[Nogrod]

Group C at Amon Sûl

The MEFA authorities offered Fornost Erain – familiarly called The Deadmen’s Dike – to host group C. The Arthedain were pleased for the honour but as the rebuilding of Norbury was still far from accomplished they asked to host the games at Amon Sûl instead. The fully rebuilt tower laid a majestic backdrop to the stadium they built on its feet.

The Weathertop-Arena was not the most grand or lavish venue there was, but it was dashingly modern while it’s architecture honoured the surroundings and the great tower of Amon Sûl. From far away it looked like the stadium was embedded into the hillside, being a part of it.

The most expensive suites at the tower offered some real glamour for the spectators able to finance such lodgings – and a great view to the game from individual balconies. As a bonus the spectators would be shown live-coverage from all the matches going on at other locations via the restored palantir of Amon Sûl.

Before the first games the mood was congenial even if all the fans were naturally looking forwards to their team’s performance and somewhat nervous about their chances. After all the quality of the players in every team was astonishing: noble kings, great warriors, marvellous beasts…

No one seemed to question Mithrim’s first place in the group. But who was going to be the second qualifier? The home fans were convincend the northener’s would claim it, but it would be tough for the hosts.


Fornost Post managed to pick Curufin from after Mithrim’s last practise-session to share a few thoughts on the competition.


Fornost post: Most people are betting heavily on your team to qualify as number one from this group. How do you see your position and who are your toughest competitors?

Curufin: Well, we’ll take one match at the time. First we need to concentrate on winning Pelennor. They’re quite an offensive team but I believe that together with my bro and his hound we’ll keep them at bay.

Fornost Post: How about the home team? How do you see their chances?

Curufin: They say playing in front of your homecrowd gives you boost worth an additional player in the field. But as a team of expats we’re used to fighting on a strange soil... and shorthanded.

Fornost Post: Nargothrond has been a disappointment to many. How do you see their situation?

Curufin: They’ve given a good fight to every team they have met. One should never underestimate king Finrod – and my son will surely rise to the occasion come real matches.

Fornost Post: But which team of the other three will follow you to the qualifying rounds?

Curufin: Let’s play the games first, shall we? *heads away*

Fornost Post: Some people say that your forwards Túrin, Beleg and Húrin haven’t quite played to their level. Would you comment on that?

*Curufin is gone*


Group E at Goblin Town

Hithaeglir was offered to host group E of the Arda Cup this year on the basis that the other teams had already hosted so many events in the previous tournaments. The explanation was generally accepted but a few noticed that Utumno had only hosted games once before. Was Utumno played out in the cabinets? Happily Melkor and his crew didn’t feel like protesting. Actually Misty Mountains fit them just fine even if they didn’t comment on that in public: of the other venues Misty Mts. was by far the most hospitable to them – well they were created by Melkor in the first place - and now they could claim the right to host more important games later in the tournament. So who tricked whom?

After some tough negotiations between the different sides of the Misty Mountains team the venue was built, as a compromise, into the slopes of the High Pass near the entrance to the Goblin Town. They copied the idea from Rivendell’s new stadium built the year before and hew most of the seats straight into the mountain itself using a small valley as a base for the field. And they built it huge! There were reasons to believe this group would draw in a host of spectators from different races but still some wondered whether the organisators had overdone it. With a capacity of 110 000 spectators the new High Pass Stadium was one of the largest stadiums in the whole Middle Earth.

But a more pressing concern was keeping the peace during the games. With zillion goblins hosting eagles, dwarves, elves, numenorians and all the Melkor’s following it was clear the situation was explosive. Melkor had personally promised to take care of the order if any problems would arise but the MEFA authorities weren’t too convinced. It was only after a deal was reached that every team would take care of any rebel-rousers from their own followers the games were good to go.


Before the tournament the Great Goblin gave press conference to the media.


The AKM: What do you think of the security situation? There has been some rows already even before the games have started and all the tourists have poured in…

The Great Goblin: They’ve been minor skirmishes and they have been dealt with swiftly and efficiently. And that’s the way any disturbances will be dealt.

The AKM: What would you say to those who claim that your own team’s style of play is actually inspiring some of the violence? Looking at the number of cards your team…

GG: We have been treated wrongly by the referees. Football is a physical sport and that’s the game we play. Our eagles especially have been the victims of that misguided refereeing – who would have known in the earlier days I’d plea for the eagles… *laughs in the audience* Anyway. After Utumno’s balrogs are set loose you see what I mean with physical game and the referees just have to accept it.

The AKM: Are you suggesting that the referees will be intimidated to judge in the way that fits you and Utumno? Isn’t that quite bold?

GG: Next question please.