[Nilpaurion Felagund]

From the Elvish Premier League we now turn to another high-profile tournament, the inter-division Deathless Champions League, featuring the top teams from the Elvish Premiere Leagu, the Úvanima Serie A, and the Ainu Liga.

The highlight of this game day was, surprisingly, the fact that Taniquetil's home game against Tol Sirion was played in Avallónë Arena, Tol Eressëa, and not in the Valmar Grand Stadium.

It seems that the ban of football matches in the Blessed Realm was not limited only to the Arda Cup.

Our correspondents managed to interview Tol Sirion midfielder Thuringwethil before the match.

'If even Mordor and Angband, supposedly strongholds of evil, manage to be safer places for football fans than the so-called Blessed Realm, then the ban is well and truly deserved,' she said.

The ban had its effects on potential investors. According to an official from the Vanyar financial group Calaquendi, Inc, who spoke under condition of anonymity: 'Even we, the strongest supporters of the Valar, are leery of investing in their teams. Ticket sales remain one of the best sources of revenue for teams, and the lack of that due to the ban will leave our investments at the mercy of the team's performance on the pitch, something that our more prudent board members aren't willing to entertain.'

Calaquendi, Inc, however, has invested in the Tirion team, according to our source.

'Tirion's more likely to advance past the group stage, since they're less prone to match-up mishaps and strategic breakdowns than the Valarin teams. Besides, there's an ongoing petition in the AFA to allow Eldamar Stadium to host games, since there have been no untoward incidents against fans of teams hosted by Tirion.'

The match, meanwhile, ended in a one-all draw, with Tol Sirion co-captain Finrod (through an assist from his co-captain Sauron) and Taniquetil forward Eönwë each scoring in the second half. A second game, this time in the Prime Minas Tirith Arena, will be played next week.

Sauron didn't stay for the post-game interview, but Finrod and Taniquetil captain Manwë stayed behind to answer questions.

'I am coming back to Nargothrond for this year's Arda Cup,' said Finrod simply before the questions could be asked. 'And so is my brother Orodreth.'

However, questions about his reticence to offer Túrin a contract, despite rumours that abounded in the months after the previous Arda Cup that Finduilas would try her best to recruit the champion and multiple Golden Boot-winning forward to the Caves of Narog, were met with a 'No comment.'

Questions were now directed at Manwë, mainly about--yes, you've guessed it--the ban of games from Valinor.

'Eru's will be done on Eä' was all that the media was able to pry from him after multiple variations of the same question.

Questions about whether he would form a team this year, and who would be in it was answered with: 'Yes, Eru has revealed to me that a team will be formed under the Valimar banner. And among those from the Uttermost West shall be those who had been to the uttermost East.' He refused to elaborate further.