ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Nogrod]

Erebor vs. FC Valinor, penalty shoot-out.

While the players rested and concentrated on the following shoot-out the fastest minds already went through different possibilities… It was hard to believe Huan on the losing side when clashing with any other goal-keeper, but then again Beorn was the comet of this season and statistically better, and especially in this game he had been just phenomenal while Huan had been mostly jobless most of the game… What else?

The three brothers would score. It was a hard place for the elves of Lothlórien to admit that they now relied on Fëanor’s sons, but that was what they were doing. There were the two Valar as well. It would be hard to see Yavanna or Lórien not to score. So how about it got further? Argon was a great elf – and so was Idril. And Penlod was a real hero... and Nahar was such a creature no-one could stand against it. Yes we have it, the elves thought to themselves even if they knew someone would fail anyway. But they had such a tough bunch that even if one failed it should not matter.

Meanwhile most of the supporters of Erebor were too busy to celebrate the draw to concentrate on the penalty shoot-out to come, but those who realised what was coming the next were thinking more or less along the following lines… Now Beorn would keep them safe often enough to give their team a change to win: that was something they were confident on after seeing all his parade-saves in this game. But how would their shooters fare against Huan? Smaug sure was in the same league with the Hound, and so were the Great Eagles – those would fight it out at the same level. But how about Thranduil, the men, Dain and Bolg?
Now these were some anguish-begging questions. It was Huan after all they faced.

The two goalies took it towards the goal walking silently side by side – with Beorn in a full bear-shape going in all fours as well. Reaching the goal they turned to face each other and leaned their foreheads slightly on each other to show respect. After that Beorn retreated to the side of the goal slowly transforming back to a human form while Huan took himself between the posts. Erebor would shoot first.

Smaug came forwards and settled the ball into the spot. Then it retreated somewhat to the right to let it’s tail fall in perfect position to hit the ball. The two beasts stared each other to the eye for a moment while Smaug waved it’s tail to and fro in the air. The air was thick with anticipation. There wasn’t even a sigh in the crowd as everyone held their breath.

Suddenly Smaug’s tail swang in a mighty loop. Huan saw the trajectory of the ball to come clearly and dived for the upper-left corner, but just as the tail would have hit the ball Smaug pulled it up and moved it’s hind-leg in astonishing speed chipping the ball to the lower-right corner while Huan was already diving left! It was sensational!

But Curufin didn’t let the show-off bother him. If they had counted on someone scoring from the Erebor side Smaug sure was the pick. Setting the ball Curufin took a few steps back, nodded to Beorn with a determined expression. There was no emotion on his face.

A short run and a shot – like a bull’s hit! The shot was so powerful Beorn just hadn’t time to react to it before it was already in the back of the net, in the upper-right corner going in slightly touching the crossbar and swerwing through the net to bounce back into the field. Unlike Smaug, Curufin didn’t celebrate the goal in any way but only walked back his face as neutrally grim it is possible to have. But the crowds were cheering even wilder than with Smaug’s goal. They were surely being entertained!

The shoot-out was even 1-1.

Passing Curufin in the midfield Thranduil seemed a bit nervous. King and all he was, but Curufin was an old and great Noldorin lord whose stupendous skill and confidence just outshone him on every measure. But he bit his lip adjusting the ball to it’s place. Fëanor’s sons or not, the Great Hound or not, he would show what the Silvan elves were made of. Mostly to entertain himself and to build self-confidence he took a few dancing moves away from the ball, made a twist around and then rushed for the ball.

Huan jumped forwards to beat the angle and stretched it’s claws… and he tipped the ball – but not enough! The ball swerwed from the touch and flew inside the goal just inches away from the post! Dropping down all the air had already ran away from the ball and it had to be replaced by a new one. Meanwhile the referee gave Huan a warning that should he destroy a ball a second time the shot would be declared a goal whether it went in or not.

Thranduil was waving his hands in the air while walking back to the center of the field, but Celegorm looked like a copy of his tight-lipped brother walking slowly to the penalty spot. Like his brother he took only a few steps from the ball, nodded to Beorn and then dashed for it.

Beorn had suddenly a crazy idea and went for it on instinct. It was argued a lot afterwards whether he stole the jump going for it already before Celegorm’s boot hit the ball (even if the video replays after the game showed it quite clearly) – but he did go towards the upper-right corner thinking Celegorm would copy his brother in that as well. And he fisted the ball off! Celegorm had been denied! The Erebor fans were exstatic!

Erebor led the shoot-out 2-1.

Bard had the whole stadium watching on him as he walked to the spot. The pressure was high: scoring now would put Erebor a big step forwards to victory while missing would mean losing the gain they had just made with Beorn’s dashing save. But Bard the Bowman was not nicknamed “the Grim Sniper” for no reason. He made a stupendous curve-ball shot and while Huan did dive into the right side of the goal the ball changed it’s trajectory in the middle of the flight and suddenly started swerving towards the center. Already mid-air Huan had no chance to change his own flight, and even if he made a brave try to reach the ball with his feet it was a lost case for him. Bard scored!

Now the concept of a curve-ball (or a “banana-shot”) sure is familiar to all football fans, but to be able to make the ball swerwe that much in as short a distance than a penalty shot was something no-one could have foreseen anyone could deliver. There was something magical in this Bowman to be sure. And Smaug indeed was one of the first to congratulate him for his feat.

But if the Erebor fans had been overwhelmed by their players thus far yelling and chanting like mad men the elegant and graceful presence of Yavanna just silenced them once and for all. The lightness of her steps on the grass, the grace of her movement, the lightness of her being, the age and wisdom in her eyes… it was, well otherworldly in every possible sense of the term. Beorn felt really uncomfortable in between the posts when she glanced at him after setting the ball to the spot.

And it looked like Yavanna had called the grass to grow roots around Beorn’s ankles as when she finally set into motion and shot the ball – accurately to the lower left corner of the goal – it seemd Beorn just froze and only managed to move slightly towards the ball when it was already crossing the line. It was time for the elves to go crazy in the stands! Following the example of Oromë the crowds stood for a standing ovation for Yavanna. And she did curtsey to the fans left and right as she walked back to the center of the field.

Erebor was still in the lead, 3-2 now.

When the Nazgûl #7 walked to the spot the other ringwraiths up over the stadium let out a shrilling scream that silenced the crowds once again. The Eagles gave them an evil eye and the Nazgûl seemed to get the hint. But the mood was set.

Huan concentrated on his goal. He psyched himself into the shot… he had faced Melkor himself, the Balrogs… and now what was this guy, a mere corrupted human servant of a servant of Melkor, Sauron, a maia like himself… Would another maia be scared of his corrupted animal servant? These guys had the show, it had to be admitted, but no, he would stop this guy and even the game.

As soon as the Nazgûl had set the ball Huan started staring at him, challenging him with his burning eyes. And little by little the Nazgûl felt the pressure heavier and heavier. He went for a shot but Huan was faster – diving into the exactly right side and gripping the ball firmly in between his claws, being careful not to blow the ball this time. That was a sensational save, vintage Huan! And Erebor was denied the first time.

Argon came in turn and made it quick. Set the ball, a few steps back, short concentration, blowing out the extra air from his lungs, a dash… and a goal! Beorn was actually nicely with the shot but Argon just hammered it that powerfully he had no chance to really stop it.

The elven crowds were almost unable to control themselves. It was even again! FC Valinor had risen again like it had done in the game. And the farther the shoot-out would go, the better chances they had as they had a lot wider spread of quality. It was looking good once again for the Lothlórien elves and other supporters of FC Valinor.

The shoot-out was even 3-3.

The last shooters of the first round of five were ready to take their turns. And Gwaihir took to his wings making more like a longish jump to the penalty spot. The twenty plus eagles at the top of the stadium shrieked for support, and this time around the Nazgûl were not able to repay the “compliment” of silencing them. They just didn’t have the numbers or support by Sauron to do that.

It was once again a meeting of two great creatures highly mightier the men or elves. They eyed each other in a respectful way for a moment before Gwaihir took a few steps away from the ball concentrating on his shot now with eyes closed.

After flapping it’s wings around and about for a moment Gwaihir finally opened his eyes, rose up a little off the ground and dived forwards. He gripped the ball into his talons and swang himself in the air so that his head and upper torso went backwards but the talons and lower torso forwards – balancing the move with his great wings. And the ball shot off with a mighty velocity. Huan did actually get the direction correctly and dived for it – only to be just an inch late as the ball slipped through his outstretched claws.

Gwaihir the Windlord had scored! For the astonishment of all both the great Eagles and the Nazgûl were screaming for joy at the same time up over the stadium – and it must have been an interesting realization to them as well – they were after all supporting the same team but it had somehow been forgotten in the middle of all the security demands and all that jazz.

Maglor was the last shooter from FC Valinor’s side – and with Gwaihir scoring he had to score as well if FC Valinor was to stay in the game. Unlike his brothers though he smiled when he placed the ball to the spot and eyed Beorn curiously while taking his steps back. Beorn was a little confused as Maglor seemed at the same time so similar and yet so different from his two brothers: he had the same eyes of steel and pride and stature of a Noldorian lord of old, well of the descendant of Finwë himself, but there was playfulness, even humour in there one could not find in the eyes of some darker sons of Fëanor.

Maglor glanced at the upper-right corner of the goal his brothers had shot at and suddenly, noticing that Beorn had caught his glance, winked an eye to Beorn before laying his head low to concentrate. It made Beorn mad with frustration: was he being straightforward, bluffing, double-bluffing, triple-bulffing? Everything but the frist option seemed plausible – and he had no time to mull it over. Maglor had taken a longish distance to gather speed but he was on the move already building speed as he neared the ball.

Beorn thought feverishly… “in the end all this show is him trying to make me think he is different from his brothers so he wishes me to go for the other side – so I need to take the same one…” and Beorn jumped for it to the upper-right corner of the goal. Maglor shot the ball with power… into the left of the goal! He threw Beorn a smile before turning on his heels and walking relaxedly back to his team waving his hand casually in the air as he went. The crowds loved Maglor for that – and his cool finishing.

It was 4-4 after the first five shots.


From this on, it would be a game of sudden death with every round: if one scored and another didn’t, it was all over. The pressure was felt all around. And FC Valinor would be shooting first from now on.

It was Idril who walked trough the field next. The elves were holding their breath seeing Turgon’s fair daughter walk gently over the field her head held high. Silverfoot she really was. If Yavanna had walked through the pitch gracefully and lightly then Idril was, if possible, of even lighter feet. It was like her feet didn’t touch the grass at all as she more like slid over it.

She kissed the ball before putting it down to the spot and took a fair distance from it to gain speed. Beorn stood expressionlessly staring at the ball and Idril feet. Idril dashed forwards with incredible speed and shot the ball towards the lower right corner – but Beorn had hunched it right and dived to intercept the ball’s flight. The ball was coming in with such speed that even if he had gotten it right he was in time only to just tip it off the goal. But he did it! FC Valinor was denied the second time!

Erebor had their chance now. A goal now and they were through to the semifinals! Who would come to shoot for them? The crowds tried to look into the center of the field to see who would break from there and walk to the spot, but no one did. Instead Beorn himself was changing into a bear-form and emerged from the side of the goal to pick the ball.

Erebor supporters were going totally wild! Of course Beorn would be the shooter – and it would be so fitting for him to make the decisive shot! And in a bear-form! It was so exciting! And even Huan showed some signs of nervousness. A great bear was for him a much more worthy adversary than just a man, how great he otherwise was. There would be power in the shot and he had to do his best to FC Valinor a chance to continue the shoot-out.

The great bear roared and then charged. And the shot was a mighty one. It would have fallen anyone who tried to come to it’s way – but not Huan! Huan charged straight towards the ball at the moment it boomed from the bear’s foot – throwing his both fore-feet towards it he fisted it high in the air. The shot had been coming straight in the middle as Beorn had clearly thought Huan would dive for either corner – and if he wouldn’t the shot would be too powerful for even him to stop it. But he was wrong. Huan stopped it – and roared mightily for it making the elven spectators jump up in cheers and chants. Erebor was denied as well!

It was still 4-4.

Nahar emerged from the center and trotted to the spot. Now the crowds could find signs of weariness from Beorn’s countenance. The great horse would boot the ball with some worrying force as well. Beorn had thought it for a moment to take the shot in the bear form to be stronger to withstand it, but he would be so much slower in his first reaction as a bear he didn’t dare to try it. So feeling quite naked he stood as a human in between the posts looking at the great horse ready to charge at any moment. The crowds were holding their breath and Oromë was seen biting his nails in the audience.

Nahar sped into speed and booted the ball with ferocious force straight towards the upper-left corner of the goal. And Beorn hunched it totally wrong flying for the right side! But Nahar missed it! The ball went just an inch over the crossbar almost touching it as it went – but it had missed! The crowds awwed and sighed heavily. Oromë had closed his face into his palms.

So Erebor was given a second chance to win the game. And both the players and the fans knew it well they couldn’t afford wasting too many opportunities to end the game as FC Valinor would come back to score sooner than later and then they would just have to score themselves as well with no chance of winning it at that round. So it was now or never.

Bolg walked slowly to the penalty-spot feeling the pressure in his back. The orcs in the audience were thrilled! It was great Bolg, son of Azog, who would nail it for Erebor! Most of the Silvan elves and dwarves were not that confident though. Especially the dwarves would have loved to rather see Dain taking the shot. But those were petty differences, they knew it. And so they all cheered for Bolg crossing their fingers for him. Even if many questioned why the Meneldor or Landroval weren’t given precedence?

Bolg took his time to settle the ball in the way he was happy with and took slow steps away from it. It was hard for Bolg to look at Huan whose fiery eyes challenged him. He was just one shot away from being the celebrity everyone would love and appreciate. Just one shot…

And he was on it! He booted the ball with all the might he had – and it flew high up over the goal to the high rows of the stands. The elves were laughing from relief but probably a little for the lousy performance on the orc chieftain as well. They felt so justified in their mock of the orc. To the surprise of many Smaug came to meet Bolg half-way back to the center and patted him on the shoulder.

But FC Valinor had ducked a defeat a second time. The name of the game should change now the fans thought. It had to.

It was even 4-4 still.

To the great joy of the homecrowds it was Lórien who would take the next shot. Irmo of the Valar would not let them down! Even Oromë looked relieved. Mandos, Estë and Vairë were cheering loudly.

The Master of Spirits approached the penalty spot slow and majestic worthy of his stature. He was not going to rush anything. After setting the ball and taking the steps back from it he finally turned his eyes to Beorn – immediately seeing his deepest hopes, thoughts and dreams. But he didn’t let them affect his game. That would have been cheating anyway, he thought.

But he did hammer the ball in with precision leaving Beorn no chance in saving the goal. Beorn was first almost going to dive for the right but changed course at the last moment and went left instead… only to see the ball flying securely out from his reach, just lightly hitting the left post. Even if he had went to the left immediately he would have had no chance to catch it. It was fast and accurate shot impossible to save.

The Lothlórien crowds went just mad and shouted the name of their namesake. Now this was what they had been looking for from the shoot-out! And now Erebor was between the rock and the hard place. Did they miss now, it would be all over.

It was Girion’s turn. And it was time for some serious nail-biting on behalf of team Erebor fans. How could a lord of Dale beat Huan himself? Yes rich and powerful man at his time, and the great grandfather of Bard, but still…

It was clear Girion had the pressure of his life on his shoulders when he settled the ball down and concentrated on his shot. Huan looked calm and focused.
Girion took only a shortish run and went for it… he had to score… he shot it low… towards the right corner of the goal… Huan dived to the right… but high! He tried to grasp the ball flying under him but couldn’t but slightly touch it with the tip of his claws. It was a goal! Girion scored! Erebor had ducked relegation!

And the game was still on… ninth shooters were coming forth.

It was even, 5-5.

A seriously tall figure of an elf took to the penalty-spot. Penlod the Gondolian was next. And the elves were cheering to their hero of the battle of Gondolin, although some exchanged curious looks as to why Huan hadn’t been unleashed yet; he sure would score. But Penlod was a mighty elf and the cheers for him were ear-piercing. And he looked composed staring at the beorning between the posts.

He took a longish run but just as he was coming to hit the ball he almost stopped. Beorn was already leaning on towards right going to dive – and seeing that with the help of his little trick – Penlod made an accurate shot to the lower left corner of the goal, almost more like a pass than a shot.

Somehow Beorn managed once again to change direction at the last possible moment… and he tipped the ball away! Unlike with Lórien’s powershot Penlod’s slower one gave him the slight chance to make it – and he did it! Erebor was once again having a chance to wrap it for themselves.

And when Landroval flew in the Erebor fans were once again having their hopes up. He would score just like Gwaihir did. They had felt they had not such a wide spread of talent FC Valinor had but now it looked they were ready for anything and everything.

Huan was ready for Landroval and the two beasts nodded to each other in mutual recognition. Gwaihir had tricked Huan on the first rounds and Landroval knew he wouldn’t be surprised that easily a second time.

Landroval closed his wings around him and fell silent, concentrating to his shot. Huan stood motionless staring at the ball. Suddenly Landroval opened his wings and jumped up and forwards dashing towards the ball. Huan’s every muscle was on alert as his body was ready to bounce anywhere a split-second’s decision would send it. Momentarily it looked like Landroval was falling to his side, but at the same moment people realised what it was: Landroval made the shot with a huge swing of his wing sending the ball booming towards the upper-left corner of the goal. And Huan reached for it like a spring that had been unleashed.

Huan’s claws hit the ball! There was a curious thudding sound when the sharp claws tore the skin of the ball apart. The air ran off from the ball with a whining noise and the ball… or what was left of it… dropped just inches inside the goal.
There was a total silence for a few seconds when nobody was quite sure what had happened or how the referee would interpret it.

But when the referee then showed with his hand that it was a goal the crowds broke into wild cheers or protests – depending on the side they were supporting. Curufin and Celegorm went after the referee so aggressively it looked like they were going to kill him right there and then, but happily Huan came to stop them and defended the referee from a plain onslaught. He made it clear that firstly what was left of the ball was inside the goal and that the referee had already warned him beforehand that if he tore one more ball into pieces after the first one he would judge it a goal whatever happened.

Some reports had it that Celegorm had yelled back at Huan that he had defected once again, but that report couldn’t be confirmed.

Be that as it may, Erebor had taken a sensational victory over the clear favourites FC Valinor who were now out from the games.

And Huan owed Beorn a pint of the best mead Lothlórien could offer…