[Nogrod]

From the Editor (John Bull)

What will happen to those star-filled megateams and overwhelming alliances of skill and renown, has been a centerpiece of discussion in both sports-arenas and pubs around Arda since the salary-cap was introduced. For with it teams like Formenos of 2008 (Fëanor and all his sons + Huan), Armenelos of 2009 (all the stars of Armenelos accompanied by Sauron), Mithrim of 2010 and Doriath of 2011 (Húrin, Túrin, Beleg and Huan with top quality backing – like Celegorm & Curufin and Morwen in 2010, or with the dazzling mix of Eöl, Melian, Beren, Elwë and Carcaroth in 20011) are clearly things of the past. There will be no more “Super-Teams” as last year’s team Doriath fex. would probably cost nearer 180-190 million. So which alliances hold fast, who goes to try new sow new alliances, who gets kicked out?

Whatever the press-releases say, it seems at least Turgon has been shown the door in Gondolin, like Elros in Númenor. Two great kings humiliatingly thrown out to make room for the brighter stars of the teams. Those moves will understandably be explained as their own wish to “seek out fresh challenges” or to “widen their experience with different squads and playing styles”, or maybe even to “make out new alliances”.

And if Shasta’s report is to believed, even such mates as Túrin and Beleg are going their separate ways this year because of, and this is how the AKM sees it, financial pressures. Or how about Elrond not playing for Imladris? He must be one of the MVP’s of the whole tournament… so maybe that is the reason, as anyone hiring him will have to settle with lesser quality players overall because of the price-tag Elrond comes with? A look at the mostly inexistent prospects of Angband team to hire any “over the average” players to fill the positions left over by the stars of the team are a case in point.

But even in this situation all alliances do not break – and some are even newly found. With some inside knowledge into the makings of the Blood & Oath Alliance investment group the AKM is proud to reveal a few very interesting team news.

Through the Blood & Oath Alliance the sons of Fëanor have decided to invest considerable amounts of money (and prestige) to four teams still in the making: two in Beleriand and two in Valinor. The forming of the teams in Beleriand are still in their first stages, but the AKM can make a preliminary report on the how things are working out with the Valinor-based teams.



The AKM special report on teams from Valinor

It seems nobody has the faintest on Manwë’s intentions, whether he is going to play this year or not (could there be any reason for his secretiveness in the fact that the West was banned from playing in their homeground this year?). But it seems clear Aulë and Yavanna are bringing forth a mighty team while Tulkas and Nessa are building another no less impressive one. Although there are rumours a team Valimar would also be in the making mainly financed by the Manwë and Varda led investment group Ainulindalë Enterpises ltd.


The name the AKM heard for Aulë’s and Yavanna’s team is FC Valinor, and if the rumours are true, it would be ready to spend almost 115 million to form a mighty team. At least it looks by far the highest budget any team would have that the AKM is aware of.

But the names then… Curufin (14), Celegorm (13) and Huan (18) would play together for FC Valinor! One of the hottest duos of last year’s tournament would be rejoined by their close mate and probably the most succesful player in the whole of Arda Cup’s history. Compared to Huan’s achivements in Arda Cup even Fëanor and Turin must humble themselves. Looking at Huan’s track record just makes one gasp with awe: he has tended the goal of 2008 champions, 2009 silver-medalists, 2010 bronze-medalists and led his team to championship the second time on 2011.

And that’s not all there is to FC Valinor. It is easy to figure both Aule and Yavanna will be playing, even if it seems that they would have to settle with a bit more modest wages to fit all the great players in the team, even with the total budget as high as it is. But the word is that Curufin and Celegorm have talked their older brother Maglor to join as well for 12 million. Also the silver-footed Idril has been tied closely to the team in the rumours going around, as well as Lórien himself… which might mean also his brother Mandos could be involved.

Whichever of the rumours come true, the AKM sees FC Valinor as one of the strongest teams yet to have come to the fore with even a partial squad.


But the team being raised by Tulkas and Nessa seems no less formidable. The forward trio of the team Real Valinor (pronounced "Reäl", meaning more or less: "royal") - which is the name circulating around right now – looks more or less one of the deadliest anyone could come up with. It was officially revealed yesterday, that the former team Valinor striking-trio Nerdanel, Miriel and Arien would play for Real Valinor this year, for 14 million each.

Tilion who broke through into the minds of the footballing community in 2009 with team Valimar and as an unlikely Utumno-forward in 2010 scoring 21 phantasy points both years had a bit disappointing year on 2011 scoring only 15 pts. with team Angband. But it looks like he’s willing to turn his fortunes back this year in where he belongs to, in Valinor, with a “cheapish” price-tag of 12 million on him. The buzz about him has been lively though as it was announced that he would play in the defence this year even if everyone knows him the best as the top-scorer. The AKM’s quess is that he will be taking the role of a “libero”, the defender with a free role to go as he pleases being in the top of the attack or back down aiding the goalie – or anywhere between.

Some reports have it that Caranthir the Dark would be playing for Real Valinor, some that Nienna would – and that with her Gandalf might return to the West to play. But whoever there will be in the final team, one must not forget Tulkas himself, or Nessa, whom both it is quite safe to assume will play for the team.


So not only FC Valinor, but also Real Valinor look like formidable teams this year (having top-budgets as well) it would be stupid to not count in when making the predictions on the top teams this year.