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the phantom · 07-15-2012, 02:36 PM

@ Osgiliath

The citizens of Gondor were mighty pleased going into the first round of the playoffs. Not only had team Gondor and team Minas Tirith both advanced, but they had done so over the heads of their bitter rivals- Barad-Dur and Mordor.

Though the competition level was set to go up (it was the playoffs after all!) Gondorians were hopeful. The name Angband rightly put fear into the opposition, but with the new salary cap rules the squad from Morgoth's stronghold was not quite the exclusive all-star club it had been in the past. And Shire-Bree United wasn't a perfect squad either, despite the relative ease they seemed to score with. Both of these matches were winnable.

Of the two, team Gondor seemed to be a little more confident- not necessarily based on their opponent, but more upon their own performance in the tournament. Aside from a one-goal setback to Arnor in the friendlies, they were unblemished. They earned draws with the high-quality squads of Armenelos and Rohan, and defeated both of Sauron's squads along the way, and after that they felt they belonged. King Anarion was just on fire this tournament, and the rest of the team was doing the job solidly.

Osgiliath had a couple of quality venues in which to host the contest, but everyone knew the oldest and largest would be chosen. The old coliseum on the banks of the Anduin had been home to many an important contest in the Gondor League through the years, and had certainly hosted an Arda Cup match a time or two through the ages. The traveling Shire-Bree fans certainly had no objection to the site selection. Though one of the smaller and more modern stadiums might have been more comfortable, the original Osgiliath stadium was one of the places a true football fan just had to visit one time.

And speaking of the out-of-towners, Shire-Bree drew a bit better than most believed they would, and their fans were doing anything they could to get their hands on tickets. Orcs of Mordor drifted into town in surprising numbers to cheer on Nazgul #6, Khamul, Barrow-Wight, and Golfimbul- hoping these favorites of theirs would knock their hated Gondor rivals out of the playoffs. And Shire-Bree even received a bit of support from the locals thanks to the presence of Strider, or King Elessar as he was called there.

So it was that when the late afternoon match was ready to begin, the crowd was very nearly a 70-30 split. Something more along the lines of 90-10 had been expected, and so it was strange and a little embarrassing to see for the locals.

But the Gondor supporters were not at all embarrassed by what they saw on the field, as Gondor started strong- passing intelligently, timing runs, breaking up opposing runs with efficiently legal contact and forcing the ball back in the field. They looked the most dangerous without a doubt, and Falastur in minute 18 shaved the top of the crossbar with a header. Certainly a goal was hanging in the air.

And it finally came just before the half-hour mark, and not surprisingly it was thanks to a fine play by Anarion. Gildor was defending him quite well, but Anarion simply made a turn and cross-over that was too good to stay with, gaining himself just enough space and a lane to deftly send it to Eldacar who athletically booted it straight in from 10 meters!

The crowd hollered their approval and squeezed the shoulders of their neighbors in happiness! This was what they had envisioned!

But Strider kept Shire-Bree cool, and they continued to battle on as the first half progressed, and slowly but surely the skilled front of Shire-Bree found their rhythm, putting Hyarmendacil under pressure for the first time. Though Shire-Bree was unable to gain a quality opening to make him handle the ball, it was obvious they were finding their stride and figuring things out, and Gondor needed to do something.

As the final 5 minutes of the first half arrived, Gondor moved back to choke their half of the pitch, but unfortunately the lack of open space really seemed to fully wake up Bombadil. He has always been curiously passive about some things, but on his own land he is powerful, and when his space gets invaded on the football pitch he takes serious notice.

Suddenly he was a blur, and the midfield of Shire-Bree wasted no time in getting it to him. His first possession he crossed up three defenders and shot one which was only barely redirected into the post by a stray shin. His second try he earned himself free for a drive and sniped it accurately forcing Hyarmendacil to make a fantastic save. But the third time is the charm- after running rings around the box and even causing a few defenders to collide, he earned himself an opening in which he shockingly passed it over to the completely ignored Khamul who had an easy time nodding it into the net to equalize!

The Gondor fans weren't so giddy at the half. Things were deadly serious- this Shire-Bree team could play, especially that Bombadil. But they did not panic, for they knew King Anarion and friends were devising something in the locker room. And in fact they were.

When the second half began Gondor decided they would leave Bombadil alone without the ball, and when he got it the would have multiple defenders stay in front of him a few yards back, not pressuring him, but not attacking him either. And much to the frustration of Strider and Khamul the tactic worked quite well, and suddenly their offense was at a halt and things were flowing Gondor's way.

They earned a couple decent looks that went high, and Anarion bent one in that forced Halbarad to awkwardly smother the ball, and the onlookers knew that Gondor couldn't be held off for another 30 minutes. And in fact they were barely held off for another ten- Barrow-Wight was forced to foul Anarion from behind after he was released exquisitely by Romendacil, and Anarion sent the resulting free kick straight in for the lead!

As Gondor celebrated, Strider and Khamul were near midfield trying to get Bombadil's head in the game. Strider appeared to be telling Bombadil, "If we lose, it's on you! All on you!" But whatever he said, Bombadil certainly was jump-started, and like the wind before a storm the game turned nearly instantly.

Suddenly the offense of Shire-Bree was running through Bombadil and the pieces were rotating around him like a well-oiled machine. The ball was moving quicker than anyone could hope to keep track of- the announcer for the radio broadcast was able to say the names of the players at most as they one-touched it around. Barrow-Wight found an opening for a 25 meter power drive, but it was turned away. Strider gained a header, but the defense slowed him just enough to make the attempt weak enough to be saved.

But at last the net was found- and appropriately it was the spark-plug Bombadil doing the damage. It was 2-2 with under 10 minutes left!

Gondor fans were fearful that Shire-Bree would continue the assault and win without extra time, but predictably Bombadil thought he'd done his job and settled back into his lazier distracted style of play. In no time at all extra time arrived and fans on both sides were buzzing. What would be the strategy? Be aggressive and be left open, or look to counter, or play for a shoot-out?

Shockingly, as extra time rolled along it became obvious that both sides had selected the same strategy- play smart and cautious, and if the opponent doesn't make mistakes to pounce on just win it on penalty kicks.

Gondor felt they had the superior keeper, and they also liked their depth. They didn't really have any weak kickers on their squad, and the idea of PKs appealed to them. Shire-Bree on the other hand felt their top players had the best scoring knack and that they would have the advantage of sure-fire early goals in PKs. And so it was that overtime just turned into an anxious waiting game, with fans hoping for safe play, and nearly covering their eyes any time it looked like an opportunity was there- but both teams did fairly well at preventing openings, and the seconds slid by and indeed- it would be PKs to decide the victor!

First up was Gondor's Eldacar- possibly the best finisher on the squad. Strider knew the Gondor squad fairly well, but he could offer his keeper Halbarad no advice on Eldacar other than to take a guess. And guess he did, but not correctly- Eldacar faked the drive then sent it perfectly to the opposite side after Halbarad jumped.

First up for Shire-Bree was Bombadil, and his teammates looked cool. Though his effort and concentration could be suspect his pure ball-striking was as constant as the flow of a mighty river, and though Hyarmendacil guessed correctly the ball was simply too perfect and too hard to give him a real chance at the save. It was tied!

Next up was Anarion- the man who could not be stopped this tournament, and no surprise he couldn't be stopped this time. But equal to him was Strider, sending it unstoppably into the net to keep things level!

Now it was Romendacil's turn, and taking no time to settle or to allow the crowd to prepare he fired it. Halbarad was caught flat-footed, but the ball was too tall and off the crossbar! The larger part of the stadium groaned and covered their faces. Shire-Bree had an opening!

And making it worse- it was Khamul up next for Shire-Bree. If one of the hated Nazgul were to be instrumental in the defeat of Gondor, it would be just agonizing. Khamul stepped back and kicked it perfectly, but Hyarmendacil was on it perfectly and batted it away! Perhaps the keeper had scouted Khamul particularly well, as he did not want to be beaten by him.

Still level with two kicks remaining, Falastur stepped up and efficiently sent the ball off the inside of the post and into the net, leaving Halbarad with no chance. But then Barrow-Wight did a perfect copy of Falastur, and things were still level headed into kick number five.

The crowds were biting their nails, chewing on their cups, and other such nervous ticks, and it was as silent as it had been all day. Turambar stepped up and placed the ball, took a deep breath, and retreated. He set himself, and Halbarad danced about on the endline. Turambar strode forward and pulled his leg back for the drive, and then hesitated.

Halbarad would leap to one side or the other leaving him free to poke it the opposite way- or at least that was the plan. But Halbarad hadn't budged at all! Turambar gave it as much leg as he could muster from his awkward position, but without the extra impetus after the hesitation move the flight was slow enough for Halbarad to react, and it was a save! Halbarad tipped the ball off course to the left of the goal, and Shire-Bree had a chance to win it!

And it would be Gildor the Elf stepping up to take what could be the winning kick. While he wasn't a good source for advice on PKs (always counseling to kick both left and right), Shire-Bree was confident he could deliver, and the Elf looked confident himself. As he set the ball he asked loudly, "Am I going to be on target?" and as he backed off to strike he asked, "And are you going to save it?"

Then dashing forward he shouted, "YES, and NO!" and sent a drive high and middle, and Hyarmendacil could only flail at it helplessly with his trailing legs as he sailed off in the wrong direction. It was in!

Shire-Bree was through to the quarterfinals!

Gondor 2-2 Shire-Bree United (SB wins on pens. 4-3)
on target 6-8
tot shots 17-18
GOALS:
*28, 1-0 Eldacar (Anarion)
*42, 1-1 Khamul (Bombadil)
*72, 2-1 Anarion
*81, 2-2 Bombadil (Barrow-Wight)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Ciryandil
*SBUnt- BWight

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT:

Eldacar (goal)
Anarion (goal)
Romendacil (miss)
Falastur (goal)
Turambar (save)

Bombadil (goal)
Strider (goal)
Khamul (save)
Barrow-Wight (goal)
Gildor (goal)

(Note: MESPN exit interviews with Gondor and Imladris are taking place and will be aired soon.)

07-15-2012, 02:36 PM	#158
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	Playoffs first round... @ Osgiliath The citizens of Gondor were mighty pleased going into the first round of the playoffs. Not only had team Gondor and team Minas Tirith both advanced, but they had done so over the heads of their bitter rivals- Barad-Dur and Mordor. Though the competition level was set to go up (it was the playoffs after all!) Gondorians were hopeful. The name Angband rightly put fear into the opposition, but with the new salary cap rules the squad from Morgoth's stronghold was not quite the exclusive all-star club it had been in the past. And Shire-Bree United wasn't a perfect squad either, despite the relative ease they seemed to score with. Both of these matches were winnable. Of the two, team Gondor seemed to be a little more confident- not necessarily based on their opponent, but more upon their own performance in the tournament. Aside from a one-goal setback to Arnor in the friendlies, they were unblemished. They earned draws with the high-quality squads of Armenelos and Rohan, and defeated both of Sauron's squads along the way, and after that they felt they belonged. King Anarion was just on fire this tournament, and the rest of the team was doing the job solidly. Osgiliath had a couple of quality venues in which to host the contest, but everyone knew the oldest and largest would be chosen. The old coliseum on the banks of the Anduin had been home to many an important contest in the Gondor League through the years, and had certainly hosted an Arda Cup match a time or two through the ages. The traveling Shire-Bree fans certainly had no objection to the site selection. Though one of the smaller and more modern stadiums might have been more comfortable, the original Osgiliath stadium was one of the places a true football fan just had to visit one time. And speaking of the out-of-towners, Shire-Bree drew a bit better than most believed they would, and their fans were doing anything they could to get their hands on tickets. Orcs of Mordor drifted into town in surprising numbers to cheer on Nazgul #6, Khamul, Barrow-Wight, and Golfimbul- hoping these favorites of theirs would knock their hated Gondor rivals out of the playoffs. And Shire-Bree even received a bit of support from the locals thanks to the presence of Strider, or King Elessar as he was called there. So it was that when the late afternoon match was ready to begin, the crowd was very nearly a 70-30 split. Something more along the lines of 90-10 had been expected, and so it was strange and a little embarrassing to see for the locals. But the Gondor supporters were not at all embarrassed by what they saw on the field, as Gondor started strong- passing intelligently, timing runs, breaking up opposing runs with efficiently legal contact and forcing the ball back in the field. They looked the most dangerous without a doubt, and Falastur in minute 18 shaved the top of the crossbar with a header. Certainly a goal was hanging in the air. And it finally came just before the half-hour mark, and not surprisingly it was thanks to a fine play by Anarion. Gildor was defending him quite well, but Anarion simply made a turn and cross-over that was too good to stay with, gaining himself just enough space and a lane to deftly send it to Eldacar who athletically booted it straight in from 10 meters! The crowd hollered their approval and squeezed the shoulders of their neighbors in happiness! This was what they had envisioned! But Strider kept Shire-Bree cool, and they continued to battle on as the first half progressed, and slowly but surely the skilled front of Shire-Bree found their rhythm, putting Hyarmendacil under pressure for the first time. Though Shire-Bree was unable to gain a quality opening to make him handle the ball, it was obvious they were finding their stride and figuring things out, and Gondor needed to do something. As the final 5 minutes of the first half arrived, Gondor moved back to choke their half of the pitch, but unfortunately the lack of open space really seemed to fully wake up Bombadil. He has always been curiously passive about some things, but on his own land he is powerful, and when his space gets invaded on the football pitch he takes serious notice. Suddenly he was a blur, and the midfield of Shire-Bree wasted no time in getting it to him. His first possession he crossed up three defenders and shot one which was only barely redirected into the post by a stray shin. His second try he earned himself free for a drive and sniped it accurately forcing Hyarmendacil to make a fantastic save. But the third time is the charm- after running rings around the box and even causing a few defenders to collide, he earned himself an opening in which he shockingly passed it over to the completely ignored Khamul who had an easy time nodding it into the net to equalize! The Gondor fans weren't so giddy at the half. Things were deadly serious- this Shire-Bree team could play, especially that Bombadil. But they did not panic, for they knew King Anarion and friends were devising something in the locker room. And in fact they were. When the second half began Gondor decided they would leave Bombadil alone without the ball, and when he got it the would have multiple defenders stay in front of him a few yards back, not pressuring him, but not attacking him either. And much to the frustration of Strider and Khamul the tactic worked quite well, and suddenly their offense was at a halt and things were flowing Gondor's way. They earned a couple decent looks that went high, and Anarion bent one in that forced Halbarad to awkwardly smother the ball, and the onlookers knew that Gondor couldn't be held off for another 30 minutes. And in fact they were barely held off for another ten- Barrow-Wight was forced to foul Anarion from behind after he was released exquisitely by Romendacil, and Anarion sent the resulting free kick straight in for the lead! As Gondor celebrated, Strider and Khamul were near midfield trying to get Bombadil's head in the game. Strider appeared to be telling Bombadil, "If we lose, it's on you! All on you!" But whatever he said, Bombadil certainly was jump-started, and like the wind before a storm the game turned nearly instantly. Suddenly the offense of Shire-Bree was running through Bombadil and the pieces were rotating around him like a well-oiled machine. The ball was moving quicker than anyone could hope to keep track of- the announcer for the radio broadcast was able to say the names of the players at most as they one-touched it around. Barrow-Wight found an opening for a 25 meter power drive, but it was turned away. Strider gained a header, but the defense slowed him just enough to make the attempt weak enough to be saved. But at last the net was found- and appropriately it was the spark-plug Bombadil doing the damage. It was 2-2 with under 10 minutes left! Gondor fans were fearful that Shire-Bree would continue the assault and win without extra time, but predictably Bombadil thought he'd done his job and settled back into his lazier distracted style of play. In no time at all extra time arrived and fans on both sides were buzzing. What would be the strategy? Be aggressive and be left open, or look to counter, or play for a shoot-out? Shockingly, as extra time rolled along it became obvious that both sides had selected the same strategy- play smart and cautious, and if the opponent doesn't make mistakes to pounce on just win it on penalty kicks. Gondor felt they had the superior keeper, and they also liked their depth. They didn't really have any weak kickers on their squad, and the idea of PKs appealed to them. Shire-Bree on the other hand felt their top players had the best scoring knack and that they would have the advantage of sure-fire early goals in PKs. And so it was that overtime just turned into an anxious waiting game, with fans hoping for safe play, and nearly covering their eyes any time it looked like an opportunity was there- but both teams did fairly well at preventing openings, and the seconds slid by and indeed- it would be PKs to decide the victor! First up was Gondor's Eldacar- possibly the best finisher on the squad. Strider knew the Gondor squad fairly well, but he could offer his keeper Halbarad no advice on Eldacar other than to take a guess. And guess he did, but not correctly- Eldacar faked the drive then sent it perfectly to the opposite side after Halbarad jumped. First up for Shire-Bree was Bombadil, and his teammates looked cool. Though his effort and concentration could be suspect his pure ball-striking was as constant as the flow of a mighty river, and though Hyarmendacil guessed correctly the ball was simply too perfect and too hard to give him a real chance at the save. It was tied! Next up was Anarion- the man who could not be stopped this tournament, and no surprise he couldn't be stopped this time. But equal to him was Strider, sending it unstoppably into the net to keep things level! Now it was Romendacil's turn, and taking no time to settle or to allow the crowd to prepare he fired it. Halbarad was caught flat-footed, but the ball was too tall and off the crossbar! The larger part of the stadium groaned and covered their faces. Shire-Bree had an opening! And making it worse- it was Khamul up next for Shire-Bree. If one of the hated Nazgul were to be instrumental in the defeat of Gondor, it would be just agonizing. Khamul stepped back and kicked it perfectly, but Hyarmendacil was on it perfectly and batted it away! Perhaps the keeper had scouted Khamul particularly well, as he did not want to be beaten by him. Still level with two kicks remaining, Falastur stepped up and efficiently sent the ball off the inside of the post and into the net, leaving Halbarad with no chance. But then Barrow-Wight did a perfect copy of Falastur, and things were still level headed into kick number five. The crowds were biting their nails, chewing on their cups, and other such nervous ticks, and it was as silent as it had been all day. Turambar stepped up and placed the ball, took a deep breath, and retreated. He set himself, and Halbarad danced about on the endline. Turambar strode forward and pulled his leg back for the drive, and then hesitated. Halbarad would leap to one side or the other leaving him free to poke it the opposite way- or at least that was the plan. But Halbarad hadn't budged at all! Turambar gave it as much leg as he could muster from his awkward position, but without the extra impetus after the hesitation move the flight was slow enough for Halbarad to react, and it was a save! Halbarad tipped the ball off course to the left of the goal, and Shire-Bree had a chance to win it! And it would be Gildor the Elf stepping up to take what could be the winning kick. While he wasn't a good source for advice on PKs (always counseling to kick both left and right), Shire-Bree was confident he could deliver, and the Elf looked confident himself. As he set the ball he asked loudly, "Am I going to be on target?" and as he backed off to strike he asked, "And are you going to save it?" Then dashing forward he shouted, "YES, and NO!" and sent a drive high and middle, and Hyarmendacil could only flail at it helplessly with his trailing legs as he sailed off in the wrong direction. It was in! Shire-Bree was through to the quarterfinals! Gondor 2-2 Shire-Bree United (SB wins on pens. 4-3) on target 6-8 tot shots 17-18 GOALS: 28, 1-0 Eldacar (Anarion) 42, 1-1 Khamul (Bombadil) 72, 2-1 Anarion 81, 2-2 Bombadil (Barrow-Wight) YELLOW CARDS: Gondor- Ciryandil SBUnt- BWight PENALTY SHOOT-OUT: Eldacar (goal) Anarion (goal) Romendacil (miss) Falastur (goal) Turambar (save) Bombadil (goal) Strider (goal) Khamul (save) Barrow-Wight (goal) Gildor (goal) (Note: MESPN exit interviews with Gondor and Imladris are taking place and will be aired soon.) __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.