[Nogrod]

The Stadia Anor was practically fully packed already at the bronze-match. When you got this level of football at your hometown – or you had wandered from far away – you definitively wanted to see it all. And it was to be a tight match according to any news-media which really tried to take an imbalanced look at the competing teams (excluding The Nargothrondian, The Mirkwood Post, The Wood-Elf Chronicle, The ‘Downer and other unreliable sources looking at this particular game…).

The statistics provided by the AKM showed that Mirkwood had a slight lead with 35,3% scoring rate from shots on goal against Angband’s 34,3% - but if one looked at the overall shot/goal ratio, then Angband had a nominal edge with 15,8% rate against Mirkwood’s 15,6%. These were basically insignificant differences: both teams had scored 12 goals in six matches, although Angband had shot 35/76 (shots on goal/overall shots = 46%) and Mirkwood 33/77 (44%) giving them 2% margin in the overall accuracy of their shooting. No big difference there.

One thing that had been marked down as a possible edge to the Angband team by several reporters was Carcaroth’s saving percentage versus that of Oropher. But the AKM had played this difference down as well. Carcaroth had 72% saving record (9 goals allowed from 32 shots on target) while Oropher reached just 69% (10 allowed from 32), which actually meant that from equal number of shots Oropher had given in one goal more than Carcaroth – whether being the better goalie or then standing behind a bit tougher defence, or then being just more lucky… or having faced less brilliant forwards this far in the tournament. As one can see, there was no big statistical difference either way in here either.

But listening to the chanting and shouting both inside and outside the Stadia Anor just before the game it was clear which team was the favourite of the crowd. Angband supporters were indeed few in numbers, but the ten thousand strong fan-crowd of orcs and easterlings led by Melkor and a few Balrogs were noisy enough to create a feeling of there being two competing teams of supporters in the stadium as well even if the numbers were overwhelming.



The game itself started out evenly. But even if both teams built up some quite flashing attacks it was the defences of both teams that outshone all other players in the field in the first thirty minutes. The crowds love goals and can’t get enough of them but this time people were quite impressed with the quality of the defences – shutting passes off, shutting down runs by forwards with intelligent off-side traps, holding the supremacy in the air in front of the goal… You name it – and the defences produced it. Both dragons looked especially frustrated on the half hour mark as neither of them had barely touched the ball because of the heavy marking.

But spectacular goals were to come.

People often say that in tight matches the special-situations, like corners or free-kicks, make the difference. On 35th minute the Angband team showed the truth of that statement. The actual events that led into an Angband free-kick will surely be a matter of some dispute after the tournament as very few have seen Thranduil enraged like that for nothing. Anyway, Thranduil fell face down when fighting for the ball against Thuringwethil. The bat took the ball and went forwards building the attack when Thranduil ran on her from behind so rough that the referee had no chance but to card him and give the Angband team a free-kick. So what happened? No one knows exactly, but it wouldn’t have been the first time Thuringwethil would’ve made quite a cynical tackle – especially so that the referee would not notice it.

Ancalagon and Thuringwethil were behind the ball at 35 meters. Ancalagon took a run to the ball only to jump suddenly to the side before reaching it. But just as everyone thought Thuringwethil who was running behind Ancalagon would actually shoot it from a different angle the great dragon swung its tail and produced a mighty swerving rocket past the wall – hitting the post!

The ball rebounded to the right from the goal where Maeglin took it with great individual skill leaving Grimbeorn behind. He gave a sharp glance to the left upper corner of the goal and went for a shoot. Oropher dived to catch the ball only to realise in mid-air that it was not a shot but a chip. But it was too late then. Húrin broke free from between Radagast and Treebeard and dived for the header in the middle. And it was in! Angband took the lead.

The last ten minutes of the half Angband team clearly dropped back to defend their lead before the half-time – and were pretty impressive in it – even if football-wise there wasn’t a lot of flash or gallantry in there.



No one was surprised that Mirkwood came to the second half with stamina and aggression. They had really decided to fight back and the crowds were behind them with cheers, songs, drums, trumpets... But unlike the last ten minutes of the first half the Angband team was not backing down at all. On the contrary, it pressed forwards as furiously as Mirkwood did.

Now that was some football! Beautiful combinations, a host of individual skill on display, a few great saves and a handful of barely missed goals during the first twenty minutes of the second half… Really value for the money!

Nazgul #6 made a beautiful run from the side and shot the ball through the ground past Carcaroth who had come forwards to shut the angle… the ball was getting a bit wide of the far post when Fram ran his life for it – cheered by the crowd who jumped up to see it - finally trying to slide the ball into the empty net… and only missing the ball by inches!

At the other end Gwindor showed astonishing rise to the occasion by making a blind bicycle-kick from a nice chip given and called out by Maeglin only to hit the post.

Scatha looked like it was warming up. Anyway Scatha made Ancalagon look but a shadow as it had started fighting after the frustrating first half an hour. Meanwhile Ancalagon seemed to not find a new gear to come to it’s level. Scatha’s mighty blow of a free-kick from 22 meters (following from Thuringwethil’s really nasty tackle on Thranduil – the spectators and Mirkwood players were calling for a straight red card but the referee only gave her a yellow one) went straight towards the upper left corner of the goal but Carcaroth managed to tip it into a corner-kick with it’s claws at the last moment. Thranduil and Thuringwethil were not in any easy terms with each other. That was clear for anyone.

Tevildo won Bilbo in a one on one fight over the ball at the Angband side and sent the ball up to Thuringwethil who passed it forwards with a nice high one-timer – and Maeglin was in full speed leaving the lowest defenders Radagast and Treebeard standing as he dashed past them. The ball bounced to the ground a few meters before the box and went up again. It seemed that the onrushing Oropher would be able to catch it when it next came down. But what did Maeglin do? He didn’t wait for the ball to land but jumped for it – and volleyed it straight forwards himself being airborne… Oropher got his hands to the ball but he couldn’t hold it because of the force of the shot blasted just a meter or two away from him and it slipped… and rolled towards the goal behind him… and Maeglin still in full speed jumped over him following the ball… It was a goal indeed, and what a goal!

The stadium went totally silent. The crowds were dumbed and astonished. They had been following a match of the year where great opportunities had followed each other – and it was just one goal lead the Angband team had. But suddenly it felt like all had just gone down the drain. They couldn’t believe what they had just seen.

But the orcs and easterlings went just mad! And after the initial shock many elves and humans indeed applauded Maeglin for his absolutely stunning performance – although it died down as soon as it started when Maeglin took his shirt off and swung it in front of the Gondolin part of the stand with a gaze and smile that sent a clear enough message. (He was actually fined for that performance after the tournament by AFA-officials from unsportsmanlike behaviour.)

But there were still 25 minutes to go. Mirkwood team put forwards all they had and slowly even the crowd was re-ignited to the fight. And Mirkwood really pressed hard. They attacked from left and right, with passing high balls behind the defenders, with short passes via the ground, with a few sharp counter-attacks when given a chance. But the Angband defences held admirably. Balrog #5 and Drauglin were indispensable, but also Ulfast and Uldor fought like men keeping the waves of attacks at bay one after another. And to be honest, it was not just Mirkwood pressing on and Angband backing down. From their relentless attacking there followed a few really dangerous counter-attacks keeping the Mirkwood team at their toes all the while they pressed on. There was a goal hanging in the air once more – but it could come to either end of the pitch.

And at the 79th minute the ball was in!

Mirkwood was pressing on when Ulfast and Uldor made a marking mistake under pressure. They both thought the other one was marking Nazgul #6 and went to Legolas. Scatha realised that immediately with the ball and passed it nicely past the running men and in front of the Nazgul inside the box. Before Ulfast and Uldor had time to make good their error the ball was already at the back of the net. Even Carcaroth had no say in that goal, so swift and accurate was the execution of the Nazgul.

And the miracle was witnessed by 115 000 spectators – taking part in it themselves: the elves and men cheered for a Nazgul, in Minas Tirith! And they did that from the bottom of their hearts – even if the assistant to the goal had been none else but a dragon. The crowds were just crazy. There was still hope! 10+ minutes to go and it was only a one goal lead again. The game would start a new at this late stage!

There really was tension now. Angband team didn’t give up an inch without a fight even if Mirkwood was now playing like it was playing for life and death. The odd dark-cloaked figures had appeared from somewhere and where standing motionlessly beside the field – and none of the security-guards were able to remove them. But what an energy especially Húrin and Gwindor found for themselves (and where?) after the appearance of the dark figures? They tackled and pressed back leading all the Angband players to pull up their best – and Gwindor indeed got booked for a harsh tackle at 81st minute.

Húrin got a perfect pass from Maeglin at 87th minute and got to shoot from 18 meters – only to make it just wide. The crowds sighed with relief – even if they still held the man in high esteem.

It was the last minute of the added time when Fram got a loose ball in the middle of the box while the forwards of Mirkwood team – and the Nazgul – were carefully marked on corner-kick situation. Fram was a bit off-balance but managed to make a shot that surprised Carcaroth and slipped from it’s claws… to the post… But Legolas had gotten rid of his shadow and slid forwards… only to see Balrog #5 clearing the ball all the way back to the midfield from just under his nose…



The game was over and Angband claimed the bronze-medals! Mirkwood made it a fight but in the end Angband was just that required inch tougher, just a bit more solid and more effective. And it was no surprise to anyone that Maeglin was rewarded as the “man of the match”. Maeglin’s track-record from the last games was impressive indeed. In the last three play-off games he had scored four times and assisted one goal.

A moving scene was witnessed by the audience when they saw Húrin sitting down on the pitch his head buried deep down between his legs and Bilbo approached him. The old hobbit patted the human hero’s shoulder gently and was clearly talking some smoothing words to him. Húrin raised his head and looked at the hobbit for a moment and then gave him his hand. Húrin rose up aided by the old hobbit, even if everyone could see Bilbo could not help much to lift that sized man. He looked down on the little one approvingly and flashed him a smile taking his shirt off and offering it to Bilbo. Bilbo seemed hesitant for a moment – probably not being too pleased with the idea of showing his naked upper-body to hundred thousand spectators – but then took off his own shirt and the two exchanged their gear. The crowd applauded in standing ovation for the two.

It was only when Sauron appeared at the pitch congratulating some of the winners with other celebrities that people realised no one had seen him during the game.




Angband 2-1 Mirkwood

shots 12-12
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*35, Angband (Hurin, Maeglin)
*66, Angband (Maeglin, Thuringwethil)
*79, Mirkwood (Nazgul #6, Scatha)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Thuringwethil, Gwindor
*Mirkwood- Thranduil, Bilbo