Arda Cup Soccer 2008

[the phantom]

Yes, I have the groupings ready. Here's how this works...

Each group will be played in a different location- specifically, in the home stadium of one of the teams in the group. All eight hosts have fine facilities and boast a highly rated home team. Hosts are marked by -> (H)

GROUP A
FORNOST
MICHEL DELVING
RIVENDELL (H)
ROMENA

GROUP B
BREELAND
EDORAS (H)
MIRKWOOD
TOL-IN-GAURHOTH

GROUP C
ALQUALONDE
DORIATH (H)
FORMENOS
ISENGARD

GROUP D
LOTHLORIEN
NARGOTHROND
OSGILIATH (H)
UMBAR

GROUP E
EREBOR
GONDOLIN (H)
GONDOR
TUNA

GROUP F
AMON RHUD
ARMENELOS
HELM'S DEEP
TANIQUETIL (H)

GROUP G
HITHLUM
MINAS TIRITH
MORDOR (H)
MORIA

GROUP H
ANGBAND (H)
ANNUMINAS
BRETHIL
VALIMAR

There you are. Feel free to begin giving your breakdowns of the groups, and try and predict which teams have the best chance of moving on.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by the phantom

GROUP B
BREELAND
EDORAS (H)
MIRKWOOD
TOL-IN-GAURHOTH
........

There you are. Feel free to begin giving your breakdowns of the groups, and try and predict which teams have the best chance of moving on.

Well then, let's start with the local favourites and their competition. The long flight to Edoras is not going to favour Tol-in-Gaurhoth at all, since we're coming the farthest--all the way from Beleriand. First you have to fly from Tol Sirion to the main hub in Angband, then there's the transcontinental sleeper to Minas Tirith, then back to Edoras. There's some talk of a direct flight from Angband, but no carrier as yet.

On the other hand, the competition doesn't look too bad. None of the other teams are leading the league. Edoras is probably the most difficult of the three. Théoden, Éomer, and Éowyn are all prominent names, and for good reason, but none of them are in the Sauron/the phantom range, and the rest of the team is a bunch of relative no-names. The population in Edoras simply isn't enough to sell tickets for a world-class team, and there are well-establish teams just around the corner in Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, and Isengard. Mirkwood has one of the biggest fanbases in the league, with Legolas Greenleaf, but his fame is perhaps more derived from those "lighter than snow" running shoe ads than any real talent. The rest of the team is worse. Oropher still hasn't done adequate penance for his horrid defence of the goalposts in the famous Last Alliance series, and half the players are D-lister rejects from Mordor.

On the other end of the spectrum, however, we have Breeland, and while they are lacking in star power, there is an admirable team spirit from Eriador's centre most team, and Old Man Willow has to be one of the best goalies in the league. Hopefully, we'll get to see a lot of Breeland/Tol-in-Gaurhoth action, since they had a spectacular local rivalry back in the days when Tol-in-Gaurhoth played as "the Barrow-Downs", and the fans haven't had much of that since the move, now that Tol-in-Gaurhoth plays in the Beleriand more than Eriador.

My bet:

Tol-in-Gaurhoth will narrowly win the group, followed by Edoras. Breeland will be a respectable third, and Mirkwood a distant fourth.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

GROUP E
EREBOR
GONDOLIN (H)
GONDOR
TUNA

The early line is that this bracket comes down to two heavyweight contestants:
Erebor and Gondolin. not to disparage Gondor and Tuna, but these two are
clearly second division talent who will be fortunate to earn one or two points
before their quick exit. Just consider, Tuna's goalie is Orodreth! Manipulated by
elf and man as ruler, how can he maintain discipline and cohesion. And how
will Miriel hold up under the pressure of Erebor's and Gondolin's pressure?
Yes, Faramir is at times a devastating forward and team leader for Gondor and is
there a more inspiring goalie and leader then Beregond, but the rest of the
team is mediocre at best.

Bain and Tuor are, as far as can be discerned from their league play, essentially
equal, but the Minas Tirith and Angband bookmakers currently slightly favor Erebor due to the
more cohesive team organization. However, there are questions with both
sides. Will Smaug and Bard continue their "backbiting" and unfortunate
sarcastic comments in the tabloid press or will their will to be Number 1
continue their brilliant recent play (1st and 5th in points scored the last two
years)? Playing captain Turgon has astutely placed himself as defender,
perhaps as much as anything nto keep a supervisory eye over his three
charismatic, if mutually distrustful and feuding scorers Idril, Eol, and
Maeglin- who, when not disparaging each other both on and off the playing field-
are the deepest and most talented team in this bracket.

Unsuccessful efforts by Team Gondolin to use some of the fabled
treasures of Gondolin to purchase Smaug's contract have only fueled the
animosity between these two sides that may make a final bracket match
of the two teams an intense struggle indeed.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by the phantom

GROUP A
FORNOST
MICHAEL DELVING
RIVENDELL (H)
ROMENA

Going back to the beginning, let's take a look at Group A. Personally, I'm rooting for Fornost out of this group (Formen=north, after all, and Fornost=north city, basically). Unfortunately for my inclinations, however, Fornost doesn't look make the next round of playoffs. Sure, the luckless Arvedui was traded to Annúminas, but he was the biggest name they had. Really, for all the family cameraderie on the team, and some impressive pedigrees in track and field department, they just don't make the cut, I'm afraid.

Michel Delving, on the other hand (though not actually named Michael Delving, alas), has a very strong looking team. They've put together some of the best up and coming players in the league--and for half the price they deserve! These "halflings" really are known less than half as well as I should like, and liked less than half of them deserve. My personal has to be the Bullroarer--also an avid golfer, I'm told--but the acquisition of Sam Gamgee, Pippin Took, and Merry Brandybuck is a huge coup for the management.

Rivendell and Rómena will give them a run for their money, I'm sure, and I would not be surprised at all if Rivendell took the cup. Of the two, Rivendell looks to play stronger. Rivendell has one of the best teams in the league, if not THE best team. It's practically a rundown of the most prominent names in the book: Elrond, Gandalf, Aragorn, Glorfindel, Boromir 2.0. Never mind the physical prowess of this team, the combined experience of the players is astounding. If it has a weakness, however, Rivendell's team favours defencive plays, sitting around the goal waiting for the enemy to strike. With players like Aragorn and Boromir, this is simply sloppy. Still, if any team is going to anticipate the kind of "fool's hope" tactics that Michel Delving is renowned for (just look back at the Orodruin series against Sauron in Mordor!), it's Team Rivendell.

Rómena, alas, is overshadowed in this group by Michel Delving and Rivendell, and will probably suffer for that. It's a pity, because there are a lot of classy players here that deserve to go far. Elendil and Isildur are probably best known on the team, though in Isildur's case this is not a good thing, since it's mostly due to fumbling that play against Sauron, setting back his team's fortunes by an age or more. Still, he's the sort of player who can make things happen. It's been mostly forgotten in past years, but he stole the game against Armenelos with the whole White Tree episode, and Ar-Pharazôn likely hasn't forgiven him that one yet.

This is really a tough grouping to predict, but if we're playing for money, I'll put mine on Michel Delving to upset Rivendell for top spot. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the great.

[Anguirel]

Originally Posted by the phantom

GROUP C
ALQUALONDE
DORIATH (H)
FORMENOS
ISENGARD

Ahhhahhahhahha! Whether degenerate sea-elf, mincing halfling, dark-elf lurking in its cave, false Maia, or rustic tree-shepherd, whosoever it be, if it take a Silmaril from us and keep it, or, just, you know, gets in our way...

FIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRE! BUUUUUUURRRN! Hahahaha...

Formenos will obliterate its opponents in an inferno of skill. Doriath will limp on for a little, it generally takes a couple of Kinslayings to finish 'em off altogether. Alqualonde's only likely success is that it might injure Amrod, probably through some kind of own-goal situation - other than that, the Teleri are literally toast, hahaha. And Isengard are mostly trees, with a token lickspittle Ainu and some Orcs to get our lads really, really angry. Chuck them on the forge!

(more comprehensive commentary when I have ceased laughing feyly)

[Anguirel]

GROUP A
FORNOST
MICHEL DELVING
RIVENDELL (H)
ROMENA

Rivendell are the clear favourites here; the charm and financial leverage of their home city (or strictly speaking, home home) has got them something close to an all-star squad. (Are the twins worth their caps though? Or in by nepotism?)

The second strongest team is Romena, a grizzled Akallabeth and Last Alliance League victor with a glittering striker.

An upset could however be mounted by the veteran, if low-budget, Fornost under the experienced management of Mr. Aime Hunter. Michel Delving? Michel Diving more like. They'll use their endemic crowd-pleasing to get away with a lot of cheating, but still, whenever have Halflings proved a threat outside the regionals?

OK, last World Cup. But they had Gandalf (who has now let the bucks draw him to Elrond's side) and they were on anabolic pipeweed. I say:

WINNER: Rivendell
SECOND: Romena
UPSET: Fornost
RELEGATE: Michel Delving


GROUP B
BREELAND
EDORAS (H)
MIRKWOOD
TOL-IN-GAURHOTH

Tol-in-Gaurhoth have a massive, captive, fan-base, the most sophisticated tactics in the tournament, and huge stars onside. But will they let over-analysis and celebrity run away with them? I reckon the overconfident wolfies might lose some gloss here. I hear they've had recruitment trouble as well.

Mirkwood and Edoras both have dream-team offensive capabilities. Despite Edoras's pair of excellent strikers, Mirkwood has three exceptional ones, and overall a more solid quality (even if "Gazza" Galion's skills in defence aren't what they were).

Breeland...nice try lads. Your fans' chanting should be quite funny. I say:

WINNER: Mirkwood
SECOND: Tol-in-Gaurhoth
UPSET: Edoras
RELEGATE: Breeland


GROUP C
ALQUALONDE
DORIATH (H)
FORMENOS
ISENGARD

I have little to add to my coverage above. Go get 'em boys! Your strategy can do with work to be honest - Cel Curu n' Caran should be on the midfield, while Maglor's better tested in defence - but your skill is The Best. Here's hoping the White Lady shows off her legs and scores too...

Doriath are the other respectable team; Isengard could try Maiarin tricks; Alqualonde will fare no better than Galdor's Mithlond side did last year. I swear:

WINNER: FOOOORRRRRRRRMENOS!!!
SECOND: Doriath
UPSET: Isengard
RELEGATE: Alqualonde


GROUP D
LOTHLORIEN
NARGOTHROND
OSGILIATH (H)
UMBAR

Two classes here, simply: the Elder children, and, way out of their league, the younger.

Captains Galadriel and Finrod should generate an interesting spark of sibling rivalry. Finrod has a way better quality side, but Galadriel really, really plays to win. Felagund's a golden boy but Gally's gold has steel in it. No upset likely here.

WINNER: Lothlorien
SECOND: Nargothrond
RELEGATE: Osgiliath, Umbar


GROUP E
EREBOR
GONDOLIN (H)
GONDOR
TUNA

Team play? Pshah, what counts here is individual style, and that is why Gondolin will win, with Sharpboot top scorer. Captain Turgon's boys are lucky to have acquired the temperamental genius back from Angband. They know he's open to bids and they'll make sure and leave him opportunities for glory this time...or else.

Tuna has plenty of quality, but a typically hesitant strategy from cautious captain Finarfin. Gondor and Erebor both rely on heavyweight key players, but Gondor only has one of real note: "Swanny" Imrahil; Erebor can call on Beorn and Smaug.

WINNER: Gondolin
SECOND: Tuna
RELEGATE: Erebor, Gondor


GROUP F
AMON RHUD
ARMENELOS
HELM'S DEEP
TANIQUETIL (H)

Taniquetil have the biggest budget in the game, and tend to destabilise the league, ever since mysterious oligarch Eru Illuvatavich bought them up as a side business for his line in universes. They run a risk against really veteran and skilled sides - Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Formenos, Gondolin, most of all probably Angband - but are otherwise untouchable.

Armenolos have a decent standard and a rightly feared striker. Helm's Deep are typically full of last minute surprise moments. Amon Rhud's captain Forweg is struck by slease allegations and Androg is their only quality player. They're down for sure.

WINNER: Taniquetil
SECOND: Armenolos
UPSET: Helm's Deep
RELEGATE: Amon Rhud


GROUP G
HITHLUM
MINAS TIRITH
MORDOR (H)
MORIA

Hithlum should waltz this senza problemo - the rest are regional heroes like Moria (never scored major victory outside the Azog Memorial League) and teams of frankly siphoned talent. Still, even though Minas Tirith looks like a glorified sub-bench with all the royal sparkle bought off elsewhere, lots of their players are a safe pair of hands; Denethor II, Boromir I, Mardil, their stewardship's just legendary, they can cope with trouble.

Mordor as one of my colleagues observed has gone from hero to zero - though the Witch King has strategic talent, his minions just won't be up for the long-haul.

WINNER: Hithlum
SECOND: Minas Tirith
RELEGATE: Mordor, Moria


GROUP H
ANGBAND (H)
ANNUMINAS
BRETHIL
VALIMAR

Angband. The other big hitter after Taniquetil, financially. They bought the Sharpboot from Gondolin and they sold him back, trading him in for an exceptional Balrog training and recruiting programme. What they lack in strategic thought they make up in brutal endurance, might, and physicality. Our boys and Gondolin might get grudge match inspiration against these guys, and Taniquetil could give them a straightforward ride, but here they will slaughter their opposition. Valimar for the runner up here. The other two...Men? Men in this situation are toootally weak.

WINNER: Angband
SECOND: Valimar
RELEGATE: ...who are those two again?

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

GROUP C
ALQUALONDE
DORIATH (H)
FORMENOS
ISENGARD

I have little to add to my coverage above. Go get 'em boys! Your strategy can do with work to be honest - Cel Curu n' Caran should be on the midfield, while Maglor's better tested in defence - but your skill is The Best. Here's hoping the White Lady shows off her legs and scores too...

Doriath are the other respectable team; Isengard could try Maiarin tricks; Alqualonde will fare no better than Galdor's Mithlond side did last year. I swear:

WINNER: FOOOORRRRRRRRMENOS!!!
SECOND: Doriath
UPSET: Isengard
RELEGATE: Alqualonde

While you are to be commended for loyalty to your team colours, Anguirel, I think I'll up the stakes around here a little regarding the outcome of this grouping. After all, what's a sports competition without some friendly rivalry? As much as I'm a fan of Team Fëanáro, you have to take a look at the track record. Doriath has the most renowned defencive side in the league. Melian's record is spotless. The only time the Fëanorians have ever scored against Doriath, Melian was out on grief leave, and even with Melian, Lúthien, and Elwë all absent, Doriath still put up such a fight that, though Formenos could claim to have won, the Curu-Caran-Celeg power trio had been completely neutralized and they were still prevented from taking home the Nauglamír Cup. A draw is the best that Team Fëanor can claim from that series.

With Melian and Thingol back on the team, I don't think you can be so confidant about a victory from Team Fëanor. The strength of the Fëanorians is in their offencive; look at their rivalry with Angband: when they have Angband back in a corner, Team Fëanor plays masterfully, but as you can see in the Nirnaeth series, when the other side gets control of the offencive, the Fëanorians tend to fall apart. On the other hand, the strong point of Team Doriath is their unbeatable offence. If the Fëanorians cannot dent that defence, and with Melian back I don't see it as all that likely, they won't know what to do if Doriath manages to get control of the ball. All it takes is one goal...

So, let's make this a good, old-fashioned rivalry. I'm going to say that Doriath takes the grouping. I also wouldn't write off Isengard so quickly. Underestimating the Ents cost Saruman dearly in the past. My prediction? The Fëanorians will again be "dispossessed".

Group C:
Winner: Doriath
Second: Formenos
Upset: Isengard
Relegate: Alqualondë

[Valesse]

Out of all of the teams I've randomly made 3 logos (so far) under the direction of one (very creative), Formendacil. And I do mean random, folks. ;D

I'll be converting these to 60x60 images for avatars once finished.

Alqualonde, Edoras and Tol-In-Gaurhoth


(and no, I didn't notice that they were all green and neutral colors until after I posted this.)

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Valesse

-snip- under the direction of one (very creative), Formendacil. -snip-

A very creative Formendacil, you say? I don't believe I've ever met one.

You're too kind, Valesse.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

From the pages of The Bree Blast:

In a stunning developement Smaug has
quit team Erebor. Declaring "I've had it with that
#%$&^ arrow-shooting &^)%$ Bard'! I'm outa here!

Pending an inquiry Smaug has been suspended from the
team. The Iron Hills consortium ownership
has tentatively elected to replace the prima donna dragon
with Ancalagon the Black or Sacatha the Worm who, while superb
athletes, have never performed at Middle-earth level competition.

[the phantom]

Those are some lovely group breakdowns there. I will try and get the fantasy rules and such sorted out and up on a thread tonight or tomorrow during the day. I will also give an *official* team by team breakdown to help you decide what to expect from teams. Not that two defensive teams can't have an unusual day and play a 4-3 game, but I will try and tell you what sort of thing is most likely from teams and players.

Spread word to other Downers about what we are going to be doing here. After the fantasy thread is up I will post the complete game schedule here for group play.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Don't you think that whatever team the phantom is on is always going to have an unfair advantage?

[Lhunardawen]

Hookbill, was that other guy Menel?

Oh, phantom dear, when will we see the complete roster of players for Team TiG?

[the phantom]

Oh, phantom dear, when will we see the complete roster of players for Team TiG?

Okay, here's what we have so far...

TOL-IN-GAURHOTH
G- Drauglin
DF- To Be Decided
DF- To Be Decided
DF- Cailin
MF- Lhuna
MF- Thuringwethil
MF- Eomer
MF- the phantom
FW- Formendacil
FW- Nogrod
FW- Sauron

There are still two roster spots open. Vote for a Downs WW player to fill the slots by pming me. Remember that voting also gets you a vote for yourself.

[the phantom]

Hm, after viewing that cartoon I can see that Alien might be quite useful. Perhaps we should make him part of the coaching staff.

[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?