Group D @ Armenelos
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Originally Posted by The AKM 27.06.11
When Númenor won the bid over hosting group F it was clear where the games would take place. Although there are beautiful and large enough stadiums in both Andunië and Romenna, there was no question the action would take place at either. The “Wembley” of the Middle-Earth, the Armenelos stadium, is situated just in the shadow of the tower and the citadel raised by Elros just beside Meneltarma. Even if there are some fancier and bigger new stadiums in Arda, the Armenelos stadium stands as the classic venue, the somewhat grey but revered old king of stadiums. And in its stonework one can still see the craftsmanship of the men of old, and the eye for architecture of the Dúnedain at the height of their power.
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Interestingly enough we can open the reporting from group D quoting our own article from last year. Not all investement groups were happy with the Arda Cup board’s decision to make Armenelos a host of a group two years in a row – and there were rumours that certain groups had actually wished to challenge the decision legally. But there is only silence from the part of the authorities on the matter.
Most analysts to the Arda Cup seem to think that Ainulindalë Enterpises ltd. had a strong say on the decision – and that the strength of their argument was not backed up only by money. Be that however it is, on one thing all the analysts seem to agree, and it is that the deal included some major financial transactions The Arda Cup committee was happy to receive – and most other investment groups probably had a decent enough share to keep them from going into the court.
Putting the possible unhappiness of certain big-time investors aside, the choice of Armenelos as the host for group D – and the subsequent choice of teams into that group – is pure sporting nirvana. Whichever media-prediction you look at, you have there four teams that all belong to the top ten of the tournament all playing in one group! And the games will be played in one of the most legendary stadiums in all Middle-Earth, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd who are the living emblems of the history and tradition of football, and the most generous hosts to anyone who just loves the game.
Many have predicted that the Valinor-based teams would make it to the next rounds and are mainly having arguments whether FC Valinor’s win over Real Valinor in the friendlies was telling the truth about their respective strengths or whether it was just an accident (or a deliberate scheming) on the part of Real Valinor. But even if the home team hasn’t been too flashing in their friendlies, at least the home fans expect them to qualify – and no one in the footballing world can take team Armenelos lightly, especially at their home stadium. Tirion in turn has been scoring in the friendlies in more or less unparallelled fashion with Finwë leading the scoreboard by a margin to any other player in the friendlies.
So whatever the results of the group will be one thing will be clear – and that is the sad thing from a sporting perspective – two excellent teams will be left into the group-phase. But to all those who have managed to purchase tickets to the games will be seeing some of the best football on Arda already in a group games which is a rare treat. So let us celebrate that!