[Boromir88]

By Boro88

After Tol in Gaurhoth's strong showing in the friendlies I was able to sit down with several of the team's werewolves to discuss the approaching tournament. I figured coming off of two victories, now would be about the only chance to speak with the players and make it out alive.

Tol-in-Gaurhoth is trying to put a disappointing 2012 behind them, since it was the only year the team did not make it out of the group round. Although some factors were not in TIG's control, since after taking silver in 2011, the team was hit with some heavy sanctions, which put restrictions on their roster and limitted the kind of game they like playing. But TIG bit the bullet, played by the rules, and adjusted their make-up that even Iluvatar was content and had the sanctions lifted.

Now the wolves, wights, and other beasties are starting to find their form, and at a good time too!

TTN: After being eliminated in the group round last year, how do you think you'll fare this year in a tough Group G?
Many of them are carrying the positive start into their round 1 games...

GaladWight: "We'll kick some butt... I mean ball."

NilpWolf: "We're rolling in the friendlies, winning both games. If we keep this focus, and if Anfauglith continue to struggle, we'd advance from our group this year."

NerWight: "I’m quite hopeful, actually – we’ve got a good line-up this year too, you know."

phantomWolf called last year a "fluke" pointing out they actually played better than their group opponents but by either some rotten luck or having wolves sent off only managed 3 draws: "If you think about it- no one beat us last year, did they? So what we've done is added Thuringwethil and Drauglin to an undefeated team. So long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot I'm not particularly worried about our prospects."

BoroWolf sounded a bit more cautious: "To be honest, Doriath and The Havens are teams we should beat. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice sign we're winning those games when last year we would have found some way to blow it and only get a point. But, it's fair to say we haven't been tested yet, and the teams in our group bring different challenges over the teams we beat in the friendlies."

TTN: Toughest challenge: Angband, Anfauglith, or Imladris?

We can't set up the teams in Group G much better than phantomWolf:

"Angband.

Despite their tactical and technical proficiency, Imladris just doesn't have the power and athleticism to defend Thuringwethil and two Werewolves on one end and score against Drauglin and a pair of Werewolves at the other.

Angfauglith has three Balrogs, so that negates some of our advantage, but we're better than them all through the middle. Gothmog and Ecthelion can't get themselves the ball and dribble up the entire pitch, nor can two Balrog defenders stop our entire attack when we overmatch everyone else.

Angband though- Ancalagon is always a big challenge, then they have Morgoth and a Balrog at the back, but they supplement that with the quick Catbeasts- two up front and one in back. So athletically they have more to make us stay honest, and to take advantage of positional slip-ups and the like. We'll need to play tough and sharp against them."

And it was pretty much unanimous for Angband, as NilpWolf added Angband should be angry from last year's (like TIG) loss to Minas Tirith. However, it appears the key will be against Anfauglith, and the aura of uncertainty surrounding the team (in large part from an uninspiring friendly performance, but they've got the defense and talent if they can put it all together before the tournament) is a different kind of challenge:

NerWight: "The other two, though, are a bit... thought provoking. I think Angfauglith might look even more sc– I mean thought-provoking than Angband. But then they haven’t done so well in the friendlies, so it’s hard to say."

GaladWight talked to herself in circles (also literally...she was responding while spinning around), but we'll publish her response as well:

""imladris omg elfs omg figwit omg!" is what fangurl43 told me yesterday about the topic (and I did not hear a single capital letter in her sentence). I don't know if she's a fan of our awesome team or a fan of Figwit. I have a feeling that it's the second, because these fans have a hobbit - I mean habit - of adding "OMG" to everything they say. Our team really is awesome, though. So awesome that it should be called Team Awesome. Anyways, as I was saying... Wait, what was the question?"


TTN: Thoughts on Nogrod defecting to play for the 2012 silver-medalist Eriador?

At this NerWight wasn't interested in the past "Nog who?" and GaladWight yelled "Ditcher!"

The striker replacing NogWolf this year believes he will regret the choice...

InzilWolf: "I think it'll bite him. They've got Elrond and Glorfindel too, and that's a couple of prima donnas who don't like sharing the spotlight."

Those who profess to know their former teammate better (but could not foresee his departure) have a slightly different tone.

BoroWolf: "I think we'll miss his height, because the FinnWight was a header-specialist, and he often kept his head for that matter. But then again, with the defenses we're up against this year, their backlines are not dimunitive so I think going with more quickness and agility with InzilWolf and Thuringwethil is good for us. Plus, when clearing out his wolf den I found he had a lifetime subscription to AKM. Inconceivable."

Phantomwolf: "I'm a bit surprised really. Not that he left- I mean, I figured he would. Wights and Werewolves like us are pretty well always restricted to playing on one squad or two, so being granted an opportunity to test the free agent waters is too good to pass up.

But his choice of Eriador surprised me. I figured he'd want to play as a Werewolf for Sauron, or feed the ball to Feanor on AC Beleriand- but I guess not everyone has the same dreams I do. I suppose it makes sense- NogWight has always been a bit more... thoughtful and rational, and less distracted by the superfluous glamor and fame some players seek. So he's probably at home with the talented but humble squad from Eriador. There's enough stars and bright lights there to satisfy most anyone, but Elrond doesn't try to play it up and just wants results."

TTN: And to end this interview on a lighter note...Who would you most want as a teammate? (not including current teammates)

Nilpwolf: "Oh, Finrod, no question. He was once a 'visitor' to our island, and he's an excellent player. He'd fit the 'whole is greater than the sum of its parts' thing that we're proud of."

Phantomwolf: "Ha, well, I sort of gave away my answer in the last question. Sauron, obviously. As the Lord of Werewolves, he really gets me. Specifically, he gets me goals and assists, heh. The guy is just so good at using what he has. He's so flexible with his strategies and even his own playstyle. If you stop him he just comes back in another form. I've played with him before and I know it's a winning recipe, so that's my choice. But as far as a pipe-dream...

...There's Feanor. I'm not sure if I think enough like a First Age Elf for me to thrive in an offense with him- he kind of expects everyone around him to be "where they ought to be" at all times depending upon what he sees from the defense, and then he delivers it perfectly to the spot you should be moving to or takes it himself as he deems appropriate. It isn't necessarily easy to fit into his fast-pace perfection.... But boy would I like to try. Because if Feanor and I could ever get on the same page, the result would be nothing short of the greatest glory and beauty I'd ever experienced. And I dated Kate Beckinsale."

NerWight: "That’s another hard call... maybe Arien."

GaladWight: "Turin. I mean, who wouldn't want such an awesome character for a teammate? I bet every single wight here would agree with me - ouch! Who just elbowed me?"

InzilWolf: "That's a tough one. Maybe GwathWolf. He has a tendency to hang back in the shadows and snatch a victory when you aren't looking."