EC info (English) |

Middle-earth European Championship 2001

November 2, 3 & 4, Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Soon people from all over Europe will travel to Eindhoven the Netherlands to participate in the biggest European MeCCG event of the year: the European Championship 2001 at Het Spellenspektakel (Games Spectacle) in Eindhoven's Exibition Hall (beursgebouw). We would like you to be there as well!

Make your own perfect selection from a range of fun and competitive events. Besides the championship matches there will be other great tournaments, including booster draft and Lidless Eye sealed deck (!).
Grab your chance to become the next European Champion: everyone, veteran or newbie, from Europe or beyond, can play in the Open Qualifier!
Meet lots of people who share your love for the finest collectible card game ever made. Hang out with players from all over Europe. Get to meet those people you've only spoken to via email or read about in tournament reports.
Enjoy the fair: Het Spellenspektakel is the largest gaming convention in The Netherlands, with lots of demonstrations, many sales booths and interesting special guests.
Among the special guests you'll find the artist Liz Danforth, illustrator of many beautiful Middle-earth cards including all Nazgûl, and Scott Fisher. For your convenience we have posted a list of Middle-earth cards illustrated by these two artists.
Many great prizes will be given away. Even if you don't do very well at any of the tournaments chances are you won't leave empty-handed!

Tournament Schedule

Friday November 2

Opening hours Fair: 12:00h - 22:00h
13:00h - 20:00h: Hero Only Constructed 2-deck
13:30h - 20:45h: Lidless Eye Sealed Deck (!)

Saturday November 3

Opening hours Fair: 10:00h - 20:00h
10:30h - 19:30h: European Championship Open Qualifier (General Opponent Constructed 2-deck)
13:00h - 19:00h: Hero Booster Draft (a sealed deck variant)
20:00h: Group dinner (details forthcoming)

Sunday November 4

Opening hours Fair: 10:00h - 18:00h.
10:30h - 18:00h: European Championship Final (closed), General Opponent Constructed 2-deck, 24 participants.
13:00h - 18:00h: Hero Sealed Deck.

Be sure to check out the fair info page to find out about the other (Middle-earth) events at the fair.

Important info for tournament players

Be on time for your tournament. Tournaments cannot be delayed because of late arrivals.
Before the start of each constructed deck event you must hand over a deck list. Remember to bring one! Note that you cannot access it during the tournament, so you bring a copy for yourself as well.
You need not play the same deck in Open and Final.
All tournaments are governed by Council of Lórien tournament rules 3.0 with two exceptions: no weakest link (a tie is a tie), number of rounds may be one round less.
Prequalified players should not play in the Open. If they choose to play in the Open they forfeit their prequalification.
All tournaments are judged by the tournament coordinator. His decisions are final. He shall not play in any events that day.
If you wish to read up on the rules visit our rules page where you can find all rules inserts, the Collected Rulings File, the Council of Lórien tournament rules, and all (but the most recent) CoE clarifications.
The general opponent format is also described in the Council of Lórien tournament rules 3.0.
In the hero sealed and booster draft each player can choose to play with an English or Dutch starter, as he / she pleases.

Tournament Fees

European Championship (Open Qualifier & Final): NLG 10,- once per player, on the first day you play (Saturday or Sunday).
Hero only constructed (Friday): NLG 5,-
Hero sealed / booster draft: NLG 20,-
Lidless Eye sealed: NLG 30,-

You pay your tournament fee to the tournament coordinator at the start of each tournament. Note that you will also have to buy a ticket to enter the fair. A discount coupon for the fair (gives you a NLG 2,50 discount per ticket) will be made available soon.

Registration

For all tournaments you are strongly encouraged to pre-register (available space is limited).
To pre-register mail either Jean-Paul Keulen or Wim Heemskerk (at the Dutch Council). Please do not mail your registration to both of us!
For each player you register include his / her name, e-mail address, home town, country and phone number.
Indicate for which event(s) you register: Friday Constructed / Friday Lidless Eye Sealed / Saturday Open / Saturday Booster Draft / Sunday Sealed / Sunday Finals (with prequalification).
Also indicate whether or not you'd like to dine at a restaurant with the rest of the players on Saturday Night.
To be able to register for the finals (directly) your council must confirm prior to November 1 that you are pre-qualified.

Spending the night

As a visitor of Het Spellenspektakel you are entitled to special rates at several hotels in Eindhoven; just mention Het Spellenspektakel (Games Spectacle) when you make your reservation.

Closest to the fair is the Holiday Inn, an upper class hotel at a very reasonable NLG 145,- per double room per night (breakfast included). We, the Middle-earth staff, will be staying here and we hope you will too.
Holiday Inn****, Veldm. Montgomerylaan 1, Eindhoven. Tel: +31 40 24 33 222, Fax: +31 40 244 92 35, all night Spectacle gaming room, parking available (NLG 12,50 per night), swimming pool
The most affordable hotel around is Hotel Corso at NLG 105,- per double room per night (breakfast included). This simple hotel is still just an eight minute walk from the fair.
Hotel Corso*, Vestdijk 17, Eindhoven. Tel: +31 40 244 91 31
There is a free dormitory for those of you who can't afford a hotel room. You'll have to bring an air matrass and a sleeping bag though.
If you want to secure a spot in the dormitory, send an email to Jean-Paul Keulen.

Organization and sponsors

The 2001 European Championship brought to you by Luc Schruers of the Belgian MeCCG Council of the Dragons and Jean-Paul Keulen of the Dutch MeCCG Council of the Isles of the Dead that Live. This taskforce is assisted by the Dutch Council and has the full support of the Council of Elrond, the world wide governing body for the Middle-earth CCG.

If you want to sponsor the Middle-earth European Championship by contributing prizes, please contact Wim Heemskerk at the Dutch Council. Companies and individuals already supporting this championship include Arco's Card Exchange, 999 Games and Mithril Miniatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am prequalified for the European Championship Final?
To see if you are already prequalified for the European Championship (on Sunday) contact your local council. They will decide (based on ranking or performance during your country's most recent national championship) who will represent your country at the European Championship.
What if I'm not pre-qualified?
Don't worry! You can still qualify if you want to, no matter where your from, by doing well in the Open Qualifier on Saturday. The best players from the Open Qualifier will be awarded slots for the European Championship on Sunday.
What if I don't like cut-throat competition?
Unlike with some other collectible card games, the Middle-earth scene isn't really about cut-throat competition -- it's about a bunch of Tolkien-lovers getting together to play their favorite game. Of course people try to win during the tournaments (some will try harder than others...), but that doesn't mean you'll be facing nothing but deadly serious, cursing, and sweating opponents. In general, Middle-earth players are friendly people with a great sense of humor. And if this does not convince you that you'll want to play in the open qualifier, the numerous side-events will have an even more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.

back to events page

Page date: October 23; expect a few updates