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Nogrod · 06-25-2012, 06:41 PM

Group E at the Grey Havens, the shoot-out competition

The AKM’s reading instructions for the coverage: If you are wiling to just get the results scroll down until you find bolded results from each match-up and the end-result from the bottom of this post. If you’re into some hair-raising action and enjoyment of the drama of football, scroll carefully not letting yourself be spoiled with the bolded results coming your way as you go. Whichever way is your way, enjoy!

PS. The AKM understands this is probably the longest ever article in the history of the Arda Cup, but the situation was quite unique as well, so we here in the AKM thought it deserved a full coverage to all the fans in Arda and beyond.

~*~

The shoot-out competition

It was a time for the shoot-out competition at Lhûnarena to decide which two teams from Hithlum, The Havens and The Sea would qualify and who would qualify as E1 and who as E2. There had been some rumours that Manwë and his retinue had left the city after the defeat and the storm of yesterday had kind of confirmed that to many, but when Manwë and Mandos appeared in front of the full-packed stadium to perform as the shoot-out judges those stories gained a new twist. On the other hand Ulmo and his minions had made a great effort to dry the the pitch and the surrounding gardens for the day's shoot-outs to go on. Some sceptics said it was business as usual: the Ainur create problems and then correct them waiting to be honoured and praised...

So not all faces smiled seeing the ultimate judges personalities, but most of the folks packed at the arena and the dried surroundings were most of all happy for the matches to go on.

Mandos anyway declared the rules: every team would go against each other and after every team had faced the others it would be seen if there was a result or not. If not, the rounds would be repeated as many times it was needed to produce a result. The rules for an inividual match-up would be the following: both teams take five shots and if the scores are even, they go one by one until the winner is found. And no player would be allowed to make two shots until every player of the team had made one. So it would not be only the stars of each team competing each other but every team would need to produce some wider quality.

The order of the match-ups was then drawn with the team captains present. First it would be Hithlum against The Sea, then The Sea against The Havens and lastly The Havens against Hithlum.

~*~

Match 1, Hithlum vs. The Sea

The first shoot-out competition between Hithlum and The Sea was ordered to take place at the south-end goal and the crowds on that part of the stands were more than happy. Malach Aradan and Voronwë shook hands before starting to walk slowly towards the goal. Their concentration had already started and both the great grandfather of men and the heroic elf walked quietly forwards ending up in the opposite sides of the goal, waiting for their task to begin.

After Manwë and Mandos had received shooting order -lists from both teams the competition was ready to begin after a coin was tossed to determine which team would go first. It would be Hithlum.

It was no surprise to anyone that Túrin took the ball first walking with easy pace to the penalty spot while both teams stood at the center, team Hithlum players holding each other from shoulders.

Túrin set the ball into the chalked spot without hesitation, took a few quick steps backwards, glanced at Voronwë with a grim smile – and charged. Gooooaaaalll! Voronwë stood no chance against that cannon-blast straight into the upper-left corner.

Túrin is a great and renowned man, but so is Tar Minastir, the unrivalled and strongest King of all the Middle-Earth at his time, a man who was the key in beating Sauron himself. And he was as fast and pragmatic as Túrin had been: the ball into it’s place, a short few steps back, a challenging glance at Aradan and an unstoppable hammer into the back of the net. And like Túrin, he didn’t cheer or run around, only nodded at his team-mates and walked back at a leisured pace.

Hithlum 1 – 1 The Sea

The next shooter was the man with fire within him, a man no less than Húrin himself. And his determination was easy to see even to the other end of the stadium. Unlike the first two shooters he did take his time after setting the ball and taking his steps back. He was staring at Voronwë, challenging him with his gaze. If possible he looked even more grim his son looked – and with the first sign of Voronwë blinking he dashed forwards – and sent the ball hard into the center of the goal when Voronwë dived to the right feeling the need to react.

Tar Aldarion was the next shooter – a king who is perhaps unfairly known better from his marital problems than for his intelligence and capabilties. But on his turn he left no one a chance of questioning those characteristics: he took a long run to the ball – and stopped suddenly just as his boot was going to hit it. Aradan made a reflection dive forwards-right believing the shot was coming, but it didn’t come… yet. Tar Aldarion looked over when Aradan landed to the ground and then tossed the ball into the lower left corner of the goal like he couldn’t care less.

Hithlum 2 – 2 The Sea

It was Húrin’s grandfather and Aradan’s grand-grand-child Hador the Goldenhead who came forth the next. And like the previous shooters he didn’t give the goalie a chance. A powerful and accurate shot just under the crossbar left Voronwë totally helpless.

After starting with two Númenorians The Sea now sent it’s first Maia into the game. Ossë took the ball firmly into his hands and settled it sternly into a position. Nodding to Aradan with a grin he took only one step back and leaned backwards – and then shot an amazing blast of a kick that would have broken a skull if any had been on it’s way. But the ball went flying high over the goal and into the upper level of the stands. It was a miss!

Hithlum 3 – 2 The Sea

It was Niënor Niniel’s turn when Hithlum had taken the lead, and many Hithlum supporters were afraid if the young woman could handle the situation without breaking. She took the ball, settled it, took the steps back and breathed deep staring at the middle of the goal, like she tried to gaze through Voronwë. Then she dashed forwards and shot the ball closing her eyes… Voronwë hunched her intention to be shooting into the center and stood still only grounding his feet deeper on the ground to receive the force of the ball coming in – but Niniel’s shot that started plain forwards went curving neatly to the right side of the goal and Voronwë was totally late when he realised it. Niënor had outwitted him and scored!

The Hithlum supporters were going crazy while the Sea’s supporters fell totally silent… Hithlum led by four goals to two and if the next shooter from The Sea would fail it would be all over as the last round wouldn’t be needed.

But it was Ulmo himself who turned out to shoot next! The supporters went exploding and praised Eru of the tactical choice that was made before the shooting started: who else could bear the pressure if not Ulmo? “Praised be Mandos”, many of them thought – and many men cursed the same thing suspecting some foul games behind the scene. But it was clear, Ulmo had not made his shot and Manwë declared it was now his turn.

Ulmo took a deep breath after setting the ball and taking his distance. Aradan looked nervous but steadfast: he would stand his ground whatever the second of the Aratar would do. Ulmo was not hurrying up but started somehow growing, not in size but in stature, and suddenly he was on the move. The spectators felt like they were witnessing a slow-replay, like something happened and they just saw a slow-motion replica of it… and Aradan must have felt the same as the ball was in the back of the net before he realised Ulmo had taken the shot. Many humans were booing and some discredited the goal for “some Western wizardry”, but it was a goal nonetheless.

Hithlum 4 – 3 The Sea

The stadium fell silent as Morwen walked towards the box. The tension was building up. If She scored Hithlum would claim victory over The Sea. And Morwen, if someone, would know what it is to act under pressure… many Hithlum supporters silently praised Eru for the wise choice of the team.

Morwen took the ball, settled it for quite a long while before she was happy with it, took the steps back and breathed heavily. It was the decisive shot and she knew it. It was all upon her now and she just needed to act. And she did. With a few slow steps she got into motion and then sped on dashing to the ball sending it powerfully towards the lower left corner of the goal – and Voronwë hunched it right diving to the the ball and tipping the ball away from the post! It was the first save of the day and the Sea had a chance to get even!

And it was Vëantur, grandfather of Tar Aldarion, the mariner, the great captain of King’s ships, who proceeded towards the penalty spot… It was now up to him whether the game continued or whether The Sea lost it. With steadfast hands he placed the ball and took his steps away from it, quite a many of them. He was staring at the right corner of the goal incessantly totally ignoring the gaze of Aradan. And he ran, and he shot the ball with power… to the right corner of the goal – and it was in! Aradan hesitated just a part of a second trying to decide whether Vëantur’s intent gaze was a trick or not – and that did it, he was an inch late and only managed to touch the ball with the tips of his fingers, but couldn’t deny the goal.

Hithlum 4 – 4 The Sea

After all the five shooters had taken their shots it would then be one on one – in a reverse order. And the first pair where one scored and the other didn’t would decide the game. It was getting unbearably tense – even if the home team wasn’t part of it yet – but every elf in the stadium realised they’d have to face the same drama with their own team soon enough…

So it was Uinen who came forwards the next. Many humans in the crowds were sighing in despair just realising how many of the Ainur the Sea boasted in it’s ranks – and comparing them to what their team had in store for the next rounds. But they didn’t lose faith, on the contrary they started chanting songs to distract Uinen and to aid Aradan.

And Uinen missed the goal! She shot it wide! The humans were rejoicing. Their next shooter had a chance to win the game for them.

And it was actually none other than their goal-keeper Malach Aradan who came from beside the goal to take the shot. “It takes one to know one” they say – and so the Hithlum fans sang away when Aradan settled the ball to the spot. Aradan was in no hurry but took his time looking around the different areas of the goal clearly trying to make Voronwë guessing what he was going to be up to. Then he suddenly sped himself to the ball and made a shot… and fell down to the grass!

He had slipped at the crucial moment and the ball went on with half the speed it would have done if he had managed the shot normally. But it was heading to the opposite direction Voronwë was diving for! Voronwë made an incredible stretch and was able to touch the ball with the tip of his left foot changing the angle of the ball’s trajectory just enough to make it roll slowly just beside the post and off.

With both goalies lying in the grass and watching the ball roll past the goal the fans of the Sea rose up in the stands cheering wildly while the human fans fell silent. The game was still on!

Hithlum 4 – 4 The Sea

The Sea was able to put forwards yet another Maia and the fans were getting really excited. After all those shots they had been making with a knife at their throat they were now feeling like back in the steering wheel. And Salmar was a mighty if somewhat shady character just fitting for a shoot-out competition. And like some of the first shooters it looked like he really knew what to do. A short walk away from the ball, a sharp glance at the upper left corner, and a shot into the lower right corner. And it was a goal! The Sea was in the lead for the first time.

So now it was up to proud Andróg whether Hithlum would continue the game or whether they would lose. Andróg took his time and breathed slowly: it was him or the elf and he had to make good his error of giving Valimar the penalty-shot in the game. He just had to. He gathered energy, gathered feeling inside him, gathered rage, gathered power to release – and he dashed to the ball. It was a mighty shot from a mighty man and Voronwë dived to the opposite side of the goal! But the ball went wide!! Andróg missed!

Andróg fell on his knees from disappointment. He had been given an opportunity to make good his deed and he had failed. Voronwë walked past him and pat him gently on the shoulder before the cheering The Sea players reached him and joined in a group embrace.

Hithlum 4 – 5 The Sea

The Sea had won the first match-up 5-4 – and unless all the teams played cross-wins, they would qualify! So it was a huge step ahed for The Sea and a real setback for Hithlum.

~*~

Match 2, The Havens vs. The Sea

The second match-up would be the hosts The Havens vs. the winners of the first match The Sea. If The Sea would win this they would secure their qualification as number one (facing Real Valinor then) and leave the hosts fight it out against Hithlum for the second place in the group (to face FC Valinor). If The Havens won, they’d have a similar situation facing Hithlum in the last match-up. But with all teams ending up with one win, all the matches would be replayed as long as there was a result.

The Sea’s players were allowed a fifteen minute pause to regain their energies and to concentrate on the match to follow. The order of the shooting was meanwhile decided by throwing a coin again, and The Sea would be shooting, again, as the second team while The Havens would start. And like the last time: if five shots would not be enough to decide a winner, there would be one-on-one shots in a reverse order until there was a result.

While others were preparing themselves around the Mid-spot of the pitch, Cirdan walked quietly to the north-end goal where Voronwë was already concentrating sitting beside the goal. The two elves embraced and seemed to change a few light words before they both sat down next to each other to just sit still and get ready for the shoot-out. What they might have been sharing their laughs on is anybody’s guess.

When Mandos blew the horn as a sign for the second match to begin, Eärendil took towards the goal and Voronwë rose up walking in between the posts clapping his hands together to boost himself. The second match-up was getting started and the crowds cheered wildly for their hero Eärendil as he settled the ball into position and took the few steps back from it he needed. It was a remarkably short distance, just a few steps from the ball. Suddenly a dragon-killer’s fire eas lit in his eyes and he made a dash… and before Voronwë even realised the ball was in the net. Voronwë was left literally standing against the cannon booted from Eärendil’s foot. The crowds went crazy and enjoyed the humiliation to the fullest. Eärendil was their man!

Cirdan nodded with compassion to his fellow keeper and encouragingly patted his shoulder as they passed each other, Voronwë on his way outside the pitch and Cirdan going to face his turn on the goal.

Tar Minastir had already reached the penalty spot and was settling the ball into a position he would be happy with. And if somene had thought the Tower Watcher could be derailed with a lots of pressure from the crowds, they were very wrong. He looked at Cirdan to the eye, nodded, and took off. Cirdan hunched it right and dived towards the lower-right corner but the shot was just too powerful for him to reach it. Like the last time, Tar Minastir barely waved his hand to celebrate the goal but nodded to his team-mates after turning around and starting to walk slowly towards them.

Cirdan received a pat in his shoulder from Voronwë walking out from the pitch. They smiled and shook their heads while passing each other. It takes one to know one, and it takes a goalie to understand another goalie’s feeling in a penalty shoot-out…

The Havens 1 – 1 The Sea

The Havens continued with their strongest players sending Tuor to take the second shot. The two Ulmondili looked at each other for a moment in silence. Then Tuor bowed graciously to his one time guide and friend Voronwë who payed the courtesy back with a deep bow in turn. Tuor took the steps away from the ball walking backwards, looking at his friend to the eye as he backed away from him and the ball. And suddenly he was off with it shooting a real boomer to the upper-left corner of the goal.

But Voronwë got it right and made an unbelievable dive to the ball, catching it with his both hands and falling down still clinging to the ball in his fingers. There was a loud sigh in the crowds but with Tuor starting to cheer to his friend clapping his hands together high in the air the crowds slowly followed and in the end Voronwë was applauded for what he was due. It was by far the most beautiful save of the day.

Tar Aldarion now had a chance of putting The Sea in the lead and the crowds remembered just too well how he humiliated Aradan in the first match-up. The elves of the Greay Havens were biting their nails but Cirdan stood firm: Aldarion could not repeat his trick on him. And he didn’t.

Instead Tar Aldarion made a powerful run to the ball and booted it into the exact upper-right corner of the goal, the ball going in by slightly hitting both the crossbar and the post. Cirdan stood no chance against a shot like that. The Sea was in the lead.

The Havens 1 – 2 The Sea

Had the Havens known they would be down one goal after Eärendil and Tuor they sure would have chosen someone else to take the third shot, but they had declared Angrod as their third shooter and Angrod it would be. His tournament hadn’t gone too well thus far, gaining only one assist and one yellow card thus far it seemed Angrod’s self-reliance wasn’t the best it could be. The pressure was heavy on him: should he fail The Sea had a chance to take practically an unreachable two goal lead.

Angrod breathed heavily and concentrated with care before executing his shot. And he scored! Voronwë hunched it wrong and went to the opposite direction from Angrod’s sharp placement of the ball to the lower-left side of the goal. His relief could be seen from his body-language from the farthest point of the stadium as he went on jumping and cheering around from relief. Coming towards the rest of the team in the middle of the pitch Andreth ran to embrace him witch his borther Aegnor in her trail. The crowds cheered wildly.

But Ossë was already marching towards the penalty spot with steady feet. He had shot the ball high over the goal in the match-up against Hithlum – and the crowds started whistling and booing to him hoping he would miss the target again… in vain. With his trademark “one step run” to the ball Ossë hammered the ball straight into the center of the goal while Cirdan started reaching for the lower-left corner only to realise the real target a moment too late and unable to correct the trajectory of his weight. He fell on all fours to the ground and the ball slowly rolled back from the net just past him. It was humiliating.

But to the amazement of many in the stands Ossë came down to help his friend up and they nodded to each other holding their hands at each other’s shoulders. It did look like Ossë was saying “sorry pal”, and Cirdan was answering “never mind friend, my fault” – with their eyes only. Whatever it was, The Sea stayed in the lead.

The Havens 2 – 3 The Sea

So Aegnor faced the same pressure his brother had faced just a moment before, but in a bit more serious situation. If he failed and the next shooter from the Sea scored it would be all over. He placed the ball carefully to the spot trying not to reveal his decision to go for the left side of the goal with his eyes. Instead he tried to think of the crowds cheering and Andreth giving him a dear embrace as well after a succesful shot shutting off the images of failure from his mind.

He ran towards the ball and sent it flying towards the left side of the goal. Voronwë was about to jump to the right but realised at the last instant the shot was coming to the left and managed to change the momentum of his motion towards left… his fingertips touched the ball slightly swerving it more to the left.
The ball hit the post – and bounced inside from it!

The crowds exploded and Aegnor jumped high rolling his fisted right hand in the air. Jogging towards his team-mates he saw Andreth Saelind actually coming towards him with his brother on her trail. Aegnor and Andreth embraced – and Andreth kissed him! The crowds awed.

But the cheers died as quickly as they had started. Like in their first match-up The Sea marched forwards none less than Ulmo himself as their fourth shooter – and everyone remembered the awkward and almost magical goal he had made against Aradan of Hithlum. Could the Lord of the Falathrim stand up for the challenge of Ulmo? Suddenly it was strangely silent as Ulmo settled the ball to his liking at the spot.

Many vowed afterwards Ulmo had used a similar kind of a mind-trick as they claimed he had done in the first match-up, others were less sure. But everyone agreed things happened with incredible speed: at one moment they saw Ulmo bending backwards some ten feet away from the ball and next they saw it flying high up in the air towards the middle of the pitch after Cirdan had stood his ground and fisted it back and away from the goal. There was a moment of awed silence after which the stands broke into wild yells and cheer. Cirdan had saved Ulmo’s attempt and the game was even once again! Whatever had happened Cirdan had anticipated it… so it was not in vain he was called the most foresighted of the Falathrim.

The Havens 3 – 3 The Sea

The last shooter on the regular round from the Havens was none other than Olwë himself. Coming even from behind and seeing the great king coming to the fore the elves of the Havens were feeling confident again.

The white-haired king settled the ball into it’s place, glanced at Voronwë at the goal and backstepped a few feet away from the ball. With the home crowds cheering and chanting Olwë closed his eyes to breath in the strength from the elven crowd and stiffening his body. And he went for the shot booting the ball like he was, despite his years, still a youth. The shot took a mighty swerve…

Voronwë’s reaction was once again correct but despite his great reaction he seemed just inches late as the ball swerved ever more to the right – and off the goal just missing the post! Olwë had missed the goal!

For a moment Vëantur walked towards the penalty spot in total silence but slowly the crowds awoke to booing and whistling. At the time he adjusted the ball into it’s place the noise was already angbandal. And the reason was clear: if he scored The Sea would win, if he didn’t The Havens would still have a chance to fight for the win. With the win The Sea would not only qualify but they would also avoid facing FC Valinor which would be the destiny of the second team qualifying from this group. So being E1 was paramount.

Vëantur ignored the crowds and greeted his old friend Cirdan with a courteous nod before taking the somewhat lengthy way back from the ball. Cirdan saluted the Sea-Commander by raising his right hand to his forehead. Under all that pressure and the tens of thousands of fans the man and the elf seemed congenial. They were in a competition but they weren’t fighting eact other: what an example to any youngsters at the stands or reading this report: so children, remember this!

Vëantur took his time standing behind the ball. Then he suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the upper-left corner. Cirdan glanced up there and turned his eyes back to Vëantur smiling and nodding. Vëantur returned the nod and dashed forwards to the ball. Instead of the upper-left corner the ball whirled towards the lower-right side of the goal. And Cirdan got it right diving towards the shot into the right corner… Cirdan’s fingers caught the ball but there was a spin in the ball and it just rolled over Cirdan’s hands. Cirdan managed to take a second chance with his reflexes grasping the ball again with his left hand but that just doubled the spin and sped it’s way into the goal. It was a goal indeed!

The Havens 3-4 The Sea

The Sea had won group E by beating The Havens 4-3 and Hithlum 5-4! They would face Real Valinor in the first round of qualifiers while The Havens and Hithlum would fight it out in the last match-up which team would follow The Sea into the qualifiers meeting the feared FC Valinor.

~*~

Match 3, Hithlum vs. The Havens

So it was then that the homeside and Hithlum would play it out which one would qualify and which one would be left into the group-phase. The always keen statisticians started making predictions while the teams were preparing for the day’s finals contest in the field. Those in favour of The Havens went on reminding that Aradan hadn’t made a single save whereas Cirdan had made one – and they said also that behind the four top players Hithlum’s talent was light indeed and the wider spread of players able to clutch a game would make The Havens win. But those supporting Hithlum in turn reminded that both Tuor and Olwë had failed while all the Hithlum top-players had succeeded, and that Cirdan’s save against Ulmo was in part due both to him knowing Ulmo a way better Malach Aradan ever could and that he had seen the trick already so there was no way of telling which was the better goalie. The more level-minded people liked to note that the overall stats from the actual group-games showed Cirdan to be 3% more effective in shutting the shots on goal than Aradan, but on the other hand team Hithlum was about the same 3% more effective in scoring than The Havens, so it would be a tight match-up in any case.

The coin-toss ordered Hithlum to begin the shoot-out and Túrin was more than ready for the task. He was just like in the first competiton – or like he always was, as some noted. He took a glance at Cirdan and made his short run to the ball – and kicked it with power straight into the net leaving Cirdan without a chance whatsoever. Hithlum fans were having good times, this was how their team scored.

But when Eärendil came forth to shoot the crowds just went wild. Túrin was a great player, an icon in football to be sure, but Eärendil was the elves’ favourite and he had a dragon under his belt as well as Túrin. And it took him no hesitation to even the scoreline with a mighty boot to the upper-right corner of the goal. It was a mighty start for the final competition: two Arda-class finishes from two great players who left the goalies basically standing in between their posts.

Hithlum 1 – 1 The Havens

Húrin walked to the box and took his time with settling the ball as he used to do and took the steps back slowly with a determined look in his face. He stared Cirdan to the eyes. One who had stood against Morgoth’s gaze and all his torments, and seen and done what Húrin had, was such a strong soul even a mighty elven lord felt the pressure of his eyes.

Húrin ran towards the ball and Cirdan blinked to the right just before Húrin was hitting the ball. He saw Cirdan reacting rightwards and booted the ball from the bottom of his darkened heart to the left only to realise Cirdan outwitting him as the reaction had been a trick and Cirdan actually dived left. But such was the force of Húrin’s shot that Cirdan managed just barely to fist the ball off target even if he was spot on. But the goal was untouched! The Havens took a claim to victory with Cirdan denying none other than Húrin himself. The elven crowds were going nuts.

Tuor met his uncle halfway up to the northern end of the field walking towards the goal and the two exchanged looks. It was clearly an emotional moment for both of them, even if Húrin wasn’t exactly betraying his emotions with his face. In a post-game interview Tuor actually told the press that he surely wished all the Hithlum players to miss their shots, except his uncle who’d had “enough misfortunes and hardships for a thousand lives”.

But to be honest Tuor had his own pressures as well. Voronwë had beaten him in the first match and he had a lot to show for the Havens’ supporters. After adjusting and then readjusting the ball into its place after Mandos’ orders, Tuor looked concentrated when he walked away from the ball while Aradan jumped up and down to get himself into a right feeling to deny him. Tuor licked his upper lip and set himself forwards. And he produced probably the most confident goal of the day thus far!

Just as he was going to kick the ball he slowed his motion almost imperceptibly letting Aradan make the first move – which was going to the right – and then he just chipped the ball in the middle of the goal.

That was cool!

Hithlum 1 – 2 The Havens

With the homefans in a celebratory mood it was time for Hador Lórindol to show what the great men were made of. Like Túrin he just hammered the ball in with such force that even if Cirdan was actually diving for the right direction he had no chance to divert the ball’s trajectory as it rocketed in, partly from between his hands. Hithlum clearly was in no way surrendering the fight. Hador’s stature and body-language told it to the whole stadium as he just raised his fisted right hand while turning back away from the goal to walk back to the other players centerfield.

Hador’s cool defiance didn’t make the situation easier for Angrod. If he missed Hithlum would have evened the scores. Oh, the pressure…

Angrod took his time once again and went for a trick inspired by Tuor’s magical shot. It must have been something in his eyes or just pure luck but Malach Aradan hunched what he was trying to do and after pretending to fall slightly to the right he actually dived towards the shot and caught the chip safely into his gloves. For a moment there was an awkward silence at the stadium except the supporters of team Hithlum who yelled as loud as they could in support of their great grand-grand-father.

Hithlum 2 – 2 The Havens

Niënor Niniel had earned all the trust of Hithlum supporters with her cool scoring in the first match-up and the fans were getting loud indeed while the locals were biting their nails fearing Hithlum would take the initiative once more. The whistling of the homecrowd sure overtook the chants of the visiting fans but it didn’t sound as confident one would have anticipated. There was nervousness in the stands.

Niënor settled the ball and took her steps away from it in total calm not even glancing at Cirdan. After a few heavy breaths in and out she went for it and shot once more a nasty curve-ball that seemed to go straight but then started bending half-way to the goal. Cirdan had anticipated something like that and hadn’t moved when the shot took off but went after it with instinct the part of the second later when he thought he had a hunch as to where it would bend – and he got it wrong! Diving right he gasped in mid-air seeing the ball taking an incredibly strong bend leftwards. The ball was heading into the empty net and the homecroeds held theior breath while Hithlum supporters jumped up only to realise in the middle of their jump that the ball bent too much and went just an inch wide the target.

Suddenly the crowds were alive again. It was a miss from Niënor! The Havens could still take the lead after four shooters! And Aegnor had scored the last time so he would be an elf to grant them their lead. The cheering of the crowds were rekindled into full force.

Aegnor tried to stick into the good things while walking towards the goal… he could visualize himself scoring, he could hear the crowds cheering at him, he could feel Andreth’s lips pressed against his… Suddenly he saw his sister Galadriel and brother Felagund with his mind’s eye. They weren’t looking too happy with his procrastinations, Suddenly he felt weak. But he would not show it. He would not think of it. He would throw it away and score… He was muttering to himself as he settled the ball into it’s position and took the steps backwards.

He ran for it looking straight forwards trying not to reveal to Aradan his thoughts that were at the upper-left corner of the goal. A moment before his boot hit the ball he saw Aradan hunching up-left. A split second’s hesitation proved disasterous. He was about to change the plan at the last instance but realised it was too late – and the shot ended up more or less to where he had originally intended but with half the power and accuracy he could have pulled out sticking to his plan and ignoring the keeper’s reactions.

Aradan shoved the shot away from the goal with his palms. The crowds were having a real roller-coaster ride this time. After four shots each, the game was even.

Hithlum 2 – 2 The Havens

Morwen walked to the penalty spot her eyes almost closed when the homecrowds started their whistling to try and distract her. But there was nothing that could have taken Morwen out and off her misery at that moment. Voronwë had saved her shot in the first match and her husband had been shut out cruelly in this one. She was filled with agony and despair. It was just going to go down the drain as it used to, she thought walking away from the ball trying to shut out the yells from the crowds.

After standing motionlessly a while she suddenly turned her face towards Mandos standing beside the goal searching for his eyes. Catching his attention her eyes flared and she yelled out aloud over all the whistling of the crowds: “For Húrin, for my children!”.

Closing her eyes she ran to the ball and shot it from the bottom of her soul – into the goal! Cirdan might have been distracted or then he wasn’t, but the shot was just such a hammer-blow he had no way of getting in between it and the goal he was keeping. Some thouhgt afterwards Mandos might have grown soft on such appeals and froze Cirdan for the decisive second but most reasonable commentators disqualified such speculation as nonsense it was.

But Hithlum was in the lead now and the Havens just had to score… otherwise the games would be over for the team and Hithlum would qualify.

Olwë walked towards the penalty spot slowly and majestically looking nothing like an elf-king who had missed his shot in the first match. He was proud and tall, radiating confidence and honour to the highest rows of the stands. And slowly the trust spread within the homecrowds and they started cheering and chanting for him.

This time there was no swerve in the ball but just a plain old-fashioned power-shot that left Aradan taste the grass on the wrong side of the goal while Olwë slowly rolled his fist a few times over his head and bowed then to the cheering crowds before walking back to his team-mates.

Hithlum 3 – 3 The Havens

After the first five shots the match for qualifying was even. It would be one on one then to decide. It was getting more intensive many of the home-team supporters, most of them new to football, were ready to handle. And it would be the home team that would shoot first now.

But seeing that Cirdan himself would be shooting the first one the crowds kind of awoke from a spell. Cirdan was their hero and who else could lead them if not the bearded elf, the friend of the mighty and lesser folks as well?

The stadium awoke to a full cheer when Cirdan took the ball and settled it for a shot. Wawing to the stands Cirdan backtracked a few steps and emptied his lungs with a long blow out. Taking the air in he straightened his back and there he was, on the run.

He hadn’t given Aradan any hint of what he was thinking about by avoiding his eyes and the goal itself all the time, suddenly, at the moment just before hitting the ball he raised his eyes from the ball and glanced quickly at the top-left corner of the goal and then shut his eyes and booted the ball to it’s way.

Aradan was an experienced goal-keeper and quickly realised the trick the other goalie was trying on him. With such a plain revealment of where he was “going to shoot” it was clear it was just a game Cirdan was trying to play with him, and Cirdan would anticipate him understanding it and thus not go to the other end but actually dive to the left – and if that was what Cirdan hoped for he should dive right.

The moment the ball got loose from Cirdan’s boot Aradan jumped to the right and the ball headed just that way… only to suddenly swerve slightly back to the middle. Aradan had little options in mid-air but trying to reach for the ball with his legs while flying away from the ball. And he managed to stretch his left foot to hit the ball!

The ball bounced from Aradan’s foot to the roof of the goal just a few inches behind the crossbar and rolled along the net to bounce again from the bottom-bar rolling out of the goal over Aradan who laid down on the grass watching it go. The Havens was on the lead and Cirdan was their hero once again.

But when Aradan got himself up and walked not to the side of the goal but to the penalty spot the mood suddenly changed again. If a goalie can thusly fool another goalie why wouldn’t another goalie do the same? The home-supporters were worried and nervous feeling good only about the fact that their team could not lose the game with this shot. But their sudden joy of winning was now challenged and they didn’t know what to do or feel.

Now Aradan had slipped off balance the last time he made a shot, but even then he had only barely missed the goal as he had totally fooled Voronwë into the wrong corner. And Aradan looked again so confident the crowds forgot to whistle to him for a while.

Aradan was one of the first men and when he straightened to his full height some ten feet behind the ball he looked majestic indeed. He concentrated with his eyes closed for a moment and then opened his eyes gazing straight ahead with kind of a blind stare. Then he eyed the upper-right corner of the goal, then the lower left-one, then the upper-right corner again only to let his eyes fall down to the lower-right with his head coming down – and he was on the run.

Cirdan had never liked tricks and schemes and now he felt really uncomfortable: Aradan had given him a dozen of hints just to scheme it, but what was he really up to? Unable to pick up a better plan Cirdan went with the old maxim that the shooter who tries to fool you often reveals himself showing his real target not as the first but as the second one he glances. So at the moment Aradan hit the ball Cirdan dived towards the lower-left corer of the goal. And that was a mistake!

While cirdan jumped to the left, the ball headed straight towards the center of the goal. Aradan was raising his hands to celebrate when the ball hit the crossbar and bounced off and up to the stands behind the goal!

Aradan had missed another shot and Hithlum was out!

It took some time from the crowds to realize what had happened, but when they did there was no limit to their joy and cheers. The Havens had qualified!

Hithlum 3-4 The Havens

~*~

So The Sea goes forwards as E1 (facing Real Valinor) and The Havens as E2 (facing FC Valinor). Hithlum is left into the group-phase with Valimar.

Look for the AKM's selected post-group interviews & investment-group articles to come into a computer near you soon!

06-25-2012, 06:41 PM	#144
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 AKM special coverage of the shoot-out competition Group E at the Grey Havens, the shoot-out competition The AKM’s reading instructions for the coverage: If you are wiling to just get the results scroll down until you find bolded results from each match-up and the end-result from the bottom of this post. If you’re into some hair-raising action and enjoyment of the drama of football, scroll carefully not letting yourself be spoiled with the bolded results coming your way as you go. Whichever way is your way, enjoy! PS. The AKM understands this is probably the longest ever article in the history of the Arda Cup, but the situation was quite unique as well, so we here in the AKM thought it deserved a full coverage to all the fans in Arda and beyond. ~~ The shoot-out competition It was a time for the shoot-out competition at Lhûnarena to decide which two teams from Hithlum, The Havens and The Sea would qualify and who would qualify as E1 and who as E2. There had been some rumours that Manwë and his retinue had left the city after the defeat and the storm of yesterday had kind of confirmed that to many, but when Manwë and Mandos appeared in front of the full-packed stadium to perform as the shoot-out judges those stories gained a new twist. On the other hand Ulmo and his minions had made a great effort to dry the the pitch and the surrounding gardens for the day's shoot-outs to go on. Some sceptics said it was business as usual: the Ainur create problems and then correct them waiting to be honoured and praised... So not all faces smiled seeing the ultimate judges personalities, but most of the folks packed at the arena and the dried surroundings were most of all happy for the matches to go on. Mandos anyway declared the rules: every team would go against each other and after every team had faced the others it would be seen if there was a result or not. If not, the rounds would be repeated as many times it was needed to produce a result. The rules for an inividual match-up would be the following: both teams take five shots and if the scores are even, they go one by one until the winner is found. And no player would be allowed to make two shots until every player of the team had made one. So it would not be only the stars of each team competing each other but every team would need to produce some wider quality. The order of the match-ups was then drawn with the team captains present. First it would be Hithlum against The Sea, then The Sea against The Havens and lastly The Havens against Hithlum. ~~ Match 1, Hithlum vs. The Sea The first shoot-out competition between Hithlum and The Sea was ordered to take place at the south-end goal and the crowds on that part of the stands were more than happy. Malach Aradan and Voronwë shook hands before starting to walk slowly towards the goal. Their concentration had already started and both the great grandfather of men and the heroic elf walked quietly forwards ending up in the opposite sides of the goal, waiting for their task to begin. After Manwë and Mandos had received shooting order -lists from both teams the competition was ready to begin after a coin was tossed to determine which team would go first. It would be Hithlum. It was no surprise to anyone that Túrin took the ball first walking with easy pace to the penalty spot while both teams stood at the center, team Hithlum players holding each other from shoulders. Túrin set the ball into the chalked spot without hesitation, took a few quick steps backwards, glanced at Voronwë with a grim smile – and charged. Gooooaaaalll! Voronwë stood no chance against that cannon-blast straight into the upper-left corner. Túrin is a great and renowned man, but so is Tar Minastir, the unrivalled and strongest King of all the Middle-Earth at his time, a man who was the key in beating Sauron himself. And he was as fast and pragmatic as Túrin had been: the ball into it’s place, a short few steps back, a challenging glance at Aradan and an unstoppable hammer into the back of the net. And like Túrin, he didn’t cheer or run around, only nodded at his team-mates and walked back at a leisured pace. Hithlum 1 – 1 The Sea The next shooter was the man with fire within him, a man no less than Húrin himself. And his determination was easy to see even to the other end of the stadium. Unlike the first two shooters he did take his time after setting the ball and taking his steps back. He was staring at Voronwë, challenging him with his gaze. If possible he looked even more grim his son looked – and with the first sign of Voronwë blinking he dashed forwards – and sent the ball hard into the center of the goal when Voronwë dived to the right feeling the need to react. Tar Aldarion was the next shooter – a king who is perhaps unfairly known better from his marital problems than for his intelligence and capabilties. But on his turn he left no one a chance of questioning those characteristics: he took a long run to the ball – and stopped suddenly just as his boot was going to hit it. Aradan made a reflection dive forwards-right believing the shot was coming, but it didn’t come… yet. Tar Aldarion looked over when Aradan landed to the ground and then tossed the ball into the lower left corner of the goal like he couldn’t care less. Hithlum 2 – 2 The Sea It was Húrin’s grandfather and Aradan’s grand-grand-child Hador the Goldenhead who came forth the next. And like the previous shooters he didn’t give the goalie a chance. A powerful and accurate shot just under the crossbar left Voronwë totally helpless. After starting with two Númenorians The Sea now sent it’s first Maia into the game. Ossë took the ball firmly into his hands and settled it sternly into a position. Nodding to Aradan with a grin he took only one step back and leaned backwards – and then shot an amazing blast of a kick that would have broken a skull if any had been on it’s way. But the ball went flying high over the goal and into the upper level of the stands. It was a miss! Hithlum 3 – 2 The Sea It was Niënor Niniel’s turn when Hithlum had taken the lead, and many Hithlum supporters were afraid if the young woman could handle the situation without breaking. She took the ball, settled it, took the steps back and breathed deep staring at the middle of the goal, like she tried to gaze through Voronwë. Then she dashed forwards and shot the ball closing her eyes… Voronwë hunched her intention to be shooting into the center and stood still only grounding his feet deeper on the ground to receive the force of the ball coming in – but Niniel’s shot that started plain forwards went curving neatly to the right side of the goal and Voronwë was totally late when he realised it. Niënor had outwitted him and scored! The Hithlum supporters were going crazy while the Sea’s supporters fell totally silent… Hithlum led by four goals to two and if the next shooter from The Sea would fail it would be all over as the last round wouldn’t be needed. But it was Ulmo himself who turned out to shoot next! The supporters went exploding and praised Eru of the tactical choice that was made before the shooting started: who else could bear the pressure if not Ulmo? “Praised be Mandos”, many of them thought – and many men cursed the same thing suspecting some foul games behind the scene. But it was clear, Ulmo had not made his shot and Manwë declared it was now his turn. Ulmo took a deep breath after setting the ball and taking his distance. Aradan looked nervous but steadfast: he would stand his ground whatever the second of the Aratar would do. Ulmo was not hurrying up but started somehow growing, not in size but in stature, and suddenly he was on the move. The spectators felt like they were witnessing a slow-replay, like something happened and they just saw a slow-motion replica of it… and Aradan must have felt the same as the ball was in the back of the net before he realised Ulmo had taken the shot. Many humans were booing and some discredited the goal for “some Western wizardry”, but it was a goal nonetheless. Hithlum 4 – 3 The Sea The stadium fell silent as Morwen walked towards the box. The tension was building up. If She scored Hithlum would claim victory over The Sea. And Morwen, if someone, would know what it is to act under pressure… many Hithlum supporters silently praised Eru for the wise choice of the team. Morwen took the ball, settled it for quite a long while before she was happy with it, took the steps back and breathed heavily. It was the decisive shot and she knew it. It was all upon her now and she just needed to act. And she did. With a few slow steps she got into motion and then sped on dashing to the ball sending it powerfully towards the lower left corner of the goal – and Voronwë hunched it right diving to the the ball and tipping the ball away from the post! It was the first save of the day and the Sea had a chance to get even! And it was Vëantur, grandfather of Tar Aldarion, the mariner, the great captain of King’s ships, who proceeded towards the penalty spot… It was now up to him whether the game continued or whether The Sea lost it. With steadfast hands he placed the ball and took his steps away from it, quite a many of them. He was staring at the right corner of the goal incessantly totally ignoring the gaze of Aradan. And he ran, and he shot the ball with power… to the right corner of the goal – and it was in! Aradan hesitated just a part of a second trying to decide whether Vëantur’s intent gaze was a trick or not – and that did it, he was an inch late and only managed to touch the ball with the tips of his fingers, but couldn’t deny the goal. Hithlum 4 – 4 The Sea After all the five shooters had taken their shots it would then be one on one – in a reverse order. And the first pair where one scored and the other didn’t would decide the game. It was getting unbearably tense – even if the home team wasn’t part of it yet – but every elf in the stadium realised they’d have to face the same drama with their own team soon enough… So it was Uinen who came forwards the next. Many humans in the crowds were sighing in despair just realising how many of the Ainur the Sea boasted in it’s ranks – and comparing them to what their team had in store for the next rounds. But they didn’t lose faith, on the contrary they started chanting songs to distract Uinen and to aid Aradan. And Uinen missed the goal! She shot it wide! The humans were rejoicing. Their next shooter had a chance to win the game for them. And it was actually none other than their goal-keeper Malach Aradan who came from beside the goal to take the shot. “It takes one to know one” they say – and so the Hithlum fans sang away when Aradan settled the ball to the spot. Aradan was in no hurry but took his time looking around the different areas of the goal clearly trying to make Voronwë guessing what he was going to be up to. Then he suddenly sped himself to the ball and made a shot… and fell down to the grass! He had slipped at the crucial moment and the ball went on with half the speed it would have done if he had managed the shot normally. But it was heading to the opposite direction Voronwë was diving for! Voronwë made an incredible stretch and was able to touch the ball with the tip of his left foot changing the angle of the ball’s trajectory just enough to make it roll slowly just beside the post and off. With both goalies lying in the grass and watching the ball roll past the goal the fans of the Sea rose up in the stands cheering wildly while the human fans fell silent. The game was still on! Hithlum 4 – 4 The Sea The Sea was able to put forwards yet another Maia and the fans were getting really excited. After all those shots they had been making with a knife at their throat they were now feeling like back in the steering wheel. And Salmar was a mighty if somewhat shady character just fitting for a shoot-out competition. And like some of the first shooters it looked like he really knew what to do. A short walk away from the ball, a sharp glance at the upper left corner, and a shot into the lower right corner. And it was a goal! The Sea was in the lead for the first time. So now it was up to proud Andróg whether Hithlum would continue the game or whether they would lose. Andróg took his time and breathed slowly: it was him or the elf and he had to make good his error of giving Valimar the penalty-shot in the game. He just had to. He gathered energy, gathered feeling inside him, gathered rage, gathered power to release – and he dashed to the ball. It was a mighty shot from a mighty man and Voronwë dived to the opposite side of the goal! But the ball went wide!! Andróg missed! Andróg fell on his knees from disappointment. He had been given an opportunity to make good his deed and he had failed. Voronwë walked past him and pat him gently on the shoulder before the cheering The Sea players reached him and joined in a group embrace. Hithlum 4 – 5 The Sea The Sea had won the first match-up 5-4 – and unless all the teams played cross-wins, they would qualify! So it was a huge step ahed for The Sea and a real setback for Hithlum. ~~ Match 2, The Havens vs. The Sea* The second match-up would be the hosts The Havens vs. the winners of the first match The Sea. If The Sea would win this they would secure their qualification as number one (facing Real Valinor then) and leave the hosts fight it out against Hithlum for the second place in the group (to face FC Valinor). If The Havens won, they’d have a similar situation facing Hithlum in the last match-up. But with all teams ending up with one win, all the matches would be replayed as long as there was a result. The Sea’s players were allowed a fifteen minute pause to regain their energies and to concentrate on the match to follow. The order of the shooting was meanwhile decided by throwing a coin again, and The Sea would be shooting, again, as the second team while The Havens would start. And like the last time: if five shots would not be enough to decide a winner, there would be one-on-one shots in a reverse order until there was a result. While others were preparing themselves around the Mid-spot of the pitch, Cirdan walked quietly to the north-end goal where Voronwë was already concentrating sitting beside the goal. The two elves embraced and seemed to change a few light words before they both sat down next to each other to just sit still and get ready for the shoot-out. What they might have been sharing their laughs on is anybody’s guess. When Mandos blew the horn as a sign for the second match to begin, Eärendil took towards the goal and Voronwë rose up walking in between the posts clapping his hands together to boost himself. The second match-up was getting started and the crowds cheered wildly for their hero Eärendil as he settled the ball into position and took the few steps back from it he needed. It was a remarkably short distance, just a few steps from the ball. Suddenly a dragon-killer’s fire eas lit in his eyes and he made a dash… and before Voronwë even realised the ball was in the net. Voronwë was left literally standing against the cannon booted from Eärendil’s foot. The crowds went crazy and enjoyed the humiliation to the fullest. Eärendil was their man! Cirdan nodded with compassion to his fellow keeper and encouragingly patted his shoulder as they passed each other, Voronwë on his way outside the pitch and Cirdan going to face his turn on the goal. Tar Minastir had already reached the penalty spot and was settling the ball into a position he would be happy with. And if somene had thought the Tower Watcher could be derailed with a lots of pressure from the crowds, they were very wrong. He looked at Cirdan to the eye, nodded, and took off. Cirdan hunched it right and dived towards the lower-right corner but the shot was just too powerful for him to reach it. Like the last time, Tar Minastir barely waved his hand to celebrate the goal but nodded to his team-mates after turning around and starting to walk slowly towards them. Cirdan received a pat in his shoulder from Voronwë walking out from the pitch. They smiled and shook their heads while passing each other. It takes one to know one, and it takes a goalie to understand another goalie’s feeling in a penalty shoot-out… The Havens 1 – 1 The Sea The Havens continued with their strongest players sending Tuor to take the second shot. The two Ulmondili looked at each other for a moment in silence. Then Tuor bowed graciously to his one time guide and friend Voronwë who payed the courtesy back with a deep bow in turn. Tuor took the steps away from the ball walking backwards, looking at his friend to the eye as he backed away from him and the ball. And suddenly he was off with it shooting a real boomer to the upper-left corner of the goal. But Voronwë got it right and made an unbelievable dive to the ball, catching it with his both hands and falling down still clinging to the ball in his fingers. There was a loud sigh in the crowds but with Tuor starting to cheer to his friend clapping his hands together high in the air the crowds slowly followed and in the end Voronwë was applauded for what he was due. It was by far the most beautiful save of the day. Tar Aldarion now had a chance of putting The Sea in the lead and the crowds remembered just too well how he humiliated Aradan in the first match-up. The elves of the Greay Havens were biting their nails but Cirdan stood firm: Aldarion could not repeat his trick on him. And he didn’t. Instead Tar Aldarion made a powerful run to the ball and booted it into the exact upper-right corner of the goal, the ball going in by slightly hitting both the crossbar and the post. Cirdan stood no chance against a shot like that. The Sea was in the lead. The Havens 1 – 2 The Sea Had the Havens known they would be down one goal after Eärendil and Tuor they sure would have chosen someone else to take the third shot, but they had declared Angrod as their third shooter and Angrod it would be. His tournament hadn’t gone too well thus far, gaining only one assist and one yellow card thus far it seemed Angrod’s self-reliance wasn’t the best it could be. The pressure was heavy on him: should he fail The Sea had a chance to take practically an unreachable two goal lead. Angrod breathed heavily and concentrated with care before executing his shot. And he scored! Voronwë hunched it wrong and went to the opposite direction from Angrod’s sharp placement of the ball to the lower-left side of the goal. His relief could be seen from his body-language from the farthest point of the stadium as he went on jumping and cheering around from relief. Coming towards the rest of the team in the middle of the pitch Andreth ran to embrace him witch his borther Aegnor in her trail. The crowds cheered wildly. But Ossë was already marching towards the penalty spot with steady feet. He had shot the ball high over the goal in the match-up against Hithlum – and the crowds started whistling and booing to him hoping he would miss the target again… in vain. With his trademark “one step run” to the ball Ossë hammered the ball straight into the center of the goal while Cirdan started reaching for the lower-left corner only to realise the real target a moment too late and unable to correct the trajectory of his weight. He fell on all fours to the ground and the ball slowly rolled back from the net just past him. It was humiliating. But to the amazement of many in the stands Ossë came down to help his friend up and they nodded to each other holding their hands at each other’s shoulders. It did look like Ossë was saying “sorry pal”, and Cirdan was answering “never mind friend, my fault” – with their eyes only. Whatever it was, The Sea stayed in the lead. The Havens 2 – 3 The Sea So Aegnor faced the same pressure his brother had faced just a moment before, but in a bit more serious situation. If he failed and the next shooter from the Sea scored it would be all over. He placed the ball carefully to the spot trying not to reveal his decision to go for the left side of the goal with his eyes. Instead he tried to think of the crowds cheering and Andreth giving him a dear embrace as well after a succesful shot shutting off the images of failure from his mind. He ran towards the ball and sent it flying towards the left side of the goal. Voronwë was about to jump to the right but realised at the last instant the shot was coming to the left and managed to change the momentum of his motion towards left… his fingertips touched the ball slightly swerving it more to the left. The ball hit the post – and bounced inside from it! The crowds exploded and Aegnor jumped high rolling his fisted right hand in the air. Jogging towards his team-mates he saw Andreth Saelind actually coming towards him with his brother on her trail. Aegnor and Andreth embraced – and Andreth kissed him! The crowds awed. But the cheers died as quickly as they had started. Like in their first match-up The Sea marched forwards none less than Ulmo himself as their fourth shooter – and everyone remembered the awkward and almost magical goal he had made against Aradan of Hithlum. Could the Lord of the Falathrim stand up for the challenge of Ulmo? Suddenly it was strangely silent as Ulmo settled the ball to his liking at the spot. Many vowed afterwards Ulmo had used a similar kind of a mind-trick as they claimed he had done in the first match-up, others were less sure. But everyone agreed things happened with incredible speed: at one moment they saw Ulmo bending backwards some ten feet away from the ball and next they saw it flying high up in the air towards the middle of the pitch after Cirdan had stood his ground and fisted it back and away from the goal. There was a moment of awed silence after which the stands broke into wild yells and cheer. Cirdan had saved Ulmo’s attempt and the game was even once again! Whatever had happened Cirdan had anticipated it… so it was not in vain he was called the most foresighted of the Falathrim. The Havens 3 – 3 The Sea The last shooter on the regular round from the Havens was none other than Olwë himself. Coming even from behind and seeing the great king coming to the fore the elves of the Havens were feeling confident again. The white-haired king settled the ball into it’s place, glanced at Voronwë at the goal and backstepped a few feet away from the ball. With the home crowds cheering and chanting Olwë closed his eyes to breath in the strength from the elven crowd and stiffening his body. And he went for the shot booting the ball like he was, despite his years, still a youth. The shot took a mighty swerve… Voronwë’s reaction was once again correct but despite his great reaction he seemed just inches late as the ball swerved ever more to the right – and off the goal just missing the post! Olwë had missed the goal! For a moment Vëantur walked towards the penalty spot in total silence but slowly the crowds awoke to booing and whistling. At the time he adjusted the ball into it’s place the noise was already angbandal. And the reason was clear: if he scored The Sea would win, if he didn’t The Havens would still have a chance to fight for the win. With the win The Sea would not only qualify but they would also avoid facing FC Valinor which would be the destiny of the second team qualifying from this group. So being E1 was paramount. Vëantur ignored the crowds and greeted his old friend Cirdan with a courteous nod before taking the somewhat lengthy way back from the ball. Cirdan saluted the Sea-Commander by raising his right hand to his forehead. Under all that pressure and the tens of thousands of fans the man and the elf seemed congenial. They were in a competition but they weren’t fighting eact other: what an example to any youngsters at the stands or reading this report: so children, remember this! Vëantur took his time standing behind the ball. Then he suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the upper-left corner. Cirdan glanced up there and turned his eyes back to Vëantur smiling and nodding. Vëantur returned the nod and dashed forwards to the ball. Instead of the upper-left corner the ball whirled towards the lower-right side of the goal. And Cirdan got it right diving towards the shot into the right corner… Cirdan’s fingers caught the ball but there was a spin in the ball and it just rolled over Cirdan’s hands. Cirdan managed to take a second chance with his reflexes grasping the ball again with his left hand but that just doubled the spin and sped it’s way into the goal. It was a goal indeed! The Havens 3-4 The Sea The Sea had won group E by beating The Havens 4-3 and Hithlum 5-4! They would face Real Valinor in the first round of qualifiers while The Havens and Hithlum would fight it out in the last match-up which team would follow The Sea into the qualifiers meeting the feared FC Valinor. ~~ Match 3, Hithlum vs. The Havens* So it was then that the homeside and Hithlum would play it out which one would qualify and which one would be left into the group-phase. The always keen statisticians started making predictions while the teams were preparing for the day’s finals contest in the field. Those in favour of The Havens went on reminding that Aradan hadn’t made a single save whereas Cirdan had made one – and they said also that behind the four top players Hithlum’s talent was light indeed and the wider spread of players able to clutch a game would make The Havens win. But those supporting Hithlum in turn reminded that both Tuor and Olwë had failed while all the Hithlum top-players had succeeded, and that Cirdan’s save against Ulmo was in part due both to him knowing Ulmo a way better Malach Aradan ever could and that he had seen the trick already so there was no way of telling which was the better goalie. The more level-minded people liked to note that the overall stats from the actual group-games showed Cirdan to be 3% more effective in shutting the shots on goal than Aradan, but on the other hand team Hithlum was about the same 3% more effective in scoring than The Havens, so it would be a tight match-up in any case. The coin-toss ordered Hithlum to begin the shoot-out and Túrin was more than ready for the task. He was just like in the first competiton – or like he always was, as some noted. He took a glance at Cirdan and made his short run to the ball – and kicked it with power straight into the net leaving Cirdan without a chance whatsoever. Hithlum fans were having good times, this was how their team scored. But when Eärendil came forth to shoot the crowds just went wild. Túrin was a great player, an icon in football to be sure, but Eärendil was the elves’ favourite and he had a dragon under his belt as well as Túrin. And it took him no hesitation to even the scoreline with a mighty boot to the upper-right corner of the goal. It was a mighty start for the final competition: two Arda-class finishes from two great players who left the goalies basically standing in between their posts. Hithlum 1 – 1 The Havens Húrin walked to the box and took his time with settling the ball as he used to do and took the steps back slowly with a determined look in his face. He stared Cirdan to the eyes. One who had stood against Morgoth’s gaze and all his torments, and seen and done what Húrin had, was such a strong soul even a mighty elven lord felt the pressure of his eyes. Húrin ran towards the ball and Cirdan blinked to the right just before Húrin was hitting the ball. He saw Cirdan reacting rightwards and booted the ball from the bottom of his darkened heart to the left only to realise Cirdan outwitting him as the reaction had been a trick and Cirdan actually dived left. But such was the force of Húrin’s shot that Cirdan managed just barely to fist the ball off target even if he was spot on. But the goal was untouched! The Havens took a claim to victory with Cirdan denying none other than Húrin himself. The elven crowds were going nuts. Tuor met his uncle halfway up to the northern end of the field walking towards the goal and the two exchanged looks. It was clearly an emotional moment for both of them, even if Húrin wasn’t exactly betraying his emotions with his face. In a post-game interview Tuor actually told the press that he surely wished all the Hithlum players to miss their shots, except his uncle who’d had “enough misfortunes and hardships for a thousand lives”. But to be honest Tuor had his own pressures as well. Voronwë had beaten him in the first match and he had a lot to show for the Havens’ supporters. After adjusting and then readjusting the ball into its place after Mandos’ orders, Tuor looked concentrated when he walked away from the ball while Aradan jumped up and down to get himself into a right feeling to deny him. Tuor licked his upper lip and set himself forwards. And he produced probably the most confident goal of the day thus far! Just as he was going to kick the ball he slowed his motion almost imperceptibly letting Aradan make the first move – which was going to the right – and then he just chipped the ball in the middle of the goal. That was cool! Hithlum 1 – 2 The Havens With the homefans in a celebratory mood it was time for Hador Lórindol to show what the great men were made of. Like Túrin he just hammered the ball in with such force that even if Cirdan was actually diving for the right direction he had no chance to divert the ball’s trajectory as it rocketed in, partly from between his hands. Hithlum clearly was in no way surrendering the fight. Hador’s stature and body-language told it to the whole stadium as he just raised his fisted right hand while turning back away from the goal to walk back to the other players centerfield. Hador’s cool defiance didn’t make the situation easier for Angrod. If he missed Hithlum would have evened the scores. Oh, the pressure… Angrod took his time once again and went for a trick inspired by Tuor’s magical shot. It must have been something in his eyes or just pure luck but Malach Aradan hunched what he was trying to do and after pretending to fall slightly to the right he actually dived towards the shot and caught the chip safely into his gloves. For a moment there was an awkward silence at the stadium except the supporters of team Hithlum who yelled as loud as they could in support of their great grand-grand-father. Hithlum 2 – 2 The Havens Niënor Niniel had earned all the trust of Hithlum supporters with her cool scoring in the first match-up and the fans were getting loud indeed while the locals were biting their nails fearing Hithlum would take the initiative once more. The whistling of the homecrowd sure overtook the chants of the visiting fans but it didn’t sound as confident one would have anticipated. There was nervousness in the stands. Niënor settled the ball and took her steps away from it in total calm not even glancing at Cirdan. After a few heavy breaths in and out she went for it and shot once more a nasty curve-ball that seemed to go straight but then started bending half-way to the goal. Cirdan had anticipated something like that and hadn’t moved when the shot took off but went after it with instinct the part of the second later when he thought he had a hunch as to where it would bend – and he got it wrong! Diving right he gasped in mid-air seeing the ball taking an incredibly strong bend leftwards. The ball was heading into the empty net and the homecroeds held theior breath while Hithlum supporters jumped up only to realise in the middle of their jump that the ball bent too much and went just an inch wide the target. Suddenly the crowds were alive again. It was a miss from Niënor! The Havens could still take the lead after four shooters! And Aegnor had scored the last time so he would be an elf to grant them their lead. The cheering of the crowds were rekindled into full force. Aegnor tried to stick into the good things while walking towards the goal… he could visualize himself scoring, he could hear the crowds cheering at him, he could feel Andreth’s lips pressed against his… Suddenly he saw his sister Galadriel and brother Felagund with his mind’s eye. They weren’t looking too happy with his procrastinations, Suddenly he felt weak. But he would not show it. He would not think of it. He would throw it away and score… He was muttering to himself as he settled the ball into it’s position and took the steps backwards. He ran for it looking straight forwards trying not to reveal to Aradan his thoughts that were at the upper-left corner of the goal. A moment before his boot hit the ball he saw Aradan hunching up-left. A split second’s hesitation proved disasterous. He was about to change the plan at the last instance but realised it was too late – and the shot ended up more or less to where he had originally intended but with half the power and accuracy he could have pulled out sticking to his plan and ignoring the keeper’s reactions. Aradan shoved the shot away from the goal with his palms. The crowds were having a real roller-coaster ride this time. After four shots each, the game was even. Hithlum 2 – 2 The Havens Morwen walked to the penalty spot her eyes almost closed when the homecrowds started their whistling to try and distract her. But there was nothing that could have taken Morwen out and off her misery at that moment. Voronwë had saved her shot in the first match and her husband had been shut out cruelly in this one. She was filled with agony and despair. It was just going to go down the drain as it used to, she thought walking away from the ball trying to shut out the yells from the crowds. After standing motionlessly a while she suddenly turned her face towards Mandos standing beside the goal searching for his eyes. Catching his attention her eyes flared and she yelled out aloud over all the whistling of the crowds: “For Húrin, for my children!”. Closing her eyes she ran to the ball and shot it from the bottom of her soul – into the goal! Cirdan might have been distracted or then he wasn’t, but the shot was just such a hammer-blow he had no way of getting in between it and the goal he was keeping. Some thouhgt afterwards Mandos might have grown soft on such appeals and froze Cirdan for the decisive second but most reasonable commentators disqualified such speculation as nonsense it was. But Hithlum was in the lead now and the Havens just had to score… otherwise the games would be over for the team and Hithlum would qualify. Olwë walked towards the penalty spot slowly and majestically looking nothing like an elf-king who had missed his shot in the first match. He was proud and tall, radiating confidence and honour to the highest rows of the stands. And slowly the trust spread within the homecrowds and they started cheering and chanting for him. This time there was no swerve in the ball but just a plain old-fashioned power-shot that left Aradan taste the grass on the wrong side of the goal while Olwë slowly rolled his fist a few times over his head and bowed then to the cheering crowds before walking back to his team-mates. Hithlum 3 – 3 The Havens After the first five shots the match for qualifying was even. It would be one on one then to decide. It was getting more intensive many of the home-team supporters, most of them new to football, were ready to handle. And it would be the home team that would shoot first now. But seeing that Cirdan himself would be shooting the first one the crowds kind of awoke from a spell. Cirdan was their hero and who else could lead them if not the bearded elf, the friend of the mighty and lesser folks as well? The stadium awoke to a full cheer when Cirdan took the ball and settled it for a shot. Wawing to the stands Cirdan backtracked a few steps and emptied his lungs with a long blow out. Taking the air in he straightened his back and there he was, on the run. He hadn’t given Aradan any hint of what he was thinking about by avoiding his eyes and the goal itself all the time, suddenly, at the moment just before hitting the ball he raised his eyes from the ball and glanced quickly at the top-left corner of the goal and then shut his eyes and booted the ball to it’s way. Aradan was an experienced goal-keeper and quickly realised the trick the other goalie was trying on him. With such a plain revealment of where he was “going to shoot” it was clear it was just a game Cirdan was trying to play with him, and Cirdan would anticipate him understanding it and thus not go to the other end but actually dive to the left – and if that was what Cirdan hoped for he should dive right. The moment the ball got loose from Cirdan’s boot Aradan jumped to the right and the ball headed just that way… only to suddenly swerve slightly back to the middle. Aradan had little options in mid-air but trying to reach for the ball with his legs while flying away from the ball. And he managed to stretch his left foot to hit the ball! The ball bounced from Aradan’s foot to the roof of the goal just a few inches behind the crossbar and rolled along the net to bounce again from the bottom-bar rolling out of the goal over Aradan who laid down on the grass watching it go. The Havens was on the lead and Cirdan was their hero once again. But when Aradan got himself up and walked not to the side of the goal but to the penalty spot the mood suddenly changed again. If a goalie can thusly fool another goalie why wouldn’t another goalie do the same? The home-supporters were worried and nervous feeling good only about the fact that their team could not lose the game with this shot. But their sudden joy of winning was now challenged and they didn’t know what to do or feel. Now Aradan had slipped off balance the last time he made a shot, but even then he had only barely missed the goal as he had totally fooled Voronwë into the wrong corner. And Aradan looked again so confident the crowds forgot to whistle to him for a while. Aradan was one of the first men and when he straightened to his full height some ten feet behind the ball he looked majestic indeed. He concentrated with his eyes closed for a moment and then opened his eyes gazing straight ahead with kind of a blind stare. Then he eyed the upper-right corner of the goal, then the lower left-one, then the upper-right corner again only to let his eyes fall down to the lower-right with his head coming down – and he was on the run. Cirdan had never liked tricks and schemes and now he felt really uncomfortable: Aradan had given him a dozen of hints just to scheme it, but what was he really up to? Unable to pick up a better plan Cirdan went with the old maxim that the shooter who tries to fool you often reveals himself showing his real target not as the first but as the second one he glances. So at the moment Aradan hit the ball Cirdan dived towards the lower-left corer of the goal. And that was a mistake! While cirdan jumped to the left, the ball headed straight towards the center of the goal. Aradan was raising his hands to celebrate when the ball hit the crossbar and bounced off and up to the stands behind the goal! Aradan had missed another shot and Hithlum was out! It took some time from the crowds to realize what had happened, but when they did there was no limit to their joy and cheers. The Havens had qualified! Hithlum 3-4 The Havens ~~ So The Sea goes forwards as E1 (facing Real Valinor) and The Havens as E2 (facing FC Valinor). Hithlum is left into the group-phase with Valimar.* Look for the AKM's selected post-group interviews & investment-group articles to come into a computer near you soon! __________________ 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; 06-25-2012 at 06:51 PM.