Last thing I heard from tp is there are 4 rounds planned and he is waiting to hear from some others who might meander in since they expressed interest to join. If after 3 rounds, it looks like all the ends are tied up and everyone's ready to go then the tournament will start after 3 friendlies.

(Which reminds me tp, Glirdan says he's too busy, haven't heard from wilwa yet).

*2nd's Nilp's Eeeeeeoooomerrrr* :D

The Lynch Mob
 

++ Nerdanel (Valinor)
--Scatha (Wilderland)

GK: Huor (Angfauglith)
DF: Malbeth (Westernesse)

DF: Celeborn (Lothlorien)
DF: Erestor (Eregion)

DF: Elwe (Doriath)
MF: *Finrod (Tirion)

MF: *Varda (Pelori)
MF: *Glorfindel (Eregion)
MF: *Hurin (Doriath)
FW: Nerdanel (Valinor)
FW: Gwathwolf (Tol In Gaurhoth)

Some changes, for better or worse
 

++*Hurin (Doriath)
--Morwen

++Shadowfax(Lothlorien)
--Asfaloth

++Elrohir (Eregion)
--Rian


GK-**Ungoliant - Angband

DF-Shadowfax- Lothlorien
DF-Thorondor - Gondolin
DF-*Nazgul#3 - Minas Morgul
DF-Beregond - Minas Tirith

MF-Elrohir- Eregion
MF-*Hurin- Doriath
MF-*Glorfindel - Eregion (C)
MF-Cirdan - Barad Dur

FW-Beleg - Doriath
FW-Arien - Valinor

I'm afraid you're having five stars in your team Galadriel... just drop one.


Like Boro said, there will be four rounds of friendlies unless all the players who are anticipated to join are gathered and ready after the third round of friendlies. Like we saw Eomer enter just today (yay!).

I hope we can kick the tournament to start around midsummer - is there a better date to start a tournament?

Look forwards to some nice analysis, hot gossip and all that jazz - and produce some yourselves meanwhile!

Oooops...

++Osse (Tol E.)
--*Nazgul3

GK-**Ungoliant - Angband

DF-Shadowfax- Lothlorien
DF-Thorondor - Gondolin
DF-Osse - Tol Eressea
DF-Beregond - Minas Tirith

MF-Elrohir- Eregion
MF-*Hurin- Doriath
MF-*Glorfindel - Eregion (C)
MF-Cirdan - Barad Dur

FW-Beleg - Doriath
FW-Arien - Valinor

-- Huor
++ Ingwe

GK: Ingwe (Valinor)

DF: Malbeth (Westernesse)
DF: Celeborn (Lothlorien)
DF: Erestor (Eregion)
DF: Elwe (Doriath)

MF: *Finrod (Tirion)

MF: *Varda (Pelori)
MF: *Glorfindel (Eregion)
MF: *Hurin (Doriath)

FW: Nerdanel (Valinor)

FW: Gwathwolf (Tol In Gaurhoth)

Inzil's Ignobles

--Gothmog II--Barad-Dur
++Gamil Zirak--Beleriand

GK- *Rog--Gondolin

DF- Gamil Zirak--Beleriand
DF- Sangahyando--Minas Morgul
DF- Caranthir--Tirion
DF- *Nazgul #5--Mordor

MF- Figwit--Eregion
MF- Elrohir--Eregion
MF- Finduilas--Nargothrond
MF- *Aragorn--Eriador (C)

FW- *Witch-king--Minas Morgul
FW- Alien--The Downer

Hope you stick with four rounds. Four is such a lovely number for analysis. :)

(The astrologers, some of whom happen to minor in numerology, are having a heated debate with the mathematicians in our staff. The coin-flippers are heckling by the sidelines.)

In its latest posting the Underground debuts its new reporter, Ugluk, former footballer and now resident jock of The Underground.

Serious Post:

Is there going to be a clear announcement and countdown to when the Cup starts? I'm following the theory of waiting until all the friendlies are done (and all the good players taken) before making my selections and I don't want to accidentally not make any selections at all because the Cup started suddenly.

I think there will. tp will be announcing the beginning after everyone is on board and the friendlies are played. Hopefully around the Midsummer - a great date to start I'd say. :rolleyes:

But it will be announced to be sure - and those not done their predictions and made up their teams will be pushed to do it before we start.

I'll refrain form choosing as well before the friendlies are over. Why not take in all the info you can have on board before making choices?

All those who have made picks / predictions alredy, I think you are free to change any of them until the tournament itself begins.

Several interesting changes....
 

-- Tuor (Mithrim)
-- Asfaloth (Eregion)
-- Amras (Himring)
-- Celeborn (Lothlorien)
-- *Ulmo (Tol Eressea)
-- *Glaurung (Nargothrond)
-- Aredhel (Tirion)
-- *Ancalagon (Angband)
-- *Arwen (Gondor)

++ **Huan (Doriath)
++ Great Warg (Wilderland)
++ Tar Palantir (Westernesse)
++ Tulkas (Valinor)
++ Gwaihir (Pelori)
++ Saruman (Misty Mountains)
++ Nerdanel (Valinor)
++ *Hurin (Doriath)
++ *Maeglin (Angfauglith)

Making the current Wolf Pack -

GK - **Huan (Doriath)

DF - Great Warg (Wilderland)
DF - Tar Palantir (Westernesse)
DF - Tulkas (Valinor)
DF - Gwaihir (Pelori)

MF - *Hurin (Doriath) (C)
MF - Hyarmendacil (Westernesse)
MF - Saruman (Misty Mountains)

FW - *Maeglin (Angfauglith)
FW - Nerwolf (Tol-In-Gaurhoth)
FW - Nerdanel (Valinor)

----------------

Also, several of my predictions have changed.

Most Goals - Turin (Doriath)
Most Assists - Nerdanel (Valinor)
Winning Team - Doriath

GK Points - Huan (Doriath)
DF Points - Celebrimbor (Eregion)
MF Points - Phantomwolf (Tol-In-Gaurhoth)
FW Points - Turin (Doriath)

Group A - Winner Doriath, runner-up Tirion
Group B - Winner Wilderland, runner-up Misty Mountains
Group C - Winner Angband, runner-up Angfauglith
Group D - Winner Gondor, runner-up Eregion
Group E - Winner Tol-In-Gaurhoth, runner-up Mordor
Group F - Winner Westernesse, runner-up Numenor
Group G - Winner Valinor, runner-up Pelori
Group H - Winner Lothlorien, runner-up Minas Tirith

Bletherin' Blellums
 

GK - Elrond ** (Eregion)

DF - Nienna (Pelori)
DF - Elendil (Westernesse)
DF - Carcharoth (Doriath)
DF - Thorondor (Gondolin)

MF - Luthien (Doriath)
MF - Gimli (Lothlorien)
MF - Khamul (Wilderland)

FW - Feanor ** (Lothlorien)
FW - Beleg (Doriath)
FW - Finwe (Tirion)

The Cupkicks

GK Butterbur (Shire-Bree United)
DF Carcaroth (Doriath)
DF Fellbeast #1 (Barad-Dur)
DF NilpWolf (Tol In Gaurhoth)
DF **Morgoth (Angband) C
MF Mardil (Westernesse)
MF Radagast (Wilderland)
MF *Phabbler (Tol In Gaurhoth)
FW Thuringwethil (Angband)
FW *Maedhros (Himring)
FW Shelob (Mordor)





10 POINT QUESTIONS
Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Feanor (Lothlorien)
Who will have the most assists in the tournament? Morgoth (Angband)
Which team will win the tournament? Angband


5 POINT QUESTIONS
Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Huan (Doriath)
Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Morgoth (Angband)
Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? PhantomWolf (Tol In Gaurhoth)
Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Turin (Doriath)


GROUP PICKS
The first team listed is the winner, the second runner-up.

GROUP A: Doriath, Shire-Bree United
GROUP B: Wilderland, Misty Mts
GROUP C: Angband, Angfauglith
GROUP D: Barad-Dur, Gondor
GROUP E: Tol In Gaurhoth, Mordor
GROUP F: Numenor, Mithrim
GROUP G: Valinor, Gondolin
GROUP H: Lothlorien, Minas Morgul




I may make some changes tomorrow or so, but I'll go with this for now. :)

Me change:
 

--Huor [Anfauglith]
++Orodreth [Tirion]

-- Shadowfax [Lothlórien]
++Draugluin [Angband]

-- Carcaroth [Doriath]
++Oropher [Wilderland]

-- *Glorfindel [Eregion]
++ *Hûrin [Doriath]

-- Ulfang [Angband]
++ Balrog #3 [Angband]

-- Gimli [Lothlórien]
++ Saruman [Misty Mts]

Now it's:

GK Orodreth [Tirion]

DF Asfaloth [Eregion]
DF Draugluin [Angband]
DF **Fingolfin [Anfauglith] (C)
DF Oropher [Wilderland]

MF *Tar-Míriel [Númenor]
MF *Hûrin [Doriath]
MF Balrog #3 [Angband]
MF Lúthien [Doriath]
MF Saruman [Misty Mts]

FW Tevildo [Angband]


EDIT: Changed formatting - the old one confused even myself. I'm supposed to post an ArdaCup.com Stats Report article to point out certain stats (like best goalkeepers/best team defence and yellow cards, among others) but it's still too cumbersome and I can't be spending all day in front of a spreadsheet.

10 point questions

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? –Túrin (Doriath)
Who will have the most assists in the tournament? –Sauron (Wilderland)
Which team will win the tournament? –Doriath.


5 point questions
Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Ungoliant (Angband)
Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Fingolfin (Angfauglith)
Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Phantomwolf (T-I-G)
Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Túrin (Doriath)



Group Picks

Group A
1. Doriath
2. Tirion

Group B
1. Wilderland
2. Misty Mountains

Group C
1. Angband
2. Angfauglith

Group D
1. Gondor
2. Eriador

Group E
1. Tol-in-Gaurhoth
2. Mordor

Group F
1. Westernesse
2. Tol Eressëa

Group G
1. Valinor
2. Gondolin

Group H
1. Lothlorien
2. Minas Morgul


Team will be up shortly...

Like, drown in numbers, dudes.

Wasn't it Drowning By Numbers (starring Bernard Hill...)? :D

Way to go Nilp!

10 point questions

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? –Túrin (Doriath)
Who will have the most assists in the tournament? –Hurin (Doriath)
Which team will win the tournament? –Doriath


Yeah, all eggs in one basket. ;)


5 point questions

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Ungoliant (Angband)
Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Morgoth (Angband)
Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Hurin (Doriath)
Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –Túrin (Doriath)


Group Picks

Group A
1. Doriath
2. Himring

Group B
1. Wilderland
2. Misty Mountains

Group C
1. Angband
2. Angfauglith

Group D
1. Eregion
2. Eriador

Group E
1. Tol-in-Gaurhoth
2. Mordor

Group F
1. Westernesse
2. Tol Eressëa

Group G
1. Pelori
2. Valinor

Group H
1. Lothlorien
2. Minas Morgul

10 point questions

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? – Miriel (Valinor)
Who will have the most assists in the tournament? – Sauron (Wilderland)
Which team will win the tournament? –Angfauglith

5 point questions

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -
Elrond (Eregion)
Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –
Tar Telperien (Westernesse)
Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –
Tilion (Angband)
Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? –
Túrin (Doriath)


Group Picks

Group A
1. Doriath
2. Tirion

Group B
1. Wilderland
2. Misty Mountains

Group C
1. Angfauglith
2. Angband

Group D
1. Eregion
2. Eriador

Group E
1. Tol-in-Gaurhoth
2. The Forest

Group F
1. Westernesse
2. Tol Eressea

Group G
1. Valinor
2. Pelori

Group H
1. Lothlorien
2. Minas Morgul

The final round of friendlies will be up soon. I'm sending PMs to everyone that hasn't made picks. If you wish to change your picks, don't count on being able to do so after this week ends.

Changing some things
 

10 POINT QUESTIONS

Most goals - Feanor
Most assists - Sauron
Which team will win the tournament? - Doriath

5 POINT QUESTIONS

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? - Manwe

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? - Gandalf

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? - SPM

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? - Shelob


My group predictions remain the same...

All right.
 

I'm gonna be so late with the next chapter of my story. And I have y'all to blame.

(Well, y'all and 40-odd episodes of Darker than Black. And 20-odd episodes of Evangelion. *sigh* I still need to work on the hierarchy of my priorities.)

I'll be making some changes to my line-up (after comparing the rankings I have generated with the grouping), but that'll have to wait after the final round of friendlies. In the meantime (since they won't likely be affected by anything that might happen in the last friendly matches), here are some changes to my bonus pts predictions (only in the phantasy leaders section) as well as my group stages predictions.

For 10:

• Most goals - Túrin
• Most assists - Tevildo
• Champion - Doriath

For 5:

• Phantasy GK - Manwë
• Phantasy DF - Fingolfin
• Phantasy MF - Hûrin
• Phantasy FW - Tûrin

My final 16 teams are almost the same as that said here by the ArdaCup.com Stats Report, except that in Groups D and G, the leaders and the runners-up are reversed.

A1 Doriath
A2 Tirion

B1 Wilderland
B2 Misty Mts

C1 Angband
C2 Anfauglith

D1 Gondor
D2 Eregion

E1 Tol-in-Gaurhoth
E2 Mordor

F1 Westernesse
F2 Númenor

G1 Valinor
G2 Pelóri

H1 Lothlórien
H2 Minas Morgul

I would like to point everyone's attention to my edit in my round 4 predictions post. Merci. :)

(And with that said, I imagine you'll be seeing all match reports by the end of today).

Friendlies be over. Now here be enemlies.
 

Shall not bother with --, ++ thing. :p Here be my line-up for the group stage, round 1:

The Numbering Horde

GK Ingwë [Valinor]

DF Gwaihir [Pelóri]
DF Elendil [Westernesse]
DF Nienna [Pelóri]
DF Tulkas [Valinor]

MF *Eöl [Doriath]
MF Ar-Adûnakhôr [Westernesse]
MF *Hûrin [Doriath] (C)
MF *Finrod [Tirion]
MF *Tar Míriel [Númenor]

FW Smaug [Wilderland]

A final pre-tourney ArdaCup.com Stats report will be done shortly.

Just so everyone can see where we stand for starting, Kuru, Nog, and Skip have to do their predictions, and Kuru, Nog, Skip, Boro, and Nerwen have to select their Phantasy teams.

Once all of them have done what they need to do, we will begin. So for those of you that expressed interest in following along or perhaps participating (Mnemo, Form, Blind, Pitch), that's how long you have to throw your hat into the ring (or how long the rest of you have to talk them into it :p).

Rosters are here. The first round of group matchups are-

Group A
Doriath vs Tirion
Himring vs Shire-Bree United
Group B
Esgaroth vs Misty Mts
Anduin vs Wilderland
Group C
Angband vs Hithlum
Angfauglith vs The Downer
Group D
Barad-Dur vs Eriador
Eregion vs Gondor
Group E
Mordor vs Nargothrond
The Forest vs Tol In Gaurhoth
Group F
Mithrim vs Westernesse
Numenor vs Tol Eressea
Group G
Beleriand vs Pelori
Gondolin vs Valinor
Group H
Lothlorien vs Minas Morgul
Dunharrow vs Minas Tirith

My team and predictions coming in tomorrow, in 24 hours...

Just to make sure everyone knows the format (in case it factors in your selections/predictions etc.), the teams in each group play each other and then the top two teams advance to the playoffs. The group winners are pitted against group losers as such...

1-A Winner v H Loser
--------------9-Game 1 Winner v Game 2 Winner
2-B Winner v G Loser
--------------------------------13-Game 9 Winner v Game 10 Winner
3-C Winner v F Loser
--------------10-Game 3 Winner v Game 4 Winner
4-D Winner v E Loser
----------------------------------------------------15-Game 13 Winner v Game 14 Winner
5-E Winner v D Loser
--------------11-Game 5 Winner v Game 6 Winner
6-F Winner v C Loser
--------------------------------14-Game 11 Winner v Game 12 Winner
7-G Winner v B Loser
--------------12-Game 7 Winner v Game 8 Winner
8-H Winner v A Loser

League Blessed Sponsor Product?
 

I am picturing this scene where the new commissioner is trying to explain to Galadriel that in order to participate in the league she has to use the new league sponsored ghd hair straightener.

Notorious Nerwenites

GK *Manwë (Pelori)
DF Rochallor (Angfauglith)
DF Elendil (Westernesse)
DF Caranthir (Tirion)
DF *Beren (Doriath)
MF Saruman (Misty Mts)
MF Khamûl (Wilderland)
MF *Húrin (Doriath)
FW Smaug (Wilderland)
FW Eldacar (Gondor)
FW *Maeglin (Angfauglith) (C)

Arithmetic done wrong is *not* pretty.
 

I'm picturing a scene that involves division by zero, a great cataclysm, and Eru suddenly saying 'Time for bed!' to Manwë and the Valar, who's now looking glum cos playtime's over.

Oops
 

I apologize for my sudden and unexplained vanishing. My computer got a virus at the beginning of this week and its been no small feat putting the pieces back together.

I will be posting my picks shortly. If nobody posts between now and then I will just append it to this post.

No problem, that's why we've got the friendlies and are hopefully trying to keep things moving smoothly but also giving everyone time to make their picks and choose their team. :)

(But must admit, I am waiting to see what the next lovely, trashy story The Underground has for us :D)

Unnamed Horror

--Beregond
++Nilpwolf (TIG)

GK-**Ungoliant (Angband)

DF-Shadowfax (Lothlorien)
DF-Thorondor (Gondolin)
DF-Osse (Tol Eressea)
DF-Nilpwolf (TIG)

MF-Elrohir (Eregion)
MF-*Hurin (Doriath)
MF-*Glorfindel (Eregion)
MF-Cirdan (Barad Dur)

FW-Beleg (Doriath) (C)
FW-Arien (Valinor)

Kuru's Scrubs
 

I have hired an infinite number of monkeys with dartboards to advise me on all my picks, aided and abetted by my very own sense of randomness, to see if I come in utterly last or if blind luck will conquer all.

GK – Grimbeorn (Wilderland)
DF – *Balrog #2 (Angband)
DF – Shadowfax (Lothlorien)
DF – *Beren (Doriath)
DF – Nazgul #4 (Mordor)
MF – Grishnakh (Mordor)
MF – Skinbark (The Forest)
MF – *Finrod (Tirion)
FW – Smaug (Wilderland)
FW – GwathWolf (T-I-G)
FW – *Bombadil (The Forest)

As it turned out the monkeys seemed to have a serious thing going for just a few rather odd teams…well…ok, one of them isn’t quite as odd…

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Turin (Doriath)
Who will have the most assists in the tournament? Hurin (Doriath) (I mean, honestly for consistency’s sake I have to pick him...oh wait...that's not what I'm trying to do here...)
Which team will win the tournament? Wilderland (I would pick Doriath…but they are heavy favorites so there is no way they will actually pull it off)

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Huan (Doriath)
Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Morgoth (Angband)
Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Finrod (Tirion) This is my official *serious* sleeper pick.
Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Bombadil (The Forest) This is my official dangling out at the end of the limb pick.

Group A
1. Doriath
2. Shire-Bree United (I’m sticking to my guns on my Bombadil pick)

Group B
1. Wilderland
2. Misty Mountains

Group C
1. Anfaughlith
2. Angband

Group D
1. Eregion
2. Gondor

Group E
1. The Forest
2. Tol-In-Gaurhoth

Group F
1. Westernesse
2. Tol-Eressëa

Group G
1. Pelori
2. Valinor

Group H
1. Minas Morgul
2. Lothlorien (just to be different since everyone else seems to have these in reverse order)

There…those could be the seeds of a stunning victory or a humiliating defeat right there.

(I’d take money that it’s the latter…)


You'll love it...

So here are my predictions...


The 10 point questions:

Who will score the most goals in the tournament?
Ar Pharazôn of Westernesse

Who will have the most assists in the tournament?
Tevildo of Angband

Which team will win the tournament?
Westernesse


The five point questions:

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Manwë of Pelori

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Tar Telperion of Westernesse

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Nerdanel of Valinor

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Túrin of Doriath


The group-predictions:

Group A
1. Doriath
2. Tirion

Group B
1. Wilderland
2. Misty Mts.

Group C
1. Angband
2. Anfaughlith

Group D
1. Gondor
2. Eregion

Group E
1. Tol-In-Gaurhoth
2. The Forest

Group F
1. Westernesse
2. Numenor

Group G
1. Pelori
2. Valinor

Group H
1. Lothlórien
2. Minas Morgul



My team coming soonish...

Noggportunistics

GK – Tar Atanamir of Westernesse (C)

DF – Tar Palantir of Westernesse
DF – Malbeth of Westernesse
DF – Tar Calmacil of Númenor
DF – Nienna of Pelori

MF – Saruman of Misty Mts.
MF – Khamûl of Wilderland
MF – *Varda of Pelori

FW – *Maeglin of Anfaughlith
FW – *Ancalagon of Angband
FW – *Smaug of Wilderland


Typing this I just remembered my first team in these tournaments a few years ago. I had a principle that I only chose beauties and beasts eg. females and "odd ones". I'm very happy to see that my first team this year has quite a nice amount of the similar feeling (the defensive side is a bit against that principle but the midfield and offence loook pretty good indeed from that POV).

Although I'm a bit sad not seeing my Arda Cup team favourites Tar Telperion, Miriel, Nerdanel and Aredhel on board right now. But I have to be opportunistic enough every once in a while... :)

Good to see this one finally starting!

Lynch Mob
 

--Huor
--Celeborn
--Elwe
--Finrod
--Glorfindel
--Nerdanel
++Ingwe
++Drauglin
++Gwaihir
++Khamul
++Maeglin
++Curufin


GK: Ingwe (Valinor)
DF: Drauglin (Angband)
DF: Erestor (Eregion)

DF: Malbeth (Westernesse)
DF: Gwaihir (Pelori)
MF: *Hurin (Doriath)
MF: *Varda (Pelori)
MF: Khamul (Wilderland)
FW: Gwathwolf (TIG)
FW: *Maeglin (Angfauglith)
FW: Curufin (Hithlum)

For anyone wishing to earn double points from one of their players, please remember to designate your team captain with-> (C). For example, look two posts up at Nog's team (he has assigned his GK Tar Atanamir as his captain).

Oh, are we allowed three players from one team? I thought we were limited to two at the start.

yes...
 

You can have three players from the same squad. That's the max.