[Nogrod]

Despite a few grumbles the footballing commitees of certain locations seemed not too shy to voice out, the Arda Cup had once again moved into the blessed isle of Númenórë. The Númenorians were quick to ignore any protests concerning their right to organize games once more and made it clear they felt it was a kind of a self-evident fact that the games are played at the old and venerable Armenelos Stadium.

But it was also clear that the islanders had started feeling the pressure of success: to justify being the “obvious” hosts of the Arda Cup more or less every year, both to themselves and to the wider World outside their self-serving realm, their team would have to show some quality. To advance, that is.

The Númenorians could claim the most glorious – and some claim even the longest – history of football by the Atani, but that wouldn’t exac tly imply any greatness today. With footballing-culture spreading all over Arda, staying on the top has proved all the harder – and the Númenorian’s know it full well.

But even if the Armenelos Stadium is one of the smallest arenas the games are played nowadays (with it’s capacity of 60 000 only) and there would be a thing or two with the general facilities that don’t quite fit the modern standards for a sports-venue, no one can deny the awesomeness of it. Like the AKM wrote about it in 2011: “Even if there are some fancier and bigger new stadiums in Arda, the Armenelos stadium stands as the classic venue, the somewhat grey but revered King of Stadiums. And in its stonework one can still see the craftsmanship of the men of old, and the eye for architecture of the Dúnedain at the height of their power.”

The athmosphere of the stadium is also quite unique, for instead of the practical and safe empty areas around the pitch the first rows of spectators begin more or less straight from the white lines marking the borders of the field – so that the first row seat-holders could touch the throwers on the back if they wished to only by streching their arm from their seat, and the corner-kick takers can only take a few steps backwards (and only diagonally so) to send the ball going. That means the players will really feel the audience and their reactions around them and the crowds become much more part of the game. But also the spectators really feel the game – and literally smell the sweat of the players.


The semifinals in Armenelos include two games then.

In the afternoon match up Real Valinor is set up against FC Valinor – a game no football fan would miss. It has been marked as “the clash of the titans” or “the game of the year”, or even as “the moral final” (by some).

A great host of the Eldar and Maiar had landed at the harbour of Andúnië and were there to cheer for either or both teams – and even some of the Valar and a band of the Great Eagles were present. So there was no fear a single seat would be not taken when the afternoon match would take off – and via the Palantir-Network it would be followed by millions all around Arda.


But the locals were even more interested in the evening-game where the hosts Armenelos will meet the bunch of Werewolves and Wights playing under the banner of Tol-in-Gaurhoth – and they have strong memories of the two sides colliding before…

There were rumours that Sauron himself would be attending the match, but those have not been verified by the AKM at this point. But what can be said, is that the much-feared hooliganism on part of the T-I-G fans have stayed relatively minor in scope and that the Armenelos King’s Men’s guard has been able to deal with any troubles coolly and efficiently.


So what an evening of football ahead!