[Nogrod]

When the Arda Cup organising committee (ACOC) and the Arda Football Federation (AFA) turned towards Rivendell to organise two quarterfinal matches a heated debate ensued at Elrond’s council. Basically the elves were enthusiastic about the opportunity but the teams they would host were a cause for some concern. No one had anything against the Valar coming: that was an honour to be sure. Also there were few elves and elf-friends in the team Mirkwood who would be warmly welcomed. But that Sauron and all his lieutenants would enter Rivendell were no evil had ever entered! That was unheard of! Or the traitors of Armenelos, those elven persecutors? Or Melkor himself?

There was another problem as well. How would tens of thousands of fans manage to enter Rivendell through the narrow paths and causeways? It would take weeks for them to get through in their tens of thousands. Happily an ingenious solution was reached and it would be one of the architectural miracles of the whole Middle-Earth – even if it would be kind of a transient structure.

The stadium was built outside Imladris, to the southern slopes of the mountains surrounding the secret haven of the elves. Like in the ancient days, the dwarves were called to help and they carved two thirds of the stand and the individually decorated benches into the root of the mountain totalling some 30 000 seats made with astonishing artistry. Meanwhile, aided by the ents the elves built a living stand to the remaining open side of the stadium. There around 15 000 spectators would be sitting on the branches of the huorns – the tallest of which created a leaf-roof over the stadium covering the spectators from the direct sunlight or possible rain. With the help of Yavanna a perfect grass-field was created in just a few days.

Now as the stadium was smallish taking in only some 45 000 spectators the organisers had to take some measures to deal the tickets evenly – and to avoid any orc-invasions and thence possible trouble. So it was decided that 9000 tickets would be sold to the fans of each team and the remaining 9000 would be sold to the elves – wherever they came from. There were some protests made mostly by the orcs and easterlings that the deal favoured the elves. But the organisers stayed firm: they had the position to decide and they had been fair. At the same time it was clear to any observant onlooker that with the policy the hosts had secured a majority of good in the audience.

But on the day of the games most of the petty grievances were forgotten. This was the best football one could see in the whole Arda and everyone was looking forwards to it - as well as to the great performances of their favourites - spread nicely over different teams.