[Nogrod]

The first game in the Arda 2008 championships in Edoras had quite a crowd gathered to the central field of Meduseld. The mostly Rohanian crowd welcomed the teams to the afternoon match with an encouraging cheer. The mood was positive but also that of suspense as the home-team would play in the evening match. But there were also the fanatical supporters of the both teams who were easy to spot. The TV-close ups showed Mac and Rikae waving the T-I-G –flag and Saucie holding the BD banderol. The supporters of Mirkwood were a little more quiet but made their presence known with a low hum they produced as the referee blowed his whistle to start the game.



To the surprise of all the TIG fans the Mirkwood team took the command in the game in the beginning. Mirkwood was ultra-aggressive totally immobilising the TIG game. Sending long passes to the forwards when they had a chance they clearly tried to beat TIG with their own weapons. Already at the eighth minute it payed off. Scatcha headed in a beautiful pass by Grishnak and Mirkwood took the lead.

After the goal it soon became clear that the TIG had the upper hand in the midfield and thence of the game. Mirkwood was still able to come up with great performances within the 16 meter line but they led to no further goals.

The TIG finally held its act together and produced some beautiful football – even if helped by the lady Fortune at times. At 20’ Formendacil took a corner that hit Nogrod fighting with Gorbag on the back and before Oropher had time to realise the ball was in.

Before the half-time the phantom made a genious long pass letting Sauron break free. Deservedly or not the TIG was leading 2-1 when the teams turned off to the break.

TIG’s tactics of leaving the defence alone and hoping they could win the ball to pass it to the midfield they dominated and thence to attack proved to be a bad idea in the first minutes of the second half of the game. With a show of individual skill Scatha, receiving a long pass and beating two defenders (Hookbill ad Gwath), brought the score even at 54 minutes of game played.

Contrary to the estimates the TIG went to a defensive mode after the equalizer. That clearly baffled the Mirkwood team. And finally on the 71st minute Eomer managed to surprise Oropher with a long shot going beautifully to the top corner of the net.

The fans were happy for a game of five goals. But both sides thought they should have performed better.

Mirkwood 2-3 Tol-In-Gaurhoth
shots 13-13
on target 6-6
Goals:
*Mirkwood, 8 (Scatha- Grishnakh)
*TIG, 20 (Nogrod- Formendacil)
*TIG, 39 (Sauron- the phantom)
*Mirkwood, 52 (Scatha- Grimbeorn)
*TIG, 71 (Eomer- Lhuna)

Yellow Cards:
Mirkwood- Galion, Gorbag, Grimbeorn
TIG- Gwath, Lhuna, Hookbill

~ ~ ~

But the game of the day was Breeland against Edoras. As the sun was setting the arena got truly filled. All the people able to come had turned in for the game. The house was full now and the cheers and songs filled the air. The home crowd would settle for nothing but a victory.



Edoras started rolling the ball towards Bree goal with enthusiasm bursted with the encouragement by the crowd. Eomer, Eowyn and Eorl all tried the Old man Willow on their turn and only his great saves held the game even in the first minutes of the game. But as soon as the 14th minute Eomer headed a pass by Eowyn in and Edoras was on the lead.

The crowd went crazy.

At 33’ minutes Brytta made a beautiful goal from a free-kick making it 2-0 getting his foot in the right angle following Theodred's free kick from 40 meters.

One couldn't hear oneself even if one shouted.

But before the halftime Breeland showed they could silence the crowd and that they were not beaten yet. The BW threaded a beautiful pass through defenders to Ferny who approached from the side and headed it in. It was 2-1 as The teams withdrew for the half-time.


On the second half the game was much more even but then – in the middle of Breeland laying the pressure Eorl and Eomer got a breakaway. – and Eorl scored making it 3-1. One can't describe the noise of the crowd...

But it was not over yet… The Breeland team went all in the rest of the game and finally Tom Bombadill’s great yellow boots blasted a goal from a good distance right off the sidebar.

The final whistle ended the game for the explosion of the home crowd who sang their songs late into the night and to the early morning.

Home team winning, what could be a better way to start a tournament?


Breeland 2-3 Edoras
shots 8-16
on target 4-8
Goals:
*Edoras, 14 (Eomer- Eowyn)
*Edoras, 33 (Brytta- Theodred)
*Breeland, 41 (Ferny- The Barrow-Wight)
*Edoras, 60 (Eorl- Eomer)
*Breeland, 79 (Tom Bombadil- Butterbur)

Yellow Cards:
Breeland- Nob, Harry, Odo
Edoras- Aldor, Frealaf