Middle-Earth Football Tournament

[Sleepy Ranger]

Todays results, live from Middle-Earth Mirth Stadium.

Moria 1-0 Rohan

Moria dominated this game right from the start but they couldn’t work as a team. Each player tried to outshine his team mate while all Rohan could do was watch on. Moria got near scoring many time but due to the obstinacy of their players they never passed. Bill the Balrog took his time to do flashy moves while Balin took it upon himself to steal the ball from Bill. Finally it was a team effort that won the game for Moria, a high cross to Balin from Bill was headed to Azog who hit it home with a bicycle kick in the 67th minute. Since then all Moria did was pass the ball around the Rohan players which led them around in circles.
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Rivendell 1-0 Vinyamar

This was a pretty even match. Vinyamar dominated the entire first have until Glorfindel went beserk and shot from way out and nearly scored! But Turgon managed to clear it for a corner. It took a twin effort after Elrond sent the corner into the box as a high cross, Elladen headed it but the goalie pushed it away only to have an Elrohir that tripped over his own feet knock it in. The next half was docile and saw Rivendell defend beautifully to make up for their keeper’s non-existant keeping skills. Unluckily for Vinyamar the referee ended the match when they found themselves within scoring range. Rivendell won a partly undeserved victory.
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Valmar 0-0 Valimar

This was a heated contest. The teams were obviously bitter rivals but they showed a great deal of sportsmanship. The crowd alas did not share the same feelings of sportsmanship and there were many fights in the crowd until security kicked out half the crowd after which the remaining spectators remained silent. In the second half Manwe and Varda got into a shuffle with the referee who handed them each yellow cards and sent them merrily on their way. Both teams defenses shut the other out and the match ended as it began 0-0.
After the match the teams demanded they settle it in a penalty shoot-out which ended 3-5 in Valimar’s favor. The result however was taken as a draw.
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Mirkwood 1-0 Erebor

This was another upset in the opening stages of the tournament. Everyon expected Erebor to crush Mirkwood but a mis-timed tackle by Thorin gave him a yellow card and Mirkwood a free-kick. Legolas took the kick with precision, shooting hard and fast along the ground. It knocked the post and went in for a goal in 41st minute. Erebor were unable to mount a comeback and the injury of their goalie, Smaug, will leave them in trouble for next match.
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Bree 0-0 Numenor

This was an aggressive match. Bill Ferny injured Tar-Enclime and got himself a red card which was immediately followed by Elros receiving a red card and Butterbur being injured. It seems both teams will be missing two top players in the next match.
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Doriath 4-2 Isengard

Saruman started of by getting himself a yellow card and giving Doriath their first chance from 23m out. Beleg sent a rocket straight into goal scoring the first of their many goals. After this early 2nd minute goal there was a long and heated mid-field battle with no side giving an inch but finally Ugluk managed to lose his marker and breakaway, in the 37th minute, and chip one over Melian’s head for the goal. Melian was visibly shocked at this since she was considered to be one of the best keeper’s in the tournament. The rest of the half was a back and forth contest with Melian pulling of an impossible save, diving from the far left to far right to knock the ball away. The next half started of with Saruman getting himself a second yellow card and this time giving away a penalty which Beleg converted into their second goal. Then in the 57th minute Beleg found himself in front of an open goal and walked in with the ball, much to Isengard’s annoyance. Thingol sealed the match with a 73rd minute goal from the edge of the box. Isengard managed to score again in the 86th minute but that was just a consolation goal.
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Fangorn 0-0 Alqualondë

This match was a clash of defenses. Neither defense let the other team get too many shots on the goal and the goalkeepers barely had a role in the match. Fangorn came close to scoring after Quickbeam rushed through the defense and found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper only to shoot over the goal. The team captain, Treebeard, was later seen telling him not to be hasty in shooting next time. Of course there was no next time and the match ended in a draw.
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Gondolin 5-0 Grey Havens

This one was over before it began. A two goal lead at half-time was followed up by another two in the second half and one last goal in injury time. The goal scoring was quite spread out with Turgon scoring two and Tuor, Glorfindel and Ecthelion each scoring a goal. This was the perfect start of Gondolin’s world cup campaign. Grey Havens will need to put this match behind them and concentrate on improving their defense if they want to keep any hopes of winning.
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Oh and for 'Reader Response', PM me your letters. You can sign it in whatever name you wish. ^_^ Also feel free to comment on what you thought of the matches and let us know which was your favorite.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Alright, everyone whos been following the MEFWC I need some suggestions for you.

1) What do you think would be a suitable theme song for the MEFWC?
2) Who do you think should be the mascots?
3) Could you suggest some names for stadiums?
4) Who should we keep as referees?

PM me your answers so as not to spam the thread. Feel free to post your match opinions, reactions and stuff. But remember if you wish to write an article or interview or something else that isn't your OWN reaction. (Also if you have anything else in mind feel free to post it or talk to me on AIM or MSN) Send it to me so that I can organize it with the rest of MEFD, credit will go to your name for all you send in. Thanks.

[The Saucepan Man]

The first in an occasional series - starting, naturally, with Group A.

Old Forest
Player Coach: Tom Bombadil
Key Players: Tom Bombadil aka the Master (capt, striker), Goldberry (striker), The Barrow-Wight (defender), Old Man Willow (goalkeeper)

The Old Forest’s player coach is as old as the hills themselves and played in the inaugural championship, long before the original Dark Lord first pulled on an Angbad team shirt. Known simply as “the Master”, he was the first winner of the “Yellow Boots” trophy for most prolific scorer in the competition, and it was in his honour that the trophy was named. But, despite being the Eldest, he has most certainly not hung up those yellow boots yet. He is as fit and nimble as ever. As his strike partner Goldberry says: “Tom just never stops going in a match. He just is”. Goldberry herself is as skilled in her control of the ball as she is in her control of the weather, although she is generally considered to be best suited to wet conditions.

The Barrow-Wight (no, not that one) is a defender who can strike fear into the most courageous opposition and his ferocious tackles have been known to chill opposing players to the bone. Many an attacking striker has been manhandled ruthlessly by the Wight into one of his barrows, never to emerge.

Other than these outstanding players, however, there is little talent to speak of in this team and the remaining members of the squad tend to be somewhat static, reacting slowly to the game and often, therefore, being caught out of position. Even their talented goalkeeper, Old Man Willow, can sometimes be caught standing immobile in his goalmouth while a well-struck shot whistles past his branches.

Saucepan’s verdict: It would be nice to see the team go all the way, if only to see the Master enjoy a last hurrah. But with a lack of pace and quality in key positions, they are unlikely to go far.

Mordor
Coach: Morgoth
Key Players: Dark Lord (capt, striker), The Witch King (striker), Gothmog (attacking midfielder), Khamul (central defender), The Mouth of Sauron (goalkeeper)

Mordor has provoked one of the great controversies of the competition, having chosen as their coach the player/coach of the Angbad team. Speculation is rife as to what will be the outcome should these two teams meet in the competition which, given the strength of each squad, is fairly likely. There is also a rumour (unconfirmed) that their captain, the Dark Lord, is moonlighting as the captain of the Taur-im-Gaurhoth team. One thing is for sure. Nothing should be taken for granted with the Mordor team. They are all capable of employing the lowest of tactics to win.

While the Dark Lord himself is a prolific scorer, his skill lies in manipulating the ball by the force of his will. Being, when all is said and done, merely a large fiery eye ( ), he lacks the strength to hold the ball up and is prone to giving away possession in critical areas. Also, while he is a formidable captain, his first instinct is attack and he can often overlook defensive needs. Thus, his team often falls victim to diversionary tactics, allowing small agile players to sneak through with the ball and score. This may prove to be fatal should Mordor come up against a team like The Shire. However, he is ably supported in attack by the ruthless efficiency of the Witch King and the sheer brute strength of Gothmog (whose nature remain obscure).

The remainder of the first choice team is well-disciplined, being submissive to the will of their captain, although it is often said that their goalkeeper’s reputation is built on bluff and that he might well crumble when truly tested. Nevertheless, his alertness is amply supplemented by the strategic placement of Silent Watchers on either side of the goal mouth.

Saucepan’s verdict: While the team looks good on paper, it seriously lacks strength in depth. Other than the first choice players, the squad consists almost entirely of orcs, ill-disciplined at the best of times, and trolls, whose natural strength is counterbalanced by their compete inability to read a game. A few injuries or red cards (likely, given their tendency to employ underhand tactics) could spell disaster for this team.

Moria
Coach: Durin the Deathless
Key Players: Azog (striker), Balin (joint capt; midfielder), Bill the Balrog aka Durin’s Bane (joint capt; central defender), The Watcher in the Water (goalkeeper)

The media has already commented on the inherent racial tension in this team, consequent upon the coach’s decision to choose the best talent from the orcish, dwarvish and Balrog communities of Moria. Durin the Deathless, has attempted to address this issue by appointing Balin and Bill the Balrog as joint captains, but this has only served to mask the underlying problems and it looks like Bill could well live up to his title of Durin’s Bane as the competition progresses.

Azog is surprisingly well-disciplined for an orc, and a talented striker. But he is often hampered by his dwarvish team-mates’ reluctance to pass the ball to him. This, of course, is hardly suprising, given that Azog started out his career playing dwarf-ball in the back streets of Moria, an orcish variation of the game in which a severed dwarvish head is used instead of a football. Dynamic midfielder and joint captain, Balin, has managed to rise above this, but has as yet failed to instil the same team spirit in his fellow dwarves.

Saucepan’s verdict: Despite the barely concealed hatred between certain of its squad members, this team cannot be discounted. With the imposing Balrog Bill in central defence, spreading his shadow from one wing of the pitch to the other, and the talented and multi-tentacled Watcher in goal, they do not give away many goals.

Rohan
Coach: Eorl the Young
Key Players: Theoden (striker, capt), Eowyn aka Dernhelm (striker), Eomer (attacking midfielder), Elfhelm (midfielder), Wormtongue (winger), Erkenbrand (central defender), Gamling (central defender), Hama (goalkeeper)

Coach Eorl has mustered a tight and disciplined team in Rohan, well captained by the veteran striker Theoden. He, in turn, is ably assisted by Eowyn, who has a natural talent for unexpectedly appearing in great attacking positions and turning the tide with a well-placed shot. Eomer and Elfhelm contribute to a good attacking midfield, while the doughty Erkenbrand and Gamling provide a solid defence. One noted weakness, however, is their tendency to defend in the Deep, and they can be vulnerable when the opposing team gets players forward in numbers. Nevertheless, Hama “the Doorwarden” is a capable goalkeeper, known for his tenacity in refusing entry to even the most forceful of visitors to his goalmouth.

The team’s major vulnerability is the winger, Grima Wormtongue. Known for bad mouthing his team mates and with little talent at his disposal, questions have been asked how he earned his place in the team. It is rumoured that he has an unnatural hold over the captain and that his loyalties in fact lie elsewhere. Nevertheless, he can be a slippery customer and, despite his lack of strength and pace, has an ability to talk himself into dangerously influential positions.

Saucepan’s verdict: If they can make sure that Wormtongue is kept tightly under control, this team could be the surprise of the competition. When they are relieved of the need to concentrate on defending, they can certainly ride forth with great speed, sweeping all opposition before them. In any event, an attack-minded team that is exciting to watch.

Saucepan’s verdict on the Group: Despite Tom’s skill and verve, the Old Forest’s static mode of overall play means that they are unlikely to emerge from this group to progress further. And Moria, despite their miserly defence, will not be able to rise above inter-team disputes to make much headway. I see Rohan, with their exciting attacking line-up, scoring enough goals secure them second place in the group, with the formidable Mordor topping the table. Mordor, however, are unlikely to progress much further as their team becomes increasingly weakened through injury and sendings off, since they lack the necessary strength in depth.

[The Saucepan Man]

Sleepy Ranger, I am keeping an eye on contenders for the Yellow Boots trophy. The tally so far is, I believe, as follows:

Beleg (Doriath): 3
Pippin (The Shire): 3?
Turgon (Gondolin): 2
Azog (Moria): 1
Dark Lord (Mordor): 1
Ecthelion (Gondolin): 1
Elrohir (Rivendell): 1
Faramir (Gondor): 1
Fatty Bolger (Crickhollow): 1
Glorfindel (Gondolin) : 1
Legolas (Mirkwood): 1
Sauron (Tol-In-Gauroth): 1
The Saucepan Man (Barrow Downs): 1
Thingol (Doriath): 1
Turin (Nargothrond): 1
Tuor (Gondolin): 1
Ugluk (Isengard): 1
Unknown (Arnor): 1
Unknown (Arnor): 1
Unknown (Arnor): 1
Unknown (Ephel Barandir): 1
Unknown (Isengard): 1

Are you able to shed any light on the unknowns? Also, did Pippin score a hat trick for The Shire, or were there others on the score sheet for that team in their opening game?

[Sleepy Ranger]

Beleg (Doriath): 3
Pippin (The Shire): 2
Turgon (Gondolin): 2
Ugluk (Isengard): 2
Azog (Moria): 1
Merry (The Shire): 1
Dark Lord (Mordor): 1
Ecthelion (Gondolin): 1
Elrohir (Rivendell): 1
Faramir (Gondor): 1
Fatty Bolger (Crickhollow): 1
Glorfindel (Gondolin) : 1
Legolas (Mirkwood): 1
Sauron (Tol-In-Gauroth): 1
The Saucepan Man (Barrow Downs): 1
Thingol (Doriath): 1
Turin (Nargothrond): 1
Tuor (Gondolin): 1
Arvedui (Arnor): 1
Arathorn (Arnor): 1
Earnil (Arnor): 1
Brandir (Ephel Barandir): 1

Unknowns cleared. From now on I'll send you the list of people who score.
Thanks for your contributions Saucey!

When will casting begin for the presenters of Match of the Day Will Come Again?

All yours if you'd like the job, good sir!

[Rimbaud]

Great. I'll play the suave, crisp-munching elvish presenter Gary Lin-e-dir, then.

"Welcome to another wind-swept night in Fangorn. This promises to be a cracker." *slight raise of the eyebrows* "Fangorn's wooden defence..." *cheeky smile* "..promises to keep Doriath at bay. Let's hope Melian doesn't girdle on the night eh? I've always had a bit of a Thingol for her." *lascivious wink*

Alan Harnson Gamgee: "Oh do be quiet. Now over to Jolly 'Cotton' Motson at the game."

Etc. Cue (gentle) British laughter and blank puzzlement from Stateside...

[Sleepy Ranger]

If anyone wondered how Pippin reacted to scoring his second goal, wonder no more.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, Day two tables look a little like this.

[Bergil]

There are some real "characters" in the teams, and the audiance. For example, at several games I have run into an ent yelling advice to both teams. when I asked him who he was, he said "Don Cherry".

[Valesse]

Arwen reporting...

[Morsul the Dark]

Go Moria!!!

[the phantom]

My take on the results thus far...

Group A
Moria is playing well, but Mordor is still the strong favorite. Their starting line of Sauron+Nazgul+The Mouth cannot be matched by anyone in their group- or possibly even the entire tournament. Their talent is enough to beat most people, but then when you add the way they move together as a team they are pretty much unstoppable.

Also, I don't see any of them getting suspended. The Nazgul have no personality and so none of them will lose his temper and do something dumb. And Sauron, though he is known to be quite "evil", is extremely goal oriented. His old master, Melkor, was the crazy nihilistic one. Sauron, on the other hand, will not get himself disqualified. He is too dedicated to winning to mess up like that.

Group B
Despite Gandalf's move to the Shire team, Rivendell is still my pick. Gandalf will make the headlines for a few days, but he isn't enough to get the job done.

Every single member of the hobbit team (besides Gandalf) is smaller, slower, and weaker than Rivendell's players. I truly cannot understand how Rivendell lost.

Now, don't go spreading this around because I'm not certain yet, but I think Rivendell may have been poisoned before the tournament. I mean- one of the sons of Elrond "tripping"?! The team did a good job of playing it off, but I could tell that Elrond was suspicious.

Elrond and his sons are descended from the King of the Noldor, the King of the Teleri and Sindar, the King of Men, and an angelic being (Melian). All three of them are ridiculously gifted genetically and far above things like tripping. There is definitely something fishy going on. You can bet that Elrond is looking into it and will cure it soon, and when he does- look out! Rivendell will be back with a vengeance!

Look for Elrond to move back from offense and take the goalie position. I'm not sure why he hasn't been there all along. I predict he will bar the entrance to the goal as effectively as he bars the Bruinen ford. During the remaining games in Group B, Elrond will not allow a single goal. You can bet on it.

Group C
Yesterday I said that The Barrow-Downs would win this group, and they haven't given me a reason to say otherwise.

Group D
Though the race is tight right now, I still think Nargothrond will come through. None of the other teams have an answer for Turin, not to mention that Finrod, Orodreth, Gelmir, and Gwindor are also excellent players.

Group E
Umm, is anyone in this group going to score a goal?

Well, I still think Numenor is the strongest team in this group, but really it doesn't matter who comes out of this group because they aren't going to advance any further.

Group F
Doriath and Gauroth have both played well, as I expected. It will come down to those two teams. I personally believe Sauron and his wolves to have the edge, but only time will tell.

Group G
I don't care about this group much at all. Whoever wins it will not get any further anyway. Fangorn is playing decent so far.

Group H
This group has been weird. First, Gondor upsets Angband in a close match, then Gondolin looks strong and blows away Grey Havens, but then Gondor kills Gondolin! Angband will certainly win their next match against Grey Havens.

Angband is still the team to beat. Even without Melkor, Ancalagon's aerial scoring abilities, Glaurung's goal-keeping, and exceptional all-around play by the Balrogs should be enough to win. And when Melkor is back, they should be head and shoulders above the rest.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Also, I don't see any of them getting suspended. The Nazgul have no personality and so none of them will lose his temper and do something dumb. And Sauron, though he is known to be quite "evil", is extremely goal oriented. His old master, Melkor, was the crazy nihilistic one. Sauron, on the other hand, will not get himself disqualified. He is too dedicated to winning to mess up like that.

Come now, he already has a yellow card. One more in the next match and he'll be out. Mordor will have to sacrifice a bit of their aggresivness.

Yesterday I said that The Barrow-Downs would win this group, and they haven't given me a reason to say otherwise.

Not even almost losing?

Though the race is tight right now, I still think Nargothrond will come through. None of the other teams have an answer for Turin, not to mention that Finrod, Orodreth, Gelmir, and Gwindor are also excellent players.

It will be a hard fight for the top spot but I see them qualifying. You seem to have forgotten, top two teams qualify. So we'll have the chart split after that. Just like in the real world cup...

QF--
------SF
QF--
-------------Playoff for Finals-----F------same as left
QF--
------SF
QF--

Umm, is anyone in this group going to score a goal?

That would be bad, we'd have nobody to qualify then.

Doriath and Gauroth have both played well, as I expected. It will come down to those two teams. I personally believe Sauron and his wolves to have the edge, but only time will tell.

I believe they both have excellent offenses but it will be decided by the team that manages to defend better on the day.

This group has been weird. First, Gondor upsets Angband in a close match, then Gondolin looks strong and blows away Grey Havens, but then Gondor kills Gondolin! Angband will certainly win their next match against Grey Havens.

I believe it will end with Angband vs. Gondolin for the final qualifying spot unless Grey Havens manages to win, which I doubt will happen.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I think this is what the Ladder should look like:

[Valesse]

Movie-Arwen is back! This time with Feanor of the Peredhil.

[Sleepy Ranger]

FINALLY! I have figured out the best video configuration!
Anyway, expect regular updates now unless school gets in the way.

Expect Numenor vs. Angband soon.

Here, I'll relase their teams early-

Numenor - Czech Republic
Angband - Argentina

And thanks for pointing that out Saucey, my bad.

[Rimbaud]

When will casting begin for the presenters of Match of the Day Will Come Again?