[Nogrod]

Group G

At the time of pre-game press conference there had been no sign of any dwarven supporters from Nogrod in Valmar, or anywhere in Valinor. That had understandably given birth to all kinds of rumors. The fact that one of the most believable ones was that three ships of them had set sail from the Havens already the previous week was not exactly toning the other rumors down. One could easily dismiss rumours which claimed the Valar had asked for Ulmo to sink the ships into the sea, or that Manwë would have personally destroyed the ships with a blazing thunderbolt (or given that for Tulkas to handle, like another rumor claimed). Even if the dwarves were not of the original creation and none had visited the Blessed Realm, they were no creations of Melkor or in any other way servants of evil – and thus killing them was in no way a believable explanation. Or that’s at least how the local media reasoned.

But what had happened, or had nothing happened at all? That was the question which took over the press conference to the seeming annoyance of the organisers who would have rather discussed the great shape teams Pelori and Valimar on. Let’s peak in for a short moment.

Estolad Evening Star: So, does anyone here know about the fate of the three ships carrying dwarves from Nogrod? Where are they now?

Namo: Now there’s no evidence those ships ever set sail so it’s impossible to make any judgment at this point. It’s hard to pass judgements over entities you’re n ot sure exist in the first place – and rumors are no evidence.

The AKM: But it would seem odd that the Nogrodians would not be willing to come as their two great champions Telchar and Gamil Zirak are playing. And no one sighting them here would point towards there being something fishy in here, knowing the conservative nature of Valinor…

Namo: Now even if speaking of the intentions of someone who is not here to speak on his or her behalf is somewhat dubious and nothing one could use as evidence, I can see your meaning. And if we wish to dwell into speculation I do admit it would be easy to suppose some dwarves would have wished to do the trip. But we all know there are so many different ways in which a trip may fail, be slowed down or be just cancelled; accidents, financial problems, weather… But as I said, that’s all nothing but speculation.

Estolad Evening Star: But the hosts of ships of men and elves from Beleriand did manage to come! Isn’t it a bit odd only the dwarves didn’t make it?

Namo: Now you are basing your question again on the unproven assumption there was a ship of dwarves in the first place. And like I said, I do like facts more than assumptions without evidence.

The AKM: Let me put you a different question. We all know you and Manwë are the ones delving deepest in the vision of Ilúvatar. And many say you know almost all there is to know about the destinies of Arda and in the end you declare them according to your understanding of the Vision. Now team Beleriand is the most remarkable showcase of inter-racial comradery and bonds between different races who have bled together in the defense of the good against evil. Now surely Ilúvatar would not discriminate one race of heroes while embracing the other two. Now would He?

Namo: The mind of the One is hard to interpret for even those who have the best capabilities for it. So do you, Mr. Journalist, think you understand Ilúvatar’s vision?

Estolad Evening Star: Forgive me my boldness, but was that a confession?

Namo: Unfathomable are the ways of Ilúvatar…


The reader is free to make her /his own inferences from there.


~*~

It’s clear the press conference didn’t ease the tension over the issue. Actually it did provoke quite an unique protest from the team Beleriand as coming to the arena they all wore black ribbons, like honoring the memory of the deceased, in their left arms – and they wore them the whole game.

After a pretty careful start Pelori went into lead when only 12 minutes was played. From a nice pass from Varda, Eönwë forced himself free from between the Beleriand defenders and hammered the ball into the net with real power-shot. The crowds were pleased and relaxed as the haunting thought that these visitors from the east could have gained some extra-powers from their protesting felt now like something they had feared in vain.

But lo and behold. Telchar and Gamil Zirak called the team together with the help of Aegnor and Angrod. And as the game continued, the home crowds soon learned that the team Beleriand was capable of more than just protesting with their arm-bands as they suddenly looked very much focused and determined to give the best they could. It was clear the local media had not talked about their stamina in vain for they really gave a hard opposition to the home team who was so used to calling the shots in almost any game. But now the game was very much even.

Even with the extra-tension and effort in the field it still was not exactly the fastest or most flashing football on Arda due to the conservative and defensive playing-style of both teams – for even if rallied on a cause the Belerianders didn’t overdo it but still played from the defense on. Both teams had a few really good scoring opportunities but the crowds had to wait until the very end to see something more.

With only a few minutes to go the home crowds started feeling secure of the win when Aegnor silenced the whole stadium in disbelief. Very fittingly it was actually Gamil Zirak’s goal. It was he who took the defenders with him, got released from their pressure enough to chip the ball sideway to release Aegnor all alone at the corner of the goal where it was an easy task for him to just pass the ball in with no defenders around and Manwë being seriously late.

There were only two minutes on the clock and it was one all!

And it remained thus. Beleriand had robbed a point from Pelori thus making the group a lot more interesting as it is not anymore that certain Pelori will qualify. Surely the oddmakers would still see them as the more probable candidates of the two, but at the moment their performance is even. Whichever of the two teams plays better in the future has the claim for qualifying. Unless Gondolin breaks in and shuffles the deck once more.

That was what the evening game could reveal.


Beleriand 1-1 Pelori
tot shots 9-10
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*12, 0-1 Eonwe (Varda)
*88, 1-1 Aegnor (Gamil Zirak)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Beleriand- Telchar, Marach
*Pelori- Irmo


The elves (and maiar) of Valinor outnumbering all others in the stadium were getting a bit nervous when the evening match was about to begin. Their walk-in-the-park group had turned into something different: a competitive group where even Middle-Earth teams seemed to have a chance. And they were little by little waking up for real to the fact that over half of the team Gondolin were last year’s silver-medalists and players like Turgon and Thorondor weren’t exactly weak links either. So, talking about them as a tough team was no talking-point only or a nice admission to some weaker side, but something that was true.

The game started with both teams looking at how the other played. Valinor was having more of the ball but Gondolin answered flexibly to their moves holding them away from any serious scoring opportunity. The game gathered pace as the half went on but it stayed pretty even, Valinor shooting a bit more than Gondolin mostly due to their greater amount of time with the ball.

But just before the half-time Arien offered the home crowd a relief heading in the well-marked pass by Nerdanel after a short corner. Valinor was in the lead! But even in their joy many of the spectators supporting team Valinor realized that the overpowering happiness for the 1-0 just betrayed their innermost insecurity. It was not that easy they had thought beforehand. The goal and their own reactions hammered it in.

The second half continued quite evenly even if Gondolin seemed to be a bit more active in the beginning of the period trying to go for the equalizer. And to the horror of the home crowds they finally did it on 63rd minute! With a quick “change of direction” –play Idril managed to send Duilin free running the right side. When Vairë and Indis rushed after her noticing their mistake both Egalmoth and Turgon ran through the center facing only Tulkas and with the advantage that they saw the situation all the time while Tulkas needed to glance aside every now and then while he backtracked and tried to keep an eye on both attackers. And so Duilin sent a meter high pass from the side just as the two defenders were getting at her – and Turgon dived for it head on from Tulkas’ right while Egalmoth took a tight curve to steal his attention – and Turgon headed the ball past the stupefied Ingwë. And it was clear Tulkas wasn’t too happy either.

But the crowds were totally lost, biting their nails. Was this how it was going to be?

Tulkas was of the different opinion and Valinor started to move the ball even faster than before. Slowly the confused crowds started to wake up for a new hope and started supporting their team from the bottom of their hearts. And it was not long when the ball was in Gondolin’s net. Galdor had to stop Nerdanel against the rules when she was breaking free from him to reach a ball coming from Miriel. He was duly carded and Valinor was given a free kick from quite near the corner of the box. Arien and Nessa ran towards the ball from different angles, Olwë made a side run towards the corner of the goal, and Yavanna being at the side of the wall ducked down. Things were happening. But Estë had just rested beside the ball and suddenly as Arien was just about to reach the ball, she chipped it a meter sideways to Miriel who shot a real beauty from standing legs to the upper right corner of the goal. So while everyone thought the players doing the runs were those about to do something it was the two still-standing ones who scored! That was so cool even the elves from Gondolin and Vinyamar joined the standing ovation.

There was still time and Gondolin didn’t give in. But their promising chase got a sad ending when Olwë managed to steal the ball from Salgant in the midfield and sent it forth to Arien sensing the steal and already running full speed onwards. He was forced to shoot from 20 meters though as Thorondor was closing on him. Rôg kneeled down to safely pick the ball coming straight towards him rolling on the ground when it slipped from his fingers, took a swerve from his shoulder and bounced over him… and into the goal!

The crowds were relived and danced and sang and cheered to no end. It is not possible to reproduce the f-, s- and h-words springing from the mouths of team Beleriand players to tell what they seemed to feel at the moment.

Just ten minutes left with two goals down against a Valier-team the Belerianders realized it was too tough a job and they seemed to give it just a half-hearted effort to go for a goal. Had they not been upset for such a cheap goal they might have played differently, but now it felt like they had sold their city.

So the Blessed Realm got one victory in the end – even if they had been anticipating two easy ones. But even if Gondolin managed to play evenly against Valinor for long periods all the stats tell one that Valinor earned it’s victory. One thing for the speculators opened though – and that would concern betting on both of the two teams of the latter match.

Rôg was one of the top two goalies in last year’s tournament but began this season with a very bad performance gaining only 66,7% saving percentage against Hithlum. Now some said it was because Turgon had decided to leave the defenses without support to test them – and to give Rôg a true warm-up, but many thought Rôg was just rusty. And the following friendlies seemed to show the latter explanation to be the correct one as he really stepped forwards and played the next three games with almost 82% saving-ratio which is not stellar but on the top ten anyway.

But now he was playing badly again! The third goal went straight to him and some said that also the first header by Arien could have been saved by a goalie who was in top shape. Or was it that Rôg just couldn’t face the sun? Maybe the great blacksmith who had only stared at the fire and Balrogs couldn’t stand the sun? These are feeble excuses as one can see. Maybe he is past his prime then? Or maybe he will come back after the first match like he did in the friendlies?

Be it as it may, Rôg’s saving percentage in the game was a lousy 57%. Sure Valinor makes quality shots and all that, but depending on the reason for his bad numbers either Gondolin could be much stronger if he pulls himself together or Valinor is not that good if he is really playing badly in general. that remains to be seen.


Gondolin 1-3 Valinor
tot shots 9-16
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*41, 0-1 Arien (Nerdanel)
*63, 1-1 Turgon (Duilin)
*72, 1-2 Miriel (Este)
*79, 1-3 Arien (Olwe)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Turgon, Galdor
*Valinor- Tulkas, Este