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the phantom · 06-09-2011, 12:06 PM

TEAM AND ROSTER RUMORS
Phantom, MESPN News

The clock is ticking down to the start of the next Arda Cup tournament, and as always there are many rumors floating about as to which teams will be participating and what their rosters look like. We here at MESPN don't have all the answers, but we know a few things, and can make some educated guesses.

Rumor #1- Last year's championship team, Gondolin, has been scrapped.
This rumor appears to be true to an extent. King Turgon has returned to his city to captain the squad, and several prominent members from last season have left. But the team should still be quality, as Salgant and Thorondor have stayed, and six members of last year's runner up, Vinyamar, have agreed to play for the hidden king (Rog, Penlod, Galdor, Idril, Duilin, Egalmoth).

Rumor #2- Melkor has vacated Utumno and returned to Angband.
This rumor is definitely true. Melkor and every member of last year's Utumno squad has stated without hesitation that there will not be a team at Utumno this year, and that Melkor will be captaining team Angband. The complete makeup of this team is unknown, but from what we've heard it seems certain that Ungoliant, Telvildo, and Ancalagon will be on the team.

Rumor #3- Elros is injured and will not play in this year's tournament.
We're fairly certain that Elros is perfectly healthy, but the jury is out on his participation. As has been widely reported, he was approached about captaining the Numenor squad but refused the position, and has since refused invitations to play on several other teams. It's anyone's guess as to what's going on with him, but I've been told that Arda Kicker Magazine lead writer Nogrod is close to breaking the story, and he hints that it's a shocker.

Rumor #4- Feanor/Turin is playing for (team X).
Every year all of Arda anxiously awaits the decisions of these two elite scoring threats. They are notoriously unwilling to settle down and are always looking to find some new challenge.

As far as Turin goes, I think he's unlikely to accept Angrod & Aegnor's invitation to play with Team Beleriand, as he just doesn't know anyone on the team well. I also think it's unlikely he'll go to Hador's Hithlum team, as their offense is already set. I don't think Mithrim is a possibility either unless Tuor is willing to share the captainship with his cousin, though there is certainly the allure of playing alongside his mother and sister who have already signed there. It seems to me the strongest candidates are Nargothrond and Doriath. Finduilas is in charge of the Guarded Realm this year, and Turin's always had a special place for her, but his friend Beleg (who has confirmed he will be travelling with him wherever he goes) I believe will push for Doriath, which may sway Turin in the end.

As far as Feanor, it would seem to make sense that he'd stick around in Tirion after the near miss last year. Tirion came as close as anyone to beating eventual champion Gondolin, and with a slight tweak to their defense they'd probably be tournament favorites this year. But Feanor's restless attitude cannot be discounted. Perhaps he will accept his brother's invite to play upon Angfauglith? Or maybe Maedhros & Fingon will invite him to lead their Hithlum squad? Those are the only possibilities I can offer, as he will surely refuse to play under the command of a Vala like Manwe, or alongside an entire group of mortals that he is unfamiliar with.

Stay tuned for more roster reports from MESPN.

06-09-2011, 12:06 PM	#2
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	TEAM AND ROSTER RUMORS Phantom, MESPN News The clock is ticking down to the start of the next Arda Cup tournament, and as always there are many rumors floating about as to which teams will be participating and what their rosters look like. We here at MESPN don't have all the answers, but we know a few things, and can make some educated guesses. Rumor #1- Last year's championship team, Gondolin, has been scrapped. This rumor appears to be true to an extent. King Turgon has returned to his city to captain the squad, and several prominent members from last season have left. But the team should still be quality, as Salgant and Thorondor have stayed, and six members of last year's runner up, Vinyamar, have agreed to play for the hidden king (Rog, Penlod, Galdor, Idril, Duilin, Egalmoth). Rumor #2- Melkor has vacated Utumno and returned to Angband. This rumor is definitely true. Melkor and every member of last year's Utumno squad has stated without hesitation that there will not be a team at Utumno this year, and that Melkor will be captaining team Angband. The complete makeup of this team is unknown, but from what we've heard it seems certain that Ungoliant, Telvildo, and Ancalagon will be on the team. Rumor #3- Elros is injured and will not play in this year's tournament. We're fairly certain that Elros is perfectly healthy, but the jury is out on his participation. As has been widely reported, he was approached about captaining the Numenor squad but refused the position, and has since refused invitations to play on several other teams. It's anyone's guess as to what's going on with him, but I've been told that Arda Kicker Magazine lead writer Nogrod is close to breaking the story, and he hints that it's a shocker. Rumor #4- Feanor/Turin is playing for (team X). Every year all of Arda anxiously awaits the decisions of these two elite scoring threats. They are notoriously unwilling to settle down and are always looking to find some new challenge. As far as Turin goes, I think he's unlikely to accept Angrod & Aegnor's invitation to play with Team Beleriand, as he just doesn't know anyone on the team well. I also think it's unlikely he'll go to Hador's Hithlum team, as their offense is already set. I don't think Mithrim is a possibility either unless Tuor is willing to share the captainship with his cousin, though there is certainly the allure of playing alongside his mother and sister who have already signed there. It seems to me the strongest candidates are Nargothrond and Doriath. Finduilas is in charge of the Guarded Realm this year, and Turin's always had a special place for her, but his friend Beleg (who has confirmed he will be travelling with him wherever he goes) I believe will push for Doriath, which may sway Turin in the end. As far as Feanor, it would seem to make sense that he'd stick around in Tirion after the near miss last year. Tirion came as close as anyone to beating eventual champion Gondolin, and with a slight tweak to their defense they'd probably be tournament favorites this year. But Feanor's restless attitude cannot be discounted. Perhaps he will accept his brother's invite to play upon Angfauglith? Or maybe Maedhros & Fingon will invite him to lead their Hithlum squad? Those are the only possibilities I can offer, as he will surely refuse to play under the command of a Vala like Manwe, or alongside an entire group of mortals that he is unfamiliar with. Stay tuned for more roster reports from MESPN. __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.