Arda Cup Football 2009

[Nogrod]

When the Arda Cup organising committee (ACOC) and the Arda Football Federation (AFA) turned towards Rivendell to organise two quarterfinal matches a heated debate ensued at Elrond’s council. Basically the elves were enthusiastic about the opportunity but the teams they would host were a cause for some concern. No one had anything against the Valar coming: that was an honour to be sure. Also there were few elves and elf-friends in the team Mirkwood who would be warmly welcomed. But that Sauron and all his lieutenants would enter Rivendell were no evil had ever entered! That was unheard of! Or the traitors of Armenelos, those elven persecutors? Or Melkor himself?

There was another problem as well. How would tens of thousands of fans manage to enter Rivendell through the narrow paths and causeways? It would take weeks for them to get through in their tens of thousands. Happily an ingenious solution was reached and it would be one of the architectural miracles of the whole Middle-Earth – even if it would be kind of a transient structure.

The stadium was built outside Imladris, to the southern slopes of the mountains surrounding the secret haven of the elves. Like in the ancient days, the dwarves were called to help and they carved two thirds of the stand and the individually decorated benches into the root of the mountain totalling some 30 000 seats made with astonishing artistry. Meanwhile, aided by the ents the elves built a living stand to the remaining open side of the stadium. There around 15 000 spectators would be sitting on the branches of the huorns – the tallest of which created a leaf-roof over the stadium covering the spectators from the direct sunlight or possible rain. With the help of Yavanna a perfect grass-field was created in just a few days.

Now as the stadium was smallish taking in only some 45 000 spectators the organisers had to take some measures to deal the tickets evenly – and to avoid any orc-invasions and thence possible trouble. So it was decided that 9000 tickets would be sold to the fans of each team and the remaining 9000 would be sold to the elves – wherever they came from. There were some protests made mostly by the orcs and easterlings that the deal favoured the elves. But the organisers stayed firm: they had the position to decide and they had been fair. At the same time it was clear to any observant onlooker that with the policy the hosts had secured a majority of good in the audience.

But on the day of the games most of the petty grievances were forgotten. This was the best football one could see in the whole Arda and everyone was looking forwards to it - as well as to the great performances of their favourites - spread nicely over different teams.

[the phantom]

When Gondolin won the bid to host games during the Arda Cup 2009, there was much debate about the stadium. All of the craftsmen and artisans agreed that something special should be built for the occasion, but they differed upon what.

One camp supported a brand new stadium built upon the plains surrounding the great hill of rock, but a larger camp supported some sort of renovation to the old historic stadium which sat halfway up the southern side of the dome of rock.

In the end it was the old winning over the new, and thousands of workers set to the task of bettering their ancient venue. As the stadium was built perched on a hill and in the midst of a city, there was no way to push it outward. The only way to increase seating would be to choose more efficient angles and get rid of decorative space and add some luxury boxes to the top- and that's just what they did!

And with the removal of space and decoration from the inside, the artisans set to work on the outside of the stadium, designing great arches and fountains on the roads leading to the stadium, and refinishing the walls of every home and business along the way. The city had never looked so perfect! And just in time for the arrival of the fans from Beleriand.

There were rowdy orcs from Angband, fair Elves from Hithlum, hardy men from Dor-Lomin, and packs of Werewolves from Tol-in-Gaurhoth, and all were deeply impressed by the strength and beauty of the city. Many of the folk from Hithlum stayed with friends or relatives within the city, and a couple of Dor-Lominites were granted the same favor, but most of the men and orcs were put up in the hotels surrounding the arena (which were only in use during events such as this). The Werewolves it seemed were not trusted within the walls, but this suited the creatures fine as they seemed to prefer living a bit more "wild" out on the fields outside the city, and so all was well.

After the renovation the stadium was able to hold 70,000 spectators, and with its claustrophobic design there wasn't a bad seat in the house and it was certain to be noisier than other stadiums of its size. It was decided that 25,000 seats would be allotted to each team for their own game, 5,000 seats for the game they weren't playing in, and 10,000 seats would be available each game to residents of Gondolin. Far more wished to attend the games, and so prices were quite high, and those lucky enough to get tickets could easily resell them for three or four times what they payed, but this was rarely done. A chance to see the game was considered priceless by most of the holders.

There was much debate about which team should gain the support of the home fans. Some of the fans from Gondolin who had made the journey to Isengard for group play intended to support Hithlum, as they had witnessed their play within the group and were impressed. Not to mention that Turgon's father, uncle, and a couple of his cousins were on the team. And then of course, there was the lady of Gondolin, Aredhel. Surely she should gain the majority of support!

But there were quite a few who were leaning towards supporting Angband. Maeglin had a great amount of support with the Noldorin craftsmen, and Gwindor was also well liked by the Elves. And then there was Hurin- fast friend of the King. His role in holding off the forces of Morgoth and saving the people of Gondolin at the close of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad was not forgotten. How could they not support someone who had given them so much?

But then what of the men of Dor-Lomin? Hadn't they, along with Hurin, held the rear to until the last man fell dead so that Gondolin's king and his forces could escape? They were just as worthy of support as Hurin! So who would gain most of the crowd in the anticipated Dor-Lomin versus Hithlum match that evening?

But first there was another match, and the home fans agreed upon it- they would not be rooting for the Werewolves in the first game of the day- Angband versus Tol-in-Guarhoth!

[Nogrod]

Better late than never... So from the first play-off round Arda Kicker Magazine will provide the following stars.

Five stars will go to:

Fëanor of Hithlum
Oropher of Mirkwood
Túrin of Dor Lomin

Three stars will go to:

Beruthiel of Minas Morgul
Elrond of Eregion
Huor of Dor-Lomin
mormwolf of TIG
The Mouth of Minas Morgul
Theoden of Edoras
Thranduil of MIrkwood
The Witch King of Minas Morgul

One star will go to:

Beleg of Dor Lomin
Carcaroth of Angband
Ecthelion of Minas Tirith
Eomer of Edoras
Eönwë of Valimar
Eowyn of Edoras
Gil-Galad of Eregion
Huan of Hithlum
Melkor of Valimar
Orodreth of Nargothrond
Sauron of Armenelos
Uldor of Angband


Special stars on offer once again.

As the whole Armenelos team has played just splendidly but the scoring and defending has been a spread team-effort none of them has been high in the point-scorers’ lists. Therefore AKM wishes to give the whole Armenelos team five stars each for a solid teamplay.

Mirkwood defence (Radagast, Treebeard, Grimbeorn) will gain additional three points each for a superb performance being the key to their victory by containing Túna's the most effective forwards of the whole tournament.


This gives us the overall standings as the following (look at the joint leaders and shiver!). Those not playing anymore are in italics.

Twelve stars:
Melkor of Valimar
Sauron of Armenelos

Eleven stars:
Felarof of Edoras
Nerdanel of Tuna

Ten stars:
Elros of Romenna
mormwolf of TIG

Nine stars:
Theoden of Edoras

Eight stars:
Fëanor of Hithlum
Huor of Dor-Lomin
Tar Atanamir of Armenelos

Seven stars:
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Elrond of Eregion
Miriel of Tuna
Shadowfax of Edoras

Bubbling under in six stars... Ar Pharazon, Curufin, Galadriel, Gwindor, Tar Telperion, Tilion, Turín and the Witch-King. At five stars 18 players...

Looking at how many of the top seats are taken by players already out of tournament the run for winning the AKM-stars award looks to be like anybodys' game!

[Nogrod]

Armenelos vs. Minas Morgul

The kick off for first game was in the afternoon and the stadium was almost full. But it was a game of mixed loyalties and especially the elves and men had hard time deciding in who to egg on into excellence. But it wasn’t an easy choice for the orcs and easterlings either. Surely the Minas Morgul team boasted a lot of their heroes but Sauron himself was playing in the opposing team – and who would dare to cheer against him?

From the first minutes on a few peculiarities emerged. Every time Ar Gimilzor or Ar Pharazôn got the ball the elven crowds booed mightily, and every time Eärnur took it the Middle-Earth humans cheered wildly. But in the end it looked like the good audiences seemed to cheer more to the kingly and shining Armenelos team and the “baddies” more to the Minas Morgul team (Sauron of course being the exception).

The team Armenelos was impressive to watch indeed. Their appearance was so noble and high many M-E humans were stunned by it: they were men, but what kind of men! Tall, straight, graceful in their movement, radiant, strong, fast, royal… Knowing all the things they had done was a problem but no one could deny their grace and beauty. And the elegance, beauty and power Sauron had! It was like Annatar had reborn to the game – totally outshining and outwitting his lieutenants! How diminished from his former glory in the tournament the Witch King was! Just a shadow...

And so it was that Armenelos never gave the Minas Morgul team a chance in the game but controlled it from the very beginning to the end. With Sauron organising the game the Armenelos players seemed always to be at the right place at the right time whatever tricks the Witch King and Khamûl tried. King Eärnur and Queen Beruthiel were basically the only players in the Minas Morgul team who didn’t seem to be influenced by Sauron’s commanding presence – but as the rest of the Armenelos team was at least as tough as they were, if not tougher – they had little chances to build up the game just the two of them.

To the honour of the Minas Morgul team it must be said though that their defence did put up a real fight. Khamûl even dared to challenge Sauron himself and even took the ball away from him a few times – or forced him to shoot from a difficult position resulting in shots that went wide. Also the two other Nazgûls in the defence made a decent work showing their no lesser kingly status against the kings of Númenor. Without that spirited defence the numbers could have been ugly indeed.

But it was clear which team was the better one. Armenelos called the shots and Minas Morgul’s attacks were rare and inefficient (they managed only two shots towards the goal in the whole game!). And when on the 33rd minute the “Tower Watcher”, the defeater of Sauron, Tar Minastir himself shot the ball into the goal with a beautiful volley from 20 meters the crowds just burst into cheers. The Armenelos game had been just impressive and to have Tar Minastir as the scorer was just great to the elves and men as he was basically the only one in the Armenelos team they could honour without too many precautions.

On the second half Sauron nailed the game after twenty minutes of play. He managed finally to outwit the whole Nazgûl-defence - in a way that looked more like spiritual intimidation than just physical dribbling. One by one he left the defenders into his shade and went one on one against the Mouth who also looked like he was more terrified of his master than wishing to save the goal. The orcs and the few monsters cheered loudly but the rest of the spectators felt confused not quite knowing how to take it.

Anyway. The Armenelos team had scored a convincing win once again and was going to the semifinals against the other winner of the Rivendell-games. Whichever of them it was, they had been forewarned. Even if Armenelos had been convincing already the last year they had been dropped out of the games in the semis. This year the team clearly looked confident the same wouldn’t happen – and they were indeed looking for a revenge on Valimar from a long time ago...


Armenelos 2-0 Minas Morgul

shots 14-10
on target 6-2
GOALS:
*33, Armenelos (Tar Minastir, Ar Adunakhor)
*65, Armenelos (Sauron, Tar Ancalimon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Ancalimon, Tar Calmacil
*Minas Morgul- Castamir, Nazgul #2, Nazgul #1, Beruthiel

[the phantom]

(intro to Gondolin)

MATCH 1: Angband versus Tol-in-Gaurhoth

As predicted, Angband took the field to great cheering from the stands. Their own fans obviously were loud, but the smaller groups of Hithlum and Dor-Lomin fans were supporting them as well, cheering especially for Hurin, while the folks from Gondolin were showing great love for Maeglin. Despite the evil that had taken place, he had done much good in his time, and nobody can hold a grudge against someone if they've delivered a championship in their time, as Maeglin had so many years ago.

When the Werewolves entered the fans from Angband booed vigorously, but the other non-TIG fans applauded politely for the most part. It was the least they could do as they would be hard against them the rest of the contest. But the noise from the booing and polite applause was completely drowned out by the sound of 25,000 ear-splitting howls. It was hard to believe how much noise their fans were capable of. Perhaps the home-field advantage that Angband hoped to enjoy wouldn't be quite as pronounced as they thought.

And indeed as the match began it was TIG who looked to be the better side. The forwards were looking dangerous, and Phantomwolf, Borowolf, and Lomwolf came up aggressively to provide extra pressure. Their passing still wasn't the sharpest, but their speed and strength helped them win the ball and keep it most of the time. Drauglin tried to match them, but even he couldn't keep up, and Telvildo seemed plain scared, like a cat treed by a dog. "I knew a cat wouldn't do well against wolves!" shouted Brinwolf from the stands. But she spoke too soon!

Shortly before it hit 30 minutes, TIG was looking dangerous as ever, but Telvildo came out of nowhere to make the steal and sent it quickly downfield, where Hurin outraced everyone to it. The defenders had had so little to do that they were completely flat-footed! Hurin took it in on Mormwolf who was left all alone, and he could only watch as the legendary footballer sent it past for the lead!

TIG went after it harder than ever, leaving Mormwolf completely vulnerable, but lucky for them they maintained control until minute 39 when Gwathwolf headed in the equalizer off of a nice placement by Nogwolf. It was tied at the half!

The fans chatted excitedly as they grabbed refreshments during the break. This was quite the game! Not only had Hurin scored, but TIG was playing a risky and exciting style! Maybe the Werewolves weren't so bad after all.

The second half began as a back and forth affair. Each side had some opportunities, but when the shots found the mark the keepers turned them aside. But then at minute 65, once again on the counter-attack, the home crowd was treated to a score by Maeglin and the stadium was its loudest yet! The Werewolves were certainly angered by this, but they seemed unable to strike back, as now it was Angband holding onto the ball and attacking with it. As time went under ten minutes, it looked like Angband had what it took to hold down TIG, but Nogwolf proved them wrong by stealing it and taking it upfield past several defenders all the way into the box.

He then left it for SPMwolf and continued forward, taking a defender with him. SPMwolf took the opening and fired a shot, but it hit the post! The Werewolves groaned, but their groans were swiftly transformed into wild howls as Phantomwolf came out of nowhere to thunder in the rebound! As the seconds ticked away the stadium really began rocking! This thing was going into overtime!

Just a few minutes into overtime, Ancalagon gained his first quality chance, but Mormwolf saved it brilliantly. Even the Angband fans applauded. Could the Werewolves actually be winning the crowd? But just a few minutes later it was obvious that they could never completely win the crowd- not with Gondolin's own Maeglin out there. He took it in against Kuruwolf and lost it, and the crowd felt he was roughed, but the refs didn't hand out a card, and the crowd showed its displeasure quite clearly.

As the end of overtime approached, it looked like things were headed to a shoot-out, and the excitement mounted. But it was not to be. Once again on a counter-attack, Angband pushed upfield quickly and with even numbers Hurin beat his man and forced Mormwolf to commit before sending it to Maeglin for the winner!

The stadium went wild! Their very own Maeglin and Hurin the steadfast had won it!

The Werewolves left the stadium heads hanging low. They had failed to achieve last year's results or better. Next time they would have to get their team together sooner, and refine their style, as it just wasn't good enough against a stupendous side like Angband.

Angband 3-2 Tol-in-Gaurhoth (OVERTIME)
shots 14-20
on target 6-8
GOALS:
*28, Angband (Hurin, Telvildo)
*39, TIG (Gwathwolf, Nogwolf)
*65, Angband (Maeglin, Gwindor)
*81, TIG (Phantomwolf, SPMwolf)
*OT 26, Angband (Maeglin, Hurin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Gwindor, Ulfast, Balrog #5
*Tol-in-Gaurhoth- Lomwolf, Wereomer, Kuruwolf, Borowolf

[Nogrod]

Mirkwood vs. Valimar

If the spectators were a bit confused and unconfident in picking the side to cheer for in the first match, the second match was not a too different story. The elves from the West had it easy. They were there on the Valimar’s 9000 ticket allowance – and quite a few of them, especially the Teleri, had bought tickets under the general elven allowance as well – and would cheer mainly for Valimar. The elves from the Middle-Earth had it tougher. Sure they honoured the Valar but there were players like Oropher, Thranduil, Legolas and Galion (the clear favourites of the wood-elves); Radagast and Treebeard (loved especially by the Lothlórien elves), and of course Bilbo Baggins (who seemed to be the special favourite of the Rivendell-elves).

The dwarves had it tough as well as Aulë and the Túna team had been already relegated (the dwarves had been given a thousand tickets as part of the compensation for the work they had done building the stadium). The few Eorlings at place sure championed Fram and the hobbits’ hero was of course Bilbo. The benches - the huorns that is - on which the spectators sat on were huge fans of Treebeard, which indeed caused some minor disturbances when the huorns cheered for Treebeard while spectators were sitting on their branches…

The orcs and other “baddies” had minor problems as well: Scatha and Nazgul #6 were on the Mirkwood team but the three Balrogs on Valimar side were just awesome, not to speak of Melkor himself! But the team-mates of Melkor and the Balrogs? What could be worse – but at the same time so overwhelming?

All in all, that confusion resulted in a spirited night of football as the alignments were so divided that in the end people (well, all kinds of creatures) just mainly stuck into enjoying the game. And what a game it was!


There was a shock-beginning to it.

To the total bewilderment of the elves of the West – and to the great joy of the hobbits, the Rivendell elves and the huorns forming the stand – Treebeard and Bilbo stole the lead for the Mirkwood team already at the eighth minute.

And the way it was executed! With a corner kick Treebead had come to the fore and Bilbo suddenly got an idea before Thranduil made the kick. So Treebeard bowed down and lifted Bilbo up into his branches and they both signalled the elven king what he should do. And Thranduil gave it a go chipping the ball high up in the air from where Treebeard took it with his outstretched root (ents are not allowed to use their branches to handle the ball as they are considered as hands) and passed it up forwards – simultaneously rushing to the goal. And Bilbo headed the ball downwards from four meters high and behind the back of stunned Ungoliant.

Although some of the crowds protested the referee found nowhere a ruling stating another player couldn’t support another player carrying him on his shoulders (well, branches) and declared it a goal.

But unlike some of their supporters, the Valimar team was not upset of the setback but soon took the control of the field pressing for the equaliser while Mirkwood pulled back and defended. And it was a staunch defence: Radagast and Treebeard had miraculous timing while the stamina and pace of Grimbeorn and Bilbo managed to surprise the Valar-attacks time after time. But it was clear to everyone the defences could not hold forever – and they didn’t.

Melkor made an unforeseen move in the attack passing the ball behind him to Tilion from a scoring opportunity of his own, and Tilion thanked his former assailant for the opportunity making such an unpredictable shot it took all the defences by surprise – Oropher included. The game was even ten minutes before the half-time.


But the Mirkwood team came fighting into the second half – and once more dumbfounded the Valimar supporters on the first minutes of the half. This time Nazgul #6 took advantage of the defending Balrogs’ arrogance and managed to dribble his way between them – just before getting burned - to pass the ball to the side where Thranduil had outrun Alatar and got to kick in a one-timer half-volley Shelob had no chances to react to.

The Mirkwood team was leading once again! But like in the first half, the Valimar team pulled itself together and took the control of the game pressing an attack after another into the Mirkwood side. And on the 76th minute it paid off again.

This time it was a one Vala-show indeed. Melkor took the ball from Legolas in the midfield and went forwards with it. Grimbeorn tried to challenge him only to find himself face down in the grass – the referee saw nothing illegal in that. Tulkas waved his hand being totally free on the other side after getting himself free from Radagast’s marking but Melkor turned into the middle himself and rammed past Treebeard making Treebeard fall as well. Now most of the crowds were protesting out loud but the referee just spread his hands that there was no foul involved.

Gotten clear of Treebeard, Melkor faced Oropher one on one. Some heard him cursing Oropher some heard Melkor taunt him – but which way it was no one knows. But what everyone saw was the equaliser! Oropher tried his best but that was not enough having to stand an onrushing Melkor who seemed to grow in power and stature the nearer the goal he got. It was like a giant against a dwarf – if that analogy is allowed discussing an elf. The giant won anyway.

Mirkwood put it’s best to defend the rest of the second half and managed to keep the Valar attacks at bay – and even creating some counter-attacking chances themselves thus lessening Valimar’s enthusiasm for all out attacking. The game ended even.


The overtime brought no solution to the situation as now both teams played it clearly more safely. So it was a shoot-out!


Scatha came to shoot first. It took it’s time to settle the ball into exactly the right position and then took two steps backwards from it. Then Scatha swung it’s tail – just as Ungoliant had presumed. The giant Spider went to the right corner spreading all its legs there but what did the dragon do! Scatha took surprisingly fast steps towards the ball while swinging its tail just over it and tossed the ball to the left lower corner of the goal with it’s right foot! Whatever the crowds dislikes for the dragon were, they had to admit the brilliance of the execution of that penalty shot.

To the relief of the Valimar supporters it was Tulkas next. And he hammered the ball in with such a speed and power Oropher had no chance to even move before the ball was already in the back of the net – and through it. It took the officials some time to stitch the net back into shape.

Thranduil followed Tulkas. He took his shot towards the lower right corner but Ungoliant guessed it right and managed to web the ball. The elven crowds were silenced.

But the herald of Manwë had no better luck. Even if the shot was nice heading to the same lower right corner, Oropher guessed it right as well and tipped the ball just wide with his fingers. The shoot-out was even!

Legolas took the next turn. He concentrated behind the ball enough to get Ungoliant annoyed and then went for it. Just before reaching the ball Legolas made an incredible move turning around 360 degrees – and shooting with his left foot from the swing! It totally surprised diving Ungoliant and the ball was in the back of the net, almost straight in the middle!

Melkor was next. His intimidating presence made even Oropher nervous. Melkor settled the ball down to its place and then studied the elf on the goal for a while. “I’ll shoot to the high left corner, elf. Just to inform you…” he said in a low thundery voice and took a few steps back. The audiences were holding their breath. Thousands of thoughts zig-zagged in Oropher’s mind as he tried to decide whether to go for left or right, whether Melkor was bluffing or double-bluffing…

“As I said, to the high left…” Melkor roared and ran towards the ball. Oropher was just about to jump to the high left corner when insecurity hit him and he cancelled the move going for the down right… just to cancel that idea too late and falling down on his knees… only to hear the roars of the crowd. The ball was in, in the high left corner of the goal as Melkor had promised. That was cool finishing. It was 2-2 after three shooters from both sides.

Nazgûl #6 came next. Against all odds he scored winning the poker against the mother of all great spiders. And Tilion in turn was just as unpredictable as was anticipated, and thus he beat Oropher easily. It was 3-3 after four shooters from both sides.

The final round began with Grimbeorn walking forth. The great Beorning set the ball and then took quite a distance from it. His father was bellowing cheers for him so loudly they surpassed all the other voices in the stadium. Grimbeorn took his time and then rushed forwards – changing into a bear while running – and blasted such a berserk shot through Ungoliant’s webs the great spider herself was astonished by it. Mirkwood hung on the lead with only one shot to come!

It was lady Arien, the shiny maiden of Laurelin, who came to make the final shot of the first round of the shoot-out. She shone so brightly Oropher had no chances to see anything. Even the spectators had to cover their eyes from the light she shone around. Oropher tried to put his hand in front of his eyes to see but so brightly did Arien shine that he saw nothing but light, being blinded by it. When Oropher heard the pace of her feet on the ground and finally the thud of a kick he dived with chance to the left… and felt the ball touch his hands… and to go wide!

Arien was denied! Mirkwood had won!


It was a sensation indeed! Mirkwood had beaten two powerhouses in a row. And team Armenelos would have to re-orientate their target! They could not afford toying with Mirkwood – even if some correspondents from “Armenelos Times” already sent back home headline-suggestions like “Armenelos within an easy walk from the finals!” The Mirkwood team was a serious contender with seemingly the grace of Ilúvatar herself on its side. There was no other explanation to their success, said many.

The Valar were gracious in defeat – even if some said that Ungoliant, the Balrogs and Melkor refused to exchange shirts with the winning team and had sworn harshly before going to the showers. But the others looked like defeat meant nothing to them and they invited the winners into their special lavish tents to share a glorious night meal with them to honour a great match.

While the Valar of the team Valimar were celebrating with the Mirkwood team in a great tent erected to the moors – well most of them and some chosen elves from the organising committee and a few other special guests – Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Aulë, Yavanna and Oromë, with Gandalf, Tom Bombadill, Beorn, Old Man Willow, Quickbeam and others looked for the overall security of the encampment. All the skirmishes were dealt with effectively and even the orcs soon realised it was time to party and not time to fight with such a powerful policing force around. And anyway, Sauron was through to the semis as well as one Nazgul and the dragon Scatha. It could have been worse…

So pretty soon these mighty guardians had a chance to slip into joining the party leaving the security measures to the elves of Rivendell for the wee hours. It is said that party continued long after the daybreak…


Mirkwood 2-2 Valimar (SHOOT-OUT 4-3 to Mirkwood)

shots 11-16
on target 5-7
GOALS:
*8, Mirkwood (Bilbo, Treebeard)
*34, Valimar (Tilion, Melkor)
*51, Mirkwood (Thranduil, Nazgul #6)
*76, Valimar (Melkor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mirkwood- Thranduil, Radagast, Fram
*Valimar- Balrog #2, Tilion, Melkor, Balrog #4
SHOOT OUT:
*Mirkwood- Scatha (G), Thranduil (S), Legolas (G), Nazgul #6 (G), Grimbeorn (G)
*Valimar- Tulkas (G), Eonwe (S), Melkor (G), Tilion (G), Arien (S)

[the phantom]

The first match of the day had been an overtime thriller between Angband and Tol-in-Gaurhoth, and to top it off the hometown lad Maeglin had put home the winner. So it was that the fans in the arena were in fine spirits and ready to cheer heartily for both Dor-Lomin and Hithlum as they made their way onto the pitch.

For the first ten minutes the forces of Dor-Lomin drove back the Elves, surprising them with the best play they had seen in the tournament thus far. Turin and Beleg were quite the weapons! But far too soon for Dor-Lomin's liking Hithlum regained their composure and pushed back, and their prowess in turn caught Dor-Lomin off guard.

Already at 12 minutes, it was Aredhel thrilling the fans from Gondolin with the game's first goal. Both mother and son had scored, and Turgon watching from the stands looked quite happy. Hithlum kept up the attack, and it was obvious Dor-Lomin was barely hanging on. They committed two defenders to Feanor at all times, making it clear that their strategy was to force someone else to beat them. Unfortunately Hithlum's Finrod was well up to the task and slotted it home for the 2-0 lead into halftime.

After the half it was more of the same, and Fingon gleefully sent in an easy shot off the perfect pass from Aredhel and it was 3-0! At around 65 minutes Hithlum called off the dogs and settled back on defense, and Dor-Lomin couldn't crack the Hithlum line. Finally with under 10 minutes left Turin sent it a wicked bend that is sure to be on highlight reels for years to come, but it was too little too late. Hithlum was through to the semis with a very fine performance!

Dor-Lomin 1-3 Hithlum
shots 9-15
on target 4-8
GOALS:
*12, Hithlum (Aredhel, Fingolfin)
*27, Hithlum (Finrod, Caranthir)
*50, Hithlum (Fingon, Aredhel)
*83, Dor-Lomin (Turin, Beleg)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Dor-Lomin- Morwen, Galdor, Gundor
*Hithlum- Fingon, Feanor