[pooltuna]

cherdanno, on Jun 26 2010, 11:48 AM, said:

Josh wanna bet? You pick USA and one out of Slovakia, Mexico, Japan and Chile, I pick Ghana and the opponent of the other team you pick. If both your teams advance, you win, if both my teams advance, I win. 50 Dollars?

hmm you are currently 3rd in this contest. I would need odds

[jdonn]

No I don't wanna bet, if the world rankings are this useless than I'm glad I've learned something. Besides you are obviously too good at this.

So am I to take it that Portugal is nowhere near the 3rd best team in the world (or Spain is far and away the best?) since you don't even consider that matchup close?

[hotShot]

jdonn, on Jun 26 2010, 06:40 PM, said:

No I don't wanna bet, if the world rankings are this useless than I'm glad I've learned something. Besides you are obviously too good at this.

So am I to take it that Portugal is nowhere near the 3rd best team in the world (or Spain is far and away the best?) since you don't even consider that matchup close?

Spain lost against the Swiss (Ranked 24 IIRC).

The FIFA ranking includes results from the last 8 years. (Although older results have less weight) So former good teams are overrated and teams that are getting significantly better are underrated.

Of the player in Ghanas team only one is still playing in Ghana, the others are playing in European top teams. Once they get used to being a team ,they should have a ranking somewhere between England and Spain.

[cherdanno]

jdonn, on Jun 26 2010, 12:40 PM, said:

No I don't wanna bet, if the world rankings are this useless than I'm glad I've learned something. Besides you are obviously too good at this.

So am I to take it that Portugal is nowhere near the 3rd best team in the world (or Spain is far and away the best?) since you don't even consider that matchup close?

Well maybe I should have included Spain-Portugal (you may have noted that Portugal wasn't on the list of teams I offered you to pick from ). Spain was considered a favorite going into the world cup, Portugal wasn't, and nothing I have seen would change that impression.

Maybe I am biased with USA-Ghana, but I saw USA tie against England, and Ghana lose 1-0 to Germany, and Ghana looked quite a bit better in comparison. That didn't show on the result sheet because Germany was better than England at converting their goal opportunities, and because Germany did have a goal keeper.

[Hanoi5]

I'm gonna change my 55 to 2. It's still open, right?

[Aberlour10]

Hanoi5, on Jun 26 2010, 02:45 PM, said:

I'm gonna change my 55 to 2. It's still open, right?

done

#53-#56 are still open

[hotShot]

Ghana!!!!!

[kfay]

OH THE HUMANITY!!!!!!

[hanp]

hotShot, on Jun 26 2010, 01:04 PM, said:

Spain lost against the Swiss (Ranked 24 IIRC).

Of course there is an element of randomness, every given match the stronger team can lose. Although I think that Spain hasn't lived up to its expectations so far, they far outplayed Switzerland that match. But even though Spain lost it's first match, I think everybody expected them to qualify anyway and they did. If they grow into the tournament then I still think that they can win.

Portugal survived a very strong group with one very convincing win and two draws against good teams. But I don't think that they are the third best team at this moment.

Josh you were wise not to take the bet. The US team is going home but I think they can be very pleased with their performance. They don't have any superstars but they came in first in their group despite several huge errors by the referees in their disadvantage. And Ghana is far stronger than their ranking suggests.

[hanp]

Oh and sorry Arend but I am afraid that Germany is not going to make it tomorrow. I think that the English players are simply better. I'll cheer for Germany though, perhaps that will help.

[jdonn]

hanp, on Jun 26 2010, 06:29 PM, said:

Josh you were wise not to take the bet. The US team is going home but I think they can be very pleased with their performance. They don't have any superstars but they came in first in their group despite several huge errors by the referees in their disadvantage. And Ghana is far stronger than their ranking suggests.

Frankly I don't think Ghana played particularly well during most of the match. The US had many more excellent scoring chances but were failing to finish on them. Ghana had little offense throughout but capitalized on some huge defensive breakdowns by the US and to their credit came through with excellent finishes, the second one being particularly nice. I think their win had a lot more to do with those US defensive lapses and failures to finish their best opportunities than anything brilliant (besides the finishes themselves) that Ghana did.

[gwnn]

I agree with that jdonn but I'd like to stress that for me both teams played rather bad football and Uruguay will kill Ghana.

[jdonn]

Agree, plus Ghana is missing two players against Uruguay due to excessive yellow cards.

[Aberlour10]

Aberlour10, on Jun 25 2010, 03:57 PM, said:

*** KO ROUND OF 16 *** ( 2 )


53) Netherlands - Slovakia

54) Brazil - Chile

55) Paraguay - Japan

56) Spain - Portugal

Please post before Monday 28,  16.00 CET,  10.00 am EST

*Reminder* 4 entries are still needed:

@>>>
pooltuna
shyams
kfay
fyrish

[shyams]

*** KO ROUND OF 16 *** ( 2 )


53) 1 - Netherlands to win
54) 2 - Chile to record a shock win
55) 2 - Japan to win
56) 1 - Spain, but it's close

[pooltuna]

53) 1

54) 1

55) 1

56) 1

[Aberlour10]

After yesterday's results the competition is closer and closer, here could be a photo finish on final day

[Aberlour10]

[cherdanno]

hanp, on Jun 26 2010, 06:33 PM, said:

Oh and sorry Arend but I am afraid that Germany is not going to make it tomorrow. I think that the English players are simply better. I'll cheer for Germany though, perhaps that will help.

Thanks!

[kfay]

1
1
2
1

I miss USA