[Nogrod]

The High-King Fingolfin had invited his loyal fief, Hador and his people from Dor-Lómin, to co-host two friendlies at the beautiful Lake Mithrim Arena. That way the two teams could offer the local spectators two games on one evening, like it would then be when the tournament starts. Unable to play on their own continent, the Valinor-based teams were just happy to accept an invitation to play in beautiful Beleriand.

The first game of the evening sure didn’t leave anyone cold. Real Valinor started with full force and in tournament tempo from the first minute, and as Real scored 1-0 already at the third minute, Hithlum was forced to give their best effort as well. But even if Hithlum fought valiantly, Real Valinor was on a level of its own making it 3-0 on the first half and adding one more in the beginning of the second. When Arien made her hat-trick twenty minutes before the closing whistle – making it 5-1 – Tulkas finally called back their offence, but they were not giving in for Hithlum in defence any easier. The final “comfort-goal” for Hithlum was more a show of Túrin’s determination and will-power than any lapse on Real Valinor’s defence.

Andróg was quite forthcoming in the post game press-conference: “Defending against those three ladies is like trying to stand your ground against a whirlwind, a tornado and a hurricane all at the same time. It was way easier defending Amon Rûdh. I mean our team isn’t exactly one built for defending but outscoring the opponent. Sadly there seems to be at least one team that can outscore us.”

Hithlum 2-5 Real Valinor
tot shots 20-18
on target 8-10
GOALS:
*3, 0-1 Arien (Nessa)
*9, 0-2 Arien (Miriel)
*18, 0-3 Miriel (Enerdhil)
*49, 0-4 Miriel (Nerdanel)
*56, 1-4 Nienor (Hador)
*70, 1-5 Arien (Miriel)
*81, 2-5 Turin (Morwen)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Sador, Arroch, Androg, Gethron
*RealVal- Rumil, Tilion, Caranthir


After the most entertaining and high-quality game in the afternoon there were great expectations for the evening match-up between the hosts AC Beleriand and Manwë’s Valimar.

The crowds looking forwards to fast-paced and serious competition were disappointed after the first half as the two teams seemed content more or less just kicking the ball around. But whether it was something the teams had made a deal already before the game, or whether it was because of the pressure of the crowds, both teams made some real play on the second half ending up in a fairly competitive game, displaying some pretty impressive skills and both individual & team effort.

And as the hometeam pulled a last minute draw with a goal by Denethor, the crowds went back home satisfied with their team and with the games they had seen.

Meeting the press, Manwë was once again faced with the accusation that his teams play it “sweet‘n nice” against their friends and other goodies and don’t play for maximum results. To that Manwë had this to say: “A solid teamplay starts from the defence and so we always go defence first. That’s where we lay our eggs, if you get the meaning. It’s like our philosophy is the opposite from team Hithlum: they try to score as much as possible and hope the opponent doesn't score more; we try to let the opponent to score as few as possible and then see how many we have to do to win the game. And it is not everytime winning is preferable... You may call it conservative or unentertaining philosophy, but I call it the philosophy of reason and success.”

AC Beleriand 1-1 Valimar
tot shots 14-9
on target 4-3
GOALS:
*54, 0-1 Vaire (Alatar)
*82, 1-1 Denethor (Feanor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*ACBel- Beren, Feanor
*Valimar- Pallando, Amrod

~*~

Meanwhile Tirion had accepted Cirdan’s invite to stay at Havens to practise a few days after the first round of friendlies and then play their second friendly against the hosts. During those days both teams were often seen practising together. Outside the friendly practising the old Olwë and Finwë were seen having long evening meals together with their married children Eärwen and Finarfin and their sons Angrod and Aegnor.

After sessions of amiable practising the two teams then played it more or less for real on the field. Both teams played it pretty straightforward as if not willing to give up any tactical niceties they might have up in their sleeves for the tournament, but they played it with full tempo giving the audience a really entertaining afternoon.

The home team took the driver’s seat in the beginning and led the game already 3-1 on the early second period, but little by little the accuracy and effectiveness of Tirion forwards just proved lethal and they went on to win the game 5-3 with both teams holding it down for the last ten minutes after the fifth goal.

Aredhel was crowned the MVP of the game with her 2+1 (the AKM has already pointed it out earlier that she is clearly underpaid with her 10 million deal to Tirion, and this should prove it). But Aegnor was also rewarded after the game for putting the ball twice behind his father’s back, and the latter one where he received a perfect long pass from his grandfather was declared the best goal of the day.

So even if the game had been a competitive one, the teams separated in friendship and mutual recognition wishing each other well for the group-stage – and for a rematch in the qualification rounds. As late as possible.

The Havens 3-5 Tirion
tot shots 14-21
on target 7-11
GOALS:
*26, 1-0 Aegnor (Andreth)
*32, 2-0 Tuor (Earendil)
*39, 2-1 Ingwe
*47, 3-1 Aegnor (Olwe)
*53, 3-2 Aredhel (Mahtan)
*61, 3-3 Finwe (Aredhel)
*68, 3-4 Eonwe (Mahtan)
*77, 3-5 Aredhel (Finwe)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Havens- Angrod
*Tirion-