Thorsten Kramer

Thorsten Kramer

Personal information
Full name	Thorsten Wilhelm Kramer
Date of birth	May 4, 2000 (age 27)
Height	183cm (6'1)
Playing position	Centre midfield
Place of birth	Stelburg, Teusland
Club information
Current club	1830 Cathair
Number	14
Youth career
2010-17	FC Teussen Stelburg
Senior career
2017-23	FC Teussen Stelburg
2023-	1830 Cathair
International career
National team	Siovanija and Teusland
Caps	128
Goals	30

Thorsten Wilhelm Kramer (born May 4, 2000) is a Siovanija & Teusland professional footballer who plays centre midfield for Audioslavian club 1830 Cathair and the Siovanija and Teusland national football team. Considered to be the best footballer from Siovanija & Teusland, and one of the top players in the world, Kramer has won a Republikaliga title with FC Teussen Stelburg, as well as 2 Audioslav National League titles with 1830 Cathair. The greatest accomplishment of Kramer's club career, to date, was being part of the Cathair squad that won IFCF Champions' League 1, defeating Brenecian side Northern Stallions in a penalty shootout.

Born in the city of Stelburg, Teusland, Kramer grew up in the city playing football and as a fan of local club FC Teussen Stelburg. Having earned a reputation for himself as a schoolboy playing in the city's youth leagues, Kramer was signed to an academy contract at FC Teussen Stelburg at the age of 10. His stock continued to rise over the years, and by the time he was 15, he was being discussed as the number 1 prospect in all of Siovanija & Teusland. At the age of 18, he broke in Teussen's first team, and became a key fixture in the starting eleven for the rest of his time at the club. In the summer of 2023, he was sold to Audioslav giants 1830 Cathair for a fee of 15 million tolars, and has become a key player for the club in his time there.

Internationally, Kramer represents Siovanija & Teusland, and is considered to be the best footballer in that country's history. As the nation did not participate in international football during his youth career, he never appeared for any national youth teams. Siovanija & Teusland officially joined the World Cup Committee before World Cup 80, participating in the Baptism of Fire, and Kramer was selected to that very first squad. He appeared in the Goldhorns' first ever match, a 3-1 win over The Cereal Isle, and scored his first goal in his second match, the winning goal in a 4-1 win over Garifunya. Kramer has served as vice-captain of the national team in several tournament, and played a key role in leading the Goldhorns to their first World Cup Finals appearance in World Cup 84.

Arguably the most famous athlete in Siovanija & Teusland, Kramer has endorsed domestic sportswear company Adler, the biggest brand in Siovanija & Teusland, as well as several other products within the country. He was named in the Stelburger Zeitung as the highest-paid athlete in Siovanija & Teusland, and also its most famous both domestically and world-wide. He has been named the National Press's Sportsman of the Year 6 times during his career, and most recently was named to KarlingSport's Galacticos Index longlist.

Early life

Thorsten Kramer was born on the 4th of May, 2000, as the first and only child of Wilhelm and Maria Kramer. His father's side of the family had lived in Stelburg for generations, and both of his great-grandparents fought in the Great War. His mother's side were originally from the town of Stahlberg, and were distantly related to the House of Riefenstahl-Linsberg, who held several ducal titles in the Stahlberg area. Growing up, Thorsten and his father would regularly attend FC Teussen Stelburg matches, as the Kramer family had been season ticket holders for nearly as long as the club had existed. Thorsten quickly developed a passion for the game, playing regularly with friends and other relatives in the parks of Stelburg.

Kramer attended Sankt Joseph Primary School in Stelburg, and quickly became a star for the school's football team. At the age of 8, he had a tryout at the 1912 Stelburg academy, but was rejected. Kramer would later admit his heart was not fully in it on that day, 1912 being the hated rivals of his beloved Teussen. Over the next 2 years, however, Kramer would grow tremendously as a footballer, and led Sankt Joseph to back-to-back city championships. He was scouted by Teussen, and was offered a contract with the club's academy. Kramer eagerly accepted, and began training with the youth squads at the club.

Kramer was immediately recognized as an exceptional talent, with great skill on the ball. He had played up front for Sankt Joseph, but at Teussen he was first dropped to the number 10 role before eventually going deeper into midfield. It was here that he quickly rose to prominence in the academy, with talk of his ability circulating within national football circles. When Kramer was age 15, he was named by Score! magazine as the top under 18 player in the country. Kramer, alongside another Teussen youth product Mario Kogler, would lead Teussen's U18s to 2 straight Teus regional championships.

Club career

Breakthrough at FC Teussen Stelburg

In 2018, at the direction of the Ministry of Sport, the Siovanija & Teusland Football Association (STFA) were instructed to form a fully national league, instead of the previous regional system. FC Teussen Stelburg, naturally, were elected a part of the new Republikaliga, and were considered to be one of the favourites to be national champions. Prior to the start of that season, Kramer was invited to train with the senior squad in several training sessions. He greatly impressed manager Kasper Knauer, which led to him signing senior terms with the club and making his Republikaliga debut a few weeks later. Kramer's first Republikaliga goal came in his second game, a 4-2 win over SW Stahlberg. Kramer would score a total of 15 goals in his debut season, and despite finishing runner-up in Young Player of the Year voting, was named to the Republikaliga Best XI for the year. Teussen finished 1 point off the title, coming in second place behind league winners Energija Chernovets.

Champions and Challengers

Kramer's sophomore season at Teussen saw the club enter once again as favourites to win the league title, alongside their major rivals Olympia Borograd. Kramer was also considered a front-runner for the league's Golden Ball award. Both Teussen and Olympia put together excellent campaigns, with Kramer being a highlight of Teussen's season. He was dominant for the club in his role from midfield, serving as a creative playmaker as well as one who could occasionally get forward if needed. Teussen's National Derby showdowns with Olympia that year saw them defeat the capital club in both legs, 2-1 in Borograd and 3-2 in Stelburg. Kramer had both goals in the 2-1 win. The hard-fought title race ended up coming down to the final day as the two rivals entered the day tied. Olympia would manage only a draw with VfB Launitz, while Teussen would crush SV Preisfeld 5-1 to take home their first championship in the Republikaliga era. At the end of the year, Kramer was awarded the league Golden Ball - an MVP award voted on by the league's captains and managers - as well as once again appearing in the Best XI.

The next season began in excellent fashion for Kramer, now captain at the club - he scored a great free kick goal to lead Teussen past Pasargan side Tanrisal in a UICA Globe Cup qualifying match. Teussen's squad was a bit weaker, however, with the club losing centre forward Theodor Aberbach in the offseason and failing to adequately replace him, as well as a few players key in the title run losing a step with age. That, combined with an excellent Olympia Borograd side that would set a Republikaliga points record, meant that Teussen were bridesmaids in the league. Teussen would finish 2nd in the league, but 14 points off the pace set by Olympia. Teussen also made a run to the President's Cup final, but would lose 4-2 to SW Stahlberg. Kramer finished 2nd in Golden Ball voting, as well as being named again in the Best XI.

That offseason was a difficult one for Teussen, the club failing to acquire several targets while clubs around them in the league - including hated rivals 1912 Stelburg - strengthened. Teussen instead began a quick rebuild, with young players like Karl-Heinz Jager, and Kramer's former academy teammate Mario Kogler, making their debuts in the first team. While Kramer was again a key player for the side, it was a tough season for the club - a mix of old and new struggling to blend, and Teussen ended up finishing out of the UICA places in 6th. Kramer was again nominated for the Golden Ball, but did not win, and again was named in the league's Best XI.

Kramer scored 58 goals in 147 league appearances over 4 seasons with the club, winning 1 title in his time at Teussen. During ceremonies after the 5th year of the Republikaliga, Kramer was named the best midfielder in league history, and was named to the 5-year Best XI.

Moving to Cathair

In the summer of 2023, questions about Kramer's future began to circulate. With Teussen seemingly entering a new era, Kramer was also entering his prime. While Kramer was not openly transfer listed, there were for the first time rumblings he may leave Teussen. When Audioslav club 1830 Cathair were rumoured to be looking for a midfielder, Teussen gave Kramer and his agent permission to discuss terms with the club. The club and player were well-matched from the beginning, and Cathair made a 15 million tolar bid that was accepted by Teussen. For the first time in his life, Thorsten Kramer was moving away from Stelburg.

Kramer would later describe the move as the hardest decision of his life, but a rewarding one. At a farewell event at the Teussens-Arena, Kramer declared that Teussen are forever in his heart, and that he would eventually one day return to the club. After that, however, it was on a plane to northeastern Atlantian Oceania, and Audioslavia.

Kramer had to quickly accept a new role, on the bench now behind legendary international players such as the Vanorian Espy va Drake, and Farfadillis legend Fôrté Wínrôuge. Kramer took his chances, however, when he was called on, and 1830 Cathair headed towards a great season in the Audioslav National League, becoming champions of the league for the 11th time after a hard-fought title race with hated rivals AC Izotz Zubia. Having gotten his introduction to Audioslav football, and one of the top leagues in the world, Kramer was ready to take the next step.

The World Stage

By the time of Kramer's second season in the NL, he had become a starter for Cathair, and a key part of their squad. It was another interesting year in the NL, and the title race starred the 3 Cathair clubs: 1830, Shamrock and Cazadores. For much of the year, it appeared as if the two 'other' Cathair sides were in the driver's seat. Shamrock took a 6-point lead in the league after a 1-0 win over Kramer's 1830, in a match that Kramer felt he could've won for his side: hitting the post late in addition to an earlier goal ruled out for offside. Kramer would get his redemption, however, later in the season, playing a great ball for the assist on a Shakira Handris goal that would give 1830 the win over Cazadores, and put them back into the title race. On the final day of the season, Kramer's 1830 would defeat Tout-Puissant Hasiera 4-0 while Shamrock and Cazadores drew 2-2 due to a late Cazadores goal from Mikhail Gerardo which handed 1830 the league title. So, 1830 Cathair were NL champions for a second straight season. More success, however, was found in the IFCF Champions' League.

The inaugural edition of the new Champions' League tournament saw 1830 Cathair entered directly into the group stages as Audioslav champions, and the club found themselves drawn into Group C alongside Eura's Spartangrad, the Kionao Locals of Turori, as well as CF Outineau of Kelssek. Ironically, Outineau had knocked out FC Teussen Stelburg in the prior round, taking away the chance of an interesting matchup. Cathair would dominate the group, going 5-0-1, to advance to the Round of 16. In that round, they faced Eura's Directus, stunning the Eurans with a 2-0 win in the first leg in Eura. While Directus would win the second leg 3-2, Cathair advanced 4-3 on aggregate, where they would once again face Spartangrad. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw, before Cathair won the home leg 1-0 to win the tie and advance to the semifinals. It was a matchup with Pasargan side Tanrisal there, and Cathair won both legs for a 3-0 aggregate victory, sending themselves to the Champions' League Final.

The Final would be played against Brenecia's Northern Stallions, who had beaten defending champions Sabrefell Moths in a 4-2 penalty shootout in the semifinal. The final itself would be played at the Moths' home stadium, the Farham Arena in Sabrefell. Although the match had been greatly hyped, in the end, it was something of a let-down, with almost nothing happening over the course of 90 minutes and extra time. The Stallions had put on a defensive masterclass, but it left them exhausted by the time of penalties. Cathair were able to take full advantage, winning the penalty shootout 4-2 to earn the IFCF Champions' League title. Kramer became the first player from Siovanija & Teusland to win the trophy, and played a key role in the win as a starter at the club. The match was massively hyped back home as well, becoming the 10th most-watched sports program of all time in Siovanija & Teusland, the entire country wanting to see their star a champion.

After that successful campaign, Kramer was named on KarlingSport's Galacticos Index longlist as one of the top footballers in the world.

International Career

--WIP--

Personal life

--WIP--

Honours and Achievements

FC Teussen Stelburg

• Republikaliga: Season 2

1830 Cathair

• National League: Season 9, 10
• IFCF Champions' League: 1 (74th overall)

Individual

• Republikaliga Golden Ball: Season 2
• Republikaliga Best XI: Season 1, 2, 3, 4
• Republikaliga 5th Anniversary XI
• Republikaliga 5th Anniversary Best Midfielder
• National Press Sportsman of the Year: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2026, 2027
• Stelburger Zeitung Top Teus Athlete: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026, 2027
• KarlingSport Galacticos Index: Longlist, cycle 74
• World Cup 80 Team of the Qualifiers

Notes

1. All match desciptions and statistics taken from Siovanija & Teusland's RPs and newswire (life/Teussen seasons), Audioslavia's newswire (seasons at Cathair), and Brenecia's newswire (Champions' League Final).