[Nogrod]

At Lothlórien it was first going to be a meeting of age-old friends – and well some not so much in friendly terms with each other. But anyway most of the players of Doriath and Dor-Lomin teams knew each other well and the party on the eve of the match aroused a lot of interest.

Some tabloids even reported that, invited by Nellas, Túrin and Saeros had shook hands and shared a cup of wine during the evening. Believes it who wishes, but it was clear that many people and elves enjoyed the party together, and there was much rejoicing. But in the actual game there would be some real fighting as only one of the two teams could go forwards – and both had the chances in their own hands as none of them believed in the host’s capabilities of winning the mighty Armenelos later in the evening.

But as the game started off it was clear who were calling the shots. Doriath’s midfield managed to fight back at times and Eöl and Maglor showed their dangerousness the few times they got the ball, but when the game fell on to the Doriath’s half the problems really started – as in earlier games.

The weakness of Doriath’s defences had been discussed a lot during the tournament but here’s one view of it by a well known Doriath-elf and football enthusiast who wishes to remain incognito:
“Well, basically I don’t understand the team manager why he would build the whole defence of the team on cursed players… I mean elves slain by the cursed ones. Now what an omen is that if not bad? We should have guys like Thingol and Mablung and Beleg in our team to be strong enough.”

Whatever the truth of the matter is, Dor-Lomin had gone into 2-0 lead before even half an hour of the game was played. First Beleg and Túrin tore the defence into pieces. Túrin outwitted Saeros with ease and then, when everyone was anticipating for a shot, he passed the ball left without even glancing that way knowing Beleg would be there. And right there he was, actually just passing the ball into an empty net in front of him. The second one was orchestrated by Beleg. This time Beleg draw the brothers Eluréd and Elurin totally out from their places and passed the ball back to the empty space where the great elf-friend Lórindol had ran from behind. It was a rocket of a shot coming from behind Melian’s own defenders denying her even a visual catch of it coming.

And Dor-Lomin went three goals ahead just two minutes before the end of the first half. Marach gave a corner kick surprisingly a long way backwards and from behind the great hassle in front of the goal Morwen Eledwhen booted such a shot that Melian had no chance even reacting to it from behind the crowd parked in front of her goal.

The second half was like a friendly match or a formality. And like in friendly matches it ended 1-1. Maglor sneaked the ball through the defences to make it 3-1 at 56th minute and Tuor nailed the game from Nienor’s dashing run at 72nd minute.

The elves were good sports in their defeat and congratulated the Dor-Lominian team for a long while in the field while changing shirts. Dor-Lomin had showed once again it was a force to be reckoned with and someone, likely Edoras, should be prepared for them.


Doriath 1-4 Dor-Lomin

shots 7-18
on target 3-9
GOALS:
*14, DL (Beleg, Turin)
*29, DL (Hador, Beleg)
*43, DL (Morwen, Marach)
*56, Doriath (Maglor, Eol)
*72, DL (Tuor, Nienor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Saeros, Elwe, Ellurid
*Dor-Lomin- Gloredhel


The result of the earlier game had kind of taken the edge out from the last match of the group with the home team having no chances whatsoever to qualify and the visitors being already through.

However the home team wished to show their supporters they would be a team worth the support and had clearly decided to play for honour to the end. Maybe they lacked the last effort as they had no real stakes or then the Armenelos team was just too good. Whichever way, there was no question about the outcome as the match begun.

Armenelos dominated the field and pushed the Lothlórien attacks back even before they actually started. That forced Lothlórien team to shoot from far away resulting in only three shots on goal – and none of them in.

After the first probing-phase Armenelos started to make serious attacks and at the half an hour point they scored. The power-duo Ar Pharazon – Sauron was at it again. This time Ar Pharazon served and Sauron scored. The rest of the half Armenelos controlled the game but eased the tempo a bit not to waste energy.

On the second half Armenelos came for the second time with serious business in mind and that spelled trouble for the home team once again. Eventually they scored for the second time after displaying some great offensive football. This time Tar Minastir freed Sauron in the middle and after sweeping the defenders from his way he shot the ball easily behind Galadriel making it a total humiliation in front of the home crowds. Some even say he had winked an eye on her.

The crowds roared with disbelief, anger and disappointment but even if the home team tried its best they just couldn’t break the solidity of Armenelos’ team-defence to come back to the game.

The way the game ended left a bitter taste into the mouths of many fans, but those more into football just couldn’t help admiring the football Armenelos was playing. With good-natured elves and the great heroes of men around at the ending party, the Lothlórien elves forgot the bitterness soon enough and were ready to praise also the great heroes of Armenelos as well.

Sauron hung around at the party for a while but after no one wished to speak or socialise with him he withdrew to his personal quarters he had brought with him. Not all his team-mates were happy about his presence in the team even if he had played outstanding football and was probably one of the leading point scorers in the whole tournament thus far. Many felt him to be the Sword of Damocles hanging up above their heads. But that only time would tell.

And what was Sauron thinking in his solitude?


Armenelos 2-0 Lothlorien

shots 14-7
on target 7-3
GOALS:
*30, Armenelos (Sauron, Ar Pharazon)
*56, Armenelos (Tar Minastir, Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Calmacil
*Lothlorien- Rumil, Haldir, Eldarion


Final standings: Group E

Armenelos 9 8-2
Dor-Lomin 6 7-5
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
Lothlórien 1 3-6
Doriath 1 4-9