[Boromir88]

After the teams from Group D and G were eliminated the players returned to their homelands. There were no throngs, parades, or cheering crowds to greet them, just journalists and beat reporters asking the captains and personnel about next year:

GONDOR

The mood in Gondor was grim, but not depressing. I mean yes, FC Valinor was in their group, but still most Gondorians felt their team should have defeated Barad-Dur and qualified, especially since they were the host team of the group. They had not, and primarily it was their lack of goal-scoring this year. Eldacar, Anarion, and the rest just didn't deliver this year, as they had the last.

Anarion addressed the media: "We lost some money, but nothing that should bankrupt the owners or mean the team goes into a complete firesale mode. There probably won't be many changes, just some trimming here and there. If I have to accept less for my downturn in performance this year, then so be it. Hopefully we can target some annual travellers who would help us score some more goals. Gandalf, Isildur, or Eorl would be nice additions, but they might be content staying put and it would take a lot of money to lure them away. We can't overpay just to bring in one player."

ISENGARD"

As one of the lower salary teams, Isengard basically broke even despite their elimination. So there won't be any panic and Sauron (who is a co-owner with Saruman now) believes the talent on the team is good, they just need to strategize better and adjust game tactics. They were blown off the field by FC Valinor and that put Isengard in a large hole, that despite playing better in their other games, they just couldn't dig out of.

Saruman is already at work trying to use his Voice to win over potential free agents, but he refused to give any names at this time: "I called a couple former allies, and a couple enemies. And one or two of them may have been both at one time or another."

ANGFAUGLITH

This is a team that is likely in a lot of trouble. They've missed the playoffs 2 straight years and still have a high payroll. And the other investors are possibly planning what could be called a coup against the majority owner, Evil House (Morgoth).

The anger of the other investors (House Haleth, House Hador, Old Beor House in particular) began when apparently before the Angband-Angfauglith match Morgoth made a gentlemen's agreement to keep the game close and at most on a 1 goal differential. When Morgoth pushed for a 2nd goal after Gorgol's red card, it was seen as a broken promise. It should be noted, we don't put much stock in this story, because even if Morgoth had made that agreement, Angfauglith needs to know it was likely Morgoth hatching one of his tricks. But whatever the truth, it does mark the first noticeable divide between Evil House and the other owners.

A divide that has only been growing since Angfauglith's elimination, with the other owners now accusing Evil House of treating the team as an "Angband Junior" and not being aggressive enough in forming a stronger team. And we do see this as more credible, with Morgoth treating Angfauglith simply as a little-league team. After group play finished, one player from Angfauglith (who asked to remain anonymous) reported Morgoth approached and said: "Would you like to come up to the big leagues next year?" (aka play for Angband).

No one knows where Angfauglith is heading or planning next year, it is a volatile and growing more hostile situation every day.

IMLADRIS

Imladris' main problem was their low budget team was put in a tough group. They still didn't look particularly well against anyone, although Imladris is only down 4 million. With Arnor and Eriador already in the playoffs, Elrond's firm ownership over Imladris should still remain, just reinforcing the point that financially Imladris is fine.

Varda was gracious in talking to the media about next year: "Imladris is Elrond's house and so I would expect him to show the same careful hand and wise signings as he has for Arnor and Eriador. I know with how much the salary was reduced from 2012 to this year, it was asked if Imladris would just be a low-budget feeder team to make money that Lord Elrond would then spend on the deemed more important clubs. A large part of the payroll cut this year was simply losing some key highly priced players, like Elros, to other teams. We'll be adding talent for sure next year and start negotiating trades with our sister clubs, like Arnor and Eriador."