[the phantom]

The mood in the city of Tirion upon Tuna was festive to say the least. Some of the fans were already celebrating as if they’d won the cup. Through the first two rounds Tuna had blasted their way to two wins and racked up the best goal differential in the tournament. They were quite certain that the final task, while potentially more difficult, would be met with the same offensive fury as usual, and Tol-in-Gaurhoth would fall in defeat.

The fans for TIG however were quite confident that Tuna would wither in the face of the speed, strength, and killer instinct of their werewolves. “They started to find their form in the last game, Steve, so this match is as good as over,” said Hakonwolf to Wereonwe as they prowled outside the stadium’s northern gates.

“Quite right, lad!” he answered. “We’re first rate at every position on the pitch! There isn’t a team in this tournament that can withstand us when we’re playing our game!”

But the fans of both teams would have to wait for their match, for first was Brethil playing Gondor. Brethil was already eliminated, and they were paying for honor. Gondor on the other hand had hopes of squeaking into the playoffs with a combined good win over Brethil and a loss by TIG, so they were certain to be firing on all cylinders.

As the game opened it was obvious that both sides were giving it their best shot, but the group from Brethil had the most intensity, wanting to prove that their poor showing thus far was not who they truly were. After several minutes of constant attack, the people of the woods broke through with the game's opening goal- a close range boot from Hunthor given to him courtesy of Halmir.

Brethil continued to apply pressure, and the fans of Gondor worried that their team would fall behind by two goals, but the valiant Boromir II whipped out his horn and blew a blast that made the opposition stop in their tracks and gave courage to the Gondorins (aka Gondorians, Gondorites, Gondolas). Under the leadership of Boro and his bro, the attack was built, and just past the half-hour point the swan Prince (not to be confused with the swan princess) sent in a corner that was headed unstoppably by Boromir and the game was tied!

The fans celebrated wildly, and Boromir himself ripped off his jersey and climbed on top of the goal and led them in cheers. When the ref came running up preparing to give Boromir a card for his display, Boromir leaped down and pleaded, "A madness took me, but it has passed!" Evidently the ref believed him for Boromir escaped an official reprimand and play continued.

The second half was much the same, with Brethil coming out on fire, scoring, and then Gondor pushing back, only this time it was Haleth and Dervorin doing the honors. As the seconds ticked away Boromir and company grew frantic, their chances of advancing slipping away. Imrahil and Faramir tried their best to create openings in the box, but the stout folk of Brethil held and the game ended at 2-2. Brethil had gained a point, and so would not go home empty handed. Gondor had not had a bad tournament either, but nonetheless the fans left the stadium disappointed.

Brethil 2-2 Gondor
shots 9-14
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*18, Brethil (Hunthor, Halmir)
*33, Gondor (Boromir II, Imrahil)
*60, Brethil (Haleth, Manthor)
*77, Gondor (Dervorin, Atanatar I)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Brethil- Asgon, Dorlas
*Gondor- Hirluin, Anardil

The table was set for the final game of the group- Tuna versus Tol-in-Gaurhoth. A win by Tuna would prove they were the top team in the group as they would move forward undefeated, but a win by TIG would steal the first place crown from the hosts and put them back on their way to repeating last year's semifinal performance, or possibly bettering it.

The fans from both sides were extremely confident, but the Werewolves who came in support of TIG were somewhat less gracious. "We're going to eat them alive!" shouted TGEWolf as she chewed on a suspiciously human looking bone. "All of our players are better than all of theirs!" yelled Nerwolf in support of her claim. "Our wolves know the game better than anyone!" agreed Shastawolf. "I can't wait to see the slaughter!" cried McWolf. "I'm just here to see Phantomwolf," muttered Wilwolf to herself.

As the Werewolves took the field, the Elves of Tuna did their best to applaud politely, though after being subjected to constant taunts from TIG fans all week they weren't very enthusiastic. The Werewolves on the other hand howled and roared and stamped their great hind paws on the seats and brought their forepaws together with all their might, and the noise they created was quite unbelievable for such a small group, though the section of TIG fans was certainly larger than it had been for the first two games. A great many Werewolves had showed up for the final group showdown. Even Feawolf, Mirawolf, Lariwolf, and Niennawolf had come all the way out of the East to join the throng.

Not surprisingly Greenwolf had made the journey as well, being related to two of the players on the field, though interestingly she was sporting a Phantomwolf jersey rather than one from her dad or sister. "My sister nearly cost us that first game, so I'm not about to support her," she said when asked about it. "And my dad is so terribly arrogant. Can you believe he put himself on his own Phantasy team?" But when it was pointed out that Phantomwolf was possibly the most arrogant wolf ever, Greenwolf just mumbled something about "none of your business".

But it was Tuna's turn to make an entrance, and what an entrance! The players rushed onto the field flipping and cartwheeling, all while dribbling balls and even passing them to one another. They had been on form since the beginning of the tournament and it looked like tonight would be no different, and the crowd hollered its approval.

But as the game began, the crowd's high spirits were tempered somewhat by strong play from Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Most of the sloppiness that was evident in their first game was gone, and they were able to hold possession and sustain attacks on Tuna far better than anything Tuna had seen thus far in the tournament, though the Werewolves still couldn't crack the final line of defense or Aule the keeper. Though this perhaps was a function of being one wolf short, as Phantomwolf, instead of focusing on the game, kept hovering over near the section of TIG fans and chatting with members of the crowd, particularly the lady-wolves. Finally the ref handed Phantomwolf a card, as he had been so deep in conversation with Greenwolf that he had failed to notice the ball hit him on the back of the leg. "The game's out here, sir!" shouted the ref. "Play properly or you'll be sent off!"

With the addition of Phantomwolf things got dangerous for Tuna, and at the 20 minute mark SPMwolf sent a screamer just barely outside the bar and the crowd gasped. Then again two minutes later Gwathwolf came free for a header, but Aule made a miraculous fingertip save to preserve the tie. The crowd was quite nervous indeed. But then the Tuna defense finally stole it and sent it up the field quickly, and Miriel and Nerdanel ran in and challenged Mormwolf with a shot that he only barely caught up to. The crowd cheered wildly. This was what they expected from their team. TIG's philosophy of leaving their goal open to counter-attack and hoping their defenders were fast enough to get back and slow the attack up long enough to get the defense set was sure to be dangerous against a team like Tuna who had such amazing skill at the forward position.

And indeed, at minute 34 Tuna made TIG pay for their aggressiveness as it was again Miriel and Nerdanel on the counter and TIG just couldn't stop them. The TIG fans for the first time showed some signs of doubt. This Tuna team was good! Perhaps it wouldn't be the slaughter they had hoped for. Finally just before the half TIG got the equaliser from Gwathwolf and the werewolves went into the locker room with some of their swagger back.

The second half started with TIG on the attack yet again, only the Tuna defense seemed to be well over their shock at the quality of play and they were able to more easily spark counter-attacks on the Werewolves, and Mormwolf was extremely nervous back in the TIG goal, for every few minutes the forwards from Tuna would come dashing at him with few defenders to help, and it was no surprise when one got by him at minute 59, this time courtesy of Finwe.

But the Werewolves surged back and attacked the goal with nearly every player they had, and at 67 minutes Lomwolf sent a no-look heel pass back to Wereomer who had a few feet of open space and he boomed the equalizer past Aule.

The Werewolves continued attacking full bore, but again Tuna made them pay with a quick break up the field, and once again the amazing Miriel found the back of the net and Tuna was in the lead again. The crowd was out of control at this point. They were seeing some exciting football!

TIG tried to press the attack again, but this time it was Tuna, riding the wave of emotion from the crowd, who became the aggressors, and the TIG defense was pressed against the wall, subjected to attack after attack! They used every trick they knew, and were carded more than once, but nothing could turn aside the skill of the Elves. Mormwolf made three spectacular saves, but that wasn't enough, as with seven minutes left Finarfin sent such a perfect ball to a breaking Nerdanel that no one could do anything, and Tuna had the two goal lead.

TIG shut things down after that, and Tuna was happy to do the same. They would both be going forward to the playoffs- Tuna as the hottest team in the tournament, and TIG as a team that seriously needed to strategize better, for the one they had employed on this night had been a recipe for disaster. It need not be said that there were many celebrations in Tirion and upon the slopes of Tuna outside the city. The home team was riding as high as any team in recent memory.

Tol-in-Gaurhoth 2-4 Tuna
shots 17-20
on target 8-11
GOALS:
*36, Tuna (Miriel, Nerdanel)
*42, TIG (Gwathwolf, SPMwolf)
*59, Tuna (Finwe, Mahtan)
*67, TIG (Wereomer, Lomwolf)
*75, Tuna (Miriel, Finwe)
*83, Tuna (Nerdanel, Finarfin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*TIG- Phantomwolf, Skipwolf, Wereomer, Borowolf
*Tuna- Amras, Guillen

FINAL STANDINGS GROUP G

-----team------points----goal diff
Tuna..................6...........+8
Tol-in-Gaurhoth...4.............0
Gondor...............2............-2
Brethil................1............-6