FIFA WC Tipping comp

[Tillane]

I think they had about two "facts" for New Zealand, Wy - one being that the All Whites were the only nation without a professional domestic league, and the other being that one of their players only played footy part-time. Beyond that...nothing.

[Ursa major]

They also "knew" that those NZ players who were leaping about with their elbows jutting out didn't really mean it. (And that they had no real effect on an Italian's skull when they made contact, however hard the contact was.)

[Tillane]

The latter, of course, may well have been true...

[Ursa major]

But only by accident.

[No One]

Originally Posted by Tillane

And I really hope Germany get to the final now, otherwise I'll be in the unfortunate position of cheering for...well, no one.

Cheers Tillane! I'll do my best and if I score I'll point to sky and say "That one's for you!"

As to the game, I was watching it with my visiting brother and about five seconds before the Van Bronckhorst goal (when I think Sneider* was on the ball at a similar distance from goal) I said to him, "I reckon the players want to try hitting this ball from further out, right about from that range."

You can imagine my smuggness a moment later

*I know there's a 'J' in there somewhere but any one place seems as likely as another right now.

[Ursa major]

So no-one not only could've predicted that goal, but No One did.








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[Allegra]

Originally Posted by pyan

No point predicting an England win on Sunday, apparently...

BBC News - 'Psychic' octopus predicts Germany victory over England

That was then, this is now:

YouTube - Psychic Octopus Picks Spain in World Cup Traitor!

[Ursa major]

Given my deadline malfunction yesterday (though I hope Wy will overlook the 8 minute delay), I think I'd better make my forecast now:

Germany 2 - 1 Spain.

[Culhwch]

7 July
Germany 2 Spain 3

[Tillane]

After much deliberation, I'm with tardy bear (although I suppose he's early bear today...)

Germany 2 - 1 Spain

[Wybren]

Bit nervous now that Paul has tipped Spain, but the last time he picked a wrong one was a Spain v Germany one so I am willing to go against the Octopus.

[Clansman]

I may as well dive in to this competition in the end games...

Spain 2 - 2 Germany at the end of stoppage time.

Where it goes in penalty kicks is anyone's guess. I know this doesn't count, so:

Spain 5 - 4 Germany (after penalty kicks).

[No One]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

So no-one not only could've predicted that goal, but No One did.

.

Sounds like a paradox.

*looks about him nervously*

Nope. Universe is still here. Unless, of course, another one was created the instant the last one was destroyed.

[Sephiroth]

Well, I'm a bit past the three-hour deadline, but Wy said it was okay. I'm still struggling to pick this one.

I'm going to gamble. I said I wouldn't look at Cul's result, and I didn't intend to. I missed his prediction for last night's game (and it turned out that we predicted the exact same scoreline, and were both wrong). But his prediction for tonight was hard to miss.

Which has helped me make up my mind. I had been leaning toward Spain all along (facing south, you see -- it's the best way to get a tan). I couldn't decide if they would win 2-1, or if it would finish 2-2 and Spain would win in extra time.

But it occurs to me that, if I pick 2-2 and Spain to win in extra time, and Spain win 3-2, I've effectively picked the same result as Cul, again (and we both get four points). I suppose if Spain won on penalties, that might be different. Although I'm not clear on what would happen in that scenario.

But seeing as there are so few games left, I'm going to go with 2-1 Spain, which was my first thought, before I decided that this game would have more goals than that. Either it will haul me back into contention, or put me out of it altogether. (Unless, of course, we're both way off the mark, and things will stay as they are.)

So much for not second-guessing myself. I really should have got my prediction in earlier. If I'd posted it as soon as I picked it, this is what it would have been, anyway:


Wed 7th
Germany 1 - 2 Spain

[Sephiroth]

Well, no indication at half-time of who's going to win this. Great possession football by Spain, but no cutting edge, so far (although a few almost-incisive passes -- I wish Lawrenson would shut up about 'one pass too many', and 'one good player too many'). Germany have been happy to keep it solid at the back, and take their chances on the break (and they've looked dangerous a few times doing it).


So far, both teams have been strong in defence, but not so sharp up front.

Talk about finely balanced.