Our dedicated followers will be friendly with the concept of the “AKM stars” alloted to the players after every round of play. But this year the AKM has decided to change the system a bit to better serve the readers and to make it more interesting.
During the previous years the AKM has alloted a great number of stars with intervals of five, three and one, without too much of an explanation. This year the AKM will grant less stars and with tighter intervals (three, two and one) but it will make some points to explain their choices.
NB. The AKM stars have nothing to do with the MEFA star-system by which the players are ranked officially. Gandalf getting a star from the AKM doesn’t make Gandalf, a ** star player by the official MEFA recognition, into a *** star player in the line up for any phantasy player.
The AKM stars are only for the fun of it and partly helping the phantasy players to pick up their best teams (or to make it harder
).
So here we go…
The AKM stars round one of the group play.
Three stars
Elrond of Rivendell
The Rivendell defence did a full day’s work against Numenor but without Elrond they would have fallen. Elrond faced eight shots on goal and let in only one goal, giving him the greatest saving-percentage of the round, 87,5%.
Two stars
Miriel of Tirion
Feänor’s great mother shows once again why she is one of the best in this game: two goals and a great pass for her daughter-in-law to score tell the story. With her husband and son around there’s no stopping this granny!
Eorl of Rohan
Forth Eorlingas! The Eorl of Rohan showed his qualities in a tight match against Dale. Two goals in such a close match, and the leadership he produced for the win. Without him the Rohan team would have been in trouble against the nimble – even if disorganized – team Dale.
One star
Tar Minastir of Havens
The unstarred elf-friend more or less single-handedly sank the Minas Anor team and showed he is the number one in Havens leaving Eärendil and Cirdan in the supporting role. It is clear he has what it takes to decide games, but because of the inferiority of the opponent he will not get more than one star. He needs to deliver also against mightier opponents than the defence of Minas Anor.
Curufin of Mithrim
Celegorm of Mithrim
“Crafty and Fair” is exactly what these two sons of Fëanor are in the football-field. They organised a fair defence to shut out the feared Pelennor offence and had the leisure of crafting also a goal together. Any team would have these guys on their backlines, especially if they keep up in the same spirit.
Arvedui of Norbury
Nargothrond had been especially bad scorers looking at the friendlies, but as the real games started they came full forwards. Arvedui took six of the seven shots against his goal thus being the second best goalie of the round (with 85,7% saving). With a lesser goalie team Norbury would have lost to Nargothrond and thus would have needed to kiss good-bye to their hopes of advancing. But because of Arvedui, they stil have a chance.