[Nogrod]

The AFA decision that the semifinals would be held in the same locations as the quarterfinals was met with great pride and joy by the organisers and with enthusiasm by the gathered crowds as well. Some Minas Morgul and Valimar fans headed back home but an astonishingly large number of them changed their original plans and stayed to have a chance at looking at the best football Arda had to offer. And more people were pouring in. More Númenóreans, more hobbits, more men and elves especially from the north-east, more goblins from the mountains but from the south as well… The dwarves hewed more rows of benches into the mountainside and taller huorns and even some ents were hired to grow the other side of the stand respectively higher. After the renewal the stadium took in 52 000 spectators. And it was to be full.

“The Elvenhome Chronicle” of Rivendell reported largely on the row that had risen from Boromir’s harsh language at the earlier press conference – and Bilbo’s hinting about a conspiracy by the tournament officials and the media, organised behind the curtains by the nerwendis. The newspaper was clearly trying to be correct and respectful with Bilbo, but the editor of the magazine couldn’t help pointing out that Bilbo was perhaps finally getting old and dementia was possibly catching up on him as he had himself played in the game where Mirkwood had beaten Valimar and thrown Melkor out of the tournament. Boromir’s arrogant comments were on the other hand judged with quite a strong language – and not only in the media. Boromir had never been the favourite person in Imladris and it looked like the gap was widening between the son of the steward and the Rivendell elves.


In a pre-match press conference the representatives of the both teams gave their views of the oncoming match.

Oropher: “We’ve beaten the odds given to us by the nerwendis already a couple of times and we’re positive we can do that again today. Our team exemplifies the spirit of the new Middle-Earth bringing together elves, men living or spirits, Maiar, hobbits and even dragons to play for the honour of our shared and sacred homegrounds – whatever our differences might have been in the past. This far I can see our new hope to all nations in the Middle-Earth has been carried forward with the blessing of Ilúvatar and I hope those blessings will carry us today to the finals and hopefully to the victory there.

Ar Pharazôn: Well, I hope Ilúvatar stays out of this game and minds his own business. This is football and not any multicultural “be happy –campaign”. We are the torch-carriers of the humankind, the Dunédain. We brought humankind into perfection – and now we’ll bring football into perfection…We do congratulate our opponents for bringing down the “mighty” Valimar but by beating the Mirkwood team we’ll show the world we would have done that too if given a second chance. Armenelos will rule once again.

Reporter (from “The Elvenhome Chronicle”): Now mr. Pharazôn, how about Gorthaur’s status in your team? How does he exemplify the perfection of humanity as you say?

Ar Pharazôn: I’m not answering to ridicule or biased questions…

Reporter (from “Romenna Daily”): But aren’t you afraid he betrays you once again? How can you trust that lord of evil he is?

Ar Pharazôn: Now look, Sauron has proved to be the best of teamplayers on the pitch and his unselfish and gallant game has bought our confidence with him. We had our differences in the past but those things are now history… and his choice to play for Armenelos and not for example Mordor or Angband speaks for his alignment for itself. Now thank you, we have a game to play and honour to defend.