Group G
Quote:
Alqualondë Herald, 5.7.2011
*breaking news* *exclusive*
Disaster at the high seas!
Remnants of three ships from Falas were detected about hundred nautical miles North-East from Tol Eressëa yesterday afternoon. Only a few hours later the Medi-Eagles’ squad of first-rescue had pulled a host of elven shipsmen to safety alongside three dwarves from Nogrod.
The teleri sea-elves from Falas are all safe and sound and have been released from the emergency department of Alqualondë central hospital and been given tickets to this evening’s matches from the loges of the V.I.P.’s for their bravery. Repeat: all elves taking part in the sea-crossing from Falas carrying dwarves from Nogrod have been accounted for and no one is missing as everyone is safe and sound.
Here are the names of those brave elves who survived the catastrophy at the seas in alphabetical order: Calenar the minstrel, Doralda, Eäloth, Galathilion 3rd, Galedhon, Luinen, Neldorloth, Nimgaer, Pelros the Mariner, Sîrtal, Talathril the dryfooted and Uialwen. Our deep thankfulness and gratitude belongs to the Great Powers of Valar and the Great Eagles.
The three dwarves are still treated at the intensive care unit and cannot be interviewed or seen by the media.
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The news first released by
the Alqualondë Herald spread fast all over Arda. The Dwarven newspapers were understandably upset not only with the content but also with the style of the news-release.
The Nogrod Post went as far as to accuse Ulmo being behind this and being answerable for the lives of a host of many good dwarves.
The Dwarven Daily called for Aulë to help them against the treacherous plans of “some untowards entities” and to bring forth justice.
The Himring Guardian took no stance on anyone’s guilt, but still criticized the overall organization of the Arda Cup: “If Arda Cup means there will be a lot of travel by the sea by teams and fans alike, it is not wise that Ulmo and all his entourage concentrate on the games themselves as players and fans – some security over the seas should be provided to all footballing community making these games possible. If Ulmo insists in playing himself, couldn’t he release Uinen, Ossë or Salmar at least to keep the seaways safe?”
Even if many thought
The Himring Guardian’s concern legitimate, some sharper persons pointed out that Anfaughlith and Tol Eressëa might meet in the play-offs and that was just psychological warfare, the cynics said they were deliberately trying to force a decision on the issue and thus weaken Tol Eressëa in case Anfaughlith would meet them.
But even if most papers weren’t as enraged as the Dwarven magazines or as purposeful as
The Himring Guardian, there was a steady stream of uneasiness pouring from the editorials from the newshouses all around Arda, but the Valinorian media. The last year had not been forgotten and the ways Valar handled things looked ever more suspicious. But only a few said that out aloud.
At Valmar press-conference the feelings were understandably tense. Marach was demanding a full investigation on the matter and Turgon was actually backing the demand. Manwë did his best to affirm the truth would be learned and that there was no foul play involved. Tulkas stayed more or less in the background for the whole press-conference, but some journalists reported seeing him grinning following his brother taking on all the pressure. Some even told they thought him muttering to himself “you reap what you sow” while shaking his head, smiling.
~*~
The game between Pelori and Gondolin was quite uneventful, Pelori playing the uneventful but effective game they played. Varda shot them to lead at half an hour’s point and Namo made 2-0 just before the half-time. The early game had been careful and conservative defending from the Pelori-team but on second they just held the ball to themselves frustrating Gondolians to no end. Duilin managed to sweeten the numbers twenty minutes before the end of the game but after the goal Pelori tightened their already tight defenses even more shutting Gondolin out of any opportunity to equalize.
Some immediate blogger-reactions from Gondolin were quite telling. “Gondolindrim sacrificed again!” yelled the tweeter “The Rôgger”.
Just after the game a more known bitter columnist “Maeglin’s Ex-girlfriend” wrote in her blog thusly:
“The whole Arda Cup is a big ego-boosting for the self-sufficient Valar who keep their feet out of the Middle-Earth fearing they might get dirty with life! Gondolin’s natural group would have in it teams like Nargothrond, Himring, Hithlum, Beleriand – maybe Doriath. And as one can easily see, the chances for Gondolin would have been totally different. On what grounds does Gondolin play in a group with Pelori and Valinor? Why have Gondolin and Mithrim been chosen as the sacrificial lambs on the throne of Valar?
Now we all remember the scandal from the last year and to avoid it the AFA authorities were cautious enough to not let any baddies play in a group where the Valar played – and they had to give them a group in the “Blessed Realm” – should I say the “unsporty realm”? So some goodie teams had to be sacrified to the altar of Valar where teams play by their rules and make sure their teams qualify… But why not the pathetic hobbits, the odd Bombadillo and the freaky ents, why not the sissies of Dunharrow, why not the sad copiers from Minas Tirith?
And why do they have this policy in the first place? Are they afraid of meeting Angband, “the team” we faced in real life millenia ago? We lost, to be sure, but we fought it bravely unlike these modern-day Valar.”
Some more even-headed commentators made some sharp questions though, like where is Rôg’s performance, how can last year’s silver-medalists underperform that badly (the Vinyamar players)? Even if team Gondolin didn’t actually lose that much in numbers had they lost their soul?
Gondolin 1-2 Pelori
tot shots 9-14
on target 3-6
GOALS:
*27, 0-1 Varda (Eonwe)
*40, 0-2 Namo (Ilmare)
*70, 1-2 Duilin (Idril)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Galdor, Salgant
*Pelori- Nahar
After the breaking news it was rumoured that Beleriand would refuse to play entirely. And even if Marach had pledged in the press-conference that they would play for their honour – especially for the honor of the Nogrodian dwarves – the whispering went on that at least Telchar and Gamil Zirak had already packed and left Valmar to Aqualondë intending to force their way into the hospital if need be. But at time of the game both teams ran to the pitch from their lockers in full strength. Beleriand-players were still wearing the black ribbons in their arms and they looked very much focused and determined.
The game kicked off with some real intensity. Valinor was willing to control the ball as was their tactics but even if Beleriand clinged to their defense-first –philosophy, they were doing it quite aggressively cutting passes and passing-lines all over the field creating a few dangerous-looking counter-attacks already on the first twenty minutes.
The first goal of the game actually started from a neat counter-attack by Beleriand. Getting the ball up to the front Beleriand started to bring forth more power when Vairë stole the ball from Belegund and sent it straight up to the midfield from where Nessa immediately delivered it forwards to Yavanna who had realized her chance while the lowest Beleriand defenders were busy tying the trio Nerdanel, Miriel and Arien down. Appearing out from nowhere to the Beleriand defenders Yavanna spurted after the ball and scored confidently from close range the defenders trailing her by meters.
But Beleriand was not going to give in an inch. They kept pressing the Valinor possession-play and had their fair share of decent opportunities to score. And finally they did score. It was a classic counter-attack stuff. Marach cut a pass in the midfield, sent it to Aegnor who in turn sent it to Angrod who was already in full speed. Running towards the goal Angrod and Aegnor were drawing most of the defenders to them, when Angrod finally sent the ball diagonally backwards reaching Marach who got a chance to hit the ball straight from the pass. A great shot from a great pass, and the game was even!
Sadly for the Beleriand supporters Valinor retaliated in just five minutes. Nerdanel and Miriel were showing once again why they are the hottest ladies the sport has to offer – with Arien, of course. This time Miriel freed Nerdanel to score with a flashing heel-kick. And so Valinor was back in the lead again.
Beleriand came with renewed effort to the second half but the high-intensity game they were playing started to take it’s toll on them and it seemed they were getting fewer and fewer cuts to Valinor’s passing-machine. And when the all-female forwards-trio totally outwitted the bit slow Beleriand defense at 62nd minute, the game was practically over. Nerdanel brought the ball into the edge of the “danger-zone” (the box) and gave a genius blind-pass backwards to Miriel who gave the decisive pass again, chipping the ball in between two defenders to the center from where Arien scored with a nice half-volley straight from the pass before the defenders were able to even imagine reaching her.
Valinor continues their strong game. But Beleriand has played bravely and shown that inter-racial co-operation is not just for hippies and their peace & love mission, but must be taken seriously in sports as well.
Beleriand 1-3 Valinor
tot shots 11-15
on target 4-8
GOALS:
*19, 0-1 Yavanna (Nessa)
*33, 1-1 Marach (Angrod)
*38, 1-2 Nerdanel (Miriel)
*62, 1-3 Arien (Miriel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Beleriand- Aegnor, Telchar, Bregor
*Valinor- Nessa
Group G (after 2 rounds)
1. Valinor, 6pts. (+4)
2. Pelori, 4pts. (+1)
3. Beleriand, 1pts. (-2)
4. Gondolin 0pts. (-3)
Last games:
Beleriand vs. Gondolin
Valinor vs. Pelori
Valinor is through to the play-offs. If Beleriand wins Gondolin they can reach the same points Pelori will have if they lose to Valinor. It looks unlikely Tulkas would give his brother the aid to let them draw to secure Manwë’s qualification as he has put up his own team just to show his brother, but looking at the general feeling around any group-play done in Valinor there seem to be some doubts as well. On the other hand: if the Gondolin players are as upset on the game day as their fans in blogosphere were right after the match today it is thinkable they would lose to Beleriand like 10-0 betting their fortunes with Valinor beating Pelori and thus making Beleriand to qualify just to show Manwë…