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The Arda Cup is the biggest thing to have hit Bree since pipe-weed, and the neighbouring villages of Staddle, Combe and Archet were all but empty as the day of the first round matches approached: all had come to the capital in hopes of obtaining tickets, preferably to one of the home team’s matches. Yes, all were here, except a few opportunists who had rented out their flats to shocking rates and headed for the country. Barlimar Butterbur of the Prancing Pony did not mind the competition though, as his establishment had been booked solid for months and remained the natural centre point of town, despite the camps of the foreign teams and supporters that had been raised on the fields outside the city walls.

At the Pony, the talk often centered on Valimar, and all the strange tales that surrounded them. The Dunedain of Amon Sul and Romenna were odd enough, but at least they reminded them of the Rangers whom they were familiar with. But this Valimar team was too weird to be true. Sure, they had heard of the Man in the Moon, but the idea that he was actually here in person, playing football, was hard for the Bree-landers to get their head around. From outside the well-fenced Valimar camp people claimed to have caught glimpses of kingly figures of surpassing beauty, or terrifying beasts that chilled the very bone.

The Bree-landers did not know what to make of all this and many focused on their own team instead, a subject most punters at the Pony considered themselves experts at. According to the majority opinion, the key to success would be to get the whole team involved, as Bree all too often was a two man team in practice. They were simply too reliant on the dynamic duo of Tom Bombadil and The Barrow-Wight, and in order to progress, others than those two had to produce to goods also. Expectations on the ex-Shire players Merry and Pippin were high, and it was hoped that their leadership qualities would give the team some defensive stability to support their star men.

Match 1: Amon Sul vs. Valimar

When the Valimar team entered the field the sold out crowd gasped for breath and an eerie silence followed. Rumours that spoke of the overwhelming splendour and terror this team of the ancient world evoked were thought to be exaggerated by most people, but now when they could witness it for themselves, they realized that even the most outlandish story wasn't anywhere close to the truth. Here was the Ainur arrayed in all their beauty and might, and the Bree faithful wondered how in the world their Bob and Nob and Barliman and Ferny could ever hope to compete with a team like this. Then there was a collective sigh of awe, followed by a storming applause. This was a day they’d always remember.

When play got under way, it quickly became apparent that Valimar not only looked good - they could play too. The most talked about signing ahead of the games, Melkor, showed none of the selfish and violent behaviour he is notorious for, and played brilliantly on the midfield, spraying perfect balls to his team-mates without ever making a mistake. Amon Sul barely got to borrow the ball, and when they did, they got under pressure directly. In the 20th minute Valimar was awarded a free-kick after Eönwe had been brought down to the right, just outside the penalty area. Melkor took it, and he whipped the ball into the box where Tulkas, wrestling with Araglas, managed to nod the ball back across goal to find an unmarked Eönwe who made no mistake with a diving header. Some 20 minutes later Eönwe turned provider, as he played a cute one-two with Melkor who chipped the ball over the legs of the onrushing Amon Sul keeper, just as he had done so many times before.

There was never really any excitement regarding the outcome of this match, and the few times an Amon Sul-player managed to get into a decent attacking position, it was as if a shadow fell on him, and could easily be dispossessed or tried a panicky attempt at a pass or shot. Such was the fear that Ungoliant and the Balrogs instilled on their opponents. Frankly, they could have played all night, and Amon Sul would not have scored anyway. Offensively Valimar settled down after the second goal, but there was still time for a third, which was scored from long range by one of the Balrogs. This Valimar team will take some beating, that should be clear to anyone watching this game.

Amon Sul 0-3 Valimar
shots 5-16
on target 1-8
GOALS:
*20, Valimar (Eonwe,Tulkas)
*39, Valimar (Melkor, Eonwe)
*60 Valimar (Balrog #4, Tilion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Sul- Aranarth, Arador, Arahad

The Valimar performance in the first game had been so impressive that the home crowd almost forgot about the very important match ahead of their own heroes. Bree were up against a difficult opponent too in Romenna, a very experienced team from across the wide waters of the West. When the ref started play, Bree went on the attack from the get go, determined to make an early impact on the game. That man Tom Bombadil playfully tunnelled two men, end danced into the penalty area. Hey! Come derry dol! Hop along my hearties! he sang, and played a sensational ball to Nob, who had the open net at his mercy, but to the crowds disbelief he ballooned it way over the crossbar. Oh my, what a miss from the Hobbit! He’ll replay that moment in his head many times tonight, one can be certain of…

Bree didn’t lose confidence though, and although much centred around Bombadil, the team as a whole played some good football and continued to create chances. When Romenna took the lead, it felt like an injustice, but it was a good goal and it all happened very quickly. After a Bree attack the ball rolled up to Tar-Palantir outside of his own penalty area, and without even looking up he hit a long ball towards Tar-Miriel who came racing forward. She beat the Bree offside-trap, rounded Old Man Willow and rolled the ball into the open net.

Meanwhile, the Romenna defence had put two men on Tom Bombadil, who now started to find space hard to come by. His partner in crime, The Barrow-Wight, was still in the game though, and when he ghosted past his marker and got behind the Romenna defense, space was opening up and as the cross came in, there was Bombadillo, hopping and dancing like a madman to get away from his markers. With his trade-mark yellow boot he hit a sweet volley that crashed into the net past a not so bemused Elros, who got up as if to say “Never again!” when he saw Tom celebrating the goal with comical somersaults and terrible poetry.

And so it proved. Despite Bree’s best efforts, they could not find a way to beat Elros again. Even Bombadil looked puzzled as the half-elven made an amazing fingertip-save off a shot that had the home-crowd cheering for a goal the moment it left his yellow boot. The ensuing corner was without result, and suddenly Romenna was on the counter-attack. Vardamir advanced with the ball at full speed, and again Tal-Palantir showed the same kind of foresight as on the first goal, and seemed to know exactly where the ball would come before it was hit. With a deft touch he controlled it, and although Old Man Willow dropped a branch, he was powerless to stop the shot as it whistled into the net. With less than ten minutes to play, Bree was behind again, and this time there was no way back for the home team.

At the Prancing Pony that night the atmosphere was subdued. In order to advance now, Bree will most likely have to win, or at least not lose, against the same Valimar side they had seen make mighty kings of Men look like little boys. Just how on Middle Earth this could be possible no-one knew. But one thing they knew for certain. If anyone could do it, Bombadillo could.

Bree 1-2 Romenna
shots 14-11
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*34, Romenna (Tar Miriel, Tar Palantir)
*55, Bree (Tom Bombadil, The Barrow-Wight)
*81, Romenna (Tar Palantir, Vardamir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Bree- Harry, Ferny, Pippin
*Romenna- Tar Anarion

Standings: Group A

Team_______W D L GF GA P
1) Valimar____1 0 0 3 - 0 3
2) Romenna___1 0 0 2 - 1 3
3) Bree_______0 0 1 1 - 2 0
4) Amon Sul___0 0 1 0 - 3 0