[Boromir88]

TWO TOWERS NETWORK
Boromir the 88th

GROUP F

The Favorite: Rohan (TTN - 13. OFF - 17. DEF - 5. GK - 7)

A tough team to beat in the friendlies, and it still felt like they were holding back some. None of the offenses in this group, should trouble the Rohan horses + wizard, it really is an underrated group of defenders. Only Eomer showed his offensive prowess during the friendlies, once Gandalf and Eorl get going, this team can go deep into the tournament.

The Challenger: Imladris (TTN - 16. OFF - 25. DEF - 13. GK - 5)

We're not sure why the general attitude seems to be Imladris is a "class above" the other two teams in this group. They're stats are actually quite average, and they were outshot by quite a significant margin 34(15) to 51(21). It's only been Elros' masterful job in front of the net which has made Imladris look decent. Isengard and Misty Mountains are good offensive teams, and if the children of Elrond can't do better to relieve the defense, then Imladris will not advance. The defense allows a lot of shots, and Imladris' fate is solely resting upon the hands of Elros.

The Upsets:

1. Isengard (TTN - 19. OFF - 14. DEF - 12. GK - 21)

Biggest weakness is a below-average GK with Ugluk. But Saruman has lead an offense that created the most opportunities of the teams in this group (52 total shots, 23 on target). And defensively, they have been pretty good. With the promise that Caradhras will play very deep to aid Ugluk more, Isengard is primed to pull of an upset.

2. Misty Mountains (TTN - 18. OFF - 10. DEF - 23. GK - 20)

Misty Mts also has the chance to shake up this group. We give them less of a chance than Isengard, simply because with the Misty Mts there is a great probability they play a player short due to all the cards they pick up. Still Durin's Bane and Azog can create several goals on any day.

Round 1
Imladris 0 - 1 Rohan
Isengard 2 - 2 Misty Mountains

Group F Prediction:
1. Rohan
2. Isengard
3. Imladris
4. Misty Mountains

GROUP G

The Favorite: AC Beleriand (TTN - 5. OFF - 12. DEF - 6. GK - 3)

One of the more balanced teams during the friendlies...with the 12th best offense, 6th in defense and Marach 3rd best GK. We will have to wait and see if Marach can keep up the high save %, but even if there is a drop off, we actually expect the offense to get better. Feanor, Eol, and Beren? Tis a mighty attack and it will be hard to hold AC Beleriand to 1-goal.

The Challenger: Nargothrond (TTN - 15. OFF - 2. DEF - 32. GK - 29)

Ridiculously good offense with Glaurung, Finrod, and Gwindor, but how bad is the defense and GK? In this group, they need to find some better balance and play better defense or they won't advance. We think Finrod has the wiser head to realize they need to play less risky. If not, than Nargothrond fans will start grumbling about the high payroll.

The Upset: Anfauglith (TTN - 14. OFF - 32. DEF - 2. GK - 1)

Which one will win out in Group G then? The great offense and non-existant defense, or great defense and non-existant offense? At least in the group stage, we give the edge to a team that can put a plethora of goals at any time in a match. In the later stages, it's always the most balanced team that advances. But in the group stages, I want a team like Nargothrond, and not Anfauglith who on their best days seems only capable of clawing for 1.

The Relegate: Doriath (TTN - 17. OFF - 16. DEF - 10. GK - 24)

This may cause some disagreement with other members of the media, because Doriath isn't a BAD team...however, they're just way too average when compared to the rest of the group. A pretty good defense, and average offense, and mediocre goal keeping isn't enough to contend with the great teams in this group. It will make for some highly thrilling matches, but unfortunately not enough for Doriath to advance.

Round 1
AC Beleriand 3 - 2 Doriath
Anfauglith 1 - 2 Nargothrond

Group G Prediction:
1. AC Beleriand
2. Nargothrond
3. Doriath
4. Anfauglith

GROUP H

The Favorite: Gondor (TTN - 23. OFF - 26. DEF - 18. GK - 8)

This group frustrates TTN like no other. We pull for each one of these hometown fans, but honestly they're all pretty much rubbish. None of them showed anything in the friendlies that would confidently distinguish themselves from the rest of the group. Really, each one of these teams has a 25% chance of finishing 1st, 25% chance of 2nd...etc. We're just going with Gondor as the favorite, because they played the least inept and Hyarmendacil was the best GK of the group. Plus, Eldacar did nothing in the friendlies, and we expect he'll do much better in the group.

The Challengers:

1. Barad-Dur (TTN - 31. OFF - 24. DEF - 26. GK - 22)

Barad Dur has the best potential from this group. That is, we can't figure out why they played so badly, other than maybe just a poor attitude towards friendlies. But with Sauron, Castamir, and Beruthiel in the attack, we can't figure out why the offense isn't better. The defense and GK is a still not good enough to advance beyond the 1st round of playoffs, and may not even be good enough to get to the playoffs.

2. Minas Tirith (TTN - 26. OFF - 29. DEF - 14. GK - 18)

Kind of the same story as Barad-dur, only it's the offense that has been the problem from Minas Tirith. They were the best defensive team in this group and the Stewards know how to deal with trouble that spews out from the Black Gates. Our only hope is this group of intense rivals will make the matches in this group more interesting.

The Upset: Mordor (TTN - 30. OFF - 28. DEF - 19. GK - 25)

When playing against teams of Men, the Nazgul are dangerous and tough foes. So they won't be pushovers in this group, even though their stats are quite...bad. If it comes down to either Barad-dur or Mordor advancing, we expect the talent and dominance of Sauron to prevail over his servants.

Round 1
Barad Dur 2 - 2 Minas Tirith
Gondor 2 - 2 Mordor

Group H Prediction:
1. Gondor
2. Barad Dur
3. Minas Tirith
4. Mordor