[Boromir88]

Matchday 1 - @ Michel Delving

The Stadium:

The stadium at Michel Delving is much smaller in capacity, and simpler built then a lot of other venues around Arda, but it is the most appropriate to host games in The Shire (certainly better than the dump of a stadium in Little Delving). And in truth, the Hobbits enjoy the simple goodness of their structures, as Gudolpho Chubb told reporters: "The big-folk can keep all their grand statues, the Elves can keep their high talons perched in trees, the dwarves can have their bejeweled crafts, all us hobbits need are some good pints and meals."

So, while the stadium went under renovations, mostly to add more seating (but the Greenhand and Gamgee families planted new seeds to create some pleasant gardens which brightened the atmosphere around the stadium) it still only has a max capacity of 38,000. The true fame of the hobbits is their fan-friendly concession prices, and few will contest the hobbits claim to providing the best food and beverage during the Arda Cup games.

Another event that seems to be sweeping across Arda, and originated in The Shire, is what people are calling "tale-gate parties." We're not sure of the practical purpose of these parties, but they're supposed to be fun to attend. Apparently, fans conglomerate around the gates of the stadium (hours before they actually open for the match), bringing their own food and drink, sporting the colours of their teams, and sharing tales with other fans.

Game 1: Angband v. The Downer (12:20 start time)

The Shire's hosting committee (which the famous hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin were members) decided a 12:20 start to the first game (3:40 for the 2nd). This would allow hobbits to have 1st and 2nd breakfasts, and brunch, plus plenty of "tale-gating" before the matches begin. But also be able to wrap up for the first day all before dinner and supper! It was a choice many Shirelings approved of, but fans from other teams grumbled, preferring to play their matches at night. Still Arda's competition committee (headed by Eru Iluvatar) saw nothing about these times which would give any team an unfair edge in the group.

The Hobbits will be hard pressed to decide who to support (if they support either of them) in this match. Saucepan Man seems to be one of the crowd favorites going in, but the destructive shenanigans of The Downer, in particular Alien, Hobbits most certainly would not approve. Morgoth has pledged he would reimburse any damages caused by The Downer team. Many wonder what game Morgoth is playing at, if whether this is just a means to "buy" more support away from home, or if he secretly wants a footing in The Downer's finances to get ownership in the team. Morgoth was rather fond of The Downer last year, so this seems like a possibility. With or without Morgoth's pledge to pay for damages, Angband will probably draw the 2nd most support (obviously behind SB-United). While Morgoth was certainly a dark and evil name out of the past, in truth, hobbits were very far removed and didn't feel it effected them. The site of Dragons, Balrogs, and Morgoth while terrifying could also be magnificent to behold.

It's anticipated to see a defense-first effort from Angband. With the powerful might of Ancalagon and evasive skill of Telvildo, Angband's strikers won't likely need much help from the defense in getting scoring opportunities. The battle The Downer will have to win to be competitive is in the mid-field, if focused Hookbill can certainly control the midfield against Angband's traitorous men. Still, they will need to push many more players on goal just to score on Morgoth's defense, and Carcharoth tending goal, which leaves Angband's strikers plenty of room to go to work.

Game 2: Shire-Bree United v. Tol-in-Gaurhoth (3:40 start time)

Tol-in-Gaurhoth supporters grumbled at the news of an afternoon start time, as it is well-known they love playing beneath clouds and darkness. Shastawolf growled: "We expected no favors from these weasle halflings. They have always tried to gain an advantage over us, because straight up wolves vs hobbits, is not contest the halflings would see their team crushed." NerWight had this to say however: "It's not ideal, but it could be worse. They could have tried to make us play in the morning, when we are not fully recovered from celebrating how we will stomp the home team to dust, from the night before." And Nogwolf: "We appreciate support from our passionate fanbase, but we're going to have to learn to play under any condition and at any start time if our goal is to win the Cup."

Shire-Bree fans, while admitting they've rarely been a good match up against wights and wolves, are coming in optimistic for several reasons. Even though the Hobbits were at first disappointed Bandobras was going to be the only halfling on the team, they are coming out in droves for Shire-Bree. Players like Strider and Bombadil are to spectacular to not witness, and they would be playing for The Shire! Optimists also noted TIG looked very disjointed in the friendlies, where their team was relaxed but aggressive. Plus at first, as frightening as it was to see Khamul and the Barrow-wight on the home team, halflings now must admit they would put much more fear in the wolves than they themselves would be able to!

So, as the games are about to begin in The Shire, so have the festivities. The wolves and wights of TIG (plus The Downer) are not taking part in such silly, unwelcome company and the hobbits are more than glad knowing troublemakers would be keeping away.