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Old 08-30-2015, 10:53 AM   #13
Boromir88
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Two Towers Network - Group D Preview
-Boro88

*Team Name (Round team was knocked out in 2013 ; Goals scored - Goals conceded)*

GROUP D

This is perhaps one of hardest groups to predict. It features three 1st Age clubs that are investing considerable amounts of money to win, and all have a great strength, but a glaring weakness that could be their undoing. Then there's the low budget Arnor team, that always remains scrappy and competitive despite being vastly outspent by the other 3. In 2013 Arnor and Gondolin made the Round of 16, Real Valinor were quarterfinalists, and Anfauglith missed the playoffs but made additions to (they hope) improve their offense and put them in this year. Yes, this is a tough group to call...

Anfauglith (Group ; 2-3)
-Additions: FW Thuringwethil, MF Borlad, DF Draugluin
-Losses: MF Bor, MF Rian, GK Ungoliant

Anfauglith kept their stellar pair of Balrog defenders then added Draugluin and moved Ecthelion back to the defense. So, this defensive groups is just as intimidating and powerful as ever, perhaps even better. Then they add Thuringwethil to pair with Gothmog and on paper that partnership will be better than Gothmog and Ecthelion from 2013. So, in theory a defense that only conceded 3 goals in 3 matches should be better, and a better striking partnership should mean Anfauglith produces more goals? Not so fast. The loss of Ungoliant and getting replaced by an untested Haldir leaves one question mark. And is the MF good enough to supply the better pair of FWs with quality passes and better scoring opportunities? They weren't in 2013, leaving another question mark as to whether they will be able to this year.

Arnor (Round of 16 ; 4-5)
-Additions: MF Earnur, DF Nazgul #5
-Losses: FW Witch-king, MF Arantar

Any investors with limited funds need to emulate Arnor's philosophy. I mean just each and every year they manage to put together a competitive roster for a fraction of the cost of the big spenders. Unfortunately Arnor's run into the difficult task this year to win in a group of all 1st Age team and that may be too much for this sturdy and veteran group of Men from the North. Add to it the loss of the Witch-King and I don't see their offense scoring enough goals. Elendil drops down to pair with Araphor, but that's the weakest FW partnership in Group D. They have the spirit and fight to get a result and effect which 2 teams do get out of this group, but Arnor's not good enough to be in the Top 2. It won't be this year, but don't divert from your philosophy and you'll find yourselves back in the title hunt soon enough!

Gondolin (Round of 16 ; 6-9)
-Additions: FW Turgon, DF Voronwe
-Losses: FW Tuor, MF Salgant

Turgon's in and Tuor's out so Gondolin hasn't lost anything in the offense. Since they still maintain Maeglin, Duilin, and Idril the offense will be fine. The problem is Gondolin did nothing to address their defense and goalie situation that conceded 9 goals in 4 matches in 2013. And in this group containing the striking pairs Gothmog-Thuringwethil and Miriel-Nerdanel, I can't see how Gondolin will be able to keep these opponents off the scoreboard. As mentioned, Anfauglith has its own question marks with their roster, making it nearly impossible to call a victor. Anfauglith-Gondolin should be one of the premier and most exciting matches in group play this tournament,

Real Valinor (Quarterfinals ; 10-4)
-Additions: DF Irmo, DF Thorondor, DF Irime
-Losses: FW Orome, DF Tilion, DF Nahar

I think Real Valinor got considerable weaker this year. They brought payroll below the 100 million mark, but it's still quite high and they lost two solid talents with Orome and Tilion and just didn't replace them with enough in return. This is still a playoff team, simply because Miriel and Nerdanel are more than capable of picking up the loss of Orome as Real Valinor goes from 3 FWs down to 2. And Tulkas moves out of GK to take Tilion's place as the top defender, which he's also more than capable of filling Tilion's spot. Nienna moves to GK. So, really they shuffled some pieces around and still have the top talent in each position to fill the voids left by Orome, Tilion, and Nahar. But the additions just aren't enough for Real Valinor if they hope to improve on their Quarterfinals appearance from 2013. They should have enough to get through this group, but it'll be tough, and TTN places emphasis on should, since it's by no means certain.
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