Round of 16, Day 1

[Jejima]

I think we should start a second round of predictions for the knock-out stages (to allow others to join in from the start, if they wish).

We can then add up both rounds at the end, if we feel bothered.

I think three things to predict here. Who will win the game for one point, and one point for predicting when the game will end (90 mins, 120 mins or penalties.) Also, I think a bonus point should be available for predicting the exact final result. (This still counts whether the game ends in 90 mins or 120 mins, no matter the time you predicted. If the game goes to penalties, it counts for the drawn result *prior* to the penalties. No points for predicting how the penalties end up, but you can give yourself an * if you get this bit correct too (Hugging...) )

However, if you predict that team A wins in 90 minutes, but team B wins in 90 minutes, then you don't pick up the point for predicting 90 minutes.

For a prediction of 120 mins or penalties, you can pick up the point regardless which team wins (basically, because you have correctly predicted a 'draw' after 90 mins).

Today,

Germany vs Sweden - tricky, tricky, tricky. The Swedes always seem to play well as a team, and they have some star players this time around. Germany does have home advantage though, and a side that is starting to believe. Game ends in 90 mins. Germany wins 2-1.

Argentina vs Mexico. Game over in 90 mins, 3-0 to the Argentines.

Edited June 24, 2006 by Jejima

[Taka]

Sweden vs Germany should be really tight, it's extremely rare that Sweden go down easy, but unless it goes to penalties or something it is hard to see Sweden actually winning. They can hope that their coach Lagerback who is notoriously well prepared outcoaches Klinsmann, explores some of those German weaknesses, or they can hope for that something extra special from someone like Zlatan. The problem is that he hasn't been on top form and that he on top of that because of an injury isn't even sure of starting.

One defensive weakness that I think Sweden have and which could be their breakdown especially against Germany, is their weak fullbacks. Alexandersson is a former classic wing, I'm sure some remember him when he was at Sheffield W, and on the left side Hedman isn't very strong either.

If those two can't hold their own against Germany's attack from the flanks, and perhaps more than any other team so far, the germans do love to attack from there, they have ideal targets in Klose and Ballack, the normaly solid central defence of Mellberg and Lucic may be in over their heads.

The fullbacks may end up needing a lot of help from the midfielders and if that's the case too often, exploring germany's weaknesses will become even more difficult. Sure Ljungberg is great at the transition game but not if he is using all his energy defensively.

I don't think the Swedish passing game can resist the German pressure high up the field either (on the other hand I predict that a technical good side will KILL the germans if they continue to play like this) so I expect a lot of swedish longballs and it will then largely be up to the forwards to create something.

1-0 Germany 90 minutes

Argentina have looked like the best team so far and frankly I think Mexico's best if not only hope is to play extremely defenisvely with ten men behind the ball at all times, the kind of play that sadly sank the Argies at the last World Cup, but I don't think I've ever seen Mexico play that way. It's just not their style and I even have doubts that they could do this effectively.

2-0 Argentina 90 minutes

Edited June 24, 2006 by Taka

[Gernobono]

Germany - Sweden 0-1 after 120 [0-0 after 90 min]: Heja Sverige! .......i guess that sweden will start defensive and i guess germany will not be able to score.....henrik larsson will make the difference.....

Argentine - Mexico 2-0 after 90 min: Mexico is a major disappointment for me....

Edited June 24, 2006 by Gernobono

[sekihiryu]

Germany 2-1 after 90mins

Argentina 3-0 after 90mins

[Oshirokita]

Germany 3 - Sweden 1 (90)

Argentina 4 - Mexico 1 (90)

[Sakana]

Germany - Sweden : 2-0 (90')

Argentina - Mexico : 2-1 (90')

overall : 12-11-25 ***

Edited June 24, 2006 by Sakana

[Gernobono]

I think three things to predict here. Who will win the game for one point, and one point for predicting when the game will end (90 mins, 120 mins or penalties.) Also, I think a bonus point should be available for predicting the exact final result. (This still counts whether the game ends in 90 mins or 120 mins, no matter the time you predicted. If the game goes to penalties, it counts for the drawn result *prior* to the penalties. No points for predicting how the penalties end up, but you can give yourself an * if you get this bit correct too (Blushing...) )

However, if you predict that team A wins in 90 minutes, but team B wins in 90 minutes, then you don't pick up the point for predicting 90 minutes.

For a prediction of 120 mins or penalties, you can pick up the point regardless which team wins (basically, because you have correctly predicted a 'draw' after 90 mins).

any chance anyone is keeping track of the results? (Hugging...) (Laughing...)

[Kintamayama]

Germany-Sweden=1-0 (90)

Argentina-Mexico= 4-1 (90)

Some more rule suggestions:

0.5 points for predicting a come-from behind win.

1 point for predicting the team shirt colors-(2 points if you got both teams)

0.3 points for predicting the number of penalties in the box that the ref missed

1 point for guessing how many times we will see a close-up of Beckenbauer in the stands.

6 points for guessing the number of times we see Maradona acting like a four year old fan.(second match only)

2.3 points for guessing the linesmen's wrong off-side calls.

0 points for guessing the linesmen's correct off-side calls.

65 points for guessing the number of close-ups of luscious women's fine body parts. (if you manage to guess the female fans' team affiliation correctly, you get 77 points extra)

And I will give out 100 points if we manage to see ONE open, exciting match, instead of the safe, bunker games that usually transpire in phase 2 and upwards.

Edited June 24, 2006 by Kintamayama

[Jejima]

any chance anyone is keeping track of the results? (Hugging...) (Laughing...)

This isn't that serious....

Everyone keeps their own score (Blushing...)

[Imumaru]

Yesterday : 1-3

Overall : 26-22 *******

Today, only two match (Laughing...)

Germany 1-0 Sweden (90 minutes)

Argentina 1-1 Mexico (90 minutes) ; Argentina 3-1 Mexico (120 minutes).

Have a good day! (Hugging...)

[Fay]

Yes only two matches - thank God (Laughing...) (Blushing...)

Germany - Sweden 2-1

Argentina - Mexico 4-0 (Hugging...)

[Imumaru]

1st match :

GERMANY 2-0 SWEDEN

Goals:

Podolski for Germany (4') 1-0

Podolski for Germany (12') 2-0

Red Card:

Lucic for Sweden (34')

2nd match :

ARGENTINA 2-1 MEXICO

Goals:

Marquez for Mexico (4') 0-1

Crespo for Argentina (10') 1-1

1-1 (90 min)

Rodriguez for Argentina (98') 2-1

I do not know if it is Borgetti which marks an own-goal or Crespo but officially, this goal was allotted to the Argentinian player (by FIFA).The Borgetti's head and the Crespo's foot were at the same place at the same time!! It's very difficult to know who marked the goal.

Quartersfinals :

Germany-Argentina

Edited June 24, 2006 by Imumaru

[Taka]

Great performance by the German team!

Together with Argentina, the Germans are playing the most attacking football of the tournament. They attack with the whole midfield and often their fullbacks too. Almost unheard of in modern football! I bet this is how the english press WISH England would play.

If you play against this German team you better be able to keep possesion. Otherwise you're doomed. The Sweden, as any non good passing team will too I predict, this includes England, simply succumbed to the non stop German pressure.

Everyone is a threat to score as well. Ballack can score goal with his head and feet, Frings has a great shot, Klose is on fire, Podolski is great one on one and Schweinsteiger/Lahm/Schneider challenges you everytime they touch the ball.

Red card was once again ridiculous, Larsson looks old and Leftback Edman like I feared completely clueless.

[Sakana]

Happy to see that Germans are doing as "usual" : quarter-finals at least.

(and first good guess of the day with this 2-0 ^^)

Forza Albiceleste ! :)

Yes, Argentina goes to quarter-finals ! :)

I have guessed 2-1 but in 90' (have I the point ? :-S)

Edited June 24, 2006 by Sakana

[Cammy]

Well I got to this a little late, but I am going to take Mexico over Argentina 3-2. Also it was already 1-1 when I posted this...yeah just a little late.

[Kintamayama]

26-18-5, after today.

[Jejima]

Okay, the scores on the doors, after day 1.....

Sakana 5

Imumaru 4*

Fay 4 (as you didn't mention a time, I presume you meant 90 mins)

Jejima 3

Taka 3

Sekihiryu 3

Oshirokita 3

Kintamayama 3

Nishinoshima 3

Gernobono 1

Cammy 0

[Fay]

Okay, the scores on the doors, after day 1.....

Sakana 5

Imumaru 4*

Fay 4 (as you didn't mention a time, I presume you meant 90 mins)

Jejima 3

Taka 3

Sekihiryu 3

Oshirokita 3

Kintamayama 3

Nishinoshima 3

Gernobono 1

Cammy 0

yes I meant after 90 minutes, that was the time I fell asleep finally :-S

[Imumaru]

Yeah, I am the only one to have guessed that Argentina-Mexico did not finish into 90 min, and also to have guessed the result (1-1).

Two French in the first two places!! Congratulatins to Sakana!