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the phantom · 07-17-2012, 11:12 AM

@ Dunharrow

Most casual fans assumed that Rohan would host their playoff match in their Edoras Stadium, but serious footballers knew better. Without a doubt they would choose to play high above Edoras at Dunharrow, where thousands could sit on benches carved into the natural amphitheater in the White Mountains. It was large, it was noisy, but perhaps most importantly- it was where team Rohan had trained. And as a bonus, it was at an altitude that made most a bit uncomfortable.

Many wondered if the altitude would impact the sturdy Dwarves United squad. Certainly Dwarves lived in the Misty Mountains and such, but more accurately they lived under the mountains, so perhaps it would play a slight role.

But most were looking more to the performance of the squads for clues as to how the game might develop. And the fact that most could not skip over- Rohan had allowed but 4 goals in 7 contests, while Dwarves United had only managed to score 4 goals in 7 contests. If Rohan could score even once on the Dwarves, that could prove enough in the minds of most.

Rohan midfielder Gandalf gave a refreshingly honest interview two days before the match that received a lot of play on sports radio throughout Middle-Earth. In it, he predicted a low-scoring affair. "The Dwarves are tireless and play unified intelligent defense, and Celebrimbor and Aule are as good a pair of defenders as any team possesses. So really, this talk about Rohan 'trampling' the Dwarves seems absurd to me. We'll have to work hard to dent the scoreboard! But thankfully our defense is top-notch, so they won't get any freebees either. If I had to place a bet, I'd say 1-0 us."

We will wait and see if his words prove accurate.

***************************
***************************

The locals knew to begin the journey to the stadium early, for the path to the Dimholt was narrow as it wound up the cliff past the Pukel-men. It was overcast to start the day, and as noon arrived a light rain began falling on the line of travelers that stretched from the arena to the clifftops and down to the public houses and inns in the valley of the Snowbourn.

As the stadium slowly filled the precipitation increased, and the temperature began inching down in spite of the day approaching late afternoon. The crowds were barely paying attention during warm-ups, as they were busy purchasing umbrellas, blankets, rain-coats, boots, and hot drinks from the various vendors in the halls beneath the stadium.

There was much debate as to which side the elements favored, and exchanges like these were common throughout the stadium.
"The addition of luck always favors the underdog."
"But the slickness will nullify Rohan's speed."
"The horses will handle it plenty well."
"But the Dwarves don't mind the chill as much."
"Rohan practices on the real turf. United has been playing on the artificial stuff."

And on and on with no clear answer, leaving many to assume the rain wouldn't change the outcome at all. But as the game kicked off, it certainly appeared the game was a bit different. Everyone was moving just a bit slower than expected, and passes were a bit off, and deft touches were a little slippery. On more than one occasion an attacker plain lost his footing attempting to make a cut with the ball. What a different story it would be if a couple defenders went down at once! But the defenders kept their feet well, and when they stumbled they managed to make their mark do the same usually without drawing a card.

At the 20 minute mark the section of Dwarves in the north end of the stadium exploded with noise when Celebrimbor made an unexpected run all the way up the right side of Rohan's defense. The clever craftsman was simply better with his feet, and he either outran others or crossed them up and sent them skidding on the soaked pitch. When Shadowfax closed out to stop him deep in Rohan territory Celebrimbor turned the horse sideways and dove between the front and back hooves dragging the ball with him. On the other side he rolled to his feet and immediately cracked a shot at the near post. Theoden was frozen by the unlikeliness of the move and could only watch the ball, but fortunately for him it hit off the post!

Celebrimbor knew that such shots were more likely than usual to fly off course given the wet ball and shoes, but he still looked monumentally disappointed. Chances were going to be hard to come by, and that was one they might not get again.

As the first half progressed a markedly darker mass of rain moved in from the north-east. As it rolled in, soon the upper deck crowds could barely see even the middle of the field, and even those up front couldn't see the far side. And the ever-witty Gandalf was ready for the opportunity. He had spotted what was going on and had a plan for it, and when the rain got worse than ever in minute 39 he shouted to his teammates, and they hastened to enact his plan which had been passed player to player during the previous 5 minutes.

The Rohan horses came forward and used their large bodies to set picks for Gandalf, shielding him from having to deal with any defenders in his hip-pocket. Once he came clear, the midfielders got him the ball (about 15 meters on their own side of midfield) and Gandalf stopped the ball, stepped back, paused briefly, then struck the ball mightily- high and down the middle.

Most of the crowd couldn't even see the center of the pitch, and those few that could had no idea what he was doing kicking it away, and so there was no audience outburst to prepare the Dwarves United keeper- nothing to let him know that something was on the way out of the blinding sheets of rain. And suddenly the ball fell out of the heavens and passed just beneath the crossbar! It was 1-0 Rohan!

Gandalf had judged the distance, wind, and rain-resistance perfectly! Bombur only saw it at the last moment, as he had been looking lower downfield, and most of the crowd behind him didn't see it until it bounced up into the netting. It was a brilliant notion and beautifully executed! Celebrimbor and Aule thought of trying their own foot at the ploy, but the worst of the rain had passed and Rohan was doing all they could to keep possession until the half, which they did rather successfully.

During the break the rain grew lighter and lighter, and when the second half starting it was barely a drizzle, until around 55 minutes the rain was gone altogether. And as the rain lifted the spirits of the Rohan fans were lifted ever higher. They had the lead and a premier defense- they were going to witness a playoff win! For the first time the singing started in earnest and Rohan drew energy from their supporters and locked down on defense as well as they ever had. Twice Legolas forced Theoden to move, but the horses had left him with a lot of distance to cover and the great king had no trouble catching the efforts.

As the game neared its end it was Rohan that looked more likely to score the next goal, and Aule and Celebrimbor weren't allowed to help their offense much at all as Rohan kept the pressure on. Bombur only barely tipped away a fine header by Helm with five minutes left, and that was the last real chance by either team. Rohan kicked it out the rest of the way and the setting sun sent its final rays out from under the westering storms and lit up the top rows of rabid Rohan fans as they celebrated.

Rohan was into the quarterfinals!

Dwarves United 0-1 Rohan
on target 3-4
tot shots 10-13
GOALS:
*39, 0-1 Gandalf (Eorl)
YELLOW CARDS:
*DwUnt- Azaghal, Thror, Thorin
*Rohan- Eomer, Snowmane

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***************************

MESPN Exit Interview with Dwarves United

MESPN: You guys were just inches away from a quarterfinal appearance. Describe your disappointment.

Aule: I don't know about my teammates, but I'm not overly broken up. Fact is no one picked us to even get this far. I think we've proven something, and I think we're going places.

MESPN: So you believe Dwarves United can continue to be a playoff threat?

Durin: Absolutely! We proved our mettle, and it should make us an attractive destination. I think we'll be in position to make a couple minor tweaks and we'll be back in a better form next year.

MESPN: So you don't think you'll be losing any of your talent?

Celebrimbor: No, no- we had great team spirit and everyone enjoyed the run, and we're determined to keep our noses to the grindstone for the cause.

MESPN: Has anyone expressed interest in joining your squad next season?

Celebrimbor: Ah, I think you suspect or you would not have asked that question, heh heh. Well- I'm going to leave it unanswered for now, and merely give a little wink.

Gimli: I'll answer the question!

Aule: Wait Gimli, not yet! In good time. I know you're anxious.

Gimli: It had better be soon. I can't keep my mouth shut on this for long.

Durin: Well there you go media members- you know precisely which of us will crack like an egg to give you your story.

*laughter*

MESPN: All right guys, thanks a lot. Gimli- we'll be calling with bribes.

*laughter*

07-17-2012, 11:12 AM	#162
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	playoffs first round! @ Dunharrow Most casual fans assumed that Rohan would host their playoff match in their Edoras Stadium, but serious footballers knew better. Without a doubt they would choose to play high above Edoras at Dunharrow, where thousands could sit on benches carved into the natural amphitheater in the White Mountains. It was large, it was noisy, but perhaps most importantly- it was where team Rohan had trained. And as a bonus, it was at an altitude that made most a bit uncomfortable. Many wondered if the altitude would impact the sturdy Dwarves United squad. Certainly Dwarves lived in the Misty Mountains and such, but more accurately they lived under the mountains, so perhaps it would play a slight role. But most were looking more to the performance of the squads for clues as to how the game might develop. And the fact that most could not skip over- Rohan had allowed but 4 goals in 7 contests, while Dwarves United had only managed to score 4 goals in 7 contests. If Rohan could score even once on the Dwarves, that could prove enough in the minds of most. Rohan midfielder Gandalf gave a refreshingly honest interview two days before the match that received a lot of play on sports radio throughout Middle-Earth. In it, he predicted a low-scoring affair. "The Dwarves are tireless and play unified intelligent defense, and Celebrimbor and Aule are as good a pair of defenders as any team possesses. So really, this talk about Rohan 'trampling' the Dwarves seems absurd to me. We'll have to work hard to dent the scoreboard! But thankfully our defense is top-notch, so they won't get any freebees either. If I had to place a bet, I'd say 1-0 us." We will wait and see if his words prove accurate. ************************* *********************** The locals knew to begin the journey to the stadium early, for the path to the Dimholt was narrow as it wound up the cliff past the Pukel-men. It was overcast to start the day, and as noon arrived a light rain began falling on the line of travelers that stretched from the arena to the clifftops and down to the public houses and inns in the valley of the Snowbourn. As the stadium slowly filled the precipitation increased, and the temperature began inching down in spite of the day approaching late afternoon. The crowds were barely paying attention during warm-ups, as they were busy purchasing umbrellas, blankets, rain-coats, boots, and hot drinks from the various vendors in the halls beneath the stadium. There was much debate as to which side the elements favored, and exchanges like these were common throughout the stadium. "The addition of luck always favors the underdog." "But the slickness will nullify Rohan's speed." "The horses will handle it plenty well." "But the Dwarves don't mind the chill as much." "Rohan practices on the real turf. United has been playing on the artificial stuff." And on and on with no clear answer, leaving many to assume the rain wouldn't change the outcome at all. But as the game kicked off, it certainly appeared the game was a bit different. Everyone was moving just a bit slower than expected, and passes were a bit off, and deft touches were a little slippery. On more than one occasion an attacker plain lost his footing attempting to make a cut with the ball. What a different story it would be if a couple defenders went down at once! But the defenders kept their feet well, and when they stumbled they managed to make their mark do the same usually without drawing a card. At the 20 minute mark the section of Dwarves in the north end of the stadium exploded with noise when Celebrimbor made an unexpected run all the way up the right side of Rohan's defense. The clever craftsman was simply better with his feet, and he either outran others or crossed them up and sent them skidding on the soaked pitch. When Shadowfax closed out to stop him deep in Rohan territory Celebrimbor turned the horse sideways and dove between the front and back hooves dragging the ball with him. On the other side he rolled to his feet and immediately cracked a shot at the near post. Theoden was frozen by the unlikeliness of the move and could only watch the ball, but fortunately for him it hit off the post! Celebrimbor knew that such shots were more likely than usual to fly off course given the wet ball and shoes, but he still looked monumentally disappointed. Chances were going to be hard to come by, and that was one they might not get again. As the first half progressed a markedly darker mass of rain moved in from the north-east. As it rolled in, soon the upper deck crowds could barely see even the middle of the field, and even those up front couldn't see the far side. And the ever-witty Gandalf was ready for the opportunity. He had spotted what was going on and had a plan for it, and when the rain got worse than ever in minute 39 he shouted to his teammates, and they hastened to enact his plan which had been passed player to player during the previous 5 minutes. The Rohan horses came forward and used their large bodies to set picks for Gandalf, shielding him from having to deal with any defenders in his hip-pocket. Once he came clear, the midfielders got him the ball (about 15 meters on their own side of midfield) and Gandalf stopped the ball, stepped back, paused briefly, then struck the ball mightily- high and down the middle. Most of the crowd couldn't even see the center of the pitch, and those few that could had no idea what he was doing kicking it away, and so there was no audience outburst to prepare the Dwarves United keeper- nothing to let him know that something was on the way out of the blinding sheets of rain. And suddenly the ball fell out of the heavens and passed just beneath the crossbar! It was 1-0 Rohan! Gandalf had judged the distance, wind, and rain-resistance perfectly! Bombur only saw it at the last moment, as he had been looking lower downfield, and most of the crowd behind him didn't see it until it bounced up into the netting. It was a brilliant notion and beautifully executed! Celebrimbor and Aule thought of trying their own foot at the ploy, but the worst of the rain had passed and Rohan was doing all they could to keep possession until the half, which they did rather successfully. During the break the rain grew lighter and lighter, and when the second half starting it was barely a drizzle, until around 55 minutes the rain was gone altogether. And as the rain lifted the spirits of the Rohan fans were lifted ever higher. They had the lead and a premier defense- they were going to witness a playoff win! For the first time the singing started in earnest and Rohan drew energy from their supporters and locked down on defense as well as they ever had. Twice Legolas forced Theoden to move, but the horses had left him with a lot of distance to cover and the great king had no trouble catching the efforts. As the game neared its end it was Rohan that looked more likely to score the next goal, and Aule and Celebrimbor weren't allowed to help their offense much at all as Rohan kept the pressure on. Bombur only barely tipped away a fine header by Helm with five minutes left, and that was the last real chance by either team. Rohan kicked it out the rest of the way and the setting sun sent its final rays out from under the westering storms and lit up the top rows of rabid Rohan fans as they celebrated. Rohan was into the quarterfinals! Dwarves United 0-1 Rohan** on target 3-4 tot shots 10-13 GOALS: 39, 0-1 Gandalf (Eorl) YELLOW CARDS: DwUnt- Azaghal, Thror, Thorin Rohan- Eomer, Snowmane ************************ *********************** MESPN Exit Interview with Dwarves United** MESPN: You guys were just inches away from a quarterfinal appearance. Describe your disappointment. Aule: I don't know about my teammates, but I'm not overly broken up. Fact is no one picked us to even get this far. I think we've proven something, and I think we're going places. MESPN: So you believe Dwarves United can continue to be a playoff threat? Durin: Absolutely! We proved our mettle, and it should make us an attractive destination. I think we'll be in position to make a couple minor tweaks and we'll be back in a better form next year. MESPN: So you don't think you'll be losing any of your talent? Celebrimbor: No, no- we had great team spirit and everyone enjoyed the run, and we're determined to keep our noses to the grindstone for the cause. MESPN: Has anyone expressed interest in joining your squad next season? Celebrimbor: Ah, I think you suspect or you would not have asked that question, heh heh. Well- I'm going to leave it unanswered for now, and merely give a little wink. Gimli: I'll answer the question! Aule: Wait Gimli, not yet! In good time. I know you're anxious. Gimli: It had better be soon. I can't keep my mouth shut on this for long. Durin: Well there you go media members- you know precisely which of us will crack like an egg to give you your story. laughter MESPN: All right guys, thanks a lot. Gimli- we'll be calling with bribes. laughter __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.