[Nogrod]

Now before the play-offs really beging it’s a good time to turn one’s eyes back for a monent to hear from them who are not among the teams playing any more, for sure there will be things interesting the audience concerning both their performance this year as their plans for the next season. The AKM managed to meet Bandobras Took (Shire-Bree United), Elwë Singollo (Doriath), Bard The Bowman (Erebor) and Scatha (Wilderland) at the AFA meeting and sat them down for a short chat. And we also managed to wrestle out from them predictions on how the tournament will go...


The AKM: Mr Bullroarer, how do you think your tournament went this year?

Bandobras: Well we did draw with mr. High elven king’s team here, but if you put any team in the same group with Hithlum and Real Valinor, well then phewffft… We played well and can contain the 3 million we lost unlike many others who will be deep in trouble.

The AKM: But can you keep the Grey Wanderer and his horse with you the next year – and we understand Gildor was playing for you with a one season contract anyway? So where do you turn for reinforcements? More Nazgûl with ten million salaries each? Khamûl scored zero in the tournament and #6 collected two assists in five games…

Bandobras: Don’t you lecture on me young man. Sure we’re no AC Beleriand or Real Valinor everyone would take a major cut down in salary only to just be able to play for them. But we’re not that unattractive either. We can both attract good players as afford to make our terms clear for those possibly wishing to come or stay. Just take my word for it.

The AKM: Are you possibly referring to what what we heard from your young relative, mr. Peregrin back there that he might be having an old friend of his “from the top circles” joining him next season – and thus actualy betraying he will play for you the next season? And maybe young mr. Meriadoc is joining as well – I think he would have a friend in “the top circles” as well?

Bandobras: Oh, no… nonsense. That fool of a Took! You media-people go sell your magazines and adds with over too-early speculation. That’s what you’re good at.

The AKM: Okay, thank you mr. Took. Now lord Thingol, how about your teams performance this season?

Elwë: Well, obviously we’re not happy being left into the group stage this year, but to be fair, hats off to Real Valinor and Hithlum, they were just better teams this year and we had tough luck in the group-lottery.

The AKM: You seem to take it quite gracefully – and sure you lost some talent from last year’s squad… so what are your plans for the next season?

Elwë: Wouldn’t it be a bit premature to play or show one’s hand while this year’s tournament is still underway?

The AKM: Obviously. But could you give us something?

Elwë: Well, we made quite a nice financial result with only 5 million in losses – but all the merchadise and luxury-packages we were able to make on top of the pure ticket-sales, which of course go to the AFA, while hosting the group kind of brought us into a nice balance – so unlike some other teams which like mr. Took already noted – will have severe financial problems we stand on a firm footing and let’s say, we’re doing our best to bring some talent back for the next season to be more competitive. We sure will have the markers next year both to the players from the big teams whose teams need to make cuts and to those of smaller teams who can’t afford to pay their stars anymore.

The AKM: So you’re wishing for Hithlum to fail this year with their mighty economical investments – getting Beleg back to lead your troops by the side of Mablung? Or maybe getting Beren and Luthien back from Inter who did fail?

Elwë: That’s what you say…

The AKM: All right then… How about you mr. Bowman, not exactly a bullseye this year…

Bard: Well not… Personally, it just felt I couldn’t quite come to play on my level – and in a way the whole team had a similar kind of feeling. Don’t know where it came from, though. An underperformance, yes.

The AKM: And it all culminated in your last game against Misty Mountains… now some have already suggested there were foul play involved, especially Bolg’s red card. Was he bought?

Bard: I find that kind of speculation deeply disturbing and against the ethics of the sport.

The AKM: Are you then inferring that these baddies turn into highly ethical and virtuous beings as soon as they just get a glimpse of a white leather ball on a green?

Bard: Of course not… but that would have been degrading beyond reproach. Anyway, it is hard for me to see Bolg playing for Erebor the next season – or well, never.

The AKM: 29 million losses. How’s you next season looking?

Bard: Do you call that a question? Erebor Crftsmen Union does have deep pockets and Moneybags Monetary Management isn’t downright poor either – but sure we’re facing some major cuts… and the cuts in salaries will most probably involve everyone.

The AKM: What if Smaug is offered more somewhere else – like by Sauron to play for Wilderland?

Bard: Let’s hope even the greediest of the dragons has a spot in his soul for his home.

The AKM: Thank you mr. Bowman. Turning to you Scatha – how would it feel to play alongside Smaug the next season?

Scatha: Oh, the talented youngster? Why not, why not… our playing-styles sure are quite different – him having all those fancy wings and such – but why not? It might even be fun.

The AKM: Am I right in thinking that you were not pleased with your team’s performance this year either?

Scatha: Either you’re not too smart little-man or then you think me a simpleton – which isn’t very smart from you either… But the fact is this: if you just play three draws you seldom advance – and this year we didn’t have that final energy or stamina to pull a win from those close games.

The AKM: Who would you like to buy off from Erebor for the next year; Smaug, Bolg, a Nazgûl maybe?

Scatha: If you ask my opinion, I’d pick my kin of course – the Nazgûl are overrated as they are just men and the goblins rarely have what it takes to play a game. But the bosses decide these things, not me. I just play.


The AKM: Thank you all for your views. Now could I just bother you with your comments or predictions about the tournament: how’s it gonna go?

Elwë: With my dear commander Beleg our prodigal son Túrin will reach far in this tournament. But I’m going to cheer more for my dear friends and relatives with Nargothrond and Tirion to be honest…

Scatha: I could actually side with you cheering for Nargothrond – but unlike you I think that led by Glaurung they will crush Hithlum – and who’s to stop them then? But the team most people seem to forget is Angband… you think this Fëanor guy is that good, really? I think it’s reality-check -time.

Bard: Well, if Nargothrond beats Hithlum Eriador will stop them in the next one. I mean they may not be all the flash and all that jazz, but they produce results – and I’ll be cheering for them for sure. Anduin and Arnor are close to my heart as well and I think both have chances to get at least one step ahead.

Bandobras: Really? Have you ever seen Valimar play – or played against them? I’m afraid even the proud northern kings are no match for them – even if I will be there cheering with you for them.

Bard: I’d be betting my money rather on Anduin beating Armenelos.

Elwë: I would not wish to sound rude, but do you have any understanding of the Dúnedain – or the difference between the likes of you and them? With all due respect, that is.

Scatha: Ha-ha! Old vain elves and their golden days of old… you guys lost it, haven't you realized it?

The AKM: Okay, okay… easy, please… Your favourites to win the championship?

Bandobras: Valimar beats T-I-G in the final 2-1.

Elwë: Hithlum meets AC Beleriand in the finals and on that occasion I’m going to cheer for Túrin and his father.

Bard: I need to stick with Eriador coming through all the way from the “lower” bracket. But who would they meet there? That’s a bit fishy… Either Valinor-team or AC Beleriand. I do hope Eriador wins it and clears their runner-up status from last year into champs.

Scatha: Hithlum is the worst opponent Nargothrond could have on the first stage as they are the only other team I’d say Nargothrond needs to give credit on their side of the bracket. But if – and I’d say when – they clear it, then it is finals for Nargothrond. There they’ll meet Angband, naturally. Even if the semifinal between Tulkas and Morgoth will be a tough one I’m quite confident Ancalagon beats the Fëanor-brats.

The AKM: Well, thank you all for your time and all the best for the next season.