[the phantom]

(place-holder results post until Shasta can put up the full story)

Group F @ Isengard

Misty Mts 1-1 Rohan
on target 5-4
tot shots 14-12
GOALS:
*37, 1-0 Rumil (Narvi)
*73, 1-1 Helm (Radagast)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Misty- Chief Wolf, Tom
*Rohan- King Dead, Felarof

Imladris 1-1 Isengard
on target 4-4
tot shots 12-12
GOALS:
*44, 0-1 Quickbeam (Wormtongue)
*69, 1-1 Elladan (Arwen)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Imlad- Elladan
*Isengard- Lurtz, Wulf

Q: Rohan
q: Imaldris
Eliminated: Isengard, Misty Mts

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MESPN EXIT INTERVIEWS

MESPN: Excuse me, Saruman!

Saruman: Ah, there you are. I knew you'd be waiting somewhere.

MESPN: So, what sort of changes are you going to make in the off-season?

Saruman: Yes, well, something needs to be done evidently. I can say for certain that my current players won't all be making so much after their performance this year.

MESPN: So, just slashing salaries and calling it good?

Saruman: No, no- there will be a couple subtle shifts. Perhaps a formation change and swapping of positions, and the addition of a quality piece.

MESPN: Nothing sweeping then?

Saruman: No, no- that would be the actions of a panicked manager. With some slight alterations we'd nearly break even despite going out early.

MESPN: So turning a profit is the top concern?

Saruman: Well of course. One can easily discover the highest priority by supposing gross imbalance. Would my franchise remain viable if we won the title ever year but hemorrhaged money?

MESPN: Well, I suppose not.

Saruman: Indeed. As much as the fans wish to win, one must remain fiscally sound.

MESPN: Ideally both.

Saruman: Which is why I'll have my eyes and ears open for a good signing.

MESPN: Was it particularly tough losing to Rohan- featuring Gandalf?

Saruman: I don't take his choice to play there personally. He can't have known he'd be facing me. And losing is losing- the opponent is inconsequential.

MESPN: I doubt Isengard supporters see it that way.

Saruman: But perhaps hearing it from me will sway them.

MESPN: Quite right. Thanks for your time.

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MESPN: Not what you hoped for guys.

Durin's Bane: Not at all.

Rumil: Nope.

MESPN: So- thoughts?

Orophin: I think we could've advance.

Narvi: Yes! We showed what we could do drawing Rohan.

Durin's Bane: Rohan earned that top spot- they are a fantastic team, but that draw showed we could play at that level.

MESPN: So how do you improve that for next year?

Narvi: Well, I think our investment groups won't be hurting too much, so we should be in the market for a couple new additions.

Durin's Bane: Likely we'll freeze or lower current salaries as the entire league was a bit overpriced and we didn't earn it, but with adding a couple players we'll end up back at the same overall salary or slightly higher.

MESPN: So you feel comfortable with most of your team as it is.

Narvi: Definitely. We're not far off, and I think we're all committed.

Rumil: We weren't certain what to expect when we joined, but my brother and I really feel like we belong.

Durin's Bane: It'll be tough letting anyone go at all. Frankly we don't have plans for it exactly, but rather we'll be looking for slight upgrades and if we land them we'll fit them in where we have to.

MESPN: All right. Best of luck.