Middle-Earth Football Tournament - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sleepy Ranger · 11-12-2005, 01:34 PM

Out of pure bordem I have decided to do a Middle-Earth Football Tournament. It will be done World Cup style. 8 Groups, 4 Teams in each. Top two will move on to the Quarter-Finals and from there on it will be in knock-out format.

All matches will be simulated in Fifa 2k6, and results will be posted with highlights. (I'll have a video of the match if people want.)

Here are the teams (In no paticular order)-

Gondor
Shire
Mordor
Numenor
Rivendell
Lothlorien
Bree
Arnor
Angband
Alqualondë
Belegost
Dale
Erebor
Mirkwood
Rohan
Moria
Gondolin
Grey Havens
Nargothrond
Valimar
Valmar
Vinyamar
Woodhall
Barrow-Downs
Old Forest
Fangorn
Isengard
Tol-In-Gauroth
Ephel Brandir
Doriath
Crickhollow
Goblin-town

I shall put up the groups and fixtures tomorrow. (The teams used for simulation will be picked at random before each match. Brazil will not be used because Fifa 2k6 has a bad habit of over-rating them. Only International teams will be used.)

Thoughts? Comments? Feedback? Should I go ahead with this?
(And also let me know which team you're supporting! ^_^)

NOTE- For the highlights I will change the player's name to someone from that region in Middle-Earth. (Some teams will have random players if nobody from that area has been named)

EDIT- I meant soccer. (Just clearing it up if anyone gets confused)

Hookbill the Goomba · 11-12-2005, 01:39 PM

This sounds... ... interesting. I hope the Hobbits win something.

Nice idea, sleepy.

Bergil · 11-12-2005, 01:48 PM

do we have to wait untill 2006 for the brginning (joke)

Sleepy Ranger · 11-12-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bergil

do we have to wait untill 2006 for the brginning (joke)

No but you'll have to wait for 2009 to see the next one

Gil-Galad · 11-12-2005, 02:06 PM

is going to be human vs human i hope, if its human vs compu the human player could have more skill and dominate...

Sleepy Ranger · 11-12-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil-Galad

is going to be human vs human i hope, if its human vs compu the human player could have more skill and dominate...

All matches are simulated. Its com vs. com (on professional difficulty it actually manages to dish out entertaining matches).

Hookbill the Goomba · 11-13-2005, 10:07 AM

Well, this is how it stands:

Kitanna · 11-13-2005, 10:11 AM

Very nice, Sleepy Ranger, very nice indeed.

Sleepy Ranger · 11-13-2005, 10:15 AM

Thanks for that Fainu! Nice chart! ^_^

Valesse · 11-13-2005, 11:56 AM

Haha! I see this quickly becoming a rage in most Tolkien forums, Sleepy! I wonder where they're going to be selling jersys...

- - - - -
"Middle Earth Sports Watch" produced in association with Arda Sports Inc.

Firefoot · 11-13-2005, 11:57 AM

Sweet idea, Sleepy.

I'm rooting for the home team, of course, but I'd love to see the Rohirrim and the Shire do something.

Gil-Galad · 11-13-2005, 12:00 PM

its going to be interesting, but i'm confused over the chart, wouldn't it be easier to go by game won? or are you going by points?

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-24-2005, 12:06 PM

The second in a (very) occasional series.

Mirkwood v Valimar

A difficult one to predict this. Neither team have been particularly prodigious scorers.

Mirkwood have Legolas, whose keen eye and deadly accuracy have netted him four goals in the tournament so far. But he is their only real source of goals. Thranduil has teamed up magnificently with his son in the past, but he currently seems to be out of form. Moreover their coach, Oropher, is prone to throwing his team forward with little thought to strategy and the overall shape of the game, meaning that they can be badly caught out of position when playing stronger sides. It is only goalkeeper Attercob’s skill in weaving webs across the goal that has saved them from conceding more so far.

Valimar have not scored many goals in the tournament yet either, with Varda being their main source. She has formed a good partnership with Yavanna, but the midfield is weak. Este is far to gentle, and thus prone to being muscled off the ball, while Nienna spends too much time grieving over her team’s errors to focus sufficiently on the game at hand.

Nevertheless, I see the game going to Valimar, on account of Mirkwood’s defensive frailties.

Gondor v Bree

Anyone for an upset? I would love to see Bree progress against all expectations but I just can’t see it happening. As has already been noted, they are missing key players and cannot simply rely on (gate) keeper Harry Goatleaf to keep out the goals. Particularly not against the likes of Faramir, Boromir and Aragorn, all of whom are in fine goal-scoring form. Faramir and Boromir have formed a very strong partnership up front, while Aragorn times his great striding runs into the box to perfection. Bree’s only hope is Gondor coach Denethor’s uneasy relationship with his son and star striker, Faramir, which has led to speculation that he might take him off so as to allow Boromir to snatch all the glory. But even if that happens, I can’t see Bree pulling a shock out of the hat here.

So I’ll go with the flow. Easy Gondor win.

Doriath v The Shire

I predict that this will be a cracker of a match, possibly the pick of the quarter-finals, with goals galore. Beleg’s scoring streak seems unstoppable and he is bound to score a few against the diminutive Shire defenders. Key central defender Gaffer Gamgee is not the player he once was and he has an uneasy relationship with his defensive partner, Ted Sandyman. On the other hand, Pippin is in fine form too and I believe that this game will finally see other key players, such as Merry, Frodo and Sam, shoulder their responsibilities in attack. Midfield pair Frodo and Sam are known for sneaking into dangerous positions, while Gandalf’s trickery is renowned. If anyone holds the key to unlocking Melian’s tight defensive girdle, it is him.

Lots of goals here, but I’m going to go with my heart and predict a Shire win.

Mordor v Fangorn

This will be a tough match for Mordor. Fangorn’s players are implacable once roused and the beckoning semi-final place should be incentive enough to bring out their finest form. Defensively, the Ents are difficult to break down. If they stand firm, I can see Mordor resorting to sneaky tactics and most probably incurring the referee’s displeasure. Disciplined they may be, but Mordor’s dirty tactics are well-known and star referee, Boromir88, will be keeping a close eye on their players. A few not-too-hasty counter-attacks by Treebeard and Quickbeam could then see Fangorn go ahead.

So I’ll go for the upset and predict a Fangorn win.

Numenor v Angband

With Melkor back in the line-up and Maeglin on board, I can’t see anything but an Angband win here. With Maeglin’s arrival, Ancalagon has been moved to the wing position, where he has proved very effective. Numenor, on the other hand, have been woefully lacking in the goal department, despite the best efforts of Tar-Ancalime. Quite simply, fellow striker Ar-Pharazon has not been pulling his weight in the team. And with Melkor and Maeglin mocking his mortality, his concentration will be lacking, so I don’t see that changing. In such a frame of mind, anything he tries is likely to end in disaster.

I predict an easy Angband win here.

Nargothrond v Moria

My but this one is evenly matched. Moria seem to have overcome their inter-team rivalries and have produced some stunning football. Azog, in particular, has shone in the tournament so far, amply supplied by Balin from midfield and Durin’s Bane on the wing. His strike partner and son, Bolg, has yet to get on the score sheet but talent clearly runs in this family, so it’s only a matter of time.

On the other hand, we have a very strong attacking team in Nargothrond. Turin, in particular, can be deadly. However, his neglect of defensive duties could allow Moria in on the counter-attack.

Slim Moria win, possibly on penalties.

Taur-in-Gaurhoth v Arnor

If there’s one team that can defeat Sauron’s Wolves, it’s Arnor. They are expert defenders, but also not averse to coming forward and Arvedui and Arathorn in particular have impressed. And, while the Wolves are deadly in attack, being adept at turning up unexpectedly in dangerous positions and capitalising on accurate crosses from Thuringwethil on the wing, they can be weak in defence. Carcharoth Red Maw is one of the weaker goalkeepers in the competition. It’s not his natural position since Wolves are, by nature, attackers and he can be easily distracted.

I predict a narrow win for Arnor.

Alqualonde v The Barrow-Downs

Are you kidding? Can anyone name an Alqualonde player other than Olwe? Their natural sport is yachting and they are yet to prove themselves as a force in football. I really don’t know how they got this far. The Barrow-Downs simply has too much firepower for them.

Easy win for the Barrow-Downs.

Anguirel · 11-24-2005, 12:14 PM

As part-time PR manager and image consultant (and full-time sword) for the new Angband striker, I would like to gently clarify that his name is

Lomion Eolion, a.k.a. Maeglin or Sharpboot

not Maedhros, Tuor, or any other variant! Just avoiding confusion. And there is the fact that if slighted my client can get quite angry. I wouldn't want any of you to get run through...

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-24-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anguirel Clifford

As part-time PR manager and image consultant (and full-time sword) for the new Angband striker, I would like to gently clarify that his name is

Lomion Eolion, a.k.a. Maeglin or Sharpboot

Comments duly noted and amended in the second edition.

I always get those two confused.

Sleepy Ranger · 11-25-2005, 02:28 PM

Er, sorry about getting it so late. I just haven't had my mind on things lately. Anyway it isn't really good quality its a pretty big file (18mb) so I wouldn't really suggest watching it unless you really want to. I'm trying my best to improve video quality, the next match should be of better quality if I can figure out what I'm doing. >_<

Anyway heres the results for those who decide NOT to watch the match. I'm afraid I can only do one tonight, the rest seven will be up tomorrow with a lot of random write-ups. (Blame the after-exam partying for not having it up till now)!

Mirkwood (1)0 - 0(4) Valimar
Valimar win 4-1 on penalties.

Valimar - Goal! (1-0)
Mirkwood - Saved! (1-0)
Valimar - Goal! (2-0)
Mirkwood - Saved! (2-0)
Valimar - Goal! (3-0)
Mirkwood - Goal! (3-1)
Valimar - Goal! (4-1)

Yours Whateverwayingly,
Sleepy Ranger

Mirkwood vs. Valimar

Mrikwood - Portugal
Valimar - Croatia

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-26-2005, 08:36 AM

Sleepy, who scoed the penalties?

11-12-2005, 01:34 PM	#1
Sleepy Ranger Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the field, kissing the 'Downs crest Posts: 1,654	Middle-Earth Football Tournament Out of pure bordem I have decided to do a Middle-Earth Football Tournament. It will be done World Cup style. 8 Groups, 4 Teams in each. Top two will move on to the Quarter-Finals and from there on it will be in knock-out format. All matches will be simulated in Fifa 2k6, and results will be posted with highlights. (I'll have a video of the match if people want.) Here are the teams (In no paticular order)- Gondor Shire Mordor Numenor Rivendell Lothlorien Bree Arnor Angband Alqualondë Belegost Dale Erebor Mirkwood Rohan Moria Gondolin Grey Havens Nargothrond Valimar Valmar Vinyamar Woodhall Barrow-Downs Old Forest Fangorn Isengard Tol-In-Gauroth Ephel Brandir Doriath Crickhollow Goblin-town I shall put up the groups and fixtures tomorrow. (The teams used for simulation will be picked at random before each match. Brazil will not be used because Fifa 2k6 has a bad habit of over-rating them. Only International teams will be used.) Thoughts? Comments? Feedback? Should I go ahead with this? (And also let me know which team you're supporting! ^_^) NOTE- For the highlights I will change the player's name to someone from that region in Middle-Earth. (Some teams will have random players if nobody from that area has been named) EDIT- I meant soccer. (Just clearing it up if anyone gets confused) __________________ And tonight we can truly say, together we're invincible... Middle-Earth Football World Cup 2007

11-12-2005, 01:39 PM	#2
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	This sounds... ... interesting. I hope the Hobbits win something. Nice idea, sleepy. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

11-12-2005, 01:48 PM	#3
Bergil Wight Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the Lepetomaine Gambling Casino For The Insane Posts: 157	this could be interresting do we have to wait untill 2006 for the brginning (joke) __________________ I support...something.

11-12-2005, 02:06 PM	#5
Gil-Galad Psyche of Prince Immortal Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Above a Parapet Obvious exits are: North, South, and Dennis Posts: 4,733	is going to be human vs human i hope, if its human vs compu the human player could have more skill and dominate... __________________ Love doesn't blow up and get killed.

11-13-2005, 10:11 AM	#8
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Very nice, Sleepy Ranger, very nice indeed. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

11-13-2005, 10:15 AM	#9
Sleepy Ranger Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the field, kissing the 'Downs crest Posts: 1,654	Thanks for that Fainu! Nice chart! ^_^ __________________ And tonight we can truly say, together we're invincible... Middle-Earth Football World Cup 2007

11-13-2005, 11:56 AM	#10
Valesse Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: \|Away Posts: 614	Haha! I see this quickly becoming a rage in most Tolkien forums, Sleepy! I wonder where they're going to be selling jersys... - - - - - "Middle Earth Sports Watch" produced in association with Arda Sports Inc. __________________ "Loo, what sholde a man in thyse dayes now wryte, 'egges' or 'eyren'?" - Caxton, Eneydos Last edited by Valesse; 11-14-2005 at 08:38 AM. Reason: content

11-13-2005, 11:57 AM	#11
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Sweet idea, Sleepy. I'm rooting for the home team, of course, but I'd love to see the Rohirrim and the Shire do something.

11-13-2005, 12:00 PM	#12
Gil-Galad Psyche of Prince Immortal Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Above a Parapet Obvious exits are: North, South, and Dennis Posts: 4,733	its going to be interesting, but i'm confused over the chart, wouldn't it be easier to go by game won? or are you going by points? __________________ Love doesn't blow up and get killed.

11-24-2005, 12:06 PM	#13
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Saucepan's Analysis The second in a (very) occasional series. Mirkwood v Valimar A difficult one to predict this. Neither team have been particularly prodigious scorers. Mirkwood have Legolas, whose keen eye and deadly accuracy have netted him four goals in the tournament so far. But he is their only real source of goals. Thranduil has teamed up magnificently with his son in the past, but he currently seems to be out of form. Moreover their coach, Oropher, is prone to throwing his team forward with little thought to strategy and the overall shape of the game, meaning that they can be badly caught out of position when playing stronger sides. It is only goalkeeper Attercob’s skill in weaving webs across the goal that has saved them from conceding more so far. Valimar have not scored many goals in the tournament yet either, with Varda being their main source. She has formed a good partnership with Yavanna, but the midfield is weak. Este is far to gentle, and thus prone to being muscled off the ball, while Nienna spends too much time grieving over her team’s errors to focus sufficiently on the game at hand. Nevertheless, I see the game going to Valimar, on account of Mirkwood’s defensive frailties. Gondor v Bree Anyone for an upset? I would love to see Bree progress against all expectations but I just can’t see it happening. As has already been noted, they are missing key players and cannot simply rely on (gate) keeper Harry Goatleaf to keep out the goals. Particularly not against the likes of Faramir, Boromir and Aragorn, all of whom are in fine goal-scoring form. Faramir and Boromir have formed a very strong partnership up front, while Aragorn times his great striding runs into the box to perfection. Bree’s only hope is Gondor coach Denethor’s uneasy relationship with his son and star striker, Faramir, which has led to speculation that he might take him off so as to allow Boromir to snatch all the glory. But even if that happens, I can’t see Bree pulling a shock out of the hat here. So I’ll go with the flow. Easy Gondor win. Doriath v The Shire I predict that this will be a cracker of a match, possibly the pick of the quarter-finals, with goals galore. Beleg’s scoring streak seems unstoppable and he is bound to score a few against the diminutive Shire defenders. Key central defender Gaffer Gamgee is not the player he once was and he has an uneasy relationship with his defensive partner, Ted Sandyman. On the other hand, Pippin is in fine form too and I believe that this game will finally see other key players, such as Merry, Frodo and Sam, shoulder their responsibilities in attack. Midfield pair Frodo and Sam are known for sneaking into dangerous positions, while Gandalf’s trickery is renowned. If anyone holds the key to unlocking Melian’s tight defensive girdle, it is him. Lots of goals here, but I’m going to go with my heart and predict a Shire win. Mordor v Fangorn This will be a tough match for Mordor. Fangorn’s players are implacable once roused and the beckoning semi-final place should be incentive enough to bring out their finest form. Defensively, the Ents are difficult to break down. If they stand firm, I can see Mordor resorting to sneaky tactics and most probably incurring the referee’s displeasure. Disciplined they may be, but Mordor’s dirty tactics are well-known and star referee, Boromir88, will be keeping a close eye on their players. A few not-too-hasty counter-attacks by Treebeard and Quickbeam could then see Fangorn go ahead. So I’ll go for the upset and predict a Fangorn win. Numenor v Angband With Melkor back in the line-up and Maeglin on board, I can’t see anything but an Angband win here. With Maeglin’s arrival, Ancalagon has been moved to the wing position, where he has proved very effective. Numenor, on the other hand, have been woefully lacking in the goal department, despite the best efforts of Tar-Ancalime. Quite simply, fellow striker Ar-Pharazon has not been pulling his weight in the team. And with Melkor and Maeglin mocking his mortality, his concentration will be lacking, so I don’t see that changing. In such a frame of mind, anything he tries is likely to end in disaster. I predict an easy Angband win here. Nargothrond v Moria My but this one is evenly matched. Moria seem to have overcome their inter-team rivalries and have produced some stunning football. Azog, in particular, has shone in the tournament so far, amply supplied by Balin from midfield and Durin’s Bane on the wing. His strike partner and son, Bolg, has yet to get on the score sheet but talent clearly runs in this family, so it’s only a matter of time. On the other hand, we have a very strong attacking team in Nargothrond. Turin, in particular, can be deadly. However, his neglect of defensive duties could allow Moria in on the counter-attack. Slim Moria win, possibly on penalties. Taur-in-Gaurhoth v Arnor If there’s one team that can defeat Sauron’s Wolves, it’s Arnor. They are expert defenders, but also not averse to coming forward and Arvedui and Arathorn in particular have impressed. And, while the Wolves are deadly in attack, being adept at turning up unexpectedly in dangerous positions and capitalising on accurate crosses from Thuringwethil on the wing, they can be weak in defence. Carcharoth Red Maw is one of the weaker goalkeepers in the competition. It’s not his natural position since Wolves are, by nature, attackers and he can be easily distracted. I predict a narrow win for Arnor. Alqualonde v The Barrow-Downs Are you kidding? Can anyone name an Alqualonde player other than Olwe? Their natural sport is yachting and they are yet to prove themselves as a force in football. I really don’t know how they got this far. The Barrow-Downs simply has too much firepower for them. Easy win for the Barrow-Downs. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind! Last edited by The Saucepan Man; 11-24-2005 at 12:18 PM.

11-24-2005, 12:14 PM	#14
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	As part-time PR manager and image consultant (and full-time sword) for the new Angband striker, I would like to gently clarify that his name is Lomion Eolion, a.k.a. Maeglin or Sharpboot not Maedhros, Tuor, or any other variant! Just avoiding confusion. And there is the fact that if slighted my client can get quite angry. I wouldn't want any of you to get run through... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

11-25-2005, 02:28 PM	#16
Sleepy Ranger Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the field, kissing the 'Downs crest Posts: 1,654	Mirkwood vs. Valimar Er, sorry about getting it so late. I just haven't had my mind on things lately. Anyway it isn't really good quality its a pretty big file (18mb) so I wouldn't really suggest watching it unless you really want to. I'm trying my best to improve video quality, the next match should be of better quality if I can figure out what I'm doing. >_< Anyway heres the results for those who decide NOT to watch the match. I'm afraid I can only do one tonight, the rest seven will be up tomorrow with a lot of random write-ups. (Blame the after-exam partying for not having it up till now)! Mirkwood (1)0 - 0(4) Valimar Valimar win 4-1 on penalties. Valimar - Goal! (1-0) Mirkwood - Saved! (1-0) Valimar - Goal! (2-0) Mirkwood - Saved! (2-0) Valimar - Goal! (3-0) Mirkwood - Goal! (3-1) Valimar - Goal! (4-1) Yours Whateverwayingly, Sleepy Ranger Mirkwood vs. Valimar Mrikwood - Portugal Valimar - Croatia __________________ And tonight we can truly say, together we're invincible... Middle-Earth Football World Cup 2007 Last edited by Sleepy Ranger; 11-25-2005 at 03:01 PM. Reason: Forgot to put in the results V_V

11-26-2005, 08:36 AM	#17
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Sleepy, who scoed the penalties? __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!