so far. They're known for their defensive play. We can't afford to rush in blindly."
Tang Rou looked up from her phone, her eyes narrowing with determination. "So what's the plan?"
Ye Xiu glanced at her, his mind still working. "We need to disrupt their defense before they can establish it. If we let them bunker down, it'll be a war of attrition, and that's not a battle we want to fight. Our strength lies in our speed and coordination."
Huang Shaotian, ever the opportunist, propped himself up on his elbows. "So we hit fast, overwhelm them before they can get comfortable. I like it."
"Not that simple," Ye Xiu countered. "Lukas, their captain, is known for anticipating aggressive plays. If we're too obvious, he'll shut us down. We need to misdirect them—make them think we're going all-in, then pull back and attack from a different angle."
Qiao Yifan, who had been quietly studying the European team's past matches, added, "They rely heavily on their healer. If we can take him out or force him to retreat, the rest of their formation will crumble."
Sun Xiang, still standing by the window, finally spoke. "But that's exactly what they'll expect. We can't just charge the healer."
Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, nodding. "Right. We need to bait them into thinking we're going after the healer, then switch targets at the last second. Hit their front line when they're spread too thin to defend."
The team nodded, absorbing the strategy. Though the pressure was mounting, there was a sense of confidence among them. They had beaten South Korea, one of their fiercest rivals. They could take on Europe, too.
---
Later that evening, the team ventured out into the city. The streets of Zurich were calm, a welcome contrast to the intensity of the tournament. The cold, crisp air seemed to breathe new life into them as they walked along the riverbank, the lights of the city reflecting off the water.
For a moment, it almost felt like they were just a group of friends on a trip, not international competitors carrying the weight of a nation's expectations.
Chen Guo looked around at the team. "We should take this time to enjoy ourselves. It's not every day we're in a place like this."
Ye Xiu, always the strategist, gave her a small smile. "A little relaxation won't hurt. Just remember, tomorrow it's back to business."
Huang Shaotian pointed to a nearby café, his usual enthusiasm returning. "How about some hot chocolate? We're in Switzerland, after all."
Tang Rou chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?"
As they sat down in the cozy café, the conversation turned away from the tournament. For a brief time, they allowed themselves to talk about anything but Glory. Chen Guo shared stories of the sights she'd seen earlier in the day, and even Sun Xiang joined in, sharing a rare laugh at one of Huang Shaotian's sarcastic remarks.
It was a small, fleeting moment of normalcy. But it was enough to remind them why they fought so hard—why they endured the sleepless nights, the endless training, and the pressure of competition. They weren't just teammates; they were friends, and this journey was something they were experiencing together.
---
The next morning, the team was back in the hotel suite, the atmosphere tense but focused. They gathered around the whiteboard, where Ye Xiu had laid out the final strategy. Europe's defensive playstyle required patience, precision, and relentless pressure. It would be a battle of endurance, one that would test their limits in every way.
"We can't let them settle," Ye Xiu reiterated. "We hit fast, then pull back before they can react. They'll expect a full assault, so we need to mix it up."
Sun Xiang was already reviewing the map for their match. "If we can get control of the center early, we can force them to move into weaker positions."
Huang Shaotian, as always, was ready to get to work. "I'll keep their support players on their toes. They won't know where I'm coming from."
Tang Rou, her eyes sharp with focus, nodded. "We'll break them before they even know what's happening."
With their strategy in place, the team headed to the arena. The crowd was already roaring as they walked onto the stage, their names echoing through the massive hall. The European team was waiting for them on the other side, their captain, Lukas, calm and composed, watching the Chinese team with careful eyes.
The stage was set. The calm before the storm had passed, and now, it was time for the next battle.
The lights dimmed, the countdown began, and with the start of the match, the war for control of the game—and the tournament—was on.