[Boromir88]

Two Towers Network - Group G Preview
-Boro88

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

GROUP G

This grouping is just insanity...the 2013 runner-up, 2013 Bronze medalist and the other two went to the Round of 16. This year two are getting left out of the playoffs. The biggest question is did Nargothrond and Tirion improve enough from their 2013 team to knock out perennial championship contenders AC Beleriand and FC Valinor?

AC Beleriand (Runner-up ; 16-6)
-Additions: MF Tuor, MF Annael, DF Hurin, DF Haleth, DF Arroch
-Subtractions: FW Eol, MF Ulrad, DF Fingolfin, DF Rochallor, DF Imlach

Outside of Feanor, AC Beleriand looks quite vulnerable and beatable this year. As difficult as this group is it's nearly impossible to go against a team with Feanor. Even on a team of lesser elves and men (2011 Lothlorien) Feanor got them to the quarters. I think the problem for AC this year is this group is all 1st age foes containing Feanor's forefathers and sons and kin. Tuor replaces Eol as the creator, and that's a step back. And the shake up the stout defensive stability by losing Fingolfin, Imlach, and Rochallor, and plugging in an unproven group of defenders, Hurin, Haleth and Arroch. If they're banking on the incoming group gelling just as well as the outgoing group of defenders, I think they're taking a mighty gamble. In summary, they lose some quality on defense, lose more quality on offense...but there's still Feanor.

Nargothrond (Round of 16 ; 9-9)
-Additions: MF Andreth, MF Gelmir
-Subtractions: MF Finduilas, GK Orodreth

Nargothrond will be one of the challengers looking in from the outside, but I didn't see them do enough defensively to be able to knock out FC Valinor or AC Beleriand. AC might have lost some of their important key pieces, and replaced them with lesser talent, but they still got enough in return, and when combined with being able to keep their best players, they're going to be tough. It's kind of the same story for Nargothrond, they lost some important pieces, and got lesser talen to replace, but managed to keep their stars (Finrod, Gwindor, Glaurung). However, their trio of stars on offense are a step below FC and AC...and not to mention the Nargothrond defense which went completely neglected in the offseason.

Tirion (Round of 16 ; 6-5)
-Additions: MF Ingwe, DF Pengolodh
-Subtractions: MF Eldalote ; DF Irime

Tirion are the more likely challengers in this group. Finarfin commands a more cautious and conservative style, but Finwe and Aredhel are deadly goal scorers, and Caranthir is the best defender in the group. We'll see if he can contain Feanor, but he'll come up big to nullify Curufin in the battle of steel against steel. At this point it's looking like a 3-team battle for two spots. as Nargothrond just didn't do enough on defense to seriously compete with these 3. Tirion has a puncher's chance though to knock out one of the biggest spenders with their talent and balanced roster.

FC Valinor (Bronze ; 15-5)
-Additions: DF Varda, DF Nahar, GK Orome
-Subtractions: DF Eonwe, DF Thorondor, GK Huan

FC Valinor's front remains the same (Curufin, Celegorm, Yavanna, and Argon) all return and there's no reason to think they won't perform just as deadly as 2013. Where AC Beleriand lost a key piece to their offense, FC Valinor kept everyone and opted to retool on defense. The loss of Eonwe and Thorondor should be nullified by Varda and Nahar, both are worthy fill-ins to address the 2 departing defenders. The unknown is going to be Orome. As the sure-pawed hound is a top keeper, Orome is a premier huntsman and it's right to question if his skills aren't better suited to the midfield or forward positions. Although, behind a steady and solid defense, Orome might be able to perform just as well as Huan. I would favor FC Valinor as being a surer bet to advance than AC Beleriand, with an offense that remained the same and with a defense that has new faces, but are comparable to the the ones they replaced.