Arda Cup Football 2009

[the phantom]

FINAL GROUP STANDINGS

GROUP A (Moria)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Angband........7........6.........4.......+2
Minas Tirith....5........7.........5.......+2
Moria.............3.......3.........7........-2
Alqualonde.....1........1.........7........-2

GROUP B (Mirkwood)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Nargothrond..9........5...........2........+3
Mirkwood......6.........7..........4........+3
Arnor............3.........5..........6.........-1
Helm's Deep..0.........1..........6.........-5

GROUP C (Isengard)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Hithlum.........7........6.........3.........+3
Minas Morgul..5........7.........4........+3
Gondolin........4........6.........5........+1
Isengard........0........1.........8.........-7

GROUP D (Erebor)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Eregion........9..........6..........2........+4
Erebor..........4..........5..........4........+1
Osgiliath.......4..........5.........5..........0
Mordor..........0..........1.........6.........-5

GROUP E (Lothlorien)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Armenelos....9...........8..........2........+6
Dor-Lomin....6...........7..........5........+2
Lothlorien.....1...........3..........6.........-3
Doriath.........1...........4.........9..........-5

GROUP F (Shire)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Edoras.........9..........6..........0........+6
Taniquetil.....4..........3..........3.........0
Shire...........2..........2..........5........-3
Dorthonion...1..........2..........5........-3

GROUP G (Tuna)

---team---points--goals--against--differential
Tuna..........9........11........3.........+8
T-i-G..........4........7.........7...........0
Gondor.......2........5.........7..........-2
Brethil........1........3.........9..........-6

GROUP H (Bree)

----team---points--goals--against--differential
Valimar........9..........8.........1.........+7
Romenna.....6..........3.........3..........0
Bree............1..........4.........7.........-3
Amon Sul.....1..........2.........6.........-4

[the phantom]

These are the sixteen teams who fought their way through group play to gain a chance at the coveted Arda Cup! The playoff format is standard- winner advances, loser goes home. Winner of match 1 plays winner of match 2, winner of match 3 plays winner of match 4, etc. So without further delay, here are the games you've been waiting for. The playoffs are here!!

Angband versus Romenna

Nargothrond versus Tol-in-Gaurhoth

Hithlum versus Taniquetil

Eregion versus Dor-Lomin

Armenelos versus Erebor

Edoras versus Minas Morgul

Tuna versus Mirkwood

Valimar versus Minas Tirith

[Boromir88]

Jim "Scoop" Johnstone here and Round 3's predictions turned out to be significantly better than Round 2. I managed 9-7, in calling games correctly, if it weren't for a few unexpected ties that would be much better! That brings the total to 15-17, and I'm looking to shoot that prediction record up now that it's playoff time and there are no nasty draws! Now we get a clear cut winner, and the champion is decided in a playoff system, as is the right way of crowning a champion!

These games will be significantly tougher to predict, there are no more Isengard cupcakes teams can beat up on, and you lose, you're gone, there is no room for teams to slip up. Now it's time to offer in-depth, unbiased, and the best analysis of each match you will ever find.

Match 1: Angband v. Romenna

What a mighty even first game match this is...Romenna's stout defense and well organized team vs. the powerful might and scary scoring threat of Angband. Usually I would take the ability to score a goal at anytime in the match as the winner, however in Cup in a parallel universe, a well-organized Iraq team gave the offensive powerhouse Spain one heck of a game.

Romenna lost their last match to Valimar, but Valimar is probably slightly more talented than Angband. Angband comes off a win against Alqualonde, but it was a pretty lackluster perfomance...and now there are questions about whether the goodie-two-shoes Hurin and Gwindor want to play for their team. Those two think they have completely clean hands...ha...ha, but if Angband wants to advance far in the tournament Hurin will definitely have to get evil.

Angband's offensive ability will outmatch Romenna, and Carcharoth will continue to improve from his last preformance. Angband wins 2-1...and I will also predict the guy named Tar will get the goal for Romenna. Do I pick up an extra point?

Match 2: Nargothrond v. Tol-in-Gaurhoth

Poor Nargothrond to get this opponent in the first round. But maybe it's good, because everyone in the Soccer community knows TIG has been a major letdown so far. The fans have lost some of that swagger after a disappointing group play showing...and the team may have lost their swagger too. That's not good, because guys need swagger, they need to know they are better and they will go out and beat you on the field. If a team doesn't have that, they might as well go home now, because they aint winning this tournament, let alone beating anyone in it!

Positively though, TIG is not facing Miriel, and no one on Nargothrond can even come close to Miriel's ability...so at least morm-"Swiss Cheese"-wolf should be able to handle GK and hopefully the FWs will step up their game, because right now I'd rather have Natalie Portman, a t-bone steak, and a basket of mozarella sticks as the TIG forwards, because at least they will be appetizing to watch. Where was I...oh yes, match prediction...Draw 2-2, but TIG will take it in a shootout.

Match 3: Hithlum v. Taniquetil

Taniquetil is lucky to be here, there is no motivation, no passion. They believe if Eru wills them to win, they will win, and there is nothing the can do about it. Bogus, I say. The team that will win this tournament, will win it, because they play the best soccer...and that team is not going to be Taniquetil.

Hithlum's got high expectations, and so far they may not have lived quite up to it, drawing with Minas Morgul in their group (but Minas Morgul is an unexpected surprise so far!) The point is, Hithlum is in, they're up against a talented team, but a team that is entirely unmotivated. It's playoff time, which means it's Feanor time, and he will show up all the phantasy managers dumping him faster than a hot potato for that rotten Miriel. Hithlum wins 2-0.

Match 4: Eregion v. Dor-Lomin

It's a surprise to me that Dor-Lomin is here, but Turin still is not a premier player. What did he have in the must win match against Doriath? Oh that's right, one assist. And of course now he is up against the strongest defensive team in the tournament. I challenge anyone to put up more than 2 goals against Eregion. Dor-Lomin's own defense has been shaky, if Eregion gets 2 goals on them (and they will) it's over. Eregion wins 2-1.

Match 5: Armenolos v. Erebor

On paper this looks like it won't be a contest, Armenolos is too powerful, and unstoppable with Sauron playing at the level that he is. It doesn't matter what he's planning, alone, in the clubhouse - away from the rest of the team. Whatever he's doing it's working, and the team feels it's working too, because Armenolos dominated everyone in their group. And unlike some other groups, that was one of the tougher ones, any one of the 4 teams had a good shot a winning or advancing. Armenolos has shown up ready to play.

Though I suspect the tough to tame dwarves, and the most charming and lovable dragon there is, Smaug, will have some fight in him. This could be an off-game for Sauron, as the Dwarves will prove to be tough foes against him, as they always have been. Too bad for Erebor, that Armenolos has many more weapons at their disposal. Armenolos wins 3-1.

Match 6: Edoras v. Minas Morgul

This is probably the toughest match of the 1st playoff round to call. Edoras who has not given up a goal yet, but they have only played the Taniqantscore bums, the Borethonion slugheads, and The not even good enough to get a corny name Shirelings. Minas Morgul will be a true test to Edoras' defense...and this is the match I am more looking forward to. Because Minas Morgul has proven they can put up points, and points against tough defensive teams like Hithlum and Gondolin.

Edoras has an under-rated offensive ability, and their comradarity as a team is unrivalled, but ultimately Minas Morgul has hands down the best player on the field and he's got 3 of his Nazgul who will come to his call on the defense. Theoden finally breaks and so does Edoras, it was a good showing for them, but they are a few stars short of having a really dominant team. Minas Morgul wins 3-2.

Match 7: Tuna v. Mirkwood

This will be another offensively dominated match, you can forget about the defenses. For no amount of odds will I predict this game will end 1-0. Miriel v. Scatha...edge Tuna. Finwe v. Legolas...edge Tuna. Nerdanel v. Thranduil...edge Tuna...you see the point don't you? Tuna's offense is even better than last tournament, and last tournament they scared a lot of teams, but defense was their undoing.

But before I actually trash both defenses, it's necessary to point out the addition of Aule at GK for Tuna, who has been pretty impressive so far, and against some capable offenses too, like TIG and Gondor. Tuna might not rely on defense, but they are going to tell every opponent, "Go ahead try to put up 4 goals on us" because that's what it will take to knock them off. Mirkwood has some firepower, but not that much. Tuna wins 4-2.

Match 8: Valimar v. Minas Tirith

Poor Minas Tirith, it's been an impressive and good tournament for them, but Valimar is just too much for them. Aragorn will surely give his guys a speech that will heat the blood and stir the mind, but speeches don't win matches. Aragorn has not seen an enemy like Melkor, they will fast find themselves down 2-0 and the Minas Tirith defenders will be clueless to how it happened. Valimar wins 3-1.

[Nogrod]

Arda Kicker Magazine has been following the last round of the group-stage and is happy first to deal the following stars from round three.

Five stars go to:

Curufin of Nargothrond
Felarof of Edoras
Miriel of Túna
mormwolf of TIG

Three stars go to:

Aulë of Túna
Beleg of Dor Lomin
Boromir of Minas Tirith
Carcaroth of Angband
Elrond of Eregion
Gwindor of Angband
Melkor of Valimar
Scatha of Mirkwood
Ungoliant of Valimar

One star goes to:

Aragost of Amon Sûl
Arahael of Amon Sûl
Araphor of Arnor
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Finwé of Túna
Hardang of Brethil
Huan of Hithlum
Nerdanel of Túna
Orodreth of Nargothrond
Rôg of Gondolin
Romendacil of Osgiliath
Sauron of Armenelos
Shadowfax of Edoras
Tar Atanamir of Armenelos
Theoden of Edoras
Thranduil of Mirkwood
Varda of Taniquetil


~*~
FANFARES! tat-ta-dat-taaaa!
~*~


Then it will time for some special awards after the group-stage is now completed!

The amazing defence (defenders & goalie) of Edoras (Theoden, Frealaf, Elfwine, Shadowfax and Felarof) playing three shut-outs in a row will gain five stars each.

The most solid midfields who otherwise seldom score points in the tournament as a whole; those of Valimar (Balrog #4, Arien, Tilion, Melkor) will gain five stars each and those of Angband (Tevildo, Gwindor, Thuringwethil, Húrin) will gain three stars each.

Best value for “money” prizes will be given to the most effective players who have not been starred by the organisers of the tournament. They will get the following stars: Nerdanel (18pts.) 5 stars, Eärendil (17pts.) 4 stars and Eldacar (16pts.) 3 stars.


------

All this will result in the following stars (those not playing anymore are in italics) after the group phase:

11 stars:
Felarof of Edoras
Melkor of Valimar
Nerdanel of Tuna

10 stars:
Elros of Romenna

7 stars:
Eldacar of Osgiliath
Miriel of Tuna
mormwolf of TIG
Shadowfax of Edoras

Bubbling under in six stars… Curufin, Galadriel, Gwindor, Sauron, Theoden and Tilion.

In five… Arien, Arwen, Balrog #4, Eärendil, Elfwine, Frealaf, Gandalf, Huor, Nazgul #6 and Turgon.

Beleg and Elrond are in four stars. In three stars there are twenty players…


A little teaser coverage by AKM to follow in a shortwhile...

[Nogrod]

On last year's tournament the first knock-out round went as follows:

Rivendell won Valimar in a shoot-out
TIG beat Mordor in a thriller

Formenos overran Amon Rhûdh
Nargothrond lost scandalously to Túna

Gondolin beat Umbar
Armenelos had it easy with Doriath

Hithlum crushed Mirkwood
Angband gave no chance to Fornost


Only Túna managed to beat the odds being the second best of it's own group and beating the number one of another group.

The teams were a bit different then - a lot different on some accounts, like trading the whole forward-trio of Formenos (Aredhel, Maedhros, Fëanor) to Hithlum for this season - but one does well to remember those times as well...

How did it continue?

Well, the teams advancing to the quarter-finals last year were TIG, Formenos, Armenelos and Hithlum.
(For more, see the very first post of this thread on page1)

[the phantom]

GROUP A
1st Place: Angband
11/13 people had them advancing
10/13 had them finishing first

2nd Place: Minas Tirith
only Hakon and Wilwa had them advancing
only Hakon had them finishing second

Not a single person had both Angband and Minas Tirith in their proper places.

GROUP B
1st Place: Nargothrond
12/13 had them advancing
10/13 had them finishing first

2nd Place: Mirkwood
6/13 had them advancing
4/13 had them finishing second

Skip, Nogrod, Shasta, and TGEW had Group B perfect.

GROUP C
1st Place: Hithlum
13/13 had them advancing!
13/13 had them finishing first!!

2nd Place: Minas Morgul
0/13 had them advancing!!
0/13 had them finishing second!

12/13 people picked Hithlum-Gondolin, 1 person picked Hithlum-Isengard. So no one had it right.

GROUP D
1st Place: Eregion
13/13 had them advancing!
11/13 had them finishing first

2nd Place: Erebor
4/13 had them advancing
4/13 had them finishing second

Nogrod, Boro, Hakon, and Nerwen had Group D perfect.

GROUP E
1st Place: Armenelos
9/13 had them advancing
5/13 had them finishing first

2nd Place: Dor-Lomin
6/13 had them advancing
3/13 had them finishing second

Only Morm and Skip got Group E perfect.

GROUP F
1st Place: Edoras
4/13 had them advancing
0/13 had them finishing first!!

2nd Place: Taniquetil
12/13 had them advancing
0/13 had them finishing second!

Everyone except TGEW had Taniquetil finishing first! No one got Group F completely correct.

GROUP G
1st Place: Tuna
11/13 had them advancing
Wilwa had them finishing first

2nd Place: Tol-in-Gaurhoth
13/13 had them advancing!
Wilwa had them finishing second

Most everyone had the right teams, but had them turned around. Except Wilwa. She got Group G perfect.

GROUP H
1st Place: Valimar
12/13 had them advancing
10/13 had them finishing first

2nd Place: Romenna
3/13 had them advancing
2/13 had them finishing second

Nogrod and Gwath got Group H perfect.

********************

So, the heaviest favorites to advance were Hithlum, Eregion, and TIG with 100% of the vote, and the voters were right with all three teams.

The next heaviest favorites to advance were Nargothrond, Taniquetil, Valimar, and Gondolin with 92% of the vote. Gondolin disappointed the crowds and didn't advance however.

Minas Morgul advanced and was picked by NO ONE!

Minas Tirith advanced being picked by only Hakon and Wilwa.

Romenna advanced only being picked by three people.

Edoras and Erebor were only chosen by four.

[skip spence]

As a sign of good will Angband had chosen to host their game against Romenna on the fields of Ard-Galen, and not in their usual cavernous underground stadium deep under the Thangorodrim. That was the official story anyhow. In reality, Angband had never before acted on an altruistic agenda, and few believed good will had anything to do with the decision now either. The fact that there were no Orcs in the line-up, but several Men and Elves, coupled with this new-look team’s dependence on speed, movement and skill, rather than than on intimidation and sheer power, were likelier to have been the reason for the choice, commentators judged.

The day began in full sunshine, and the visiting Romenna players and fans could not believe their luck. It was a beautiful day for football and the pitch was in perfect condition, the complete opposite of what they’d expected from an away game at Angband. A few hours before kick-off the Romenna fans singing stuck in their throats however. Thangorodrim started to belch out fumes and black smoke, and the sun was dimmed. The earth trembled under their feet, and there was a noise as of rolling thunder coming from the very earth, seemingly. As Ancalagon entered the pitch a there was a flash of lightning, and the howling of Carcaroth chilled the visiting fans to the bone. This would be no walk in the park.

As play got under way, the Angband fans, mostly Orcs and Easterling, made a rhythmic but unsettling noise beating bones and skulls upon each other, many of them unearthed from the Haudh-en-Ndengi nearby. The Romenna players and fans looked disgusted and upset, but there was little they could do but go on now. Soon the Numenorian team was struggling to stay alive themselves. Angband came out firing on all cylinders, and attacked with fury on both wings and the centre. The tall and brave Numenorian centre backs did an excellent job containing the aerial threat of Ancalagon however, and Maeglin had a hard time getting into space too. Romenna themselves found it very difficult to get players into decent attacking positions, and when they did, they were too undermanned. In the 34th minute they got the chance they were looking for as Ulfast slipped, giving the ball away. Now they attacked with six players against only three Angbad defenders, but Vardamir hesitated, and then tried to play a difficult pass that was easily intercepted. Uldor was quick to react on the chance to counter and sent a long ball up towards Ancalagon, who was challenged by Aldarion, but none of them could reach the ball and as it dropped behind them Thuringwethil came from nowhere, fluttered past the last man and all alone with the Romenna number one she beat Elros with a delicate chip. The capacity crowd roared with glee and hatred.

Now Romenna were forced to attack, but still they came nowhere against a very solid Angband. The fans tried to urge them on, but they too were undermanned and the home crowd’s ridicule always reached the Romenna player’s ears before the encouragement did. Still they battled valiantly, and Angband could not score again until much of the second half had passed. And too be fair, the goal should not have been allowed. Hurin, who had had a quiet game until then, suddenly exploded into action, dribbling past Anarion and then Tar-Ancalime, but when the ball got away from him he went down in a heap, crying foul and appearing to be seriously hurt. The crowd was furious and under pressure the referee pointed to the spot. That was a blatant dive from Hurin, who brushed himself off with a grin, getting back onto his feet. Ancalagon stepped up and put away the penalty kick, but that’s no way to lose a football match!

The Romenna players protested, and the fans booed Hurin, the last one they’d expect to pull a trick like that on them, but to no avail. Now the intensity of the match ebbed out a little, as Angband tried successfully to keep possession of the ball, while Romnenna chased shadows mostly. They did get a few half-chances to reduce the deficit, and had they done so it might have been an exiting finish, but this was not to be their day. The full time whistle went and Angband had advanced to the quarter finals. Comfortably.

Angband 2-0 Romenna
shots 14-9
on target 6-3
GOALS:
*34, Angband (Thuringwethil, Uldor)
*67, Angband pen (Ancalagon, Hurin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Drauglin, Balrog #5, Hurin
*Romenna- Tar Ancalime, Vardamir