[Nogrod]

Brothers in arms – against each other?

Everyone knows that the relationship between Manwë and Ulmo is like that between Zeus and Poseidon; the two will pull together in need but the latter will prefer his own company on other occasions. But now it seems also Tulkas has got bored with the High-God’s defensive playing style and is putting up a team of his own. And it looks like the High-One is the one to lose this time around!

The well-informed ears of the AKM have heard that Tulkas has indeed been gathering a real bunch of stars from teams like Tirion, Aman, Havens and Valimar, and will call his team Valinor this year (just to annoy Manwë and his team last year called Valimar?). The hottest gossips link the female powerhouse of Miriel and Nerdanel joining Tulkas. But what seems quite apparent though, is that Tulkas has most probably managed to enlist Arien (“Greatest single offencive performance” 2010 by AFA & shared second place in the AKM stars on 2010) to his team. Some feminist websites have also attached Aredhel to Tulkas’ team but those rumors seem a bit overstretch.

The captain of the last year’s silver-team Vinyamar, Ulmo, has lost some of his top scorers but it is said he has been able to retain most of the solid defence by which Vinyamar championed the last year. But can any team prevail after losing players like Idril, Duilin, Penlod and Tuor in the front, or Rôg at goal? That remains to be seen.

Be as it may, it seems that has left Manwë little options. Unhappy with Namo’s performance it is told that Manwë will take himself to goaltending. The true ones, like Varda, Nienna, Oromë and Eonwë will most probably follow Manwë and his defensive ways, but will it be enough? In the last year’s tournament Manwe’s team was thrown off the games by the unimaginative but solid team Norbury on the first qualification stage. It’s hard to predict any better result to his team this year. But Manwë’s brothers seem to have much more worthwhile teams. Especially team Valinor led by Tulkas is one to watch for this year.


A coup d’etàt?

“Never change the winning team” goes the slogan. But in Gondolin a very different wind seems to be blowing. The city of the last year’s champions is in bafflement and annoyance. And the reason is clear: it seems half of their team has moved into a new team deserting the hidden capital of the world. And it’s not just any half of any team, but key-players like Maeglin, Fingolfin, Echtelion and Huor…

A most biting fact is that the new team rumors to be named Anfauglith, consisting on the top players from both the good and evil sides and anyway serious contesters for the championship this year. Just add players like Gothmog, Gwindor, Balrog #4 into the names mentioned already and you’ll get a tough team for anyone to beat. If the rumours are true, that is. Some even say Morgoth himself would be joining the team…

To the great hopes of the Gondolians the Great King Turgon has come back to rescue his own city with a bunch of stars from the team Vinyamar, the second team of last year’s tournament and good friends of the Gondolians. And it is rumoured Elenwë is on as well. But there is an air of controversy in the air anyways, not only why their heroes deserted the Gondolians, but also on the line-up from this year’s team; like why has Penlod – who was the best forward in team Vinyamar last year – been put into the defence according to the word of mouth; or why is Idril not playing if the rumors hold? Did she want to go with Tuor? Was that too much for his dad?


Pride and honour: the High Edain united?

Many have stated, that if the best talent of the Numenorians could be gathered together they would reign sovereignly over the sports, but there has always been this rift between the great Numenorian kings and queens and those loyal to the Valar. But now it seems some of the wounds have been healed by the leadership of none else than the King Elros himself.

Even with the rift between the two sides in Numenor, the team Numenor has always been a serious contender to the Arda Cup (and they actually won it on 2009). Last year they suffered the loss of their undoubtedly brightest scorer Ar-Pharazon and the importance of Annatar for their championship was revealed. So the time seemed ripe for a new alliance of the Edain, and the Edain only, with no Sauron or other powers to meddle with it.

And king Elros was tough in the negotiations. It would be his team, and team Westernesse – not team Numenor – he was gathering the talent for. And he was looking for some real talent also outside the isle, from among the first men.

If the rumors are true, it seems it has not been labour in vain. Having Ar-Pharazôn, Tar Minastir, Ar Adunakhôr, Tar Telperien, Malbeth, Elendil and Tar Atanamir in a team led by Elros himself is no small feat – and it will be a major pain to any opponent to face; be it Túrin and his friends, Fëanor and his kin, Valar or anyone imaginable. If this team is true, it will be one of the serious contenders to the throne this year. The grace and pride of the finest of Edain is unsurpassed.