[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Group G at Nargothrond

When one asks a random passerby about the great football stadiums of Beleriand, the names most mentioned are Doriath's Menegroth Stadium and Gondolin's Song of Stone Stadium, hosts to some unforgettable Arda Cup and league games. Himring's Ever-Cold Arena and Mithrim's lakeside stadium has a following, and many an Orc or Troll will tell you about Utumno's stadium with some affection. But no one will say or even remember the name of Nargothrond's home arena. Why is that so? many of the Nargothrondrim have surely asked. Aren't we one of the great realms of Beleriand, built by the best of the Naugrim and Noldorin craftsmen? Why don't we have an arena that rivals Menegroth and Ondolindë's?

When Finrod returned to his realm late last year, the first thing on his mind was not who to recruit for Nargothrond's squad, but how to build an Arda-class arena to host top-flight football games in. After considering whether a new arena should—or rather, could—be built, it was decided that the ageing Faroth Arena be renovated instead.

From the doors of Nargothrond, down the narrow path beside the banks of Narog, then up the steep slopes of Taur-en-Faroth: it is a long trek to the High Faroth Arena, delved deep down into the bluff overlooking Narog, one of the biggest domed arenas in Beleriand. Originally seating around 40,000, the improved arena now seats a little less than 60,000. The Noldor and the Dwarves have delved deeper into the cliffside, making the stadium asymmetrical—the Narog side seats have around ten less rows than the opposite side.

Despite his initiative to improve Nargothrond's home stadium, Finrod's absentee rulership had been commented on by some Beleriand tabloids. Many recall the exchange between him and Gondolin's Maeglin during their last friendly match over Turgon's plight. “The people of Nargothrond deserve much more than a new stadium,” said the Tumladen Mirror. “How about a stronger commitment to play for the team, and not leaving after a setback? Surely the Faithful wants to aid his friends and kin, but what about his own people? Maeglin is right. He should mind the business of his own realm first, before worrying about the others.” Although these comments have been lightly rebutted by the local journalists, who said that they trust Finrod to do his best for the kingdom, the issue still seemed to be simmering within the population.

Group G, composed purely of Beleriand teams, is a group of many stories. There's Beren and Lúthien, as well as their friends Thuringwethil and Finrod. Eöl and Beren vs their old team. Glaurung against his Balrog buddies. The rematch of Dagor-nuin-Giliath. Every game has a story behind it, but for the most important story, this is all but an opening chapter. Which teams will get a chance to continue their tale in the knockout stages, and which teams will be forced to write 'The End' after only a few pages?