[Nogrod]

GROUP E at Lothlorien

The organisers at Lothlorien were careful to see the arrangements would be fitting for the great guests they would be receiving. And they had some special reasons to be extraordinary hosts; like the attendance of the great elven friends Huor and Tuor and all their kin (including Nienor whose fate the elves had gotten into their hearts), the honourable even if questionable duo of Beleg and Turin, Melian in her grace and glory and the “greymantle”, leader of the sindarin, the minstrel Maglor, Eöl the odd one; and the stars from Númenor: the controversial Ar Pharazon, Sauron himself, the beloved Tar Minastir, the shipbuilder Tar Ciryatan…

So they had to show they were generous hosts and efficient organisers of a tournament. And as this group was widely thought of being one of those “groups of death”, they sure had to uplift the general mood as sports-wise this sure was one of the toughest groups. So outside the field everything should be as amiable as it could be – even with the whole team Armenelos and its supporters.

There was much rejoicing in the eve of the games when elves and humans who had not seen each others in years were enjoying each others’ company sharing the mutual memories. The spirits were high all around the city. Even those who had first criticised the building of the massive Nenya-Arena with all the cutting of trees and levelling the earth required were showing smiling faces on the eve of the games.

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The first match of the day was between Armenelos and Dor-Lomin. Armenelos had really showed some quality football in last year’s tournament and Sauron’s addition to the team hardly made it a weaker side, at least looking at the sheer talent and power of the team. Although many questioned the inclusion of Sauron, for looking at the personal histories of both Tar Minastir and Ar Pharazon in regards to Sauron it didn’t actually suggest a smooth co-operation and teamwork based on mutual trust. Or would Sauron fail the men once again, like in a critical match against a team that had closer allegiances to his deepest sympathies?

And there was talent on the opposing side as well, especially in the offence. And it could boast with a fair number of heroes in its ranks even if in the pure footballing genius they might have been considered the underdogs. Still everyone was looking forwards for solid performances from the team Dor-Lomin and its tough players.

And it turned out to be a very entertaining game indeed with great individual talent flashing on both sides. But individual skills put aside, it was clearly Armenlos that called the shots early in the game with team-play finesse normally seen only at later stages of tournaments. And they started the scoring already at the 17th minute when after some beautiful passing Ar Pharazon finally set the ball to Tar Minastir who could shoot the goal with Huor on the move to the opposing direction.

Turin and Beleg were constant threats and the experienced Armenelos defence had to put up with some beautiful performances by the two; but with solid teamwork and even some luck the scoreline stayed at 1-0.

At the 36th minute Sauron finally showed why he had been taken into the team. With a quick turn-over play in the middle of Dor-Lomin pressing for an equaliser, Tar Ancalimon robbed the ball and sent it forwards to Sauron, who had basically sniffed the steal in advance and was already on his way forwards when he got the ball in full speed. And Sauron just plain ran the remaining defenders down controlling the ball as he went and finally hammered it in with a powershot.

It is hard to imagine Sauron being applauded in Lothlorien but it did happen this time. Even if it would be wrong to say the aplodes were enthusiastic or especially warm.

But Dor-Lomin was not going to give up and came to the second half full of energy and determination. And they were rewarded at 58th minute when – surprise, surprise – Beleg and Turin finally tore the Armenelos defence down with ingenuous teamwork and Turin shot the ball into the goal through Tar Telperien’s legs, via the right post. The home crowd cheered and this time from the bottom of their heart. There was no question which team was their favourite.

But if the hopes were raised with the narrowing of the lead, they were immediately dampened as Armenelos team found one more gear from somewhere and took the control of the game firmly back. Not that they had actually lost it at any point but after Turin’s goal Armenelos just shut all Dor-Lomin’s attacks and forced them into defence for good. And it took them just thirteen minutes to reclaim the two goal lead.

This time Sauron was playing the second fiddle – but what a play it was!

Armenelos had a free kick from some 30 meters and Ar Adunakhor and Tar Ancalimon were discussing which of them would take it and how. Sauron stood beside the ball making gestures to the two that they should decide. When the referee’s whistle came Ar Adunakhor started running towards the ball and Tar Ancalimon started right behind him. Just when Ar Adunakhor was about to run over the ball – leaving it to Tar Ancalimon following him, Sauron reached his foot to the ball and made a precision pass to the left where Ar Pharazon had been left totally free as all were concentrating on the direction Tar Ancalimon was about to pass it. When the defenders realised what had happened it was already too late. A pro goal-scorer like Ar Pharazon just doesn’t tend to miss that kind of opportunities.

Dor-Lomin gave Armenelos a good fight but it was widely agreed that even if people would have wished Dor-Lomin to make it, the better team had won. Armenelos was one of the best teams last year – some even say it was the best – and it looks like it’s going to be one also this time around.

Armenelos 3-1 Dor-Lomin

shots 16-12
on target 8-4
GOALS:
*17, Armenelos (Tar Minastir, Ar Pharazon)
*36, Armenelos (Sauron, Tar Ancalimon)
*58, Dor-Lomin (Turin, Beleg)
*71, Armenelos (Ar Pharazon, Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Ar Gimilzor, Tar Ancalimon
*Dor-Lomin- Gundor, Tuor


After such a great opening game the feelings were high when the home team’s debut finally took place. And there was no lesser opponent to them than Doriath. It would be the fight of the elves! And especially the fight of two beautiful, foreseeing and extremely skilled goalkeepers used to protect the inviolability of their realms. But even if the home crowd loved its team the line-up of the guests looked dangerously tough; full of legends many of them had just heard stories of or just seen from afar on those earlier days.

To the joy of the home crowd Lothlorien started actively and with the support of the audience seemed to fly in the field making dangerous approaches to the goal guarded by Melian already on the first minutes. Even if the game evened out a bit after the first ten minutes the home team was playing active and gourageous football.

And they were rewarded indeed at 28th minute. When Arwen headed a nice corner given by Haldir into the back of the net from close range the arena just exploded! This was what they had wanted to come to see and this was what they were getting!

After the goal Doriath managed to get the upperhand over the home team and many were the nails bitten before the halftime hoping the lead would hold. But it didn’t.

The visitors attacked with a wide and deep front, so when the defenders were busy marking the most forward-coming ones the ones following naturally got more space. With Dior’s great perception and other attackers' activity, Nellas was able to run into a free space in the corner of the box and got the ball to his feet, avoiding offside by an inch ramming the ball in to the top corner of the goal leaving Galadriel no chances.

But Lothorien started the second half at least as impressively they started the first one and raised the hopes of the homecrowd - and filled them. Despite a few beautiful saves Melian couldn't ward off the Lothlorien attackers from her goal and from a crowded mess in front of her goal Nimrodel managed to move the ball in. The cheers of the crowd were ear-piercing.

To the great disappointment of the home fans Doriath came even fifteen minutes later. The smith and the minstrel put up a great show of individual talent against the already a bit tired Lothorien defenders and just overran them with a few neat passes leaving Galadriel into a hopeless position.

Doriath pressed for a game-winner in the end but thanks to Galadriel beautiful saves one never game.

The homecrowds were pleased with the result though even if at some points they had even entertained the idea of winning the game. But Doriath was a solid team and this was seen fair in the end. Both goalies were elected as the "women of the match" and both teams could be happy with the performances of their forwards and some midfielders. But how would their defences fare with a team like Armenelos, or the shining skill of Turin and Beleg? The coaches had surely something to think.

Doriath 2-2 Lothlorien

shots 15-14
on target 8-8
GOALS:
*28, Lothlorien (Arwen, Haldir)
*42, Doriath (Nellas, Dior)
*62, Lothlorien (Nimrodel, Arwen)
*76, Doriath (Eöl, Maglor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Saeros, Dior
*Lothlorien- Haldir