Middle-Earth Football Tournament

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by the pahntom

This game does not matter. Both Mordor and Moria are advancing.

Actually, this game (and others like it) are not entirely meaningless. Quite apart from the kudos of winning the Group, if we are following the usual World Cup rules, Group winners will play Group runners-up. So winning the Group usually means playing the weaker of the two qualifiers from another Group.

Originally Posted by the phantom

(I assume, Sleepy, that since Valimar beat Valmar in the end of the game shootout that they own the tie-breaker over Valmar should both end up with four points).

No, that penalty shoot-out was meaningless. In the event of two teams being tied, it goes on goal difference (goals for minus goals against). If goal difference is the same, I am not sure what happens, although I am sure that there is some desperately complicated formula.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Actually, this game (and others like it) are not entirely meaningless. Quite apart from the kudos of winning the Group, if we are following the usual World Cup rules, Group winners will play Group runners-up. So winning the Group usually means playing the weaker of the two qualifiers from another Group.

Yea, you're right about that but I planned on doing random draws for the K.O stages but I may go by the actual rules now, we'll see.

No, that penalty shoot-out was meaningless. In the event of two teams being tied, it goes on goal difference (goals for minus goals against). If goal difference is the same, I am not sure what happens, although I am sure that there is some desperately complicated formula.

As per the actual rules if the goal difference is equal then the recent performances of both teams agains each other are taken into view, if they are similar on that then it is decided by a coin toss.
Not really complicated now, is it? Anyway since we don't really have any past results it will be Valimar that qualifies due to the penalty shoot out if they end with the same points and goal difference by which Valimar is currently ahead.

[Sleepy Ranger]

I'm sorry but its impossible for me to get results up today. I'll have them up tomorrow though.

Sorry about that I know many people can't wait for the Gondolin-Angband match up but I can't get it up today. Again I'm really sorry but I'll have them early tomorrow.

[Gothmog]

It's OK. No really, it is! I might hold a grudge towards you a year or ten, but it's OK!

Actually I'll use this time to make a prediction of the result of this tournament. If they don't have to meet each other before, I think my two favourite teams; Shire and Angband will meet in the final. With Pippin in his present form and Gandalf in the team, Shire can't loose. Especially not if they have a green dragon as mascot! And Angband will win against Gondolin with 3-1 and then crush the other opponents on their way to final.

But what about Shire vs Angband? Well, it will be a match to remember. Two great teams in a final battle for the honour and the title. But Angband will come out as the stronger team, perheps not until injury time, but they will prevail in the end. An even match with two teams with both strong defense and effective offense, oh I', looking forward to it already!

Hey Sleepy, you said something about movies of the games. Is it maybe possible to present highlights from the more important matches from now on? If it's not too much trouble, that would be great!

[Sleepy Ranger]

MAEGLIN PLANS ANGBAND TRANSFER

Exclusive scoop by Anguirel

Friends of Gondolin FC midfielder Lomion Eolion, known as "Maeglin Sharpboot" to his fans, say that the star is dissatisfied with his captain Turgon's tactics and is contemplating a switch to Angband United.

Salgant, a close friend of the half-Sindar star, told me: "Lomion's really dissatisfied with the way Turgon and his pet Tuor hug all the glory for themselves.

"While Tuor is put in offensive midfield, Turgon makes Lomion hang back and defend. He was even fielded as left defence in the recent match against Gondor.

"Lomion sees this as a real waste of his potential. He knows he's a natural striker, and Morgoth up at Angband has promised to allow him to exploit his talents to their fullest as a centre forward.

"Lomion wants to stress that this a professional disagreement with no personal ramifications."

Among Gondolin players and fans reactions were less sympathetic. "He's just a jealous traitor," Tuor, Maeglin's main rival, is on record as saying. "He's bitter because my bird doesn't like him." Followers of Gondolin chanted "Mangle Maeglin! Mangle Maeglin!"

"Maeglin" enjoyed a better season than any other Gondolin player last year in the Nirnaeth Championship, but since being replaced as offensive midfielder by Tuor he has yet to score. The transfer will be agreed on before the upcoming, keenly awaited Angband-Gondolin match. Angband United are reportedly paying a vast sum of 800 elven captives to get "Sharpboot" onside.

Today's Fixtures - The Odds And Evens

Game 1 - Mordor vs. Moria
I predict that this match will be a hard fought battle, an all out war, many cardings, few goals and a few deaths wouldn't surprise me at all. I believe it would be in the best intrests of Boromir88 to call in sick today. In the end Mordor will outplay Moria and end their lucky spree.
Predicted Result - Win for Mordor

Game 2 - Rivendell vs. Arnor
Arnor seem to be a strong team and so far have played rather well. A 3-3 Draw against the Shire and a 1-0 win over Vinyamar. Rivendell on the other hand has one a match and a lost a match. If we go by figures Arnor have the advantage, a tie game is all they need to qualify and thats what I see happening.
Predicted Result - Draw

Game 3 - Valmar vs. Woodhall
Valmar needs to win by about three goals to qualify. I can see them winning but not scoring three goals, definately not. I expect a Valmar win and their exit from the World Cup.
Predicted Result - Win for Valmar

Game 4 - Mirkwood vs. Ephel Brandir
Mirkwood has been in solid form so far but Ephel Brandir have been no slouches either. This will be a close match and I believe it will be a draw unless Brandir concede a free kick, in which case Legolas will score the winner.
Predicted Result - Draw

Game 5 - Belegost vs. Bree
Winner advances in this match-up, something tells me Bree don't stand even a remote chance of winning today. Belegost will win and head on to the Quarter-Final's.
Predicted Result - Win for Belegost

Game 6 - Tol-In-Gauroth vs. Doriath
Both teams qualify no matter what the result. As with the Mirkwood/Ephel Brandir match up a free kick could decide this match. How ever if Gauroth play a slow and easy game they'll win easy.
Predicted Result - Win for Tol-In-Gauroth

Game 7 - Fangorn vs. Crickhollow
Apparently if Crickhollow wins a lot of confusing things happen so I'd hope that Fangorn win, in fact I'm certain they will. Crickhollow may have beaten Lorien but Lorien lost to everyone, well except Alqualondë and the only way they qualify is if Crickhollow lose by three goals.
Predicted Result - Win for Fangorn

game 8 - Gondolin vs. Angband
We're not even in the knockout stages and we've already got a huge match on our hands, with very high stakes. Gondolin vs. Angband, winner qualifies. A draw means Angband goes through on goal difference. I believe Gondolin has what it takes but since Tuor swapped teams and Melkor returned early after a succesful appeal to the Middle-Earth Football Federation, the odds are heavily against Gondolin.
Predicted Result - Win for Angband

Tournament Happenings

Injuries -
Barliman Butterbur (Bree) will be out indefinately due to a hamstring injury.

Cards -
Bill Ferny (Bree) recieved a red card and 1 match suspension.

Most Promising Player - Ugluk (Isengard) played an excellent match and scored three superb goals, its a pity his team didn't qualify and we won't get to see more playing from this bright young forward. The competition for the Golden Boots would have been more intense with him but I guess thats how the lembas crumbles.

Most Impressive Team - Nargothrond played a really good match to earn themselves a qualification spot. Beating Erebor 3-1 was just the start off the tournament as per captain Finrod Felagund. Let us see who they end up facing in the next round. I believe they can make it all the way and have definately a lot to offer.
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I'm sorry that MEFD wasn't so good today. I just got one submission and real life has been too messy for me to do any writing of my own but things will get better once we reach the K.O. And since I now have my cam back, expect video highlights as well. And another thing the K.O Stages will take some time to start because my next two exams need a lot of studying for.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Live from The Alqualondë Sea Dome at 3:30pm EST.

Mordor 2-2 Moria

This match wasn't as good as people expected it to be. Both teams rested their top players and it was The Witch-King who struck twice for Mordor, both the times off corners. Moria however played Azog as lone forward and he came through once and the other goal was a flamboyant header by Gothmog that blasted through a defender to enter goal.
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Rivendell 1-2 Arnor

Rivendell outplayed Arnor but still managed to lose. An early goal by Glorfindel had them in the lead till Elrond gave away a penalty in the 78th minute of which Arathorn scored superbly. He followed up this goal with another in the 82nd minute, snatching the win for Arnor. Rivendell will be sent home as Arnor qualify from this group.
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Valmar 1-0 Woodhall

Valmar weren't really motivated in this match and Woodhall looked just plain beat. This match wasn't really entertaining with Valmar scoring the only goal and both teams being eliminated. Despite winning Valmar didn't really gain anything.
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Mirkwood 1-0 Ephel Brandir

This match was largely dominated by Mirkwood who came close to scoring in the early minutes but were turned away by a determined Ephel Brandir. The match was a hard fought battle that turned into a mid-field battle at half time. A 53rd minute Legolas penalty sealed the game for Mirkwood who are now through to the next stage.
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Belegost 0-0 Bree

This match was another disappointment. Many people expected Belegost to cruise past Bree but instead they ended up drawing the match in a lacklustre show. It doesn't matter though since they're into the next round. Good luck to them.
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Tol-In-Gauroth 2-1 Doriath

This was one of the finer matches of the evening. Doriath left a big gap in their defense and made a lot of mistakes but still managed to open scoring after Thingol crossed a long one into the box where Beleg finished the job. In the next half Sauron put an iron fist around Doriath and knocked in a beauty to equalize only to knock in another one minutes later for the win. Tol-In-Gauroth was perfectly unified and outclassed Doriath's excellent defense.
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Fangorn 2-0 Crickhollow

It was a well played win by Fangron, Quickbeam opened scoring in the 21st minute after recieving a low pass from Treebeard which he blasted into the righ corner. In the 49th minute Treebeard just pushed the ball in to double their score and secure the match. Fangron were pleased that they qualified and seemed to be in no hurry to leave the field. In fact we believe they stayed there the whole night to celebrate (?).
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Gondolin 4-5 Angband

You want an amazing match? This was an amazing match. Both teams gave it their all but for Gondolin their all wasn't good enough. Angband opened scoring but Gondolin immediatly replied with a goal of their own. Each time Angband knocked one in Gondolin equalized immediatly. This went on until Melkor broke away and scored a fifth goal for Angband and after that they just barely managed to keep their head above the water. Its a pity Gondolin was eliminated, this was an excellent match.
Goals-
Melkor (23rd)(Angband) 1-0
Glorfindel (27th)(Gondolin) 1-1
Maeglin (47th)(Angband) 2-1
Glorfindel (50th)(Gondolin) 2-2
Gothmog (57th)(Angband) 3-2
Ecthelion (63rd)(Gondolin) 3-3
Melkor (70th)(Angband) 4-3
Glorfindel (75th)(Gondolin) 4-4
Melkor (84th)(Angband) 5-4
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My apologies if you found the results to be somewhat lame.

[Gothmog]

Mordor 2-2 Moria

This match wasn't as good as people expected it to be. Both teams rested their top players and it was The Witch-King who struck twice for Mordor, both the times off corners. Moria however played Azog as lone forward and he came through once and the other goal was a flamboyant header by Gothmog that blasted through a defender to enter goal.

Just a question. Was Gothmog playing for Moria? Or did you mean Durin's Bane? Or is there some sort of mistake? Or is it me being stupid?

[Valesse]

An interview with the Saucepan Man

Complete with a public service announcement.