PHANTASY FOOTBALL: Arda Cup 2013

[the phantom]

Selecting Your Team

Select your team members from the rosters available here. You will be awarded points according to how your players fare in their tournament games.

You must have one GK (goal keeper) and then you can use one of the following formations found below. (Formations listed as number of defenders, midfielders, and forwards, or DF-MF-FW)

• 5-4-1
• 4-5-1
• 3-6-1
• 4-4-2
• 4-3-3

In other words, if you choose 4-4-2, then you want to place 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 fowards on your team along with the goalie of your choice.

You may not choose more than 3 players from one single team (it will be allowed late in the playoffs).

Place a bolded "C" after one of your players-> C. This player will be your captain and will earn (or lose) you double points.

Some players have stars (*) before their names on the roster. You are allowed a total of FOUR stars on your roster. This number will increase as the tournament advances.

Players with a star are considered to be solid players with a higher likelihood of scoring than other players at that position. Players with 2 stars are the cream of the crop, and are the most likely to gain points at the position. The team an individual plays on, that team's philosophy, the player's name recognition, and past performance can all contribute somewhat to star status. There is no guarantee that star players will score more- it's just more likely.

If MFs or DFs are listed lower down the roster (towards the FWs), then they are generally more likely to find themselves involved in the scoring than those MFs or DFs listed higher up towards the GK. Of course, there is no guarantee MFs & DFs listed closer to FWs will score more, but their chances are typically better.

Note on trades- After the first two rounds of group play, you can draft a completely new team. Unlimited trades. After the third and final round of group play, you are allowed SEVEN trades. After the first playoff round, you are allowed only THREE trades. After the quarterfinals and semifinals you are allowed only TWO trades. Do not under any circumstances edit your old teams once play has started. If you want to trade a player, make a new post stating the trade and list your new team. (If any of that is unclear, watch the way other players do it and you'll get the idea very quickly.)

Scoring Points In Games

Rules for gaining points are as follows.

• Goal by FW- 4 pts
• Goal by MF- 5 pts
• Goal by DF- 6 pts
• Assist- 3 pts
• Shutout, GK- 4 pts
• Shutout, DF- 4 pts
• Shutout, MF- 1 pt
• Allows 1 goal, GK- 2 pts
• Allows 1 goal, DF- 2 pts
• 3 GK saves- 2 pts
• Yellow Card- -1 pts
• Red Card- -3 pts

Scoring Points With Predictions

Take a blind shot in the dark at these questions, or read the various columns offered by our writers to help you decide how to answer. Either way, luck is involved. But don't skip this- if you happen to have a lucky day, these are worth a ton of points all together. (Just ask Nilp.)

5 POINT QUESTIONS

Who will score the most goals in the tournament?

Who will have the most assists in the tournament?

Which team will win the tournament?

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?

GROUP PREDICTIONS

Predict the winner and runner up from each of the eight groups listed here. Predicting the winner is worth 3 points. The runner up is worth 1. If you select the correct two teams but have their positions reversed, you will be awarded 2 points.

BUY A TEAM

You can have a total salary of 100 million. The rosters with salaries again is listed here. Put together the highest scoring team you possibly can for 100 million or less. This team will not change throughout the tournament- it's just a one-time deal. At the finish of the tournament we'll see which person's 100-mill squad scored the most, and that person will gain 10 bonus points. Formations allowed are all those listed above, plus 3-4-3.
Please use no more than TWO players from one team.

[the phantom]

So that you know who your chosen players are going up against, the first round of group games are-

Armenelos vs The Havens
The Barrow-Downs vs Valimar

Inter Beleriand vs Dwarves United
AC Beleriand vs Gondolin

Hithlum vs Real Valinor
Shire-Bree United vs Doriath

Isengard vs FC Valinor
Barad-Dur vs Gondor

Eriador vs Misty Mts
Erebor vs Wilderland

Nargothrond vs Minas Tirith
Tirion vs The Sea

Angfauglith vs Imladris
Angband vs Tol-In-Gaurhoth

Mordor vs Rohan
Anduin vs Arnor

[Inziladun]

GK- *Ungoliant (Angband)
DF *Morgoth (Angband)
DF BoroWolf (TIG)
DF Aragorn (Eriador)
DF Luthien (Inter Beleriand)
MF *Elwe (Doriath) (C)
MF Hador (Hithlum)
MF Nazgul #5 (Isengard)
FW *Gothmog (Angfauglith)
FW Legolas (Dwarves United)
FW Elladan (Imladris)

[Inziladun]

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? -Elwe

Who will have the most assists in the tournament? -Glaurung

Which team will win the tournament? -Doriath

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Ungoliant

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Ulmo

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Yavanna

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? -Turin



Group A: Winner- The Havens
Runner Up- Valimar

Group B: Winner- Inter Beleriand
Runner Up- Gondolin

Group C: Winner- Doriath
Runner Up- Real Valinor

Group D: Winner- Barad-Dur
Runner Up- Gondor

Group E: Winner- Wilderland
Runner Up- Eriador

Group F: Winner- Tirion
Runner Up- The Sea

Group G: Winner- Angband
Runner Up- TIG

Group H: Winner- Mordor
Runner Up- Arnor

[Inziladun]

GK- *Carcaroth (Angband) 9
DF- *Melian (Doriath) 14
DF- Landroval (Erebor) 8
DF- Treebeard (Isengard) 10
MF- NerWight (TIG) 5
MF- Dain (Erebor) 5
MF- Azog (Misty Mtns) 8
MF- *Elwe (Doriath) 13
FW- Tuor (Gondolin) 10
FW- Shelob (Mordor) 10
FW- Helm (Rohan) 8

Total= 100

[mormegil]

4-4-2

GK Galadriel (Dwarves United)
DF Nienna (Real Valinor)
DF Balrog#5 (Hithlum)
DF Arwen (Eriador)
DF Alatar (Barad-Dur)
MF *Elwe (Doriath)
MF *Glorfindel (Eriador) (C)
MF Cirdan (The Havens)
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)
FW *Arien (Valinor)
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Ze 2013 Arda Cup logo has been unleashed!

Also, Boro and phantom, if you feel you've been misrepresented by the article, you can take it up with TENT's legal department. You do have to submit a complaint form personally, though--their office is somewhere in Ekkaia (dunno exactly where).

[Galadriel55]

I think I won't wait till the very end of friendlies...

Unnamed Horror

GK *Tulkas (Real)
DF Celeborn (Anduin)
DF *Melian (Doriath)
DF Osse (The Sea)
DF Borowolf (TIG)
MF Nienor (Nargothrond)
MF Nerwight (TIG)
MF *Beren (Inter Beleriand)
FW Celegorm (FC Val)
FW *Curufin (FC Val)
FW Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)

Looking at my team... it sucks. There's a 93.47% chance I'll change about half of it before the real games even begin.

[Boromir88]

I got a bit wordier with the TIG-Havens game than anticipated, but I just had a lot of fun writing the story for that one. Wolves and Wights! Huzzah! (And well, I suppose if I thought that was wordy, just wait until I get the TTN shoes on and start writing tourney predictions. )

[the phantom]

Starting tomorrow various tournament guides and publication predictions will be posted, so feel free to read those for fun or actually use them to help orient yourself- particularly if you are indecisive on your selections.

The introductions to host sites will begin sometime late next week, followed by the kickoff of the tournament.

[Galadriel55]

Unnamed Horror

--Tulkas
++Elrond

GK *Elrond (Eriador)
DF Celeborn (Anduin)
DF *Melian (Doriath)
DF Osse (The Sea)
DF Borowolf (TIG)
MF Nienor (Nargothrond)
MF Nerwight (TIG)
MF *Beren (Inter Beleriand)
FW Celegorm (FC Val)
FW *Curufin (FC Val)
FW Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)

Ehhh... still not happy. Whatever.

Group Predictions: winner/runner-up
A: Armenelos/Havens
B: AC/Inter
C: Real/SBU
D: FC Val/Isengard
E: Eriador/Wilderland
F: Tirion/The Sea
G: TIG (duh)/Angband
H: Anduin/Mordor


Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Ugh... *throws dice* Ancalagon

Who will have the most assists in the tournament? Nerdanel

Which team will win the tournament? TIG, and don't dare you say otherwise!

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Elrond.

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Draugluin

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Nessa

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Turin.

I'll buy my team later.

[Shastanis Althreduin]

I suppose I need a captain, don't I. Silly me.

The Mooncrazed Remixed

GK - *Huan (FC Valinor)
DF - Balrog #5 (Hithlum)
DF - Aragorn (Eriador)
DF - Balrog #4 (AC Beleriand)
MF - *Yavanna (FC Valinor)
MF - *Beleg (Hithlum)
MF - Hador (Hithlum)
MF - Arveleg (Eriador)
MF - Aegnor (AC Beleriand)
MF - NerWight (Tol-In-Gaurhoth)
FW - *Curufin (FC Valinor) (C)

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Shastanis Althreduin

I suppose I need a captain, don't I. Silly me.

Whoops, so do I!

Unnamed Horror

GK *Elrond (Eriador)
DF Celeborn (Anduin)
DF *Melian (Doriath)
DF Osse (The Sea)
DF Borowolf (TIG)
MF Nienor (Nargothrond)
MF Nerwight (TIG)
MF *Beren (Inter Beleriand) (C)
FW Celegorm (FC Val)
FW *Curufin (FC Val)
FW Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)

[tomtom]

tom team

gk race2180
df Darlkzl
df hl1234
df youbian123
df peppeateCat
mf beejhay13
mf HvMRCjgzvB
mf hubesiagosa67
fw ghammers12
fw lucyyenic
fw tomtom (c)

predictions

tom kick stuff

tom win

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

No $100 million team yet. Still undecided!!!

For 5:

Goals: Curufin (FC Valinor)
Assists: Eöl (AC Beleriand)
Winner: AC Beleriand

Phantasy
GK: Huan (FC Valinor)
DF: Eönwe (FC Valinor)
MF: Glorfindel (Eriador)
FW: Fëanor (AC Beleriand)

For 3+1:

(group: winner, runner-up)

A: Armenelos, Valimar
B: AC Beleriand, Inter Beleriand
C: Real Valinor, Hithlum
D: FC Valinor, Barad-dûr
E: Eriador, Erebor
F: The Sea, Tirion
G: Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Angband
H: Arnor, Rohan

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

GROUP A: Valimar
runner-up: Armenelos

GROUP B: AC Beleriand
runner-up: Inter Beleriand

GROUP C: Real Valinor
runner-up: Hithlum

GROUP D: FC Valinor
runner-up: Isengard

GROUP E: Eriador
runner-up: Wilderland

GROUP F: Nargothrond
runner-up: Tirion

GROUP G: Angfauglith
runner-up: Tol-In-Gaurhoth

GROUP H: Anduin
runner-up: Arnor

Random remark. Let me voice one concern about this year's cup, just from observing the teams. It seemed to me when I was creating my team, and now again when looking at this year's teams more closely, that this year it's much more "biased" towards certain teams' strength than the last year. As in, it seems to me like there's more "disparity" between the teams than there was last year. But since this is only my second year, maybe it's wrong personal impression.

[the phantom]

Originally Posted by Legate

As in, it seems to me like there's more "disparity" between the teams than there was last year.

I wonder if part of that is the lack of a "group of death" this year. Since last year there were four very solid playoff teams jammed into Group D (and perhaps it could be argued nearly the same was true of Group E), which meant that all the teams in the other groups were less likely to be outmatched.

That's part of what makes a Death Group attractive- both the drama within that group and the evenness it brings to the rest of the field.

(Thought to be fair, there are only 2 groups this year where I might've felt confident enough to try and put money on the winner. The others would make me too nervous for an actual risk.)

[Boromir88]

Random remark. Let me voice one concern about this year's cup, just from observing the teams. It seemed to me when I was creating my team, and now again when looking at this year's teams more closely, that this year it's much more "biased" towards certain teams' strength than the last year. As in, it seems to me like there's more "disparity" between the teams than there was last year. But since this is only my second year, maybe it's wrong personal impression.

I think part of that is the groups seem a touch easier to predict this year than last year...in that there is no apparent "Group of death" where 4 very good teams are jammed into 1 and only 2 make it out. And in order to avoid a lot of similar match-ups to last year, some teams needs to be rearranged and displaced.

Like in Group G...if Imladris was in another group (say D, E, or H) I'd give them a good consideration to advance...but stacked up in Group G I really don't see how they can contend with the others. With that said...I mean I'm having difficulty determining the rest of Group G because one of those teams will inevitably be left out.

And even the teams that I don't give serious consideration to qualifying (take The Barrow-Downs or Minas Tirith as examples) are still good enough to give a stellar effort in one single match that steals a point from one of the superior favorites...which can shake up the outcome of the rest of the group.

This isn't even to mention how I've already talked myself in circles to see at least 8 Championship winners this year...and several of them aren't even sure bets to advance to the playoffs. The two safest bets I see to advance are FC Valinor and AC Beleriand...but they also have weaknesses that once in the knock-out round could send them home without the title.

But more of all these confusing possibilities revolving in my head when TTN's groups analysis comes out (likely to come Wednesday and Thursday when I'm off and not having to manage the closing shift).

(Edit...heh crossed with the phantom)

[the phantom]

Yeah, in my analysis thingummy I guessed that 11 squads could realistically make the finals. (A third of the field- not too bad...)

And as far as the possibility of being left out in the cold after group play, in my best-case/worst-case post I only judged that four squads were "guaranteed" to make the playoffs, meaning that 28 of the 32 squads could be eliminated without it being huge shock.

Like Boro used for his example- Angband certainly seems too good to be left out of the playoffs, but if you take a good look at their opponents in group you can't guarantee they won't get beat by TIG or Angfauglith, thus despite their quality they can't be put down as a lock.

Anyway... We've just got a handful of days left until writers will be writing the first round of games. Get your picks done as soon as you are able. If you're having trouble finding time just PM me and I can try and streamline things for you or come up with a temporary solution.

[Nogrod]

I'm agreeing with the phantom here: if I'd have to bet some real money for teams that would qualify I wouldn't make that many bets...


That said there are at least two things that are different in comparison to years before: the budgets and more or less permanent teams. But both those things bring with them further complications.


It's the second year with budgets and the money poured into a team is a meter for the overall performance of a team. But nothing more.

It is hard to see a 60 million team to beat a 100 million team, but as this is a tournament it may well be that an 80 million team kicks out the 100 million team and then the 60 million team throws the 80 million team off in turn - and as a result we have the 60 million team advancing and the 100 million team relegated. That can happen.

With only two friendlies played before the tournament the media understandably has talked about the budgets and the differences between the teams in terms of money they have at their disposal, but it would be a miracle indeed if all the 100 million teams would take all the quarterfinal-spots leaving the rest out. Against that is actually a bet I could think of making...


The permanent teams are a related issue, but also different. Now some teams have barely changed at all while others have gotten over half of their players changed. Yet by carrying the same name and a core of players we easily get the impression they are more consistent than they might be in the end and thusly judge their merits according to the team last year even if it was different or faced very different teams.

The media might be to blame here as well - with a lot of agreement between the main media-houses one might get the feeling everything is packat och klart ("packed and clear", a Swedish idiom) when it most probably isn't.


Thirdly I would like to add that with that many tight groups of which it is hard to say who wins, who qualifies as the runner-up and who is left into the group-phase, the dynamics of the play-offs might take so many different shapes...

Fex. you might have on the "lower" side of the play-off schedule tough defenders like Eriador, The Sea, Angband and Valimar playing against each other, while on the "upper" side tough scorers like Hithlum, AC Beleriand, FC & Real Valinor, Nargothrond, T-I-G, Erebor etc. would fight it out between themselves... and thus you'd have totally different play-offs compared to games where for instance teams like Valimar and The Sea would need to face T-I-G or Hithlum.

And with this the teams most probably have different advantages and disadvantages. Like we saw last year: Real Valinor lost to FC Valinor two times with no uncertain terms but in the end won the whole thing because others did away with FC Valinor. Or this year, Valimar lost to both The Sea and Real Valinor but if they'd meet Angband (or Anfaughlith) at any turn on the tournament it would be hard to see them losing.

So it is still pretty hard, predicting the tournament.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I think part of that is the groups seem a touch easier to predict this year than last year...in that there is no apparent "Group of death" where 4 very good teams are jammed into 1 and only 2 make it out. And in order to avoid a lot of similar match-ups to last year, some teams needs to be rearranged and displaced.

Originally Posted by the phantom

I wonder if part of that is the lack of a "group of death" this year. Since last year there were four very solid playoff teams jammed into Group D (and perhaps it could be argued nearly the same was true of Group E), which meant that all the teams in the other groups were less likely to be outmatched.

That's part of what makes a Death Group attractive- both the drama within that group and the evenness it brings to the rest of the field.

(Thought to be fair, there are only 2 groups this year where I might've felt confident enough to try and put money on the winner. The others would make me too nervous for an actual risk.)

Hum, humm... yes. In a way, though my perspective on the disparity was more like the opposite: it isn't clear to say which team will win (actually, I think it felt often clearer last year to say: "okay, now of group X, it will be *this* team!" and then you felt unsure as to who the runner-up would be), this year, I feel it more like "okay, it is clear this and this team are not going to win!"

Of course, as it had been said, nothing is set, but I just have a different feeling than last year, that's all.

Anyway, as for some other matter...

ANSWERS TO 5-POINT QUESTIONS

Who will score the most goals in the tournament?
Witch-King (Arnor)

Who will have the most assists in the tournament?
Eöl (AC Bel)

Which team will win the tournament?
Eriador

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Elrond (Eriador)

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Balrog #5 (Hithlum)

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Elros (Armenelos)

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament?
Fëanor (AC Bel)

Now all that remains for me should be the Hundred Million Dollar Baby...

[Nogrod]

Noggportunistics


GK – Hyermendacil (The Sea)
DF – Borlach (Anfaughlith)
DF – Arwen (Eriador)
DF – Lúthien (Inter Beleriand)
DF - * Caranthir (Tirion)
MF – Aegnor (AC Beleriand)
MF - * Yavanna (FC Valinor)
MF – Gwindor (Nargothrond)
MF - * Glorfindel (Eriador)
FW – Thuringwethil (T-I-G)
FW - * Miriel (Real Valinor) (C)

[Boromir88]

5 POINT QUESTIONS

Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Turin

Who will have the most assists in the tournament? Nerdanel

Which team will win the tournament? FC Valinor

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Huan

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Fingolfin

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Glorfindel

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Feanor


GROUP PREDICTIONS

A: Armenelos, Valimar
B: AC Beleriand, Gondolin
C: Hithlum, Real Valinor
D: FC Valinor, Barad-dur
E: Eriador, Misty Mts
F: The Sea, Nargothrond
G: Angband, Tol-in-Gaurhoth
H: Arnor, Mordor

[Boromir88]

Round 1 team...

We Didn't Start the Fire

GK- *Elrond (Eriador)
DF- Maglor (FC Valinor)
DF- Balrog #2 (Angfauglith)
DF- Luthien (Inter Bel)
DF- *Namo (Valimar)
MF- Beruthiel (Barad-Dur)
MF- Tar Ancalimon (Armenelos)
MF- Boromir II (Anduin)
MF- *Eomer (Minas Tirith)
FW- Hurin (Hithlum)
FW- *Miriel (Real Valinor) - C

100 million squad...

It was Always Burning

GK- Silent Watcher (Mordor) 1
DF- GaladriWight (TIG) 3
DF- Rochallor (AC Beleriand) 4
DF- Asfaloth (Eriador) 4
DF- Umuiyan (Angband) 5
MF- Argon (FC Valinor) 7
MF- Tar Aldarion (The Sea) 8
MF- Beleg (Hithlum) 13
FW- Curufin (FC Valinor) 14
FW- Turin (Hithlum) 20
FW- Feanor (AC Beleriand) 21

[satansaloser2005]

Cupkicks, Round One: Fight!
GK: *Huan (FC Val)
DF: Balrog #4 (AC Bel)
DF: Aragorn (Eriador)
DF: BoroWolf (TiG)
DF: *Morgoth (Angband)
MF: NogWight (Eriador)
MF: Daeron (Doriath)
MF: NerWight (TiG)
FW: *Curufin (FC Val)
FW: *Smaug (Erebor) (C)
FW: Thuringwethil (TiG)

PREDICTIONS
Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Feanor

Who will have the most assists in the tournament? PhantomWolf

Which team will win the tournament? FC Valinor

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Huan

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Morgoth

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Glorfindel

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Feanor

GROUP A
1. Valimar
2. The Havens

GROUP B
1. AC Bel
2. Inter Bel

GROUP C
1. Real Val
2. Doriath

GROUP D
1. FC Val
2. Barad-Dur

GROUP E
1. Erebor
2. Eriador

GROUP F
1. Tirion
2. Minas Tirith

GROUP G
1. TiG
2. Imladris

GROUP H
1. Rohan
2. Anduin

100 calorie....I mean million team
GK: *ShastaWolf (TiG) (10)
DF: Irime (Tirion) (3)
DF: Elwing (Doriath) (6)
DF: Aragorn (Eriador) (10) 

MF: Nerwight (TiG) (5)
MF: Denethor (AC Bel) (3)
MF: Ilmare (Valimar) (8)
MF: Nessa (Real Val) (10)
FW: Celegorm (FC Val) (11)
FW: Finwe (Tirion) (13)
FW: **Feanor (AC Bel) (21)

[wilwarin538]

Okay, finally gonna sit down and do this!


Wilwa's Winners
GK: Marach (ACBel)
DF: Celeborn (Anduin)
DF: Uinen (Sea)
DF: BoroWolf (TiG)
DF: *Morgoth (Angband)
MF: Cirdan (Havens)
MF: *Yavanna (FC Valinor)
MF: Idril (Gondolin)
FW: *Miriel (Real Valinor) C
FW: *Smaug (Erebor)
FW: Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)


PREDICTIONS
Who will score the most goals in the tournament? Turin

Who will have the most assists in the tournament? Yavanna

Which team will win the tournament? Tol-In-Gaurhoth

Which goalkeeper will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Elrond

Which defender will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Fingolfin

Which midfielder will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Nessa

Which forward will score the most total phantasy points in the tournament? Feanor


GROUP A
1. Armenelos
2. The Havens

GROUP B
1. Gondolin
2. Inter Beleriand

GROUP C
1. Hithlum
2. Real Valinor

GROUP D
1. Gondor
2. Barad-Dur

GROUP E
1. Misty Mountains
2. Eriador

GROUP F
1. Tirion
2. The Sea

GROUP G
1. Tol-In-Gaurhoth
2. Angfauglith

GROUP H
1. Mordor
2. Anduin

[Gwathagor]

Miriel = captain.

GK: Hyarmendacil (The Sea)
DF: Maglor (FC Valinor)
DF: Aragorn (Eriador)
DF: Balrog #2 (Angfauglith)
DF: Vana (Valimar)
MF: Ingwe (Valimar)
MF: *Yavanna (FC Valinor)
MF: Arveleg (Eriador)
FW: *Curufin (FC Valinor)
FW: *Miriel (Real Valinor) C
FW: *Arien (Valimar)

[the phantom]

As we so often do, we’ll begin by showing how many points there were to be gained with the perfect alignment.

The Perfect Team
GK Turgon (Inter Bel)- 6
DF Maglor (FC Val)- 7
DF Barahir (Nargothrond)- 7
DF *NilpWolf (T-I-G)- 10
DF *Fram (Anduin)- 10
MF Irmo (Valimar)- 8
MF Ingwe (Valimar)- 6
MF Nazgul#2 (Mordor)- 6
MF Haldir (Anduin)- 7
FW *Curufin (FC Val) C- 11
FW *Scatha (Wilderland)- 8
TOTAL = 97

And here is how everyone fared. Let me know if there’s a mistake on any of these.

Lynch Mob
GK Hyarmendacil (The Sea)- 4
DF Maglor (FC Valinor)- 7
DF Aragorn (Eriador)- 5
DF Balrog #2 (Angfauglith)- 4
DF Vana (Valimar)- 4
MF Ingwe (Valimar)- 6
MF *Yavanna (FC Valinor)- 6
MF Arveleg (Eriador)- 3
FW *Curufin (FC Valinor)- 11
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor) C- 4
FW *Arien (Valimar)- 0
TOTAL = 58

Atashi no Negai
GK *Elrond (Eriador)- 4
DF Aragorn (Eriador)- 5
DF Vana (Valimar)- 4
DF Indis (FC Valinor)- 4
DF Maglor (FC Valinor)- 7
MF Tar-Míriel (Armenelos)- -1
MF Ingwë (Valimar)- 6
MF *Glorfindel (Eriador)- 5
FW Finrod (Nargothrond)- 4
FW *Curufin (FC Valinor) C- 11
FW *Arien (Valimar)- 0
TOTAL = 60

We Didn't Start the Fire
GK *Elrond (Eriador)- 4
DF Maglor (FC Valinor)- 7
DF Balrog #2 (Angfauglith)- 4
DF Luthien (Inter Bel)- 4
DF *Namo (Valimar)- 4
MF Beruthiel (Barad-Dur)- 0
MF Tar Ancalimon (Armenelos)- 3
MF Boromir II (Anduin)- 1
MF *Eomer (Minas Tirith)- 0
FW Hurin (Hithlum)- 4
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor) C- 4
TOTAL = 39

The Mooncrazed Remixed
GK *Huan (FC Valinor)- 4
DF Balrog #5 (Hithlum)- -1
DF Aragorn (Eriador)- 5
DF Balrog #4 (AC Beleriand)- 2
MF *Yavanna (FC Valinor)- 6
MF *Beleg (Hithlum)- 0
MF Hador (Hithlum)- 3
MF Arveleg (Eriador)- 3
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)- 0
MF NerWight (Tol-In-Gaurhoth)- 1
FW *Curufin (FC Valinor) C- 11
TOTAL = 45

Noggportunistics
GK Hyermendacil (The Sea)- 4
DF Borlach (Anfauglith)- 4
DF Arwen (Eriador)- 2
DF Lúthien (Inter Beleriand)- 4
DF *Caranthir (Tirion)- 2
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)- 0
MF *Yavanna (FC Valinor)- 6
MF *Glorfindel (Eriador)- 5
FW Gwindor (Nargothrond)- 3
FW Thuringwethil (T-I-G)- 3
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor) C- 4
TOTAL = 41

Cupkicks
GK *Huan (FC Val)- 4
DF Balrog #4 (AC Bel)- 2
DF Aragorn (Eriador)- 5
DF BoroWolf (TiG)- 3
DF *Morgoth (Angband)- 0
MF NogWight (Eriador)- 5
MF Daeron (Doriath)- 0
MF NerWight (TiG)- 1
FW *Curufin (FC Val)- 11
FW *Smaug (Erebor) C- 7
FW Thuringwethil (TiG)- 3
TOTAL = 48

Eleven Pillars of Wisdom
GK *ShastaWolf (T-I-G)- 6
DF Thorin (Erebor)- 0
DF Amras (Tirion)- 1
DF Luthien (Inter Beleriand)- 4
DF *Fingolfin (AC Beleriand)- 2
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)- 0
MF Morwen (Hithlum)- 0
MF Nessa (Real Valinor)- 5
MF *Beren (Inter Beleriand)- 4
FW Thuringwethil (T-I-G) C- 3
FW *Curufin (FC Valinor)- 11
TOTAL = 39

Unnamed Horror
GK *Elrond (Eriador)- 4
DF Celeborn (Anduin)- 4
DF *Melian (Doriath)- 2
DF Osse (The Sea)- 2
DF Borowolf (TIG)- 3
MF Nienor (Nargothrond)- 1
MF Nerwight (TIG)- 1
MF *Beren (Inter Beleriand) C- 4
FW Celegorm (FC Val)- 0
FW *Curufin (FC Val)- 11
FW Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)- 4
TOTAL = 40

Salt and Smoke
GK Tar-Atanamir (Armenelos)- 4
DF Uinen (The Sea)- 2
DF GaladriWight (TIG)- 4
DF Radagast (Wilderland)- 0
DF *Varda (Imladris)- 2
MF Tar-Míriel (Armenelos)- -1
MF NogWight (Eriador)- 5
MF *Saruman (Isengard)- 0
FW Khamul (SBUnt)- -1
FW *Scatha (Wilderland)- 8
FW *Arien (Valimar) C- 0
TOTAL = 23

FC Monkey Stink
GK Galadriel (Dwarves United)- 2
DF Nienna (Real Valinor)- 1
DF Balrog#5 (Hithlum)- -1
DF Arwen (Eriador)- 2
DF Alatar (Barad-Dur)- 1
MF *Elwe (Doriath)- 5
MF *Glorfindel (Eriador) C- 5
MF Cirdan (The Havens)- 0
MF Aegnor (AC Beleriand)- 0
FW *Arien (Valinor)- 0
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor)- 4
TOTAL = 24

Wilwa's Winners
GK Marach (ACBel)- 4
DF Celeborn (Anduin)- 4
DF Uinen (Sea)- 2
DF BoroWolf (TiG)- 3
DF *Morgoth (Angband)- 0
MF Cirdan (Havens)- 0
MF *Yavanna (FC Valinor)- 6
MF Idril (Gondolin)- 0
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor) C- 4
FW *Smaug (Erebor)- 7
FW Ar Pharazon (Armenelos)- 4
TOTAL = 38

The Uncloakables
GK *Ungoliant (Angfauglith)- 6
DF *Morgoth (Angband)- 0
DF BoroWolf (TIG)- 3
DF Aragorn (Eriador)- 5
DF Luthien (Inter Beleriand)- 4
MF *Elwe (Doriath) C- 5
MF Hador (Hithlum)- 3
MF Nazgul #5 (Isengard)- 0
FW *Gothmog (Angfauglith)- 3
FW Legolas (Dwarves United)- 0
FW Elladan (Imladris)- 0
TOTAL = 34

Point Standings
Atashi no Negai- 60
Lynch Mob- 58
Cupkicks- 48
Mooncrazed Remixed- 45
Noggportunistics- 41
Unnamed Horror- 40
Elven Pillars of Wisdom- 39
We Didn’t Start the Fire- 39
Wilwa’s Winners- 38
The Uncloakables- 34
FC Monkey Stink- 24
Salt and Smoke- 23

You have unlimited trades before the next round of games. The star limit is still four. Here is the schedule for round 2-

-----
The Havens vs The Barrow-Downs
Armenelos vs Valimar
-----
AC Bel vs Inter Bel
DwarvesU vs Gondolin
-----
Hithlum vs SBUnited
Doriath vs Real Val
-----
Barad-Dur vs Isengard
Gondor vs FC Val
-----
MistyMts vs Wilderland
Erebor vs Eriador
-----
MTirith vs Tirion
Nargothrond vs The Sea
-----
Imladris vs T-I-G
Angband vs Angfauglith
-----
Arnor vs Mordor
Anduin vs Rohan
-----

[Boromir88]

Time to reload the entire team

We Didn't Start the Fire
GK *Elrond (Eriador)
DF Maglor (FC Valinor)
DF Balrog #2 (Angfauglith)
DF Luthien (Inter Bel)
DF *Namo (Valimar)
MF Beruthiel (Barad-Dur)
MF Tar Ancalimon (Armenelos)
MF Boromir II (Anduin)
MF *Eomer (Minas Tirith)
FW Hurin (Hithlum)
FW *Miriel (Real Valinor)

-------------

--DF Maglor
--DF Balrog #2
--DF Luthien
--DF *Namo
++DF BoroWolf
++DF Celeborn
++DF *Eonwe
++DF *Morgoth

--MF Beruthiel
--MF Tar Ancalimon
--MF *Eomer
++MF Azog
++MF Cirdan

--FW Hurin
--FW *Miriel
++FW Tar Minastir
++FW Finwe
++FW *Sauron

---------

Round 2 - Only keeping 2 holdovers and Elrond becomes captain. Since I didn't do so well picking mid-fielders I'm taking as few as allowed.

We Didn't Start The Fire
GK- *Elrond (Eriador) - C
DF- BoroWolf (TIG)
DF- Celeborn (Anduin)
DF- *Eonwe (FC Valinor)
DF- *Morgoth (Angband)
MF- Boromir II (Anduin)
MF- Azog (Misty Mts)
MF- Cirdan (The Havens)
FW- Tar Minastir (The Sea)
FW- Finwe (Tirion)
FW- *Sauron (Barad-Dur)