Wild Bor World Cup Pool
w00t, it's time for another World Cup!
along with it, the Wild Bor World Cup Pool is back from the dead! again!
the WBWCP is a way to make your predictions for the World Cup. there's no money involved, just pride and bragging rights.
just like 4 years ago i resurrected the WBWCP at the last minute for 2010. the code is damn old -- a real house of cards (um, don't use any super secret passwords, okay?) -- but it appears to be working.
so, fingers crossed, throw your hat in the ring:
http://cup.dtek.tv/
you've got until friday the 11th at 10am eastern time to submit your first round picks!
JAG will be chiming in with commentary, hopefully including play-by-play audio of himself announcing his favorite games, which is not to be missed.
Slippery Joaquin's Photos
YES!!!
Another great game: ref was a little too involved, stop-start of the first half was ugly; but second half was fun and tense--appreciated Netherlands trying to go over the top--stretch the Spanish, and, man, it almost worked--a shoelace save on top of a couple of others at the other end earned us a great and open overtime. Iniesta turned it up a notch and was rewarded with the biggest goal in his nation's history. Feel bad for the Dutch--is that three or four times as the runner's up?--and they played well enough to win--really disrupted the Spanish midfield--well, at least better than any other team had. Ultimately, they can and will feel proud, I believe. But the tournament's best teams met and the world's best team won. What more can we ask for?
Also impressed by RED1's showing in the pool. His Spaniards locked him and his brother and father into a great spot. I would love to know the real names of the pool victors: Zizou, and Dasharmit?
Most importantly, arh1, thank you. It made the tournament all the more tense, and soldered connections with friends and family, my dad especially--he and I talked almost every day about his standing in the pool. Thanks.
And watch out for Brazil 2014.
Now, that was a game!
Netherlands-Uruguay: great game. Easily worthy of a World Cup semi-final. First goal was goal of the tournament in my book. Forlan was impressive, as was the Uruguayan never-say-die attitude--gave the Netherlands a full 90. Hope Spain-Germany is half as much fun to watch...
Yes, arh1, go Spain
Germany does seem like a juggernaut, but Serbia beat them, and they were much less impressive against Ghana than they have been against England and Argentina. All props to Ghana, but Ghana is no Spain (or Argentina--I would have said). Ha, we'll have to see.
Germany was hard to root for for me too, but that was based mainly on the old German boring defensive teams, which this one clearly is not. These guys are explosive and young! I can't think of a better game than this rematch of the European final--the game of the tournament, I suspect (--but, again, Brazil-Holland, Germany-Argentina, Brazil-Portugal, Spain-Portugal, Germany-England, Brazil-I.Coast--none of these has been half as exciting, for me, as Ghana-Uruguay, US-Algeria, or Spain-Paraguay). Hmmm. And if Uruguay pulls off an upset, even an ugly one, it will be hard to beat.
Is it too early to reflect on the tournament? Best games? Best goals? Best almost goals? Biggest heartbreak (--Ghana, of course).
Bandwagon?
Any space on the German bandwagon? I'd love to jump on. Impressive win today. Love the mix of youth with old dudes and the nice balance of offense/defense.
How funny will it be if we do eventually end up with 3 out of the 4 final teams being from Europe? Good stuff.
yeah, unbelievable. i still
yeah, unbelievable. i still haven't seen most of the actual Germany vs Argentina game unfortunately, just the highlights. but Germany seems absolutely unbeatable at the moment.
i've been talking with a bunch of people about how hard it is to root for Germany. (and not to totally shift the conversation, but it's almost like anything having to do with nationalism and Germany is just absolutely taboo still...)
anyway, i'd love to see Spain or Netherlands win it now. Spain has been a lot of fun to watch -- tight, small passing, sticking to it and indeed getting their breakthrough through it, even with their backs against the wall in both of the last two games.
Wow
Yikes, what a crazy day. I can't believe that Holland made it past Brazil. Don't misinterpret my previous post, I was pulling for Holland (To me Brazil is like the Yankees - I'm a Red Sox fan). It's just that Brazil looked unbeatable in their last 2 games. I guess that that's why you play the game. Unfortunately it wasn't a particularly inspiring game from either team. It was enough.
How 'bout Ghana? Ouch, that was really tough to watch. I really can't believe that that happened. I feel so bad for that guy. He will literally never live that down. To dash the hopes of the continent. Unbelievable.
I'm psyched up for Argentina-Germany tomorrow. These guys seems to genuinely hate each other. Should be a very high level of play and a very high level of emotion. Perfect combination! Anyone else feel like this should be the final instead of a quarterfinal?
Holy Brazil
How scary is it that when you're done watching a Brazil game you're more impressed by their lock-down defense than their amazing offense? They looked very impressive today. It looks like Brazil and Argentina are on a collision course for the finals with a minor Germany speed bump on the way. The Dutch looked pretty good today but gave up too much in their defensive third to the lowly Slovaks. Unfortunately I think that Brazil is going to eat them alive in their own box and make them pay for their mistakes in a way that Slovakia just couldn't. No revenge for the Orange this year. . . . . .
It should be an unbelievable final.
You know...
(apparently, I am Mr. Controversy tonight)
A lot of people blame the Italians for their defensive success, but I wonder if we might blame the Brazilians (or the Spaniards, in this World Cup anyway--I suspect Portugal to pack it in, and let Rinaldo cherry-pick, as they did against Brazil, which I fear will again be successful tomorrow). My thinking was corroborated today by Chile, who tried to meet Brazil on equal terms, taking the fight to them, and then were slaughtered.
Stymie defense is a last resort--a concession--can't defend Messi, so, like the Mexicans did, kick him every chance you get, which unfortunately works. No, not stymie, but cynical--that's how I would describe the defensive strategy of Italy. The ugly, and all too successful game, set up specifically to combat the beautiful game.
But roll on Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain! I am cheering for you, even if I bet against you.
Disappointing
I am talking about the fact that four, 1, 2, 3, 4, people actually bet against the US. Is winning winning even if it's coupled with ignominy? Well, I was torn too (a cynic's seat still in my heart when it comes to the US--you know, as though I were a Cubs fan or Braves fan or Vikings or how many others).
But I am proud of our boys. It looks like the wheels finally came off--we were exhausted by game's end, no doubt the cumulative result of the three 90-minute full-pressure games preceding this one. Nothing left in the tank, and an excellent trap and shot by Ghana's Gyan.
Oh, it stings, but, in truth, I felt like we had over-achieved just getting to the game, however weak the bracket quadrant may have been.
Now, will England wake out of their slump against a great familiar foe? That's my bet. Let's see...
yeah, it's disappointing...
yeah, it's disappointing... with the weight of expectation actually starting to swing in their corner... with the distance that US soccer has come, you almost expect them, not only to go much farther in this tournament, but to achieve something better at every world cup. but this sport is poetic and cruel, and it takes just the right confluence of skill, luck, and strength. anyone can lose at any time at this level...
even so, the stars did seem to be aligning for us this tournament, with our improvement over the first round and the bracket we found ourselves in...
and Ghana really looked much stronger than they did in the first round (and i'm glad an African nation is still playing now), but you hate to lose to a goal like that -- a beautiful piece of finishing, but the ball hoofed blindly upfield at the beginning of it. and after we'd done so much (again!) to turn the game around and were really dominating at that point...
ah, well... well done, fellas.
go, Argentina! that's my pick to win the whole thing... (btw, it looks like Argentina beating the Netherlands in the final was the most popular selection in the WBWCP.)
and as for Germany-England, i'm split. it's always hard to root for Germany :) , but it's hard to root for England in this tournament, either! anyone, i'm hoping the age-old rivalry will bring out an exciting game.
A referee mistake away??
Germany deserves to win, especially after England allowed an almost identical goal to the US back-breaker defensive overtime blunder. Yuck! Though, it is little doubt that if Lampard got his justice, that might have been a different game--one as exciting as everyone anticipated. Like you said, arh1, you have to have the bounces (and calls) to be successful--or, at least, you have to be able to make the most of the good bounces and minimize the significance of the bad ones, which England clearly failed to do all tournament long. Poetry indeed, which is why I am torn about the instant replay debate. Done the right way, it shouldn't detract from the game, just as happens in hockey. But, then again, maybe it would hurt soccer's fluidity, which surpasses all other sports. Could you imagine taking time-outs so that the ref can go over and consult the video replay judge or whatever? I don't want a commercial friendly stop-start sport. Ref mistakes are as they have always been, a part of the game, and there's something valuable in that--something valuable in seeing a would-be hero handle a bad call.
Anyway, I wonder how big a difference the injured English defender (Fernando??) would have made...
Well, they're in...
And I am not proud of a single pick. The pool has ruined me. I was so self-conscious picking the knockout round, on account of the immense disappointment I am suffering over my tie with Sucka and Red1, that I don't even recognize the picks as my own. Thanks a lot, arh1--ruined my entire enjoyment of the World Cup, and ctierny and willy and Whit--ahh! woe is me.
Of course, if my picks turn out to be right, I will claim prescience, and start a cult of anti-rcarlos-ians!!!
Brazil-Portugal was ugly today, but Spain-Chile made up for it. A great first round, all in all. Now the increased pressure of the next stage--I wonder if it will become more defensive... We'll see.
By the way, has anyone found a collection of the best shots and goals of this World Cup so far? David Villa's first against Honduras is top of my list right now. Anyone want to challenge that?
What the hell?
Here I was riding high on my glorious (albeit uninformed) standings during the first week of the world cup and now all three of you are ahead of me. So I repeat: what the hell people? Come over to the dark side. Luke, I am your father! That game this morning was so good that I am still dancing a little on the inside. I hope you guys are all doing well and GO USA!!!!
I'm just glad that this guy
I'm just glad that this guy isn't in our pool:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/24/world-cup-octopus-pauls-p_n_624...
What in the h...!!
rcarlos is beating me!!! How can that happen? And my sister, kaede, is beating me too, and Willy D--I mean, seriously, what does Willy D know about sports or sports reporting or radio talk shows about sports? Seriously!!!
But, if my predictions are going totally awry, it's also because some fun surprising stuff is happening: USA winning Group C (--arh1, I think it warrants a first time USA-chant), Ghana, South Korea, Japan, and will Spain make it as a second seed and have to play Brazil in the first round? Will Spain even make it in? Will Brazil beat Portugal? What about England-Germany--that might be the match to wake a sleeping giant. And look at the eventual semifinalist in our corner of the brackets--any way it goes, it's a major headline. Man, fun stuff, even if rcarlos is the come-back kid I always feared he was.
Friday's games are going to be awesome!!! Wednesday's games were as much fun as I have ever had watching soccer!!!
Is this the World Cup or the
Is this the World Cup or the Copa America?
yeah, crazy that all 5 S.
yeah, crazy that all 5 S. American qualifiers are in the last 16.
and, i just realized that all 6 European teams are paired up, so there will only be 3 left in the quarters!
Italiani addio!
Italiani addio!
Man!
Playing against ctierny is like playing against God...
And where the Shnell is Whit coming from?
And don't think I don't notice The Dynamic Daunic Duo pulling even. Oh, I felt strong once upon a time...
Anyway, feel bad for Cameroon, and for Africa. Come on I. Coast (even though I have Brazil over them by two or more--yikes!) To think Ghana can get a result out of the now desperate Germans is--well--crazy, especially when we consider the whole Ballack-Prince thing. But who would have guessed Switzerland, and Serbia and Algeria?
In any case, I am having a ton of fun--both watching the games and talking to myself again on dtek. Pretty soon, I am going to start taunting myself...
hey, JAG: nah nah na boo boo.
hey, JAG: nah nah na boo boo. um, ctierney's really kicking your butt.
wow, what a disappointing tournament this has been. England, Italy, France -- all crap. but, we've been how exciting it is that all of the South America teams are doing so well -- none of them have lost! is the balance of power shifting?
Denmark v Cameroon yesterday was a fun one. Denmark's first goal is my goal of the tournament so far...
ah well, at least we have the WBWCP to spice things up.
What the what!
arh1, I am really enjoying the tournament--a few great performances (Messi) coupled with the promise of many more, and, generally, where scoring has been low, I have been on edge. Fabiano's second goal today must be the goal of the tournament (if we ignore both his handballs as readily as the referee did), but my favorite shots have been the blasts off the wood-work: Cameroon's, Italy's and Spain's--oh, and Rinaldo's. Aside from a few personal disappointments (England and Rooney mainly) I would say this is as good a Cup as I can remember. I suppose I am wary of ceding any ground to the American sceptic, who apparently can't enjoy anything but scoring, but I don't feel like I am stretching the seams. It is funny to think that going into the knock-out round, we could be missing France, Germany, England, Italy, and Spain, but that is no matter to me (actually, as I have already said, Italy couldn't make a quick enough exit for me--and I feel the same way about France). I wish Africa could make it in--maybe Ghana--I mean, if Serbia can beat the Germans, Ghana might be able to do it. Oh, and speaking of Cinderella, go New Zealand! Man, Algeria and New Zealand both showed some mettle in their second games, even if they take an early flight home (--maybe they can sit with the French team and fans, and give them a little perspective: being in the World Cup, or watching it, or partaking in the transcendent aspects of sporting competition is nothing short of an honor!).
Anyway, my simple point is that though the highlight reels may be lacking, the games, imho, are not. Don't agree, you negative nellies? Well, keep on watching--especially this next and final week of the round-robins--we're talking some high drama in all eight groups.
Oh, and whoever you may be, Mr. ctierny, don't go screwing up the world with all your time-traveling. And I have two words for you (to add to the twelve I already wrote): The Fly (--which is actually about a teleportation device, but you get the point--or if you don't, I'm sure Yoda can explain it to you. Swong, you out there?)
yeah, man, i'm sold now. the
yeah, man, i'm sold now.
the first cycle of first round games had a lot of lifeless, dull, underachieving play i felt, but things are picking up now. Denmark v Cameroon, Brazil v Ivory Coast, Portugal v N Korea -- fun stuff. hopefully it keeps up!
btw, friday was the first time i've ever chanted U-S-A in my life :)
Everyone slides
Crazy day, today. Germany? England? Rooney? What is up with Rooney? I think he has touched the ball half a dozen times in both games together. Disappointing.
But it all makes for a crazy last week in Groups C and D. Go Ghana...
There's some goals for you
Swong, you ask and they deliver--because you're Yoda, of course.
Yes, Mexico!!! Sorry SKorea (--I was rooting for you today, even though I didn't bet on you).
Can we state it without controversy now: Zidane was the best baller of his day and easily one of the best ever. I mean, with him, France hunts down trophies; without him, France can't make it out of the round robin--heck, they hardly even qualified.
But it still takes something to beat them, and all props to Mexico (--especially since, on account of their effort, I suspect I hit the high water mark of my pool standings for the rest of the first round).
Fun day...
(You see, I got through the whole message without trash talking: I mean, I didn't even point out how mvshea's ranking totally dropped, or how Sucka should be the star of a new reality show called, "Making a Buck Cleaning My In-Laws' Basement"--nothing, just nice, happy-go-lucky, even humble stuff...)
an ode to the spaniards
spain, oh spain,
what a pain,
on your finishing i reflect,
with much disdain.
Right where I want 'em
arh1 is talking about shyguy, and mvshea blusters like Darth Vader before Han Solo swoops into the target shaft and sends Darth tumbling through infinite emptiness. Translation: mvshea is Darth, Shyguy is Han, I am Luke Skywalker, and infinite emptiness is the echoing chamber of Darth's heart once he realizes that the emperor is only using him like a skanky ho; and RED is the director's friend with a mustache who looks to the left when I tell everyone that I don't need the targeting system before I blow this whole thing wide open!!! Oh, and, tkiefer is OB One, telling me just to feel the force.
Clear as day to me. Sorry none of you seem to understand how these things work...
Swong, much agreed, except that I think teams have always been torn between emulation of either Italy or Brazil, since the influences of their respective success is hardly new. In other words, there is no more reason to fear the overly defensive style than there ever was, especially beyond first games. Second games will be different--teams will take greater chances, I think, I hope. Let's see.
Darth and the infinite emptiness ahead
Like Darth Vader I must begin to rebuild the Deathstar (thanks to France and Nigeria for underestimating the power of the Force). Note to up and coming World Cup players: diving in the box in the 80-something minute of the game still yields pks and not yellow cards. And so it is that the self-proclaimed Skywalker is right on my tail as my delusions of grandeur got the best of me. Hopefully England, Germany, and the USA will come over to the dark side tomorrow...
So if I follow your reasoning
So if I follow your reasoning then I'm Yoda. Yes?
Nailed it!
I didn't tell you, obviously, because you're Yoda--like I can teach you anything.
Ho Hum
I've been a bit disappointed so far by many of the matches. Fairly unimaginative and conservative play. I always worry that the Italian style is going to wear off on others since it's been successful in the past. The problem is that it's generally really boring in addition to being successful (Pittsburgh Steelers anyone?). The Brazil game today was a welcomed exception. I'm hoping that things start to heat up soon.Also looking forward to Spain tomorrow to provide some opportunity for that.
yeah, you gotta say that it's
yeah, you gotta say that it's been a disappointing tourney so far.
it seems to buck the trend that's been moving away from the uber-conservative, low-scoring styles a la 1990 (yeah, boo azzurri!)... but it doesn't seem like it's due to negative tactics -- it's almost like the quality just isn't there yet. the stars haven't stepped up, and there haven't been any huge surprises.
is Germany really the team providing the great attacking flair?
it's all the damn vuvuzelas' fault.
yeah, we can only hope that things start to pick up soon.
Creeping Up
Middle of the pack now and climbing fast.
Yes, first goal of the tournament is the best, but the shot by Cameroon today would have blown it away if it were a couple of inches lower--BLAM!--post is still rattling. Also, Messi's is the best performance so far. I agree, arh1, he has to deliver, but man, he is fun to watch. Also, I like the second-half left-flank sub for Netherlands today--he assisted the second goal--off the post.
Good stuff, all of it, but I know the best is in front of us. Ghana and S. Korea are my favorite surprises--would love to lose the pool if it means they do well. And I know I am Italian, but I do not like the Azuri at all--wish that Paraguayan keeper could have tidied his 6-yard box a bit better today (--easy for me to say).
Feel bad for the goalies, kinda like I feel bad for tkiefer and arh1 and rcarlos and especially for Sucka--all falling like elk-droppings on a cold winter day when the forest is filled with patches of snow that don't know whether to melt or hide in the shade.
aw, yeah! i hear you talkin,
aw, yeah!
i hear you talkin, Sucka. the tourney is young yet, the tourney is young.
we have our own little in-house competition going on, too, which could potentially get quite heated. JAG vs Sucka -- hmm...
c'mon Alemania! Germany by 2 against the Aussies and i'm sittin pretty again!
anyway, a bit of a disappointing tournament so far. we need a blowout game w/ a lot of goals to open things up. Germany should do that shortly...
lastly, best goal so far? my pick is the opening goal by S Africa.
this is NOT just a guy
I'm just sittin' back in my glory of 6 points.... If I recall, Andy was all too happy to point out my 2006 standings but that is sooo 2006. Joey, well he has 0 points, enough said. As for some others, you know say, Andy, Katy, Julie, Chucky, Whit, Katie D, Mr. D, I have two words for you -- hate'n it.
SUCKA
Hey, Sucka, don't get too
Hey, Sucka, don't get too pumped yet. Even I'm beating your 2006 results. In fact, who isn't?
My love,
Kaede
Well, I'm a genius
Yes, I am currently sitting third (to last), but the pick of Slovania by a goal over Algeria was sheer genius. Can't believe Suzy is doing as well as she is, and I can't believe tkiefer, Suzy's brother, is winning--that's just a little bit of the clear evidence of how rigged this scoring system is.
But again, just watch what the perfect Germany-Australia pick is going to do for me. Knock knock, Mr. Tim Kiefer.
Oh, by the way, here is a one-page layout of the whole tournament if you want one: http://a.espncdn.com/prod/assets/worldcup2010/bracket/wc-bracket-us.pdf
Scoring System's rigged
C'mon: rcarlos is kicking my butt? What! Something's amiss, I know it.
Nevertheless, I'll just have to catch him from behind--gloriously.
(Notice, of course, how I ignore all other submitters--each one of them as negligible as the next, especially red d and arh1 and mvshea.)
negligible? really joey?
rhheally? although after all, you said it yourself, you are just a guy...
ah, mvshea, you've got a lot
ah, mvshea, you've got a lot of nerve showing your face around here. (JAG or RED or anyone else, insert a Star Wars or Total Recall response here.)
think you can hang on to that lead? i've got one word for you: shyguy. that's right, he's sitting on exactly 0 points right now, and he's poised for a big leap.
You thought i had nerve yesterday!
Joey's first mistake was inviting me to play in this Wild Bor World Cup Pool. Now that I am here and, well, winning three days in a row, I am tempted to say that it is lonely here at the top. But that would imply that I want company, but from timkiefer? Please. He's related to Suzy! I mean if you, arh1, and Just a Guy combined scores, I might say we had ourselves a Pool. Oh wait, you'd still be one point shy. And that brings me to shyguy --> do your worst! I've clearly started boasting and there is no going back... I'll try to correct my swagger when the dynasty falls.
Thanks...
arh1, I want to express my heart-felt gratitude for all the work you put in--...
Whatever, now get ready to be whooped!!! You and that r. carlos kid are going to learn what soccer acumen really looks like--...
Sorry, that was Suzy and she, for some reason, is very aggressive about this whole thing. In fact, right now, she is punching the wall while listening to her walkman (like the famed Wash U Berserker).
Suzy. Suzy,... relax lady...
Thanks Hieb
will benj repeat as the grand
will benj repeat as the grand champion? will suzy repeat as the overall worst? ah, the drama...