[Nogrod]

Quarterfinal Erebor vs. FC Valinor @ Lothlórien


It was gametime!

The stadium was full to the last place, well it was clear to everyone it was overbooked. On the top of the stadium, behind and above the highest rows of benches loomed the eight dark riders with their beasts and some two dozen Great Eagles. Many could have been intimidated by the eight, but the presence of the eagles did wonders. And when the special quests were introduced the crowds got quite relaxed indeed. For Oromë was there to see his great white horse play, and Mandos, Vairë and Estë were there as well to witness Lórien’s game now that their teams had been already relegated from the tournament. Some whispered that Manwë himself would be present with Varda, but if they were, they were there incognito.

The teams were introduced player by player as they had finally reached their opening positions. And it was a sight! Let’s see the line-ups before going into the game.

On FC Valinor’s side.

At goal the huge hound Huan whom a faint-hearted would not even dare to approach, let alone to try and get a ball behind him.

On defence. At the bottom, in a kind of an libero-role, Nahar, Oromë’s great horse: taller than any seen in the ME, swift and muscular, as frightening as Huan. In front of him Penlod, the lord from Gondolin, the tallest of the Noldorin. There was no easy way behind these two in the middle.

At left Indis the Fair, Galadriel’s grandmother, proud and beautiful as ever. At right Maglor, son of Fëanor, a bard and poet, from his fëa more like his mother maybe, but in stature and countenance no less intimidating than his brothers up front – and everyone knew what this dark and strong elf was able and what was his inheritance.

On the midfield. Turgon’s always dangerous daughter Idril the Silverfoot on the left. You never knew how fast he could be and where. On the right the high commander Argon, Indis’ grandson: as royal and fair the old Noldorin would be.

In the middle there were the two Valar. On the left Yavanna herself, the great favourite of the homecrowds and one of the real threats to any defence. On the right-center spot Lórien, another great favourite of the homecrowds, a master of spirits.

On attack. Celegorm and Curufin, Fëanor’s sons. Wild, tall, proud and… well the words fail here in front of their charisma. Standing at the center-ring opposed to Smaug one tended to notice them first and the huge dragon only after them. That should make plain what is meant.

Team Erebor then.

At the goal the huge skinchanger Beorn, almost half a bear even in his human form. If a normal person wouldn’t want to get into closer dealings with Huan, he would be wise to stay away from Beorn as well.

The defencive line boasted three Great Eagles, the brothers Windlord and Wide-Wing and their friend Sky-King. It was clear that Huan’s words about them as a real challenge were not only sweet-talking. It would take even the champions of FC Valinor some effort to get past these defenders.

In the middle, in front of the Eagles the last lord of Dale, Girion, the grand-grand father of Bard the Bowman.

On the midfield, left-side, Dain Ironfoot, the great warrior and king under the mountain. On the right side Bolg the leader of the Misty Mountain orcs in the Battle of Five Armies who had since made it good with Beorn…

On the center midfield, as the so called “number ten”, Bard the Grim Sniper – as the elves called him. A devastating weapon behind the forwards trio ready to shoot accurately with even a slightest of chances.

On attack a trio of intimidation, sterness and power. Nazgul #7 on the left, the master of intimidation. Thranduil on the right, the stern leader of the Silvan elves. And in the peak position in the middle Smaug the Golden for whose brutal power nothing goes undetected.

It looked like a huge game indeed! This was what the Arda Cup was for! Great players, heroes and villains together enjoying the sports and giving their best. As said, it was gametime!


*~*

Erebor had clearly a premeditated plan to go for a full attack from the get go, going for the surprise-factor. And they actually did manage to put FC Valinor’s defence in some disarray for the first few minutes. FC Valinor clearly was not prepared to this kind of onslaught from the first minute. But as soon as Maglor had called the defencive lines to stand their ground and the midfield fell a bit to support them Erebor’s attacks were slowly suffocated. And little by little FC Valinor started rolling their own attacks to the other end of the pitch rising their whole field upwards, careful to keep the distances short enough in case of any unforeseen events.

Especially Idril’s dashes deep into the Erebor’s half were a constant threat to the otherwise fast but slow-turning eagles. And while the Erebor defences in the center had their hands full with Celegorm and Curufin, Yavanna made quick runs inside the box from left (trailing Idril) or right (sometimes supported by a run by Argon). The mighty Erebor defences were in trouble. Seriously.

At half an hour mark the game settled down somewhat as neither the initial pressure of Erebor or the forceful pressing of FC Valinor hadn’t produced an outcome. FC Valinor had forced Beorn into one parade-save from the top-right corner fisting the ball off after a mighty volley by Celegorm, but other than that FC Valinor had only managed a few shots just slightly wide or over the target. Curufin and Celegorm were unhappy as they thought they were not getting into good enough scoring-positions and so they started re-arranging their tactics on the fly.

Many judgements have been made thus far on dwarves’ talent or overall ability to play football – not all of them without justification it must be admitted – but the king under the mountain, Dain Ironfoot really did honour to his race this time forcing the homecrowds to just gasp in awe.

For it thus happened that Lórien rose up from the center with the build up as the new formation demanded, but on his side Argon was getting forwards as well, which he was not supposed to do, leaving a huge gap on the right side of FC Valinor’s lower midfield. Noticing that Dain rushed forwards into the empty space and when Landroval managed to snatch the ball away from Idril he immediately saw the situation and winged the ball fast forwards high in the air. Already when the ball was in mid-air Huan made a terrifying howl calling the defenders back but it was already late: while all the midfielders and defenders had to turn around before dashing back, the Grim Sniper was actually on the run already. With a one touch pass Dain sent the ball diagonally across the field only to land perfectly at Bard’s feet at the corner of the box with Nahar closing in at full gallop just the crucial few feet behind him. Had Bard tried to control the ball first Nahar would have been on him – so Bard just volleyed the ball as soon as he reached it. And it went into the back of the net! Even Huan had no chance to react to such a boomer!

And so, after 36 minutes of play Erebor was leading the game 1-0!

Maglor called his team to settle down for the last ten minutes to avoid any further mistakes – and Curufin and Celegorm didn’t seem to oppose their brother’s politics of keeping their goal safe for the last minutes of the first half either. And so the teams went into their lockers for the half-time in Erebor’s lead.

There was something to ponder for the statisticians: after the first half FC Valinor had the possession 62% vs. 38%. FC Valinor also had 7 shots vs. 4 shots by Erebor, and the “serious scoring opportunities” (as the statisticians count them) from those were blatantly 5 vs. 1. Yet Erebor was in the lead.


The feeling at the stadium was getting into a full peak when the teams came back for the second half: the Lothlórien elves were now mainly supporting FC Valinor and the northern guests were just going wild with pride and confidence their team would make it through the second half. The noise was just ear-breaking.

As soon as the second half got on the name of the game became quite clear. FC Valinor had gathered some dedication and rage in their lockers – like some northern people said, they had swallowed some snake-broth indeed! FC Valinor was fast, it was furious, it was dangerous – and the only thing Erebor could do was to draw back, try to put their feet and heads in between the ball and the goal and hope for the best… Even Smaug was eventually forced to draw back to aid the defence.

It was possibly the simple most one-sided top-match half of this tournament. Erebor managed five shots overall on the second half, only one of which was on target – and even that was an easy save for Huan as it was a desperate shot from 35 meters by Thranduil when Maglor was pressing on and he had to do just something with the ball when all the passing-lines were already shut.

But what did FC Valinor do then? Well a lot.

Already on 49th minute Idril broke free from her side and after drawing Beorn to her chipped the ball from the corner of the goal into the middle from where Celegorm dived for a header only to slightly miss the touch sending the ball over the goal hitting the crossbar.

Only five minutes later Yavanna sent Curufin free inside the box but his blast went wide by a margin.

A few minutes from that Celegorm played an intelligent wall-play with Yavanna enabling her to break free from the eagle-line but her power-shot was tipped off the goal by Beorn’s ghost-save.

On 64th minute Bolg got carded from tackling Idril pretty badly (what else he could do against her speed one might ask). FC Valinor got a free kick from some twenty meters from the goal between the center and the corner of the box. Celegorm took the shot and hit the crossbar again – but Yavanna dived to the rebound! Only to head the ball off hitting Meneldor on it’s way and resulting in a corner.

Curufin tried a sneaky one with the corner and sent the ball swerving towards the back post – it would have probably gone straight in had not Girion cleared it holding fast the far post while all the others were maniacally rushing after the ball or the possible trajectories it might take if someone headed it this or that way. As the ball flew over the field for a throw Beorn was seen shaking Girion’s hand and his grand-grand son hugged him passionately for saving the day.

The clock was ticking but FC Valinor was not letting it bother them. Erebor fell down and even lower down. At times it seemed all the eleven players were inside a twenty-meter radius from their goal defending it like a hedghehog. The northern supporters chanted and yelled their throats sore to boost their team to hold the all-out offencive back for the last twenty minutes. But the elven fans were also inspired by the sovereign exposition of skill, effort and fighting-spirit FC Valinor showed.

It was a game against only one goal.

On 75th minute Yavanna discovered Argon’s smart run and passed the ball to him over and behind the defenders in full speed on the right. He took the control of the ball but it took just the precious second too much so that when he was able to shoot he had already drifted into a too slight an angle that Beorn could shut the shot away easily – trying to make a last second surprise-pass in the middle only ended in Gwaihir’s talons.

But only two minutes after that Argon was up again making some real damage! He single-handedly fooled first Dain an then Gwaihir on the right side of the pitch and closing in towards the goal centered it powerfully so that Landroval had no chance of cutting it… Curufin slided to the ball but was an inch late and the ball continued it’s path. Curufin kept sliding inside the net but Girion managed to boot the ball into the FC Valinor side of the field from where Huan brought it back.
That was the name of the game ten minutes before the final whistle: all the players, except Huan were on the Erebor’s side of the field.

At 83rd minute Lórien passed the ball from some forty meters forwards high in the air. Celegorm chested it down and chipped it diagonally forwards from just outside the box – Curufin rushed in for a volley only to boot it to the upper levels of the stadium. What a prodigal son he was, Curufin!

Two minutes after the previous, Penlod had risen from the left side. Pretending to center the ball Meneldor dived to shut the passing line but Penlod actually kicked the ball backwards with his heel – and lo and behold! – the Silverfoot was in full speed coming from behind him and took the ball with one touch booting it with the second touch –only to be just tipped away by Beorn! That was probably the closest one thus far for FC Valinor!

Five minutes of the game left and even the defenders of FC Valinor were up and actively creating mayhem – like we saw with Penlod just there. Few minutes before the final whistle even Maglor joined the attack as the second last one – they still kept Nahar around the center-ring just in case of a runaway ball that a speedy attacker might run for. It was now all or nothing – and the crowds were going nuts: the Erebor supporters were not believing they were winning the game and the elves were not believing FC Valinor was losing! But both made even more infernal noise as a result.

On 87th minute Maglor actually took the initiative and tried to force himself through the tightly packed defence only to be harshly winged down by Gwaihir who was clearly late of the situation when Maglor had managed to fool Bolg out. And it was true: the first card of the game! Such an intensive game with no cards dealt until three minutes from the end. It told everything of the game: hard, powerful, aggressive – but clean. Thus far, that is.

The free-kick was from a good position, about 18 meters from the goal. The three brothers were seen discussing it around the ball – well, arguing about it, it seemed – while the wall was being built with the aid of the referee inside the box, with both Argon and Yavanna trying to fit inside it. The three brothers all stood behind the ball some meters away from it when the referee whistled for a go.

Celegorm tossed Maglor away and glanced at Curufin, nodding to him. Despite the heavy toss Maglor kept his balance and continued walking sideways not looking back and cursing while he went. The two brothers exchanged looks and started running at the ball at the same time… Suddenly Curufin took a dash and got to the ball first only to trick-play it with the heel of his left foot and the point of his right so that the ball flew high up in the air. And it was an exact timing. The defenders from the wall started rushing forwards.

Curufin took a fast dash forward-right – Landroval and Girion went to close the passing line to him. Erebor had it now with Meneldor and Smaug closing in on Celegorm who was just going to reach the ball coming down; Bolg and Dain were keeping Argon and Yavanna away from the action; Bard was in close-quarters with Idril not giving her any room to breathe…

Celegorm reached the ball first. That was no surprise. He just hadn’t anyone to pass it except backwards as Erebor had closed every door. Celegorm caught the ball and glanced swiftly behind him before Meneldor and Smaug caught him. Turning forwards he saw Meneldor and Smaug pressing on him bending on the sides to be able to intercept a possible pass side- or backways. But as a gap between Smaug and Meneldor emerged, Celegorm swiftly sent the ball fast forwards slightly to the left.

And it was none else but Maglor who had sneaked forwards the seconds others had concentrated on everyone but him – and now he dashed to the ball. Landroval shrieked and made his best to turn mid air while Gwaihir answered the call leaving the guarding of Lórien behind… Girion stood helpless for a fraction of a second and then turned on his heels to follow Landroval. Beorn saw what was going on and closed the distance between him and Maglor trying to leave him as little angle possible to shoot it past him.

But Maglor did not take a shot. He passed the ball forwards-right – and yes, Curufin was now free and had dashed to the corner of the goal where he only had to put his boot in to the ball’s way to guide it in! FC Valinor had evened the game just three minutes before the end of the game!

The three brothers hugged passionately. All the tossing and “arguing” had been just a trick!

FC Valinor somewhat had the upper hand at the last minutes, but it was clear both teams were now concentrating for the extra-time. And that was to follow.

The statisticians were once again puzzled: how can a game be even when the other side has 74% of the possession, has 20 shots overall against 8 from the opposition, and shots on goal are 7-3. On second period alone FC Valinor made 12 shots and 5 of them went on target (posts and crossbars are not counted): that is more than many teams are able to accomplish in a whole game – and while the “serious scoring opportunities” were 5 vs. 1 after the first period, after two periods different statisticians saw them from 13 vs. 3 all the way to 15 vs. 2!

But the game was still 1-1 and it was the extra time.


After the few careful first minutes of the extra-time it was clear who was going for the goal. Unsurprisingly it was FC Valinor.

On 7 minutes into the extra-time Celegorm headed a cool center by Idril nicely via the ground but Beorn managed to stretch his leg for an astonishing reaction-save.

Few minutes later there was a great row on the field after Bolg had clearly kicked Nahar into his lower belly, in purpose. After that Nahar was more or less unstoppable and charged after Bolg around the field. Lórien was at the route Bolg tried to escape and managed to stumble him down with a kick to his side. As he was ready to cast a spell on Bolg suffering eternally of recurring nightmares, the referee finally caught the action and carded all three.

But if Bolg had wished he’d take some energy away from their opposition by his trick he was totally wrong. FC Valinor looked now doubly threathening, hard and unforgiving. And by Valar they scored after 16 minutes of the extra-time! Many thought it was finally some justice being delivered.

After one of the rare trials at attacking Erebor lost the ball somewhere half into the FC Valinor’s side of the field. Lórien took the ball and sent it immediately far up to Argon whom he saw was ready to make a spurt. And Argon did the run of his life ducking Landroval on his way and catching the ball before the end-line.
With a last second turn-pass – basically executing that from mid air as he had to jump for the ball unless it went over the line – he managed to center it and as the few defenders there were had been after him Yavanna was all alone in the middle to receive the pass. She took the ball in control by stopping calmly at the penalty spot. Beorn rushed forwards as soon as he realised the situation but Yavanna just passed the ball slightly sideways to herself with her left foot and chipped the ball out of reach of him and into the back of the net with her right!

FC Valinor was finally in the lead and the elven crowds were just going crazy. Fourteen minutes to go. FC Valinor had been the sovereign side thus far, but the lapse in the beginning. The tables had finally been turned.

Erebor did not mean to accept the loss and fought for the equalizer, but FC Valinor was not giving in an inch even if Erebor now came forwards with full force.

On the contrary, every time Erebor tried to attack FC Valinor sent Idril and Curufin – or Celegorm and Argon, or Yavanna and Nahar – a different pair every time into to the front with full speed dashes forcing Erebor to leave players to see after them and thus they never got the chance of building up an attack of a kind FC Valinor had played most of the second half. FC Valinor was keeping them at the bay with a counter-threat too serious to be ignored.

Three minutes before the end of the overtime there was one more clash of wills and personalities. Penlod and Smaug were reaching for the ball in the midfield and Smaug tailed Penlod away sending him into the ground. Not taking any more of that – and not willing to wait for the referee’s judgement – Penlod went on to challenge Smaug. To Penlod’s defence it can be said Smaug had pushed him all the game when the referee had not being looking, but yes, now Penlod had had it. Only the fact that Maglor and Lórien forced him off Smaug’s throat saved him from a red card. They both got yellow cards but the following free kick was given to Erebor as the “revenge” was deemed more unsportsmanlike than the original foul.

Nazgul #7 gave the free-kick from fifty meters trying to find Smaug’s tail from the edge of the box. But Nahar beat Smaug for it nice and clean. It was a perfect turnaround.

Nahar sent the ball flying forwards and Curufin, Celegorm, Yavanna, Idril and Argon all ran for it looking on their own routes for a great ending of the game. The elven crowds were cheering! This would be the final nail into Erebor’s coffin! 3-1 was on it’s way!

Idril got the ball farthest to the left and ran with it a moment before stopping – as Meneldor was closing in on her – and crossing it then to the center to Curufin who had now almost reached her level. Curufin sent the ball immediately forward-right towards Argon who was making way to the end of the pitch – and got the ball nicely before the end of the field on the right – and had time to decide what to do before Gwaihir was upon him. And he decided to dribble the great eagle – which he did! Getting rid of Gwaihir Argon centered the ball seeing both Curufin and Celegorm dashing towards the goal.

But somehow Gwaihir managed to put it’s wing in between while falling down from a too fast a turn. The ball went over the brothers and as a gift into the feet of Girion who did not mess around but kicked it far away from the Erebor side.

In the midfield Indis rose higher than Bard but due the contact she was not able to head it the way she meant and it went backwards, far away from where she meant it should go. Deep on the right of the FC Valinor’s side Thranduil took the ball and centered it immediately – amd Smaug was there to push free from the middle. With the FC Valinor defence a bit disarrayed as Nahar was not in his place and Penlod was understandably not willing to gather another yellow, Smaug actually got room to manouver just to tail the ball… into the net!

Erebor had drawn the game two minutes of the overtime left!!!

Nobody believed their eyes at first, not even the players. But after Smaug roared and the first Erebor players reacted to it starting to jump up and down, part of the stadium holding the fans of Erebor finally burst into cheering and a kind of hysterical laughter. They had been so sure down under that they would lose the game, but now it was once again anybody’s game! Erebor ruled!

The Lothlórien elves were just shocked – excluding those who actually cheered for Erebor. It had been a clear game after all the trouble and hardship in the beginning… and what now? A toss of a coin? Were there not the loud crowds cheering for Erebor the elves might not have realised how on the edge this was now.

But it was to be a penalty shoot-out.


Erebor 2-2 FC Valinor
on target 5-9
tot shots 14-23
GOALS:
*36, 1-0 Bard (Dain)
*87, 1-1 Curufin (Maglor)
*16, 1-2 Yavanna (Argon)
*28, 2-2 Smaug (Thranduil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Gwaihir, Bolg, Smaug
*FCVal- Nahar, Irmo, Penlod



A report from the penalty shoot-out will be published later today.