Arda Cup Soccer 2008

[the phantom]

I just thought... since Ang declined his roster spot, perhaps I should offer the spot to the fifth person who posted?

That would be McCaber, I believe.

How about it, lad? Fancy being a defender for the fearsome Tol-In-Gaurhoth team?

[the phantom]

The reason I'm so anxious to fill the remaining two slots is because I cannot start the fantasy thread without complete rosters.

[McCaber]

A starting defender for an all-star team... phantom, I would be honored. I accept this challenge.

[the phantom]

All right, the full rosters are up on the fantasy thread. I will post the match schedule here in the next couple days.

[the phantom]

GROUP A, at Rivendell
Michel Delving vs Romena
Fornost vs Rivendell

GROUP B, at Edoras
Mirkwood vs Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Breeland vs Edoras

GROUP C, at Doriath
Alqualonde vs Formenos
Doriath vs Isengard

GROUP D, at Osgiliath
Nargothrond vs Umbar
Lothlorien vs Osgiliath

GROUP E, at Gondolin
Erebor vs Gondor
Gondolin vs Tuna

GROUP F, at Taniquetil
Amon Rhud vs Armenelos
Helm's Deep vs Taniquetil

GROUP G, at Mordor
Hithlum vs Moria
Minas Tirith vs Mordor

GROUP H, at Angband
Brethil vs Valimar
Angband vs Annuminas

And there you have it! Get on over to the fantasy thread to post your fantasy teams and such. You still have plenty of time. We won't be ready to kick the tournament off until Nog's Wizard Werewolf game has started most likely.

Go ahead and give your match predictions here. What do you think will happen, and why?

[skip spence]

GROUP H, at Angband
Brethil vs Valimar
Angband vs Annuminas

There must have been quite a stir when two of the biggest and most bitter rivals were drawn together. With their home advantage Angband will be looking for revenge after their famous collapse in the final of the classic FA (first age) cup. And with seven Balrogs, a dragon, and former ME footballer or the year Melkor on the team rooster there's no denying their formidable firepower. Valimar, led by prolific strikers Eonwe and Tulkas, might try to take advantage of Angband's relatively weak left wing, where the accursed and inexperienced Ulfang and Uldor might run into trouble agaist the pace of Orome. There are also questionmarks regarding the Angband strikeforce as top scorer Glaurung is out with a pierced underbelly. In his absense Gotmog has been forced to play up front, and although no one denies his quality, some pundits say he plays best directing play from behind the front line. The dark horse of this Angband side is Ancalagon the Black. A string of injuries have kept him out of action for many years and his international experience is very limited, but he is said to be fit now and insiders say he's even better than Glaurung. This will be a big opportunity for him to showcase his talents.

Group prediction: Angband and Valinor will be too strong for Annuminas and Brethil who will have to contend with battling it out for third spot. Angband might just notch a win against Valinor at home in their cavernous underground stadion, although Valinor also has it's fair share of support here. I believe the goalies might play an important part deciding this heavyweight contest . Valimar's keeper Ungoliant is a very good player but has a poor record against the Balrogs. Angband's Carcaroth on the other hand is a good shotstopper but has a tendency to stray off his line or fall asleep on it.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

All right, so it's finalised.

I will post my team tomorrow (very busy today). Incidentally, Cailín is bewildered by this game.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

• GROUP A, at Rivendell
  • Michel Delving > Rómena
    
    Michel Delving's defence consists mostly of players on the brink of retirement, plus the erratic Lotho, but they do have the stolid Samwise Gamgee, star goalie, who gained much experience during the Orodruin Invitational (III). Their front line is the class of their (Eriador) league.
    
    Rómena's backfield is not as solid as hoped for, but their scoring prowess remains top-notch. Although it is rumoured that Isildur, who faced problems during the Orodruin Invitational (II), will have a difficult time getting the ball past the faithful Gamgee.
    
    It'll be a high-scoring game, with Michel Delving edging out a narrow victory.
    
    
  • Fornost <<< Rivendell
    
    Fornost fans will be rather quiet as Rivendell sweeps the floor with their team.
  
  
• GROUP B, at Edoras
  • Mirkwood < Tol-in-Gaurhoth
    
    Mirkwood, a team struggling to keep itself together. Tol-in-Gaurhoth, one of the most favoured teams in this league. Surprisingly, it will be somewhat close.
    
    
  • Breeland < Edoras
    
    Edoras's excellent defending will counter Breeland's star striker Tom Bombadil. Éomer, Éowyn, and Eorl will be too much even for Old Man Willow.
  
  
• GROUP C, at Doriath
  • Alqualondë > Formenos
    
    Will history repeat itself? I doubt it--with the inclusion of the Halflings into the roster the Swans will gain a respite from doom, and Ossë, Maia wonder, will rip through Formenos's formidable defence.
    
    
  • Doriath >>> Isengard
    
    Totally one-sided. 'nuff said.
  
  
• GROUP D, at Osgiliath
  • Nargothrond >>> Umbar
    
    Total shutdown by the boys from the caves of Narog.
    
    
  • Lothlórien > Osgiliath
    
    Lothlórien 1 : 0 Osgiliath. Galadriel will be the first goalkeeper in Arda Cup history to score.
  
  
• GROUP E, at Gondolin
  • Erebor > Gondor
    
    Two solid teams battle it out, but the Dwarves's stouter defence will hold.
    
    
  • Gondolin > Túna
    
    In the history of the Gondolin football club only Angband has managed to score a goal against them. I doubt that Túna's front line just has what it takes.
  
  
• GROUP F, at Taniquetil
  • Amon Rhûd < Armenelos
    
    Ar-Pharazôn, justly renowned for being the only player to press Taniquetil's fabled defence to the breaking point, will break through Amon Rhûd's stalwart defence for a golden goal.
    
    
  • Helm's Deep < Taniquetil
    
    Helm's Deep, one of the most solid defensive team in Middle-earth. But not solid enough for the Valar.
  
  
• GROUP G, at Mordor
  • Hithlum >>> Moria
    
    The spotlight in this game will be on Fingolfin and Túrin. The Orcs can go shudder and the Dwarves can go weep (and the Watcher can go grope some Halfling), but I doubt that'll be enough against these two hard-chargers.
    
    
  • Minas Tirith < Mordor
    
    Men vs Nazgûl. The Wraiths win.
  
  
• GROUP H, at Angband
  • Brethil <<< Valimar
    
    Brethil just ain't fast enough to catch up with Tulkas and Eönwë's running game.
    
    
  • Angband >>> Annúminas
    
    The bad boys from the North are taking it all the way home.

[the phantom]

Ah, so you're up for being the ref again, Boro? Lovely. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do it myself.

How about entering a fantasy team, Boro. Or are you worried that it would impact your officiating?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

After the group stages, wouldn't a bracket contest be lovely?

While I was heavily into StarCraft progaming, when StarLeague group stages are over we'd do bracket predictions, like this:


(Never mind the names, haha.)

And then for every correct prediction in the:

1st round: 1 pt
Quarterfinals: 2 pts
Semifinals: 4 pts
Finals: 8 pts

Then whoever gets the most points wins the famed No-Prize award (meaning you get nothing but bragging rights.)

But if you get your entire bracket correct, then that something really special.

So, can we have one? Pretty please?