Quickbeam Interview - Drawn and written by Valesse
Shire Press Confrence
After yesterdays game, The Shire held a press confrence in which we had a chance to ask questions from their coach, Bilbo Baggins and many of their players. Recent signing, Gandalf, was also available for questioning. Here is what we managed to pick up.
SR- This a question for you Bilbo. You took over after Gandalf left, you made some drastic changes and many new signings and the team has improved since. Could you tell us what you did?
BB- Why most certainly young lad. You see Gandalf had led the team under a stern and strict rule, they were too uptight to play any good. When I took over I cut down on training, held group relaxation therapies and had the team together for most meals so as to improve our relationship.
SR- It seems to have worked, your boys certainly seem to be enjoying themselves on the field and I also noted that you played many of the younger players and thus found an excellent striker in Pippin. What made you think he could do it?
BB- Pippin? Oh he was only put in because I had a bet with him. I had bet that I could out drink him and if I lost I'd have to play him. Now I don't think I shall make any more bets with him nor shall I remove him from the First 11 unless I have to.
SR- Er, Very interesting. Now Frodo, you're playing defense and your team doesn't really have the best of defenses in this tournament yet you're an excellent defender. How does it feel in the back?
FB- It really is infruriating sometimes. Its like I'm the only player back there... You could say I'm carrying a
burden all the time. Our defenders may not be the best but I must say that they have heart and sometimes that is all it takes to get through and I know that they can't share my burden but I also know they will try their best to make it easier for me.
SR- Hmm, alright. Now Pippin, you're an excellent striker and also very young. You most certainly have a bright future ahead of you, I hear this is your first exposure in the international scene and before this you've only played in Club games. What are the differences you've noticed between the two forms of play?
PT- Well they're very different. Just like day and night. My club team are big rivals of Merry's and we're never afraid of roughing each other up and try to out-play the other yet here it doesn't matter who is playing better. We're all a big family, supporting each other at every step. There is a lot of pride at stake here and and we plan to give it our all. At the end of the day it doesn't matter who scored the most, in the end it all depends on the team effort and chemistry. And believe me, we make no mistakes in that.
SR- Indeed! And I have a question for you, Gandalf. How does it feel to be back on the field? Do you think you can help Shire win the Cup?
GG- It feels wonderful to be back in action. I feel
re-born, if you will. And I believe Shire has a strong team and we will be able to go all the way to the finals and maybe even win it.
SR- Thank you for your time.
T-I-G vs. Isengard: Shoe-in?
-Firefoot
In the upcoming match between Tol-in-Gaurhoth (1-0-0) and Isengard (0-1-0), T-I-G is the heavy favorite to win. However, there are some who think that Isengard may have a chance, among them many of the Isengard players.
When questioned, Isengard’s captain Saruman responded, “The Tol-in-Gaurhoth team has been continually projected as the team to win this group, maybe go on further. I wouldn’t put it past Sauron to become cocky, underestimate us. They don’t know what we’re made of - I think we can win.” When further pressed for his opinion about the T-I-G team, he answered, “The only really good player on that team is Sauron. His werewolves are all fine and good, but none of them really stand out. Rabble like that just isn’t any match for us.” He refused comment about his team’s previous loss and his being carded – twice.
Isengard has another rising star in the making – Ugluk, named Most Promising Player after his performance in Isengard’s game against Doriath. Critics have commented on his leadership abilities in the team; when asked about this, he simply responded: “I am Ugluk. I command.” He was firm about his team’s chances of winning the upcoming game: “Saruman can’t do anything stupid; we need all of our strength. We are the fighting Uruk-hai. We do not admit defeat before we have lost. Tol-in-Gaurhoth can be beaten. Sauron will likely be carded, and that leaves them without their strongest player. We are the fighting Uruk-hai.”
Sauron, captain of the Tol-in-Gaurhoth team, has other ideas: “Isengard is little more than a fly to be crushed. Saruman is a cunning spider trapped in a web of his own devising. His Uruk-hai are no match for my Werewolves. We are the faster, stronger, better team. I have little doubt that we will win our group.” A group of werewolves were asked whether they thought Isengard had a chance; their answer was derisive laughter, though not, perhaps, without reason: in the past, their style has not been merely victory, but obliteration. They have historically left teams devastated in their wake – albeit teams of somewhat lesser quality than those in the cup.
As the previous opponents of these teams, the captains of Doriath and Goblin Town were also asked of their opinions of these teams. Thingol, Doriath’s captain, admitted “Isengard has some good players, but I don’t think they’ll get anywhere unless the Tol-in-Gaurhoth team makes some huge blunders. The team just isn’t developed enough.” The Goblin Town team had little to say in intelligent terms, but their frustration with the T-I-G team and scorn for Isengard were evident.
So while T-I-G remains the heavy favorite, Isengard is priming for an upset. And whatever the result, it will likely be a rough physical match – between T-I-G’s obliterating tendencies and the fighting Uruk-hai’s vicious nature, the game has the potential to quickly become violent. To say nothing of their captains.
A quick glimpse on group H- Was the burden of being favourites too heavy?
-Gothmog
Yes, that’s the question many creatures in Middle Earth and beyond is asking themselves. Before the Cup began, group H was considered one of the toughest. There were teams like 1st age winners Angband, the new upcomer Gondor with a strong season behind them and Gondolin, always disguising their true form.
Gondor has a young team and has developed into one of the world’s best in a quite short time. Their youth might be an advantage as they have quick and strong players, but do they have the experience it takes to go all the way? And in this group? Well, it actually looks like that after their first won game vs Angband and then the strong 6-1 win against Gondolin.
Gondolin on the other hand has experience and strong players that has been playing for a long time now. As printed in an excellent article by the phantom earlier, they’re offence is strong with Turgon in the centre and Glorfindel and Echtelion at the flanks. The new generation is present with the midfielder Tuor, an excellent player with offensive qualities. As always the team has been training in their home arena in Gondolin, closed to all visitors. They haven’t participated in any matches before the Cup, so it’s hard to tell how good they are. A comforting win against the weak Grey Havens in the first game gave the fans hope, but what happened against Gondor? A total collapse for sure.
But now to the greatest topic throughout Arda: what has happened to Angband, one of the favourites for the title? With Gondolin and Gondor playing as they do, it will be hard to come back and win this group. If they don’t win the next match against Grey Haven, one of the greatest flops of modern time is a fact. Now their captain and star of the team: Melkor is suspended so this will be though. But what is wrong? We asked the captain himself:
Gothmog the interviewing Balrog: So Melkor (or do you prefer Morgoth?) do you have any explanations to your first loss?
Melkor: I actually prefer Melkor, but thank you for asking! I really have no idea. We’ve done everything right before the Cup and the preparatins couldn’t been better. We’ve won every game before this, with the exception of a unsignificant game vs Valmar. So I don’t know!
G: Is it possible that the role of favourites didn't fit you?
M: No, I don't think that mattered when we played. It was one bad game, that's all. We're going to win this!
G: Self-confident I hear. That's good! So what are you going to do now?
M: I'll do as always. Give the boys a few lashes with the whip, torture the ones that played worst. Let them build some muscles in the mines, all the usual stuff... Threatening always works great.
G: Ohh.... You don’t think that’s a bit rough?
M: Are you questioning my technics?
G: Of course not! I just..oh forget it. So, who will take over after you as captain?
M: Probably Gothmog. He can handle pressure and can force the others to perform. Sauron starts whining when it gets tough and don’t have the others’ confidence.
G: OK. Thank you and good luck!
M: Thank you!
So Gothmog probably takes over as captain. But can he make the team work as...well, a team? There’s some strong individual players in team, like the defence of Balrogs, the quick right midfielder Ancalagon (look like he’s flying when he sprints) and the clever playmaker Glaurung in a central midfielder position. What seems a bit disturbing right now is the defensive Balrogs’ obvious problems with the Gondolin attackers Echtelion and Glorfindel, but that will be a later problem. Now thay have to deal with Grey havens...
Moria's Key to it's Early Success:
-Boromir88
Moria has been a surprising team so far, getting out to a quick 2-0 record. Sure, they have good talent but they can never seem to get along. There's been one major key in Moria's wins so far and may propell them to make a deep run in the MEFWC.
Moria plays an agressive and even sometimes dirty game. They batter and bruise up their opponents with hard sliding tackles. This has an effect in the long run against opponents of Moria. As it gets late in the game Moria's "dirty tactics" pay off and their opponents are sore from the rough physical play of Moria. Especially against a team like Rohan who believes in honor and chivalry and that the game should be played like gentlemen.
The Moria/Mordor match to see who's the top dog in Group A should be a great one to see as both teams play hard physical games. Surely, it will come down to the more physical team in this one.
Today's Fixtures - The Odds And Evens
Game 1 - Mordor vs. Rohan
Mordor is definately the better team in this match up. Mordor will have the advantage on their side and will make use of it. Rohan, though a good team just don't have what it takes to compete against the likes of Mordor. I see this match ending in Mordor's favor.
Predicted Result - Win for Mordor
Game 2 - Arnor vs. Vinyamar
This will be a big battle for dominance. Arnor coming in from a 3-3 draw and Vinyamar hoping to come back from a bad start. Vinyamar may have the stronger team but Arnor are more unified. This will be a close match with Arnor staying close to a win but unfortunatel will not reach.
Predicted Result - Draw
Game 3 - Woodhall vs. Valimar
I can see Woodhall winning but not today. Valimar will easily best them. They shall be defeated, humiliated, crushed, have their baggage stolen and sent home. For their best intrests they should concede the match and not show up.
Predicted Result - Win for Valimar (By a big margin)
Game 4 - Ephel Brandir vs. Erebor
Ephel Brandir managed a draw against Nargothrond and Erebor are currently goalieless. I don't see Erebor posing much of a threat but they will put a fight early on before sucummbing to Ephel Brandir in the closing minutes.
Predicted Result - Win for Ephel Brandir
Game 5 - Belegost vs. Numenor
Numenor is a strong team but they are missing two of their top players. Belegost will have the advantage in this match but many times we've seen teams lose despite having a major advantage. Will Numenor manage to win? Or will Belegost play their advantage right? I honestly believe they will draw since all this group does is draw.
Predicted Result - Draw
Game 6 - Tol-In-Gauroth vs. Isengard
This will be one of the more exciting matches this evening. Both teams are more or less the same but Tol-In-Gauroth does have a slight edge over Isengard. This one will be a close match, in fact its too close to call but I think I'll go out on a limb here and say that Isengard will manage to defeat Tol-In-Gauroth.
Predicted Result - Win for Isengard
Game 7 - Crickhollow vs. Alqualondë
Alqualondë will win this match. Crickhollow don't stand a chance. However they did manage to beat Lothlorien while Alqualondë drew against Fangorn. It may start off as a close match but Alqualondë will begin to dominate before long.
Predicted Result - Win for Alqualondë
Special Preview - Angband vs. Grey Havens
Drawn into what is being called the 'Most Controversial Group' Angband started off as strong favorites. But they lost their first match to Gondor, many people now wonder wether they'll actually be able to come back now that they're missing their captain as well though many people believe that Angband have it in them to go through despite the loss.
Winning this match however will just be the first step, their next and final group match which is against Gondolin will decide which team goes and which team stays. Even if they draw here, or by a slip of fate
lose, a win over Gondolin will see them through. However the chances of Angband losing today are non-existant. Angband has swapped its usual 4-4-2 for a more conservative 5-4-1 formation. Grey Havens however have decided to play a 3-6-1 formation in hopes of smothering Angband's mid-field. Wether this will be a succesful move or not is yet to be seen but many people believe it to be silly.
Angand's captain, Melkor was unavailable for comment. He has been replaced by Gothomg for the next two matches due to a red card. If Angband get eliminated it will be largely due to their loss of Melkor. Tonight however they will go out as winners and come back as winners.
Predicted Result - Win for Angband
Tournament Happenings
Injuries -
Smaug (Erebor) will miss the next match because of a belly injury.
Tar-Enclime (Numenor) will miss the next match due to a broken nose.
Barliman Butterbur (Bree) will be out indefinately due to a hamstring injury.
Cards -
Melkor (Angaband) recieved a red card and a 2 match suspension.
Dark Lord (Mordor) was given a yellow card.
Varda (Valimar) was given a yellow card.
Bill Ferny (Bree) recieved a red card and 1 match suspension.
Elros (Numenor) recieved a red card and 2 match suspension.
Most Promising Player - Both Aragorn and Beleg scored hat-tricks in their matches and though Aragorn's was far more spectacular and against a much better team both these players showed off a lot of skill. Both their teams look set to qualify and they definately promise us a lot more exciting football in the future.
Most Impressive Team - Barrow-Downs was the most impressive team though people may argue that Gondor did a better job. Barrow-Downs managed to come back when all host had been lost, if they can keep pulling out mirculous wins nothing will be able to hold them back.
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Thanks to Firefoot, Gothmog and Boromir88 for their articles and Valesse for her zany comic. Hiriel said he would send in something but I haven't recieved anything from him yet. I will add it in when I recieve it. The results will be up later tonight, feel free to discuss your predictions and argue mine until then.