Arda Cup Soccer 2008 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nogrod · 07-30-2008, 03:24 PM

The AKM has watched closely the matches of the second round of the play offs and has decided the following...

Five stars will go to:

Maedhros of Formenos
Tar Minastir or Armenelos
Elrond of Rivendell

Three stars will go to:

Hador of Hithlum
Melkor of Angband
Huan of Formenos
Fëanor of Formenos
Sauron of Tol-In-Gauroth

One star will go to:

Nogrod of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Drauglin of Tol-In-Gaurhoth
Turin of Hithlum
Hurin of Hithlum
Huor of Hithlum
Gothmog of Angband
Elros of Armenelos

Update on the total tally coming tomorrow...

Nogrod · 08-01-2008, 04:38 PM

The crowds were flocking to the Stadium of the Sun in Minas Tirith. It was finally time for semifinals and the teams going to the finals would be decided on this day. Even if it wasn’t actually anyone’s homefield – and that was exactly why it had been chosen – all the tickets were sold well before the afternoon the first game got rolling, and a host of elves and men from up north from so much earlier times were packing the seats as well as those weird-folks from Tol-In-Gaurhoth.

The sun was shining and gracing the games with its presence and in it’s own way blessing the new stadium that was called stadia Anor. The expectations were high indeed as the people were looking forwards to see some of the best football Arda could provide today, and the games looked even as well. So everything could happen.

The first game was that between Formenos and Tol-In-Gaurhoth. The appearing into the stadium of Sauron himself caused some disturbance in the home crowds. Happily in that regard, the stadium was built into the Pelennor fields in front of the city - well, where would you fit a stadium of 100 000 people inside the terraced city with long cultural traditions the local museum department watches over jealously? So the people seemed to be in the end able to get over with his presence, for the sake of football that is.

It was a beautiful game. Like some commentators aptly described it as “chess on the green field”. But unlike chess games that are normally not found too compelling but only by the enthusiast of the game, even the lay-people who do not follow football too much were just drawn into the game and stayed in it’s grip to the very end.

The determination and concentration of both teams was just marvellous as they were very well aware of the other team’s capabilities, one mistake and the opponents would use it to their advance. But the astonishing combinations, the virtuoso-like dribbling, the unexpected passes that made the crowd to “ooh!” everytime just took one’s breath away. And even how masterful the attacking movements were, the other team seemed to always be up to it’s task in countering those moves with even more brilliant ones.

On half-time the game was still 0-0 but no one complained for the lack of goals. The crowds had seen football of the highest level today and they knew it.

Finally at 62nd minute there was a goal. After a small misunderstanding in the midfield between Eomer and the phantom, Aredhel managed to take the ball and as the T-I-G defences were just pulling their line up Aredhel’s fast pass surprised them on the move and the referee saw no offside there as Maedhros and Fëanor ran after the long pass. The defenders turned around and ran after them but were a step behind all the time. And forwards like Maedhros and Fëanor don’t let you get them… Even if Draugluin had played beautifully the whole game even he had no chance to match the elven lord and his eldest son with a ball alone.

But the goal only made the T-I-G team try harder. In about ten minutes they got their equalizer – and looking at the game it was an earned one. It was the phantom’s magic heel once again. Lhuna sent the ball to the edge of the box where the phantom took it down his back towards the goal and without even a glance he just passed it backwards with his heel. And Sauron had anticipated it throwing Curufin away from his way and hammering the ball in with a one-touch shot via the pole before the Formenos defenders had any chance to stop him.

But so it was that the great T-I-G was this day barred from further goals by the exceptional defences of Formenos and especially the mighty Huan who just stopped the rest. But Fëanor had his say on the game yet.

Just two minutes before the full-time Fëanor tricked the ball from Nogrod who had come down to aid the defences - but was no defender - quite easily. Fëanor then took two defenders with him and managed to get rid of them for the crucial second when he passed the ball backwards to Aredhel who had sneakily followed him - and the third defender was keeping Maedhros at bay! And Maedhros had just parked himself with Gwath so that Draugluin had no visibility whatsoever. Aredhel shot fast and accurately to the upper right corner leaving Draugluin no time to react when he realised what was happening.

The home crowds jumped up in joy and gave their loudest cheer to the elven team. Their favourites were winning in the end of the most exciting game of football ever played in Minas Tirith. That was a perfect afternoon for the Minas Tirithians.

T-I-G team fought bravely and played sensational football but in the end the Formenos defences led by Huan were just able to keep them at one goal for the first time in the tournament – and thanks to the forwards, especially Fëanor, they were able to outscore them by one goal.

So it was Formenos to the finals and T-I-G to the bronze-game.

Formenos 2-1 Tol-In-Gaurhoth
shots 15-13
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*Formenos, 62 (Feanor- Maedhros)
*TIG, 73 (Sauron- the phantom)
*Formenos, 88 (Aredhel- Feanor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Formenos- Curufin, Caranthir
*TIG- Thuringwethil, Nogrod

the phantom · 08-01-2008, 06:34 PM

After the expertly played first game in Minas Tirith the crowds could have gone home happy. But there was another match yet to played, and it had the attention of all in the city.

On the one side was some of the greatest men of the first age with the mighty elven lords that they fought alongside. On the other side- Numenorean royalty.

The many elves who had made the journey to watch the semifinals were behind Hithlum. The men in the stadium were split, but the greatest share of the Gondorians intended to cheer for their Numenorean fathers. And so it was that when the teams entered Armenelos nearly felt at home.

But Hithlum did not seem to care at all, and started the game off attacking with everything they had. Early on it looked like a repeat of the Armenelos-Gondolin game, where Gondolin surprised the Numenoreans early but Armenelos wore them down by the end. Only in this game Armenelos did not appear quite as panicked, having encountered a potent offense in the last match. But also it appeared that Fingolfin and the mighty men of the north would be less likely to be beat up or worn down by Armenelos. Hithlum kept the defense on its heels for most of the first fifteen minutes, and at minute 17 they drew first blood as Hurin found his son for the lead.

After this, for the first time in the match Armenelos began looking dangerous, but Tar Ancalimon botched their best scoring chance with a wide kick and Ar Pharazon's rocket was poked away nicely by Huor.

And then Hithlum came storming back up the field and pretty much controlled the rest of the half, adding yet another score in the 38th minute as this time Turin was the provider and Fingolfin headed it in easily. At the start of the second half Hithlum kept up the pressure, and only a fantastic save by Elros kept them from pushing the lead to 3-0. Hithlum was simply the better team it seemed.

But slowly and surely they were pushed back and Armenelos began seeing a bit more action. By minute 60 the game was being played mostly on Hithlum's side, and the supporters of Armenelos began chanting. It had taken longer than against Gondolin, but the fans were sure of what was happening. Hithlum had worn themselves out a bit, and Armenelos had been banging them up the entire game. There was going to be a comeback. The fans knew it.

At minute 69, everyone knew it as Ar Pharazon suddenly made the defenders look a bit slow with a brilliant solo run into the box, and dumped it off last minute to Tar Minastir who pounded it past Huor to cut the lead in half!

The next fifteen minutes featured great skill by the Armenelos forwards, moving the ball around and looking for the perfect opening, taking shots only when they liked them. Hithlum held a couple times, but at minute 84 their luck ran out as Ar Adunakhor was left free just outside the left corner of the box and he blasted a shot to the far side post to tie the game!

Those who had travelled from Numenor went berzerk, and the folks from Gondor celebrated a little less loudly, but quite vigorously all the same. The Hithlum defense and midfield largely had the deer-in-headlights look, but Turin and Fingolfin up front still looked determined and did their best to fire up the rest of the team. "This isn't over!" yelled Turin. "We can still win this!"

But as overtime began the crowd could see no truth in these words. Armenelos continued to look quicker and stronger- how could Hithlum hope to prevail in overtime? But as overtime played out it seemed that in fact Hithlum had no intention of prevailing in overtime, but rather hoped to survive it and hang their hopes upon their prolific kickers in a shootout.

Armenelos seemed to realize this and tried to end the game in overtime, but the Hithlum defenders always seemed to do just enough to muddle things up and clear the ball back downfield. Twice Armenelos had decent chances, but Huor saw both openings well and positioned himself for the save. Time ran out, and the shootout commenced- Armenelos first.

Ar Pharazon looked angry that the game was not over already as he took his place, and he channelled that anger into the ball and sent it screaming in for the 1-0 lead. But kicking after him for Hithlum was Turin, and so it was no surprise that the score was soon 1-1.

Next up was Tar Minastir and Fingolfin, both of whom made excellent kicks, only to watch the keeper make a diving stop. After two rounds, it was still 1-1.

Tar Ancalimon shot next for Armenelos, and the crowd groaned as he sent his shot wide of the post. With a chance to take the lead, Hurin stepped up and delivered a bullet to the lower left corner, but Elros finger-tipped it into the post and away from the goal to preserve the tie.

As Ar Adunakhor set the ball down, the stadium went silent. Each side had only two kicks left, and the score was tied. The silence was broken like a thunder-clap as Ar Adunakhor's kick screamed past Huor and nearly shredded the back of the net. Armenelos had the advantage!

But Fingon had been in tight spots before, and he calmly delivered a perfect shot to even the shootout at 2-2 with only one kick left for each side!

Ar Gimilzor went low and left, but Huor went low and left as well. Save!

And then Hador stepped up. Their last game against Angband had ended in a shootout, and it had been Hador scoring the winning kick. And so with the game on his shoulders yet again, Hador approached the ball and banged it low and left. Elros leapt left as well and got a hand on the ball. The ball deflected upwards, but not enough! It hit off the crossbar and bounced down hard on the inside of the goal line!

Hithlum had won in shootout yet again! They were through to the finals!

Armenelos 2-2 Hithlum (shootout won by Hithlum 3-2)
shots 19-18
on target 10-8
GOALS:
*Hithlum, 17 (Turin- Hurin)
*Hithlum, 38 (Fingolfin- Turin)
*Armenelos, 69 (Tar Minastir- Ar Pharazon)
*Armenelos, 84 (Ar Adunakhor- Tar Ancalimon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Ciryatan, Ar Gimilzor, Tar Ancalimon
*Hithlum- Marach, Hurin, Gundor, Angrod
SHOOTOUT:
Ar Pharazon, Armenelos- GOAL
Turin, Hithlum- GOAL
Tar Minastir, Armenelos- SAVE
Fingolfin, Hithlum- SAVE
Tar Ancalimon, Armenelos- MISS
Hurin, Hithlum- SAVE
Ar Adunakhor, Armenelos- GOAL
Fingon, Hithlum- GOAL
Ar Gimilzor, Armenelos- SAVE
Hador, Hithlum- GOAL

07-30-2008, 03:24 PM	#1
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	The Arda Kicker Magazine The AKM has watched closely the matches of the second round of the play offs and has decided the following... Five stars will go to: Maedhros of Formenos Tar Minastir or Armenelos Elrond of Rivendell Three stars will go to: Hador of Hithlum Melkor of Angband Huan of Formenos Fëanor of Formenos Sauron of Tol-In-Gauroth One star will go to: Nogrod of Tol-In-Gaurhoth Drauglin of Tol-In-Gaurhoth Turin of Hithlum Hurin of Hithlum Huor of Hithlum Gothmog of Angband Elros of Armenelos Update on the total tally coming tomorrow... __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet... Last edited by Nogrod; 07-30-2008 at 05:12 PM.

08-01-2008, 04:38 PM	#2
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	The first semifinal in Minas Tirith The crowds were flocking to the Stadium of the Sun in Minas Tirith. It was finally time for semifinals and the teams going to the finals would be decided on this day. Even if it wasn’t actually anyone’s homefield – and that was exactly why it had been chosen – all the tickets were sold well before the afternoon the first game got rolling, and a host of elves and men from up north from so much earlier times were packing the seats as well as those weird-folks from Tol-In-Gaurhoth. The sun was shining and gracing the games with its presence and in it’s own way blessing the new stadium that was called stadia Anor. The expectations were high indeed as the people were looking forwards to see some of the best football Arda could provide today, and the games looked even as well. So everything could happen. The first game was that between Formenos and Tol-In-Gaurhoth. The appearing into the stadium of Sauron himself caused some disturbance in the home crowds. Happily in that regard, the stadium was built into the Pelennor fields in front of the city - well, where would you fit a stadium of 100 000 people inside the terraced city with long cultural traditions the local museum department watches over jealously? So the people seemed to be in the end able to get over with his presence, for the sake of football that is. It was a beautiful game. Like some commentators aptly described it as “chess on the green field”. But unlike chess games that are normally not found too compelling but only by the enthusiast of the game, even the lay-people who do not follow football too much were just drawn into the game and stayed in it’s grip to the very end. The determination and concentration of both teams was just marvellous as they were very well aware of the other team’s capabilities, one mistake and the opponents would use it to their advance. But the astonishing combinations, the virtuoso-like dribbling, the unexpected passes that made the crowd to “ooh!” everytime just took one’s breath away. And even how masterful the attacking movements were, the other team seemed to always be up to it’s task in countering those moves with even more brilliant ones. On half-time the game was still 0-0 but no one complained for the lack of goals. The crowds had seen football of the highest level today and they knew it. Finally at 62nd minute there was a goal. After a small misunderstanding in the midfield between Eomer and the phantom, Aredhel managed to take the ball and as the T-I-G defences were just pulling their line up Aredhel’s fast pass surprised them on the move and the referee saw no offside there as Maedhros and Fëanor ran after the long pass. The defenders turned around and ran after them but were a step behind all the time. And forwards like Maedhros and Fëanor don’t let you get them… Even if Draugluin had played beautifully the whole game even he had no chance to match the elven lord and his eldest son with a ball alone. But the goal only made the T-I-G team try harder. In about ten minutes they got their equalizer – and looking at the game it was an earned one. It was the phantom’s magic heel once again. Lhuna sent the ball to the edge of the box where the phantom took it down his back towards the goal and without even a glance he just passed it backwards with his heel. And Sauron had anticipated it throwing Curufin away from his way and hammering the ball in with a one-touch shot via the pole before the Formenos defenders had any chance to stop him. But so it was that the great T-I-G was this day barred from further goals by the exceptional defences of Formenos and especially the mighty Huan who just stopped the rest. But Fëanor had his say on the game yet. Just two minutes before the full-time Fëanor tricked the ball from Nogrod who had come down to aid the defences - but was no defender - quite easily. Fëanor then took two defenders with him and managed to get rid of them for the crucial second when he passed the ball backwards to Aredhel who had sneakily followed him - and the third defender was keeping Maedhros at bay! And Maedhros had just parked himself with Gwath so that Draugluin had no visibility whatsoever. Aredhel shot fast and accurately to the upper right corner leaving Draugluin no time to react when he realised what was happening. The home crowds jumped up in joy and gave their loudest cheer to the elven team. Their favourites were winning in the end of the most exciting game of football ever played in Minas Tirith. That was a perfect afternoon for the Minas Tirithians. T-I-G team fought bravely and played sensational football but in the end the Formenos defences led by Huan were just able to keep them at one goal for the first time in the tournament – and thanks to the forwards, especially Fëanor, they were able to outscore them by one goal. So it was Formenos to the finals and T-I-G to the bronze-game. Formenos 2-1 Tol-In-Gaurhoth shots 15-13 on target 7-5 GOALS: Formenos, 62 (Feanor- Maedhros) TIG, 73 (Sauron- the phantom) Formenos, 88 (Aredhel- Feanor) YELLOW CARDS: Formenos- Curufin, Caranthir *TIG- Thuringwethil, Nogrod __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

08-01-2008, 06:34 PM	#3
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	After the expertly played first game in Minas Tirith the crowds could have gone home happy. But there was another match yet to played, and it had the attention of all in the city. On the one side was some of the greatest men of the first age with the mighty elven lords that they fought alongside. On the other side- Numenorean royalty. The many elves who had made the journey to watch the semifinals were behind Hithlum. The men in the stadium were split, but the greatest share of the Gondorians intended to cheer for their Numenorean fathers. And so it was that when the teams entered Armenelos nearly felt at home. But Hithlum did not seem to care at all, and started the game off attacking with everything they had. Early on it looked like a repeat of the Armenelos-Gondolin game, where Gondolin surprised the Numenoreans early but Armenelos wore them down by the end. Only in this game Armenelos did not appear quite as panicked, having encountered a potent offense in the last match. But also it appeared that Fingolfin and the mighty men of the north would be less likely to be beat up or worn down by Armenelos. Hithlum kept the defense on its heels for most of the first fifteen minutes, and at minute 17 they drew first blood as Hurin found his son for the lead. After this, for the first time in the match Armenelos began looking dangerous, but Tar Ancalimon botched their best scoring chance with a wide kick and Ar Pharazon's rocket was poked away nicely by Huor. And then Hithlum came storming back up the field and pretty much controlled the rest of the half, adding yet another score in the 38th minute as this time Turin was the provider and Fingolfin headed it in easily. At the start of the second half Hithlum kept up the pressure, and only a fantastic save by Elros kept them from pushing the lead to 3-0. Hithlum was simply the better team it seemed. But slowly and surely they were pushed back and Armenelos began seeing a bit more action. By minute 60 the game was being played mostly on Hithlum's side, and the supporters of Armenelos began chanting. It had taken longer than against Gondolin, but the fans were sure of what was happening. Hithlum had worn themselves out a bit, and Armenelos had been banging them up the entire game. There was going to be a comeback. The fans knew it. At minute 69, everyone knew it as Ar Pharazon suddenly made the defenders look a bit slow with a brilliant solo run into the box, and dumped it off last minute to Tar Minastir who pounded it past Huor to cut the lead in half! The next fifteen minutes featured great skill by the Armenelos forwards, moving the ball around and looking for the perfect opening, taking shots only when they liked them. Hithlum held a couple times, but at minute 84 their luck ran out as Ar Adunakhor was left free just outside the left corner of the box and he blasted a shot to the far side post to tie the game! Those who had travelled from Numenor went berzerk, and the folks from Gondor celebrated a little less loudly, but quite vigorously all the same. The Hithlum defense and midfield largely had the deer-in-headlights look, but Turin and Fingolfin up front still looked determined and did their best to fire up the rest of the team. "This isn't over!" yelled Turin. "We can still win this!" But as overtime began the crowd could see no truth in these words. Armenelos continued to look quicker and stronger- how could Hithlum hope to prevail in overtime? But as overtime played out it seemed that in fact Hithlum had no intention of prevailing in overtime, but rather hoped to survive it and hang their hopes upon their prolific kickers in a shootout. Armenelos seemed to realize this and tried to end the game in overtime, but the Hithlum defenders always seemed to do just enough to muddle things up and clear the ball back downfield. Twice Armenelos had decent chances, but Huor saw both openings well and positioned himself for the save. Time ran out, and the shootout commenced- Armenelos first. Ar Pharazon looked angry that the game was not over already as he took his place, and he channelled that anger into the ball and sent it screaming in for the 1-0 lead. But kicking after him for Hithlum was Turin, and so it was no surprise that the score was soon 1-1. Next up was Tar Minastir and Fingolfin, both of whom made excellent kicks, only to watch the keeper make a diving stop. After two rounds, it was still 1-1. Tar Ancalimon shot next for Armenelos, and the crowd groaned as he sent his shot wide of the post. With a chance to take the lead, Hurin stepped up and delivered a bullet to the lower left corner, but Elros finger-tipped it into the post and away from the goal to preserve the tie. As Ar Adunakhor set the ball down, the stadium went silent. Each side had only two kicks left, and the score was tied. The silence was broken like a thunder-clap as Ar Adunakhor's kick screamed past Huor and nearly shredded the back of the net. Armenelos had the advantage! But Fingon had been in tight spots before, and he calmly delivered a perfect shot to even the shootout at 2-2 with only one kick left for each side! Ar Gimilzor went low and left, but Huor went low and left as well. Save! And then Hador stepped up. Their last game against Angband had ended in a shootout, and it had been Hador scoring the winning kick. And so with the game on his shoulders yet again, Hador approached the ball and banged it low and left. Elros leapt left as well and got a hand on the ball. The ball deflected upwards, but not enough! It hit off the crossbar and bounced down hard on the inside of the goal line! Hithlum had won in shootout yet again! They were through to the finals! Armenelos 2-2 Hithlum (shootout won by Hithlum 3-2) shots 19-18 on target 10-8 GOALS: Hithlum, 17 (Turin- Hurin) Hithlum, 38 (Fingolfin- Turin) Armenelos, 69 (Tar Minastir- Ar Pharazon) Armenelos, 84 (Ar Adunakhor- Tar Ancalimon) YELLOW CARDS: Armenelos- Tar Ciryatan, Ar Gimilzor, Tar Ancalimon Hithlum- Marach, Hurin, Gundor, Angrod SHOOTOUT: Ar Pharazon, Armenelos- GOAL Turin, Hithlum- GOAL Tar Minastir, Armenelos- SAVE Fingolfin, Hithlum- SAVE Tar Ancalimon, Armenelos- MISS Hurin, Hithlum- SAVE Ar Adunakhor, Armenelos- GOAL Fingon, Hithlum- GOAL Ar Gimilzor, Armenelos- SAVE Hador, Hithlum- GOAL __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.