[the phantom]

Angband Attempts to Outshine Valinor
The Phantom, MESPN News

Gracious as he is, Eru decided to give Valinor every opportunity to prove themselves after the lifting of the ban on hosting games. Their opportunities will culminate next week as they host the finals of Arda Cup. But knowing that such a move would be unpopular with some, Eru awarded the semifinals to the polar opposite- Angband.

Many of Melkor's friends and associates had been blasting Valinor for years before the ban, and now they were given the perfect opportunity to make good on their words. Hosting back to back in this fashion, all of Arda would be allowed the opportunity to compare the two and see which one truly knew how to host football properly.

Some, like Monster Magazine sports editor Ruharg, believe that Eru's decision was very wise indeed. "Angband has been calling out Valinor for years as hypocrites, and making a big show of the discrimination and violence of the Valar. With Valinor set to host immediately after them, how could Angband not put their best foot forward and try to prove that they can do things right? And then in the finals, how could Valinor not try and outperform Angband? Eru set this up so that the conditions will be as perfect as anyone could hope for. I think things will be as peaceful and organized and controlled in these semis and finals as ever they were."

One step Melkor has made to ensure a smooth pair of games is he has elected to prepare and use both arenas- the ancient underground arena modeled after Utumno Underground, and the somewhat larger and more famous outdoor arena burrowed between the triple-peaked Thangorodrim.

One of the hallmarks of the outdoor arena was the constant canopy of roiling smoke that blotted out light and gave an atmosphere of a burning battlefield, especially when combined with the occasional rumblings of the ground that made it feel as if catapults were bombarding the stadium. But Melkor was doing away with this trademark. "Most of the players on AC Beleriand and FC Valinor, and most of their fans, wish to play the game in a less hostile and foreign atmosphere. Rest assured the air will be clear when the squads take the field for the afternoon match."

By no means was Melkor expected to make such a concession- it was rather expected that the stadium would be take as-is. This gesture of welcoming and accommodation has to make those in Valinor sit up and take notice. Melkor has raised the bar on what a host site can do.

The late match between Hithlum and Tol-In-Gaurhoth would be played in the loud and formidable underground arena, lit by the light of many fires, and at times stiflingly hot. Many have wondered if Angband was attempting to show favoritism for Tol-In-Gaurhoth, but there is no clear consensus. Some have even posited that the Werewolves would prefer the cold, what with their thick fur and all, whereas Hithlum has playing for them a Balrog who will feel right at home.

When asked about the use of both stadiums, Melkor said that the primary concern was the flow of fans. "I don't want fans of the first game to be chased out like thieves. Let them stay and celebrate a while, or drown their sorrows, depending on which side they supported. Meanwhile the Hithlum and TIG fans can get in their rows nice and early and get in the spirit of things." Melkor also acknowledged that other sites had had problems with TIG fans in the past, and said that hosting them underground would make things easier. "They have to pass by checkpoints to get in or out, so rest assured they can't bring anything in that we won't know about, and they won't be able to escape out easily if they've misbehaved."

All in all it looks like Arda Cup is set to have a fine semifinal where the main thing to talk about will be the matches on the field.