ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Galadriel55]

It has come as a shock to many football phans that in the very first part of the season the Barrow Wight of team SBU will be playing against none other than the Wights and Wolves of TIG themselves!

TIG considers this plain teason from the side of the Barrow Wight, and extreme unconsideration from the side of those who made the groups. Meanwhile, the Barrow Wight is happy that he is not on the TIG team, which he despises. "They can call themselves Wights," he said, "but it is known that they have drifted away from their kind years ago. They have been playing as wolves for the past...ever! They are Wights only by origin, blasphemous creatures as they now are. They defile the good of Wight, and they put shame on my name!"

The spokesman for the TIG team, NogWolf, says that the Barrow Wight is too old-fashioned and just cannot keep up with the modern trends. "Aye, we started out just as he did - wights, scaring stray hobbits. And we were content. But then we grew more powerful than he, and learned how to adopt the shape of wolves. We are proud as ever of our accomplishment. Are we not still Wights, just Wights more skilled in the art of transformation?" LegateWight went farther. "This Barrow Wight was our superior for years, but now he's jealous. See, we've got more abilities than he does, and we are scarier. And better at football. He just cannot keep up with us. He holds only one evil in his form, but we hold two. And we are proud of it. Personally, I'd much rather be a wolf right now."

The feelings of both sides are boiling over, and the result of the match between TIG and SBU will determine the outcome. One side will have its noses up as high as Taniquetil, and the other will hang their heads in shame. Both sides need to win this important match to prove the truth of their words. It will not only be a victory on the field, it will be the victory of an age-long debate.

[the phantom]

Group B @ Weathertop

Even before Weathertop was officially named as a site host, most knew that it was coming. The stadium renovations that had been completed the year before were fantastic, and it was understood that their investment would be rewarded.

The arena could hold over 90,000 spectators, and it was a glorious blend of old Numenorean-type architecture and modern flash and convenience. This blend of styles could be seen even from a distance in the form of the rebuilt tower upon Amon Sul and the mirror image constructed of glass and metal on the hill immediately to the north. The stadium bound the two towers together, nestled in the saddle between the peaks.

The two local squads, Arnor and Eriador, would doubtless be receiving the greatest amount of support, but the large camp south of the road flying the flags of Gondolin showed that the Elves were willing to travel. There were also some Noldor in the fields to the east of Weathertop out in support of Maedhros, Fingon, and their Inter Beleriand squad. Inter would also pull in some support from the Gondolin Elves thanks to their goalkeeper, Turgon.

A few small bands of Orcs were camping in the hills to the north. Some might root for the Balrog on Inter or Gothmog of Gondolin, but they were there on the whole to support the Witch King and Eriador.

Journalists from every publication were in close proximity to cover the event, as it was simply a parade of big names that would be on display. Besides popular local figures such as Arvedui and Araphor, Arnor also had Elendil and Isildur, who were sure to attract interest of football fans in Numenor and Gondor. Inter had Turgon, Maedhros, and Fingon to provide massive appeal across Beleriand and Valinor. The dashing craftsmanship of Maeglin always drew in large numbers, while his partner Gothmog was hugely popular in the Angband and Utumno regions. Glorfindel and the Witch King would certainly drive ratings on Eriador, but Elrond was the big draw. Not only had he spearheaded the creation of team Eriador and the construction of the Weathertop arena, but he was coming off of a spectacular performance in Arda Cup 2011, where he had the best save percentage and led ALL players in Phantasy points until the finals, despite the fact that his squad had been eliminated in the quarterfinals!

Betting Note: Sports betting on Group B has been heavily in favor of Eriador, with 12 of every 15 putting their money on the host team to finish first. Gondolin has been the popular pick to finish second, with Inter receiving only a bit of support, and Arnor getting hardly any love at all.

[Nogrod]

Group D @ Armenelos

Originally Posted by The AKM 27.06.11

When Númenor won the bid over hosting group F it was clear where the games would take place. Although there are beautiful and large enough stadiums in both Andunië and Romenna, there was no question the action would take place at either. The “Wembley” of the Middle-Earth, the Armenelos stadium, is situated just in the shadow of the tower and the citadel raised by Elros just beside Meneltarma. Even if there are some fancier and bigger new stadiums in Arda, the Armenelos stadium stands as the classic venue, the somewhat grey but revered old king of stadiums. And in its stonework one can still see the craftsmanship of the men of old, and the eye for architecture of the Dúnedain at the height of their power.

Interestingly enough we can open the reporting from group D quoting our own article from last year. Not all investement groups were happy with the Arda Cup board’s decision to make Armenelos a host of a group two years in a row – and there were rumours that certain groups had actually wished to challenge the decision legally. But there is only silence from the part of the authorities on the matter.

Most analysts to the Arda Cup seem to think that Ainulindalë Enterpises ltd. had a strong say on the decision – and that the strength of their argument was not backed up only by money. Be that however it is, on one thing all the analysts seem to agree, and it is that the deal included some major financial transactions The Arda Cup committee was happy to receive – and most other investment groups probably had a decent enough share to keep them from going into the court.

Putting the possible unhappiness of certain big-time investors aside, the choice of Armenelos as the host for group D – and the subsequent choice of teams into that group – is pure sporting nirvana. Whichever media-prediction you look at, you have there four teams that all belong to the top ten of the tournament all playing in one group! And the games will be played in one of the most legendary stadiums in all Middle-Earth, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd who are the living emblems of the history and tradition of football, and the most generous hosts to anyone who just loves the game.

Many have predicted that the Valinor-based teams would make it to the next rounds and are mainly having arguments whether FC Valinor’s win over Real Valinor in the friendlies was telling the truth about their respective strengths or whether it was just an accident (or a deliberate scheming) on the part of Real Valinor. But even if the home team hasn’t been too flashing in their friendlies, at least the home fans expect them to qualify – and no one in the footballing world can take team Armenelos lightly, especially at their home stadium. Tirion in turn has been scoring in the friendlies in more or less unparallelled fashion with Finwë leading the scoreboard by a margin to any other player in the friendlies.

So whatever the results of the group will be one thing will be clear – and that is the sad thing from a sporting perspective – two excellent teams will be left into the group-phase. But to all those who have managed to purchase tickets to the games will be seeing some of the best football on Arda already in a group games which is a rare treat. So let us celebrate that!

[the phantom]

Group C @ Moria

The greatest realm of the Dwarves is set to play host to Group C, and it's quite fitting that Aule himself is here to play on the Dwarves United squad. Defending alongside him is Celebrimbor, who is equally thrilled to find himself in Moria- an old stomping ground of his.

The Dwarves are prepared to receive visitors both inside and outside. Near the Mirrormere and the Dimrill Dale Arena there is a small collection of inns and taverns, and within the gates of Moria several miles worth of chambers have been cleaned up and refurbished to house guests, and one of the main level halls has been turned into an oversized beer tent.

Not only were lodgings both in and out of Moria, but the games were to be held as such- each day game would be held in the beautiful Dimrill Dale, while the night match featuring the home side would be played in the loud and claustrophobic Moria underground stadium.

Though Dwarves United hopes to enjoy a home-field advantage, the sports betting isn't flowing their direction. Wilderland has most of the bets, advancing on 13 out of 15 cards, while Erebor follows closely on 10 of 15. Dwarves United and Anduin are the clear underdogs in Group C.

Dwarves United is certain to receive a large amount of Dwarf support, but there is a large contingent from Lothlorien as well- to support Celeborn and Haldir on team Anduin and to cheer on Galadriel on team Wilderland. A large number of Misty Mt orcs have turned up as well, no doubt intent on supporting Bolg on the Erebor squad.

Game 1 between Anduin and Wilderland kicks off in the dale at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, while game two will begin under the mountains at 9 o'clock.