Arda Cup Soccer 2008- Phantasy- er, I Mean Fantasy Thread

[the phantom]

Here is a very general guide to the teams and groups. I'm hoping this will help you make good fantasy picks (if all the teams in a group are defensive, don't pick FWs from there, etc.).

GROUP A
FORNOST - a very balanced team, excellent teamwork and spirit
MICHEL DELVING - they like to outscore opponents to counter their suspect defense, have been legally allowed to use Ent-draught on their players
RIVENDELL (H) - fantastic team defense, plus they'll have the home crowd
ROMENA - boring defensive style, but talented athletes

GROUP B
BREELAND - very capable of scoring, but falls asleep defensively
EDORAS (H) - attacking, will score a bit but leaves goal open to counter-attack, has the home crowd behind them
MIRKWOOD - will try to outscore opponents plain and simple
TOL-IN-GAURHOTH - mega-aggressive, leaves defenders exposed and counts on their individual talent to keep opponent from scoring more than twice, TIG thinks they can always score at least two goals

GROUP C
ALQUALONDE - good talent up and down the field, conventional style, very pretty uniforms
DORIATH (H) - solid all over, count on Melian too much at times, have home crowd
FORMENOS - superior athletes top to bottom, lockdown defense and effective scorers
ISENGARD - good talent, but have team chemistry problems

GROUP D
LOTHLORIEN - very good defense, untested offense
NARGOTHROND - very solid, no obvious weakness
OSGILIATH (H) - methodical and boring but know how to win, plus home crowd
UMBAR - very diverse team and relatively untested

GROUP E
EREBOR - good defense and capable of scoring
GONDOLIN (H) - can score with anyone, have home crowd
GONDOR - good teamwork, plays smart
TUNA - likely to give away goals, also likely to score a lot

GROUP F
AMON RHUD - patchwork team, very defensive
ARMENELOS - good talent top to bottom, amazing athletes
HELM'S DEEP - defensive specialists, like low scoring contests
TANIQUETIL (H) - legendary names, play ultra-conservatively, home crowd

GROUP G
HITHLUM - can definitely score, defense usually good enough
MINAS TIRITH - good balance and work together well
MORDOR (H) - even without Sauron still a dangerous team, impossible to keep off scoreboard, especially at home
MORIA - strong talent up front, but weaker at the back

GROUP H
ANGBAND (H) - amazing talent all over, no weakness, playing at home
ANNUMINAS - capable defense and good offensive talent
BRETHIL - no outstanding weakness or strength, try to keep games low scoring
VALIMAR - outstanding players up and down the roster, equally good defense and offense

[the phantom]

Okay, you can start posting your fantasy teams any time now.

Follow the format in my first post please.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

G - Elrond (Rivendell)

DF - Este (Taniquetil)
DF - Aule (Taniquetil)
DF - Cailin (T-I-G)
DF - Celeborn (Rivendell)

MF - Arien (Valimar)
MF - Melkor (Angband)
MF - the phantom (T-I-G)

FW - Feanor (Formenos)
FW - Gothmog (Angband)
FW - Tulkas (Valimar)

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Group A: 1st - Rivendell / 2nd - Fornost

Group B: 1st - Edoras / 2nd - Tol-in-Gaurhoth

Group C: 1st - Formenos / 2nd - Doriath

Group D: 1st - Nargothrond / 2nd - Osgiliath

Group E: 1st - Gondolin / 2nd - Erebor

Group F: 1st - Armenelos / 2nd - Taniquetil

Group G: 1st - Hithlum / 2nd - Mordor

Group H: 1st - Angband / 2nd - Valimar





Most goals: Gothmog (Angband)

Most assists: Melkor (Angband)

Most points: Gothmog (Angband)

Winner: Angband



I don't think there will be an upset this year, there are just too many very strong teams. Angband look the strongest to me, and their will, not just to win, but to defeat and crush their opponents, could well see them crowned champions.

[Cailín]

G - Old Man Willow (Breeland)

DF - Vana (Taniquetil)
DF - Luthien (Doriath)
DF - Yavanna (Taniquetil)

MF - Eomer of the Rohirrim (T-i-G)
MF - Treebeard (Isengard)
MF - Aredhel (Formenos)
MF - Aragorn (Rivendell)
MF - Boromir II (Rivendell)
MF - Bilbo (Alqualonde)

FW - The Witch King (Mordor)

[Cailín]

A: 1st - Rivendell, 2nd - Michel Delving

B: 1st - Tol in Gaurhoth, 2nd - Mirkwood

C: 1st - Alqualonde, 2nd - Formenos

D: 1st - Osgiliath, 2nd - Lothlorien

E: 1st - Erebor, 2nd - Gondor

F: 1st - Taniquetil, 2nd - Armenelos

G: 1st - Mordor, 2nd - Hithlum

H: 1st - Angband, 2nd - Valimar



Most goals: The Witch King (Mordor)

Most assists: Eomer of the Rohirrim (Tol in Gaurhoth)

Most points: Lhunardawen (Tol in Gaurhoth)

Winner: Mirkwood

[the phantom]

All right- that's two teams and predictions thus far- Eomer and Cailin.

Formy, Valesse, Ang, Lhuna, McCaber, Gwath, Tuor, Skip, and Hook- you've all posted on the thread. I'd love to see you submit predictions and a fantasy team. It doesn't take much time. I have all of the next two months to get this tournament in, but I'd like to get started sooner rather than later.

PM people that you think might be interested in this sort of thing. Once I have enough people I'll start the matches, and that's when the fun will really start!